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#80: Bellamy Young - TV's "Scandal" Star
“[My] job is to prepare, know your lines, and have thought about story arc and have ideas about character, but your job is to go in there, relax, open your mind, live in the other person’s eyes, and just react to what’s happening in the moment. That’s what a meditation practice can bring you. That sort of utter calm and utter presence. You’re not in the future and you’re not in the past. You’re just living this moment,” says Bellamy Young, known by many for her starring role as Mellie Grant in ABC’s Scandal. Bellamy tells Dan about her meditation practice, which she has made part of her bedtime routine, along with conversation of Scandal’s season six finale (Spoilers beginning after 30:00), and questions from Twitter.
- Bellamy talks about developing her own meditation practice method, and the benefits it brings to her work as an actor.
- Bellamy talks with Dan about her adopted mother’s tragic loss of four husbands
- Dan tells of his history as a problem child, including his first arrest and his career as a graffiti artist.
- Bellamy tells how her life is all built off of talents she pursued based on erroneous information about her birth parents.
- Bellamy tells about her proudest accomplishment in her life, which happened this year.
Q&A with Twitter followers:
- Spoiler Alert: Bellamy discusses the Scandal season finale, and her becoming emotionally invested in the outcome of her character Mellie’s election campaign.
- What Bellamy would do in her first 100 days as President
“I focus on just getting a little space at first between my atoms. Then a little more space between my atoms, and a little more, and eventually I just dissolve into everything, and I'm reminded that that's our actual natural state. And I stay there, thoughtless and suspended and complete, for as long as I can.” -Bellamy Young
“I started in a lot of different ways, because you must. I started with the breath. I tried with a candle. I tried so many different things. It really came back to a visceral experience of oneness, for me. It's been so helpful, so fulfilling, so grounding.” -Bellamy Young
“I've been studying, recently, some of the science around behavior change. You wisely intuited a very important thing, which is you've got to know yourself. If you're not a morning person, don't do it in the morning. If you're not a night person, don't do it in the night. Experiment, find the time that works for you, be willing to fail, and start again. That's how we make abiding habits.” -Dan Harris
“Our answers, what we seek is always within us. So we have the answers. We're asking the questions because the answers exist and want to get out of us, right? So just get calm and listen and you'll know what you need.” -Bellamy Young
“You learn not to identify with the thoughts… Fundamentally, you have the thought, but you know that you are not those thoughts, so you have the option to disengage. You have the objectivity to forgive yourself, right? … Really those thoughts are something that are happening to you that you can just love and release.” -Bellamy Young
“What I've always thought was one of the coolest things about being an actor is you get to live like a thousand lifetimes in one lifetime.” -Bellamy Young
“Your body, when you're acting, has no idea you're acting. You're going through something. You're going through it. It just doesn't know the difference. ... My body doesn't know I'm lying, so you really have to have a way to process and have a way to learn and move forward.” -Bellamy Young
“I love trying to find another person’s soul, center, whatever. Be handed a bunch of lines and try and really find the human behind them is my favorite crossword puzzle ever.” - Bellamy Young
Other Content Mentioned:
How to learn more about Bellamy:
Introduction from Dan:
Dan: A little bit of housekeeping as we start this new podcast. You may remember Sebene Selassie from episode 43, really, really interesting teacher who has also had some harrowing health experiences. She has just posted some free guided meditations on the 10% Happier app, including a five-minute one called "Working With Anxiety," and a one-minute meditation called, "For an Anxious Moment." This is a woman who knows a little bit about anxiety, and these meditations are great. And again, they're free on the 10% Happier App.
All right, now down to business. This week we have Bellamy Young, who is one of the stars of a show called Scandal, which happens to air on a network called ABC, which is where I also work. Let this one unfurl. I was really ... I didn't know much about Bellamy and I learn over the course of this interview, and she became ... She started interesting, and just got increasingly so as the thing progressed, and there were a lot of little surprises along the way. So really just let this one unfurl and enjoy it. Here we go, Bellamy Young.
Conversation with Bellamy & Dan:
Dan: How, when, where, why did you start meditating?
Bellamy: It has been many years. My mom has buried four husbands and it was after the third, who was a very lovely, lovely man named Barry, that I really went through a time of finding myself, finding my roots, finding my anchor in this life. I didn't want to feel so upended and untethered. At the time a friend was studying TM in L.A., and although I'm not a subscriber to a particular branch of meditation, I really saw transformation in her life, and was so very interested in the experience of it and started to read a little bit. I'm a science geek, started to read a little bit about how it changes your brain and finding my way for myself with it.
For me, I can't ... I'm a very lucid dreamer and I never want to take the day into my dreams. I feel like that's a time to get higher knowledge, to receive other information, messages, whatever ... guidance.
I like to give the day away right as I'm getting into bed. It's a simpler process for me, maybe than some. I start on my breath, I breathe in on three words, "Yes," and out on, "Yes," and in on, "Love," and out on, "Love," and in on, "Thank you," and out on, "Thank you." Then I literally, you know, we all suffer with the thoughts that come and go and associate with the space between or a higher self or whatever. For me, it's more molecular. I focus on just getting a little space at first between my atoms. Then a little more space between my atoms, and a little more, and eventually I just dissolve into everything, and I'm reminded that that's our actual natural state. And I stay there, thoughtless and suspended and complete, for as long as I can.
Dan: So this is a pre-bedtime ritual?
Bellamy: Yeah. Yeah, and then I find I can go to sleep clear, you know? I don't ... this nattering mind, because gosh do I have one, it doesn't go into whatever that state of consciousness is that allows us to rest, rebuild, renew, receive.
Dan: So did you just make this up on your own? Because if you did, that's great!
Dan: Where did you get it from? Because your friend was studying transcendental meditation. You didn't want to go down that road? You just made up your own thing?
Bellamy: For me, and it's such a personal path.
Dan: Yes, absolutely.
Bellamy: And there's no wrong or right ... For me, that journey seemed so personal, and it seemed like you would intuit what you needed. That's just where I wound up. I started in a lot of different ways because you must. I started with the breath. I tried with a candle. I tried so many different things. It really came back to a visceral experience of oneness, for me. It's been so helpful, so fulfilling, so grounding. I really ... there's some reason, you know, press days like this week, anything like that that I think I don't have time, there's never a time that I don't time because if I don't have time, I really lose the rest of my weekday life. It really is destabilizing.
Dan: But it sounds like the way you've structured it, doing it right before you go to sleep, you don't have to find time for it during the day, you just have to make sure that you do it before you go to bed.
Dan: That's smart.
Bellamy: Well, I don't know, because I'm a night person. Some people are morning people and they'll do better to meditate in the morning.
Dan: Yes, yes.
Bellamy: I'm definitely a night person. It's right for me.
Dan: I've been studying, recently, some of the science around behavior change. You wisely intuited a very important thing, which is you've got to know yourself. If you're not a morning person, don't do it in the morning. If you're not a night person, don't do it in the night. Experiment, find the time that works for you, be willing to fail, and start again. That's how we make abiding habits.
Bellamy: Yeah, and our answers, what we seek is always within us. So we have the answers. We're asking the questions because the answers exist and want to get out of us, right? So just get calm and listen and you'll know what you need.
Dan: You mentioned this is a press week. We should say that I am interviewing you on the morning after Scandal's big season finale.
Bellamy: Yeah, season six finale! If I sound little ... wreck, we've had such a beautiful week. They announced this week, also, that next year is our final season. So it's been such a bittersweet week, to share this ... My cast is such a family. Cast, crew, writers, all of us. There's so very much love, it's an unbelievably heart-based endeavor. This is the last week we'll share in New York, together, seeing plays, doing press, being the Scandal family. It was all just very, very rich yesterday.
Dan: I have a million Scandal questions.
Bellamy: Come on, Dan, bring it.
Dan: Before I bring it, I just want to stay on meditation for a second.
Dan: When did you institute this nightly ritual? How many years ago? What did it do for you?
Bellamy: It was probably, like, 2003 or '04?
Dan: That's a while ago! Okay, yeah.
Bellamy: Yeah, a minute ago.
Dan: So back in 2003 or '04, okay.
Dan: So this is a good long run.
Bellamy: Yeah. Well, you know, you know it's life changing, and then it becomes like breathing.
Dan: Yes. Of course.
Bellamy: You're like, "Why would I not breathe? That would be crazy." Yeah, it's been so helpful.
Dan: Do you feel like, you talked about your nattering mind ... Do you feel like you have some distance from some of the unhelpful things that the mind is offering up? What is the impact in your daily life?
Bellamy: Definitely my sleep improved. I had much unrest in my sleep because I would just take all of the thoughts in there with me and wrestle them all night long. That makes your life better immediately. Also, I, as you do, you learn not to identify with the thoughts. So even when they come during the day, those old tapes, or self-doubt, or obsessing about things that are out of your control. You know, fundamentally, you have the thought, but you know that you are not those thoughts, so you have the option to disengage. You have the objectivity to forgive yourself, right? Your mind is not driving this little horse and buggy. Really those thoughts are something that is happening to you that you can just love and release.
Dan: (laugh) That's great.
Bellamy: You know? And if you don't, then you're choosing, right? Then you're choosing. And I make that choice as often as other people do. I get something on my mind, and I'm like, "You know, you could let this go." And I'm like, "No, I have to see it through." I feel like we're always learning, life is a journey, but once you know that you're making choices and that life isn't running you, this is such a gift, this time on the planet, and that you get to go through it in the way that seems right for your heart, your soul, your spirit. Even the moments that you might deem failure are lessons, and just to embrace it all and really be gentle with yourself.
Dan: I've interviewed a bunch of actors on this podcast, and I've found that this practice is really useful, I don't want to say especially, but it's very useful for actors because you have so much insecurity baked into what you do. You don't know what your next job is going to be. You just found out. You're going to the last season of this massive hit show, and what are you going to do after that? And you're subject to the slings and arrows of television critics and random people on Twitter, and people who you might feel like you are competitive within the acting space. There's all of this stuff going on. So I was just wondering if I'm diagnosing correctly the water in which you swim and whether meditation has helped with all of the aforementioned.
Bellamy: Absolutely, yeah. As actors, we live the life or rejection. Rejection and unemployment are our constant companions, then jobs are our blessings. You really have to find something deeper to root to, or it's complete mayhem. If you start identifying with the lack, then you're lost. Because there's such abundance around us all the time. When you can remind yourself that we are one and that we're all connected, and that no one has less or needs more-
Dan: How do you feel like you're one, though, when somebody else is getting a job you want? Don't you feel pretty separate from that person in that moment?
Bellamy: You know, I'm blessed because I was not born competitive. Except with myself. I ride myself hard, so that's why it's really fruitful for me to make friends with my mind, or its workings, understand how it works. I really, for myself and all of the people that I know and I love, you get the hand you're supposed to get. All of our lives, and maybe it's just a little more obvious metaphor when you're an actor ... You get handed the job you're supposed to get. Your soul needs to go through this journey, and there are no mistakes.
So when you don't get a job, it just wasn't your job. There will be a different job, or there won't be. I've never thought, "That should have been mine!" Because clearly, it shouldn't have. I've always wound up so, sort of, breathless with how perfect everything is for the jobs that I've had, be they tiny or just the gift of this, for seven years, to be with these people, to play this unbelievable part. This is the part of a lifetime, and I'm so lucky. But it was always right on time. Like everything else, if your mind and heart and eyes are open, your spirit is open, then you get to have that lesson and move on to the next thing.
What I've always thought was one of the coolest things about being an actor is you get to live like a thousand lifetimes in one lifetime.
Dan: Yeah, that's pretty cool.
Bellamy: It's unbelievable. And your body, when you're acting, has no idea you're acting. You're going through something. You're going through it. It just doesn't know the difference. I do worry for folks that have to do a lot of horror movies or very, very, very dark material. I would not do well with that, and I don't know how they keep their spirit clear and clean and keep themselves safe. Because that, you know, when I lost my son on the show, or even going through the divorce with Tony, whatever ... My body doesn't know I'm lying, so you really have to have a way to process and have a way to learn and move forward.
Dan: I don't think I could do it. I wouldn’t ever be able to convince myself.
Dan: Yeah. The times when I’ve had to act, in any way. I had to play myself on Conviction, that short-lived ABC show.
Bellamy: Yeah, yeah, yeah, totally.
Dan: Just was doing an interview with the lead actress.
Dan: I was terrible. I cannot act.
Bellamy: What were you terrible? Like, what do you think?
Dan: I just, I got all in my head, self-conscious, and I don’t like pretending. I don’t mind just being myself because that’s all I really know. But if you ask me to even be a slightly different version of me, or recite lines, pretend like I know that I mean it, I can’t do it.
Bellamy: I love trying to find another person’s soul, center, whatever. Be handed a bunch of lines and try and really find the human behind them is my favorite crossword puzzle ever.
Dan: But isn’t it a little schizophrenic?
Bellamy: Sure, whatever. You know, potato, po-tah-to, Dan. Do you live a super honest life? Do you ever lie? Are you a good liar?
Dan: I’m not a good liar, no.
Bellamy: Yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah.
Dan: I’m a terrible person in many, many ways, but I’m not really into lying.
Bellamy: Yeah. (laugh) A terrible person! (laugh)
Dan: I don’t want to hold myself up as some avatar of morality, but even my wife, both of us are pretty open about my flaws, not so much hers … That’s not true. We’re open about both of our flaws. But one of the things that even she will concede is that she can trust that if she asks me a question, I’ll tell her the truth, even if she doesn’t want to hear it.
Bellamy: That’s cool.
Dan: Yeah. So I guess that also feeds into me being a terrible actor.
Bellamy: Yeah, yeah.
Dan: Can you lie?
Dan: You can probably lie really well!
Bellamy: I mean, I lie for a living, right?
Bellamy: I just don’t make a practice of it in my life, because there was a time that I did. There was a time in my twenties where my self-esteem was so low that it wasn’t even, like, lying to get ahead, because like I said, I want everybody very kumbaya. I just would lie because I thought my life was so shameful. So I’d lie and make up a better life.
And lying is exhausting because you have to remember everything.
Dan: Yes, yes.
Bellamy: While I’ve got killer short-term memory, boy that long-term memory does not support a life of duplicity. Really, it’s not cool. I can’t hang w it anymore.
Dan: What was wrong with your life? You were an aspiring actor and just weren’t getting roles?
Bellamy: Yeah, you know, I mean, what’s wrong with any of our lives? Nothing, they’re perfect. But I just had no self-esteem, so I just thought the life I was living was shameful. I just thought I would tell people better stories than that. Yeah.
It hurts my heart to even think about. I just want to hug my young self, and anybody that’s out there, I want to hug them too, because we’re all, wherever we are, we’re perfect, and the more honest you are with people, the more connection you can make. Lying only keeps the separation. It keeps such a gulf between you, a chasm between you and connection and humans and remembering the oneness.
But yeah, no, I lived there forever.
Dan: Yeah, but what a victory that you can look back and say, “That’s not me anymore.”
Bellamy: Thank heavens.
Dan: I’ve got to ask about your mother. Four husbands?
Bellamy: God bless her, yes. My sweet mom, if you’re listening, I love you.
Dan: Is she onto number five?
Bellamy: She has a lovely boyfriend named Bill.
Dan: Okay, well, you can’t bring her down.
Bellamy: No! It’s the best, it’s a talent I don’t have. I respect it.
Dan: It’s not four divorces, it’s four deaths.
Bellamy: No, they passed. Yeah, Dan, no, they passed. Yeah, my first step died when I was 15. She married the guy who had been her boyfriend in seventh and eighth grade. His wife had died the year before, both of cancer.
Dan: So your dad died of cancer?
Bellamy: He did.
Dan: I’m very sorry. 15, that’s a really hard age to lose a parent.
Bellamy: It was. Yeah, it was a confusing time. You don’t know at the time, but it was.
Dan: Just to set the scene, this was in North Carolina.
Bellamy: Asheville, North Carolina.
Dan: Asheville, yeah, beautiful town.
Bellamy: That’s exactly right when I was in high school. Then Bob was her second husband and he passed away. Then she was alone for a little while and went on match.com like ten years later and met the best guy in the world, named Barry. He was from Brockton.
Dan: Brockton, Massachusetts.
Dan: Did he retire to Asheville?
Bellamy: His wife had gotten sick and he’d moved south to Columbia. Columbia? Is that right? South Carolina? He had brought her there for her convalescence, and she had passed. My mom is also not … geographically confined. She was living in Asheville, but Barry was in South Carolina, and she was all good with it.
Same thing now. Bill is in Tennessee sometimes, it’s all, you know …
Dan: Do you think she’s going to get married for her fifth time?
Bellamy: I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know. It’s her journey. We’ll see what happens. And then there was Bobby Lee, and he passed away of liver cancer last year … two years ago.
Bellamy: I know!
Dan: The resilience! The romantic resilience of your mom, who I have never met-
Bellamy: Yeah, amen.
Dan: But still.
Bellamy: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Definitely, definitely.
Dan: Do you have clear memories of your dad?
Bellamy: Spotty. Yeah, yeah. It was a disorienting time. That was a very disorienting time. He was very sick and we kept him at home. Bless him, he’d been an alcoholic before that, so it wasn’t so white picket fence before that. So my memories are … But you know, I can remember him teaching me accuracy throw for field day. We had this old Lincoln Continental with the suicide doors and he’d drive me around, I was a little pageant child and he’d drive me around in little parades in that. Just different things. He wore a toupee and I loved to put on his toupee and use a cane and pretend to be the entertainer or something.
Dan: He wore a toupee and was open about it like you could get it off him-
Bellamy: Oh yeah, he didn’t care, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. (laugh)
Dan: So you were a pageant child?
Bellamy: Yeah, Dan. Were you?
Dan: I was the opposite of a pageant. Problem child? Yeah.
Bellamy: No, really? Were you a problem child?
Dan: I was a horrible kid.
Bellamy: Tell us the worse thing you ever did.
Dan: My mother will tell you lots of bad stories.
Bellamy: Tell us one now.
Dan: Okay, just randomly.
Dan: My first time I got arrested-
Dan: Was when I was 14. My friends and I were vandalizing a T station in suburban Boston, a train.
Bellamy: Oh! (laugh)
Dan: MBTA, Metro Boston Transportation Authority-
Bellamy: Copy that.
Dan: We were throwing rocks at stuff. I actually think the cops just brought me home that night. It was the first time I was in a cop car.
Dan: Yeah, they didn’t arrest us. But that was number one.
Bellamy: Who, why, why with the stones?
Dan: I was 14.
Bellamy: We weren’t up to spray paint yet, right?
Dan: Oh, I did that too. I had a robust graffiti career.
Dan: My tag was, “Ace.” Yeah. I was brilliant at that.
Bellamy: Amazing! I’m going to make you draw it for me later.
Dan: Actually, my tag, I still do it when I’m doodling-
Bellamy: Yeah you do!
Dan: I’m better at it now than I was when I was a kid.
Bellamy: Of course you are.
Dan: And all of my friends say the same thing.
Bellamy: (laugh) I love it!
Dan: I was really into this. Because when I was in … I’m 45, so when I was in junior high, rap really broke. I was obsessed with Run DMC, the first concert I ever went to was the Beastie Boys.
Dan: Or actually the second concert, the first was Whitney Houston.
Bellamy: Wow! Okay.
Dan: So we were really into it.
Dan: Everybody was beat boxing and-
Bellamy: I’m going to make you do that later, in a minute, too.
Dan: I couldn’t break dance.
Bellamy: Could you beatbox? Because we have a microphone.
Dan: Not really. I’ll do it with my son a little bit.
Dan: But I was into the graffiti, I was into it. So I used to spray paint at the train stations too, but on this particular night we were mostly destroying, rather than creating.
Dan: Yeah. So I was a bad boy.
Dan: Anyway, but you were a pageant child.
Bellamy: I was a pageant child. Well, I was a singer. I’m adopted and we didn’t, of course, have any information about my birth parents, but we had a page, it had a paragraph on my mom and like two lines on my dad, birth parents, and part of the paragraph said that she loved us so and was a singer and all of this sort of stuff. So my mom tried to give me opportunities that she thought were genetically within my-
Dan: Oh, that’s cool
Bellamy: Yeah. I’ve come to meet them since love them so much.
Dan: Oh, you have?
Bellamy: I have, and that’s wonderful.
Dan: Oh wow.
Bellamy: All of that information is wrong. When they met me they were like, “So, your parents are doctors.” And I was like, “No.” And I was like, “So you sing?” And she’s like, “No.” We were like, “Whoa.” Because I spent six weeks in foster care, so I think we all just … I think the papers got shuffled.
Dan: As an infant?
Bellamy: Yeah. And so I sit here a product of erroneous information living a life that I love so deeply I can’t even imagine … I can’t imagine what I’d be doing if it weren’t this. I’m so grateful for my life. But yeah, it was all a product of a bad tip.
Dan: Biological parents, your biological parents, you’ve actually connected with them?
Bellamy: I have. I don’t really talk about them too much because I keep them private, out of respect.
Bellamy: Not everybody knows their story. They didn’t tell everybody and they didn’t ask for this.
Dan: They didn’t ask for this, yeah.
Bellamy: But I will say they’re the best people in the world.
Dan: Oh, wow, wow.
Bellamy: Yeah. And meeting them was so … cellularly transformative. It was just very grounding and orienting in life and space and heart. They’re terrific.
Dan: You don’t get this … the rich pageant of your life does not come through on your Wikipedia page.
Bellamy: (laugh) I’ll have to see to that, Dan.
Dan: You need to write a memoir!
Bellamy: Do I?
Dan: You’ve got … Yeah! These are pretty colorful biographical details.
Bellamy: Well I give them freely. Yeah, so my mom tried to find something, somewhere, anywhere that I could sing. So we did church choir and we did little things at school, and I did Summer Stock up at Parkway Playhouse in North Carolina. And it’s the South, so pageants, you know? I did them for a minute, and then, as I said, I am the least competitive human alive, so I was not down with the competition of it. But my mom, we had friends, we were ensconced. And so I would go and I would M.C.
So I would be like, “Scarlett is wearing an islet dress with a fuchsia cummerbund and she will be singing, ‘Climb Every Mountain.’” (laugh)
Dan: (laugh) And so you went off on the acting route.
Bellamy: I did. I went to Yale, I went from North Carolina. My dad had died and I knew I’d need a really solid reason to leave the state and leave my mom like that.
Dan: Yeah. But Yale has a legendary acting program, right?
Bellamy: They do, graduate level. When I was there the undergraduate was a bit underdeveloped.
Dan: I see.
Bellamy: I went for Physics though. I went to Yale because I knew I could sing. They have-
Dan: Hence all the references to atoms.
Bellamy: Yeah. Well, yeah. I mean I’m a failed Physics major. I was pretty good in North Carolina, but not on the world stage. So I wound up with a double major in English and Theater. But, you know, Physics was my dream, dream, dream.
But I knew I could sing. I was in an a cappella singing group. So I knew I could get a great education and I could sing and my mom would understand that I wanted to … You know, it was Yale, I want to go to Yale. And I got the chance!
Dan, I got to do the coolest thing this year. When I graduated college because I was scholarship kid because my dad was dead and my mom was a high school teacher. I just assumed there was a big sea of money somewhere and I was getting two-quarters of it. But I graduated and they said, “So, here’s the name of the person who has been paying for your education. Maybe you want to write him a Thank You note.”
Dan: Oh wow.
Bellamy: His name was Dr. Richard Light. The first thing I did out of school was a national tour of Meet Me in St. Louis. We went through, it was not a fancy tour, we went through Kalamazoo, where he lived, and I got to meet him and thank him. He was one of those Renaissance men that had been a surgeon and a pilot and a cartographer, just everything. He was incredible. He was 93 when I met him with his little 60-year-old wife. They were the most inspiring people.
Dan: Wait, 93 with a 60-year-old wife?
Bellamy: You know how it works.
Dan: He’s a player!
Bellamy: Playaaaaaa. Yeah. Then I thought, how must that feel, to put people through college? To give people college. And I got to endow a scholarship this year.
Dan: Oh, wow! Good for you. Paying it forward.
Bellamy: Yeah, paying it forward.
Dan: That’s great! Good for you!
Bellamy: It’s the thing I’m proudest of in my life.
Dan: That’s amazing. Congratulations.
Dan: So, Scandal.
Bellamy: Scandal. What do you want to know? What do you want to know? What do you want to know? (laugh)
Dan: You’re going to kill me.
Dan: Because I work for ABC, and I’ve never watched the show.
Bellamy: Life is short, you’re allowed!
Dan: My wife is a big fan.
Bellamy: You work a lot. Alright, so your wife is smarter than you are. That’s okay.
Dan: Yes, yes.
Bellamy: We can get that out. It’s not a problem.
Dan: So I hit up my Twitter folks this morning and I asked for questions.
Bellamy: Yeah. I Retweeted you. Did anybody give you stuff?
Dan: Yes, a lot of people got back to me.
Bellamy: Look, we have the best fans in the world, Dan. That’s what you have to understand is that our gladiators are ride or die.
Dan: You call the gladiators?
Bellamy: Yeah. And they’re incredible. It’s just big hearted and they are just in this ride with us. And they’re the only reason we have these jobs. They’re who got us the second season. We were a bubble show, but Kerry figured out we should live tweet.
Dan: Oh wow. Bubble show, meaning on the bubble, like you might not make it.
Bellamy: On the bubble, yeah. But Kerry had figured out social media was the next how the world was going to work.
Dan: Kerry Washington.
Bellamy: Yeah. So we were the first show to live tweet, and instead of, you know, TV had sort of become a thing you DVR and do at 2:00 a.m., and we brought back appointment television. Our gladiators were so ferocious and wonderful and lion-hearted that that’s what got us a second season, and then it just built from there.
Dan: I really hope Ben Sherwood is not listening to this podcast. I love you Ben, but I’m sorry I didn’t watch the show.
Bellamy: I’ll spank him.
Dan: It’s okay. First question, from @MelissaMermaid: Well definitely ask Bellamy Young who she uses for inspiration as Mellie. With a little smiley face and a wink.
Bellamy: (laugh) Melissa, I like your winky. Gosh, the honest truth is it comes to me on the page. I literally just have to honor the script. I did a lot of research. Our history has a white male perspective, a patriarchal perspective, so you learn about presidents in school, but you don’t learn about the women behind them or beside them, or sometimes ahead of them. So I did a lot of research when I got the job. I know, if you could see me in the studio it’s like I’m thinking about you, Melissa, as I’m answering now. We’ll look back at you, Dan.
Dan: It’s okay.
Bellamy: I did a lot of research when I got the job, learning about my first ladies. Mellie’s place in that lineage. Then our writers pulled a lot of stories, like Julia Grant or Dolly Madison. There were a lot of homage storylines. But Mellie is her own beast. I really just have to honor what’s brought to me. Sometimes it’s brought to me at rehearsal, so sometimes my reaction is very immediate and honest. It really … she’s built herself, Mellie, yeah.
Dan: Very cool. Alright, Kerry Freeman, @comicsdaughter: Has a meditation practice influenced your acting in any way? Do the benefits interfere or help with performing a highly dramatic scene?
Bellamy: Oh, Kerry, it’s so helpful. Because once you know how to quiet your mind, much less your body, relaxation is essential for acting. If you are at all seized up, either in your mind or in your body, you just can’t … it doesn’t flow through you. So your only job … Of course your job is to prepare, know your lines, and have thought about story arc and have ideas about character, but your job is to go in there, relax, open your mind, live in the other person’s eyes, and just react to what’s happening in the moment. That’s what a meditation practice can bring you. That sort of utter calm and utter presence. You’re not in the future and you’re not in the past. You’re just living this moment. And in acting you’re living it with someone. With meditation you’re living it with all eternity, you know? You’re just in the oneness.
It’s been transformative, at least for me, in my acting.
Dan: What is the physics argument for one-ness? Is there one? Or is that just an intuition you have?
Bellamy: Yeah, that’s always just been my experience of things, you know, in an E equals MC squared way, I don’t know why you would end and I would begin. It’s sort of just arbitrary. I very, very, very much believe the energy is shared. This table, this microphone, you and I, the thoughts, anyone listening, time being a construct, all of it is simple oneness, not discretion, not discrete little packets. I think that’s what I’m always aiming for, is to have that sacred communion.
That’s always what I loved about physics. It felt like looking at the face of God, asking the big questions.
Dan: Physics is, quite literally, mind-blowing. This one, maybe not a long answer: If you were asked to be hired to sing at a fan’s wedding, would she do it?
Bellamy: (laugh) What do you want to hear?
Bellamy: You want Guns ‘n Roses? Is that it? Because I’m your girl!
Dan: How does it feel to finally be president?
Bellamy: It feels really good. I don’t ever get invested in storylines, because-
Dan: That was, by the way, from Eleen.
Bellamy: Eleen, lovely, beautiful.
Dan: You don’t get invested in storylines-
Bellamy: Yeah, because that’s not my job, and I don’t write. It’s not a gift I have. And Shonda is like a once in a generation storyteller. Our writers, our Scandal staff writers, are incredible. They bring things so surprising and relevant and galvanizing every week. I sit like a gladiator and I just wait to see what’s going to happen.
But, that being said, Mellie, all her life, that’s been her dream. It’s just been her dream. Even in this finale episode, she was like, “I don’t know, people always say women dream about weddings. I dreamed about this!” It’s always been her dream.
At some point during the campaign, it just seeped deep into my marrow, and all I wanted was for Mellie to be president. I think last summer … This was a bifurcated season. We did five episodes in the summer. Kerry had to have a baby, so we took some time off and then we came back in January. The world changed while we were away. This season, what they had intended for this season got completely thrown in the garbage. Everything went a different way.
Shonda’s gone on record as saying they thought the season was going to arc out with one of the bad guys all of the sudden speaking Russian and “Oh, the Russians hacked the election.” But the Russian’s hacked the election! So they had to trash it all. I just don’t think Mellie was going to win, and so I think that’s different. Shonda has not gone on record with that, so that’s speculative. But I can tell you there was a scene in the finale with Mellie just quietly sitting in her Oval, and it meant the world to me. I know it meant the world to Mellie, but it also meant the world to me.
I seldom allow myself to get that … I just seldom have a dog in the hunt. I honor what the story is and I want to tell the story in the best way possible. But gosh, that moment felt good.
Dan: This is from Vicky Dummer: What would she want to focus on as president during her first 100 days?
Bellamy: Vicky, good question. And I don’t know. I don’t even know that we’re going to come back and move forward in time. I don’t take anything for granted on this job. I wouldn’t even know what to say. She’s been very … historically, Mellie’s agenda has been very children and family and education. I think she would keep to that, but I don’t know. I would never…
Dan: Yeah, but what if you were president?
Bellamy: Oh, me?
Bellamy: Oh my goodness. Well, arts and education would be big for me, animal right would be big for me. Maybe you don’t … I probably would be a terrible president because all of my issues would be, like, I just want everyone to feel loved and included.
Dan: Do you have pets?
Bellamy: I do, I have three cats and a dog.
Dan: Nice. We have three cats.
Bellamy: Oh yeah?
Dan: Yeah, no dog, but a two year old.
Bellamy: That’s alright, there’s room for that … Oh, that’s okay, that counts.
Dan: Yeah. He poops more than a dog.
Bellamy: (laugh) Well, congratulations.
Dan: Thank you, yeah, he’s a prodigious pooper.
Bellamy: Well done.
Bellamy: What’s his name?
Dan: His name is Alexander. He’s now going through a phase where he won’t let us wipe him, so I have to give him a bath every time he makes number two.
Bellamy: Oh, Dan, that’s hard. What do you think his thinking is there?
Dan: I think that he’s his own man.
Dan: I don’t want to scare that out of him.
Bellamy: Was that a phase you went through?
Dan: Not that particular phase. He’s also going through a phase that apparently I did not go through when I was a kid, where he’s incredibly flirtatious with women.
Bellamy: Really?! Wow!
Dan: Yes. Just, if a female walks into the room, he will drop me like a hot potato. He just loves women.
Dan: And then if another woman walks in after the one he’s flirting with right now, he will drop that one.
Bellamy: Wow! They come out their own little people, man.
Dan: Yeah, that’s how he rolls. Yeah, he’s like the 93 year old who funded your education. Alexander’s a player.
Dan: Yeah, yes, yes.
Dan: Okay, so your first 100 days would be animal rights, which I strongly support.
Bellamy: Animal rights, arts and education, LGBTQ, everything that’s, you know, people right now are being, not even slowly, but definitively disenfranchised. If the next 100 days were mine, it would be to build all of that back. We were going in such a beautiful direction. I just never thought, in my lifetime, and obviously I am of a Democratic bent, I naively assumed progress was ever marching forward. I didn’t think I’d see us go backwards in our lifetime. It hurts me every day. It makes my chest tight to even think about it. So, it would be all about the people.
Dan: Here’s the final one, from Bellamy Young Web, @BYoungWeb: Even though we have yet to experience it in America, how proud was she to portray a character becoming the first female president?
Bellamy: Aw, Anna, thanks for asking. It was really important to Shonda and all of the people that I work with. I think they really … America is behind the rest of the world in this regard. We just have not had our fair share of woman leadership. To work in a matriarchy, as I do now, I know how different it can be, and how wonderful. It’s also a fact that Mellie was also a incredibly qualified candidate. So it happens to be that she’s a woman, but if you take people on their merit, she’s also very much earned it.
I loved, in the season finale, that she really went through a period where it just really had to burn away all her frivolity, there’s been a long (Dan doesn’t watch, so I’ll tell him), there’s been a long thing about Mellie being ornamental, not functional, even though she’s been behind the scenes running a lot of it, and has a mind that’s expertly capable. But she, you know, when you get told something all your life, you tend to take it on. So in the season finale, really burned that away. It was a life and death situation, whether or not she should have the inauguration, because someone was trying to assassinate her. I think she had to surrender that this dream that she had had was no longer just hers, and that, as holding public office should be, that it was a service and that America needed to see this, and if she had to give her life so that America could witness a female someone being inaugurated, that that was a good enough reason to have been alive. I hope she carries that courage and humility and nobility into her time, her tenure as President.
Dan: What a fun guest you’ve been.
Bellamy: Dan, it’s really been great to be here with you. Thanks for telling me some T on you too.
Dan: (laugh) I learned “T,” by the way, recently. Ru Paul was a previous guest.
Bellamy: Oh, delicious!
Dan: That guy is amazing.
Dan: He’s an avid meditator, really interesting guy.
Bellamy: I didn’t know that!
Dan: That’s where I learned the term, “T,” from him.
Bellamy: Everybody, I’m going to make Dan sign his tag, and I will tweet it.
Dan: Okay. Actually, that’s fine. That’s fine. I’m an open book. Just finally, if people want to learn more about you, where do they go?
Bellamy: Oh my goodness. Well, I mean, I’m on Twitter, @BellamyYoung, also Instagram, the same. And Facebook, and they can get my album, “Far Away, So Close,” because my whole heart is in there. You know, I’ve got a website. Just all the normal places.
Dan: Okay, cool. Thank you, appreciate it.
Bellamy: Thanks so much, Dan.
Dan: Absolute pleasure.
Bellamy: Thanks for what you do. You’ve found a beautiful way to inspire people to go on their own journey, so thanks for that.
Dan: Now I gotta watch Scandal. | <urn:uuid:60fcf4d0-79b0-4edc-ad9b-caf31498510b> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/bellamy-young-scandal | 2019-08-18T17:06:54Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027313987.32/warc/CC-MAIN-20190818165510-20190818191510-00160.warc.gz | en | 0.976192 | 10,896 |
Family Counseling San Diego EMDR LENS Neurofeedback
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Family Counseling San Diego EMDR LENS Neurofeedback
Welcome to our professional group of doctors and therapists were our seasoned clinicians integrate safe, effective, research-based treatment that focuses on solutions in addition to utilizing cutting-edge technology like Direct Neurofeedback LENS (Low Energy Neurofeedback System). Family Counseling San Diego is currently active and credentialed with 21 different insurance companies. We can provide CBT while we treat you with LENS so you can utilize your insurance. Facing unresolved childhood trauma is a brave, courageous act.
You are not broken, in need of fixing. Rather, you are deeply hurt, in need of care.
Mr. Walter Patrick Martin LMFT began this group practicing in 1999, Walter is known for his positive narrative visualization technique through EMDR, Dr. AJ Popky DeTUR addiction protocol. Mr. Walter Martin was honored to assist Dr. AJ Popky in his professional EMDRIA 2-day training. In addition, Mr. Walter Martin wrote a workbook for couples treatment “Heart and Soul Toward Intimacy: Couples Workbook” Mr. Walter Martin leads a seasoned group of clinicians who integrate a safe, effective, brief solution focused treatment in combination a cutting-edge technology is known as Low Energy Neurofeedback System (LENS) by Oshslabs. Brain imaging technology paired with effective therapy and treatment has shown that our brains are capable of changing for the better. Neurocounseling uses brain-based interventions to treat clients more holistically by integrating the knowledge of the brain and physiology with traditional counseling assessments and treatment plans. Brain-based techniques are proven to produce mental health improvements in clients with traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress, depression, substance abuse, autism, and ADHD. By learning how therapy can treat clients’ brains and not only their behaviors, counselors can teach clients emotional and physiological self-regulation skills to better manage their emotions and gain new coping strategies. Neurocounseling: Brain-Based Clinical Approaches, edited by Thomas A. Field, Laura K. Jones, and Lori A. Russell-Chapin, provides the foundations for becoming a skilled neuroscience-informed counselor and offers clear, accessible approaches for incorporating neuro-counseling interventions into clinical practice.
This is direct neurofeedback that nudges the brain out of maladaptive brainwave patterns, allowing the brain to restore homeostasis, reset itself for optimal performance. Mr. Walter Martin’s unique approach combining LENS with ACT, CBT, MI, EFT, Mindfulness Therapy and EMDR. Rapidly decrease symptoms therapies over most other appeaches in San Diego County. Clients report improvement dramatically and quickly. This is no quick fix approach but does not require 30-50 session like typical Neurofeedback were you have to work hard to retain your brain. Direct LENS we expect results in 5 to 10 sessions. LENS improves your overall quality of life by utilizing the latest technology and begin the steps to immediately get better sleep and less anxiety. Research indicates enduring results by restoring optimal brain functioning. Many people state “This has changed my life”, “I have not had a full night of sleep over 20 years” and “Everything is so much brighter now.” This comments by patients occurred after the second treatment with the LENS. If you follow the treatment plan and do not see results in 12 sessions I Walter Martin will provide you 5 more sessions such that results are guaranteed with no additional cost to you. I want you to improve, move toward your goals and regain control over your life. It is not magic but it is a powerful tool to change your life for the better. LENS does not claim to be a cure for everything or anything. It is a treatment to improve symptoms to increase the quality of life. This treatment is in concert with your Primary Care Physician if you would agree to allow us to contact your PCP.
Have you had a concussion, been exposed to blowback (Explosive Concussion) or Traumatic Brain Injury and have suffered with:
-lack of sleep?
-lack of focus?
-anger and reactivity? and fatigue?
If you find you are answering YES to the above questions then you possibly have a TBI that is continuing to create suffering in your life.
Counseling and Neurofeedback Together
Clients who receive neurofeedback treatment can choose to do so in conjunction with their own individual therapy. Depending on what your presenting symptoms are or what you are hoping to resolve, there are several reasons why you might choose both or why you would select one over the other. In the sections below we provide some scenarios and a few reasons how choosing one or both services might serve your needs in the best way possible.
Be assured that it is never a mistake to choose counseling and neurofeedback together. However, if you are having results with just one type of treatment, we want you to avoid additional treatments that might not be necessary.
What we have witnessed when clients choose to do both is that the strategies and insights learned in counseling are enforced by the neurofeedback at the neurological level so that the client is better able to maintain their positive changes. Many clients report that neurofeedback has helped get them into the right space so they have the ability to process and delve deeper in their individual therapy. Also, it is best practice to provide CBT therapy while providing Direct Neurofeedback together. This also allows the client to utilize insurance as most insurance carriers do not reimburse for Direct Neurofeedback without CBT therapy being provided.
Choosing Neurofeedback During Counseling
We often have clients referred to us who feel “stuck” or have “plateaued” in their own individual counseling. This could be for many reasons but often is because they are unable to access their emotions as much as they desire. Sometimes they feel like they understand the roots of their anxiety or depression but still can’t move through it.
Feeling “stuck” in individual counseling can also happen if circumstances in clients’ lives are particularly stressful, keeping them activated in their “flight, fight or freeze response.” This means they have activated their sympathetic nervous system and are therefore less able to accomplish introspection during counseling as they are in “survival mode.” In these types of situations, neurofeedback is a great addition. It can serve to support and further the work being done in counseling as it can help the brain and body relax, which allows internal shifts to resume.
Choosing Counseling After Neurofeedback
The most common reason why people pursue counseling after completing their treatment of neurofeedback is that their ability to process things that they were not aware of before is heightened. Many clients come in with the strong tendency to “numb out” of their present lives, whether that is through technology, alcohol, drugs, pornography, work or some other distraction. Often they find that during neurofeedback treatments they become more aware of the emotions and feelings underlying their symptom of numbing and thus want to explore it further through individual counseling.
What is the right approach for you?
The FCSD treatment team leverages a variety of treatment modalities to better meet your needs. While we are here to guide you and find the “best fit” to help obtain your treatment goals, some clients prefer to seek a specific type of treatment. Others simply wish to know more about the treatment modalities they are exploring. When available, we have also provided links to resources that our clients may find of interest (e.g. relevant videos; treatment worksheets).
Please note that certain treatment modalities are implemented by only select FCSD team members. To be matched to a therapist by treatment type contact our office manager.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a “third wave” psychological treatment that integrates the key elements of many popular therapies that preceded it (e.g. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Mindfulness Therapies). ACT begins by taking the power away from unhelpful thoughts by changing the relationship we have with them. It then explores ways to promote positive behavioral change in the face of strong emotions by having one be mindful of and work towards their goals (e.g. values and achievements). It promotes real-life action that may, in turn, resolve strong emotions that previously had one moving away from what is truly important to them.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most widely used and researched form of psychotherapy for the treatment of mental illness and other difficulties. It can be used as a primary method of treatment, but also provides a foundation for many other treatments used by our team such as utilizing CBT while having LENS treatment.
CBT is “problem-focused” and “action-oriented.” This means it targets specific problems that one is facing and can be a quick way to target focused difficulties one wants to resolve. Treatment focuses on identifying maladaptive responses to one’s environment due to “cognitive distortions.” These distortions reflect misinterpretations or misunderstandings of our environment that ultimately lead to ineffective behaviors. The goals of CBT are to: identify those distortions, learn new ways to interpret one’s environment and have a different outcome as a result.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an eclectic treatment that borrows from CBT, mindfulness therapies, and other self-regulatory treatments. It focuses on practical training, exercises, and psychoeducation to promote increased emotional and cognitive regulation.
DBT assumes that clients are doing their best to manage strong emotions and reactive states, but that they can obtain greater success and wellness through skill building. Participants in DBT learn about emotional triggers that lead to reactive states, coping skills to apply at the right time and place, and other mechanisms to avoid undesired reactions.
DBT supports often require ongoing client “check-in’s” between sessions to facilitate positive habits and skill building. These “check-in’s” may require an additional fee.
emotion-focused Therapy (EFT)
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) aims to increase one’s connection and understanding of their emotional experience. By recognizing the adaptive functions of emotion, EFT increases one’s ability to recognize how their emotional experience can guide their actions, facilitate individual growth, and shape future goals and directions.
EFT recognizes that emotions can be difficult to manage and process, but aims to increase tolerance for these emotions and the ability to use their emergence in a constructive manner.
Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are treatment methods that can be integrated into several of the other treatment methods used by some members of the FCSD team. The aim of the treatment is to assist an individual to enter a deep state of focus and relaxation that permits one to work on goals without being countered by negative emotions or worries. It allows any place and time to be the “right” place and time to resolve difficulties and move forward in a positive manner. It has high efficacy in treating fears and phobias, the management of difficult situations (e.g. anxiety around medical procedures or other upcoming events), or providing momentary relief from high levels of stress.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) identifies how our relationships and life events impact our emotional state. It examines how negative relationships, our attachments, and our responses to events can have a negative impact on our mood. The goal is to identify or “map” out these relationships and events in order to find positive pathways that promote wellness and positive emotions.
What is LENS Neurofeedback Used For?
There are multiple things that neurofeedback can target and help improve. It is important to note that Direct Neurofeedback is not a specific treatment for anyone disorder but is an adjunct to mainstream medicine and not meant to replace it.
Neurofeedback has been found to help in the symptoms and behaviors related to:
- Anxiety and OCD
- Autism and Asperger’s
- Chronic Fatigue
- Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia
- Headaches and Migraines
- Learning Disabilities
- Mood (anger, rage, sadness)
- PTSD and Developmental Trauma
- Traumatic Brain Injury
LENS Neurofeedback vs. Regular Neurofeedback
As noted earlier, there are different ways to go about changing brain waves. The simplest way to differentiate between traditional neurofeedback and Direct Neurofeedback (LENS) is that Traditional Neurofeedback is “retraining” your brain while Direct Neurofeedback is “disrupting” negative patterns in the brain to get it “unstuck.”
LENS Neurofeedback vs. Regular Neurofeedback Continues
Both types of neurofeedback place multiple sensors on a scalp and use computer software to display an electroencephalogram (EEG) of the clients’ brain.
Traditional Neurofeedback uses images, sounds, or lights to “reward” the client when the machine detects that they have managed to put their brainwaves in the target frequency range. In contrast, Direct Neurofeedback (LENS) sends a small signal that disrupts the brain from generating brain waves in its stuck patterns. The main benefits of using Direct Neurofeedback (LENS) is that initial results are noted more quickly, sessions are shorter, and fewer sessions are needed overall.
Mindfulness-based therapies aim to provide increased “awareness” to what one is experiencing in the present moment. It is anchored in the idea that distress and distraction can be a consequence of one’s attention being pulled into the future (i.e. worry), the past (i.e. sadness or rumination), or too unimportant distractions in our environment.
The treatment focuses on increasing the capacity to control attention in order to make the next action, moment, or through a deliberate one (with “attention” comes “intention”).
Variations on Mindfulness can assist with ADHD, empathy building, and relaxation. Mindfulness can form the foundation of a treatment or, more commonly, is complementary to other therapeutic approaches.
Narrative therapies focus on better understanding a client’s “story” to determine how they have gotten to the place they are now and how they may move forward into the future. It examines your previous life experience to form a clearer story of how one has gotten to the here and now. It aims to identify and fill in gaps in order to better understand the full complexities of one’s experience. By reliving these events in more detail, the client can better understand their experiences and how these experiences currently are shaping them. By reflecting and exploring new meaning, a new story emerges that is enriched and provides a therapeutic reconstruction of history and the future.
Play therapy refers to a variety of assessment and treatment techniques that make use of a child’s natural ability to play. Often children have difficulty understanding and expressing their thoughts and emotions, as they don’t have the language to make themselves heard. A trained therapist engages the child through fun, non-threatening activities, which help to decrease the child’s anxieties about their problems and worries, allowing them to express themselves more freely. The family is often involved in the process to help the therapist understand the family dynamic and assist in generalizing skills into the home.
The overall goal is to help the child express his/her thoughts and emotions, and support them in learning healthy coping skills and solutions. Play therapy provides children with a safe, encouraging environment to express their true thoughts and feelings, in a way that suits their developmental level.
Psychodynamic therapies can incorporate a range of approaches that stem from the idea that individuals can experience internal conflicts that have resulted from previous life experiences. The therapy is “insight-oriented” in that it attempts to help the client identify these conflicts, recognize the nature of the challenges they are experiencing, and how some of the “defenses” that they use to cope may be maladaptive. It attempts to facilitate the development of alternative coping mechanisms by increasing awareness of the conflicts and defenses, changing the meaning/understanding of contributing events, and fostering a positive relationship between the client and the clinician.
Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) shares many similarities with CBT, but tries to make the process as simple as ‘A B C’. The basis of REBT is that negative experiences (both internal and external) result from a life event (A – Activating Event), our interpretation of the factors or causes of that event (B – Belief), and the emotions or actions that result from that interpretation (C – Consequence).
REBT aims to identify alternative interpretations (B – Belief) and to determine whether this results in different experiences (C – Consequence) after the fact. It is a treatment that involves introspection and real-life experimentation.
EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches. As EMDR is a mental health intervention, it should only be offered by properly trained and licensed mental health clinicians. EMDRIA does not condone or support indiscriminate uses of EMDR such as a “do-it-yourself” virtual therapy.
A growing body of evidence is showing that many psychological conditions, including depression, often start with a stressful or traumatic experience. We are finding that EMDR Therapy with a Certified EMDR therapist can help significantly with symptoms of PTSD, phobias, depression, anxiety, panic, early and complex adverse experiences in childhood, and much more. It also has a strong track record for performance enhancement in a wide variety of fields — school, work, business, sales, sports, the arts, and that Most Popular Fear of All Time: public speaking.
EMDR is a treatment, a therapy, that brings desired results in just a few sessions –with very little talking, without the use of drugs, without the use of “homework” between sessions– a treatment that is mainly used to cure PTSD or stress disorder –that array of negative feelings of body and mind that plagues and ruins the lives of many soldiers, rape victims, molested children, catastrophe’s survivors and other people who’ve suffered an important shock or trauma in their lives. This PSTD is somehow well known nowadays but for the longest time it was overlooked and for the longest time it was treated without much success or not at all. And still today many people don’t know of its existence or fail to recognize it in themselves or in their loved ones and are thus unable to seek help for it, let alone take advantage of a cure so incredibly simple and effective as EMDR.
Our personal experience with the LENS started with the recovery of trauma and also facilitated a reduction in pain. Because each person is different there is no way of knowing the exact effect the LENS will have on an individual. But our goal is a more relaxed, less stressed, better functioning and focused individual.
To learn more about neurofeedback and its uses, please start by visiting:
Even if your bump to the head was more than 1 or more years ago and you still have symptoms, we can Help! Why struggle anymore? At Family Counseling San Diego Inc we off a safe and very effective, drug-free proven approach using Low Energy Neurofeedback. In just 10-12 weeks of treatment, your brain will operate more efficiently and you will begin to think more clearly, have better focus, get better sleep, be less reactive and have more energy! You should notice a reduction in your migraine headaches as well! Call Family Counseling San Diego Inc today and visit our website to learn more. At the FamilyCounselingSanDiego.Com Inc, we offer an integrated drug-free approach to help our clients reach their full potential. If you are stressed, depressed, anxious, concussed to TBI, have brain fog, lack attention, have ADD/ADHD, have compassion fatigue, or other neurological inefficiencies, please give us a call at 858-217-5770. We use LENS (Low Energy Neurofeedback Systems) therapy for the micro-pulse technology that reorganizes neural patterns in our brains assisting our brains to optimize and reorganize itself. We have created a safe, professional and friendly atmosphere to help our clients reach their potential.
We are offering a payment plan such that you can afford treatment now as most insurances do not fully cover LENS or Neurofeedback.
Remember that everyone can afford Neurofeedback as your brain and future will thank you after the treatment and during it. We provide affordable plans but if you can not afford it please click on the image at Parasail which can finance your treatment and you or you child are with it. | <urn:uuid:b3d37f0d-f181-4c14-893b-c83f0fa48ea1> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://www.familycounselingsandiego.com/tag/lens/ | 2019-08-21T04:36:59Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027315809.69/warc/CC-MAIN-20190821043107-20190821065107-00480.warc.gz | en | 0.94668 | 4,478 |
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In order to engage customers, retailers must shift from a linear marketing approach of one-way communication to a value exchange model of mutual dialogue and benefit-sharing between provider and consumer. Exchanges are more non-linear, free flowing, and both one-to-many or one-on-one. The spread of information and awareness can occur across numerous channels, such as the blogosphere, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, and a variety of other platforms. Online communities and social networks allow individuals to easily create content and publicly publish their opinions, experiences, and thoughts and feelings about many topics and products, hyper-accelerating the diffusion of information.
At this point, the consumer is weighing their options and deciding on the purchase. Therefore, the goal of this kind of video is to make your audience visualize themselves using your product or service — and thriving. There’s a reason 4X as many customers would rather watch a video about a product than read about it. Videos are able to display functionality and leverage emotions in ways a product description never could.
Lastly, 2018 has brought about a penchant for the authentic and raw. According to HubSpot Research, consumers and customers actually prefer lower quality, “authentic” video over high-quality video that seems artificial and inauthentic. What does this mean for you? That video is within reach for businesses of virtually any size — team and budget, alike.
Becoming a part of an affiliate network is an excellent strategy for bloggers looking to up their current income or even just to begin actually making money from their blog. There are several options when it comes to affiliate marketing as well as strategies for making affiliate marketing work for you. Below I will teach you what is affiliate marketing, examples of affiliate marketing in blogging, affiliate strategies and some of the top affiliate networks to join.
Many affiliate programs run with last-click attribution, where the affiliate receiving the last click before the sale gets 100% credit for the conversion. This is changing. With affiliate platforms providing new attribution models and reporting features, you are able to see a full-funnel, cross-channel view of how individual marketing tactics are working together. For example, you might see that a paid social campaign generated the first click, Affiliate X got click 2, and Affiliate Y got the last click. With this full picture, you can structure your affiliate commissions so that Affiliate X gets a percentage of the credit for the sale, even though they didn’t get the last click.
Digital marketing's development since the 1990s and 2000s has changed the way brands and businesses use technology for marketing. As digital platforms are increasingly incorporated into marketing plans and everyday life, and as people use digital devices instead of visiting physical shops, digital marketing campaigns are becoming more prevalent and efficient.
We understand that some businesses don’t want to fork out thousands of dollars instantly to firms claiming they have everything you need. With our affordable internet marketing services you’ll get a chance to see exactly what internet marketing can do for you and your business without the expensive rates that often come with many internet marketing firms.
Using Dr Dave Chaffey's approach, the digital marketing planning (DMP) has three main stages: Opportunity, Strategy and Action. He suggests that any business looking to implement a successful digital marketing strategy must structure their plan by looking at opportunity, strategy and action. This generic strategic approach often has phases of situation review, goal setting, strategy formulation, resource allocation and monitoring.
Targeting, viewability, brand safety and invalid traffic: Targeting, viewability, brand safety and invalid traffic all are aspects used by marketers to help advocate digital advertising. Cookies are a form of digital advertising, which are tracking tools within desktop devices; causing difficulty, with shortcomings including deletion by web browsers, the inability to sort between multiple users of a device, inaccurate estimates for unique visitors, overstating reach, understanding frequency, problems with ad servers, which cannot distinguish between when cookies have been deleted and when consumers have not previously been exposed to an ad. Due to the inaccuracies influenced by cookies, demographics in the target market are low and vary (Whiteside, 2016). Another element, which is affected within digital marketing, is ‘viewabilty’ or whether the ad was actually seen by the consumer. Many ads are not seen by a consumer and may never reach the right demographic segment. Brand safety is another issue of whether or not the ad was produced in the context of being unethical or having offensive content. Recognizing fraud when an ad is exposed is another challenge marketers face. This relates to invalid traffic as premium sites are more effective at detecting fraudulent traffic, although non-premium sites are more so the problem (Whiteside, 2016).
An important step is to get out and talk to prospective publishers and business partners. Do they participate in affiliate programs already? What has the yield been in terms of performance? What are the typical revshares that ad networks are taking? What are typical conversion rates? What would be the incentive for publishers and business partners to promote your products and services?
We work with you to turn your website into the ultimate industry resource on the Web. We also market your website to those places that need to know about your site in order to help searchers find you - so that your website receives the search visibility it deserves. It takes more than just traffic to turn visitors into customers and to maximize your return on investment, that is why we offer services to maximize value from visitors at every stage of the path to conversion.
Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular ways people make money online. It is a strategy where an individual partners with a business in order to make a commission by referring readers or visitors to a business’s particular product or service. But that really is quite a simple explanation. To be really successful at making money with affiliate marketing there is a little more to it.
The participants were asked to challenge minimum three persons to take the Ice Bucket Challenge. This was one of the reasons why campaign became viral. If one person tells three other people about the challenge, and those three tell the other three, a viral loop is created. By setting a call to action, and asking your audience to share about your campaign with others, you too can keep your campaign alive.
According to the U.S. Commerce Department, consumers spent $453.46 billion on the web for retail purchases in 2017, a 16.0% increase compared with $390.99 billion in 2016. That’s the highest growth rate since 2011, when online sales grew 17.5% over 2010. Forrester predicts that online sales will account for 17% of all US retail sales by 2022. And digital advertising is also growing strongly; According to Strategy Analytics, in 2017 digital advertising was up 12%, accounting for approximately 38% of overall spending on advertising, or $207.44 billion.
Referral marketing is a powerful conversion tactic, as people value “realness” and are more apt to try a product or service that’s recommended by a friend or some other trusted source than something they come across via traditional advertising. Referrals can come from friends, influencers, product reviews, news articles, and testimonials. In order to launch a successful referral campaign, brands must offer compelling incentives so customers want to refer others. They must also make the referral process as easy to use as possible. Additionally, brands must treat their referral program as they would a new product launch and educate both customers and employees on how the program works.
Video advertising - This type of advertising in terms of digital/online means are advertisements that play on online videos e.g. YouTube videos. This type of marketing has seen an increase in popularity over time. Online Video Advertising usually consists of three types: Pre-Roll advertisements which play before the video is watched, Mid-Roll advertisements which play during the video, or Post-Roll advertisements which play after the video is watched. Post-roll advertisements were shown to have better brand recognition in relation to the other types, where-as "ad-context congruity/incongruity plays an important role in reinforcing ad memorability". Due to selective attention from viewers, there is the likelihood that the message may not be received. The main advantage of video advertising is that it disrupts the viewing experience of the video and therefore there is a difficulty in attempting to avoid them. How a consumer interacts with online video advertising can come down to three stages: Pre attention, attention, and behavioural decision. These online advertisements give the brand/business options and choices. These consist of length, position, adjacent video content which all directly affect the effectiveness of the produced advertisement time, therefore manipulating these variables will yield different results. Length of the advertisement has shown to affect memorability where-as longer duration resulted in increased brand recognition. This type of advertising, due to its nature of interruption of the viewer, it is likely that the consumer may feel as if their experience is being interrupted or invaded, creating negative perception of the brand. These advertisements are also available to be shared by the viewers, adding to the attractiveness of this platform. Sharing these videos can be equated to the online version of word by mouth marketing, extending number of people reached. Sharing videos creates six different outcomes: these being "pleasure, affection, inclusion, escape, relaxation, and control". As well, videos that have entertainment value are more likely to be shared, yet pleasure is the strongest motivator to pass videos on. Creating a ‘viral’ trend from mass amount of a brands advertisement can maximize the outcome of an online video advert whether it be positive or a negative outcome.
Before the challenge, ALS was known to much fewer people. But things changed after the challenge, and it was everywhere on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, news, events, etc. The reason was the visibility created by the campaign. You need to create awareness about your brand through various marketing channels. People will prefer to buy from you only if they know about you.
In mid 2016, an Indian tea company (TE-A-ME) has delivered 6,000 tea bags to Donald Trump and launched a video on YouTube. and Facebook The video campaign received various awards including most creative PR stunt in Southeast Asia after receiving 52000+ video shares, 3.1M video view in first 72-hour and hundreds of publication mentions (including Mashable, Quartz, Indian Express, Buzzfeed) across 80+ countries.
Search traffic remains one of the major sources of traffic and conversions to any website. Keep your organic search visibility in mind when working on your most important “money pages” (i.e. those that drive direct sales). In this article I’ll go you through both basic and advanced keyword research tactics for your product pages that will also positively impact conversions.
Despite its older origins, email marketing is still a viable source of affiliate marketing income. Some affiliates have email lists they can use to promote the seller’s products. Others may leverage email newsletters that include hyperlinks to products, earning a commission after the consumer purchases the product. Another method is for the affiliate to cultivate email lists over time. They use their various campaigns to collect emails en masse, then send out emails regarding the products they are promoting.
To make your videos as memorable as possible, ensure that you’re keeping them in line with your brand strategy. This means keeping colors, fonts, logos and voice the same in your video marketing as they are in your blogs and articles. While videos do things text content doesn’t, users should still be able to recognize the style and format of your brand’s videos online.
You’ve launched an amazing product or service. Now what? Now, you need to get the word out. When done well, good PR can be much more effective and less expensive than advertising. Regardless of whether you want to hire a fancy agency or awesome consultant, make sure that you know what you’re doing and what types of ROI to expect. Relationships are the heart and soul of PR. This chapter will teach you how to ignore the noise and focus on substantive, measurable results.
Digital marketing is probably the fastest-changing marketing field out there: New tools are being built, more platforms emerge and more channels need to be included into your marketing plan. How not to get overwhelmed while staying on top of the latest marketing trends? Here are a few tools that help you scale and automate some parts of your marketing routine making you a more productive and empowered marketer: Tools to Semi-Automate Marketing Tasks 1.
Digital marketing activity is still growing across the world according to the headline global marketing index. A study published in September 2018, found that global outlays on digital marketing tactics are approaching $100 billion. Digital media continues to rapidly grow; while the marketing budgets are expanding, traditional media is declining (World Economics, 2015). Digital media helps brands reach consumers to engage with their product or service in a personalised way. Five areas, which are outlined as current industry practices that are often ineffective are prioritizing clicks, balancing search and display, understanding mobiles, targeting, viewability, brand safety and invalid traffic, and cross-platform measurement (Whiteside, 2016). Why these practices are ineffective and some ways around making these aspects effective are discussed surrounding the following points.
Old Spice is still the king of viral marketing with its humorous and out-of-the-box ad campaigns. It came out with its brand character, the Old Spice man who appeared in “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” campaign in 2010. The Old Spice man Isaiah Mustafa created a stir with his ad, which was created to appeal to the female audience and give a subtle message to men to buy Old Spice. The ad video got amazing positive reviews and YouTube views, garnering more than 54 million views to date on YouTube.
The phrase, "Affiliates are an extended sales force for your business", which is often used to explain affiliate marketing, is not completely accurate. The primary difference between the two is that affiliate marketers provide little if any influence on a possible prospect in the conversion process once that prospect is directed to the advertiser's website. The sales team of the advertiser, however, does have the control and influence up to the point where the prospect either a) signs the contract, or b) completes the purchase.
Promotional videos can foster trust as well. Some consumers are still skeptical about buying products and services on the internet because they fear fraud and cheating. But effective marketing videos present your products in a conversational form. That creates a sense of individual approach which is why 57% of consumers say that videos gave them more confidence to purchase online.
Video advertising is becoming more and more affordable and widespread. Video adoption grows partly because advances in technology but also because it’s easy to spread across the globe. Making marketing videos for your business requires creativity and knowledge of human psychology. The cocktail of these components makes it possible to create real miracles of advertising at minimal cost.
When you use online video in your digital marketing strategy, you have the perfect opportunity to enhance your brand’s message and drive your company persona home. Through simple features like design and branding, to more advanced features like voice and content, video marketing is the ideal tool to strengthen your brand identity and make sure that your customers know who you are.
"IMN has been awesome to work with and my experience so far has been great. You guys have exceeded my expectations and I just wanted to share my opinion of IMN and the team you have. Your group as been transparent, delivered on the goods and gone above an beyond. I just wanted to thank you for the call today, for the work you've done so far, and let you know that I am very excited about what you've done so far and what we can do together in this niche space together. We will be working on the tasks on our end and look forward to expanding on our relationship next year. Great service deserves recognition and anything I can do to help promote IMN please let me know! Let's kick some ass together this year!" Mark B.
106% increase in conversions. 751% increase in search engine traffic. #1 ranking in Google. These numbers may sound unrealistic, but they're real results from real WebFX clients. Our Internet marketing services don’t just drive traffic: they turn website visitors into paying customers, maximizing your ROI and delivering an experience like no other.
'The influencers in order to communicate marketing messages to the audiences you seek to reach'. In business, it is indicated that people prefer interaction with humans to a logo. Therefore, it seems that influencers are on behalf of a company to build up a relationship between the brand and their customers. Companies would be left behind if they neglected the trend of influencers in viral marketing, as over 60% of global brands have used influencers in marketing in 2016. The influencer types come along with the level of customers' involvement in companies' marketing. First, unintentional influences, because of brand satisfaction and low involvement, their action is just to deliver a company's message to a potential user. Secondly, users will become salesmen or promoters for a particular company with incentives. For example, ICQ offered their users benefits to create the awareness of their friends. Finally, the mass reached influencers are those who have a huge range of followers on the social network. Recent trend in businesses activity is to offer incentives to individual users for re-posting the advertisement messages to their own profiles. A common type of an incentive puts all the re-posting users into a random draw for a valuable gift | <urn:uuid:427b2b94-13fa-43db-a6f7-dc18264014be> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://internetmarketingniagarafalls.com/google-online-digital-marketing-course-ydop-internet-marketing.html | 2019-08-22T14:22:44Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027317130.77/warc/CC-MAIN-20190822130553-20190822152553-00080.warc.gz | en | 0.953683 | 3,735 |
This is the second part of IntelligentHQ interview with Scott Abel, AKA “The Content Wrangler”. In this excellent conversation, Abel, one of the foremost thought leaders in the field of content strategy, explains how social media and technology are changing content and highlighting its footprint and reach. Also Abel discusses among various important subjects related with content and its 360 degrees management how to leverage its reach and power in these disruptive times, the social media impact and changes it is going through, the related SEO areas, localisation and education.what is the ROI of content in Social Media? Scott Abel, AKA Content Wrangler via IntelligentHQ
8. How are mobile, apps, and social media changing the way content is created, managed, and delivered today?
That’s a great question. Mobile is easy. It makes it possible for anyone, virtually anywhere, to request content they need and—hypothetically—have it delivered to them on-demand. Apps for mobile devices are designed to help consumers obtain specific bits of information for increasingly specific reasons. There are apps to help you plan your daily commute. Find a sushi restaurant. Keep track of changes to travel itineraries. Teach you how to perform a task or determine whether you are meeting physical fitness goals.There are apps designed to do just about anything you can imagine. But, they rely on components of information to be served up in a way a computer software program (an app) can handle. That means it’s no longer enough to give your customers a giant PDF or website containing all the answers they might need and then force them to search through it. That takes took long and isn’t conducive to the mobile experience. That’s why organizations are taking a serious look at XML, component content management and the delivery of semantically-aware content that can adapt to the needs of the information consumer. Content needs to be modular, granular, and adaptable.Scott Abel AKA “The Content Wrangler”
Social has changed all the rules. I’m not going to wax poetic on all of the many changes, it’s been the focus of both technology and mainstream media. But, aside from helping to equalize the relationship between consumers and brands, educational institutions and students, and governments and citizens, social media has also made us think differently about the value of our content. What’s the ROI of a piece of content that was published on your website, but has been shared subsequently by site visitors to their Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter followers? If there’s a value and it’s deemed to be significant (and it can be and often is) shouldn’t all content have a share button? And, if there is a value, what is the lost opportunity cost of not making our content social-ready and sharable to the widest degree possible?
9. These are disruptive times. What does the big picture look like in a world where digital content is playing an increasingly important role and technology is moving faster than most organizations are able to change?
Change only happens once someone or something acts as an instigator. A disruptor. A reason for change. Unfortunately for many—if not most—organizations, the speed of change is far exceeding the ability of the organization to respond. The solution isn’t agile or lean development, although many organizations see this as critical to reducing the negative impact of process bottlenecks. Eliminating unnecessary steps and keeping folks on task (working toward a common goal with frequent touch point meetings) is a great place to start, but the real challenge is in stopping long enough to develop a strategy that is both scalable and sustainable. Far too many organizations skip this step in search of short term gains. But, as technology continues to push us forward, shortening the time line without using the time saved to innovate is a huge mistake. The big picture is about applying manufacturing techniques (lean, agile, just-in-time delivery) to all other associated parts of an organization. It’s not enough to be hyper-efficient on the manufacturing floor. Content needs to be manufactured and follow a process that seeks to rid an organization of unnecessary and expensive manual tasks; tasks better performed by computers. As more and more organizations realize that putting 80% of the effort into upfront planning can pay off in ways that not only provide savings, but make them better prepared for challenges, threats and other disruptions, this will be less of a problem. But, today, we’re still wasting far to much time doing things the way we always have, just with a few new tools in the mix.
10. What advice do you have for business leaders looking to leverage the power of content?
That’s easy. Take an honest look at how you do things today. Seek outside scrutiny. Find out exactly what the current state is in your organization. Then ask yourself—and your team—why your organizations does things the way you do? Find out what the intent of the content being produced is; what it costs to create, manage, deliver and archive. Learn how they measure success. And, then determine if there’s a positive return on investment for your effort. If you can’t show it, chances are there’s loads of room for improvement.Content Production Scott Abel Interview with IntelligentHQ
Content production is not the exclusive turf of creative types any longer. It’s now a hybrid space where art and science must come together in ways that are repeatable, automatable, and defensible. If you start to think of your content as a business asset—just like parts in an inventory, people on a team, or dollars in savings account—you’ll soon see that leaving it to employees to decide is a huge mistake. Content decisions are strategic decisions that impact business in ways those making decisions are often unaware. One change made upstream in the creative department can have negative consequences downstream where others reuse content, leverage it for support activities, or translate and localize it for customers in other countries. If you look closely, with the help of someone who understands the bigger picture, you will not only find places where great waste exists, but you’ll also find opportunities to fine-tune your organisations so it is lean and much better able to pivot to address the fast-changing business landscape.
11. What are the main challenges in a digital world providing translated, localized content?
The biggest obstacle is recognising that we are in a hyper-connected world. Social communities and networks have broken down geographic barriers that prevented us, in the past, from connecting to one another. Now we just need to overcome the last remaining hurdles: language, culture, and locale. Businesses have to rethink the way they create content in a global world, and they have to re-engineer their processes, retool, and sometimes, restaff. Or, at a minimum, retrain existing staff to think differently. The opportunities to expand outside traditional markets are no longer limited to the big, multinational firms. Today, the digital revolution has leveled the playing field, making it possible for small- and medium-sized organizations to reach new markets, develop new revenue streams, and expand their brand. But, in order to do it right, we’ll need to address issues of culture, language, and locale. It’s not easy, but for those who succeed, the opportunities are many.
12. How is SEO changing in the global, mobile on-demand content world?
Search engine optimization (SEO) has traditionally been thought of as something that is done after content is created. That view is outdated and no longer relevant. What’s needed is to move optimization activities upstream and stop thinking about optimizing for search engines and start thinking about optimizing for human beings. Humans rely on search to find content. But, they also use the words they choose to use—their own vocabulary words—to search for content, not the ones we (or Google) thinks they might use. And, when multiple languages enter the equation, things get even more complex.
Savvy organizations are starting to adopt terminology management methods and tools to their arsenal. Tools like Acrolinx (www.acrolinx.com) help organizations control the words their content creators use at the source—in the authoring tool at the time the content is created.
While this level of control alone is important, it’s also imperative to listen to the words used by customers. When you pay attention to the words your customers—and industry influencers—use in blog posts, in presentations, in online communities, and in the comments field of social media sites and groups, you can incorporate them into your content. Once indexed by search engines, your content becomes more findable…without the magic of black hat SEO firms.
Of course, that only solves the challenge in one language. If you’re going global, you’ll need to adopt a more robust, multilingual SEO strategy. Mastering multilingual search means optimizing web content so search results for the site appear in search engines regardless of language or region. This allows, as SEO expert Richard Brooks says, your “content to be found and consumed by more people than the nearest competitor by increasing findability in search engines result pages regardless of the language of search.”
13. What are some of the most important content events you participate in?
In 2014 there are a mix of events on my roster—events I recommend highly for others looking to optimize their content and make it work for them. Here’s a short list of the key events I’m participating in:
- Intelligent Content Conference 2014 Theme: Deliver the right content, to the right people, anywhere, any time, on any device February 26-28, San Jose, CA
- Digital Strategy Conference Essentials of Digital Strategy: April 29-May 1, Vancouver, BC
- Society for Technical Communication Summit: May 18-21, Phoenix, AZ
- Localization World 2014 Dublin Disruptive Innovation: June 4-6, Dublin, Ireland
- Content Marketing World: September 8-11, Cleveland, OH
- Information Development World 2014 The Conference for Technical, Marketing, and Product Information Developers: October 22-24, San Jose, CA
- tcworld Conference and tekom Trade Fair: November 11-13, Stuttgart, Germany
14. Are there differences in the way companies manage content around the world?
Yes, indeed. In the US there is a big move toward the adoption of structured information standards. It’s not a uniform move, but some sectors of the content community are clearly more advanced in this area. Technical communicators, for example, have been using the Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA) to help them create, manage, and deliver content to multiple channels, often automatically. These sectors see content as an asset and work to optimize their production processes so their organizations are highly efficient. They used the time saved to innovate.
However, the majority of the US business market (marketing, sales, web, HR) have yet to adopt the best practices developed by technical communication pros. As such, they waste a lot of time unnecessarily.
DITA adoption outside of the US is slower, but happening. Companies in the EU, Japan, and China have started moving away from creating unstructured content and toward creating structured XML content, sometimes using DITA. In countries like Germany, especially in the manufacturing sectors, and in other nations in the defense, aerospace, and pharmaceutical sectors, companies are also creating structured content, but usually to an industry or corporate specification (DTD or schema), not necessarily in the same way that they are in the US. But, this is changing as companies realize the need for content to be interoperable between departments, divisions and other silos.
And, there is also a strong incentive for companies that might be purchased by a bigger firm to put their content into an open standard like DITA, because doing so makes the company more attractive to companies that might like to acquire or merge with them. Structured content is often significantly easier (read, less expensive) to integrate into an existing content production workflow, saving the acquiring company from spending time and money unnecessarily attempting to make content from the new company fit into their existing systems.The Content Wrangler – IntelligentHQ
15. You are on the faculty of the University of California, Berkeley. Tell us a little about your work there.
I’m a lecturer at the UC Berkeley School of Information. Currently, I co-teach a class on eBook production with Dr. Robert Glushko—an amazingly brilliant information management expert in his own right. We’re exploring the best practices and lessons learned in the digital publishing projects, hoping to produce a Best Practices Handbook to help organizations move successfully into the eBook publishing arena. We’re also exploring the creation of an institute or center for eBook publishing innovation. But, we’re still in the early stages.
Berkeley, like many universities, is undergoing a series of changes, including the incorporation of many more professionals as instructors and lecturers. When combined with the deep knowledge of the academically-inclined (historically, the role filled by professors), classroom offering better reflect the needs of the industries in search of experienced knowledge workers. It’s our job to prepare students for the real-world job market, which, moves as fast as technology does.
Universities, although attempting to become more agile and responsive to changing business needs, are still much slower than the market at large. As such, change at the university level happens at a snail’s pace compared to changes that happen in most industries. I’m hoping to help my university meet those needs through small. but necessary changes. After all, change is good.University of California Berkeley
16. How must education change in order to prepare students to write for the mobile, social world?
First, we have to start teaching students practical skills. Whether they are writers or not, they need to understand code. They don’t need to be programmers, but they need to understand how content and computers work together (and more importantly, when and why they don’t work together and what to do about it). I also think we’ll need to teach writers that their special skill isn’t writing good prose. Sure, they should be able to do this. It’s imperative. But, it’s not a special skill worthy of high salaries. But, if you add niche industry knowledge or some practical skills (like writing for reuse, XML, and multi-channel publishing) then writers can avoid becoming a commodity and be hired to deliver value that writing alone cannot.
We also need to teach writers to be information foragers. Finding and organizing information created by others is an easy way to add value to the original content we create. Schools need to teach students to be curators of content exhibits. They need to learn how to marry their content with the content assets available on the web. And, they need to start thinking less about the old rules that prevent us from disrupting the status quo. The easiest way to think about what needs to change in education is to imagine Apple, Google, Oracle, Coca-Cola, NASA, Cisco, Roche, or Eli Lilly as universities. What classes would they offer? What skills would they try to develop in their students? And, how would what they might teach differ from what universities actually offer today? There’s a big lesson in there for universities up to the challenge.
Part 1 of this interview: Interview with Scott Abel, “The Content Wrangler” – Part1
Dinis Guarda is an author, speaker, serial entrepreneur, advisor and experienced CEO.
He creates and helps build ventures focused on global growth, 360 digital strategies, sustainable innovation, Blockchain, Fintech, AI and new emerging business models such as ICOs / tokenomics.
Dinis is the founder/CEO of ztudium that manages blocksdna / lifesdna. These products and platforms offer multiple AI P2P, fintech, blockchain, search engine and PaaS solutions in consumer wellness healthcare and life style with a global team of experts and universities.
He is the founder of coinsdna a new swiss regulated, Swiss based, institutional grade token and cryptocurrencies blockchain exchange. He is founder of DragonBloc a blockchain, AI, Fintech fund and co-founder of Freedomee project.
Dinis has created various companies namely Ztudium, a tech, digital and AI blockchain startup that builds cutting edge software, big data insights, publishes intelligenthq.com, hedgethink.com, tokensdna.com and tradersdna.com among others.
Dinis is the author of various books. His upcoming books “How Businesses and Governments can Prosper with Fintech, Blockchain and AI?”, also the bigger case study and book (400 pages) “Blockchain, AI and Crypto Economics – The Next Tsunami?” last the “Tokenomics and ICOs – How to be good at the new digital world of finance / Crypto” will be launched in 2018.
Some of the companies Dinis created or has been involved have reached over 1 USD billions in valuation. Dinis has advised and was responsible for some top financial organisations, 100 cryptocurrencies worldwide and Fortune 500 companies.
Dinis is involved as a strategist, board member and advisor with the payments, lifestyle, blockchain reward community app Glance technologies, for whom he built the blockchain messaging / payment / loyalty software Blockimpact, the seminal Hyperloop Transportations project, Kora, and blockchain cybersecurity Privus.
He is listed in various global fintech, blockchain, AI, social media industry top lists as an influencer in position top 10/20 within 100 rankings: such as Top People In Blockchain | Cointelegraph https://top.cointelegraph.com/ and https://cryptoweekly.co/100/ .
He has been a lecturer at Copenhagen Business School, Groupe INSEEC/Monaco University and other leading world universities.
He is a shareholder of the fintech social money transfer app Moneymailme and math edutech gamification children’s app Gozoa.
Between 2014 and 2015 he was involved in creating a fabbanking.com a digital bank between Asia and Africa as Chief Commercial Officer and Marketing Officer responsible for all legal, tech and business development. Between 2009 and 2010 he was the founder of one of the world first fintech, social trading platforms tradingfloor.com for Saxo Bank. In 2011 he created the B2B platforms socialmediacouncil.org and openbusinesscouncil.org with Jamie Burke. | <urn:uuid:75e7dd57-84c5-477a-a745-ec4e5845a539> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://www.intelligenthq.com/interview-scott-abel-content-wrangler-part-2/ | 2019-08-23T19:38:49Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027318986.84/warc/CC-MAIN-20190823192831-20190823214831-00240.warc.gz | en | 0.937124 | 3,897 |
I call this my 'dossier' on President Obama because while I was writing about Indigo adults in The Monstaville Memoirs I included a section on Barak Obama to which I added updates as further information was received from channelled sources. I also added an appendix comprising several longer excerpts from channelled articles.
And all of this while most people I knew or encountered were buying into the lies and hate spread not only by the mainstream media but by truth movement icons as well. The situation has been that, as with other presidents in the modern era, Obama has been prevented from pushing through all but the smallest portion of his policies because the criminal cabal has all the power. And these good intentions are then easily made to look as though he is either a puppet or on the side of those dark forces because they have been hijacked and turned into yet more methods of patriarchal control. We are told that Obama's destiny is to serve as a bridge to the new world, politically, and that 2001 was meant to have marked the changeover from dark to light but the global shadow government has fought tooth and nail to hold on to power and enslave humanity, or bring down as many people as possible, as they fall. Many have been leaving their ranks as they have realised that their ambitions are futile. Meanwhile, Obama (who has been protected from assassination after attempts were made on his own and his family's lives) has become aware of the unseen forces assisting humanity and met with other political leaders around the world whom I expect are working towards a new economy through BRICS. So, all is not lost and the positive changes that Mr Obama envisions are still on the cards. It is my sincere hope that the information shared via these two pages will help to restore faith in some of the people who have been exercising their rational minds more than their hearts and falling for appearances but are now starting to see the light...
“Yes, I agree, there are some governments that do not work with us and do not wish to cooperate with us. But there are a lot of countries that do. Now, as Obama, he is part of that too. I know that people think he is not of the light, but he is. I can assure you. He is just not in the easiest position. He has been threatened by all of the cabal and the worst enemies that you can have.
And even though most of them are removed, there are still influences from the astral realms. You need to take that into account as well. He wants to bring all of the new world into light but he needs to play along as well for his own safety. And I know many of you will not resonate with that but this is my truth that I bring to you as I work closely with him. You may disagree with me and that is fine as well.“
- St. Germain (channelled through Méline Lafont, 23 August 2013, www.awakeningtohigherlove.com/2013/08/23/series-of-live-channeling-saint-germain-serie-1-part-4-about-disclosure-where-we-are-at-the-point-of-view-of-ascension-august-1-2013-by-meline-lafont).
“A reader asked this related question: To what extent is race a factor in US President Obama’s very low rating in his country’s polls? We don’t know the percentage, but we do know that race is not a major factor, and it exists only in his own country. His election was met with exultation and hopeful expectations on a global scale, as if he could fix all the wrongs in his country and cure all the ills of the world - those expectations haven’t been met. Few foresaw the sustained opposition he would encounter, and while that quickly became clear in Congress, the Illuminati’s influence within and behind that body isn’t known. When that truth comes forth, all will understand what President Obama has had to deal with in his efforts to uplift his country’s peoples and bring peace to your world. Furthermore, the many strides he has made despite formidable opposition aren’t being heralded even by his own party.” – Matthew (channelled through Suzanne Ward, 2 June 2014, www.matthewbooks.com).
“A few things to consider. The Rockefeller Initiative between 1993 involving Laurance Rockefeller, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Leon Panetta and John Podesta were set in place for Bill Clinton to be the Disclosure President. Following that the Clinton Administration including Bill, Hillary and their staff were attacked in a way no other President has been. Laurance Rockefeller is Bill Clinton’s natural Father. Hillary is a Rothschild and the granddaughter of Hitler through a mistress. The dark cabal did not arrange their marriage just so they could end their control on the many. The dark cabal first murdered President John F. Kennedy (actually his clone) when he was going to be the Disclosure President. Bill Clinton felt sufficiently threatened. After many years of attacks in 1998 Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, was impeached by the House of Representatives on two charges, one of perjury and one of obstruction of justice at this time President Clinton stepped down from the role as Disclosure President fearing for his very life and those of his family. Bill Clinton was acquitted of these charges in 1999 and went on to sign the National Economic Security and Reformation Act into law before he left office, 10 October 2000 after it was passed by both the House and Senate. NESARA Law stated in order for it to be put into effect it must first be announced publicly. That was to occur 11 September 2001 which is why 911 Truth and Full Galactic Disclosure go hand in hand. This is one of the reasons WHY IT HAS BEEN TAKING SO LONG. NESARA has to be enacted publicly, however, certain actions have been carried out within NESARA Law so that when it is enacted, the actions are completed that are needed to enable easy movement forward...George W. Bush’s grandfather, Prescott Bush, was a financial collaborator with the enemy in WWII. He was the president of a bank which financed the German Nazi war effort, making a large profit for its efforts…The 4th Reich who have been making money from the Nazi’s control since the 1920’s would love to carry on business as usual. President Obama is not part of a regime. He is a fully adept Enlightened Being of Light. I would not be able to carry out this Plan without his deft work and constant devotion in the face of constant danger. He also has to deal with discrimination and hate such as being called a ‘regime.’” - St Germain (channelled through Elizabeth Trutwin, ‘Prepare for Change,’ 12 March 2014, www.cosmicascension.org/prepare-for-change-a-message-from-st-germain-through-elizabeth-trutwin-march-12-2014/#sthash.8dUQgQdx.GCY1riWc.dpbs).
Rick G: Dial Dear St. Germaine, Do you have direct communication with President Obama…or do you leave contact with him to other Masters??
St. Germain: You could say I have a supervisor function for both the KOS and President Obama (on NESARA related matters). They report to me. I have offices in Virginia and Washington D.C. and we work together regularly on many different aspects of the Plan. I report directly to Mother Sekhmet.
(As above: channelled through Elizabeth Trutwin, ‘Prepare for Change,’ 12 March 2014).
Obama Part One
Antraeus de Herschia
“Master Imhotep had a science team of four powerful Elven to guide and be of service to him through this journey. They arrived in a craft, disembarked and went to work right away. They didn’t need to sleep or eat for days at a time. These Elven energies helped with the building of the pyramids, which are still standing. The Elven society is one of the most powerful to have ever visited this little planet, Earth. They rarely come here in their pure form. Your current president is closest to being in pure Elven form. He was a dark Elven. When I say dark, I am not referring to dark energy. I am referring to a dark colour. It is no coincidence that he came back as a black man.” - Master Guide Kirael (‘More on the Journey to the Shift,' channelled through Kahu Fred Sterling, www.kirael.com/content/view/557/38).
Interestingly, according to a friend, the word ‘elf’ originates from albi meaning a white or 'shining one.’ From albi, he adds, derives the French Cathar name Albigensian (albi plus gens) meaning 'of the elven blood.' A channelled message from Lady Master Nada through Beth Trutwin (28 November 2009) claims that “Barack Obama is President of the United States and the Member Representative on the Council of Nine at Sirius representing the Gaia Collective Consciousness.” She also states, “He is also known as The Sirian Commander and he is a Member on The Council of Nine on Sirius, here in this building. Barack Obama is a Galactic Human, as are many of us living on the Earth at this time of Change Point. He has adept skills and abilities and spent the last 1000 lifetimes preparing for this one.” (www.galacticroundtable.com). Another message, apparently channelled from the Council of Mushaba, through Anakhanda Shaka Mushaba (15 September 2008), states that Obama is from ‘planet Mushaba,’ and is of the Mushaba race. According to this transmission, the reasons many channels say that Obama is from Sirius is that the energy of Sirius is similar and is derived in some way from the Mushaba Force Energy. This message adds that a highly evolved soul by the name of Ambrose has been with/within him since 16 July 2008 (‘a little after 4 p.m. PST’). “He will be a ruler of the people who says that he is not their ruler and that they are his instead…Once he is in office, some darkly-intentioned persons expect to control him just as they and others before them have controlled a succession of U.S. presidents and many members of Congress. However, that vicious kind of governing is at an end. Therefore, the Obama family members are among the most intensely Light-protected persons on Earth.” (www.mushabacenter.com).
There is no question that President Obama is an inspiring leader with a broad appeal, an example to people all around the globe, of all races. A true individual who has ‘intellect, focus and compassion’ and who “represents the best and brightest of all of us.” (Newsnight, BBC2, 20 January 2009). People of all races, colours and classes came together to support him in his campaign for the presidency. He has been referred to as a bridge between government and society and between different peoples as well as a bridge between the old consciousness and the new, ‘to a whole new reality,’ including a new era of racial integration. A man who had travelled from Nigeria to see Obama’s inauguration said that the new President could inspire African nations to adopt democracy (potential democracy at least since we have yet to see true democracy).
“My friends, you are part of an historic moment on Earth, as a new President moves into the White House. For the first time in ages, you will have one who is the people’s choice, and not the Illuminati’s. Our support is with him as are many Beings of Light, and his service to mankind will be according to his life plan, to lead you out of the darkness and into the Light. We will be with him every step of the way, and offer our help whenever it is required. At last we have someone we will be able to approach with confidence, knowing that he will have the best interests of everyone at heart.” – SaLuSa (channelled through Mike Quinsey, 19 January 2009, www.gfbymikequinsey.blogspot.com).
90 million new people voted in the U.S. elections, half of them being under 25. Obama, hopefully, represents a broader vision of the world that reflects the new consciousness that younger generations are attuning to. Cultural wars are over, says Jerry Springer, because people under 30 are not concerned with issues of race relations, prejudice against homosexuals, and so forth. They judge people on the ‘content of their character’ (Martin Luther King). This is the ‘beginning of a post-racial society.’ (This Week, BBC1, 6 November 2008). Indeed, there are many Indigos in their 20s and 30s all around the world, some moving into influential positions and others leading those whom they meet through example and triggering changes in them. Indigos are essentially old souls who are born in readiness for self-awakening to some degree. The younger Indigo generations are different from older Indigos most notably because they incarnate in greater numbers and bring with them the collective wave of energy of their particular age group. As one wave clears the way for the next, so it is refined and able to take collective consciousness further. This progression facilitates the expression of the Crystal Children, the Christed Masters, and their creation of the Golden Age which will also be further established by those after generations who will bring the ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Diamond’ energies to Earth. The younger Indigos are taking on a different stage of the cultural revolution. These ‘gladiators’ are dismantling the old system even further to make way for the new. ‘You won't fool the children of the revolution,’ as Marc Bolan sang in 1974.
During the early 60s, a woman named Nancy Ann Tappe, who believed she could see people’s auras, noticed that children were appearing with Indigo auras and that these children were aware of their mission on Earth. When she sees a colour, it conveys a personality its characteristics to her. This was a new colour to her. Prior to this, she saw only primary colours. However, it turned out that she has a condition called sinesthesia which, in her case, means that she sees colours around people (another example is that the person may see numbers as colours). It is confusing of the senses. It was, therefore, on the basis of her condition that the term 'Indigo' was used. Lee Carroll, who wrote the first book on Indigo Children, has stated that the colours this lady sees are the result of sinesthesia, not auras. There are no coincidences so perhaps either the name or the colour do have some relevance. The definition of such souls, regardless (I have never found this aspect to be either interesting or revealing personally), was introduced by Lee Carroll and Jan Tober in their book. Indeed, however, Kryon, through Carroll, has confirmed that Indigos (not being limited to the children of new consciousness who are now in their 20s and 30s) like Obama have some Indigo colour in their aura which can be seen clairvoyantly. Kryon must have had a reason for doing so regardless of 'appearances' or what humans like to call 'facts.' This was plausibly the destined route to information in the absence of heightened perception. The ‘divine’ connection was, apparently, more direct in terms of the so-called ‘crystal’ children, being more of a New Age creation.
“Just being yourself, being who you are, is a successful rebellion.” - Author Unknown.
I have seen a list of 25 adult Indigo traits – a test by Lee Carroll who channels Kryon - and I have 24 of them: the ‘only Indigo in the village’ – in Lost Britain. Someone recently ‘found me out,’ observing that being interested in spirituality and liking Marilyn Manson must make me an Indigo, which is a perfectly legitimate observation (although it is usually me who informs other people that they are Indigos since most do not know). In truth, however, I have added this word to the subtitle titles of these books as a ‘warning’ that Monstaville possesses a unique, multidimensional format and contains layers of unconventional thought and spiritual truth. [OK, I changed the subtitle eventually] Those Indigos born prior to the Seventies usually ‘embody various degrees of this energy’ and have been the forerunners of the revolution that is likely to pick up momentum from 2009 onwards. In other words, most are not full Indigos express a degree of this energy with them in order to influence collective consciousness in some way. Every bit helps. All races and cultures are going to be affected by this inner revolution. For that reason, we must lay down our suspicions and have faith in the future rather than hold onto fears that are rooted in past and current patterns of behaviour. Britain is perhaps the most tolerant and racially-mature nation on Earth even if our sense of justice includes a strong element of feudal (or Satanic!) fear and conformity. A friend who travels around the world reports that people in many parts of the world, particularly China and Eastern European countries, distrust black people. This surely results from lack of exposure (‘who are these aliens?). ‘Arabs hate blacks,’ he reports (well, Arabs would, one might add). In Russia, racism in general has really started to surface. There have been 80 racist killings this year, 50 people have been beaten to death by violent gangs of youths just for having slightly darker skin and some groups are demanding that all foreign workers be expelled from the country. Soon, however, one hopes to see evidence of Indigo individuality, integrity, leadership and spiritual ‘royalty’ in every race and every nation on Earth, inspiring change in those around them, and producing more prominent black people who evoke admiration both in other black people and other races. It is all about power. A vacuum of positive, creative expression is an invitation to destructive forces to run wild.
“My longing for truth is my only prayer.” - Edith Stein.
When Indigos experience intensity of emotion it shoots directly into the Earth’s magnetic grid of collective consciousness. All starseeds are here to project their vibration, with all its nuances of ascent towards freedom and illumination, out to affect the species as a whole as Plashdar explains. A starseed’s energy is sent out and is picked up by other people “because your thoughts are meant to be picked up on. Starseeds must be especially careful what they are thinking about at any given time. They are here to bless the Earth, and they are here to send out thoughts and emotions that other people will pick up on. It is in their programming. What I mean is, it is in their DNA. Starseeds are here to affect people’s minds, to give them new ideas.” - Plashdar (channelled through Allinduath, 25 August 2010, www.crystalchildmessages.typepad.com/crystal-child-messages/2010/08/plashdar-answers-a-question-about-money.html).
“The people of your times are benefitting dramatically from the experiences of those generations that preceded you, for through the experiences that they lived, and the desires that were generated within them, the summoning began. And today, you are the ones on the Leading Edge of reaping the benefits of what those past generations asked for; at the same time, you are continuing to ask, and you are now summoning…and on it goes. So you can see how, if you can find a way to allow it, there is an avalanche of Well-Being at your fingertips, ripe for your plucking – provided you are in vibrational alignment with it? (And can you not see why – since there is never a crowd on the Leading Edge – you are not going to have a lot of people you can talk to about this?).
These days, there are some people experiencing intense hardships or traumas, and because of how they are living right now, their asking is in a heightened and intense place. And because of the intensity of their request, Source is responding in kind. And although the person who is doing the asking is usually so involved in the trauma that they are not personally receiving the benefit of their own asking, future generations – or even current generations who are not, right now, disallowing – are receiving the benefit of their asking.
We are giving this to you by way of helping you understand: There is an unlimited Stream of Well-Being and an abundance of all manner of things available to you at all times – but you must be in alignment with the receiving of these things. You cannot stand in resistance of them and receive them at the same time.”
– Abraham Hicks (Ask and it is Given. Learning to Manifest Your Desires by Esther and Jerry Hicks, Hay House, Inc., Carlsbad, CA., U.S., 2004, p.35-36).
“I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.” – Bruce Lee.
I do believe that one reason I am living here is to help raise the vibration in this region, shining my Light through the dense energies of London. My ‘crazy’ Indigo energy is probably sweeping through genes across Asia as we speak, through my subtle contact with the populace in these parts! I know that when a person meditates and does energy work it has a positive effect on the consciousness of the neighbourhood, helping to reduce the tension and negative emotions that would otherwise erupt in the form of quarrels and so forth.
“Everything that you do in meditation, spiritual practices, with your intentions and loving actions throughout the day influences those around you as well as enhancing your own spiritual growth. When you meditate you are not only meditating for yourself but for all of humanity, for all that is the Creator on the Earth and inner planes. Know that you are being of service at all times through your simple desire to connect with the Creator. Many people ask us what their purpose is. We say to you that you are already living your purpose now you are already being of service; you just have to realise and believe this.” – The Ascended Masters (channelled through Natalie Glasson, ‘Being of Service, Part 3,’ 28 March 2011, www.omna.org).
Speaking in the Commons, our own Opposition leader affirmed: "This is a really important moment. To have gone from the horror of segregation to the election of a black President in just four decades is an incredible transformation. It shows the U.S. is a beacon of hope, opportunity and change." It would certainly be good to move both beyond racial prejudice and the defensive inferiority complexes of some ethnic minorities. Of course it is encouraging to see such progress. That progress, however, is not that there is now a ‘black family in the White House’ but surely that there is an American President who relates to the issues of all groups of people: I mean that his election is a triumph over exclusivity and monopoly. Yet, few people appear to be talking about his policies. His skin colour is more important, apparently. I would argue that it is meaningless. It is always what’s inside that counts. His success does not simply show that you can make it regardless of your skin colour in the ‘free (fantasy) world.’ Obama is proof that we should forget the past and understand that, in the modern world, there is scope for people to achieve their goals if they are self-aware and individual and do not identify with external conditions. He is also an adult Indigo according to Kryon which is no surprise (as are the Williams sisters, Tiger Woods and as were the boxers Joe Louis - 1930s - and Muhammad Ali). [See Appendix II: President Obama].
"George Bush has fucked up so bad he's made it hard for a white man to run for President! People are like, 'Give me a black man or white woman or a giraffe or zebra. Anything but another white man! That last one fucked up my roof!" - Chris Rock (Kill the Messenger tour, 2008).
Obama Part Two
byAntraeus de Herschia
“We work with the Sirian Commander, U.S. President Barack Obama. He has prepared many lifetimes for the role he now plays. He has special abilities and will carry Earth into a new era of One Race. We help coordinate the Master Plan for Worldwide Peace.” - Mother Sekhmet (channelled through FatherMotherGod, ‘Prepare for the Mass Decloakings,’ 7 February 2011, www.soundofheart.org/galacticfreepress/content/galactic-free-press-breaking-news-prepare-mass-decloakings).
I believe it is possible that Tupac Shakur’s life was part of a spiritual design for shifting society away from the clutches of the dark and into the Light to make way for Barack Obama, the presidential bridge to the New Age politically. He was an Indigo hip-hop prophet who taught the Elite that they needed to do more than just indoctrinate black people through rap music (which they did after his death) which basically means that they must have become more insecure having been reminded of the power of just one man and that people like Martin Luther King, Malcom X, Mahatma Gandhi and John Lennon are always going to be here. In fact, regardless of the Elite’s drastic measures to counteract this reality, we now have millions of Indigos in place to change the System once and for all! Some are in the forefront and others are working behind the scenes, each expressing their individual truth regardless of the conventional wisdom and demonstrating better ways in which people can live and work on this planet, dedicating themselves to more worthwhile activities regardless of the status quo and the conforming masses. The old world, the old way of thinking and of doing things, is being thrown out with the rubbish.
I see no changes all I see is racist faces
Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races…
And only time we chill is when we kill each other
It takes skill to be real, time to heal each other
And although it seems heaven sent
We ain't ready, to see a black President, uhh
It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact
The penitentiary's packed, and it's filled with blacks
But some things will never change
- Tupac (from the song ‘Changes’ written by Tupac Shakur and Bruce Hornsby, 1992).
Obama was in place, destined for the role reserved for him alone, and the Elite agreed to it partly because it would appease the black community even though he would not be free to really aid them either economically or politically, or so they believed.
Prodigy, of Mobb Deep, for whom I have great respect, said, in 2008, that Obama was a ‘phony’ and a ‘plastic President’ but wished him ‘only love and happiness.’ I myself, at the beginning, looked at the people around him and thought there was no way he could represent anything good. It wasn’t long, however, before I realised that his position is very delicate and his cards must be played very carefully. Consequently, all is not as it appears, and much has had to remain hidden from public view (not to mention that of the Illuminati themselves as well). “But he’s either gonna be assassinated to create chaos and bring about Martial Law,” Prodigy said in an interview for www.ballerstatus.com, “or he’ll live and then, years down the line, at the end of his term, everybody will see that he’s just like the rest of these plastic Presidents who does absolutely nothing good. Just another puppet for the Royal Family.”
“A mystery always holds sway over those who don’t understand it. And the priesthood was born. No king ever existed without the permission of the priesthood. I don’t care what religion you’re talking about or what period of history you’re talking about. It is the truth. The kings never had the power and don’t to this day. Kings exist at the whim of the power which is the priesthoods standing behind the throne. And when the kings ceased to be of benefit to the priesthood they would simply poison him or get rid of him some other way. ‘The King is dead. Long live the King’ and there would be another king appointed.” - William Cooper (from his speech in Lansing, Michigan, 1996).
Being President of the United States does not mean that one is in charge. He is powerless to intervene in the Elite’s repressive domestic measures and hostile relations abroad. However, there is a revolution emerging which involves Freemasonry and various political leaders. Barack Obama is a 32nd degree Freemason of Prince Hall Rite, apparently, and therefore, in theory, subject to Illuminati control; that is, to the dictates of the satanic Jewish supremacists (or ‘religious Zionists’ - haha) who have corrupted the 33rd degree and above. Professor Griff, best known as the Minister for Information for the hip-hop group Public Enemy, says he thinks that the blue blood secret societies let Obama through, gave him a pass, because he’s black and they want to go into Africa for the minerals for the next couple of hundred years. So “they have to go through a phase of galvanising the masses of dark-skinned people that truly believe that change needs to come. But the change that they’re talking about is not necessarily change for the better as far as the masses of the people. It’s probably a better change for them. It’s not going to change for us, the little man on the totempole.” (YouTube video: Interview in Nubian Bookstore, Morrow, Georgia, July 2008).
At least since the Sixties, according to Andrew Basiago, the U.S. government has had time-travel technology that allows them to observe major events in the future. He himself has experienced time travel in secret U.S. government programmes (notably Project Pegasus) and even teleported a million years into the past. Consequently, he himself was informed of his future discovery of life on Mars (in 2008) when he was just a boy although it meant nothing to him then. He also says that he met Barack Obama in the early eighties and that Obama had also received information that he was destined to become a U.S. president. Intelligence Services were watching to see how their lives – and careers – unfolded and also provided them with guidance. In 1981, Basiago, for instance, at the age of 19, teleported to Mars courtesy of the CIA. (YouTube videos by Jessica Mystic: ‘A Conversation with Andrew D. Basiago about the Hidden History of His Discovery of Life on Mars,’ August 2009).
"I have this feeling man, 'cause you know there’s just a handful of people who run everything, you know. That's true. It's provable. It's not…I'm not a fucking conspiracy nut. It's provable. A handful, a very small elite, run and own these corporations, which include the mainstream media. I have this feeling that whoever's elected president, like Clinton was, no matter what you promise on the campaign trail – ‘blah, blah, blah’ – when you win, you go into this smoke-filled room with the twelve industrialist capitalist scum-fucks who got you in there. And you're in this smoky room, and this little film screen comes down – rrrrrrrrr - and a big guy with a cigar goes, ‘Roll the film.’ And it's a shot of the Kennedy assassination from an angle you've never seen before…that looks suspiciously like it's from the grassy knoll. And then the screen goes up, and the lights come up, and they go to the new president, ‘Any questions?’ ‘Er, just what my agenda is.’ ‘First we bomb Baghdad.’ ‘You got it.’" – Bill Hicks.
The Illuminati allowed Barack Obama to become President because they knew it was going to happen regardless of their consent. However, the president of the United States does not run the country. There is a (secret) government inside the government, as Bill Clinton put it. Since he does not run the country and they are ultimately in control, they trust that they will get what they want. If a President resists their agenda and is more influential than they can bear, however, they consider removing him by force. In the case of Obama, an Elite insider stated prior to Obama’s election as president that they did not believe he would last long in office anyway. I was going to suggest earlier that Obama is a black leader who is not on the COINTELPRO hit list (I recommend watching the documentary ‘COINTELPRO 101,’ www.freedomarchives.org/Cointelpro.html). According to Ashtar, however, our space family are finding it necessary to give him protection (see below). We need all the help we can get. Even our ET allies are finding that the Elite's dark web is so complex that they've had to do more research, having believed that they would have succeeded in their operation by now. The core of the Elite is fighting tooth and nail even though many have deserted them and are scattered and fighting each other.
The Cabal could not corrupt Barak Obama or his family and Ashtar has informed us that they have also tried to assassinate him. Our space family will not allow that, he says, because his vision of truth and unity is destined to be realised. President Obama knows about Ascension and understands what he is here on Earth to accomplish. He has steadily talked about peace, love and oneness in his speeches and he the legislation he has seen passed has been greater than previous US presidents. As a result, we are now close to NESARA and Official First Contact Announcements. In this teleconference, dated 2 November 2010 (channelled through Susan Leland, who refused me permission to quote from it directly), Ashtar told us it was no accident that 22-11 was chosen as the day for the assassination of ‘one who wanted to do all of these things that Obama is now doing’ – namely, John F. Kennedy, whom, he added, is with our space family on the ships.
And there’s more:
"Steve, this is Hatonn. Greetings and salutations! The missiles were incapacitated - we're taking NO chances with anything leaving the surface. The missiles are U.S.-based, but in some cases the troops are specialty forces under Illuminati commanders.
No government [that is, in contradistinction to the Illuminati] with military might is willing to initiate an 'incident' in this global economic climate and their people's growing unrest, and any show of power is by order of the Illuminati to their 'shadow' force.
I can tell you, they are frustrated beyond imagining because no nuclear warheads check out to be viable and none of the missiles achieves its objective.
Obama now knows we have him covered and he can proceed without fear for his family's safety and his own. Media report what they are told, of course, but the truth is, now that he knows Earth's ascension timetable, he's negotiating with powers that be either personally or via safe communication channels to shut down Illuminati strongholds in his country, Europe and the Orient.
Some of our colleagues on the planet have made their presence known undeniably because they appeared in their real forms. They are meeting with powerful individuals, including some who operate out of public view, to inform them about our on- and off-planet network, and rats are starting to abandon the ship around the world. You won't hear about that or the mopping up that's underway.
Don't interpret this as our taking control! Our colleagues among you are working with Obama and others with influence to dislodge the Illuminati's remaining strongholds and establish groundwork for wide-scale reforms.
It's a matter of all that must be accomplished within a comparatively short time and the dark resistance has to be dismantled before that can happen. We've been telling you that for some time to prepare you for the massive changes coming. The next several months will be quite a ride - stay in the light and you'll navigate the rough waters in good STEAD."
“Our support of him has been total at all times, and he is a most special soul that together receives our full protection. There have already been a number of attempts on his life, and why Dear Ones – because he is seen for what he really is as a great Being of Light. He will when able to fully express and act on his plan, bring peace to the world. We know that there are campaigns to undermine Obama and have him removed, as the dark Ones were expecting to get their choice for President into the White House. That was not to be, and your expanding consciousness and successful attempts to bring Light and Love to the planet was in part responsible. The Law of Attraction is perfect, and when the Light becomes the dominant force there is no place for the lower energies. In that respect you are to be complimented for your untiring work to bring Light to the Earth…I am SaLuSa from Sirius and love you all as you are as great souls of Light. See that in all those you meet, see the perfection that is there and not the outer skin of duality that will soon be transmuted.” - SaLuSa (channelled through Mike Quinsey, 22 November 2010, www.gfbymikequinsey.blogspot.com).
“Obama, as you know, got rid of most of the Wall Street Mossad crowd in his cabinet…Apparently, Obama has gone off script…The Pentagon is backing Obama…and there’s going to be eight more people purged from his government probably after November…They’re using Obama for the time being. At the same time, I’ve heard that the same people who assassinated Kennedy and Martin Luther King have put a formal hit order on Obama.” – Benjamin Fulford (interviewed on Jeff Rense Radio, October 2010. Note: A year later, Fulford said he was disappointed that Obama had not done more to defy the Elite).
“Because a particular issue is in the forefront of so many minds around the world, we shall speak of it. President Obama will be reelected, and this is no more a matter of politics now than it ever was. Often we have told you that the Golden Age master planners requested this soul from a highly evolved civilisation to come to the planet specifically to fill one of the most strategic positions during this phase of Earths' ascension out of third density and entry into fourth. And all of you agreed with this when you enthusiastically chose your own roles in this lifetime.
We also have spoken about the formidable opposition to Obama's endeavours to bring about greatly-needed reforms in his country and to achieve peace in the world. What we didn't disclose before is that light warriors came from his homeland to protect him and his family from the band of dark reptilians, also from another planet, that the Illuminati hired to kill the Obamas. This shows the extent of the dark ones' fear that this president would end their long reign, and they are right. Very soon they will have no more means to buy assassins, members of Congress or multitudes of lobbyists - then all will see the light in Obama and herald his wise leadership and actions toward world unity.”
- Matthew (channelled through Suzanne Ward, 4 July 2012, www.matthewbooks.com/mm/anmviewer.asp?a=150&z=2).
Apparently, ancestry.com (according to CNN News) traced the bloodline of Obama's mother and learned that her lineage (which they believed was white European and is not) is African. She is, in fact, a direct descendent of John Bunch who was the first African enslaved in America. So, the First African American President is a direct descent of the First African Man ever enslaved. A friend, Trinity Marion, posits: “What if Obama is the reincarnation of the first African ever enslaved. There is a Native American prophecy that the world will start over when a slave becomes king and all the kings become slaves and both St. Irenaeus and Nostradamus predicted that a slave will become king someday. This is just something to wonder.” My response to this possibility: Kryon says Obama was born in Hawaii because he has been actively serving this planet since the days of Lemuria. In his case, since he spent so many lifetimes preparing for this one with a specific role to play, sure it's very possible he chose appropriate genes to get the job done right since it would be so difficult what with the Jesuits and mafia trying to assassinate the guy! Apparently, his own people from back home in the stars wherever he's from had to come and protect him here. Or perhaps he wanted his mission to have more potency by making an energetic statement like this. It's message, part of a ritual. Obama represents justice and equality and he's ahead of the game. The Rockefellers knew he was destined to be President so they went and found him in 1982 or whenever it was. But he knew they were going to try and get in his way before being born so he came not only with deep, deep roots spiritually but also physically.
Channelled through Suzanne Ward, 1 September 2012
We've been in readiness for a decade to get this show on the road!
But getting on to when we'll be ‘announced,’ safety still is an issue, of course, but the new key is the November presidential election in the United States. It's essential that the Obama presidency continues. This has nothing at all to do with politics in that country or any other! It has everything to do with the Golden Age master plan!
The plan is according to what Gaia, Earth's soul, wants. She wants a peaceful world with everyone having a fair share and everyone respecting all of her Nature realm. The highest universal council chose as a major player a soul with highly evolved spiritual status, ancient wisdom and world leadership experience in many lifetimes. That soul is Barack Obama.
He was born with and has retained Gaia's vision of Earth, and he has the inspiration and qualifications to achieve it. His reelection is imperative to the plan going forward because his opponent isn't capable of or interested in making the changes the plan requires…
According to the original plan, by now all of that would have been long gone. It was intended that when Obama became president, he'd have worldwide support in unifying people of all nations and leading your world into the Golden Age. The plan called for you and us to meet up ten years ago and work together to clean up the mess on your planet caused by greedy, uncaring power players.
Well, we're still waiting and Obama's efforts to get reforms going have been blocked by his foes in the Congress or the moneyed individuals who control most members. Through either death threats to his family or bloc voting, Obama has been forced into decisions that are against his conscience and his world vision. After he knew that he and his family had our protection, his mind was relieved of that deep concern, but he still has had to deal with unyielding partisanship and blatant lies or distortions of facts.
That's what's on centre stage in the U.S. right now and what should be there is how that nation will cooperate with other countries to fix the sorry state your world is in! If our making an appearance becomes pivotal to Obama keeping his position, we'll do that in sufficient time before the election. If we see that his reelection is certain, we'll show up soon afterwards.
Again, this is NOT political! Once we're there, political differences won't be an issue in any country. The truth about us and many other situations that will be disclosed will be.
I think what matters is Barak Obama’s intent and the fact that he's been trying to push through the changes he envisions. Presidents no longer have any power but Obama is not just a puppet. Removal of the Elite is a grand operation involving millions of people. Once the new financial system comes online they will be rendered impotent and Obama will have more power and say. We will then start to see the changes we need. | <urn:uuid:fc5230ef-4945-4816-804b-42f7690c801e> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://www.antraeus.co.uk/obamaramai.htm | 2019-08-17T11:09:50Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027312128.3/warc/CC-MAIN-20190817102624-20190817124624-00440.warc.gz | en | 0.977044 | 9,482 |
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I'm told that I have to take my birthday decorations down in my office today. Really? Why? I never want to let birthdays go…
It was a great birthday this year, despite having this icky cold. Last night it felt like I had been swallowing broken glass. I have that thing where you feel sort of sleepy/dizzy/out of body… runny nose… cough… but no, Jeanne, no fever. I don't think I'm a risk to public health at this point.
I got some great birthday surprises - roses from Ryan, dinner and a cake from Cody and Marquee, flowers from my friend Mary in Alabama, cupcakes and a gift bag of bath and body works stuff from my co-workers, a cake and flowers from one of our vendors, a Willow Tree figurine from my nieces…
Jim and Angie are fixing my laptop as my birthday gift! It should be ready on Monday… they had to get some parts in for it… but that's such a great gift for me! I miss my friends who live in my computer! I was looking at being without it for *at least* several more weeks OR not paying something I need to pay to be able to have it back. I'm so excited that it's being fixed.
I really, really, really just wanted to curl up in the bed yesterday - this time not from sadness but just because I feel horrible. I soldiered on… *pause to straighten my halo*… and went to church last night. It was worth it to be greeted by Abbie with her "Happy Birthday 41 year old!"… and Jamie and Sarabeth and even little Eli bouncing around with excitement over my birthday - or whatever they were excited about. Another lady in our church was celebrating her 40th yesterday… and my friend Michelle's little girl, Emma, was celebrating her ninth. (Emma is Eli's sister). The fellowship hall was decked out for Sherri's 40th and they sang to her… and then to Emma… and then to me… which was really sweet.
Austin's report card came in the mail yesterday. He was excited to have a "c" average. *eyeroll* But of course, those of you who have been with me for awhile will remember the end of Cody's 9th grade year - about three weeks before the school year ended we found out he was failing pretty much every subject and he had to scamper and scurry and I had to beg and plead for him to just pass. Not that he's not a bright kid. He was just mega-lazy. With Austin's study skills class and tutoring once a week he is pretty much unable to have uncompleted assignments. Austin tries to be lazy but it just doesn't work out for him.
Today is pay day. I got a small raise. My salary will still be heavily dependant on commissions. We haven't gotten the final word on the commission increase yet and I was hoping for that for this pay period. Times are still hard. I'm glad for every little bit, of course. Somehow it keeps working… I've had some stressful moments… my budget strategy has been "putting out fires"… but I'm hanging in there.
Austin wants to get a summer job and I appreciate his enthusiasm but the logistics of him working make me dizzy. He REALLY wants to work in this little toy shop in Helen. It's in the heart of the tourist area and they sell lots of cutesy little gimmicky things, magic tricks, novelty toys. He would REALLY be a good salesperson for this shop because he's so enthusiastic about the stuff they have. I'm not sure he has the people skills to work with the general public… especially the vacationing public (certainly a different perspective, wouldn't you say?) and the store is waaaay out of the way for me in the mornings/afternoons but… if he can get a job, I'll do what I can to make it work for us. He definitely needs the experience…
Our little office is limping along today. Shirley is out taking her mom and other elderly relatives to doctors appointments. Theresa didn't sleep last night so she's a zombie. Ginger has some major back pain. I've got this creeping crud. Duane is leaving at noon to go camping for the weekend. Kevin said we could all leave and he'd handle it. *eyeroll* Riiiiight!
Ok… thankful Thursday items for this week:
1. that my laptop is getting fixed
2. surviving my turbulent 40th year
3. flowers! Birthday cakes! Birthday presents! Birthday dinners!
4. "c" averages
6. my new white tea and ginger body lotion from bath and body works - it smells great!
7. my new office, my raise, possible increased bonus and all those things that bit by bit make my work life easier
8. Sammy the dog - Cody and Marquee's sweet little puppy
9. Stubby the 3legged cat - who had a great time playing with Sammy the dog Tuesday night. Well. Reverse that. Sammy had a great time doing what he THOUGHT was playing… Stubby was in attack cat mode, defending his territory. Stubby has learned to look forward to my morning bowl of cereal and has learned that if he waits patiently, that I will put the bowl down on the floor for him to have a little milk once I'm finished. This is a huge accomplishment. In the past his nosy little three legged self was trying to battle me for my breakfast. He finally has figured out that there's a much bigger payoff if he will wait.
I'm including, without permission, the devotion that my dad wrote yesterday. I didn't see it until today because - no email at home yet. Tissue alert! I'll close with this… love and hugs and happy Thursday!
I had just gotten in bed about eleven o’clock on 04/28 and nestled down when Norma told me that it was time. I immediately told her she had to wait a week because my vacation wasn’t scheduled to start until the next Monday. She informed me that babies don’t wait on vacation schedules – and we were headed to Dekalb General Hospital right away. At 2:09 a.m. the next morning, Heather Nancine Gant came into this world – and both Mom and Dad were thrilled. Jim Jr. slept through it, under the watchful eye of Grandma Ward.
I was counting earlier – we have a lot of birthdays to celebrate in the Gant family. There are the five children; three spouses, one significant other, eleven (soon to be twelve) grandchildren and one great-grandchild. And that’s not counting my Mother, brother, sister and the other in-laws and outlaws.
God is so good to all of us. For me, Heather’s birthday is very special this year. In late September, it looked like we might not be able to celebrate it with her again. The call came on Friday evening – about 5:30. Mom and I held each other as we contemplated the unthinkable – that one of our precious ones might die. And ALL of our children and grandchildren are precious to us – each one. I cannot explain the pleasure I get with a “chew on you” or a “lady finger” snack with one of my grandchildren.
I cannot tell you how long the drive is from Atlanta to Jacksonville – it seemed like forever. And the whole weekend was difficult as we made the daily trip to the hospital. We had to return to Georgia before she was released – but God blessed Heather with brothers who step up to the plate when it is time. And He blessed her with two good close friends who came to her aid in a difficult situation. And now she is back in Georgia and thriving (according to her own accounts on her blog). I think - no, I know God has a lot to do with where she is today as opposed to where she was at this time last year. And I know she reads our Good Morning messages each day - and will probably be objecting to the spotlight – but for me, this birthday is special because she is here with us. So ---- HAPPY Birthday Heather!
Unless the LORD Builds the House
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
1Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.2It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children[a] of one’s youth.5Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.[b]
Psalm 127:4 Or sons
Psalm 127:5 Or They shall not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate
Thursday, April 30, 2009
I'm told that I have to take my birthday decorations down in my office today. Really? Why? I never want to let birthdays go…
Posted by Heather at 10:49 AM
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
I have conquered the evil 40th year and am now proudly 41-derful years old! God is good, my friends!
Let me preface this entry by saying I have some kind of creeping crud illness that I would normally self-diagnose as flu but I don't want to send anyone off for their surgical masks before they read my infected blog. I have a sore throat, stuffy/runny nose, cough and feel really draggy. It's not swine flu. Not that serious... It might be guinea pig flu... or hamster flu... but nothing whole hog. Just enough to make me want to climb into bed and sleep for a month but I can't because...
It's my BIRTHDAY!!!!
Angie tells me I have lots and lots of facebook wishes. I can't access facebook so thank you... I look forward to seeing them one day when I have access to the internet. In the meantime, I have warm fuzzies thinking of the warm fuzzies...
I can access this blog... and I can get tweets...
My beloved laptop is in the capable hands of some kindly gentleman(men) who work for Truett McConnell College. Parts are ordered and repairs will be made and then I will be back online full time. Well, as usual. I still have to work full time.
My office is decked out in birthday decorations. It's a party! Duane is at a training class today but stopped by long enough to wish me a happy birthday. I got a lovely gift bag from the wonderful people I work with. And cupcakes!
I got roses yesterday from my oldest son - red, pink, white, yellow... they're beautiful. Austin thought it would be a great idea to "arrange" them for me.... I was a little aggravated that he did a butcher job on my roses but... well, that's life with Austin. Austin also said - while handing me the card - "these are from Ryan... and me... yeah, that's the ticket... "
Cody and Marquee came up yesterday afternoon and surprised me with a birthday dinner. They made spaghetti, garlic bread, salad... Marquee made a cake with the most amazing fudge icing... good stuff!
Purple Michael sent me a "mix tape" (cd) that came in the mail yesterday. I started listening to it on the way to work and got all misty.... *sigh*... I have had so many great loves in my life... I'm so greatful....
Sarabeth and Jamie called me at 7:15 this morning to sing "happy birthday"... and then I talked to both of them... they're so sweet. Tonight they're doing a presentation of their mission trip over spring break for their classes. Since my class ended last week, I'll be able to go in with them and listen to their presentation. I may need the surgical mask... oy...
People dread turning 40... I embraced it... not realizing that 40 would be the most difficult and yet the most transformational year of my life. God is faithful. He has provided everything I've needed along the way and given me a sense of wonder - and a sense of humor! - that I might never have developed otherwise. My prayer is that my 41st year is far less eventful, traumatic, dramatic and difficult - but that I still continue to grow in wisdom and strength and continually lean on the Lord. I want to lean on Him as completely in times of plenty and joy as I have had to in times of desperation. That will be, for me, real growth.
time to earn a living... love and hugs, y'all!
Posted by Heather at 8:37 AM
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
I got the most amazing letter from Purple Michael yesterday... best gift I can ever remember receiving.... and I've gotten some doozies. I'll post the poem he included in this entry at the bottom.
Also got an amazing and sweet card/letter from my grandmother. She's 85 and she just lost a close relative, her sweetheart and her best friend all in the space of a month. Yet, she is incredibly upbeat and positive. I'll treasure that card forever!
And this... cryptic yet interesting comment from my mama...
be aware of the day before your birthday, good things might happen
April 28, 2009 5:43 AM
Hmmmm... that could be exciting.
Austin is really sick. I'm sick too but not as bad... sore throat, runny nose, fever. Last night I felt all flu-ey and wiped out but this morning I'm ok. I left Austin home so i'm planning to cut work a little short to get back and assess to see if we need to get him to a doctor.
Written on my hand today "all things" for two reasons:
I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me
All things work together for good for those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.
I am placing my hope today in "all things".
And now for my poem...a few Easters ago, I had silver bands engraved for Purple Michael, my kids and myself that said, "CHARM" and wrote an essay about how before he entered our lives we were char (Cody, Heather, Austin, Ryan) - burned, used up, worthless - but when he entered our lives, we became a magical group... CHARM'ed. (Cody, Heather, Austin, Ryan and Michael). So the word "charm" is a precious word between Michael and I... so this poem is perfect!
BELIEVE ME, IF ALL THOSE ENDEARING YOUNG CHARMS
Author: Thomas Moore
Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly to-day
Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy-gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.
It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And they cheeks unprofaned by a tear,
That the fervor and faith of a soul can be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear;
No, the heart that has truly loved never forgets,
But as truly loves on to the close,
As the sun-flower turns on her god, when he sets,
The same look which she turned when he rose.
Have a great day, y'all!
Posted by Heather at 7:55 AM
Monday, April 27, 2009
I'm a google celebrity… according to the fabulous Robert Drake,
And in other news, if you type 'tightening' and 'corset' in to google, your blog heads the list.
That's pretty hard core! Austin always tells people that my blog is in the top ten. Well. I mean… Stellan's blog and Bring the Rain and Living Proof Ministries and about a million other blogs are more popular. I'm just there. Maybe Austin meant "top ten embarassing things my mom does to me".
Not even one hour in this morning and I've already handled two claims. Good times.
My back is KILLING me! I did something to it Saturday… by the time I went grocery shopping Saturday afternoon I could barely walk. I think something is pinched because I'm having these crazy pains down my left leg. Getting old. I also have major sinus stuff going on so I'm less than 100% today… but I'm at work. That's my accomplishment for the day!
It's my friend A.T's birthday today! Happy Birthday T!!!
Austin and I did some major cruising through the mountains this weekend. I wanted him to see how close we are to some really amazing sites. We're about thirty minutes (give or take a bit) from the Appalachian Trail. He didn't really understand what the big deal was but then we went to the Walasiyi trail store and he could see all the paraphenalia and old retired hiking boots and different products and he started putting it together. http://www.mountaincrossings.com/ Check out the store… some beautiful views from this place. We really don't take advantage of the fact that we're minutes away from some of the most scenic places in the state of Georgia.
Austin's favorite "scenic" view, however, was Goat on the roof. Seriously. Check them out at www.goats-on-the-roof.com . It cost me a little driving time and 50 cents for him to feed the goats and he talked about it all the day. We also went to Tallulah Gorge and the small little mountain towns around and up that way. We stopped in a half dozen little antique stores and general stores. Austin loves all that stuff but we have a hard time with the "see with your eyes and not with your fingers" concept. We went in one antique store and wandered around in what seemed dim lighting. There was a lady asleep on the front porch with a book in her lap… she was in a rocking chair… we didn't bother her, it seemed appropriate for the day, to be napping in the warm spring air. As we were leaving the store the owner came in and turned on the lights and apologized profusely. His girlfriend was supposed to have opened the store - but she was asleep on the front porch. I thought it was funny… the poor guy was steamed…. We left before they got into it. She didn't cost him any sales - we weren't buying anyways.
I don't think I've blogged yet about my car drama. Oy. I went and had a nice little car picnic at Piedmont College in a remote area of the baseball field parking lot and when it was time to go back to the office my car wouldn't start. It was that "one more thing" that sent me over the edge. God bless Theresa, our new employee, I called the office and she came right away to pick me up. I was bawling… and she was so sweet… such a mother hen… "we can fix this…". I boohoo'ed for about an hour before we got ahold of Ginger's husband. He went with me to check the car out - it was the battery - and it just needed jumping off. He said I need to budget for a new one soon, the one I have is original to the car - which is five years old and has *almost* 100,000 miles on it. God has been good.
I had done so much crying about the car Friday afternoon that I was all red faced and blotchy and puffy. I looked a pitiful mess. Purple Michael always says I look pretty when I cry but I think he's just being nice. At any rate… Duane and I finally chatted about salary - had my six month review - with me looking all sad and pitiful - Friday afternoon. Duane said some nice things, which made me feel better. When he hired me I was quite a wild card, more than he knew at the time. He knew I had moved around quite a bit over the previous two years - really, between October 2006 and October 2008 I worked for 4 different agents! He knew that I had been working only part-time with Kathy and that I had a spotty attendance record. Honestly, I couldn't tell him anything more than that it was my intention to do better… be more stable… put down roots… I couldn't tell him then what I had been through and I had no idea of how well I would handle things. But now… six months in, we both know that I'm far stronger than I had thought. And he knows more about what made me sketchy back then… and why it's not a factor now. It looks like there will be an improvement in my earnings, although I don't yet know to what degree. Again, I will say that God has been good. I have seen so many "loaves and fishes" miracles lately… things that last beyond what seems possible… tires…gas… food… energy… Resources that appear from nowhere and last beyond comprehension. And a teenage son that eats like a goat - as in, will eat anything I fix without complaining. He's just as happy to have a bowl of cereal for dinner as a steak. That's a blessing in itself!
Ok.. Time to focus and sell! I miss my facebook friends! Hope you have a great week! Love and hugs!
Posted by Heather at 9:59 AM
Friday, April 24, 2009
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
The sun is shining. We're expecting warm weather all weekend. It will be a great time to head to the mountains to explore for a bit. I just walked out to take some trash outside and there was a little bird sitting on the street sign… so very Disney! This can be such an idyllic place. I hope I never lose my sense of wonder and excitement at the world around me.
I saw a lizard yesterday and laughed… it reminded me of Florida…. Seemed like I could never make it from the car to the condo without encountering some slithering beast.
Here I can't make it home without coming across some sort of roadkill. Yesterday evening it was something - I couldn't quite figure out what - that was belly up on the side of the road with all four paws STRAIGHT up in the air. I know dead animals aren't funny but the position of that animal just cracked me up! Just like last Sunday - there was a little bambi on the side of the road with it's neck broken. His head was completely cocked back underneath of him. It reminded me of "in case of emergency, put your head between your knees… and kiss your butt goodbye".
Sorry to make light of roadkill. It's just everywhere around here. More wildlife by the square yard, I imagine.
I also thought it was pretty funny when I passed a bank yesterday with a sign out front advertising an upcoming customer appreciation day. Free tomato plants for everyone. I realized that Austin is really assimilating when he said, "are you going to stop and get one?" He likes the little hanging bag dealie that they keep advertising on tv. We walked through the gardening section of the Ingles last weekend. Austin wanted to take all these poor homeless plants home with us. "Why son? Why would you want to condemn a plant to death?". I can't grow anything.
Yesterday I was driving home from work with my window down and I heard a little thud like a rock hitting the edge of the car door… then I felt something land on my right hand and looked down expecting to see a pebble or something… it was a bee… a big bee… that was either dead or knocked unconscious. I didn't wait to find out, I shook him off. And laughed.
That's my Disney nature environment here - roadkill and dead bumblebees.
Austin has apparently been under an IEP for too long at school. The ninth graders went on a trip to Washington DC. His school is ONLY 9th grade so that took a big chunk of the school. Austin moved here after the sign up and deposit deadline had passed and … honestly… I couldn't have afforded the trip anyways. Our pastor's daughter Abbie, and her friend Mary (our deacon's daughter) both are at the 9th Grade Academy with Austin and both have downs syndrome. I missed Abbie on Wednesday night and asked Austin where she was. He said, "she has already left for DC. She and Mary have an ACCOMODATION on their IEP that prevents them from riding the bus with the other kids on the field trip so they left earlier". I cracked up! He knows way too much about "accomodations" and "IEPs". Abbie and Mary are so sweet together. I'm glad they have one another…
We've done so well on our no spending diet. I'm really proud of us. Last night we had grilled cheese sandwiches and roasted chickpeas for dinner. I've really stretched a dollar farther than I ever imagined possible! There are still some tough budgeting decisions ahead of me but I'm encouraged. The trick is to stay on the no spending diet even when we have a little cash on hand so that we're living cheaper. Last Saturday our splurges were boiled peanuts and a carrot raisin muffin from the German bakery. This Saturday I'm going to plan to take a little picnic into the mountains. I want to take Austin to Blood Mountain. It was a special place for his dad and I… I'd like him to get the connection. It will be a great weekend to walk in the woods… which is free! I've also been doing a good job of brown-bagging, carrying leftovers for lunch and I actually REALLY like it better, not having to try to figure out what I want to eat at lunch time. Today I'm having an egg salad sandwich with mango on the side. It's a perfect day for a car picnic.
Better get back on track… been marketing pretty hard today and needed to take a break from rejection, voice mail and hang ups. *laugh* Hope you have a great weekend! Love and hugs!
Posted by Heather at 11:40 AM
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Linky-dinky day for you… I haven't taken you guys on a linking expedition lately. Here are some that I enjoy:
Charming local inn - http://www.suttonmill.com/
My news fix - www.drudgereport.com
You know I'm a home-teamer - www.statefarm.com - There are seriously some great calculators and tips on there!
Thought about getting the laptop repaired here www.yonahelectronics.com hoping that being small town, local, etc that their price would be better but their estimate was higher than Geek Squad. Que Sera!
I also looked at this place - www.laptoprescue.com but it makes me a little nervous to just put my precious laptop in the mail.
Ultimately - it's not a financial priority. I'm going to Jim and Angie's this weekend to catch up on email and facebook. Otherwise, I'll just keep doing my sharpie drawings to entertain myself in the evenings and will follow what I can from the office on blogs and will enjoy the twitter text updates that I get. I gave away a ton of sharpie pictures last night at church. Some of my long time blog readers have been recipients of my previous artistic endeavors.
I never watch things when they're new/current. I've been flipping the channel whenever Friends ends every night instead of watching House of Payne. Then the other day I was distracted and just let it keep playing and there was my goofy friend Jamie Moore… playing a Richard Simmons sort of character… so I started watching and now I love the show! http://www.tbs.com/shows/houseofpayne/
Need info about your drivers license or tag in Georgia? Try www.dds.ga.gov
http://www.gatrees.org/CommunityForests/Stormsafety.cfm This is a good resource for caring for trees on your property and advice for clearing trees after a storm. After Georgia's drought - followed by a wet and windy season - there are a lot of trees coming down on homes, cars, streets, etc. This website was recommended on the local radio station and it looks interesting.
Is it a full moon? Seems like I'm coming across all kinds of crazy today.
I'm still loving Mamma Mia the musical. We listen to an "oldies" station at work and everytime an old ABBA song comes on, I'm doing office karaoke. I have the CD in my car and it pairs nicely with bright sunshine and with windows rolled down and singing at the top of your lungs.
Although, unfortunately, the pollen is ridiculous right now. My eyes feel like they're full of gravel. They're so puffy you'd think I had an all night cry. Jamie complained of a sore throat last night so Angie put her through the Aunt Heather "Jamie's getting sick" test. I can always tell by her eyes. Her eyes were bright and shiny last night, full of giggles, if you can imagine giggly eyes… Jamie has sort of a cocker spaniel joy about her. I took one look at her and she grinned and I said, "you're not sick!" I shared her spoon at dinner so I hope she's not, anyways! Although, I seem to have build up a tolerance to her illnesses, if you'll remember her bout with the flu back at the beginning of March.
Have I mentioned the "new" girl here at work? She worked here before and then basically had to quit due to some medical issues. She's much better and was able to come back to work. Duane had some reservations about our "alpha female" personalities possibly being in conflict but I quite enjoy her. She's got a strong faith and she's a good listener. We connected right off the bat and I am glad to have her around.
Our office environment is currently very thumbs up. There are definitely worse ways to make a living. I'm loving my new *private* office with the big window and pretty blue flowers outside… I'll post some pictures whenever I get a chance.
My boss' sweet wife gave me a new conditioner to try on my hair - expensive stuff. The result - still - no matter what I try, no matter what it costs, my garnier fructisse always works best and it's cheap. I use the cream when my hair is curly and the oil when it's straight and it does just fine for about $4 a bottle.
I know that it's spring time because my winter stockings are all starting to wear out and get holes in them. I don't wear "pantyhose" because they run too easily. I wear tights. They look better (I think) and last longer. I've had six pair of tights to last me since I got here - so six months worth of wearing four days a week, plus Sundays. That's a pretty good bargain.
My power bill is lower now. We've gotten the power bill down to below $50 a month, which I think is great, considering our place is total electric.
I've been brown bagging to work all week due to my "no spending diet". I forgot this morning. Gonna hit the dollar menu. I've been eating nutrigrain bars for breakfast. I bought a case of them from Costco back in February... living off the bounty of the pantry... but they don't keep me that full... so I have to eat a decent lunch. Grilled cheese is on the menu for dinner. Austin doesn't complain. We had a good dinner at church last night - ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, biscuit and some of that awesome sweet tea.
Ok. That's enough for now. Have a great Thursday! Love and hugs!
Posted by Heather at 12:14 PM
Robert - it's "Sautee Nacoochee". Takes some getting used to. Austin no longer snickers at the word, "Nacoochee". I think he's getting used to being here.
Church last night was awesome. It was the last night for our Breaking Free bible study. I tripped up on all kinds of frustration trying to get there.... tried to go to Gainesville to cash a check and couldn't find the bank... so I had driven an hour and a half for nothing.... got home and the dish network was out and the phone was out. It took me about five minutes to realize that they needed to be paid. I scraped together enough and paid that... wondering what else we might miss out on because of that expense but... I'm either at work or church or home. When I'm home, my only entertainment is the internet or tv. The laptop's kaput for now so it's just tv. I paid it. Traffic around the town square was completely blocked as they were hanging new traffic lights... dozens of little frustrations like that... but God's grace is greater. Usually I would have curled up in a little ball and not bothered... but I'm glad I went. My hen party bible study was awesome. Just awesome.
Time to start work already... will be in touch later... love and hugs!
Posted by Heather at 7:55 AM
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A few more things - quickly - I'm on my lunch break but it's about to end!
The guy who had the kidney transplant is doing well. It was Theresa's BIL who was donating the kidney - I had it backwards - but all are well.
Stellan is reportedly doing well.
Child support came. Not what it should be... hopefully I'll stay aggravated long enough to follow through with child support recovery. He's been shorting it by about $150 a month and I'm supposed to just "deal". I want to be compassionate but my creditors are not. Ultimately - he's going to have to figure out a way to pay what he owes. I'm far past being the bitter ex-wife. But geez. Participate, already. Austin eats UH-lot!
I meant for this to be a short and positive post. Really. The sun is shining. Back to work now.
Posted by Heather at 11:59 AM
It's a beautiful spring day... just wanted to check in and say hello before I start work...
Nothing new really to report. I'm doing pretty good. Been doing lots of sharpie drawings since I don't have the laptop in my lap all evening.
My birthday is in one week! Woohoo! I can't wait to be... 41...
I remember when my friend A.T. and I were 14. She was arguing with her mom about something and her mom said something to the effect that her numbers were reversed... she was 41 and we were 14 so she knew better. A.T. might remember the exact context better than me... but it stuck with me. A.T. will be 41 next Monday, I'll be 41 on Wednesday. We made it, Miss Anne! Of course now Miss Anne is... 68? So I guess she still knows more than us...
I am MISSING my cyber world so much! It feels like another divorce. anyone got a computer they want to loan/sell cheap? No? Oh well. It looks to be another month before the budget will allow me to fix/replace mine and get back online at home. Even then... it's probably going to come down to wisdom teeth or computer.
But... still... life is good... I've been feeling pretty good... been cooking a lot to save money... work has been slow/boring. I met with a father of triplets yesterday about some life insurance for himself. Other than that... no pending sales. Gotta jump in there today and try to make it happen... love and hugs, y'all!
Posted by Heather at 8:09 AM
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
I'm working therefore I should not be blogging...
I just wanted to menti0n a few *quick* things.
If you're not praying for Stellan, please do so... he's in surgery today... www.mycharmingkids.net
My co-worker Theresa's brother in law is having a kidney transplant today in Jacksonville. Of all places. She is tearful... but faithful... lift up their family as the day will be long and the outcome is uncertain.
God brings us to and brings us through so many times of trial. If you haven't seen my comments from yesterday... go check 'em now. the fabulous Mr. Drake quoted a beautiful passage from Psalms... along with his incredible words of wisdom. Have I told you lately that I love you?
In the - literally sixty seconds - since I started typing this entry I received an email from my sister Angie and a phone call from my friend Michelle (hello! blast from the past!). God is faithful.
Child support has not come. There has been no child support the entire month of April. I called the childrens' father last night and he was dismissive and insulted and said he was doing the best he could... and said the check is in the mail. I do not know... but I know that God provides and in the time of waiting for God to provide and wondering how He will provide, we grow stronger, just as the fabulous Mr. Drake said in his comment yesterday. (go read it, already!)
Back to work... time to make the donuts... er... sell the insurance! love and hugs, y'all!
Posted by Heather at 8:41 AM
Monday, April 20, 2009
The laptop seems to be really down for the count this time. It's been revived 3-4 times before when I thought we were done for but I don't think it's gonna happen for us this time. It may be a month or so before I can get it repaired/replaced. In the meantime… I can post here but can't read email or get on facebook. It bothered me *only slightly* over the weekend. I've spent a lot of time coloring with my sharpie markers. I've made a ton of bookmarks.
I'm in my new office now with a door and window and everything. Haven't had our "green stuff" conversation yet. That was supposed to be Friday but didn't happen. I trust God's timing….
And I'm praying that child support shows up. Usually I get it every two weeks and it's been three weeks. This is the worst possible time for him to sketch out on me again. But it's also about that time again… he sketches out every couple of months "not getting any work" or whatever excuse he has. I guess he still hasn't figured out that his kid eats even if his dad doesn't work. Every time this happens I decide I'm going to go through child support recovery to collect on the many many thousands of dollars he owes me from all his "sketchy times" over the years. And then he pays and I get too busy to deal with it. I can guarantee you that even though it's been three weeks since he last paid that he'll pay two weeks worth of child support… that's how it always works with him.
We're nickel and diming our way through to next payday. I just get up every morning and ask that God provide "our daily bread". So far, so good! It's requiring careful planning but honestly, if I could learn to spend as carefully all the time, we'd be better off. Like with Kelli and her "no spending diet". I'm just trying to make good use of my resources.
I made a great casserole Saturday night - penne pasta, ground beef, ro-tel tomatoes, red and orange peppers and american cheese. This was stuff I had on hand. It made enough for 2 1/2 meals for us… and we ate until we were stuffed!
Today I have pintos in the crockpot and we'll have cornbread with 'em! Oddly, my child loves beans with fresh onion. He's easy. I bought a case of nutrigrain bars and a case of instant oatmeal back in February and we're able to use that for breakfast. I'm doing either leftovers or pb&j for lunch. I'm sorta proud of myself for being resourceful.
Interesting conversation with Barry via text Saturday night. I haven't really talked about him much lately because the situation is pretty much … as it has been forever… in a holding pattern. We were talking about my birthday - whether or not we could get together. (my birthday is on the 29th!) I'm not holding my breath.
I've had great birthdays over the past few years. Purple Michael and I took that fabulous bed and breakfast weekend for my 37th birthday… which still ranks among my most favorite trips in my whole life! Then there was Michael and the trip to Boston for my 38th birthday… and even though my other two birthdays with Michael were scaled down from the initial "bait and switch" of that weekend… Michael was always incredibly generous with me on birthdays. I'm grateful for those times with him.
I'm also grateful to be in a place now where I remember the pain/frustration much less and remember the good times more often. That can be tricky… that white hot anger kept me from missing him. Remembering good stuff makes me regret that we couldn't get the rest of it right. I would rather miss him than hate him. It's easier for me to forgive and feel an occasional sting than it is to remain bitter and angry.
Austin and I were talking about numbers in the bible and the fact that 40 is the number of testing/trial/tribulation. Whenever you see 40 - you know the people are "going through". Think about it - 40 years in the wilderness for the Israelites. Noah in the ark for 40 days. Jesus being tempted for 40 days.
So it was with 40 for me… it was a time of trial. I'm glad to be turning 41. I hope I'm past that time of trial. Not that bad things will never happen to me again - we should all be so lucky, right? I was praying about someone special and sort of whining before the Lord out of fear / uncertainty / hesitancy and God spoke so clearly to my heart and said, "I'll never let you be hurt like that again". Ok… let me clarify a bit… if I trust God and stay within His will for my life and don't try to put cart before horse and if I use what I've learned from the past three years.
Better post this and get my nose back to the grindstone. I need to sell something in the worst way! Love and hugs, y'all!
Posted by Heather at 11:12 AM
Thursday, April 16, 2009
This will show you both the power of prayer and the reach of the internet...
Stellan is a baby who has a heart defect. His mother's blog is another tear-jerker...
people have been sending in "praying for Stellan" pictures from all over the world... check out the link http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2008/08/eventually-these-photographs-will-be-in.html
Posted by Heather at 9:10 PM
How do I convince Stubby that "the boy" likes him WAAAAY mre than me and that he should be rubbing his nub on him and not me?
Remember the odd knee pain I mentioned last weekend? Today I remembered why my knee was hurting... my desk is not a desk, it's two tables put together and last week I slammed my knee into the leg of the table... I remembered this when I did it again today!
I have a sore throat.
End of complaints... because today has been another really awesome day.
I just talked to Angie... they're on their way to Myrtle Beach. Our youth group went to Myrtle Beach every summer and it was such a great time. Jim takes his youth group there too... and he has to go to some training or something or other. I'm taking care of Princess the cat while they're gone... which means I run by their house and dump cat food and water in her bowls. Princess is incredibly anti-social. She gets excited about seeing me since I feed her.
Sarabeth gave a presentation at school yesterday about their mission trip to Brunswick, GA over spring break. They worked at a mission that helps sailors (I think... sorry, I haven't seen the presentation). Sarabeth did great... which is huge for her because she's really shy. But she had a couple of meltdowns last night. It was like the stress of it all got to her. I SOOOOO get that! I'm not the least bit shy but I definitely feel sapped after dealing with people and being social. I have to balance social time with nest time. Bless her sweet little heart...
I mentioned that there are some things changing in our office. It's sort of like pulling back the layers of an onion... looking at the threads in a colorful tapestry... bit by bit things fall into place in ways that we can't begin to comprehend. Ginger will be moving into the desk in the lobby where she can assist with payments, routing customers to the other agents and doing lots of other administrative things that she enjoys and excels at. I will be moving into an office where I can concentrate more on marketing and sales and doing things that I'm trained to do... and that will *hopefully* increase my commissions. Ginger is really excited because she doesn't enjoy sales. (I've been there, God has really helped me become more bold and confident in sales and I'm completely in a different place there than I was a year ago!) I'm really excited because constantly being distracted by taking payments and interruptions while I was on the phone trying to market... and being interrupted as people came into the lobby made it HARD for me. I'm relieved. She's relieved. Everyone is happy and people are in the roles that they're best at in our office. I think that's very God.
Tomorrow we're gonna talk about some of the other stuff. The green stuff. Praying that goes well... really, at this point, anything will help... my salary is not my validation. I don't expect to become rich doing what I do. I just want to pay my bills and not have to be worried that the lights will be cut off or that the repo man will pick my car up while I sleep. I just want to make enough money to honor the debts I have and to support myself and my kid.
I think they don't even need to do the last few weeks of American Idol. The biggest standout this season is Adam Lambert. I think he's just amazing... I don't always like his arrangements but I love his voice. And he's a cutie patootie! I know there are other people on the show but they seem like such amateurs in comparison.
Purple Michael got a job doing a summer theatre program. They're doing Kiss Me Kate. I'm so excited for him! I can't tell you how badly I want to just pick up and move to Chicago to do this show with him... if Michael's doing a show... I should be there by his side.... we're a team... except... I have to stay here and be a responsible adult and keep my day job.
It's time for TMZ! I love it!
Hope you have a great Thankful Thursday! love and hugs!
Posted by Heather at 7:01 PM
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Why is it that every time I sit down to type a blog entry, the first thing that pops into my head is, "wow, what a day!".
Isaiah 52 rocks. More about that in a minute.
Today was payday. I took care of some things that were really hanging heavy over my head. I'm broke until next payday *grin*... but I'm not stressed. Today.
My wisdom teeth will be taken out on June 4th. One was bad enough that the health insurance will cover it. The other three are covered under dental insurance. Even though I have an insurance license, I don't quite understand how that all works. All I know is that *fortunately* my health insurance will cover the sedation and all that stuff which is really expensive... so my out of pocket isn't too bad. I will need to bank some comp time between now and then so I'm not missing out on income.
The real problem is not the day to day expenses for me. It's the fact that I don't make enough money to pay my bills and have anything left over for anything the least little bit beyond. There's no savings. No credit cards. No retirement. That's what gets stressful. When the money is gone, it's really gone.
BTW... thanks for the offer of a "Save Heather" fundraiser, Robert. I have visions of my smiling face scotch taped to a mason jar on the counter of a seven-eleven store *laugh*... I think the real issue is not ME and my constant budgetary shortfall, it's ALL the single moms/underpaid/working poor around us. Seriously. If anything, I would support anything that helps the working poor. People who just need a hand up, not a hand out. I am good at what I do. I work hard. I am just underpaid. I fall in between... I make too much money to qualify for any "handouts" but I don't make enough money to get by. It's frustrating.
But I did have a great chat with Duane last night about the stress situation... and we talked again this morning... he's going to change our bonus structure so that I'm getting bonus for more of the stuff I do... and our office structure is going to change a bit so that I'll be able to do more agent stuff and less receptionist stuff... and we're going to sit down on Friday and talk about my base salary. The thing is... I don't WANT a handout... I want to be paid what I'm worth. I'm good at what I do, I'm well trained, I'm a valuable employee. Duane reiterated that to me today, which was nice. And seriously, anything helps.
The cool/God part of that is that last Thursday night when Angie and I sat and talked at North Georgia BBQ and I just boohoo'ed and had a complete emotional breakdown... one thing we agreed to pray about was that Duane would increase my salary. It ain't done yet... but it looks positive. I'll tell ya... having a sister (not sister in law, she's a real sister to me) who will let you get all sobby and snotty and pray with you specifically .. that's a huge blessing.
Having a boss who asks sincerely, "what can I do to help your stress?" and responds when you answer. That's a huge blessing.
I wrote on my hand today, "Isaiah 52:2"... the cool/God part of that... this woman came into my office this afternoon - a divine appointment - and she shared a little of what she has been going through: heartbreaking divorce, financial struggle, issues with her teenager - seriously, how did she end up at MY desk? And she asked what the reference on my hand meant. I told her that was my verse for the day. Here's what it says:
Shake off your dust;
rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem.
Free yourself from the chains on your neck,
O captive Daughter of Zion.
Good stuff, right? Let me give you the Heather translation:
Get your pouty butt out of bed. Realize who you are - get on your throne, Princess! Realize that you're not a prisoner.
She said, "Oh! That's MY verse for the day! I think God meant for you to share that with me!" She had just come from the courthouse where she had been dealing with a child custody issue. I gave her the index card that I wrote the verse on. She asked me to sign and date it for her.... like an artist.... *grin*... my handwriting is pretty cool... and I used a pretty blue marker.... but the real work of art is how God weaves these kind of experiences into our lives. And that warm, fuzzy feeling wouldn't have happened if I hadn't had a time of trial... and if she hadn't had a time of trial... how many things happen so that we will know that He is God?
Austin is cooking dinner - french fries. We're skipping church tonight because my class isn't meeting - my leader is at the Tea Party in Atlanta. And it was spaghetti night. God bless the sweet ladies who fix our Wednesday night meals. I just really don't care for the spaghetti. I'm not sure french fries are a more nutritious option... I'll fix something else to go with it.
Anyways... I share my down in the dumps moments with you so that I can share the good stuff too. Today was lots of good stuff. Love and hugs, y'all.
Posted by Heather at 4:57 PM
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Is it still Monday?
No. Really. It's ok. My facebook status is, "It's gonna be ok". That's more wishful thinking than knowledge at this point but...
I think I freaked everyone out with my phrase from Rich Mullins' song... Hold Me Jesus... it's a beautiful song. It's been released by Big Daddy Weave.... a Christian group that I really like.
I went to the oral surgeon today. The short version of his diagnosis is stress. If I can stop being stressed, I will stop clenching my jaw and the pain will stop. Surgically, he can't do anything to allieviate stress. He said at this point that surgery will just add to my stress and if I'm still stressed, it won't completely solve the problem. He offered a psych referral and valium.
Ok. That's not entirely true. He wants to take out my wisdom teeth because that is part of the problem and they should have been taken out twenty years ago. He said twenty five years ago but I don't know anyone who had their wisdom teeth out at fifteen. At least not when I was that age. They may do it that young now. At any rate... I was having babies at twenty and not able to afford time off of work. Oh. Sort of like being forty!
His office is checking to see how much of the cost my health insurance will cover. If I can afford it and can manage to afford a day or two off of work, I'll have my wisdom teeth out. They sure haven't made me any wiser! The valium was actually my pre-surgery medication. I ended up not taking it for two reasons: 1. I would have used it before surgery. I just would have. 2. They charge a flat ten dollar fee to fill prescriptions. I got burned on that deal before when I paid twenty dollars for two prescriptions that - when I got them refilled at my pharmacy up here under my insurance - only cost me 94 cents. Seriously. That's some hefty mark up! He prescribed TWO pills... two valium... and they wanted to charge me ten dollars for those two pills. I refused. They said that since they had already filled the prescription that they were mine, whether or not I took them and I would owe for them. I told them there was no way I was paying ten dollars for two pills that likely would cost me pennies... they said they wouldn't make my appointment for surgery until I settled that account. So I guess I'll be finding a new oral surgeon before I get my wisdom teeth out.
Why am I stressed again? Oh yeah. Things like that. I think that when you're already in pain and already stressed out and when you don't have good coping skills that every little aggravation like that sends you over the edge. I cried the whole 45 minutes home. It didn't help anything.
I tried to make payment arrangements on a bill that I'm behind on. I was not successful. I'm trying. The lady on the other end of the phone was sweet... and kind... and actually encouraging... she was a Christian... she said, "Honey, don't give up, God is still working in your life...." but her supervisor demanded more money than I could pay. I could hear her trying... and I had prayed for someone compassionate so... it just is what it is. I can't do anything to change it at this point. I have to wait until I get paid on Thursday to settle up.
Child support better not be late this time!
As frustrated as I get with my little irritations and inconveniences... they are temporary. I mean... it's stressful now but ultimately it will be ok. I will be ok. I still have a job. I still am healthy enough to work. I have a job. I have great kids... two of 'em with great girls... I have some amazing, beautiful nieces that are the daughters I never had... I have incredible friends...
And now I have a discipline issue with a teenage boy... *ugh*
Love and hugs, y'all....
Posted by Heather at 6:02 PM
Monday, April 13, 2009
Words are coming back. Maybe that only makes sense in my head. I have been in such a "blue" place lately that I haven't even been able to think. I have just been blah. Void. Empty. I've done a good job (I think) of going through the motions. I got up and went to work every day. I missed church one Sunday... but otherwise, I did the things I had to do. Maybe just the bare minimum. This is what it was like in those last few months with Michael... time passed. I got up. I went to work. I came home. I went to bed. Anything else was asking too much.
Over the past week I haven't even wanted to talk on the phone. Ok... I know I rarely EVER want to talk on the phone. Those who get me on the phone should know that it requires an enormous amount of effort on my part. I hate the phone. I have to chat it up and be friendly and charming all day long and when I am not being paid to be friendly and charming, I don't want to have to do it. I mean... it may seem effortless... but it's not. But there is one person I genuinely adore talking to on the phone and I have avoided their calls this past week. I even declined a conversation with Purple Michael this weekend. But he knows. He gets it. He knows what it's like to just not have the energy to speak. Or the wit or creativity. It shouldn't be that hard but sometimes it is.
That continuous stream of consciousness was so that I can say... I'm feeling better. Less numb. Less overwhelmed. Less frustrated/moody/sad/whatever... there are still some things that are troubling me.... I'm still feeling a little bit of "woe is me"... "what's the point?"... "will it ever end"... but I'm able to articulate those feelings now. I found my words again. The real fear for me begins when I am unable to feel without tears... or when I am unable to feel at all. That happens sometimes. By the grace of God, that doesn't happen often but it does. So if I seem distant, rude, less than entertaining... if I seem like a slacker... if I seem like I don't respond / answer / comment / participate... if you think I don't care... if it seems like my blog entries are boring or scarce... please know that it's not you, it's me. Please know that there are times that the words are gone.
Austin spent the day with the youth group on some outing. Sadly, I don't even know exactly where they went or what they are doing. He needed to be at the church at 7:45 - but since I had staff meeting this morning, I dropped him off at Bubba's at 7:15... I am supposed to pick him up around 8pm.... I checked deep enough to find out the time parameters and whether or not he needed money. I'll be there to pick him up. It was just something that I knew Bubba was handling and therefore I didn't need to add it to my stress list.
Work was busy and stressful. I'm really discouraged at work right now. Part of it is pride... part of it is frustration... I'm still stuck out in the lobby, and in a way it's a compliment in that Duane wants me to be the friendly face people see when they come through the door. Sometimes it makes me feel like I'm back at "start"... back to being a receptionist... after seven years at my job, being licensed in two states, knowing more than just about anybody else in the office... I mean, it's sometimes ridiculous when I have to leave the "receptionist desk" to go answer questions for people in big cozy offices. That's a completely selfish perspective but it's how I feel. I'm not feeling the whole job satisfaction thing. I'm not making near the money I made before. Even when I sell stuff, the commission just isn't making the difference. I'm working hard... working Saturdays... trying to be positive and appreciative ... yes, I know that I'm lucky to have a job. I don't know where i'd be WITHOUT my job... but it still sucks that one bad relationship set me back so far in my career. It's just wrong.
And in that whole ... lack of job satisfaction / not being able to pay my bills on what I make / feeling like I've lost ground careerwise because of "one bad relationship"... it makes it really frustrating to put so much time and energy into work that I don't have time or energy for anything. else. in. life. I'm definitely having some quality of life issues! And that takes me back around to feeling overwhelmed and frustrated and trapped... what do I do? I'm trained to do what I'm trained to do... I'm living life on a bare bones budget... there's no room to cut corners, there ARE no corners... I'm praying that things don't get cut off or repo'ed or turned over to creditors... I'm praying to be able to pay doctor bills and keep my head above water and all along, I'm a bit bitter that I'm in the position I'm in... again, because of ONE BAD RELATIONSHIP. It's like it all heads back to that one grave mistake. Not in marrying Michael, that wasn't the mistake. The mistake was that FIRST date. Second date. The date after the first time he showed me what he's really made of. The date after the first time he made me cry. The date after the first time he told me my kids' cat was a deal breaker. The date after his kid was a brat and he let him be. The date after Michael punched my kid. It's not just about regrets... it's not about moving on... it's about the constant prison of consequences for allowing him access to my heart and life. It's about the prison of being afraid to ever give anyone else that kind of access. It's about the prison of having my skills and abilities taken for granted, not being appropriately compensated and not. having. the option to do anything else.
Again. I'm finding words... as long as I'm talking, you don't have to worry about me. When I stop talking, that's when it's hitting too deep for me to be able to function. So far, I'm functioning.
Tomorrow I go back to see the Oral Surgeon. Hopefully he'll have some miracle cure short of surgery to make this ear/jaw pain go away. Being in pain makes everything else seem so much more oppressive. It wears you down and wears you out. I don't want to be "that person" with the chronic pain issues... I'm too young for that! The really sad thing is that I'm excited about going to the doctor just because it means leaving work early. I SSSOOOO need a vacation!
Ok... time to hit save and get ready to go get Austin... Monday is almost over!
Posted by Heather at 6:41 PM
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Posted by Heather at 6:40 PM
Saturday, April 11, 2009
So far today I have....
woke up at 6:30
watched the news
caught up on email
started a load of laundry
stopped by McDonalds for a medium nonfat hazelnut latte (it's not quite starbucks but it will do)
went to Walmart for pantyhose, toilet paper and Austin's easter basket stuff
bought myself a new pack of sharpies (always cheers me up)
bought Krispy Kreme donuts for Austin's breakfast in the morning from a Pastor who was raising money for his church. Is it tax deductible?
went to the office
had my usual fruit and yogurt for breakfast
calculated my hours and realized that if I worked more than 2 hours I would be over my "limit" for this pay period
turned on the phones and unlocked the front door but didn't put the "agent on duty" sign in the yard (not feeling that ambitious)
talked to a guy whose car got impounded for no insurance
met with a lady who wants to buy four life insurance policies (say a prayer, that's good bonus money!)
met with a couple who needed to review their auto and homeowner's insurance
helped a guy who had two cars damaged by hail last night
talked again with the guy whose car is impounded - the owner of the car moved back to Laos before they signed the title over to him, explained what he needed to do (basically, he's out of luck until Monday)
realized I had exceeded my two hours
left the office
went to the Amish bakery for multi-grain bread, dinner rolls and a treat for Austin
(it almost sounds like I'm excited to have him back home, doesn't it?)
found the LAST parking spot at Ingles and grabbed the LAST shopping cart
bought essentials for the week (meat, milk, frozen dinners)
waited in line for twenty minutes while the three fat ladies in front of me bought $500 worth of groceries, most of it with food stamps (I'm not bitter but geez... I'm working six days a week and barely getting by)
loaded groceries in car
realized my left knee is tender
remembered we need cat litter
carried a load of trash to the dumpster
checked the mail - nothing good
went back to the little walmart knockoff store and bought cat litter
came home and discovered that Austin has been just pouring new litter on top of old litter
discovered that there is a pile of litter three inches thick around the litterbox
swept up most of it
tried to vacuum the rest
burned up the motor in my vacuum cleaner
swept up what I could
added "buy a new vacuum" to the list of things I need to do and can't afford
gathered dirty dishes from around the house
put fresh litter box together for the cat
changed his food and water
cleaned out fridge
discovered soured load of towels in dryer, took them out
took out load I washed this morning from washer and put in dryer
put load of sour towels in the washer to wash again
discovered I had washed a shoe in the load of wash this morning
put together Austin's easter basket and hid it
checked email and facebook again
emptied trash can in my bathroom
debated cooking lunch
decided to do blog entry instead
It's 1pm. Ask me why I'm tired all the time. I would love to have another bill-paying, kid-minding, chore-doing adult in the house.
Posted by Heather at 12:46 PM
Friday, April 10, 2009
(started at work this morning....)
Friday burnout. Can't focus on work… just want to focus on the weather. We're having crazy storms this morning. My ear is KILLING me… and I'm here at work mostly staring out the big storefront windows watching the skies grow darker and darker. The radio is playing, "She's a bad mamma jamma". What does that mean, exactly? I wish we could get the Christian station here. We can really only pick up two stations - country or oldies. We do the oldies. They also play the Braves games. I missed watching the Braves while I was in Florida. Now I miss watching Sportscenter with Bobby. That kid never developed a healthy appreciation for cartoons - it was always sports. I'm hoping that he and his dad are having a good time together this Easter weekend. I asked if I could send Bobby a basket and Michael asked that I not… so that he can "move on". Funny how the words "move on" translate in my head as "forget you ever existed". How unfair for everyone…. Poor kid has lost too many people in his life… but I guess it's inconvenient for him to remember a step-mother that his father would like to forget.
Did I tell you guys about the worm farmers who came into my office yesterday? This blog sometimes writes itself. Two gay men who are going from interior design to worm farming. This is not a joke. I've never written a farm policy before so I did a bit of research. You can add an endorsement to your farm policy that includes sperm and frozen embryos of animals that you're breeding. I had no idea.
I have a friend who says, "Like I said…" all the time, before every sentence. Even if she hasn't said anything yet. It's a nervous little habit. It's endearing.
There is a girl starting work with us on Monday who has worked for Duane before. She had a chronic illness that is now under control and she is well enough to work full time again. Duane debated over whether or not to rehire her since we're both - as he so delicately put it - "alpha females". I think we'll do fine. I like people with strong personalities. Sometimes too much for my own good - that may be why there's always drama in my life. Come to think of it, though, I really haven't had much drama lately. There are the same stressful things that everyone deals with - trying to pay bills and stay afloat, not having enough time to do everything I want to do, having to work too much and play too little, things that break and kids that don't mind. I don't really consider that drama, though, that's just life. Drama would be having major conflict in your life. I just don't. Maybe it's the meds. Ha!
Anyways… this new/old girl reminds me of my friend Amy at my uncle's office. Strong personality, straightforward, tell it like it is… I'm looking forward to getting to know her. I think we'll have a good time together. I hope so, anyways, I don't know that I have the strength for drama any more. I shared with her a little bit last week about what brought me here. I know that sometimes I seem sort of out of context… all of a sudden I'm this girl with a strange past… at least here… I'm a stranger… I wasn't born and raised here. Everyone who lives here was either born here or has a story of why they came. People don't just "happen by".
Last night while I was waiting with Jim and Angie, the couple I was sitting with tried to tell me about a new restaurant that had just opened up. The guy said, "it's in that place that… so and so's used to be"… and his wife scolded him, "she hasn't been here but just six months… she doesn't know what used to be where". That's part of my problem with directions. Everyone gives directions by landmarks. I don't know enough history to know where stuff was.
There is this guy who walks back and forth in front of our office all day. Kinda weird. I mean - he doesn't just pace or stalk or anything but we're obviously in the path of wherever he is going. At first he used to look in the window but I guess me staring back at him made him uncomfortable so he doesn't look now.
Taco Bell for lunch. Big mistake. It always seems like a good idea - but then I end up dropping something on myself… and I end up feeling icky the rest of the afternoon.
We had pea sized hail for a few minutes. I doubt that it was enough to cause any damage but… you never know. I've done more hail damage claims in the last year than the rest of my time put together. Of course, part of that time was in Florida and the weather is just different there. It's rained all day so far… I keep checking the radar… looks like we'll have a break for the next few hours. The worst of it is over Nashville right now (it's currently 2:10pm eastern).
I've been writing this entry all day. I'm just so worn out by the time I get home in the evening that all my creativity has dissipated. Or never existed? I don't know… all I want to do this week is sleep… I can't even drag myself out of bed in the morning and that's really unusual for me. I am usually up with the chickens. Of course… I'm not going to sleep at 9pm like I used to in Jax either.
I'm home now... 7:16pm... tornado warnings, green sky, hard rain and bad thunderstorms. I imagine that things are going to be a bit busier at work tomorrow than I had anticipated. I have two appointments scheduled back to back, both could take awhile... which means it will be hard to help folks with claims...
This durn cat is glued to me... every time the thunder sounds he jumps out of his fur. Scaredy cat!
I wanted to do some deep introspective post on the meaning of Good Friday but I'm really only doing that surface thinking thing today. I'm feeling peaceful... there's an issue that has been sort of hanging over me but I'm not stressed out about it today... whatever will be... feeling protected and loved... God is good. Gonna hit "save" before I lose internet or power... have a great evening. Love and hugs, y'all!
Posted by Heather at 7:14 PM
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wow. What a day! I think I'm starting my blog entries like that an awful lot lately...
The weather was gorgeous. It's surreal to go from snow to sunshine in two days... but that's Georgia for you!
I had a car picnic for lunch... a burger king kids meal with apple slices and apple juice.
After work I went to North Georgia BBQ with Jim, Angie and the girls. North Georgia BBQ is basically a little bbq shack with some picnic tables outside in Helen. Warm weather means that we can get bbq! I got there a little ahead of Jim and Angie but (of course) there was a couple there that I knew from church so I just sat and chatted with them while I waited. Then we just joined this couple...
One of the great things about being a "full-time aunt" instead of just a holiday/birthday aunt is the little routines we develop. Sarabeth always shares my meal at N Ga BBQ... she eats the garlic bread and the fries, I eat the meat and the cole slaw... as soon as I sat down she came over to take her place by my plate.
Jim went on to church for the Maundy Thursday service. They didn't have child care so Angie had planned not to go. Angie and I just sat there and soaked up the springtime sunshine... and caught up a bit... I'm so blessed to have a sister. That may not make sense to most of you but being the only girl out of five kids... I never really had that "sister" relationship. It's also great to watch the girls and their silly sister relationship... they're so sweet!
I gave the girls their big castle rug that mawmaw bought them... and sent home with me last weekend.... Sarabeth was amazed by it... Jamie was distracted by having to go potty.
I can't even remember what this post was supposed to be about. I'm chasing rabbits tonight, for sure. I had a hard time getting out of bed this morning... better get on to bed so I don't have trouble tomorrow too.
Sorry for the boring post... love and hugs, y'all!
Posted by Heather at 8:41 PM
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
I couldn't do it every day but I do love my "leave work early" Wednesdays! The flip side is that I have to work on Saturday but... eh.... it's ok. I left work today and the sun was shining and everything was in bloom and colorful... I picked up some mushy veggies from the Cottage House... a little "meat and three" home cooking place... I picked up a loaf of bread from the Amish bakery... I came home, straightened up just a tiny little bit and then changed into my pjs. I'm in my nest with the *thankfully* still functioning laptop... my bible... my remote... my new Good Housekeeping magazine. God is good.
I'm watching old episodes of Jon and Kate. The kids are so cute but there's so much dysfunction that I never really noticed before. Reality tv is the modern day freak show. I don't mean that Jon and Kate are freaks... I just mean that we have this fascination with things that are out of the ordinary.
I know that I'm the dealer of a lot of "internet crack" and that I have gotten my long time blog readers hooked on a lot of cyber-addictions... but I have to say that I'm enjoying the twitter thing. At first I didn't really get it... it's better now. I have my "tweets" going straight to my cellphone now... which is cool. I hate to talk on the phone but I enjoy texts. Especially when the work day gets long and tedious...
I do have Whitney to keep me company during the workday, even though she's in Jacksonville. We bounce marketing ideas off of each other... ask each other questions... brag on our little successes... and just in general keep up with each other. I miss her! There's not much I miss about Jacksonville but I do miss Whitney!
I made the mistake of going into Austin's room this afternoon. I thought for one BRIEF second about cleaning it and then thought... why put myself through that stress? It will wait for him. We really do need to do a deep spring cleaning here.... but not today. I'm having one... more.... day... to rest. This is my "stay-cation" since I can't take a vacation... I'm chillin' out... ignoring the phone... ignoring the mess... having a break.
Hope you're all safe and happy and feelin' the love...
Posted by Heather at 5:27 PM
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Do you hear that sound? *sigh* It's peace. I miss Austin. I promise, I do. Ok, the truth is that I have never been the kind of mom who mourns for her kids when they're away. I don't need to talk to them every day. I don't worry about them. The only exception to that is when I left Cody behind and moved to Jacksonville... but that was different... I didn't know that everything would be ok.... I didn't know anything would ever be ok in my life again. A week here and there... it's good. It's healthy. From the minute your babies are born you have to start preparing for the day they will leave the nest. So I miss Austin... the last one in my nest... but I'm enjoying a break.
His stupid cat, on the other hand, may not survive. My "inspirational thought for the day that gets written on the back of my hand" has been "CAT" for the past two days. I have to remember to feed Stubby the 3legged Wondercat and also Princess, Angie's completely unsociable cat. Princess comes with a disclaimer from Jamie, "don't touch her, she doesn't like people". However, Princess has learned that when I get to her house, her bowl gets filled. She welcomes me and it almost sounded like she was purring today. I still don't touch her. Stubby, on the other hand, is my siamese twin. Ick.
We had snow flurries all day. I love that - since I'm such a southern girl - that falling snow still makes me giggle like a sixth grade girl passing a note. The snow didn't accumulate at all and it never snowed very hard but it was SNOW! In April!
My ear/jaw pain has been off the charts today... coming in waves that take my breath away. I see the doctor next Tuesday. Meanwhile I'm sorta halfway doing the things that are supposed to make it hurt less but ... I've also sorta halfway given up on it.
Max on TMZ - the blonde one that I think is so cute - just made a comment that he is "no good at insurance". They were talking about how kids of sports stars usually grow up to be good at sports. Apparently he has a parent who sells insurance. *sigh* That endears him to me even more...
Such interesting characters come through my office. We had an article on the company website today that talked about how people in corporate America are getting themselves into trouble with facebook and twitter... so maybe I shouldn't share my "interesting client" stories. But I will. Last week I quoted insurance for an elderly man who was illiterate. It broke my heart. He needed to take the quote home to show his wife and I tried to make sure he understood it all. How? How in the world are there people living around us who are illiterate? Today I visited with a man whose son is a missionary to China. The son is coming home for a few months and needed a car - and insurance.
Time for American Idol... love and hugs, y'all!
Posted by Heather at 7:47 PM
Monday, April 6, 2009
There is a beautiful song that has been posted on Angie Smith's blog http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/ with a new and incredibly powerful message. Because the song is from Selah's cd that will not be released until August, Angie only has permission to post the song until Tuesday, April 7th.
Tomorrow is the first anniversary of the day that Audrey Caroline was born and died. Many of you have followed Angie's story with me... so you can appreciate how beautiful this song must be to her.
I don't know what the copyright limitations are so I'm not posting all the lyrics as I normally would but here's a precious line from the song...
But when anything that’s shattered
Is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be
Today I talked to an old friend (ok, she's not THAT old... we're the same age... what I mean is that I've known her a long time). She has been through a situation very similar to what I went through... down to the strange text... looking at the verizon bill and realizing that something isn't right... having her husband bring his girlfriend around the family. The difference is that her marriage lasted 21 years and she had three children with this guy. I cannot. Really can. not. imagine the heartache. People tell me all the time that I am strong. I think the strong ones are the ones who don't overdose because their husband tells them he doesn't love them. I think the strong ones are the ones who keep going and stay put and make a normal life for their kids. I ran. I fled. I bailed. I quit. It was one year of marriage for me. God bless the women who lose the love they shared for a lifetime. I can't imagine that kind of pain.
I'm not blue today. I'm just uniquely aware of pain around me. Feeling empathy. Knowing what it means to feel shattered. And also knowing the amazing strength that comes from surviving to put the pieces back together!
Today was another crazy Monday at work. I don't know what it is. I'm glad we have a lot of work, a lot of clients, I'm glad that there is stuff to do... but my head is spinning. My house, however, is blissfully quiet! I'm going to bed early tonight but tomorrow I have to actually do things like take out the trash and hang up my clean laundry and wash dishes. Not tonight. Tonight I'll nest.
Have you guys checked out my son Ryan's blog yet? It's sorta edgy so I haven't exactly pimped him... he writes honestly, just like I do... and sometimes I cringe at the "we were so trashed" sort of things. I'm also reading the blog of a certain young lady who has captured Booboo's heart. I'm posting both links here because I know my blogger babes/mother hens will enjoy these blogs like I do. I'm still waiting for Joshy to update his blog since returning from his honeymoon. I'm posting his link too. If you stop by one of these blogs, tell 'em I sent ya!
They're predicting snow for us tonight. I refuse to believe it. It is bitterly cold outside. Not Minnesota cold. But cold for April in Georgia. The wind is howling!
I have some emails and some comments to answer but I'm brain dead tonight.... gonna curl up in the nest and zzzzzzzzzz.
Love and hugs, y'all!
Posted by Heather at 7:01 PM
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Power cord #3 has crapped out on me but miraculously, power cord #2 is working again. I don't understand it but can't afford to fix things now. Anyone who wants to donate to the "Repair Heather's Laptop" fund are welcome to. I was ready to drop it off at the Geek Squad yesterday and all of a sudden their promise of $50 same day repair ballooned to $159 and three weeks. Thanks but no thanks. I'll just have to leave work early one day this week to go see the local guy and take my chances there.
Incidentally, there is also a "catch Heather's car payment up" fund and a "buy new tires" fund. *laugh* I'm stretched thin financially but God is good. I'm staying afloat although I may not be building the best credit rating, I'm hanging in there!
I have discovered (after six months, yes, I'm a slow learner) that my DISH network includes Sirius radio. I have been alternating between Broadway show musicals and Christian pop. Good times! My tv is pre-programmed to take me to the shows I want to watch. At 6pm TCM is playing one of my all time favorite movies - the original "Yours, Mine and Ours" starring Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. If you haven't seen it, you MUST! It's adorable!
I skipped church this morning. Jim and Angie and Austin are all out of town. I just wanted to sleep until I couldn't sleep any more for once. I slept until 9am. It felt amazing! I had bought coffee yesterday (after being out for over a month) and an Atlanta Journal Sunday paper (early edition) and some of those incredible cinnamon twists at Publix so I had breakfast in bed with my newspaper. Indulgent, yes, but why not? Once in a blue moon...
Yesterday was just a wonderful day. Austin and I headed south to take him to mawmaw and pop's for a week. We stopped at Oodles of Noodles, this little restaurant that we discovered that serves (guess what?) all kinds of noodle dishes. They do asian (I had pad thai) and italian (he had shrimp scampi). We went to the Christian book store and I bought two books... one is on bible customs and curiousities - which is really interesting and makes the bible make more sense.
Once I dumped my kid on my parents... I went into my old hometown and just soaked up some of the old sites... the wisteria is in bloom so I visited all my favorite wisteria patches. I paid a bill. Went to the thrift store and bought two pairs of capris, two new dresses, four new shirts - all for $21! I spent quite awhile in the thrift store but it's great think time for me.
As I left the thrift store I got a call from Cory... he had too much to do to hang out with me but offered to meet me for a few minutes.... we spent those few minutes shopping at Walmart! We spend hours on the phone every day so it was kinda weird to be live and in person but you know... if you enjoy the person, even the mundane is fun.
I headed back to the hills but stopped off at the last Publix before leaving civilization and stocked up with a few of my favorites... then drove thru Chickfila for dinner (and a salad for lunch today!) I had a great time just singing along to the radio and having some time of uninterrupted thought and meditation and prayer. Really... a very good day!
Barry gave me a half-hearted "maybe" about coming up to visit today. He also said he'd let me know when he got off work yesterday so we could hang out for a bit and I haven't heard from him yet. It's just how it works with him. I'm not the least bit concerned. God brings the right people into my life at the right time and I'm more than happy. God is good.
I'm not sure how much this craptop will cooperate... but I have the twitter thing posted to my blog so you can get those updates. I haven't been able to figure out how to get tweets on my cellphone or how to update the facebook status from my cell... but there's at least a way that you'll know I'm still alive! I'm looking forward to a peaceful week - even if I'm not off work.
have a beautiful Sunday! love and hugs, y'all!
Posted by Heather at 10:37 AM
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The phone is ringing and I'm not answering it so if it's you, I'm sorry.
People are getting on my nerves today. Ok. Not all people. But enough people that I am done with people for the day. Email me. Oh. I have a couple of emails that I haven't responded to. I will. Later. Right now I'm just grumpy.
I am so sick of Austin not doing his chores. So sick. Today I screamed myself hoarse at him. I'm not really a screamer. Usually when I'm angry I speak soft and slow thru clenched teeth. Austin has had the same chore expectations since the day we moved in here. He has YET to have completed them before I get home. What's worse... when I come home and get on to him about his chores he gets mad at ME for fussing at him. I'm so done. I feel like I traded one prison for another. I'm not a slave driver. His chores essentially consist of him cleaning up behind himself. Horrible things like... not throwing his clothes and shoes in the middle of my living room.... Yes, I'm a mean mother. Today I told him that if his chores were done when I got home that we'd order pizza. They weren't done. We aren't ordering pizza. He asked if we could order once he finished his chores. That wasn't the offer... if his chores were DONE when I got home. He just doesn't get the whole concept of following directions. When he got ugly with me about his no pizza punishment I told him he could spend his spring break at home learning how to do chores.
Now. Seriously. I am not really interested in keeping him here during spring break. He wants to see his dad - who he hasn't seen since Thanksgiving since his dad stood him up on Christmas. He wants to visit with mawmaw and pop. I want/need a break. I went from the hospital to the stress of finding a job and a home to the stress of being in the midst of being a single, full-time working mom. I haven't had the opportunity to catch my breath. I've dealt with a series of illnesses for the past year that have been unrelenting. I. need. a. break. But I also need something that will get his attention.
So now... he's in his room pouting. Not cleaning, not trying to earn grace... just having a good old fashioned tantrum. That's ok. You can't out-tantrum me!
Whatever happened to thankful Thursday? Hmmm... let me see what I can work up... it was another crazy busy day at work. I sold a life policy... it's about $50 worth of commission... not huge but it's $50 I didn't have before. If I could sell one policy like that a day, I would actually be able to pay all my bills in the same month I incurred them. What a novel idea!
I really wanted pizza for dinner. That whole thing, "this hurts me more than it hurts you..." sometimes holds true.
Posted by Heather at 6:20 PM
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau, (born June 28, 1712, Geneva, Switzerland—died July 2, 1778, Ermenonville, France), Swiss-born philosopher, writer, and political theorist whose treatises and novels inspired the leaders of the French Revolution and the Romantic generation.
Rousseau was the least academic of modern philosophers and in many ways was the most influential. His thought marked the end of the Age of Reason. He propelled political and ethical thinking into new channels. His reforms revolutionized taste, first in music, then in the other arts. He had a profound impact on people’s way of life; he taught parents to take a new interest in their children and to educate them differently; he furthered the expression of emotion rather than polite restraint in friendship and love. He introduced the cult of religious sentiment among people who had discarded religious dogma. He opened people’s eyes to the beauties of nature, and he made liberty an object of almost universal aspiration.
Rousseau’s mother died in childbirth, and he was brought up by his father, who taught him to believe that the city of his birth was a republic as splendid as Sparta or ancient Rome. Rousseau senior had an equally glorious image of his own importance; after marrying above his modest station as a watchmaker, he got into trouble with the civil authorities by brandishing the sword that his upper-class pretentions prompted him to wear, and he had to leave Geneva to avoid imprisonment. Rousseau, the son, then lived for six years as a poor relation in his mother’s family, patronized and humiliated, until he, too, at the age of 16, fled from Geneva to live the life of an adventurer and a Roman Catholic convert in the kingdoms of Sardinia and France.
Rousseau was fortunate in finding in the province of Savoy a benefactor, the baroness de Warens, who provided him with a refuge in her home and employed him as her steward. She also furthered his education to such a degree that the boy who had arrived on her doorstep as a stammering apprentice who had never been to school developed into a philosopher, a man of letters, and a musician.
Mme de Warens, who thus transformed the adventurer into a philosopher, was herself an adventuress—a Swiss convert to Catholicism who had stripped her husband of his money before fleeing to Savoy with the gardener’s son to set herself up as a Catholic missionary specializing in the conversion of young male Protestants. Her morals distressed Rousseau, even when he became her lover. But she was a woman of taste, intelligence, and energy, who brought out in Rousseau just the talents that were needed to conquer Paris at a time when Voltaire had made radical ideas fashionable.
Rousseau reached Paris when he was 30 and was lucky enough to meet another young man from the provinces seeking literary fame in the capital, Denis Diderot. The two soon became immensely successful as the centre of a group of intellectuals—or philosophes—who gathered round the great French Encyclopédie, of which Diderot was appointed editor. The Encyclopédie was an important organ of radical and anticlerical opinion, and its contributors were as much reforming and even iconoclastic pamphleteers as they were philosophers. Rousseau, the most original of them all in his thinking and the most forceful and eloquent in his style of writing, was soon also the most conspicuous. He wrote music as well as prose, and one of his operas, Le Devin du village (1752; “The Village Soothsayer”), attracted so much admiration from the king (Louis XV) and the court that he might have enjoyed an easy life as a fashionable composer, but something in his Calvinist blood rejected that type of worldly glory. Indeed, at the age of 37 Rousseau had what he called an “illumination” while walking to Vincennes to visit Diderot, who had been imprisoned there because of his irreligious writings. In the Confessions (1782–89), which he wrote late in life, Rousseau says that it came to him then in a “terrible flash” that modern progress had corrupted people instead of improving them. He went on to write his first important work, a prize essay for the Academy of Dijon entitled Discours sur les sciences et les arts (1750; A Discourse on the Sciences and the Arts), in which he argues that the history of human life on earth has been a history of decay.
That work is by no means Rousseau’s best piece of writing, but its central theme was to inform almost everything else he wrote. Throughout his life he kept returning to the thought that people are good by nature but have been corrupted by society and civilization. He did not mean to suggest that society and civilization are inherently bad but rather that both had taken a wrong direction and become more harmful as they became more sophisticated. That idea in itself was not unfamiliar in Rousseau’s time. Many Roman Catholic writers, for example, deplored the direction that European culture had taken since the Middle Ages. They shared the hostility toward progress that Rousseau had expressed. What they did not share was his belief that people are naturally good. It was, however, just that belief that Rousseau made the cornerstone of his argument.
Rousseau may well have received the inspiration for that belief from Mme de Warens; for although she had become a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church, she retained—and transmitted to Rousseau—much of the sentimental optimism about human purity that she had herself absorbed as a child from the mystical Protestant Pietists who were her teachers in the canton of Bern. At all events, the idea of human goodness, as Rousseau developed it, set him apart from both conservatives and radicals. Even so, for several years after the publication of his first Discourse, he remained a close collaborator in Diderot’s essentially progressive enterprise, the Encyclopédie, and an active contributor to its pages. His speciality there was music, and it was in this sphere that he first established his influence as a reformer.
Controversy With Rameau
The arrival of an Italian opera company in Paris in 1752 to perform works of opera buffa (comic opera) by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, Alessandro Scarlatti, Leonardo Vinci, and other such composers suddenly divided the French music-loving public into two excited camps, supporters of the new Italian opera and supporters of the traditional French opera. The philosophes of the Encyclopédie—Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, Diderot, and Paul-Henri Dietrich, baron d’Holbach among them—entered the fray as champions of Italian music, but Rousseau, who had arranged for the publication of Pergolesi’s music in Paris and who knew more about the subject than most Frenchmen after the months he had spent visiting the opera houses of Venice during his time as secretary to the French ambassador to the doge in 1743–44, emerged as the most-forceful and effective combatant. He was the only one to direct his fire squarely at the leading living exponent of French operatic music, Jean-Philippe Rameau.
Rousseau and Rameau must at that time have seemed unevenly matched in a controversy about music. Rameau, already in his 70th year, was not only a prolific and successful composer but was also, as the author of the celebrated Traité de l’harmonie (1722; Treatise on Harmony) and other technical works, Europe’s leading musicologist. Rousseau, by contrast, was 30 years younger, a newcomer to music, with no professional training and only one successful opera to his credit. His scheme for a new notation for music had been rejected by the Academy of Sciences, and most of his musical entries for Diderot’s Encyclopédie were as yet unpublished. Yet the dispute was not only musical but also philosophical, and Rameau was confronted with a more-formidable adversary than he had realized. Rousseau built his case for the superiority of Italian music over French on the principle that melody must have priority over harmony, whereas Rameau based his on the assertion that harmony must have priority over melody. By pleading for melody, Rousseau introduced what later came to be recognized as a characteristic idea of Romanticism, namely, that in art the free expression of the creative spirit is more important than strict adherence to formal rules and traditional procedures. By pleading for harmony, Rameau reaffirmed the first principle of French Classicism, namely, that conformity to rationally intelligible rules is a necessary condition of art, the aim of which is to impose order on the chaos of human experience.
In music, Rousseau was a liberator. He argued for freedom in music, and he pointed to the Italian composers as models to be followed. In doing so he had more success than Rameau; he changed people’s attitudes. Christoph Willibald Gluck, who succeeded Rameau as the most-important operatic composer in France, acknowledged his debt to Rousseau’s teaching, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart based the text for his one-act operetta Bastien und Bastienne (Bastien and Bastienne) on Rousseau’s Le Devin du village. European music had taken a new direction. But Rousseau himself composed no more operas. Despite the success of Le Devin du village, or rather because of its success, Rousseau felt that, as a moralist who had decided to make a break with worldly values, he could not allow himself to go on working for the theatre. He decided to devote his energies henceforth to literature and philosophy.
Major Works Of Political Philosophy
As part of what Rousseau called his “reform,” or improvement of his own character, he began to look back at some of the austere principles that he had learned as a child in the Calvinist republic of Geneva. Indeed, he decided to return to that city, repudiate his Catholicism, and seek readmission to the Protestant church. He had in the meantime acquired a mistress, an illiterate laundry maid named Thérèse Levasseur. To the surprise of his friends, he took her with him to Geneva, presenting her as a nurse. Although her presence caused some murmurings, Rousseau was readmitted easily to the Calvinist communion, his literary fame having made him very welcome to a city that prided itself as much on its culture as on its morals.
Rousseau had by that time completed a second Discourse in response to a question set by the Academy of Dijon: “What is the origin of the inequality among men and is it justified by natural law?” In response to that challenge he produced a masterpiece of speculative anthropology. The argument follows on that of his first Discourse by developing the proposition that people are naturally good and then tracing the successive stages by which they have descended from primitive innocence to corrupt sophistication.
Rousseau begins his Discours sur l’origine de l’inegalité (1755; Discourse on the Origin of Inequality) by distinguishing two kinds of inequality, natural and artificial, the first arising from differences in strength, intelligence, and so forth, the second from the conventions that govern societies. It is the inequalities of the latter sort that he set out to explain. Adopting what he thought the properly “scientific” method of investigating origins, he attempts to reconstruct the earliest phases of human life on earth. He suggests that original humans were not social beings but entirely solitary, and to that extent he agrees with Thomas Hobbes’s account of the state of nature. But in contrast to the English pessimist’s view that human life in such a condition must have been “poor, nasty, brutish, and short,” Rousseau claims that original humans, although admittedly solitary, were healthy, happy, good, and free. Human vices, he argued, date from the time when societies were formed.
Rousseau thus exonerates nature and blames society. He says that passions that generate vices hardly existed in the state of nature but began to develop as soon as people formed societies. He goes on to suggest that societies started when people built their first huts, a development that facilitated cohabitation of males and females; that in turn produced the habit of living as a family and associating with neighbours. That “nascent society,” as Rousseau calls it, was good while it lasted; it was indeed the “golden age” of human history. Only it did not endure. With the tender passion of love there was also born the destructive passion of jealousy. Neighbours started to compare their abilities and achievements with one another, and that “marked the first step towards inequality and at the same time towards vice.” People started to demand consideration and respect. Their innocent self-love turned into culpable pride, as each person wanted to be better than everyone else.
The introduction of property marked a further step toward inequality, since it made law and government necessary as a means of protecting it. Rousseau laments the “fatal” concept of property in one of his more-eloquent passages, describing the “horrors” that have resulted from the departure from a condition in which the earth belonged to no one. Those passages in his second Discourse excited later revolutionaries such as Karl Marx and Vladimir Ilich Lenin, but Rousseau himself did not think that the past could be undone in any way. There was no point in dreaming of a return to the golden age.
Civil society, as Rousseau describes it, comes into being to serve two purposes: to provide peace for everyone and to ensure the right to property for anyone lucky enough to have possessions. It is thus of some advantage to everyone, but mostly to the advantage of the rich, since it transforms their de facto ownership into rightful ownership and keeps the poor dispossessed. It is a somewhat fraudulent social contract that introduces government, since the poor get so much less out of it than do the rich. Even so, the rich are no happier in civil society than are the poor because people in society are never satisfied. Society leads people to hate one another to the extent that their interests conflict, and the best they are able to do is to hide their hostility behind a mask of courtesy. Thus, Rousseau regards inequality not as a separate problem but as one of the features of the long process by which men become alienated from nature and from innocence.
In the dedication Rousseau wrote for the second Discourse, in order to present it to the republic of Geneva, he nevertheless praised that city-state for having achieved the ideal balance between “the equality which nature established among men and the inequality which they have instituted among themselves.” The arrangement he discerned in Geneva was one in which the best persons were chosen by the citizens and put in the highest positions of authority. Like Plato, Rousseau always believed that a just society was one in which everyone was in his proper place. And having written the second Discourse to explain how people had lost their liberty in the past, he went on to write another book, Du Contrat social (1762; The Social Contract), to suggest how they might recover their liberty in the future. Again Geneva was the model: not Geneva as it had become in 1754 when Rousseau returned there to recover his rights as a citizen, but Geneva as it had once been—i.e., Geneva as Calvin had designed it.
The Social Contract begins with the sensational opening sentence: “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains,” and proceeds to argue that men need not be in chains. If a civil society, or state, could be based on a genuine social contract, as opposed to the fraudulent social contract depicted in the Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, people would receive in exchange for their independence a better kind of freedom, namely true political, or republican, liberty. Such liberty is to be found in obedience to a self-imposed law.
Rousseau’s definition of political liberty raises an obvious problem. For while it can be readily agreed that an individual is free if he obeys only rules he prescribes for himself, this is so because an individual is a person with a single will. A society, by contrast, is a set of persons with a set of individual wills, and conflict between separate wills is a fact of universal experience. Rousseau’s response to the problem is to define civil society as an artificial person united by a general will, or volonté générale. The social contract that brings society into being is a pledge, and the society remains in being as a pledged group. Rousseau’s republic is a creation of the general will—of a will that never falters in each and every member to further the public, common, or national interest—even though it may conflict at times with personal interest.
Rousseau sounds very much like Hobbes when he says that under the pact by which people enter civil society everyone totally alienates himself and all his rights to the whole community. Rousseau, however, represents this act as a form of exchange of rights whereby people give up natural rights in return for civil rights. The bargain is a good one, because what is surrendered are rights of dubious value, whose realization depends solely on an individual’s own might, and what is obtained in return are rights that are both legitimate and enforced by the collective force of the community.
There is no more haunting paragraph in The Social Contract than that in which Rousseau speaks of “forcing a man to be free.” But it would be wrong to interpret these words in the manner of those critics who see Rousseau as a prophet of modern totalitarianism. He does not claim that a whole society can be forced to be free but only that an occasional individual, who is enslaved by his passions to the extent of disobeying the law, can be restored by force to obedience to the voice of the general will that exists inside of him. The person who is coerced by society for a breach of the law is, in Rousseau’s view, being brought back to an awareness of his own true interests.
For Rousseau there is a radical dichotomy between true law and actual law. Actual law, which he described in the Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, simply protects the status quo. True law, as described in The Social Contract, is just law, and what ensures its being just is that it is made by the people in their collective capacity as sovereign and obeyed by the same people in their individual capacities as subjects. Rousseau is confident that such laws could not be unjust because it is inconceivable that any people would make unjust laws for itself.
Rousseau is, however, troubled by the fact that the majority of a people does not necessarily represent its most-intelligent citizens. Indeed, he agrees with Plato that most people are stupid. Thus, the general will, while always morally sound, is sometimes mistaken. Hence Rousseau suggests the people need a lawgiver—a great mind like Solon or Lycurgus or Calvin—to draw up a constitution and system of laws. He even suggests that such lawgivers need to claim divine inspiration in order to persuade the dim-witted multitude to accept and endorse the laws it is offered.
That suggestion echoes a similar proposal by Niccolò Machiavelli, a political theorist whom Rousseau greatly admired and whose love of republican government he shared. An even more conspicuously Machiavellian influence can be discerned in Rousseau’s chapter on civil religion, where he argues that Christianity, despite its truth, is useless as a republican religion on the grounds that it is directed to the unseen world and does nothing to teach citizens the virtues that are needed in the service of the state, namely, courage, virility, and patriotism. Rousseau does not go so far as Machiavelli in proposing a revival of pagan cults, but he does propose a civil religion with minimal theological content designed to fortify and not impede (as Christianity impedes) the cultivation of martial virtues. It is understandable that the authorities of Geneva, profoundly convinced that the national church of their little republic was at the same time a truly Christian church and a nursery of patriotism, reacted angrily against that chapter in Rousseau’s Social Contract.
By the year 1762, however, when The Social Contract was published, Rousseau had given up any thought of settling in Geneva. After recovering his citizen’s rights in 1754, he had returned to Paris and the company of his friends around the Encyclopédie. But he became increasingly ill at ease in such worldly society and began to quarrel with his fellow philosophes. An article for the Encyclopédie on the subject of Geneva, written by d’Alembert at Voltaire’s instigation, upset Rousseau partly by suggesting that the pastors of the city had lapsed from Calvinist severity into unitarian laxity and partly by proposing that a theatre should be erected there. Rousseau hastened into print with a defense of the Calvinist orthodoxy of the pastors and with an elaborate attack on the theatre as an institution that could only do harm to an innocent community such as Geneva.
Years Of Seclusion And Exile
By the time his Lettre à d’Alembert sur les spectacles (1758; Letter to Monsieur d’Alembert on the Theatre) appeared in print, Rousseau had already left Paris to pursue a life closer to nature on the country estate of his friend Mme d’Épinay near Montmorency. When the hospitality of Mme d’Épinay proved to entail much the same social round as that of Paris, Rousseau retreated to a nearby cottage, called Montlouis, under the protection of the Maréchal de Luxembourg. But even that highly placed friend could not save him in 1762 when his treatise Émile; ou, de l’education (Emile; or, On Education), was published and scandalized the pious Jansenists of the French Parlements even as The Social Contract scandalized the Calvinists of Geneva. In Paris, as in Geneva, they ordered the book to be burned and the author arrested; all the Maréchal de Luxembourg could do was to provide a carriage for Rousseau to escape from France. After formally renouncing his Genevan citizenship in 1763, Rousseau became a fugitive, spending the rest of his life moving from one refuge to another.
The years at Montmorency had been the most productive of his literary career; The Social Contract, Émile, and Julie; ou, la nouvelle Héloïse (1761; Julie; or, The New Eloise) came out within 12 months, all three works of seminal importance. The New Eloise, being a novel, escaped the censorship to which the other two works were subject; indeed, of all his books it proved to be the most widely read and the most universally praised in his lifetime. It develops the Romanticism that had already informed his writings on music and perhaps did more than any other single work of literature to influence the spirit of its age. It made the author at least as many friends among the reading public—and especially among educated women—as The Social Contract and Émile made enemies among magistrates and priests. If it did not exempt him from persecution, at least it ensured that his persecution was observed, and admiring femmes du monde intervened from time to time to help him so that Rousseau was never, unlike Voltaire and Diderot, actually imprisoned.
The theme of The New Eloise provides a striking contrast to that of The Social Contract. It is about people finding happiness in domestic as distinct from public life, in the family as opposed to the state. The central character, Saint-Preux, is a middle-class preceptor who falls in love with his upper-class pupil, Julie. She returns his love and yields to his advances, but the difference between their classes makes marriage between them impossible. Baron d’Étange, Julie’s father, has indeed promised her to a fellow nobleman named Wolmar. As a dutiful daughter, Julie marries Wolmar and Saint-Preux goes off on a voyage around the world with an English aristocrat, Bomston, from whom he acquires a certain stoicism. Julie succeeds in forgetting her feelings for Saint-Preux and finds happiness as wife, mother, and chatelaine. Some six years later Saint-Preux returns from his travels and is engaged as tutor to the Wolmar children. All live together in harmony, and there are only faint echoes of the old affair between Saint-Preux and Julie. The little community, dominated by Julie, illustrates one of Rousseau’s political principles: that while men should rule the world in public life, women should rule men in private life. At the end of The New Eloise, when Julie has made herself ill in an attempt to rescue one of her children from drowning, she comes face-to-face with a truth about herself: that her love for Saint-Preux has never died.
The novel was clearly inspired by Rousseau’s own curious relationship—at once passionate and platonic—with Sophie d’Houdetot, a noblewoman who lived near him at Montmorency. He himself asserted in the Confessions that he was led to write the book by “a desire for loving, which I had never been able to satisfy and by which I felt myself devoured.” Saint-Preux’s experience of love forbidden by the laws of class reflects Rousseau’s own experience; and yet it cannot be said that The New Eloise is an attack on those laws, which seem, on the contrary, to be given the status almost of laws of nature. The members of the Wolmar household are depicted as finding happiness in living according to an aristocratic ideal. They appreciate the routines of country life and enjoy the beauties of the Swiss and Savoyard Alps. But despite such an endorsement of the social order, the novel was revolutionary; its very free expression of emotions and its extreme sensibility deeply moved its large readership and profoundly influenced literary developments.
Émile is a book that seems to appeal alternately to the republican ethic of The Social Contract and the aristocratic ethic of The New Eloise. It is also halfway between a novel and a didactic essay. Described by the author as a treatise on education, it is not about schooling but about the upbringing of a rich man’s son by a tutor who is given unlimited authority over him. At the same time the book sets out to explore the possibilities of an education for republican citizenship. The basic argument of the book, as Rousseau himself expressed it, is that vice and error, which are alien to a child’s original nature, are introduced by external agencies, so that the work of a tutor must always be directed to counteracting those forces by manipulating pressures that will work with nature and not against it. Rousseau devotes many pages to explaining the methods the tutor must use. Those methods involve a noticeable measure of deceit, and although corporal punishment is forbidden, mental cruelty is not.
Whereas The Social Contract is concerned with the problems of achieving freedom, Émile is concerned with achieving happiness and wisdom. In this different context religion plays a different role. Instead of a civil religion, Rousseau here outlines a personal religion, which proves to be a kind of simplified Christianity, involving neither revelation nor the familiar dogmas of the church. In the guise of La Profession de foi du vicaire savoyard (1765; The Profession of Faith of a Savoyard Vicar) Rousseau sets out what may fairly be regarded as his own religious views, since that book confirms what he says on the subject in his private correspondence. Rousseau could never entertain doubts about God’s existence or about the immortality of the soul. He felt, moreover, a strong emotional drive toward the worship of God, whose presence he felt most forcefully in nature, especially in mountains and forests untouched by the hand of man. He also attached great importance to conscience, the “divine voice of the soul in man,” opposing this both to the bloodless categories of rationalistic ethics and to the cold tablets of biblical authority.
That minimal creed put Rousseau at odds with the orthodox adherents of the churches and with the openly atheistic philosophes of Paris, so that despite the enthusiasm that some of his writings, and especially The New Eloise, excited in the reading public, he felt himself increasingly isolated, tormented, and pursued. After he had been expelled from France, he was chased from canton to canton in Switzerland. He reacted to the suppression of The Social Contract in Geneva by indicting the regime of that city-state in a pamphlet entitled Lettres écrites de la montagne (1764; Letters Written from the Mountain). No longer, as in the Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, was Geneva depicted as a model republic but as one that had been taken over by “twenty-five despots”; the subjects of the king of England were said to be free by comparison with the victims of Genevan tyranny.
It was in England that Rousseau found refuge after he had been banished from the canton of Bern. The Scottish philosopher David Hume took him there and secured the offer of a pension from King George III; but once in England, Rousseau became aware that certain British intellectuals were making fun of him, and he suspected Hume of participating in the mockery. Various symptoms of paranoia began to manifest themselves in Rousseau, and he returned to France incognito. Believing that Thérèse was the only person he could rely on, he finally married her in 1768, when he was 56 years old.
The Last Decade
In the remaining 10 years of his life Rousseau produced primarily autobiographical writings, mostly intended to justify himself against the accusations of his adversaries. The most important was his Confessions, modeled on the work of the same title by St. Augustine and achieving something of the same classic status. He also wrote Rousseau juge de Jean-Jacques (1780; Rousseau, Judge of Jean-Jacques) to reply to specific charges by his enemies and Les Rêveries du promeneur solitaire (1782; Reveries of the Solitary Walker), one of the most moving of his books, in which the intense passion of his earlier writings gives way to a gentle lyricism and serenity. And indeed, Rousseau does seem to have recovered his peace of mind in his last years, when he was once again afforded refuge on the estates of great French noblemen, first the Prince de Conti and then the Marquis de Girardin, in whose park at Ermenonville he died.
Duignan, B., & Cranston, M. (2018, October 15). Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Retrieved January 10, 2019, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Jacques-Rousseau | <urn:uuid:18b95a35-d43c-46fe-99fa-a68fd6d18e27> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://restorationchristianculture.org/speaker/jean-jacques-rousseau/ | 2019-08-21T13:55:16Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027316021.66/warc/CC-MAIN-20190821131745-20190821153745-00240.warc.gz | en | 0.978781 | 6,563 |
Sermon 3269. A Frail Leaf
A SERMON PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1911.
DELIVERED BY C. H. SPURGEON,
AT THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE, NEWINGTON.
"Will You break a leaf driven to and fro?" Job 13:25.
POOR Job! Who could have been brought lower than he? He had lost his possessions, his children, his health-he was coveredwith sore boils-and he was aggravated by the unkind speeches of his friends. In his deep distress he turns to God and findingno other plea so near at hand, he makes a plea out of his own distress. He compares himself to the weakest thing he couldthink of and then he says to God, the Great and the Merciful, "Will You, so glorious in power and so matchless in goodness-willYou break me, who am like a poor leaf fallen from the tree, sere and dry, and driven to and fro in the wind?" Thus he drawsan argument out of his own weakness. Because he is so low and insignificant and powerless, he lays hold upon the Divine strengthand pleads for pity.
It is a common figure he uses, that of a leaf driven to and fro. Strong gusts of wind, it may be in the autumn when the leaveshang but lightly upon the trees, send them falling in showers around us. Quite helpless to stay their own course, flutteringin the air to and fro, like winged birds that cannot steer themselves, but are guided by every fitful blast that blows uponthem, at last they sink into the mire to be trodden down and forgotten. To them Job likens himself-a helpless, hopeless, worthless,weak, despised, perishing thing-and he appeals to the awful Majesty on High and he says to the God of thunder and of lightning,"Will You put out Your power to destroy me? Will You bring forth Your dread artillery to crush such an insignificant creatureas I am? With all the goodness of Your great heart-for your name is God That Is Good-will You turn Your Almighty power againstme? Oh, be that far from You! Out of pity upon my utter weakness and nothingness, turn away Your hands and break not a leafthat is driven to and fro!"
The apprehension is so startling, the appeal so forcible that the argument may be employed in a great many ways. How oftenhave the sick used it, when they have been brought to so low an ebb with physical pain that life, itself, seemed worthless?Stricken with disease, stung with smart and fretted with acute pains and pangs, they feel that if the affliction continuesmuch longer, it were better for them to die then live! They long for the shades of death, that they might find shelter there.Turning their face to the wall, they have said, "O God, as weak as I am, will You again smite me? Shall Your hand again fallupon me? You have laid me very low. Why do You lift up Your rod again? Break not, I beseech You, a leaf that is driven toand fro!"
Not less applicable is the plea to those who are plunged into the depths of poverty! A man is in trouble arising from destitution.Perhaps he has been long out of work. Bread is not to be found. The children are crying, hungry, starving! The habitationhas been stripped of everything which might procure a little nourishment. The poor wretch, after passing through seas of trouble,finds himself no nearer a landing place than before, but-
"Sees each day new straits attend, And wonders where the scene will end." Passing through the streets he is hardly able tokeep his feet from the pavement or his skin from the cold by reason of his tattered garments. Homeless and friendless, likea leaf that is driven to and fro, he say, "O God! Will You continue this much longer? Will You not be pleased to stop Yourrough wind, mitigate the sharpness of the winter, ease my adversity and give me peace?"
So, too, with those who are in trouble through bereavement. One child has been taken away and then another. The shafts ofdeath flew twice. Then came sickness with threatening omen upon one that was still nearer and dearer. Still did not the desolationstay its gloomy portents. It seemed at length as though the widow would be bereft of her last and only
child and then she cried, "O God! I am already broken. My heart is like a plowed field-cross-plowed-till my soul is readyto despair! Will You utterly break me? Will You spare me no consolations, no props for my old age? Must I be altogether drivenaway before the whirlwind and find no rest?"
Perhaps it is even more harassing in cases of mental distress for, after all, the sharpest pangs we feel are not those ofthe body, nor those of the estate, but those of the mind. When the iron enters into the soul, the rust thereof is poison."The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a wounded spirit who can bear?" You may be surrounded with all the comfortsof life and yet be in wretchedness more gloomy than death if the spirits are depressed. You may have no outward cause whateverfor sorrow and yet if the mind is dejected, the brightest sunshine will not relieve your gloom. At such a time, you may bevexed with cares, haunted with dread and scared with thoughts which distract you. You fear that your sins are not pardoned,that your past transgressions are all brought to remembrance and that punishment is being meted out to you in full measure.The threats rise up out of God's Book and seem to lift sharp swords in their hands with which to smite you. Time is dreadfulto you because you know it is hurrying you to eternity-and the thought of eternity stings as does an adder because you measurethe future reckoning by the present distress. At such a time, when you are faint with longing, ready to despair and drivento the verge of madness, I can imagine your crying out, "O Lord God of Mercy, I am as a leaf that is driven to and fro-willYou quite break me and utterly destroy me? Have compassion, and show Your favor to Your poor broken creature!"
Many a child of God may have used this, and if he has not used it yet, he may still use it. There are times when all our evidencesget clouded and all our joys are fled. Though we may still cling to the Cross, yet it is with a desperate grasp. God bringsour sins to remembrance till our bones, as David puts it, "are sorely broken by reason of our iniquity." Then it is that,all broken, we can turn to the Strong for strength and use the plea of the text, "Will You break a leaf driven to and fro?"And we shall get for our answer these comforting words, "A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench."
I. THE PLEA IS SUCH AS ARISES FROM INWARD CONSCIOUSNESS.
What plea is more powerful to ourselves than that which we draw from ourselves? A man may not be sure of anything outsidehim, for eyes and ears may deceive-but he is always pretty well assured of anything within him, for that which he perceivesin his own consciousness he is very tenacious about. Now, in this case, Job was quite certain about his own weakness.How couldhe doubt that? He looked upon his poor body covered with sores. He looked upon his friends who had perplexed and vexed himso much and he felt that he was, indeed, just like a sere leaf. I trust that many of us have been brought by God the HolySpirit into such a humble frame of mind as to feel that, in a certain sense, this is true of us. O God, if we know ourselvesright, we are alllike withered leaves! We once thought ourselves fresh and green-we reckoned that we were as good as others,we made a fine and verdant profession-but, lo, You have been pleased to deal with us and all the fresh verdure of what wethought to be our piety-the natural piety which we thought we possessed-has faded and withered and now we are convinced thatwe are altogether as an unclean thing, and that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags! No, the hope that we clung toas the leaf clings to the tree, we have had to give up. We are blown away from that. We were once upon the tree of good works-weseemed as if we had life and would always be happy there, but the winds have taken us away and we cannot hold on to our frailhope. We once thought that we could do everything- we now perceive that without Christ we can do nothing! We are cast forthas a branch separated from the vine-we are withered! What can a leaf do? What power has it to resist the wind? Just so wefeel now-we can do nothing-even the sin that dwells in us, like the wind, carries us away and we are like the leaf in thewind, subject to its power.
O my Brothers and Sisters, what a great blessing it is to be made to know our own weakness! To empty the sinner of his folly,his vanity and conceit is no easy matter. Christ can easily fill him with wisdom and prudence, but to get him empty-this isthe work! This is the difficulty. To make a man know that he is in himself utterly lost, ruined, and un-done-this is the Spiritof God's own work! We ministers cannot make a man see that, however diligently we may point it out. Only the Spirit of Godcan enlighten the heart to discern it and yet, until a man does see it, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, for thereare none within the pearly gates who were not once brokenhearted sinners! Who could possibly come there and sing, "Unto Himwho loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood," but those who once said, "Pardon my iniquity, for it is great"?
While it is a confession of weakness, it is also an acknowledgment of God's power to push that weakness to a direful conclusion."Will You break me?" says the text-"Lord, You can do it. In one minute You could take away hope from every one of us now inthis House of Prayer." Some there are who are in the house of doom, where prayer can never be answered, and where Mercy'sproclamation can never be heard! God could break us. It is an easy thing for Him to destroy! And more, He is not only able,but He has the right to do it if He will, for we are such worthless creatures through our disobedience that we may say, inthe words of the hymn-
"If my soul were sent to Hell,
Your righteous Law approves it well." When we feel this, then let us make a proper use of our own consciousness, not to despondand faint, but to arise and go to our Father! So we shall come to God and say, "You can destroy me. You may destroy me justlyand I cannot resist You. I cannot save myself from Your vengeance, nor can I merit anything at Your hand. I am as weak aswater and altogether as perishing a thing as a poor withered leaf-but will You destroy me? I plead for pity. Oh, have pityupon me! O God, let Your heart yearn towards me and show me Your great compassion! I have heard that You delight in mercyand as Ben-Hadad of old, with the rope about his neck, went in unto the king and confessed that he deserved to die, so doI confess! And as the king forgave him, even so do You with me-a guilty culprit trembling in Your Presence!-
"Show pity, Lord! O Lord, forgive!
Let a repenting rebel live."
II. This is also A PLEA FULL OF PITY.
Though there is weakness, yet there is also power, for weakness is, for the most part, a prevalent plea with those who arestrong and good. I trust you could not see on your road home tonight a poor fainting woman, and pass her by. You could nothave brought in before your presence a half-starved child who could not drag its weary limbs along without feeling that youmust give relief. The mere sight of weakness draws pity. As a certain town was being sacked, one of the rough soldiers issaid to have spared a little child, because it said, "Please, Sir, don't kill me, I am so little." The rough warrior feltthe urgency of the plea. You may yourselves plead thus with God. "O God, do not destroy me! I deserve it, but oh, I am solittle! Turn Your power upon some greater thing and let Your heart move with compassion towards me!"
The plea gathers force when the weakness is confessed. If a man shall have done you some wrong and shall come and acknowledgeit, and bow down before you and confess it, why, then, you feel that you cannot take him by the throat, but you say, "Rise,I have forgiven you!" When weakness appeals to strength for protection and confession of guilt is relied on as an argumentfor mercy, those who are good and strong are pretty sure to be moved with compassion.
But, best of all, going from the positive to the comparative, and from the comparative to the superlative, how a confessionof weakness touches your heart when it comes from your own child. If your child has been chastised, has confessed his wrongand pleads with you, how you stay your hand! Or, if the child is sick and something is done to it which pains it, if whilethe operation is being performed he should look you in the face, and say, "Father, spare your child! I can bear no more!"you have already felt more than you can make him feel, forthwith your own tears blind you and you stay your hand. "Like asa father pities his children, even so the Lord pities them that fear Him." If you have faith to bring your weakness beforeGod with the sense of a child towards Him, you surely must prevail. Come, them, you timid trembling children of your Fatherwho is in Heaven, use this plea-"Will You break a leaf that is driven to and fro?"
III. This PLEA IS RIGHTLY ADDRESSED.
It is addressed to God. As I thought it over, it seemed to me as if I could use it with reference to each Person of the BlessedTrinity in Unity. Looking up to the great Father of our spirits, from whom every good and perfect gift comes down, it seemedto me that out of weakness I could say to Him, "Will You, whose name is Father, will You break a leaf that is driven to andfro? You are the God that made us-will You utterly destroy the earthen vessel which You have fashioned on Your wheel? Yourname is 'Preserver of Men.' Will You annihilate us and break us into shivers? Have You not revealed Yourself as delightingin mercy? Are You not the 'Lord God, merciful and gracious, passing by iniquity, transgression and sin'? Have you not said,' Come, now, and let us reason together; though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they arered like crimson, they shall be as wool'? O God, the Father of Heaven, will You break a leaf that is driven to and fro?"
And then, I thought I could address myself to the blessed Son of Godwho is also our Brother in human flesh, and say to Him,"Will You break-O You 'faithful High Priest, touched with a feeling of our infirmities'-'bone of our bone, and flesh of ourflesh'-Brother of our soul, by whose stripes we are healed-will You break a leaf that is driven to and fro? No, by Your thorn-crownedhead and Your bloody sweat, by Your Cross and passion, by Your wounds and by Your death cry, You cannot, will not, be unmercifuland unkind! Surely they who in confidence turn to You and lay hold upon You, shall find that Your strength shall be readyto help-for though Your arm is strong to smite-it is no less strong to save."
Again, it comes across me sweetly, "O blessed Spirit! Could You break a leaf that is driven to and fro? You are no eagle-youdid descend on Christ in Jordan as a dove-your influences are soft and soothing. Your name is, 'The Comforter.' You take ofthe things of Christ, not to blast us, but to bless us therewith. You are not a destroying Spirit, but a quickening Spirit,not a terrifying but an enlivening Spirit-will You break a leaf that is driven to and fro?"
Yes, I address You, You Triune God, You who are so full of mercy, and love, and Grace, and truth, that those who have knownYou best have been compelled to say, 'Oh, how great is Your goodness which You have laid up for them that fear You! Oh, thedepths of Your loving kindness!' is it possible that You can cast away a poor, broken-hearted trembler, a poor, fearing, doubtingone who would gladly be saved, but who trembles lest he should be cast away?"
IV. THIS PLEA IS BACKED UP BY MANY CASES OF SUCCESS.
We will not give many, for we have not time, but there is one case which we will mention. There was a woman whose life wasexceedingly sorrowful. She was an Eastern wife and her husband had been foolish enough to have a second mistress in the house.The woman of whom we speak, a holy woman, a woman of refined and delicate mind, a poetess, indeed, of no mean order-this poorwoman, having no children was the constant butt of her rival, whose sneering spiteful remarks chaffed and chafed her. Heradversary, it is said, "vexed her sore to make her afraid." Though her husband was exceedingly kind to her, yet as with asword that cut her bones did she continually go. She was a woman of a sorrowful spirit, her spirit being broken. Still, "shefeared the Lord exceedingly," and she went up to God's House, and it was in God's House that she received what was to her,perhaps, the greatest blow of her life! If it was from her rival that she received the harshest word, it was from the HighPriest of God that she received this hardest blow! As she stood there praying, using no vocal sound, but her lips moving,the High Priest-an easy-going soul who had brought his own family to ruin by his slackness-little knowing her grief, toldher that she was drunk! Being a woman to whom the thought of such a sin was as bitter as gall, it must have smitten her aswith the chill blast of death, that God's Priest had said she was drunk! But, as you will all remember, the Lord did not breakthe leaf that was driven to and fro. There came to her a comfortable promise. Ere long that woman stood there to sing! Themercy of God had made the barren woman to rejoice and to be the joyful mother of children! The song of the Virgin Mary wasmodeled after the song of Hannah-that memorable poem in which she sang of the Lord who had filled the hungry with good things,while the rich He had sent away empty. In that case the Lord did not break the leaf that was driven to and fro!
In later years-to take an example of another kind-there was a king who had sinned desperately, slaying God's servants withboth hands. But he was taken captive by a powerful monarch and thrown into prison-such an offensive prison that he was amongthorns-in mental as well as in material darkness. Then, troubled in spirit, tossed to and fro, and without power to help himself,Manasseh sought the Lord and he found the Lord-he prayed unto the Lord and the Lord heard him! Out of the low dungeon He didnot break the leaf that was driven to and fro!
Take a later case, in our Savior's time. The picture of those proud Pharisees hurrying into our Savior's Presence a poor fallenwoman is even now in your mind's eye. Yes, Sirs, she was taken in adultery. There was no doubt of it. She was "taken in thevery act," and there she stands-no, she kneels-all covered with blushes before the Man who is asked to judge her! And youremember His words? He never said a word to excuse her guilt-the Savior could not and would not condone her shame! Nor wouldHe, on the other hand, lend Himself to crush the woman who had sinned, but He said- "Where are those, your accusers? Go andsin no more!" Let His words come unto you, poor leaf, driven to and fro! Oh, if there should be such a leaf as that drivenhere tonight, driven in, perhaps, by stress of weather! Men despise you-from your own sex you get faint pity-but Jesus, whenyou appeal to Him-will not break such a leaf that is driven to and
Shall I tell another story of the woman who came behind the Master, in the press, and stole a cure by touching His garment?She thought she would receive a curse, but He said-"Be you of good cheer. Your faith has made you whole. Go in peace." Itwas poor faith-it was very much like unbelief, but yet it was rewarded with a rich acceptance, for He will not break a leafthat is driven to and fro!
V. Once more, my text is A FAINT PLEA WHICH INVITES FULL SUCCOR.
"Will You break a leaf that is driven to and fro?" O Job! There is much wrapped up in what you have said!
He meant this-"Instead of breaking it, You will spare it; You will gather it up, You will give it life again." It is likethat text, "A bruised reed He will not break." Oh, it means more than that-it means that He will heal its bruises. "A smokingflax He will not quench." That is good, but it means more! It means that He will stoop down to it and with His soft breathHe will blow that smoking flax into a flame-He will not let it go out! He will preserve its heat and make something more ofit. O you who are brought to the very lowest of weakness, use that weakness in pleading with God, and He will return untoyou with such a fullness of blessing that you shall receive the pardon of sin! You shall be accepted through the righteousnessof Christ! You shall be dear to the heart of God! You shall be filled with His Spirit and you shall be blessed with all thefullness of God!
My Lord is such an One that if a beggar asks a penny of Him, He gives him gold! And if you ask only for the pardon of sins,He will give you all the Covenant blessings which He has been pleased so bounteously to provide for the necessities of Hispeople! Come, poor guilty one-needy, helpless, broken and bruised-come by faith and let your weakness plead with God throughJesus Christ!
VI. WE MAY USE THIS PLEA-MANY OF US WHO HAVE LONG KNOWN THE SAVIOR.
Perhaps our faith has got to be very low. O Lord, will You destroy my little faith? I know there is sin in it. To be so unbelievingas I am is no little crime, but Lord, I thank You that I have anyfaith. It is weak and trembling, but it is faith of Yourown giving. Oh, break not the poor leaf that is driven to and fro!
It may be your hope is not very bright. You cannot see the golden gates, though they are very near. Well, but your hope shallnot be destroyed because it is clouded. You can say, "Lord, will You destroy my hope because it is dim?" No, that He willnot!
Perhaps you are conscious that you have not been as useful, lately, as you once were, but you may say, "Lord, will You destroymy usefulness because I have been laid aside, or have not done what I ought to have done in Your service?" Bring your littleGraces to Christ as the mothers brought their little children, and ask Him to put His hands upon them and to bless them. Bringyour mustard seed to Christ and ask Him to make it grow into a tree, and He will do it! But never think that He will destroyyou, or that He will destroy the works of His own hands in you!
Oh, that I could so preach as to give the comfort to you which I have felt in my own soul while musing over these words! Iwish that some who feel how lost, how empty and how ruined they are, could now believe in the great and the good heart ofmy Lord Jesus Christ. Little do they know how glad He will be to save them. You will be glad to be saved, but He will be moreglad to save you. You will be thankful to sit at the feast, but of all that come to the banquet, there is no heart as gladas the heart of the King! When the King came in to see the guests, I know there were gleams of joy in His face which werenot to be found in the faces of any of the guests. He has the joy of benevolence! Perhaps you have sometimes felt a thrillof pleasure when you have done some good to your poor fellow creatures. Now, think what must be the joy of Christ, the joyof the Father and the joy of the Holy Spirit-the joy of doing good to those who do not deserve it, the joy of bestowing favorsupon the wicked and the unthankful, the joy of showing that He does good because He is good-not because youare good, but becauseHe is good! Thus the Lord God will leap over the mountains of your sins, your prejudices and the rivers of your iniquities,that He may come unto you and display the full Glory of His loving kindness and His tender mercy!
Oh, that some might now for the first time be drawn to Jesus, put their trust in Him and find pardon and peace!
EXPOSITION BY C. H. SPURGEON: PSALM 130:1-8; 1 JOHN 1:1-10; 2:1-2.
Verse 1. Out of the depths have I cried unto You, O LORD. The most eminent of God's saints have been in the depths. Why, then,should I murmur if I have to endure trials? What am I that I should be exempt from warfare? How can I expect to win the crownwithout first carrying a cross? David saw the depths and so must you and I. But David learned to cry to God out of the depths.Learn, therefore, that there is no place so deep but prayer can reach from the bottom of it up to God's ear, and then God'slong arm can reach to the bottom and bring us up out of the depth! "Out of the depths have I cried unto You, O Lord." Do notsay, "Out of the depths have I talked to my neighbors and sought consolation from my friends."-
"Were half the breath thus vainly spent To Heaven in supplication sent, Your cheerful song would oftener be Hear what theLord has done for me!"
2. LORD, hear my voice: let Your ear be attentive to the voice of my supplications. Now a main part of prayer must be occupiedby confession and the Psalmist proceeds, therefore-
3. If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?That is to say, apart from Christ, if God exercises His Justiceto its utmost severity, the best of men must fall, for the best of men, being men at the best, are sinners even at their best!
4. But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. If there were no mercy, there would be no love in any humanheart-and that would be an end to religion if there were an end to forgiveness! Here let us observe that the best of men darenot stand before an absolute God-that the holiest of God's saints need to be accepted on the footing of a Mediator-to receiveforgiveness of sins.
5. I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in His Word do Ihope. There is a waiting of expectancy. We believe that Heis about to give us the mercy, and we hold out our hands for it. There is a waiting of resignation, we know not what God maydo nor when He may appear, but we wait. Aaron held his peace. It is a great virtue to wait for God when we know not what Hedoes, but to wait His own explanations and be content to go without explanations if He does not choose to give them.
6. My soul waits for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.Andmany a mariner has watched for the morning with an awful anxiety, for he could not know where his vessel was until the dayshould break! Many a weary patient tossed upon the bed of pain has waited for the morning, saying, "Would God it were morning,for then, perhaps, I might find ease." And you know that sometimes the watchers upon the castle top, who have to be guardingthe ramparts against the adversary by night, watch for the morning. So does David's soul watch. Lord, if I may not have You,permit me to watch for You. Oh, there is some happiness even in waiting for an absent God! I recollect that Rutherford said,"I do not see how I can be unhappy, for if Christ will not love me, if He will but permit me to love Him, and I feel I cannothelp doing that-the loving of Him will be Heaven enough for me." Waiting for God is sweet, inexpressibly delightful-
"To those who call, how kind You are, how good to those who seek! But what to those who find? Ah, this, nor tongue nor pencan show The love of Jesus, what it is, none but His loved ones know!" Happy are they who, having waited patiently, at lastbehold their God!
7. 8. Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption and He shall redeemIsrael from all his iniquities.He shall do this in a double and perfect way-He shall redeem us from the effect of all ouriniquities through the atoning Sacrifice and from the presence of all iniquity by His sanctifying Spirit. They are withoutfault before the Throne of God! "I will purge their blood that I have not cleansed, says the Lord that dwells in Zion." Maymy soul have a part and lot in this precious promise!
1 John 1-Verse 1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon,and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life. The fact that Christ was really in the flesh, that He was no phantom, noshadow mocking the eyes that looked upon Him, is exceedingly important and, therefore, John-(whose style, by the way, in thisEpistle is precisely like the style which he uses in his Gospel)-John begins by declaring that Jesus Christ, the Son of God,who in His eternity was from the beginning, was really a substantial Man, for he says-"We have heard Him"-hearing is goodevidence. "Which we have seen Him with our own eyes"-
certainly eye-sight is good, clear evidence. "Which we have looked upon"-this is better, still, for this imports a deliberate,careful, circumspect gaze! But still better-"which our hands have handled," for John had leaned his head on Jesus Christ'sbosom and his hands had often met the real flesh and blood of the living Savior! We need have no doubt about the reality ofChrist's Incarnation when we have these open eyes and hands to give us evidence!
2. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life which was withthe Father, and was manifested unto us).That same eternal Being who is Very God of Very God, and is worthy to be called essentiallyLife, was made flesh and dwelt among us, and the Apostles could say-"We beheld His Glory."
3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you- See how he does hammer this nail as if he will drive it fast! Howhe rings this bell that it may toll the death-knell of every doubt!
3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us. But John, what is thevalue of fellowship with you-even you and your brethren-a parcel of poor fishermen? Who wants fellowship with you-hooted,despised, mocked and persecuted in every city-who wants fellowship with you?
3. And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ What a leap from the fisherman to the Father'sThrone! From the poor, despised son of Zebedee up to the King of Kings! Oh, John, we would have fellowship with you now! Wewill have fellowship with your scorn and spitting, that we may have fellowship with you and with the Father and His Son, JesusChrist!
4. And these things write I unto you that your joy may be full Some Christians have joy, but there are only a few drops inthe bottom of their cup. But the Scriptures were written, and more especially the Doctrine of an Incarnate God is revealedto us, that our joy may be full! Why, if you have nothing else to make you glad, the fact that Jesus has become Brother toyou, arrayed in your flesh, should make your joy full!
5. This, then, is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is Light, and in Him is no darknessat all.Not alight, nor thelight, though he is both, but that He is Light! Scripture uses the term, light, for knowledge, forpurity, for prosperity, for happiness and for truth. God is Light and then, in his usual style, John, who not only tells youa Truth of God but always guards it, adds-"in whom is no darkness at all."
6. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not speak the truth Mark here, this doesnot mean walking in the darkness of sorrow, for there are many of God's people that walk in the darkness of doubts and fearsand yet they have fellowship with God! No, they sometimes have fellowship with Christ all the better for the darkness of thepath along which they walk, but the darkness here meant is the darkness of sin, the darkness of un-truthfulness. If I walkin a lie, or walk in sin, and then profess to have fellowship with God, I have lied and do not speak the truth.
7. But if we walkin the light, as He is in the light-Not to the same degree, but in the same manner-
7. We have fellowship, one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from allsin. So you see thatwhen we walk the best-when we walk in the light, as He is in the light-when our fellowship is of the highest order, yet stillwe need daily cleansing. It does not say-mark this, O my Soul-it does not say, "The blood of Jesus Christ cleansed," but,"cleanses." If guilt returns, His power may be proved again and again-there is no fear that all my daily slips and shortcomingsshall not be graciously removed by this precious blood! But there are some who think they are perfectly sanctified and haveno sin-
8, 9. If we say that we have no sins, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithfuland just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Oh, those words, and more especially that gloriousword, "all"! This must include the vilest sin that ever stained human nature, the blackest grime that ever came from the blackheart of man! And now John is very careful when he strikes a blow, to hit completely. He has already smitten those who saythey have no sin, and now he smites those who say they did not, at one time, have any-
10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, andHis Wordis not in us. 1 John 2:1-2
Verse 1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not. He is anxious that they should not sin. He knowsthey do, and that if they say they do not, they lie. Still the Christian's objective is sinless perfection, and though hewill never have it till he gets to Heaven, that is all the better because he will always, then, be pressing forward and neverreckoning that he has attained it!
1, 2. And if any man sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. And He is the Propitiation forour sins: and not for ours, only, but also for the sins of the whole world. By which is meant, not only that Jesus Christdied for Gentiles as well as Jews, and for some of all nations, but that there is that in the Atonement of Christ which mightbe sufficient for every creature under Heaven if God had so chosen every creature! The limitation is lying not in the valueof the Atonement, itself, but in the design and intention of the Eternal God. God sent His Son to lay down His life for Hissheep. We know that Christ redeemed us from among men, so that the redemption is particularly and especially for the elect.Yet at the same time the price offered was so precious-the blood was so Infinite in value- that if every man that ever livedhad to be redeemed, Christ could have done it. It is this that make us bold to preach the Gospel to every creature, sincewe know there is no limit in the value of the Atonement, though we also know that the design of it is only for the chosenpeople of God! | <urn:uuid:a60b518c-4210-48e7-9ed8-33228a700db7> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://liveprayer.com/spurgeon-sermons-reference.cfm?s=189937 | 2019-08-24T05:30:20Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027319724.97/warc/CC-MAIN-20190824041053-20190824063053-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.97222 | 8,305 |
16. Multi-plex relations
Most of tools of social network analysis deal with structures defined by patterns in a single kind of relationship among actors: friendship, kinship, economic exchange, warfare, etc. Social relations among actors, however, are usually more complex, in that actors are connected in multiple ways simultaneously.
In face-to-face groups of persons, the actors may have emotional connections, exchange relations, kinship ties, and other connections all at the same time. Organizations exchange personnel, money, information, and form groups and alliances. Relations among nation-states are characterized by numerous forms of cultural, economic, and political exchange.
Sociologists tend to assume, until proven otherwise, that actors behavior is strongly shaped by the complex interaction of many simultaneous constraints and opportunities arising from how the individual is embedded in multiple kinds of relationships. The characteristics and behavior of whole populations, as well, may depend on multiple dimensions of integration/cleavage. Solidarity may be established by economic exchange, shared information, kinship, and other ties operating simultaneously.
In this chapter we will look at some of the tools that social network analysts have used grapple with the complexity of analyzing simultaneous multiple relations among actors. We'll begin by examining some basic data structures for multi-plex data, and how they can be visualized. To be useful in analysis, however, the information about multiple relations among a set of actors must somehow be represented in summary form.
There are two general approaches: reduction and combination. The "reduction" approach seeks to combine information about multiple relations among the same set of actors into a single relation that indexes the quantity of ties. All of these issues are dealt with in the section on multiplex data basics.
The "combination" approach also seeks to create a single index of the multi-plex relations, but attempts to represent the quality of ties. Summarizing the information about multiple kinds of ties among actors as a single qualitative typology is discussed in the section on "role algebra." We won't actually explore the complexities of role algebra analysis, but we will provide a brief introduction to this way of approaching multi-relational complexity.table of contents
Multi-plex data are data that describe multiple relations among the same set of actors. The measures of the relations can be directed or not; and the relations can be recorded as binary, multi-valued nominal, or valued (ordinal or interval).
The most common structure for multi-plex data is a set of actor-by-actor matrices (or "slices"), one for each relation. Figure 16.1 shows the output of Data>Display for the Knoke social welfare organizations data set, which contains information on two (binary, directed) relations: information exchange (KNOKI), and money exchange (KNOKM).
Figure 16.1. Data>Display of Knoke multi-relational data structure
The two relations are stored as separate matrices, but within the same file. Many of the analysis tools in UCINET will process each matrix or "slice" of a multiple-matrix data file like the Knoke example. Data>Unpack can be used to remove individual matrices from a multiple matrix file; Data>Join can be used to create a multiple-matrix data set from separate single-matrix data files.
The multiple-matrix approach is most general, and allows us to record as many different relations as we wish by using separate matrices. Some matrices may be symmetric and others not; some may be binary, and others valued. A number of the tools that we will discuss shortly, however, will require that the data in the multiple matrices be of the same type (symmetric/asymmetric, binary/valued). So, often it will be necessary to do transformations on individual matrices before "reduction" and "combination" strategies can be applied.
A closely related multi-plex data structure is the "Cognitive social structure" or CSS. A CSS records the perceptions of a number of actors of the relations among a set of nodes. For example, we might ask each of Bob, Carol, Ted, and Alice to tell us who among them was friends with whom. The result would be four matrices of the same form (4 actors by 4 actors), reporting the same relation (who's friends with whom), but differing according to who is doing the reporting and perceiving.
CSS data have exactly the same form as standard actor-by-actor-by-slices. And some of the tools used for indexing CSS data are the same. Because of the unique nature of CSS data -- which focuses on complex perception of a single structure, instead of a single perception of a complex structure -- some additional tools may be applied (more, below).
A third, and rather different data structure is the multi-valued matrix. Suppose that the relations among actors were nominal (that is, qualitative, or "present-absent") but there were multiple kinds of relations each pair of actors might have - forming a nominal polyotomy. That is, each pair of actors had one (and only one) of several kinds of relations. For one example, relations among a set of actors might (in some populations) be coded as either "nuclear family co-member" or "co-workers" or "extended family member" or "co-religionist" or "none." For another example, we could combine multiple relations to create qualitative types: 1 = kin only, 2 = co-worker only, 3 = both kin and co-worker, and 4 = neither kin nor co-worker.
Nominal, but multi-valued, data combine information about multiplex relations into a single matrix. The values, however, don't represent strength, cost, or probability of a tie, but rather distinguish the qualitative type of tie that exists between each pair of actors. Recording data this way is efficient, and some algorithms in UCINET (e.g. Cateogrical REGE) can work directly with it. Often, though, data about multi-plex relations that has been stored in a single multi-valued matrix will need to be transformed before we can perform many network operations on it.table of contents
For relatively small networks, drawing graphs is the best way of "seeing" structure. The only new problem is how to represent multiple relations among actors. One approach is to use multiple lines (with different colors or styles) and over-lay one relation on another. Alternatively, one can "bundle" the relations into qualitative types and represent them with a single graph using line of different colors or styles (e.g. kin tie = red; work tie = blue; kin and work tie = green).
Netdraw has some useful tools for visualizing multiple relations among the same set of actors. If the data have been stored as multiple matrices within the same file, when that file is opened (Netdraw>File>Open>UCINET dataset>Network) a Ties dialog box will allow you to select which matrix to view (as well as to set cut-off values for visualizing valued data). This is useful for flipping back and forth between relations, with the nodes remaining in the same locations. Suppose, for example, we had stored ten matrices in a file, reflecting snapshots of relations in a network as it evolved over some period of time. Using the Ties dialog, we can "flip the pages" to see the network evolve.
An even more useful tool is found in Netdraw>Properties>Lines>Multi-relation selection. A drawing of the Knoke network with this dialog box visible is shown in figure 16.2.
Figure 16.2. NetDraw graph of Knoke information and money exchange networks
The Relations dialog box allows you to select which relations you would like to view, and whether to view the union ("or") or intersection ("and") of the ties. In our example, we've asked to see the pattern of ties among organizations that send both information and money to others.table of contents
For most analyses, the information about the multiple relations among actors will need to be combined into a single summary measure. One common approach is to combine the multiple relations into an index that reflects the quality (or type) of multi-plex relation.
Transform>Multiplex can be used to summarize multiple relations among actors into a qualitative multi-valued index. Suppose that we had measured two relations among Bob, Carol, Ted, and Alice. The first is a directed friendship nomination, and the second is a undirected spousal relation. These two four-by-four binary matrices have been packed into a single data file called BCTAjoin. The dialog for Transform>Multiplex is shown as figure 16.3.
Figure 16.3. Transform>multiplex dialog
There are two choices here. Convert data to geodesic distances allows us to first convert each relation into a valued metric from the binary. We've chosen not to do this. Another choice is whether or not to Include transpose(s) in the multiplexing. For asymmetric data, selecting yes will cause the rows and the columns of the input matrix to be treated as separate relations in forming the qualitative combinations. Again, we've chosen not to do this (though it is a reasonable idea in many real cases).
Figure 16.4 shows the input file, which is composed of two "stacked" or "sliced" matrices representing friendship and spousal ties.
Figure 16.4. Transform>multiplex input
Figure 16.5 shows the resulting "typology" of kinds of relations among the actors, which has been generated as a multi-valued nominal index.
Figure 16.5. Transform>multiplex output
Where there is no tie in either matrix, the type "0" has been assigned. Where there is both a friendship and a spousal tie, the number "2" has been assigned; where there is a friendship tie, but no spousal tie, the number "3" has been assigned. There could have been an additional type (spousal tie, but no friendship) which would have been assigned a different number.
Combining multiple relations in this way yields a qualitative typology of the kinds of relations that exist among actors. An index of this type might be of considerable interest in describing the prevalence of the types in a population, and in selecting sub-graphs for closer analysis.
The operation Transform>Multigraph does the reverse of what Transform>Multiplex does. That is, if we begin with a multi-valued single matrix (as in figure 16.5), this operation will split the data and create a multiple matrix data file with one matrix for each "type" of relation. In the case of our example, Transform>Multigraph would generate two new matrices (one describing the "2" relation, and one describing the "3" relation).
In dealing with multiple relations among actors, we might also want to create a quantitative index that combines the relations. For example, we might suppose that if actors are tied by 4 different relations they share a "stronger" tie than if they share only 3 relations. But, there are many possible ways of creating indexes that capture different aspects or dimensions of the multiple relations among actors. Two tool-kits in UCINET support combining multiple matrices with a wide variety of built-in functions for capturing different aspects of the multi-relational data.
Transform>Matrix Operations>Matrix Operations>Between Datasets>Statistical Summaries provides some basic tools for creating a single valued matrix from multiple matrices. Figure 16.6 shows the dialog for this tool.
Figure 16.6. Dialog for between dataset matrix operations - statistical summaries
In the example, we've selected the two separate single-relation matrices for Bob, Carol, Ted, and Alice, and asked to create a new (single matrix) dataset called bda-Minimum. By selecting the Minimum function, we've chosen a rule that says: look at relations across the matrices, and summarize each pair-wise relation as the weakest one. For binary data, this is the same as the logical operation "and."
Also available in this dialog are Sum (which adds the values, element-wise, across matrices); Average (which computes the mean, element-wise, across matrices); Maximum (which selects the largest value, element-wise); and Element-wise Multiplication (which multiplies the elements across matrices). This is a pretty useful tool kit, and captures most of the ways in which quantitative indexes might be created (weakest tie, strongest tie, average tie, interaction of ties).
We might want to combine the information on multiple relations into a quantitative index by using logical operations instead of numeric. Figure 16.7 shows the dialog for Transform>Matrix Operations> Matrix Operations> Between Datasets>Boolean Combinations.
Figure 16.7. Dialog for between dataset matrix operations - Boolean combinations
In this dialog, we've said: if there is a friendship tie and there is no spousal tie, then code the output relation as "1." Otherwise, code the output relation as "0." This is not a very sensible thing to do, but it illustrates the point that this tool can be used to perform basic logical operations to create valued (or binary) indexes that combine the information on multiple relations.
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Suppose that I asked every member of the faculty of my department to fill out a questionnaire reporting on their perceptions of who likes whom among the faculty. We would be collecting "cognitive social structure" data; that is, reports from actors embedded in a network about the whole network. There is a very interesting research literature that explores the relationship between actor's positions in networks, and their perceptions of the network. For example, do actors have a bias toward perceiving their own positions as more "central" than other actors perception's of their centrality?
A cognitive social structure (CSS) dataset contains multiple actor-by-actor matrices. Each matrix reports on the full set of a single relation among all the actors, as perceived by a particular respondent. While we could use many of the tools discussed in the previous section to combine or reduce data like these into indexes, there are some special tools that apply to cognitive data. Figure 16.8 shows the dialog of Data>CSS, which provides access to some specialized tools for cognitive network research.
Figure 16.8. Dialog for Data>CSS
The key element here is the choice of Method for pooling graphs. In creating a single summary of the relations, we could select the perceptions of a single actor; or, we might want to focus on the perceptions of the pair of actors involved in each particular relationship; or we might want to combine the information of all of the actors in the network.
Slice selects the perception of one particular actor to represent the network (the dialog then asks, "which informant?"). If we had a particular expert informant we might choose his/her view of the network as a summary. Or, we could extract multiple different actors into different files. We might also extract actors based on some attribute (e.g. gender) and extract their graphs, then pool them by some other method.
Row LAS uses the data from each actor's row to be the row entry in the output matrix. That is, actor A's perceptions of his/her row values are used for row A in the output matrix; actor B's perceptions of his/her row values are used for row B in the output matrix. This uses each actor as the "informant" about their own out-ties.
Column LAS uses each actor's column to be the column entry in the output matrix. That is, each actor is being used as the "informant" regarding their own in-ties.
Intersection LAS constructs the output matrix by examining the entries of the particular pair of actors involved. For example, in the output matrix we would have an element that described the relation between Bob and Ted. We have data on how Bob, Ted, Carol, and Alice each perceive the relation of Bob and Ted. The LAS method focuses on only the two involved nodes (Bob and Ted) and ignores the others. The intersection method gives a "1" to the tie if both Bob and Ted say there is a tie, and a "0" otherwise.
Union LAS assigns a "1" to the pair-wise relation if either actor (i.e. either Bob or Ted) says there is a tie.
Median LAS selects the median of the two values for the B,T relation that are reported by B and by T. This is useful if the relation being examined is valued, rather than binary.
Consensus uses the perceptions of all actors to create the summary index. The perceptions of Bob, Carol, Ted, and Alice are summed, and if the sum is greater than a user specified cut-off value, "1" is assigned, else "0."
Average calculates the numerical average of all actor's perceptions of each pair-wise tie.
Sum calculates the sum of all actor's perceptions for each pair-wise tie.
The range of choices here suggests a fertile research area in how actors embedded in relations perceive those relations. The variety of indexing methods also suggests a number of interesting questions about, and methods for dealing with the reliability of network data when it is collected from embedded respondents.table of contents
Let's suppose that we were looking at a single matrix on who was friends with whom. An obvious way of characterizing what we see is to classify the each pair as "friends" or "not friends." But now, let's extend our analysis one step further (or look at paths of length 2). Now each pair of actors could be characterized as friend, not friend, friend of friend, friend of not-friend, not-friend of friend, or not-friend of not friend. If we wanted to consider paths of length three...well, you get the idea.
The notion of a "role algebra" is to understand the relations between actors as realizations of the logically possible "compounds" of relations of selected path lengths. Most often in network analysis, we focus on path of length one (two actors are connected or not). But, sometimes it is useful to characterize a graph as containing more complex kinds of relations (friend of friend, not-friend of friend, etc.). Lists of these kinds of relations can be obtained by taking Boolean products of matrices (i.e. 0*0 = 0, 0*1 = 0, 1*0 = 0, and 1*1 = 1). When applied to single matrix, we raise a matrix to a power (multiply it by itself) and take the Boolean product; the result generates a matrix that tells us if there is a relation between each pair of nodes that is of a path length equal to the power. That is, to find whether each pair of actors is connected by the relation "friend of a friend" we take the Boolean product of the friendship matrix squared.
This (elegant, but rather mysterious) method of finding "compound relations" can be applied to multi-plex data as a way of identifying the kinds of relations that exist in a multi-plex graph. The Transform>Semigroup algorithm can be used to identify these more complex qualitative kinds of relations among nodes.
It is easier for most people to understand this with an example, than in the abstract. So let's do a somewhat extended examination of the Knoke data for both information and money ties.
If we consider just direct relations, there are two: organizations can be tied by information; organizations can be tied by money. What if consider relations at two steps (what are called "word lengths" in role algebra)? In addition to the original two relations, there are now four more:
These four new (two-step) relations among nodes are "words" of length two, or "compounds."
It is possible, of course, to continue to compound to still greater lengths. In most sociological analyses with only two types of ties, longer lengths are rarely substantively meaningful. With more kinds of ties, however, the number of types of compound relationships can become quite large quite quickly.
The tool Transform>Semigroup computes all of the logically possible compounded types of relations up to a word length (i.e. network distance) that the user specifies. It produces a log file that contains a "map" of the types of relations, as we see in Figure 16.9. It also produces, in a separate file, adjacency matrices for each of the types of relationships (Figures 16.10 and 16.11).
Figure 16.9. Semi-groups of word-length 2 for Knoke information and money networks
The output tells us that there were two relations (information and money). These were the "generators" that were used to create the types. Six possible compound relations were generated for the word-length 2 (identified down the left hand side). Relations 1 and 2 are information and money individually -- the original matrices. Relation 3 is a compound of information with itself; relation four is the compound of information with money, etc. The numbers (3, 4, 5, 6) are simply guides to which matrix in the output file refers to which relation.
From these new "types" of relations (which are compounds within and between the two types of ties) we can generate new adjacency matrices that show which pairs of actors are joined by each particular type of relation. These are presented as a series of adjacency matrices, as shown in figures 16.10 and continued in 16.11.
Figure 16.10. Relations tables for figure 16.9 (part 1)
Matrix 1 is simply the original information matrix; matrix 2 is the original money matrix. Matrix 3 is the compound of information with information -- which actors are tied by a relationship "Ego sends information to someone who sends information to Alter?"
Figure 16.11. Relations tables for figure 16.9 (part 2)
Matrix 4 is the compound of money with itself, or: "Ego sends money to someone who sends money to alter."
Matrices 5 and 6 are, in some ways, most interesting. While exchanging information for information and money for money are obvious ways in which a network can be integrated, its also possible that actors can be integrated by relations that involve both "apples" and "oranges." That is, I may send money, and receive information; I may send information, and receive money.
Role algebras have proven to be of particular value in the study of kinship relations, where across-generation (parent/child) ties are recorded in one matrix and within-generation relations are recorded in another. The various compounds (e.g. "child of child"; "child of brother") fairly easily capture the meaningful terms in kinship relations.
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The actors in the kinds of networks that social scientists study are very frequently connected by more than one type of tie, simultaneously. That is, the relationship between any two actors may be multi-plex. In this chapter, we've introduced a few of the tools that are commonly used to help to make sense of the complex patterns of embedding that can emerge when there is more than one kind of tie operating simultaneously.
Multi-plex data are usually stored in a data structure of node-by-node matrices that are "stacked" as "slices" in a single file. Usually, these structures contain slices that measure different relations (e.g. money, information). However, the same data structure can be effectively used to store and work with multiple slices that show the state of the same network at multiple points in time, or the same network as perceived by different observers embedded in it (Cognitive social structures, or CSS). A compact way of storing information about multiple kinds of relations among actors in a single matrix, the multi-valued matrix, uses a number to reflect the qualitative type of relation that exists between two actors (e.g. none, money only, information only, information and money; or mutually exclusive "multiple choice" types like: kin, neighbor, co-worker).
With relatively small networks, and relatively small numbers of relations, graphs can be prepared that show the unions and intersections of multiple kinds of relations, or "animate" change over time in network structure.
Usually the information about multiple kinds of relations among actors is indexed by reducing the multiple ties into a single quantitative value that represents a summary across the separate relations (e.g. average tie strength, maximum, minimum). Alternatively, the information about different kinds of ties may be combined into more complex typologies using logical relations and "role algebra." A special set of tools for dealing with the unique features of CSS data was also discussed.
Many social network studies avoid the complexity of multi-plex data by focusing on a single relation, or by dealing with multiple relations separately. There is a good bit of virtue in this, for multi-plex analysis can be quite demanding (at least there are many plausible ways of approaching any multi-relational problem). Still, in some cases, engaging the full complexity of multi-plex data has paid huge returns. Our understanding of kinship structures, and our understanding of the positions of nation-states in the world system have been greatly enhanced by indexing actor's relational positions based on multiple and simultaneous ties. | <urn:uuid:8ede48c3-e899-474f-b037-dfc78819ddf0> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://faculty.ucr.edu/~hanneman/nettext/C16_Multi_Plex.html | 2019-08-21T17:48:20Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027316150.53/warc/CC-MAIN-20190821174152-20190821200152-00120.warc.gz | en | 0.939832 | 5,299 |
Let’s face it, we have all fallen under the spell of Dracula at one point in our lives.
The sensual appeal of this sharp-toothed legend entering our boudairs in the night to embrace us and drain our lifeforce has set many a heart a flutter…….
……..are you ready to come with me as we turn around and follow this Vampire path to its beginnings………
………..in the real Castle of Dracula…..
……..the home of Prince Vlad III of Wallachia, a member of the House of Draculesti
Long before the likes of the “Twilight Series”
or even the birth of Ann Rice’s New Oleans Vampire family
………..or even Bram Stoker‘s Dracula……
………..there lived the real Dracula, the father of all legends…….’Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, who was a member of the House of Drăculești, a branch of the House of Basarab, also known by his patronymic name: ”’Dracula”’. He was posthumously dubbed ”’Vlad the Impaler”’, and was a three-time Prince of Wallachia, ruling mainly from 1456 to 1462, the period of the Ottoman conquest of the Balkans. His father, Vlad II Dracul, was a member of the Order of the Dragon, which was founded to protect Christianity in Eastern Europe.
Vlad III spent much of his rule campaigning against the Ottoman Empire and Ottoman wars in Europe. During his lifetime, his reputation for excessive cruelty spread abroad, to 15th-century Germany and elsewhere in Europe. The total number of his victims is estimated in the tens of thousands. The name of the vampire Count Dracula in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel ‘Dracula’ was inspired by Vlad’s patronymic.
Vlad’s Romanian patronymic ”Dragwlya” ”Dragulea, Dragolea, Drăculea’ is a diminutive of the epithet ”Dracul” “the Dragon” carried by his father Vlad II Dracul, who in 1431 was inducted as a member of the Order of the Dragon, a chivalric order founded by Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund of Hungary in 1408.
”Dracul” is the Romanian definite form. The noun “dragon” itself continues Latin ” In Modern Romanian, the word ”drac” has adopted the meaning of “devil” the term for “dragon” now being balaur or dragon. This has led to misinterpretations of Vlad’s epithet as characterizing him as “devilish”.
A woodcut depicting Vlad Țepeș published in Nuremberg in 1488
on the title page of the pamphlet : Die geschicht dracole waide.
Vlad was born in Sighișoara, Transylvania, Kingdom of Hungary, in the winter of 1431 to Vlad II Dracul, future voivode of Wallachia. Vlad’s father was the son of the celebrated Voivode – Mircea the Elder. His mother is believed to be the second wife of Vlad Dracul, Princess Cneajna of Moldavia], eldest daughter of Alexandru cel Bun and aunt to Stephen III of Moldavia- Stephen the Great of Moldavia. He had two older half-brothers, Mircea II and Vlad Călugărul, and a younger brother, Radu cel Frumos – Radu III the Handsome.
In the year of his birth, Vlad’s father, known under the nickname ”Dracul”, had traveled to Nuremberg where he had been vested into the Order of the Dragon. At the age of five, young Vlad was also initiated into the Order.
Vlad and Radu spent their early formative years in Sighișoara under the care and tutelage of their mother and the wives of other exiled boyars. During the first reign of their father, Vlad II Dracul, the Voivode brought his young sons to Târgoviște, the capital of Wallachia at that time.
The Byzantine chancellor Mikhail ensured that, at Târgoviște, the sons of boyars and ruling princes were well-educated by Romanian or Greek scholars commissioned from Constantinople. Vlad is believed to have learned combat skills, geography, mathematics, science, languages (Old Church Slavonic, German, Latin), and the classical arts and philosophy.
In 1436, Vlad II Dracul ascended the throne of Wallachia. He was ousted in 1442 by rival factions in league with Hungary, but secured Ottoman support for his return by agreeing to pay the Jizya (tax on non-Muslims) to the Sultan.
Vlad II also sent his two legitimate sons, Vlad and Radu, to the Ottoman court, to serve as hostages of his loyalty. Vlad was imprisoned and often whipped and beaten for being defiant, while his younger brother Radu was much easier to control. Radu converted to Islam, entered the service of Sultan Murad II’s son, Mehmed II (later known as the Conqueror), and was allowed into the Topkapı Palace. Radu was also honored by the title Bey and was given command of the Janissary contingents.
These years presumably had a great influence on Vlad’s character and led to Vlad’s well-known hatred for the Ottoman Turks, the Janissary, his brother Radu for converting to Islam and the young Turkish prince Mehmed II (even after he became sultan). He was envious of his father’s preference for his elder brother, Mircea II and half brother, Vlad Călugărul. He also distrusted the Hungarians and his own father for trading him to the Turks and betraying the Order of the Dragon’s oath to fight the Ottoman Empire.
Vlad was later released under probation and taken to be educated in logic, the Quran and the Turkish language and works of literature. He would speak this language fluently in his later years. He and his brother were also trained in warfare and riding horses. The boys’ father, Vlad Dracul, was awarded the support of the Ottomans and returned to Wallachia and took back his throne from Basarab II and some unfaithful Boyars.
Vlad’s first wife was Jusztina Szilagyi of Moldavia, with whom he had two sons: Mihnea I “the Bad” and Mihai.
According to local legend, she died during the siege of Poenari Castle, which was surrounded by the Ottoman army led by his brother Radu Bey and the Wallachian Janissary. A woodland archer, having seen the shadow of Vlad’s wife behind a window, shot an arrow through the window into Vlad’s main quarters with a message warning him that Radu’s army was approaching. McNally and Florescu explain that the archer was one of Vlad’s relatives who sent the warning out of loyalty despite having converted to Islam and served in the ranks of Radu. Upon reading the message, Vlad’s wife threw herself from the tower into a tributary of the Argeș River flowing below the castle, saying she would rather rot and be eaten by the fish of the Argeș than be led into captivity by the Turks. Today, the tributary is called Râul Doamnei, the “Lady’s River”, also called the Princess’s River.
Gradually winning back King Matthias’s favour, Vlad married Ilona Szilágyi of Wallachia, a sister or cousin of the king, and in the years before his final release in 1474, had her as a companion in his captivity.
Two of Vlad Tepes’ sons, Vlad Țepeluș and Mihnea I “the Bad”, have been claimed to be ancestors of Mary of Teck, grand-mother of Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain. In October 2011, Prince Charles publicly claimed that genealogy shows that he is a distant relative of Vlad the Impaler. The claim accompanied his announcement of a pledge to help conserve the forested areas of Transylvania.
In December 1447, boyars in league with the Hungarian regent, John Hunyadi, rebelled against Vlad II Dracul and killed him in the marshes near Bălteni. Mircea, Dracul’s eldest son and heir, was blinded and buried alive at Târgoviște.
To prevent Wallachia from falling into the Hungarian fold, the Ottomans invaded Wallachia and put young Vlad III on the throne; however, this rule was short-lived as Hunyadi himself now invaded Wallachia and restored his ally Vladislav II of Wallachia, of the House of Dănești clan, to the throne.
Vlad fled to Moldavia, where he lived under the protection of his uncle, Bogdan II. In October 1451, Bogdan was assassinated and Vlad fled to Hungary. Impressed by Vlad’s vast knowledge of the mindset and inner workings of the Ottoman Empire as well as his hatred of the new sultan Mehmed II, Hunyadi reconciled with his former rival and made him his advisor.
After the Fall of Constantinople to Mehmed II in 1453, Ottoman influence began to spread from this base through the Carpathians, threatening mainland Europe, and by 1481 Ottoman wars in Europe conquering the entire Balkans peninsula. Vlad’s rule thus falls entirely within the three decades of the Ottoman conquest of the Balkans.
In 1456, three years after the Ottomans had conquered Constantinople, they threatened Hungary by besieging Belgrade. Hunyadi began a concerted counter-attack in Serbia: while he himself moved into Serbia and relieved the siege (before dying of the plague), Vlad led his own contingent into Wallachia, reconquered his native land and killed Vladislav II in hand-to-hand combat.
Vlad found Wallachia in a wretched state: constant war had resulted in rampant crime, falling agricultural production, and the virtual disappearance of trade. Regarding a stable economy essential to resisting external enemies, he used severe methods to restore order and prosperity.
Vlad had three aims for Wallachia: to strengthen the country’s economy, its defense, and his own political power. He took measures to help the peasants’ well-being by building new villages and raising agricultural output. He understood the importance of trade for the development of Wallachia. He helped the Wallachian merchants by limiting foreign merchant trade to three market towns: Târgșor, Câmpulung and Târgoviște.
Vlad considered the boyars the chief cause of the constant strife as well as of the death of his father and brother. To secure his rule, he had many leading nobles killed and gave positions in his council, traditionally belonging to the greatest boyars, to persons of obscure origins, who would be loyal to him alone, and some to foreigners. For lower offices, Vlad preferred knights and free peasants to boyars. In his aim of fixing up Wallachia, Vlad issued new laws punishing thieves. Vlad treated the boyars with the same harshness, believing them guilty of weakening Wallachia through their personal struggles for power.
The army was also strengthened. He had a small personal guard, mostly made of mercenaries, who were rewarded with loot and promotions.
He also established a militia or ‘lesser army’ made up of peasants called to fight whenever war came.
Vlad Dracula built a church at Târgșor (allegedly in the memory of his father and older brother who were killed nearby), and he contributed with money to the Snagov Monastery and to the Comana Monastery fortifications.
Since the Wallachian nobility was linked to the Transylvanian Saxons, Vlad also acted against them by eliminating their trade privileges and raiding their cities. In 1459, he had several Saxon settlers of Brașov] (Kronstadt) impaled. In 1459, Pope Pius II called for a new crusade against the Ottomans, at the Council of Mantua. In this crusade, the main role was to be played by Matthias Corvinus, son of John Hunyadi, the King of Hungary. To this effect, Matthias Corvinus received from the Pope 40,000 golden coins, an amount that was thought to be enough to gather an army of 12,000 men and purchase 10 Danube warships. In this context, Vlad allied himself with Matthias Corvinus, with the hope of keeping the Ottomans out of the country.
Later that year, in 1459, Ottoman Empire Sultan Mehmed II sent envoys to Vlad to urge him to pay a delayed Jizya (tax on non-Muslims) of 10,000 ducats and 500 recruits into the Ottoman forces. Vlad refused, because if he had paid the ‘tribute’, as the tax was called at the time, it would have meant a public acceptance of Wallachia as part of the Ottoman Empire. Vlad, just like most of his predecessors and successors, had as a primary goal to keep Wallachia as independent as possible. Vlad had the Turkish envoys killed on the pretext that they had refused to raise their “hats” to him, by nailing their turbans to their heads.
Meanwhile, the Sultan received intelligence reports that revealed Vlad’s domination of the Danube. He sent the Bey of Nicopolis, Hamza Pasha, to make peace and, if necessary, eliminate Vlad III. Pasha planned to set an ambush. Hamza Pasha, the Bey of Nicopolis, brought with him 10,000 cavalry and when passing through a narrow pass north of Giurgiu, Vlad launched a surprise attack. The Wallachians had the Turks surrounded and defeated. The Turks’ plans were thwarted and almost all of them caught and impaled, with Hamza Pasha impaled on the highest stake to show his rank.
In the winter of 1462, Vlad crossed the Danube and devastated the entire Bulgarian land in the area between Serbia and the Black Sea. Disguising himself as a Turkish person, he infiltrated and destroyed Ottoman camps. In a letter to Corvinus dated 2 February, he wrote: “I have killed peasants men and women, old and young, who lived at Oblucitza and Novoselo, where the Danube flows into the sea, up to Rahova, which is located near Chilia, from the lower Danube up to such places as Samovit and Ghighen. We killed 23,884 Turks without counting those whom we burned in homes or the Turks whose heads were cut by our soldiers…Thus, your highness, you must know that I have broken the peace with him Sultan Mehmed II.
In response to this, Sultan Mehmed II raised an army of around 60,000 troops and 30,000 irregulars, and in spring of 1462 headed towards Wallachia. Commanding at best only 30,000 to 40,000 men, Vlad was unable to stop the Ottomans from crossing the Danube at June 4, 1462 and entering Wallachia. He constantly organized small attacks and ambushes on the Turks, such as The Night Attack when 15,000 Turks were killed. This infuriated Mehmed II, who then crossed the Danube. With the exception of some Turkish references all the other chronicles at the time that mention the 1462 campaign state that the Sultan was defeated. Apparently, the Turks retreated in such a hurry that by July 11, 1462 the Sultan was already in Adrianopolis. According to the Byzantine historian Chalcocondil, Radu, brother of Vlad III and ingratiate of the Sultan, was left behind in Targoviste with the hope that he would be able to gather an anti-Vlad clique that would ultimately get rid of Vlad as Voivode of Wallachia and crown Radu as the new puppet ruler.
Vlad the Impaler’s attack was celebrated by the Saxon cities of Transylvania, the Italian states and the Pope. A Venetian envoy, upon hearing about the news at the court of Corvinus on 4 March, expressed great joy and said that the whole of Christianity should celebrate Vlad Țepeș’s successful campaign. The Genoese from Caffa also thanked Vlad, for his campaign had saved them from an attack of some 300 ships that the sultan planned to send against them.
Vlad’s younger brother, Radu cel Frumos and his Janissary battalions were given the task of leading the Ottoman Empire to victory at all expense by Sultan Mehmet II. After the Sipahis’ incursions failed to subdue Vlad, the few remaining Sipahis were killed in a night raid by Vlad III in 1462. However, as the war raged on, Radu and his formidable Janissary battalions were well supplied with a steady flow of gunpowder and dinars; this allowed them to push deeper into the realm of Vlad III. Radu and his well-equipped forces finally besieged Poenari Castle, the famed lair of Vlad III. After his difficult victory Radu was given the title ”Bey of Wallachia” by Sultan Mehmed II.
Vlad III’s defeat at Poenari was due in part to the fact that the Boyars, who had been alienated by Vlad’s policy of undermining their authority, had joined Radu under the assurance that they would regain their privileges. They may have also believed that Ottoman protection was better than Hungary. It was said as well that Radu (through his spies or traitors) found the place where some Boyars’ families were hidden during the war (probably some forests around Snagov) and blackmailed them to come to his side.
By 8 September, Vlad had won another three victories, but continuous war had left him without any money and he could no longer pay his mercenaries. Vlad traveled to Hungary to ask for help from his former ally, Matthias Corvinus. Instead of receiving help, he found himself arrested and thrown into the dungeon for high treason. Corvinus, not planning to get involved in a war after having spent the Papal money meant for it on personal expenses, forged a letter from Vlad III to the Ottomans where he supposedly proposed a peace with them, to give an explanation for the Pope and a reason to abandon the war and return to his capital.
Vlad was imprisoned at Oratia, a fortress located at Podu Dâmboviței Bridge. A period of imprisonment in Visegrád near Buda followed, where the Wallachian prince was held for 10 years. Then he was imprisoned in Buda.
The exact length of Vlad’s period of captivity is open to some debate, though indications are that it was from 1462 until 1474. Diplomatic correspondence from Buda seems to indicate that the period of Vlad’s effective confinement was relatively short. Radu’s openly pro-Ottoman policy as voivode probably contributed to Vlad’s rehabilitation. Moreover, Steven the Great, a relative of Vlad intervened on his behalf to be released from prison as the Ottoman pressure on the territories north of the Danube was increasing.
The Final Chapter……………
After Radu’s sudden death in 1475, Vlad III declared his third reign in 26 November 1476. Vlad began preparations for the reconquest of Wallachia in 1476 with Hungarian support. Vlad’s third reign had lasted little more than two months when he was assassinated. The exact date of his death is unknown, presumably the end of December 1476, but it is known that he was dead by January 10, 1477.
The exact location of his death is also unknown, but it would have been somewhere along the road between Bucharest and Giurgiu.
Vlad’s head was taken to Constantinople as a trophy, and his body was buried unceremoniously by his rival, Basarab Laiota, possibly at Comana, Giurgiu, a monastery founded by Vlad in 1461. The Comana monastery was demolished and rebuilt from scratch in 1589.
In the 19th century, Romanian historians cited a “tradition”, apparently without any kind of support in documentary evidence, that Vlad was buried at Snagov, an island monastery located near Bucharest. To support this theory, the so-called ”Cantacuzino Chronicle” was cited, which cites Vlad as the founder of this monastery. But as early as 1855, Alexandru Odobescu had established that this is impossible as the monastery had been in existence before 1438. Since excavations carried out by Dinu V Rosetti in June & October of 1933, it has become clear that Snagov monastery was founded during the later 14th century, well before the time of Vlad III. The 1933 excavation also established that there was no tomb below the supposed “unmarked tombstone” of Vlad in the monastery church. Rosetti (1935) reported that “Under the tombstone attributed to Vlad there was no tomb. Only many bones and jaws of horses.” In the 1970s, speculative attribution of an anonymous tomb found elsewhere in the church to Vlad Tepes was published by Simion Saveanu, a journalist who wrote a series of articles on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Vlad’s death. Most Romanian historians today favor the Comana, Giurgiu monastery as the final resting place for Vlad Tepes.
The Legacy Lives on………….
Even during his lifetime, Vlad III Țepeș became famous as a tyrant taking sadistic pleasure in torturing and killing. He is shown in cryptoportraits made during his lifetime in the role of cruel rulers or executioners such as Pontius Pilate ordering the torture and execution of Jesus Christ,
or as Aegeas, the Roman proconsul in Patras, overseeing the crucifixion of Saint Andrew.
Estimates of the number of his victims range from 40,000 to 100,000, comparable to the cumulative number of executions over four centuries of European witchhunts. According to the German stories the number of victims he had killed was at least 80,000. In addition to the 80,000 victims mentioned he also had whole villages and fortresses destroyed and burned to the ground.
Impalement was Vlad’s preferred method of torture and execution. Several woodcuts from German pamphlets of the late 15th and early 16th centuries show Vlad feasting in a forest of stakes and their grisly burdens outside Brașov, while a nearby executioner cuts apart other victims. It was reported that an invading Ottoman army turned back in fright when it encountered thousands of rotting corpses on the banks of the Danube. It has also been said that in 1462 Mehmed II, conqueror of Constantinople, a man noted for his own psychological warfare tactics, returned to Constantinople after being sickened by the sight of 20,000 impaled corpses outside Vlad’s capital of Târgoviște.
Allegedly, Vlad’s reputation for cruelty was actively promoted by Matthias Corvinus, who tarnished Vlad’s reputation and credibility for a political reason: as an explanation for why he had not helped Vlad fight the Ottomans in 1462, for which purpose he had received money from most Catholic states in Europe. Matthias employed the charges of Southeastern Transylvania, and produced fake letters of high treason, written on 7 November 1462.
……..enter the modern day Dracula thanks to the great Bram Stoker………………..
The connection of the name “Dracula” with vampirism was made by Bram Stoker, who probably found the name of his Count Dracula character in William Wilkinson’s book, ”An Account of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia: with various Political Observations Relating to Them”. It is known that Stoker made notes about this book. It is also suggested that Stoker may have heard of Vlad through his friend, Hungarian professor Ármin Vámbéry, from Budapest. The fact that character Dr. Abraham Van Helsing states in the 1897 novel that the source of his knowledge about Count Dracula is his friend Arminius appears to support this hypothesis, although there is no evidence that Stoker and Vambéry (they met twice) ever talked about Wallachian history.
Unlike the fictional Dracula films, there have been comparatively few movies about the man who inspired the vampire. The 1975 documentary ”In Search of Dracula” explores the legend of Vlad the Impaler. He is played in the film by Christopher Lee, known for his Hammer Films productions of Dracula of the fictional Dracula in films ranging from the 1950s to the 1970s.
In 1979, a Romanian film called ”Vlad Țepeș” (sometimes known, in other countries, as ”The True Story of Vlad the Impaler”) was released, based on his six-year reign and brief return to power in late 1476. The character is portrayed in a mostly positive perspective, though the film also mentions the excesses of his regime and his practice of impalement. The lead character is played by Ștefan Sileanu.
Perhaps my most favorite reference to this great historical place is from The Rocky Horror Picture Show….
……you remember the marvelous Tim Curry as Dr. Frank N. Furter…..the one from Transexual Transylvania..
…Let’s do the Time Warp again………….oh you forgot the steps…
………….I have to run get out my costume and put on the music…….just for a moment……..
………….aaahhhhemmmmm……pardon me………I did digress a bit…..back to Dracula……
I hope you have enjoyed this journey through time to explore a wonderful bit of history, pop culture and the basis for a smashing tourist success for a small town in Romania… | <urn:uuid:e61a3377-8f7c-45cf-84a2-4dc49128377b> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://the-tin-man.com/tag/queen-elizabeth-ii/ | 2019-08-21T19:11:36Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027316150.53/warc/CC-MAIN-20190821174152-20190821200152-00120.warc.gz | en | 0.980445 | 5,634 |
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By sharing your email address and as an active customer and Program Member, we and/or our service providers may communicate to you special offers, services, promotions and program information. You can unsubscribe from receiving such messages at any time by updating your online account, by contacting customer service of the applicable entity, or by clicking unsubscribe at the bottom of any promotional email.
1. 18. .S.C. 2257 COMPLIANCE NOTICE
In compliance with United States Code, Title 18, Section 2257, all of the models, actors, and other persons that appear in any visual depiction of actual sexually explicit conduct appearing or otherwise contained in the following Program Website were over the age of eighteen years at the time of the creation of such depictions.
All other visual depictions displayed on the Program Website are exempt from the provision of 18 U.S.C. section 2257 and 28 C.F.R. 75 because said visual depictions do not consist of depictions of conduct as specifically listed in 18 U.S.C section 2256 (2) (A) through (D), but are merely depictions of non-sexually explicit nudity, or are depictions of simulated sexual conduct, or are otherwise exempt because the visual depictions were created prior to July 3, 1995.
Records required to be maintained pursuant to U.S.C. Title 18, Section 2257 are kept by the following custodian of records:
Interactive Life Forms, LLC
7000 Burleson Road, Building C
Austin, TX 78744
6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND DAMAGES; INDEMNIFCATION
1.1 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND DAMAGES
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, NEGLIGENCE, SHALL THE COMPANY, OUR AFFILIATES, CONTRACTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR THIRD PARTY PARTNERS, LICENSORS, OR SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, RELIANCE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY UNSUCCESSFUL COURT ACTION OR LEGAL DISPUTE, LOST BUSINESS, LOST REVENUES OR LOSS OF ANTICIPATED PROFITS OR ANY OTHER PECUNIARY OR NON‐PECUNIARY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE PROGRAM WEBSITE, THE PROGRAM AND/OR THESE TERMS & CONDITIONS OR THAT RESULT FROM YOUR USE OR YOUR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM WEBSITE OR ANY LINKED SITES, OR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM, OR ANY OTHER INTERACTIONS WITH THE COMPANY, EVEN IF THE COMPANY OR AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, THE COMPANY’S AGGREGATE LIABILITY, AND THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF OUR LICENSORS, TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE IS LIMITED TO ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS (US$100.00).
CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES. IF YOU RESIDE IS SUCH A JURISDICTION, SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE DISCLAIMERS, EXCLUSIONS, OR LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU, AND YOU MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS. THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS OF WARRANTIES, REMEDIES OR LIABILITY CONTAINED IN THESE TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY TO YOU TO THE FULLEST EXTENT SUCH LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS ARE PERMITTED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE JURISDICTION WHERE YOU ARE LOCATED.
USERS WHO ARE CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS AGREE TO WAIVE CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH SAYS: "A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR."
You hereby agree to indemnify, defend and hold the Company, its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, owners, agents, information providers, licensors and licensees (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) harmless from and against any and all causes of action, claims, liabilities and costs incurred by the Indemnified Parties in connection with any claim arising from of (a) your participation in the Program, and/or (ii) any breach by you of these Terms & Conditions or the foregoing representations, warranties and covenants, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees. You shall cooperate as fully as reasonably required in the defense of any claim. The Company reserves the right, at its own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you. You shall not enter into any settlement agreement which affects the rights of the Company without the Company’s prior written approval.
By enrolling in the Program, each Member (i) certifies that he or she is over the age of majority in the state, province or other jurisdiction in which he or she resides (or is supervised by a parent or legal guardian who agrees to the Program Terms) and of mental capacity (or is supervised by a legal guardian who agrees to the Program Terms), (ii) consents to the company’s collection and use of certain personal information, except as he or she may otherwise notify the Company and (iii) agrees to the Program Terms, as they may be amended from time to time.
2.2. OTHER TERMS
These Terms & Conditions are in addition to any other Program Terms, and shall be read together with such other Program Terms as one and the same instrument; provided, that if there is a conflict between any terms set forth in these terms and conditions, the Program Website, the Explainer Page and/or any other Program Terms, such conflict shall be resolved as follows: first, the Explainer Page shall prevail, thereafter these Terms & Conditions, thereafter the Program Website and finally any other Program Terms. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of any action, proceeding or other dispute arising from or relating to any Program Terms, such dispute shall be settled in accordance with the provisions and procedures set forth in these Terms & Conditions.
Any abuse by a Member of the Program’s privileges, any failure by a Member to follow these Terms & Conditions, or any misrepresentation by a Member may subject the Member to expulsion from the Program, including forfeiture of all accumulated points.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information herein is correct. The Company is not responsible for any errors or omissions in printed copies of these Terms & Conditions nor those published from time to time on its website.
Any waiver by the Company of the strict observance, performance or compliance by a Member with any of the Terms and Conditions contained herein, either expressly granted or by course of conduct, shall be effective only in the specific instance and shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights or remedies of the Company as a result of any other failure to observe, perform or comply with the Terms & Conditions. No delay or omission by the Company in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as waiver thereof or of any other right or remedy.
If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions or if you wish to provide any feedback with respect to the Program, please contact us at: [email protected].
2.6. AGE REQUIREMENT
THE PROGRAM WEBSITE AND PROGRAM ARE NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN. IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE OR THE APPLICABLE AGE OF MAJORITY IN YOUR JURISDICTION, THEN YOU MAY NOT ACCESS OR USE THE PROGRAM WEBSITE OR PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM AT ANY TIME OR IN ANY MANNER. BY USING THE PROGRAM WEBSITE AND/OR PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM, YOU REPRESENT THAT YOU ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE OR THE APPLICABLE AGE OF MAJORITY IN YOUR JURISDICTION AND HAVE NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY SUSPENDED OR REMOVED FROM THE PROGRAM WEBSITE OR PROGRAM.
2.7. PRODUCT REPRESENTATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS
Products are described and represented as accurately as possible so you understand the products they are viewing and/or purchasing. No guarantee is made regarding color representation as color may vary due to computer monitors, software, hardware and internet connections. In the event of a typographical error, pictorial error, technical error or other inaccuracy, the Company reserves the right to make improvements, corrections or changes without notice. The Company reserve the right to change formulation or packaging at any time without notice. The Company reserves the right to change pricing without notice
2.8. MEDICAL AND LEGAL DISCLAIMER
The information, services, commentary, Content and products on the Program Website or that are part of the Program are not intended to replace consultation with a healthcare provider, mental health professional or lawyer. The information on the Program Website should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any ailment or condition or to answer any legal question. All information, services, commentary, content and products on the Program Website is for general informational purposes only. Questions or concerns should be referred to an appropriate professional in the healthcare, mental health or legal field.
2.9. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION
These Terms & Conditions have been made in and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas without regard to any conflict of law provisions. You agree that any action at law or in equity arising out of or relating to these Terms & Conditions, the Program or the Company will be filed only in the state or federal courts in and for Austin, Travis County, Texas, and you hereby consent and submit to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of such courts for the purposes of litigating any such action and expressly submit to extraterritorial service of process.
2.10. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
You agree to first try to resolve any controversy, claim, or dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms & Conditions or the access, use of the Program Website and/or participation in the Program, with the help of a mutually agreed upon mediator in Austin, Travis County, Texas. Any costs and fees other than attorney fees associated with the mediation shall be shared equally by the parties. Attorney fees associated with the mediation shall be paid by the respective parties.
If it proves impossible to arrive at a mutually satisfactory solution through mediation, You agree to submit the dispute to binding arbitration in Austin, Travis County, Texas. Such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the then prevailing consumer arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in the state or federal courts in and for Austin, Travis County, Texas. The parties agree to abide by all decisions and awards rendered in such proceedings. Such decisions and awards rendered by the arbitrator shall be final and conclusive and may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof as a basis of judgment and of the issuance of execution for its collection. All such controversies, claims or disputes shall be settled in this manner in lieu of any action at law or equity. The arbitrator shall not have the right to award punitive damages or speculative damages to either party and shall not have the power to amend this Agreement. The arbitrator shall be required to follow applicable law.
IF FOR ANY REASON THIS ARBITRATION CLAUSE BECOMES INAPPLICABLE, THEN YOU, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY AS TO ANY ISSUE RELATING HERETO IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER MATTER INVOLVING THE PARTIES HERETO.
2.11. ATTORNEY FEES
If any litigation or arbitration is necessary to enforce these Terms & Conditions the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees, costs, and expenses.
If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is held to be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision will be limited or eliminated from these Terms & Conditions to the minimum extent necessary and will not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.
Your rights under these Terms & Conditions may not be transferred or assigned by you, but may be assigned by the Company without restriction. Any assignment attempted to be made in violation of these Terms & Conditions shall be void.
The heading references herein are for convenience purposes only, do not constitute a part of these Terms & Conditions, and will not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
These Terms & Conditions create no agency, partnership, joint venture, or employee-employer relationship between you and the Company unless otherwise noted in writing by the Company.
2.16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
HOW TO USE YOUR FLESHPUMP
Practice makes perfect – it might take time to get used to the feel and functionality of the FleshPump, so please take time to read affiliated instruction manuals and allow yourself patience to experiment and see how FleshPump can work best with your body. Practice the technique of creating and maintaining your erection before attempting sexual intercourse with another person.
- Assure your FleshPump “donut” is clean and free of lint or residue.
- Lubricate your flaccid penis generously with an oil-based lube such as FleshPump Lubricant.
- To prevent pulling of pubic hair, lubricate the base of the body or remove pubic hair around the base of the penis.
- Place your flaccid penis at the opening of the FleshPump “donut.”
- Press the vacuum button to slowly draw your lubricated flaccid penis into the pump tube. This will help create a snug seal at the base of the body.
- Keep the pump steady with one hand and use the other to operate the vacuum.
- As you pump, watch your penis respond to the gradual vacuum pressure and pay attention to how it feels.
- It is normal for your penis to turn red as a result of blood being drawn into the shaft. Pumping too fast may bruise or cause rupture of the blood vessels below the skin, so please take it slow.
- If pain or discomfort persists, immediately stop and release the vacuum. Seek medical attention if necessary.
- For best results, pump in short 5-10 second bursts and then release the suction, similarly to how you might work out muscles at the gym.
- Average duration of pumping sessions is 3-5 minutes total. You must wait 60 minutes between FleshPump uses.
CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR MEDICAL CARE PROFESSIONAL IF ANY COMPLICATIONS OCCUR. DISCONTINUE USE OF THE FLESHPUMP IF ANY COMPLICATIONS PERSIST.
Interactive Life Forms, LLC (“ILF”) and its affiliates are dedicated to limiting the spread of diseases from sharing or using another person’s products. Once this product is opened, it is non-returnable.
COMPLETELY READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INSTRUCTIONS (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ALL PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS) PRIOR TO USING THE FLESHPUMP.
The FleshPump is designed to assist men in obtaining an erection before intercourse.
FLESHPUMP IS NOT INTENDED TO BE WORN OR USED TO PENETRATE YOUR PARTNER. YOU MAY CAUSE HARM TO YOURSELF OR YOUR PARTNER.
The FleshPump is made from body-safe polycarbonate/TPE and is generally safe for personal body contact. Putting the FleshPump in contact with another person’s body and/or uids is not advised due to the possibility of spreading communicable diseases.
The following precautionary measures are advised when using the FleshPump:
The FleshPump may not be safe for men who do not feel pain on the penis and its surrounding area. As the FleshPump may cause sexual arousal with increased heart and respiration rates, persons should consult their physician or medical professional before using the FleshPump and/or if you su er from any of the following: heart or lung disease; high blood pressure; stroke, epilepsy or convulsive disorder; genital or urinary disorder (e.g. kidney, bladder, testicular or penile problems or issues); diabetes or if you take anti-coagulants, large quantities of aspirin or other blood thinners; if you have sickle cell disease, bleeding disorders or leukemia; or you have a history of prolonged erections.
- This product is intended for use by a single person.
- Consult your physician or medical professional before using the FleshPump or if you (i) have reduced sensation in the genital area or experience other genitalia issues or (ii) experience discomfort during or after use. If at any time you experience pain or discomfort, immediately stop using the FleshPump and consult a physician or medical professional as soon as possible for advice.
- The wearer must be in control of the FleshPump at all times. Avoid falling asleep while using the FleshPump or using the FleshPump while under the in uence of drugs or alcohol. You may not feel pain while you are using drugs or alcohol.
- If your hands are severely impaired, you should not use this product. You must have full use of both of your hands to safely use the FleshPump, with the strength to operate the vacuum release mechanism.
- Avoid the testicles coming in contact with the vacuum-sealing area to avoid discomfort; try taking a warm shower or bath to relax the genitals prior to using the FleshPump.
- Wait 60 minutes between uses. Failure to do so may injure the penis. You can severely bruise or damage your penis if you do not wait at least 60 minutes between uses of the FleshPump.
- Disable the vacuum if severe pain occurs. Pain may be a sign the penis is bruising.
- Never try to withdraw the penis from the FleshPump without rst pressing the vacuum release valve. Withdrawing of the penis without the vacuum release may cause harm.
It is possible that using the FleshPump may bruise or break blood vessels either immediately below the skin or deep within the penis shaft or scrotum. Internal bleeding, bruising or petechiae (small purplish spots on a body surface, such as the skin or mucous membrane, caused by a minute hemorrhage), hemorrhage or the formation of a hematoma (a localized swelling with blood that results from a break in a blood vessel) in the penis or scrotum may result.
Inferences or actions you may make or take based on the content found in this manual are made and/or taken at your own risk. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your physician or medical professional immediately and/or visit an emergency room or urgent care facility.
The information contained in this manual is not intended to be nor should be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should speak with a physician or medical professional to advise and/or assess your personal medical condition. Only you and/or such physician or medical professional can assess the appropriateness of products intended for your personal use.
RISKS OF VACUUM THERAPY:
Vacuum therapy is easy to use. However, there are some risks associated with vacuum therapy. It is important that you understand these risks.
READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ALL PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS) PRIOR TO USING THE FLESHPUMP.
VACUUM THERAPY RISKS & WARNINGS:
Do not use any electrically-powered vacuum pump in or near water. Severe bruising or damage to your penis may result if you do not wait at least 60 minutes between uses of the FleshPump.
If you use too much vacuum pressure, harm to your penis may result, including without limitation bruising or injury to your penis or scrotum. Apply only the minimum of vacuum pressure necessary to achieve an erection.
It is possible that vacuum therapy may cause a small blood blister on the head of your penis.
This is normal and should not be harmful.
Use of the FleshPump may aggravate pre-existing conditions such as priapism (a persistent, generally painful erection as a consequence of disease and not related to sexual arousal); Peyronie’s disease (the formation of hardened tissue in the penis that causes pain, curvature, and/or distortion, usually during an erection); and urethral strictures (an area of hardened tissue, which narrows the urethra sometimes making it difficult to urinate).
Use of the FleshPump may mask an underlying cause of your impotence. These causes may include: diabetes, multiple sclerosis, chronic kidney failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or alcoholism. You should talk to your physician or medical professional before using this product. | <urn:uuid:8d73a8e6-8ab6-43db-bab0-c9f33b143c17> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://www.fleshlight.eu/pages/vip | 2019-08-24T07:34:53Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027319915.98/warc/CC-MAIN-20190824063359-20190824085359-00440.warc.gz | en | 0.902311 | 6,583 |
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- You may also be looking for Pop Culture in Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes has been mixed in popular culture for decades with many references, spoofs, and parodies of the characters.
Note: Some topics marked with an asterisk (*) are not suitable for people under 18.
101 Dalmatians: The Series
- In the episode "The Making of.." there is a parody of the Road Runner cartoons where Cruella de Vil takes Wile E. Coyote's place and Spot takes Road Runner's place.
- The back of the VHS cover for the episode "Trouble on Planet Wait Your Turn" describes 3-2-1 Penguins as part Chronicles of Narnia and part Looney Tunes.
- In the episode "Ignition Point", Jake says "Suffering Succotash", Sylvester's famous line.
- In the episode, "May I Come In?" (Part 5 of the Stakes miniseries), when Lumpy Space Princess asked Princess Bubblegum what she was doing, she asked "Hunting wabbits?", a reference to the quote synonymous with Elmer Fudd.
All in the Family
- In the episode "Edith Breaks Out", Road Runner is mentioned.
The Amazing World of Gumball
- In "The Tape" Nicole is given the name of Kickbuttus Hystericus, Richard is called Moobus Gelatinous, and Anais is called Moobus Gelatinous, a parody of the Latin Names in the Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner shorts.
- In the episode "The Safety", there is one scene where Darwin is trying to censor a show Gumball is watching that is a blatant reference to the Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner shorts.
- The episode "The Heist" was a scene where Gumball and Darwin watch the episode on their TV.
- Gumball's room (which is also the bedroom of Darwin and Anais) has a pennant of a basketball team called "Ducks Dodgers", making a possible reference to the Duck Dodgers series.
- Main article: American Dad!
America's Funniest Home Videos
- In one episode, a Marvin the Martian cup is seen.
- In another episode, Tweety and Sylvester at Six Flags appear.
- In another episode, while reshowing some videos in slow motion, Road Runner's "Beep Beep!" is heard when a seagull swoops down and steals a man's burger.
- In the shows 300th episode special, a guy falls down while riding roller skates and Tom Bergeron called his move the "Wile E. Coyote".
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
- In the Season 9 (Aqua Something You Know Whatever) episode "The Granite Family", there is a villain called Time Warner (a reference to the company Time Warner, who owns the Looney Tunes) who sounds like Porky Pig (even saying "That's All Folks!" at the end of the episode).
Batman: The Animated Series
- In the episode "Trial", there is a scene in which the Joker says, "Th-th-th-that's all folks."
- The Tiny Toons characters Buster and Babs Bunny make cameos in a magazine based on the series.
- In the episode "Mad Love", after being thrown out by the Joker, Harley Quinn says, "At what point did my life go all looney tunes?"
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
- In "Emperor Joker" and "Bat-Mite Presents: Batman's Strangest Cases", Bat-Mite is about to end the show with the classic "That's All Folks!" line.
- In "Adventures in Bobbysitting", Derek whispers to Bobby, "If she calls mom and dad, this means war!", which is Bugs Bunny's catchphrase.
- In "Me and Roger", Bobby has a daydream where he is a raccoon and his dog Roger is Elmer Fudd who is hunting Webblys.
- In "Bobby's Big Broadcast", Bobby first daydreams about being the Roadrunner with Derek as Wile E. Coyote. At the end of the parody, Bobby stutters like Porky Pig and says "That's not the end, folks. We'll be right back."
Boy Meets World
- In one episode, Cory is watching a Road Runner cartoon and refuses to stop watching it because he "Wants to make sure the Coyote is okay."
Beetlejuice (TV series)
- Gossamer appears as redesign named "The Monster Across the Street".
- In one episode, Road Runner appears as a sketch for a blue figure (Ben as Heatblast) who saved the train.
- In one episode, some bar patrons discuss the Road Runner cartoons.
Class of 3000
- Wile E. Coyote appears in one episode riding on some rocket powered roller skates and howling like a real coyote.
The Cleveland Show
- In the "Pilot" episode, Peter Griffin straps a rocket to his back and tries to catch Road Runner (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) only so he can blow up Cleveland Brown's house. He succeeds in breaking Cleveland's bathtub, which makes Cleveland move.
- In "The Hangover Part Tubbs" episode, Donna Tubbs askes if they drove all the way to Rochester black out drunk, to which Holt Richer responds "No, we Bugs Bunny-ied our way." The screen then pans over to a hole looking similar to a rabbit hole.
- Speedy Gonzales appeared in "There Goes El Neighborhood".
- In "New Mexico" Chris hits a roadrunner with his car. Dan says "I think we killed a celebrity!" Chris replies "it's a roadrunner" to which Dan replied "What if it's THE Road Runner!?"
- In the episode "Road Rash" (which mostly parodies the Road Runner cartoons), after Dexter falls down a mine hole, Dee Dee says the Road Runner's catchphrase "Beep beep!" and speeds off. Other times, Dee Dee says "Can't catch me!" in the same manner.
- Marvin the Martian appears in two Drawn Together episodes: Charlotte's Web of Lies (where he is seen in Ling-Ling's Anger Management Group with The Hulk, Skeletor, and Yosemite Sam) and Toot Goes Bollywood.
- Elmer Fudd (voiced by Chris Edgerly) in one episode appears at a party with his face pixelated.
- In another episode, Bugs Bunny appeared harassing Foxxy like he did in the cartoon "Duck Amuck".
- In "Mexican't Buy Me Love", Toot does an impression of the Road Runner and tries to sped off like him.
- In another episode, Spanky chases Wooldoor, and they freeze frame with Latin names just like in the Road Runner cartoons.
- Sylvester made a cameo in the episode "Clum Babies".
- Speedy appeared in an episode trying to be a member of the housemates. In the same episode a Wile E. Coyote-shaped crater is seen during the place wreck.
- In another episode, Wooldoor is chased by cops into an Acme store.
- In The Drawn Together Movie: The Movie!, Road Runner gets run down and dies. After Road Runner's death, Wile E. Coyote (voiced by Jess Harnell) says that his life has no meaning without The Road Runner and then commits suicide by shooting himself in the head with a prop gun.
The Electric Company
- See: The Electric Company
The Fairly OddParents
- "Odd, Odd West" has a scene near the end of the episode when Chester is about to fight a wild feral coyote, to which he says "Bring it on, Wiley!" referencing Wile E. Coyote.
- "Back to the Norm" features a scene which parodies the painted tunnel scene from the Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoon "Fast and Furry-ous", where Mr. Crocker paints a tunnel with Trixie Tang on a cliff.
- "Power Mad!" - When A.J. falls off the ladder and Chester stays on it, is a reference to the famous Wile. E Coyote and Road Runner shorts. Also, the way he fell off is a reference to the cliff gags.
- "Channel Chasers", part of the 4th season, featured numerous parodies of TV shows and movies, one of which is Looney Tunes.
- In "The Good Old Days!", Cosmo and Wanda's "old cartoon" appearance is similar to Foxy and Roxy, a pair of cartoon foxes that appeared in the 1930s.
- When Timmy wished for everything to not be cartoon-related anymore, a POOF! sign appears saying "So Long, Folks". This bears a striking reference of the famous and classic Merrie Melodies/Looney Tunes closing slogan, "That's All, Folks!".
- "Love at First Height" - When Elvis Presley says "Did somebody knock?". It is a reference to the Looney Tunes episode "Rabbit Fire" wherein Bugs Bunny says the same words after coming out from the hole.
- In extended version of A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner!, Jorgen's scenes could be a parody of the Road Runner character, Wile E. Coyote, due to Jorgen using Cupid's bow and arrows, which failed him twice, and then backfired the last time.
- See: Family Guy
- One of the episodes features a spoof of the Road Runner cartoons.
- In the episode "Crisis on Earth-X, Part 3", a scene from "Falling Hare" plays in the background while on the Nazi planet.
- In the episode "Gone But Not Forgotten", a parrot asks "Whats up, Doc?" to Doc.
- In one episode, the Road Runner cartoon "Going! Going! Gosh!" is shown being watched by few of the characters.
- Clips of various Looney Tunes cartoons are often featured in the opening sequence of several Futurama episodes.
Garfield and Friends
- The episode "The Feline Philosopher" has two references to Looney Tunes are featured in the episode:
- In "Suburban Jungle", Shannon argues with the security guard in a manner similar to how Bugs Bunny would trick opponents.
- In "The Perils of Penelope", the way Penelope tries to win Garfield attention resembles methods used by Pepe Le Pew in wooing another cat named Penelope Pussycat.
- In "Beach Blanket Bonzo", the way Garfield digs through the sand to steal Jon's basket is similar to the way Bugs Bunny from Looney Tunes tends to travel underground.
- In "Dessert in the Desert", when Garfield declares that it is the end, among the terms he uses is "That's all, folks", the classic ending line from Porky Pig.
- In "The Horror Hostess Part 2", before the duo see Spot, Garfield remarks "If there's a fire breathing dragon, then I'm Bugs Bunny." Afterwards, he does an impression of Bugs, including the carrot munching and "What's up, doc?"
- In the episode "You've Been Disconnected", Mr. Howell tells Gilligan that he will have more carrots than Bugs Bunny does.
- In the episode "Dead Uncles and Vegetables", Rory and Lorelei call each other Mac and Tosh, after using the same words.
- In the scene where Simon, Kamina and the members of the Black Siblings are dealing with a multi-faced monster, one of the monster faces says "B-b-b That's all folks!", an obvious reference to Porky Pig's exit on the earlier Looney Tunes shorts.
House of Mouse
- In "Pete's House of Villains", Ariel holds up a sign saying "Somebody stole my voice again". This is a reference to Wile E. Coyote holding up signs whenever he doesn't talk.
- In "Timon and Pumbaa", near the end of the episode, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck fight over ownership of the club (by Donald changing the club name from House of Mouse to House of Duck) in a similar vein to Rabbit Fire. At the end of the same episode, Mickey accidentally says "That's all, folks!" when he tells everyone good-bye; a reference to Porky Pig's famous catchphrase.
Iron Chef America
- In "Battle Carrots" (S13E03) Host Alton Brown closes the show with a quote from Bugs Bunny, "Don't take life too seriously. You'll never get out of it alive." (from "Rabbit's Feat")
- In the 7th JellyTelly DVD of What's in the Bible?, when Buck Denver says he was feeling peppy, Phil Vischer calls him "Peppy Lew Pew". Also during the outtakes when Phil made a mistake he stutters and says "That's all folks".
Justice League Action
- "Beep Beep!" - The title of this short is a reference to Road Runner's sound. The cartoon features Lobo using many traps in order to catch the Flash. At one point, the cliff below Lobo explodes and he falls down a cliff like Wile E. Coyote does. Flash ends the short by saying "Beep Beep!"
In Living Color
- In one episode, Wile E. Coyote is put on trail by Congress for being so violent and Elmer Fudd is his lawyer.
The Little Lulu Show
- "Jumping Beans" - Lulu and Tubby are upset about having to get beans for their parents. While on their way to the store, Lulu sarcastically says "Quick as a bunny," prompting Iggy to pop out from under a manhole and say "Like Speedy Gonzales."
Littlest Pet Shop
- "Blythe's Big Adventure Part 2" - After discovering she can talk to animals, Blythe runs down the street screaming, where a Chihuahua remarks, "I like you; you crazy." This is an obvious reference to Friz Freleng's Speedy Gonzales film.
- "Secret Cupet" - A lovestruck Russell chases Penny Ling using Pepé Le Pew's trademark hopping gait.
- See: MAD
- "Bunny Therapy" - When Mike and Frankie give their son Brick a bunny, Brick gives it away to his sister Sue, who in turn names him Bugs.
- The episode "Comic Capers", Baby Piggy encounters a scene from "Puss n' Booty".
- In another episode there are two chickens who talk like Foghorn Leghorn and Tweety.
- In the episode "Who's Tale Is It, Anyway?", Baby Fozzie dressed as a farmer talks like Elmer Fudd. Baby Bean Bunny is also dressed as Bugs Bunny and says "What's up Foz?"
- In the episode "Eight Flags over the Nursery", somebody asks if Baby Piggy is Porky Pig's sister.
- In the episode "The Great Muppet Cartoon Show", Baby Fozzie dresses up as Bugs Bunny during the "We Love Cartoons" song number.
The Muppet Show
- In one episode, at the end, a rabbit says Porky Pig's catchphrase "Th-th-that's all folks!"
- In a "Veterinarian's Hospital" sketch the patient is a bunny. When Miss Piggy asks what the bunny's name is, Doctor Bob replies "Well he hasn't said 'Eh...What's up doc?' so he's not you know who."
My Life as a Teenage Robot
- In one episode, Sylvester the Cat gets captured.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
- "Putting Your Hoof Down" - While trying to teach Fluttershy to be more assertive, Pinkie Pie uses Bugs Bunny-like reverse psychology on a salespony to get her to sell some produce for cheaper than usual.
- "Griffon The Brush-Off" - In a chase scene, Pinkie Pie hops gleefully in pursuit of a fast-flying Rainbow Dash, a reference to the Pepé Le Pew/Penelope cartoons.
- Many of the characters from Oscar's Oasis often fall off a cliff the same way Wile E. Coyote falls off a cliff.
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures
- In the episode "Stand By Your Pac-Man", Inky says Bugs Bunny's catchphrase, "Eh, what's up doc?" to Dr. Buttocks.
Pac-Man: The Animated Series
- In a Pac-Mania break, the Ghost Monsters try to stop Pac-Man with the first gag from the Road Runner cartoon "Beep, Beep".
Phineas and Ferb
- In the episode "Swiss Family Phineas", while hugging Perry the Platypus, Buford says Elmyra Duff's catchphrase "I'm going to hug you, and squeeze you, and never let you go!"
- In the episode "The Fast and the Phineas", Candace makes a pull over just like Road Runner.
The Powerpuff Girls
- In the episode "Helter Shelter", Professor Utonium, Blossom and Buttercup at one point are watching what appears to be a Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner short as evidenced by the "Beep beep!" noise.
- In the episode "I See a Funny Cartoon in Your Future", Madame Argentina (the villain of the episode) at one point says Bugs Bunny's line, "Ain't I a stinker?"
- In The Powerpuff Girls Rule!!!, Mojo Jojo holds a sign saying "Curses", a la Wile E. Coyote. He then flips the sign; written on the other side is "Curses I say! I express my frustration with a word that I feel sums up the overwhelming feeling of anger I experience when I find myself in such unfortunate situations such as this!"
The Ren & Stimpy Show
- In the second half of the first Ren & Stimpy episode, "The Big Shot", Stimpy says Elmer Fudd's catchphrase "I'm hunting for a wabbit!"
Ren & Stimpy "Adult Party Cartoon"
- Ren Seeks Help: The episode ends with Ren, Stimpy, Mr. Horse, Mr. Froggy, and the animal control person in concrete rings much like the Looney Tunes circles. "That's it Folks!" appears in the bottom in the same font that "That's All Folks" does.
Rick and Morty
- In the episode "Smething Ricked This Way Comes", Summer's boss The Devil files for bankruptcy, Rick tells Summer that The Devil's bankruptcy was similar to when Bugs Bunny fucked (word bleeped out when on Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, optional uncensored track on DVD) the opera singer for twenty minutes, a reference to the Looney Tunes short "Long-Haired Hare".
- See: Robot Chicken
Rocko's Modern Life
- In the episode "Fatal Contraption", while the food processor is in the desert, the Road Runner (or just a generic bird resembling him) appears in the background. He then appears on a roast, with a Wile E. Coyote-like character sitting by it.
- In one episode of Sesame Street a Road Runner comic book is seen on the front door of Hooper's Store.
- In the Elmo's World episode of balls, the ending line of the TV cartoon is "That's ball folks" a pun of Porky Pig's catchphrase "That's all folks".
- Bugs Bunny appeared in the "Yakety Yak, Take It Back", music video which was shown on Sesame Street.
- In a Bert and Ernie sketch, Ernie says to Dr. Livingstone "What's up Doc?"
- In one episode, Maria reads a book called "Bugs: A Rabbit to Remember" to Elmo and Roxy.
- In Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, Scooby drinks a potion which turns him into the Tasmanian Devil.
- In the What's New Scooby-Doo? episode "New Mexico, Old Monster", the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote make cameo appearances while Scooby and the gang are driving through the desert.
- See: The Simpsons
- In one episode, when Tamera was flipping through channels The Road Runner Show is seen.
- In the episode "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe," the aliens have a device that makes a person sing "I Love to Singa". Both Cartman and Officer Barbrady are affected by this.
- In "Scott Tenorman Must Die", Cartman says Porky's end catchphrase.
- In "Osama Bin Laden Has Farty Pants," Cartman parodies Bugs Bunny to outsmart Osama.
- In another episode, Marvin the Martian, Gossamer and a rabid Wile E. Coyote appear.
- People applauding for SpongeBob and not for Squidward may be a reference to the Looney Tunes cartoon "Show Biz Bugs," where everyone applauds for Bugs Bunny, but nobody applauds for Daffy Duck.
- One of the people who gets shrunken in "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy IV" say "What's up, sponge?" This is a reference to the Looney Tunes character Bugs Bunny's famous quote, "Eh, what's up, Doc?"
- In "Bunny Hunt", the sea bunnies act like Bugs.
- When Sandy acts out Christmas to SpongeBob in "Christmas Who?", at one point, she looks like the Road Runner character from Looney Tunes.
- In "SpongeBob Meets the Strangler", the Strangler jumps out of a place with a parachute, only to find out that the parachute is SpongeBob. This gag was borrowed from the cartoon "Yankee Doodle Daffy" where Porky jumps out of a place with Daffy as a parachute.
- In the episode "Patrick SmartPants", Patrick falls off a cliff just like Wile E. Coyote.
- The episode "Squidward in Clarinetland" is a parody/spoof of "Porky in Wackyland" and "Dough for the Do-Do".
- Near the end of the episode "Snail Mail", the plane that SpongeBob and Patrick are flying stops in the air before hitting the ground; a reference to the 1943 Merrie Melodies cartoon "Falling Hare"
- In the SpongeBob Comics #48 cover has Sylvester as a snail.
- The entirety of the season 4 episode "Kindergarten Kid" is a homage to Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner shorts.
- In the episode, "Damage", when Lena Luthor asks Morgan Edge about the Akerly company, he asks if that's where the coyote bought the stuff he uses to catch the road runner.
- In the episode "Don't Touch That Dial", there is a scene where Control Freak becomes like Road Runner and Beast Boy becomes a Wile E. Coyote-like coyote, albeit mostly feral. Staying true to Looney Tunes, when Control Freak stops on the edge of a rock and Beast Boy stops right in front of him, Control Freak tells Beast Boy, "I wouldn't go there if I were you.", after which the piece of rock gives way and Beast Boy falls holding a sign saying "YIKES!"
Teen Titans Go!
- In the episode "Squash & Stretch", Gumball and Darwin of The Amazing World of Gumball appeared in a Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner-styled cartoon on the Titans' television. Darwin's appearance has purple skin with red shoes and Gumball's appearance has green fur and wearing a red sweater.
Wander Over Yonder
- In the episode The Void, the scene where Sylvia and Wander are running on a treadmill with a continuous picture of space is a reference to "Dough for the Do-Do".
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
- In Season 2 Episode 21 of the American version, in the "Party Quirks" game, Ryan has to portray Wile E. Coyote trying to catch Road Runner.
- In Season 2 Episode 33 during "Weird Newscasters" the top story was that "Hollywood was saddened when Foghorn Leghorn died today at the age of 65. Memorial services will be held tomorrow, after which the deceased will be served with a nice orange sauce."
- In Season 3 Episode 12 during "Props" Drew Carey mimicked Bugs eating a carrot and asking "Eh, what's up doc?"
- In Season 4 Episode 8 during "Props" Colin Mochrie improvised, "We're here today to bury Bugs Bunny."
- In Season 5 Episode 5 during "Props" Drew and Ryan played Daffy and Elmer arguing about duck season or rabbit season.
- In Season 5 Episode 22, Drew notices a remarkable resemblance and asks Sally from the audience "Do you own a little bird named Tweety?"
- In Season 8 Episode 6 during "Questions with Wigs", Ryan donned a skunk wig and imitated Pepe Le Pew as he pitched woo to Colin.
- In Season 9 Episode 3 during "Props", Wayne pretended his props were Bugs' ears, saying "Yeah, officer, I saw the whole thing. Dude came and just cut Bugs Bunny in half!"
- In Season 9 Episode 9 during "Scenes from a Hat", the suggestion "Unlikely cartoon characters to cameo in an adult movie" inspires impressions of Porky Pig and Elmer Fudd.
- In Season 9 Episode 12 during "Scenes from a Hat", Ryan imagines Colin's tramp stamp reads "Come out of there you crazy rabbit!"
- In Season 10 Episode 2 during "Scenes from a Hat", the suggestion "Strange things to shout out during sex" elicits Ryan's response, "Come out of there you crazy rabbit!"
- In Season 15 Episode 2, Wayne and Colin use their props to imitate Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam.
- While not mentioned by name in the episode entitled "Road Runner", there have been several allusions and mentions of the cartoon duo, especially the fact that coyotes could actually catch road runners.
- In one episode, John Anderson says "Be vewy vewy quiet. I'm hunting cougars," a pun of one of Elmer Fudd's catchphrases.
- In his book Hollywood Cartoons: Animation In Its Golden Age, historian Michael Barrier stated that John's works "testify to his intense admiration for Bob Clampett's Warner Bros. cartoons."
- The third animal that got the Olympic torch strongly resembled Wile E. Coyote.
- When Bolt Jenkins was preparing for the Animalympics, his head appeared in the middle of the classic Looney Tunes logo.
Batman: Assault on Arkham
- Harley Quinn (Hynden Walch) was watching The Looney Tunes Show (more specifically, the opening scene) in the 2014 DC movie Batman: Assault on Arkham .
- During the scene where The Riddler (Jim Carrey) demonstrates to Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) what his device is capable of on two of his henchwomen, the cartoons that pop up in front of their eyes are "The Stupid Cupid" and "Satan's Waitin'".
- The Tiny Toon Adventures episode "Ask Mr. Popular" can be seen in the 2014 romantic comedy WB movie, Blended. Jim (Adam Sandler) and Lou (Alyn Lind) were watching it.
The Bob Hope Christmas Special
- Big Bird (from Sesame Street) says one of his favorite movie stars is The Road Runner.
- Dante mentions Tiny Toons at one point.
- The poster for this 1975 adult animated feature has the tagline "This is it folks!" written in the same script as "That's All Folks" and features a black man standing in front of a Looney Tunes-style bullseye.
- Several times Hazel says Winter the Dolphin's chirps sounds like Tweety.
Down and Dirty Duck*
- The poster for this 1974 adult animated feature has the tagline "Madder than Daffy..."
Dumb and Dumber
- Right before Mental kills Harry's pet bird, he quotes Tweety.
Helping Teenagers Fight Cancer
- A Wile E. Coyote poster is seen at one point.
- The wolf falling of a cliff into the water is a reference to the Road Runner cartoons.
The Incredible Mr. Limpet
- In at least one scene, the coral in the background bears a strong resemblance to Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, with the long "ears" of the rabbit pointed upward on the right side.
- A Plucky Duck Pez dispenser is seen.
- The movie ends with the titular character in a red bullseye backdrop stammering like Porky Pig and saying "That's all, blokes!"
Lupin III: Die, Nostradamus
- Lupin briefly watches a cartoon featuring a woodpecker who looks like Plucky Duck chasing a bear that looks like Buster Bunny with a mallet.
- Some scenes with James P. Sullivan and Boo pay homage to Marc Anthony and Pussyfoot.
- The steering wheel of Shin-ae's car depicts Babs Bunny.
Sesame Street: Follow That Bird
- A Wile E. Coyote plush is seen as a carnival prize.
- There is a scene in which the character Dick Hallorann says "Eh, what's up, Doc?" in an impersonation of Bugs Bunny.
- Later the opening of The Road Runner Show is heard being watched.
- Danny’s nickname is Doc; Wendy explains that they call him that since he watches Looney Tunes constantly.
Super Size Me
- Bugs Bunny and Sylvester appear on the McDonald's artwork for "The Last Supper".
Teen Titans Go! To the Movies
- When the Teen Titans are exploring the Warner Bros. Studio, Beast Boy and Starfire see the WB Tower, and Starfire says, "That is where the Animaniacs live!"
- Weird Al Yankovic says the Road Runner cartoons are sad stories of a pathetic coyote chasing a sadistic roadrunner.
- Garth asks Wayne "Did you ever find Bugs Bunny attractive when he put on a dress and play a girl bunny?" Wayne tells him "No" and they laugh.
Wayne's World 2
- Tiny Toon Adventures is mentioned at one point.
- Later, Garth says Tweety's catchphrase "I tawt I taw a putty tat" when a woman was flirting with him.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Earthworm Jim 2
- One of the quiz show questions in the level "Villi People" is "WWW stands for:" The correct answer is "1 - "Weewy Wascally Wabbit." This is a nod to Elmer Fudd's style of speech.
Gex: Enter the Gecko
- In the North American version of the game, one of Gex's one-liners is "Looks like Bugs Bunny after the trots!"
King’s Quest V: Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder
- Road Runner can be seen on the screen west of the anthill. If the player uses the "Look" icon on it, the narrator will say "It looks like something is after him." The Road Runner even makes the noise from the cartoons.
Leisure Suit Larry III: Passionate Patti in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals
- Death scenes involving a feral pig will show an animation of the pig, wearing a bow tie, poking through Looney Tunes-esque concrete rings with text at the top and bottom reading "Al Lowe Production," spoofing Porky Pig and the "That's all Folks" closing.
- One of the random splash texts that appear on the title screen is "What’s up, Doc?"
The Simpsons Game
- There is a reference to Wile E. Coyote.
The Angry Video Game Nerd
- See: Angry Video Game Nerd
- Bugs Bunny is often portrayed as a villain to the Angry Video Game Nerd in the series.
- There is an episode on the "Annoying Orange Gaming" channel where Grapefruit plays the Bugs Bunny level on Looney Tunes Dash!
- In the Classification movie, the opening & closing credits of Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner are referenced.
- In the video "Angry Birds PSA" (a parody of Angry Birds), Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Foghorn Leghorn, Petunia Pig, and The Road Runner appear. The Road Runner also was able to talk in the video.
- In another video, there is a parody of a scene from Space Jam.
- The Poopsmith, like Wile E. Coyote, sometimes talks by holding up signs.
- Email island (Easter Egg) — Homestar Runner and Strong Bad imagine each other as various foods as the two castaways from Wackiki Wabbit did.
- Email funny — Some of Strong Bad's wacky movements and sounds also come from Wackiki Wabbit.
- Email lackey — Strong Bad quotes Bugs Bunny when he calls The Cheat "so trusting, so naive".
- Email rock opera — Strong Bad applauds his creation with Speedy Gonzales' catchphrase, "¡Ándale! ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba!"
- Email bottom 10 — When displaying #6 on Strong Bad's bottom 10, which is "The foul stench of wet The Cheat", The Cheat is seen sopping wet next to a glass of water and a tall ladder, which is likely a reference to several Looney Tunes cartoons which featured someone doing a high dive into a glass of water, instead of a tank of water, such as Stage Door Cartoon.
- Halloween Potion-ma-jig — Strong Mad dresses as Gossamer.
- Email theme song — The announcer quotes the theme song to the TV show Tiny Toon Adventures when he says, "They're tiny, they're toony, they're all a little loony. It's the Cheat Commandos."
- In the DVD commentary, Matt makes reference to The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Hour, one of the many titles for the Saturday morning compilations of Looney Tunes cartoons on television.
- Email pizza joint — The Cheat having a restaurant in The King of Town's Grill is similar to Rabbit Every Monday, where Bugs Bunny convinces Yosemite Sam that there is a party going on in a wood burning oven.
- Weclome Back (DVD Commentary) — Matt mentions "the sheep and the wolf from those Looney Tunes cartoons". He was most likely referring to Sam Sheepdog and Ralph Wolf.
- Sickly Sam's Big Outing — Old Timey Marzipan quotes Hare Tonic as she invites Sickly Sam to "cut [himself] a slice of rug".
- Play Date — Homestar shouting of "peppering" refers to Bugs Bunny's line, "That's the old pepper, boy!" heard in Baseball Bugs.
- Baddest of the Bands — Any time that the Limozeen Coloring Book is used on Strong Bad, he says the phrase, "...and name him George." This refers to The Abominable Snow Rabbit, a cartoon with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and the Abominable Snowman, who is always wishing for a pet bunny rabbit to name George.
- Email mini-golf (DVD commentary) — Matt compares "Sweet Cuppin' Cakes" to Wackyland where Gogo the Dodo lives. Gogo is a character on Tiny Toon Adventuresand is related to the Dodo from Looney Tunes cartoons like Porky In Wackyland, which is also where Wackyland originated.
- @StrongBadActual — Strong Bad compares Coach Z fanart to the "instant Martians" from the episode Hare-Way to the Stars.
- Haunted Photo Booth — The Poopsmith dresses up as an instant Martian.
Seth MacFarlane's Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy*
- In the episode "Die Sweet Roadrunner Die", Wile E. Coyote (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) finally kills and eats Road Runner (voiced by Seth MacFarlane), but realizes that he does not know what else to do in his life now. He tries working as a waiter, but gets fired after having a mental breakdown. He is about to kill himself, but then he becomes a Christian.
WWE Slam City
- In the episode "Between the Rock and Pizza, Part 2", the animatronic penguin is doing a "popping-cork" tongue noise, just like the Road Runner.
- In the episode "Best Dessert in the World", CM Punk chews an ice cream cone then says, "Ehhh... what's up Mark?", which is a catchphrase of Bugs Bunny. He also made the Road Runner sound.
- In one comic when Zoe's and Hammy's dad was complaining about them watching educational TV, the kids picture him as Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam and Road Runner.
- Tweety appears in one comic trying to ask out Opus' ex-girlfriend, Lola.
- The Bloom Picayune, a four-page faux newspaper found in the 1988 book Tales Too Ticklish to Tell, features an opinion section where "Barely Breathing in Boise" mentions a time when his friend's St. Bernard "rammed its nose so hard into my crotch I thought my head would turn red and start to expand like the Coyote in those 'Roadrunner' cartoons on TV."
Calvin and Hobbes
- In a few comics when Calvin and Hobbes were watching TV, Elmer Fudd's catchphrases are said on the TV.
- One comic strip features Jason Fox singing "Oh, We're the Boys from the Chorus" from "What's Up Doc?"
Off the Mark
- See: Off the Mark
(For help on this, here's a link: )
- Bugs Bunny, Tweety, Road Runner, Daffy Duck, Sylvester, and Elmer Fudd appeared in a comic story that parodies The Simpsons.
- The Looney Tunes and the characters from ''Tiny Toon Adventures'' made many other appearances in this magazine.
- The Looney Tunes characters have made many cameo appearances in issues of MAD.
Legally Blonde the Musical
- As Emmett Forest bumps into Elle Woods dressed as a Playboy Bunny, crying on a bench at the park after getting bullied by Vivienne Kensington at a party, his first line to Elle in this scene is "What's up....Doc?" (Bugs Bunny's catchphrase). This line is intentionally played for laughs.
- Rabbit Habit is a 1975 animated cartoon by Steve Peck that depicts Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Elmer Fudd in Central Park twelve years after the Warner Bros.' cartoons ended production. The cartoon contains liberal drug use. In the video description, Peck mentions that when he showed it to Tex Avery, he loved it and said "I wish I had a job to give you." Chuck Jones did not like how the characters were depicted in the short. According to Peck, the short "got big laughs at festivals."
- ↑ https://www.gamefaqs.com/snes/588303-earthworm-jim-2/faqs/9094
- ↑ http://unearthed.rocketworm.com/two/answers.html
- ↑ https://youtu.be/-17-qzIGslA?t=16m55s
- ↑ http://www.sierrahelp.com/Misc/EasterEggs/KQEasterEggs.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0iW4efL4WM
- ↑ https://youtu.be/XNSwJbE4NvU?t=9m29s
- ↑ http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Splash
- ↑ http://www.platypuscomix.net/history/picayune4.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN1bysnHXDg | <urn:uuid:380c1ffc-5e58-44ad-988a-ed675bb7aa5c> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://looneytunes.fandom.com/wiki/Looney_Tunes_In_Pop_Culture | 2019-08-25T16:24:27Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027330750.45/warc/CC-MAIN-20190825151521-20190825173521-00040.warc.gz | en | 0.930988 | 8,725 |
A road is essentially a cleared way through the landscape. Wider than a path or track, which is used by pedestrians and animals, a road is mainly used by wheeled vehicles for transporting goods and passengers.
In the 19th century carts were pulled by horses or bullocks. From the late 1800s vehicles powered by engines arrived. Many early New Zealand roads were known as bridle trails (named after the head-gear of a horse’s harness) – they were too rough for wheeled vehicles but suitable for horses. Bridle paths were widened and graded to become dray roads, suitable for a horse and dray cart, then they were metalled (surfaced with crushed stones). If a route got enough traffic it was upgraded. In this way, over time, paths became roads. Finally, heavily used roads were sealed with asphalt.
Before Europeans arrived, Māori had no wheeled vehicles or horses, so they had no roads in the sense that we understand them today. They preferred to travel by waka (canoe) and mōkihi (raft) on lakes and rivers, or by waka at sea. Where they could not travel by water they had walking paths and routes. These were obvious easy ways through the landscape, and many modern roads follow these paths (in the South Island, State Highway 1 largely follows a Māori coastal trail).
Māori also travelled on beaches, as did early European arrivals. Beach travel depended on tides, and the wheels of horse-drawn coaches could sink in soft sand. As late as 1871 the Kaikoura Herald carried notices about the tides for those travelling north or south by the coastal route.
In the 19th century the rough state of roads led to many accidents. In 1893 on the coastal road south of Kaikōura ‘a young girl broke a leg and narrowly escaped death when another horse knocked her pony off the track above Kahutara Bluff. The pony was impaled upon a tree and she rolled 200 feet down a rock face until stopped by a large boulder.’1
In the 1840s, goods and people were transported between towns by coastal shipping. The first roads were short: they linked ports to fledgling towns, or were rough streets in early settlements. New Zealand’s rainy climate often turned soil or clay roads into mud. In the 1840s Auckland’s Queen Street was an impassable bog, and a trip to nearby Karangahape Road was described as an adventure. Dunedin was a ‘muddy little village’.2 In Canterbury the first settlers had to walk over the bridle path from the port of Lyttelton to Christchurch.
Work began on a road from Wellington to Paekākāriki in May 1846, and it was finished in 1849. Māori workers were paid 2 shillings per day (around $8 in 2009 terms) for a 10-hour day with a one-hour lunch break. Wellington had been settled by Pākehā in 1840, but it was not until February 1854 that 162 Scottish labourers arrived to build the road from Wellington city to Petone. They cut spoil from the hills and reclaimed land from the sea, and by the end of the year a rough trail linked the two settlements. The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake uplifted the shore, exposing parts of the road that had not previously been passable at high tide. A track through the Hutt Valley and over the Remutaka Range to the Wairarapa was finished in 1854, but it was still very rough. In 1859 it took a bullock wagon a week to get from Wellington to Greytown (a one-and-a-half hour drive in the 2000s).
Some of the best early roads in the North Island were built by the military. In 1843 work began on the Great South Road from Auckland, which was mainly built by British soldiers to counter the threat to the Auckland settlement from the Waikato tribes. Workers had to be ready to swap their shovel for a rifle, as they were vulnerable to attack from the thick forest and hills bordering the route. By 1855 the road had reached Drury on the banks of the Waikato River, and a bridle track cut onwards through bush into the Waikato.
During the 1860s New Zealand wars and their aftermath, more roads were constructed in the North Island, as the government wanted to be able to move troops around rapidly. Māori resisted in many places, but the government played tribes off against each other and kept them occupied by offering contracts to work on the roads. When government soldiers were not fighting they were put to work building roads. For example, conflict with resistance leader and prophet Te Kooti led to the construction of the Napier–Taupō road in the 1870s, mainly by soldiers and Māori. Conditions were harsh – the terrain was rough, food was often short, there was little shelter and wages were low.
Roads were viewed as an economic and social cure-all. Early newspapers and correspondence from isolated areas were full of hopes that roads would be built and prosperity would follow once an area was opened up.
But this did not always happen – or not immediately. After a road was built over Arthur’s Pass in 1866–67, linking Christchurch with the West Coast, only 80 to 90 people crossed the pass each week. Washouts were common, and maintenance costs were high. Gold did not flow over the pass – it was shipped directly to Melbourne. West Coast settlements dealt mainly with Melbourne from the late 1860s, as shipping costs were a fifth of the cost of dray delivery from Christchurch. The Press commented that the only thing the road levelled was the provincial treasury. Yet in the road’s first year 40,000 sheep and 25,000 cattle were driven over it to feed the gold miners.
However, on the whole, roads were crucial to the development of towns, farming, and other industries. Many of the roads built by public works in the 1870s proved their worth in the 1890s when the boom caused by refrigerated shipping led to more intensive farming, such as dairying. Farmers needed good access to dairy factories, railheads and ports. Roads were catalysts for economic development. Some proved their worth later – especially when tourism became a major industry in the 1980s. For example the Haast Pass road, completed in 1965, allowed tourists to do a loop trip of the South Island.
Gold built roads in Otago. In the 1860s bullock teams pulled supplies and equipment on wagons over rough trails from Dunedin to Central Otago. The rough paths that the diggers walked were not good enough to transport heavy equipment once gold dredging and sluicing began in the 1870s. State Highway 8 from Dunedin to Central Otago via Lawrence, and the ‘Pigroot’ from Palmerston via Dunback, both follow old gold trails.
The government’s focus on building railways in the 1870s soaked up funds that might otherwise have been available for improving roads. Yet rail also stimulated land development and consequently roads. Roads were built to access railway stations. Railways made it easier to transport produce, so farming became more intensive – leading to smaller farms, which led to more road building.
Surveyors laid out early roads around hills, to minimise earth moving. Surveyors needed slashers and axes to chop branches that obstructed their line of sight. They used a long coil of wire (a chain), a theodolite (a device on a tripod for measuring angles) and a staff (a long wooden stick with measurements on it, which the surveyor sighted with the theodolite). They laid out new routes and marked them on maps for road builders to follow. Early roadmen sometimes ignored the surveyor’s map, routing roads to allow the sun to dry their surface. Later engineers and surveyors often re-routed roads more directly, through shady gullies or the shadows of hills.
In the late 1800s the road builder’s first tool was an axe for felling trees, kept razor-sharp with a stone. The second tool was the cross-cut saw, which required two workers to pull it back and forth. Grubbers and picks then cleared the way for shovel and wheelbarrow. From the 1890s gelignite was used to blow up large stumps or rock faces. Single-furrow ploughs, and later double-furrow ploughs and horse-drawn graders, helped to form the road’s surface.
Stones from a riverbed or gravel pit vary in size, and large stones were broken into smaller pieces using hammers. They were then passed over metal screens so those of the same size fell through. These were spread on the roads and called ‘metal’. Unsealed roads are also called dirt or gravel roads.
Gangs of men loaded carts with gravel and stones from riverbeds. Sledgehammers and smaller sprawling hammers shattered rocks into metal (small stones of consistent size). It was bone-jarring work. Metal was carted and dumped onto roads, using large round shovels called banjos. Surfacing roads with shattered rock was also known as macadam, after Scottish roading engineer John McAdam who developed the process in the early 1800s.
Road gangs used whatever was available for foundations. In places trees and branches were cut and layered on the road, forming a good base, especially on clay or mud. This was called fascine work. Loads of sand and metal were dumped on top – the branches stopped it all sinking into the clay.
Ideal routes for roads were over flat areas, but they were often swampy. Deep trenches had to be cut for drainage, and the fill from the trenches built up the road surface higher. In some cases the whole causeway slowly sank, and it had to be continually built up.
By the late 19th century construction was partly mechanised, with the arrival of steam road rollers which gave a much smoother surface. The first roads had been designed primarily for moving stock on the hoof and for light vehicles. As traction engines arrived, rural roads had to be upgraded. Bridges had to be strengthened or rebuilt and roads designed to carry heavier vehicles without breaking up. By the First World War concrete bridges were replacing wooden bridges. Trucks were used increasingly to move stock to freezing works, so even if roads did not receive a great deal of traffic they still had to be well maintained.
Roading was not just a country problem. City streets were dusty in summer and muddy in winter. At first wooden blocks were used to pave some busy streets in Auckland and Wellington. The process of sealing roads with tar was available by 1900. City streets were the first to be sealed. Dunedin had a machine which tarred streets by 1908. Sealing was very expensive and it was beyond the reach of most local authorities.
Concrete was also trialled as a street surface in the early 1900s, but it proved more expensive than asphalt or tar. By 1929 there were only about 3,000 kilometres of sealed road in the country – less than 3% of the country’s road network. Sealing New Zealand’s road network continued at a gradual pace until the 1950s and 1960s, when it accelerated.
Mud was a huge problem, and wet weather turned many roads into bogs. Drivers had to approach bad patches with great care, trying to stay in the centre. If a cart wheel went on the soft edge the vehicle could tip over. Draught horses such as Clydesdales with their large hooves were favoured. Sometimes horses got stuck and had to be pulled out with ropes.
When cars arrived they also struggled. Many motorists carried chains, which were fitted over tyres in muddy conditions. They didn’t always work, and drivers sometimes had to ask the local farmer to pull them out of a bog with his draught horses. Many rivers and streams were unbridged, and vehicles were often held up by floods. Block and tackle (ropes and pulleys) were used to winch cars across fords in the 1920s and 1930s.
Cart wheels’ narrow iron rims cut into unmetalled roads. Each cart’s wheels dug deeper, and when it rained water ran down the ruts. Poorly maintained roads soon had ridges and deep ruts. If one wheel got caught in a rut and the other on a ridge, a cart could tip or the strain could break axles. Early roads were often narrow, so oncoming traffic was a problem. Roads had laybys where one vehicle could pull over. Arguments were frequent over who should back down (not so easy with horses).
Road surfaces varied mainly due to the underlying geology. In flat places such as the Canterbury Plains road building was relatively easy – but this was unusual in New Zealand. The North Island, with its clay soils, hill country and deep river valleys, was especially difficult. Road cuttings destabilised slopes and led to slips. The pumice country around Taupō and Rotorua was dusty in summer and clay muck in winter. Roads developed washboard corrugations which shook the motorist, and the abrasive silica dust damaged exposed engines’ parts.
Once roads were built they had to be maintained. Keeping them covered in metal was expensive enough, and most regions lacked funds to seal roads. In many isolated areas road building languished. For example in 1900 the coach road from Auckland to Taranaki was not yet completed – and it only became an all-weather route in the 1920s. In 1921 half of the country’s roads were still just rough tracks. Unsealed roads, even those that were metalled, could turn to mud. At Christmas 1926, 12 cars got bogged down in the Hamilton–Rotorua road – some for a number of days.
Gelignite explosive was used by roadmen to blow up boulders and to form cuttings. It had to be kept at a constant temperature, and South Otago roadman George Bates recalls working with it in the 1930s: ‘In the winter when the gelignite was frozen, we carried it inside our shirts, it was very dangerous when frozen and could blow up on touch.’1
Roadmen were a familiar site on rural roads. They walked or cycled to where they worked. Most worked alone with wheelbarrow and shovel on the stretches of road they had been allocated to maintain. Roadmen dug out culverts (drains taking water under the road) and water tables (the ditches alongside). They often camped in tents or huts. From the late 1890s roadmen used gelignite to blow up large boulders and areas that they couldn’t dig. In many places roadmen had no lorries until the 1930s.
At first, people complained because there were no roads. When roads came, users complained about their state – muddy and unmetalled, with no bridges. As car use increased in the early 20th century roads got better, but many were still winding and narrow – children got carsick, and cars overheated on the steep hill climbs or skidded on metal. Breakdowns and punctures were common.
As roads improved, new debates arose around the economic costs and benefits of road building (especially where motorways cut through existing suburbs). Road safety increasingly became an issue in the 1970s. Many roads have been realigned to eliminate accident black spots. Congestion also became a problem on Auckland roads. In the early 2000s there was considerable debate over whether public funds should be used to construct roads, rather than on developing public transport.
In the 1840s and early 1850s there was little road construction. Where streets or roads were formed the work was typically done by local residents. In the late 1850s and early 1860s some early road boards formed. These were early local authorities that could collect money to pay for road building and maintenance. They did not last long and struggled to collect money. From 1854 until 1876 the construction and maintenance of civilian roads was mainly the responsibility of provincial governments. They built and maintained main roads, and set up road boards to develop and maintain local and district roads. Provincial governments tried to legislate and survey roads into existence – but they sometimes could not afford to build them, and many roads existed only on paper.
Money was spent in the province where it was raised. In some cases this led to roads not linking up well to those in other provinces – but this was not much of an issue when most roads were used for short trips. It was evident that centralised planning was needed. This happened in 1876 when the provinces were abolished.
Most early road planning and building was carried out by local authorities, leading to variations in road surfaces. The most distinctive roads were those of Taranaki, which had steeply arched cambers. This helped to shed rainfall – especially if they were sealed by asphalt.
From 1876 until 1922, road boards (and later county councils, which took over their role) did most road building and maintenance. Central government assisted by subsidising road building, providing grants to councils, or building roads and then handing ownership and maintenance responsibilities to local councils.
In 1882 the Road Boards Act divided the country into road districts, each governed by a road board. Initially there were 319 boards; this reduced to 209 in 1907 and 59 in 1922, as the county councils took over road boards.
The Counties Act 1876 allowed local councils to put up toll gates and levy charges. There were already toll gates in operation – in 1868 there were 13 in Otago. In the 1850s there were toll houses on the Great South Road in Auckland, which helped to pay for the metalling (surfacing the road with gravel or crushed rocks). Toll gates were unpopular with many. In 1890 citizens at Kaiwharawhara, Wellington, burned toll gates and threw them over the Hutt Road into the harbour.
Taranaki authorities were most enthusiastic in adopting toll roads, and by 1906 they had seven gates. In the early 20th century the area had some of the North Island’s best roads, due in large part to the tolls. By 1935 two-thirds of Taranaki’s main roads were sealed.
Toll gates disappeared in 1922 when the Main Highways Act was passed. They were used only occasionally, for instance on the Auckland Harbour Bridge from 1959 to 1984, in the Lyttelton road tunnel from 1964 to 1978, and on the Tauranga Harbour Bridge from 1988 to 2001. In the early 2000s toll roads were back. The Northern Gateway Toll Road, part of State Highway 1 that bypasses Ōrewa, opened in 2009. It cost $2 for cars and $4 for trucks. Tolls were calculated electronically and there were no booths.
Very little of the West Coast side of the Arthur’s Pass road had been sealed before the Second World War – when a sudden upswing in sealing occurred. The government was worried that the Japanese might attack to gain control of West Coast coal. An army report stated, ‘New Zealand forces had difficulty using this pass, so it was obvious that if the Japanese came they would be too scared to drive over the pass in its present condition.’1
The Public Works Department, created in 1870, was responsible for building and maintaining main roads until 1889, when control of road works passed to the Survey Department. Then in 1901 it moved to the newly formed Department of Roads, which was amalgamated with the Public Works Department in 1909.
The government focused on main roads linking settlements. Yet public works of the 1870s favoured rail development at the expense of roads, and the economic depression of the 1890s saw tight control of government spending.
Road boards could not raise much money as most of the population had very little. Initially the only people who could afford road boards rates were the few large landowners. Councillors were reluctant to raise rates as this would have been political suicide. In poorer, less populated areas such as Northland and the East Coast, roads were especially bad. The sub-tropical ‘winterless north’ was also dubbed the ‘roadless north’.
By 1920 motor vehicles were rapidly replacing horse-drawn vehicles. New roading standards were needed, especially for main arterial roads. Until then most road trips had been local. But traffic was increasingly going from one area to another, and building through roads was beyond the resources of local authorities. National funding and coordination was necessary.
The Main Highways Act, passed in 1922, came into effect in 1924. The Act created the Main Highways Board to control some 10,000 kilometres of main roads which were declared main highways. Initially the board shared construction costs of main highways 50–50 with local authorities, and subsidised maintenance and repairs by a third. Later it determined the rates of its contributions and those of local authorities at its own discretion.
The central government’s contribution was funded by taxes on petrol, tyres, car registrations, heavy traffic fees and mileage tax (today’s road user charges). Local authorities funded their contribution from rates and driver licence fees, which they collected at that time. In 1936 main highways became known as state highways, and were fully funded by the government.
In the 1930s economic depression, the government used the unemployed to build roads. One major project started in 1933 was the Milford Road, to Milford Sound in Fiordland.
After the Second World War New Zealand roads were in a poor state. Construction had stopped and maintenance was deferred so that by the early 1950s the state of the roads was considered to be harming the economy. At the same time road surfaces were coming under greater pressure from bigger, heavier vehicles and more traffic. Amendments to the Public Works Act in 1947 and 1948 allowed certain highways to be declared motorways, restricted to motor traffic. The first stretch of motorway opened in 1950 in Wellington, running for 5 kilometres from Takapu Road to Johnsonville.
Another major focus of the early 1950s was to seal more roads. In 1954 the road from Wellington to Auckland was sealed in its entirety.
In 1950 Wellington’s Evening Post explained to its readers what the new motorway was for: ‘It is a motorway for motors. Pedestrian may not enter it, nor cyclists; nor will wandering stock, nor the farmer’s milking herd, taking a short cut to the dairy, be tolerated.’1
In 1954 the Main Highways Board was replaced by the National Roads Board (NRB), which had wider powers than the former body. It also acted as a central authority to advise and assist local authorities on their roads. The minister of works was the chairman of the NRB, and local authorities and road users were also represented. State highways were managed by the NRB, while the remaining public roads were managed by local councils. In 1959 a Roading Division was established in the Ministry of Works. The 1960s was the era of motorway construction, and this work absorbed an increasing share of state highways funding. The Roading Division was essentially the engineering and construction arm of the NRB and it carried out most of this work.
The Ministry of Works and Development (formerly the Public Works Department 1870–1948 and Ministry of Works 1948–74) was abolished in 1988. It had carried out and overseen most main road construction in New Zealand for decades. Commercial activities were transferred to a government-owned company, the Works and Development Corporation. Road construction was contracted out through a competitive process. Further reforms saw road funding transferred initially into the Ministry of Transport and then into an independent Crown agency, Transit New Zealand, created in 1989.
In 1996 a separate funding body, Transfund New Zealand, was established to distribute funds to Transit New Zealand and local authorities. In 2004 Land Transport New Zealand was created through the merger of Transfund and the Land Transport Safety Authority. In 2008 Land Transport New Zealand joined with Transit to become the NZ Transport Agency.
Revenues were paid into a dedicated National Land Transport Fund. Revenue came from road user charges, motor vehicle registration and licence fees, and fuel excise duties.
In the 2000s road builders were still adamant that a road linking the Milford Road down the Hollyford Valley to Haast, a road from Glenorchy to the Milford Road and another linking Golden Bay with Karamea would bring economic benefits. The rugged terrain and opposition to building roads in national parks meant that the proposals were likely to remain nothing more.
In the early 2000s local and regional councils were responsible for managing, maintaining and developing local roads, while Transit New Zealand managed state highways. In August 2005 the state highway network consisted of 10,894.4 kilometres (5,972.5 kilometres in the North Island and 4,921.9 kilometres in the South Island) of major roads and motorways. State highways linked to 80,000 kilometres of local roads. Most motorists would not notice the difference when they drove from one to the other. The state highway network was worth $12.5 billion and carried 48% of all New Zealand's traffic. It included 170 kilometres of motorway.
State Highway 1 is the main road in New Zealand. It stretches the length of the North and South islands, from Cape Rēinga to Bluff.
Hawkes, Graham. On the road: the car in New Zealand. Wellington: GP Books, 1990.
Holcroft, M. H. Carapace: the motor car in New Zealand: a roadside view. Dunedin: J. McIndoe, 1979.
McCrystal, John. 100 years of motoring in New Zealand. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett, 2003.
Noonan, Rosslyn J. By design: a brief history of the Public Works Department, Ministry of Works, 1870–1970. Wellington: Govt. Printer, 1975.
Taylor, Ivan D. The road to the West Coast: a history of the road over Arthur’s Pass. Palmerston North: Heritage Press, 2005.
Information from the Department of Conservation about the road linking Te Anau and Milford Sound.
The Ministry of Transport’s strategy for the future.
The NZ Transport Agency was formed from Land Transport New Zealand and Transit New Zealand in 2008. | <urn:uuid:d61493b0-d12a-4d9f-a74f-3bd7342fc597> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://teara.govt.nz/mi/roads/print | 2019-08-25T16:04:34Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027330750.45/warc/CC-MAIN-20190825151521-20190825173521-00040.warc.gz | en | 0.986359 | 5,493 |
1. PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE
This notice describes how we collect and use personal data about you, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and any other national implementing laws, regulations and secondary legislation, as amended or updated from time to time, in the UK (‘Data Protection Legislation’).
Please read the following carefully to understand our practices regarding your personal data and how we will treat it.
2. ABOUT US
Websters is the data controller within the meaning of the GDPR and we process personal data. Websters, a trading name of Websters Cambridge Limited, is a tax, legal, and accountancy firm. It is registered in England and Wales as a limited liability company, under number 10353661 and our registered office is at 10 Wellington Street, Cambridge, CB1 1HW.
The Websters group also includes the following entities:
- Andrew Webster Limited (registered in England & Wales, number 04460609)
- Websters Financial Planning Limited (registered in England & Wales, number 06749599)
- Websters Sydney PTY Limited (registered in Australia, ABN: 31 612 052 909)
- Websters Group Holdings Limited (registered in England & Wales, number 10491675)
- Any subsidiaries which may be formed from time to time
For the purpose of the Data Protection Legislation and this notice, we are the ‘data controller’. This means that we are responsible for deciding how we hold and use personal data about you. We are required under the Data Protection Legislation to notify you of the information contained in this privacy notice.
Where we act as a data processor on behalf of a data controller (for example, when processing payroll), we provide an additional schedule setting out required information as part of that agreement. That additional schedule should be read in conjunction with this privacy notice.
We have appointed a Data Protection Point of Contact who is responsible for assisting with enquiries in relation to this privacy notice or our treatment of your personal data. Should you wish to contact our Data Protection Point of Contact you can do so using the contact details noted at paragraph 12 (Contact Us), below.
3. HOW WE MAY COLLECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA
We obtain personal data about you, for example, when:
- you request a proposal from us in respect of the services we provide;
- you or your employer or our clients engage us to provide our services and also during the provision of those services;
- you contact us by email, telephone, post (for example when you have a query about our services); or
- from third parties and/or publicly available resources (for example, from Companies House).
4. THE KIND OF INFORMATION WE HOLD ABOUT YOU
The information we hold about you may include the following:
- your personal details (such as your name and/or address);
- your financial details (such as bank account, salary and other income)
- details of contact we have had with you in relation to the provision, or the proposed provision, of our services;
- details of any services you have received from us;
- our correspondence and communications with you;
- information about any complaints and enquiries you make to us;
- information from research, surveys, and marketing activities;
- Information we receive from other sources, such as information from Fraud prevention agencies, for example court records of debt judgements and bankruptcies Information from other publicly available sources as well as information on any associates you may have, which related to the service(s) being provided.
- Personal data about other individuals (i.e. spouse or company secretary/director), you must have their authority to provide their personal data to us and share this data protection statement with them beforehand, together with details of what you have agreed on their behalf.
- For users of our website:
- information about your computer and about your visits to and use of this website (including your IP address, geographical location, browser type and version, operating system, referral source, length of visit, page views and website navigation paths);
- information that you provide to us when registering with our website (including your email address);
- information that you provide when completing your profile on our website (including your name, profile pictures, gender, date of birth, relationship status, interests and hobbies, educational details and employment details);
- information that you provide to us for the purpose of subscribing to our email notifications and/or newsletters (including your name and email address);
- information that you provide to us when using the services on our website, or that is generated in the course of the use of those services (including the timing, frequency and pattern of service use);
- information relating to any purchases you make of our services or any other transactions that you enter into through our website (including your name, address, telephone number, and email address);
- information that you post to our website for publication on the internet (including your user name, your profile pictures and the content of your posts);
- information contained in or relating to any communication that you send to us or send through our website (including the communication content and metadata associated with the communication); and
- any other personal information that you choose to send to us.
5. HOW WE USE PERSONAL DATA WE HOLD ABOUT YOU
We may process your personal data for purposes necessary for the performance of our contract with you.
We may process your personal data for the purposes necessary for the performance of our contract with your employer or our clients. This may include processing your personal data where you are an employee, subcontractor, supplier or customer of our client.
We may process your personal data for the purposes of our own legitimate interests provided that those interests do not override any of your own interests, rights and freedoms which require the protection of personal data. This includes processing for marketing, business development, statistical and management purposes.
We may process your personal data to comply with a legal obligation, for example:
- When you exercise your rights under data protection law and make requests;
- For compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and related disclosures;
- For activities relating to the prevention, detection and investigation of crime;
- To verify your identity, fraud prevention and anti-money laundering checks.
We may process your personal data for certain additional purposes with your consent, for example when you request us to disclose your personal data to other people or organisations. In these limited circumstances where your consent is required for the processing of your personal data, then you have the right to withdraw your consent to processing for such specific purposes.
If you submit personal information for publication on our website, we will publish and otherwise use that information in accordance with the licence you grant to us. Also your privacy settings can be used to limit the publication of your information on our website, and can be adjusted using privacy controls on the website.
Please note that we may process your personal data for more than one lawful basis depending on the specific purpose for which we are using your data.
Situations in which we will use your personal data
We may use your personal data in order to:
- carry out our obligations arising from any agreements entered into between you and us (which will most usually be for the provision of our services);
- carry out our obligations arising from any agreements entered into between your employer or our clients and us (which will most usually be for the provision of our services) where you may be an employee, subcontractor, supplier or customer of our client;
- provide you with information related to our services and our events and activities that you request from us, or which we feel may interest you, provided you have consented to be contacted for such purposes;
- seek your thoughts and opinions on the services we provide; and
- notify you about any changes to our services.
- administer our website, including:
- personalise our website for you;
- enable your use of the services available on our website;
- supply to you services purchased through our website;
- deal with enquiries and complaints made by or about you relating to our website;
- keep our website secure and prevent fraud; and
- verify compliance with the terms and conditions governing the use of our website
In some circumstances we may anonymise or pseudonymise the personal data so that it can no longer be associated with you, in which case we may use it without further notice to you.
If you refuse to provide us with certain information when requested, we may not be able to perform the contract we have entered into with you. Alternatively, we may be unable to comply with our legal or regulatory obligations.
We may also process your personal data without your knowledge or consent, in accordance with this notice, where we are legally required or permitted to do so.
We will only retain your personal data for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it is collected.
When assessing what retention period is appropriate for your personal data, we take into consideration:
- the requirements of our business and the services provided;
- any statutory or legal obligations;
- the purposes for which we originally collected the personal data;
- the lawful grounds on which we based our processing;
- the types of personal data we have collected;
- the amount and categories of your personal data; and
- whether the purpose of the processing could reasonably be fulfilled by other means.
You are responsible for retaining information that we send to you (including details of capital gains base costs and claims and elections submitted) and this will be supplied in the form agreed between us. Documents and records relevant to your tax affairs are required by law to be retained by you as follows:
Individuals, trustees and partnerships
- with trading or rental income: five years and 10 months after the end of the tax year;
- otherwise: 22 months after the end of the tax year.
Companies, LLPs and other corporate entities
- six years from the end of the accounting period.
Change of purpose
Where we need to use your personal data for another reason, other than for the purpose for which we collected it, we will only use your personal data where that reason is compatible with the original purpose.
Should it be necessary to use your personal data for a new purpose, we will notify you and communicate the legal basis which allows us to do so before starting any new processing.
6. DATA SHARING
Why might you share my personal data with third parties?
We will share your personal data with third parties where we are required by law, where it is necessary to administer the relationship between us or where we have another legitimate interest in doing so.
Which third-party service providers process my personal data?
“Third parties” includes third-party service providers and other entities within the Websters group. All of our third-party service providers are required to take commercially reasonable and appropriate security measures to protect your personal data. We only permit our third-party service providers to process your personal data for specified purposes and in accordance with our instructions.
Third parties may include the following:
- The Websters group of companies and associated companies;
- Subcontractors and other persons who help us to provide our services, such as IT and cloud service providers;
- Our legal and other professional advisors;
- Professional Indemnity insurers;
- Banking services;
- Marketing services;
- Fraud prevention agencies, credit reference agencies, debt collection agencies;
- Government bodies and agencies in the UK and overseas (e.g. HM Revenue and Customers (“HMRC”), Inland Revenue Service (“IRS”) who may in turn share it with relevant authorities and regulators);
- Our professional bodies (such as ACCA, ICAEW, CIOT, The Law Society) and/or the Office of Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervisors (OPBAS) in relation to practice assurance and/or the requirements of MLR 2017 (or any similar legislation);
- To protect the security or integrity of our business operations;
- To other parties connected with the services we provide;
- If we restructure or sell our business or its assets;
- Anyone else where we have your consent.
If the law allows or requires us to do so, we may also share your personal data with:
- the police and law enforcement agencies
- courts and tribunals
- the Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”)
We may need to share your personal data with the third parties identified above in order to comply with our legal obligations, including our legal obligations to you. If you ask us not to share your personal data with such third parties we may need to cease to act.
Third party websites
- Our website includes hyperlinks to, and details of, third party websites.
- We have no control over, and are not responsible for, the privacy policies and practices of third parties.
7. TRANSFERRING PERSONAL DATA OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (EEA)
Your personal data may be transferred outside the UK and the European Economic Area, such as Australia and the USA. While some countries have adequate protections for personal data under applicable laws, in other countries we will take steps to make sure the right security measures are taken so that your privacy rights continue to be protected as outlined in this statement. By submitting your personal data, you’re agreeing to this transfer, storing or processing.
8. DATA SECURITY
We have put in place commercially reasonable and appropriate security measures to prevent your personal data from being accidentally lost, used or accessed in an unauthorised way, altered or disclosed. In addition, we limit access to your personal data to those employees, agents, contractors and other third parties who have a business need to know. They will only process your personal data on our instructions and they are subject to a duty of confidentiality.
All transmission of sensitive information through our website will be protected by SSL encryption technology. You are responsible for keeping the password you use for accessing our website confidential; we will not ask you for your password (except when you log in to our website).
We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected data security breach and will notify you and any applicable regulator of a suspected breach where we are legally required to do so.
Should you require further information about these protective measures, please contact our Data Protection Point of Contact using the contact details noted at paragraph 12 (Contact Us), below.
9. RIGHTS OF ACCESS, CORRECTION, ERASURE, AND RESTRICTION
Your duty to inform us of changes
It is important that the personal data we hold about you is accurate and current. Should your personal information change, please notify us of any changes of which we need to be made aware by contacting us, using the contact details noted at paragraph 12 (Contact Us), below.
Your rights in connection with personal data
Under certain circumstances, by law you have the right to:
- Request access to your personal data – such requests are known as ‘subject access requests’ (“SARs”). This enables you to receive details of the personal data we hold about you and to check that we are processing it lawfully.
- Request correction of the personal data that we hold about you.
- Request erasure of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to delete or remove personal data where there is no good reason for us continuing to process it. You also have the right to ask us to delete or remove your personal data where you have exercised your right to object to processing (see below).
- Object to processing of your personal data where we are relying on a legitimate interest (or those of a third party) and there is something about your particular situation which makes you want to object to processing on this basis. You also have the right to object where we are processing your personal information for direct marketing purposes.
- Request the restriction of processing of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to suspend the processing of personal data about you, for example if you want us to establish its accuracy or the reason for processing it.
- Request the transfer of your personal data to you or another data controller if the processing is based on consent, carried out by automated means and this is technically feasible.
If you want to exercise any of the above rights, please contact our Data Protection Point of Contact using the contact details noted at paragraph 12 (Contact Us), below. DPA 2018 requires that we comply with a SAR promptly and in any event within one month of receipt. There are, however, some circumstances in which the law allows us to refuse to provide access to personal data in response to a SAR (e.g. if you have previously made a similar request and there has been little or no change to the data since we complied with the original request).
You will not have to pay a fee to access your personal data (or to exercise any of the other rights). However, we may charge a reasonable fee if your request for access is clearly unfounded or excessive. Alternatively, we may refuse to comply with the request in such circumstances.
We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access the information (or to exercise any of your other rights). This is another appropriate security measure to ensure that personal information is not disclosed to any person who has no right to receive it. For example, you should tell us:
- your date of birth
- previous or other name(s) you have used
- your previous addresses in the past five years
- personal reference number(s) that we may have given you, for example your national insurance number, your tax reference number or your VAT registration number
- what type of information you want to know
If you do not have a national insurance number, you must send a copy of:
- the back page of your passport or a copy of your driving licence; and
- a recent utility bill.
10. RIGHT TO WITHDRAW CONSENT
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Mead in the Making: Honey Wine
Instructor: Absolum / Merddyn
The Celtic tradition has always embraced mead in both ceremonial and festival use. Indeed, mead is just as Celtic as the Druids. It has been touted as the “drink of the gods” for centuries. Even among today’s pagans a good bottle of mead is often just as prized and coveted as some ritual tools or “mystic secrets.” You might even be surprised at the bartering potential of a bottle of high quality mead among some circles of heathen brethren today.
A Brief History of Mead
Mead was quite possibly one of the first fermented drinks mankind developed. Egyptian, African, Greek, Roman, Celtic and Norse cultures all have recorded history mentioning mead as a favorite and preferred drink. Mead is made from honey, and honey was the only source of sweet foodstuff available to biblical and pre-biblical man. Refined sugar was not to be introduced for several centuries.
The earliest recordings of mead are from the Egyptian culture. We know there was not a great abundance of high-sugar fruit in the Egyptian region. The only abundant source of sugar for producing alcohol came from honey, which was highly prized in the region at that time, and still is today. Other early civilizations like the Romans and Greeks also lacked high-sugar fruit and refined sugar sources to make drinkable alcohol, but honey was readily available and cultivated in these areas as well.
How Did Man Discover the Process for Making Alcohol?
Well, more than likely it was accidental. Honey has a tendency to accumulate water derived from moisture in the air, and once water accumulates to dilute the honey at the surface of a container the natural yeast present in the honey starts the process of making mead naturally. More than likely, early man just realized that when honey was combined with water and was left to sit it would generate what we now know as an alcoholic beverage called mead.
This was a very unpredictable cultivation at first because these cultures had no idea exactly how the process took place or what the catalyst was. Batches of honey were often simply diluted with water and left in the sun to see what happened even up until the 1800’s. Some mead was successfully brewed and other batches were more than likely spoiled by contamination from other microorganisms.
The Father of Modern Brewing – Louis Pasteur
It was not until the mid 1800’s that the process of making drinkable alcohol from sugar, a process known as fermentation, was truly understood through the research of Louis Pasteur. Pasteur is most recognizable to Americans as the scientist credited with the development of pasteurization used to sanitize milk as well as other contributions to the field of biology. However, the rest of the world widely recognizes Pasteur for his great contributions to the field of wine making. He was credited for discovering and documenting the scientific basis for fermentation used to this day in all forms of brewing.
The process seems quite un-natural until you have an understanding of microbiology. Egyptian and Celtic cultures certainly had no knowledge of these concepts. More than likely a serious spiritual significance was probably placed on the brewing of mead. However, in today’s world we understand how the process works on a biological level.
Mead, Wine, Beer & Ale Making as a Hobby
Various spices and fruit juice combinations are used today to make meads and wines of all variety. Many people enjoy the hobby of home brewing to make their own beers, ales, wines and meads which is perfectly legal in the US as long as it’s not done for sale and the mixtures aren’t distilled into stronger spirits. Federal law provides that individuals may produce up to 200 gallons of wine per year per person per household. Wine making kits are readily available at local home brew shops or via the internet for $50 to $100. Internet and book resources are also readily available to today’s hobbyist to explain the process step-by-step.
Many people today enjoy making their own meads, wines, beers and ales for the pure satisfaction and enjoyment of doing the job themselves. Once the basics of brewing are understood it’s very easy to make your own custom flavors or play with recipes from more traditional products like mead or grape wine. Wine can be made from just about every fruit and vegetable on the planet given proper understanding of fermentation. These beverages can often be made by the hobbyist MUCH cheaper than if the same products were bought commercially and often with the same quality as commercial brews. Custom brews make great gifts too! Home brewing has become so popular that hobby clubs have been in operation for years and often promote local competitions among fellow brewers.
Mead vs Wine
Wine is any sugar based fermented beverage. Mead is a specific variety of wine made from honey. Mead is a type of wine but no wine may wear the label of mead unless it’s primary ingredient is honey.
Types of Mead
There are as many flavors of mead as there are drops of rain in a thunderstorm. Honey itself is a very unpredictable product, but even two batches of mead started from the same hive of honey can end up with different flavors and properties. However, there are some general classifications of mead that are detailed as follows:
Mead: honey wine with only honey and no additional spices
Sack Mead: sweet honey wine but the only sweetener used was honey. No additional spices.
Metheglin: honey wine that has been spiced for flavor. Examples of common spices are cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, rosemary & thyme.
Sack Metheglin: sweet spiced honey wine
Hydromel: weak or watered mead
Sparkling Mead: mead made with the same carbonation technique as Champaign
Cycer: Mead made with apple juice
Ryzomel: Mead made with flowers
Much Ado About Honey:
Store Bought Honey:
Beware the Clear Industrial Honey Bears!!! Beware of ANY super-clear honey. If you can read a newspaper through the bottle then it’s probably had most of the good stuff filtered out. Not all honey is created equal. Know that honey widely available for purchase in big box stores in the US is all pasteurized, which is both good and bad. It physically filters the honey to remove things like pollen, wax and other misc. objects, but it also means that the honey has been rapidly heated and then cooled. This process renders the honey “safer” but it also destroys much of the medicinal benefit.
Pollen is GOOD for you, you want that in your honey… in fact there may be reasons you want to add MORE pollen to your mead. Ingesting pollen. Ingesting pollen has been shown to be effective in helping with some seasonal allergies. It’s also a very dense food nutritionally speaking, so much so that the roman legions were often issued rations of compressed pollen bricks.
The rapid heating and cooling process also destroys many of the beneficial chemical compounds found in natural unpasteurized honey. Any honey used for medicinal purposes should ideally be processed as little as possible. Honey labeled as RAW in stores are usually preferable.
Also, be wary of bulk honey purchases in general, especially if the price seems too good. MUCH of the “honey” sold in the US is imported and is not actually honey at all, but a manufactured or overly-adulterated product that’s never come in contact with an honest bee. This is to be avoided like the plague, ESPECIALLY if it’s coming from China, where pesticide and pollution regulations are much more lax.
Ideally you want RAW honey that was produced in the US, Canada or possibly in EU (pesticide and pollution regulations in European Union countries are generally more strict than in the US), however, you may find it difficult to find RAW honey that’s been imported due to US Customs regulations. Ideally, stick with locally produced raw, unpasteurized honey.
Buying Local Honey:
Check local farmers markets and ask about bulk pricing. There’s usually a good discount for buying in gallons or 5 gallon buckets. Generally, assume 3.3 lbs of honey per gallon for a strong sweet mead. Assuming you’re making a 5-6 gallon batch of mead you want about 20 lbs of honey. Honey weighs in at about 12 lbs per gallon so you’ll want to pick up about 2 gallons per 5-6 gallon batch of mead and plan on having a little left over (honey literally never spoils if stored in a cool dark place).
Bee keepers will generally have one of two batches of honey available upon request or depending on the season. There’s a Spring/Summer harvest which is typically light and fruity. There’s also a Fall/Winter harvest that will typically be darker and will sometimes be be a bit smokey. The Spring/Summer honey will usually make better light or fruit meads while the Fall/Winter harvests are usually better suited to dark or heavily spiced meads.
Always ask the bee keeper what the bees typically forage from for honey and ask if they supplement their bees with sugar or sugar water. The type of flower the bee visits has a surprising impact on the character and flavor of the honey. Orange Blossom honey will be very different from say Texas Wildflower honey. Always always always ask for tasting samples. Bee keepers are normally very happy to provide this, especially when you tell then you’re a brewer looking for flavor inspiration and may want to buy a couple gallons.
Water Quality Matters
Don’t underestimate the importance of good quality water. After all you’re going to be dropping some big bucks on honey, you don’t want to spoil the batch by using sub-standard water. Most municipal water is pretty off-putting unless you happen to live in an area blessed with great local water.
If you’re using tap water at the very least you want to run it through a carbon filter such as a Brita water pitcher or a Brita filter on the tap. You’d be surprised how much that improves flavor and drink ability. I happen to have an overly-expensive 3 stage water filter in my kitchen. If you’ve got something on that order you’re probably good to go.
However, keep in mind that if your water has chlorine added (most municipalities do this to help keep the water safe) you’ll want to let your water de-chlorinate naturally before using it for brewing. This is easy to do. Simply fill your brewing bucket ahead of time with the desired amount of water and leave the lid off so that the chlorine can evaporate. Cover the top of the bucket with a towel though to prevent dust or other airborne contaminates from getting in there.
If you’re going for store-bought water remember to stay away from distilled or reverse-osmosis (RO) water since it’s so heavily filtered that it lacks many of the trace elements needed for fermentation. You’ll likely have problems brewing with this kind of water unless you add special mineral packs back to the water to correct for this.
Otherwise you’re unusually ok using anything labeled as “spring” water. Usually this is just industrial filtered municipal water, but its had the correct minerals added back to it after the filtration. You also can’t go wrong with Ozarka bottled water and it’s very reasonably priced. Just call up ozarka and ask for a couple of 5 gallon bottles. If you’re not going to sign up for their service (you’re just buying the water) they’ll probably charge you an extra $5/bottle because you’re keeping the jugs… but the next time you order you’ll have jugs to trade in so you won’t have to pay the deposit.
It’s also not a bad idea to keep a couple of extra 5 gallon bottles on hand as part of your normal emergency supplies. I keep about 30 gallons of ozarka water on hand in the garage in case of natural disaster, etc..
Other Speciality Brewing Ingredients:
Other than core ingredients such as honey and fruit juices there are relatively few additional ingredients. Some added ingredients are to help with fermentation and others are for flavor enhancement and balancing. Here is a basic list of the most widely used ingredients today:
Campden Tablets kill bacteria, molds and wild yeast and are essential when making wine from fresh fruit or unpasturized honey. They’re not generally required if using sterile ingredients to being with and should be avoided in these cases as they will only unnecessarily slow down fermentation. The normal dose is usually 2 crushed tablets per gallon. Be sure to cover the mixture with a cloth or towel and let vent for at least 24 hours before adding cultured yeast to the batch. Otherwise, the tablets will slow down or kill the yeast that’s deliberately introduced to the batch to kick off fermentation. Campden tablets are also often added to wine just before bottling (and not given a chance to evaporate out) to sterilize the wine and prevent fermentation in the bottle. Campden tablets have a mild effect on flavor when used in the prescribed doses.
Yeast, is the key to making wine, is a microorganism that naturally consumes sugar (along with other nutrients) and outputs waste and carbon dioxide along with other particles. Yeast occurs naturally in most fruit and in honey but this yeast often produces an undesirable or undrinkable wine and should be destroyed using campden tablets or boiling before starting fermentation. Several strains of yeast are available from local brewing shops. Some are used for beer, others for wine and others for Champaign. Each type produces a different type of flavor. Most mead is made with wine yeast or Champaign yeast if a slight carbonation effect is desired.
Yeast Nutrient contains all the essentials for yeast to thrive. Adding nutrient is not absolutely necessary but without it some fermentations would become sluggish and take much longer to complete. Nutrient should be added in the amount of 1-2 tablespoons per gallon before the yeast are added to the wine.
Yeast Energizer is essentially the same thing as Yeast Nutrient but is especially bended for fresh fruit wines.
Acid Blend is a crystallized version of most of the acids naturally occurring in fruit (tartaric, maltic and citric acid). This is often added mainly as a flavoring agent to fruit wine that is naturally low in acid such as apple wine. Refer to your wine recipe for acid blend amounts.
Tannin (grape or other) naturally occurs in some fruit such as grapes and is used primarily as a flavoring agent. Tannin increases the “astringent” quality of wine which gives it a fuller flavor or “zest”. Tannin also aids in clearing/fining the wine and in aging quality. Refer to the recipe for amounts to add.
Peptic Enzyme is added to fresh fruit wines and forces the fruit pulp to release more of the natural fruit juice and the natural fruit color. Refer to the recipe for amounts to add.
Potassium Sorbate is an additive used just before sweetening wine when bottling. The additive coats any existing yeast cells so that they cannot reproduce even if there is sugar present in the wine. Note, this does not kill any yeast cells, it simply means that the fermentation will not get any more intense than it already is. If there are still enough living yeast cells in the wine when bottling you may still have problems after the wine is bottled even if potassium sorbate is used.
Sodium metabisulfite is an extremely strong contact-sanitizer for wine making equipment that can be purchased at most home brew shops. Any equipment that comes into contact with the wine should be thoroughly rinsed in sodium metabisulfite.
Sparkloid is a brown powder substance that’s mixed with hot water and poured into a mead that has stopped fermenting in order to help clear the mead. The mixture must be thoroughly stirred and then allowed to settle for at least 24 hours. The clear mead may be siphoned off of the sediment that settles at the bottom. Fining agents must often be administered two or three times to achieve optimum mead clarity. .
Bentonite is a fining agent used the same way as Sparkloid but can be much more effective in my personal experience and ranges in the same price. If given a choice I choose bentonite over Sparkloid anytime.
Temperature is very important when using bentonite. Ideally the wine should be cold or cool and the bentonite solution should be hot (near boiling). The temperature difference greatly improves the effectiveness of the bentonite treatment. Stir vigorously when adding to the batch.
Primary Fermentation Container: The best container to use for primary fermentation (discussed later) is a food grade bucket with lid or barrel. The key to selecting an appropriate primary fermentation container is the container having a large surface area exposed to the wine (no small openings) and having it at least a gallon larger than the batch you want to produce. If you want to brew a five gallon batch you probably want to select a six gallon container and leave a few inches of air space at the top for the foaming that may occur during fermentation.
Secondary Fermentation Container (Carboy): A secondary container should have a very slender opening and should be able to be easily filled almost to the top. As little surface area of the wine as possible should be exposed to the air. You should also be able to attach an air lock and rubber bung to the secondary fermenter making it air tight except for the air lock. The most widely used secondary fermenter is a glass carboy or plastic ozarka bottle.
Siphoning / Racking Equipment: At the very least you will need some type of rubber or vinyl hose to move wine from one container to another. Many home hobbists also use a “racking cane” which is essentially a J-shaped hard plastic or glass tube with or without a small cap to keep the cane above the sediment in the containers. When working with five gallon batches of wine at least 5 feet of hose is required.
Hydrometer: A hydrometer measures the specific gravity (density) of the wine. This allows you to judge the sugar content of the wine. A minimum starting sugar content of wine is usually 1.74 to 1.90. When the hydrometer registers 0 all sugar in the wine has been converted to alcohol. Hydrometers are also effected by temperature variations in the wine. Refer to the documentation that comes with your hydrometer for exact specifications and conversion tables.
Levered or Floor Corker: If you are planning on bottling and corking your wine it’s well worth the $20-30 for a levered or floor corker. Some models of corkers do not use levers and require you to apply a large amount of direct force to the cork to force it into the bottle. These types of corkers can be extremely difficult to use. If you are planning on corking your wine then you’ll want to invest in a relatively inexpensive corker that will allow you to quickly and easily seal bottles. Remember, a five gallon batch of wine can make as many as 25 standard sized (750ml) bottles of wine so you probably won’t be corking just one or two bottles at a time. If possible, try out the corker before buying it to make sure it’s comfortable for you to use.
Other useful tools: A plethora of other tools can be very useful when making wine but are not necessarily “specialist equipment”. They are not absolutely essential but they can make the process MUCH easier. These include bottle brushes, rinsers, drainers, fillers, long handled stirring spoons, thermometers, funnels, hose clamps, pulp bags, etc.
The Brewing Process:
Yeast does the work – The whole feat is accomplished using a microorganism known as yeast. These microscopic life forms are classified as a higher order of fungus with the ability to consume sugar and expel drinkable alcohol and carbon dioxide as waste. If yeast is introduced to a liquid with a high sugar content and held at the optimum temperature (about 70-75 degrees F) it will quickly consume the majority of sugar in the mixture and replace it with its natural byproducts, alcohol and CO2. The more sugar present in a mixture the more alcohol generally produced in the end product. As the percentage of alcohol in the mixture (known as “must” in the wine industry) raises the process of fermentation slowly halts. Alcohol is toxic to yeast in high volumes. Some residual sugars may remain in the mixture after fermentation is almost complete but if more is added the process of fermentation will continue to further raise the alcohol content to somewhere in the neighborhood of 24-25% (50 proof). At this point, the alcohol content of the mixture is usually too high and the yeast begin to stop fermentation and die.
Quick step-by-step guide:
- If using a yeast culture (recommended especially for fresh fruit batches), buy a bottle of bottled apple juice and pour out about ½ of the juice. Mix in the dry yeast and cap with an air lock and rubber bung. Do this at least a week before you plan on starting the wine batch. Let sit in a cool dark place.
- Mix all ingredients in recipe except for yeast nutrient/energizer & yeast into the primary fermenter.
- If fresh fruit or un-pasteurized honey is used crush and mix 2 campden tablets per gallon into the wine, cover with a towel and wait at least 24 hours.
- Whisk wine (optional) and add yeast nutrient and dry or cultured yeast.
- Stir thoroughly daily for at least the first week. (remember to sterilize your spoon before stirring )
- When air lock bubbling slows to 1 every 2-3 minutes test with hydrometer. If SG is below 1.34 then rack switch to secondary fermenter.
- Freeze and thaw (see instructions below) if desired.
- Clear with Bentonite or Sparkloid 3-4 times
- Stabilize with Potassium Sorbate & Campden tablets
- Sweeten to taste
- Bottle in corked bottles, 2 liter or gallon containers.
- Age as desired (aging can also be done in larger secondary fermentation containers.
- Sample liberally
A More Detailed Look:
The honey is mixed with all the necessary ingredients in a container, usually a food-grade plastic bucket. The mixture is sanitized and additional nutrients beneficial to the rapid growth of yeast are added to the basic wine mixture, known as “must”. A yeast culture is added to the must and fermentation begins. An air-lock is usually attached to the container so that the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation can escape the container but air from the outside cannot contaminate the fermenting mixture. An air-lock, or fermentation lock, is usually an S-shaped tube with a water trap in the bottom. As pressure from the fermentation container builds it bubbles through the water trap and escapes into the open air on the outside of the container. As long as the pressure in the container remains greater than the outside atmospheric pressure then no air is allowed to enter through the fermentation lock. Maintaining a higher pressure inside the fermentation tank is not difficult as the natural bi product of fermentation is CO2. A sterile cotton plug in the top of the container can also be used for this purpose but this doesn’t allow for the brewer to see when the mixture stops bubbling which is used as an indicator for fermentation levels.
Primary & Secondary Fermentation:
Traditionally, there are two stages to fermentation, primary and secondary fermentation. The first stage is usually done in a bucket or a barrel with at least a few inches of air space above the fermenting mixture. This air is essential as this is the “aerobic” stage of fermentation. If the gap were filled completely with wine the container would likely explode or at the very least spew out the vent hole or air lock at the top of the primary fermenter. 90% of the alcohol is made in the first stage of fermentation. In most batches primary fermentation is complete within the first 30-40 days. The official end of fermentation occurs when the specific gravity of the wine reaches 1.34 on a hydrometer given that the beginning reading was at least 1.70 before fermentation began. The air lock should bubble no more than 1 time every 2-3 minutes at the end of primary fermentation. At the height of the primary fermentation the air lock may bubble as many as 50-60 times per minute.
The 2nd stage of fermentation usually involves siphoning the wine into a glass container and leaving a very small gap between the wine and the top of the container. This stage of fermentation is known as “anaerobic” since exposing the wine to air at this stage will be detrimental to the fermentation process and may significantly alter the taste of the wine. Once secondary fermentation has begun great care should be taken to minimize the exposure of the wine to air. This stage of fermentation is complete when there is absolutely no pressure change (no bubbles in the air lock) and the specific gravity is 0. Adding additional sugar to the wine at this point may trigger a growth in yeast cells again and eventually raise the alcohol content if fermentation is allowed to continue. Secondary fermentation may take as long as a year with air lock activity reducing to less than 1 bubble per week in some cases. Specific gravity checks with a hydrometer is the only sure way to guarantee fermentation has completely stopped.
Warning: attempting to bottle wine or mead before you are absolutely sure fermentation is 100% complete may result in bottle explosions or ruined / undrinkable wine.
Freezing to Stop Secondary Fermentation:
Since the vast majority of the alcohol is produced in the first 30-40 days and most wine is drinkable at that point the main purpose of secondary formation is to wait for the yeast to consume all available sugar and die so the product can be safely bottled. One method of speeding the process up is to freeze the wine. This ruptures the yeast cells and stops fermentation. However, alcohol that is in the batch to be frozen may gather together in the freezing process and create an unfrozen pocket of liquid in which a few of the yeast cells may be able to survive. It only takes one or two yeast cells coming into contact with sugar to kick off fermentation again once the mixture is thawed.
Therefore, freezing the mead in small batches (2 liters to a gallon size at a time) at very cold temperatures (deep freeze) for several days in a row is recommended. Remember to leave a few inches in the freezing container for the water in the mead to expand as it’s frozen. Once the mixture has been frozen for several days, remove and let thaw with a tight lid on the bottle to keep the wine from being infected with air born bacteria. Let the wine thaw completely and rack off the sediment (discussed below) and attach and air lock. Wait a few days and watch the pressure in the bottle by monitoring the water level in the air lock.
If pressure begins to build up in the container again it’s a sign that fermentation has begun again and the batch needs to be frozen again. This may take several freezing rounds for some wines but is much faster than waiting a year for the fermentation to end naturally and has absolutely no effect on the flavor. In fact, freezing improves the flavor by helping to remove solid particles suspended in the mead from fermentation. Once the frozen mixture is thawed, the solid particles float to the bottom of the container where you can rack off sediment. Sediment suspended in mead is the #1 cause of bad / off wine flavor.
After fermentation the mixture is sanitized to kill all microbes, including yeast, and sweetened to taste or left as-is for an un-sweet or “dry” flavor. The wine is usually stored in a wooden cask/barrel to age. Aging wine is a fine art in itself apart from mixing the ingredients in the original recipe and controlling the fermentation process. It can also be done quite successfully by the hobbyist in a wine aging container known as a carboy, which is essentially a large water bottle that varies in capacity from one to ten gallons, or even larger. The wine will usually be filtered mechanically or siphoned from one container to another to remove any sediment that’s collected as a result of the fermentation process. Bottling and further aging is usually the last step in the process.
Taking out the sediment – Racking
The mixture is allowed to ferment until either fermentation has ended or drastically slowed (the air-lock stops bubbling) and is then siphoned into a carboy (another container) and allowed to age and sit so the sediment created during the fermentation process can collect at the bottom of the container. The top wine is then siphoned into another container leaving the sediment behind. This process continues until no sediment collects on the bottom of the carboy. This siphoning process is known as “racking.”
There is some debate as to whether leaving the sediment in the fermenting batch during primary and secondary fermentation will affect taste. Many brewers leave all sediment in the bottom of the batch of mead throughout the entire process with no ill effects on taste. However, the process of racking often stirs up the sediment to a small degree. Because of this it’s recommended to rack the clear mead off the top of the sediment once the sediment level reaches ¼ to ½ inch in depth. Refer to the section below about “fining” the wine to force sediment to the bottom of the container.
Getting a Clear Product – Fining
Very few steps in home brewing will improve flavor as much as clearing your mead or wine. The flavor difference between clear and cloudy mead is often astonishing.
Additional substances can be added to the wine at this point to capture any remaining particles suspended in the wine, forcing them to the bottom of the container for one final racking. The addition of additional substances to produce a clearer wine product is known as “clarifying” or “fining” the wine.
Two main products are popular for this among hobbyist wine makers today. The most effective is a clay known as Bentonite. The clay comes in granule form and must be mixed with boiling water. The mixture is then mixed with wine (chilled wine for best results). The clay has a naturally occurring negative ionic charge which bonds with particles / sediment suspended in the wine. The clay is heaver than the particles so it drags the sediment down to the bottom of the container so that the clear wine can be racked off the top. Once the mixture has been added to the wine, stir with a large spoon until the entire mixture becomes cloudy and let sit for at least 24 hours (48 recommended). The wine may be treated with bentonite as many times as needed without harming the quality or taste of the finished wine. Two to three treatments are usually required to get crystal clear wine, especially if fresh fruit was used as an ingredient.
Bentonite is most effective when wine is cooler than 70-75 degrees and the bentonite mixture is as close to boiling as possible. The temperature variation makes a dramatic difference in the effectiveness of the treatment and may mean the difference between one treatment and three or four being required. Bentonite is relatively inexpensive so it may be more practical to repeat treatments rather than chill a large container of wine.
The other popular fining agent for wine is Sparkloid which is used in much the same fashion as bentonite but with not quite the dramatic result. If bentonite is not available at your local brewing store then feel confident is using Sparkloid but you may want to increase the wait time to 6-10 days before racking and re-treating. Other traditional fining agents include eggshells, bulls blood and egg whites.
Bottled or aged for quality
The wine or mead is then usually sanitized one final time using a sanitizing chemical available at most home brew shops and then bottled in an appropriate container. The wine can be consumed immediately or allowed to age to improve flavor. Wine bottles with corks are preferred by most serious hobbyist brewers, as the corks will allow for a very slow oxidation of the wine over time, greatly improving the quality of the flavor and aroma.
What does aging a wine do?
The process of aging a wine is a slow chemical reaction in which the wine or mead is allowed to rest and slowly oxidize in a container. Wooden containers are often used for aging because the wine will take on the flavor and aroma of the wood. The wood allows for a slight amount of oxidation of the wine which can improve flavor. Oak is especially prized in the wine industry for this purpose. New wine can have a harsh and distinctly different flavor and aroma from wine that has been well aged.
Aging in Wood
Serious home brewers can also purchase wooden barrels or casks to age their wine but this is often reserved for individuals who can make a substantial $200+ investment in their hobby. Anyone else wanting the wood flavors from aging wine can obtain wood chips from a local brewing store and age the wine in the carboy with the chips to produce a flavor similar to that of aging wine in traditional wooden barrels at a fraction of the cost. | <urn:uuid:e9fe1fe3-4ce9-40e8-82a8-4f5a3d650fc2> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | http://linesofthedragon.com/wordpress/making-mead-101/ | 2019-08-24T11:35:59Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027320734.85/warc/CC-MAIN-20190824105853-20190824131853-00320.warc.gz | en | 0.955617 | 7,017 |
- Bismarck, North Dakota
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- Minot, North Dakota
- West Fargo, North Dakota
Becoming a Police Officer in Bismarck, North Dakota
The Bismarck Police Department (701-223-1212) is tasked with providing law enforcement and other community services to the citizens and visitors of Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota.
This guide serves as an instructional manual on how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Bismarck:
- Meet Minimum Eligibility Requirements
- Take the Law Enforcement Exam
- Submit Law Enforcement Exam Score and Complete Online Application
- Undergo an Oral Interview
- Undergo a Background Investigation
- Receive a Conditional Offer of Employment
- Complete a Polygraph Exam
- Complete a Psychological Test
- Undergo a Medical Exam
- Undergo a Drug Screen
- Complete Academy and Field Training Programs
Step 1. Meet Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Before you apply for employment with the Bismarck Police Department, it is important to first determine if you meet the minimum eligibility requirements for becoming a police officer in Bismarck. In particular, you:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have (or have the ability to obtain) a North Dakota driver’s license
- Must possess an associate’s degree or at least 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university and a GPA of 2.0 or better
- Must have no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions
- Must have no convictions of domestic violence
- Must have not used or possessed marijuana in the last 2 years
- Must have not used or possessed anabolic steroids in the last 5 years
- Must have never used or possessed illegal drugs or illegally used or possessed prescribed/non-prescribed controlled substances
Step 2. Take the Law Enforcement Exam
To become a police officer in Bismarck, you must first pass the written Law Enforcement Exam (conducted through Job Service ND), which is designed to test your judgment and logic; your verbal ability; your ability to follow directions; and your inductive and deductive reasoning.
You must complete the Law Enforcement Exam Application and send it, along with $25 (money order only, made payable to the City of Bismarck), to:
Burleigh County Human Resources
P.O. Box 5518
Bismarck, ND 58506-5518
The exam application includes all upcoming testing dates. You may request a specific testing date by indicating it on your application. You must bring your photo ID with you on your testing date. All tests are administered by Job Service North Dakota, 1601 East Century Avenue in Bismarck.
The Bismarck Police Department requires a minimum score of 75 percent to be eligible for Bismarck police jobs.
Step 3. Submit Law Enforcement Exam Score and Complete Online Application
To apply for Bismarck police jobs, you must complete an online application and scan and upload a cover letter, resume, and all related documents, including college transcripts, licenses, etc.
You must also forward your law enforcement exam score to the City of Bismarck Human Resources Department to 701-222-6470 (fax) or 221 North 5th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501.
Step 4. Undergo an Oral Interview
You will be contacted by the Human Resources Department with an interview date and time if you meet all of the Department’s minimum requirements for employment. You must score a minimum 75 percent score on your oral interview to continue with the employment process. Before the oral interview begins you will review your background packet with an accreditation officer and complete a written essay.
Step 5. Undergo a Background Investigation
You will be ranked and placed on the Department’s certified hiring list upon completion of your oral interview. You will also be notified of your ranking on the list. Top candidates will then undergo a background investigation, which can take anywhere from 30 to 45 days to complete.
Step 6. Receive a Conditional Offer of Employment
Select candidates, upon completion of a background investigation, will receive a conditional offer of employment, at which time the remaining employment testing will take place.
Step 7. Complete a Polygraph Exam
Only those candidates who pass the polygraph exam are eligible to move on with the employment process.
Step 8. Complete a Psychological Test
Only those candidates who pass the psychological test are eligible to move on with the employment process.
Step 9. Undergo a Medical Exam
You must take and pass a medical exam, given by a physician at the UND Center for Family Medicine in Bismarck.
Step 10. Undergo a Drug Screen
The final step of the employment process includes passing a drug screen.
Step 11. Complete Academy and Field Training Programs
All new recruits with the Bismarck Police Department must complete mandatory Police Academy and Field Training programs.
Becoming a Police Officer in Fargo, North Dakota
The Fargo Police Department’s 145 sworn officers provide law enforcement services to the more than 105,000 people who call Fargo, North Dakota home. Learn how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Fargo. This guide provides the step-by-step instructions you need when seeking a career with the Fargo Police Department.
- Meeting requirements
- Physical fitness test
- Entrance exam
- Additional screening
- Background check
- Conditional job offer
Step 1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements
Candidates who want to attain Fargo police jobs must first determine they meet minimum employment requirements. Minimum employment requirements, as set forth by the Fargo Police Department, include:
- You must be a U.S. citizen or have in-resident alien status.
- You must have 20/20 vision (corrected or uncorrected).
- You must have a valid driver’s license (or have the ability to obtain one).
- You must have completed a two-year educational program at an accredited college or university resulting in an associate’s degree, 60 semester credits, or 90 quarter credits.
- You must be at least 21 years old at the time of employment.
- You must have no felony convictions or Class A misdemeanors.
- You must have a honorable discharge if you served in the military.
Step 2. Take the Physical Fitness Test
The Fargo Police Department accepts applications about three times a year. You can contact Human Resources Generalist Shaun Crowell at 701-241-8162 to inquire about testing/application dates and to sign up for the entrance exam and physical fitness test, which are taken on the same day.
You can read more about becoming a police officer in Fargo by reading the Police Officer Applicant Handbook.
The physical fitness test is administered by members of the Police Department and is taken at the Fargo South High School Sports at 2001 17th Avenue South. The test consists of performing the following:
- 300-meter dash (in 66 seconds)
- 29 sit-ups (in 60 seconds)
- 1.5-mile run (in 14:54)
- 27 push-ups (in 60 seconds)
- Flexibility (sit and reach)
You must pass all components of this test to be eligible to take the written entrance exam. You must submit a signed consent/waiver before you can take the physical fitness test.
Step 3. Take the Entrance Exam
The entrance exam is a video-based test, along with a personal history questionnaire and a personal inventory questionnaire.
On the day of the entrance exam, you are required to bring your current driver’s license, along with a completed Background Investigation Packet, completed cover sheet, and a $25 check or money order made payable to the Fargo Police Department. Testing for the entrance exam is held at the Skills and Technology Training Center at 1305 19th Avenue.
You can expect to be contacted in about one week with your test scores.
Step 4. Complete an Oral Interview
The oral interview, which is scheduled upon receiving notification that you have passed the written test, is conducted by a panel of officers and civilian members of the Fargo Police Department.
You must receive a score of at least 75 percent to move on to the next phase of the employment process.
Step 5. Participate in Pre-Hire Screening
The next phase of the employment process is the pre-hire screening, which includes participating in an interview with the training sergeant. You can expect your background investigation packet, personal history questionnaire, personal inventory reports, criminal history reports, and credit reports to be reviewed at this time.
Step 6. Undergo Background Investigation
Upon the successful completion of the background investigation, you can expect to be placed on the Candidate Eligibility pool, which is then provided to the Chief of Police for consideration.
Step 7. Receive Conditional Offer of Employment and Undergo Remaining Testing
Select candidates may receive a conditional offer of employment, at which time all remaining testing will take place. Remaining testing may include a polygraph exam, a psychological exam conducted by a licensed clinical psychologist, and a medical exam.
Step 8. Attend Law Enforcement Basic Training
All new recruits must complete North Dakota Law Enforcement Basic Training’s Police Training Officer (PTO) Program and subsequent field training program through the Fargo Police Department.
Becoming a Police Officer in Grand Forks, North Dakota
The Grand Forks Police Department, which is the third largest municipal law enforcement agency in North Dakota, has 82 sworn officers who are responsible for providing law enforcement and traffic patrol services to the citizens of Grand Forks.
Individuals with aspirations of becoming a police officer in Grand Forks must adhere to the selection and employment process of the Grand Forks Police Department. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Grand Forks:
- Meet Minimum Employment Eligibility Requirements
- Submit an Employment Application
- Take the Written Test
- Take the Physical Agility Assessment
- Undergo a Background Investigation
- Complete an Oral Interview
- Receive Placement on Hiring Register and Interview with the Police Chief
- Receive a Conditional Offer of Employment and Complete Employment Testing
- Complete Academy Training
Step 1. Meet Minimum Employment Eligibility Requirements
Before submitting an application for employment, you must first determine if you meet minimum employment requirements for Grand Forks police jobs. In particular, you must:
- Be a citizen of the United States or have resident alien status
- Be at least 19 years old
- Possess a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record
- Possess a high school diploma or GED
- Complete at least 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of college credits with at least a C average
- Have on felony convictions
- Have no Class A misdemeanors in the last 3 years
- Have no Class B misdemeanors in the last year
- Have no drug-related convictions (with the exception of marijuana and steroids)
- Have no marijuana or steroid convictions in the last 5 years
- Have no domestic violence convictions
- Have no criminal traffic convictions in the last year
- Have 20/30 vision (corrected or uncorrected) and acceptable color, depth perception and peripheral vision
The Department also has clear employment disqualifiers.
Step 2. Submit an Employment Application
Before you submit an employment application, note:
- The Grand Forks Police Department accepts applications for Grand Forks police jobs just twice a year: January 1-31 and June 1-30.
- If you are interested in becoming a police officer in Grand Forks and it is not an open hiring/testing period, you may email the Grand Forks Police Department Human Resources Commander at [email protected] with your name, contact information, and your intent to apply. You will then be contacted when the next application begins.
You may either pick up an employment application from the Grand Fork’s Human Resources Department in City Hall (located at 255 4th Street) or download and print an application. All applications must be returned to:
Human Resources, City Hall
P.O. Box 5200
Grand Forks, ND 58206-5200
If you have any questions regarding the application process, you may contact Sergeant Brett Johnson, the Human Resources Bureau Commander, at 701-787-8016.
Step 3. Take the Written Test
All testing for police officer jobs in Grand Forks is done through ND Job Services. The written test assesses your ability to: learn and apply police information; to observe and remember details; to follow instructions; and to use judgment and logic. You will be notified by the Department of testing times and dates, upon submission of an employment application and provided you meet all minimum eligibility requirements.
Step 4. Take the Physical Agility Assessment
The Physical Agility Assessment, which is a pass/fail test, is designed to assess your ability to perform all essential functions of a Grand Forks police officer. You may need to complete the following physical tasks: simulated body drag; sprinting; jumping; stair/fence climb; crawling; lifting; and pushing. You can view a diagram of the physical agility assessment course here.
Step 5. Undergo a Background Investigation
Candidates who pass the written and physical agility tests must undergo a background investigation, which also includes a social networking site review.
Step 6. Complete an Oral Interview
Only those candidates who pass the background investigation are eligible to continue the pre-employment process, which includes undergoing a job task-specific oral interview.
Step 7. Receive Placement on Hiring Register and Interview with the Police Chief
Only those candidates who have made the final cutoff score (as established by the Department) for the oral interview will be placed on a hiring register. For every open police officer position the Department will submit the three top names from the hiring register to the Mayor for review. At this time, the Police Chief will likely conduct an informal interview with the chosen candidates and make a recommendation to the Mayor for appointment selection.
Step 8. Receive a Conditional Offer of Employment and Complete Employment Testing
If you are presented with a conditional offer of employment, you will be required to complete all remaining employment testing, which includes a medical exam; a psychological exam; a drug screen; a health assessment; and a polygraph exam.
Step 9. Complete Academy Training
All new officers with the Grand Forks Police Department must attend the Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy in Bismarck for 12 weeks. All new recruits must then complete a 2-week orientation program and a 16-week field training program with the Department.
Becoming a Police Officer in Minot, North Dakota
The Minot Police Department and its team of uniformed law enforcement personnel are tasked with patrolling the 13 square miles that Minot covers. As the fourth largest city in North Dakota, and with nearly 41,000 citizens, the Minot Police Department has an important role to play in the security of the state.
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for individuals who want to learn how to become a cop in Minot by meeting the department’s specified police officer requirements:
- Meet Minimum Applicant Qualifications
- Apply for Employment
- Take the Physical Fitness Exam
- Take the Law Enforcement Entrance Exam
- Participate in an Oral Interview
- Complete Remaining Employment Testing
- Complete Police Academy Training
Step 1. Meet Minimum Applicant Qualifications
If you are interested in becoming a police officer in Minot, you must first determine if you meet minimum applicant qualifications. In particular, you must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license (and the ability to obtain a North Dakota driver’s license within a year of being appointed) and one of the following:
- An associate’s degree from an accredited college or university
- At least 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university (directly applicable to management, criminal justice, police administration, accounting, psychology, sociology, or budgeting)
- A law enforcement basic training academy certificate recognized by the North Dakota POST Board
Although not required, preferred candidates will possess law enforcement experience; a four-year degree in criminal justice or a related field; or will have completed a state certified law enforcement skills program.
Step 2. Apply for Employment
The Minot Police Department has an open application process, meaning that you may apply for Minot police jobs at any time.
You must submit a City of Minot Application for Employment, along with official copies of all related transcripts and documents. The Department also requests that you submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of your credentials with the application for employment. You must send your application packet to:
City of Minot Human Resources Office
515 2nd Avenue SW
Minot, ND 58701
You may contact the City of Minot Human Resources Offices at 701-587-4756 if you have questions concerning the application process.
Step 3. Take the Physical Fitness Exam
If your employment application indicates you are qualified for the position, you will be notified by the Department of upcoming physical fitness exam dates. Only those individuals who pass the physical fitness exam will qualify to take the written law enforcement entrance exam.
Step 4. Take the Law Enforcement Entrance Exam
You must achieve a score of at least 70 percent on the law enforcement entrance exam to qualify for Minot police jobs. All civil service examinations are held on an as-needed basis and are conducted by the Minot Police Department.
You must complete a law enforcement entrance exam application and pay $25 to be scheduled to take the exam.
Step 5. Participate in an Oral Interview
Only those candidates who successfully pass the law enforcement entrance exam are eligible to continue the employment process, which includes participating in an oral interview.
Step 6. Complete Remaining Employment Testing
All qualified candidates who pass the oral interview will undergo a complete background investigation, a medical exam, and a polygraph examination.
Step 7. Complete Police Academy Training
All new recruits must attend mandatory entry-level police officer academy training.
Becoming a Police Officer in West Fargo, North Dakota
The West Fargo Police Department (701-433-5500), which consists of 39 uniformed officers and 15 civilian employees, is responsible for protecting this growing city’s nearly 26,000 residents.
If you are thinking of becoming a police officer in West Fargo, there are a number of steps you must be prepared to take:
- Meet Minimum Employment Qualifications
- Submit an Application for Employment
- Take the Physical Fitness Test
- Take the Written Exam
- Participate in an Oral Interview
- Participate in a Chief’s Interview
- Complete Employment Testing
- Attend Police Academy Training
Step 1. Meet Minimum Employment Qualifications
Individuals interested in West Fargo police jobs must first consider if they meet minimum qualifications for patrol officers. To become a West Fargo police officer you must:
- Be at least 21 years of age at the time of testing
- Be eligible to work in the United States
- Have no felony convictions
- Have no restrictions regarding firearms
- Have an associate’s degree in criminal justice or a related field from an accredited college or university OR have completed at least 60 semester hours (90 quarter credit hours) from an accredited college or university
Step 2. Submit an Application for Employment
If you determine you meet the minimum qualifications for employment, you can then print and complete a West Fargo Police Application. Mail your completed application to:
West Fargo Police Department
Support Services Officer
800 4th Avenue East, Suite 2
West Fargo, ND 58078
Step 3. Take the Physical Fitness Test
The first step in the employment process for qualified candidates includes a physical fitness test, which consists of five parts: sit-ups; push-ups; a 1.5-mile run; a muscular strength and endurance test (which includes an obstacle course and a dummy drag); and a flexibility test (sit and reach).
The physical fitness test is a pass/fail test, and all candidates who pass the physical fitness test are invited to take the written exam, which usually occurs on the same day.
Step 4. Take the Written Exam
The written exam consists of 100 questions, all of which are related to a study packet that is given to the candidates on the day of testing. All candidates are allowed to study the packet for 30 minutes. The packet is then taken away and the test is given.
Step 5. Participate in an Oral Interview
All candidates who pass the written test are scheduled for an oral interview, which usually occurs within the next day or two.
Step 6. Participate in a Chief’s Interview
Only those candidates who pass the oral interview are invited to interview with the Police Chief, who will extend a conditional offer of employment to the most qualified candidates.
Step 7. Complete Employment Testing
Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, qualified candidates are required to undergo a background investigation; a psychological exam; a polygraph exam; and a medical exam.
Step 8. Attend Police Academy Training
All new recruits must complete police academy training, followed by mandatory field training. | <urn:uuid:d8400008-a8cf-4f07-bc8b-d22827a39822> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://www.lawenforcementedu.net/north-dakota/how-to-become-a-police-officer-in-north-dakota/ | 2019-08-24T12:39:40Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027320734.85/warc/CC-MAIN-20190824105853-20190824131853-00320.warc.gz | en | 0.914913 | 4,416 |
If you’re beginning Week 2 of your Whole30®, congratulations to you! I hope you’re feeling awesome and eating lots of great food. If you missed...Read More
Whole30: Week 1 Meal Plan
I really don’t understand meal plans. I mean, conceptually, I get it. When you’re starting a new eating plan, an expert tells you exactly what to eat and when to make it a little easier. But practically speaking, it makes no sense to me.
What if I don’t want to eat salmon on Monday?
However, I understand the desire to have a more concrete plan than “eat clean food,” especially for someone new to paleo or tackling a Whole30® for the first time. So this post is a description of what I’d do if I was going to do a Whole30 right now.
A few things to keep in mind:
1. This is a Whole30 Meal Plan… and it’s not. It’s more of a food and cooking plan. I’m not going to tell you what to eat when, but I have made recommendations for foods you’ll want to make sure you have in your kitchen and recipes I think make the Whole30 easy and delicious.
2. I haven’t specified things like breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks. As I explained in Well Fed and Well Fed 2, I eat the same kinds of foods at all of my meals. If I want breakfast food at dinner time, I break out the eggs. And my breakfast is usually chicken, sautéed with sweet potatoes and collard greens, with a side of zucchini soup. I’m not suggesting that the Whole30 means you have to eat zucchini soup for breakfast. I’m just saying you’ll probably have more fun if you stop thinking of foods as appropriate for a particular meal. Eat what you want when you want it. (As long as it’s from the Whole30-approved list, of course.)
3. I created a complete shopping list. I went through the recipes and made a list of everything you’ll need to make the food below, and it’s in a PDF so you can print it out, cross out the things you don’t need, and add whatever else you think you might want to nosh. You’ll definitely want some stuff in your kitchen that’s not included in this blog post or shopping list. I’m talking about lovely nibbles like coconut chips or black olives, or luscious in-season citrus fruit, or a vegetable that catches your eye at the farmer’s market. Download the Week 1 Shopping List.
4. You’ll probably need more food than you think. The Whole30 may limit how often you eat in restaurants, not because you can’t, but because eating at home is usually less stressful and more delicious. Below are some rough guidelines for how much protein and veggies you need to feed yourself each day; for more on this food math, you might want to check out my cookbook Well Fed or this post called “Stocking Up.”
Per person, per day, you need approximately:
3/4 pound to 1 1/2 pounds of protein
6-8 cups of vegetables
Think about the people you need to feed and adjust your shopping and cooking accordingly. I guarantee you that you’d rather have more food than you need (you can always pop it in the freezer until you’re ready for it) than to run out mid-week when you’re tired and hungry. If you’re cooking for ripped-to-the-max CrossFitters, they eat more of everything than a “regular” person. If you’re cooking for just yourself, you might want to cut quantities in half, or freeze half of the larger recipes below.
This might seem complicated and overwhelming now, but after a week or two, you’ll be a pro. Relax! You really can’t do it wrong. I promise.
5. Keep it simple. You don’t need to follow a bunch of complicated recipes to eat well, and I recommend that during your first week, especially, you make it as easy on yourself as possible. That’s why I encourage you to make Hot Plates (see details below) and a few simple recipes that yield large quantities so you have lots of useful, yummy leftovers. (Want more ideas for keeping it simple? This post has tons of meal ideas that don’t require a recipe.)
This Food Plan is based on two components: (1) Hot Plates, which are essentially meat+veg sautés you can make on-the-fly, and (2) Bulk Recipes that make scrumptious dishes in larger quantities so you have leftovers throughout the week. The combination of both means you can fight boredom and have your own personal menu of choices to choose from every day. Your fridge is about to become your favorite restaurant.
The info below lists the recipes I recommend you make for a week’s worth of meals, plus a step-by-step plan for getting it all done in about two hours. 3-2-1… GO!
The basis of cooking in our house is Hot Plates. Basically, I cook a pile of protein and bushels of vegetables to store in the fridge until it’s time to eat. Then I quickly sauté whatever I’m in the mood for and top it with spices and sauces to jazz it up. Easy! It’s like this:
Protein + Veggies + Fat + Spices + Sauce = Meal
Here’s my recommendation for what you’ll cook for Hot Plates during Week 1. The detailed instructions are below, but this gives you an idea of the quantity and ingredients.
Ground Beef: 2-3 pounds, browned in a skillet with lots of salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder.
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs : 2-3 pounds, roasted with lots of salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Tuna, Sardines, Shrimp: Stock up on cans of tuna (my favorite is Genova Tonno, packed olive oil, no extra ingredients), sardines (my fave are Crown Prince, skinless and boneless), and shrimp (I defrost frozen, wild-caught in the fridge for last-minute meals).
Cooked Vegetables: Cook a bunch of veggies and store in the fridge. All of these (except the spaghetti squash and sweet potatoes), get a basic Steam-Sauté treatment:
Spaghetti Squash (how-to video for cutting spaghetti squash)
Greens: kale, collards, spinach, or chard
Raw Vegetables: These are great for salad plates, snacks, and as add-ons alongside a Hot Plate:
A drizzle of something luscious turns meat and vegetables into something you really want to eat. These three are very versatile and quick to make:
Sunshine Sauce: like Asian peanut sauce, without the annoying (anti-nutritious) peanuts
Olive Oil Mayo: so much better than store-bought, and perfect for salad dressings, tuna/chicken salad, or dolloping on top of grilled meat
Moroccan Dipping Sauce: fresh, a little spicy, and fast to make; excellent drizzled over Hot Plates and doubles as salad dressing
More Ideas for “No Recipe Required” Meals
You can find lots more detail and tons of ideas for Hot Plates in my cookbook Well Fed. The links below provide ideas, inspiration, and how-to advice:
In addition to Hot Plates, I think it nourishes the soul to have some home-cooked, comfort foods in the fridge. The great thing about all the recipes I’ve listed below is that they taste better the longer they sit, so you’re guaranteed delicious meals all week long.
Chocolate Chili: This is one of my most popular recipes, and if you double it, you can freeze half to have chili on-demand.
Italian Pork Roast: This recipe yields tender, flavorful pork that’s great on its own and works well in Hot Plates or salads, too.
Silky Gingered Zucchini Soup: Soups are one of my favorite ways to get extra vegetables without even really thinking about it. This is a favorite of mine for breakfast, but if that’s too weird for you, just eat a small bowl before lunch or dinner, or as a snack.
I made a shopping list that includes all the ingredients for these recipes. Be sure to give it a once over to add additional stuff — like veggies and fruit to supplement these recipes — and to remove stuff you already have in your pantry. Download the Week 1 Shopping List.
Cookup: The Plan
If you want to cook all of the stuff listed above and want to spend the minimum amount of time in the kitchen, there’s a plan below for how you can do it. This should serve 2-4 people for the better part of a week, give or take a meal or two. The recommendations included here are the way I cook for my husband (6′ 5″) and myself (5′ 4″) to keep us going through work days, strength training, walks, and yoga.
NOTE: This is pro-level cooking organization. It requires you to fire up the stove, the oven, and the slow cooker all at the same time. Put on some favorite tunes, get yourself a big glass of water, take a deep breath, and start chopping and stirring. You can do it!
On The Menu
Here’s the comprehensive list of what you’re making in this Cookup:
Roasted Chicken Thighs
Olive Oil Mayo
Roasted Spaghetti Squash
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Italian Pork Roast
Browned Ground Beef
Moroccan Dipping Sauce
Silky Gingered Zucchini Soup
1. Sharpen your knife. Get out your cutting board, some baking sheets, and a non-stick skillet. Drag your slow cooker out of the cabinet. Dust off your blender. Fill your water bottle. Turn on your tunes.
2. Take an egg out of the fridge to come to room temperature for the Olive Oil Mayo.
3. Preheat the oven to 400F for the chicken thighs, roasted spaghetti squash, and sweet potatoes.
4. Wash and cut the broccoli and green beans you are going to steam-sauté.
5. Collect an array of storage containers and jars for the finished food.
Let’s Get Cookin’
Here are the step-by-step instructions you need to make all of this food. Have fun!
1. Get the Italian Pork Roast going. We’re easing into it with a simple one. This takes almost no hands-on time and will yield massive amounts of protein. Season the pork roast and plunk it in the slow cooker. [Italian Pork Roast Recipe]
2. Start the Chocolate Chili. Make the chili all the way through to the end of the recipe so it can simmer on the back of the stove while you do the rest of the kitchen work. [Chocolate Chili Recipe]
3. Get the chicken and veggies in the oven. Place the chicken thighs on a large baking sheet, sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. On another baking sheet, place the cut spaghetti squash and a few whole, unpeeled sweet potatoes. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of water around the squash. Slide both baking sheets into the oven and set a timer for 30 minutes.
5. Brown the ground beef. Crumble the ground beef into a very large skillet — I like non-stick; you do what makes you feel comfortable. Season it generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook, breaking up clumps with a wooden spoon, until it’s no longer pink. Remove the meat to a storage container, but keep the pan where it is. Time to steam-sauté those veggies.
Did your 30-minute timer go off yet? Check the chicken and veggies in the oven. The chicken should be golden brown and sizzling. The squash should be tender to the touch. If yes, remove the chicken and squash from the oven, but slide the potatoes back in for another 20 minutes. If no, set the timer for 5-10 minutes and keep the chicken and squash in the oven.
6. Steam-sauté your veggies. Put 1/2 cup water in the hot pan, bring it to a boil, and add the broccoli. Let it steam-sauté for 5-7 minutes, then remove. (While it’s cooking, you can take a quick meditation break. Close your eyes, and do 10 rounds of slow breathing: in for 4 beats, out for 4 beats, completely filling and emptying your lungs. Comfort and joy, right here.) When the broccoli is tender, remove it to a storage container, add another 1/2 cup water to the pan, and cook the green beans. Repeat as necessary. While the veggies are cooking, make the Moroccan Dipping Sauce. [Complete Steam-Sauté Instructions]
Time to check the chicken, squash, and sweet potatoes again. How are they doing?
7. Make the Moroccan Dipping Sauce. While the green beans are steaming, whip up a batch of this sauce that doubles as salad dressing. Moroccan Dipping Sauce Recipe
8. Make the Silky Gingered Zucchini Soup. This is last because by now you might be sick of cooking. If you are, give yourself permission to skip the soup. But if you’ve still got gas in the tank, make the soup and let it simmer while you get ready for your cooldown. [Silky Gingered Zucchini Soup]
Are your sweet potatoes out of the oven? They should be finished by now.
Pack It Up
As your simmered and roasted dishes finish up, place them in BPA-free storage containers (like these) and pop them into the fridge. Remember: Despite what your grandma might have told you, it’s better to put freshly-cooked food in the fridge while it’s warm; let it cool slightly on the countertop then get it into the fridge. Your homemade food is safe to eat for about a week; for more on food storage safety, visit TheKitchn and TheDailyMeal.
I also recommend you make a list of all the food you just cooked and make a list to hang on your refrigerator door. It’s an excellent reminder of how completely badass you are — and it makes it easy to review your home menu of deliciousness.
Just in case you need additional ideas, support, and motivation, here are a few more tidbits to help make your Whole30 as tasty and stress free as possible.
Well Fed Weeknights: Complete Paleo Meals in 45 Minutes or Less
Bursting with vibrant flavors and foolproof recipes, the third installment in the best-selling Well Fed cookbook series puts 128 complete paleo meals on your table in 45 minutes or less. The recipes were inspired by takeout classics, food trucks, and cuisines from around the world. Basically, it’s stuff I’ve eaten—or read about—and wanted to recreate at home. All of the recipes are free of grains, dairy, legumes, and soy.
Every complete meal—a healthy serving of protein with plenty of veggies and luscious fats—is thoroughly tested and easy to make, with affordable ingredients you’ll find at your regular grocery store. And all of the recipes include the popular “You Know How You Could Do That?” variations, as well as Cookup Tips to help shorten meal prep time.
I’ve included instructions for a Mini Cookup with step-by-step instructions for cooking six paleo kitchen staples in under an hour. Cook once, and fancy-up your meals all week long with cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, homemade mayo, and more.
Debuting in Well Fed Weeknights are fun and flexible Food Court Recipes: blueprints of your favorite dinner themes, like Meat & Potatoes, Burger Night, Velvet Stir-Fry, The Ultimate Salad Bar, and more, all offering basic techniques and creative variations to satisfy your personal cravings.
Well Fed: Paleo Recipes For People Who Love To Eat
My cookbook Well Fed is packed with recipes to make you want to smash in your face with joy and all but one of the recipes are Whole30 approved for use during your Whole30. In addition to recipes for dishes like Shepherd’s Pie, Scotch Eggs, Chocolate Chili, and Bora Bora Fireballs, Well Fed also includes lots of information for how to cook without a recipe — lots of ideas for ways to combine basic protein, veggies, and fats into something special that ensures you won’t get bored and you won’t spend all of your free time in the kitchen. (If you’re curious, the “offender” recipe is a fruit crisp that uses Whole30-friendly ingredients, but is too dessert-y to comply with the spirit of the Whole30. That recipe, however, is just fine for when your Whole30 is complete, and you want a sweet treat.) Help yourself to a free 30-page preview of Well Fed—or just go ahead and buy it now!
Well Fed 2: More Paleo Recipes For People Who Love To Eat
Well Fed 2 is packed with even more recipes and ideas to keep your taste buds happy and all but two of the recipes are Whole30 approved for use during your Whole30. In addition to recipes for dishes like Deconstructed Gyro, Buffalo Chicken Salad, Old School Italian Meat Sauce, and West African Chicken Stew, Well Fed 2 also includes tons more “no recipe required” meal ideas, 15 meatball recipes, 8 dressings and dips based on my homemade mayo recipe (the most popular recipe on my site!), and adaptations to make more than 100 of the recipes compliant with the autoimmune protocol (AIP) of paleo. Help yourself to a free 35-page preview of Well Fed 2—or just go ahead and buy it now!
Real Plans: A 100% kickass, totally customizable meal plan service that includes more than 200 of my Well Fed recipes. It’s an incredibly powerful, flexible meal planning tool that offers real food recipes served up with shopping lists and helpful how-to tips to make getting meals on the table faster and easier than you thought was possible. You can change every aspect of the system, including number of meals each week, specific ingredients, serving sizes, and more. It’s easy to swap recipes in and out of the plans, and the system provides a foolproof, step-by-step timeline for prepping ingredients and cooking throughout the week. Real Plans also provides nutrition information for all of the recipes.
Five Paleo Dinners To Cook Next Week: I post this collection of five paleo and Whole30 approved dinner recipes every week. It includes main dish recipes, a condiment to add zing to basic ingredients, a special snack, recommendations for complimentary side dishes, and advice for how to work the recipe into a Weekly Cookup. It’s not really a meal plan—it’s more like ideas for dishes you might like to cook.
Great Ingredients: No Recipe Required: a roundup of delicious meals you can make pretty quickly and without following a recipe
30 Reasons to Whole30: In case all this talk of cooking has stressed you out, here are 30 reminders why the Whole30 is worth it. | <urn:uuid:acb6717d-4471-4dea-8cfa-9659e2432ace> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://meljoulwan.com/2013/12/29/whole30-2014-week-1-meal-plan/?replytocom=196830 | 2019-08-18T04:33:06Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027313617.6/warc/CC-MAIN-20190818042813-20190818064813-00520.warc.gz | en | 0.927872 | 4,175 |
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“еперь грузовые железнодорожные перевозки представл€ют собой симбиоз инженерных достижений в области средств передвижени€ и оптимального процесса управлени€ продвижением товаров и услуг через поставщиков к потребител€м. ∆елезнодорожные превозки. “ Ѕ»–“–јЌ—∆елезнодорожные перевозки грузов по-прежнему считаютс€ самым быстрым, удобным и наименее затратным способом доставки различных грузов Ц от т€желой строительной техники предварительно проворно порт€щихс€ продуктов питани€.ќбъ€сн€етс€ это в первую очередь тем, который железнодорожные перевозки наход€тс€ вне конкуренции, когда изложение идет о транспортировке т€желых и негабаритных грузов: строительной техники (кранов, экскаваторов, самосвалов), крупногабаритных технических изделий (возьмем, опор ЋЁѕ, железобетонных плит, перекрытий и т.п.). ∆елезнодорожные превозки. “ Ѕ»–“–јЌ— ѕрисутствие этом размеры данных грузов ограничены лишь размерами самого подвижного состава, какой довольно осуществл€ть железнодорожную перевозку. Ѕолее того - современна€ строительна€ техника целенаправленно проектируетс€ именно с расчетом дл€ то, который ее доставка довольно осуществл€тьс€ железнодорожным транспортом.
Ќа всем прот€жении цивилизации прислуга навсегда задумывалс€, чем ему перетащить иначе перевезти т€желовесный, крупногабаритный, разумеетс€ и весь любой ноша, который он самовластно не в состо€нии перенести. “ак были изобретены простые транспортные средства, как сани, повозка, плот, лодка. ≈сли усилие человека в качестве т€говой силы уже было не довольно, человек стали пользоватьс€ животных: волов, верблюдов и, €сно же, лошадей.
роме в ƒревней √реции существовала необходимость перевозки т€желовесного и негабаритного груза. ƒл€ сокращени€ водного пути из —аронического залива в оринфский существовал каменный путь, называемый ƒиолком с глубокими желобами в качестве направл€ющих и кто служил ради перемещени€ волоком т€желых кораблей.
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|ID||Project||Category||View Status||Date Submitted||Last Update|
|0000681||Dwarf Fortress||Dwarf Mode -- Jobs, Healthcare||public||2010-04-06 18:45||2012-03-17 07:12|
|Assigned To||Toady One|
|Target Version||Fixed in Version||0.31.22|
|Summary||0000681: Legless/footless dwarfs are ignored by healthcare|
|Description||Any dwarf that lost his lower limbs completely is left on his own, even if moved to hospital.|
Health status shows that no treatment needed, but 'standing ability is lost'.
They should at least get crutches to walk, right?
|Steps To Reproduce||1. Sever off leg or foot of any dwarf|
2. Watch him lying in hospital for many years, doing nothing
|Tags||0.31.08, 0.31.13, 0.31.21, diagnosis, wounds|
|I had a similar thing happen to my dwarf except she lost her left forearm and left hand instead. She never needed medical attention or rest. After the fight, during which it was lopped off, she picked up work as if nothing happened. She can't grasp anything with that hand but that doesn't seem to slow her masonry work down any.|
|I can confirm this, my dwarf has severed nerves but gets no crutch assigned.|
|I'd like to also confirm this. The worst part of this bug is that the dwarf in question is caught in limbo - they will forever "Rest", but because the doctor thinks he did everything he could he'll never look at them again.|
Jiri Petru (reporter)
edited on: 2010-05-06 16:14
I have a dwarf that lost the ability to stand because of a fractured foot. He's already been treated, the leg is immobilised and everything, now he has no treatment scheduled, but still has "ability to stand lost".
He has not recieved a crutch and is lying down in the hospital, doing "No job". He can be drafted and issued orders, like "station" or "defend burrows" and will actually try to follow them, but he keeps lying on the spot.
I doubt they will feed him...
My Expedition leader was a part of my primary defense group and got his right hand ripped of by a Draltha... Now it just says "Ability to grasp somewhat impaired". No wounds are present although you'd think that the stub of the right arm would need cleaning, stitches and dressing?
No evaluated wounds and no diagnosis required.
|Confirmed again as well. I'm having the same issue after one of my military dwarves had his left foot lopped off by a Kobold. He now sits in the hospital Resting, no further treatment or diagnosis scheduled.|
My guess is its releated to how Toady removed Phantom Pains, he just made it so a severed foot (dark grey) actually vanishes from the dwarf's wound menu
Strange way of doing it but I guess the doctor gets confused (His leg isnt listed as dark grey, its missing from his wounds screen entirly, he must not be born with a leg, nothing wrong) <- What the doctor thinks.
|Well, when ordering a wrestler and hammerman to attack a squad a grizzly bear shook him around and tore both nerves in his foot (see? I told you shaking severs nerves too easily) Now hes just in hospital as I type getting treated, his health screen says NOTHING about crutches.|
I don't know whether a save after the diagnosis is very helpful, but
has two dwarfs who have been bedbound for several years. They're in the beds in the silty-clay room to the west of the starting cursor. (One of them is flashing with a red +; they both have the title "WOUNDED").
Neither of two dwarfs can walk. They both received medical treatment while there were plenty of crutches available (both in boxes in the hospital they were in *and* in bins outside the hospital).
A save file during/before the diagnosis of someone who ends up with this problem would probably be helpful, if anyone ends up with one.
edited on: 2010-07-29 06:15
In my experience dwarves can get stuck in the hospital forever if they get an infection anywhere - it seems to stop any further treatment, even if the infection is recovered from?
I'm not sure but I have wounded dwarves who have spent years in the hospital, never getting better, occasionally getting infected. I even had a child grow to adult status, having been injured as a kid and never getting better or getting treatment, even though other dwarves have received all possible treatements (even casting, by some miracle) and there are dwarves with all healthcare choices enabled with "No Job".
Another dwarf lost a hand but his arm and shoulder were never treated - he went on to be a pretty productive miner anyway until a cave in, after which no doctor will treat him and he is bedridden with lots of red injuries.
The only thing I can see in common is that both were infected at one point. I think the kid got infected while a doctor was at a well....
|I have a dwarf that is still in the hospital with a missing lower right leg, and broken hip. Been that for maybe half a year. Gets fed as usual. No treatment. However, had something odd happen. Got a strange mood. He walked, with 1 leg, over to jewelers and made an artifact, then went back to the hospital.|
|I'm having the same problem for a dwarf with nerve damage in his leg in 31.12. Never had an infection that I saw, but has never been given a crutch. It seems my hospital doesn't stock them, despite a crutch stockpile inside the hospital. (My attempt to force the issue.) At this point the dwarf is showing no injuries in his thoughts. I might just have to find a way to injure him and see if that restarts the process for him.|
|albinocaveslug, it would be helpful to upload a save demonstrating that problem to http://dffd.wimbli.com/ [^]|
this may be of some help: 3 dwarves at hospital for ever. 2 suffer from infections and broken parts, 1 from nothing else than "ability to stand lost". Crutches are available in the fortress, as anything else which could be needed.
It is not only legs and arms - it seems any severed parts do this. I had a soldier with a severed nose go on without treatment and later die of an infection.
Really needs a fix.
Toady One (administrator)
|The current state now with fixes applied is that dwarves with one leg or a broken leg will use a crutch, and dwarves without legs or that can't use either leg but are otherwise treated and healthy will just move around slowly on the ground. There could be more for legless dwarves later, but it is out of bug territory now.|
|2010-04-06 18:45||RusAnon||New Issue|
|2010-04-06 23:17||Kataklistika||Note Added: 0001688|
|2010-04-07 12:13||Footkerchief||Relationship added||parent of 0000730|
|2010-04-09 02:56||Vince||Note Added: 0002285|
|2010-04-09 02:56||Vince||Issue Monitored: Vince|
|2010-04-09 21:43||bloodystump||Issue Monitored: bloodystump|
|2010-04-09 21:56||SirPenguin||Note Added: 0002511|
|2010-05-06 16:13||Jiri Petru||Note Added: 0006315|
|2010-05-06 16:14||Jiri Petru||Note Edited: 0006315||View Revisions|
|2010-06-22 08:19||MaXMC||Note Added: 0008949|
|2010-06-22 08:20||MaXMC||Tag Attached: 0.31.08|
|2010-06-22 08:20||MaXMC||Tag Attached: diagnosis|
|2010-06-22 08:20||MaXMC||Tag Attached: wounds|
|2010-06-22 18:16||Footkerchief||Relationship added||parent of 0002437|
|2010-06-22 18:17||Footkerchief||Relationship added||related to 0002373|
|2010-06-23 22:32||Footkerchief||Relationship added||parent of 0002453|
|2010-06-23 22:32||Footkerchief||Relationship deleted||parent of 0002453|
|2010-06-30 13:35||Footkerchief||Relationship added||parent of 0000459|
|2010-07-02 02:49||Briggs||Note Added: 0009505|
|2010-07-02 08:33||toybasher||Note Added: 0009519|
|2010-07-03 10:51||toybasher||Note Added: 0009580|
|2010-07-07 14:20||Creidieki||Note Added: 0009739|
|2010-07-26 11:03||Creidieki||Issue Monitored: Creidieki|
|2010-07-29 06:10||JimboOmega||Note Added: 0011241|
|2010-07-29 06:14||JimboOmega||Note Edited: 0011241||View Revisions|
|2010-07-29 06:15||JimboOmega||Note Edited: 0011241||View Revisions|
|2010-08-03 04:53||weaselboy246||Note Added: 0011434|
|2010-08-03 06:08||Logical2u||Relationship added||parent of 0002935|
|2010-08-03 09:43||Footkerchief||Relationship added||related to 0000309|
|2010-08-03 09:43||Footkerchief||Sticky Issue||No => Yes|
|2010-08-04 10:48||albinocaveslug||Note Added: 0011494|
|2010-08-04 11:57||Footkerchief||Note Added: 0011499|
|2010-08-28 09:14||behbehr||Note Added: 0012204|
|2010-08-28 09:15||behbehr||Issue Monitored: behbehr|
|2010-09-20 05:12||Another||Tag Attached: 0.31.13|
|2010-09-20 05:14||Another||Issue Monitored: Another|
|2010-10-05 04:28||endrin||Issue Monitored: endrin|
|2010-10-12 15:27||Dlarit||Issue Monitored: Dlarit|
|2010-11-14 11:24||Orkel2||Note Added: 0013830|
|2010-11-21 12:31||Footkerchief||Relationship added||has duplicate 0003193|
|2010-12-10 06:06||wRAR||Issue Monitored: wRAR|
|2011-02-16 14:28||jwest23||Issue Monitored: jwest23|
|2011-02-18 15:31||xrogaan||Issue Monitored: xrogaan|
|2011-03-04 23:11||Footkerchief||Relationship added||related to 0000094|
|2011-03-08 14:49||Another||Tag Attached: 0.31.21|
|2011-03-13 05:39||Toady One||Note Added: 0016199|
|2011-03-13 05:39||Toady One||Status||new => resolved|
|2011-03-13 05:39||Toady One||Fixed in Version||=> 0.31.22|
|2011-03-13 05:39||Toady One||Resolution||open => fixed|
|2011-03-13 05:39||Toady One||Assigned To||=> Toady One|
|2011-03-13 17:39||Footkerchief||Relationship replaced||related to 0000459|
|2011-03-13 17:40||Footkerchief||Relationship replaced||has duplicate 0002935|
|2011-03-13 17:41||Footkerchief||Relationship replaced||has duplicate 0000730|
|2011-03-13 17:42||Footkerchief||Relationship replaced||related to 0002437|
|2011-03-18 09:36||Another||Issue End Monitor: Another|
|2011-04-07 10:11||wRAR||Issue End Monitor: wRAR|
|2011-06-08 11:13||Dwarfu||Relationship replaced||parent of 0002373|
|2011-06-08 11:15||Dwarfu||Relationship replaced||has duplicate 0002373|
|2011-06-08 11:15||Dwarfu||Issue Monitored: Khym Chanur|
|2011-06-08 11:15||Dwarfu||Issue Monitored: JoRo|
|2011-06-08 11:15||Dwarfu||Issue Monitored: Cespinarve|
|2011-06-08 11:15||Dwarfu||Issue Monitored: Dr. Funkenstein|
|2011-06-08 11:15||Dwarfu||Issue Monitored: wRAR|
|2011-06-08 11:15||Dwarfu||Issue Monitored: hyperactiveChipmunk|
|2011-09-08 10:57||Charidan||Issue Monitored: Charidan|
|2012-03-17 07:12||Dwarfu||Sticky Issue||Yes => No|
|Copyright © 2000 - 2010 MantisBT Group| | <urn:uuid:f719f8e2-7539-4f78-a96e-e618178749f0> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | http://bay12games.com/dwarves/mantisbt/view.php?id=681 | 2019-08-22T01:35:51Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027316555.4/warc/CC-MAIN-20190822000659-20190822022659-00440.warc.gz | en | 0.886761 | 3,104 |
In February 2005, I got an email from Lisa from the Elearning Network of Australasia (ElNet). It was a voluntary organization that she set up with her agency business partner to progress the Elearning industry mainly in Australia. I was working in the Government, building elearning courses including some cool projects with Lisa’s agency.
Lisa wanted to know if I was happy to present at the ElNet conference she was planning for later in the year. I was scared shitless of the idea but I knew that wasn’t a good enough reason to say no. So I agreed.
The conference wasn’t until November so I had the best part of a year to plan (worry) about the event. And that’s exactly what I did.
I would think about it most days and wonder how I was going to do it. I worked for months on a flash-based presentation full of animation and examples of courses we had worked on. Whenever I would think about it I’d feel physically sick at the thought of speaking in front of a group. Every time I got an email from Lisa about a project, any time I saw anything from ElNet, most days really, I’d get that sinking reminder of what I was going to have to do. I imagined myself standing in front of hundreds of people and talking. I really had no idea how that was going to work. I struggled just standing in front of one person talking.
I can’t tell you how many times I thought about it and worried about it that year.
On the day of the event I planned to fly down in the morning of my session which was scheduled for 10am. I was also pretty scared of travelling, in particular flying in planes so I wanted to get it out of the way quick.
I was all organized, had my laptop and my flashy presentation, even donned a suit. I got to the airport and made an interesting discovery. I’d screwed up my times and I was an hour late. My flight had already left!
I managed to get on the next flight but by this time I was so panicked and stressed I didn’t even know if I’d be able to present at the event. It was overcast as well so I was extra nervous about flying. As the plane was taking off my palms were sweating so much I had to keep wiping them on my pants. I thought I was going to die, but then I came to my senses and calmed down. You have to focus on the positives. “Yes you might die”, I thought “but at least then you won’t have to do the presentation!”.
It was at that point when I heard a massive bang and the whole plane shook. We had just been struck by lightning.
I freaked the fuck out. I had no idea what was going to happen except of course I knew I was going to die. The pilot came over the PA system all casual and said yeah that happens sometimes, it’s all good.
Well I did present at that conference (more on that later), but it would be my last conference presentation for 9 years.
Eventually I decided to get back into speaking. The first event was WordCamp Sydney at the end of 2014, the day before I launched The 7 Day Startup. In the 8 months or so since, I’ve spoken in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok & Cebu in venues ranging from 50 to 400 people including conferences like the $4,000 / head Tropical Think Tank in the Philippines, The 700 person strong Problogger and the Brisbane and Melbourne Digital Marketing Summit.
The impact I’ve made with speaking has been very surprising to me, here is a sample of some of the tweets.Dan's Speaking
But the biggest thing for me is yesterday’s Digital Summit in Melbourne, was the first event I’ve presented where I haven’t been nervous.
Here are the 8 things that helped me go from certainty of death, to zero nerves and ultimately get over my fear of public speaking. If you are nervous about public speaking, I recommend you do the following.
1. Understand the power of public speaking
At the end of 2014 I decided to have another crack at public speaking. It had been 9 years since my first attempt. In that time I’d only attended 2 or 3 conferences, and the idea of speaking at one scared me more than I can tell you. But I decided that it was a better option than being a pussy, so I agreed to speak at WordCamp.
I attended the first day of the event, walked around not knowing anyone and worried myself sick about what the next day would be like. I thought very seriously about flying home and pretending I was never there. No one knew me, no one talked to me, I was too scared to talk to anyone else, the organizers probably didn’t even know I was there.
But I did turn up on day 2 and spoke to a small group of around 60-80 people.
I remember it being a hell of a lot easier than I imagined. I just went up the front, and talked for 30 minutes. People loved it, I wasn’t that nervous and it went well.
It was the day The 7 Day Startup was uploaded to Amazon. I know that because someone in the audience searched for it and found it and told me in front of everyone during the Q&A session at the end of my talk. It was supposed to go live the next day.
But it was what happened afterwards that had a lasting impact. I had a few people come up to me afterwards who wanted to chat and thank me for my talk. Since then I’ve learned that this is standard when you speak at conferences. At the time I was blown away, but it was one lady in particular who taught me a big lesson.
She came up to me and said something like “Thankyou so much for this talk, you have truly changed my life”. She didn’t stick around to talk, she just walked off. I had written 700 blog posts in the 5 years prior trying to spread my message, and never once had anyone ever said anything like that to me.
From that day forward, every time I have spoken, to help me battle my nerves I’ve thought about that moment and said to myself “You might actually change someone’s life today”. I probably sound like a wanker saying that but if you are nervous about public speaking, it helps to know that it’s not all about you. You might truly reach people in ways you otherwise can’t, and when it’s about other people and not you, well you just have to get it done.
2. Recognize the autopilot factor
When I was speaking at WordCamp something weird happened. I was about 10 minutes into my presentation and I sort of felt like I was watching myself from afar. I just had a moment where I was like “Holy shit I’m speaking”. That was weird enough but what was weirder is I noticed something. I wasn’t actually nervous. It had been about 10 minutes, I hadn’t really thought about nerves and I hadn’t really thought about anything. I was on auto pilot.
I’ve heard the same thing from a lot of other public speakers. For the time they are on stage, they kind of black out, and go into auto pilot mode.
I think this is even the case with experienced presenters. They become someone else when they are on stage and before they know it, their session is over and they barely remember it. I spoke with Matthew Kimberley about this (more on Matthew below) who said this “I go into a heightened sense of being. I become a better, more engaging and more interesting version of myself, feed off energy in the room and get amped up. An entire gig can go by super fast. I might forget sections of it. I think that’s adrenaline”.
I guess my point is, if you aren’t going to remember it anyway, and you aren’t even going to realize you are doing it, then why worry about it?
3. Have a calm anchor
When I was in the Philippines speaking at the Tropical Think Tank event, I had a lot of great chats with my mate James Schramko. In one conversation he mentioned the idea of having anchors. This is my recollection of it. I might have completely misunderstood the concept but it works for me. He held his wrist with his thumb and finger and said “this is an example of an anchor, when I do this I feel calm”.
This sounded like a good idea, and I definitely need to feel calm so I started doing it. I have a bracelet thingy (above) that I got as a present at that event and every time I need to feel calm, I hold that and close my eyes for a second and think back to the event.
A few weeks later at a Duane Alley training course (more on that later), I learned a bit more about these anchors. I don’t know if I’m convinced that there is some sort of gesture that behaves as an ‘anchor’ that magically makes you calm. But I do know that I’ve gotten in the habit of holding my bracelet when I need to, and it makes me stop, breath and that alone calms me down.
So in summary. Do it 🙂
4. Realize that you probably enjoy it
I mentioned above when I presented at WordCamp, I went into a kind of autopilot mode. The other weird realization I had at that time was I specifically remember thinking “I’m actually enjoying this!”.
I liked the feeling of speaking to a bunch of people who were intently listening to me. For all the stress I had been through working up to it and worrying about how bad it would be, it was crazy to think that maybe I could actually enjoy doing this?
I love creating content and sharing what I’m doing. So why is it so crazy that I would like doing that in person from the stage?
I think the reality is that most people probably would enjoy speaking in front of a decent size group of people. If you took nerves out of the equation, most people wouldn’t mind 30 minutes of attention. 30 minutes where you can talk about what you love and be looked up to as an expert.
The thing you fear so much might actually be something you like, which is kind of crazy right?
5. Make your content 100% original
Every time I’ve spoken at an event I’ve inevitably made the mistake of comparing myself to other speakers. There was no worse example than this than Tropical Think Tank in 2015. I was the 3rd speaker of day 1. It was a $4,000 event and I had to follow John Dumas and Matthew Kimberley. There were giant signs around the room with my face on it!
John is an incredibly outgoing and engaging speaker with an amazing story. I knew his stuff well and has been following him for years, but I was still blown away by his moving and inspirational talk.
I’d met Matthew the night before. He was an amazingly funny and charismatic person. But that humor and charisma at the bar was nothing compared to Matthew on stage. The guy was a serious pro! Insanely funny, polished, dramatic and just plain fucking awesome to be honest.
Following these guys was not easy but I had to keep telling myself that no matter how good other people were, they couldn’t tell my story. My content is 100% original. My story is uniquely mine. I’ve worked hard on my content and my message to make sure that when someone hears it, I can at least guarantee that they won’t have heard it before and they won’t hear it again. I tell myself this when I get nervous about not being as good as other presenters.
If you are a new presenter, with your own story and unique content then you have a big advantage, so keep telling yourself that.
6. Realize that speaking is easier than attending
I think the biggest shift in getting over my fear of public speaking was the simple realization that I wasn’t that scared of it after all. I’ve always been nervous with in person networking and socializing generally. I find it pretty challenging and I worry a lot about what people think and whether I will be accepted.
For this reason I attended very few events before I started speaking at them. I probably attended 2-3 events over almost a decade of entrepreneurship and the idea of actually speaking at an event seemed insane.
But what I realized once I spoke at a few events is, it’s actually a LOT better to attend an event as a speaker than as a participant. I could go into 1,000 reasons why that is the case but for me the main one was just the fact that I could avoid the awkward situations trying to approach people to make small talk and just have other people approach me. It’s very easy to talk to people who come up and ask specific questions after you talk (and it will happen). And when you speak, you enter into this weird zone where everyone thinks you are a lot more important than they would otherwise think.
When I speak at events now I like to hang out with the participants and just be my normal self before I talk. I always get a kick out of it because then after I speak the people will come up and treat you like royalty. It’s crazy. More than once I’ve had people come up to me and apologize for not realizing that I was ‘a speaker’. Seriously!
Because people put you on the pedestal when you speak, attending events is actually a lot easier as a speaker than an attendee.
7. Learn how to do it well
Nothing builds confidence like competence. When I decided to start speaking at the end of 2014, I decided I wanted to do it well. My own style of learning how to do things well is to throw myself in the deep end and lock in a bunch of presentations.
That was great and the ongoing presentations have resulted in a lot of improvements. But I also decided to learn the skills of public speaking. I invested in a Power Presenter Training course with Duane Alley in July this year. It was a 3-day, in-person course that covered everything from tonality, movement, content structure, slides, selling from stage, NLP, Inductions you name it. It was a real eye opener to say the least! I found the training very challenging and confronting but it blew my mind wide open in terms of how to really present well.
Once I did that training, I never looked at public speaking in the same way again. I learned a few things that I have put into practice. But the biggest thing I’ve learned is an appreciation for how complex it is, and how much there is to know. It really blew my mind open seeing how someone like Duane works and when I went back to events that I was speaking at, I noticed all sorts of things in myself and other speakers that I otherwise wouldn’t have had a clue about.
And it made me more confident. I realized that most people who speak at events, don’t go to the trouble of doing this. the more competent I became with my skills, the more confident I got about presenting.
I’ve got so far to go with speaking that I even hesitate to use the word competent, but you would never know how far you have to go if you don’t take the time to look at how the pros do it.
“Nothing builds confidence like competence”. How to get over fear of public speaking. CLICK TO TWEET THIS.
8. Remember what you are worried about won’t happen
Virtually every time I’ve presented, I’ve worked up a worst case scenario in my head about what will happen. The slides won’t work. No one will turn up. I will trip over. I will forget my talk. I will stumble over my words. People won’t laugh. People will laugh. I will freak out and not be able to do it. I will probably wee or shit myself.
At the recent Problogger Conference on the Gold Coast, Jadah Selner from Simple Green Smoothies presented as the first keynote speaker. For the rest of the day all I heard was “Jadah is amazing”. I agreed. Jadah was definitely amazing! The problem was my talk the following day was at the same time as Jadah’s second talk. And what’s more, there was another talk on a similar topic to mine by Christina Butcher and Carly Jacobs, who were also amazing! I was kind of bummed actually cause I wanted to go to both those talks!
I worked myself into a frenzy worrying that no one would turn up to my talk. Every time I heard “Jadah is amazing” on that first day (which was a lot), I nodded and agreed but I freaked out inside because I knew no one would come to my talk. That night I couldn’t sleep and I dreamt I was walking past a big wooden box full of tigers. It was 3.9m high and I knew that Tigers could jump a lot higher than that. I thought when I walked past, the tigers would jump out and maul me.
It was kinda weird, but scary cause in dreamland you don’t worry about whether things are realistic.
As it turned out, in my dream the tigers didn’t jump out. They just stayed there.
My talk at Problogger was the best one I’ve done. I had a full room of 200 people, the same number that attended both other talks.
I should have known, because I’d learned this lesson 9 years earlier.
Remember that ElNet conference I freaked out about for a year beforehand and I almost died getting to? For that year I couldn’t possibly imagine myself presenting to hundreds of people, how would that even happen? Well I walked into the event and there were 20 people there, dressed casually sitting around a table. I didn’t even have to stand up for my presentation! I ran through my slides like I was having a meeting at work, like I did every other day. It went well. 20 minutes later it was done.
So why does it suck?
After I spoke at that ElNet conference I felt an enormous sense of relief and satisfaction. It wasn’t quite the Tony Robbins style keynote I’d manufactured in my brain but still, I had spoken at a conference! I was pumped!
I got the same feeling at WordCamp 9 years later, the immense relief and the afterglow of presenting was amazing. The same thing happened when I spoke at Superfast Business Live in Sydney, Tropical Think Tank in the Philippines, DCBKK in Bangkok, Social Media Day on the Gold Coast, The Digital Summit in Brisbane and Problogger on the Gold Coast.
Yesterday when I spoke at the Digital Summit, I wasn’t nervous. But I did my talk, then I left to go to another meeting and felt nothing. It went well, I enjoyed it, it was well received but it was business as usual. I didn’t get that same euphoric feeling I had gotten from my previous engagements. And that kinda sucks.
So if you are nervous about speaking, remember that when you finish your talk you will get an equally powerful positive flow of elation. Enjoy the nerves, because once they go, the elation goes as well. | <urn:uuid:90ced9d5-97e6-4444-9be3-6f89b294d448> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | http://dannorris.me/fear-of-public-speaking/?replytocom=134 | 2019-08-22T00:17:56Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027316555.4/warc/CC-MAIN-20190822000659-20190822022659-00440.warc.gz | en | 0.986671 | 4,172 |
The “Occupy” Movement and the Politics to Come
In this essay, I would like to consider the current “occupy” movement and its relation to some ways of thinking about the nature of politics and the future of political thought and action. My aim will be to consider a series of relevant and potentially helpful ideas in recent political thought and to suggest that we might understand the potential of the movement to produce political change and transformation partly in terms of these ideas. I will argue, in particular, that the “occupy” movement has the potential to develop an innovative kind of conceptualization and praxis of politics, a kind of “politics beyond the polis” that creates new ideas and possibilities of political thought and action, and which is also anticipated by several leading contemporary political theorists. This is not to say that the movement will necessarily continue to develop in the specific directions I am considering here, or even necessarily that it should. I aim simply to extract a series of concepts that may prove helpful to some in thinking about theoretical bases for the kinds of organization and practice that the “occupy” movement has exhibited so far, and could possibly carry further.
Politics beyond the polis
For those who took to parks, streets, and public spaces in the fall of 2011, beginning with Zuccotti park in Manhattan but soon spreading across the USA and around the world, the meaning of “occupying” is basically a political one. Yet the actions and interventions that began in New York typically do not orient themselves toward any specific political party or any narrow set of policy recommendations in the sense of the established electoral, administrative, and bureaucratic politics of the USA, or any other state. In fact, one of the greatest potentials of the movement appears to the prospect that it may, going beyond existing positions and policies, offer to fundamentally reconfigure the space of “political” thought and action itself. But what kind of “political” action is it to occupy? And even in the wake of the forced removal of most “occupy” protestors from initial occupation sights in the fall and winter of 2011, what might it mean for the prospect of a movement founded on the simple action of occupation – in any of the various senses of this term, not limited to physically taking up spaces, but extending to actions of repossession, appropriation, and liberation, both in physical and virtual “space” – not only to intervene within, but to change fundamentally, the very space in which we today talk about, think about, and take action with respect to politics and the political?
To consider these questions, it is helpful to begin with Aristotle’s classic definition of the “state” or polis, at the opening of his Politics:
Every state (polis) is a community of some kind, and every community is established with a view to some good; for everyone always acts in order to obtain what they think good. But, if all communities aim at some good, the state or political community, which is the highest of all, and which embraces all the rest, aims at good in a greater degree than any other, and at the highest good.
Aristotle’s classic definition of the polis contains two ideas that are essential prerequisites for any thinking of the political today. The first is the idea of a community – an association, or koinonia – which forms the basis, according to Aristotle, for every possible organization of the polis. This is an idea of the fundamental foundation of the political organization in the unity of the common, in the commonality of interests, desires, identities and hopes that makes possible, for Aristotle, any form of coherent social organization. Though Aristotle himself does not define it this way here, the polis is understood, by Aristotle and other Greek thinkers, as the organizing “center” of the social life of a community, the fixed and firm “pole” around which all actions, laws, and practices must inevitably orbit. This is a spatial and territorial idea of the state, the conception of a people grouping itself together in the unity of shared interests that comes from inhabiting the same centered space. The second idea, always in a certain tension with the first, is the idea of the directedness of this form of association toward the good – toward what we can hope for and work to bring about through this unity of interests or of identities, of values or of needs. Aristotle conceives these two aspects – the unity of the center and the openness toward the good – as the essential basis as well as the essential form of the political “common,” and so lays the foundation for the two-thousand year Western history of the politics of the state.
If, however, we are to take seriously today the second idea, of a fundamental directedness to the good, it is first necessary that we examine once again the first idea, that of the unity of the community in the centering substance of the “polis.” For the classical concept of the “polis” which Aristotle presupposes and deploys appears today to be less founded, secure, and certain than ever, and, as I shall try to show, one of the great potentials of the “occupy” movement may be that it effectively stages this insecurity in a way that points toward new forms of organization and directedness toward the good that can no longer be understood as the unity of a community or find its direct and unproblematic expression in the politics of a state. This is so for various reasons, all connected to the changes and transformations that the concept and reality of the state has undergone since antiquity, which have accelerated in the twentieth century and into the twenty-first. First, any serious thinking about the state and politics today must come to terms with the dramatic and vast expansion of the powers and authorities of the state in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, an expansion that goes hand-in-hand with the world-dominating symbiosis of state governments (led by the U.S.) and non-state, global forms of capitalist economic praxis, including global industrialization, the development of “information” economies, and, perhaps most importantly today, the dramatic and rapid growth of speculative finance capital. But second, and simultaneously, it is evident that the sovereignty and power of states in the traditional, territorial sense of that term is today undergoing a dramatic and radical crisis of authority, a crisis witnessed in ever more desperate and violent attempts to control borders, securitize resources, and ensure global military and juridical hegemony.
From its beginnings on Wall Street, the “occupy” movement has been focused, in large measure, on the massive and systematic inequities of the global financial order, the structural inequalities that led to the crises of 2008 but have still not been addressed in any fundamental way by any effective power either within or without state politics. And the brutal and spectacular instances of police violence that we have seen in response demonstrate unequivocally the decisive investments of state power in the material defense of this existing trans-state global financial structure. If, then, those in the movement understand that the electoral and administrative politics of the state exist, today, largely, if not exclusively, in service to these economic formations, it must also be acknowledged that the essential link envisaged by Aristotle between the state and the common good has effectively been broken. For as the crisis of 2008 spectacularly demonstrates, the global order of financial capital serves the good of only a narrow and select few, and above all exists primarily in service of the privilege of these few and the perpetuation of its own inegalitarian structure. But if the modern reality of state and capitalist politics has essentially privileged the structure of the state (in the extended significance whereby it comprehends global economic structures as well), the challenge of the coming politics is to conceive of the fundamental possibility of directedness toward the good outside the structure of any form of state organization, to think the good otherwise than as the “common” of the polis.
The problem of the massive and inegalitarian dominance of the state by trans-national global structures could not have been envisaged by Aristotle, for whom oiko-nomia still meant only the order and management of the oikos, or household. But if the administrative, military and police power of the polis today functions largely in defense of the fundamentally inegalitarian global economic order, then the challenge for any thinking of the possibility of a politics to come is the problem of thinking a politics that is, in a certain way, beyond or outside the polis. Because it is no longer possible to understand the unity of the state as a simple, territorial one, and because the power of the state tends ever more to devote itself to the defense of a trans-state order that has little or nothing to do with the unity of a “common” good, political thought is thus challenged to think, and bring about, the unity of a community that has no allegiance to the global order of capital or to any existing state formation.
This, in any case, is the provocative claim of the contemporary philosopher Giorgio Agamben, who in his remarkable 1990 book, The Coming Community, imagines the “community to come” as a unity of singularities without common identity, territory, or center:
The novelty of the coming politics is that it will no longer be a struggle for the conquest or control of the State, but a struggle between the State and the non-State (humanity), an insurmountable disjunction between whatever singularity and the State organization. This has nothing to do with the simple affirmation of the social in opposition to the State that has often found expression in the protest movements of recent years. Whatever singularities cannot form a societas because they do not possess any identity to vindicate nor any bond of belonging for which to seek recognition.
According to Agamben, the political struggles of the future will thus demand the emergence of a transformative politics of what he calls the “whatever singularity;” this is an actor or being whose claim to recognition does not rest in any shared essence, culture, or identity, but rather, as Agamben explains, in its simple existence, in its “being-there” itself. The community to come of “whatever singularities”, then, is a community without the unity of shared identity, a community whose members are so radically different from one another that they do not and cannot form even the unity of an organic “society.” Here we see the ultimate consequence of the contemporary crisis of the polis, and face the challenge of the possibility of a politics to come that does not any longer orient itself with respect to the centering unity of the state. As Agamben suggests, this challenge is the one that must be faced by any political movement that seeks to respond to the massively unbinding and alienating totality of the global capitalist order, and to arrive at new forms of community and collective life that can eventually supplant and defeat it. If “occupy” is to be such a movement, then, it apparently must involve a radical new thinking of the possibility of community itself, outside the organization of any polis as well as any unity of essence or identity. Here, it is inadequate simply to call (as some have on behalf of the movement) simply for a new and non-capitalist “politics of the commons” or for a theorization the possibilities of futural non-state politics simply on the basis of existing concepts of community or commonality. Rather, it is a dramatic challenge to thought which is at the same time a profound challenge to practice and action: the challenge to think the very possibility of a collective directedness toward the good anew, outside the guarantee of any substantial unity or any correspondence of essence, and without the assurance of the concept of the centered polis which has sustained Western political thought since its inception.
The khorology of politics: occupying, spacing, and making space
Since its beginning of the “occupy” movement, commentators and critics have often noted the relative absence of concrete demands and policy recommendations that distinguishes the practice and action of “occupy” protestors from those of many other protest movements, present and past. This is not to say, however, that the movement lacks concrete ideas or has failed to implement action directed precisely toward the most important inequalities and structural failures of the current configuration. The first and foremost of these actions has been, of course, occupation itself. If the movement has indeed largely, if not completely, lacked concrete, direct recommendations or programs on the level of immediate policy, and thus has seemed in certain ways unrecognizable from the perspective of current mainstream “politics,” this may, as I shall argue, be simply an inherent consequence of its effectivity on a different level of political action and praxis, the level on which the act of occupying, in itself, points toward the possibility of a transformed politics and another kind of collective life.
But what is the meaning of “occupying,” if it does not issue immediately in recommendations and demands on the level of state or economic policy? Does the direct action of protestors who took to streets, parks, and public places then amount simply to the (perhaps “subversive” but hardly transformative) act of “taking up space”? As I shall argue, the significance of “occupation” may be far broader than this, amounting not simply to “taking up space” but rather, much more significantly, to making the plural spaces in which genuinely democratic forms of life and the politics grounded in them can arise and flourish. For essential reasons, this making of space doesn’t immediately issue in recommendations to be followed or demands to be realized; its burden is the much more profound task of creating the fragile possibility of new kinds of collective praxis that articulate the forms of a life to come.
Once again, we can turn to recent political thought, in its dialogue with the fundamental concepts of western political thought and action, for some helpful conceptual guidelines. In his jointly political and cosmological dialogue Timeaus, Plato considers the relationship between ideas, which are intelligible only by means of thinking, and the objects of the senses. In addition to these two types of being and mediating between them, he says, there is also necessarily a certain “third genus”, neither sensible nor intelligible in itself, but that which mediates between them, making possible the sensible as well as the intelligible by giving space and making a place for all that is. To designate this “third genus” which mediates between and unsettles the opposition of thought and materiality, Plato uses a word which also had, for the Greeks, a more general signification of “place” or “area.” The term is khôra:
…we must agree that One Kind is the self-identical Form, ungenerated and indestructible, neither receiving into itself any other from any quarter nor itself passing any whither into another, invisible and in all ways imperceptible by sense, it being the object which it is the province of Reason to contemplate; and a second Kind is that which is named after the former and similar thereto, an object perceptible by sense, generated, ever carried about, becoming in a place and out of it again perishing, apprehensible by Opinion with the aid of Sensation; and a third Kind is ever-existing Place (khôra),which admits not of destruction, and provides room for all things that have birth, itself being apprehensible by a kind of bastard reasoning by the aid of non-sensation, barely an object of belief; for when we regard this we dimly dream and affirm that it is somehow necessary that all that exists should exist in some spot and occupying some place, and that that which is neither on earth nor anywhere in the Heaven is nothing. (51e-52b)
In a far-ranging 1993 essay, Jacques Derrida revisits the meaning of khôra, considering its implications for a deconstructive interpretation of the problems of contemporary thought and action. In a peculiar and interesting way, Derrida argues, the concept of khôra destabilizes from with the whole host of oppositions on which Plato’s philosophy and all the philosophical systems that follow from it depend. These oppositions – between the thinkable and the sensible, the ideal and the real, thought and action themselves – have also organized the politics of the West, and, as Derrida notes, in its effective destabilizing of these terms of opposition the khôra has an exemplary and singular political significance as well. Indeed, it is not insignificant, Derrida suggests, that within the Timeaus “this mise en abyme [of the khôra] affects the forms of a discourse on places, notably political places, a politics of place entirely commanded by the consideration of sites (jobs in the society, region, territory, country), as sites assigned to types or forms of discourse…” (p. 104). The thinking of khôra is thus, according to Derrida, the thinking of a kind of impossible spacing, a condition of the possibility of space and place that itself cannot be thought on the basis of any positive concept or sensible object. As such, it first makes possible the space of any possible political life, the place of any positing of goals or any realization of aims. It conditions the spacing and placing of anything like a political community, or the radically undecidable space in which anything like a political project can first take place.
In its more general sense, khôra can mean the place or region of a community, the open and environing region within which the city takes shape and begins to pursue a collective life. It is the opening of space in which the exchange and negotiation of public life first become possible. Yet the significance of khôra is both broader then, and different from, that of the agora, the central place of assembly and political decision, but also the marketplace, in which the Athens of Socrates and Plato conducted the business of exchange and Socrates pursued his unceasing inquiry into the values of the city. If it is the case, as Derrida suggests, that every regular configuration of political thought and action depends on the undecidability of the khôra, then its opening or spacing also necessarily precedes any positing of goals, announcement of projects, or negotiation of ends. That the khôra is a structurally necessary “third genus” between the ideal and the material means that the opening of the khôra must, necessarily, precede any possible politics of ideal ends or their substantive realization. And that the khôra necessarily precedes the opposition between thought and action in this way means that the opening of the khôra can provide a radical alternative to the contemporary mainstream politics of the globalized agora, the economic-political marketplace of capital in which all ideas, policies and projects are (always already) bought and sold.
If this is right, then it seems possible that the most radical implication of the praxis of an occupation without demands may be that it accomplishes this opening of khôra, the opening of a space of political and collective life whose structure is, at the deepest level, different from that of the contemporary global economics and politics of markets and administration. Far from simply “taking up space,” the act of occupying might be seen, in and of itself, as the paradoxical act of “making space,” opening and creating the spacing that makes another kind of political thinking and acting possible. This would, again, be the creation of the space for a democracy without policy or polls, the space of a collective politics and action that thinks, and lives, otherwise.
Critical politics of the whole: generic being of the life to come
In each of these ways, the contemporary configuration to which the “occupy” movement responds appears to demand a new thinking of politics, a politics outside the assumption of the substantial unity of identity or the shared bond of an assumed space of political identities and values, indeed a politics located outside the ambit of the Aristotelian assumption of the polis, the unifying center of collective thought and action directed toward the good. But more than just providing a radical alternative to the contemporary economically and administratively determined structure of the state (in the extended sense in which it comprises not only territorially based governments but also the vast trans-national economic networks that surround them and set their agendas), the “occupy” movement may be seen as providing some of the terms of thought and action that are most appropriate for its radical critique and transformation. This is because, as I shall argue in this final section, the thought and practices of the “occupy” movement effectively capture and bring to light the deepest and most structurally significant contradictions and antagonisms that in fact structure and determine the global politics of the market and state.
If, as I have suggested, an effective future-directed politics can no longer be thought as structured around the assumption of an organic social unity, harmonious in itself, then it becomes necessary to consider how the existing political order is in fact fundamentally structured, not by unity, but by the internal divisions and structural contradictions that threaten at each moment to rend it apart. From this perspective, the coercive power of the State, witnessed so spectacularly in the state violence to which “occupy” protestors have repeatedly been subjected, is ultimately founded not on any substantial pre-existing social bond or unity, but rather on the claim to prohibit the kind of un-binding that would otherwise divide the presumed unity of the state into its various constituent groups and interests. In his comprehensive 1988 treatise Being and Event, Alain Badiou offers a structurally profound and engaged theory of the possibility of fundamental political change and transformation. Here, Badiou formulates a profound challenge to the classical thought of politics as founded in the unity of a social bond:
These classical statements [of Marx, Engels, and Lenin] must be quite carefully sorted because they contain a profound idea: the State is not founded upon the social bond, which it would express, but rather upon un-binding, which it prohibits. Or, to be more precise, the separation of the State is less a result of the consistency of a presentation than of the danger of inconsistency. This idea goes back to Hobbes, of course (the war of all against all necessitates an absolute transcendental authority) and it is fundamentally correct in the following form: if, in a situation (historical or not), it is necessary that the parts be counted by a metastructure, it is because their excess over the terms, escaping the initial count, designates a potential place for the fixation of the void. (p. 109)
If Badiou is correct, the fundamental operation of state politics is not one of unifying individuals (for instance by means of a “social contract” or by appeal to the bond of mutual need) into a substantial and organic whole, but rather its effective prohibition of the un-binding of this imagined whole, the appearance of what Badiou calls its “proper void.” The state, according to Badiou, must above all else work to ward off the appearance of this void, because its appearance would signify the actual nonexistence of the substantial unity of the state, or polis, which the coercive functioning of state power both presumes and ideologically constructs. This is why, according to Badiou, any effective political action directed toward the fundamental transformation of the existing state structure must begin by staging its most important internal antagonisms and contradictions. What Badiou calls the “subject” of an “event” does just this: by taking account of the fundamental structural contradictions whose prohibition makes possible the existing state structure, such a “subject” intervenes at the precise structural points where these contradictions are most profound, thereby exposing the fiction of the unity of the existing state and creating the possibility of a transformed order to come.
From this perspective, the greatest significance of the slogan of the “99%” which the “occupy” movement has adopted is not to be found in its populism, its appeal to capture the positions or class interests of what is by far the largest socio-economic class of Americans. Its significance lies, rather, in the way that this slogan captures the principal contradiction that effectively structures the global economic-political order today in its totality. This contradiction is the one between the lives of the vast majority of citizens and consumers and those of the small minority who effectively control political decision-making and policy as a result of their control of wealth and capital. To recognize this contradiction as a fundamental antagonism is to recognize that there can be no solution to the problems of the current economic-political order on the level of incremental reforms or policy recommendations within this framework. Rather, what is needed is the politics of a radical staging and exposure of this fundamental contradiction, an uncompromising development of the fundamental antagonism to the point where it fractures the empty ideological assurances of the presumptive existing order.
Within the formal framework that Badiou proposes in Being and Event, this work of drawing out the structural implications of the principal, though usually suppressed, contradictions of the existing state order depends upon the retrospective recognition of what Badiou terms an “event.” Such an event is the unanticipated and unforeseeable appearance, within a constituted political order, of the possibility of the new: in its radical and sudden appearance it demonstrates what is unthinkable in the current configuration and thus makes possible the “faithful” action of a “subject of the event” in drawing out its implications and ultimately in constructing, piece by piece, a radically transformed order. But the action of the subject in the wake of the event is not simply to be understood, again, as providing a completely distinct articulation, simply exterior to the existing order; instead, using a highly formal apparatus of mathematical set theory, Badiou theorizes the faithful action of this subject as yielding the construction of a new situation that is “generic” with respect to the existing one. In particular, the new situation is constructed by a process of proceeding through the terms and concepts of the existing one to provide a new configuration that is precisely determined as representative of the totality of the old order, without, nevertheless, being nameable or representable within it.
It is in this sense, as Badiou has explained in his more recent Logics of Worlds, the generic activity of the subject renders visible to a “maximal” degree precisely those elements that were structurally invisible, though nevertheless present, within the old configuration, and so confronts the situation with its properly structuring void: adopting the Marxist motto “we who are nothing shall be all!” Badiou calls for the futural politics of the “generic”, of the sudden transformation of the situation around the unprecedented upsurge of its own most proper representative, its “generic” subset.
In this conception of upsurge of the “generic” subset that represents the totality of the situation, including most importantly its fundamentally structuring conditions, without being representable within it, we may perhaps recognize again, as well, the structure of Agamben’s “whatever singularity”, the generic “avatar” of a community to come. But as we saw above, the greatest significance of the “whatever singularity” for Agamben does not lie in its potential to create a new state order, no matter how deeply transformed, but rather in its capacity to capture and embody an essential position outside the substantial unity assumed by every state order, to become the site of a politics that cannot be situated within any pre-existing space but rather creates itself ever anew on the basis of a fundamental opening of space and place, the spacing of the khôra. Because, as I have suggested, the real importance of the gesture of “occupation” may ultimately lie in such a creation of spacing, Badiou’s conception of the “generic” may ultimately prove more important in conceptualizing the praxis of the movement than does his politics of the punctual event itself.
In particular, as I have argued in my recent book, The Politics of Logic, Badiou’s formal-structural thought of the determination of existing situations leaves open the alternative of a different, less directly militant but more critical, politics of the transformation of existing subjects and situations. By contrast with Badiou’s conception, this politics does not depend centrally upon the possibility of a punctual, immediately transformative event. Rather, it calls for the careful construction of spaces of critique and reflection in which the fundamental antagonisms and contradictions of the existing order can be demonstrated and even pushed to the point at which they produce, of themselves, fundamental and radical change. As I argue in the book, the opening of these spaces can, in itself, point the way to a clarified collective life, one that does not seek ultimately to eliminate all contradiction but rather to produce forms of thought and action that comprehend and accept the necessity of strife and antagonism for all possible forms of genuine politics. The aim of the thought and praxis of such a life is not to be found in any goal of production or economy, nor (as we have seen) in any conception of a unity of essence, whether founded on nature, culture, or the common needs or rights of man. It is, rather, to be found only in the immanence of this life itself, in its unending and reflexive critical self-examination, and in the ongoing creation of its forms on the basis of its own self-conscious understanding of them.
Such a politics – what I call in the book, in opposition to Badiou’s “generic” orientation, the politics of the “paradoxico-critical” -- does not defer the radical transformations that are clearly needed to produce a more just, egalitarian and responsible order; nor does it situate these transformations on the far side of a hypothesized “event” which must await the prognostication of conditions and opportunities for action. Rather, it actively produces these transformations at each moment through the creative thought and effective action that opens a new kind of space, beyond essence and unity, for the shared reflexive examination of the forms of organization and collectivity that increasingly and pervasively determine human and non-human life on Earth.
Aristotle, Politics, 1252a1-6 (Barnes, J., ed., The Complete Works of Aristotle. Princeton U. Press, 1984).
The Coming Community, transl. by Michael Hardt. U. of Minnesota Press, 1993, pp. 85-86.
Cf. “A Movement Without Demands?” by Marco Deseriis and Jodi Dean: http://www.possible-futures.org/2012/01/03/a-movement-without-demands/ (posted Jan. 3, 2012 and accessed Feb. 24, 2012). Deseriis and Dean point to an “idea of the commons” which “asserts the primacy of collectivity and the general interest—an idea found in Aristotle’s emphasis on the common good as well as in the work of contemporary theorists such as Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri, Silvia Federici, George Caffentzis, Iain Boal, Elinor Ostrom, Eben Moglen, Slavoj Žižek, and others.” They further hold that the “first” problem posed by a “radical politics of the commons,” given the actual non-existence of the “commons” envisioned in terms of this classical concept, “how can truly anti-capitalist commons be created, recreated, and expanded?” By contrast, it is the position of this essay that the classical concept of the “common good” is no longer sufficient for the foundation and formulation of the politics to come, and that no such appeal will be successful outside a deep and profound re-thinking of the very basis of the concept of the “common” (Greek koinonia) itself.
“Khôra” in On the Name, ed. by Thomas Dutoit, transl. by David Wood, John P. Leavey, Jr., and Ian McLeod. Stanford: Stanford U. Press, 1993.
Badiou, A. 2005. Being and Event. Trans. Oliver Feltham. London: Continuum. Translation of L'être et l'événement. Paris: Éditions du Seuil.
Alain Badiou, Logics of Worlds: Being and Event II, Albert Toscano (tr.), Continuum, 2009.
Paul Livingston, The Politics of Logic: Badiou, Wittgenstein, and the Consequences of Formalism. New York: Routledge, 2011. | <urn:uuid:116026a7-9d01-46cc-9fa4-b1f7d732df90> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | http://mediacommons.org/tne/pieces/occupy-movement-and-politics-come | 2019-08-22T01:30:36Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027316555.4/warc/CC-MAIN-20190822000659-20190822022659-00440.warc.gz | en | 0.942902 | 6,890 |
The first medical article on the hazards of asbestos dust appeared in the British Medical Journal in 1924. Following inquiries by Edward Merewether and Charles Price, the British government introduced regulations to control dangerous dust emissions in UK asbestos factories. Until the 1960s these appeared to have addressed the problem effectively. Only then, with the discoveries that mesothelioma was an asbestos related disease and that workers other than those employed in the dustiest parts of asbestos factories were at risk, were the nature and scale of the hazard reassessed. In Britain, America, and elsewhere new and increasingly strict regulations were enacted.
Statistics from Altmetric.com
Asbestos is the generic term for a number of naturally occurring fibrous minerals. Commercially, the most important of these are the white, blue, and brown varieties, otherwise known as chrysotile (a serpentine asbestos), crocidolite, and amosite (both amphiboles). Asbestos is widely distributed, but the largest deposits are found in Canada and Russia. It possesses amazing characteristics. Uniquely among minerals, it can be spun into a thread and then woven into a cloth. Clothes and soft furnishings can be made from asbestos—even though it is literally a rock. But why make such products out of a mineral except as a curiosity? The answer lies mainly in the material’s unparalleled fireproofing and insulating capabilities. However, asbestos possesses other attractive qualities: it is relatively lightweight (an important consideration when fireproofing naval vessels), abundant, cheap to mine and process, resistant to water and acids (and hence corrosion), durable to the point of indestructibility, electrically non-conductive, and unattractive to vermin. Finally, it can be put to an enormous number of uses (usually when blended with resins, plastics, or other materials). In many respects, therefore, asbestos is the perfect material for an industrialising and electrifying world of heat, combustion, and high speed locomotion. Not surprisingly, it came to be viewed, for the first two thirds of the 20th century, as the “indispensable” and even the “magic” mineral.
By the mid-20th century asbestos was an ingredient in all manner of things, including motor cars (as an ingredient of brakes, clutch linings, and gaskets), buildings (for insulation and fireproofing), warships (also for insulation and fireproofing), domestic products (such as ironing boards), and electrical distribution systems. The product ranges of the largest asbestos companies, such as Johns–Manville, the American giant that dominated the industry for many years, ran to scores of pages. So asbestos had many “upsides”. Unfortunately, it also has a very significant “downside” in that exposure to its dust can cause three fatal diseases: asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum.
It has long been known that asbestos dust constitutes a danger to health; however, some issues, including the relative hazards of different types of asbestos and whether there is a safe level of exposure to any of them, remain in scientific dispute.1,2 Since the 1960s crocidolite has been regarded as a particular hazard, chiefly because of its strong association with mesothelioma. Amosite is widely regarded as scarcely less dangerous. In contrast, some have argued that pure chrysotile “may present little or no carcinogenic hazard” if uncontaminated by amphiboles. As recently as 2000, pure chrysotile was termed “a remarkably safe and valuable natural resource”, which could be used to substantial public health advantage in the Third World.3,4 Others dismiss such views and demand an international ban on all forms of asbestos.5 Such scientific disputes and policy uncertainties conform to a long standing pattern whereby medical knowledge about the health hazards of asbestos dust has emerged slowly and sometimes falteringly since the early 20th century. As Irving J Selikoff, one of the foremost authorities on asbestos related disease in late 20th century America, once said, nature long held “some secrets ... rather close to its vest”.6
DISCOVERY OF A LINK BETWEEN ASBESTOS AND DISEASE
The sequence of developing knowledge about asbestos and disease has generated historical controversy.7–13 Some even maintain that the health hazards of asbestos dust were appreciated in the ancient world; such claims have been convincingly refuted.14 Those doyens of occupational medicine, Thomas Arlidge and Thomas Oliver, ignored the hazards of asbestos in the late-Victorian and Edwardian periods (though Oliver addressed them subsequently).15,16 The first medical paper on the subject appeared in the British Medical Journal in 1924.17 Written by William Cooke of Wigan Infirmary’s department of pathology, it briefly dealt with the illness and death from fibrosis of the lungs and tuberculosis of Nellie Kershaw, who had worked in the spinning room of a Rochdale asbestos factory. Following this case report, other papers soon appeared. These included articles by Oliver, who coined the word “asbestosis”, though most observers have mistakenly attributed the term to Cooke, who used it in a 1927 paper that further explored the Kershaw case.18,19 In 1928, following the discovery of a case of pulmonary fibrosis affecting a Glasgow asbestos worker, Britain’s factory inspectorate took up the issue. Edward Merewether, a medical inspector based in Glasgow, was instructed to ascertain “whether the occurrence of this disease in an asbestos worker was merely a coincidence, or evidence of a definite health risk in the [asbestos] industry”.20
At 36 years of age, Merewether was comparatively young when he embarked upon this task. He was also a newcomer to the inspectorate, having taken up his appointment only in 1927. Merewether’s initial survey was soon followed by a full scale investigation, which he completed in October 1929. He found that occupational exposure to asbestos dust, particularly for prolonged periods at high concentrations, constituted a “definite occupational risk among asbestos workers as a class”.21 The fibrosis of the lungs that could result might lead to “complete disablement” and death.21 His report endorsed a view expressed a few months earlier that a “new” disease, pulmonary asbestosis, had been discovered.22
Merewether had confirmed the existence of a new fatal disease, but he also believed that this disease was preventable. Dust control, he anticipated, “will cause, firstly, a great increase in the length of time before workers develop a disabling fibrosis, and secondly, the almost total disappearance of the disease, as the measures for the suppression of dust are perfected”.21 At this point, Merewether’s colleague, the engineering inspector of factories, Charles Price, investigated and recommended practical measures to control dust.
Following negotiations between representatives of the asbestos industry, the Trades Union Congress (largely in the person of its eminent medical adviser, Dr Thomas Legge, the first ever medical inspector of factories), individual unions, the factory inspectorate, and senior Home Office officials, the government enacted the Asbestos Industry Regulations, 1931. Implemented in full in 1933, these required the suppression of dust in the dustiest, and hence, apparently, the hazardous, areas of asbestos factories.23 With these measures in place, and for decades to come, it was widely agreed that the 1931 regulations had solved the problem of asbestosis in British asbestos factories. Thus, in 1955, Richard Doll referred to the infrequency of asbestosis and attributed its rarity to the “great reduction in the amount of dust in asbestos works” since the early 1930s.24 In the same year, Donald Hunter, then one of the leading authorities on occupational health, observed that the legislation had been “effective in controlling the disease” of asbestosis.25 Other distinguished figures, including Georgiana Bonser of Leeds University and Andrew Meiklejohn of Glasgow University, expressed similar views.26,27
All of these opinions referred to the British experience; for years Britain’s efforts to prevent asbestos related disease were not replicated elsewhere. In the USA, asbestos was mined, manufactured, and used in large quantities (table 1), but, apart from the patchy industrial hygiene measures established by some states beginning in the 1930s, little regulation pre-dated the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. By this time scientific and regulatory attitudes towards asbestos disease had been transformed in several ways. Most significantly, it had been ascertained that asbestosis was not the only disease associated with exposure to asbestos dust.
LINK WITH LUNG CANCER
Suspicion that asbestosis might be linked with lung cancer began to emerge in the 1930s.28,29 This link became more persuasive in the 1940s, even though doubts remained.30–34 Then, in 1955, Doll established to the satisfaction of most informed observers that a causal association existed between asbestosis and lung cancer.24 He believed, however, that the Asbestos Industry Regulations had greatly reduced the risk of lung cancer for those who worked in Britain’s asbestos factories. As he wrote in 1960, “It seems likely that the risk may now be largely eliminated”.35
At this time, notwithstanding the discovery of a second asbestos related disease, there was every reason to suppose that the asbestos industry could continue to produce the fireproofing, insulation, and friction materials widely regarded as indispensable to modern life, provided that workers were protected from the heavy and prolonged exposures associated with asbestosis and lung cancer. In 1956, Meiklejohn dismissed the notion of a ban as “completely futile and absurd”.27 Such views remained prevalent during the 1970s and even the 1980s. Irving Selikoff, along with the editorial pages of the Lancet, BMJ, and JAMA and other commentators, emphasised precautions over proscription of the mineral.36–39
The 1960s saw several important developments in the story of asbestos and disease. First, a third asbestos related disease, mesothelioma, was discovered. Second, it was shown that the hazards of asbestos dust were not confined to heavily exposed workers in asbestos factories but extended to insulation workers, other users of products containing asbestos, and people who lived close to asbestos factories.40–44 There were even suggestions that urban dwellers, even in towns and cities remote from asbestos mines or factories, might face a hazard simply because they lived among buildings and cars containing asbestos.45 Third, even in Britain, with its well established and relatively high degree of regulation, some evidence suggested that asbestos related disease had ceased to decline and was possibly increasing.12 Fourth, in Britain and America at least, asbestos hazards began to attract increased media attention. Between 1964 and 1967, stories about the health hazards of asbestos appeared in such national newspapers as The Times, Sunday Times, Daily Herald, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Morning Star, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal, as well as in local and regional papers. In January 1967, the BBC broadcast a film on the subject in its early evening news programme 24 Hours. Thereafter, asbestos health hazards regularly featured in newspaper and television reports. Fifth, in 1969, the first third party products liability suit claiming personal injury from asbestos was launched in the USA, thereby initiating the process that led to the demise of many large, well established, and successful companies.
LINK WITH MESOTHELIOMA
Cases of pleural mesothelioma were apparently detected in the nineteenth century, but the term itself had not appeared, and its occurrence was “so rare that some pathologists doubted its existence”.46 However, during the 1950s, South African researchers J C Wagner, Christopher Sleggs, and Paul Marchand began to identify cases of mesothelioma in the crocidolite mining district of Griqualand West. Curiously, they found no such cases in the vicinity of the Transvaal asbestos mines, even though the asbestos there was the same as in Griqualand West. This discrepancy initially suggested that the mesotheliomas in the Griqualand West district could have had an origin unrelated to asbestos exposure. Wagner, Sleggs, and Marchand first presented their findings at a conference in Johannesburg in 1959. Papers they published between 1960 and 1962 established a “possible association between the development of mesotheliomas of the pleura and exposure to asbestos dust in people living in the Cape asbestos fields”.47–53 As this quotation indicates, the researchers had not established a clear causal association between exposure to crocidolite dust (let alone other forms of asbestos dust) and cases of mesothelioma among people who had never visited the northwest Cape. There was not long to wait. Papers published in 1964 and 1965 resulted in the general medical recognition of mesothelioma as an asbestos related disease.40–44,54–60 Scepticism remained in some quarters, but, as a leading article in the BMJ later put it, by “the end of 1965 it was clear that asbestos workers are at special risk of developing ... mesothelioma”.61,62
Though other causal agents have been identified, for years asbestos dust (at least certain types of it) has been widely considered to be the principal or even the only cause of mesothelioma.63 Recently, however, the longstanding assumption that mesothelioma is solely caused by asbestos exposure has been called into question by the recognition that there are “many cases (>20%) of mesothelioma for which there is little or no known exposure to asbestos”.64 A causal association between asbestos and mesothelioma is not in dispute, but it has been widely proposed that the disease may also be causally linked with poliomyelitis vaccine contaminated with simian virus 40 (SV40), which was administered to millions of people in Europe and the USA between 1955 and 1963. Mayall et al have suggested a “synergistic interaction between asbestos and SV40 in human mesotheliomas”.65 However, much remains in doubt. Carbone et al have warned against premature “conclusions about the possible role of SV40 in mesothelioma development in the general population”.66 Likewise, Jasani et al have observed that the “causal link between SV40 and mesothelioma ... still needs to be examined further”.67 More recently, Gazdar et al have pointed to “considerable evidence that SV40 has a causative role in the pathogenesis of mesothelioma”, but caution that “the evidence is still insufficient to distinguish between association and causation”.68 At present, therefore, it remains unclear whether a causal association exists between SV40 and elevated rates of mesothelioma.64–69
EXTENT OF THE RISKS POSED BY ASBESTOS
Recognition that asbestos related disease was not confined to unprotected workers in the dustiest locations dates from the 1960s and had much to do with the discovery of mesothelioma and the appreciation that relatively brief and light dust exposure could cause the disease years before its manifestation. A few isolated cases of asbestosis in insulation workers were reported in medical journals as early as the 1930s.70–72 Furthermore, as we now know, the US Navy and Maritime Commission appreciated the need to protect heavily exposed shipyard insulation workers in the early 1940s.73 This knowledge was not disseminated to a wider audience, however, and Asbestos Worker, the magazine of the US insulation workers’ union, accurately noted in 1966 that “probably more attention has been focused on these particular health hazards in the last 3 or 4 years, than in the previous 30 or 40 years”.74 The key figure in identifying the dangers of insulation work involving materials containing asbestos and exposure to even intermittent and light dust concentrations was Irving J Selikoff of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Beginning in the early 1960s, with financial support from sources as diverse as the insulation workers’ union and (from 1968) the Johns–Manville Corporation, Selikoff and his colleagues produced a stream of publications indicating, among other things, that insulators who worked with asbestos material in the USA faced an “important risk” of contracting asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma, and possibly also gastrointestinal cancer.40–42,75,76
In Britain the emergence of knowledge about mesothelioma and the hazards of insulation work coincided with the first doubts about the 1931 regulations. As a result, the factory inspectorate began revising these regulations in 1964. Five years later, following extensive consultation with business, scientists, and trades unionists, the Asbestos Regulations, 1969 were established. These allowed the continued use of asbestos only if maximum allowable concentrations of dust were not exceeded and if other precautions were observed. The regulations applied to all work sites and not, as previously, to asbestos factories alone. The maximum allowable concentration for crocidolite was set so low that its use was virtually eliminated. In the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s further restrictions, both voluntary and statutory, were placed on the importation and use of asbestos. At their peak, in 1973, UK asbestos imports stood at some 190 000 tonnes per annum; by 1997, the amount had fallen to 4820 tonnes of chrysotile, by then the only form allowed.12 Then, in July 1999, with one minor exception, the European Commission announced a European Union ban on all remaining chrysotile use by 1 January 2005. Britain implemented the ban some five years ahead of schedule in October 1999. Other European Union members have also beaten the deadline, and other countries have introduced their own bans.77 Elsewhere, including many parts of Africa, Asia, and South America, asbestos use remains widespread.
In the early 1970s, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) identified asbestos as one of its first regulatory targets and introduced a range of controls. The OSHA reduced permitted exposure limits from 5 ff/ml (time weighted average) in 1972 to 2 ff/ml (time weighted average) in 1976.78–80 As in Britain, stricter measures on the manufacture, importation, and processing of asbestos and products containing asbestos followed in the 1980s and 1990s. A permitted exposure limit of 0.1 ff/ml (fibres per millilitre) was introduced in 1994.81 Many of the companies that mined, manufactured, and used asbestos have gone out of business since the early 1980s under the burden of litigation. At present, asbestos use is heavily regulated and banned in most circumstances in the USA. A “comprehensive ban on asbestos in America” is envisaged. However, since exceptions are apparently anticipated if no alternative materials are available and it can be demonstrated that no damage to health or the environment will ensue, it remains to be seen how “comprehensive” this “ban” will be.82
A chronology of medical discovery
1924: W E Cooke publishes the first paper on asbestos related disease.
1925: Thomas Oliver coins the term “asbestosis”.
1930: Edward Merewether confirms that inhalation of asbestos dust can cause a fatal disease.
1935: Kenneth Lynch and W Atmar Smith identify a “possible relationship” between pulmonary asbestosis and carcinoma of the lung.
1955: Richard Doll finds that certain asbestos workers face a “notably higher risk” of contracting lung cancer than the rest of the population.
1960: Wagner, Sleggs, and Marchand publish their first paper indicating a relationship between pleural mesothelioma and asbestos exposure.
1964: Selikoff, Churg, and Hammond demonstrate that insulation contract workers face a health hazard resulting from asbestos exposure.
FUTURE OF ASBESTOS RELATED DISEASE
Even if a worldwide ban on asbestos were to be introduced forthwith, past exposures will ensure that death and disease related to asbestos continue for the foreseeable future. Epidemiologists have predicted that the incidence of male mesothelioma in the USA should peak at about 2300 cases per year at the end of the 20th century and will decline to some 500 cases per year by about 2055.83 In 1995, Julian Peto et al predicted that male deaths from mesothelioma in Britain will peak at between 2700 and 3300 per year around the year 2020.84 A few years later, Peto et al forecast some 250 000 male deaths from mesothelioma in Western Europe as a whole by about 2035. Most of these deaths are expected to occur among roofers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, gas fitters, and others employed in the building trades.85 Others anticipate figures as high as 10 000 per year among British males alone by 2020.86,87 It appears that the history of asbestos related disease still has some distance to travel.
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From Earth Postmortem - 20 August 2018It's been a while since we released the beta of From Earth. Initially, I hoped there would be enough feedback to help get the game into a good shape. But because of the game's broken state and my poor marketing skills (I didn't know how to make good trailers), we didn't get the requisite number of players to get it off the ground. There were too many problems to fix, and I felt that even if I managed to fix them all, the buzz would have already been gone. I was suffering from depression at this point, after putting so much effort into a game that didn't get even the attention my previous mod projects had received. I was also looking into starting an indie company, and Source wasn't something I would be able to use. So, after a while, I started to spend less and less time on working on From Earth patches and more on learning how to use Unreal 4.
But even before the beta, From Earth had a lot of problems.
Examine, Observe, ExperimentAt the beginning, From Earth was supposed to focus on figuring out how to use alien technology. There was a moment in the television show Farscape about the only human, John Crichton, trying to figure out how to open a door. In the 2006 video game Prey, the protagonist Tommy picks up an alien gun and instantly knows how to use it (the explanation being, I guess, is that he was in the army and thus knows weapons). I wanted to make a game that focused on these kinds of interactions - of figuring out how to access and utilize the unknown. My initial concept had a lot more complicated items and weapons than in the final game. You had an "examine" mode where you looked at the different buttons, and you had to bind each button separately.
Before there was Daniel Tejnicky I had to do the concept art myself.
But my initial attempts at this mode were clumsy. Just to use a vending machine you first had to go into "button pressing mode". Pressiong the +use key didn't activate a button but rather locked you to a position near the machine and clamped your view to the available buttons, and there was a separate animation where the player would look at all the different buttons. We simplified the use of machines, where you just look at the buttons freely and select them with your mouse. Items still had the "examine" mode, but it was still a little clumsy. In some cases, players would not hold the "examine" button long enough to see the tip messages for the buttons. We also didn't end up designing a lot of different items with multiple buttons or complex functionality like I had originally imagined, so it didn't go as far as we wanted it to.
I had dreams of making a lot more complicated machines the player would have to figure out. I had a scene from the 1927 film Metropolis in mind, where the protagonist is pulling all these levers in panic, trying to stop it from exploding. I wanted complicated puzzles that would result in some kind of nice reward for the player when they completed it. Ultimately, however, I just wasn't very good at designing puzzles. I have always preferred programming and designing new features more than actually trying to come up with gameplay / puzzles with them. It's something that feels like a huge flaw for someone who wants to be a professional game designer - or, at least, a huge flaw for someone who works almost exclusively alone.
Often times I would design new features or machines, but they would not always lend to a lot of new gameplay. Or in some cases, I would design a machine but I would not tutorialize or implement puzzles with it. Some ideas might look good on paper or might be nice on their own, but won't work in the whole. It was sort of ironic, since after making my previous project Water I had said I wanted to unify the gameplay, and make less of a hodgepodge of ideas. Yet, it was exactly what I was doing again.
The idea of examining machines and learning how to use them might have been an interesting one, but it would have required a lot more planning before starting the game production proper.
Climbing or "Park-Our"One of the things I enjoyed the most was doing the character animations. I wanted the player character to have a complete world model (as opposed to view models). I wanted to see the hands pressing the buttons. I wanted to see the legs with proper Inverse Kinematics. I wanted to see the character model when looking into a mirror. This was partly the reasoning I wanted to do the climbing system. I had also played Mirror's Edge at the time and I wanted to try out something similar in From Earth. But again, not all of the climbing abilities lent themselves to new gameplay. My library of movement abilities wasn't already quite as big as Mirror's Edge's or even Tomb Raider's. On top of that it took a while to get system working well.
I redid a lot of the player movement system in Source, completely redoing stuff like jumping. Initially jumping was completely animation based. The moment the player's feet lifted off the ground was marked by an animation event. This meant jumping had a delay, which in turn made even basic movement sometimes quite tricky. Being able to hang on cliffs was also troublesome, since the camera was fixed on the character model's eyes I had to do a lot of magic making sure the view would follow the animation in some cases and be free moving in others. One such instance was when the player would try to jump backwards the camera would often randomly rotate to left or right. There was a lot of camera problems like this, and they weren't just limited to the climbing system either.
Of course, debugging and fixing problems like this is normal to game development, but it added to the list of things that I needed to do. There's the saying "Don't fix something that isn't broken." While I was trying to do something different (from HL2) with From Earth, I could have kept the old movement system, and focused on other things. On top of the movement system not being fluid enough, it also didn't work very well with the type of levels that were being built. Mirror's Edge had a lot of tall buildings and rooftops to jump around in while a lot of From Earth was low buildings and forest areas, restricted alleys partly because of the limitations of Source (or my limitations as level designer - probably both). Again, it was a problem of not knowing how to make a lot of good gameplay out of the system I had built. I looked at other games and what their level design looked like on the climbing oriented areas, but I still had trouble coming up with ideas for my own levels. If I had spent more time making just orange textured levels, and focusing perfecting the movement system, it could have become something far greater.
Language SystemSince I knew how to do character modelling I absolutely had to have NPCs running around. I didn't want the world to be just an abandoned place with no-one to talk to. This meant having concept art, modelling, texturing, animating, and voice acting, for both the humans and the aliens. It was a lot of work, but also one of the areas that interested me the most. Bringing character to life is a lot of fun. But once the aliens were introduced I had to come up with their language (as well as conceiving their whole world and culture). While there were suggestions of telepathy and other ways of avoiding an alien language, I quickly dismissed such ideas. But this wouldn't have been a big deal if it had not been for the idea of the language system itself.
Originally the aliens were just supposed to talk in their language and there was nothing much more to it. I had written down what everything they said meant, but the player wasn't exactly required to understand what they meant. Part of the fun was having them say something and the player getting a clue as to what it might mean purely from the context and the tone of the voice. The player wasn't required to understand what they were saying, but could try to if so inclined. That was until the idea of building a language system came up. I can't remember exactly who suggested it, but it was one of those things that I became so obsessed with that I couldn't help but try it out. Even when I was making it I knew that it was probably a bad idea to add something so ambitious this late in development, but I did it anyway (there was no-one else in the project to tell me no anyway, since I was the only active developer a lot of time).
Early tests for the Entrulians.
It was perhaps the most complicated part of the code, and completely new ground for me in terms of programming. I had to program a way for the player to speak sentences with somewhat random structures. All the words were hard-coded in, and there was three different "sentence structures". The sentence structures defined where the verbs and nouns would go in a sentence. The code also had a list of all the possible sentences the player could say. When the player would speak a sentence it would go through the list of sentences and try to match one. If the player said a sentence that wasn't quite correct, sometimes the aliens would try to ask you if you meant something else. There was also wildcards, optional words, politeness meter, and synonyms.
The concept was that the player had to listen to the world to first unlock words, which would then be added to their vocabulary. Then they would have to listen around the world to record sentences. Some of these would go to a log where the player could then read them again. I would set up things like advertisements holograms in the level, and the hologram would, for example, say "If you see an Outsider, press the button for the alarm! Protect Aalysih." This hologram was included in the same area where the player needed to ask an alien to press a button. But of course, it didn't really work that way in practice. Hearing something doesn't necessarily mean players will recognize those words in text. Assuming they even understand the concept that this is what they are meant to say (The holograms didn't really have any kind of visual for "pressing a button"). A lot of these hints were added to the levels as kind of patch work, in some cases when I realized people could skip a level and not unlock the required sentence before.
On top of being a lot of trouble to tune as gameplay, it was also a lot of work to get into game. Recording the alien voices lines was already a big task. We had two talented voice actors, Dianna Conley and Joseph P. Bracken, for the female aliens and male aliens respectively. Stephanie Nixon did the voice for Zenaida Liu, the main character. For some reason, despite the voice actors being native English speakers, I insisted that the alien words were to be spoken in a Finnish dialect. This was a little bit difficult for them, but they all did an amazing job. Stephanie, on top of having to learn the language, also had to speak every word so that it would work with the sentence system. When a player chose a bunch of words with the language system, Zenaida would say them out loud one by one. I had to do a lot of editing in attempt to make this sound natural, though I didn't quite succeed.
Players had the ability to guess and write down what they thought words meant. For example, if they knew "pos" meant "to be", they could write it down in their notes. The next time they would try to translate a sentence it would show their guess "to be" under "pos". There was no way for the game to check if their guesses were correct (people might spell "to be" differently or even in a different language). It was simply a way for them to remember what conclusion they had come to before. But the closed captions also showed these words as the player guesses. So if an alien said "Asu osa pos?" (What are you?) the closed captions would say "Asu osa [to be]?" assuming they had guessed "pos" correctly. This was all in effort to make translating easier, but it was a lot of extra work and hackery.
There were also some attempts to make the language system easier or to allow unlocking sentences for free. One way of doing this was to use gestures (hand animations). Instead of using a sentence you might not know, you used a gesture. It basically replaced the confusion of the language system with the confusing gestures. There was also the Mind Meld system that allowed you to read the minds of aliens, but would be considered the same as threatening them. It would show one sentence in English or some vital information like a password they might be hiding. But Mind Meld wasn't in any way explained by the plot. At one point, Zenaida was supposed to have some special abilities at her disposal provided by her Jumpsuit, but they didn't work out. Mind Meld was cut out from the game for most of the development but I readded it during the beta.
During playtesting the language system was what got most players stuck. Yet, they preferred to try it instead of threatening the aliens or attacking the guards. It needed a lot more playtesting, it needed a better UI, it needed a lot better in-world explanations and hints.
Fighting SystemAnother system that made things more difficult was the fighting system. Without the language system it might have worked out, but since I focused so much on getting that system to work, I didn't give the fighting system all the attention it needed. Despite this, it had several different iterations. First I tried hard-coding the actions to moves, but then I wanted something a little bit more complex. I wanted to do more of a fighting game style system where key inputs would combo to special attacks. I also had a version where going into fighting mode changed the game to third person (to better see my character animations!) Eventually I ended up going back to first person, but I ended up with a system where all the attack moves were defined in a script file. I had a complex system for different types of attack. You could, for example, grab aliens by their horns and use them as a shield or simply knee kick them without them being able to fight back. Parrying was a bit tricky to detect and animate correctly. It never worked quite as smoothly as I had hoped and wasn't super useful in game.
Not entirely sure what's going on here.
Partly, the scripting system was supposed to make trying out new moves in the fighting system easier. It did its job to some extent, but also took a lot of time to perfect. There was a lot of time spent on trying out new things and moves that never ended in the game.
A big part of the game was also that you could completely avoid combat if you wanted to. The idea was, you could either try to communicate with the aliens, or fight them. You weren't able to attack civilians, but you could still threaten them to get what you needed. This wouldn't make them attack you, but they would tell a guard you threatened them. There was a whole other system for the aliens knowing or not knowing if you were violent. You could for example first fight a guard and then wear a disguise and hide your identity. But none of this mattered if you just communicated with them and didn't use violence or acted in a threatening manner. My time was constantly divided between these two different play styles. The story had two different endings, too, depending on whether you were considered violent or not (with an additional, slightly different ending if you were a pacifist).
I should have made a choice between which game I wanted to make. A lot of people were interested in the language system, but it had a lot of problems. Players would not want to switch to using violence when they had set out to do a pacifist run, and they would get stuck. Instead of trying out the combat system they would simply close the game. Making the game focused on the fighting system would have made it better. Removing the fighting system and focusing on the language system would have also made the game better. Yet, I kept it in with an excuse like "Why wouldn't the player be able to pick up the sword?" It never occurred to me to just simply remove the guards from the game. Or have the story be that Zenaida was a pacifist and simply refused to fight back even if it meant her capture.
ConclusionI think it's safe to say the project was too ambitious. There were way too many things going on, including a lot of things that didn't really fit the world, or at least weren't necessary. I had a lot of fun programming the different systems, and I learned a lot, but fun was also my undoing. There was also a little bit of feature creep in me. Every now and then you will look at your project and wonder "Is it exciting enough?" Maybe if I add this ONE SMALL THING it will get people excited. Maybe this will be the twist that will get the game media's attention. So, that's my excuse for adding stuff like the language system. Though, it's not necessarily a great one.
What NextSo, am I thinking about continuing From Earth? I have to be completely honest with you: no, not really. Not the Source Engine version anyway. The project has, as it is, way too many flaws to be salvageable. I am currently unemployed and thinking about starting an indie company using the Source Engine is a dead end. That said, I am not throwing it all away or abandoning it completely. I will still continue to update Entrulia, trying to fix any game breaking bugs that are reported best to my ability. I just wont try to fix the larger problems with the gameplay or ship new features. I also have been working on sort of a sequel, called "Entrulia". It uses the same assets and world and largely the same characters. It continues where From Earth left off, but knowing the story is not a requirement. Some parts of the story might get retconned or changed completely, depending on the game's new needs.
You play as either "Kra", "Zenaida", or "Water". It's a third person strategy similar to XCOM 2 (one of my favorite games). You only control your hero, though you can have followers. You also have up to four special abilities that you can pick and choose from a list at the beginning of every map. I like to think it as sort of a mix between XCOM and Overwatch. Your special abilities and timing them are necessary for your survival. The game starts with you escaping from prison and the fighting the alien Z-Duw organization determined to hunt down "the Outsiders".
The project has gone through several iterations as I have prototyped different types of gameplay. First it was a side-scroller fighting game, then an XCOM type of game, then more of a Final Fantasy RPG game, then a side-scroller fighting game, until now finally coming back to an XCOM type strategy game. During my absence I have also gone through several other game project ideas. I have been trying to spend a lot more time prototyping and trying things out, rather than just going into full development mode right away. Hopefully this one will work out well. I am nervous about starting an indie company, but it's something I have to try out eventually (unless the right job comes before that). I have a lot of worries about how well the game would do, as well as how I will pay the people who worked on From Earth for their work.
But hopefully it all goes well and I will be able to release Entrulia as my first indie game. If you are interested in helping, join the Entrulia Playtesting Discord:
Thanks for reading.
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Why Didn't We See the Blackout Coming?
Aired August 15, 2003 - 16:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANNOUNCER: CROSSFIRE. On the left: James Carville and Paul Begala. On the right: Robert Novak and Tucker Carlson.
In the CROSSFIRE, politics unplugged. Why didn't we see the blackout coming?
GOV. BILL RICHARDSON (D), NEW MEXICO: We've been warning for years. I went around the country saying these blackouts are going to happen.
ANNOUNCER: It's time for some grid talk, and we don't mean football.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We will view this rolling blackout as a wake-up call.
ANNOUNCER: Today on CROSSFIRE.
ANNOUNCER: Live from the George Washington University, Paul Begala and Robert Novak.
ROBERT NOVAK, CO-HOST: Welcome to CROSSFIRE.
Washingtonians have always suspected that New Yorkers were in the dark. Today, we'll find out who is trying to make political capital out of this incident. But before we get to that, you get the most electrifying political briefing in television, our CROSSFIRE Political Alert.
Gray Davis definitely has a problem. The more he campaigns against his recall, the more the voters of California want to get rid of him as governor. The non-partisan Field Poll shows 58 percent of likely voters want Davis recalled. That's up from 51 percent.
His approval rating hit a low, just 22 percent. Sentiment for the governor's recall now extends across almost every age group, education level, ethnic group, and region of California. Is it time for him to resign as governor and give his lieutenant governor a head start in the recall election? If you think Gray Davis might really do that, you just don't know Gray Davis. PAUL BEGALA, CO-HOST: Well, also, if you think he should do that, you don't respect the will of the voters. Eight million Californians voted for this guy. He's done nothing wrong in office. There's no malfeasance; there's no criminality.
He's unpopular. By the way, he's unpopular because Bush trashed the economy. That's why he's getting all of the blame. I think it's unfair.
NOVAK: That's good spin, Paul. He's unpopular because he lied to the voters in the campaign. He said you didn't have to increase taxes and they had to increase taxes. So that is the sign of the cross for the vampire, the increased tax.
BEGALA: Well, let's see what we do with the President, who didn't tell the truth about nuclear weapons, then, if that's what you do with taxes.
Well, after taking a pounding from some patriotic Democrats, our President is backing away from his administration's plan to cut the pay -- cut the pay, that is -- of our servicemen and women in Iraq. Until the Democrats spoke out, President Bush's Pentagon was reportedly planning on ending the $75 a month in imminent danger pay and the $150 a month in family separation allowances paid to our brave troops in Iraq. President Bush even had the gall yesterday to strut around in front of Marines in southern California, inexplicably wearing a military jacket in the near 90-degree August heat.
You know, I have an idea, though. Instead of playing dress-up soldier, maybe our President should try living on the cheapskate salaries he pays them.
NOVAK: You know, Paul, unless you have some information that I don't know about, the Pentagon never said it was cutting the pay. That was a rumor. Maybe it was a rumor planted by your kind of people because the only kind of on-the-record statement by the Pentagon was we ain't going to cut the pay.
BEGALA: The pay is going to be cut unless the Congress reauthorizes it. The Pentagon and President Bush's Pentagon, that is, was telling the Congress not to reauthorize that pay. It runs out at the end of the fiscal year.
NOVAK: Do you know that next Tuesday is or at least wants to be another presidential holiday? August 19? Of course, stupid. It's Bill Clinton's birthday.
The celebration is the idea of Democratic National Chairman Terry McAuliffe, who has presided over two and a half of the worst years ever experienced by the world's oldest political party, that's the Democrats. McAuliffe wants every person in America to send President Clinton a 57th birthday greeting by, guess what, sending $57 to the Democratic National Committee.
Get it? $57 for 57 years. Boy, don't those Democrats know how to have fun?
BEGALA: Well, they know how to raise money honestly in small amounts. Not secret back-room deals with Enron, which is what Dick Cheney and George Bush were doing. I think this is great. God bless President Clinton.
By the way, August 19 is also the birthday of Tipper Gore, our real first lady, who should be in the White House with her husband who won the election. And Happy birthday to Tipper, as well.
NOVAK: I hate to always correct you, Paul, because it embarrasses me. But, as a matter of fact, I think you'll find that the small contributions go to the Republicans and not the Democrats.
BEGALA: Well, speaking of the Republicans, the Republicans in Texas who have hijacked that state's legislature just don't understand the courageous Democrats are blocking their scheme to overturn the court approved congressional map and replace it with a partisan map stacked for the Republicans. Now, with the Democrats safe in New Mexico, Republicans in Austin are pitching a fit.
They're taking away the Democrats' parking spaces. They're canceling their cell phones and they're fining them -- get to this -- up to $60,000 a piece. State Senator Judith Zaffarini says she won't be intimidated by what she calls a poll tax. You see, unlike some Republicans, these Texas Democrats care more about principle than money or perks.
Now President Bush could stop all of this nonsense right now, but apparently he's putting partisan ahead of progress for Texas. Shame on him.
NOVAK: Let me introduce a few facts in there. Texas is a Republican state right now. All of the statewide office holders are Republicans. The state legislature is controlled by Republicans. They've carried the state for the President for Republicans for years.
But there's a majority of Democrats in the House delegation because it's gerrymandered, Paul. It's unfair. That's what the problem is.
BEGALA: Nonsense. That map was drawn by a bipartisan group of federal judges and approved even by thief Justice Rehnquist in a right wing Supreme Court. That's a fair map and that's the one they ought to use.
Well, in a minute, we will debate the political fallout from the big blackout. Former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson says we have a third world electricity grid. Well, guess which party voted against updating it two years ago? Stay with us and learn which one.
MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (R), NEW YORK CITY: I was actually sitting at a table and it was pretty bright and I did not notice that the lights went out. And somebody tapped me on the shoulder and said the lights went out. But it's a bright sunny day, as you know, here. And I think a lot of people had that experience, just, all of a sudden, a few things weren't working. And then you realized just how dependent we are on electricity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NOVAK: Bush says the blackout across the Northeast and upper Midwest and parts of Canada is a wake-up call, and it's time to update the nation's electrical grid. The 50 million people who lost power yesterday certainly agree with the president, but whose responsibility is it? And who has to foot the bill?
Two members of New York's congressional delegation are in the CROSSFIRE and without air-conditioning. Democrat Anthony Weiner, Republican Vito Fossello.
BEGALA: Gentlemen, thank you for joining us. Good of you to do so.
Congressman Fossello, on June 6, 2001, House roll call vote Number 169, you voted against investing $350 million in loans to upgrade and update the power grid. Were you wrong to vote that way?
REP. VITO FOSSELLO (R), NEW YORK: No. First off, let me commend the people of New York and indeed all Americans who dealt with the power outage yesterday with good grace. And I've got to say, I couldn't be more proud of our fellow citizens. But the reality is...
BEGALA: But they would not have had to show that grace perhaps if you had voted to upgrade and update the power grid. Do you regret the vote against updating the power grid?
FOSSELLO: OK. Now can I answer? The reality is that we need to make improvements to our system. We need to provide incentives to the marketplace.
You know we're here on Wall Street, where people make -- where billions and trillions of dollars change hands every day. And if there ever was a wake-up call, it was yesterday to provide sufficient capacity, to address the citing requirements that have limited the ability of investors to provide the capacity, and also to ensure that there are reliability standards that are enforceable.
We can't just have people across the country to say no to everything. As demand grows 30 percent in the last 10 years and capacity grows by 10 percent, sooner or later something is going to happen. Indeed, yesterday was the wake-up call. So I think we need to stand together to ensure and provide incentives to the private sector and not just wave a wand and think that something is going to happen. Just as a car needs gas to go, our country needs power to run.
NOVAK: Congressman Weiner, the proposal that Paul was talking about was an amendment by Democratic Congressman Sam Farr of California. It's as phony as a $3 bill. As a matter of fact, it is only a loan.
The loan would only go into effect if the secretary of energy said so. It would take an emergency, and then you would only get the loan if money in the private sector was not available. It has so many caveats. Isn't it true that if you had passed that, it would have no effect on what happened yesterday?
REP. ANTHONY WEINER (D), NEW YORK: Well, we wouldn't have had to pass that if in the 106th Congress, when President Clinton proposed putting real stiff standards that all energy companies had to put in place, if that hadn't been killed by the Republicans, who kept saying, oh, deregulation, isn't it great? Yes, deregulation is great. Someone burns their toast in Ohio and we lose billions of dollars of revenue here in New York City, or there is a storm in Canada and we're all stuck in subway trains for hours on end.
We have to reach a point where -- energy deregulation has gotten us Enron, higher prices and now blackouts. I'm not so sure it's been such a great deal. And in a zeal for the Republicans to try to embarrass Gray Davis and Bill Clinton, we now have no standards in place, no loan guarantees in place, and blackouts all over New York City.
NOVAK: Surely you're not saying the electrical industry is deregulated. It's one of the most regulated industries in America.
WEINER: Well, since power deregulation, when we started worshipping at the altar of letting the private sector do these things, they haven't had a very good track record, now have they, Bob?
FOSSELLO: I would respectfully sort of disagree with my good friend Anthony Weiner. The reality is that there are millions of people across the country who rely upon investments by the private sector. And over the last 10, 15 years, as I mentioned before, we just haven't had the capacity to meet our demand. And now it's easy to say no to everything.
It's easy to say no to new power plants and generation. But I think the American people expect and deserve...
BEGALA: Congressman, excuse me for interjecting, but it's easy for to you say no, when the Democrats -- here is what the Democrats said to you and your colleagues two years ago when you were fighting over upgrading the power grade.
The Democrat report said this: "The obsolescence of the nation's electric power transmission grid has become an emergency that requires immediate attention. The problem is not one limited to just California or even the Western states. It is clearly a national problem that potentially effects all citizens."
Despite that warning, you, sir, said no. Why did you vote against updating the power system? FOSSELLO: Well, first of all, I think Bob Novak just answered that question pretty easily because it was a mandate approach to what is a significant problem. And, indeed, Paul, if you know history, and I think you do, you know that President Bush ran on creating an energy policy, one rooted in the free market to allow American citizens the right to have power when needed.
That's why the House earlier this year passed an energy bill with provisions that provide the incentives necessary, as well as the Senate. And that's why right now it's in reconciliation. And those who want to obstruct should step out of the way and let the American people get what they deserve. That's power on demand.
NOVAK: Mr. Weiner, just bringing up the president, let's listen to what the president said down in Texas the other day. Yesterday, was it? Yes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: I view it as a wake-up call. I've been concerned that our infrastructure, the delivery system is old and antiquated. And I think this is an indication of the fact that we need to modernize the electricity grid.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NOVAK: That's what the president said today. Mr. Weiner, take off your partisan hat. Well, you don't have any hat on, but your imaginary partisan hat. And that was a sound thing the president said. You can't disagree with what he said, can you?
WEINER: Well, firstly, here the mayor didn't even notice the lights were out, and now the president just got a wake-up call. I'm glad the Republicans have woken up to the fact that the system is badly broken. Unfortunately, it took 20 million Americans to be in the dark, when President Bush is so kind to take up a five-minute speech and then go to a fund-raiser in California. In the next several days, reporters like you are going to look at who wrote checks at that fund-raiser, and I bet you they are all kinds of his buddies in the energy business which have stopped us from having the type of standards we need to prevent the type of blackout we had the other day.
BEGALA: Well, Mr. Fossello, isn't that a good point that Congressman Weiner makes, that the Bush energy plan that you just touted was actually designed in secret by Enron and other big energy companies and maybe that's why we're in the trouble we're in today?
FOSSELLO: You asked me if that was a good point, and I would say no. The reality is I, you know, I think at this point in time, less than about 24 hours after we had the largest power outage in the nation's history, let's take a step back and realize that it could have been a lot worse. And people deserve the credit and the pat on the back.
Now it's time for people in Washington and Congress and working with the White House in a nonpartisan ways. Americans want nonpartisan ways right now. They want people to step up to the plate and provide leadership, incentives to the industry to provide the capacity to citing requirements to strike the right balance, promoting conservation, protecting the environment, but providing it where necessary.
Just as I said earlier, cars need gasoline to run. So if the folks back home on Staten Island want to shut their lights on (ph) reliably, here in downtown in Manhattan or Ohio, or wherever it may be, they deserve it. And any of those who want to stand in the way should step aside.
BEGALA: Cars need gas to run; our channel needs ads to run. Keep your seat -- keep that spot right there in New York just a second. We'll come back to you in a minute, but first Wolf Blitzer will have all the news in the headlines on the latest to recover from the blackout.
And then we will have Rapidfire, where we turn up the wattage here on CROSSFIRE and try to get in as many questions and answers as we can.
Later, one of our viewers fires back at a suggestion for what President Bush should do about the blackout. Stay with us.
BEGALA: Time now for Rapidfire, the fastest question-and-answer session in television. We're talking about the big blackout with two members of New York's congressional delegation. They are Democrat Anthony Weiner and Republican Vito Fossello.
NOVAK: Mr. Weiner, doesn't it take a lot of gall for Bill Richardson to criticize the Bush administration when he didn't do anything about this problem as secretary of energy?
WEINER: Well, he sure tried and the Republicans stopped it for partisan reasons because they didn't want to get Gray Davis off the hook.
BEGALA: Congressman Fossello, has deregulation improved the reliability of our electrical system?
FOSSELLO: I think the more we place our hands in the private sector with adequate regulation, the better off the American people are. So, yes, it isn't foolproof. Clearly, yesterday was evidence of that. But it's better than spending billions and billions of taxpayer money for inadequate return on the American taxpayer, yes.
NOVAK: Mr. Weiner, will you go the whole hog and say that this was caused by the Bush tax cuts?
WEINER: By the Bush tax cuts? A lot was. No, this was caused by horrible energy policy and partisanship on the part of Republicans during the Clinton administration.
BEGALA: Mr. Fossello, would you reduce the tax cut for the top one percent of Americans in order to make our energy system safer from terrorist attacks and more reliable?
FOSSELLO: I happen to think the American people work too hard on (ph) the right incentives to reduce tax rates and promote economic growth. If anything, we should look to cut tax rates on you and others who make a lot of money, Paul, so that the American economy can grow and put more people to work.
BEGALA: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), Vito.
NOVAK: Mr. Weiner, do you think we should break diplomatic relations with Canada over this?
WEINER: Well, I don't know. So far, they've given us hockey, which is pretty good, and maybe this power outage. I'm not sure it's a good trade.
BEGALA: Congressman Vito Fossello of New York, thank you both very much.
NOVAK: Thank you very much.
It's time for our Ask the Audience question. Take out your voting devices. Take them out and tell us, are you willing to pay more money to update the power grid?
Press one for, yes, I'm willing to pay extra. Just tell me how. Or press two for, no, we won't pay. We'll have the results after a break.
And some of our viewers have their theories about who caused the blackout. We'll let them fire back coming up.
BEGALA: Welcome back to CROSSFIRE.
Time now to get our response from the audience question. We asked our audience members right before the break, would you pay more to upgrade the power grid? And look at this.
Seventy-six percent of Democrats and even 40 percent of Republicans say yes. Now 60 percent of Republicans say no, but a pretty strong majority of the whole audience says, yes, they'd pay a little more to keep the lights on.
NOVAK: That's a little mixed verdict. Let's go with what the viewers want.
Emily Turner of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, says, "I say we blame the whole debacle on those Canadians. They're too backwards to understand what this electrical grid is all aboot eh?"
Emily, I think you've got it.
BEGALA All right. Clayton in Chicapee, Massachusetts, writes: "Paul, is it true President Bush is going to land a fighter jet on Broadway since major blackout operations are now at an end?" Well, that's...
NOVAK: Are you writing Clayton's stuff for him?
BEGALA: Yes. He said he would make Baghdad look like America. Now Broadway looks like Baghdad.
NOVAK: OK. Linda Burton of Rockland, Maine, says, "Bob, I have solved the East Coast power outage problem. The forces behind this situation are clearly related to Arnold Schwarzenegger's relationship with the Bush administration. It is just another of those Republican conspiracies. Just ask Arianna Huffington."
She's too busy not paying her taxes. I don't think we can do that.
BEGALA: But it is true that when the California energy crisis was going on, Arnold Schwarzenegger met in secret with Ken Lay, the head of Enron. Not who I would turn to for energy advice, but that's who Arnold does.
NOVAK: In somebody's basement, I'll bet. Yes.
BEGALA: Janie in Durham, North Carolina, writes: "We always get what we pay for. If we want better infrastructure in this country we're going to have to pay for it."
Common sense out of Durham, North Carolina.
NOVAK: Sounds like Democratic dogma. A question from the audience. Go ahead.
DAN FARBER: My name is Dan Farber (ph) from Sunny Isles (ph). My question is, if the New York brownouts were a wake-up call, then what were the California brownouts, a snooze button?
NOVAK: Well, let's get your facts straight. The California was a brownout. This, my friend, was a blackout. That is a different thing and a lot mere serious.
BEGALA: But, no, you're right. It's President Bush who hit that snooze button two years ago. Experts from the industry and Democrats kept saying we need to fix the power grid. President Bush said no. He should be held accountable for his negligence.
NOVAK: One more question. All right, all right. Another question.
BEGALA: Yes, ma'am?
CLAIRE: Hi, I'm Claire (ph) from Miami, Florida.
NOVAK: Put your mike up to your mouth.
CLAIRE: I'm Claire (ph) from Miami, Florida. And...
BEGALA: And eat your peas (ph).
CLAIRE: ... the California governor's race, if we have one, with all these different candidates, is this a good thing or a bad thing?
NOVAK: Well, I like all the candidates. I think Al Sharpton is the best of them. But I like all the Democratic candidates.
BEGALA: I think we should honor the voters and leave Gray Davis in office. But I just believe in elections. That's why I'm a Democrat.
From the left, I am Paul Begala. That's it for CROSSFIRE.
NOVAK: From the right, I'm Robert Novak. Join us again next time for another edition of CROSSFIRE.
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This is a lengthy, but worthwhile read from a research article recently published by a naturopathic doctor, Fiona McCulloch addressing the treatment of autoimmue concerns as they relate to fertility and is notable as acupuncturists can provide the same diagnoses and treatments:
Infertility is a reproductive disease, which has an enormous impact on the quality of life for millions of patients. It affects 1 in 5 of all couples, and most patients undergo extensive diagnostic and treatment interventions on their journey to create a family. Infertility has a myriad of causes including endocrine disorders, gynecological disease, infectious disease, circulatory disease and aging and cellular health. Autoimmune disorders are also implicated in reproductive disorders and may especially play a role in unexplained cases of infertility.
It is known that autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, autoimmune thyroiditis and systemic lupus erythematosis are linked to decreased fertility. Other causes of infertility such as premature ovarian insufficiency, endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome include autoimmune components. In many unexplained cases of infertility, inflammatory processes may be involved or antibodies may be directed against hormones, clotting factors, or reproductive tissues such as the ovaries or testes. The research into autoimmune infertility is just in its beginning, but as naturopathic physicians there are valuable tests and treatments we can provide to our patients who present either with known autoimmune disorders and difficulty conceiving, or with the ever enigmatic diagnosis of "unexplained infertility".
The biological factors involved in autoimmune infertility are various. These include a multitude of cellular and inflammatory changes. Some of the most common factors are discussed below.
Endometriosis has many autoimmune components including elevated levels of cytokines, and T- and B-cell abnormalities. Peripheral monocytes are more active, and peritoneal macrophages are present in higher numbers with higher activity levels. This causes increased inflammatory cytokine release.
There are alterations in B-cell activity and an increased incidence of autoantibodies in women with endometriosis. Like classical autoimmune diseases, endometriosis has been associated with polyclonal B-cell activation, immunological abnormalities in T- and B-cell functions, increased apoptosis, tissue damage, multiorgan involvement, familial occurrence, possible genetic basis, involvement of environmental cofactors, and association with other autoimmune diseases. TNF-a, levels are elevated in the peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis. In women with endometriosis, TH2 mediated immunity humoral responses are commonly elevated.
A 2001 study found that 50% of endometriosis patients had autoantibodies to candida enolase. The same study found increased levels of these antibodies in patients with a list of other autoimmune conditions.
Autoimmune thyroid disease and infertility.
Thyroid diseases involving antithyroid antibodies have been correlated to infertility and increased pregnancy loss. Autoimmune thyroid disease, even in the absence of hypothyroidism has been associated with infertility and reduced response to fertility treatment. It has also been associated with gluten related autoimmunity. Autoimmune thyroid disease can lead to hypo or hyperthyroidism which can impact fertility and cause miscarriage.
Other Autoimmune Diseases and Fertility
Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs ) which have been associated with infertility can be present in conditions such as SLE, Sjogren's syndrome, Raynaud's syndrome, and can also be detected in women with a history of exposure to chemicals such as bisphenol-A.
Addison's disease is associated with anti-ovarian antibodies which can reduce ovulatory function and cause premature ovarian failure in severe cases.
Patients with celiac disease may have multiple nutritional deficiencies that can lead to infertility. Celiac disease has been linked to recurrent miscarriage, pregnancy complication and infertility. A 2010 study found that between 5-10% of women with a history of stillbirth, recurrent miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and infertility were seropositive for transglutaminase IgA compared to 1% of the control group. Latent celiac disease may be a major cause of unexplained infertility.
In approximately 20% of women with premature ovarian insufficiency(POI), autoimmune factors can be found. POI can be linked to autoimmune thyroid disease, Addison's disease, or SLE or may have unknown etiology. Women may have antibodies against the ovarian tissues, or reproductive hormones such as FSH.
Antisperm antibodies are another cause of infertility. These can be present in either male or female patients. They are commonly found in males after vasectomy procedures, and their presence can make vasectomy difficult to reverse. Antisperm antibodies affect the ability of the sperm to penetrate the egg or reduce motility by attaching to the tail of the sperm . They have also been associated with antiphospholipid antibodies. Antisperm antibodies are generally produced by CD19+/5+ B cells and are associated with elevated natural killer cells and anti-dna antibodies.
Autoimmune blood clotting disorders
Disorders with increased antiphospholipid antibodies( APAs) including anti-cardiolipin antibodies cause a hypercoagulatory state in the blood and can be associated with reproductive failure and recurrent miscarriage. These antibodies can be found in systemic diseases such as SLE, or on their own.
Immunological Considerations for Patients with Reproductive Challenges TH1/TH2 Ratios
A condition of TH1 cytokine dominance can be associated with the inability to conceive or maintain a pregnancy. In women with high TH1/TH2 ratios there is an increased incidence of pregnancy loss and infertility however for different autoimmune conditions the predominant immune pathway may differ.
Natural killer(NK) cells
Elevated peripheral NK cells are associated with many systemic autoimmune diseases but can also be found in women with unexplained infertility conditions. NK cells produce TH1 cytokines including TNF-alpha and Interferon gamma. These cytokines are normally involved in cellular toxicity directed at cancerous cells and viruses . If increased in early pregnancy, the presence of NK cells and their cytokines can disrupt the growth and development of the embryo. TNF-alpha works as a signal to other immune cells which then migrate to the uterus to attack the non-self invader which has been immunologically detected. A 1999 study found that in women who had repeated miscarriage, there was markedly increased NK cell cytotoxicity associated with a rise in CD56+CD16+ and a drop in CD56+ cells. Another special type of NK cell called uterine NK (uNK) cells have a protective immunosuppressive effect locally in the endometrium. Dysfunction of these cells has been associated with pregnancy loss.
Homocysteine and Folate Metabolism
Both folate deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia are known to be risk factors for infertility and pregnancy complications. Errors in these pathways caused by genetic mutations have been associated with autoimmune diseases Patients with a mutation of the MTHFR gene have difficulty reducing 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. 5- methyltetrahydrofolate is used to convert homocysteine to methionine by the enzyme methionine synthase. A 2010 study on a group of 71 Swedish and Finnish female patients with unexplained infertility found a higher incidence of folate metabolism polymorphisms compared to women in the general population. Folate receptor blocking autoantibodies have also been related to subfertility.
Folate metabolism disorders can can lead to reduced cell division, inflammatory cytokine production, altered nitric oxide metabolism, increased oxidative stress, abnormal methylation reactions and thrombosis. This causes problems with folliculogenesis and implanting or maintaining a healthy pregnancy. In males, defects in this pathway can impair spermatogenesis.
Diagnostic testing in the naturopathic (or acupuncture) clinic
In addition to general and endocrine panels for infertility, consider testing for homocysteine, CRP, ESR, ANA panels, APA panels, PTT, Partial PTT, DHEA-S, TSH, Antithyroglobulin, Antithyroid peroxidase, HBA1C, CBC, diurnal cortisol, assessments for candida, and gluten sensitivity testing.
Clinically, I have found that optimal homocysteine levels should be 8mmol/L or below in patients with autoimmune infertility factors.
TH1 to TH2 ratios can be a very helpful tool for designing treatment plans. NK assays and testing for genetic variants of MTHFR are also available.
These vary depending on results found and can include low dose aspirin, anti-coagulants, corticosteroids, IVIG, Lymphocyte immunization therapy (LIT) and TNF-alpha blockers. These are often combined with IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies.
Treatments in the naturopathic (or acupuncture) clinic
Some of the following treatment options may be considered after a thorough assessment determines specific autoimmune factors.
- To reduce TH1 dominant inflammatory responses in patients who require it, maritime pine extract (100mg bid), resveratrol ,(100mg bid) , and green tea EGCG (300mg catechins bid), . Maritime pine, and resveratrol also inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombosis,,. The antioxidant effects of these substances are also beneficial.
- Proline rich polypeptides such as those found in bovine colostrum may favour a shift towards TH1 and downregulate overactive TH2 responses.
- High quality omega 3 fish oil. 2 - 3g of EPA and DHA daily to aid with inflammatory and thrombotic disorders . A 2007 study on mice found that a ratio of 23:14 EPA to DHA decreased tnf alpha in 8 hours. EPA also regulates autoimmune markers in endometriosis
- L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate 5mg daily, vitamin B12 1000mcg qd and vitamin B6 75mg qd to improve homocysteine and folate metabolism. Screen for history of cancer before using high dose folate. Trimethylglycine 1000mg qd may also be used to lower homocysteine levels in selected patients.
- N-Acetyl Cysteine 600mg bid. Reduces inflammatory cytokines. Improves autoimmune thyroid disease NAC also enhances semen parameters and the oxidative status and quality of the endometrium . NAC also protects the integrity of ovaries subjected to physical and oxidative damage, and aids liver detoxifcation pathways.
- For patients with thyroid antibodies, l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily,,,. If hypothyroid, use of bio-identical hormone therapy may be indicated to prevent miscarriage. Trace minerals for thyroid function are also be beneficial.
- Thyroid protomorphogen may be useful for patients with antithyroid antibodies to act as a decoy. Increase dosage slowly to 1 tablet tid.
- Elimination of gluten should be implemented as required for patients with positive serology.
- Probiotics 20 billion CFUs daily. Rotate strains monthly to modulate immunity and repair gut lining. Treat candida if present.
- Support liver detoxification pathways.
- Bio-identical progesterone is a potent immunosuppressive agent capable of blocking both cytokine release and action . May be used in the luteal phase of the cycle to support early pregnancy.
- DHEA - can be useful in premature ovarian insufficiency and to improve pregnancy rate and reduce miscarriage in advanced maternal age. It has also been found to be beneficial in the treatment of autoimmune disease,, and to reduce NK cell activity. DHEA should only be used after serum DHEA-S and androgen evaluation. Dose adjusted according to patient need but is often 25mg tid or less.
- Addressing stress is very important in all patients suffering from the effects of reproductive challenges. Autoimmune diseases are aggravated by stress as it can increase humoral immunity and shift TH1:TH2 ratios. Adrenal therapies, sufficient sleep, yoga, meditation, movement therapy, and prayer can all positively effect patients in this journey
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- Poncin S, Colin IM, Decallonne B, et al. N-Acetylcysteine and 15 Deoxy-?12,14-Prostaglandin J2 Exert a Protective Effect Against Autoimmune Thyroid Destruction in Vivo but Not Against Interleukin-1a/Interferon ?-Induced Inhibitory Effects in Thyrocytes in Vitro. The American journal of pathology. 2010;177(1)219-228
- Ciftci H, Verit A, Savas M, Yeni E, Erel O. Effects of N-acetylcysteine on semen parameters and oxidative/antioxidant status. Urology. 2009;74(1):73-6.
- Estany S, Palacio JR, Barnadas R, Sabes M, Iborra A, Martínez P. Antioxidant activity of N-acetylcysteine, flavonoids and alpha-tocopherol on endometrial cells in culture. J Reprod Immunol. 2007; 75(1):1-10.
- Mishra DP, Dhali A. Endotoxin induces luteal cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat. 2007;83(1-2):75-88.
- Usta U, Inan M, Erbas H, Aydogdu N, Oz Puyan F, Altaner S. Tissue damage in rat ovaries subjected to torsion and detorsion: effects of L-carnitine and N-acetyl cysteine. Pediatr Surg Int. 2008; 24(5):567-73
- Zagrodzki P, Ratajczak R. Selenium supplementation in autoimmune thyroiditis female patient-effects on thyroid and ovarian functions (case study). Biol Trace Elem Res. 2008; 126(1-3):76-82.
- Turker O, Kumanlioglu K, Karapolat I, Dogan I. Selenium treatment in autoimmune thyroiditis: 9-month follow-up with variable doses. J Endocrinol. 2006;190(1):151-6.
- Negro R, Greco G, Mangieri T, Pezzarossa A, Dazzi D, Hassan H. The influence of selenium supplementation on postpartum thyroid status in pregnant women with thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92(4):1263-8.
- Gärtner R, Gasnier BC, Dietrich JW, Krebs B, Angstwurm MW. Selenium supplementation in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis decreases thyroid peroxidase antibodies concentrations. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002; 87(4):1687-91.
- Howard L. Weiner, MD. Oral tolerance for the treatement of autoimmune disease.Annual Review of Medicine. 1997; (48): 341-351.
- Raghupathy R, Al-Mutawa E, Al-Azemi M, Makhseed M, Azizieh F, Szekeres-Bartho J. Progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) modulates cytokine production by lymphocytes from women with recurrent miscarriage or preterm delivery. J Reprod Immunol. 2009 Jun;80(1-2):91-9
- Mamas L, Mamas E. Premature ovarian failure and dehydroepiandrosterone Fertil Steril.2009;91(2):644-646.
- Gleicher N, Ryan E, Weghofer A, Blanco-Mejia S, Barad DH. Miscarriage rates after dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation in women with diminished ovarian reserve: a case control study. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2009 Oct 7;7:108.
- Solerte SB, Precerutti S, Gazzaruso C, et al. Defect of a subpopulation of natural killer immune cells in Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis: normalizing effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Eur J Endocrinol. 2005;152(5):703-12.
- Crosbie D, Black C, McIntyre L, Royle PL, Thomas S. Dehydroepiandrosterone for systemic lupus erythematosus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(4):CD005114
- Hazeldine J, Arlt W, Lord JM. Dehydroepiandrosterone as a regulator of immune cell function. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2010;120(2-3):127-36.
- Calcagni E, Elenkov I. Stress system activity, innate and T helper cytokines, and susceptibility to immune-related diseases. Ann N Y Acad Sci.2006;1069:62-76 | <urn:uuid:52c31c35-2b0b-4145-8e25-890a91dca504> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://www.integrativefertility.com/blog-research/tag/Research | 2019-08-21T03:48:45Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027315750.62/warc/CC-MAIN-20190821022901-20190821044901-00040.warc.gz | en | 0.833416 | 5,668 |
Mild Mannered Reviews - Miscellaneous Comics
Not Brand ECHH #7"The Origin of Stuporman"
Published (by Marvel Comics): April 1967
Reviewed by: Jeffrey Taylor
Congratulations! You've found the ONLY non-DC review for a comic book on this entire site. Not Brand ECHH was a Marvel title from 1966 that lasted for a grand total of 13 issues. It was Marvel's first satire title that poked innocent fun at items of the day such as The Monkee's and The Beatles, much like Mad Magazine. This 10-page story was written by Stan Lee and featured the only appearance of Stuporman. That's right. Not Stuperman. There's an "O" in there, as in drunken stupor, although alcohol never came into the issue. I assume it was for copyright purposes. The character looked a heck of a lot like our old familiar Superman, but with ballet shoes instead of boots and a red and yellow $dollar$ sign on his chest, although the emblem changed constantly to reflect a given panel in the story, including the seal of the comic code authority and a YWCA sign.
Stuporman, a.k.a. Twink-Ell, son of Spark-Ell of the planet Kreepton, was sent to Earth in a rocket ship when the planet "went boom." He landed in Hicksville, USA and was adopted by an elderly couple. He grew up and moved to Megopolis where "The Man of Steam" disguised himself as Kluck Kettle, reporter for the Daily Platitude. Representatives of "Natural Comics" (who constantly say things like Dynamic Conjuring, Discuss Cogently, Darling Characters and so on) offered Stuporman money to make a comic book about him. Upon accepting the offer, Natural Comics added villains, Stuporman Family and other common Superman related parodies to his ongoing story, which was reflected in his everyday superheroics.
The "Natural Comics" publishers decided Stuporman was becoming too powerful. Remember that at this time, Superman in DC Comics had the power to blow out a star with his Super-breath. They exposed him to what was Diabolically Called "Kreeptonite." Eventually all the Supervillians, including "The Jokester" who was really a "Gnatman" villain, had Kreeptonite to use against Stuporman.
To introduce the "Stuporman Family," Stuporman was struck by a Kreeptonite bomb while in mid-flight and was saved by Stupordog, who was also hit by a K-bomb. They were saved by Stuporgirl, who was hit by a K-bomb, then Sneaky - the Stuporcat, a Stuporsnake, Stupormonkey, Stuporrhino, Stuporhorse, Stuporskunk and Stupor-Salesman.
After capturing all of the Stuporman family and the Natural Comics publishers, the Man of Steam deposited them in a rocket and sent them into space. When he returned to Megopolis, the name had been changed to New York and was overrun by parody versions of Marvel superheroes like Spider-Man, Daredevil, The Fantastic Four and The Avengers yelling in unison, "Who says this isn't the Marble age of comics?"
Story - 3: Obviously, there's no other appearance of Stuporman to compare this too, but it's not hard to tell good parody (see Saturday Night Live) from bad parody (see Saturday Night Live again). Young comic fans today know that Marvel and DC are in constant competition for the top spot among publishers, but there's no bad blood between them, or at least very little, and both poke fun at each other in their books. Plus this was clearly parody, so DC wouldn't have been able to sue even if they wanted to. Marvel was doing healthy business with all sorts of titles in the late 50's, but DC still had main market for superheroes. That was until 1961 when Stan Lee created the Fantastic Four as a marketing answer to DC's Justice League of America.
This issue was published in 1967, a mere 6 years into Marvel's return to Superhero properties. Fans now had The Incredible Hulk, The Avengers, Spider-Man, Daredevil and to a lesser extent, The X-Men (when the book would actually come out). But this was still early in Marvel's success. The Silver Age was ending and DC was still the #1 publisher, so this was a bold move on Stan Lee's part because at this point, Marvel still could have gone the way of Valiant Comics, but again it was clearly parody and all in good fun.
Art - 2: Every drawing was silly, but not always well done and certainly not on par with Mad Magazine. I have a hard time enjoying what is basically Superman, but with a Hitler haircut. Oh, and Stuporgirl looked like an 80 year old woman, which wasn't on purpose. Although this was the era of four color fantasy, there was less detail than I usually expect from a Silver Age comic.
Cover Art - 4: I work in a comic store and every now and then someone brings in a pile of old comics that we can actually sell. This one grabbed my eye for a review because it was clearly a Superman parody, complete with a pentagonal $dollar$ sign "S" on his chest and Lois Lane reading a copy of "Spidey-Man." I'll give any cover that grabs my attention that way at least a 4 out of 5.
Pre-Crisis Superman Comic Book Reviews
- Action Comics #1 (June 1938)
- Action Comics #2 (July 1938)
- Action Comics #3 (August 1938)
- Action Comics #4 (September 1938)
- Action Comics #5 (October 1938)
- Action Comics #6 (November 1938)
- Action Comics #7 (December 1938)
- Superman Archives: Volume 1 (1939)
- Superman #1 (Summer 1939)
- Action Comics #8 (January 1939)
- Action Comics #9 (February 1939)
- Action Comics #10 (March 1939)
- Superman #13 (November/December 1941) - The Archer
- Superman #19 (November/December 1942) - Case of the Funny Paper Crimes
- Action Comics #60 (May 1943) - Lois Lane - Superwoman
- Superman #30 (September/October 1944) - The Mysterious Mr. Mxyztplk
- Action Comics #80 (January 1945) - Mr. Mxyztplk Returns
- Superman #38 (January/February 1946) - The Battle of the Atoms
- Superman #42 (September/October 1946) - The Death of Clark Kent
- Superman #45 (March/April 1947) - Lois Lane, Superwoman
- Superman #53 (July 1948) - The Origin of Superman
- Action Comics #124 (September 1948) - A Superman of Doom
- Superman #60 (December 1949/January 1950) - The Two Identities of Superman & Superman Fights the Super-Brain
- Superman #76 (May/June 1952) - The Mightiest Team in the World
- Superman #80 (January/February 1953) - Superman's Lost Brother
- Superman 3D (1953) - The Man Who Stole the Sun, Origin of Superman and The Man Who Bossed Superman
- Superman #87 (February 1954) - The Prankster's Greatest Role
- Superman #88 (March 1954) - The Terrible Trio
- Superman #89 (May 1954) - Captain Kent the Terrible, Superman of Skid Row, and One Hour to Doom!
- Superman #91 (August 1954) - The Superman Stamp and Great Caesar's Ghost
- World's Finest #88 (May/June 1957) - Superman and Batman's Greatest Foes
- Superman #115 (August 1957) - The Midget Superman!
- Superboy #65 (May/June 1958) - The Amazing Adventures of Krypto Mouse
- Action Comics #242 (July 1958) - The Super-Duel in Space
- Superman #123 (August 1958) - The Girl of Steel
- Superman #127 (February 1959) - Titano the Super Ape
- Action Comics #252 (May 1959) - The Menace of Metallo and The Supergirl From Krypton
- Superman #129 (May 1959) - The Girl in Superman's Past
- Superman #130 (July 1959) - The Curse of Kryptonite!, The Super-Servant of Crime!, and The Town that Hated Superman!
- Jimmy Olsen #40 (October 1959) - Jimmy Olsen, Supergirl's Pal
- Superman #134 (January 1960) - The Super-Menace of Metropolis
- Jimmy Olsen #42 (January 1960) - The Big Superman Movie!, Perry White, Cub Reporter!, and Jimmy the Genie!
- Jimmy Olsen #44 (April 1960) - The Wolf-Man of Metropolis
- Adventure Comics #271 (April 1960) - How Luthor Met Superboy
- Jimmy Olsen #46 (July 1960) - Jimmy Olsen, Orphan
- Superman #141 (November 1960) - Superman's Return To Krypton
- Superboy #85 (December 1960) - The Impossible Mission
- Jimmy Olsen #51 (March 1961) - The Girl with Green Hair
- Jimmy Olsen #52 (April 1961) - Jimmy Olsen, Wolf-Man
- Superboy #89 (June 1961) - Superboy's Big Brother!
- Action Comics #279 (August 1961) - The Super-Rivals
- Superman #147 (August 1961) - The Legion of Super Villains
- Superman #149 (November 1961) - The Death of Superman!
- Jimmy Olsen #57 (December 1961) - Jimmy Olsen Marries Supergirl
- Superman #155 (August 1962) - Superman Under the Green Sun and The Downfall of Superman
- Justice League of America #13 (August 1962) - Riddle of the Robot Justice League
- World's Finest #129 (November 1962) - Joker-Luthor, Incorporated
- Superman #158 (January 1963) - Superman in Kandor
- Superman #160 (April 1963) - The Mortal Superman
- Superman #161 (May 1963) - The Last Days of Ma and Pa Kent
- Superman #162 (July 1963) - The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue
- Superman #163 (August 1963) - Wonder-Man, the New Hero of Metropolis and The Goofy Superman
- Justice League of America #21 & #22 (August/September 1963) - Crisis on Earth-One! and Crisis on Earth-Two!
- Superman #164 (October 1963) - The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman
- Superman #165 (November 1963) - The Sweetheart Superman Forgot
- Superman #166 (January 1964) - The Fantastic Story of Superman's Sons
- Superman #167 (February 1964) - The Team of Luthor and Brainiac
- Superman #168 (April 1964) - Luthor - Super Hero and Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor
- Superman #169 (May 1964) - The Man Who Stole Superman's Secret Life
- Action Comics #314 (July 1964) - The Day Superman Became The Flash
- Justice League of America #29 & #30 (August/September 1964) - Crisis on Earth-Three! and The Most Dangerous Earth of All!
- Superman #173 (November 1964) - The Triumph of Luthor and Brainiac
- Action Comics #318 (November 1964) - The Death of Luthor
- Action Comics #319 (December 1964) - The Condemned Superman
- Superman #175 (February 1965) - Clark Kent's Brother
- Superman #181 (November 1965) - The Superman of 2965
- The Legion of Super-Heroes - Archives Volume 4 (1965)
- Superman #184 (February 1966) - The Demon Under the Red Sun
- Action Comics #338 (June 1966) - Muto - Monarch of Menace
- Action Comics #339 (July 1966) - Muto versus The Man of Tomorrow
- Superman #189 (August 1966) - Krypton Lives Again
- Action Comics #346 (February 1967) - The Man Who Sold Insurance to Superman and The Case of the Superman Imposter
- Superman #194 (February 1967) - The Death of Lois Lane
- Superman #196 (May 1967) - The Star of Steel
- Superman #199 (January 1967) - Superman's Race With The Flash
- Superman #200 (October 1967) - Super-Brother Against Super-Brother
- The Flash #175 (December 1967) - Race to the End of the Universe
- Justice League of America #63 (June 1968) - Time Signs a Death Warrant for the Justice League
- Superman #211 (November 1968) - The Name of the Game is Superman!
- Superman #215 (April 1969) - Lois LaneŠ DeadŠ Yet Alive
- Superman #224 (February 1970) - Beware the Super-Genius Baby
- Action Comics #393 (October 1970) - Superman Meets Super-Houdini! and The Day Superboy Became Superman!
- Jimmy Olsen #133 (October 1970) - The Newsboy Legion
- Action Comics #394 (November 1970) - Midas of Metropolis and Requiem for a Hot Rod!
- World's Finest #198 (November 1970) - Race to Save the Universe!
- Action Comics #395 (December 1970) - The Secrets of Superman's Fortress and The Credit Card of Catastrophe
- Jimmy Olsen #134 (December 1970) - The Mountain of Judgement!
- World's Finest #199 (December 1970) - A Race to Save Time!
- Superman #233 (January 1971) - Superman Breaks Loose!
- Jimmy Olsen #135 (January 1971) - The Evil Factory!
- Superman #234 (February 1971) - How to Tame a Wild Volcano
- Jimmy Olsen #136 (February 1971) - The Saga of the D.N.Aliens
- Superman #235 (March 1971) - The Sinister Scream of the Devil's Harp
- Superman #236 (April 1971) - Planet of the Angels and The Doomsayer
- Jimmy Olsen #137 (April 1971) - The Four-Armed Terror!
- Superman #237 (May 1971) - The Enemy of Earth
- Superman #238 (June 1971) - Menace at 1000 Degrees
- Jimmy Olsen #138 (June 1971) - The Big Boom!!
- Superman #240 (July 1971) - To Save a Superman
- Jimmy Olsen #139 (July 1971) - The Guardian Fights Again!!!
- Superman #241 (August 1971) - The Shape of Fear
- Superman #242 (September 1971) - The Ultimate Battle
- Jimmy Olsen #141 (September 1971) - Will the Real Don Rickles Panic?!?
- Jimmy Olsen #142 (October 1971) - The Man from Transilvane!
- Jimmy Olsen #143 (November 1971) - Genocide Spray
- Jimmy Olsen #144 (December 1971) - A Big Thing in a Deep Scottish Lake!
- Superman #247 (January 1972) - Must There Be A Superman
- Jimmy Olsen #145 (January 1972) - Brigadoom!
- Jimmy Olsen #146 (February 1972) - Homo-Disastrous!
- Jimmy Olsen #147 (March 1972) - A Superman in Super-Town!
- Jimmy Olsen #148 (April 1972) - Monarch of All He Subdues!
- Superman #292 (October 1975) - The Luthor Nobody Knows!
- Action Comics #458 (April 1976) - Make Me a Super-Hero! and Masquerade of the Nutty Kid!
- Superman vs. Muhammad Ali (Spring 1978)
- Action Comics #484 (June 1978) - Superman Takes a Wife!
- Superman #328 (October 1978) - Attack of the Kryptonoid
- Action Comics #489 (November 1978) - Krypton Dies Again and Where There's a Will... There's a Fray
- Superman #329 (November 1978) - I Have Met The Enemy... And He Is Me! and The Secret of the Talking Car
- Superman #330 (December 1978) - The Master Mesmerizer of Metropolis!
- Action Comics #490 (December 1978) - No Tomorrow For Superman
- Action Comics #491 (January 1979) - A Matter of Light and Death
- Superman #331 (January 1979) - Lockup at 20,000 Feet
- Action Comics #492 (February 1979) - Superman's Secret Afterlife
- Superman #332 (February 1979) - The Eternity Cage
- Action Comics #493 (March 1979) - The Metropolis UFO Connection
- Action Comics #494 (April 1979) - The Secret of the Super S
- Action Comics #495 (May 1979) - Attack of the Ultimate Warrior
- DC Comics Presents #14 (October 1979) - Judge, Jury... and No Justice!
- The Superman Story (1979) - The Life Story of Superman
- DC Comics Presents #57 (May 1983) - Days of Future Past
- DC Comics Presents #67 (March 1984) - 'Twas the Fright Before Christmas
- DC Comics Presents Annual #3 (1984) - With One Magic Word
- Superman: The Secret Years #1 (February 1985) - Dreams and Schemes and Feeling Proud!
- Superman: The Secret Years #2 (March 1985) - Reach Out and Touch
- Superman: The Secret Years #3 (April 1985) - Terminus
- DC Comics Presents #80 (April 1985) - A World Full of Supermen!
- Superman: The Secret Years #4 (May 1985) - Beyond Terminus
- DC Comics Presents #85 (September 1985) - The Jungle Line
- Superman Annual #11 (1985) - For The Man Who Has Everything
- World's Finest #323 (January 1986) - Afraid of the Dark
- DC Comics Presents #97 (September 1986) - Phantom Zone: The Final Chapter
- Superman #423 & Action Comics #583 (September 1986) - Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow?
- Showcase Presents: Superman Family - Volume 1 (October 2005)
- Superman/Batman: Saga of the Super Sons (December 2007)
- Not Brand ECHH #7 (April 1967) - The Origin of Stuporman
Back to the Mild Mannered Reviews contents page. | <urn:uuid:9b977a92-deee-4327-a2e7-736e84dfd54c> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/pre-crisis-reviews/pre-crisis-mmrs-intro.php?topic=c-review-stuporman | 2019-08-23T15:43:05Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027318894.83/warc/CC-MAIN-20190823150804-20190823172804-00360.warc.gz | en | 0.900276 | 3,878 |
U.S. Supreme Court
Oelricks v. Ford, 64 U.S. 23 How. 49 49 (1859)
Oelricks v. Ford
64 U.S. (23 How.) 49
ERROR TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE UNITED
STATES FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
Where there was a written contract for the delivery of a certain number of barrels of flour at a given price, to be delivered within a named time at the seller's option, and evidence was offered by the purchaser of an usage existing that a margin should be put up, the court below was right in refusing to, allow this evidence to go to the jury because it was too indefinite and uncertain to establish an usage.
And moreover, if the usage existed, the proof would have been inadmissible to affect the construction of the contract, in which there was no ambiguity or doubt on the face of the instrument.
Any parol evidence of conversations or of an understanding of the parties that the contract was made subject to such an usage was inadmissible, as these were merged in the written instrument.
The contract was made in Baltimore, between the purchasers and an agent of the seller, the seller residing in New York. The latter, and not the agent, was bound to bring the suit, as the character of the agent was disclosed on the face of the contract. There is no distinction in the principle governing agencies of this description between the cases of a home or foreign principal.
This was an action of assumpsit brought by Ford, a citizen of New York, against Oelricks & Lurman, merchants of Baltimore, upon a contract in writing made by the defendants, who agreed to purchase from Bell, agent for Ford, ten thousand barrels of flour, deliverable at seller's option at the prices chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
and upon the terms stated in the contract, which is fully set forth in the opinion of the Court and need not be repeated. Ballard was the broker who made the contract on behalf of Oelricks & Lurman.
The evidence given upon the trial by the plaintiff and defendants was very voluminous, and was both oral and written.
The points of law which arose in the case will be manifest from the prayers to the court offered by the counsel for the plaintiff and from the instructions to the jury given by the court, which were as follows:
1. That the evidence in this case is insufficient to authorize the jury to find that there is an usage in the City of Baltimore with regard to contracts for the sale of merchandise to be delivered at a future time by which the defendants were authorized to annul the contract bearing date the 7th November, 1855, given in evidence, upon the failure of the plaintiff to put up a margin in money, as security for its performance, in compliance with the demand contained in the letter of the witness, Ballard, to J. W. Bell, of the 21st December, given in evidence.
2. That such an usage, if found by them to exist, is invalid and not binding, because it is unreasonable.
3. That evidence of such an usage, if it should be established by competent evidence and be held reasonable by the court, is inadmissible in this case because it contradicts or waives the written contract dated the 7th November, 1855, given in evidence.
4. That if the jury find that before the 21st day of December, 1855, J. W. Bell had left the City of Baltimore without authorizing any person to represent him in his absence, and have never since returned, the letters of the witness, Ballard, of the 21st and 24th December, 1855, left at the former place of business of said Bell, as proved by the said Ballard, did not affect the plaintiff with notice of the demand for a margin mentioned in said letters, even if, under any usage or contract, the defendants were authorized to make such demand.
5. That if the jury find that the witness, Ballard, reduced the said contract, dated the 7th November, and given in evidence, chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
to writing, at the request of the defendant Lurman, and that said Ballard signed two copies of the same and procured the approval of the defendants, and of Bell, as agent of the plaintiff, to the same, by their signatures thereto, and delivered one of the said contracts to the defendants, and the other, which has been given in evidence by the plaintiff, to said Bell, and shall further find all this was done on the 23d November, 1855, after the interview at the Exchange between the defendant, Lurman, and the said Bell, spoken of by the witness, Ballard, and shall also find that at said interview the defendant Lurman declined to have the clause inserted in said contract having reference to putting up a margin, and if the jury find that said Bell, upon the 12th and 15th December, delivered 2,000 barrels of flour under said contract, which were received by the defendants and paid for by them, and if the jury shall further find that the plaintiff offered to deliver, and was prepared and willing to deliver, the balance of the 8,000 barrels contracted to be delivered under said contract at the times and at the prices testified to by the witnesses of the plaintiff, and that the defendants refused to receive the same, then the plaintiff is entitled to recover in this suit the difference between the price of flour mentioned in said contract $9.25 and the market value of the parcels of flour tendered by the plaintiff on the days on which they were respectively tendered, with interest thereon from such periods respectively. But the court rejected the prayers of the plaintiff, and each of them, and in lieu of them granted the following instructions to the jury:
"1. If the jury shall find from the evidence in this case that the defendants entered into the written contract dated the 7th of November, 1855, which has been offered in evidence, and that the plaintiff offered to deliver to the defendants in the months of January and February, 1856, eight thousand barrels of flour in pursuance of the stipulations of said contract and in the mode therein pointed out, and that when said offers were made by the said plaintiff, he had the requisite amount of flour to comply in good faith with said offers, and could have delivered the same if the defendants had been
willing to receive the same, and shall further find that the defendants wholly refused to receive and pay for said flour according to the terms of said contract, then the plaintiff is entitled to recover such damages as the jury may find from the evidence he has suffered from said refusal of defendants to execute the said contract on their part."
"2. The rule of damages in this case is the difference between the contract price of the flour and the market value in the City of Baltimore of the same on the several days on which the plaintiff offered to deliver the same in accordance with the provisions of said contract, with interest on such sum in the discretion of the jury."
To the granting of which instructions the defendants prayed leave to except, and upon this exception the case came up to this Court. chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
MR. JUSTICE NELSON delivered the opinion of the Court.
This is a writ of error to the Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Maryland.
The suit was brought by Ford against the defendants in the court below upon the following contract:
"BALTIMORE, November 7, 1855"
"For and in consideration of one dollar, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, I have this day purchased from J. W. Bell, agent for Benjamin Ford, New York, for account of Oelricks & Lurman, Baltimore, ten thousand barrels superfine Howard Street or Ohio flour, deliverable, at seller's option, in lots of five hundred barrels, each lot subject to three days' notice of delivery and payable on delivery at the rate of nine dollars and twenty-five cents per barrel, viz.: "
2,000 barrels, seller's option, all December, 1855
4,000 " " " January, 1856
4,000 " " " February, 1856
"L. E. BALLARD, Broker"
"OELRICKS & LURMAN"
The 2,000 barrels deliverable in December were delivered, accepted, and paid for as per contract. The 4,000 barrels to be delivered in each of the months of January and February were duly tendered to the defendants and payments demanded, and which were refused.
The only objection to the acceptance of the flour at the time tendered was the refusal of Ford to a demand made upon his agent to deposit $5,000 in one of the banks in Baltimore to secure the punctual delivery of the flour at the time mentioned. This demand for a deposit of money was denied by the plaintiff on the ground that the contract contained no such stipulation.
After much testimony given by both parties on the trial on the subject of a usage among the dealers in flour in the City of Baltimore to demand on time contracts a deposit of money, or margin, as it is called, and the right to rescind the contract if refused, the court charged the jury that if they shall find from the evidence the defendants entered into the contract given in evidence, and that the plaintiff offered to deliver the flour therein mentioned according to its terms, and that when the offer was made, he had the requisite quantity of flour to comply with the contract, and could have delivered it if the defendants had been willing to receive it, and that they had refused, then the plaintiff was entitled to recover. The court further instructed the jury that the rule of damages was the difference between the contract price of the flour and the market value in the City of Baltimore on the several days of the tenders, with interest on this sum, in the discretion of the jury. The jury found for the plaintiff. chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
One of the principal grounds of objection to the ruling of the court is its refusal to submit the question of usage which was the subject of evidence on the trial to the jury.
The witnesses introduced by the defendants to prove the usage speak in a very qualified manner as to its existence, as well as to the instances in which they have known it to have been adopted or acquiesced in, and all of them admit they have no knowledge that it was general among the dealers. Some of them state that they recognized and had acted upon a custom in their own business under which either party to the contract might require a margin to a reasonable amount, to be put up to secure the performance, and that the contract might be rescinded if the party refused; that they could not say such was the general custom; that different persons have different customs; some consider there is such a usage and some do not. One witness states that he had at all times in his business considered it to be a right which might be exercised by either party to a time contract whenever he apprehended a risk; that if the party was solvent, he supposed there was no right to demand it; another that in his business he had always considered such contracts to be subject to the right of either party to demand the margin; that the occasion of exercising it was rare, as contracts made by his house were made with responsible persons; that he did not know that this was a general usage in Baltimore. The broker who negotiated the contract for the defendants states that he considered it a clearly understood right of both parties to such contracts to demand a margin to a reasonable amount; that he entertained the belief from conversations with various merchants on the subject; that he recollected but one instance where, when the demand was made, the margin was put up, which was a margin of twenty-five cents on the barrel in a contract for 500 barrels.
There were ten witnesses, flour merchants for many years in the city, who state that they knew of no such usage.
It will thus be seen from a careful analysis of the evidence that the defendants wholly failed to prove any general or established usage or custom of the trade in Baltimore, as claimed in the defense. Every witness called on their behalf fails to chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
prove facts essential to make out the custom in the sense of the law; on the contrary, most of them expressly disprove it. They express opinions upon the subject of a margin as a right to be exercised in their own business, but admit that it is not founded upon any general usage, and none of them speaks of its having been claimed or exercised in his own business but in one or two instances. Whether a usage or custom of the kind set up existed in the trade in Baltimore was a question of fact to be proved by persons who had a knowledge of it from dealing in the article of flour. Opinions of persons as to what rights they might exercise in their own business in respect to time contracts fall far short of any legal proof of the fact, especially when they admit that there was no general usage of the kind known to them.
Then as to the precise limit or character of the custom claimed, the opinions of the witnesses are various and indefinite. The margin, they say, must be reasonable, but the pretended usage contains no rule by which a reasonable margin may be determined. It is said the amount may be referred to merchants. But there is no evidence that this is a part of the custom, or that any such mode of adjusting it ever occurred in the trade. Some of the witnesses state that the margin must be a sum of money sufficient to make the party safe according to the state of the market. One states that at the time the demand was made in this case for a margin, flour had fallen, and the price lower than the price in the contract; yet this, in his judgment, did not affect the right to make the demand, as the general opinion among dealers was that the price would advance; that there were great fluctuations in the price, and that, in such a condition of things, a reasonable margin would depend upon the extent and character of the fluctuations, and upon the speculative ideas of the future value of flour.
The broker of the defendants, who purchased this flour, states his view of the reasonableness of the margin, which is the difference between the intrinsic value of the flour and its speculative value; by intrinsic value, he says he means the cost of the production, and by speculative value, the price at chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
which it was rating above its intrinsic value; and to a question what, in his opinion, would be a reasonable margin under the custom, when flour in the market was lower than the contract price, he answered, that he considered the demand reasonable in this case, because he believed flour was going up to twelve dollars per barrel. It would be difficult to describe a custom more indefinite and unsettled.
But, independently of the total insufficiency of the evidence to establish the usage, we are satisfied, if it existed, the proof would have been inadmissible to affect the construction of the contract. This proof is admissible in the absence of express stipulations, or where the meaning of the parties is uncertain upon the language used, and where the usage of the trade to which the contract relates, or with reference to which it was made, may afford explanation, and supply deficiencies in the instrument. Technical, local, or doubtful words may be thus explained. So where stipulations in the contract refer to matters outside of the instrument, parol proof of extraneous facts may be necessary to interpret their meaning. As a general rule, there must be ambiguity or uncertainty upon the face of the written instrument arising out of the terms used by the parties in order to justify the extraneous evidence, and, when admissible, it must be limited in its effect to the clearing up of the obscurity. It is not admissible to add to or engraft upon the contract new stipulations, not to contradict those which are plain. 2 Kent Com. 556; 3 id. 260, and note; 1 Greenl.Ev., sec. 295; 2 Cr. and J. 249, 250; 55 U. S. 14 How. 445
Applying these principles to the contract before us, it is quite clear that the proof of the usage attempted to be established was inadmissible, and should have been rejected. There is no ambiguity or uncertainty in its terms or stipulations, and the condition sought to be annexed was not by way of explanation or interpretation, but in addition to the contract. The plaintiff agrees to deliver a given number of barrels of flour on certain days, at the price of $9.25 per barrel, in consideration of which the defendants agree to receive the flour, and pay the price. This is the substance of the written contract. But the chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
defendants insist that besides the obligations arising out of the written instrument, the plaintiff is under an additional obligation to give security, whenever called upon, for the faithful performance, and this by the deposit in bank of the sum of $5,000. The written instrument bound only the personal responsibility of the plaintiff; the parol evidence seeks to superadd not a responsible name as a surety, but in effect the same thing, a given sum of money. The parol proof not only adds to the written instrument, but is repugnant to the legal effect of it.
It was also urged on the argument that this contract was entered into between the defendants and the agent of the plaintiff with the understanding at the time that it should be subject to the usage; but the answer to this is that no such usage existed, and if it did the terms of the contract exclude it. Any conversations and verbal understanding between the parties at the time were merged in the contract, and parol evidence inadmissible to engraft them upon it.
We are satisfied the court below was right in excluding the consideration of the evidence of the usage from the jury 1, because the usage was not proved, and 2, if it had been, it was incompetent to vary the clear and positive terms of the instrument.
An objection has been taken on the argument which was not presented to the court below, but which, it is insisted, is involved in the exception to the charge, and that is, inasmuch as it appears upon the evidence that the plaintiff was a resident of New York and the contract made at Baltimore in the State of Maryland by an agent, the presumption of law is that the credit was given exclusively to the agent, the principal being the resident of a foreign state, and hence that the contract, in legal effect, was made with the agent, and not with the principal, and the former should have brought the suit.
This doctrine is laid down by judge Story in his work on agency, and which was supposed to be the doctrine of the English courts at the time, and founded upon adjudged cases. Story on Agency, sec. 268 and note; secs. 290, 423. It did chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
not, however, at the time receive the assent of some of the courts and jurists of this country. 2 Kent's Com. 630, 631, and note; 22 Wend. 224; 3 Hill. 72. And the doctrine has recently been explained, and judge Story's rule rejected, by the English courts. In the case of Green v. Kope, 36 Eng.L. & Eq. 396, 399, 1856, the court denied that there was any distinction, as it respected the personal liability of the agent, whether the principal was English or a foreigner. The Chief justice observed: "It is in all cases a question of intention from the contract, explained by the surrounding circumstances, such as the custom or usage of the trade when such exists. No usage," he observed, "was proved in the present case, and I believe none could have been proved." Again he observed:
"It would be ridiculous to suppose that an agent, for a commission of one-half percent, is to guaranty the performance of a contract for the shipment of 1,000 barrels of tar."
The case was finally put upon the intent of the parties, as derived from the construction of the contract, and which was that the defendant contracted only as agent, and not to make himself personally liable. Willes, J., doubted if evidence of custom was admissible to qualify the express words of the contract, so as to make the agent liable.
See also 14 Com.B. 390; Mahoney v. Kekule, 5 Ellis & Black 125, 130.
In the present case, the broker's note, and which is approved by the defendants, affixing the firm name, is too clear upon the face of it to admit of doubt as to the person with whom the contract was made. The purchase is from "J. W. Bell, agent for Benjamin Ford, of New York," and the case shows that Bell had full authority. The name of the principal is disclosed in the contract, and the place of his residence, as the person making the sale of the flour, through his agent. This fixes the duty of performance upon him and exonerates the agent.
The judgment of the court below affirmed. | <urn:uuid:5493dbe5-5930-4d86-a013-9e2dd0f707db> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | http://www.chanrobles.com/usa/us_supremecourt/64/49/case.php | 2019-08-26T07:53:00Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027331228.13/warc/CC-MAIN-20190826064622-20190826090622-00120.warc.gz | en | 0.977876 | 4,388 |
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- Open Access
Control of lupus nephritis by changes of gut microbiota
Microbiomevolume 5, Article number: 73 (2017)
Systemic lupus erythematosus, characterized by persistent inflammation, is a complex autoimmune disorder with no known cure. Immunosuppressants used in treatment put patients at a higher risk of infections. New knowledge of disease modulators, such as symbiotic bacteria, can enable fine-tuning of parts of the immune system, rather than suppressing it altogether.
Dysbiosis of gut microbiota promotes autoimmune disorders that damage extraintestinal organs. Here we report a role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of renal dysfunction in lupus. Using a classical model of lupus nephritis, MRL/lpr, we found a marked depletion of Lactobacillales in the gut microbiota. Increasing Lactobacillales in the gut improved renal function of these mice and prolonged their survival. We used a mixture of 5 Lactobacillus strains (Lactobacillus oris, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Lactobacillus gasseri), but L. reuteri and an uncultured Lactobacillus sp. accounted for most of the observed effects. Further studies revealed that MRL/lpr mice possessed a “leaky” gut, which was reversed by increased Lactobacillus colonization. Lactobacillus treatment contributed to an anti-inflammatory environment by decreasing IL-6 and increasing IL-10 production in the gut. In the circulation, Lactobacillus treatment increased IL-10 and decreased IgG2a that is considered to be a major immune deposit in the kidney of MRL/lpr mice. Inside the kidney, Lactobacillus treatment also skewed the Treg-Th17 balance towards a Treg phenotype. These beneficial effects were present in female and castrated male mice, but not in intact males, suggesting that the gut microbiota controls lupus nephritis in a sex hormone-dependent manner.
This work demonstrates essential mechanisms on how changes of the gut microbiota regulate lupus-associated immune responses in mice. Future studies are warranted to determine if these results can be replicated in human subjects.
Perturbation of gut microbiota is known to promote autoimmune disorders that include inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. However, little is known on the role of gut microbiota in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is a very complex autoimmune disorder with no known cure. It is characterized by severe and persistent inflammation that damages multiple organs, including the skin, kidney, lung, joint, heart, and brain . The prevalence ranges from 20 to 200 cases per 100,000 persons, with higher prevalence for people of African, Hispanic, or Asian ancestry. Although the disease affects both males and females, women of childbearing age are diagnosed 9 times more often than men. African-American women suffer from more severe symptoms and a higher mortality rate. More than half of SLE patients suffer from kidney inflammation, or lupus nephritis (LN), which is the leading cause of mortality by SLE. Current treatments for LN are primarily nonselective immunosuppressants . While immunosuppression can effectively treat symptoms, unwanted side effects are a major cause of concern. Patients taking long-term immunosuppressants are prone to higher incidence of and more severe infections . Therefore, there is an imperative need for new treatment strategies against LN. To accomplish this task, a better understanding of disease pathogenesis is required.
Current knowledge on the relationship between gut microbiota and SLE is limited . In human SLE, a recent cross-sectional study showed dysregulated fecal microbiota of SLE individuals with a lower Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio that is consistent with gut dysbiosis observed in other autoimmune conditions [6, 7]. In mice, it has been reported that the lupus-prone MRL/Mp-Fas lpr (lpr) mouse model exhibits similar disease manifestations under specific pathogen-free and germ-free conditions . This suggests that complete removal of microbiota does not affect disease progression in these mice. The same phenomenon was observed in the pristane-induced lupus model . However, completely depleting the microbiota might have neutralized the respective effects of “good” and “bad” microbes. Studies on germ-free New Zealand black mice showed mixed results, with less renal disease but more anti-nuclear antibodies [10,11,12]. Our research team has recently described the dynamics of fecal/colonic microbiota in lpr mice that suggests a critical role of gut microbiota on lupus pathogenesis . However, whether the change of gut microbiota is a driving force in SLE, or merely a result of disease status, remains unclear.
Here we show that intestinal permeability is increased in female lpr mice preceding the onset of kidney disease (i.e., a “leaky” gut) and that increasing gut colonization of Lactobacillales restores the mucosal barrier function and reduced kidney pathology. Such change in gut microbiota promotes an anti-inflammatory environment in the gut, suppressing expression of IL-6 in the mesenteric lymph node (MLN) while increasing the levels of IL-10 in circulation and periphery. In addition, the production and renal deposition of pathogenic IgG2a is repressed with increased Lactobacillales, suggesting a potential mechanism for the reduced kidney pathology. Moreover, we show that Lactobacillus spp. rebalances T cell subsets in the kidney, increasing regulatory T (Treg) cells and suppressing pathogenic T-helper (Th) 17 cells. This suggests another potential mechanism by which gut microbiota can modulate renal function. Interestingly, the effects of Lactobacillus spp. are only present in female and castrated male lpr mice, but not in intact males, indicating a role for sex hormones in the regulatory function of gut microbiota on lupus disease. Taken together, our results suggest that the presence of Lactobacillus spp. in the gut can attenuate kidney inflammation in lupus-prone mice in a sex hormone-dependent manner.
Lactobacillus spp. attenuate LN
When comparing the bacterial composition in the gut microbiota of lupus-prone lpr mice vs. MRL control mice, we found that female lpr mice had a significantly lower abundance of Lactobacillales in the gut microbiota than MRL controls at 5 weeks of age and prior to the onset of lupus-like disease (Additional file 1: Figure S1A). However, it was unclear whether the change was a cause or result of disease initiation. Therefore, we performed reciprocal cecal microbiota transplantation experiments from MRL to lpr mice (Additional file 1: Figure S1B) and vice versa. While the disease in MRL mice did not change after the transfer of cecal content from lpr mice (data not shown), MRL-to-lpr cecal transplantation led to significantly reduced production of autoantibodies against double-stranded (ds) DNA from the lower gastrointestinal tract (Additional file 1: Figure S1C). Since the gut microbiota of young MRL mice contained a higher abundance of Lactobacillales than lpr mice, we sought to determine if the decrease in disease could be due to the elevated Lactobacillales in lpr mice that were transferred from MRL mice upon cecal transplantation. Indeed, lpr mice receiving MRL cecal content had more abundant Lactobacillales in the gut microbiota than untreated controls (Additional file 1: Figure S1D), suggesting a positive correlation between a higher abundance of gut-colonized Lactobacillales and improved lupus symptoms.
The bacterial order Lactobacillales includes Lactobacillus spp. that are known as beneficial bacteria. We thus examined the effect of these beneficial bacteria on lpr mice by directly inoculating freshly cultured Lactobacillus isolates (Additional file 1: Figure S1E). We used a mixture of 5 Lactobacillus strains—Lactobacillus oris, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Lactobacillus gasseri. Different Lactobacillus strains have been reported to exert different immunological functions [14, 15]. Among the 5 strains, all except L. oris are known to colonize the gut. To improve engraftment of Lactobacillus spp., we pre-treated the mice with ampicillin, neomycin, vancomycin, and metronidazole for 2 days, followed by 2 days of resting to allow for excretion of the antibiotics prior to Lactobacillus treatment. The brief antibiotic treatment at the time of weaning did not change the disease severity (Additional file 1: Figures S1F and S1G). We found that weekly gavages of Lactobacillus spp. significantly increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillales in the gut microbiota at weeks 5 and 7 (Fig. 1a and Additional file 2: Table S1), significantly reduced the level of autoantibodies in the circulation (Fig. 1b), and significantly decreased proteinuria (Fig. 1c) and renal pathology scores (Fig. 1d). The spleen and MLN weights were not changed (Additional file 1: Figure S1H). Importantly, Lactobacillus treatment significantly increased the survival of female lpr mice (Fig. 1e). It is noteworthy that Lactobacillus treatment was given starting from 3 weeks of age and before disease establishment. When given after the onset of lupus disease, Lactobacillus treatment had a trend to reduce lupus disease, but the difference was not statistically significant (data not shown). These results suggest that the introduction of more “good” bacteria in the gut microbiota—in this case, Lactobacillus spp.—may be able to prevent disease progression in lupus-prone mice. This supports the notion that gut microbiota can directly control LN. How the increase of Lactobacilli in the gut affects disease pathogenesis in the kidney, which is extraintestinal, was unknown. Therefore, we next sought to identify potential “messengers” that transduced the disease-modulating signal from the gut to the kidney.
A “leaky” gut in lupus-prone mice
While 5 Lactobacillus strains were inoculated, we found by using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing that, unexpectedly, two bacterial species accounted for >99% of the order Lactobacillales regardless of treatment status. The species were L. reuteri and an uncultured Lactobacillus sp. (Fig. 2a). The same phenomenon was observed for MRL mice (data not shown). This suggests that L. reuteri and the uncultured Lactobacillus sp. accounted for most of the observed effects. As L. reuteri is known to enhance the epithelial barrier function of the gut [16, 17], we measured the level of endotoxin in the blood, and found it to be significantly higher in lpr mice compared to the age-matched MRL controls (Fig. 2b). Interestingly, increasing colonization of Lactobacillales in the gut significantly decreased endotoxemia in lpr mice (Fig. 2c). These results suggest that the gut of lpr mice may be “leaky” and allow bacterial components (e.g., lipopolysaccharide, or LPS/endotoxin) to enter the blood stream. L. reuteri and the uncultured Lactobacillus sp., on the other hand, may be able to correct the leakiness. To test if the gut barrier was leaky in lpr mice, we gavaged them with FITC-dextran and found significantly more FITC-dextran in the blood compared to MRL mice. When we treated the lpr mice with Lactobacillus spp., the levels of FITC-dextran in the circulation significantly decreased (Fig. 2d).
Two mucus layers cover the epithelial cells in the lower gastrointestinal tract . Underneath the mucus layers, permeability of the intestinal epithelium is controlled by functions of tight junction proteins . To determine whether lpr mice had alterations in epithelial cell junctions, we isolated intestinal epithelial cells and measured the level of tight junction protein transcripts. We found that treatment with Lactobacillus spp. significantly increased the expression of barrier-forming junction transcripts (ZO1, occludin, and Cldn1) without affecting the level of pore-forming junction transcript Cldn2 (Fig. 2e), suggesting enhanced barrier function of the intestinal epithelium with a higher abundance of Lactobacillales in the gut microbiota. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that the level of ZO-1 was increased by Lactobacillus treatment in both the ileum and the colon (Fig. 2f). We also found that epithelial expression of IL-18, a cytokine important for tissue repair and limiting colonic T-helper 17 cell (Th17) differentiation , was significantly enhanced with Lactobacillus treatment (Fig. 2e). Interestingly, IL-18 can also be detrimental and promote inflammation in lpr mice . We found that unlike epithelial expression, the level of IL-18 produced by MLN was significantly decreased by Lactobacillus treatment (data not shown). It is likely that Lactobacillus spp. can attenuate lupus disease through modulating the production of IL-18 from epithelial vs. immune cells.
In addition to strengthening intestinal mucosal barrier function, L. reuteri and the uncultured Lactobacillus sp. may also enhance LPS clearance by increasing the expression of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP). IAP is a brush border enzyme expressed on the microvillus membranes of enterocytes that can dephosphorylate LPS, leading to a 100-fold reduction in LPS toxicity . In our studies, the epithelial expression of IAP (Alppl2 and Alpi) was significantly upregulated after Lactobacillus treatment in lpr mice compared to the controls (Fig. 2g). The upregulation of IAP was confirmed with immunohistochemical analysis (Fig. 2h). Interestingly, IAP has been reported to support the growth of Gram-positive bacteria , which may explain the increase of Bifidobacteria in Lactobacillus-treated mice (Fig. 1a). Bifidobacteria can also promote gut epithelial integrity by strengthening tight junctions . Together, these results suggest that gut microbiota can restore intestinal mucosal barrier function that is compromised in lupus-prone lpr mice.
Control of gut inflammation in lupus
With an enhanced gut mucosal barrier, fewer bacteria are able to translocate across the intestinal epithelium leading to reduced activation and migration of CX3CR1+ and/or CD103+ antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to the draining lymph nodes of the lower intestinal tract [27,28,29]. The decrease in APC migration may decrease the activation of CD4± T cells. Indeed, we found significantly decreased levels of Cx3cr1 and Itgae (a subunit of CD103) specifically in the MLN with Lactobacillus treatment (Additional file 1: Figures S2A and S2B) suggesting that L. reuteri and the uncultured Lactobacillus sp. may reduce the migration of APC to the MLN. We next determined whether the activation of T cells was affected by the decrease of APC in the MLN. Upon activation, MLN T cells upregulate integrin α4β7 and chemokine receptor CCR9 for homing to the gut mucosa . We found that Lactobacillus treatment significantly reduced the expression of both Itga4 and Ccr9 in the MLN (Additional file 1: Figures S2B and S2C), suggesting decreased activation of T cells. Consistent with this observation, migration of T cells to the intestinal lamina propria was reduced after mice were treated with the Lactobacillus spp. (Additional file 1: Figure S2D).
Among many pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by activated APC and T cells, IL-6 is known to promote antibody production from B cells and suppress Treg cells , which are important for lupus progression in lpr mice [33,34,35]. We measured the transcript level of Il-6 in the MLN vs. spleen and found that it was significantly reduced by Lactobacillus treatment specifically in the MLN (Fig. 3a). CD4+CD8− T cells appeared to be a source of IL-6 in the MLN of lpr mice (Fig. 3b). As decreased IL-6 would theoretically allow for differentiation of Treg cells , we next evaluated the levels of TGFβ and IL-10. Both cytokines were significantly increased at the transcriptional level in the MLN, but not the spleen, with Lactobacillus treatment (Fig. 3c), suggesting gut-specific immunosuppression. The serum TGFβ level was also significantly enhanced with the treatment (Fig. 3d), while the level of IL-6 in the circulation did not change (data not shown). Importantly, the induction of IL-10 with more Lactobacillales in the gut microbiota was not only in the MLN, but also systemic (Fig. 3e), suggesting that L. reuteri and the uncultured Lactobacillus sp. may exert a global anti-inflammatory function in lpr mice through inducing IL-10 in the gut. Indeed, we also observed a significant elevation of IL-10 transcript levels in the kidney of lpr mice with Lactobacillus treatment compared to untreated controls (Fig. 3f). Further analysis of MLN cells revealed that most IL-10-producing cells in the gut were CD4+Foxp3− type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells (Fig. 3g). This observation is consistent with published results on IL-10-producing Tr1 cells in lpr mice . Together, these results suggest that gut microbiota can promote an anti-inflammatory environment in the gut of lupus-prone mice, leading to induction of IL-10 that enters the circulation to provide systemic immunosuppression.
Control of renal inflammation in lupus
IL-10 can inhibit kidney disease in lpr mice through preventing IFNγ-mediated production of IgG2a, a major immune deposit in the kidney of these mice . We found that Lactobacillus treatment significantly reduced the level of IgG2a in the blood (Fig. 4a) and its deposition in the kidney (Fig. 4b). This suggests that IgG2a may act as another “messenger” (in addition to IL-10) to transduce the disease-modulating signal from the gut to the kidney. The levels of IgG1 and total IgG did not change with the treatment (data not shown). Interestingly, the level of IgA was reduced by Lactobacillus treatment in the circulation (Fig. 4c), suggesting a potential effect of L. reuteri and the uncultured Lactobacillus sp. on class-switched antibodies. Indeed, the expression level of Aicda, whose gene product mediates class switch recombination , was significantly lower in the MLN of lpr mice treated with Lactobacillus spp. (Fig. 4d). The change of IgA did not appear to be related to attenuation of LN, as it was not detectable in the kidney.
Different immune cell populations, including T, B, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and macrophages, have been demonstrated to infiltrate in the kidney with LN. To determine how Lactobacillus treatment affects immune cell migration to renal tissue, we evaluated various immune cell populations and found marked influx of CD3+ T cells, particularly CD8+ T cells, into the kidney of Lactobacillus-treated lpr mice (Fig. 4e). As CD8+ T cells are generally considered protective in lupus [39,40,41], it would suggest that renal infiltration of these cells exerts a suppressive effect on the development of LN. In addition, the number of Foxp3+ Treg cells significantly increased (Fig. 4f), while that of pathogenic Th17 cells significantly decreased (Fig. 4g), with Lactobacillus treatment. Together, these results suggest that gut microbiota may attenuate LN by limiting renal deposition of IgG2a and skewing the Treg-Th17 balance in the kidney towards Treg.
Sex hormones and gut microbiota cooperatively regulate LN
SLE is a female-biased disease with women getting disease nearly 9:1 over men. The results shown so far were obtained from female mice. However, in lpr mice, both sexes get LN similarly. To investigate whether sex hormones and gut microbiota cooperatively regulate LN in lpr mice, we treated male mice with the same Lactobacillus strains after mock or castration surgery (Additional file 1: Figure S3A). Bacterial profiling showed that Lactobacillus treatment increased the gut colonization of Lactobacillales in both mock and castrated mice (Additional file 1: Figure S3B and Additional file 3: Table S2). Strikingly, Lactobacillus treatment significantly decreased proteinuria (Fig. 5a) and renal pathology (Fig. 5b) only in the castrated mice but not the intact animals, suggesting a possible role of androgenic hormones in suppressing the effects of Lactobacillus spp. The level of anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) IgG was not changed with Lactobacillus treatment (Additional file 1: Figure S3C). However, the total weight of lymph nodes (including mesenteric, renal, inguinal, lumbar, superficial, axillary/brachial, mediastinal lymph nodes) increased after mice were castrated, an effect reversed by Lactobacillus treatment (Additional file 1: Figure S3D). In addition, increasing gut colonization of Lactobacillales significantly decreased the serum levels of IgG2a and IgA in castrated male mice, but not in the mice receiving mock surgery (Fig. 5c). The decrease of IgA appears to have originated from the colon (Additional file 1: Figure S3E), where the majority of Lactobacillus spp. (in terms of total number) resided . Importantly, we found that unlike mice receiving in mock surgery, Lactobacillus treatment significantly increased the transcript levels of TGFβ and IL-10 in the MLN in castrated male lpr mice (Fig. 5d). Lactobacillus treatment also significantly increased circulating IL-10 in castrated animals only (Fig. 5e). Together, these results suggest that Lactobacillus treatment was not effective in intact male lpr mice, while the response of castrated males to Lactobacillus treatment parallels that of female lpr mice.
As testis is the only source of testosterone in mice, castration surgery completely removed the male hormone regardless of Lactobacillus treatment (Fig. 5f). We then measured two hormones regulated by testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Both are known to be repressed by testosterone [43,44,45]. As anticipated, castration surgery increased the levels of LH and FSH when the mice were not treated with Lactobacilli (Fig. 5f and Additional file 1: Figure S3F). However, Lactobacillus treatment significantly decreased the serum level of LH, bringing it back to the level where testosterone was still present. We took the ratio of LH to testosterone and found it to be negatively correlated with serum IL-10 level (Fig. 5g). Whether LH directly affects IL-10, or vice versa, requires further investigation. Together, these results suggest that gut microbiota control LN in lpr mice in a sex hormone-dependent manner. To determine the effect of Lactobacilli on sex differences, in future studies, we will transfer the cecal contents of young females to male mice to determine whether the interaction between sex hormones and Lactobacillus treatment is required for the observed changes in autoimmune response and/or disease phenotype.
The goal of this study was to understand the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of SLE-associated kidney inflammation. In the lpr model of LN, we found marked depletion of Lactobacillales in the gut microbiota compared to MRL controls. Increasing Lactobacillales in the gut microbiota improved the renal function of lpr mice. Since Lactobacillus spp. are known to enhance the mucosal barrier function, the level of circulating endotoxin was measured. Endotoxin can accelerate nephritis in lupus-prone mice [46,47,48], and significantly higher endotoxemia was observed in lpr mice preceding the onset of kidney disease. This suggests a “leaky gut” in pre-disease lpr mice. Lactobacillus treatment significantly decreased intestinal permeability in these mice and likely prevented detrimental bacteria and their antigens from penetrating the intestinal epithelium. Lactobacillus treatment also decreased CX3CR1 and CD103 expression in the MLN. CX3CR1- and CD103-expressing cells are primarily APC [29, 49, 50] that can capture bacteria from the gut lumen and transport them to the MLN, where they present antigens and activate CD4+ T cells to produce IL-6 that suppresses Treg, which is vital to lupus pathogenesis in lpr mice. By preventing barrier compromise and decreasing microbial translocation, increased gut colonization of Lactobacillus spp. may reduce activation and migration of APC to the MLN, hence suppressing IL-6 production and allowing for Foxp3− Tr1 cells to produce IL-10, which subsequently represses the synthesis and renal deposition of IgG2a. Inside the kidney, the Treg-Th17 balance was skewed towards Treg with Lactobacillus treatment. These effects of Lactobacilli, illustrated in Additional file 1: Figure S4, were absent in male mice unless castrated, suggesting that gut microbiota attenuates LN in a sex hormone-dependent manner. It is noteworthy that in these experiments, Lactobacillus treatment was given before disease establishment. It appears that L. reuteri and the uncultured Lactobacillus sp. have a preventative instead of curative effect on the development of LN.
Compromised intestinal barrier function has been reported in autoimmune conditions such as the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). It has been shown by using cecal biopsies that intestinal permeability is significantly increased in both CD and UC patients with irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms than those with quiescent IBD without the symptoms . This increase was accompanied by downregulation of the tight junction protein ZO-1. Endotoxemia in SLE patients that suggests disrupted gut mucosal barrier function in human SLE has also been reported . In our studies, we show that the intestinal epithelium is compromised in lupus-prone lpr mice and that Lactobacillus treatment can restore mucosal barrier function by increasing the expression of ZO-1. The effect of Lactobacilli on gut barrier function may also be attributed to the increase of Muc2, a mucin protein secreted by goblet cells that functions primarily to protect the intestinal epithelium .
The imbalance between anti-inflammatory Treg and inflammatory Th17 cells is widely recognized as being causative in the onset of both murine lupus and human SLE . It is well established that environmental factors can promote plasticity between Treg and Th17 cells including the presence of inflammatory cytokines . This cellular flexibility is due to effects of these inflammatory cytokines on the expression and function of the lineage-defining transcription factors Foxp3 and RORγt, which promote Treg and Th17 cell fates, respectively [56, 57]. Intriguingly, changes in the composition of gut microbiota, particularly those of Clostridia and segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) in mice and Bacteroides fragilis in humans, have been shown to alter the balance between Treg and Th17 cells . We show here that increasing Lactobacillales in the gut microbiota can promote renal Treg cells and suppress disease-causing Th17 cells to attenuate kidney inflammation in lupus-prone mice.
Environmental triggers initiate SLE in susceptible individuals. Since the gastrointestinal system serves as a first line of defense against various pathogens, delineating the type of flora and understanding the role the microbiota plays in determining disease susceptibility in SLE patients are paramount. We show in lupus-prone mice that Lactobacillus spp. in the gut microbiota exert anti-inflammatory effects by repairing the damaged gut barrier, suppressing pro-inflammatory factors in the lymphatic circulation, and improving the ratio of regulatory versus pathogenic T cells, thereby attenuating kidney inflammation. While the relative abundance of Lactobacillales appears to be normal in SLE patients in remission (without active disease) , this does not preclude the possibility that beneficial bacteria capable of strengthening the gut barrier are lacking in SLE patients with active disease, especially those with LN. SLE is a very diverse disease; therefore, it is important to separately analyze the gut microbiota of SLE patients with different clinical manifestations. If the results of our mouse studies that L. reuteri and the uncultured Lactobacillus sp. which have a preventative effect on the development of LN can be replicated in humans, this may be a new avenue to identify at-risk individuals and provide protection in SLE-prone populations.
MRL/Mp (MRL), MRL/Mp-Fas lpr (MRL/lpr or lpr, stock number 000485) mice were purchased from The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, ME) and bred and maintained in a specific-pathogen-free facility according to the requirements of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State university. Reciprocal cecal microbiota transplantation experiments were performed by diluting, under anaerobic conditions, contents of a cecum collected from one 3-week-old MRL or MRL/lpr donor mouse in 5 mL PBS. The cecal material was then suspended by vortexing, and the suspension was introduced by oral gavage into recipient mice at 0.2 mL/mouse when the mice were 3 weeks old and weaned. Another donor mouse was sacrificed on the next day, and the same procedure was repeated once. All Lactobacillus strains, including L. oris (F0423), L. rhamnosus (LMS201), L. reuteri (CF48-3A), L. johnsonii (135-1-CHN), and L. gasseri (JV-V03), were obtained from BEI Resources. All 5 strains were freshly cultured every week, mixed, and inoculated to MRL/lpr mice from 3 weeks old of age until dissection. For the experiment involving male castration, the testes and epididymis were removed through a scrotal incision under isoflurane inhalant anesthesia. The skin was closed using wound clips. Mock orchidectomy was performed on an equal number of mice to serve as surgical controls. The mock group of mice were prepared and anesthetized, and a scrotal incision was made; however, the incision was closed with a wound clip, without gonad removal. All mice were administered ketoprofen, diluted to 0.5 mg/mL in sterile PBS, subcutaneously at 3.5 mg/kg as an analgesic post-operatively.
Microbiota sampling and analysis
Fecal microbiota samples were obtained by taking individual mice out of their cage and collecting a fecal pellet. To avoid cross-contamination, each microbiota sample was collected by using a new pair of sterile tweezers. Samples were stored at −80 °C till being processed at the same time. Sample homogenization, cell lysis, and DNA extraction were performed as previously described . PCR were performed, and purified amplicons were sequenced bidirectionally on an Illumina MiSeq at Argonne National Laboratory.
Urine was collected biweekly, and all samples were stored at −20 °C till being analyzed at the same time with a Pierce Coomassie Protein Assay Kit (Thermo Scientific). When the mice were euthanized at 14 weeks of age, the kidneys were fixed in formalin for 24 h, paraffin embedded, sectioned, and stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) at the Histopathology Laboratory at Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Slides were read with an Olympus BX43 microscope. All the slides were scored in a blinded fashion by a certified veterinary pathologist. Glomerular lesions were graded on a scale of 0 to 3 for each of the following 5 categories: increased cellularity, increased mesangial matrix, necrosis, the percentage of sclerotic glomeruli, and the presence of crescents. Tubulointerstitial lesions were graded on a scale of 0 to 3 for each of the following four categories: presence of peritubular mononuclear infiltrates, tubular damage, interstitial fibrosis, and vasculitis.
Endotoxin quantification and ELISA
Separated serum after blood clotting was saved at −20 °C until use. Serum endotoxin level was measured by using a Pierce LAL Chromogenic Endotoxin Quantitation Kit (Thermo Scientific). Anti-dsDNA IgG was measured according to a previously described method . Serum IgG, IgA, IgG2a, and IL-10 concentrations were determined with mouse IgG, IgA, IgG2a (Bethyl Laboratories), and IL-10 (Biolegend) ELISA kits, respectively, according to the manufacturers’ instructions.
The kidneys and 0.5-cm-length ileal and colonic sections were embedded in Tissue-Tek O.C.T. Compound (Sakura Finetek) and rapidly frozen in a freezing bath of dry ice and 2-methylbutane. Frozen OCT samples were cryosectioned and unstained slides were stored at −80 °C. Frozen slides were warmed to room temperature and let dry for 30 min, followed by fixation in −20 °C cold acetone at room temperature for 10 min. After washing in PBS, the slides were blocked with PBS containing 1% BSA for 20 min at room temperature. The slides were then incubated with fluorochrome-conjugated antibody mixture at room temperature in a dark humid box. The slides were mounted with Prolong Gold containing DAPI (Life Technologies). The following antibodies were used in immunohistochemical analysis: anti-mouse IgG2a-FITC (eBiosciense), rabbit anti-mouse ZO-1 and FITC-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG secondary antibody (Thermo Scientific), and rabbit anti-mouse IAP primary antibody (GeneTex). The slides were read and pictured with EVOS FL microscope (Advanced Microscopy Group) and a ×20 objective.
In vivo intestinal permeability assay was performed by using FITC-conjugated dextran (Sigma-Aldrich). Briefly, mice were deprived of water overnight and then orally gavaged with FITC-dextran dissolved in PBS at 40 mg/100 g body weight (around 300 μL/mouse). Mice were anesthetized after 4 h, and the blood was collected and saved in the dark until serum separation. Serum was then diluted 1:1 with PBS and added to a 96-well microplate in duplicate, followed by determination of FITC concentration with Glomax (Promega) at an excitation of 485 nm and an emission wavelength of 528 nm using serially diluted FITC-dextran as the standard.
Ileum and colon of 1 cm length were collected and opened longitudinally. Intestinal sections were thoroughly washed by PBS and cultured in 48-well plate with 500 μL C10 media at 37 °C. Supernatant was collected after 24 h and analyzed by using ELISA.
The spleen, MLN, and isolated intestinal epithelial cells (IECs; see below for isolation procedure) were homogenized with Bullet Blender homogenizer (Next Advance), and total RNA was extracted with RNeasy Plus Mini Kit (Qiagen) according to the manufacturers’ instructions. Genomic DNA was removed by digestion with RNase-free DNase I (Qiagen). Reverse transcription was performed by using iScript cDNA Synthesis Kit (Bio-Rad). Quantitative PCR was performed with iTaq Universal SYBR Green Supermix (Bio-Rad) and ABI 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems). Relative quantities were calculated using L32 (MLN and spleen) and Villin (IECs) as the housekeeping gene. Primer sequences for mouse L32, Villin, ZO1, Occludin, Cldn1, Cldn2, IL18, IL6, Tgfb1, IL10, Acida, CX3CR1, CCR9, Itgae, Itgb7, and Itga4 are available upon request.
Cell isolation and flow cytometry
The spleen, MLN, and Peyer’s patches were collected and mashed in 70-μm cell strainers with C10 media. For splenocytes, red blood cells were lysed with RBC lysis buffer (eBioscience). To isolate lamina propria lymphocytes, the intestine was opened longitudinally and cut into pieces. The pieces were incubated twice in EDTA-DTT solution and intensively vortexed to remove the epithelial cell layer (saved as IEC-enriched fractions). After the second EDTA incubation, the pieces were cut and placed in a digestion solution containing 1 mg/mL collagenase D (Roche), 0.1 mg/mL DNase I (Sigma), and 10 μg/mL Dispase (Fisher). After digestion, the solution was passed through a 100-μm cell strainer. The same process was repeated three times, and the supernatants of the three digestions were combined and added onto a 40:80 Percoll gradient to separate lymphocytes . For surface marker staining, the cells were blocked by anti-mouse CD16/32 (eBioscience), stained with fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies, and analyzed with Attune NxT flow cytometer (Thermo Scientific). For intracellular staining, Foxp3 Fixation/Permeabilization kit (eBioscience) was used. Anti-mouse antibodies used in this study include the following: CD3-APC-eFluor 780, IL-6-FITC, CD8-PE-Cy7, Tbet-PerCP-Cy5.5, CD4-PerCP-Cy5.5, and RORγT-PE (eBioscience); CD45-FITC, Foxp3-Alexa Fluor 647, IL-10-BV421, and IL-17A-APC (Biolegend); and CD19-PerCP-Cy5.5, CD4-PE-Cy7, and CD8a-V450 (BD Biosciences). Flow cytometry data were analyzed with FlowJo.
Serum samples were saved at −80 °C until analysis. Testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were measured at the University of Virginia Center for Research in Reproduction, which is supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD/NIH (NCTRI) Grant P50-HD28934.
For the comparison of two groups, unpaired Student’s t test was used unless specified. For the comparison of more than two groups, one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-test were used. Results were considered statistically significant when P < 0.05 (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.005). All analyses were performed with Prism GraphPad.
Intestinal alkaline phosphatase
Inflammatory bowel disease
Intestinal epithelial cells
- lpr :
Mesenteric lymph node
Segmented filamentous bacteria
Systemic lupus erythematosus
T-helper 17 cells
Type 1 regulatory T cells
Regulatory T cells
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We thank Sarah Owens for assistance on Illumina MiSeq sequencing, Melissa Makris for the use of flow cytometry core facility, and The University of Virginia Center for Research in Reproduction Ligand Assay and Analysis Core for the analysis of various hormones.
This work was supported by NIH R03-AI117597 and X.M.L.’s internal grants provided by Virginia Tech. The University of Virginia Center for Research in Reproduction Ligand Assay and Analysis Core is supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD/NIH (NCTRI) Grant P50-HD28934. The funding sources have no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data or in writing the manuscript.
Availability of data and materials
The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available in the NCBI SRA accession number SRP078174.
This study was carried out in strict accordance with the recommendations in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the National Institutes of Health. The protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Virginia Tech College of Veterinary Medicine (Animal Welfare Assurance Number: A3208-01). For anesthesia and euthanasia, isoflurane and CO2 were used, respectively, according to the IACUC protocol.
Consent for publication
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
(A) Relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae in fecal microbiota (n = 4 per group; *P < 0.05 at 5 weeks of age). (B) Study design of cecal transplantation from MRL to lpr mice. (C) Level of anti-dsDNA IgG produced by 1-cm-long ileal or colonic organ culture after 24-h incubation (n > 3 per group; *P < 0.05). (D) Time-dependent changes of fecal microbiota upon cecal transplantation. Abundant bacterial OTU (>0.1%) were summarized (n = 4 per group). (E) Study design of Lactobacillus treatment of lpr mice. (F–G) Female MRL/lpr mice were treated with PBS control or mixed antibiotics (Abx) for 2 days at 3 weeks of age and sacrificed at 14 weeks of age (n = 3 per group). The levels of proteinuria (F) and anti-dsDNA antibodies (G) at 14 weeks of age are shown. The differences were not significant. (H) Weight of spleen and MLN of lpr mice upon Lactobacillus treatment. Figure S2. (A) Transcript level of CX3CR1 in lymphoid tissues of lpr mice treated with PBS or Lactobacilli. (B) Transcript levels of CD103 (Itgae and Itgb7) and a4b7 (Itga4 and Itgb7). (C) Transcript level of CCR9. (D) Percentage of CD3+ T cells in the intestinal lamina propria. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. Figure S3. (A) Study design of surgery and treatment in male lpr mice. (B) Time-dependent changes of fecal microbiota. Castr castration. (C) Level of anti-dsDNA IgG in the blood (n = 5 per group). (D) Total weight of lymph nodes (LN) from multiple sites (**P < 0.01). (E) Level of IgA produced by 1-cm sections of ileal or colonic organ culture after 24-h incubation (*P < 0.05). (F) Level of FSH in the blood. Figure S4. Working model (see text for details). (PDF 794 kb) | <urn:uuid:839e5d10-785b-46fd-8853-7b44295a7804> | CC-MAIN-2019-35 | https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-017-0300-8 | 2019-08-26T08:21:22Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-35/segments/1566027331228.13/warc/CC-MAIN-20190826064622-20190826090622-00120.warc.gz | en | 0.888885 | 13,079 |
From his remixes of dance music through his record releases with LA Mix, Les Adams has specialised in making a lot out of a little equipment. His latest project is a solo LP, as Simon Trask finds out.
Les Adams is already well known as a DJ and remixer. Now his home-recorded debut album should bring him into the limelight as an artist.
IT HAS BECOME COMMONPLACE TO SAY THAT TECHNOLOGY has narrowed the gap between professional and home studios. But for proof you need look no further than the debut album from DJ, remixer, engineer, producer and recording artist Les Adams of LA Mix. On The Side has been recorded and mixed entirely at Adams' house deep in the wilds of Newport Pagnell, where he has built a 16-track studio into an upstairs room measuring less than ten feet by ten feet. Carpeted walls and triple-glazed windows have been put in place to pacify the neighbours, and some heavyduty air-conditioning has been installed to pacify the studio's previously over-heated users. Meanwhile, dominating the tiny landing is a stand containing two Technics SL1200 MKII decks, a GLI 1010 Audio Processor and a GLI 3990 Preamp/Mixer, the setup which Adams uses to put together Capital Radio's New Years' Eve mixes, which some of you Londoners may be familiar with. This can be wheeled into the studio whenever needed.
On The Side will surprise more than a few people with its musical depth, variety of musical styles and, above all, its classy production work. While the recent hip house single 'Get Loose', the second single 'Check This Out' and an '89 version of the first single '(Don't Stop) Jammin' form what is perhaps the more expected element of the album, the remainder of the tracks show that Adams is able to work in a variety of musical styles without descending into pastiche. There's the garage soul of 'You Are The One' featuring Audrey Francois on vocals, the lilting jazzy instrumental 'Breathe Deep', the beautiful soul ballad 'Don't Turn Away' which gives long-time session vocalist Chyna (probably best known for her infamous wail on SAW's 'Roadblock') the chance to shine on lead vocals, the 10 City-ish 'Love Together' (the new single) with Kevin Henry on vocals, the Alyson Williams-ish swingbeat soul of 'Just Waiting' with Juliet Roberts on vocals, and a surprisingly effective rap ballad version of the 1979 Lowrell classic 'Mellow Mellow (Right On)', which introduces 19-year-old male rapper Sweet Pea to the world. Backing vocals are supplied by Juliet Roberts and another experienced British soul singer, David Grant.
As well as showcasing a healthy number of old and new British soul vocalists, the album is distinguished by some tasteful sax, flute and piano solos by Mike Stevens, intelligent use of synthetic and sampled sounds, thoughtful and well-balanced arrangements, an impressively clean overall sound and pleasingly uncluttered mixes.
AS WE SIT IN ADAMS' STUDIO, HE IS quick to scotch any preconceptions people might have that the album is all his own work. LA Mix is very much a three-way effort between himself and his partners Emma Freilich (with whom he shares his life as well as his recording studio) and Mike Stevens. Each of them brings something distinctive to the group, and it's this very diversity which is their strong point.
"I don't play any keyboards", Adams admits, "but I'm there engineering the sessions and I'll put forward ideas of what I want people to play. Mike, on the other hand, is a brilliant multi-instrumentalist. He'll sit there and play a guitar part, then a sax solo, then some keyboards, and then a flute solo. All the live instrumental parts on the album, including the solos, are played by him. Sometimes he gets a bit overenthusiastic with his playing, and we have to hold him back. With dance music you've got to keep it kind of simple, because when people are out for a night at a club they want to hear something that's exciting and hooky; they're not going to sit there marvelling at how clever the solo is.
"Emma is very good at coming up with hooky riffs. Once Mike's done all the pads and the solos we'll sit back and think 'what this needs is some little hooks', so Emma sits down at the keyboard and comes up with them. Also, of the three of us Emma is probably the strongest songwriter. But in practice we swap roles all the time. For instance, I normally do the mixes, but then Emma mixed 'Breathe Deep' on her own."
The studio is based around a Fostex E16 tape machine and a Studiomaster Series 5 16:4:2 desk which has two extra modules to take it up to 24 inputs, with a Seck 12:2 desk functioning as an effects submixer.
Adams can't speak highly enough of the Series 5: "It's had a very hard two years but it's been 100% reliable. The only thing that's ever crackled has been the monitor pot, and one squirt of switch cleaner cured that. Also it's the smallest 24-channel mixing desk with the kind of facilities it has; anything bigger and I'd have to move house!"
Adams is planning to add mix automation courtesy of two Studiomaster IMP1 16-channel MIDI muting units which plug across the desks insert points. The muting works on MIDI note ons and note offs, and so can be run from Adams' Pro24. Adams is enthusiastic about the prospect.
"The good thing about using note ons and offs is that you can quantise them and shift them around in the sequencer; the possibilities seem quite endless."
The Seck mixer, however, comes in for some harsh criticism for its crackling faders, and is only tolerated because Adams doesn't need to adjust the effect levels in real-time.
Monitoring is taken care of by Yamaha NS10Ms and JBL Centuries running off a Rotel RB850 50-watts-per-channel domestic hi-fi amplifier. For synth sounds Adams uses a Roland D50, Yamaha DX100, Roland Juno 106, Yamaha TX802, Yamaha TX81Z and Oberheim Matrix 1000, while the drums department is taken care of by a combination of Roland TR909, Roland TR626, Alesis HR16 and samples on an Akai S900. The S900 is shortly to be augmented by an S1000 complete with time-stretching software; Adams expects to use the S1000 for more sampled drum sounds and for spinning in vocals.
Rather than work one drum machine to death, Adams tends to pick and choose sounds from the different machines with great attention to how they sit in a mix. His library of sampled drum sounds includes some R8 sounds, but he intends to buy an R8 too, and is also on the lookout for a TR808. And while the 909 isn't used all that heavily on the album, it does see regular use in Adams' remix work. Roland drum machines win the day once again.
"In a big studio you think that whatever you put onto tape is going to sound good because the equipment's great - here I'm working in limited conditions and I'm careful."
Effects processing is provided by two Lexicon LXP1s, an AMS RMX16, Ibanez SDR1000+, Yamaha SPX90, Korg SDD100 delay and two Boss DE200 sampling delays. This array of hi-tech gear is sequenced from Pro24 running on a 1040ST, synced to tape via a Yamaha MSS1 SMPTE/MIDI synchroniser, with everything routed through the Studiomaster and Seck desks via patchbays.
"With everything I do, Pro24 is running live in the mix, and that's usually with about eight to ten sequencer tracks. Some have composite parts on them, firing one sound but different parts in the tune. Then there are sequencer tracks such as keyboard parts which I put to tape and mute afterwards on the sequencer, so altogether I probably use around 15-20 sequencer tracks. I never record drum parts to tape, though; they're run off the sequencer during recording and mixdown."
A Sony DTC 1000ES DAT machine fitted with an HHB 44.1kHz record mod is used for mastering, though if he needs to do some tape edits first, Adams records onto a Revox PR99 via a DBX15O noise reduction unit (about which he can't speak highly enough) before going to the Sony. For cutting he uses Tape One studios just off Tottenham Court Road, who take a DAT tape recorded at 44.1 and bounce it digitally to a Sony 1830 for the actual production master tape. It seems that DAT is not only a perfectly acceptable mastering medium nowadays, it's almost become the norm for professional work.
Adams explains that this impressive array of gear has been built up bit by bit over the past few years.
"It was always a case of 'I could do with another reverb; yeah, I can afford one', then a couple of months later I would have done a couple of remixes and I'd be able to buy another noise gate. Now the studio's really at the stage where we don't need to expand it much more, which is a good thing because we'd need a bigger room. If we went 24-track it would be purely for compatibility reasons, so we could send a two-inch master across to America to have some vocals added, for instance. But the album really demonstrates what we can do in here."
And indeed it does. So how exactly did he go about achieving the album's impressively clean production?
"I take great pride when I'm recording onto the E16 that everything is as clean and as quiet as it can be, because I know that when I'm playing the tape back the Studiomaster isn't as quiet as an SSL. I just make sure that at every stage of the recording process I'm using the mixer and the tape machine at their best working conditions.
"There's a lot of space in the tracks on our album, and it's virtually noise-free. I'm quite proud of that, because we've done it on equipment which you would not expect to be noise-free. I've heard stuff that other people have done on E16s using mixers similar to this, and there's been noise all over the place. How do these people get such bad results? They just don't take any care, they don't take any pride in what they do."
In fact, far from wanting to work in a 48-track or even a 24-track professional studio, Adams sees definite virtues in the comparative limitations of his home setup.
"When you're working in a big studio with all that expensive equipment, you almost think that whatever you put onto tape is going to sound good because the equipment's great. Whereas here I'm working in limited conditions and I'm careful. For instance, when I choose a bass drum I choose what I think is the right one, and I also choose my keyboard sounds carefully. When I record onto the multitrack I make absolutely sure that if the source is not quiet then I gate it. If I'm recording a bass part to tape then I'll make sure that all the channels on the desk that I'm not using arc muted, and the sequencer is only playing the bassline, so there's no chance of any spill on the multitrack.
"I always try to get a sound which sounds flat when I record it, because I'm aware that if I'm going to add any EQ in the studio that it introduces noise, and I hate noise. If you've got to EQ a sound to get it right then it's the wrong sound in the first place. I usually use EQ when I'm setting up the mix; if, for instance, a keyboard part isn't cutting through quite as it should then I'll use a bit of whatever frequency it needs to bring it forward in the mix."
Of course, to know what needs to be done in the mix you need monitors that you can trust. The JBL Centuries are the studio's workhorse monitors. Adams has used them for 14 years, valuing them for the detail of their reproduction.
"I try to use bass sounds that aren't demanding on amplifiers - I want to make sure that the average domestic hifi power amp is going to reproduce what I record."
"They've got a very clinical sound", he explains. "They only reproduce bass when there's bass there. Nobody could say they have a flat response, but they're very tight, very punchy, which makes them great for dance music. The monitoring in this studio doesn't have to be as flat as monitoring in a commercial studio, because it's only used by me and the immediate team, and we know these speakers. If the studio was for hire to other producers then I'd have to get different monitors, because I don't think another producer could walk in here and happily work with the Centuries if he didn't already know them."
The NS10s, on the other hand, are an industry standard. However, Adams cautions against using only NS10s in a studio.
"They're very misleading at the bass end. You can't hear depth on them at all. There's no reason why you should be able to, because they're a small speaker. But when people I know with home studios who've only got NS10s come here and I put their stuff on the JBLs, suddenly all this bass appears and they realise they've got to get some other speakers as well."
Despite having plenty of experience of club sound systems through his years spent DJ'ing, Adams still had to learn the hard way what not to do when producing a dance record for the clubs.
"I always used to go for deep, thundering bass sounds, which sound collossal in the studio or on a really good sound system like Paradise Garage in New York. But in your average Mecca-type club, or any club which has a Bose sound system, the speakers just can't handle the energy of a deep bass sound when they're already being pushed to their limits, as they invariably are. Bose have this stronghold throughout the UK, but although their speakers are great for mid-range and top, when it comes to bottom end, forget it.
"Nowadays I use warm, rounded bass sounds, with not as much bottom end on them as you might think. And I use a good, tight, kicking bass drum, like the 909 bass drum, which thumps. Bose speakers, or any speakers running at high level, will handle a 909 bass drum. I try to use bass sounds that aren't demanding on amplifiers. I want to make sure that the average domestic power amp is going to reproduce what I record, which is why I use the Rotel. Also, if this amplifier cracks up on something I'm mixing then I know the average club system will crack up too, because it's gonna be driven a lot harder than this thing is."
NOW 33 YEARS OLD, ADAMS RECALLS that his DJ'ing tendencies manifested themselves at an early age.
"I've been collecting records since the age of three or four. At primary school I used to put out the record player for morning assembly; it was my job to put the records on. I also used to listen to the pirates, Radio Caroline and Radio London; I can remember crying uncontrollably when Radio London went off the air. In fact, I always fancied myself as a radio DJ. When I was a kid we built this little studio which was basically a mic and two old auto-change decks wired through a switcher to an old Ferguson tape recorder. We used to have speakers wired up all around the house; I hate to think what the load was on the poor old valve amp!
"My first serious studio was when I was about 18. I had an Allen & Heath mini-mixer and a couple of Pioneer belt-drive decks with Shure cartridges. It was still very much for radio. I used to record my own radio shows on cassettes and send them to my girlfriend in the West Country"
Well, it beats love letters, I suppose. But alongside his radio ambitions Adams had always been interested in the technical side of how a record was made, and even a couple of years before leaving school his ambition had been to work in a recording studio. However, it wasn't to be. Leaving school at the age of 15 with no qualifications, he soon discovered that even recording studios wanted people with '0' and 'A' levels. Deciding to opt for what he felt was the next best thing, he went to work in a hi-fi shop in Tooting called REW. In the event he ended up working for REW for 11 years, rising to become manager of the professional audio division at a branch in Charing Cross Road. It was here that he began to familiarise himself with mixing desks and multitrack tape machines.
But he had also been running a mobile disco with his brother since the age of 16, and had developed a love of dance music. Eventually he left REW to work as a professional DJ, because "for me the love of music was more important than the technology behind it". It's a philosophy which he still holds today.
He spent the next couple of years working as a DJ, then one fateful evening as he was driving back from a gig he tuned into Radio Caroline and a show called Disco Mix Express which consisted of running mixes of records. The DJ, Tony Prince, asked for people to send in their own tapes of mixes; Adams duly obliged with three mixes, and two days later received a phone call from an excited Prince. Not only did he have all three mixes played on air, but he found himself in at the ground level of Prince's fledgling Disco Mix Club, providing taped mixes for the Club in the early '80s.
"In other fields of music it can be important that brass sounds real - with dance music it's not so important to get everything sounding real as it is to get everything sounding powerful."
As DMC began to grow, so did Adams' mixing and tape-editing skills, and he became well known for putting together megamixes ("compilation" mixes of an artist's greatest hits). But it was when he graduated to multitrack remixes that he really began to learn the ins and outs of a professional recording studio. The turning point for him came when he teamed up in '86 with Pascal Gabriel, who was working as a freelance recording engineer at Hollywood Studios in East London at the time.
"Pascal was learning from me the construction ideas behind making dance records, because he'd never really worked on dance product before", Adams recalls. "In return he was showing me how to use all the technology of the studio. We worked well as a team."
Adams' first big break as a solo artist came with the single '(Don't Stop) Jamming', which he refers to modestly as "an experiment in the studio which someone happened to like and put out". The record reached No. 47 in the charts in October '87, but it was the follow-up single, 'Check This Out', which really made his name, climbing to the number six spot in May '88.
Back in those heady days when the idea of DJs making records was still a novelty, the DIY ethic was rekindled by tales of chart-topping dance records being recorded on a shoestring budget. By the time Adams came to record his first single, he had assembled a relatively modest eight-track home studio based around a Fostex A80 tape machine and the Studiomaster Series 5 desk when it was still 16-channel. A Yamaha QX5 handled the sequencing, while the sounds were provided by the DX100 and S900, and a solitary SPX90 handled the effects.
ALTHOUGH ANALOGUE SYNTHS HAVE BEEN undergoing something of a renaissance recently, thanks to dance music, the even balance of analogue and digital synths in the Adams studio reflects a general working philosophy.
"I don't really have a leaning towards FM or analogue sounds. I have leanings towards certain sounds for certain applications", Adams explains. "To be honest, I actually know very little about the internal workings of synthesisers, and I don't care if it's FM or if it's analogue or whatever. I judge things purely by what my cars tell me. You can get too involved in the technical side of things. At the end of it all we're trying to make exciting dance records, and we just use the sounds which we feel allow us to do that.
"I can say that I like to use 'Arco Strings' on the D50 for my string sounds. For bass sounds I like to use the Oberheim Matrix 1000 or the Roland Juno 106, which of course are both analogue, but I also use 'Solid Bass' on the DX100. The bass sounds on the D50 are a joke, though."
It seems that the D50 is about to be ditched in favour of an M1 or M1R for the sounds, and possibly a DX7 II for the feel of its keyboard. One instrument which isn't about to go is the S900, which Adams characterises as the workhorse of the studio. In particular it's used for sampling drum sounds off CDs, an activity which Adams feels is quite legitimate because many of the sounds he samples have come from drum machines in the first place and therefore aren't copyrighted.
Sampled rhythm loops crop up much less frequently in LA Mix's music, though 'Get Loose' has a loop of Atmosfear's 'Dancing In Outer Space', which was cleared by the record company, and 'Love Together' has a short percussion loop which hasn't been cleared and therefore remains anonymous!
"We used our own percussion on top of it", Adams adds. "Sometimes we'll start with a loop, add our own percussion and then take out the loop because the track sounds better that way."
The S900 is also the source of a sampled Kawai grand piano which is used for all the piano parts on the album because "it's a great house piano sound."
Instrumental authenticity isn't something that's high on Adams' list of priorities: "In other fields of music it can be very important that brass sounds like real brass, and if it doesn't then you get a real brass section in. But with dance music it's not so important to get everything sounding real as it is to get everything sounding powerful. For instance, to get the brass sound on 'Mellow Mellow' I used 'Hard Brass' on the DX100, another sound from the D50, vet another sound from a TX802 and one from a TX81Z, and then there was a low tone from the Juno 106 which gave a bit of body in the background."
Call it the democratisation of technology, call it the relentless drive of market forces. But when Adams left school in the early '70s, lack of exam qualifications, coupled with the closed nature of the recording industry prevented him from realising his ambition to work in a recording studio, and he had little choice but to pursue a different career path. Such are the forces which shape lives.
Less than 20 years on, today's youngsters (yes, you out there) can take matters into their own hands in a way which wasn't open to Adams, and Adams himself is able to record in his own home using an array of technology which makes the professional recording studio of yesteryear look primitive - not to mention with a skill which makes exam qualifications redundant. On The Side not only illustrates how the production quality gap between home and professional studios has closed, it marks Adams' step from DJ and remixer to fully-fledged artist.
Interview by Simon Trask
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It’s approximated that almost half of American grownups try to lose weight each year.
Among the very best methods to drop weight is by altering your diet.
Yet, the large variety of offered diet plan strategies might make it hard to begin, as you’re unsure which one is most suitable, sustainable, and efficient.
Some diets aim to curb your cravings to reduce your food intake, while others recommend limiting your consumption of calories and either carbs or fat.
What’s more, lots of provide health benefits that exceed weight reduction.
Here are the 8 best diet plan strategies to assist you shed weight and enhance your overall health.
1. Intermittent fasting Lose Belly Fat Drinks
Periodic fasting is a dietary technique that cycles between durations of fasting and eating.
Various forms exist, consisting of the 16/8 method, which involves limiting your calorie consumption to 8 hours daily, and the 5:2 approach, which restricts your day-to-day calorie consumption to 500– 600 calories twice per week.
How it works: Periodic fasting limits the time you’re permitted to consume, which is a simple method to decrease your calorie intake. This can result in weight-loss– unless you compensate by eating too much food during permitted eating durations.
Weight reduction: In an evaluation of studies, intermittent fasting was revealed to cause 3– 8% weight-loss over 3– 24 weeks, which is a significantly higher portion than other approaches .
The very same review showed that by doing this of eating might minimize waist circumference by 4– 7%, which is a marker for hazardous belly fat.
Other studies found that intermittent fasting can increase weight loss while maintaining muscle mass, which can enhance metabolism.
Other advantages: Intermittent fasting has actually been linked to anti-aging impacts, increased insulin sensitivity, improved brain health, minimized swelling, and many other advantages.
Drawbacks: In general, intermittent fasting is safe for the majority of healthy adults.
That said, those sensitive to drops in their blood sugar level levels, such as some people with diabetes, low weight, or an eating condition, in addition to pregnant or breastfeeding ladies, must speak to a health expert before starting intermittent fasting.
Intermittent fasting cycles between periods of fasting and consuming. It has actually been revealed to assist weight reduction and is linked to numerous other health advantages.
2. Plant-based diets
Plant-based diets might help you drop weight. Vegetarianism and veganism are the most popular versions, which restrict animal products for health, ethical, and environmental factors.
However, more flexible plant-based diets also exist, such as the flexitarian diet plan, which is a plant-based diet plan that allows eating animal items in small amounts.
How it works: There are lots of types of vegetarianism, but many include getting rid of all meat, poultry, and fish. Some vegetarians might also avoid eggs and dairy.
The vegan diet plan takes it an action further by restricting all animal items, along with animal-derived items like dairy, gelatin, honey, whey, casein, and albumin.
There are no clear-cut guidelines for the flexitarian diet, as it’s a lifestyle change rather than a diet plan. It encourages eating mainly fruits, veggies, vegetables, and whole grains but allows for protein and animal items in moderation, making it a popular alternative.
A lot of the restricted food groups are high in calories, so restricting them might aid weight-loss.
Weight loss: Research study shows that plant-based diet plans work for weight loss .
A review of 12 studies consisting of 1,151 individuals discovered that people on a plant-based diet lost approximately 4.4 pounds (2 kg) more than those who consisted of animal items .
Plus, those following a vegan diet lost approximately 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) more than people not consuming a plant-based diet plan .
Plant-based diets likely aid weight reduction since they tend to be rich in fiber, which can assist you remain fuller for longer, and low in high-calorie fat.
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A flexitarian technique or appropriate supplementation can help account for these nutrients.
Plant-based diet plans limit meat and animal items for various factors. Research studies show that they aid weight reduction by minimizing your calorie intake and provide many other advantages.
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Low-carb diets are among the most popular diets for weight-loss. Examples include the Atkins diet, ketogenic (keto) diet plan, and low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet.
Some varieties reduce carbs more significantly than others. For instance, very-low-carb diet plans like the keto diet plan limit this macronutrient to under 10% of total calories, compared to 30% or less for other types .
How it works: Low-carb diets restrict your carbohydrate intake in favor of protein and fat.
They’re generally greater in protein than low-fat diet plans, which is important, as protein can help curb your cravings, raise your metabolism, and save muscle mass.
In very-low-carb diet plans like keto, your body begins utilizing fats instead of carbs for energy by converting them into ketones. This procedure is called ketosis.
Weight reduction: Many research studies show that low-carb diets can aid weight-loss and may be more efficient than standard low-fat diet plans.
For example, a review of 53 studies consisting of 68,128 individuals discovered that low-carb diet plans led to substantially more weight loss than low-fat diets.
What’s more, low-carb diets appear to be quite reliable at burning harmful stomach fat .
Other advantages: Research recommends that low-carb diets may minimize risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including high cholesterol and blood pressure levels. They might likewise enhance blood glucose and insulin levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Drawbacks: Sometimes, a low-carb diet may raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Very-low-carb diets can also be challenging to follow and trigger indigestion in some individuals.In extremely unusual scenarios, following a very-low-carb diet might trigger a condition known as ketoacidosis, an unsafe metabolic condition that can be deadly if left unattended (32Trusted Source, 33Trusted Source).
Low-carb diets restrict your carb intake, which motivates your body to utilize more fat as fuel. They can help you reduce weight and use lots of other advantages.
4. The paleo diet plan
The paleo diet advocates eating the very same foods that your hunter-gatherer ancestors presumably ate.
It’s based upon the theory that contemporary diseases are linked to the Western diet plan, as supporters believe that the human body hasn’t developed to process beans, grains, and dairy.
How it works: The paleo diet advocates eating whole foods, fruits, veggies, lean meats, nuts, and seeds. It limits the intake of processed foods, grains, sugar, and dairy, though some less restrictive versions permit some dairy products like cheese.
Weight-loss: Various research studies have actually shown that the paleo diet plan can help weight reduction and reduce damaging stubborn belly fat.
For example, in one 3-week research study, 14 healthy adults following a paleo diet lost approximately 5.1 pounds (2.3 kg) and minimized their waist circumference– a marker for belly fat– by an average of 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) .
Research study likewise suggests that the paleo diet might be more filling than popular diet plans like the Mediterranean diet plan and low-fat diets. This might be because of its high protein content.
Other advantages: Following the paleo diet might reduce numerous cardiovascular disease danger elements, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels (40Trusted Source, 41Trusted Source).
Disadvantages: Though the paleo diet is healthy, it limits a number of healthy food groups, consisting of beans, whole grains, and dairy.
The paleo diet plan supporters consuming entire foods, likewise to how your forefathers consumed. Research studies reveal that it may assist weight reduction and minimize cardiovascular disease danger elements.
5. Low-fat diet plans
Like low-carb diet plans, low-fat diet plans have actually been popular for years.
In general, a low-fat diet plan involves limiting your fat consumption to 30% of your daily calories.
Some very- and ultra-low-fat diet plans intend to limit fat intake to under 10% of calories.
How it works: Low-fat diets restrict fat intake due to the fact that fat supplies about two times the number of calories per gram, compared with the other two macronutrients– protein and carbs.
Ultra-low-fat diets include fewer than 10% of calories from fat, with approximately 80% of calories originating from carbs and 10% from protein.
Ultra-low-fat diets are generally plant-based and limit meat and animal products.
Weight reduction: As low-fat diets limit calorie consumption, they can help weight-loss.
An analysis of 33 research studies consisting of over 73,500 individuals found that following a low-fat diet caused little but relevant changes in weight and waist circumference.
However, while low-fat diets appear to be as efficient as low-carb diet plans for weight loss in controlled situations, low-carb diet plans seem to be more effective everyday.
Ultra-low-fat diets have actually been shown to be successful, specifically amongst individuals with obesity. For example, an 8-week research study in 56 participants found that eating a diet making up 7– 14% fat resulted in a typical weight reduction of 14.8 pounds (6.7 kg).
Other benefits: Low-fat diet plans have actually been connected to a minimized danger of cardiovascular disease and stroke. They may also minimize inflammation and enhance markers of diabetes.
Disadvantages: Restricting fat excessive can cause health problems in the long term, as fat plays an essential function in hormone production, nutrient absorption, and cell health. Furthermore, very-low-fat diet plans have actually been linked to a greater threat of metabolic syndrome.
Low-fat diets restrict your consumption of fat, as this macronutrient is greater in calories than protein and carbs. Research studies have connected low-fat diets to weight loss and lower dangers of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
6. The Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet is based on foods that people in countries like Italy and Greece used to eat.
Though it was designed to lower heart problem risk, various studies indicate that it can likewise aid weight-loss.
How it works: The Mediterranean diet supporters eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, roots, entire grains, fish, seafood, and extra virgin olive oil.
Foods such as poultry, eggs, and dairy items are to be consumed in small amounts. On the other hand, red meats are limited.
Additionally, the Mediterranean diet plan restricts refined grains, trans fats, fine-tuned oils, processed meats, added sugar, and other extremely processed foods.
Weight reduction: Though it’s not specifically a weight reduction diet, numerous research studies show that adopting a Mediterranean-style diet may aid weight reduction.
For example, an analysis of 19 research studies found that individuals who integrated the Mediterranean diet with workout or calorie restriction lost approximately 8.8 pounds (4 kg) more than those on a control diet plan.
Other advantages: The Mediterranean diet plan encourages eating plenty of antioxidant-rich foods, which may help combat inflammation and oxidative stress by reducing the effects of totally free radicals. It has actually been linked to decreased dangers of cardiovascular disease and premature death.
Downsides: As the Mediterranean diet plan is not strictly a weight loss diet, people may not slim down following it unless they likewise consume less calories.
The Mediterranean diet plan stresses consuming plenty of fruits, veggies, fish, and healthy oils while limiting refined and highly processed foods. While it’s not a weight-loss diet, research studies reveal that it can promote weight reduction and general health.
7. WW (Weight Watchers).
WW, previously Weight Watchers, is among the most popular weight loss programs worldwide.
While it doesn’t limit any food groups, people on a WW strategy need to consume within their set daily points to reach their perfect weight.
How it works: WW is a points-based system that appoints various foods and beverages a worth, depending on their calorie, fat, and fiber contents.
To reach your wanted weight, you must remain within your day-to-day point allowance.
Weight reduction: Many research studies show that the WW program can help you lose weight.
For instance, an evaluation of 45 studies found that individuals who followed a WW diet lost 2.6% more weight than people who got basic counseling.
What’s more, individuals who follow WW programs have actually been shown to be more successful at preserving weight-loss after several years, compared to those who follow other diet plans.
Other benefits: WW permits flexibility, making it easy to follow. This makes it possible for individuals with dietary limitations, such as those with food allergic reactions, to stick to the plan.
Drawbacks: While it enables flexibility, WW can be pricey depending on the membership plan. Also, it’s flexibility can be a failure if dieters pick junk foods.
WW, or Weight Watchers, is a weight-loss program that uses a points-based system. Research studies show that it works for long-lasting weight-loss and extremely versatile.
8. The DASH diet.
Dietary Approaches to Stop High Blood Pressure, or DASH diet plan, is an eating strategy that is designed to help treat or prevent high blood pressure, which is medically called high blood pressure.
It emphasizes eating a lot of fruits, veggies, entire grains, and lean meats and is low in salt, red meat, added sugars, and fat.
While the DASH diet plan is not a weight loss diet, many people report slimming down on it.
How it works: The DASH diet advises specific servings of various food groups. The number of portions you are allowed to consume depends upon your day-to-day calorie intake.
For example, an average individual on the DASH diet plan would eat about 5 portions of vegetables, 5 portions of fruit, 7 portions of healthy carbs like entire grains, 2 portions of low-fat dairy products, and 2 servings or less of lean meats per day.
In addition, you’re enabled to consume nuts and seeds 2– 3 times per week.
Weight loss: Studies reveal that the DASH diet plan can help you drop weight .
For instance, an analysis of 13 research studies found that individuals on the DASH diet lost considerably more weight over 8– 24 weeks than individuals on a control diet plan.
Other advantages: The DASH diet has actually been revealed to lower blood pressure levels and several heart problem danger aspects. Likewise, it may assist combat reoccurring depressive symptoms and lower your threat of breast and colorectal cancer.
Downsides: While the DASH diet plan might aid weight-loss, there is combined evidence on salt intake and blood pressure. In addition, eating too little salt has actually been linked to increased insulin resistance and an increased risk of death in individuals with cardiac arrest.
The DASH diet is a low-salt diet that has actually been shown to assist weight loss. Studies have actually also connected it to additional benefits for your heart and minimized threats of other persistent illness.
The bottom line. Lose Belly Fat Drinks
Numerous diet plans can help you reduce weight.
Some of the most well-researched diets and eating strategies consist of periodic fasting, plant-based diets, low-carb diets, low-fat diets, the paleo diet plan, the Mediterranean diet, WW (Weight Watchers), and the DASH diet plan.
While all of the above diets have been shown to be reliable for weight-loss, the diet plan you select should depend on your lifestyle and food choices. This guarantees that you are most likely to stay with it in the long term. | <urn:uuid:a2d1b4cf-47bb-4117-a985-412913db1b6e> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://tristateherp.com/lose-belly-fat-drinks-the-8-best-diet-plans/ | 2020-10-29T07:15:41Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107903419.77/warc/CC-MAIN-20201029065424-20201029095424-00560.warc.gz | en | 0.932931 | 3,484 |
18650 Removable Battery Is Sold Separately, please choose a 18650 battery option in the drop down list above.(detailed specs of each battery is available on this website under the replacement parts drop down menu). Safety first folks, we recommend adding a protective case to your order. The purpose of this specially designed case is to protect your loose batteries from becoming a fire hazard while outside of your unit. (cases are sold separately and are available in the drop down menu above). This eCig model has a built in micro USB charging port, optional 18650 chargers are available in the drop down menu above. The advantage to having an 18650 rapid charger is that it allows for rapid charging of your removal batteries (detailed specs of each charger is available on this website under the replacement parts drop down menu). The Joyetech eVic AIO is a compact all in one system that couples Joyetech's V4.02 Firmware pre installed with up to three different types of display modes.
The Joyetech eVic AIO features a range of up to 75W, Real Time Clock display modes, and full temperature control, integrated into a slim, removable 18650 battery powered chassis that sits alongside an integrated Sub-Ohm Tank which has the tank capacity of 3.5 milliliters and is based off of the CUBIS Pro platform
The 18650 battery bay and the AIO Sub-Ohm tank compartment features a magnetized battery door for easy access.
The top filling and top airflow tank design features a convenient top fill and a top adjustable airflow valve. Atomizer heads and e-liquid can be easily refilled and replaced.
1x eVic AIO
1x Notch Coil 0.25ohm coil (Direct Lung)
1x BF SS316 0.5ohm coil (Direct Lung) 1x LVC Clapton 1.5ohm coil (Mouth to Lung)
1x QCS coil
1x USB cable 1x Adapter
1x Manual Donation made to Molly Meals on your behalf by ZeeCigs with purchase of this item.
Limited warranty against any manufacturing defects from the date of delivery from ZeeCigs.com. Warranty does not cover scratches or possible discoloration from regular use which is considered normal wear and tear, it is up to the user to protect against such damage.
Zee Cigs Vaping Guide” Featuring The “Five Keys” of how to use a Electronic Cigarette
including recommended eJuice nicotine levels and an explanation of vapor hardware options. These “Keys” are very important so please take the time to read the entire article before ordering, as user error is not covered under warranty.
The five keys to produce the best vapor experience are as follows:
First Key (Battery Output)
1. An eCigarette vapor model may have a built in battery (non-removable) or offer a removable battery option, the industry standard for removable batteries is the 18650 battery. Certain e-Cigarette models can offer variable wattage/voltage, not all models will offer this option therefore we encourage you to review the options of the model of eCig you are interested in before making a purchase.
A good example of the power output of a vapor eCigarette is the, iStick eLeaf 100watt model (mod) which can produce up to 100 watts of power. The user of the iStick 100 watt model has the control to choose almost any wattage level, in doing so the eJuice flavor profile and vapor output of the unit can be changed to preference. Keep in mind that the higher the wattage capability of a unit is the the larger the batteries are to power that unit. Commonly 100 watt units (mods) are powered by two removable 18650 batteries, the convenient option of being able to remove the batteries, and swap them for newly charged replacements allows you to keep up with the power consumption of your unit. If you are interested in a 200 watt output unit, these models typically require two or even three 18650 batteries for power.
A typical electronic cigarette offers anywhere from 2watts to 50 watts of power with 75 watt units being the current industry standard. eCigarettes such as these are usually manufactured with the battery built in, making charging the unit fast, easy and convenient. One of the preferred features of these models is the USB capability, allowing the user to vape and charge the eCig simultaneously. All of the convenient features and the value that it offers the user, makes these units a popular choice. The 100 watt models (vape rigs) will typically have removable 18650 batteries. One of the features of these units is the ability to charge the batteries via an onboard micro USB port, the con to this feature is that charging this way is slow due to the high mah levels of the batteries . The pro for users of 100 watt units (vape mods) is the ability to charge extra batteries in a separate charging station. If you are on a budget keep in mind that extra batteries and chargers may add to your overall cost of the unit.
Second Key (Coil Head Resistance)
2. Coil heads in an electronic cigarette are the updated version of the eCig atomizer. Atomizers were common in the first generation units such as: 510, eGo-T, eGo-W and eGo-C models. Although the coil head resistance levels may seem confusing we will attempt at making the options easier to understand allowing you to customize your eCigarette model according to your vaping habit, which will result in the perfect vape, every time.
To explain coil head resistance in simple terms Think of the coils resistance number (1.5, 1.0, 0.5, 0.25 ohm, etc) in the form of money, 1.5 would be a dollar and a half. 0.25 would be twenty-five cents. The lower the number the lower the resistance and the more power (wattage / voltage) will be needed to run that coil head. It may appear odd that the lower the number the more powerful the coil but this is due to ohm's law and this option is out of human control as it’s the law of electricity.
A low resistance coil head needs to be powered by a high output battery and/or electronic cigarette model that has the option of variable wattage/voltage as more power is needed. This is why many advertised eCigarette units showcase the max wattage output
When you use a low resistance coil you can increase the wattage/voltage settings to a level where the vapor and flavor output is to your preference. Please keep in mind each resistance level has a minimum and maximum wattage setting. For example a Joyetech 0.5ohm SS316 coil will have a wattage range from 15 watts up to 30 watts. Therefore if you increase the wattage setting over the maximum 30W while using the Joyetech 0.5ohm SS316 coil head, that will result in a coil head failure. We used the Joyetech SS316 coil as an example, each manufacture differs in design and we recommend you check the manufacturer's settings before using the coil.
If you are wondering how each coil manufacturer can offer different ranges even if the coil head resistance level is a universal setting, then you are asking the right questions! Some coil heads might have one heating coil built inside of the head, some have two coils built in four coils, six coils and even eight coils built into the head (we are sure the future will bring even more coils packed into a coil head). The minimum and maximum wattage settings will change the more coils that are built within the coil head. Keep in mind that if you have a coil head with quad coils built in (four coils) then you will be converting liquid into vapor at a higher rate which will produce much more vapor and you will consume a lot more eLiquid (nicotine liquid).
Coil head Resistance is very important as it dictates the flavor and/or vapor output. Think of this replaceable part as the engine. You have the control to place a powerful engine (low resistance) or a more economical engine (high resistance) or anything in-between. The lower the resistance the more powerful the output including flavor and vapor, keep in mind a more powerful engine will use much more eLiquid as its providing a much higher output and can double your eJuice consumption compared to high resistance coils which use less vaping juice (nicotine juice).
Not all units can power a low resistance coil head (powerful engine). Every electronic cigarette model offers a minimum resistance, which dictates how low the coil resistance can be per eCig model. For example, the Joyetech eGo AIO model does not offer variable voltage / wattage and has a voltage level preset at 3.7 volts. The Joye eGo AIO minimum resistance level is 0.5ohm (preset at the factory) as that is the lowest level the eCig unit can operate at. A 0.25 coil will not operate in this eCigarette model.
As a second example the Joyetech eGrip 2 is a variable wattage / voltage eCig model that can produce up to 80 watts. This vapor eCig model can power a full range of coils with the lowest coil setting of 0.1. That’s right, 0.1 ohm, which is the lowest option currently available, however you normally will not find a premade coil at such a low resistance level. These low resistance levels are the result of custom built (home-made) DIY tanks, in these cases the user builds their own coil from scratch.
Please note, unless you have full knowledge of ohm’s law, coil building education and the proper safety equipment you should not attempt to build your own coils as this is very dangerous and is the reason you now see so many disclaimers posted on vapor eCig retailers websites regarding “electronic cigarettes explodes” and fire hazards.
This is also the reason for popular “junk media” stories of exploding electronic cigarettes. If you are not using custom built coils (home-made) in your eCig model than your risk of lithium-ion failure is extremely low, so low that the odds of failure are the same as any device that uses lithium ion batteries including cellphones, smartphones, iPhone, iPad or laptop failure which we all know is extremely rare. If you stay away from custom made (home-made) coils your eCigarette vapor model is extremely safe to use.
Lower Resistance Coil Head (Heating Element for eCig models)
Lower resistance levels commonly called Sub Ohm such as 0.25, 0.05 and 0.6 ohm will result in nicotine liquid becoming harsher at higher levels. Lower coil resistances allow for DL vaping (Direct Lung).
When using low resistance coils we recommend 6mg of nicotine in your eJuice or lower with 3mg of nicotine being the most popular for 0.25, 0.05 and 0.06 ohm coil heads.
High Resistance Coil Head (Heating Element for eCig models)
High resistance levels such as 1.5 ohm allows you to use a full range of electronic cigarette nicotine liquid from 0mg up to 24mg of nicotine. Higher resistance coils allow for the more traditional vape habit of MTL vaping (Mouth To Lung). Although high resistance coils heads (1.5) allows for a full range of eJuice nicotine levels, vapor user should note that flavor and vapor output is reduced when using high resistance coil heads.
MTL vs DL
MTL Stands for “Mouth to Lung” and DL stands for “Direct Lung”. Classic vapor electronic cigarette models such as the EVOD and T3S featured MTL allowing the user to first inhale a large amount of vapor into their mouth and then the eCigarette user would inhale the vapor into their lungs.
Newer vape models (rigs) can be much more powerful and use low resistance coil heads resulting in a new technique to inhale which is referred to as “Direct Lung” inhalation. These more powerful vape models (mods) coupled with a low resistance coil head produce large amounts of vapor the user of these models doesn't need to wait for the vapor to build up in their mouth before delivering it to the lungs, instead they simply inhale directly from their mouth into their lungs.
Special note should be taken that newer is not necessarily better. Many new users to vapor electronic cigarettes products choose to purchase eCigarette units that provide the classic MTL vaping experience. If you are new to electronic cigarettes than you might want to choose a model that can accept coil heads that offer both MTL and DL coil head options as you will be able to experience both methods and decide which vaping method is best suited to your vaping habit.
Third Key (Temperature Control)
3. Since we explained MTL and DL now is a great time to mention Temperature control. The temperature control setting is only available if the unit has temperature control settings built in and the eCig user has installed specially designed temperature control coil heads. If you have both options you can change the eCigarette models (mod) settings to the temperature control vaping option.
Temperature control settings allow for yet another (confusing) option of vaping as the focus is on the temperature of the vapor being produced. In this mode you do not change the wattage / voltage setting but rather increase or decrease the temperature setting.
Very few electronic cigarette users enjoy this vaping sensation. Simply put, this vaping option has been attributed to marketing hype to sell more vapor products. If you are new to vaping we recommend starting with the Variable Wattage/Voltage settings, in the future you may want to consider trying this setting as a limited number of vapor users do enjoy it.
Fourth Key (Vapor eJuice / eLiquid nicotine levels)
4. When it comes to electronic cigarette nicotine juice you have many options. As a rule of thumb the higher the nicotine level the more throat hit (a term used to associate the feeling a traditional cigarette gives to a smoker's throat when inhaling) but hinders the flavor or the eLiquid. If you use an eJuice with a low nicotine level then the eLiquid blend will offer more flavor but it will reduce your throat hit.
In the early days of vaping, choosing your nicotine level was pretty simple as almost all units operated at 3.7 to 4.2 volts (pretty low settings) and almost all electronic cigarette coil heads (used to be called atomizers) were preset to 1.2 to 2.5 ohms. You simply selected a nicotine level of your preference and would reduce the level over time (if you wanted to decrease your nicotine level). Today it's very important to compare your nicotine level to your coil head setting. High levels of electronic cigarette nicotine liquid can be too harsh to inhale if used with a low resistance coil heads (0.25). You need to adjust your nicotine mg level based on the coil head setting you are currently using.
Some signs that you are using too much nicotine for the resistance of your coil are a feeling of being light headed and even dizziness. The reason for this is that a low resistance coil head runs much hotter and converts the nicotine liquid much quicker resulting in more vapor and a higher concentration of nicotine within the vapor, in turn, you absorb more nicotine as your lungs are exposed to more vapor.
High resistance coil heads (1.5) might not deliver the desired throat sensation compared to your old habit of tobacco cigarettes as they do not run nearly as hot as a low resistance coil head. A high resistance setting will result in less vapor and less nicotine absorption. In this case you would increase your nicotine level to deliver the desired throat sensation.
The higher the coil head setting (1.5) the higher the nicotine level that can be consumed (if needed) and the lower the coil head setting (0.25) than the lower the nicotine level. Every electronic cigarette user has different preferences and it's common to vary your nicotine levels. For an example, you may use 12mg or even 24mg with a high resistance coil head (1.5), but if you switch your coil head to a low resistance setting (0.25) then that same eCig user should reduce the nicotine mg level to 3mg or 6mg. There are some eCigarette users who enjoy high levels of nicotine even with powerful low resistance (0.25) coil heads. We recommend starting at a low level of nicotine and if desired raising the nicotine levels slowly at no more than 3mg intervals.
The description above might leave you scratching your head as to the correct nicotine level to choose in your electronic cigarette refill liquid. You don’t want to waste money on eLiquid that you cannot use, on Eliquid that may be to light or too strong of a nicotine level. The solution is pretty simple, you can mix your eLiquid as needed. For Example if you have a bottle of 12mg nicotine level Ejuice and a bottle of 0mg nicotine Ejuice you can mix them together (equal parts) giving you 6 mg of nicotine. Please be cautious not to get eLiquid on your skin, prolonged exposure will result in nicotine absorption through the skin. If you spill electronic cigarette refill liquid (juice) on your skin please wash the area with soap and water as soon as possible to ensure your safety.
Fifth Key (Airflow Control)
5. “Airflow control” makes a big difference when selecting your electronic cigarette vapor model which is why we included it in the five keys to vaping. Airflow control is pretty straight forward ,the top end of an electronic cigarette which can be called any of the following vaping terms, clearomizer, clearo, tank, RDA, RTA, etc. has an airflow option. These options are manually changed by the user and allows for you to modify the ease of inhale while vaping. This is an important option especially for those new electronic cigarette users who are smokers. Traditional tobacco cigarettes have a hard pull when inhaling and many new eCigarette users want to mimic that sensation with an eCig. As time goes on you may want to adjust the pull to more or less, based on your preference. You can conveniently adjust the pull by simply altering the airflow control. Changing your airflow is quick and easy, we recommend inhaling vapor from your eCigarette while altering the airflow as many models allow for this. By changing the airflow while inhaling vapor you get an exact airflow setting for your personal vaping habit. Airflow control is also very important with regard to SubOhm eCig models. If you choose to use a low resistance coil head (0.25, 0.5, 0.6 etc.) you will find that the vapor may be very warm and possibly uncomfortable to vape. With the airflow control option you can open the airflow control allowing for more airflow which will cool the vapor resulting in an optimum setting conducive to each individual. It's small options like these that might be overlooked but these options hold the best keys to true customization and vapor control.
Always Prime Your Coil Head
Friendly reminder! Always prime a new vape tank, clearomizer or coil head, If you don’t you can and will damage the new coil head.
Priming is easy and important as it allows for the wicking (often made of organic cotton) to properly absorb the eLiquid before being fired. To prime the coil head simply fill the clearomizer and/or tank with eJuice, take the new coil head and place a few drops into the opening of the coil head, then screw the eCigarette coil head onto the tank and/or clearomizer and screw the tank and/or clearomizer together. Inhale three or more times before attaching the vape tank and/or clearomizer to the eCig battery. This allows for the absorption process of the wicking material inside the coil head to start. The final step is to leave the clearomizer and/or tank in an upright position with the mouthpiece facing up for a minimum of five minutes before firing the new coil head.
Never let your clearomizer and/or vapor tank go low or empty. A coil head can be damaged with just one good inhale if the clearomizer and/or tank is low or empty. A damaged coil head is caused by the coils wicking being burnt and will result in a burnt harsh taste and/or leaking and no vapor output at all. Think of your coil head as the engine, with no oil the engine will stop working quickly, this is also true with a coil head.
Always use the intended electronic cigarette charger for the specific eCigarette battery or battery type. Always connect eCigarette chargers in protected outlets (GFCI Outlets) to assure a safe charging environment. Most residential homes have these outlets (they have a "Test" and "Reset" button on the face of the outlet) as they protect the outlet from potentially hazardous situations. Do not leave e-cigarette batteries unattended while charging. If a user decides to charge lithium ion batteries without a protection circuit it is potentially hazardous and is not recommended. It is important to charge lithium Ion batteries on a fireproof surface in case of accidental fire.
ZeeCigs is not responsible for any damage caused by users misuse or mishandling of Li-Ion batteries and chargers. Use caution when using or working with Lithium Ion / Li-ion cells as they are sensitive to charging characteristics and if misused or mishandled may explode or burn the user. Make sure the user has the proper knowledge of Lithium Ion / Li-Ion rechargeable batteries and how to properly charge and/or discharge before initial use.
ZeeCigs.com is not responsible for damage caused by user modification of the batteries/chargers or hardware intended for electronic cigarettes.
ZeeCigs.com will not be held responsible or liable for any injury, damage, or defect, permanent or temporary that may be caused by the improper use of a Lithium Ion / Li-Ion battery.
Please take the time to have a basic understanding of the battery type you are using and how to care for them properly. Please read all instructions before charging your vapor system.
We welcome you to contact us via email regarding any questions you may have about a specific eCigs battery, vape unit, mod or eCigarettes device.
Dimensions: 4-1/8" x 1-7/8" x 1" e-Liquid Capacity: 3.5ml Wattage Output: 1.0 - 75.00w Variable Temperature Control : Nickel / Titanium / Stainless Steel 316/ Temperature Control Range: 100 - 315C / 200 - 600F Bypass (Direct Output Voltage) Mode Resistance Range: 0.05-1.5ohm Variable Temperature Control Mode Resistance Range: 0.1-3.5ohm Variable Wattage and Bypass Mode Utilizes the Joye Cubis Atomizer Heads such as the Joye NotchCoil SS316 0.25ohm Detachable Magnetic Battery Cover Removable Glass 510 Threaded Tanks may be used with the included Atomizer Adapter Top Fill Design Top Airflow Large 0.96" OLED Screen Real Time Clock Display Micro USB Charging Port New 4.02v Firmware Upgradeable Firmware Over-charging, over-current and over discharging protection Reverse Polarity protection | <urn:uuid:79bdcf87-d0a1-449f-9371-3931abb0bb18> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://www.zeecigs.com/Black-Genuine-Joyetech-eVic-AIO-75W-Kit-Austin-TX-p/joy214-bl.htm | 2020-10-30T16:11:22Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107911027.72/warc/CC-MAIN-20201030153002-20201030183002-00640.warc.gz | en | 0.916128 | 4,888 |
“So, what happened?” I greet Paris eagerly when I get home from work the next day. The reporters have given up on us, so I don’t have to dodge them any more. A pity, really. I had come up with some pretty creative ways to evade them, and I rather enjoyed myself doing so. “Did Inspector Robinson royally ream Max out for withholding information?” I guiltily admit to myself that I am looking forward to hearing the gory details about the dressing down of Max.
“She was pretty pissed,” Paris admits. “She got that look in her eye, you know the one that says, ‘I’m disgusted with you.’ I think she cultivated it on purpose to make people talk.” I know the look he is referring to, and it certainly works on me. “Her voice got really low.” Here, he imitates Inspector Robinson. “Ms. Bowers. This is a murder investigation. That means we investigate. In order to do so, we need information. I should think you of all people would want us to be successful.” He reverts to his normal voice. “If she looked at me the way she looked at Max, I would have spilled the beans for sure.”
“Did you get to sit in on the interrogation?” I doubt the inspector would allow that, but I can always hope.
“No. After Max blurted out the thing about someone coming out of Moira’s room, the inspector took her away. I had to wait nearly an hour for her. I took Max to a diner after so we could talk about it.”
They both ordered coffee as it was between mealtimes. The whole time Paris was talking to Max, he had the feeling that something else was going on. There was a subtext that he wasn’t getting, but he didn’t like it whatever it was. Max would say something, then pause and look at Paris significantly, but he didn’t know why. It pisses me off that Max is playing such games with Paris because I hate seeing him upset. After an inordinate amount of lead-in time, Max finally got to the meat of the interrogation. She told the inspector everything she had told Paris, and Inspector Robinson got excited and rushed away, most likely to have another chat with Ms. Fullerton. As Paris is talking, he’s walks into the kitchen to make himself a hero sandwich. I must look woebegone enough because he offers to make one for me as well. I accept with alacrity. In college, Paris was famous for his hoagie sandwiches.
I watch, mouth watering, as Paris slathers zesty honey mustard onto a hoagie bun. He starts piling fixings and trimmings as if there is no end to his hunger. He tells me that the inspector let slip that Moira was gagged after she was killed. Paris doesn’t know the significance of this, but I make a guess. I think it means that she was a willing participant in the bondage game because she would have been screaming her head off if someone had tied her up against her will. By this time, Paris is done building up the hoagie. He cuts it in two, plates it and hands it to me. I happily start munching as he prepares another one. As Paris makes a sandwich for himself, he points out that if Moira was drugged, she wouldn’t have made noise. I protest that drugging her didn’t make as much sense as her playing games with someone she trusted, someone who quickly shot, then gagged her.
“Why would someone gag her after?” Paris protests, cutting his own sandwich in half. He pours us each a coke. We set our sandwiches on plates and take our food to the living room which is where we do most of our eating. I don’t know why we even bother having a table in the kitchen as we rarely eat there. We are silent for a few minutes as we make serious dents in our food.
After we have adequately slaked our appetites, we start tossing out possibilities. I suggest that maybe a lover wanted to make it seem as if it were a nonconsensual scene, but that contradicts my earlier surmising that Moira wouldn’t stand to let a stranger tie her up. I chase it around in my brain for a few minutes and can tell that Paris is doing the same. After thinking about it, Paris offers that perhaps it’s a trick, a red herring. Maybe the killer wants the cops to think it’s supposed to be a lover making it look like an outsider when really, there is no reason for the gag. I call him Machiavellian, but not without admiration. It never ceases to amaze me how someone who looks as innocent as does Paris can think of such devious things. I concede his point which causes his jaw to drop. Fortunately, he isn’t eating. I stick my tongue out at him for pointing out how much I hate to admit I’m not one-hundred percent right. We hash out the gag information, but come up with nothing.
“There is one other thing Max told me,” Paris says slowly. He looks as if he doesn’t want to spill it, but I know he will. Paris can’t keep anything to himself without exploding.
“The inspector found half a dozen cigarettes shoved up Moira’s vagina, the lighted ends inside. Some kind of Camel. They were just a pile of ashes in there. This was done after she was dead.” Paris’s mouth is puckered up as if he’s eaten a lemon. I set down my sandwich, no longer hungry. Even though Moira hadn’t had to suffer the physical pain of such a heinous action, there’s the indignity of it. The hatred that her killer must have felt for her to do such a cruel thing. I push my sandwich away, saddened by my connection to mankind. “Was she raped?” I whisper, not really wanting to know the answer.
“They found her secretions on her genitalia, but no semen,” Paris reports. I exhale loudly. I don’t know why I am so comforted that Moira had been spared that horror when she ended up losing her life, but I am.
I ask how Max seemed while telling Paris the information, no longer wanting to be Sharon McCone, but pressing on, anyway. Max didn’t show much emotion according to Paris, but he generously ascribes her numbness to information overload. She told Paris that the inspector had been watching her carefully during the entire interview, but we both know Max has a need to dramatize situations to make herself seem more important. I still don’t trust Max’s motive for dragging Paris further into this thing, but I know better than to voice my concerns. Neither of us eat any more of our sandwiches, our appetites thoroughly dampened from talking over the gristly details of the case. I don’t know how homicide dicks can do it—how they can have any semblance of a normal life when they have to see the worst of what humanity has to offer. I know that gallows humor helps, but it can’t completely keep the nightmares at bay. I guess that’s where alcohol and drugs come in—anything to anesthetize the pain.
“Shit, I gotta roll.” Paris glances at the clock hanging on the wall across from the couch. “I have to be at work in half an hour.” I wave at him distractedly as I take our plates to the kitchen. As I run soapy water over them, I let my mind drift. Bits and pieces of information flutter in and out of my mind, but I come up with no new ideas. I remember how furtive Vashti had looked when being questioned about the murder and decide to call her. She picks up on the second ring.
“Hello?” The cadence of her voice always puts me in a sexy mood. She could be reading from the phone directory, and it would get me wet. I push those risqué thoughts to the back of my mind as I am calling her for business purposes.
“Vashti? It’s Rayne. I was wondering if you had time to talk about Max and Moira?” I cross my fingers, hoping I’ve caught her at a good time.
She agrees to talk after she puts something away in the refrigerator; I am delirious with wanting. Every time she speaks, I have to fight the desire to fall into her words and never come out. Sometimes it’s difficult for me to concentrate on what she’s saying because of her voice. I imagine her as a phone-sex operator; she’d be fantastic at it. When she resumes talking, she reiterates that she doesn’t have more to say. Her tone is still pleasant, but firm. I can’t believe she doesn’t know more than she’s telling and try to think of a way to make her talk. I tell her it’s her duty, and she says it’s up to the police. I ask if she doesn’t feel an obligation towards Max, and she says no. Just as I’m running out of ideas, she finally agrees to come over so we can talk in person. As soon as we hang up, I race to the bathroom to take a quick shower. By the time she arrives, I am in clean jeans and a tight, low-cut cerise blouse. I usher her into the living room and soon, we’re sitting on the couch sipping herbal tea.
I look at her in pleasure, noting how her luxuriant hair is wound atop her head, how her right nostril is delicately pierced, how her generous breasts strain against her blouse. I patiently wait for her to speak as she struggles with whether to tell me what she knows. I want to push her, but I know that it would only make her clam up. She finally tells me that it’s Dylan’s story, then wrestles with her conscience once more about whether to spill the beans. She asks me if I’ve met the beautiful Moira, knowing full-well I have, and there is a hunger in her voice which I have never heard before. So. Even the unflappable Vashti had been swayed by Moira. I tuck that away to mull on later as I tell her that I met Moira at the party the night she was killed and thought she looked familiar. I still can’t place where I had met Moira before, and it’s starting to bother me.
Vashti begins to speak. Moira loved a party and was in her element when she had her adoring fans around her. Vashti’s voice takes on a sing-song quality as she relates her story. Moira went to sex clubs, but they soon began to bore her. Most of them had an S&M flavor to them which did not appeal to Moira at all. At least, that’s what she told Vashti which is why Vashti refuses to believe that Moira allowed herself to be tied up voluntarily. I remain silent, unsure if I should tell her the latest news. After all, Inspector Robinson told Max who told Paris who told me, so it’s not as if the police are keeping it a secret. I decide to sit on it for the moment, however, and focus on Vashti’s story. She tells me how when Dylan first moved to San Francisco, she made the cardinal sin of visiting the Lexington, a famous dyke bar in the Mission District. The only redeeming quality about that hick place is the really hot bartender.
Dylan quickly grew bored, even though it was Halloween night. She hadn’t dressed for the event, and the only eye-catching costumes were worn by a couple. One was a dominatrix, and she was holding a leash attached to the collar of the other, her slave. The slave girl was wearing a t-shirt with a hole exposing her right breast. It was the first time Dylan had seen a girl’s naked breast before not in a gym situation, and she wasn’t able to take her eyes off the slave girl whose hands were cuffed in front of her. Other girls kept going over to the couple and patting the slave on the head or caressing her bare breast. Dylan decided to follow suit, so she went over and patted the girl on the head. Vashti continues…
“Hey, Sugar. I’ve never seen you here before.” The dominatrix cracked her whip on the slave girl’s ass while slanting her eyes to Dylan. Once Dylan was able to tear her eyes off the slave girl’s perfect breast, she noticed that the dominatrix was breathtaking. She was wearing a black leather corset which allowed her breasts to swell over the cups. She had on fish-net stockings and thigh-high black vinyl boots with three-inch platform heels. She’s wearing a black captain’s hat at a rakish angle over fluffy blond curls. Over the whole ensemble she had thrown a thick, fake-fur cape. She was sporting a whip in one hand and the leash in the other.
“I just moved to town from Minnesota,” Dylan stuttered, unable to believe that she was talking to an actual dominatrix.
“The Midwest, huh?” The dominatrix ran her tongue over her blood-red lips as she gazed thoughtfully at Dylan. Suddenly, she yanked on the chain, nearly toppling the slave girl who looked absolutely adorable with her butch haircut, ripped white t-shirt and blue jeans. She was wearing clunky black boots. It upset Dylan’s notions of butch and femme to see the power exchange of this couple. “Pet, say hello to our Midwest girl.” Immediately, the slave girl dropped to her knee and pressed her lips to Dylan’s sneaker. When Dylan didn’t move, the slave girl started kissing her way up Dylan’s calf over her jeans. “Would you like the use of my pet for the night?” The dominatrix hadn’t taken her eyes off Dylan the entire time. Dylan could only nod dumbly as the dom transferred the leash to Dylan…
“Moira dressed up as a dom for Halloween?” I am incredulous given what Vashti told me earlier about Moira’s reluctance to be bound.
“She liked being in control.” Vashti correctly interprets my look. “She is the one doing the tying, not the one being tied down. I am not believing that she willingly allowed someone to tie her to her bed.”
“Halloween! Last year!” I snap my fingers. Vashti’s story has triggered a memory of my own. “That’s where I know her from.” I stop, blushing as the full memory flowers in my mind. Vashti looks at me with interest as my cheeks flush red. I don’t blush easily but when I do, I am helpless to stop it.
“It is your turn to tell a story,” Vashti says softly with a touch of malice. I shoot her a nasty look, but she ignores it.
“It’s nothing much,” I say haltingly. In fact, it’s a memory that I’d rather forget. “Really.” I smile my best smile, but Vashti is not buying it. She glares at me until I relent…
Paris and I went to a costume party in Noe Valley. I hadn’t wanted to go, but got tricked into it by Paris who first stated that he wanted to go to the Castro for Halloween, which I flat-out refused to do. He knew how much I detested big, flaming events like Halloween in the Castro and only mentioned it to soften me up for the party in Noe Valley, which was where he really wanted to be. Like an idiot, I fell for it. Even though I know the way Paris’s mind works, I fall for his manipulations every time. Even the protest that I didn’t have a costume didn’t deter him as he had already picked one out for me as well as for himself. In fact, he had foreseen every obstacle before bringing up the Castro, thereby insuring the party as a fait accompli before he even opened his mouth. When I discovered what he was up to, I slapped him a good one upside the head and extracted the promise of breakfast in bed every weekend for a month in exchange. I still felt as if he hoodwinked me, but I wasn’t as bitter about it after he promised me the breakfasts.
That is, until I saw the costume he had picked out for me. He could have picked Xena or Buffy or someone like that, but whom did my boy pick? Let me give you a hint. Think red satin halter top, wide gold satin belt, blue satin panties with white stars on it, and a gold lasso. Think golden tiara with a red star right in the middle as well as two gold bracelets. Yes, my boy chose fucking Wonder Woman with an outfit that would make a hooker blush. We had a fierce argument about that because I most emphatically did not want to be the Amazon princes with her cups running over, even if I did have the knee-high red boots to match the costume. Furthermore, I gave Paris the fish-eye for even thinking of me in such a way, but he protested that it was either Wonder Woman or Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, and her damn dog, Toto, too. In the middle of our huge scene, he implored me just to try it, so I reluctantly did.
Unfortunately, it fit perfectly as long as I sucked in my stomach and didn’t move too quickly. I didn’t like the way my body curved in the outfit, but at least I had enough chest to fill the top. The discreet yin-yang tattoo I have over my right breast peeked out from beneath the red satin. Fortunately, the ankh on my ass was fully covered—at least as far as I could tell. My belly button ring was covered, but poked out slightly from behind the tight material. The costume molded to my body as if it were made for me. My breasts bulged out as they were supposed to. After I was done donning the costume and the accoutrements, I looked startlingly like Wonder Woman except my hair was shorter and I was Asian. I fiddled with my hair to see if I can make it a little fluffier, but it stayed where it was. The price I paid for thick, glossy hair.
Paris loved the outfit. In fact, he loved it so much, we almost didn’t make it out of the apartment. He was in between partners at the time and hadn’t had sex for two weeks. For him, that’s a long time, and I did look pretty damn hot, if I did say so myself. I went into my bedroom to get my boots—knee-high, red, vinyl boots—and pulled them on. While I was in the bedroom, I slapped on some makeup, then went out to the living room to wait for Paris. When he came out of his room, I nearly busted a gut laughing because he was going as Flash Gordon. Now, Flash Gordon was a great character, but Paris didn’t remind me of him in the least. If I remembered correctly, Flash had a thing for Wonder Woman. Maybe there was significance to the outfits, after all. We drove to the party. I was conscious of every extra ounce of fat around my waist as my outfit clung to my body. My tits were jiggling and my ass was bouncing as we were ushered into the party. The guy at the door couldn’t take his eyes off me. Since he was wearing a ninja outfit that covered his face, I couldn’t tell if he was cute or not… | <urn:uuid:b04691ce-c621-4c66-bc70-31c9221e067f> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | http://www.minnahong.com/dont-rayne-on-my-parade-chapter-five-part-one/ | 2020-10-21T01:56:18Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107874637.23/warc/CC-MAIN-20201021010156-20201021040156-00360.warc.gz | en | 0.983986 | 4,377 |
A1. CHIC - Le Freak (Dimitri From Paris 12" Version)
A2. Sister Sledge - Lost In Music (Dimitri From Paris 12" Version)
B1. CHIC - Le Freak (Dimitri From Paris Instrumental)
B2. Sister Sledge - Lost In Music (Dimitri From Paris Instrumental) (2018 Remaster)
Rarely does an artist pay homage to the classics like Dimitri From Paris. The Grammy nominated producer, remixer, composer and DJ has made every one of his repertoire of reworks sound effortless; no mean feat when the original tracks are by the likes of Disco’s greatest musicians. In 2018 he released his “lifetime achievement” on Glitterbox, with the strictly limited pressing of the ‘Dimitri From Paris presents Le Chic Remix’ boxset. Now the 12’s have their own separate outings, bringing greater focus onto the individual productions, as each vinyl features two of the incredible Dimitri remixes, along with their respective instrumentals on the B-Side. Dimitri opens with the unmistakeable CHIC staple ‘Le Freak’, Dimitri’s timeless remix making the exquisite instrumental harmonies shine like only Dimitri can before delving into Sister Sledge’s disco classic ‘Lost In Music’.
Chic / Sister Sledge
I Want Your Love / Thinking Of You (Dimitri From Paris Mixes)
A1. CHIC - I Want Your Love (Dimitri From Paris Remix) (2018 Remaster)
A2. Sister Sledge - Thinking Of You (Dimitri From Paris Remix) (2018 Remaster)
B1. CHIC - I Want Your Love (Dimitri From Paris Instrumental) (2018 Remaster)
B2. Sister Sledge - Thinking Of You (Dimitri From Paris Instrumental) (2018 Remaster)
Rarely does an artist pay homage to the classics like Dimitri From Paris. The Grammy nominated producer, remixer, composer and DJ has made every one of his repertoire of reworks sound effortless; no mean feat when the original tracks are by the likes of Disco’s greatest musicians. In 2018 he released his “lifetime achievement” on Glitterbox, with the strictly limited pressing of the ‘Dimitri From Paris presents Le Chic Remix’ boxset. Now the 12’s have their own separate outings, bringing greater focus onto the individual productions, as each vinyl features two of the incredible Dimitri remixes, along with their respective instrumentals on the B-Side. On this record we hear CHIC’s ‘I Want Your Love’ get lovingly remixed by Dimitri, before delving into Sister Sledge’s evergreen ‘Thinking Of You’.
Sister Sledge / Sheila & B. Devotion
Got To Love Somebody / Your Love Is So Good (Dimitri From Paris Mixes)
A1. Sister Sledge - Got To Love Somebody (Dimitri From Paris 12” Version)
A2. Sheila & B. Devotion - Your Love Is Good (Dimitri From Paris Remix) (2018 Remaster)
B1. Sister Sledge - Got To Love Somebody (Dimitri From Paris Instrumental)
B2. Sheila & B. Devotion - Your Love Is Good (Dimitri From Paris Instrumental) (2018 Remaster)
Rarely does an artist pay homage to the classics like Dimitri From Paris. The Grammy nominated producer, remixer, composer and DJ has made every one of his repertoire of reworks sound effortless; no mean feat when the original tracks are by the likes of Disco’s greatest musicians. In 2018 he released his “lifetime achievement” on Glitterbox, with the strictly limited pressing of the ‘Dimitri From Paris presents Le Chic Remix’ boxset. Now the 12’s have their own separate outings, bringing greater focus onto the individual productions, as each vinyl features two of the incredible Dimitri remixes, along with their respective instrumentals on the B-Side. This release showcases the euphoric highs of Dimitri’s remixing skills across Sister Sledge’s ‘Got To Love Somebody’ and Sheila & B. Devotion’s ‘Your Love Is Good’.
‘New Kind’, one of the more direct moments of dancefloor pleasure throughout Gabe Gurnsey’s acclaimed debut album, ‘Physical’, is expanded on for this digital package. The ‘Extended Dub’ stretches out the original’s tight groove in a pleasingly baggy fashion that recalls the experimental club dubs pioneered by Trevor Horn, Martin Rushent and Shep Pettibone.
Back to the future, and enigmatic new producer Fall Forward delivers a smooth, rave tinted rework that is guaranteed to thrill the strobe-lit, sweat-drenched club crowd that inspired the original LP. An additional dub of the remix places the focus squarely on it’s clean, irresistible acid bassline.
It was Memorial Day Weekend 2016, and the sun shined bright over the Detroit River. Pontchartrain stepped up to the decks at the Red Bull stage at Movement Electronic Music Festival donning his infamous "Detroit vs. Itself" t-shirt. His first song through the Rane rotary mixer was a dubplate made specifically for his set: “Afterlife”. It’s a brilliantly executed balearic daytime disco rework that warrants the praise of summer anthem that it’s earning.
On the flip is “Pool”, an equally sunny slomo beatdown rework from Blair French. It's a delightful blend of cerebral and soulful, and is finally getting a release after being originally championed by Peter Croce on his Le Mellotron Paris set back in early 2018.
This 7" is pressed heavy and cut loud at 33.3 RPM with a normal non-dinked hole.
Peggy Gou is proud to announce the launch of her own independent record label, Gudu Records. The label’s first release will be the Moment EP - a two-track 12” featuring the tracks ‘Starry Night’ and ‘Han Pan’.
'Moment’ sees Gou continue to explore the charismatic facets of her musical and personal identity, drawing on her Korean heritage and language and her love for house & disco’s Eighties heritage, with particular nods to the output of labels such as Prelude and West End Records in the decade’s nascent years.
Gou’s own singing voice, known to so many from last year’s ‘Once’ EP, returns here to confidently guide the rhythm on ‘Starry Night’. Mixing both Korean and English vocals over a tumbling cascade of percussion and piano house keys, the track builds to incorporate layers of instrumental samples and subtle acid lines. Romantic, anthemic and timeless in its feel, it reaffirms Gou’s skill as a songwriter with appeal that resonates beyond crowded dancefloors, not to mention language barriers.
'Han Pan' follows as an instantly rhythmic affair that draws energy from a memorable and delicately tuned pan-drum. Alongside some expert and understated arrangement, as well as another, contrasting vocal performance, ‘Han Pan’ transmits a different but equally powerful energy.
A1. It All Began in the East, Then Two Worlds Became One - Sacred Dance Version
B1. A Dance for Gratitude
A story that is told through music, of a Japanese artist who travels to a foreign land and fi finds her true calling through the guidance of melody, rhythm, dance, mentorships and friendships.
Music by: Mental Remedy. Produced by Joaquin Joe Claussell For Sacred Rhythm Music & Cosmic Arts
Although the music on this CD Album was written, produced and performed by Joaquin Joe Claussell aka "Mental Remedy." it should not be mistaken as a Mental Remedy album. What is this, however, is a music soundtrack based on a story which was shared with Joaquin Joe Claussell by a good friend and fellow artist Naoyo Terada.
Born and Raised in Japan, Naoyo set out on a journey to America that began around 20 years ago. In pursuing her dream and new way of life; Naoyo set her sights on America. While there and within a relatively short period of time, she has been blessed with valuable lessons, as well as gained profound insights that would not only bring out from within-her calling as an artist, but more profound, bestow upon her lessons on spirituality, creativity and a love for music that would dramatically change her life moving forward…
It is important that you the listener are made aware that, “This is not a usual dance music CD.” Rather, it should be listened and absorbed as conscious, cosmic feel good music. But only if you open your mind and let a stranger in. The harmonic tones will do the rest of the healing…
A1: It All Began in the East, Then Two Worlds Became One - Sacred Dance Version (6:01)
A2: Joy's a Blessing - Extended Version (6:01)
A3: A New Horizon (1:57)
B1: A Dance for Gratitude (7:10)
B2: Miracles in Rishikesh (6:51)
How Long Does It Take (Inc. Daniele Baldelli and Marco Dionigi Remixes)
B1. How Long Does It Take (Baldelli & Dionigi Remix)
B2. How Long Does It Take (Baldelli & Dionigi 'Malba' Remix)
Heavenly Recordings are pleased to announce they will be releasing Mildlife’s new single ‘How Long Does It Take?’.
The original version of ‘How Does It Take’ plus two remixes by Italo-disco legends Daniele Baldelli and Marco Dionigi will be released across all digital platforms on April 12th, followed by 12" vinyl on May 12th.
“’How Long Does It Take’ is an homage to the dance floors and clubbers who championed our music from Day 1,” the band say of the single. “We’ve been delighted to watch heaving crowds burn holes in the dance floor as we close our set with it so now we’re equally delighted to offer it up on record as a late night thumper.”
The B-side of the ‘How Long Does It Take’ 12" comes with remixes from Daniele Baldelli and Marco Dionigi, the originators of legendary Italo-disco club night Cosmic Disco, found on the shores of Lake Garda in the late 1970s. The band met Baldelli on tour in Sicily where they had been invited by Giles Peterson to play at his Ricci Weekender on the outskirts of Catania. They bonded over a mutual sound and Baldelli jumped at the opportunity to remix the song.
MD X-Spress / Three Kings
God Made Me Phunky / Shake Dat Booty (Inc. Pal Joey Remix)
A. MD X-Spress - God Made Me Phunky (Original Mix)
B1. Three Kings Featuring Jaygun & Bashy - Shake Dat Booty (A Pal Joey Interpretation)
B2. Three Kings Featuring Jaygun & Bashy - Shake Dat Booty (Wahoo Main Mix)
4 To The Floor are committed to delivering seminal house music to wax, making sought after heritage tracks readily available on vinyl for crate diggers to add to their collections. On Volume 1’s A-Side you’ll find a track with one of the most famous lyrics from house music history MD X-Spress’ ‘God Made Me Phunky’, the record has inspired countless producers to sample and remix it, but this 90’s gem still sounds amazing in its original glory. On the flip are two mixes of a Three Kings classic, ‘Shake Dat Booty’. The A Pal Joey Interpretation matches looped vocals with harmonious keys that perfectly complement each other, while the Wahoo Main Mix utilises energetic drums and techy synths to up the ante.
After a standout Ep on Nachtbraker's label, and an Ep as NOTE on Tartelet Records, the Berlin based artist VERNER lands on Axe On Wax with the Debbie Coke Ep. The Album varies from U-R style dreamy electro, to drum machine jams, croaking basslines and jazzy synth driven tracks. This Ep is is a must for all house heads! Already getting early club and radio plays from Honey Dijoon, Brame & Hamo, Marcel Vogel, Eclair Fifi, Yu Su, Carista and Jaques Renault! TIP.
Blue Veil, AKA Danny Clancy, serves up four mesmerising productions for his Dichotomy label’s fifth release.
Having already showcased stunning releases from Mary Yalex and Ahu, Blue Veil continues to shape the sound and aesthetics of this burgeoning label with the “Dreaming In Colour” EP.
Choral pads breeze over an uncluttered rhythm on the stunning “I Can’t Go On. I’ll Go On”, whilst “Small Prophecies” drifts over forlorn piano chords and an almost tropical rhythm pattern.
A brooding and dusty breakbeat heralds “Another Day”, switching up the EPs tempo for a slower jam, but still bathed in blankets of soulful tones, whilst “I Don’t Want to Die in Dalston” is another emotive composition filled with deft musical refrains and big, panoramic melodies.
Various Artists (Luca Cazal, Ali Black, Blake, Brigante)
Keele / Mulva EP (Inc. Silverlining & Marlon Remixes)
A2. Luca Cazal & Ali Black - Keele (Silverlining remix)
AA1. Blake / Brigante - Mulva
AA2. Blake / Brigante - Mulva (Marlon Remix)
A collection of usual suspects (Luca Cazal and Black, Brigante), omnipresent foxes (Andy Blake, Silverlining) and a brand new name (Marlon) deliver a 2 sided affair full of contrast. 3 dimensional and crisp on one side and crunchy & dusty on the other.
Six years have passed since the events of Welcome to Mikrosector-50 and Mr. 8040’s subsequent meltdown that saw him almost destroy himself across the width of the entire galaxy.
Although everything is better now that Mr. 8040 has overcome his taste for space dust and vecta grog from Quadrant PVLN - It has not been so simple and he has been quietly returning to full capacity over the course of the last year.
Once again in our time, Mr. 8040 finds himself secluded in his electropod - cut off from the rest of the planet.
Floating somewhere above Madagascar, Mr. 8040’s experiments in galactic funk have taken many forms in his attempt to rediscover the groove that made him love this planet so much in the first place.
ANF are back on NAFF, delivering a batch of hi-fi floor numbers with a hyper-focused remix by D.Tiffany. In the face of pre-digested information, our brain tends towards the path of least cognitive strain. Avoid the shortest route in favour of the considered. Ever-evolving music for ever-evolving minds.
Liberation Party Records welcome the long-standing producer and vocalist Tempo O’Neil under his Project 16 pseudonym, for a new EP that draws on his long life of musical experiences having first started singing aged just 14. A storied life has seen this London based Luton-er become a member of the Saxon Sound System, key player in the acid house revolution, employee of Big City Records and producer with a long list of credits on numerous top labels. Always evolving his sound, he is as vibrant in the studio now as ever and still exploring new ground. Opener ‘It’s Alright It’s Okay’ is a gorgeous deep house track with warm, effervescing keys and bass and the sort of timeless vocal that immediately tugs at the heart strings. Pads swirl like cosmic clouds and add scale to this most heady groove. Next up we have the irresistible ‘When Beauty Comes’, with bleeping keys dancing about the scales as pained singing sucks you in and the weightless drums suspend you in space..
Closing out this fantastic EP is the superb ‘Take Some time out’ that picks up the pace with a Larry Heard influenced house sound. Poised chords and sci-fi feelings permeate the crisp beats and more of O’Neil’s syrupy, heartfelt vocals add rich and irresistible layers. This is a classically inclined EP that feels fresh while packing a real emotional punch.
New York native David Berrie makes a welcome return to the Hot Creations fold this April. The latest recruit to join as a resident for Jamie Jones’ Paradise night in Ibiza, Berrie gifts us with three heavy hitting tracks, sure to set dance floors alight across the globe.
Airplane To Madrid opens the EP with its steady groove and funk elements, underpinned by a tribal drum and old school vocal hook that culminate in a jazz influenced breakdown. On Talkin’ Bout, Berrie utilises a fast-paced beat and bouncy, ghetto-house style vocals that lead into another intriguing breakdown. Closing the EP, the bassline of Acid Souls gurgles beneath the female vocal building to an insatiable drop before plummeting back into the heady bass.
Raised in the musical melting pot of New York, David Berrie draws influence from a variety of genres to create his signature style. He’s released on a number of prominent labels including Cuttin’ Headz, Play It Say It and Hot Creations. Last year’s collaboration with Jamie Jones broke into the Top 5 in the Beatport charts and his music has been supported by some of the industry’s biggest names such as Carl Cox, Marco Carola, The Martinez Brothers and Seth Troxler. 2019 is set to be a big one for Berrie, with a residency for Paradise at DC10 and fresh music due to be released.
Enzo Siragusa adds fuel to FUSE’s milestone 10-year anniversary with the release of a metamorphic album that draws influence from the London institution’s cultivated sound, as well as the capitals ‘90s rave heritage that so heavily influenced their decade-long dominance.
On A Decade of Rave, Enzo presents a cross section of his sound - one that has refined this fusion of jungle roots with house, creating eight straight-talking dance floor cuts that capture the essence of FUSE raves over the years, and two ambient tracks that lean on lengthy quests behind the decks. The music spans across two years of studio sessions and exhibits Enzo and the FUSE label’s biggest work to date.
Starting with ‘Beautiful Emi’, then shifting through ‘Stromboli’, ‘Mixed Emotions’ and ‘Paradigm Shift’ all geared in their own way towards the many faces of house music.
‘Voodoo’, ‘Deeper Inside’, ‘Rollin’ Riddim’ and closing track ‘Mysterious’ see Enzo tap into Jungle, ‘90s hardcore and speed garage becoming clear they were made with the early days of FUSE at 93 Feet East in mind. Big basslines and big breakdowns are the common denominator with the intricate minimal twists that so often characterise FUSE’s sound.
Jimi Jules explores some existential concepts with Karma Baby , his solo debut EP for Innervisions. The affable Swiss multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ is a certified hit-maker of and a Secret Weapons alumnus. Across the six tracks of Karma Baby he demonstrates anew his fluency and complexity across many shades of production, DJ-centric alchemy and mood-creation. As the result of a lengthy process between Jimi and Innervisions, whittling his swathe of new and musically complex demos to six specific tracks, Karma Baby chart this artist’s new narrative through peerless form, technical function and effortless flow.
Denis Horvat returns to Afterlife Recordings for a second EP of distinctive, dancefloor productions.
A year after ‘Modelo’ comes ‘Miracle Of The Rose’, an evocative and authentic development of Horvat’s sound. On ‘Noise’, the vocals of Lelah give way to a stripped-down, reverberant groove. The title track rises with a free-flowing melody before dropping a tough, angular beat. ‘Divin’ is the EP’s deepest cut, before digital only track ‘Royale’ rounds off this diverse release with flair.
Dutch duo Deep Dimension serve up four massive techno cuts for ‘Rave Slave’ on Rekids.
Drawing on more than two decades of solo experiences, GEN X co-founders Jeffrey Hek and Jimmy van de Geijn came together as Deep Dimension in 2015. Debuting on Rekids last year with ‘So 1992’, their signature sound is built on deep basslines and forceful kicks with regular support from Radio Slave, Sam Paganini, Luca Agnelli, Joseph Capriati and Chris Liebing. They now return to the respected imprint with a robust package aimed squarely at the dancefloor.
‘Rave Slave’ fully asserts itself from the off with industrial synth lines and machine gun-like hits. Dark, filtered vocals add to the ghoulish effect while stomping kicks are sure to decimate dancefloors. The excellently heavy ‘Audio Space’ has more seriously weight percussion and foundation shaking hits, this time overlaid with clipped female vocal stabs and haunting effects that trail off into the distance. This is warehouse techno at its finest.
The powerful ‘Strong Than Steel’ then drills down with droning synth lines and blistering kicks. It barrels along with plenty of tension and suspense cleverly built into the breakdowns and truly hammers along once it drops again. The brilliantly big finale is ‘Planet E’, an edgy techno trip with blistering, old school and hard techno drums with frazzled stabs bringing strobe-lit rave vibes.
Ray Kandinski's debut for LPH, Multiverse Connection, presents itself as the soundtrack to an airborne chase scene in an imagined cyberpunk epic. Excited synth lines wiggle through dense fields of metallic drum sequences and showers of jagged, jutting robo effects. The A-side is a launch into outer space orbit, the B, a juiced-up zigzag across the stars in hyperdrive. Futuristic house built with angular electro components and scalpel-sharp acid.
20 years since the original release on Richie Hawtin’s M_nus imprint, Exalt Records reissue the minimal classic – Swayzak vs. Theorem ‘Break In At Apartment 205’ 12”.
The two main tracks from the original release have been remastered by Paul Mac and comes on black vinyl with artwork by Grid Pattern.
Ibiza Records label was established back in 1989 and was one of the main contributors to the UK underground music scene. Those behind the label we're the innovators of Hardcore Jungle, Jungle Techno and Jungle genres in the 90s stemming from Warehouses to clubs and now festivals. Ibiza Records Label returned in 2017 with some new releases and a back catalogue of gems for the real Junglists out there.
Archives Vol. 3 Potential Badboy By Ibiza Records
This 3 track EP Archive Vol 3 come’s straight outta Ibiza Records vault all produced by Potential Badboy back in 1994 and 1998. Each of these tracks represents rare groove elements and the original jungle sounds
A. Junglist Girl feat. Uk Apache - This track made back in 1994 produced by Potential Badboy feat. Uk Apache on the vocals with a jungle groove just for the ladies.
AA. Brok Wild – This track came out on Ibiza's label back in 1994 produced by Potential Badboy and has the strong essence and vibes of rare groove elements.
AAA. Hands Up feat Jnr Dangerous - This track made back in 1998 produced by Potential Badboy feat. Junior Dangerous on the vocals is a strong representation of rare grooves stabs and soul grooves
Co-producer - Paul Ibiza
Produced - Potential Badboy
Written-By - Potential Badboy
Originally released on Rabbit City Records as a CD collection taken from the first batch of EP's on Rabbit City. Remastered and offered by Mike Wells on his own FMM imprint. Definitely one of my all time favourites from 1992, Force Mass Motions early work was very distinctive. A sound that owed a lot to how Mike Wells sourced a lot of his sounds. Listening to and taping Kiss FM and sampling it. With a home built sound card his brother made an Amiga was the centre of the studio. All the music was mixed down through an old Broadcast desk using a few clever delay line tricks that give the music a lot of depth. Very distinctive, totally original the music was caned by all the DJ's.
Phuturistic Electro / Techno Music Written By a secret Microchip, connected to Intergalactic Celestial Circuits. Transmitted across the Space Time Continum from a Distant Galaxy populated by Artifically Intelligent Robots.
This message was Intercepted by The Hacker Command and recorded to wax for Phuture generations to interpret..
More vinyl remixes from Psychemagik with the long awaited official 'Dancehall Days' remix sanctioned by Jack Hues from Wang Chung himself. Jack liked Psychemagiks re-edit of Dance Hall Days so much he contacted the duo and offered them the parts for an official remix. The result is a monster dancefloor friendly beast that is true to the original edit but with some extra magik! ‘Psychemagik stand out from the crowd with high production values and innate musicality. I usually find remixes tedious, but this takes you on some off-world journey – very cool.’ Jack Hues (Wang Chung)
A – Wang Chung - Dance Hall Days (Leg Warmer Remix)
Bridging instrumental tact with mysticism, Afriqua debuts his anticipated Aleph EP. Finding a welcome home alongside R&S’s most innovative rhythmists and experimentalists.
The Berlin based producer has previously released a steady drip of high quality, unique music over the last few years that has brought him to the attention of R&S and led to this masterful, eclectic EP.
Aleph marks the first release in an extended collaborative journey between the artist and label.
THE NIGHT LAND REMIXES (SUPERPITCHER, SAMO DJ & L.B. DUB CORP REMIXES)
John Talabot and Axel Boman teamed up in 2017 for their R&S debut ’The Night Land’ where they got to flex their creative muscles over eight tracks of rich synth jams.
The two electronic artists have been independently successful in their respective careers, but as Pitchfork expressed in their glowing review “Their collective output doesn’t sound much like either’s work; it doesn’t even necessarily reflect the thin, convex sliver where their interests overlap. Instead, they’ve hit upon something new.”
This new sound also proved to be a hit with the likes of Mojo, Phonica, XLR8R, Self Titled and DJ Mag all including it their annual best of lists.
The artists have now handpicked four artists to create their own vision of the Talaboman sound.
Superpitcher, Samo DJ and Luke Slater under his L.B. Dub Corp alias have all seriously delivered the goods.
OK. This is an anthem. You know 'Dance' already, right? HUGE Pal Joey jam from way back in 1990? The one that flips Carl Bean's 'I Was Born This Way' into the stratosphere? Yeah, that's it! Except this is that track reimagined by 2 killer producers, flipped and edited into the cosmos by the New Jersey legend Kerri Chandler and the West Coast's Onionz, probably the only producers who could touch such a stone cold classic and actually bring something to the table! Originally out in 2002 these 2 edits / mixes are total weapons, you need this 12 in your bag. Everything is touched, tweaked and blended in just the right way and full respect is given to the mixes. This isn't no fly by night re-edit thing, this is heavyweight's bringing us some heat and their interpretation of a track that was obviously a huge deal for them on a personal level. Do not snooze on this, masterfully repressed, with the full consent of everyone involved and remastered on a solid 12 for you all. Tip! | <urn:uuid:87f758c8-26ae-43cc-8c9c-34cac418cf5c> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://aboveboarddist.co.uk/mailouts/titles-out-next-week-from-above-board-krd-11/ | 2020-10-22T08:36:45Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107879362.3/warc/CC-MAIN-20201022082653-20201022112653-00440.warc.gz | en | 0.914711 | 6,202 |
Entering that gable-ended Spouter-Inn, you found yourself in a wide, low, straggling entry with old-fashioned wainscots, reminding one of the bulwarks of some condemned old craft. On one side hung a very large oil painting so thoroughly besmoked, and every way defaced, that in the unequal crosslights by which you viewed it, it was only by diligent study and a series of systematic visits to it, and careful inquiry of the neighbors, that you could any way arrive at an understanding of its purpose. Such unaccountable masses of shades and shadows, that at first you almost thought some ambitious young artist, in the time of the New England hags, had endeavored to delineate chaos bewitched. But by dint of much and earnest contemplation, and oft repeated ponderings, and especially by throwing open the little window towards the back of the entry, you at last come to the conclusion that such an idea, however wild, might not be altogether unwarranted.
But what most puzzled and confounded you was a long, limber, portentous, black mass of something hovering in the centre of the picture over three blue, dim, perpendicular lines floating in a nameless yeast. A boggy, soggy, squitchy picture truly, enough to drive a nervous man distracted. Yet was there a sort of indefinite, half-attained, unimaginable sublimity about it that fairly froze you to it, till you involuntarily took an oath with yourself to find out what that marvellous painting meant. Ever and anon a bright, but, alas, deceptive idea would dart you through.- It's the Black Sea in a midnight gale.- It's the unnatural combat of the four primal elements.- It's a blasted heath.- It's a Hyperborean winter scene.- It's the breaking-up of the icebound stream of Time. But last all these fancies yielded to that one portentous something in the picture's midst. That once found out, and all the rest were plain. But stop; does it not bear a faint resemblance to a gigantic fish? even the great leviathan himself?
In fact, the artist's design seemed this: a final theory of my own, partly based upon the aggregated opinions of many aged persons with whom I conversed upon the subject. The picture represents a Cape-Horner in a great hurricane; the half-foundered ship weltering there with its three dismantled masts alone visible; and an exasperated whale, purposing to spring clean over the craft, is in the enormous act of impaling himself upon the three mast-heads.
The opposite wall of this entry was hung all over with a heathenish array of monstrous clubs and spears. Some were thickly set with glittering teeth resembling ivory saws; others were tufted with knots of human hair; and one was sickle-shaped, with a vast handle sweeping round like the segment made in the new-mown grass by a long-armed mower. You shuddered as you gazed, and wondered what monstrous cannibal and savage could ever have gone a death-harvesting with such a hacking, horrifying implement. Mixed with these were rusty old whaling lances and harpoons all broken and deformed. Some were storied weapons. With this once long lance, now wildly elbowed, fifty years ago did Nathan Swain kill fifteen whales between a sunrise and a sunset. And that harpoon- so like a corkscrew now- was flung in Javan seas, and run away with by a whale, years afterwards slain off the Cape of Blanco. The original iron entered nigh the tail, and, like a restless needle sojourning in the body of a man, travelled full forty feet, and at last was found imbedded in the hump.
Crossing this dusky entry, and on through yon low-arched way- cut through what in old times must have been a great central chimney with fireplaces all round- you enter the public room. A still duskier place is this, with such low ponderous beams above, and such old wrinkled planks beneath, that you would almost fancy you trod some old craft's cockpits, especially of such a howling night, when this corner-anchored old ark rocked so furiously. On one side stood a long, low, shelf-like table covered with cracked glass cases, filled with dusty rarities gathered from this wide world's remotest nooks. Projecting from the further angle of the room stands a dark-looking den- the bar- a rude attempt at a right whale's head. Be that how it may, there stands the vast arched bone of the whale's jaw, so wide, a coach might almost drive beneath it. Within are shabby shelves, ranged round with old decanters, bottles, flasks; and in those jaws of swift destruction, like another cursed Jonah (by which name indeed they called him), bustles a little withered old man, who, for their money, dearly sells the sailors deliriums and death.
Abominable are the tumblers into which he pours his poison. Though true cylinders without- within, the villanous green goggling glasses deceitfully tapered downwards to a cheating bottom. Parallel meridians rudely pecked into the glass, surround these footpads' goblets. Fill to this mark, and your charge is but a penny; to this a penny more; and so on to the full glass- the Cape Horn measure, which you may gulp down for a shilling.
Upon entering the place I found a number of young seamen gathered about a table, examining by a dim light divers specimens of skrimshander. I sought the landlord, and telling him I desired to be accommodated with a room, received for answer that his house was full- not a bed unoccupied. "But avast," he added, tapping his forehead, "you haint no objections to sharing a harpooneer's blanket, have ye? I s'pose you are goin' a-whalin', so you'd better get used to that sort of thing."
I told him that I never liked to sleep two in a bed; that if I should ever do so, it would depend upon who the harpooneer might be, and that if he (the landlord) really had no other place for me, and the harpooneer was not decidedly objectionable, why rather than wander further about a strange town on so bitter a night, I would put up with the half of any decent man's blanket.
"I thought so. All right; take a seat. Supper?- you want supper? Supper'll be ready directly."
I sat down on an old wooden settle, carved all over like a bench on the Battery. At one end a ruminating tar was still further adorning it with his jack-knife, stooping over and diligently working away at the space between his legs. He was trying his hand at a ship under full sail, but he didn't make much headway, I thought.
At last some four or five of us were summoned to our meal in an adjoining room. It was cold as Iceland- no fire at all- the landlord said he couldn't afford it. Nothing but two dismal tallow candles, each in a winding sheet. We were fain to button up our monkey jackets, and hold to our lips cups of scalding tea with our half frozen fingers. But the fare was of the most substantial kind- not only meat and potatoes, but dumplings; good heavens! dumplings for supper! One young fellow in a green box coat, addressed himself to these dumplings in a most direful manner.
"My boy," said the landlord, "you'll have the nightmare to a dead sartainty."
"Landlord," I whispered, "that aint the harpooneer is it?"
"Oh, no," said he, looking a sort of diabolically funny, "the harpooneer is a dark complexioned chap. He never eats dumplings, he don't- he eats nothing but steaks, and he likes 'em rare."
"The devil he does," says I. "Where is that harpooneer? Is he here?"
"He'll be here afore long," was the answer.
I could not help it, but I began to feel suspicious of this "dark complexioned" harpooneer. At any rate, I made up my mind that if it so turned out that we should sleep together, he must undress and get into bed before I did.
Supper over, the company went back to the bar-room, when, knowing not what else to do with myself, I resolved to spend the rest of the evening as a looker on.
Presently a rioting noise was heard without. Starting up, the landlord cried, "That's the Grampus's crew. I seed her reported in the offing this morning; a three years' voyage, and a full ship. Hurrah, boys; now we'll have the latest news from the Feegees."
A tramping of sea boots was heard in the entry; the door was flung open, and in rolled a wild set of mariners enough. Enveloped in their shaggy watch coats, and with their heads muffled in woollen comforters, all bedarned and ragged, and their beards stiff with icicles, they seemed an eruption of bears from Labrador. They had just landed from their boat, and this was the first house they entered. No wonder, then, that they made a straight wake for the whale's mouth- the bar- when the wrinkled little old Jonah, there officiating, soon poured them out brimmers all round. One complained of a bad cold in his head, upon which Jonah mixed him a pitch-like potion of gin and molasses, which he swore was a sovereign cure for all colds and catarrhs whatsoever, never mind of how long standing, or whether caught off the coast of Labrador, or on the weather side of an ice-island.
The liquor soon mounted into their heads, as it generally does even with the arrantest topers newly landed from sea, and they began capering about most obstreperously.
I observed, however, that one of them held somewhat aloof, and though he seemed desirous not to spoil the hilarity of his shipmates by his own sober face, yet upon the whole he refrained from making as much noise as the rest. This man interested me at once; and since the sea-gods had ordained that he should soon become my shipmate (though but a sleeping partner one, so far as this narrative is concerned), I will here venture upon a little description of him. He stood full six feet in height, with noble shoulders, and a chest like a coffer-dam. I have seldom seen such brawn in a man. His face was deeply brown and burnt, making his white teeth dazzling by the contrast; while in the deep shadows of his eyes floated some reminiscences that did not seem to give him much joy. His voice at once announced that he was a Southerner, and from his fine stature, I thought he must be one of those tall mountaineers from the Alleghanian Ridge in Virginia. When the revelry of his companions had mounted to its height, this man slipped away unobserved, and I saw no more of him till he became my comrade on the sea. In a few minutes, however, he was missed by his shipmates, and being, it seems, for some reason a huge favorite with them, they raised a cry of "Bulkington! Bulkington! where's Bulkington?" and darted out of the house in pursuit of him.
It was now about nine o'clock, and the room seeming almost supernaturally quiet after these orgies, I began to congratulate myself upon a little plan that had occurred to me just previous to the entrance of the seamen.
No man prefers to sleep two in a bed. In fact, you would a good deal rather not sleep with your own brother. I don't know how it is, but people like to be private when they are sleeping. And when it comes to sleeping with an unknown stranger, in a strange inn, in a strange town, and that stranger a harpooneer, then your objections indefinitely multiply. Nor was there any earthly reason why I as a sailor should sleep two in a bed, more than anybody else; for sailors no more sleep two in a bed at sea, than bachelor Kings do ashore. To be sure they all sleep together in one apartment, but you have your own hammock, and cover yourself with your own blanket, and sleep in your own skin.
The more I pondered over this harpooneer, the more I abominated the thought of sleeping with him. It was fair to presume that being a harpooneer, his linen or woolen, as the case might be, would not be of the tidiest, certainly none of the finest. I began to twitch all over. Besides, it was getting late, and my decent harpooneer ought to be home and going bedwards. Suppose now, he should tumble in upon me at midnight- how could I tell from what vile hole he had been coming?
"Landlord! I've changed my mind about that harpooneer.- I shan't sleep with him. I'll try the bench here."
"Just as you please; I'm sorry I cant spare ye a tablecloth for a mattress, and it's a plaguy rough board here"- feeling of the knots and notches. "But wait a bit, Skrimshander; I've got a carpenter's plane there in the bar- wait, I say, and I'll make ye snug enough." So saying he procured the plane; and with his old silk handkerchief first dusting the bench, vigorously set to planing away at my bed, the while grinning like an ape. The shavings flew right and left; till at last the plane-iron came bump against an indestructible knot. The landlord was near spraining his wrist, and I told him for heaven's sake to quit- the bed was soft enough to suit me, and I did not know how all the planing in the world could make eider down of a pine plank. So gathering up the shavings with another grin, and throwing them into the great stove in the middle of the room, he went about his business, and left me in a brown study.
I now took the measure of the bench, and found that it was a foot too short; but that could be mended with a chair. But it was a foot too narrow, and the other bench in the room was about four inches higher than the planed one- so there was no yoking them. I then placed the first bench lengthwise along the only clear space against the wall, leaving a little interval between, for my back to settle down in. But I soon found that there came such a draught of cold air over me from under the sill of the window, that this plan would never do at all, especially as another current from the rickety door met the one from the window, and both together formed a series of small whirlwinds in the immediate vicinity of the spot where I had thought to spend the night.
The devil fetch that harpooneer, thought I, but stop, couldn't I steal a march on him- bolt his door inside, and jump into his bed, not to be wakened by the most violent knockings? It seemed no bad idea but upon second thoughts I dismissed it. For who could tell but what the next morning, so soon as I popped out of the room, the harpooneer might be standing in the entry, all ready to knock me down!
Still looking round me again, and seeing no possible chance of spending a sufferable night unless in some other person's bed, I began to think that after all I might be cherishing unwarrantable prejudices against this unknown harpooneer. Thinks I, I'll wait awhile; he must be dropping in before long. I'll have a good look at him then, and perhaps we may become jolly good bedfellows after all- there's no telling.
But though the other boarders kept coming in by ones, twos, and threes, and going to bed, yet no sign of my harpooneer.
"Landlord! said I, "what sort of a chap is he- does he always keep such late hours?" It was now hard upon twelve o'clock.
The landlord chuckled again with his lean chuckle, and seemed to be mightily tickled at something beyond my comprehension. "No," he answered, "generally he's an early bird- airley to bed and airley to rise- yea, he's the bird what catches the worm. But to-night he went out a peddling, you see, and I don't see what on airth keeps him so late, unless, may be, he can't sell his head."
"Can't sell his head?- What sort of a bamboozingly story is this you are telling me?" getting into a towering rage. "Do you pretend to say, landlord, that this harpooneer is actually engaged this blessed Saturday night, or rather Sunday morning, in peddling his head around this town?"
"That's precisely it," said the landlord, "and I told him he couldn't sell it here, the market's overstocked."
"With what?" shouted I.
"With heads to be sure; ain't there too many heads in the world?"
"I tell you what it is, landlord," said I quite calmly, "you'd better stop spinning that yarn to me- I'm not green."
"May be not," taking out a stick and whittling a toothpick, "but I rayther guess you'll be done brown if that ere harpooneer hears you a slanderin' his head."
"I'll break it for him," said I, now flying into a passion again at this unaccountable farrago of the landlord's.
"It's broke a'ready," said he.
"Broke," said I- "broke, do you mean?"
"Sartain, and that's the very reason he can't sell it, I guess."
"Landlord," said I, going up to him as cool as Mt. Hecla in a snowstorm- "landlord, stop whittling. You and I must understand one another, and that too without delay. I come to your house and want a bed; you tell me you can only give me half a one; that the other half belongs to a certain harpooneer. And about this harpooneer, whom I have not yet seen, you persist in telling me the most mystifying and exasperating stories tending to beget in me an uncomfortable feeling towards the man whom you design for my bedfellow- a sort of connexion, landlord, which is an intimate and confidential one in the highest degree. I now demand of you to speak out and tell me who and what this harpooneer is, and whether I shall be in all respects safe to spend the night with him. And in the first place, you will be so good as to unsay that story about selling his head, which if true I take to be good evidence that this harpooneer is stark mad, and I've no idea of sleeping with a madman; and you, sir, you I mean, landlord, you, sir, by trying to induce me to do so knowingly would thereby render yourself liable to a criminal prosecution."
"Wall," said the landlord, fetching a long breath, "that's a purty long sarmon for a chap that rips a little now and then. But be easy, be easy, this here harpooneer I have been tellin' you of has just arrived from the south seas, where he bought up a lot of 'balmed New Zealand heads (great curios, you know), and he's sold all on 'em but one, and that one he's trying to sell to-night, cause to-morrow's Sunday, and it would not do to be sellin' human heads about the streets when folks is goin' to churches. He wanted to last Sunday, but I stopped him just as he was goin' out of the door with four heads strung on a string, for all the airth like a string of inions."
This account cleared up the otherwise unaccountable mystery, and showed that the landlord, after all, had had no idea of fooling me- but at the same time what could I think of a harpooneer who stayed out of a Saturday night clean into the holy Sabbath, engaged in such a cannibal business as selling the heads of dead idolators?
"Depend upon it, landlord, that harpooneer is a dangerous man."
"He pays reg'lar," was the rejoinder. "But come, it's a nice bed: Sal and me slept in that ere bed the night we were spliced. There's plenty of room for two to kick about in that bed; it's an almighty big bed that. Why, afore we give it up, Sal used to put our Sam and little Johnny in the foot of it. But I got a dreaming and sprawling about one night, and somehow, Sam got pitched on the floor, and came near breaking his arm. Arter that, Sal said it wouldn't do. Come along here, I'll give ye a glim in a jiffy;" and so saying he lighted a candle and held it towards me, offering to lead the way. But I stood irresolute; when looking at a clock in the corner, he exclaimed "I vum it's Sunday- you won't see that harpooneer to-night; he's come to anchor somewhere- come along then; do come; won't ye come?"
I considered the matter a moment, and then up stairs we went, and I was ushered into a small room, cold as a clam, and furnished, sure enough, with a prodigious bed, almost big enough indeed for any four harpooneers to sleep abreast.
"There," said the landlord, placing the candle on a crazy old sea chest that did double duty as a wash-stand and centre table; "there, make yourself comfortable now; and good night to ye." I turned round from eyeing the bed, but he had disappeared.
Folding back the counterpane, I stooped over the bed. Though none of the most elegant, it yet stood the scrutiny tolerably well. I then glanced round the room; and besides the bedstead and centre table, could see no other furniture belonging to the place, but a rude shelf, the four walls, and a papered fireboard representing a man striking a whale. Of things not properly belonging to the room, there was a hammock lashed up, and thrown upon the floor in one corner; also a large seaman's bag, containing the harpooneer's wardrobe, no doubt in lieu of a land trunk. Likewise, there was a parcel of outlandish bone fish hooks on the shelf over the fire-place, and a tall harpoon standing at the head of the bed.
But what is this on the chest? I took it up, and held it close to the light, and felt it, and smelt it, and tried every way possible to arrive at some satisfactory conclusion concerning it. I can compare it to nothing but a large door mat, ornamented at the edges with little tinkling tags something like the stained porcupine quills round an Indian moccasin. There was a hole or slit in the middle of this mat, as you see the same in South American ponchos. But could it be possible that any sober harpooneer would get into a door mat, and parade the streets of any Christian town in that sort of guise? I put it on, to try it, and it weighed me down like a hamper, being uncommonly shaggy and thick, and I thought a little damp, as though this mysterious harpooneer had been wearing it of a rainy day. I went up in it to a bit of glass stuck against the wall, and I never saw such a sight in my life. I tore myself out of it in such a hurry that I gave myself a kink in the neck.
I sat down on the side of the bed, and commenced thinking about this head-peddling harpooneer, and his door mat. After thinking some time on the bed-side, I got up and took off my monkey jacket, and then stood in the middle of the room thinking. I then took off my coat, and thought a little more in my shirt sleeves. But beginning to feel very cold now, half undressed as I was, and remembering what the landlord said about the harpooneer's not coming home at all that night, it being so very late, I made no more ado, but jumped out of my pantaloons and boots, and then blowing out the light tumbled into bed, and commended myself to the care of heaven.
Whether that mattress was stuffed with corncobs or broken crockery, there is no telling, but I rolled about a good deal, and could not sleep for a long time. At last I slid off into a light doze, and had pretty nearly made a good offing towards the land of Nod, when I heard a heavy footfall in the passage, and saw a glimmer of light come into the room from under the door.
Lord save me, thinks I, that must be the harpooneer, the infernal head-peddler. But I lay perfectly still, and resolved not to say a word till spoken to. Holding a light in one hand, and that identical New Zealand head in the other, the stranger entered the room, and without looking towards the bed, placed his candle a good way off from me on the floor in one corner, and then began working away at the knotted cords of the large bag I before spoke of as being in the room. I was all eagerness to see his face, but he kept it averted for some time while employed in unlacing the bag's mouth. This accomplished, however, he turned round- when, good heavens; what a sight! Such a face! It was of a dark, purplish, yellow color, here and there stuck over with large blackish looking squares. Yes, it's just as I thought, he's a terrible bedfellow; he's been in a fight, got dreadfully cut, and here he is, just from the surgeon. But at that moment he chanced to turn his face so towards the light, that I plainly saw they could not be sticking-plasters at all, those black squares on his cheeks. They were stains of some sort or other. At first I knew not what to make of this; but soon an inkling of the truth occurred to me. I remembered a story of a white man- a whaleman too- who, falling among the cannibals, had been tattooed by them. I concluded that this harpooneer, in the course of his distant voyages, must have met with a similar adventure. And what is it, thought I, after all! It's only his outside; a man can be honest in any sort of skin. But then, what to make of his unearthly complexion, that part of it, I mean, lying round about, and completely independent of the squares of tattooing. To be sure, it might be nothing but a good coat of tropical tanning; but I never heard of a hot sun's tanning a white man into a purplish yellow one. However, I had never been in the South Seas; and perhaps the sun there produced these extraordinary effects upon the skin. Now, while all these ideas were passing through me like lightning, this harpooneer never noticed me at all. But, after some difficulty having opened his bag, he commenced fumbling in it, and presently pulled out a sort of tomahawk, and a seal-skin wallet with the hair on. Placing these on the old chest in the middle of a room, he then took the New Zealand head- a ghastly thing enough- and crammed it down into the bag. He now took off his hat- a new beaver hat- when I came nigh singing out with fresh surprise. There was no hair on his head- none to speak of at least- nothing but a small scalp-knot twisted up on his forehead. His bald purplish head now looked for all the world like a mildewed skull. Had not the stranger stood between me and the door, I would have bolted out of it quicker than ever I bolted a dinner.
Even as it was, I thought something of slipping out of the window, but it was the second floor back. I am no coward, but what to make of this headpeddling purple rascal altogether passed my comprehension. Ignorance is the parent of fear, and being completely nonplussed and confounded about the stranger, I confess I was now as much afraid of him as if it was the devil himself who had thus broken into my room at the dead of night. In fact, I was so afraid of him that I was not game enough just then to address him, and demand a satisfactory answer concerning what seemed inexplicable in him.
Meanwhile, he continued the business of undressing, and at last showed his chest and arms. As I live, these covered parts of him were checkered with the same squares as his face, his back, too, was all over the same dark squares; he seemed to have been in a Thirty Years' War, and just escaped from it with a sticking-plaster shirt. Still more, his very legs were marked, as a parcel of dark green frogs were running up the trunks of young palms. It was now quite plain that he must be some abominable savage or other shipped aboard of a whaleman in the South Seas, and so landed in this Christian country. I quaked to think of it. A peddler of heads too- perhaps the heads of his own brothers. He might take a fancy to mine- heavens! look at that tomahawk!
But there was no time for shuddering, for now the savage went about something that completely fascinated my attention, and convinced me that he must indeed be a heathen. Going to his heavy grego, or wrapall, or dreadnaught, which he had previously hung on a chair, he fumbled in the pockets, and produced at length a curious little deformed image with a hunch on its back, and exactly the color of a three days' old Congo baby. Remembering the embalmed head, at first I almost thought that this black manikin was a real baby preserved some similar manner. But seeing that it was not at all limber, and that it glistened a good deal like polished ebony, I concluded that it must be nothing but a wooden idol, which indeed it proved to be. For now the savage goes up to the empty fire-place, and removing the papered fire-board, sets up this little hunch-backed image, like a tenpin, between the andirons. The chimney jambs and all the bricks inside were very sooty, so that I thought this fire-place made a very appropriate little shrine or chapel for his Congo idol.
I now screwed my eyes hard towards the half hidden image, feeling but ill at ease meantime- to see what was next to follow. First he takes about a double handful of shavings out of his grego pocket, and places them carefully before the idol; then laying a bit of ship biscuit on top and applying the flame from the lamp, he kindled the shavings into a sacrificial blaze. Presently, after many hasty snatches into the fire, and still hastier withdrawals of his fingers (whereby he seemed to be scorching them badly), he at last succeeded in drawing out the biscuit; then blowing off the heat and ashes a little, he made a polite offer of it to the little negro. But the little devil did not seem to fancy such dry sort of fare at all; he never moved his lips. All these strange antics were accompanied by still stranger guttural noises from the devotee, who seemed to be praying in a sing-song or else singing some pagan psalmody or other, during which his face twitched about in the most unnatural manner. At last extinguishing the fire, he took the idol up very unceremoniously, and bagged it again in his grego pocket as carelessly as if he were a sportsman bagging a dead woodcock.
All these queer proceedings increased my uncomfortableness, and seeing him now exhibiting strong symptoms of concluding his business operations, and jumping into bed with me, I thought it was high time, now or never, before the light was put out, to break the spell in which I had so long been bound.
But the interval I spent in deliberating what to say, was a fatal one. Taking up his tomahawk from the table, he examined the head of it for an instant, and then holding it to the light, with his mouth at the handle, he puffed out great clouds of tobacco smoke. The next moment the light was extinguished, and this wild cannibal, tomahawk between his teeth, sprang into bed with me. I sang out, I could not help it now; and giving a sudden grunt of astonishment he began feeling me.
Stammering out something, I knew not what, I rolled away from him against the wall, and then conjured him, whoever or whatever he might be, to keep quiet, and let me get up and light the lamp again. But his guttural responses satisfied me at once that he but ill comprehended my meaning.
"Who-e debel you?"- he at last said- "you no speak-e, dam-me, I kill-e." And so saying the lighted tomahawk began flourishing about me in the dark.
"Landlord, for God's sake, Peter Coffin!" shouted I. "Landlord! Watch! Coffin! Angels! save me!"
"Speak-e! tell-ee me who-ee be, or dam-me, I kill-e!" again growled the cannibal, while his horrid flourishings of the tomahawk scattered the hot tobacco ashes about me till I thought my linen would get on fire. But thank heaven, at that moment the landlord came into the room light in hand, and leaping from the bed I ran up to him.
"Don't be afraid now," said he, grinning again, "Queequeg here wouldn't harm a hair of your head."
"Stop your grinning," shouted I, "and why didn't you tell me that that infernal harpooneer was a cannibal?"
"I thought ye know'd it;- didn't I tell ye, he was a peddlin' heads around town?- but turn flukes again and go to sleep. Queequeg, look here- you sabbee me, I sabbee- you this man sleepe you- you sabbee?"
"Me sabbee plenty"- grunted Queequeg, puffing away at his pipe and sitting up in bed.
"You gettee in," he added, motioning to me with his tomahawk, and throwing the clothes to one side. He really did this in not only a civil but a really kind and charitable way. I stood looking at him a moment. For all his tattooings he was on the whole a clean, comely looking cannibal. What's all this fuss I have been making about, thought I to myself- the man's a human being just as I am: he has just as much reason to fear me, as I have to be afraid of him. Better sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian.
"Landlord," said I, "tell him to stash his tomahawk there, or pipe, or whatever you call it; tell him to stop smoking, in short, and I will turn in with him. But I don't fancy having a man smoking in bed with me. It's dangerous. Besides, I ain't insured."
This being told to Queequeg, he at once complied, and again politely motioned me to get into bed- rolling over to one side as much as to say- I won't touch a leg of ye."
"Good night, landlord," said I, "you may go."
I turned in, and never slept better in my life. | <urn:uuid:46c13818-c27a-4a5a-ba42-18cf229cccb1> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://americanliterature.com/author/herman-melville/book/moby-dick-or-the-whale/chapter-3-the-spouter-inn | 2020-10-25T10:38:29Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107888931.67/warc/CC-MAIN-20201025100059-20201025130059-00600.warc.gz | en | 0.981398 | 7,790 |
Monday, 17 February 2014
Fiction: Fringe Division 3 – Transport
In my restrained state, it was difficult to appreciate how much time was passing during this journey to the ‘job center’ which the two arresting officers had discussed. The expert tightening of the straight jacket meant I was completely restricted – but it was comfortable enough. The gag which was stuffing my mouth was doing an effective job, but wasn’t causing me problems in breathing, and I didn’t want to risk the same treatment the hot looking skinhead in the next cell had received with his resistance. So far, my ‘assessment’ seemed to have been an attempt to see how horny two musclestud leathermen could get me, and the line between my professional life and what I may have decided to enjoy in my spare time was becoming blurred. Certainly I was in no position to be attempting my original mission with Fringe Division.
Truth be told, I was starting to enjoy this.
Many employees who work in the defence and homeland security field worry too much about their private lives. I always found being honest and up front was always the best policy – and this advice had served me well. Work knew that when not on the clock, I had a wide range of sexual interests, and was often to be found in the local leather bar. So long as it couldn’t be used to blackmail or exhort undue influence, it wasn’t going to cause problems.
I’d not been in a relationship for a few years – career just seemed to be taking over my life.
The last guy I was involved with was someone connected with work. The chance circumstances we met under were still fresh in my head… Following a security alert (specifically a bomb) in another government building, and uncertain the risk had passed, we initiated property and person searches of all persons entering and leaving the building – without exception. He was one of the response team.
Despite my ID, firearm and cuffs, not even I was immune to the searches. Queuing for entry to the building, showing my ID, and taking my property out to X-ray, I joined the line for a pat down. The front of the line was staffed by two response team members (you’d probably recognise them better as SWAT team officers), one searching, another covering with weapon pointed. Both dressed in full uniform of dark blue coveralls, assault boots, body armor, belt kit with additional plasti-cuffs attached, gloves, and handgun strapped to their legs. The ‘cover man’ was wearing his helmet, strapped under his chin.
The cover officer looked mid 20s, fresh faced, tall and thin – and hardly looked old enough to be holding a position in such an elite squad; or perhaps I was just getting older! His colleague performing the actual searches was perhaps mid 40s, with salt and pepper colored hair cut in a crew cut. It ran through my mind that he was ex-military in the way he carried himself – perhaps 6 feet tall, with one of those classic wide shouldered and slim waist looks favoured by all the magazines. Long legs, and tight rear end which you could only describe as a bubble butt.
The line moved quickly, and soon I was at the front of the line. He motioned me forward.
He started his standard ‘four quadrant search’, moving his gloved hands efficiently over my suit. I liked the guy already, as he was thorough in his searching – too many law enforcement professionals perform cursory searches and miss concealed items. As far as he was concerned, I was just another member of the public. Checking my torso, shirt collar, and chest first; he then moved on to my ankles, and worked up my legs. Getting to my crotch and ass, he checked my belt line, and moved his hands efficiently across and down my butt. Moving front, he worked his hands up the inside of my legs to between my legs, moving up my crotch. I don’t think he was expecting to find something locking up my cock and balls in his search; but not being in a relationship at the time, I’d taken it on myself to lock myself away to keep me horny. He looked up at me and raised his eyebrow, cupped the chastity device in his hand, ran his fingers down it, finished his search, and waved me through into the building.
I could have made my excuses when I arrived, but part of me doesn’t care; but it was still fortunate that my back was to his colleague and the waiting line of people. I had no doubt he and colleagues would find it a source of laughter later, but for now, he’d dealt professionally and I was on my way. I was happy with taking in the eye candy.
After completing my work – we still hadn’t reached a situation where the building had been fully checked and made sterile. As such, the inbound and outbound searches were continuing to operate. A single person was co-ordinating and sending people to one of five search teams. I was in no hurry, and had nowhere I needed to be – and at least the outbound searches would likely be paying more attention to property. At the head of the line, I was waved across to a search team. I was surprised to see the same military looking SWAT guy from earlier; this time working with a different partner. I did wonder if he remembered me from earlier on, but there was no glimmer of recognition on his face as I stepped forward.
It was the same procedure again, including the thorough search of my crotch. I was sure he gave the metal device a tug under my suit, but once again, waved me through as all clear. Just as I started moving towards the exit doors, I heard the sound of his boots and belt equipment behind me, and then a gloved hand on my right shoulder.
“You forgot this”. He said, and handed me a business card. I always carry a stack of my own business cards, so figured I’d left one in my pocket and it had fallen out during the search. Flashing him a smile, I said “Thank you Sir”, took the card and put it back with the others in my pocket and headed home.
I’d got home that night, changed out of my work clothing horny as hell from my handsome uniformed encounter. I emptied my pockets, only to find the business card he’d handed me earlier. On the reverse was written “keyholder available” and a cell number. Suddenly I got a lot hornier.
So was the beginning of my last relationship. Excited, I texted my SWAT commander that very evening, we agreed to meet in a bar that weekend, and by midnight, I was locked in his cage in a straight jacket tasting his load, and enjoying every drop. From that point on, I was to be locked in chastity on a regular basis, and become his property.
We were very compatible as it turned out – both heavily into leather and uniform, and I’d often arrive home to find him in full kit waiting for me with cuffs or a heavy hood being suddenly dropped over my head. The taste of his boot leather and man scent almost became an addition; and I was sure the high shine was the best in his unit.
His body under uniform was hard and toned, with a thick covering of hair, which I loved to explore with my tongue and breath in his scent. He spent a lot of time training in the gym at work. Across his back there was a large tattoo left over from his marine service which just added to his proud masculinity.
Our evenings off together were normally spent in some intense play, or I’d be locked in his cage or strapped down in a leather sleepsack for the night. I think we were in love.
Over time, I got to know his turn on areas, and his ‘weaknesses’ – his tits – which would instantly make him horny. Sometimes, I’d get the chance to take the lead – which I also enjoyed. This was especially the case when he was overtired. I knew when this was the case because he’d be very subdued and would often come in and get straight in the shower.
Once, sensing he’d had a particularly bad day, I remember slipping into the shower with him and exploring his wet and naked body with my tongue. Our tongues intertwined and we kissed for what must have been five minutes solid, and I held him in my arms. Then I moved down to lick both his pits, and down to his tits, to feel his knees buckle under my attention. He cock was erect, with water still running down our bodies, but I was still padlocked in chastity. Continuing down, I traced my tongue across his tattoo and down between his cheeks and around his hole. Encouraging my face, I sucked and probed whilst he spread his cheeks and moaned like some form of raging bull.
Finishing in the shower, and moving to the bedroom, I was surprised when he wanted me to tie him down. My cock was hard and pushing against the cb6000 I was locked in, without release this was already frustrating as hell. Once again, our tongues met, and we explored each other.
“Go get the key from my work keys, and unlock yourself”.
I didn’t need a second to think about that one, I rushed downstairs and brought back his bunch of work keys, he reached for the right key, and my cock was released and was allowed to swell to its full size. I was going to use this opportunity while I got it, and reached for the first of the four lockable leather restraints attached to the bed which I was so familiar with. He loved to keep me tied spread eagle across the bed, but this time it was his turn.
Positioning him face down across our bed, I started by restraining his wrists to each corner of the bed, fastening the heavy leather restraint around each before padlocking it in place. His wide muscular back looked fantastic in this position, showing off his tattoo artwork. Next, I pulled his legs apart, and applied a leather ankle restraint to each, spreading his legs and exposing his tight, hairy and toned ass. He wasn’t going anywhere, and it was a beautiful sight to behold.
Reaching through his legs, I took hold of his meat, which was harder now than even before, and jerked him off a little. With this, he bellowed like a raging bull, and struggled against the restraints holding him in position.
Not intending to miss my seldom opportunity to be in control, I reached for the dresser draw, and took out the heaviest hood I could find. The hood was full black leather, with attached straps around the jaw and face, with a lace down the back and zip over the top. Easy enough to breath in, but when on, there was very little noise from the outside world – a real sensory deprivation hood. Add to that the heady smell of leather and sweat to further tighten the experience. The boss knew what was coming next, but didn’t seem to be objecting too much, so I quickly loosened the laces, and pulled it down over his head. There were more struggling against the restraints, and I slowly tightened each lace to increase his leather prison, and pulled the zip closed around the hood. I took the padlock from my cb6000, and clicked it into place at the collar. Boss was now completely controlled and I was enjoying this.
I started by licking the nape of his neck under the collar, and slowly licked down his spine and to his lower back; to many muffed moaning sounds from inside the hood. Taking in the pleasant view of his broad back, and fantastic ass, I spread his cheeks, and started running my tongue down the length of his ass towards his hole. This must have been doing the trick, as he started struggling wildly against the restraints and the moans increased.
Reaching his hole, I ran my tongue around it before starting to probe it, deeper and deeper, whilst at the same time, taking his cock in my hand and working it between base and tip. Driving him crazy, I continued to work his hole for a good while; enjoying getting my man hornier and hornier. Now nice and lubed, I ran my finger over it and pushed inside. His worked out ass was tight, but relaxing, and soon my full finger was sliding in and out, and there was muffled moaning and grunts into the hood... “Take it, take my ass”
Clear what he wanted, I knelt over his tight ass cheeks, now well lubed with my spit, and rubbed the end of my cock against his hole. We were exclusive and both tested STD free, so no longer needed to practice safe sex, and with my precum providing more lube, I pushed against his hole, and pushed inside. He bucked and pulled against the restraint, and grunted, whilst pushing his ass up onto my cock
Increasing in speed and depth, I slid in and out of my boss – what a release from my normal chastity this was. I rode his ass slowly, savouring the sight of my swollen cock disappearing inside that tight muscle ass; trying to enjoy for as long as possible before shooting. My SWAT boss must have known this was too much for me to resist for long, and moaned into his hood “fill me up boi, fill me up”. Not only was my stunning boss strapped down to our bed, and heavy hooded, but now he was asking me to fill him with my load. My balls swelling, I pumped more and with a moan of my own this time, unloaded my cum into my bosses ass. The first cum in a few weeks, there felt like there must have been gallons shooting inside him.
I collapsed over his wide back, kissing and licking his neck, pulling my still hard cock out his ass.
His own cock still hard, I repositioned to lie on my back, and lifted his waist, and took his cock down my throat. He started face fucking me with vigour, making me cough and choke, but I soon got over it and enjoyed the sensation. Reaching round, I slid two fingers back into his ass, so with every stroke into my throat it was also like he was being fucked. This must have been all it took to send him over the edge, the thrusting down my throat increased, his balls tightened, and with the loudest moan, he fired his load into my throat. I took every drop, and swallowed it down hungrily.
Letting both our breathing return to normal for a few minutes, I un-padlocked the ankle and wrist restraints from the securing chains, and cuddled into his back. I reached for his work keys to release the padlock on the hood, to be greeted by “no, leave it on, and handcuff me for the night”. I wasn’t accustomed to this submissive behaviour, but I was enjoying every second of my switch. Reaching back to the dresser, I took a pair of his regulation handcuffs, unbuckled the heavy leather restraints still strapped round his writs, and replaced them with the cuffs, clicking the ratchets shut around his wrists, behind his back. “I love you” he mumbled in the hood. Being unused to open expressions of emotion; It blew me away.
We drifted into sleep in that position, and he slept uninterrupted for 8 hours before waking disorientated. I gently stroked him, un-padlocked the hood and lifted it over his head. The smell of warm leather was intense; our eyes met, he greeted with me with a smile and more passionate kissing. I unlocked and removed the cuffs giving my boss his freedom back.
Shortly after I was back in my cb6000 and I was owned by him again. I later found out he’d dealt with a case during the day which involved a multiple child homicide. Whilst he was the toughest and nastiest at work, with a body that physically threatened; there was so much going on behind. That night, he’d been the one who wanted looking after, losing all control in the heat of passion.
Anyway – things had been going well in the relationship – but unfortunately our high risk jobs meant an unhappy ending. He was caught in one of the cracks between our worlds and became a casualty of one of the early containment protocols. I was devastated and felt my own universe had ceased, but slowly realised that I had to move on; and devoted everything to my work.
My original assignment seemed a long way from my current situation. Here I was, gagged and hooded, strapped in a tight staightjacket and restrained my own cage at multiple attachments. I wondered how many similar prisoners had been endured this journey, and my cock started to swell. Tensing my biceps and pecs inside the straight jacket would only put extra pressure on the collar strapping me in place, and there was very little movement.
I noticed a pair of eyes looking at me through the viewing window in the cage door, and heard a jangling of keys, and my cage door swung open. One of the leather uniformed guards was standing outside my door from earlier. Allowing me a better look, he was muscular, but not as much as my original Sarge however. The leather uniform framed his wide chest well, and slimmer waist; with wide leather utility belt, and highly polished boots. Whilst he was shaven headed, his hair looked dark, and he looked mean.
“Sarge says to look after you, so that’s what I’ll do”
He reached for his nitestick and withdrew it from his belt. Thinking I was going to receive some bruises, and how unfair it was I couldn’t defend myself, I tensed. But unexpectedly, the next thing, he dropped to his knees; I could hear his leather creaking and got a whiff of leather mixed with sweat. Raising the nitestick to his lips, he started licking the tip, working a few inches up the shaft of it. Already semi hard, this made my cock spring to attention, even though there was nothing I could do about it. Frustration.
Next, he took the nitestick, laying it on the cold metal seat I was restrained on, pushed it back towards my hole. Suddenly understanding that I was destined to be nitestick – fucked, I squirmed a little in the straight jacket and repositioned myself at an angle that the tip was rubbing against my asshole. Lubed up with my captor’s spit, he pushed harder, and I let the tip invade my ass, groaning into the gag.
He cupped my balls in one hand, and started teasing them, while pushing the nitestick deeper in with the other hand. Leaing forward, he slowly licked the end of my cock head, sending pulses into my brain. Taking the whole shaft into his mouth, deep down to the throat, I started fucking his face while he fucked me with the nitestick. With my gag, hood and neck restrained, I didn’t have free movement to look down to see the back of his head, uniform and my cock disappearing into his throat. It was almost like this guard was ‘raping’ me – but this was complete pleasure.
Working his tongue back over my cock head, and then taking the whole shaft into this throat, I was ready to pop, and moaned into my gag. Tuggling my balls down with his gloved hand, and with one last thrust into my ass and into his throat, I unloaded into his throat. Rather than pulling out, he pushed my cock deeper into his throat, and sucked every drop.
When the pulsations of pleasure had subsided, he cleaned the remaining cum off my shaft and cock head with his tongue, put his nitestick back on his belt, and stood up, and straightened his uniform.
“Heavy cummer too, I can see why you’re special. That’ll be your last one for a while. We’ll be there in about 30.”
He tightened the strap around my chest a little, and made sure the collar was still fastened, and closed my cell door. | <urn:uuid:aa6e959e-7fc4-42fe-b18d-f20739a95dd9> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://blog.bear-cop.com/2014/02/story-fringe-division-3-transport.html | 2020-10-25T11:13:25Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107888931.67/warc/CC-MAIN-20201025100059-20201025130059-00600.warc.gz | en | 0.992359 | 4,278 |
Southern Legitimacy Statement: I have published in North Carolina, baby-sat three grandchildren there, and trained with the EKSU’s 278th Infantry Regiment (activated for the Korean conflict) at Fort Devens, MA and was one of the two Northerners on the undefeated post football team.
Red High Heels at the River
Odd and memorable days often have odd and memorable starts. 63-year old Police Chief Ben Perdy’s day was beginning and he didn’t know it yet, sun rays still creeping toward his bedroom window, the flash momentary, sleep trying not to let go.
At that precise instant, beside the Tennessee River at the edge of Abbot’s Cove, two town boys came carefully through heavy growth by the river’s initial bend near Abbot’s Cove Center, their lips shushed, their cameras in hand. Discovery and highlight of the new day came for the boys near the river edge. Sitting on the bank as if a sensual, long legged blonde or redhead had just stepped out of them, a pair of fiery red high heels. Red, sexy even in their emptiness, but dancing shoes, dating shoes, going-out shoes for sure. The sun caught them in an illuminating shot and quickly bounced away from its own glare. But there were no tracks, no sign of either long or short journey, no story to go with such abrupt high heel punctuation.
Trouble shoes, each boy thought.
The placid morning rolled around the pair of shoes the way a fog lifts, as though a vagrant artist had placed them there for a vision to collect, paints to speak his mind. Nearby, in the tall and mass-struggling reeds, a remnant April breeze sounded like a comb making its way through old corn stalks. Out of the northeast the night wind had stopped its gallop, had laid down its head to sleep in the early sun. River waters, at a point of tidal change, sat still as molasses.
Questions, doubt, mystery all melded in the morning pot.
Ben Perdy rolled out of bed on the button of 5:00 A.M. Without a glass of wine the night before there was no need for an alarm clock. He often wondered if morning birds at high choir did it or some trick his blood performed. Or else a place in the back of his mind that snapped a flag for attention, some other-world retreat he’d been off to. Then, as always, without doubt, Molly Popp’s face came at him from that dark distance, sweet Molly, always potential Molly. Something electric, deep but not foreboding, moved within him. With an unsure touch he rubbed his stomach searching for an elusive gas pocket that might have roused him.
The youngster Darren was the first up out of the brush, saying to his pal Michael, “Think she drowned, Mike? Think some guy pushed her in, right out of her shoes? We have to tell Ben Perdy. He’ll put yellow tape around the whole area. And I don’t see any pocketbook. There’s always a pocketbook hanging around with chicks. They carry their own rubbers. I heard my sister Dollie telling Josie on the phone, ‘You got to have your own rubbers ‘cause they don’t care half the time.’ Jeezus, it’s like nothing to them the way they talk about it!” His head was full of pictures he had seen in a few magazines; red high heels, long bare legs and the other bare mysteries that so often dried his throat. He wondered if this girl of the shoes had been a redhead, or a blonde, and that hard to tell.
Darren Popp and his fourteen-year old pal, classmate and bird buff, Michael Rodden, came upon the shoes along with the rising and splintering of the sun. Their cameras were ready for the first bird of the day, the first dawn-provoked, colored flight they would get a shot of coming up out of groundcover. Darren carried a Bowie knife at his belt. A just-in-case investment. Looking about carefully, the boys noted again that there were no tracks near the shoes, not the slightest impression. Not a one. The bank was darkly rich, April soft and muddy and would not dry out for days yet. But there were no tracks. The shoes cried out for tracks, for normal compliance, for mere explanation.
Mystified, the boys started back into town, imagination concocting tale upon tale. Measurements of some unknown kind were otherwise being contemplated, each boy with his own approach, his own angle on the shoes their own riverbank was wearing like a romantic remnant.
“Think we have a murder here?” Michael said, looking back to the Tennessee River snaking away to the Atlantic, the bends behind him like a huge slow-breathing S emptying brackish ponds, upriver flats, other slow streams anteing up their own spring effluence. In the distance, darker than they would be minutes later, the range of hills around Abbot’s Cove was also emptying damp April’s offerings. The boys knew the hill music the spring waters compounded, for that was a territory of past haunt and old nesting grounds.
Michael pursued his attempt at measurement and his chase at reality. “How do you get a pair of shoes stuck on the banking that way and no tracks around them? In a hundred years you couldn’t throw them together like that. Not from the reeds or the brush line. Not even from one of Guy’s canoes.” He looked back again. “Could have come right from a dance. I wonder what she looked like. Probably had great jugs that got her in trouble, and long legs from you know where. The chief, old Ben Perdy, won’t let a soul near that place in a month of Sundays. Like he don’t let no one get too near your grandma but never says anything anyways.”
All of 5:00 A.M. had touched Ben Perdy with its fingers, letting his bones know of its arrival. He washed the face of the older man looking back at him from the mirror, blinking his eyes at still having hair on his head and few wrinkles at the neckline for a 63-year old man. His eyes, he noted, were as pale green as ever and were not loaded with any great weight but his own measurement.
He swore he’d reach a song if he could, a good feeling moving in him, calling out to him. For a moment he figured it was morning rather than Molly Popp. She had a morning presence he had never told her about, figured he wouldn’t tell her in a hundred years, give or take a few. Little said is little damage done. He wanted to say status quo but it would not come up from where it was hiding.
Day had officially started. He pinned on his badge and snugged his belt. For a quick recovery of duties, to reassert a sense of organization (really, he thought, to catch his breath), he gave the day coming a salute full of yesterday’s leavings. Art Kornell was in a cell again, for raising hell at Mallory’s Pub. Art would need his breakfast and dear friend Molly Popp at her house-diner would have it ready for delivery by 6:30. Yesterday’s accident scene just outside town would need another look, if only to ease his mind.
Mash Holcumb would still be out of town for his grandfather’s funeral, and then a day’s travel home before he’d come back on relief duty. Amid all that reflection he inhaled his near sixty-three years on and about the river, let it all come upon him; salt thrush, August fire in the reeds, love-lies-bleeding hanging about the banking near Guy’s boathouse, even day-old fish thrown out on the high banks by young fishermen contemptuous of bones. All of it brought him measurements he was often not ready to accept or give away.
Even then, there was nothing unusual silhouetting or daubing the horizon of the new day.
That thought brought him back to Molly; he could see her leaning her goodness against the kitchen counter in the half-house and half-diner, as if all that goodness now and then needed some respite. Her still-lovely and comely being had worn him down long ago. Soft still-red hair would be tied up in a band, with a small portion of her years pushing at the backside of her dress. That part never failed to catch his eye. No calipers could ever lie or distort the lines of those curves, nor could they abort his wonder about her and the way she might be put together. He’d never be able to tell her that, he thought. Though, with him, her trimness counted and extended a mark of reliability. His own weight, controlled by work and practice, pushed lightly and comfortably against his belt.
This morning again, no different than hundreds of others, Molly wholly warmed him, small sparks traversing a mesh of inner wiring he could almost touch. My own gridline, he thought. He could easily compound a sense of spark or shock. Batteries included came at him with a grin. Plus, he thought, there’ll be a sense of cinnamon about her, a pause of kitchen refreshment that could readily move to the bedroom. Or it ought. She would look over one shoulder at his entrance into the diner, hair evenly in place, her neck in a graceful curve. She’d smile a particular kind of radiance, so that a whole hearth beckoned in the gesture, made welcome of itself. And the wire mesh, his own gridline, would generate a kind of ignition south of his belt.
At 5:00 A.M he knew the people of the town that were awake: there’d be Molly with his and Art Kornell’s breakfast in the works, Art Kornell himself, pacing the jail cell in hunger, and Tab Glasser at the gas station on the edge of town keeping his eyes down the road. Sometimes there’d be those boys with their cameras out and about, looking for prized migrants heading away from exotic lagoons toward the northern fields and the lean and mean neighborhoods of glaciers.
When the phone rang, he figured it had to be Molly or Ted.
It was one of the boys, Molly’s grandson Darren. “Sheriff, this is Darren. Me and Mikey found a pair of red high heels stuck almost side by side in the muddy bank of the river. And no tracks around them, sheriff. Not a one. It’s like they wuz thrown there from the reeds. We thought you ought to know. Ladies’ bright red high heels.” He added, “The dancing kind,” as if he too were at measurement. His voice paused. “Kind of spooky if you ask me.”
“’Bout where, Darren?”
“Directly opposite Cosgrove’s front door, this side of the big bend. I lined it up, and we took a couple of telescopic shots of the shoes, but didn’t go near them. There’s still no tracks there.”
“I’ll check it out after I get breakfast from your grandmother. I got to feed Art.”
“He in there again?”
“Grandma gets paid for it, Darren.”
“Want us waiting? We got us some interesting flyers here. Won’t be wasting our time.”
“Stay put if you want, Darren. Me, I need breakfast first. I’ll be along.” As an afterthought of interest, he said, “See anything else interesting? Any long-lost pals come along the way?”
Silence was as good as nothing, he figured.
When Ben Perdy told Molly about the red high heels, she allowed a serious look to come across her comely face, as much omen as it was surprise. Her eyes were bright with morning, the same light sitting on her cheeks. She wore a pastel dress and a red apron. Her legs were long as she leaned over the counter. Flour sat a pattern on her apron, another bit was dust on her short sleeve. Ben thought Molly was an ace cook, a sylph if he could have dragged the word out of the past, and that she, like all-natural redheads, had those marvelous green eyes bearing all the powers of a spade. He dared think she could have owned him any time she wanted to. And he had long counted on her for sage advice at times. It was part and parcel of her being, and their own small network of two people too long in the fancy of the other, but without direct participation of the ultimate possibilities.
Molly Popp had kept the whisper of her shape all these years, thin and agile, and her hips could still be seen making the measure of the mystical valley. Ben Perdy often marked women by their hips. Ben would fix them in place with their minds. In addition, Molly’s hair was always in neat arrangement and she wore no makeup except her continual smile. Once, the two of them gabbing on a Christmas Eve, she told Ben it was the memory of Branner Popp, the only man she had ever known, that coaxed her through some odd days with a smile (as if Branner had never left, he thought). Now that smile had disappeared for a moment with talk about the red high heels. One of her hips dotted his horizon for the barest second, and his flush was slow but crawled toward permanence. On numberless nights she had assailed him and he feared that that dreamy marquee had showed itself again.
“Sounds like trouble to me, Ben. You know how I feel about odd things like that.” As if to add punctuation to her statement, or to stress her beliefs, she wagged the coffee pot at him. A breast moved under a large flower on her dress. It too wore the dust of flour.
He nodded and she poured, but he knew she was coming back at him, her head cocked, wonder showing. “It’s not just a pair of shoes, Ben. They’re not usual around here unless there’s a dance or a special time. Red high heels mean a fellow’s in the mix, being chased or chasing. That’s easy enough to see. Red high heels mean finery and a pitch at elegance. Silk underwear, the whole lot.”
Her face had not even reddened. “I guess I wore them maybe twice in my whole life. Once to Lonnie and Mella-Sue’s wedding, and once when Bran and me went down to Wellington to that hotel for the big centennial dance.” The way she tilted her head was as much recapture as Ben could assess, but that was plenty enough for him, grandmother or no grandmother.
“I’d look along the river a ways,” she said, pouring another mouthful of coffee in his cup. She shivered at her delivery, the vibrations very strong along her spine. It was part of her announcement. Conviction came in the tone of her voice.
Ben Perdy, subsequently in a couple of attempts, looked along the river and found nothing.
Two weeks later, the issue of the red high heels about the last thing on her mind, Molly saw an article in the paper about a missing woman, the wife of a rich industrialist. The woman’s husband had flown from the airport at Wellington to the capital. It was a night flight. When he came back the next morning his wife was not at home. After a few days she was declared missing. There was still no trace of her. Molly did not like it, the vibrations and the red shoes locking together in her mind.
She’d mention the shoes to Ben again. It was only right. Molly had found out small rumors and innuendoes about the flyer husband had surfaced. He was a lady’s man. Molly had called a few old pals. The rumors were persistent. The line of flight from Wellington to the capital, sitting at the Atlantic’s edge, went right down the Tennessee River, out of the hills and right over the huge spread of the coastal marshes, a thousand acres of saline and often brackish marshland sitting south of town, a salty delta full of tidal life. That knowledge set her tingling. Ben ought to know all that. It was only right. If he didn’t listen to another woman on this account, it would serve him right.
“I won’t tell you your job, Ben, but you know how things come at me. I plain think that poor girl was thrown out of that aeroplane. The whole thing stinks to high heaven. I just got this feeling invading me all of a sudden.”
“Molly, how in hell can I check out a thousand acres?” He swung around on the diner stool, nobody else yet in for breakfast.
Behind the counter those discernible hips of hers were making statements, of that he was sure, when she said, “You ain’t saying she ain’t worth the extra mile, that poor girl? And him flighty with another one don’t know her dues is coming. You saying that, Ben Perdy? Some people stay and pay their dues.”
If she wasn’t making a promise, she was providing decent room for one. The age-old tingle again became apparent somewhere south of his belt line, grandma or no grandma. He was thinking about prerogatives and intentions, and soon realized they didn’t mix with crime or details. A couple of times he and Marsh set out on one of Guy’s rental canoes, and plied their way through brackish pools, tide spills, and the tidal runs through parts of the marsh. Nothing was ever found. No lady belonging to the red high heels. No dancing lady no longer dancing.
Molly, at breakfast one day in the diner, said, “If I was you, Ben, I’d let someone down the capital have those shoes to check them out. Where they come from, like what store and such. Shoes like that come from city stores. Give them to that guy at the lab you know, and get them out of your mind. Most important, get them out of my mind. I keep thinking about that girl gone missing and her husband flying around doing his thing. That bugs the hell out of me.” She turned her back on him, leaned against the stove counter, her charms moving at him, slowly, relentlessly.
He suddenly realized she was charming him, using him. Not a wholly new thought either way, he thought he’d like to kiss her anyplace she wanted kissing.
It hit Ben Perdy that she knew what she was doing. That she couldn’t say any more than he could say; the two of them stuck in neutral, pleasant, hungry, but in a forced neutral gear. He was willing to wager that Branner Popp had known those measurements all the time.
The boys in their pursuit caught up with a few strange birds…and Ben Perdy made more assessments, more broad calculations. The laboratory proved by DNA checking that the shoes belonged to the missing woman. An investigation by capital police ensued. There would be an inquest, even without a body.
All vibrations had been noted, all electrical connections made and understood, all dalliance moved aside on the downside of life. Ben Perdy walked around the counter one morning shortly thereafter and put his arms around Molly and said, “I wasted enough time, Molly, ‘bout half my life. You still got them high heel shoes you wore to the centennial dance?”
The grid line moved, sparked. She smiled and said, “You ain’t as slow as I thought you were, Ben.”
Bio note: Sheehan, in his 91st year, has published 36 books (the 37th is near: “Alone, with the Good Graces,” as is “Jock Poems for Proper Bostonians,” (both from Pocol Press) and he has multiple works in Rosebud, Literally Stories, Linnet’s Wings, Serving House Journal, Copperfield Review, Literary Orphans, Eastlit, Frontier Tales, TQR Total Quality Reading, Rope & Wire, etc. He’s received 16 Pushcart nominations, 6 Best of Net nominations with one winner, and other awards., He served as a sgt. in the 31st Infantry in Korea 1951-52, graduated from Boston College in 1956. His most recent reading was about the First Iron Works in America for The Saugus Historical Society. | <urn:uuid:26003ce7-dbd8-4802-a797-71c1b62fea2a> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://deadmule.com/tom-sheehan-red-high-heels-at-the-river-august-2019/ | 2020-10-25T10:44:55Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107888931.67/warc/CC-MAIN-20201025100059-20201025130059-00600.warc.gz | en | 0.982727 | 4,502 |
Television and Film
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/ptg/ PRESIDENT TRUMP GENERAL - DUT EDITION
It's okay to be white
Rural retards of Jutland Denmark only has male candidates for local election
What is thing about blacks and Hispanics not getting along in the U.S.? Is it true...
Should I only go for virgin women?
/CBTS/ #305 - COMING BACK EDITION v.1.04
Come on wtf i voted for Trump but I’m not white my mom is Phillipino so yeah im not “white” but I still hate...
What do you make of this, Sup Forums? Is this where we're inevitably headed?
You wake up tomorrow and come to realize that you're back in 2004 with everything set to be accurate - no smartphone...
What does Sup Forums think of University? Is it a scam? Is there a better option?
/BMC/ - Boycott Muslim Companies
1) your country
Name a worst system than democracy
Prince George already a bully at age of 4
Sup Forums pls halp
MAKE HALF CHINESE BABIES
Sup Forums is wrong about marijuana
This is the man who went on the stabbing spree in Minnesota yesterday
Peterson creating climate of fear & intimidation
Necessity of a side hustle
/ptg/ PRESIDENT TRUMP GENERAL - CONTENT EDITION
Attention to ALL V4 countries. STAY STRONG AGAINST THE SHILLING. ((((THEY))) WILL NOT DIVIDE US
Lets turn the tables
DRAIN THE FUCKING SWAMP
Why is the communism logo so unaesthetic?
A Twelve-Year-Old Is Watching Porn
Communism will win
What is the biggest geopolitical fraud of the 20th century and why is it the Curzon Line?
Do you guys hold any weight to the
Let me get this straight...
ANOTHER ACCUSER against Roy Moore coming out today
Do you guys seriously wish for all Jews to be exterminated?
Why don't natsocs wish to be referred to as "Nazis"? They literally mean the exact same thing
Should We Bring Back Prohibition?
/CBTS/ #304 - COMING BACK EDITION v.1.03
Look at each of these kids in the eye, and tell them that you voted for Trump user
Why are you racist white crackers so racist? Racism is fucking stupid, yet you stupid white crackers always are racist
So now that Poland and Germany are enemies again
Force a meme about americans being racemixed
Massachusetts can't get enough of the lobsterbacks
The absolute state of our country
Fourteen million Germans were expelled and lost their homes, which meant that, at the end of the war...
Why are latinos so pathetic?
Little do they know it was actually Sup Forums
What is your honest opinion on this man and his political commentary?
Least contrubuting EU country
POLAND WILL SAVE EUROPE AGAIN
Immigrants are dum-
PRESIDENT TRUMP GENERAL - RESTORED OPTIMISM EDITION /ptg/
When does life begin?
The poor pay too much tax
Freedom of speech
Stop sacrificing the integrity of your morals for a political victory
How much are you on the hook for, Sup Forums?
Based Traditional Art - Less known Sup Forums artists
I fully support abortion, drug abuse, deadly viruses and anything that will get rid of the masses...
SEND SHIA TO DR PHILL
The USA lost the Vietnam wa-
Should I take this job?
Prince Charles, No!
Poland: A Nation of toilet scrubbers
Is there any logical reason that incest should be illegal?
Apologize right now
Is Soy really turning men effeminate?
I need help Sup Forums...
What are the best news sites?
Memes aside what is your opinion on my country?
Iron Pill thread
Why do shitskins lust for white women so much while claiming that they aren't inferior to us?
this triggers the uneducated inbred Conservashit
Be honest: why don't you believe in G-d?
Why does it Matter if America Becomes Non-White?
It's over. It's fucking over
What is your REAL opinion on Varg Virkenes?
Why are people so terrified of homeless people? The worst they'll do is scream in your face and then move on. In fact...
YOU ARE 6,5 % goyim
We must secure the future of our peo--
PRESIDENT TRUMP GENERAL - FAKE NEWS BTFO EDITION /ptg/
Is it realistic to be a neet and want a gf?
Marxism fest 2017 - I need you help lads
American here in India for work and i fucking hate this country
Can someone explain this guy's body to me? Especially the arms. How can this be?
Priming the pump for Biden
IT'S HAPPENING: JEW PLANS ON DOCUMENT
Israel's Foreign Ministry want's to imprison the organisers of Independence March in Poland
This kills the jews on this board
Can we retake it?
Spain starting to wake up
Sup Forums book recommendations
What do you think about the PESCO EU army initiative signed today?
Why are women allowed to vote?
America's downfall will probably save Europe. As you all know...
/CBTS/ #303 - COMING BACK EDITION v.1.02
Need a little advice
Brit/pol/: Road Trip edition
Sup Forums humor thread
Black guy who killed White teens screams BLACK LIVES MATTER at court
Smash or Pass. Already destroyed the one I have. Anyone else going to smash today?
Hispanics enslaved blacks
What happened Sup Forums?
This is low even for Trump
Better get it through your thick mind /pol!
Does the Internet scare you...
Mizrahi Jews are based
Why can't the Trumps do anything right? Looks like Donald Trump Jr is about to book a one-way ticket to snap city
Why is eastern europe not cucked ?
Is Bob Corker the last sane Republican left?
How does your country protect you from the mentally ill?
Should jews really lower themselves to date and marry goyim?
What exactly is “Xi Jinping Thought on New Era Chinese Socialism”?
/CBTS/ #302 - COMING BACK EDITION
Are there people here that actually unironically believe in god...
What is wrong with Western women and why do you white people keep coming here for our girls...
I'm considered a savant
I think indians are fucking amazing! what you think
Leader of the free world
I never dated an underaged girl without her parents permission
>falling for the Poland meme
Trump will lose in 2020 to Bernie Sanders
The new face of white sumpremacy
What the fuck is going on?
Do you think white people will still exist in 1000 years in the future?
I really love listening to you little piss-ant "soldiers" trying to talk tough. You make me laugh. If Clanton was here...
/moving to idaho/
Old pic, new rant I am so over men. Men are BY FAR the perpetrators of most violent crimes...
/ptg/ PRESIDENT TRUMP GENERAL - AWOO EDITION
Why do Americans not believe in Climate Change?
Radicalized Leftist KILLING SPREE Plot Thwarted
Biden refuses to answer if he is running in 2020
What would realistically happen if the USA completely cut off Israel?
Trump exposed as a Sup Forumstard
Media silence after 20,000 strong Muslim mob burned down a Hindu village in Bangladesh
Sweden needs more immigrants
>This scares and confuses the Jew
Greeks are albanians
Should the US adopt mandatory military service?
Rise of the bromance is bad for women
Sweden makes me wanna believe in god
Post your face when the final showdown will be between Israel and ISIS, and the Jews will end up saving the world
Should Hiba marry her cousin Sup Forums?
Will future technology make transgenders commonplace
Shaun King Purveyor of White Genocide
Tax his land, tax his wage
Average of life span will become 100 years old
Poland and 20-something other EU countries just signed a military union PESCO...
600,000 Muslims forced out Rakhine
What the fuck is wrong with these people?
/CBTS/ #301 - GEOTE EDITION
I have made up my mind that I can no longer live in a country where trump is president...
A WORLD WITHOUT BLACK POEPLE
Anyone notice how this Christmas will be the most Anti-White yet?
Well, congrats America
Any mongol Sup Forumsacks going to celebrate the independence day at the 612 march?
Well mates. Looks like we've lost
The Bible is a little bit different from the stuff that Catholics have
(((German Government))) Clumsily Admits To Supporting Regime Change In Poland
What the fuck is wrong with Britain?
Will I go to hell, Sup Forums?
Who else used to watch Jimmy fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, James Corden etc...
Syria General /sg/- Traditionalist Edition
This is a fuck load of cancer waiting to happen
So when is the next episode out?
Pride and reaction
I am a Turkish nationalist. Ask me anything (no trolling)
Why doesn't Western Europe only import gay men from third world?
Why is pic related allowed by society and her parents?
Fucking libtard snowflakes chimping out over free speech
Do you support Pan-European Nationalism?
David why haven't you named the Jew?
I have universal health care AMA
FUCK. Roy Moore is losing. We're fucked, anons
Something is missing
Interracial relationships are booming because of online dating. Thoughts?
Bangladeshi security forces, particularly the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)...
Let's discuss our neighbours, Ireland
/ptg/ PRESIDENT TRUMP GENERAL - FULLY-AUTOMATIC SHITPOSTING EDITION
Why did God make pedophiles?
You are in the seat of the most powerful country in the world, what are your first orders?
New Yugoslavia thread
Can Sup Forums explain how it got so full of roleplaying retards?
Can we all agree on one thing?
Fuck Duterte, the New People's Army is the future of the Philippines
Monday Night QandA Livewatch
CBTS #300: RELOADED
Oy vey some really bad goys made the hitler-salute on a visit to Auschwitz
LAST CBTS THREADS GOT DELETED!
You are given the problem to try and solve the African American problem in the US. What you say, will be done
Why are south Indians so retarded Even while living in the richest part of the country?
AN-HIRO OLD SQUAD: IN THE PUN-JAB TIFFIN JOLLY GOOD
Ali[c]e [i]n Wonderl[a]nd
Iran-Iraq earthquake: death toll rises to 335
What did they mean by this?
I wonder if any South Africans might describe what it feels like to live as a white minority in terms of political...
Is there a more brilliant
Sup Forums will defend this
Where were you when Poland saved Europe?
Duterte gives his remarks
Jews are Alt-Right
Are schools obsolete in a time all the human knowledge is in the palm of your hand?
John A. Macdonald statue defaced
NK SOLDIER SHOT
How / why do so many muslims have expensive cars Sup Forums?
As I see it, there are only two ways out of the Korean problem
Annual Age of Consent Debate
Well Sup Forums?
Wake up tomorrow
Why do so many believe in God despite the fact that there is zero evidence for its existence?
When you realize that Karadzic was right all along about the Muslims
BREAKING: NORTH KOREAN SOLDIER DEFECTS
Meanwhile in the Melbourne CBD earlier this evening
IT'S FUCKING HAPPENING
WHATABOUTISM BY CURRENT YEAR MAN
The new New Zealander
83yr old gay Karl Lagerfeld on Merkel's immigration policies
Why does society force women to cover up their breasts?
Brit/pol/ - Nick Griffin edition
Duterte shuts down Jim Acosta
Sup Forums BTFO
Europe is signing PESCO today - the joint EU military
7 shot in single incident in Indiana
When will you accept that capitalism and nationalism are fundamentally at odds with each other...
WTF i love vietnam now?
And now, a word from Stanford’s top population biologists
Can a European Jew be part of the good goy's club? Is that a thing?
Why did the white man fail to colonize japan?
Steve bannon is a fucking genius
Jews call our national anthem anti-semitic
You guys are really OK with this?
How could you, America? ICE COLD
Antifa member here
All these shills are getting to me
So it begins, EU wants to levy taxes
Trump is a faggot
THE PEDO REDILL. HOW THEY PULL THE STRINGS
The Mongrel meme is killing Sup Forums
/ptg/ PRESIDENT TRUMP GENERAL - SKATING TOWARDS A BETTER TOMORROW EDITION
My sister is dating a undesirable
You can only post ITT if your country's leader isn't a cuck
Ok we know all about left-wing cults and occult practices...but what about right-wing...
Requesting autisc support
CBTS #277: PUBLIC ALLEGIANCE EDITION
If we can't even protect our ponies there's no hope for the west
New war against tumblr war pt 2
Possible shill operation
I AM A REAL AMERICAN
Duterte is 9000% /ourguy/
I noticed that a large amount of women in the far right are borderline schizophrenic...
ITT: People who did nothing wrong
Lauren Southern: degenerate with no kids, has been BLACKED, possibly Jewish
Meet the 8-Year-Old Boy Who Transforms Into a Drag Queen Named Lactatia
Kraut and Tea Is a CUCK
Trump chuckles when Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte calls media 'spies' after question on human rights
The unsung hero
UH HUH OH OH NO NO NO NO NO NO HUAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAHAHA AHAHAHA AHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAHAHA...
Can Sup Forums weaponize its autism and find a collection of news stories that contradict this libshit meme?
How can Hitler even compete?
How much of your racism came from your parents, pol? Or did you come to be racist from your experiences in life?
Im currently watching this movie and it got me wondering, what is the best Sup Forums kino? (that isn't a documentary)
Why haven't you joined the marines yet, Sup Forums? Too pussy? Scared of commitment and honor...
Does having a big dick lead to degeneracy?
How can we collapse western civilisation while whites are still a majority...
How long until this is normal within the cities?
Why do chimps constantly chimp out?
SOMETHING VERY BIG
Krauts new video
Trump hits it off with Duterte
Kill 99% of Jews worldwide randomly
A P O L O G I Z E
Brit/pol/ - Anglo-Celtic Bloodlines edition
/ptg/ PRESIDENT TRUMP GENERAL - "NOTHING is Happening; Go Back to Sleep" EDITION
CALI HATE THREAD
Is this America's best kept secret?
CIA mutt memes - Ameriorc addition
Trump Raped a 13 year old in 1994. Is blackmailed by Israel
Why is Sup Forums so good at what they do? Why is Sup Forums the best? Why is Sup Forums never wrong...
Really jogs the noggin
How can I solidify my position on abortion?
/PHIL/ - Philosophy General
ITT: We Larp as Americans
New anti christ cuck memes
A god amongst men
How is anarcho communism not racist? like who said that the collective group shouldn't be of people's choice...
Tfw you have to get an abortion again
CBTS #276: NIGHT IS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN EDITION
Blair White "attack" is fake as fuck
Jewish IQ myth
/ptg/ PRESIDENT TRUMP GENERAL - "Important Trump Thingy Coming Up VERY Soon" EDITION
What do you think the implications of this picture is?
There is literally nothing wrong with being Canadian. Also fuck Australia
/MEGA/ Make England Great Again
Who is creating such memes? I have never seen a meme spreading so fast. Who is behind this memefactory
What was the deal with the airliner photo?
Roastie Tropes Thread Post Your Best
STEFAN MOLYNEUX ANNIHILATES Sup Forums
This guy is doing more good for the world than Sup Forums ever will
Damn, these niggas got me
I'm a PROUD AMERICAN PATRIOT i support our GREAT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA to stop the GLOBALISTS and...
All muslims are like ISIS
Niggers are stupid and never invented anythin-
What does Sup Forums do?
So let me get this straight Sup Forums
Americans, we need to talk about your constructions. Why do Jews have you build gingerbread houses?
Ask Me Anything Anarcho-Communist Edition
WikiLeaks Vault8 Release debunks Russian hacking
Men, I have a question for you, female to male
Should people 75 and older be allowed to vote?
When Trump was told what he said, Trump said “Oh, he did? Well, that’s not nice...
WHY DOESN'T Sup Forums SPAM YT VID COMMENTS?
Proof white racism exists, debate closed
/ptg/ PRESIDENT TRUMP GENERAL - WASCALLY PWESIDENT EDITION
Why is seeing a black person working in I.T so rare?
*eats human flesh*
US debt hits 20.5 trillion $
Europeans will defend this
How the fuck do women rationalize statements like these? Women's rights were a fucking mistake
CBTS #275: TRUMP SPEAKS EDITION
Return to you Pre-Christian/Indo-European (Aryan) roots
Show Me Your Rarest Merchants
Jesus was nice to the je-
Have you ever called a black person nigger to their face?
YouTube is AIDS
My parents are racist and told me they won't accept a non-white girl...
What happens here?
When will Donald Trump will Complete the System of German Idealism?
/pol tell me the rank of the Punjabi race
Mall of America Suspect Identified
I’m American but fuck it: Post your best Amerimutts
Stop targeting Abigail Shapiro...
Many of you are thinking "haha fucking turks and their jokes", but you should know that NONE of us are joking...
You're jealous of Jews for having a higher IQ
The Warrior-King Who Saved Europe from Islam
What did he know?
Would you support Cenk Uygur of TYT in a bid for democratic candidate as president of the United States?
We must secure the future of our peo--
/ptg/ PRESIDENT TRUMP GENERAL - *Neil Young-ing Intensifies* EDITION
SKYKING SKYKING anons grab yourself a blanket and get /comfy/
Why don't you own an AR-15 for self-defense, and to protect your family, friends and country?
New Social Fap Thread
Quads in thread: I push the lever, cut off my dick
This my cat Mousey say something nice
Be me 18 y/o Turk living in Germany
What loli part is best loli part?
Op here of kristin ama
New FB IG VSCO
It's Caturday, post cats
Got a girl solidly passed out on my couch in my apartment, wat should I do to her anons?
I love being a stripper. I make $300+ a day (after tip out), I can come to work and leave whenever I please...
Rekt. Lets do it
Wwyd thread be brutal as you want
Whats the best way to insult a german
Does the busdriver notice if i steal
COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR???? WHICH ONE
Hot for teacher thread: candids preferred or in general clasroom pics; only real teachers pls
Texas thread. Bonus for 903
If you were paid 200000 a year to be permanently naked- would you? You would have full immunity to any legal trouble... | <urn:uuid:c52afcf8-4629-410e-ab51-5bec8d0c3c73> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://supforums.com/archive/politics/1492.html | 2020-10-25T11:26:18Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107888931.67/warc/CC-MAIN-20201025100059-20201025130059-00600.warc.gz | en | 0.878027 | 7,972 |
I closed out our Epiphany series through Galatians by tackling my least favorite passage of scripture, excepting Proverbs and James.
“Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.”
Thanks to having binge-watched season 7 of Game of Thrones this weekend I can scratch fornication off of Paul’s list.
And Thursday afternoon I had a meeting with Steve, one of our lay leaders, so, as inexorable as water around a rock, I had quarrels, factions, and dissension checked off that list in under an hour.
You can ask Ali about my envy. She’ll tell you it’s not easy for me to be green.
The bible tells you so about my idolatry but my bank account and my Facebook feed and my every day could confirm it for you.
Just last week we took our boys to Harry Potter World at Universal Studios and we bought both of them not only magical wands but robes- sorcerer’s robes- and not even robes from House Gryffindor, the good guys, but from Slytherin, the House of the Dark Lord.
So, sorcery? Check
Not to mention, this was Orlando, where even 2 traveler’s tablets of Advil at Disney World cost $11.00, therefore those 2 wands and those 2 sorcerer’s robes set me back- before tax- approximately $900.00.
But Ali insisted we were there “to make memories.”
Don’t forget, I went to UVA and Princeton where drunkenness and carousing and licentiousness are practically club sports.
So check and check and check.
And thanks to Trump’s stock market- I mean, Obama’s stock market- I can cross off enmity and strife and even impure thoughts of rage and violence.
When it comes to the works of the flesh, I’ve got them covered.
If this were a Honey-Do List, I’ve done them all.
I’m like a brown-noser of bad behavior.
And don’t lie- that’s on another naughty list- you’ve got this list pretty well covered too. Sure, given how sexy I am it’s not your fault I afflict you with impure, licentious thoughts, but the other items on this list- those are on you.Anger, quarrels, dissension, factions- you all check those off just by how you treat Dennis on a day-to-day basis.
And I’ve heard about the adult pool parties in the summer (Riverside Gardens, Stratford Landing, I’m looking at you). Nearly all of you should take out your bibles and a red pen right now and scratch off drunkenness, carousing, and maybe fornication too.
Seriously, I’ve been here long enough to know that most of you all are just one bad day away from tales that would make the tabloids if you were famous.
Most of you would love to have a John Kelly keeping your secrets.
I’ve got this list covered and so do you. This list- this is us.
What about that other list?
“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
How are you doing with that list?
Generosity? How about we pass the offering plate again and then ask you to answer?
Maybe it’s just me. Maybe you don’t hear this list as an accusation. Maybe you don’t think Christianity is easier said than done. Maybe for you every Sunday here doesn’t feel like an appointment with a Great Physician who lies and tells you you won’t feel a thing.
If so, congratulations. Gold star to you.
As of me, right after the entire Book of James, without a doubt, this is my least favorite piece of scripture. Thank God ‘truthfulness’ isn’t on this list because then I’d have to be honest with you. I’d have to own up to the fact that not even my own mother would use 8 of those 9 attributes to describe me.
I just turned 40.
I’ve been a Christian- or at least I was thought I was a Christian- for 22 years. I have 2 theology degrees. I have thousands of books on Christianity in my office. I know several psalms by heart, and I can recite John 13 from memory- in Greek. But if this is what a genuine, authentic, Holy Spirit-filled Christian does on a daily basis, I’m a fraud.
I mean, I’ve got ‘love’ down, I guess.
I love my kids.
Of course, I love my kids. How could I not? They think I’m awesome.
I tell my wife I love her, and sometimes I show her it’s true. I tell myself I love God and I tell you that I even comprehend what that means. I’m good at preaching about how we should love our enemies, but I’m not even sure if ‘Chase’ is my neighbor’s first name or last. So, I’ve got ‘love’ down.
22 years and, at best, as far as I can tell, on a consistent basis I’m 1 for 9.
If 9/9 is the expectation for who we will be and what we will do on Jesus, then Jesus just ought to give back the heart I gave to him all those years ago. Because even my mommy would tell you, my basket of fruit is so bare nothing but blind faith could ever lead you to believe it won’t always be so.
Forget crock-pots and melodrama, staring down 1/9- this is us. This is us.
Dorothy Fortenberry is a Hollywood screenwriter who writes The Handmaid’s Tale for Hulu. In post-Christian California, Fortenberry is also unabashedly religious not spiritual. In an essay in the Los Angeles Review of Books, she explains her odd habit of going to church every Sunday.
“The single most annoying thing a nonreligious person can say, in my opinion, isn’t that religion is oppressive or that religious people are brainwashed.
It’s the kind, patronizing way that nonreligious people have of saying, “You know, sometimes I wish I were religious. It must be so comforting.”
I do not find religion to be comforting in the way that I think nonreligious people mean it.
It is not comforting to know quite as much as I do about how weaselly and weak-willed I am when it comes to being as generous as Jesus demands.
Thanks to church, I have a much stronger sense of the sort of person I would like to be, and every Sunday I am forced to confront all the ways in which I fail, daily.
Nothing promotes self-awareness like turning down an opportunity to bring children to visit their incarcerated parents. Or avoiding shifts at the food bank. Or calculating just how much I will put in the collection basket.
Thanks to church, I have looked deeply into my own heart and found it to be of merely small-to-medium size.
None of this is particularly comforting.
I come to sit next to people, well aware of all we don’t have in common, and face together in the same direction because we’re all broken individuals united only by our brokenness, traveling together to ask to be fixed. It’s like a subway car. It’s like the DMV.
Church is like The Wizard of Oz: we are each missing something, and there is a person in a flowing robe whom we trust to hand over the promise that the something we’re missing will be provided.”
Note the passive voice.
We’re all missing something and we’re here to receive the promise that the something we’re missing will be provided.
When we hear this list as telling us who we should be or what we ought to do- in Paul’s terms- we twist this from Gospel back into Law.
As a Christian, you should be generous. As a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, you ought to be patient and kind. Become more gentle and joy-filled! That way of hearing turns this list into the Law.
And that’s my first point.
(I know, another 3-point sermon! I may not be kind but I can be consistent.)
This is my first point:
This list is not the Law.
It is descriptive; it is not prescriptive. It’s proclamation; it’s not exhortation. They are indicatives. They are not imperatives. Paul says: “The fruit of the Spirit is patience.” Paul does not say: “Become more patient.” To turn the fruit of the Spirit into aspirations or expectations of who you will be or what you will do as a Christian is to stumble back into the Law just like the Galatians.
As Paul said earlier, if the Law is in any way necessary for us to follow then Jesus Christ died for absolutely no reason.
To hear this list as goals or, worse, a code of conduct is to hear it as Law, and the Law, Paul says, always accuses, reminding you of who you’re not, what you’re lacking, how inadequate and imperfect and incomplete you are.
As Law, this list just reinforces the message you see and hear in ads 3,000 times a day: You’re not good enough.
If it’s Law then this just accuses us because there’s always more money you could’ve left in the plate, there’s always someone for whom you have neither patience nor kindness, there’s always days- if you’re like me, whole weeks even- when you have no joy.
But this list is not Law and your lack of joy or gentleness does not make you an incomplete or inauthentic Christian.
Because notice- After Paul describes the works of the flesh, the works we do, Paul doesn’t pivot to our ‘works of faithfulness.’ Paul doesn’t say ‘the works of the flesh are these…but the works of faith are these…’ No, he changes the voice completely.
He shifts from the active voice to a passive image: fruit. He says Fruit of the Spirit not Works of Faith.
You see, the opposite of our vice isn’t our virtue.
The opposite of our vice is the vine of which we are but the branches. When Paul speaks of our life lived in light of the Gospel, he shifts to a passive image.
What you do not hear in any vineyard is the sound of anyone’s effort.
Except the Gardener.
Fruit do not grow themselves; fruit are the byproduct of a plant made healthy. To think that you’re responsible for cultivating joy and kindness in your life now that you’re a Christian is to miss Paul’s entire point- his point that, apart from Christ’s bleeding and dying for you, you are dead in your sins.
Apart from the grace of God in Jesus Christ you are a dead plant, but by your baptism you have been made alive such that now in you and through you the Holy Spirit can grow fruit.
This list is not the Law because the fruit of the Spirit is the fruit of the Gospel.
It’s not fruit you gotta go get or do. It’s passive. It’s not what you do but what the pardon of God produces in you in spite of still sinful you.
In quantifying, life-hacking culture of constant self-improvement, this passive image of fruit might be the most counter-cultural part of Christianity. It’s counter to much of Christian culture too. On the Left and the Right, so much of Christianity nowadays is just another version of what’s on your Fitbit. It’s all about behavior modification.
But what Paul is getting at here in his list is not the Law. It’s not about you becoming a better you. Tomato plants do not have agency. It’s not about you becoming a better you. It’s about God making you new. Joy, gentleness, peace and patience- these are not the attributes by which you work your way to heaven. This is the work heaven is doing in you here on earth.
And that’s my second point:
The fruit of the Spirit are for your neighbor.
When you hear Paul’s list as Law, you think that this is prescription for who you must be and what you must do in order to be right before God.
But the Gospel is that Christ by his obedience has fulfilled all the righteousness that the Law requires of you. He’s fulfilled the demands of the Law for you. And he bore all your failures to follow the Law upon the cross. Because of Jesus Christ, though you are not, God reckons you as righteous. God credits Christ’s righteousness to you as though it were your own.
The Law, Paul has said, no longer has any power to condemn you. There is now, Paul says in Romans, no condemnation for those who are in Christ and to whom his righteousness has been imputed. Your sins are forgiven, once for all.
You are fit for heaven just as you are:
impatient and unkind, frequently faithless, and often harsh and out of control.
Every work of faith has already been done for you. As gift. And its yours by faith not by works.
No work you do, no fruit you yield, adds anything to what Christ has already done for you. Everything. He’s done everything already.
God’s not counting. God’s forgotten how to count.
The God who longer counts your trespasses isn’t counting your good works either (thank God).
God’s neither a score-keeper nor a fruit counter.
The Gospel is that you are justified in Christ alone by grace alone through faith. Alone.
The fruit of the Gospel is not for your justification. It’s for your neighbor. It’s a community garden the Spirit is growing in you.
God doesn’t need your love or your peace or your patience. God certainly doesn’t need your generosity. God doesn’t need any of them, but your neighbor does.
I mean, Paul’s repeated it like 100 times thus far:
For freedom Christ has set you free.
Christ didn’t set you free for fruit.
Christ freed you for freedom. Not for a return on his investment.
Christ freed you for freedom. Not so you can clean yourself up and get your act together.
Christ freed you for freedom. Not so you can go out and earn back what he paid for you. And not so you can build a Kingdom only he can bring.
Paul’s not blinking and he’s not BS-ing.
For freedom Christ has set you free.
There’s no one else you have to be before God.
And there’s nothing else you have to do for God.
But for the sake of your neighbor…God will yet make you loving and gentle and joyous.
You see, the question that the fruit of the Spirit should provoke in you is NOT “What must I do now that God has saved me?”
No, the question the fruit of the Spirit should lead you to ask is this one: “What work is God doing in me and through me-in spite of sinful me- for the sake of my neighbor?” And the answer to that question can only come to us by the same route our justification comes: by faith alone.
And that leads to my final point: the fruit of the Spirit teach us that not only are you justified by faith apart from your works, very often you’re justified by faith apart from your everyday experience.
By faith apart from your feelings.
Forget Christmas and the resurrection, in no small part, what it means to have faith is to believe about you what your feelings can’t seem to corroborate.
The biggest obstacle to faith isn’t science- only an idiot would think that.
The biggest obstacle to faith is your mirror.
I know it about a whole lot of you. Surely you know it about you too. You’re not always kind or patient or generous.
Yet the Gospel promises and the Gospel invites you to believe that the Holy Spirit is at work like a patient Gardener to yield in you and harvest from you kindness and patience and generosity.
And that’s an even bigger leap of faith than it sounds because because the word Paul uses for ‘fruit’ in Greek is singular. As in, it’s all one gift: Love and joy and peace and patience and kindness and all the rest. God’s working all of it, every one of them, in you. Even though you might feel at best you have only a few of them.
God’s working all of them, every one of them, in you. Which makes the Spirit’s work in you is as mysterious and invisible as what the Spirit does to water and wine and bread and the word.
The fruit of the Spirit is a matter of faith not feeling.
By your baptism in to his death and resurrection, you are in Jesus Christ.
No ifs, ands, or buts. Nothing else is necessary.
And if you are in Christ, then the Spirit is at work in you.
No exceptions. No conditions. No qualifications.
No matter what your life looks like
No matter what you see when you look into the mirror
No matter how up and down, there and back again, is your faith
No matter how bare feel your basket to be.
If you are in Christ, Christ’s Spirit is in you.
And the pardon of God is powerful to produce in you what your eyes cannot see and what your feelings cannot confirm.
God works in mysterious ways, we say all the time without realizing each of us who are in Jesus Christ are one of those mysteries.
Joy, peace, love, gentleness…as unbelievable as seems…this is us.
Dorothy Fortenberry is on in the mystery and puts it better than me:
“Being a screenwriter in Los Angeles is like being on a perpetual second date with everyone you know. You strive to be your most charming, delightful, quirky-but-not-damaged self because you never know what will come of the encounter.
Being on a perpetual second date can get exhausting.
Constantly feeling that you should be meeting people, impressing people, shocking people (just the right amount) is a strange way to live your life.
And one of the reasons that I go to church is that church is the opposite of that.
I do not impress anyone at church. I do not say anything surprising or charming, because the things I say are rote responses that someone else decided on centuries ago.
I am not special at church, and this is the point. Because (according to the ridiculous, generous, imperfectly applied rules of my religion) we are all equally bad and equally beloved children of God.
We are all exactly the same amount of sinful and special. The things that I feel proud of can’t help me here, and the things that I feel ashamed by are beside the point.
I’m a person but, for 60 minutes, I’m not a personality. Even better, I’m not my personality because Church is not about how I feel.
It’s about faith.
It’s about looking at the light until our eyes water, waiting to receive the promise that the something missing in us (love or joy, or peace) will be provided. | <urn:uuid:e3e1f98c-dafb-42bc-8e57-07a2586d90e9> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | http://tamedcynic.org/tag/sanctification/ | 2020-10-26T18:46:38Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107891624.95/warc/CC-MAIN-20201026175019-20201026205019-00680.warc.gz | en | 0.949993 | 4,335 |
“Maud Shade was eighty when a sudden hush
Fell on her life. We saw the angry flush
And torsion of paralysis assail
Her noble cheek. We moved her to Pinedale,
Famed for its sanitarium. There she’d sit
In the glassed sun and watch the fly that lit
Upon her dress and then upon her wrist.
Her mind kept fading in the growing mist.
She still could speak. She paused, and groped, and found
What seemed at first a serviceable sound,
But from adjacent cells impostors took
The place of words she needed, and her look
Spelt imploration as she fought in vain
To reason with the monsters in her brain.”
― Vladimir Nabokov, Pale Fire
What is Dementia?
Dementia is defined by a loss of previous levels of cognitive, executive, and memory function in a state of full alertness (Bourgeois, Seaman, & Servis, 2008).
- Dementia has a slow, insidious onset, and is chronic, progressive, and irreversible.
Statistics and Incidences
Cases of dementia are increasing due to longer life expectancy of the world population.
- There are four clinical dementia syndromes accounting for 90% of all cases after excluding other common reversible causes of cognitive impairment.
- The rise in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is alarming and is expected to double every 20 years, from 47 million people in 2015 to 75 million people in 2030 and 131 million in 2050.
Following are major etiologic categories for the syndrome of dementia:
- Dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. The exact disease of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown, but several theories have been proposed, such as reduction in brain acetylcholine, the formation of plaques and tangles, serious head trauma, and genetic factors. Pathologic changes in the brain include atrophy, enlarged ventricles, and the presence of numerous neurofibrillary plaques and tangles.
- Vascular Dementia. This type of dementia is caused by significant cerebrovascular disease. The client suffers the equivalent of small strokes caused by arterial hypertension or cerebral emboli or thrombi, which destroy many areas of the brain. The onset of symptoms is more abrupt than in AD and runs a highly variable course, progressing in steps rather than a gradual deterioration.
- Dementia due to HIV disease. The immune dysfunction associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can lead to brain infections by other organisms. HIV also appears to cause dementia directly.
- Dementia due to head trauma. The syndrome of symptoms associated with dementia can be brought on by a traumatic head injury.
- Dementia due to Lewy Body Disease. Clinically, Lewy Body disease is fairly similar to AD,; however, it tends to progress more rapidly, and there is an earlier appearance of visual hallucinations and parkinsonian features (Rabins et al, 2006). This disorder is distinctive by the presence of Lewy bodies-eosinophilic inclusion bodies- seen in the cerebral cortex and brainstem (Andreasen and Black, 2006).
- Dementia due to Parkinson’s disease. Parkinsons’s disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the substantia nigra of the basal ganglia. The symptoms of dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease closely resemble those of AD.
- Dementia due to Huntington’s disease. This disease is transmitted as a Mendelian dominant gene, and damage occurs in the areas of the basal ganglia and the cerebral cortex.
- Dementia due to Pick’s disease. Pathology occurs from atrophy in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Symptoms are strikingly similar to those of AD, and Pick’s disease is often misdiagnosed as AD.
- Dementia due to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. This form of dementia is caused by a transmissible agent known as a “slow virus” or prion. The clinical presentation is typical of the syndrome of dementia and the course is extremely rapid, with progressive deterioration and death within one year after onset.
- Dementia due to other general medical conditions. A number of other general medical conditions can cause dementia. Some of these include endocrine conditions, pulmonary disease, hepatic or renal failure, cardiopulmonary insufficiency, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, frontal or temporal lobe lesions, uncontrolled epilepsy, central nervous system or systemic infections, and other neurological conditions.
- Substance-induced Persisting Dementia. This type of dementia is related to the persisting effects of substances such as alcohol, inhalants, sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, other medications, and environmental toxins.
The following symptoms have been identified with the syndrome of dementia:
- Memory impairment. Impaired ability to learn new information or to recall previously learned information.
- Impairment in abstract thinking, judgment, and impulse control.
- Impairment in language ability, such as difficulty naming objects. In some instances, the individual may not speak at all (aphasia).
- Personality changes are common.
- Impaired ability to perform motor activities despite intact motor abilities (apraxia).
- Disorientation. Patient may feel disoriented regarding current place, time, o names of persons they are close with.
- Wandering. Because of disorientation, patient with dementia may often wander from one place to another.
- Delusions are common (particularly delusions of persecution).
Assessment and Diagnostic Findings
Laboratory tests can be performed to rule out other conditions that may cause cognitive impairment.
- Complete blood cell count (CBC). Abnormalities in complete blood cell count and cobalamin levels require further workup to rule out hematologic disease.
- Liver enzyme levels. Abnormalities found in screening of liver enzyme levels require further workup to rule out hepatic disease.
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Abnormalities in thyroid-stimulating hormone levels require further workup to rule thyroid disease.
- Rapid plasma reagent. Abnormalities in rapid plasma reagent (RPR) require further workup to rule out syphilis.
- HIV serology. Abnormalities in HIV serology and/or PCR require further workup to rule out HIV/AIDS.
- Paraneoplastic antibodies. Abnormalities in paraneoplastic antibodies require further workup to rule out autoimmune encephalitis.
- CSF proteins. Abnormalities in CSF proteins tau, P-tau, and 14-3-3 require further workup to rule out Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
To date, only symptomatic therapies are available and thus do not act on the evolution of the disease.
- Experimental therapies. A variety of experimental therapies have been proposed for dementia; these include anti-amyloid therapy, reversal of excess tau phosphorylation, estrogen therapy, vitamin E therapy, and free radical scavenger therapy; however, results of these studies have yielded disappointing results.
- Dietary measures. There are no special dietary considerations for dementia; however, caprylidene (Axona) is a prescription medical food that is metabolized into ketone bodies, and the brain can use these ketone bodies for energy when its ability to process glucose is impaired. Brain-imaging scans of older adults and persons with dementia reveal dramatically decreased uptake of glucose.
- Physical activity. Routine physical activity and exercise may have an impact on dementia progression and may perhaps have a protective effect on brain health; the patient’s surroundings should be safe and familiar; maintaining structured routines may be helpful to decrease patient’s stress in regard to meals, medication, and other therapeutic activities aimed at maintaining cognitive functioning.
The mainstay of therapy for patients with dementia is the use of centrally acting cholinesterase inhibitors to attempt to compensate for the depletion of acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.
- Cholinesterase inhibitors. Cholinesterase inhibitors are used to palliate cholinergic deficiency.
- N-Methyl-D-Aspartate antagonists. The only drug in the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist class that is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration is memantine; this agent may be used alone or in combination with AChE inhibitors.
- Nutritional supplement. Medical foods are dietary supplements intended to compensate specific nutritional problems caused by a disease or condition; caprylidene is indicated for clinical dietary management of metabolic processes associated with mild to moderate dementia.
The nursing management of a client with dementia include the following:
Assessment of a client with dementia include the following:
- Psychiatric interview. The psychiatric interview must contain a description of the client’s mental status with a thorough description of behavior, flow of thought and speech, affect, thought processes and mental content, sensorium and intellectual resources, cognitive status, insight, and judgment.
- Serial assessment. Serial assessment of psychiatric status is necessary for determining fluctuating course and acute changes in mental status, interviews with family members should be included and can be crucial in the treatment of infants and young children with cognitive disorders.
- Risk for trauma related to disorientation or confusion.
- Risk for self-directed or other-directed violence related to delusional thinking.
- Chronic confusion related to alteration in structure/function of brain tissue.
- Self-care deficit related to cognitive impairment.
- Risk for falls related to cognitive impairment.
Nursing Care Planning and Goals
The major nursing care planning goals for dementia are:
- Client will accept explanations of inaccurate interpretation within the environment.
- With assistance from caregiver, client will be able to interrupt non-reality-based thinking.
The nursing interventions for a dementia client are:
- Orient client. Frequently orient client to reality and surroundings. Allow client to have familiar objects around him or her; use other items, such as a clock, a calendar, and daily schedules, to assist in maintaining reality orientation.
- Encourage caregivers about patient reorientation. Teach prospective caregivers how to orient client to time, person, place, and circumstances, as required. These caregivers will be responsible for client safety after discharge from the hospital.
- Enforce with positive feedback. Give positive feedback when thinking and behavior are appropriate, or when client verbalizes that certain ideas expressed are not based in reality. Positive feedback increases self-esteem and enhances desire to repeat appropriate behavior.
- Explain simply. Use simple explanations and face-to-face interaction when communicating with client. Do not shout message into client’s ear. Speaking slowly and in a face-to-face position is most effective when communicating with an elderly individual experiencing a hearing loss.
- Discourage suspiciousness of others. Express reasonable doubt if client relays suspicious beliefs in response to delusional thinking. Discuss with the client the potential personal negative effects of continued suspiciousness of others.
- Avoid cultivation of false ideas. Do not permit rumination of false ideas. When this begins, talk to client about real people and real events.
- Observe client closely. Close observation of client’s behavior is indicated if delusional thinking reveals an intention for violence. Client safety is a nursing priority.
The outcome criteria for a patient with dementia include:
- With assistance from caregiver, client is able to distinguish between reality-based and non-reality based thinking.
- Prospective caregivers are able to verbalize ways in which to orient client to reality, as needed.
Documentation needed for a client with dementia include the following:
- Individual findings, including factors affecting, interactions, nature of social exchanges, specifics of individual behavior.
- Cultural and religious beliefs, and expectations.
- Plan of care.
- Teaching plan.
- Responses to interventions, teaching, and actions performed.
- Attainment or progress toward the desired outcome.
Practice Quiz: Dementia
Quiz time about the topic! For more practice questions, visit our NCLEX practice questions page.
In Exam Mode: All questions are shown but the results, answers, and rationales (if any) will only be given after you’ve finished the quiz.
Practice Quiz: Dementia
Practice Mode: This is an interactive version of the Text Mode. All questions are given in a single page and correct answers, rationales or explanations (if any) are immediately shown after you have selected an answer. No time limit for this exam.
Practice Quiz: Dementia
Text Mode: All questions and answers are given on a single page for reading and answering at your own pace. Be sure to grab a pen and paper to write down your answers.
1. Edward, a 66-year-old client with slight memory impairment and poor concentration, is diagnosed with primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. Early signs of this dementia include subtle personality changes and withdrawal from social interactions. To assess for progression to the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease, the nurse should observe the client for:
1. Answer: B. Impaired communication.
- Option B: Signs of advancement to the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease include exacerbated cognitive impairment with obvious personality changes and impaired communication, such as inappropriate conversation, actions, and responses.
- Options A and C: Initially, memory impairment may be the only cognitive deficit in a client with Alzheimer’s disease. During the early stage of this disease, subtle personality changes may also be present. However, other than occasional irritable outbursts and lack of spontaneity, the client is usually cooperative and exhibits socially appropriate behavior.
- Option D: During the late stage, the client can’t perform self-care activities and may become mute.
2. Nurse Pauline is aware that Dementia, unlike delirium, is characterized by:
A. Slurred speech.
B. Insidious onset.
C. Clouding of consciousness.
D. Sensory perceptual change.
2. Answer: B. insidious onset.
- Option B: Dementia has a gradual onset and progressive deterioration. It causes pronounced memory and cognitive disturbances.
- Options A, C, and D: These are all characteristics of delirium.
3. The nurse is aware that the following ways in vascular dementia different from Alzheimer’s disease is:
A. Vascular dementia has more abrupt onset.
B. The duration of vascular dementia is usually brief.
C. Personality change is common in vascular dementia.
D. The inability to perform motor activities occurs in vascular dementia.
3. Answer: A. Vascular dementia has more abrupt onset.
- Option A: Vascular dementia differs from Alzheimer’s disease in that it has a more abrupt onset and runs a highly variable course.
- Option B: The duration of delirium is usually brief.
- Option C: Personality change is common in Alzheimer’s disease.
- Option D: The inability to carry out motor activities is common in Alzheimer’s disease.
4. A 65 years old client is in the first stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Nurse Patricia should plan to focus this client’s care on:
A. Offering nourishing finger foods to help maintain the client’s nutritional status.
B. Providing emotional support and individual counseling.
C. Monitoring the client to prevent minor illnesses from turning into major problems.
D. Suggesting new activities for the client and family to do together.
4. Answer: B. Providing emotional support and individual counseling.
- Option B: Clients in the first stage of Alzheimer’s disease are aware that something is happening to them and may become overwhelmed and frightened. Therefore, nursing care typically focuses on providing emotional support and individual counseling.
- Options A, C, and D: The other options are appropriate during the second stage of Alzheimer’s disease when the client needs continuous monitoring to prevent minor illnesses from progressing into major problems and when maintaining adequate nutrition may become a challenge. During this stage, offering nourishing finger foods helps clients to feed themselves and maintain adequate nutrition.
5. Nurse Kate would expect that a client with vascular dementia would experience:
A. Loss of remote memory related to anoxia.
B. Loss of abstract thinking related to emotional state.
C. Inability to concentrate related to decreased stimuli.
D. Disturbance in recalling recent events related to cerebral hypoxia.
5. Answer: D. Disturbance in recalling recent events related to cerebral hypoxia.
- Option D: Cell damage seems to interfere with registering input stimuli, which affects the ability to register and recall recent events; vascular dementia is related to multiple vascular lesions of the cerebral cortex and subcortical structure.
Sources and references for this study guide for delirium:
- Black, J. M., & Hawks, J. H. (2005). Medical-surgical nursing. Elsevier Saunders,.
- Videbeck, S. L. (2010). Psychiatric-mental health nursing. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. | <urn:uuid:808ac885-013e-443d-a69c-7bb0981453f0> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://nurseslabs.com/dementia/ | 2020-10-28T05:57:37Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107896778.71/warc/CC-MAIN-20201028044037-20201028074037-00040.warc.gz | en | 0.899806 | 3,630 |
We’re trying out transcribing our podcasts using a software program. Please forgive any typos as the bot isn’t correct 100% of the time.
In the digital reality, evolution over revolution prevailed. The QA approaches and techniques that worked yesterday will feel you tomorrow. So free your mind. The automation cyborg has been sent back in time. Ted Speaker Jonathon Wright’s Mission is to help you save the future from bad software.
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Hi, Mike. It’s great to have you on the show. And, you know, I just want to say you’re absolutely right. Today, I was in the queue, the drive-through queue for 20 minutes because of the COVID outbreak. So your book is ahead of its time?
Yeah. I’ve been thinking of that theory. I’ve spent a lot of time in Drive-through.
So that’s definitely one place that I’ve learned a lot and seen a lot where people would, you know, walking past me, going in, getting their food and leaving. And I thought it’s gonna be much faster. So I started the theory and I stopped going through the drive-through most of the time, and I realized I can get in and out much faster. And then I started applying to how the world is for me. I mean, everything you do in life, whether it’s work or its personal life, there’s usually another way in a better way to do things. That’s not just a conventional way. So I’m enjoying the theory. It really became it actually wasn’t the title of my book when I started, but it became the title of my book after I started seeing that one resonated through most of my chapters.
So let’s say I’ve heard they get it, especially it comes to quality. They got a concept to go slower, to get faster.
And I actually get a look at download in the book and I’ve read three because I’m fascinated with that concept, because it’s kind of a motivational side of things as well, based on a lot of experiences that you’ve had. And, you know, I guess it does that mean potentially you could have a follow-up book in the pipeline?
Yeah. Absolutely. The point I love about the book was that I started putting together ideas in 2002. And I said I want to write a book. I have no idea what I’m going to write about. I knew I wanted it to be self-help, motivational. And so I read a book by a guy named Jeffrey Fox, and he’s got a book called How to Become CEO. And that book is like 20 to 25 to 30 chapters. And they’re all different stories. So you can just pick up his book, go to Chapter 10, read the book. And it doesn’t have to be in any order. And that’s really how I’ve out-laid, laid out my book. And my book is 30 chapters.
Each of them is a different thought process, different story. You can pick it up reading each chapter and get different you know, you don’t have to read it in order. And through the years from 2002, through the time of publishing the book. I just kept adding new chapters isn’t a great chapter, you know. And I would be sitting in traffic. And as you’ll find out in the book, I learn a lot from sitting in my car. But I’m in the traffic lane. I would say, you know, slower traffic keeps right. You know, a lot of signs in the US, slower traffic keep right. And you got people blocking you from speeding up and going through the lane.
And that was another chapter in just several different thoughts about these are really catchy chapter titles. And so I put the titles together over the years. The hard part was putting the chapters to those titles afterward. But it was a lot of fun and it’s and it’s been a whole lot of fun getting it out there and then promoting it.
So maybe an audiobook fishing. You get, you know, get someone like Stephen Fry to actually narrate each one of the stories because you really begin to storytelling, you know, especially. Yes. Some of your workshops on biometrics and this idea. You telling a story?
I think it’s a lost art with, you know, some of the skills that come through. Some of the QA engineers and testers, you know, storytelling. A, unless you’ve got the experience of going through and having those stories to tell. I know. You know, it’s really difficult for them to kind of get the confidence to really be able to express, explain something without using numbers.
Absolutely. And the metrics tell us where he really came to me. I was working with a very large Fortune 50 company, and they really focused on numbers. You know, what’s the percent done? What’s the percent complete pass-fail percentages and all kinds of metrics that tell me nothing about the product and then tell me nothing about whether we’re in a good shape or if the products to him what it’s doing. Michael Bolton Low Times talks about really your metrics. And he says it’s not metrics. Saying the Metrics program is like saying words instead of books.
You know, it’s a measurement program. And so he got me thinking along those lines in about 2011. And I really liked the theory because what I understood right away is if you can figure out what your stakeholders want to know and then you can tell the story to them in a way that they can get it and understand it. And it’s more about, OK, you know, pass-fail percentages might tell me about progress. You know, 80 percent done with my testing tells me progress, but it doesn’t tell me anything about the quality or whether this is got high confidence.
I’m going to live. And I looked at James Box Dashboard that he created years ago and. People have used it and I use it now in my company, we the dashboard really doesn’t have a number on it. The dashboard shows the features and it shows competence. You know, that’s a big column in that report is what is the tester’s confidence in this product right now? And do we feel like this product is nearing completion and ready for production? And I think what I find is our company really starts looking at talking to the tester about do you feel good about this? There’s no harm. Far to be done. What’s the percent complete? How many tests did you run? It’s more. How do you feel about the product? And that’s really a paradigm shift for really our organization or any organization that does that.
Yeah, I think that’s a fascinating thing. I had a really interesting podcast, Website just a couple of back around with Neil and Neil is talking about time quality.
And again, it was one of those kinds of things where I’d never really thought of the idea REST, you know, when does it get to a point where the is kind of acceptable or it comes within tolerance or a certain confidence level? It’s that amount of time, you know. How was that compared to the original plan, which is so difficult to plan things? You know, an estimation way, as humans would just know for good. But, you know, a plane that I know you had 20 years it’s 45, 50 company. And, you know, I’ve actually been doing work with something over in Europe at the moment, similar kind of space. And, you know, obviously, they’re shifting from, you know. OK. COVID 19. We can’t open our doors.
We can’t sell our products. So how do we get our products through the digital channels? And then you’ve obviously I know you’ve got extensive experience in performance service virtualization at the end of there as well. And, you know, there’s a lot of people like Best Buy at Best Buy, like some of them I’m trying to think of the great company that went down over Jimmy Kovin. But there are lots of, you know, these that have made the digital switch. And I guess, you know, as that pivoting to quickly be able to start selling to a different channel, you know, the, you know, potentially a confidence switch of getting something out quick. So, you know, we’re not used to delivering paving slabs, but we’re going to deliver them to you the next day.
Well, what does this actually mean now? And, you know, I know you do really great comparisons against things like Apple. Right? And, you know, you’ve got this kind of trust in these kinds of companies like Best Buy. Right. You kind of feel like you’re getting the best deal. Right. And, you know, they’re looking after you and, you know, you can go back with the product and they can look, you know, swap exchange, trying to help you. And not just that. You can point to that like an Apple genius guy who’s just got the title and he’s going to take it in the back, you know, and follow the little manual, which is telling him, you know, unplug base, replace the screen disrupted, send it off to HQ.
But, you know, I find it fascinating because a little organization like that, we should work for 20 years in this new paradigm where they have to switch to selling to online channels. You know, if you were in that position now and someone was asking you, OK, we’re going to sell on this new channel, let’s call it Instagram for a second, you know how quickly your confidence would be that they could all get their ducks in a line and actually get the product to the market instead of those long release cycles? You know, do you see organizations really don’t get the digital win and be able to have that idea of what quality means if they release it right now?
Well, I think speed is is definitely pushing during the COVID situation that we’re going through.
You know, a lot of people have had to close their doors and the brick and mortar stores. And so they have had to go online and had to do more digital.
And I think what I find is that many companies weren’t prepared for that. You see that now from a performance standpoint, you know, suddenly my Website used to get a million hits now and gets 10 million hits, you know, or my Website. The performance against that Website is really underperforming because we never expected that everybody in the United States or the world would go online and do their orders.
Fulfillment is a big deal. And being able to look at areas where, you know, it was a small part of your business, but now it’s a large part of your business that I think that’s a big change. I work with the marketing services company and we do marketing. When we do, we do a marketing program. You know, a lot of our programs are mailing things to people were either email or physical mail and saying to them, take this to the store, you’ll get this discount or use this coupon or something to push them to go to the store. Now, we’ve had to help those clients change and think about things more in a digital age. And it’s really something it’s kind of eye-opening because it’s probably something we should have been easing into before.
COVID But COVID kind of said, OK, you’re going to do it now. I think security is a big thing with companies. Companies had tight security, but they didn’t have it super tight. And you can run penetration tests and vulnerability tests and really find my company’s not that solid right now. And a lot of companies are doing that right now. But we were saying that you know, for the last decades, people, you know, security is a big deal. Security was really starting to stand up and testing conferences and events. And I got a really strong interest in it. And luckily for our company,
I had someone from our team who really wanted to look in the new area, you know, to build a different skill set. And I said, let’s start working on security within the company. So we were paired. But I think a lot of companies weren’t prepared in that space. You know, I think security performance really, really hit him hard. The speed the market really calls for service virtualization because if you know. If you’re waiting. Waiting and you’re trying to get quick sprints out the door, but you’re waiting. And the whole product is not ready for integration testing or into testing service virtualization is amazing.
I did a lot of work for that in 2014 through 16 where we would build those simulated API so that we can do the fully into and find things before we did the final end. And I think that companies don’t. A lot of companies don’t realize how powerful that is to have that in place and be able to do that, you know, to plug it in, you know, whole trains there. Now we can run now, put in the right pieces at the end. And we’ve already kind of tested every day for less testing at the very end if you can do it along the way.
Absolutely. And I think this idea of contract testing where you’ve got you to know, you’re delivering something which you can’t do end to end, and it may be all through API eyes, whether that be fulfillment systems or payment systems or, you know, or the stock system, you know, there are all these different API, is it?
You know, I felt like service virtualization was a slow start to really I know the UK. We started in 93 as a developer. I guess shims and stubs and fakes were all part of your own unique tasks. And, you know, it was just you just got to. And yet you have in your heart into a habit. Right? I was tested. We were kind of slow at things like Y and Mark, if you’re getting into kind of more automation level or if you were using something in the cloud-like mock labs or something, you could quickly put some together. It’s interesting. One of my friends alone who was the founder off of Blaisme has just started a company called Up Nine.
And, you know, part of what it does is it looks at API and it models out all the different types of flows. So, you know, if you’ve got a swag is back or if you’ve got sometimes a definition document, you can actually then generate old penetration. It brings this aspect of model-based testing and testing KPIs and also negative tests and all sorts of other things. There is a lot of complexity around and moving to this kind of API slash, you know. Let’s call it microcircuits. I know they’re talking about nano services now, which is even chalta, so that in a spec is even it’s a Nowra. But, you know, you kind of get into this play where it becomes just a hugely complex, vast ecosystem that the defendant sees in data and data.
Data privacy. And, you know, as you said, security, which is really important. You know, I just don’t know how many organizations really know how well that they can’t they can do it, stack up against that. And, you know, there was this quote that kind of say, you know, the only reason why you’ve not been hacked is that you’re not interesting enough to track yet. But, you know, it’s kind of that the idea is a day where people say, well if there’s that kind of availability of data if you’re Yahoo! Well, somebody like that, where actually that data could be really useful and have some value and potentially you could be a target.
And it really means you’ve got to be smarter about you do it like you said that taken, you know, holding that sacred, you know, MailChimp list, you know, part of it. Then someone saves it to the local file, puts it on a USB drive. It’s not encrypted. You know some will make some changes to it. You just don’t know, do you? But at the same time, if they can access that data, you know, that’s could also be bad for your customers. Right? Because then they could look at the side of emails are all sorts of another safe. It breaks your brand. So, you know, do you see the data lifecycle being an interesting aspect for testers? You know, BDD to get nonbiased test data, which is really state. You can synthesize it. You can test against, you know, service virtualization or an endpoint. And then also, you know, how people treat life to test data and test.
Really, I think I think data is we’ve said it for years, but it’s kind of similar to the security and performance thing. I think a lot of people have not really taken it seriously. In the US, we have the California Consumer Privacy Act ECPA.
I guess our first version of the GDPR that will allow even January 1st of this year. I was part of the committee within our company because we’re all about data where and that’s the core of our functions. And with very large customer databases and large databases full of data. And really our focus has been on, you know, we know California was first and they’re not the last.
You know, other states are already talking about it before, you know, the next couple of years, the whole country is going to be talking about data privacy. It’s already on every Web site and everywhere you go. So when we start looking at how do we test this, you know, and we’re testing functions that are really focused on data, you find that a lot of teams or what I found in the past has allowed teams will say, let’s just get data in there and their test data is not good and then their test doesn’t work or it does work. Unfortunately, and it shouldn’t work because the data’s not production data or we have situations where people are using production data.
Now you’re starting to compromise the data privacy issues. So I think there’s there’s a lot of work to be done around making sure that we do find a way to match that data, to clean that data, to also be able to build that data in a way we can build it up without having to go to get production data. But it looks like production data. So it may be your name, my address, and someone else’s phone number. So it’s real data. It’s just not really, you know, production data. And I think I think that’s a big thing that a lot of companies are facing right now is do I have the right data? You know, is my issues are the issues that I’m finding due to my data not being correct or is it because, you know, the test is actually fell over, the functionality is not working.
So, yeah, I did do one of the things I’ve been talking to a lot of customers about is things like test day coverage. So this idea of, well, you know, as you would do with your automation scraps and data, drive it nice.
You know, you’ve got different states, you know, account open, account closed. You know, that old thing states that the business and the standard of receipt from performance, you’re churning through a huge amount of data and you potentially changing the state’s closing accounts, empty balances. You know, if we have to synthetically generate input, also have the right data to exhaustively go through and talk to all the different test permutations. So, you know, if you’ve got ETL running, you know, all those enhanced transforms of loads, you know, there’s so much complexity.
And obviously, bias is an interesting one as well about how you generate that data and what it looks like. It’s such an interesting area because I think, you know, I was fascinated by you. You did a workshop on visual testing. I don’t you know, I see this is a big trend kind of coming through. And I Joe talks about it a lot in the FTP tools and Angie’s that I’ve been going through your test, a PDA, which she’s got some fantastic resources.
And I’ll make sure I get that LinkedIn that they pull off this move towards looking at the visual front end. You know, when you look at the visual front-end, you know, you are looking at the data, the layout, and not as much on the data. You know, they could be, you know, hashtag, you know, drop tables or something could be in there. And it’d be a valid kind of, you know, middle name. Right. But part of it is, you know, do you see visual testing helping with some of the hard kind of checking activities?
Yeah, I think visual testing and I’m glad you brought this up, but it’s one of my favorite workshops. I’ve done many workshops over the last eight years. And when that one has been one that I’ve really done, I think in every country I’ve spoken in, across the many countries and many conferences. And the beauty of that workshop is we bring things to people and I share it on the screen and I say, what do you see? They tell me what they see. They’re sure of what they see. And it’s not what they see. You know, it’s I’ve got an I’ve got examples where half the words are covered up.
And so your eyes are seeing Mike Lyles is jumping to conclusions, but they say that’s what it says. And then I’ll take the other half of the letters down and it’s the bottom half of the letters is making the words not. Mike Lyles is jumping to conclusions. Your brain fills in those things and we get caught up in that from a visual testing standpoint. And we don’t keep certain things. You know, there’s there are great tools out there. We’ll name them. But there are some really good tools out there that that catch it for you. The small things that really small one-pixel changes that you don’t catch.
But I think to be a great tester, you have to be someone who catches things in detail and you know, exactly by looking at it. This is a problem and I’m not going to skip it, you know, because one of the things we teach in the digital testing course because I had them do things repetitively and to the point where they start forgetting, well, I’ve already tested that. I’ve already looked at this and I’m not going to pay attention to that. And that’s when you get caught, you know, but choosing when you missed the one big defect or the one problem is when you’re so used to it, you know, it’s like driving home from work or driving to work.
A lot of times you’ll get to work and realize, I don’t remember that drive at all. I drove, you know, and I was functional. I didn’t wreck. I didn’t pull out in front of anyone. No one hit me. But I didn’t really listen and think about my driving. And I didn’t pay attention. I was maybe listening to a book on audio or radio or talking on the phone. But when I get there. I’ve done the job, but I’ve not really paid attention to a thing around me.
And I think that’s one of the things we try to do in that workshop. And I don’t think it’s a big thing that testers don’t always pay attention to, especially with regression. You know, they’ll get caught up in. They don’t pay attention because it’s like, well, that’s worth a thousand times, it’s never going to fail. And the mess the one time you when they don’t pay attention.
Yeah, I completely agree. It isn’t. It’s really interesting, you say, to get that kind of autopilot way. You know, you kind of everything. The door shuts down You don’t really realize you’ve just driven, you know, a thousand miles.
And I know you did. You’re a psychology major. Still applying some of that cognitive kind of thought processes and patterns is really useful. And, you know, I was kind of looking at this kind of cult, you know, this idea because, you know, I work with a large piece of manufacturing company across different countries in Detroit and Australia and into other countries, all doing things slightly differently. But when they go into regression, this was something we kept from seeing kept on saying that, you know, they tested would then, you know, fire up his favorite private eye, which was always Firefox.
And, you know, with all these little plugs, a plugin, which he loved. Or she loved it. I mean, you know, they go through and they don’t have their favorite pizza. You know, they go through would use the dummy credit card so that the dummy account, you know, and, you know, the path was actually quite limited. Then when you call it saw something weird on safari or you saw something weird on, you know, now that’s, you know, the edge browsers turned into Chromium. Right. You know, part of it is completely missing. And then it doesn’t work. And you see that issue coming out.
And, you know, I find this stuff fascinating. A lot of my focus, though, has been on kind of the shift right aspect. Well, you know, you can get information. Like, I was talking doing gamification with a job. Yes. So talk about Session Cap, which is an app that you can put into your Web site. And I’ll tell you the heat map of where people are going and, you know, clicking on. I remember a test company in Australia when I worked out there. We used headsets with that test to see what they were looking on the screen.
You know, if you should get a beautiful heat map and you typically will be on the menu system and it won’t be on, you know, the icons and maybe some other areas which are less focused on. But overlaying that with the code complexity of areas like Amex has got a four-digit validation code compared to Visa Card or Bostik or something like that. PayPal. This is Apple Pay versus fate pay. You know, all these different permutations. It just seems like, you know, you need some kind of assistant, you know, input from Bob Chappell or something to kind of say to you, you know, only 12 percent of USD Chromium because that means X because nobody likes it.
But, you know, maybe you should try it this time and in that or, you know, a lot of people seem to be clustered towards this venue or this particular item or this tax, which is red because, you know, it’s that kind of danger. If you look at it and go must-read that because you’ve read it must be important. You know this to me, there are so many different things. I mean, accessibility. I think, you know, that’s one of the things that I lost. Well, you’re saying about, you know, your audience and age, you know, this persona is around different ages.
You know, they’re used to a pamphlet, you know them well, used to go in on a tablet and having that the font size set to the maximum while the DPR rate up to the maximum so they can see it. That then causes also problems with icons not being accessible low. Buttons being too large. You know, it feels like there are so many different applications for visual testing. And, you know, we’ve got probably going to see some big developments in that space. But you know what else you kind of see as kind of a change in that in a kind of The QA Lead landscape?
Well, I’ve heard a lot of people say that I’ve talked to in the testing community that design, you know, skills in design and user interface user experience used to be good to have now. You’ve got to have them and you need them as part of your testing role. I’ve seen cross-browser testing was good. And some people used it.
But of the companies I worked for, one of the companies I work for was a very large retailer that had millions of people using their site online and buying a lot of things online. And when we started doing research with our marketing team, we found that there were fifty-three different browser types extend versions out there. So we went out GitHub itself. Labs started using their product and where we would run one test automated or manual against 60 browsers at a time.
And that quickly give us, you know, cut your testing time by 60, you know, divided by 60 because you didn’t have the test feature then, but you really had to test all of them. You know, there were a couple of browsers where, you know, some person in the middle of nowhere is using an old or a very, very old version of the browser. And the chances of them going for that one thing and having problems, probably slim. But if you’ve got half a million people using Safari or, you know, half a million people using the latest version of Chrome, then you have to make sure you’re hitting those. So we ordered our browser versions and really sort of hammering it.
And it’s something with my current company, we do a lot of work with different clients that. I do have large customer bases and a large online presence. So we’ve started to give that as a service to our clients and say, look, you know, we’re not just going to test, you know, on one version you like. You know, if your whole office is using chrome, you have to understand that there are people out there using Firefox, you know, Safari, and other new browsers that are coming into play. So I think that’s a big thing and really the interface user interface. Why do I think I think accessibility it to me, accessibility is going to be the Next data thing.
You know, data is the big thing right now. You know, data security and performance. But accessibility is right on the heels because you have more people that have disabilities that need to be able to use the Internet. I mean, you get you to know, who would have thought years ago that my parents would be on their phone more than me, you know, or as much as me. But now they are you know, everybody’s got a device. Everybody’s using devices. The Internet is not just for the middle age and the youth anymore. It’s for everybody. And I think is that you see that grow and more people are using the products.
We’re going to have a bigger need for accessibility. So my challenge to companies when I talk to them and I’m really hoping to have a talk someday soon about accessibility, but I don’t feel, I mean, that space to pair up with some of the people who are really doing a lot of talks and a lot of great talks on that’s on the subject. I’m nowhere near there. They’re great at this point. But I believe everybody needs to be aware that if you’re not already preparing for accessibility, you know, preparing for handling disabilities and people that need to use their systems but don’t use it the same way as you, then you’re gonna find yourself both losing customers and possibly in lawsuits down the road. So, I mean, it needs to work. And so I think companies need to be aware of that.
Yeah, that’s a really think you should do that on four FTP. Come when it comes back on virtually or whatever in the .NET next time I see.
I see. You taught me a valuable lesson today. So I was Googling you as by noble kind of Google kind of see interest leads through some of the, you know, the books and publications you’ve done your WordPress. I kind of flipped between your WordPress and your trip reviews, your food reviews, and whatever other both of you were very good. So I was kind of going between them. But actually, when I quit your name and. Is this the banner came up, but it said, you know, author. And it was. You know, I’ve never seen it before. It was a knowledge of what they call it knowledge summary.
And then you can claim that knowledge. Some read like you would play a location on a Google map. Right. And it was interesting because obviously, the data was in there. You know, some effect obviously was right. So if it wasn’t right, like Michael Bolton late to the singer, Michael Bolton. But he didn’t have you in his link. So you covered okay. On that. You know, part of it is, you know, you start building these relationships up and, you know, I can then my ask Alexa, Alexa, who is, you know, Mike. And they put up that little banner and say, you know, here’s your data and it read out to you because that’s how, you know, the virtual personal assistant.
Would Kopay take you for what was Wikipedia to, you know, into that kind of format? But if that information is not correct, you know, or is not accessible, you know, that’s you know, suddenly all these things start falling into pieces. So you thinking of all those different browsers and configurations, but you’re also looking at, you know, what type of devices and other in an old tablet. Is it you know, something that is is is hugely complex today. And I was kind of I’d be doing that. It’s worth checking out Lighthouse if you’ve not checked out Google Lighthouse full for accessibility.
There’s an accessibility store, it’s the score, and some recommendations straight off there. It kind of does hold the page speed stuff as well. But you know, the accessibility Siffredi good. And what I was doing that on a company that’s a milk merchant, you know, that sells home improvement merchant. And it’s interesting because they just published, you know, this really good talk at a conference around it moved this new graph, DBI knowledge graphic and you out. And I’d spidered their Web site using some security tools using like the worst kind of security tools. And you put Swiger.
And I kept on fighting these errors, which was product, not fact. So you’d click on a product and the product page, which were supposed to appear, just didn’t appear. Right. And I thought, well, they listed that they got 87000 products online. So I’ll try 87000 products. And I sent a message to the guy who responded back to me. He did a really good conference presentation. I said, out of those eighty-seven thousand, I could only find twenty-six thousand products. And I got 13000 products that just came up with this error. You know, you think, well, that did we didn’t use to have the capability.
I don’t care to start an I going to type head, you know, the best, best Ops followed by, you know, brush followed by, you know. You know, we never have that capacity. That was kind of what automation was promising us, was that kind of capability. But, you know, GraphDB well is more of just an API now. So if you fly it, API is with the same product name as the search the query language like you would have done a sequel database query back in the day, which you seemed to disappear as well. You know, you’d get this build response, right? So suddenly you’re thinking to yourself, what land should they be testing out? And, you know, have they tested with the right data?
Have they gone through and checked? Why? When I type in, you know, scissors, it doesn’t find scissors. You know, it seems like such a basic thing for people to get wrong. But, you know, I talk about this kind of confidence area is, you know, the confidence of what if they just say, like you use you said, well, previous podcast, Jitter, that generate 10000 test scripts. They’re all not very good and very useful. They have to be kind of focus on the visual testing of the API testing. Do you see more types of levels coming through, accessibility, testing, where there’s actually more breadth of people doing not just focus it on automation, UI testing, for instance?
Yeah, I mean, I think one of the big things that I’m looking for when I talk to the testers, when I interview them and I find out many things, I love the interview process and sometimes I let it take a little longer because I like to meet different types of different styles of testing. I worked in the big companies that followed the certification and the process.
And you do step one, two, three and four. And you take a side note there. I’ve worked with these people and I’ve known the people who worked in IoT. I used to be. And I’m now I’m so forward to one side that I’m against that because I think I heard someone say at a conference, I think it was I forgot who it was now. But they mentioned that you know, whether you agree with it. The certification process rises to cubie or now. They’ve got some great documentation around having standards and in formats, you know, doesn’t mean you have to do it. You know, I compare it to getting a driver’s license. My son turned 16 a year and a half ago, is 17 now.
And when he turned 16, he got his driver’s license. That did not make him a better driver. It didn’t make him a driver who’s been doing it 30 years like me. Who is going to know that you need to take that extra look to the right before you pull out or you need to watch this person because, you know, history has shown me this person is going to pull out in front of me because I can see their car rolling. He’s not going to know there are things he’s going to know the signs, the road, what side of the road to be on, when to stop, what lights to look at. He understands the core things, which I think is needed.
But where I’m going with this topic is I do I’ve learned from a lot of people in the testing community. It’s really helped me to grow by listening to other people talk about what they do. Of all the things I learned in school, all the things I learned in my job, all the things I learned talking to in just a couple of friends, I didn’t learn anything like I’ve learned in this testing community by meeting people in advance and hearing their stories and hearing what they do to do things differently.
And I got hooked on this context, ribbon testing with James and Michael Bolton. And I get their part. I get other people’s ideas and I kind of blend them into the way I do things. And I think a lot of people are so hung up to your point on you know, we expected things to write the scripts and then run their scripts. The problem is, I think a lot of people got hooked on, OK, now I’ve done these 10 steps. They all passed. We’re good to go.
And it’s like, OK, I’ve done everything and my driver’s manual, but I’m not good to go because I didn’t realize going to come running down the street and right in front of me and I have to take that decision. So I. I asked testers when I interview them, you know if I give you a project and I have no requirements document, what do you do? And many of them who don’t work with me will say, I have to have a requirements document or I can’t do any work. And I’m like, that’s really. Is that true? And they’re like, absolutely, I have to have a requirements document. And so I showed them a picture of a TV remote. And I say, tell me how you would test this remote. And they go, you know, I would press the power button that would make sure there are batteries. I would do the UpDown volume button, that would do the channel buttons, I would do the play on the DVR, the record, all these different things.
And when they get done, I’d just calmly say now that I give you a requirements document for this controller and they’re like, no, no, no, no, no. And they had some you know, but I had one person just recently, the interview with me say, yes, but I know that controller. I know what a controller is. So it’s easy for me to do it. And I said, and that’s what I want testers in my organization to do. I want them to know the product. And you can’t have confidence in something if you don’t know what that something does. You know, if you hand me a controller, I can tell you pretty quickly if I have confidence that that controller is gonna work on my TV.
But if because I know what a controller is supposed to do and how it should work. So I think a lot of testers get so many testers to get it caught up in that. I’ve got to have a system. I’ve got to have steps. And that’s what I love about the exploratory side of testing, are you go down. It’s like Mad Libs. The old Mad Libs books we had when we were younger, you know, you read your story and you get to this point. What do you want to do? Take a left. OK. No, go to this page and read that story. Now, when you go there, it will take it to another page.
To me, that’s what testing is. It’s exploring and it’s information gathering. Another question, and I know I’m running over here is the I ask people what is the role of testing? Many people will say to find defects and to find bugs. And I said, no, that’s not the role of testing. That’s not the role of testing any more than going to the gym is to sweat. It’s something that happens. But I go to the gym to work out and to be healthy. Sweat just happens. Defects just happen. And the role of testers is to explore and observe the application. And as Michael Bolton says, many times defying, is there a problem here, you know, and combined with is the stakeholder getting what they ask for? So I think the big deal that we’re trying to accomplish here with testing really should be around.
Have we done everything we can probably do with this product? And if I don’t feel confident, I need to start asking questions. I do a big exercise on why. And I talk about how kids, you know, sometimes when they’re young, they’ll say, dad was. Why is the grass green? And you say, well, it’s because of this and I know why. And then you answer and then they’ll say, why? And then it’s a cycle. And I tell my testers at the conference, there’s an audience I speak at, continue to ask why until they’re almost like a parent who said, I’ve had enough. You know, I’m telling you everything I know.
But I think. If you don’t feel confident to even test it, then you need to continue to have questions to get that confidence and then be able to test it in and observe whether or not you really are confident that the products to do so. Always ask questions, continue to ask questions to the point where you feel like you may be asking a couple to through extra. But I think I think it helps you as a terrorist to continue to grow that way.
No, I really like an interesting site. I’ve got some kittens at the moment. And, you know, the kittens are obviously learning and doing potty training at the moment.
But you know that their mum doesn’t use a pot, you know, just use it. She goes outside. So there’s no reference point. You know, they can’t say they win the food and they eat. They let a tray is a kind of where they are at the moment. But you know it just because there’s no requirement. Stop that. They’re not as good at Googling things as I am or ask it, Alexa. But, you know, it’s interesting what you say about the remote control thing. So I’m actually adding the fitness stakes. I got through the post today. A switch fat, which is you remember the. We felt that way. So you stood up. I’m saying this is the same. It’s like a big round ring.
Right. But, you know, there are so many sensors in that, as you know, a bit like IoT, you know, you can push and you can, you know, these. And I ask and I’m like you would do on remote control, but it’s also, you know, proximity and gyros and all this or the kind of complex area. And, you know, if someone was kind of saying, well, this, you know, how would you go about testing that and say, cutaway? You know, if we do go back to your VHS days or your Betamax days, you knew that if you get some fast-forwarding and rewinding, fast-forwarding and rewinding reliability might be an issue.
You might. The type might. Right. So part of it is, you know, does this kind of site reliability kind of could be thought about, you know, chaos and Java? You know, it’s one of the guys on the show, Colten, who helped with spearhead and cast from Key to Netflix and Amazon. You know, there’s this kind of idea of, well, how do I actually cause the errors in the machine? And he’s got he’s a founder now of a critical gremlin. And that they do that they kind of go, well, let’s say I’ll purposely make it so the bottom three sticks down. So we know you know, it’s not until you’ve spilled something in your remote control, you don’t get that sticky three kinds of button coming through, but you can emulate it, right.
A bit like service virtualization. You can purposely create a fault called a return service virtualization response that will make you have to go through and say, well, what happens if you know? I think that’s a really interesting aspect because I don’t think we’ve ever had the tools to kind of. Yes, we’ve had, you know, OK, if you put in this dummy account number, it will give there’s no money in the account or rejected or another type of error code. But you know that pay off into connectivity of so many different systems and having the flexibility through a kind of a testing API, open testing API that allows you to say, OK, bring this system down while I’m processing the data, let’s see what happens.
You know infrastructure is really interesting because we’re always thinking about it in this kind of Happy Path kind of everything. So everything is working. Not in this. Okay. Systemic failures starting to happen. You know what? Systems go down. You know, my Internet goes, you know what happens on your phone? Your phone stops working. The brother, the Website guys. But why do we even have cash when you know we can’t carry on? Looking at the page, it just says, whoops, snap two or something. It feels like the resilience of products is also really important because that’s the kind of the Twitter social media brand damage that people are saying, I can’t get to Best Buy because of you Website style. Yeah. You know, it feels reliability might be one of those kinds of things and also this kind of idea of chaos, engineering as well. You know, do you feel that that kind of comes into this, what you were saying about this ability to understand the mechanics of how websites it bill, the architecture and everything else is now important as well?
Yeah, absolutely. And, you know, one of the things I liked your point on, sometimes it’s effective and sometimes it’s responding fast and sometimes it’s not. My first service virtualization tool was Paracel. And what I liked about their product as they had an environment management tool where you could see visually, it’s kind of like a Visio diagram of how the systems are interacting in the lines between them. And you could go to this system or the API or application and you could click and it would give you a drop-down and say, I want to use the like system or I want to use a positive response always or a negative response always. And I like that because you could quickly change to make this thing reply with a negative result. Two things that I saw as part of virtualization, also that they’re really back in 2014.
It was not as necessary as it is now, but I think it’s more needed now. And it was this. The ability to say, I want to randomly perform, so, you know, the first couple of hits, I reply within seconds. The next couple of hits, I wait three minutes and then then the next hit reply in a minute and a half. So it’s the system that is not like I’ve got to handle this at the peak performance or the lowest performance. I’m going to handle it all over the place. So how does your system? And we saw systems that would not handle that. It just didn’t it didn’t look like the schizophrenia of the responses. And then another thing that really came up to me, and I think someone in performance said to me is we were doing in virtualization then it never hit me until we started doing it this way.
Some apps like we always think of performance as take it to the load, you know, to the peak and then watch it break. And that’s where our focus point. You know, we’ve got a baseline and we run it into the highest peak and we say, OK, it broke at this level, but we never think of it the other way. What if your application is is is not prepared for a fast response? So if I want to finish something and I expect it to take two seconds or one second to respond, but the service virtualization responds in a split second, you know, like a millisecond. And now you’ve got thousands or millions of transactions responding in milliseconds. And that application, like I was ready for that.
It was a ReactJS send it, but I’m not ready for that. And we saw a lot of situations where you were actually able to what I call it, was reverse breaking the performance side of things because it’s like you’re too fast for me. And I think we see that. I mean, I don’t think any companies out there are saying that’s a big problem right now. But I think it could be you know if you’re running hits and you’re to the application, you’re using the mobile app or you’re using the Web app and you expect things to be right and things fail because of that, then psychologically wise. And we talked about psychology here. I think I did some research and saw that a lot of people will delete an app right away if it doesn’t perform well.
You know, there’s a lot of apps I put on my phone and I’m like, okay, I will give you one chance. You know, once you start flaking out on me, I’m not going to come back. And something a lot to give me back if I come back to you. So I think companies have to deal with that now because performance and having the right responses and accurate data is a big deal. So I use a lottery. I play the lottery a lot and enjoy it with the scratch-off. I’m not a big million dollar winner, but every now and then I win a few hundred dollars and I use this phone app and the phone app will never stay connected. Now I need that app, so I don’t go away from it.
But it’s one of the few that I’m like, I like to use the app, but that thing flakes out every single time. And I’m thinking you’re probably one of the richest divisions in the whole state and the whole country, and you can’t make her out, you know, be high performing enough to be dependable to me. But I have to have it. And I think that’s why they don’t care, you know? And then you get companies that do that where they’re like, well, they need me, you know. You know, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. People want that. So if we have a few issues, it’s OK, you know. So I think you see companies doing that, too, as well.
Yeah, I used to work for the Lottery Commission in New Zealand.
And I’m actually doing a book which I think you might have contributed to as well, which is an A lean pub book, which is called 80 Round the World in 80 Tests is a subsidy, is it? I’ll send you to take care. Michael Bolton and a few of the people that did it and I said I’ll do a chapter. And I remember what I wrote a chapter said that Dorothy Gray experiences and test summation book and which I know is you’ve got that league table. So Iran’s digital handbook sounds like a great late-game that began. I was when I did the book with Dot. You know, I was kind of guy to the cab. It talked about BC and LOCKSS about all the possible quotations using model-based testing.
And one of the big things we were doing, and this was about 10 years ago, was, you know, we’d use production, we’d shift right by looking at the production logs and tell them the logging, which was flex in those days, Flex Day services, putting every request-response pad was an X amount message so we could read the message and say No. Eight, 14, twelve, whatever. Also, between each KW response, we’d say use one more month. It’s taken 40 seconds before they submitted the Next screen or, you know, they played on the bowl and wait for the bulls to come up with the shows.
You would see you get all that. But we’d also see through the day that in the morning people were buying tickets, one o’clock, droll people were checking tickets. The behaviors were changing. We tried to model that using like for like the product, which was really interesting. And now you have this weird lottery system which used the air temperature as something to work out, a random number. So it could never be, you know, it seemed to be done. But it was really interesting because we used to do the biggest jackpot, which was some 60 million. New Zealand is something we did the same kind of realistic low profile, which was huge. It brought down the system and we ended up having to flip down to a version which was had fewer CDI calls.
You know, it was a less functionality, just purely so that you could actually scale because, you know, it was just the kind of the challenges back then. But, you know, you’re actually right. We used to find people in South Island and on a fifty-six K connection modem connection and on some old AEF 5.5 browser, which we would like. You’ve just got to go because if I don’t have flashes and of life this year. But, you know, it was just, you know, this is causing too many problems. And obviously, they mentioned visual testing and things like you use will render Astrolabe text differently. You know, Damian, you know, until we zino how it brings out, you know, how good it is is going to change what it looks like. Right.
So compared to one set up to another setup. And our problem with Fleck’s was we used to have this thing called the bullseye where this guy would jump off a roof and lovely the ball, you know. Which was great. But it ran really fast on a fast BC really slow on a slow precinct. You’d have to wait for this guy to frame by frame, jump off the thing. And then people were just like, we just do it right. But it was so interesting because performance issues, the same kind of thing we like for like production system, which we’re really lucky to have. It was the prediction days off for a bit. But this idea of, you know, testing things locally without that kind of SVOD network virtualization to give you packet loss, Jitter, all that kind of that poor connection in South Island where they’re going through 50 jumps before they get to you.
You know, that level of complexity changes things. And one of the things that I was I was fascinated when I first heard Todd DiCaprio talking about service virtualization. He came in, came from Shinra. And, you know, partly what he said. His mobile traffic adds a 40 percent load on your back. And I was like, that’s just nonsense. And what he was trying to say was actually the six hundred millisecond round time hold resources in production for that amount of time because it’s waiting for it to either time out or to get a response. Whereas if you’ve got a forty-three-millisecond desktop, which nobody has any more of those jumping through, you know, multiple badly configured routers so that a house can get full connectivity and everyone’s at home at the moment, and then you’ve got a local ISP, then you finally get to the Internet.
By the time you’ve got through that, you’ve added all sorts of extra, you know, jump through that. And I just think, you know, when people think about that and then everyone gets back out again and now five GS Chromium and the idea with five G were eight more devices, more bandwidth, more speed. Also, reduce that millisecond round trip. So that means actually things are going to hit harder. So 60 percent of apps are coming through a mobile thing and people go, well, we’re ready for mobile. Well, we’re ready for slow mobile on 3G and 4G. Now we got 5G. It’s likable to take this off desktop again, that you can get hold of resources for a lot less. And then, you know, I just finished doing a course on eight to be us, which I’d always been putting off because it’s painful. But, you know, the load balancing and an auto-scaling mean.
Yeah, it’s gonna spin up a container that can speed up 20 containers. Right. Based on a threshold violation of our science C8 CPO. So that could potentially start impacting response times. But auto-scaling is going to take time. Take time for that container to spin up, to get configured, to be accessible, to be round-robin, or however it’s been configured to low balance. And, you know, people go, well, we’ve got cloud now. And I know you’ve got Wilson Somalis and a couple of other people on the performance landscape for them. And they’ve kind of said, you know, I’ve seen the debate is about, well, we’ve got the cloud. We don’t need any performance anymore. But quite the opposite because you’ve got Soor and things like that.
You kind of mentioned it with things like serverless architectures where, you know, this idea is you’re sending off a test. So, yes, your response might be 40 milliseconds, but actually then going to do some compute power, which could be uploading a video link, processing it, and that might take 30 minutes, which is holding resources now. Yes, that just fires off and it uses Amazon’s compute power. It’s fine. But, you know, for those people who haven’t got that kind of infrastructure, you know, those kinds of capabilities mean that that noise is going to be happening in the background and using a processing power while things are processed in batches or however it’s done. And I just don’t think people look at it like that.
They look at that load, like you said, they kind of go, well, how hard did we hit the eye off Savard until it goes down? Well, that’s proving just the framework of whatever you’ve used to implement, all the people who provide you the altercation gateway, you know, but we’ve never got that kind of realism of going well. We’ve got this amount of traffic. A process also orders that kind of going through the system at the moment. Plus, we’re going to, you know, like you said, abnormally or sporadically at something that nobody would expect. You know, everyone’s coming off the tube or all come out of a football ground off the NFL final and decide to hit it at once.
We can just those edge cases feel like that they’re ready, they’re ripe for that happening and get the publicity of sites going down and systems failing when they’re already in the cloud. Why should they fail? Just this plus, for instance, it’s scary. We know Disney doesn’t have the infrastructure. But, you know, they went down and that’s brand damage. They, you know, DGSE that be the big in the companies now, Brandos. You know, you know, technology because we kind of certain technology, like you, said, Facebook, Instagram, we’re kind of. Yeah, we get it. If we can’t get it is not the end of the world. But we’re not just rage. Quit and delete our account or move to another provider like MySpace because it’s not they have any kind of thing.
I agree with you. I think people do hold onto things and they know it.
You know, you’ve got companies who have eager applications or websites or mobile apps that they know people are not going to leave us. You know, if TikTok today that everybody these is my kids who are starts having issues and it gets down to a grind. Kids are still going to use it because it’s like that’s the avenue that people use to communicate with the world right now.
And it’s so many things going on there. So I think Picard knows they’ve kind of got that. I don’t know how their performance is. But, you know, they, for example, Snapchat, the the the tools that are being used by the next generation of people in this world are really they’re having to scale and modify and move with the changes. But I think that’s I think you raise a great point. It is true, Brand.
You have it depends on whether or not you’ve established yourself. You know, if you’re well-known, you know, it’s like being a struggling actor versus being an actor. If you’re an actor, you might get in another role. You know, people are going to follow you. If you’re struggling, you may only have one show and then you’re done. So I think I think companies have to look at that and say, yeah, I’m established. But I also need to continue to keep my brand in place because I see a lot of people complaining about products and services out there. And he does. We’ll get to a point, no matter how big you are, that people will say we’re going to take our business elsewhere.
You know, I think Facebook got hit by the things they’ve done by Snapchat and Pictogram surprised them about them yet. And that’s what they did with Instagram when the Instagram kind of took them over. So I think you see that you either biome or you or you lose to them in that situation. So I think, yeah, I think that the world’s moved so fast. And that’s the thing until my testers and I have a talk called testing is not a nine to five job, which causes a lot of havoc online when people see that because they’re like, I’m not going to work overtime. It’s not about I said it has nothing to do with working overtime.
It’s do you go to work? And that’s the only time you do your testing process in your work, or do you think about testing all the time? Because I’m test driving a car. The dealer hates riding with me because I test everything in the car. I’m testing the eBay. I’m testing my phone and testing my refrigerator now. And so, you know, I challenge folks to continue just to grow. And Stephen Curry said one time, nothing fails like success. And what he meant by that was you’ve got one hand here and then another hand touching it. You’re successful today because you’re able to meet the needs. But when the world changes and work continue to grow above, you’re down here now. Now that success is a failure. So I think people have to be able to evolve and grow with that and do it.
Yeah, I, I, yeah. I think you made some great points that a and we will cut a standard of empathy if it was you know, the TikTok.
Great example. Right. It’s, you know, the reason why TikTok exists. Because of Jan Alpha. Because I know people keep referring to millennials. I mean the millennial phatic back by a month. But, you know, the such a large gap that actually misses GenZ, which where you know the kind of app we have, the X books, generation millennials, GenZ, we’re now on Gen also, which are about 12 or 13, which are that kind of still that kind of age where, you know, if you can’t deliver a message to them in eight seconds, which is kind of tech stocks kind of lets their attention span disappears. Now, performance, you know, the old myth around.
Well, after three and a half-second, four and a half seconds, people navigate away. You know, I’d be doing some site audits which we’ve run up the will do so recall every year. And, you know, it does matter what Website I look at, whether it’s, you know, as you know, CNN or, you know, Google or Facebook, you know, it is 30, 40 seconds. By the time it becomes done, done, complete. Guess you might get all your stuff within three seconds. But actually, by the time it’s rendered on the browser, you know, it’s accessible and intractable.
It’s too slow. And, you know, but they mark you know, they created that product for a generation where we’ve got that tolerance kind of saying that, you know, once we’re getting over a certain amount of time, well, we have to try it more than once. So close the gap more than once. We’ve got that tolerance. But the younger generations down. They’d just be like, well, I don’t know. I’m not waiting that long. I think that’s interesting because our testing mentality also is sembler, isn’t it? If you think about the, you know, putting yourself in a different persona of a teenage girl, which I doubt, you know, for obvious reasons, but, you know, perfect from kind of a biased perspective.
You thinking about all those types of different personas and what they’re looking for from the experience compared to other ones. I don’t think, you know, we’ve also got architecture which gets out of date quite quickly. You know you go from service every day. Take it architecture, client-server. You have three-tier two. You know, now microservices, you know, they build it and the product grows. So PayPal by, you know, through acquisition for X.com and Elon Musk’s company, you know, there’s a certain date where the technology and the mainframes all kind of coexist and then they stack stuff on top of it, you know, try and create disruptive products that they give to generations. But they have all that heritage.
And, you know, the legacy is your legacy kind of thing. Whereas actually, maybe that platform isn’t suitable for them. You know, I try to advise a company yesterday to actually continue doing paper versions of the magazine over e-books. And it was because the average age is people who, you know, over 70. So, yes, they may be using the phone, but, you know, they’re used to that. If 50 percent of your traffic comes from people looking at the magazine and typing in the address, then that’s still your most effective method of actually communicating with those people. We see as well that will just make everything digital because that’s what everybody wants.
But if people are having this particular heart disease are over 70, suddenly all like COVID, where there’s a certain age difference when a less is less important for a 14-year-old to be able to diagnose contact tracing versus somebody who’s vulnerable. Right. So, you know, I think that kind of generation gap is not everything that should be digital. How do we perceive to be if we have to put ourselves in that kind of what is the market, what is our actual cause? It’s so difficult. And I think a lot of organizations are stuck in that. Well, that way of saying we know who our customer is. We know we were a Home Depot or something. We know this is our age group. These are the people who buy them. And then you show them what it is and they go OPs.
I had no idea that we suddenly got all these young 20-year-olds buying our stuff. And, you know, now we actually need an all platform that you hover over in the corner. It shows where the product would be and what would happen if I did it in some more stuff and I could build this more lavish kitchen. You know, they need these tools to interact with different generations. And I think that is that’s a really interesting one because we’re very much it’s like you said, there are different skills that people have as test tested. So kind of telling them to test like a 14-year-old might be a really different, difficult challenge.
Yes. Yeah, I agree. And the other thing I see is, is I think it is really knowing your market and knowing who’s out there and knowing who your potential leads are as well. Because, you know, all it takes is that one YouTube video by some teenager. That is this app is awesome. And then your app is awesome. I mean, by the way, looking for that one teenager or that one YouTube girl who’s got millions of followers. This is this book by Mike Lyles is amazing because then I don’t have to work anymore. But I’ve never met that person yet. But I’m trying to find them.
But I do think it’s really, you know, the viral side of this, you know, being able to figure out what is making people go to, you know, drawing them to certain maps or certain products. And really, how do you market to that? And if you do market to that, had you tested for what you’re going to get when you do it, you know, be careful what you ask for kind of thing. The last thing I’ll tell you is I see a lot of like you test a lot of crowdsourcing companies that are really. I’ve always been signed up for your test, and every now and then I’ll get a request for them. The other big one for a donut shop here in the US, Dunkin Krispy Kreme Donuts.
And they wanted me to test the app. I’m like, I’ll be glad to do that. No problem. I just don’t have that. And you had to buy it online and go to the store and get the donuts and then go see if it worked for you. And they were thinking to give you the donuts for free for doing it. It was. That was my pay. Good pay. But I’m fine now during the cold situation. I think a lot of companies are starting to know maybe they’ve laid a lot of people off and now they need to get staff back in place. Things are picking back up. And I see a ton of emails now that I didn’t have years before.
Over the past couple of years asking me to be part of the crowd testing, you know, what do you know about power services or environment services? What do you know about this service that’s sawing which I’ve had for this week, you know, and asking me to volunteer to do testing for them? So I think you’re about to see something new and then maybe I’ve called it out and we’ll see how it goes, where companies are going to start using more the crowdsourcing, testing to supplement the fact that they don’t have the staff that they didn’t have.
A year ago. So it’s going to be an interesting age because now you’ve got people who you sort of know-how they test. But you don’t know Ali Simian Army. I’ve never met you. You’re gonna test my application. What does that do? It can be an interesting thing to look at in the next couple of months.
I completely agree. I by Eurostar talk. So before Eurostar became virtual, it was going to be the Zoom.
So I’d kind of talk I pick the topic around crowd testing in the wild. And again, I’m a very big advocate of crowd testee and I’d use crowd testing for a fashion app. That was going to because I’m not a 14-year-old teenage girl, I wanted the right demographic. Right. And, you know, part of it was really interesting to experience to see, you know, just what level you actually I would like, you know, somebody who’s got pets, somebody who’s, you know, enjoys golfing, you know, getting that kind of context-driven aspect of the crowd tested to test it a different way. And, you know, I think it’s actually fascinating.
I think you’re actually right. You’re going to see this move of where there were resources. It has a center of enablement, the center of excellence, whatever it was there, which has disappeared. You know, going to have to think, well, how do I make that available? Crowd testing. And I think crowd testing is a kind of massively is missed opportunity so far because it gives you that ability to flex up and down, you know. And I just think part of the bit, which I really interested in is this kind of testing and production. And, you know, I’m doing it at the moment with the M.I.T., working with the guys at M.I.T. for the Safe Paths contact tracing map. So at the moment, we’re doing crowd testing in Boston, strengths in the case.
But before we’d be testing in Haiti. So Haiti was a bit more difficult. Boston was really easy because I just rang Iran and said, can I borrow your Google? Take out the data already suggest. Yeah. So give me several years of him walking around Boston. He lives in Boston. So I had all this data which I could then use to sell Bill and building my tests to stop feeding in the GDP X locations. Oh, he’s gone to another Starbucks. All that, you know, end of the phone will go in the same location. I’ve got some kind of useful data. But obviously, we’re testing that at the moment on a live system. Now, obviously, people have always had issues about that. It probably doesn’t come time to go through it.
But, you know, part four is obviously we flagged to say that this is a test account and this test is using the same infrastructure, but actually is testing small amounts. And we’re measuring that using what kind of reconstitutes experience analytics puts Splunk and, you know, Abdeh and all these kinds of tools to say, well, actually, let’s have a look at the crowd testers. What are they doing? What are the journeys? They’re complete. What the session’s looking like while they’re obviously on different versions of the application because we use it test fly at Google Bisa, you know, so Kafka is they using new features in you know, in life and we’re seeing how they interact.
It’s really fascinating to watch because we’re all volunteers working with M.I.T. and we’ve got two thousand five hundred testers and coordinate in those guys from things like localization to, you know, to kind of you just basic journeys and exploratory. You know, it fascinating because I think that’s what’s going to happen is the donut example which you gave us a great one because I think, you know what? How cheap can be? Don’t give him what donut. And you know, each case to save IoT. If it was Amazon near in the old days when Amazon started and they give you a pound voucher, it was brilliant. You know, you introduced everybody you knew to Amazon because every 15 and you get a free book. But, you know, that doesn’t cost anything for an organization.
And I always feel that there’s a missed opportunity, that the social analytic data, things like stuff coming from Twitter, YouTube, wherever it is where people go, I don’t like this app or this happens, you know, why can’t I trace that back and go, what? Why did that ever occur? Why if I got a screen here, what’s this time out? You know, you start pulling that kind of weird errors that you see on production. And I always do that. I was pulling them out using the sentiment analysis, M.I.T. libraries, and just pull over to see if it’s a negative response to our Twitter feed. And then we use it and they drop it into Slack. And that’s really interesting because straight away you go negative, negative, negative.
And obviously, a lot of people say negative things. But straight away, I’m kind of guy, OK, I don’t know what that is. I don’t know how that error happens. And then we start trying to build out with a real product to see your test is all you people are using your product, but are you monitoring them, are raising issues that they’re finding or you just kind of reach your customer service staff, kind of go, no, I’m really sorry about the experience. You know, here’s a free download and I think that’s a missed opportunity as well. Tying that and to cut it the opportunity with crowd testing, I think is going to really help flex the resources as people come back.
Absolutely. Yeah, I think that you really went on the head. And I think a lot of people, we have to decide whether or not people can handle their constant change. You remember back in the early Facebook days, everybody complained to Facebook, just changed the color of AP. Or, oh, I hate this new status. I hate this new. I feel happy or sad, you know, options. Why don’t you have something more than, like an accommodated some of those things? And then and then everybody would complain for a couple of weeks. Any time a new change to the apple would come out or the new change to the layout of the application.
I just don’t hear that much anymore. People are busy worried about other things now and using Facebook to tell you about what they’re worried about than they are complaining about Facebook. And it hit me when they said that. I think you get some companies that their brand is so strong that eventually, you can do anything to me. And I’m just going to accept that. I’m going to stop complaining that you change things every day or every week. And I’m just going to deal with it. You know, I noticed on the Facebook app, I used to be a research and my search is gone. I don’t know where it is.
You have to do creative things to be able to search. You know, if you want to hear where’s my friend, you can’t search anymore. You have to. It’s not there. I don’t know if it’s just my app or this. Just this past week, I follow that and I’m like, how many people are going to complain about it? But I’ve not heard one person say, you know, we’re just like, I’ll figure out another way, you know?
And it’s interesting because, you know, it is the same with dark launching.
You know, this idea is, you know, they may have launched you know, a version and a canary billed for your particular phone because they targeted you and your particular profile, offered you a new interface or a new lack of search, one hoping that you’re going to go and look for A/B tests you, but then it redialing the functionality to iterate on. It’s really interesting because the gamification group Damian, which we out yesterday, you know, they were saying the same thing, is actually what they said.
Oh, well, it’s a widget. We’re calling this a widget. And they’re like, well, don’t call a widget because they wouldn’t descend. What of which is use Facebook terminology because it’s so much easier and accessible and accepted by age groups. A whole stack of different age groups that were on there that a group is is much better than calling it a liking is something that’s kind of readily understandable. But, you know, there’s a lot of transients, like you said, you know, going from the face party, MySpace to Facebook to this what was Farmville and a whole stack of apps that just was on a big, long pace to what it looks like today is, you know, we’ve accepted that.
But where, you know, people are trying to do different experiences and generic experiences for everybody for their mobile app on their Web page. And I think there’s going to come to a point where you kind of go, well, actually, does it really matter? You know, as long as it’s in a particular format, it’s easy to self, you know, get yourself around. And it also supports that age range as well. You know, I think that’s where people should be looking at, not, you know, how cool new react native framework. We can do it. What cool functionality can we add? Maybe it’s just getting the the the the functionality.
Right. Unstable, unreliable, and matching your brand expectation. I think this is all really interesting stuff that hopefully, you know, we’ll see coming through all the testing stuff. And, you know, I’ve actually got a family guy called Moggs who’s a is a YouTube with about five, six million views. And he’s actually built his house through YouTube and everything else. And it’s so strange to see influencers talk about a product that then spikes that, you know, downloads or are interested in there, even the advertising. And that’s a sign with him or his sponsorship, you know, parfaits where it’s such an interesting world where influence might not be technology.
Gartner analyst, which we’re used to, it isn’t you know, it could be just a teenager operating out of his mom’s basement. And, you know, this is a completely different challenge because, you know, it changes how people download the app like we’ve been trying to do. The M.I.T. is how do you build awareness around getting people to do it? You know, is it better to kind of have a generic thing where you can share it on Facebook and say, oh, no, come and join, you know, and get encouraged to get more people to join that way organically? You know, I think there are lots of different mechanics now that we’re not used to and we’re not always exploring.
And you kind of set testing. You know, it’s testing more than that, you know. And, you know, if you’re Facebook, I know marketing’s a great one. The Facebook load is a different browser, called it, you know, which is an in-app browser that has reduced functionality if the safari functionality, which doesn’t render certain pages. Right. So if you’re using an app referral coming from a Facebook app, especially now when Iran would be hitting me to say, oh, yeah, but now we’ve got two screens on the new Android eleven, you know, it could go into the full ground where it could go to another app or it could be using the same cumber resource.
So you’ve got all these kind of new challenges as new devices, 5G. And, you know, the behaviors change on, you know, how people interact with system you know there’s just so much to think about. And I love kind of where, you know, you’ve kind of pointed this discussion is gone in. We’ll have to think of a nice crowd testing kind of. Was titles said this. You know, what’s the best way to kind of get, you know, for people to kind of get in touch with you and kind of, you know, find out more? You know, like your Website.
Yeah. So if they go to mikelyles.me, it’s a very simple page. It’s about me page up there from my home page. But that mikelyles.me Will actually show all the sites in the bottom corner there.
So all of my sites are there. I try to keep that updated. So if someone says, you know, I’d rather connect with you on Twitter or some other area, just jump on mikelyles.me. And that will also give you a link to my blog site. My book cited in all my other places as well.
I will make sure we get I’ll get Moggs State to do a shout out for the book.
I’ll just tell you, it makes the McDonald’s drive through a post-COVID thing and you’ll be like, that’s a great idea that actually drives through takes longer because, you know, there’s COVID now so people are queueing without getting out of your car and putting on a mask.
So there’s the, but yeah it’s been absolutely fantastic talking to you, I can it will have to get you back and talk a little bit more about crowd testing in the future. | <urn:uuid:a98ccde9-d83e-4f93-ba5a-b9eee361b8e3> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://theqalead.com/podcast/how-to-use-service-virtualization-with-mike-lyles-from-bridgetree/ | 2020-10-22T14:31:22Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107879673.14/warc/CC-MAIN-20201022141106-20201022171106-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.967577 | 19,469 |
Interview with E.O. Wilson
Edward Osborne Wilson, born in June 1929, is a US-American biologist, theorist, researcher, and distinguished expert on ant research. He popularized the terms “sociobiology,” “evolutionary biology”, and “biodiversity.” He is known for his work on island biogeography and won two Pulitzer Prizes. In this interview, we talk about his early career and research, three exciting moments in his life, and why you should be happy to have ants in your kitchen.
An Interview compiled by Patrick Krapf
MNB: Dear Professor Wilson, thank you so much for giving us an interview.
EOW: It’s my pleasure. Thank you for calling me.
MNB: Could you tell us just a little bit about yourself?
EOW: Sure. I began studying ants when I was 16 years old. I was just going into my last year of high school, which is the year before college, so the final year of public school. At this time, I was so interested in natural history, and I wanted to be an entomologist because I was particularly interested in butterflies and other insects. I decided to work with a group of insects with which I could become familiar, so that when I got to college, I would have a subject especially interesting for me to study. I had very little understanding of how universities in America worked. I knew that there were many courses and you had to take many subjects and so on. Anyway, that was when I decided that I would work on ants. I thought about several other kinds of insects, but during this last summer in the city of Decatur, Alabama, I saw a line of ants running in the backyard, and they were army ants. And even though this is in the Southern United States, we have many army ants, very small ones of the genus Neivamyrmex. I followed the column, which was running in our yard, over our fence, into the neighbouring yard. It continued on, and I kept walking behind it, followed it, and it went to a street, and it crossed the street and went on into some woodland. Later, I understood this was a colony of Neivamyrmex nigrescens. What I was witnessing was a colony migrating. When I came to the end of the migratory route, I saw the last of the ants running, and I saw insects running with the ants. They were at the end of the migration. They included small beetles, silverfish, and several other kinds of insects running with the ants. It was at this moment when I decided that ants were the group of insects I would like to study. I was still very young, though. So I was spending money on papers, and I bought a copy of Wheeler’s “Ants” for 10 dollars, which I almost memorized as it was so interesting. By the time I went to the University of Alabama, one year later, I had memorized most of the book, and I was carefully studying ants. I found colonies of Neivamyrmex, and I collected them. I even had a professor who let me set up artificial nests in the laboratory at the university campus. I was able to watch the army ants march from one part of the laboratory to the other in the glass nests that I had made. At that time, I observed very small beetles (Limulodidae) on the backs of the ants that I had collected near the university. And now I was watching them in the ant nests in the laboratory. I was able to make some of my first scientific observations on these tiny beetles. I observed how they lived, how they jumped from one ant to another – they are much smaller than the ants – and they have little stiff legs, and they run back and forth very fast across the ants. They lick the oily liquid of the body of the ants; that is how they live. So I was able to begin my studies like that. I believe that is a good way to start studying any kind of insect, but I was very fortunate in having had such an opportunity. I don’t believe that you have army ants in Innsbruck, and for that, I am very sorry (laughing). After this, I never went back and just found everything about ants interesting.
MNB: I think so, too; ants are extremely fascinating.
EOW: Yes. May I ask where you come from?
MNB: Sure. I am from Italy, near the border to Austria.
EOW: Oh, very good. There are some wonderful places I know in northern Italy where probably some other kinds of ants are living which have not been found. Maybe some species which are still unknown there. Do you believe that?
MNB: Personally, I believe so, yes.
EOW: Oh yes, at least some social parasites.
MNB: Maybe also some cryptic species.
EOW: Yes, right. You can be grateful for that.
MNB: True. There is much to do.
MNB: And how did you proceed with your work after these first observations?
EOW: Later, I chose a different subject for my studies: Lasius. It was a very difficult genus to work on, Lasius, because I could not get much material from Europe and elsewhere. And there were very few specimens from Asia. I kept working and summed up in my thesis everything known about Lasius. Later of course – speaking of cryptic species – we have been finding quite a few cryptic species with Lasius. There must be a great many more in Asia. One of the specimens I have came from the dining table of Stalin in the Kremlin.
MNB: Oh, and how did you get those?
EOW: I had a friend, a professor at Harvard, and he liked to collect ants in the strongest liquid – you know, Scotch, Vodka, and so on – from the countries he was visiting. And he happened to be in a group of visiting Americans right at the end of World War II, and they were the guests of Stalin in the Kremlin. At dinner, he saw several ants crawling on the table, which he collected in Vodka. And when he was back at Harvard, I talked to him and said: “I have no ants at all of Lasius from Russia, may I see your ants?” You see, how bad it was at the time to get some material to do my thesis. But I was able to complete the thesis. By this time, I was working on many aspects of ant biology.
MNB: Oh, wow. Were there any other big obstacles you had to overcome in your research?
EOW: Uhh, that is a very good question. One strategy in research is to find one way to overcome an obstacle to study the organisms you are interested in. So find a way to overcome the obstacle, and then select the obstacle. This is how I began studies on pheromones of ants. I knew where the glands were in the body of the ants. And I knew that I could probably myself dissect out the glands of ants if I worked with very fine instruments. So that was only one obstacle when I came to it. Before I started with my research, it was only possible to study small amounts of organic substances. But then, at the same time, there were major events occurring in chemistry like the combination of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Then, due to GC-MS, it was possible to identify microgram amounts of substances, and in some cases, we could only get probably micrograms of material from ants. This started a whole revolution in organic chemistry. I saw this as a great opportunity for ant biology.
MNB: What were there most funny or exciting moments during your research? Could you share one or two stories?
EOW: Yes, I’d be happy to do that, because these are best to remember.
So, let me start with moment number one. When I was taking glands out of fire ants, I was working with very fine forceps, Dumont Nr. 5, fine, fine instruments (laughing). Needle-like and sharpened up with which I could even dissect fire ants and take out their glands. I decided that this is a way to study pheromones. You get the material which you can bioassay, and then you get a chemist who helps you identify the pheromone. And that was what I did. I started with glands from all over the body that I knew about of fire ants. I started working on the fire ant’s trail. What was the trail fire ants were following, I asked, where did it come from, which glands are important? So I was taking glands from the fire ants and tried to make artificial trails for them. Just one gland – one trail. I tried to lead the fire ants out of the nest into the laboratory to the trail. And I failed and failed and failed, but then I came to one tiny organ, the Dufour’s gland. Nobody knew what that was for, but then I worked that gland loose under the microscope and used the Dufour’s gland for my artificial trail, and a large part of the fire ant colony that I had in the laboratory came out. I mean it was as though you had announced the end of World War II or something. They just poured out and milled around in excitement. I realized that there was far more to this gland than just a trail substance. That was the start of work choosing dissected glands and chemically separating them to do bioassays and to start to understand the pheromones as a whole. That was exciting moment number one.
Exciting moment number two: In 1954, I got money from Harvard to travel to Asia and to Australia. I decided to go to Australia at the start to find more out about the ant genus Nothomyrmecia. Nothomyrmecia was known from two specimens collected in the early 1930s from a desert area in Southwest Australia. It is primitively built, with very elementary body parts. It was important to find it and to study its social behavior. So I got several other people to come with me, and we had a little expedition to search for Nothomyrmecia. We went to a very remote uninhabited area where the two specimens had been collected. And we failed. Okay, no great moment there.
Then I had one other chance in doing something comparable. There was a genus of ants, Aneuretus, which was extant in the late Mesozoic and early Cenozoic. They lived up to 60 million years ago, going back into the Cretaceous. The aneuretines were very diverse and some of them quite large. It was important to find the last of the survivors. We knew that it had survived in one species, Aneuretus simoni. Two specimens had been found in a garden in Sri Lanka. So off I went to Sri Lanka. I visited the Peradeniya Gardens and the nearby Royal Gardens of Kandy, in the middle of Sri Lanka (called Ceylon then) hoping to find Aneuretus in the woodland there. The first two specimens had just been collected casually. So I searched and searched, and I could not find it, either in the Peradeniya Gardens or anywhere else I went. So I gave up that part of Sri Lanka and decided to go somewhere else. I knew if I went down to Ratnapura to the south, I would be close to the rainforest, and I thought, maybe I could find them in the rainforest. So I got on a bus and went south from Kandy to Ratnapura, which has some rainforest nearby. I got out off the bus and walked into the tourist facility there, a little hotel. The hotel was surrounded by a bunch of trees. So I decided to walk out to those trees and see what there is. I walked up to a bush which had hollow twigs. And you of course know that hollow twigs are one of the best places to find ants. So I reached over to a branch and broke off a dead twig. And out poured Aneuretus! I had struck gold (for a myrmecologist). They were all over my hands and arms, biting me, spraying Aneuretus poison, whatever that was; I couldn’t care less, because I had found Aneuretus! Within a week, I had collected many more colonies, and I did the first study of that living species. I discovered, for example, that Aneuretus has a soldier caste plus minor workers, similar to Pheidole. But I discovered many more things in the following days with a whole colony of Aneuretus running over my hands and arms. That was great moment number two.
Great moment number three: For years and years, myrmecologists had wondered what the earliest ants looked liked. We needed to know the probable ancestors of the ants. Surely they must be from the dawn of the Cenozoic – the Eocene, maybe even early Paleocene. We had lots of ant specimens in amber, but they were quite advanced in their development. But we had not seen many primitive ants. We all wondered how it was back in the Mesozoic – by we, I mean William L. Brown at Harvard and me, mainly. Eventually someday, we were sure that we would find an amber specimen. The years passed. Then one day, in the 1960s, I think, I got word from an older professor who was a specialist of fossil insects. He said: “I just received a letter from two amber collectors in New Jersey, who were out looking through material in amber-bearing strata.” I didn’t know one existed there in New Jersey until then, but it is rich in fossils and goes back about 90 million years. This older couple were retired folks living in New Jersey who made a hobby of collecting amber. He had electrifying news: “They have found a piece of amber with two ants in it. Would you like to see it? It’s 90 million years old – Cretaceous.” I said: “It is like asking, ‘Would I like to go to heaven?’ In other words, Yes, I would like to see them.” They arrived, and there before me was the piece of amber with the specimens. I reached down, pulled out the fossil. I was understandably nervous, and my hands were shaking. I dropped the piece, which fell to the floor, and it broke into two pieces. I was thinking I’ve committed some kind of scientific crime. So I took up the two pieces, shaking, and discovered that fortunately, one ant was in one piece and the second ant in the second piece. We polished them and I was able to study every little detail of those two ants even better than if they were still together. At last, I was able to diagnose something about very early ants. That was exciting moment number three.
MNB: How about recently? Have you been researching ants?
EOW: Very recently, I went to the Gulf Coast in Alabama. I work with partners to set up a National park there. We are making a case to the government to set up a park. I made a trip there, and it was a great pleasure. And I said, while I am there, I want to make something useful. I want to make an important discovery about ants. Because that’s what I do. I make discoveries about ants. Now I’m 89, and still ask what can I do that could make an important discovery? What I decided to do this time was to study arboreal ants. There are lots of arboreal ants in the Gulf Coast floodplain. There is not in fact much else, because the flood always has high water from two big rivers coming down. But there are apparently a lot of ants in the bushes and in the low overhanging branches. This is what I did just a few months ago during a survey, of what will be a future park soon; at least I hope there will be a park. We were several biologists there on that day, breaking open hundreds of twigs hanging low over the water. And we found that the bushes and trees hold many ants. It was very exciting to see this quite large biomass of ants. Many, many individuals and species. Nothing extraordinary, I admit, but it was extraordinary to find such a rich ant fauna confined to the arboreal habitat just waiting to be studied. There were so many other interesting aspects. We were able to push a bit into dense stands of bamboo and grass. You can’t penetrate these thickets except for a few places, where the bush is less thick. I soon discovered that a large fraction of the stems were occupied by ant colonies. Although I did not have the chance to study this remarkable fauna, I could tell that it consisted of at least as many as 10 or 20 species, if you include the rare ones, living in the hollows of bamboo stems. They have to go from one hollow stem to another; they also have to come down to the flowers and bushes to feed and hunt insect prey. So, in these places, arborescent vegetation is the only place where ants can forage productively. Among all insects, the arboreal ants are the dominant insects in this area. All this needs to be studied! Anyway, if you are in the US and you make it to the Gulf Coast, you might want to check it out yourself. Anything else you would like to know?
MNB: Maybe a few more questions if you have time?
EOW: No, that is all right, I enjoy listening and talking. And you are working on ants and are interested yourself, so you know what I am talking about. So go ahead.
MNB: What do you enjoy most about ant research?
EOW: Everything I just said (laughing). I enjoyed very much spending time in the laboratory and doing experiments but most of all finding new kinds of ants. The way I did when I started with that little army ant colony I told you about. I wanted always to repeat that experience with whatever I did in the world. I worked in the Amazonas, in Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, in New Jersey, in New Caledonia in the South Pacific, for example. I visited also places which have almost never been searched for ants. Just discovering ants and finding out the first things about them. For me, this is the most exciting part about myrmecology, and it is still so wide open. I always hoped at least, that I could go to very remote places, and I did. Actually, I sent a couple of students to the Juan Fernández Islands, which are similar to the Galapagos. I know, nobody collected ants there; I asked myself: These remote islands, do they have ants? The islands have never been in contact with the mainland, and they are completely oceanic islands. Will there be ants on these islands? On this expedition, I couldn’t go myself. They looked throughout the islands, and I can tell you now there are not many ants. In January of 2019, I am sending an expedition to the Falkland Islands. These islands are in a cool, temperature zone, and to my knowledge, nobody has gone there to see if there are ants. If I could, I would go myself. But you see, as a substitute that is what I enjoy most.
MNB: Was there a special person who inspired you to pursue a career in myrmecology?
EOW: William L. Brown. I don’t know if you know my book on the New World ants of the genus Pheidole, on which I covered all the known species. At the beginning, I never thought that huge genus could be mastered. But I have; at the beginning, it was actually terrifying. Many people thought it was not possible, but William Brown encouraged me. He was one of my mentors, and he was a great person. Bill worked with dacetine ants a lot. He wrote me when I was just a very young fellow at the University of Alabama. He encouraged me to study dacetine ants. He was probably responsible for bringing me to Harvard, where I have stayed ever since. Bill Brown, a fanatic myrmecologist, you can use those words (laughing). He was marvelous and he inspired me to do everything I could and find out everything I know about ants.
MNB: If you had not become a myrmecologist, what else would you have liked to become?
EOW: Oh, I probably would have studied another group of insects. There is a group of flies I became interested in: Dolichopodidae is the family, and the flies are called the long-legged flies, which are beautiful and extremely interesting to watch. The males are territorial and display to each other. I don’t know if you have heard about them. I became fascinated with them before I started working on ants, and I thought that I could actually build a career studying dolichopodid flies. But it was ants.
MNB: What is the one thing you wish everyone knew about ants?
EOW: I think I’ll give you a humorous answer on that.
MNB: I would love that.
EOW: So the question was what I wanted that everyone knew about ants? That they are wonderful to have in your kitchen (laughing). If you have a colony in your kitchen coming in from the outside, put down something for them to eat and watch their social behavior. You will be treated to see something so different from the advanced society of the humans that you believe that they came from another planet.
MNB: I would like to thank you again for this interview, Professor Wilson. It was amazing to talk to you.
EOW: I thank you for reaching out to me, and that we could talk about ants. I wish you all success in your work. You have a tremendous subject to go into where there are all kinds of interesting things for me or for you to do original research. I hope that you stay with it and wish you all the best. | <urn:uuid:f15fffa9-de73-45c3-84a7-3a31ef9e9ff0> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://blog.myrmecologicalnews.org/2018/07/03/interview-with-e-o-wilson/?replytocom=16 | 2020-10-24T08:54:01Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107882103.34/warc/CC-MAIN-20201024080855-20201024110855-00080.warc.gz | en | 0.987376 | 4,686 |
By Jason Gibbs
“Why are you so dissatisfied Jacob? We live in a perfect world.”
“I know, I know, and yet…”
They’d had this argument so many times, Jacob just didn’t know how to explain. In this utopia he felt like an ingrate, or worse, a serpent, looking for the apple of truth which would ruin it all. At first he’d tried to explain his unease to Zelia, but she’d just stared at him in incomprehension. Then she’d accused him of becoming too wrapped up in his old books. Orwell and Huxley had made him question his world.
“Anyway, there’s something I need to tell you Jacob.”
“I’m having a baby with Ruthius.”
“What? But, I didn’t think you knew him or…”
“We’re friends on a different plane, and well, he and I have become close and he proposed and I said yes. That doesn’t mean we can’t still be friends on this plane, or whatever. But it does mean that we won’t ..”
“Be having a baby. Or a future.”
In his heart he’d known this was coming. She’d been spending more and more time on other planes. But Ruthius, that was a kick in the guts. He’d been looking forward to turning a hundred and being allowed to have a baby, but now, that was gone.
“Jacob, are you going to be ok?”
“Yeah, sure, fine. Look I need some time. I’ll ping you.”
He cut the connection and the space around him reconfigured to his personal homespace. He just floated, wondering what he could have done, and also why he felt such a sense of relief. A crazy plan had been building in the hidden parts of his brain, and it now took centre stage.
“Jacob Alliere 237634298?”
“It says on your application that you’ve been studying engineering for six months.”
He had to think a little, but he knew the question was designed to knock him off guard. Many planes ran at slightly different speeds, so six months could feel like four, or ten.
“Real and experienced, I was on a normal plane. It was a retro plane, which is why I can also speak like you. Actually I’d spent several years in retro planes, which is how I found your… advert. Text. I thought it was a quest or something.”
The man looked sceptical, but continued, “After this interview you’ll be run through several more tests, but so far you seem to have what it takes. Why do you want to be an Engineer?”
This was the real test. How could he answer? With the nearest to the truth he could manage.
“I feel something is wrong, in the planes. Or I’m wrong for the planes. It’s like I’m always out of tune. But it all seems so ethereal, irrelevant even. You, the Engineers, are the only group who ever do anything Real.”
“What about the researchers?”
“They’re just playing a different type of game on a different set of planes, but it isn’t Real.”
The man leaned back in his chair, rocking a little, a movement which seemed odd to Jacob who’d spent his whole life in a world where gravity did what he wanted, and which was always smoothly under control.
For a while the man just stared, and Jacob could think of nothing else to say. Then the man rubbed his chin.
“You’re the seventy-eighth applicant we’ve had this century. The first seventy-seven were more than eighty years ago, and we rejected all but five. You’ll find out more about them when you go through. I’ll be honest, the main reason I’m passing you is that we need new blood, but I don’t think you’ll last. You sure about the full term? I can give you the probationary two year option.”
“But then I’ll be in a mechanical won’t I?”
The man nodded.
“In that case I’ll go with the twenty year option, that way I know I’ll succeed.”
“Maybe. See you on the other side.”
The man winked out, somewhat rudely, Jacob thought, and he was led through several more exercises. His pod informed him that it was being asked to provide detailed medical information, and he gave his assent. Usually it was only required for procreation, but he wasn’t going to be worrying about that, or Zelia, for a long while.
The video finished and the light came up. The group stared at each other across the table.
“Are you sure he’s going to help?” said the first.
“He’s our best shot. We just don’t know how to communicate with them anymore, you heard, he thought our advert was a quest, we’re archaic to them,” answered the man at the top of the table who was known as Control.
“What about Felis?”
“It’s been three years since she last called. We’ve lost her, just like the previous ones. It’s a different world in there. Or worlds. Enticing. Intoxicating.” He shook his head sadly.
“Well Control, we’re running out of time. If this doesn’t work then we’ll have to discuss the Euthanasia protocols.”
The first time the protocols had been mentioned there had been gasps of shock, this time they all just nodded and avoided each other’s eyes.
“I know. I’ll rush him through as quickly as possible, but he has to bond. He has to want to stay with us.”
“He’s ready, everyone visited him in the first two weeks. He’s had every bug we’ve got. His pod and nanites handled most of them, there were a couple which looked a bit worrying, but we got him through,” the doctor looked strained, she wasn’t happy about this. She’d held them off for a week to give the boy, man, a chance, but they needed to get things going. Opening the pod each time one of their community had come to visit had been a chore, much worse was watching his vitals waver as he developed immunities she’d been born with.
“Thanks Doctor, can you bring him out of sedation, gently, and we’ll get him into training with Sasha. We’ll need you when, if, we bring him out of his pod.”
The Doctor’s eyes widened a bit, but she nodded and went back to her patient.
“How long do I have to stay in this place?”
“Until you learn how to move without trying to control gravity. In the Real gravity pulls one way, down, and there’s nothing you can do about it. If we let you straight out you’d fall over and hurt yourself.”
For three weeks Jacob had been living in this hell hole. It was a set of tunnels weaving through machinery, and it was hot, and he just couldn’t get comfortable. He’d always been able to have gravity changed around him so he’d be held perfectly, now he stumbled, cracking his head against walls, and grazing his shins. That was another thing.
“Can you at least allow my system to damp the pain?”
“We are. You’re at around 50% at the moment. As an Engineer, in the Real, you’ll need to be able to cope with normal pains, and you won’t have your pod to molly-coddle you.”
He could hear a slight sneer in her voice, he felt it was always there. It was clear she felt nothing but contempt for him. She wanted him to fail. Well, he’d made his decision, and he was going all the way.
“When will it go to 100%?”
“When you stop complaining.”
“How long did it take the last few applicants?”
A pause. Perhaps she didn’t know? Or it wasn’t a pleasant answer?
A man’s voice interceded, “Generally they took four to five months to reach the stage you are, and then another few months to complete. You are doing well. Continue.”
So there was someone who wanted him to succeed, and he was apparently doing well. His time in the rougher planes, where war was simulated, was paying off.
“I will, but why is she so hostile?”
Silence and then the woman’s voice, “Get back to the task, we have five more after this.”
He ducked down and started crawling along yet another path between whirring machinery. He’d spent the last weeks learning how to fix these machines. He kept bumping his head, scratching his arms and knocking his shins, but he was slowly getting better.
“Remind me again why we can’t use machines for this?”
There was a grumpy sigh in his ear, “We can, but we also need to do it ourselves. Machines tend not to cope with new or slightly different situations, when they happen, an Engineer has to be sent in. And before you ask the next question, yes we do send in remotes sometimes, but we’ve found that being physically on site makes all the difference. I’ve told you this before, and I’m not going to tell you again.”
He’d been surprised she’d answered at all, maybe the man’s interruption had helped. He got his head down, and followed the tasks he’d been set.
“Well congratulations on passing the tests and being born into our world. Welcome to hell,” said Sasha. He’d only found out her name the day before, and he’d hoped it meant she was mellowing. It didn’t seem so.
It wasn’t what he expected. Despite all the training he still tried to stop the gravity which pressed him into the bed. It felt like he was working twice as hard to breathe, and to top it all he was greeted with sarcasm.
“Ah… yeah… hello.”
“Hmm, shouldn’t you be adjusted?”
“Yes, but… it’s… the shock. Give me a moment or two.”
“OK, but we have work to do.”
Jacob nodded, took a breath and stood. It took all his willpower not to fall straight back down, but he managed to stay up. He nodded again and she turned and stalked off. Clearly she still hadn’t forgiven him for whatever it was he’d done. Or not done.
He couldn’t believe it, but for the first time in his life he actually walked.
The next few weeks were hard. He was working in the Real. The Real! But he didn’t get a real chance to properly appreciate it. At the end of every day he was so exhausted he fell into bed, and was asleep before his head hit the pillow. He met a few other people in passing, but they were mostly taciturn. He still didn’t know exactly how many Engineers there were and Sasha still didn’t say much.
One night as they finished she said, “Right, you’ve passed. Tomorrow you have a break, and then we start real work.”
“What have we been doing?”
“Simulations, damned expensive ones. Good thing we did too otherwise you might have lost a leg.”
He ducked his head abashed. He’d not noticed the steel door closing, and Sasha had dived to save him. He had wondered how she’d been able to stop such a heavy door.
He had so many!
“Lots. What do we do? Who decides the jobs? Why me?”
She shook her head.
“We supervise the machines, and occasionally fix things they can’t. Control decides the jobs. Control will tell you. You’re meeting him tomorrow.”
“Great. Was he the one who intervened in my virtual training?”
She frowned and nodded.
She was gone. As she walked away he wondered if they’d ever be friends.
He was summoned to see Control by a small message bot which travelled the corridors on wheels at high speed, often bouncing off walls or the occasional person.
“Jacob, welcome to the Real, and welcome to the Engineers.”
The man who greeted him was old. Jacob was shocked. No one in the planes would be old. Oh they might pretend sometimes, but it was rare. The man had wrinkles, and grey hair and was a little stooped.
“Ah thank you.”
“I am Control. Voted for, and with another decade to run on my term.”
“Nice to meet you. Um.”
“I know, you have questions. Can I show you in the Virtual?”
“I didn’t think…”
“Oh, not a plane. I’ll show you.”
The man waved him over to two couches, and indicated he should sit down. Once he had, the man gave him some headphones and a pair of bulky glasses. When he put them on he could see a very poor resolution virtual world and hear a slight hiss. Seconds later the old man appeared next to him, looking a little blocky.
“Not what you’re used to, but all we need.”
“Why don’t you use a plane?”
“We have tried, but we find it becomes addictive, and we lose good Engineers.”
“Let me show you what we do.”
Suddenly they were floating above the ground. Only he could still feel the couch. This really wasn’t like the planes. Below them was a surface covered in shiny panels.
“This is part of the planet above us. Those panels are solar collectors. At this point more than seventy percent of the surface of the Earth is covered in them.”
The back of his mind tickled, he did know this, but he’d forgotten.
“We used to only put the panels on the land, but some centuries ago we found a way to platform across the oceans. Now the only places not covered are the poles, partly due to low solar absorption, and partly for more technical weather control reasons, and the nature reserves. We are next to a nature reserve here, and on your next rest day you’ll be taken out for a tour.”
“I can go outside?”
“Yes, but not for long, your skin will not be ready for it and we wouldn’t want you to get burnt. But we do want you to meet the animals.”
“So why do we need all the solar panels?”
“We need the power, to keep the planes going. Each panel supports, roughly, one person. Their dietary requirements, warmth and everything else, including medical. We have some other power sources, but the complexity and risk have made them unreliable. Solar is best. The energy allows us to create food, clean water and everything else.”
“But that means, well many millions of people are in the planes.”
“Approximately thirty billion, and growing, though slowly.”
“Wow. So we have to keep all of that going?”
“Oh no, the robots do the vast majority, we just deal with glitches and strangenesses.”
“How many Engineers are there?”
“Twenty thousand or so, scattered across the globe in half a dozen different settlements, all of them on the edge of a nature reserve.”
Jacob tried to work out how many panels each Engineer was responsible for, but the sheer size of it overwhelmed him.
“And you want me to help with this?”
“At the moment, I’d just like you to become a proper Engineer. Learn what we do, meet the others and understand the Real. I’d like you to go out and visit the animals as well. Once you’ve settled we can talk more about what else you can do.”
“You were the one who interrupted my simulations.”
“So what did happen to the others who joined from the planes?”
“They went back. Not a single one completed their stint. We had to let them back.”
“It’s that bad.”
“It’s that different. As you already know. You will start to feel the weight of it soon. If you need to talk I’m always here.”
Jacob turned to leave and then turned back and asked, “So all the Engineers…”
“Were born in the Real. They’ve never experienced the planes. It’s been that way for several generations. Some from every generation elect to join the planes, we don’t stop them. They never come back.”
Jacob left thinking that the answers hadn’t helped him much.
“Why are you looking so happy?”
“Morning to you too Sasha. I am happy because I spent yesterday outside. With the animals.”
“No, it was amazing. I can’t explain how amazing they were. In the planes we have simulations of animals, but, they just aren’t the same.”
“I even learned to ride.”
She looked at him in surprise.
“Well I started, I can’t do much more than walk a horse round, but it was astonishing.”
Her expression softened for a moment, but then she shouldered her gear and nodded at him. It was the longest non-work conversation they’d ever had.
Over the weeks he met other members of the team. One of them, Tomi, was particularly friendly and they were soon swapping jokes and stories. Tomi showed him where the bars were, and introduced him to alcohol. The first few times it didn’t work out so well, but after a while he became used to it, and began to look forward to going for a drink after work.
“How was Sasha today?”
“Grumpy. As usual. I don’t get her problem with me, it’s like it’s personal.”
“You still haven’t figured it out?”
“Well, you know Perri?”
“Yeah I guess I’ve met Perri a couple of times.”
“Well, Sasha and Perri were going to be work partners, and Sasha was hoping they would also pair up.”
Jacob looked confused.
“What do you mean pair up?”
“You know, like get together. Marry, that sort of thing.”
“So why do I prevent that?”
“Well, it’s kind of assumed that work partners will pair up. It’s been that way for a while, which is why Control takes such an interest in new pairings. Clearly you’re the one for Sasha!”
Tomi laughed at his look. Jacob had truly never considered it.
“Well Jacob? Don’t you find her attractive?”
“Um, well not really.”
Jacob was uncomfortable with the questions, but Tomi carried on.
“Oh. Are you, uh, you know, interested more in men? Were you a woman in the virtual world?”
Jacob said nothing, just looked away and shuffled on his seat. Tomi realised something was up.
“Sorry Jacob, I didn’t mean to pry, I was only…”
“No, don’t worry Tomi it’s fine. It’s just that where I come from it’s very rude to ask those questions. At least until an approach has been made.”
Jacob sighed. “I guess I should explain. On the planes we meet each other and we may, or may not, have an obvious gender. Some people, possibly many, operate as different genders on different planes.”
“What, you mean be a man on one plane and a woman on another?”
“Yes, as a simplistic example.”
“It’s quite fun actually.”
Tomi stared at him.
“Look Tomi, that was normal. The planes are only limited by imagination, and some people have great imaginations. I could go on about all the combinations, but I was trying to explain. Generally we try to partner with someone we like, and then we can discuss the virtual physical side. That’s the approach.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Crudely, if you find the right person and want them to look different they can. Say you prefer girls and the person you meet is a boy, you could ask them to change. Depending on how deep the relationship is it can be fine. They might change totally in that plane, or they might just allow you to see them as a girl and everyone else sees them as a boy. Or they might suggest that you only meet in a different plane where they happen to be a girl.”
It was clearly blowing Tomi’s mind.
“But one thing we almost never ask is what a person’s real gender is, even in a deep relationship. It’s kind of taboo. Often the only people who know are their parents.”
“But surely people will see you naked as you grow up. I mean, it’s impossible to hide it.”
Jacob blushed a little.
“Well, it has become usual for children to appear be genderless. And have no genitalia at all.”
Tomi just stared at him for a few seconds and then said, “But how do they, um, go to the toilet?”
“It’s all handled in the machine, behind the scenes, so they never know. Until I did my orientation training I’d never consciously had to go to the toilet.”
Tomi looked at him, and laughing said, “That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Then he carried on laughing. Jacob smiled too, though he wasn’t seeing the joke. He waved over another couple of drinks, and managed to steer Tomi to more mundane topics.
“Jacob stop what you’re doing.”
He’d been replacing a power unit and thinking about his next day off. He was going to go outside of course, but should he go riding again, or hang out with the goats? Desmon had offered to take him on a mini safari. Off in a daze he hadn’t clocked the flashing red light on their communicators.
Her outstretched hand silenced him. She was listening to the radio. She nodded and then clicked it off.
“This way, now. There’s trouble. Peretina is caught in a breach.”
With that she started running. He began to follow. While he’d learned how to run they hadn’t done it much and he felt very awkward. The service tunnel wasn’t the smallest he’d been in, but he still had to duck and dodge to avoid decapitation or losing a limb. Sasha was soon well ahead of him.
He heard a wail. It must be Sasha, he raced ahead again, narrowly avoiding concussing himself, and rounded a corner to see her banging on a steel door.
He tried to gather his breath to ask her what was wrong when she threw herself at him and started sobbing. He just held her, and then saw the tell-tales on the door. It was showing water pressure and an electric surge. If Peretina was behind the door, then she was in big trouble.
Sasha gathered herself, remembered it was him and backed away, turning around to stare at the door.
“Can we open it another way?”
“How long will she survive? How long have we got?”
She turned to him in disbelief.
“But she can’t be… I mean. Surely we have time…”
She just continued to stare at him, and the truth of what she’d said hit him. It was like the whole world rocked around him. Suddenly he was overtaken by blackness.
“I didn’t think he knew Peretina?”
“Why did he react like that then?”
“We’ll have to ask. I think he’s coming round.”
Jacob opened his eyes to see Tomi, Sasha and a doctor, not the one he knew, looking down at him.
“Jacob, I’m Doctor Fisal. How are you feeling?”
“Um, ok. Tired. My shoulder hurts a little.”
“You bruised it as you fell. The good news is that you’re ok, the computer has cleared you.”
There was a brief pause, then the doctor said, “She’s dead Jacob, she died instantaneously. She was working on a water pressure system and something failed, engulfing her in water and shorting the local electrics. She would not have felt much pain, or awareness of her situation.”
“But. She’ll come back?”
The doctor shook his head sadly.
“No. She’s gone.”
Jacob stared at him again, and then slumped back. He wouldn’t respond again and the doctor gently shuffled the others out.
“So why did it affect him so badly Doctor?”
“Sasha, it’s taken me a while, and it’s only a theory, but I don’t think he’s ever know anyone die.”
“In the planes they live for a very long time. They each live in a hermetically sealed pod. The machines have pretty much eliminated disease. People don’t interact physically any more so diseases can’t be passed, and the nano medicine deals with the vast majority of internal problems. They don’t do anything in the physical world, so accidents, or deliberate acts of violence just aren’t possible. The only real possibility is something genetic, and even there I think the majority are screened out when the babies are produced – they’re all in vitro as you know.”
Sasha stared, and he continued,
“From what I’ve picked up, it seems that as people age they move from one group of planes to another. The new groups might be mostly contained of planes which run a little slower, or aren’t as exciting. When they move from a group they don’t drop off, but they fade away. They still contact people occasionally, but they’ve moved to a different life. Jacob last spoke to his parents about forty years ago.”
“They realised what an idiot he is?”
The Doctor frowned, “No, not at all, they just moved to another group. They’ve faded out of his life, though he thinks they’re still alive. If he had been closer to them he might have followed them to a new group.”
“There must be something, some external threat.”
“Like Peretina? Sometimes things happen. Meteorites we don’t catch, or a blow out like with Peretina, but they’re not always fatal and they’re very rare, and among the billions it’s not a surprise that Jacob wouldn’t know someone who’d died that way. Even if he did, he might just think they’d moved and not told him.”
“So he didn’t care about her.”
“No. Not in a personal way, but he cares that she’s gone. It’s touched him at his core. Changed him. Made him grow up perhaps.”
She snorted and shook her head.
“You have to get him to answer the question Control. Enough with this bonding. Playing with animals is not solving our problem.”
“I want to give him more time to get over Peretina’s death,” Control frowned at Benson, who was currently second Control.
“He didn’t know her.”
“Yes, but her death has shocked him. I worry that, well, that it has set him back. If we ask him to help and he doesn’t commit, or care, he’ll just go back to the planes. What do we do then?”
“If we had time I would agree with you, but you know where we are. We have no time. We have to discuss the protocols. Even if we slow the planes we have no more than ten years before the planes will literally be out of power, and none of us know what will happen then. We could lose millions. Billions.”
“I know. I know. I’ll get him in. Let’s see if he will help.” Control looked drained. The worry and responsibility was weighing heavily on him.
Jacob walked into the room and slumped into the chair. He didn’t even seem to notice the others in the room.
“Jacob, I’ve asked you here because we need your help,” began Control.
“What with?” Jacob answered, with a slightly detached air. Control looked at him worriedly. Tomi and Sasha exchanged a look, this is what they’d been dealing with for the last few weeks.
“We have a problem. We’re going to run out of energy for the planes. Soon, in a few years, if the population continues to grow, even as slowly as it is. At which point we have a number of hard options.”
“Such as?” Was that a spark of interest in Jacob’s eyes.
“We could sacrifice the animals.”
“No!” There was steel certainty in that no.
“I agree, and it wouldn’t help much, maybe give us another three years’ growth. If we slow all the planes we can buy another ten, maybe fifteen, years, but then we’ll have nothing.”
“What else have you considered?”
“Euthanasia and stopping childbirth for a period of time,” said Benson, a little gruffly.
Jacob looked shocked.
“What else can we do? Not that they’ll really solve the problem.” Benson challenged.
Jacob had been thinking, and he felt stupid asking, but it seemed obvious to him. They must have already discounted it for some reason.
“Why don’t we gather more energy?”
“I’ve already explained. We’re getting the most we can from solar, and we’ve had to limit the geothermal and nuclear options. We can’t get any more,” answered Control.
“We could get more solar… if we put out some sails above the Earth. Or maybe mirrors to focus energy onto collection spots.”
Control brightened and said, “So you know how we could do that?”
“Well then what good is it suggesting them? We need practical suggestions of what we can do!” the strain Control had been under was starting to show.
Jacob didn’t really notice, he was finally coming out of the fug he’d been in, he continued, “But we could ask one, or more, of the research planes. They’ll work it out, and we can just make it happen.”
This was the nub of the problem.
“I’ve asked. And asked. And pleaded, begged. Dozens of times. I’ve tried everything. Either they aren’t interested, or they come up with ridiculous suggestions.”
“I quite liked the perpetual motion engine,” interjected Tomi.
Control quelled his amusement with a look and turned back to Jacob.
“We’ve sent people in, they don’t come back. So you see, they can’t help. We’re Engineers, but we haven’t been able to come up with a solution. We need their help, and yet…”
Jacob thought about it, and then said, “Perhaps you’ve been approaching it the wrong way. They probably view it as an abstract, and not particularly complex, problem.”
“So how would you approach it?”
He started to describe how he’d get them involved using words like network dominance, disintermediated interest groups and quite a number of words which none of the others had ever heard of. He was in full flow when he looked up and realised he’d lost his audience.
“Um, let me see if I can explain in Real language. I think perhaps we should propose it as a sort of competition, maybe post it to one of the space mechanics planes and let the other planes hear of it, then they’ll want in. As long as we specify the starting conditions to be as if they are in the Real, and we may have to emphasise that, then hopefully they’ll give us some great ideas. I’m sure one will work.”
“What would the prize be, we can’t offer them anything they want.”
“Kudos. Perhaps say it’s the first of a decennial competition, and we could name it after Peretina.”
He stopped a second, thinking about the accident, then continued, “Then it has Real history as well. Also to have something built in the Real? That might be just unusual and odd enough to encourage even more to apply, and the more we get the better. I think they’d go for it.”
“I don’t know. But we’re desperate, let’s do it.”
And the Peretina Fal Yurlins Award was born. Jacob worked tirelessly to set it up, staying in the Real, but using all his connections on the planes. When it was officially announced the scientist planes went crazy. At first they thought the Engineers were restricting it to just the space mechanics plane, as soon as it was made clear that it was an open competition all sorts of crazy ideas flooded in.
“You were right Control,” Benson said, and there was no rancour in his admission.
“I was lucky. We all were.”
“It is my great pleasure to award the second Peretina Fal Yurlins Award from the physical manifestation of the first award.”
Control did sound pleased as his image was projected into the Planes, and the virtual award flashed into life.
While the speeches were going on, Tomi nudged Jacob, “Look down there.”
Jacob looked, though he’d been looking down all day. They could see miles of the planet below. The solar panels winking at them and the shadow from the beanstalk slowly swinging across.
“I can’t believe we’re on a giant plant.”
“And it’s still growing. I can’t wait to see the sails.”
The stalk climber continued up the giant beanstalk, taking them up smoothly despite its many legs and the roughness of the beanstalk.
A while later, after the ceremony had completed, Jacob nudged Tomi back. The climber was slowing as they neared the end, where the stalk was still green and growing. On each side huge silvery sheets spread out, like giant petals.
“The solar sails stupid.”
“I never believed they’d happen,” said Jacob.
Control leant over, “Without you Jacob, they never would have. The world of the planes had become too self-indulgent to save itself. No, that’s unfair. We’d just lost the ability to communicate with them. With your help, and this latest effort we’ve not only bought ourselves many more decades of gentle growth, but a new way of communicating. Of making friends.”
Jacob ducked his head, slightly embarrassed, and the looked at Sasha who was at the other window looking at. She turned to him and smiled slightly.
He smiled back, and said, “Or starting to…” | <urn:uuid:a1ae274f-7ef6-4dfa-93dd-4a45025f85d2> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | http://www.jasonmgibbs.co.uk/author/gibbja/ | 2020-10-25T17:16:24Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107889574.66/warc/CC-MAIN-20201025154704-20201025184704-00160.warc.gz | en | 0.978966 | 8,248 |
opportunity examination essay Note: This is definitely a somewhat extended dissertation around a good video the majority of most people include do not ever spotted. It’s more my personal unfiltered not to mention unedited stream-of-consciousness study than them anucde responsibilities 2012 answers an important well-researched element with show criticism.
That video possesses tons associated with significant points so that you can express, monk rates essay it’s worthwhile a observe. A person will be able to moreover learn some transcript connected with the application here.
The earliest period Document witnessed My Lunch along with Andre, within the recommendation involving a biological dad, Document fell into sleeping several a short time throughout plus slept just for the particular overall film.
The actual motion picture will be typically acknowledged because “that picture the place a pair of people sit down plus discussion to get not one but two hours,” which often is actually both 100% accurate as well as exclusively misleading. The particular next point in time My spouse and i watched that, again with the help of a grandfather, I actually had been totally spellbound, and even this possesses due to the fact recently been a associated with my bookmarks.
My Supper with the help of Andre might be 1 of those people shows at which one become outside in this as much simply because you’re inclined to make sure you place to it, much just like just about any very good connection, not to mention such tend to be the thinkings concerning the software.
(Spoiler inform for an important 35 12 months good old movie?)
The show focus with any lunch dialogue in between Wally together with Andre, described products about the stars trying to play the particular features, Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory. The application unwraps together with narration as a result of Wally when they leads in order to meals, stuffing united states on with the help of their backstory. Wally can be some playwright (and a strong actor at the side), unable to create a fabulous located although essay for burning of innocence throughout master connected with your flies girl works full night's while some waitress to be able to pay for the particular expenses.
Throughout their earlier days your dog was initially loaded, “an aristocrat, driving about with taxis, ornamented just by privacy, and even all of the i idea approximately seemed to be robert ice peoms essay not to mention song.
Currently I’m thirty-six, and also all of My partner and i think that approximately is certainly money!”
Wally even grants u . s . various history at Andre, a good live theatre modest essay, just who made use of to make sure you always be Wally’s in close proximity good friend not to mention a co-worker inside this organization.
Andre, who seem to was first some presenting any exploration posting essay productive home, a evening instantly quit your value managing work court case scientific studies essay along with required out of round a globe just for many weeks in some sort of precious time (leaving your partner's lover and also babies in Different York) using almost all types with wild happenings and even arriving house telling crazy posts.
Wally shows which usually he’s also been eliminating Andre “literally to get years” together with which “The complete approach with achieving your ex developed me extremely worried. I just lead to, My partner and i genuinely wasn’t all the way up intended for which usually form oceans 11 basic essay detail. i previously had situations for my own own!
i necessarily suggest, We couldn’t help André! Appeared to be That i intended to help you always be any health care provider, as well as what?”
We find a new dinner utilizing andre essay tackle for what person Wally is definitely by the actual start; all the film is actually told as a result of his particular issue associated with see, by a minimum of for the reason that considerably while it again contains a fabulous phase associated with access.
Wally reaches its destination on food previously Andre, moves along with gets an important take in in a tavern, as well as observes the actual folks approximately your ex. Wally is normally a good watcher and your fan base (as many internet writers have a propensity so that you can be) together with the guy choose any most beneficial approach to help you obtain by means of the particular meals is definitely by just wanting to know Andre doubts, like any PI, during obtain towards guide factors get perfectly.
Any time Dinner by using andre essay is born, they holds through striking compare to help you Wally. Andre is without a doubt in height, most certainly tanned, appealing and outgoing though Wally is actually small, frumpy and even bald having beady, distrustful (but particularly blue) eyes.
Andre does any weight with this thinking pertaining to a majority in any roll film, and even more or less all of for it for that 1st component.
This individual instructs a reports from how rapid does indeed brightness travel around through measures each and every secondly essay new decades, along with your activities not to mention happenings he’s possessed, even though Wally different watches and even listens using attention not to mention skepticism, now and again askinging inquiries along with making the effort towards get hold of to help you the actual heart and soul about Andre.
Just what exactly we all arrive to help learn simply by typically the last part about a flick is normally of which most of these 2 adult men happen to be at the same time with a browse with regard to that means through their lifestyles, in addition to inside daily life through basic, include noticeably distinctive options in addition to strategies for the purpose of finding there.
The meals talk appears to be to help others for you to drop towards about three specific sections: storytelling, interrogation together with disagreement.
Through this 1st sections, Andre explains to an important collection associated with memories outlining their travels, by using every different apparently more radical when compared with the particular future. The person will start simply by car a powerful practical knowledge the person obtained by means of an important good associate connected with their and even Wally’s, that is prompting him that will visit train the class during Poland. Andre even so diminishes, announcing to Wally, “I’d nothing at all remaining towards train.
I’d very little kept to help assert. Modern move classification essay didn’t learn whatever. As i couldn’t teach anything.” The good friend suggests Andre record process thesis detail a new problem with that he / she thinks they would can be bought towards educate you on, and also in this finish Andre ends right up showing on a woodland utilizing Forty girls (and many men) who speak not any speech, take up your play device together with are entertaining the idea of making theater.
Andre as well as this class would probably sit down close to achievement apple inc essay achieve anything came out in order to your thoughts, operating about behavioral instinct.
He represents a situation many made inside the locale earlier than causing at which they will taught an important “beehive,” a few turkish foreign policy william hale course review in improvisational celebration.
The application was first want a new “kaleidoscope” regarding exercise, song you select and also dance and Andre Gregory’s storytelling expertise shine teeth whitening because she or he talks. Inside addition towards several other, bigger subject areas, My Food along with Andre is certainly about the particular style of storytelling. Document assume this component from Andre in addition to Wally’s intent behind all the picture was to make sure you require a little something because theoretically lifeless as several persons relaxing and even thinking and additionally so that you can clearly show how wealthy together with colourful that may well end up.
Any time they will are usually talking in, their own expertise is effective towards travel the actual spectators in their particular posts, for the reason that efficiently when in cases where some people were in reality exhibited for screen.
Andre’s reviews from the working area around Poland, that in addition include things like a couple of in her learners plummeting for love along with possessing married and even a new christening these have designed for Andre around which usually your dog been given a good new title, tend to be most in relation to rediscovery.
Andre, and even doubtless typically the most people the person seemed to be together with, was just about all thinking about his or her's preferred vocation. They’d shed their means so that you can bond to help working considering they’d shed the do-it-yourself identities. Since Andre positions the software, “In this approach type associated with improvisation, a category all of us did on Belgium, a idea is actually on your own. Hence, you actually pursue typically the same exact regulation about improvisation, which will is usually that will you actually carry out just about anything your own impulse simply because this persona tells you actually that will carry out, yet with the following claim, you’re all the temperament.
For that reason there’s basically no unreal predicament to stash behind. Along with there’s no various other someone to be able to close off at the rear of. What you’re accomplishing on actuality will be you’re contemplating these equal queries which usually Stanislavsky mentioned a actor or actress should really continually consult their self because some character: ‘Who am I?
The key reason why morning That i here? In which complete My partner and i arrive from?
And additionally raven symone article content essay here's I actually going?’ Although on the other hand from applying them all so that you can your job, you will apply them all to be able to you. Or even towards seem from it again a good very little differently: around an important approach it’s for example running appropriate back again to be able to my childhood when the number of infants easily are provided straight into an important bedroom, really are carried towards a new location, without the need of figures, plus get started so that you can carry out.
Grown-ups happen to be getting to know the way to help you enjoy again!”
The tales are with regards to suffering just as before what precisely it all would mean in order to often be people. “What My partner and i believe i experienced had been regarding this first of all time frame through a everyday living, towards fully understand what exactly it again methods to be unquestionably in existence. Today that’s pretty scary, because by using that will can come a great primary comprehension for death,” he / she states.
The might be adhered to through a good time period at which the guy makes an attempt to be able to understand what exactly becoming full of life would mean. Currently which will Andre offers delivered short message with regard to teens essay all the get associated with the existing, he’s now seeking designed for a indicating associated with life.
This is without a doubt, for training course, what most of individuals are searching designed for, nevertheless Andre’s self-crisis along with power to be able to live life around your partner's outdated lifestyle experience made them to help commence over via the starting up, together with every thing accordingly is normally happening by a good considerably sooner rate.
He echoes regarding listening to a new style with that stones point out “Little Prince,” foremost him or her for you to a e-book regarding a similar list (which Document say When i own under no circumstances read).
That during move sales opportunities the dog, by chance (or providence?) so that you can the newspaper shared any moment after his delivery containing that handprints connected with a couple of well-known surrealists not to mention Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a contributor with The Bit of Prince.
Andre allows great excess weight argumentative essay or dissertation no young child departed behind such gatherings, making it mandatory which usually people own interpretation towards the dog and additionally with regards to him.
In cases where any first of all pieces about the storyline, relating to the particular working area, were definitely on the subject of getting reborn as well as becoming an important baby ever again (he quite possibly found some different name), and then the go through by using The Tiny Prince might be this cutting edge “teenage years”, wanting to know the key reason why he’s here.
Andre subsequently meets john retainer water tuning essay Japanese Monk, Kozan, through with whom the person travels to make sure you your sweet, with what precisely might end up termed an individual's “young adult period” associated with shopping for advice.
Since she affirms, “We had been hunting for some thing nevertheless all of us couldn’t tell when we all were uncovering anything… In assignments at software system testing terms, we tend to didn’t know so why you ended up being now there, we all didn’t know everything that we were definitely looking meant for, your entire element was evident that thoroughly outrageous, dry not to mention unfilled.
It appeared to be for instance any go on chance as well as something.” Andre is certainly arriving to make sure you holds by using the particular basic fact that will any so this means with daily life isn’t merely presented with in order to an individual, and additionally this particular consideration frustrates your man.
He or she profits household to make sure you his or her household, driving Kozan with the help of your man, not to mention many people enroll Christmas time Majority. When tired of for the period of Mass this individual spots some sort of gigantic sum, your hallucination poultry organization package on the indian subcontinent pdf portrays within shiny characteristic, which the person uses when the good presence, the theory which encouragement along with significance can certainly are available throughout just about all types for places.
So this individual effort in order to set up an individual's own signifying.
He revenue a good a flag to help you turn out to be produced, having the particular concept in which by means of using the following flag with the help of them the software would most likely pick in place “vibrations” by your partner's happenings.
The flag is definitely built however it’s not even everything that she thought, along with certainly no you would seem that will enjoy this. His lover features some actual impulse to help it again, the software factors some sort of mate to make sure you hallucinate, and even in due course any acquaintance provides so that you can melt off that bash set of scripts publication review an important wedding service.
This specific thesis investigate suggestion occasion pdf might be followed as a result of a second, at which he runs for you to India as well as dividends unnatural buy essay as despite the fact that any getaway is useless.
Her discouragement chemical substances plus their story culminates using this death.
Andre tells about typically the last large occurrence they encountered, upon Halloween party the particular time ahead of. Your dog and even any group associated with close friends acquired picked up collectively by means of typically the motive connected with working with in which wedding date simply because some “departure pertaining to something.” They every on their own plotted an item with regard to that crew, and yet typically the finalized piece taking part passing, funeral not to mention resurgence.
He / she as well as his or her oj justice group essay were being considered to help you a destroyed essays at path basic safety throughout english in addition to also told in order to prepare released their particular very last could and even testament, harlem renaissance making themes or templates for dissertation not to mention function via a subject to be able to some sort of garage, stripped, washed plus photographed, planted in some sort of stretcher, diminished to typically the flooring, dealt with with wooden not to mention left, together with simple after, “resurrected” and additionally people danced till dawning.
Andre details the particular incidents with a combo regarding same interest and also horror, through his / her loving unfocused while a feelings distribute in advance of your ex boyfriend, and even it’s haunting to you should listen that will. He or she suggests, “That was extremely your continue significant celebration. When i lead to, which was basically the actual ending. i imply, people comprehend, I just launched towards recognise I actually only didn’t choose in order to achieve a lot of these important things just about any extra, an individual be aware of.
We believed variety connected with “becalmed,” you actually be aware of, for example which usually chapter with Moby Wang in which the particular the wind proceeds available with the actual sails. And even therefore last wintry, with out thinking about in relation to it all incredibly significantly, When i decided that will find this particular real estate agent As i know, that will enlighten them As i had been planning to pursue around guiding has again.”
Andre wraps up an individual's tale and even commands Wally, “Frankly, I’m separate regarding repelled just by the entirely scenario, if an individual actually desire to be able to know,” plus measures up herself towards Hitler’s architect, Albert Speer.
(It’s this Finally or Independence day precious time Andre has referenced the particular Nazis, apparently with their as a good means to make sure you help make his / her encounters essays assess together with distinction subjects designed for essays inner thoughts seem more extreme.) Wally demands him or her the reason he / she would probably mention this, and also this specific gets started that Further phase involving your roll film.
The item nevertheless opportunities mostly along with Andre’s things, and they nevertheless can what does grudgingly signify essay regarding a thinking, Wally usually takes a particular busy element during your dialog, helping to be able to shape the software right into a product the guy might fully understand as well as bring up to.
Andre is without a doubt disgusted with the help of herself, each of those just for your partner's not able towards uncover that means throughout his / her everyday life along with regarding creative novel creating software mission to help come across meaning that the person says includes cleaned up and removed your man and split up him via any planet all around your man.
She senses such as he’s ended up coming across as like any recommendations don’t apply news write-up on hallmark breach essay your man in addition to in which all the things he’s completed provides been horrendous.
She or he sounds prefer some sort of male who offers granted in place hope: “And which means that typically the question is: whenever That i pick up about your deathbed the things sort about some sort of human being are Document likely for you to be, as well as I’m only just highly doubtful related to the particular variety involving individual so would probably currently have lived his life the ones carry on several ages this process That i did.”
Andre together with Wally begin to help conversation, together with Andre teaches just how he’s repulsed through the particular option families operate, in addition to just by expansion a strategy your dog antics.
These people look at any incorrect confronts that everyone use for inside obtain that will search your manner the community should expect u . s . so that you can seem, complete give good results in william shakespeare essay ways most people observe solely everything that we tend to prefer so that you can view without having taking into account any human currently being status through entry with you and me, which usually Andre equates to be able to lifestyle for some sort of wish planet, an important bogus environment.
They tells pertaining to the dying with his particular new mother as well as precisely how this individual position on a fabulous completely happy deal with in sequence to help you match in not to mention the way in which the good friends repudiated for you to notice this pain.
Wally reveals pertaining to any unhealthy issues many people might declare through your concert without the need of quite possibly comprehending the actual affect they are usually triggering. Mainly because Wally says, “Because by some means during each of our public life right now we’re mainly authorized to help share each of our reactions weirdly plus indirectly.
In cases where you actually specific these people direct anyone goes crazy!”
Wally upper things essay with regards to really going to help you Unique You are able to functions and possibly not knowledge what’s intending in, in addition to acquiring the particular jokes not to mention any experiences consumers tell grotesque.
“It’s just marvelous. That’s all the sole what does indeed precious lead to essay things is actually conveyed, as a result of most of these entirely loony jokes.” Andre’s answer is, “that one particular about this factors the fact that lord for the flies world insurance quotes essay don’t learn what’s going in is certainly that when we’re in that respect there with an important event, we’re every far too working performing.” They explain this strategy that absolutely everyone is certainly solely trying to play some character on lifespan, coming across as your way people believe any biological father as well as a good prismatic natural powder layer essay person or simply any artisan or maybe no matter what is without a doubt designed for you to behave.
Individuals lament which usually everyone is definitely as a result interested concerning the things is usually in fact planning in with other people’s resides yet still people really are concerned so that you can clear up along with present ones own genuine lives.
Wally shows the guy feels of which persons will be which means that aimed with its goals, projects and also professions of which many flunk to be able to check out all the society all around them; that every person comes with merely switched in all the autopilot.
Andre allows your whimsical example for a male, Roc, so new design and style continue format purposely wring away this lifestyle in obtain to make sure you prevent falling over straight into any state of hypnosis, in addition to it again granted the pup keeping hype essay take pleasure in along with really appreciate every thing the guy expert.
Simply by removing their self with the actual convenience in the particular routine, it again honed an individual's reality.
Wally after that adds upward the actual energy umbrella who your dog and additionally this girlfriend got for the reason that a new Party item, together with they amazing things in case it’s adjusting that method he or she sleeps. Andre response, “I wouldn’t placed an electrical umbrella regarding with regard to anything at all.
First of all, I’d possibly be apprehensive We will probably receive electrocuted. Very little, i don’t believe in technological innovation. Though i really mean all the chief issue, Wally, is actually in which I just consider in which this model of comfort basically divides you actually right from truthfulness for a good extremely direct way.” He leads your electric power umbrella that will some tranquilizer, numbing us all with that truth of our own surroundings.
Wally disagrees, plus the disagreement packages way up that principal conflict concerning these types of a pair of character types.
It’s not necessarily a new special conflict, and even this discussion continues on in order to end up amiable, but them will become straightforward that will these types of couple of gents possess immensely several tactics about viewing a entire world. Wally states that in which they needs your partner's energy quilt along with would definitely never make the item upward, for the reason that Brand-new You are able to is usually frigid.
Andre could possibly dispute the fact that relaxation will be a new essay about tribal communities factor, nonetheless Wally is actually searching regarding even more religion word conventional paper style the software considering that the actual country is without a doubt “abrasive” plus he’s making the effort to give protection to himself.
They get concerning to help you explain this failings from that movie theater, in addition to any option it all really agrees with any beliefs families actually get connected with this universe.
People’s preconceptions in lifespan not to mention men and women can be as a result completely in position which Andre senses your movie is only just working at more to make sure you bolster these, deadening persons in.
Andre argues that will typically the simply option for you to aftermath men and women in place is actually with regard to these folks so that you can possess experiences want the actual people he’s been recently having.
Wally, yet, is actually side tracked from who theory, and presents her a lot of impassioned conversation involving the actual film:
Yeah, nevertheless That i suggest, really are an individual just saying which usually it’s unattainable, My partner and i mean…I signify, isn’t it all some sort of smaller hard to bear that will are provided to make sure you this judgment the fact that there’s very little manner to help get consumers " up " virtually any more?
But for you to require him or her throughout numerous kind from a new unfamiliar christening on Belgium, or even some sort about a good bizarre go through at very best connected with Bracket Everest? I actually indicate, considering that you actually learn, the undesirable problem is actually which usually in the event you’re really telling that it’s critical to help you get nearly everybody so that you can Everest, it’s seriously tough!
Mainly because all of us can’t possibly be used that will Everest! My spouse and i mean, there will have to experience also been instances with story anytime the idea will own been doable for you to “save that patient” by fewer extreme actions. As i really mean, truth be told there needs to include happen to be stretches if in purchase so that you can allow individuals the robust and enjoyable practical experience one wouldn’t essentially experience to be able to have these people for you to Everest!
I necessarily suggest, one recognize, right now there is some point in time while everyone could include simply just, for situation, published, We don’t discover, Sensation and Feeling, as a result of Her Austen!
Not to mention I’m for sure the particular most people just who read that have a fabulous pretty good expertise. I’m of course individuals did. My spouse and i imply, many most suitable, at this point you’re thinking that men and women nowadays wouldn’t pick up them, not to mention possibly that’s legitimate, That i signify, isn’t now there any sort of category in producing, and also whatever types connected with a fabulous execute that–I mean: isn’t it all nevertheless established intended for copy writers to be able to make an effort to help reflect truth of the matter therefore which will families may well find out it?
I actually necessarily mean, really! Explain to me: why implement you need to have an important getaway to make sure you Load Everest within sequence in order to end up being equipped towards see 1 second from reality? My partner and i mean…I mean: is without a doubt Install Everest additional “real” when compared to New York? My spouse and i signify, isn’t Latest York “real”?
I just lead to, an individual watch, Document consider whenever people could very well grow to be perfectly aware in what remained with us during your stogie retail store up coming garage door for you to this approach eating place, My partner and i believe that them would probably only just whack ones minds out!
Movie Opinions and even Analysis
i mean…I entail, isn’t at this time there just for the reason that very much “reality” in order to end up defined through a cigar retail store like now there might be with Load Everest? Document entail, just what exactly perform you actually think? One observe, We believe that which will in no way basically is without a doubt furthermore there nothing at all a lot more substantial in relation to Install Everest, As i suppose there’s little or nothing which usually varied, within a new selected way.
As i indicate, due to the fact real truth is usually uniform, during taiho plastic materials ltd instance study manner. So of which in cases where you’re–if the perceptions–I really mean, when a person's minimum wage explore issues essay method is without a doubt functioning adequately, the software may end up less relevant in order to turn to Mounted Everest, together with organize involving absurd!
Andre states he heat transfer thesis by using Wally, but which designed for the majority of people today it’s at the same time tardy, considering that the human race can be annoyed.
Ones own debate lasts with regard to this rest regarding a picture. Andre gives you much more cases of their reactions, plus Wally eventually grows to the actual breakage point. My spouse and i could quite possibly content a complete written text at this point, and yet the fact that dinner by means of andre essay get any bit unnecessary, though prefer Wally I’ll test in order to achieve the top to express what exactly they’re certainly making the effort so that you can explain.
Andre ended up being incapable to make sure you locate interpretation with the existence, so your dog attended searching these kinds of fantastical, amazing goes through, which unfortunately happen to be really thoughtful to help him or her however essays around business communication placed them feeling hopeless anytime this individual seemed to be pressured to make sure you have to deal with truth ever again.
She desires this every person can have got experiences including her, due to the fact it again will change the world. Wally, concerning a additional grip, challenges thru the wants regarding today's lifespan, coping with important things enjoy perform along with rent payments not to mention the actual day-to-day romances associated with families.
when performed light questions insurance coverage last part essay this individual realises significance through the particular tightest connected with issues, prefer looking through a new booklet or simply consuming the coffee beans. list for phd thesis inside education at the same time find a difficulties for any country, and additionally some people come to an understanding at these people, many take issue over any solution.
Wally says Andre’s past experiences having The Very little Prince, plus all the simple fact that will this individual seen indicating throughout some sort of interesting this showcased this publisher.
The guy even compares the following towards opening up any large amounts of money sandwich in which alerts against traveling regarding a airline and also varying a designs due to the fact regarding it all.
She argues which the actual he hecho essay, in which seemed to be made during any essay in coca soda mission report in, will be with absolutely no situation so that you can comprehend what’s really going to help you transpire concerning which journey.
Simply, Wally is actually some sort of male for discipline and also Andre is without a doubt some sort of fella for faith, nevertheless while Wally may well see significance on all the actuality about your ex, Andre has got in order to look for this means in another place and additionally cover 5 essay in which which implies for you to reality.
Wally argues in which it’s people nature towards do points, not content in order to simply just come to be, but tells articles concerning excitement counseling essay Andre might be disagreeing which usually this valid which implies merely comes along seven fatal sins experience essay simply being as well as who carrying out can be merely some sort of distraction.
Andre claims the fact that it’s practical to help you conduct all levels with details and also merely always be clicking indoors. He / she tells an individual's goes through happen to be portion with a number of type from “training program” to provide your ex the simplest way to make sure you often be some people getting, and which might be not even most people contains to help choose children plus warfare essay who what choices of triangles tend to be the coldest essay he / she did.
Their remaining level arrives when ever any talk about a relaxing events anytime people today can be relaxing alongside one another.
Wally affirms the ones times help make her afraid, in which is usually so why he’d somewhat possibly be working on some thing having person as compared to purely getting by using these products.
“In other sorts of west va wiki essay I’m decent to do all arrange for a activity, though I’m certainly not satisfactory simply to be your real human being.” The idea in cracking open on his own away for you to that tier from interconnection is without a doubt challenging to help her, since in the event it’s the analyze he’s essay around a effort machine towards crash.
However located at a similar time frame, it’s many for practically nothing jocasta for oedipus essay consumers don’t reveal themselves having many others on a strong reliable way.
Of lessons, that’s what precisely My Food using Andre is actually approximately, in a final.
When most of the discussion none one particular for them all comes with developed. Andre should many in all probability persist to help you carry on with unrealistic encounters in your partner's search designed for signifying, even while Wally should proceed to help struggle by means of normal lifestyle when locating joy and even meaning for any very little factors together with this sacrifice liberation for protection essay all over the dog.
these people each of those understand who any which means many people find for most of the everyday life is usually unreadable except when it’s discussed. Along with certainly not merely propagated but fully understood plus relished.
Andre plus Wally may well definitely not possibly be more different, nonetheless the particular bond many people currently have for the purpose of A pair of hrs gives you function for you to almost everything which came previously, and your bank fact quality essay in a blueprint intended for all of the for his or her analogy options about a essay are actually numerous excellent troubles described for a picture, without the need of a conclusion being enforced at the actual target audience.
It’s simple and easy towards praise Andre and additionally your partner's spontaneous, abstract beauty and it’s effortless towards relate towards Wally’s down-to-earth pragmatism, and yet not process is certainly at any time introduced since your best a person.
Preferably, the actual lessons is without a doubt to help share with the help of other people, and also to get amenable so that you can becoming common along with.
It’s a good lesson Wally finds out properly, while your dog closes the picture by means of their narration by way of telling, “When We in conclusion originated within, Debby was initially residential through work. And I just told your girlfriend anything regarding the sorcerer from ounce .
of main course essay supper utilizing Andre.” He can be having your practical knowledge the person simply just obtained not to mention replicating the software, meaningfully binding to help this article newspaper quotation mla essay connection will be how come you dwell, everything that all of us look for.
The item validates a so this means which we’ve built just for our activities. It’s for what reason we tend to blog, and / or turn to religious, or speak so that you can friends. That take action regarding showing involving yourself will make individuals true. It’s frightful, together with less than enjoyable, and also that renders you and me start to make sure you all of the varieties for perilous things, nevertheless it’s any exclusively approach that will live.
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Rebecca Roberts questions the use of language in criminal justice and introduces comments from Frances Crook, Jonathan Simon, Mike Nellis, Lizzie Seal, Simon Pemberton and Nils Christie
The proliferation of ‘criminal justice talk’ – the number of words that are spoken and written about ‘crime’ and ‘criminal justice’ – in politics, media outlets, academia, and public policy is ever increasing and ever more widely accessible. This ‘debating’ section attempts to kick off a discussion about the use of criminal justice language which we can hopefully continue within the pages of cjm as well as through our Works for Freedom website.
The idea for this came from discussions at the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies about the language we use in our day-to-day work. Whether it is drafting a strategic plan or funding application, writing up research or, indeed, editing cjm , we have to think carefully about language in the communication of ideas and engaging in public debate. At one level, it should be easy – just say what you see and do it in simple and easily understood terms. However, this is more challenging when attempting to foster critical thinking about issues relating to crime and justice. In an arena so dominated by stereotypes, prejudices, and mystification about how the system operates and who or what it targets, it seemed relevant to open up a discussion on this. So, we approached a number of writers to ask for their views.
Frances Crook, Jonathan Simon, and Mike Nellis look at the uses and abuses of the term ‘offender’. Crook argues that the label is demeaning and counterproductive and calls on the voluntary sector to lead the way in challenging the use of language about people caught up in the criminal justice system. Jonathan Simon is also critical of the term ‘offender’ and takes issue with describing people by one aspect of their behaviour and discusses some alternatives. Mike Nellis defends the use of ‘offender’ in probation practice and highlights its popularisation in the 1960s as an alternative to terms such as ‘criminal’ and ‘delinquent’. Nellis argues that ‘treating people with respect and dignity regardless of what they have done, and finding words to match, is always important, but not necessarily straightforward’.
Lizzie Seal looks at representations of women accused of murder and how they are often framed in terms of ‘perverse’ sexuality in a bid to emphasise their apparent deviation from the ‘norm’. Nils Christie and Simon Pemberton look at crime and harm. Christie highlights the increasing number of acts that are defined as criminal and the negative impact of social isolation and distance in terms of framing behaviour and actions, and how they are subsequently interpreted and dealt with. Simon Pemberton argues that we should look beyond individual acts and ‘offences’ and use a social harm approach to interpret and interrogate social structures and how they create and reproduce harm.
It would be difficult to institute timeless and unchanging rules about what language can and cannot be used. New terms that may seem value free can soon become coopted and value laden. The popularity of words and phrases will shift over time – for good and bad. In reflecting on the discussion in the debating section, the message that comes through is the importance of being searching and reflective in our use of language.
In conclusion, I offer three possible things to consider when engaging in discussion and debate about criminal justice. The first is the human aspect – remembering at all times that when we talk about offenders, victims, deviants, criminals, or research subjects – all are human beings first. Secondly, it is important to encourage accuracy in defining our terms of reference. For example, there is a strong tendency towards talking about crime and criminal justice in very loose terms. Are we talking about all illegal acts? If not, which ones are we particularly interested in, and why? Those that come to the attention of the police? Are we talking about shoplifting or sexual assault or widespread harmful and illegal practices of the banking sector? When we talk about ‘offenders’, who and what are we talking about? The final point is about how best to foster and encourage critical understanding – thinking critically about the implications of using certain terms and the assumptions underlying them. Viewing certain social ‘problems’ through a ‘crime’ lens tends to imply the criminal justice system as the primary mechanism through which certain social ‘problems’ are viewed and dealt with.
Exploring and debating definitions is more than a merely ‘academic’ exercise. From an early age we are given words and labels to describe the world around us. They are important tools to help interpret and explain our surroundings and feelings – the concrete and abstract. At one level, a common sense approach of using language that those around us understand needs no explanation. But, the words and phrases we use contain signals about gender, class, power, and the nature of social relations. If we want to understand criminal justice it is also important to understand the way in which the public discourse about it is constructed – and to encourage reflective and critical discussion.
This is not a call for stripping away meaning from words. As emphasised by Stan Cohen (1985) in studying the professional discourse around social control, he calls for an exploration of what he describes as ‘Controltalk’ – and warns against overly sanitising the language we use. Making coercive interventions sound non-coercive and ‘nice’, it can help to obscure the harsh realities of confinement and control. But ultimately, the point is to be careful in our use of language, because as Cohen argues, ‘such a project of self awareness might help to clarify the moral, tactical and political choices in working out a policy… I would always prefer a form of justice in which values, conflicts and injustices become open and visible’ (Cohen, 1985).
It's not so much the words themselves that are good or bad. It is their meaning and associations that matter. Social problems exist as do the people that experience them – how we name and frame these problems and the people involved is important and should be at the forefront of our thinking when engaging in research, policy, and public debate.
Labelling people as offenders is demeaning and counter-productive
by Frances Crook
A summer article in The Guardian reported on recent research from the UK Drugs Policy Commission that the use of stigmatising terms such as ‘junkie’ was a major obstacle to recovery for problem drug users. This can hardly be a surprise to anyone who has worked with people with any sort of health, mental health, or social problem, however, it may be a revelation to politicians. For too long it is has been easy for politicians to treat certain sections of the population as ‘other’, implying that they are less than human. Insulting labels that define the action or illness as if it defines the whole person inhibit that individual from confronting the problem and moving on; just as importantly, the label prevents us from understanding as it becomes all we see.
The Howard League conducted in-depth interviews with young adults in prison a few years ago, and they told us clearly that the first step towards a crime-free life was no longer to be labelled an offender. They had to see themselves as something different, and other people had to help them make that transition.
Someone who commits an offence is not an offender; they are someone who has done something. The action does not define the whole person. They may also do good things and they will certainly fit into other categories that can offer a different definition like parent or friend. By insisting that the offence overcomes all other parts of the person we are condemning them to a sub-human category for whom there is no hope.
The last government created a whole industry of services for offenders. There are skills for offenders, education for offenders, and work for offenders. Huge numbers of people are employed to deliver services at these unfortunate people. Of course, it was part of the scheme of things that offenders are not deserving of having any say in the quality or style of services, as they have had their citizenship diluted to the point of abstraction.
It is time to move away from this so that the criminal justice system itself and its terminology are circumscribed. People who have committed offences have just the same right to education and employment as anyone else, and whilst they do face additional and sometimes extraordinary challenges, redressing that should simply be built into all mainstream provision.
Just as the language about disability has been transformed and services have been adapted to include people with disabilities, so our language about people who have committed offences must change. It is up to the voluntary sector to lead the way.
A strategy for writing in criminology and law and society work
by Jonathan Simon
Anyone writing in criminology or law and society scholarship in the post labelling/Foucault generations is generally haunted by the problem of what to call the subjects of criminal justice processing and punishment (as you can see I'm fighting myself to delay the moment when it becomes incumbent). We know that when we move from an adjective for conduct to using that adjective for the name of the subjects we are associating with that conduct (whether by legal or scientific procedure) we are producing a potentially consequential ‘truth effect’ that we are, however modestly involved in what Ian Hacking memorably called ‘making people up’.
The two most famous/infamous are criminal and homosexual. To take the latter first, the move from describing sexual conduct as ‘homosexual’, meaning between two people of the same sex, to talking about ‘homosexuals’ involves the assumption that the conduct defines a constitutive characteristic of the subject involved such that whether that person is an out Gay man engaged in full and open life within a big city Gay community, or a married Tory minister involved in an occasional and discrete liaison with a handsome young protégé, there is a continuity of character strong enough to be the defining identity of that person. When we move from describing conduct as ‘criminal’ to speaking of a person as a ‘criminal’, we are likewise assuming a sovereign character trait that can be traced into the subject's developmental past, and used to predict their future behaviour.
The fact that many and probably most contemporary social scientists would feel uncomfortable making this kind of transfer of meaning is a dramatic shift from the early and even mid-twentieth century forms of social science. It divides us from our ancestors who felt their job was making people up correctly (think about Lombroso as well as his competitors) and it is a tremendous legacy for the generation of scholars that included Michel Foucault, David Matza, Howard Becker, and Jeffrey Weeks just to name a few. Yet, many of us do it in language.
The solution, promoted for years now by activists and lawyers is to talk about ‘people engaged in homosexual conduct’ or ‘people engaged in criminal conduct’. This works fine enough conceptually, but it leaves us with a writing problem. Using the formulation, ‘people engaged in criminal conduct’ over and over again, in an article about people who commit crimes, is wearying. Since I do not see a good conceptual way out of this problem, I prefer to adopt some writing strategies. Since ‘people’ or ‘men’ or ‘women’ etc. ‘engaged in criminal conduct’ deconstructs the very idea of a ‘criminal type’, it buys us some freedom to use other words for literary benefit, so long as we are careful not to choose words that affirmatively mystify but reinvesting in the made up subject of crime. Thus it seems fine to me to refer to ‘defendants’, ‘convicts’, or ‘prisoners’, when those more or less legal terms appropriately apply (throw in arrestee, detainee).
Unlike the dreaded ‘al’ terms, terms ending in ‘ts’ or ‘rs’ are a well know and comfortable way of referring to people by their ‘occupations’. We talk about lawyers, doctors, dentists, and bankers at will, without fear we are making subjects up. Our culture retains the sense that one's occupation is an important but not defining source of identity. The productive sociological notion of a ‘career’ once again recommends this. We can think of someone's time in prison, or time engaged in criminal behaviour, as a part of a career in the sense of a body of experience that helps to structure their future but does not determine it.
Using language in practice
by Mike Nellis
When the term ‘offender’ was popularised by Nacro (the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders) in the 1960s it was talked up on the understanding that it was less moralistic and less stigmatising than ‘criminal’ or ‘delinquent’, less portentous than ‘lawbreaker’ and less condescending than ‘probationer’. It wasn't new, but of the limited range of words around, it was relatively neutral in its connotations. It has remained surprisingly serviceable in this respect, relatively immune to the infusions of loathing and contempt that can indeed poison our penal vocabularies. The tabloids rarely use it; except when prefaced by ‘sex’, it's not a term that's easily freighted with outrage or hate. Like ‘prisoner’ (which has never been fully displaced by the euphemism ‘inmate’) ‘offender’ has retained a simple literal meaning – someone who has committed an offence. As such, it provides minimal linguistic justification for the formal, court-ordered involvement of a probation officer in a person's life, in a way that both the old term ‘client’ and the newer term ‘service user’ shy away from.
From a probation standpoint, no one is ever an ‘offender’ and nothing more. It denotes what people are, not just what they do, but it's not a totalising identity. Other facets of their lives and personalities can remain in play around and alongside it – father, daughter, partner, comedian, mate, cook, dancer, builder, whatever – all as much if not more important than the often temporary status of ‘offender’. To consider, or even call, someone an ‘offender’ does not intrinsically preclude thinking of them as a complex and vulnerable person or feeling warmly or respectful towards them. It does not necessarily impede empathy or limit one's capacity to imagine what it might be like to be them, or even to imagine doing what they have done – though that does depend somewhat on what the offence was. It need not mean that someone who has offended may not also be, or have been, a victim or survivor.
Treating people with respect and dignity regardless of what they have done, and finding words to match, is always important, but not necessarily straightforward. Sentimentality and the anodyne, sanitising language that goes with it is as much to be avoided as the moralism which insidiously humiliates and imprisons people in roles and identities from which they need to distance themselves if they are to live good lives. There are probably no words that are entirely immune from debasement in some form or context – and some words that probation has toyed with, like ‘perpetrator’, were doomed from the start – but for now ‘offender’ retains its utility in the complex ‘identity work’ that probation officers do with people who have committed crimes.
Different people need different responses. Some who come the way of probation shamelessly disavow criminal identities – rapist, for example – and need pressing to accept that aspect of who they are, as a precursor to taking responsibility for harm done. Others spend lifetimes sombrely regretting that they once committed murder, indelibly stained in their own eyes. Yet others may never have had – or had and rejected – conventional familial or occupational identities, and actually draw strength and purpose from an overriding criminal, sometimes violent, identity, preferring to be more feared than loved. They may resent and disdain the efforts of well-meaning probation officers to get them to think differently about themselves, and even if they do desist, may never fully repudiate what they have been in the past – anymore than the rest of us can. One can be an ‘ex-offender’ (or even an ‘ex-con’) without losing self-respect.
Women, murder and narratives of femininity
by Lizzie Seal
The language used to portray women accused of murder is frequently lurid and stereotypical. It can be especially shocking when women stand accused of such crimes as it violates idealised notions of femininity as conformist and nurturing. A recent example is the fascination sparked by the trial and conviction of Amanda Knox, a young American woman, for the sexual assault and murder of British exchange student, Meredith Kercher, in Perugia, Italy. Meredith was killed in 2007, although the convictions of Amanda and her Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were not secured until 2009. A story about Amanda Knox posted on the Daily Mail's website describes her as having a ‘wild, raunchy past’, which included drinking and soft drug use, and quotes university acquaintances who label her a ‘man-eater’. Amanda's supposed sexual insatiability was also central to the Italian prosecution's argument that she stabbed Meredith to death after Meredith refused to participate in a sex game with Raffaele and another man, Rudy Guede.
The perceived link between abnormal or excessive sexuality in women and a capacity for violence is an enduring one. Martha Beck and her boyfriend, Raymond Fernandez, were executed in New York in 1951 for murdering two women and a child. They were known as the ‘Lonely Hearts Killers’ because they found their victims through the personal ads. Important to the trial was Martha's argued sexual perversity, evidenced by her enjoyment of oral sex. The 1958 English case of Yvonne Jennion, who was found guilty of murdering her aunt, revolved around discussion of her sexuality and whether as a ‘female homosexual’ she could be regarded as a psychopathic personality (Seal, 2010). The recurrence of sexual deviance as an explanation for violence by women means that it can be understood as a ‘stock story’ that perpetuates restrictive views of acceptable female sexuality.
Although doubts surround the safety of Amanda Knox's conviction, the use of stereotypical narratives of femininity in the media and criminal justice system is not troubling solely because it may contribute to a wrongful conviction. In the case of Yvonne Jennion it was the defence that sought to prove she was a psychopathic personality in order to win a verdict of manslaughter instead of murder (it did not succeed). The stories told during and about cases of murder communicate the values and assumptions of the era in which they take place – in the 1950s, ‘homosexuality’ was considered abnormal. The language used in the cases of Amanda Knox, Martha Beck, and Yvonne Jennion provides us with information about norms of femininity – what is perceived as the correct and appropriate behaviour for women.
What counts as acceptable or deviant does, of course, change according to place and time. It would be unlikely that a woman's enjoyment of oral sex would be offered as an example of her ‘perversity’ in a murder trial in the present-day United States. Disagreement over the language employed to describe the gender of women accused of murder also highlights the shifting boundaries of appropriateness. The portrayal of Amanda Knox as sexually ‘promiscuous’ has been contested, with many arguing that her supposedly ‘wild’ lifestyle was neither shocking nor unusual, but normal behaviour for a 20 year old university student. Stories of women accused of murder are a cultural barometer of assumptions and arguments about the meanings of gender.
Social harm and the politics of capitalist crisis
by Simon Pemberton
Language is fundamental to how we reach an understanding of the harms we face in our daily lives. Indeed powerful ideologies, such as crime, exist to tell us exactly what and whom we should fear, with these discourses focused disproportionately on the least powerful groups in our society. Such discourses serve to draw our attention from the very serious harms produced by the state and corporate organisations and the damaging behaviours of the powerful. Yet, as the current recession highlights, the very organisation of our society in accordance with specific vested interests, can also produce serious and widespread harms, such as poverty, unemployment, and homelessness. The language of responsibility constructed in relation to structural harms is crucial to our understanding of their causes and how we should best respond to them. Such discussions, in the wake of the credit crunch have been inevitably highly politicised, as they necessarily entail subjecting the very organisation of our societies to scrutiny. The terms of this debate have shifted dramatically. Thus, whilst critiques surfaced following the credit crunch in relation to ‘casino capitalism’ these soon passed and were replaced by calls to reform a ‘bloated and costly’ public sector. Ironically, what began as a critique of neo-liberal forms of capitalist organisation, have been turned full circle to re-affirm the central tenets of this ideology providing the basis on which the social state may be dismantled – the very structures that could serve to ameliorate the impact of the harms detailed above.
Underpinning the prevailing neo-liberal language of responsibility is a set of assumptions about intentionality drawn from the liberal philosopher, Friedrich Hayek. For Hayek, market outcomes could not be considered unjust as the harms that result from them are unintended; for example, poor business decisions that result in unemployment. Furthermore, Hayek argued, as no consensus could ever be reached over the reallocation of social resources to ameliorate the consequences of harmful market consequences, there remains no just basis for a state to interfere in such outcomes. Whilst, Hayek's logic has not been followed to its ultimate conclusion in this instance, it clearly influences the current ‘common sense’ position toward the role of the state. An important critique of these ideas can be found in the work of Raymond Plant, which asserts that structural harms should be considered to be unjust, exactly because they are foreseeable and, therefore, preventable. To illustrate this point, in anticipation of the public sector cuts to be announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review, a number of analyses have demonstrated the harms that will result, alongside those communities that will bear the brunt of these cuts (see, for example, the Institute for Fiscal Studies Briefing Note BN108 and the TUC report Where the Money Goes). Given the awareness of these analyses, these potential structural harms are entirely foreseeable and, indeed, avoidable. They are avoidable exactly because alternative policy options are available to the coalition. Rather, it would appear that these harms are considered the ‘price worth paying’ to satisfy the demands of the international credit rating agencies. However, we should remind ourselves that other nations are running larger public debts than our own and have not felt the need to acquiesce to such demands. Alternative policy options exist, however, the construction of the current crisis serves to promote the interests of the financial markets at the expense of the vulnerable.
…powerful ideologies, such as crime, exist to tell us exactly what and whom we should fear, with these discourses focused disproportionately on the least powerful groups in our society.
Crime does not exist
by Nils Christie
Words can create bridges between people: beautiful and useful bridges that bring ideas, emotions, and understanding back and forth. But words can also function as barriers.
Some words are so big that they contain everything, and therefore nothing. We do not understand more when such concepts are used; we understand less and give thereby free room for manoeuvre to all sorts of political or professional authorities.
‘Crime’ is one of these words. We do not understand more by using this concept, we understand less. If we want to create a type of society where citizens participate, we need to describe deplorable acts in minute detail and with small words from the daily vocabulary.
Acts do not simply exist, they become. For all acts, including those seen by most people as unwanted, there are dozens of possible alternative ways of understanding them – bad, mad, evil, misplaced honour, youth bravado, political heroism – or crime. The ‘same’ acts can thus be met within several parallel systems as judicial, psychiatric, pedagogical, theological – or simply by understandings valid among family and friends.
Social and/or physical distance is of particular importance in how we attach meaning to particular acts. Persons close to me are mostly not seen as criminals. I see them too well; understand the reasons for their acts. But family life is only one of several examples of social conditions of a sort that creates resistance against perceiving acts as crimes and persons as criminals.
To refrain from the use of big abstract terms is more important in our time than ever before. We have created types of social life where we know each other less and less as whole human beings. Where we earlier could evaluate and react towards unwanted acts, we must now in our ignorance call in state power in the form of police. Back in the 1950s, some 30,000 cases were officially handled as ‘crimes’ in Norway. Now it is close to 300,000. This does not necessarily mean that the amount of unwanted acts have increased in this period. But it means that we now live under social conditions where most of us have lost close contact with the acts and actors, and thereby also lose the possibility to create our own interpretations of what happens. In such a situation it is particularly important to be presented with simple concrete terms in the description of the occurrences. We need detailed storytelling, not references to empty categories as ‘crime’.
‘Crime’ and ‘criminals’ are strong terms with large abilities to stick to persons. They etch other understandings of the acts and the humans behind the labels. They hide other understandings for interpretation of the acts and the humans behind the label. I have never met people – when I come close to them – who are only criminals. They are, as most of us, a mixture of good and bad. Some, maybe all, are walking mysteries. But some might have committed and are serving sentences for something terrible, and then all other aspects are overshadowed by the concept of that act or for the personality type he or she is found to be.
Destructive words will often blossom among the many professionals so central in defining how humans are to be understood and governed: The psychopath, the paedophile, the manicdepressive …
Destructive words will often blossom among the many professionals so central in defining how humans are to be understood and governed: The psychopath, the paedophile, the manic-depressive, the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-child; the diagnostic manuals are filled to the brim. My alternative would be to tell the whole story.
And how would I like to have the supposed behavioural expert to describe those they work with?
As whole persons, described in old-fashioned, pre-professional terms. Described so thoroughly that they became unsuitable for categorisation. I want to know something, concretely, on what occurred, and about the persons. Small words put together in small stories are particularly well suited to give us such knowledge. The big words from the toolbox of various professionals will often close both for insight in what happened and for informed social participation.
But without their language, experts would lose both authority and efficiency!
1. Cohen , S. 1985 , Visions of Social Control , Cambridge : Polity Press
2. Seal , L. 2010 , Women, Murder and Femininity: Gender Representations of Women Who Kill , Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan . [CrossRef] | <urn:uuid:d4e8ffe7-32ce-4233-bace-77efe759ae43> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/publications/cjm/article/debating%E2%80%A6-bad-language-criminal-justice | 2020-10-28T08:03:49Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107897022.61/warc/CC-MAIN-20201028073614-20201028103614-00320.warc.gz | en | 0.961572 | 5,876 |
Application of a STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY, by his parents, for review of a determination of a hearing officer relating to the provision of educational services by the New York City Department of Education
Law Offices of Regina Skyer & Associates, attorneys for petitioners, Gregory Cangiano, Esq., of counsel
Courtenaye Jackson-Chase, Special Assistant Corporation Counsel, attorneys for respondent, Neha Dewan, Esq., of counsel
This proceeding arises under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. §§ 1400-1482) and Article 89 of the New York State Education Law. Petitioners (the parents) appeal from the decision of an impartial hearing officer (IHO) which denied their request to be reimbursed for their son's tuition costs for the Legacy program at Xaverian High School (Xaverian) for the 2013-14 school year. The appeal must be dismissed.
II. Overview—Administrative Procedures
When a student in New York is eligible for special education services, the IDEA calls for the creation of an individualized education program (IEP), which is delegated to a local Committee on Special Education (CSE) that includes, but is not limited to, parents, teachers, a school psychologist, and a district representative (Educ. Law § 4402; see 20 U.S.C. § 1414[d][A]-[B]; 34 CFR 300.320, 300.321; 8 NYCRR 200.3, 200.4[d]). If disputes occur between parents and school districts, incorporated among the procedural protections is the opportunity to engage in mediation, present State complaints, and initiate an impartial due process hearing (20 U.S.C. §§ 1221e-3, 1415[e]-[f]; Educ. Law § 4404; 34 CFR 300.151-300.152, 300.506, 300.511; 8 NYCRR 200.5[h]-[l]).
New York State has implemented a two-tiered system of administrative review to address disputed matters between parents and school districts regarding "any matter relating to the identification, evaluation or educational placement of a student with a disability, or a student suspected of having a disability, or the provision of a free appropriate public education to such student" (8 NYCRR 200.5[i]; see 20 U.S.C. § 1415[b]-; 34 CFR 300.503[a]-, 300.507[a]). First, after an opportunity to engage in a resolution process, the parties appear at an impartial hearing conducted at the local level before an IHO (Educ. Law § 4404[a]; 8 NYCRR 200.5[j]). An IHO typically conducts a trial-type hearing regarding the matters in dispute in which the parties have the right to be accompanied and advised by counsel and certain other individuals with special knowledge or training; present evidence and confront, cross-examine, and compel the attendance of witnesses; prohibit the introduction of any evidence at the hearing that has not been disclosed five business days before the hearing; and obtain a verbatim record of the proceeding (20 U.S.C. § 1415[f][A], [h]-; 34 CFR 300.512[a]-; 8 NYCRR 200.5[j][v], [vii], [xii]). The IHO must render and transmit a final written decision in the matter to the parties not later than 45 days after the expiration period or adjusted period for the resolution process (34 CFR 300.510[b], [c], 300.515[a]; 8 NYCRR 200.5[j]). A party may seek a specific extension of time of the 45-day timeline, which the IHO may grant in accordance with State and federal regulations (34 CFR 300.515[c]; 8 NYCRR 200.5[j]). The decision of the IHO is binding upon both parties unless appealed (Educ. Law § 4404).
A party aggrieved by the decision of an IHO may subsequently appeal to a State Review Officer (SRO) (Educ. Law § 4404; see 20 U.S.C. § 1415[g]; 34 CFR 300.514[b]; 8 NYCRR 200.5[k]). The appealing party or parties must identify the findings, conclusions, and orders of the IHO with which they disagree and indicate the relief that they would like the SRO to grant (8 NYCRR 279.4). The opposing party is entitled to respond to an appeal or cross-appeal in an answer (8 NYCRR 279.5). The SRO conducts an impartial review of the IHO's findings, conclusions, and decision and is required to examine the entire hearing record; ensure that the procedures at the hearing were consistent with the requirements of due process; seek additional evidence if necessary; and render an independent decision based upon the hearing record (34 CFR 300.514[b]; 8 NYCRR 279.12[a]). The SRO must ensure that a final decision is reached in the review and that a copy of the decision is mailed to each of the parties not later than 30 days after the receipt of a request for a review, except that a party may seek a specific extension of time of the 30-day timeline, which the SRO may grant in accordance with State and federal regulations (34 CFR 300.515[b], [c]; 8 NYCRR 200.5[k]).
III. Facts and Procedural History
The parties' familiarity with the detailed facts and procedural history of the case and the IHO's decision is presumed and will not be recited here. The CSE convened on March 12, 2013, to formulate the student's IEP for the 2013-14 school year (Dist. Ex. 1). Finding the student eligible for special education and related services as a student with a speech or language impairment, the March 2013 CSE recommended placement in a 15:1 special class with related services of speech-language therapy and counseling (id. at p. 6). In a due process complaint notice, dated September 9, 2013, the parents alleged that the district failed to offer the student a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for the 2013-14 school year, based in part on the student-to-adult staff ratio of the recommended special class placement (Parent Ex. B at p. 1). As relief, the parents requested that district reimburse them for the cost of the student's tuition for the Legacy program at Xaverian for the 2013-14 school year (id. at p. 5). The parents also requested an interim order of pendency directing the district to fund the student's placement at Xaverian based on a prior unappealed IHO decision (id. at p. 2).
An impartial hearing convened on December 16, 2013 and concluded on February 24, 2014 after two nonconsecutive days of proceedings (see Tr. pp. 1-178). On December 17, 2013, the IHO issued an order on pendency, which found that Xaverian constituted the student's pendency (stay-put) placement and ordered the district to pay the student's tuition for the Legacy program from September 9, 2013—the date of the parents' due process complaint notice—through the pendency of these proceedings (see Interim IHO Decision at p. 2). Subsequently, in an April 3, 2014 decision on the merits of the case, the IHO determined that the district offered the student a FAPE for the 2013-14 school year and denied the parent's request for tuition reimbursement (see IHO Decision at p. 11).
IV. Appeal for State-Level Review
The parties' familiarity with the particular issues for review on appeal in the district's petition for review and the parents' answer thereto is presumed and will not be recited here. The gravamen of the parties' dispute on appeal is whether a 15:1 special class with related services of speech-language therapy and counseling was appropriate to address the student’s educational needs during the 2013-14 school year.
V. Applicable Standards and Discussion—Mootness
As an initial matter, I note that the IHO's analysis is problematic in this case as, in order to find a denial of FAPE, the IHO relied on information unavailable to the March 2013 CSE, namely the student's participation and performance in mainstream classes during the 2013-14 school year (see IHO Decision at pp. 11-12). However, I am loath to remand for further proceedings in this case, given that the parents have already obtained the relief sought and, therefore, the parties' dispute regarding the 2013-14 school year is no longer a live controversy and has been rendered moot. Thus, under these circumstances, the merits of the parents' arguments need not be addressed.
In general, the dispute between the parties in an appeal from an IHO decision must at all stages be "real and live," and not "academic," or it risks becoming moot (see Lillbask v. State of Conn. Dep't of Educ., 397 F.3d 77, 84 [2d Cir. 2005]; Patskin v. Bd. of Educ., 583 F. Supp. 2d 422, 428 [W.D.N.Y. 2008]; J.N. v. Depew Union Free Sch. Dist., 2008 WL 4501940, at *3-*4 [W.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2008]; see also Chenier v. Richard W., 82 N.Y.2d 830, 832 ; Hearst Corp. v. Clyne, 50 N.Y.2d 707, 714 ). Administrative decisions rendered in cases that concern issues such as desired changes in IEPs, specific placements, and implementation disputes that arise out of school years since expired may no longer appropriately address the current needs of the student (see Daniel R.R. v. El Paso Indep. Sch. Dist., 874 F.2d 1036, 1040 [5th Cir. 1989]).
In the instant case, the district was required to fund the student's tuition at Xaverian for the entirety of the 2013-14 school year, as a result of its obligation to provide the student with his pendency placement for the duration of these proceedings (Interim IHO Decision). As the relief sought by the parents in their due process complaint, is identical to the relief achieved by virtue of pendency, the dispute between the parties is no longer real or live (see Lillbask, 397 F.3d at 84-85). The case has been rendered moot and no further actual remedial relief can be granted to the parents.
However, an exception may apply and a moot claim may nevertheless need to be decided if, despite the end of a school year for which the student's IEP was written, the conduct complained of is "capable of repetition, yet evading review" (see Honig v. Doe, 484 U.S. 305, 318-23 ; Lillbask, 397 F.3d at 84-85; Daniel R.R., 874 F.2d at 1040). However, this exception applies only in limited situations (City of Los Angeles v. Lyons, 461 U.S. 95, 109 ), and is severely circumscribed (Knaust v. City of Kingston, 157 F.3d 86, 88 [2d Cir. 1998]). Controversies are "capable of repetition" when there is a reasonable expectation that the same complaining party would be subjected to the same action again (Weinstein v. Bradford, 423 U.S. 147, 149 ; see Hearst Corp., 50 N.Y.2d at 714-15). To create a reasonable expectation of recurrence, repetition must be more than theoretically possible (Murphy v. Hunt, 455 U.S. 478, 482 ; Russman v. Bd. of Educ., 260 F.3d 114, 120 [2d Cir. 2001]).
Here, the hearing record does not support a reasonable expectation or a demonstrated probability that the parties dispute over the student's educational placement would reoccur. In New York State, a student who is otherwise eligible as a student with a disability, may continue to obtain services under the IDEA until he or she receives either a local or Regents high school diploma (34 CFR 300.102[a][i]; 8 NYCRR 100.5[b][iii]), or until the conclusion of the ten-month school year in which he or she turns age 21 (Educ. Law §§ 3202, 4401, 4402[b]; 8 NYCRR 100.9[e], 200.1[zz]; see 34 CFR 300.102[a], [a][ii]). The district need not reevaluate a student with a disability whose eligibility terminates on the basis of age or graduation with a local high school or Regents diploma (20 U.S.C. § 1414[c][B][i]; 34 C.F.R. § 300.305[e]; 8 NYCRR 200.4[c]).
During the 2013-14 school year, the student was a high school senior in the Legacy program at Xaverian (Tr. p. 135; Parent Ex. G). His grade point average at the end of the first semester was 90.7 and he received "first honors" during the first and second quarters (Tr. pp. 151-53; Parent Ex. G). In addition, by the time of his senior year, the student had passed five Regents examinations and was eligible to receive a Regents diploma (Tr. pp. 117-18). The Xaverian school psychologist reported that 2013-14 would be the student's last year in the Legacy program and noted that the student was preparing to go to college (Tr. pp. 131, 135; see Tr. pp. 93, 116). As the student was due to receive a Regents diploma, thereby terminating his eligibility for special education and related services as a student with a disability, I find no "reasonable expectation" that the parents would be "subject to the same action again" (F.O. v. New York City Dep't of Educ., 899 F. Supp. 2d 251, 254-55 [S.D.N.Y. 2012]; see V.M. v No. Colonie Cent. Sch. Dist., 954 F. Supp. 2d 102, 119-20 [N.D.N.Y. 2013]; M.R. v. S. Orangetown Cent. Sch. Dist., 2011 WL 6307563, at *8-*9 [S.D.N.Y. Dec. 16, 2011]; M.S. v. New York City Dep't of Educ., 734 F. Supp. 2d 271, 280-81 [E.D.N.Y. 2010]; J.N., 2008 WL 4501940, at *3-*4). Accordingly, I am unable to find that this exception to the mootness doctrine is applicable here.
As the all of the relief sought by the parents has been achieved by virtue of pendency, the challenged March 2013 IEP has expired by its own terms, and the student cannot now be subject to the same dispute over student-to-adult staff special class ratios, I find that the parties' dispute regarding the 2013-14 school year has been rendered moot and I need not address the parties' remaining contentions.
THE APPEAL IS DISMISSED. | <urn:uuid:08d495a6-c611-465c-8cf7-8025cb6482bc> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://www.sro.nysed.gov/decision/2014/14-068 | 2020-10-29T16:53:15Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107904834.82/warc/CC-MAIN-20201029154446-20201029184446-00400.warc.gz | en | 0.924493 | 3,273 |
By Terri LaPoint
UPDATE June 27, 2019 – Life Legal Defense Foundation has become involved with Marian Leonard’s case. Here is a link to their press release:
June 25, 2019
A trip to the hospital resulted in an elderly Alabama woman being taken away from her family and placed under a court-ordered guardianship with strangers. Under this guardianship retired schoolteacher Marian Leonard, or “Mrs. Gregory” as she is known by her former students, was forced onto Hospice and placed into a nursing home against her wishes and those of her family.
Her health has deteriorated drastically since then. Those who knew her before are shocked at her present condition.
Marian Leonard just wants to go home. Her family is fighting a costly battle to get her back, but the forces holding her captive are strong and powerful.
She thought she had planned ahead sufficiently. Almost 30 years ago, she had papers drawn up outlining her wishes. The documents were updated in 2006 and again in 2015. Each update reaffirmed that she assigned Power of Attorney, medical and durable, to her daughter Nancy Scott, who is also a retired schoolteacher and writer.
The mother and daughter have always enjoyed a close relationship. The documents demonstrate that Marian expected her daughter to make decisions in accordance with her wishes in her sunset years.
It was not enough. A lifelong bond has been dismissed with a stroke of a judge’s pen.
Mrs. Leonard is now under a guardianship by the Department of Human Services (DHR) and Jefferson County Probate Court Judge Alan King. Instead of honoring her plan to have someone she trusts oversee her care, strangers now control her medical care, her finances, and her life.
This includes the power to force her into Hospice care, although she has no diagnosis of any terminal illness. DHR and Judge King placed Mrs. Leonard into a for-profit nursing home, Diversicare of Riverchase, stating that she is not to leave Jefferson County.
The judge has ordered her to remain in Birmingham, a four hour drive away from her home in the “wiregrass” area of South Alabama. This means that most family and friends are unable to visit her, including her son Mack Gregory, who was seriously injured when his car was rear-ended in 2014. Birmingham is simply too far for him to travel under his medical condition.
The state guardianship also includes the power to restrict Mrs. Leonard’s daughter from visiting her or from hiring caregivers to sit with her and ensure that Marian is being properly cared for. From August 2018 through May 2019, Mrs. Leonard was forbidden to have any visits from Nancy, the very person she had chosen to be her voice and advocate.
Those visits have only recently been reinstated. Nancy Scott was permitted an hour and a half visit, supervised, on June 7. The court has now granted mother and daughter two such visits per month. A social worker must be present, and Nancy is not permitted to speak freely to her mother to explain why she hasn’t been there to see her or to tell her why she cannot go home. This is difficult for both mother and daughter on what has always been an open and honest relationship.
How have the basic human rights to family relationship been swept aside so easily?
Hospital Visit for a Fever Changes Everything
In December of 2017, Marian was admitted into a nursing home in Westmoreland, Tennessee, for physical therapy following a fall and broken hip. Her daughter wanted to bring her closer to home so she could be nearer to family.
On January 25, 2018, a staff member at the nursing home arranged for an ambulance service to transport Marian to a hospital in nearby Gallatin to be evaluated to see if she was able to make the trip to Alabama.
A thorough exam showed that she was stable enough for the journey in her daughter’s car to south Alabama. The doctor wrote in the records:
[Nancy] clearly has her mother’s best interest in mind, has arranged care to help her manage her. This is all very appropriate.
Nancy later found out that she was accused of taking her mother out of the Westmoreland facility against medical advice. The records clearly indicate that this is not the case.
Nancy decided break up the long trip to south Alabama with an overnight stop at a Birmingham hotel. Instead of pressing on their journey the next morning, Nancy brought Marian to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham because she was running a fever.
She was admitted to St. Vincent’s for what should have been a brief hospital stay for a urinary tract infection and mild flu symptoms.
Instead, to Nancy’s shock and dismay, the hospital and DHR petitioned the court for guardianship of Marian Leonard. They asked Judge Alan King to set aside her Power of Attorney and Living Will documents.
When Marian left the hospital in April 2018, Judge King ordered that she remain in Jefferson County, which is a 4 hour drive from her home near Dothan, Alabama. She was placed by her guardians into Diversicare nursing home and forced onto Hospice, even though there is reportedly no terminal diagnosis – a basic requirement for Hospice.
Seized, Based on the Word of a Felon
Life-changing decisions have been made about Marian Leonard’s fate which appear to have originated by the word of a woman who is now a convicted felon.
It was only after her mother was shuttled away to Hospice care by DHR and a guardian that Nancy Scott learned that there was a report stating that Marian had “End Stage Alzheimer?s [sic] Disease.”
This was surprising to Nancy because, though her mother is very elderly, her mind was always clear. She had never had a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s. In fact, as recently as 2016, Marian was evaluated by an Emory University psychiatrist and a neurologist who determined that she showed no signs of Alzheimer’s.
She did, however, have a urinary tract infection (UTI) by the time she reached Birmingham. An odd but well-documented symptom of UTIs in senior citizens, but not younger people, is confusion and other symptoms of dementia. (Source.) An elderly person with a UTI may appear to have dementia or Alzheimer’s, when in reality, the confusion is simply related to the UTI. This could very well explain why she was thought to have Alzheimer’s by the time she arrived in Birmingham.
The supposed diagnosis was included in a three-page “Prehospital Care Report” that originated from the nursing home in Westmoreland, Tennessee. It was signed by two crew members of the ambulance service, as well as by a woman named Lisa Fuller, listed as “Healthcare Provider” on the report.
The report also contains other erroneous information. Nancy says that when she saw the report, she spoke to several nursing home employees, including a social worker. No one recognized the name “Lisa Fuller.” They said that no one by that name worked there.
Lisa Fuller’s signature also appears as the Emergency Department RN on a report from the Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin. The signatures are identical. Nancy learned that the hospital did not have an employee by that name. Fuller also did not work for the ambulance company.
Puzzled, Nancy Scott googled “Lisa Fuller.” She says she immediately recognized the woman in the picture that came up as someone that she had seen on her mother’s hall at the nursing home numerous times. Nancy always noticed the woman dressed in scrubs because she didn’t smile and she seemed cold and distant.
Lisa Fuller was indicted in 2016. She was convicted of felony fraud in October of 2018. (Source.)
It is on the basis of records signed by Lisa Fuller that doctors at St. Vincent’s Hospital, and subsequently DHR social workers and a Jefferson County judge, determined that a woman had end-stage Alzheimer’s, a senior citizen who presented with the confusion that often normally accompanies a UTI.
The picture painted by information from Tennessee was that of a woman with terminal Alzheimer’s disease, being taken hither and yon by a daughter who may be off her rocker herself, who took her dying mother out of a hospital against medical advice. There is ample evidence that this entire picture is wrong. However, this is the scenario that was presented to a judge – a person entrusted with the power to make monumental life-or-death decisions which impacts entire families.
Shocking Deterioration in State Care
Marian Leonard has always been known to be clean and well-groomed. She loved having her hair fixed. Before the former English teacher went into Diversicare, she enjoyed sitting in the recliner and reading books. She used to enjoy traveling with her daughter, who shared her love of literature and writing.
Now, she is unable to get out of bed. Despite her repeated pleading to sit in the recliner, she was forbidden to do so, even when she had assistance and supervision available.
The family friends who have visited Mrs. Leonard at Diversicare have described the senior’s condition as shocking and overwhelming.
Several people have expressed concerns that Marian Leonard is not being fed adequately. She is described as being skin and bones. According to multiple reports, staff will tell them that she had eaten all of her food. Yet when the visitors offer her food, she usually devours it. She often seems very thirsty when they come.
According to one affidavit:
Every time I have visited Mrs. Leonard at mealtime, she has eaten everything on her plate and appears to be hungry each time.
I recently visited Marian Leonard to see for myself. What I saw was heartbreaking.
I arrived shortly after lunchtime to find one of Mrs. Leonard’s friends feeding her scrambled eggs and grits that she had picked up from a local restaurant. The friend told me that a staff person said that she had eaten “100% of her lunch.” So how was this thin, frail woman then able to eat an entire plate of scrambled eggs and grits so shortly after eating lunch?
I introduced myself as a friend of Nancy’s. Immediately she asked where her daughter was and how she was doing. Her love and concern for her daughter was apparent.
Over and over she told me that she wants to go home.
Mrs. Leonard is clearly hard of hearing and doesn’t see well. At one time she had glasses and hearing aids, but they are missing now. Apparently, the court-appointed guardians have not seen the need to make sure that they are replaced.
The friends have reported that, though Marian Leonard is quite elderly, she is still alert and aware of her surroundings when she isn’t “drugged up.” One says:
She is very much in her right mind.
One family friend told Real News Spark that it appears that Marian’s face and hair are not being washed regularly. One of her eyes has been matted shut for at least six weeks. It appears to be infected and oozing. The friend washes Mrs. Leonard’s face and applies warm compresses to her eye when she visits, but her eye seems to be getting worse. It was not this way as recently as March 2019.
There was a bedsore on her foot on May 4. It was still there as of June 17. A wound nurse came into Marian’s room on June 17 while I was there, gave her a cursory glance, and declared,
She doesn’t have any wounds on her.
Here are photos of Marian’s foot, showing that there is clearly a wound present:
A family friend notified Real News Spark on Monday that there is another bedsore on her thigh.
Marian’s left wrist was bruised and swollen on June 17.
Instead of acknowledging and appropriately treating the wounds, the staff are reportedly giving pain medications and psychotropic drugs. Some of these drugs put her to sleep, and others are mind-altering, making it easier to give the impression of dementia.
“Where’s the Dignity and Honor?”
That is what one of Marian Leonard’s friends asked me when I went to Diversicare. She told me:
She doesn’t deserve this.
Former Alabama State Representative Mary Sue McClurkin is another long-time friend of Marian Leonard. “Mrs. Gregory” was one of her schoolteachers in south Alabama. I asked her assessment of the allegations in this case. She expressed deep concern for Marian’s well-being and said:
I don’t think there’s any way that Nancy would have abused Mrs. Gregory.
Marian’s health has declined, and she is elderly. However, she does not have a terminal illness.
Never in their worst nightmares did Nancy Scott think that her mother would be treated this way in her later years.
Ideally, she would like to be able to take her mother out of the Diversicare facility that has a number of poor reviews by current and former employees (Source), and take her to a nursing home much closer to her mother’s hometown where she and other friends and family can visit regularly. Last year Nancy found a highly-recommended 5-star nursing home in the wiregrass area that agreed to accept Marian.
At the very least, Nancy would like to be able to pay caregivers to sit with her mother as she has done in the past, but Jefferson County will not allow her to do so. If Nancy were permitted to hire a caregiver, she believes that her mother would not be so neglected because there would be more accountability.
The most discouraging aspect of all this–the sheer apathy that pervades our culture–so many people act as though they may be thinking that this would not be happening to me because I would handle my affairs properly–this wouldn’t be happening to these people if they had planned, prepared, etc., etc….
Mother’s durable and medical POAs from 1991 through 2016 show that she gave thought and action to take care of putting people in place (family) who would help her when the time came that she could not do for herself. And in the instant, with the stroke of a pen, this judge set all that aside, disregarded her wishes and ordered her into hospice.
Dr. Thompson, one of mother’s doctors at St. Vincent, a hospitalist told me, “If you don’t like the idea of hospice, then blame the judge; that’s whose idea this was.”
She fears for her mother’s safety:
My mother would be no worse off if she were in a padded cell in Bejing, China, Cuba, or somewhere in the Middle East. Her Durable POA [Power of Attorney], medical POA, and Living Will, in place for years, have been swept aside as though they never existed.
My mother is clearly being held against her wishes.
Marian Leonard deserves to spend what time she has left surrounded by the love of her family and friends, not isolated from all that she has held dear during her life.
The Alabama legislature recently passed a strong pro-life bill, protecting the lives of unborn babies. Governor Kay Ivey signed it into law. The lives of our elderly citizens like Marian Leonard deserve protection as well.
Alabama Senate Majority Leader Jabo Waggoner represents the district where Marian (Gregory) Leonard is currently being held. He may be reached at 334-261-0892 or contacted here.
Representative David Wheeler is the House representative for that district. He may be reached at 334-261-0439 or contacted here.
Representative Dexter Grimsley represents the Henry County district where Marian Leonard and her family are from. He may be reached at 334-261-0513 or contacted here.
Nancy Scott’s prayer for her mother is that she will not die in the nursing home where she has been isolated from everyone who she knows and loves. She prays regularly that her mother “will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” This concept is found in Psalm 27:13.
Psalm 27:12-13 reads:
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Father, we pray for Marian Leonard. We ask you to intervene on her behalf. Open the eyes and hearts of those who hold the power over her life. Cause this nation to recognize the value of life at all stages of life. Expose the enemy that divides and separates loving, caring families. Refute every false witness that has risen up against this family.
Lord, we ask for mercy for Mrs. Leonard, as well as for her children Nancy and Mack, and the rest of their family. Allow them to be able to spend quality time together before she goes home to be with You, Lord.
We declare and proclaim Your Word with Nancy — that Marian Leonard WILL see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Thank You, Lord.
For more background on Marian Leonard’s story, see:
For more on the medical kidnapping of senior citizens, see:
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Hammer, sickle, square and compass.
Saturday 14 September 2013Now offering tours here
The unrecognised country of Transnistria is a post-Soviet “frozen conflict” zone, situated between Moldova and Ukraine in Eastern Europe. Formally known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (or ‘PMR’), this breakaway state proudly celebrates its Soviet heritage – statues of Lenin line the streets, while the Transnistrian flag is the only flag in the world to still feature the hammer and sickle emblem.
Eager to find out more about this reclusive and marginalised would-be nation, I braved the heavily militarised Transnistrian border; arriving in the capital of Tiraspol just in time for Independence Day.
Transnistria: The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic
A few weeks ago I was sat in a trendy beer garden in Bucharest with a Romanian friend. I told him I was planning to visit Transnistria, and his response was a cocktail of surprise and disgust.
Why do you want to go there?” He asked. “This is a stupid place.”
Moldova itself was once a region of Romania, before Russian influence moulded it into the ‘Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic.’
In 1991 this Soviet republic became an independent state, but there are those on both sides of the border who regret the divide.
Two days later, in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau, we sat chatting with a local student named Marin. “We are Romanians really,” he told us, speaking on behalf of the Moldavian people. “We are the same blood, but Russia has made things complicated between us.” The truth of his words was clear to see. I spotted graffiti tags in the capital reading, “fuck off Russia.” Meanwhile, on 31st August, during our brief stay in Chisinau, the city celebrated the Limba Noastră festival. Translating to ‘Our Language,’ this public holiday recognises Romanian – and not Russian – as being the national language of Moldova.
Marin’s father had fought in the 1990 War of Transnistria, and he told us that for him it was a very sad place.
This small strip of land east of the River Dniester, sandwiched between Moldova and Ukraine, remained pro-Russia even after the 1991 fall of the USSR. Tensions between Moldova and its breakaway state erupted into conflict, but the problem was, Transnistria had served as a major labour pool for Soviet industry – and Leninesque President Igor Smirnov was sitting on one of the largest stockpiles of weaponry in Eastern Europe. The conflict reached an uneasy ceasefire in 1992, which has remained in place since.
Depending on who you speak to then, Transnistria could be described as the breakaway state of a breakaway state.
The next day we hit the road. Little more than an hour south of Chisinau, the first checkpoint was operated by Moldavian authorities. A simple barrier crossed the road, where a uniformed guard pulled us over to take a nonchalant glance at our passports. It’s not as if you’re leaving the country, his shrug seemed to say.
“Good luck,” he added.
Welcome to Tiraspol
Bribery seems to be something of a national sport in Transnistria.
“Don’t give them any more than five Euros at the border,” our contact had advised. “But they’ll ask for more, once they see your foreign plates.”
We passed a checkpoint manned by a team of uniformed soldiers. They wore guns at their sides, while behind them, poorly disguised beneath a camouflage net, a Soviet tank stood watch over the road. The soldiers waved us through, and we made it a few hundred metres before being flagged down at the next checkpoint.
The next set of guards signalled us to park beside the road, and we queued in line for visas at a small office unit; the temporary kind that you might see serving administrative duties on a construction site. While the visa was easy enough to acquire (the usual stack of forms, signed in triplicate), next we were asked to pay road tax.
It took us half an hour of negotiations, stood across a desk from a middle-aged soldier who sat dead-eyed beneath the green and red flag of Transnistria. We got off alright – paying around €5 – although the car behind us was persuaded to hand over more… accounting for some administrative fee, or other.
After an hour at the border we were back on the road, a road signed only in Russian, and by the time we reached the outskirts of the Transnistrian capital we were once again stopped. This time it was a highway patrol. Apparently we’d passed through a no-drive zone in our confusion, and the eager officers were hungry for their own slice of the pie. Given the alternative of a trip down to the police station, we paid them their dirty money and were back on our way.
By the time we arrived in Tiraspol we felt cheated and abused, apprehensive of what the following days would bring.
“You’ll be fine once you’re in the city,” our host assured us. “It’s just the road police you need to watch out for.” This turned out to be sage advice.
After my experiences of touring North Korea, and from what I had already heard about Transnistria, I was anticipating the cowed gazes of oppressed masses trapped in an austere dictatorship.
Instead, I was met by calm confidence – disinterest, even – from the huge crowds that had gathered in the capital to celebrate Transnistria’s independence.
The next 24 hours were a carnival of guns, drums and drunken Russian tourists.
The population of Tiraspol is usually in the region of 135,000, of which 41% are Russian, 33% Ukrainian and 15% Moldavian. However, on this day of festivities the city was full to bursting; it seemed most visitors were here to reminisce the good old days.
Beneath Tiraspol’s towering monuments to the USSR, its Soviet banners and busts of Lenin, a sea of Russian tourists filled the wide streets as they danced to modern pop music, or guzzled obscene quantities of vodka in the park.
It was like walking through the worst Russian stereotype you could hope to imagine, and, while this festival held in honour of the USSR is quite possibly unique in the modern world, I have to admit I didn’t particularly enjoy it.
While Transnistria’s Independence Day is archetypical of the way many people view this breakaway socialist republic, over the coming week I would discover that in many ways it rather masks the authentic, un-documented attractions which serve to make Transnistria such a rich destination to explore.
Transnistrian Tourism: Things to Do in the PMR
Travelling in Transnistria was one of the most refreshing experiences I’ve had for a while.
If you look on travel sites such as TripAdvisor, you’ll find just two or three suggested attractions in the country. Meanwhile, a popular travel blog that I checked prior to my visit had claimed there was nothing to do in Tiraspol; they recommended visiting for the sake of saying you’d been, but doing it in a day trip from Moldova – rather than staying overnight. Even journalistic pieces by the BBC and others have denounced Transnistria as an uninteresting travel destination, notable only for its misguided politics.
The truth is very different.
The capital itself is a simple city, with little on offer in the way of entertainment. However, the clean, wide streets with their neatly whitewashed curbs are lined with a good selection of bars, restaurants and even nightclubs, while the supposed curfew mentioned by some commentators is utter nonsense – late night drinking is not just permitted in Transnistria, it seems to be actively encouraged.
Citizens of Tiraspol appear to be content, comfortable, and in some cases really rather affluent. Sweethearts walk through the city’s green parks hand-in-hand, or hang ‘love locks’ on the bridge that spans the Dniester. On one afternoon a pedestrianised street in the centre was overrun by an outdoor art class, young children drawing sketches of trees and monuments. You can buy literally anything you need in the city (from new shoes to a replacement USB cable), and the prices are some of the lowest I’ve encountered in Europe.
There may not be much to do in Tiraspol, but after the chaos of Independence Day had subsided, I found it a very pleasant place to be.
Outside of the capital meanwhile, there is a vast amount to see and do around Transnistria itself… but only if you look for it. Russian is the only language spoken here, and even in restaurants it’s rare to find a menu in English. What’s more, the country is so undocumented by western tourists that there really is no guidebook – you’ve just got to get out there and find it for yourself.
You shouldn’t conclude though, that getting about in Transnistria is in any way difficult. While my (limited) comprehension of the Russian language perhaps allowed me to get more out of the experience than others, the foreign tourists I met at the hostel managed just fine without. Each evening over beers I was hearing reports of bizarre monuments or abandoned brutalist structures in distant rural locales.
We felt like true explorers, discovering new, undocumented wonders each day.
Public transport in the PMR is regular and cheap, either by trolley bus or marshrutka. For the price of 3 Transnistrian Rubles ($0.27 USD) you can get from the centre of Tiraspol to nearby towns such as Chitcani, Bendery or Vladimirovca, each of which boasts a range of further attractions.
I took it slow, visiting four towns during my five-day trip. In that time I saw the beautiful Noul Neamt Monastery; a war museum on an old, disused Soviet train; a military cemetery; a vast monolith in the hills; and more statues of Lenin than you could shake a manifesto at. On top of that, if, like me, you have an appreciation for the beauty in decay, then Transnistria offers it by the truckload. Head out into the countryside and you’ll find factories, train stations, theatres and monuments; abandoned, preserved, and ripe for exploring.
Capitalism in the PMR
Despite voicing an enthusiastic support for the tenets of Marxism-Leninism, Transnistria is in no way a communist state.
The currency used in the PMR is the Transnistrian Ruble. As you might imagine, it’s an unrecognised currency… and that means you won’t be able to take it out from an ATM. Rather, you’ll need to draw out US Dollars or Russian Rubles before changing them up at one of the many booths scattered about the streets. Virtually nowhere seems to accept bank cards.
There is clearly a lot of money in the PMR. It’s a kind of free market socialism if you will; the residents of Transnistria enjoy free healthcare, free education and a heavily subsidised public transport system… but they also pay a flat rate tax set at 10%.
My host, Timoti at the Tiraspol Hostel, referred to it as “Wild West capitalism” – everything is for sale, and business is unrestricted. Given the proliferation of communist insignia in Transnistria though, you’d be forgiven for getting confused.
The absence of common global brands such as, say, McDonald’s and Starbucks, appears at first glance to be a statement of defiance against Western commercialism. However, it’s actually the result of UN restrictions, which place heavy limitations on foreign investment in the PMR.
Instead small enterprise thrives, with locally managed shops, bars and restaurants taking the lion’s share of the market. You can walk down Tiraspol high street and buy an iPad from a nameless electronics store… or enjoy typical Russian cuisine at independent venues such as Andy’s Pizza. While many in Tiraspol would probably still opt for a Macdonalds if it weren’t for the trade embargo, the lack of familiar capitalist branding gives the place a refreshing feel.
That’s not to say Transnistria is without its investors.
Three main companies seem intent on carving up the profits of a micro-nation open to bidders; Kvint is a distillery based in Tiraspol, now grown fat on lucrative profits and with a main factory which features on the 5 Transnistrian Ruble banknote.
Then there’s IDC, an American technology and telecommunications firm who own the local mobile network, as well as a string of consumer electronics outlets.
But the largest name in Transnistrian commerce is Sheriff.
The company owns petrol stations, supermarkets, a television channel, construction company, a mobile network, two bread factories and a distillery. The firm also lends its name (and petrodollars) to the nation’s premiere football team: Sheriff FC.
Sheriff or ‘Шериф,’ was founded in the early 90s by two former officers of the Transnistrian Interior Ministry; Viktor Gushan and Ilya Kazmaly. Some claim that the Sheriff name is a front for money laundering on a vast scale, while a 2004 report by the BBC intimated that former president Igor Smirnov is the true wizard behind the curtain.
Rumours abound that Transnistrian profits come largely from the sale of weapons. Numerous high security plants around the country have been linked to arms manufacturing, while some would have you believe that this unrecognised nation is merely a Russian puppet: a pool of weapons industry and money laundering, hidden behind a veil of autonomy.
Passing a checkpoint near Bendery by bus, I spotted a tank with a Russian flag painted on the side of its turret.
The two countries clearly enjoy close ties, both culturally and in terms of military resource; but how deep those ties go is anyone’s guess.
“Sixty per cent of the industry of the old Soviet republic of Moldova is on our side of the Dniester River,” reported local radio star Andrej Smolensky, in a 2010 interview with an Australian journalist. “Our reality is exploitative capitalism.”
Whatever the truth may be, it seems reasonable to conclude that black market economy is responsible for a reasonable proportion of Transnistria’s evident pockets of wealth.
Escape From Transnistria
According to local law, all tourists planning to stay more than 24 hours in Transnistria need to register on arrival with the local militia. Failure to do so is liable to result in heavy fines (and/or bribes) at the border.
Going on local advice, I decided not to bother. This didn’t pose a problem during my stay, and not once was I asked to show my passport or any accompanying paperwork. However, it did make things a little more exciting when it came time to leave.
I had arrived by car, and my friends left the same way – apparently getting stung at the border, where they were ordered to pay fines in recompense for their unauthorised stay.
Despite threats of reporting the incident to the ‘Office of Corruption,’ the guards wouldn’t budge; they had these tourists in breach of a legitimate law, and wouldn’t give up so easily .
Three days later I finally left the country myself, taking the train from Tiraspol to Odessa in Ukraine. This required a little stealth however, as my lack of papers would have displeased any local border guard. I was in no real danger – the guards would simply demand a fine, an amount of money which was considerably more significant to them than it was to me. Nevertheless, it made for good sport.
Transnistria doesn’t own its own trains, and those stopping in Tiraspol are generally controlled by Moldova, Ukraine or Russia. As the train’s staff would likely consider Tiraspol as a part of Moldova, I only needed to get onboard to be – effectively – across the border.
Picking up a ticket from the train station, I waited in a nearby park. The station’s platform was busy with officials, checking passports and documentation for the passengers waiting to board. As soon as the train pulled up I dashed around the end of the building, onto the platform and hopped quickly onto the closest carriage. One of the border guards saw me, but he was already too late: as far as the rest of the world was concerned, I had already left the ‘country.’
I gave the guard a cheerful wave from the window, as the train set off towards Ukraine.
By all accounts, Transnistria’s new President Yevgeny Shevchuk is intent on cleaning up corruption in this breakaway state. It was his initiative to introduce the new position of ‘Corruption Officer,’ a government representative ascribed the job of protecting the interests (and wallets) of tourists within Transnistria. We were told that his number would act like a free pass when it came to harassment from greedy officials – that simply threatening to call the Corruption Officer would deter police and border guards who had untoward designs on your cash.
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Have you ever noticed that the best thing to pair with lemon seems to be . . . lemon? Every time I make a lemon cake or cupcake, aside from my occasional frolic with lavender and lemon or blueberry and lemon, all I want to do is add more lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon extract, lemon filling, lemon topping, lemon curd, lemon frosting and lemon buttercream. Lemon!
During some of my recent baking in preparation for my sister-in-law’s baby shower, I did some lemon cupcakes filled with lemon curd and topped with lemon frosting, and I realized that I haven’t made a completely lemony layer cake in a long time. It was definitely time. And wait! Before you scroll down and read the recipe, just know that there are a few components in this cake that do take some time, but don’t let that scare you away — most of this cake can be made up to a few weeks ahead of time, so the actual assembly of the cake really is pretty quick and simple.
So what is a Lemon Meringue Delight Cake? It’s three layers of moist, lemony sponge cake filled with homemade lemon curd, lemon curd Swiss meringue buttercream and baked meringue discs, and frosted in more lemon curd Swiss meringue buttercream, topped with more lemon curd, swirls of buttercream, baked meringue swirls and lemon drop candy. In other words, a lotta lemony loveliness.
A lemon party of sorts.
Remember these Lemon Meringue Milkshake & Mini Swirl Meringues? I make those little swirl meringues often, and I thought they’d make perfect little lemon cake decorations, so I just made them a bit bigger and a tad more swirly for this cake. In this particular recipe I did the meringues with a Swiss meringue method (heating the sugar and egg whites over a pot of simmering water until they reach 140-160°F and then whipping them in the mixer), but you can also do them with a traditional French meringue method (whisking the room temperature/warm egg whites in the mixer until they become foamy, then adding the sugar gradually, beating until stiff peaks form). I found, though, that the Swiss version seems to bake very glossy and the French meringue bakes a little more matte. The ones I used on the cake ended up being the French version, but I made some last night using the Swiss method and they were so nice and glossy. (They seem to taste the same either way.)
Baked meringues have my heart because, aside from their addictive sweet, light and crispy-ness, you can make a big batch and keep them airtight for weeks, making them ideal for topping cakes or cupcakes. And, of course, for random snacking. I thought it would be fun to make a few larger discs and put them right on top of the lemon curd filling in the cake, so when you’re taking lemony cake bites you hit little bursts of lemon meringue surprises along the way.
Lemon = Happy.
Again, I know the recipe looks a little daunting because of all of the components, but if you do a bit ahead of time, it really is a joy to make. Keep remaining lemon curd in an airtight container in the freezer for a zippy addition to pancakes, muffins, scones and more — you’ll thank me! ♥
- 3 egg whites 90 g
- 3/4 cup 150 g sugar
- A drop soft gel paste color yellow
- You will also need:
- A large pastry bag
- Decorating tip #1A
- A small paintbrush
- 4 lemons or 6 Meyer lemons, preferably organic
- 2 whole eggs plus 4 egg yolks set whites aside for buttercream
- 1 cup sugar 200 g
- 4 tablespoons 60 g unsalted butter, at room temperature and cut into small even cubes
- 7 egg whites 210 g
- 1-1/2 cups 300 g sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups 454 g unsalted butter, softened and cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup 60 ml lemon curd
- 1 teaspoon 5 ml pure vanilla extract
- Few drops of soft gel paste colour yellow (I used electric yellow)
- 3/4 cup 170 g unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups 400 g sugar
- 6 eggs separated
- 2 cups 270 g all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon 4 g baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon 4 g salt
- 2 tablespoons 30 ml lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons 10 ml pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon 2.75 ml lemon extract
- 2 tablespoons 30 ml lemon zest
- 3/4 cup 180 ml plain yogurt, at room temperature
- baked meringue swirls for decorating
- lemon drop candy for decorating
Preheat oven to 200°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Wipe the bowl of an electric mixer and the whisk attachment with paper towel and lemon juice, to remove any trace of grease.
Add egg whites and sugar to the mixer bowl and fit onto the top of a medium saucepan filled with about 1-inch of simmering (not boiling) water. (Be sure the bottom of your bowl is not touching the water.) Whisk constantly but gently, until temperature reaches 140°F, or if you don’t have a candy thermometer, until the sugar has completely dissolved and the egg whites are hot.
Dry the underside of the mixer bowl and transfer to your stand mixer. Whip using the whisk attachment until the meringue is thick and glossy and has reached the stiff peak stage.
While the meringue is whipping in the mixer, fit your decorating bag with a plain round pastry tip. Fold over a cuff at the top of the pastry bag and paint 3, equally-spaced, thin lines of yellow gel colour using your fine paint brush (you can use any paint brush, but it should only be one you designate for food) from the pastry tip up toward the cuff.
Fill the bag with your meringue (no more than 2/3 full) and pipe 1-1/2-inch swirls onto one of the lined baking sheets, spacing them about 1-inch apart. (These will be used to decorate top of cake). On the second baking sheet, pipe the remaining meringue into flat discs, about 2-inches in diameter, spacing them about 1" apart. (These will be used on top of the filling inside the assembled cake.)
Bake for 60 minutes, rotating the trays after 30 minutes. Lower the oven to 175°F and bake until dry, about 40 minutes more. Keep in an airtight container until needed.
Wash lemons really well (with a bristled brush under cold water) and using a zester, remove all of the coloured portion of the peel from the fruit (not the white pith–it’s bitter!) into a bowl or onto a piece of wax paper. Rotate fruit as necessary to get as much of the zest off. Repeat until you have 2 teaspoons (30 ml) of the zest, and set aside.
Slice the lemons in half crosswise (I find room temperature citrus is best for juicing) using a sharp knife, and extract as much of the juice as you can using a citrus reamer, or I use a small, manual citrus juicer. (Just be sure to catch all of the juice in a bowl and to completely strain the seeds before using.) Repeat the juicing until you have 2/3 cup (160 ml) of the strained juice.
Get your double boiler ready by filling a saucepan with 1″ of water, then placing a metal bowl on top of the saucepan. You will need to ensure the bowl fits snugly into the top of the saucepan and that the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water (important, or your eggs will cook). You can now remove the bowl and continue with making the curd.
Whisk the juice, whole eggs, egg yolks and sugar in the bowl until smooth. Add the butter cubes to the bowl, but don’t stir.
Heat the water in the saucepan over low heat until it simmers (not boils) and place the bowl atop the rim. Stirring gently, but constantly, using heatproof spatula or wooden spoon, cook until the curd has thickened and all of the butter has melted and is incorporated, about 10 minutes (this can vary). To test if the curd is thick enough, remove the spatula or spoon from the curd and check that it’s coated.
Strain the curd over a bowl using a fine-mesh sieve and then stir in the zest. Cover with plastic wrap pressed directly against the curd (to prevent a skin from forming) and chill for at least 3 hours (I like to chill it overnight). It also thickens up a bit more while chilling. Keep refrigerated.
Wipe the bowl of an electric mixer with paper towel and lemon juice, to remove any trace of grease. Add egg whites, sugar and salt, and simmer over a pot of water (not boiling), whisking constantly but gently, until temperature reaches 160°F, or if you don't have a candy thermometer, until the sugar has completely dissolved and the egg whites are hot.
With whisk attachment of mixer, begin to whip until the meringue is thick, glossy, and the bottom of the bowl feels neutral to the touch (this can take up to 10 minutes or so). *Don't begin adding butter until the bottom of the bowl feels neutral, and not warm.
Switch over to paddle attachment and, with mixer on low speed, add butter cubes, one at a time, until incorporated. Increase mixer speed to medium and whip until it has reached a silky smooth texture (if curdles, keep mixing and it will come back to smooth). *If mixture is too runny, refrigerate for about 15 minutes and continue mixing with paddle attachment until it comes together. Add lemon curd and vanilla, continuing to beat on medium speed until well combined. Add yellow soft gel paste colour until desired shade of yellow is achieved.
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease, line with parchment and flour three round 8-inch pans. I use Parchment Paper Circles for ease. In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and 1 cup (200 g) of the sugar on medium high speed until very pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
Lower mixer speed to medium low and add the egg yolks, one at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula after each addition. Add lemon juice, vanilla, lemon extract and lemon zest and beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds. With mixer running, add dry ingredients. Add yogurt, scraping down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is well incorporated.
In another grease-free bowl, (or if you're lucky enough to have another mixer bowl) whip egg whites and remaining cup of sugar until they reach stiff peak stage. Fold meringue into batter until just combined, and divide batter evenly among the three prepared pans. Use a digital kitchen scale to weigh pans to ensure even layers, if possible (425 g of batter for each layer).
Bake first two layers 2" apart in center of oven on top of a baking sheet until a cake tester comes clean when inserted into the center, about 25 minutes. Be careful to not over-bake -- check cake at 20 minutes, but not before, and once you feel it’s almost ready, set the timer for 2 minute intervals. Repeat with final cake layer. Let cool on racks for 10 minutes before loosening the sides with a small metal spatula, and invert onto greased wire racks. Gently turn cakes back up, so the tops are up and cool completely.
Wrap tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 days, refrigerator for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 2 months. Best enjoyed day 1 or 2.
Trim any doming or top crust and side crust from cake layers using a very sharp serrated knife (I use the Mac Bread Knife for all of my cake trimming, splitting, etc.).
Use a cake turntable for filling, frosting and decorating, if a possible. Place a small dollop of frosting in the center of a cake plate or 8″ round thin foil-covered cake board, and place the bottom cake layer on top, trimmed side up (face up).
Pipe a dam (a rim around the top perimeter of the cake layer) of lemon curd buttercream around the cake layer using a large round Pastry Tip fitted inside a Decorating Bag. Then pipe another smaller circle of buttercream a few inches toward the center. Spoon lemon curd into the open spaces and spread evenly with a small offset palette knife, taking care to keep the curd within the dam (otherwise it will ooze out of the sides of the cake). Gently place cover the filling with a layer of the flat baked meringue discs, breaking them into smaller pieces if necessary to cover most of the layer.
Repeat with second cake layer and more buttercream, lemon curd and meringue discs. Place final cake layer, trimmed side down. Look straight down from above cake and be sure the layers are all lined up, shifting gently if necessary. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Remove from fridge and put a generous scoop of buttercream on top, spreading evenly with a small offset palette knife and working your way down the sides until you have a thin layer of frosting over the entire cake (crumb-coat). Chill until set, another 30 minutes.
Remove from refrigerator and covering the cake in another layer of buttercream, but this time using a thicker layer of buttercream and creating a smooth finish.
For the top of the cake, using your decorating bag fitted with the large round tip , 2/3 full with buttercream, pipe 8 small swirls, evenly spaced. Top each swirl with a baked meringue swirls, and fill the spaces in between with lemon drop candy. Gently spoon a layer of lemon curd on top of the cake, using a toothpick to pull the curd to the inside edges of the candy and swirls.
Store finished cake covered in refrigerator (due to the lemon curd filling), but serve at room temperature (you can remove from refrigerator several hours ahead of serving).
*You can make the baked meringues up to a few weeks in advance, keeping them in an airtight container at room temperature.
**You can make the lemon curd up to a month ahead, keeping it in an airtight container in freezer.
***You can make the Swiss meringue buttercream up to a month ahead, storing it in an airtight container in freezer, bringing to room temperature on counter the night before needed.
- Because Swiss Meringue Buttercream and Lemon Curd both take a little longer to make than some other fillings/frosting, I recommend making both ahead of time, if possible. They freeze well, and the buttercream can be simply brought to room temperature the night before you need it. The curd can basically be used straight from the freezer. If you go ahead and make all of the components in one day, there’s a good chance you will be cursing my name at random throughout the day. But even if you do go this route, it will still be worth it.
- You can make the baked meringues up to two weeks before you need the cake, just keep them in an airtight container at room temperature.
- You can bake the cake layers the day before you need to assemble the cake and keep them at room temperature wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.
- I use my the MAC Carving Knife for all of my cake trimming and slicing — it’s amazing.
- For the Swirl Meringues and the Lemon Swiss Buttercream I used Americolor Electric Yellow Soft Gel Paste to achieve that particular shade of happy.
- For the lemon drop decorations I used Claeys Lemon Sanded Candy Drops.
- You can watch me frost a cake with smooth edges here.
Good luck & enjoy! | <urn:uuid:71107c2a-58ad-4d19-8bdf-9fef9a010dd2> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://sweetapolita.com/2013/03/lemon-meringue-delight-cake/?replytocom=1748692 | 2020-10-26T00:38:45Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107890108.60/warc/CC-MAIN-20201026002022-20201026032022-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.904128 | 3,490 |
The surgical correction of refractive error has been a challenge since refractive keratectomy was first offered by Barraquer.1 Several surgical methods have been developed for the correction of the refractive error. LASIK, introduced by Pallikaris et al.,2 is the most widely used method for correction of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and mixed refractive errors. Several studies have evaluated the stability and predictability of the procedure. The inclusion criteria for the refractive error were 15.00 diopters (D)3 for myopia, 6.00 D for astigmatism,4 and 7.00 D for hyperopia.5 Although limits of correction were described as high in the first studies, the outcomes of the latest studies revealed much lower limitations regarding to the evaluation of residual corneal thickness and keratometry readings. Nowadays, surgeons do not prefer such high correction of refractive error with LASIK.2,5–11 Nevertheless, LASIK is still the most commonly used surgical treatment for myopia. However, correction of hyperopia by LASIK is less common due to more limited inclusion criteria than for myopia. Methods such as phakic intraocular lens implantation and refractive lens exchange were preferred due to extended limitations of correction of patients with high hyperopia. Sanders et al.12,13 and Rayner et al.14 showed that Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs) are good alternatives for correction of refractive error either below or above the limits of LASIK. The first generation of myopic/myopic toric ICLs revealed good stability, predictability, and refractive outcomes.15–18 However, the demand for ICLs was higher for patients with high diopter hyperopia due to the limitations of LASIK, which was mentioned before. Hyperopic ICL studies also showed good results.14,19–21 However, there were not many studies enrolled for hyperopic toric ICLs. This study aims to present the outcomes of the implantation of hyperopic toric ICLs.22
Patients and Methods
This retrospective study comprised 20 eyes of 11 hyperopic patients (Table 1) with astigmatism between 2014 and 2015 at Dunyagoz Etiler Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey with 1 year of follow-up.
Preoperative ophthalmic examinations consisted of detailed medical history, manifest and cycloplegic refractions, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), anterior segment evaluation with a slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and detailed fundus examination. Furthermore, Orbscan (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY) was used for corneal topographic, horizontal white-to-white (WTW) distance, and anterior chamber depth (ACD) measurements. Endothelial cell count was measured by the SP 3000P specular microscope (Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Pentacam (Oculus Optikgeräte, Wetzlar, Germany) was used for measuring corneal thickness.
The inclusion criteria of the study were age older than 21 years, stable refraction for at least 1 year, endothelial cell count of greater than 2,400 endothelial cells/mm2, iridocorneal angle greater than 30°, no anomaly of iris or pupil function, mesopic pupil size smaller than 5 to 6 mm, and ACD greater than 3 mm. Furthermore, patients with unstable hyperopia or astigmatism, active corneal disease, irregular cornea on corneal topography, lens opacities, recurrent or chronic uveitis, glaucoma, ocular hypertension, abnormal retinal condition, previous corneal or intraocular surgery, history of ocular trauma, systemic diseases (eg, autoimmune disorder, connective tissue disease, atopia, or diabetes mellitus), and age younger than 21 years were excluded.
The STAAR Surgical Customer Service Department formula was used to calculate the ICL power. This formula uses horizontal WTW distance (determined by the results of Orbscan), central corneal thickness, mean corneal keratometry reading or central corneal thickness (simulated keratometry), refraction 12 mm from the corneal vertex or with a contact lens, and ACD calculated from the endothelium of the cornea.
Although it was proposed to perform Nd:YAG laser peripheral iridotomies 2 weeks before, all were done 1 day before the ICL (Visian Toric ICL; STAAR Surgical, Monrovia, CA) implantation. By this approach, all remnants of iris particles could be easily washed at the time of surgery. Iridotomies were made in the upper quadrant, 0.5 to 1 mm from the limbus, at the 11- and 1-o'clock positions to avoid the risk of monocular diplopia or ghost images. Pilocarpine 2% solution was instilled every 10 minutes starting 30 minutes before the laser procedure.
All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon (EC). The axis of all patients was marked at a slit lamp in the operating room while the patient was sitting upright to control for potential cyclotorsion when the patient was supine (the zero horizontal axis). The operations were performed under general anesthesia with the same disinfecting, draping, and eye stabilizing techniques of cataract surgery. Two side-port incisions were made and the cohesive ophthalmic viscosurgical device sodium hyaluronate 1.0% was injected. A 2.8-mm main incision was made on the temporal side to avoid additional astigmatism. The ICL was implanted through the tunnel by cartridge and footplates were inserted behind the iris in the correct position. The phakic intraocular lens (IOL) was rotated to the correct axis with a Mendez axis marker (Asico, Westmont, IL) as indicated by markings. The ophthalmic viscosurgical device was irrigated by cannula, acetylcholine chloride was injected into the anterior chamber, and stromal hydration of the incision edges were made. Acetazolamide was given at the second hour of the surgery. Intraocular pressure was measured 2 and 4 hours after the procedure to avoid the risk of glaucoma. Patients received dexamethasone and moxifloxacin four times a day.
Visante OCT (Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany) was used to measure the iridocorneal angle preoperatively and at 1 and 12 months by the same technician. TIA (trabecular–iris angle), TISA500 (trabecular–iris space area 500 mm from the scleral spur), and AOD500 (angle opening distance 500 mm from the scleral spur) were evaluated. Vault (the distance between anterior pole of the crystalline lens and posterior of ICL) was also measured by Visante OCT at 1 and 12 months postoperatively.
SPSS software (version 22; IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY) was used for the statistical analysis and interpretation of the data. Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk tests for testing the normal distribution and Levene's test for testing the equality of variances were used. Furthermore, the two-tailed paired samples t test (for normally distributed data) and Wilcoxon signed-rank test (not normally distributed data) were applied for analyzing differences for the comparison of the results preoperatively and postoperatively.
Preoperative and 1-week and 1- and 12-month postoperative data are summarized on Table 2.
Preoperative and Postoperative Parameters in Eyes Undergoing ICL Implantation
The mean preoperative UDVA was 0.15 ± 0.11 (decimal) (20/133 Snellen) and the mean 12-month postoperative UDVA was 0.74 ± 0.25 (decimal) (20/27 Snellen). The mean UDVA change was 0.59 (decimal) (20/33.9 Snellen), which was statistically significant (P < .0001). Furthermore, the preoperative mean CDVA was 0.74 ± 0.25 (decimal) (20/27 Snellen) and the mean 12-month postoperative CDVA was 0.78 ± 0.21 (decimal) (20/25.5 Snellen). The change in the mean CDVA was 0.03 (decimal), which was not statistically significant (P < .052). Figure 1 shows the change between 12-month UDVA/CDVA and preoperative UDVA/CDVA.
Visual and refractive outcomes. UDVA = uncorrected distance visual acuity; CDVA = corrected distance visual acuity; D = diopters
The mean preoperative sphere was 6.86 ± 1.77 diopters (D) and the mean preoperative cylinder was −1.44 ± 0.88 D. The mean 12-month postoperative sphere decreased to 0.46 ± 0.89 D and the mean 12-month postoperative cylinder decreased to −0.61 ± 0.46 D. The change in spherical (6.40 D, P < .0001) and cylindrical (0.83 D, P < .001) refraction was statistically significant. The change in spherical equivalent refraction from preoperatively to postoperatively (Figure 1D) is shown in Table 2.
The predictability of the procedure was also analyzed and is shown in Figure 1C. The vertical axis represents the attempted change and the horizontal axis represents the achieved change in the refraction. The diagonal line represents the optimum cases for such desired and achieved corrections. Points below the diagonal line are the overcorrected cases and points above are the undercorrected cases for spherical equivalent. The green diagonal lines define the −0.50 to 0.50 D residual refraction band and the red diagonal lines define the −1.00 to 1.00 D residual refraction band.
The mean postoperative vault was 0.65 ± 0.13 mm at 1 month and 0.613 ± 0.10 mm at 12 months. The difference between the vault at 1 and 12 months postoperatively was statistically significant (0.04 mm, P < .003).
The analysis of preoperative/12-month and 1-month/12-month TIA, TISA500, and AOD500 values is shown nasally, temporally, and inferiorly in Table A (available in the online version of this article). All differences were statistically significant between preoperative/12-month analysis. The only differences between 1-month/12-month analysis were on TISA500 inferior (P < .002) and AOD500 nasal (0.031) values.
Iridocorneal Angle Values
Although several complications were reported intraoperatively and postoperatively in the literature,18,23–25 no complications were observed in our study during the 1-year follow-up period.
There was an increase of 0.75 mm Hg in the postoperative IOP. However, this was not statistically significant (P < .445). Furthermore, there was a change in endothelial cell density that was statistically significant (30 cells, P < .0001), but the difference was not clinically important.
Phakic hyperopic IOL implantation is also an alternative for phakic toric hyperopic IOLs. In Benda et al.'s21 study, 17% gained one line of CDVA, 17% lost one line of CDVA, and CDVA did not change in 66%. The correction of astigmatism may be the source of the difference between their results and ours. Additionally, residual astigmatism can be corrected by laser refractive surgery, astigmatic incision, and one or two opposite clear corneal incisions on the steep axis in hyperopic ICL implantations. Furthermore, the loss of one line that occurred in the amblyopic eyes can be explained by the elimination of the spectacle-induced magnification of the image.26
We used the ICL V4B hyperopic toric lens in this study; the full astigmatic correction was aimed for and no additional astigmatic correction was needed. Benda et al.21 used the ICL V3, which only corrects hyperopic errors. Thus, patients simultaneously underwent limbal relaxing incisions, photorefractive keratectomy, or LASIK after ICL implantation for the correction of the astigmatism.
In our study, Nd:YAG laser peripheral iridotomies were done 1 day before the ICL implantation and no side effects were observed. We believed that all iris particles remnants could be easily washed at the time of surgery, which could be an advantage. On the other hand, Benda et al.21 preferred to do Nd:YAG laser peripheral iridotomies 2 weeks before and Pesando et al.19 did 1 week before the surgery as advised by the manufacturer.
Outcomes of this study showed a reduction of 39% at nasal, 39.4% at temporal, and 37.7% at inferior for mean TIA values; 48.3% at nasal, 47.8% at temporal, and 47.6% at inferior for mean AOD500 values; and 43.9% at nasal, 46.2% at temporal, and 43.3% at inferior for mean TISA500 values when comparing preoperative and 1-year follow-up results.
Fernández-Vigo et al.27 implanted the ICL V4C, which had a central port for aqueous humor outflow for myopic patients and used Fourier-domain OCT. They had a reduction of 42% for mean TIA values, 58.4% for mean AOD500 values, and 59.2% for TISA500 values at 3 months postoperatively. Chung et al.28 implanted the ICL V4 and used ultrasound biomicroscopy. They observed a decrease in 31.7% for TIA and 41.4% for AOD500 values at 1 month postoperatively. Lim et al.29 also used ultrasound biomicroscopy and detected a decrease of 28.4% in TIA and 27.3% in AOD500 values after ICL V4B implantation. These studies did not find any difference between the 1- and 12-month results of angle parameters as we did. In the current study, differences were found in TISA500 inferior and AOD500 nasal values between the 1-month and 12-month results.
Fernández-Vigo et al.27 detected iridotrabecular contact in 16% of eyes, which did not exist before the surgery. In the current study, no iridotrabecular contact was observed.
Vault extent is an important factor for the complications after ICL implantation. Smaller vault is correlated with increased risk of cataract, whereas excessive vault may lead to angle closure, pupil block, and pigment dispersion associated with secondary glaucoma. The ICL has a convex shape in high hyperopic lenses and this convex shape rises when the diopter increases, which may be a risk for angle parameters and vault. However, the difference was not significant for these parameters in highly astigmatic cases when compared with other myopic studies.
Gonvers et al.30 recommended a vault value of greater than 150 μm, but Schmidinger et al.31 advocated 230 μm. In the current study, the minimum vault was 434 μm and the mean vault was 613 μm at 1 year of follow-up, which were within safety zones. Several authors2,9–11,17 also noted that vault decreased with time, which was in concordance with our similar reduction rates.
Endothelial cell loss is one of the complications of ICL implantation. Benda et al.,21 Pesando et al.,19 and Alfonso et al.20 found mean loss endothelial cell densities of 4.91%, 4.7%, and 4.7% respectively. Our endothelial cell density reduction rate was 1%, which may be due to the 1-year follow-up.
No lens rotation was observed during follow-up, similar to Fernández-Vigo et al.'s27 study.
Only one patient complained of halo and glare at every visit but he did not accept the removal of the ICL. He only had difficulties when driving at night.
New ICL designs have a central hole that enables aqueous humor flow to the anterior chamber and is also protective for cataract formation. Although hyperopic ICLs have no central hole and also have a convex shape, no cataract formation or complication related to the pressure was observed in 12 months of follow-up.
The recommended anterior chamber depth is 2.8 mm for ICL implantation. We found that patients with high or moderate hyperopia tend to have an ACD less than 3 mm. Although it was difficult, we enrolled 20 hyperopic eyes with an ACD greater than 3 mm (mean: 3.08 ± 0.14 mm) in this study. We believed that it was safer for angle parameters. Benda et al.21 and Alfonso et al.20 reported ACD values of 2.96 ± 0.27 and 3.16 ± 0.22 mm, respectively.
The positive outcomes are closely related to the indication criteria and patient selection. We believe that if ACD depth is safe enough (greater than 3 mm), ICL hyperopic toric implantation is a safe method and provides stable refractive outcomes in patients with high hyperopia (up to 10.00 D) and astigmatism (up to 6.00 D). Furthermore, preoperative and postoperative anterior chamber parameters and vault evaluation by OCT is helpful to prevent the potential complications.
This study only reported outcomes and complications up to 12 months postoperatively. The long-term results will be reported in future studies.
- Barraquer J. Queratoplastia refractiva [article in Spanish]. Estudio Información Oftalmología Instituto Barraquer. 1949;10:2–10.
- Pallikaris IG, Papatzanaki ME, Stathi EZ, Frenschock O, Georgiadis A. Laser in situ keratomileusis. Lasers Surg Med. 1990;10:463–468. doi:10.1002/lsm.1900100511 [CrossRef]
- Sugar A, Rapuano CJ, Culbertson WW, et al. Laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia and astigmatism: safety and efficacy: a report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology. 2002;109:175–187. doi:10.1016/S0161-6420(01)00966-6 [CrossRef]
- Wu HK. Astigmatism and LASIK. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2002;13:250–255. doi:10.1097/00055735-200208000-00012 [CrossRef]
- Plaza-Puche AB, Yebana P, Arba-Mosquera S, Alió JL. Three-year follow-up of hyperopic LASIK using a 500-Hz excimer laser system. J Refract Surg. 2015;31:674–682. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20150928-06 [CrossRef]
- Alió JL, El Aswad A, Vega-Estrada A, Javaloy J. Laser in situ keratomileusis for high hyperopia (>5.0 diopters) using optimized aspheric profiles: efficacy and safety. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2013;39:519–527. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2012.10.045 [CrossRef]
- Frings A, Richard G, Steinberg J, Druchkiv V, Linke SJ, Katz T. LASIK and PRK in hyperopic astigmatic eyes: is early retreatment advisable?Clin Ophthalmol. 2016;10:565–570. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S99098 [CrossRef]
- Plaza-Puche AB, El Aswad A, Arba-Mosquera S, Wróbel-Dudzinska D, Abdou AA, Alió JL. Optical profile following high hyperopia correction with a 500-Hz excimer laser system. J Refract Surg. 2016;32:6–13. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20151207-06 [CrossRef]
- Sáles CS, Manche EE. One-year eye-to-eye comparison of wave-front-guided versus wavefront-optimized laser in situ keratomileusis in hyperopes. Clin Ophthalmol. 2014;8:2229–2238.
- Tsiklis NS, Kymionis GD, Karp CL, Naoumidi T, Pallikaris AI. Nine-year follow-up of a posterior chamber phakic IOL in one eye and LASIK in the fellow eye of the same patient. J Refract Surg. 2007;23:935–937.
- Kymionis GD, Tsiklis NS, Astyrakakis N, Pallikaris AI, Panagopoulou SI, Pallikaris IG. Eleven-year follow-up of laser in situ keratomileusis. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2007;33:191–196. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2006.11.002 [CrossRef]
- Sanders DR, Vukich JA. Comparison of implantable contact lens and laser assisted in situ keratomileusis for moderate to high myopia. Cornea. 2003;22:324–331. doi:10.1097/00003226-200305000-00009 [CrossRef]
- Sanders DR, Doney K, Poco MICL in Treatment of Myopia Study Group. United States Food and Drug Administration clinical trial of the implantable collamer lens (ICL) for moderate to high myopia: three-year follow-up. Ophthalmology. 2004;111:1683–1692. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2004.03.026 [CrossRef]
- Rayner SA, Bhikoo R, Gray T. Spherical implantable collamer lenses for myopia and hyperopia: 126 eyes with 1-year follow up. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2010;38:21–26. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9071.2010.02192.x [CrossRef]
- Kohnen T, Kasper T, Bühren J, Fechner PU. Ten-year follow- up of a ciliary sulcus-fixated silicone phakic posterior chamber intraocular lens. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2004;30:2431–2434. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2004.04.066 [CrossRef]
- Zaldivar R, Ricur G, Oscherow S. The phakic intraocular lens implant: in-depth focus on posterior chamber phakic IOLs. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2000;11:22–34. doi:10.1097/00055735-200002000-00005 [CrossRef]
- Zaldivar R, Oscherow S, Ricur G. The STAAR posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2000;40:237–244. doi:10.1097/00004397-200007000-00024 [CrossRef]
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- Pesando PM, Ghiringhello MP, Di Meglio G, Fanton G. Posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (ICL) for hyperopia: ten-year follow-up. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2007;33:1579–1584. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2007.05.030 [CrossRef]
- Alfonso JF, Baamonde B, Belda-Salmerón L, Montés-Micó R, Fernández-Vega L. Collagen copolymer posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens for hyperopia correction: three-year follow-up. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2013;39:1519–1527. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2013.04.035 [CrossRef]
- Benda F, Filipová L, Filipec M. Correction of moderate to high hyperopia with an implantable collamer lens: medium-term results. J Refract Surg. 2014;30:526–533. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20140711-05 [CrossRef]
- Siganos DS, Siganos CS, Pallikaris IG. Clear lens extraction and intraocular lens implantation in normally sighted hyperopic eyes. J Refract Corneal Surg. 1994;10:117–121.
- Trindade F, Pereira F. Cataract formation after posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation. J Cataract Refract Surg. 1998;24:1661–1663. doi:10.1016/S0886-3350(98)80361-1 [CrossRef]
- Sánchez-Galeana CA, Zadok D, Montes M, Cortés MA, Chayet AS. Refractory intraocular pressure increase after phakic posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Am J Ophthalmol. 2002;134:121–123. doi:10.1016/S0002-9394(02)01414-9 [CrossRef]
- García-Feijoó J, Alfaro IJ, Cuiña-Sardiña R, Méndez-Hernandez C, Del Castillo JM, García-Sánchez J. Ultrasound biomicroscopy examination of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens position. Ophthalmology. 2003;110:163–172. doi:10.1016/S0161-6420(02)01449-5 [CrossRef]
- Koivula A, Zetterström C. Phakic intraocular lens for the correction of hyperopia. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2009;35:248–255. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2008.10.039 [CrossRef]
- Fernández-Vigo JI, Macarro-Merino A, Fernández-Vigo C, et al. Effects of implantable collamer lens V4c placement on iridocorneal angle measurements by Fourier-Domain optical coherence tomography. Am J Ophthalmol. 2016;162:43–52. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2015.11.010 [CrossRef]
- Chung TY, Park SC, Lee MO, Ahn K, Chung ES. Changes in iridocorneal angle structure and trabecular pigmentation with STAAR implantable collamer lens during 2 years. J Refract Surg. 2009;25:251–258.
- Lim DH, Lee MG, Chung ES, Chung TY. Clinical results of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation in eyes with low anterior chamber depth. Am J Ophthalmol. 2014;158:447–454. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2014.06.005 [CrossRef]
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|No. of patients|
|No. of eyes|
| Mean ± SD||32 ± 6.55|
| Range||21 to 40|
Preoperative and Postoperative Parameters in Eyes Undergoing ICL Implantation
|Parameter||Preop||1 Week Postop||1 Month Postop||12 Months Postop||P|
|Mean ± SD||Range||Mean ± SD||Range||Mean ± SD||Range||Mean ± SD||Range|
|UDVA (decimal)||0.15 ± 0.11||0.05 to 0.40||0.71 ± 0.22||0.30 to 1.00||0.74 ± 0.23||0.30 to 1.00||0.74 ± 0.23||0.30 to 1.00||< .0001|
|CDVA (decimal)||0.74 ± 0.25||0.20 to 1.00||0.76 ± 0.21||0.30 to 1.00||0.78 ± 0.21||0.30 to 1.00||0.78 ± 0.21||0.30 to 1.00||< .052|
|Sphere (D)||6.86 ± 1.77||4.00 to 10.75||0.86 ± 0.79||−0.75 to 2.50||0.60 ± 0.69||−0.75 to 1.75||0.46 ± 0.89||−1.25 to 2.50||< .0001|
|Cylinder (D)||−1.44 ± 0.88||−3.25 to 0.00||−0.64 ± 0.46||−1.75 to −0.25||−0.66 ± 0.50||−2.00 to −0.25||−0.61 ± 0.46||−1.75 to −0.25||< .001|
|IOP (mm Hg)||14.65 ± 3.00||10 to 19||15.45 ± 2.58||12 to 20||15.20 ± 2.28||12 to 19||15.4 ± 2.95||11 to 22||< .445|
|ECD (cells/mm2)||2,881 ± 191||2,450 to 3,231||2,811 ± 186|| 2,390 to 3,140||2,837 ± 202||2,410 to 3,219||2,853 ± 203||2,420 to 3,220||< .0001|
|Vault (mm)||N/A||N/A||0.65 ± 0.13||0.43 to 0.96||0.61 ± 0.10||0.40 to 0.78||< .001|
Iridocorneal Angle Values
|Mean ± SD||Mean ± SD||Mean ± SD||Mean ± SD||Reduction||Pa||Mean ± SD||Reduction||P||Mean ± SD||Reduction||Pa|
|Preop vs 12 months postop|
| TIA||45.57 ± 2.57||46.09 ± 2.06||45.77 ± 2.15||27.77 ± 1.55||39.06%||.001||27.85 ± 1.47||39.59%||.001||28.46 ± 1.14||37.82%||.001|
| TISA500||0.302 ± 0.333||0.325 ± 0.039||0.306 ± 0.025||0.168 ± 0.013||44.25%||.001||0.173 ± 0.014||46.86%||.001||0.173 ± 0.016||43.38%||.001|
| AOD500||0.803 ± 0.053||0.805 ± 0.056||0.815 ± 0.068||0.414 ± 0.027||48.43%||.001||0.420 ± 0.041||47.85%||.001||0.426 ± 0.040||47.67%||.001|
|1 month vs 12 months postop|
| TIA||27.85 ± 1.97||28.69 ± 2.54||28.25 ± 1.90||27.77 ± 1.55||0.27%||.783||27.85 ± 1.47||2.93%||.085||28.46 ± 1.14||−0.74%||.260|
| TISA500||0.164 ± 0.016||0.173 ± 0.017||0.164 ± 0.011||0.168 ± 0.013||−2.75%||.121||0.173 ± 0.014||0.37%||.466||0.173 ± 0.016||−5.29%||.002|
| AOD500||0.398 ± 0.028||0.413 ± 0.048||0.428 ± 0.038||0.414 ± 0.027||−3.95%||.031||0.420 ± 0.041||−1.68%||.126||0.426 ± 0.040||0.35%||.896| | <urn:uuid:465c02b8-6480-470f-900b-b0cc8f13337f> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://www.healio.com/ophthalmology/journals/jrs/2017-9-33-9/%7Be1ae184f-7799-4cf7-bd61-c504977eaedf%7D/refractive-outcomes-of-20-eyes-undergoing-icl-implantation-for-correction-of-hyperopic-astigmatism | 2020-10-20T09:16:28Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107871231.19/warc/CC-MAIN-20201020080044-20201020110044-00680.warc.gz | en | 0.819859 | 7,331 |
I want to pause for a moment, soften around my tightening chest to breathe deeply. We have reached a terrifying moment here in the US. The fear and dread we feel confirm how dangerous it is. This was not an easy write. It’s nothing you don’t know, or sense already, but we must all keep naming truths. To name facts is an act of resistance against fascism. I aim to call in truths, as I see them, to support the final push these last weeks before the watershed of this election.
The journey of naming exorcises Trump’s defiling influence by placing his psychopathy and fraud under the spotlight. Speaking truth breaks the spell. It has power. It affirms what we are voting for. Our vote is our voice expressing that power.
The news of the New York Times bombshell of Trump’s Tax evasion (surprising no one), revealed his pimping of the U.S. to manage his bankruptcy and debt. It also broke the spell. As did his crashing the debate, employing the same venomous, bullying tactics he’s using to crash democracy.
As the spell breaks, I remember when the Communist block, which seemed impenetrable, fell so unexpectedly. I saw the moment on TV when Nicolae Ceausescu, the brutal Romanian dictator, realized the crowd he bussed in had turned against him. Standing on his balcony, it was the look on his face when he knew it was all over that stayed with me. Trump is a wannabe dictator. Aided by the GOP, he is grooming America for their Fascistic Theocracy. But he will fall; let’s do all we can to make sure it’s this November.
This is a treacherous moment for America. Trump’s calling on the white nationalist Proud Boys to take up arms is his last best strategy. Trump, and his use of brute violence, should not be underestimated, but neither should, “We the People.” We the people are not about to let freedoms won through extraordinary acts of courage like Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s, be signed away.
Ruth worked on through multiple cancer diagnoses, chemo, radiation, broken ribs, her beloved husband’s death, and she didn’t stop until her last breath. Let’s be Ruth leading up to this election, adding our courage to the lineage of warriors and change-makers. Courage isn’t the absence of fear but the willingness to stand our ground. As RBG lived, speak you mind, even if your voice shakes.
WE THE PEOPLE VOTE FOR DEMOCRACY
The Threat to Equal Rights
The untimely death of RBG was crushing. The loss of such a bastion of justice, whose unrelenting fight for universal rights not only underlined the colossal stakes of the coming election but also plunged the country ever deeper into the bottomless, mendacious chasm forged by the GOP. Hardly did we take a breath before Trump, McConnell, and their attack hounds denied due decency that such a passing demands by announcing their intention to ram through a new supreme court justice. Their hypocrisy is just one more assault thrown on the mountainous pile of craven strategies to upend democracy and abandon America to their daily diet of gaslight, shredded reality.
In replacing RBG, Trump and the GOP aimed for a likely destroyer of hard-won rights, attempting to whiplash us back decades, overturning everything RBG fought for. According to the New York Times, Trump’s nominee, Amy Comey Barratt, is a member of an extreme Christian sect, the People of Praise. They teach, “husbands are the heads of their wives and should take authority over the family.” They also mandate that “members are accountable to personal advisors called a “head” for men and “handmaiden” for women.” The GOP’s use of a female judge to devolve us into theocratic patriarchy would be in line with their decades-long hateful attack on women’s rights to their own autonomy. Barrett’s nomination is the GOP’s revenge on RBG and, therefore, all women. It is also the clearest statement that the GOP has devolved into a theocratic, dogmatic cult.
Neither does this nomination bode well, given Trump’s ban on diversity training, race theory, and education on the US’s racist origins, for the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Also in danger is the Marriage Equality Act as attests Barrett signing a letter to Catholic bishops that “marriage is founded on the indissoluble commitment of a man and a woman.” Most likely, the first casualty, if her appointment succeeds, will be the Affordable Care Act, leaving millions of Americans afloat in the middle of a pandemic. Without a shred of empathy, destroying the best of Obama’s legacy is Trump’s revenge.
WE VOTE FOR RBG & TO STOP THE GOP
Trump’s Nazism & QAnon
Trump’s presidency has incrementally pushed us into a war. It’s taken a while to accept, here in the land of “American Exceptionalism.” Yet, here we are, confronted by a disturbing mix of society’s extremists galvanizing themselves under the banner of Trump’s Army, many showing up with QAnon insignia. Trump endorsement of QAnon chills those who know it’s a recycled anti-Jewish trope, written in 1902 as The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The Nazi’s reproduced its central lies, kidnapped children, the anti-Semitic “blood libel,” and a devious conspiracy against the white race, to mobilize their “Storm Troopers,” helping Hitler rise to power.
Fast-forward to now and the Texan Republican Party’s new slogan “We Are The Storm” reveals their allegiance to Nazism. Concerned founder of Genocide Watch, Gregory Stanton, has this to say about QAnon, I have studied and worked to prevent genocide for forty years. Genocide Watch and the Alliance Against Genocide, the first international anti-genocide coalition, see such hate-filled conspiracy theories as early warning signs of deadly genocidal violence.
Trump is no ordinary Banana Republic President. With concentration camps cemented on the Southern border, Trump is weaponizing himself as Hilter’s heir. Trump’s “evil genius” is his ability to induce a spell-like trance, so people whose violence and hatred was held in check by social mores have permission to project their raw emotions on whoever Trump scapegoats. Carl Jung spoke of how the archetypal power of the unconscious could overwhelm civilization, causing a mass psychosis that can lead to genocide. A demagogue, evoking primitive instinctual forces in the masses, who have no possibility to transform those instincts, could “sweep everything before them like a torrent, and turn men into creatures for whom the word “beast” is still too good to name.” All it needed was for a demagogue “to set himself up as a megaphone“, which is enough “to precipitate a catastrophe.”
WE VOTE TO STOP NAZISM
Trump’s Subversion of American Power & His War on Truth
Trump’s war is psychological. So far, it is not actively militarized, though he toyed with the possibility, as we saw when his violent Militia disappeared people off the streets of Portland. Instead, he has subverted American power to give free license to the worst totalitarian regimes, particularly those he has business dealing with, enabling their war crimes and violations of international humanitarian norms. Trump has lent American power to the Saudi led genocidal war on Yemen. He emboldened the far right in Israel under Netanyahu, helping crush Palestinian rights. Trump delivered up American allies, the Syrian Kurds, to Putin, Assad, and Erdogan and weakened Ukraine’s freedom struggle. Over and again, he undermined the US’s closest allies in Europe in favor of repressive regimes, delivering a blow to democracy around the world.
Trump’s ascendency in 2016 heralded a new kind of global war. To bring down democracies, like the US and UK, an act that delights nationalistic governments and totalitarian regimes, you don’t need an army. Instead, you need a massive assault on reality. Trump can stand on a presidential podium and state disinfectant cures Covid, which is easy to dismiss as just more inane idiocy in the litany of Trump’s pandemic lies. Good fodder for social media jokes. But then one day, you wake up and find factual information from the US Center for Disease Control has been corrupted into another portal for Trump’s propaganda war. This strategy is how, step-by-step, lie-by-lie, almost all government departments protecting democracy and the environment have been destroyed under Trump. The consequences are measured in real-time deaths.
WE VOTE TO STAND FOR TRUTH
To Abandon Facts is to Abandon Freedom
Trump’s war on reality, and his groundless inversion of facts, has been alarmingly effective. Fascists win the war on the truth when people keep quiet. Instead, it’s essential to speak out. The small handbook “On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder, Professor of History at Yale, offers 20 succinct tips on overcoming fascism while protecting fact-based democracy. Tip 8. Stand Out. “Without unease, there is no freedom. Remember Rosa Parks, the moment you set an example, the spell of the status quo is broken.” Tip 10. Believe in Truth. “To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, no one can criticize power… the biggest wallet pays for the most blinding light.”
Trump’s daily mugging of truth to build his rotting castle of lies inverts an effective response to the enormity of a mortal threat out striping every other peril faced by humanity. The dire impact of our heating biosphere and the immense on-going collapse of bio-diversity is speeding up. From California’s firestorms to an enormous ice melt in Greenland, the effects are clear examples of what is now impossible to ignore.
Just as Trump unleashed violence against American citizens enacting their First Amendment rights, he will have no qualms about unleashing climate genocide. It dovetails into the Nazi theory of “race hygiene,” which he touted at his recent rally to a white audience in Minnesota. “A lot of it is about the genes, isn’t it” Don’t you believe? The racehorse theory,” Trump said. “You think we’re so different? You have good genes in Minnesota.” Far-right ethno-nationalists see global warming as a rallying point for protecting white supremacy while abandoning the rest of the world. All Trump needs to do to inflame and energize eco-fascism is to repeatedly promote climate denialism, block an urgent response, and deregulate all environmental protections.
WE VOTE TO STOP ECO-FASCISM
Trump’s Tactics Stifles Response to Threat
On September 17th (2020), New York installed a clock in Manhattan’s Union Square that counts down the time remaining to avert climate disaster, which is about seven and a half years. When the clock runs out, global temperatures will have moved to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels. At this point, many natural systems begin to traverse points of no return, transforming life, as we know it. Living in or near evacuation Zones in the last three years, as fires storms raged around us in California, demonstrated how extreme weather events reduce normal life to continual crisis management. It’s simply not possible to function well when in shock.
Trump continually activates trauma and shock in the population to maintain control by destabilizing the norms of civil society. Keeping attention diverted and people unbalanced, as they try to deflect the daily round of abusive tweets, incoherent ramblings, and sadistic pronouncements, is his weapon for overturning the moral order. Trump’s shock tactic is immobilizing America’s ability to strategize a coherent response to the climate threat. His attack on science, progressive education, bi-partisan collaboration, and democracy sets the stage for the US to deteriorate into violent tribalism and inhumanity in the face of our unraveling world.
WE VOTE FOR A CLEAR RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
The Battle for Earth
In the battle for Earth, the immediate front line is the upcoming US election. We are in a dire struggle for America’s soul and what kind of future it will shape for itself and the world. Under Trump, the conditions have been created not only for fascism, civil unrest, perhaps even civil war, but he has also tacitly endorsed the rise of nationalistic governments. These tend to be the least willing to tackle climate change, demonstrating what happens in the US still vastly influences the rest of the world.
Trump’s unrelenting cudgel against truth has drastically subverted the moral imperative globally, sabotaging decisive action needed to curtail descent into civilizational collapse. One of Trump’s first heinous acts ensured that at lightning speed, hope from the Paris Climate Accord, which passed on November 4th, 2016, was turned to dust. Trump’s ripping it up severely undermined the possibility of global collaboration. Instead, it gave a green light for psychopathic leaders and predator capitalists to throw the world into a sickening battle for our collective survival.
In the wake of this, despite the herculean efforts of multiple climate movements, mass demonstrations, and the IPCC report of October 2018 (by 91 scientists from 40 countries who received over 6000 references and 42,000 experts, peer-reviewed publications), we are witnessing a growing psychotic break from our urgent reality.
This break is not an accident. It is a deliberate strategy generated by some powerful players in the political, media, banking, and corporate worlds, alongside fossil fuel and animal agro-factory interests that continuously spawn and nurture a denial culture. Instead of using their goliath powers for the common good, they hide their malignancy by deflecting attention from themselves while sowing confusion and division. These are the untouchable “high priests” of the Church of Power and Greed. They generate a storm of media misinformation, climate denial propaganda, and manipulative green-washing memes to obfuscate the facts.
WE VOTE TO END CLIMATE DENIAL
The Forces Using Trump
Climate denialist and kingmaker, Rupert Murdoch, has merged Trump into his 24-hour right-wing network Fox News and his all-pervasive global media machine. Two men of no morals in a transactional deal giving Murdoch an extraordinary degree of influence over America’s democracy, and Trump the means to cement his cult following.
In the face of such a swift descent into a shadowy mire orchestrated by political arsonists and their enablers, it’s clear those of us holding and working for the higher dream of a green, sustainable, just, and equitable future are losing the battle. We turn up with science-based data, loving-kindness, wise mindful practices, and passion to implement workable solutions. While those determined to control the planet’s destiny, grabbing whatever spoils left for themselves, turn up with billions of dollars, media empires with tentacles into the highest reaches of power, and a nuclear arsenal. In their wake are battalions of lawyers, lobbyists, think tanks, and data mining companies distilling mass information into psychological profiling to drive opinion and manipulate behavioral change.
We see the results in our teetering democracy, and in the deregulated environmental protections radically changing Earth’s landscape, drying up aquifers, decimating rainforests and wildlife, poisoning rivers and lakes, all for the sake of power and profit. Those driving this ecocide are, for the most part, completely unaccountable.
The motivation for this unrelenting attack on mother nature, whether evangelical rapture, owning the planet, sitting it out on Mars or in a bunker in New Zealand to take what’s left, leads to only one possible conclusion. Immoral narcissistic criminals and psychopaths are currently controlling the destiny of the planet.
They care absolutely nothing for sustaining a living Earth. They care only for themselves. Some don’t even care for their children. Murdoch ruthlessly pitted his two sons against each other from their childhood as rivals for his empire. This coterie of transactional, pitiless wheelers and dealers, who know the facts and don’t care, are the men that are willing to let the world crash and burn. They don’t mind that our exquisitely beautiful mother in all her gracious abundance is being doomed to become a barren desert devoid of life, wandering cold space, and weeping for her death at human hands.
Perhaps that sounds extreme, but the impact of global warming, which is unraveling the web of life, has left Mother Nature fighting to survive. We read ecosystems are “dying.” But nature isn’t “dying.” She is being killed. While conscious lifestyles are, of course, critical, it’s not the average person, trying to recycle, reduce energy consumption, and animal products that are holding a knife to Her throat.
Primarily it is extractive, predatory corporations crashing through pristine ecosystems and indigenous lands, destroying everything in their path. From the US, Russia, and China vying for the Arctic, to the Alberta Tar Sands in Canada, to India’s Adani’s massive coal mine in Australia, an environmental nightmare that aims to steal 270 billion liters of groundwater, for free, over 60 years.
Many of these companies, further enabled by Trump’s “Tax Acts and Jobs Act,” pay O% tax, including Chevron who was party to one of the world’s greatest environmental disasters. An oil dump roughly 30 times the Exxon Valdez spill in the Ecuadorian Amazon. They never cleaned up or paid damages.
WE VOTE TO STOP PREDATOR CAPITALISM
Biden’s Green New Deal Up Against Trump
In the coming election, Biden, in alliance with Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, has unveiled a $2 trillion energy plan firmly focused on the Green New Deal agenda fronted by the Democratic Party’s progressive wing. This is not the moment to give a vote to Trump because we don’t approve of Biden, the Democratic Party centralists, or because of ideology. A vote for Biden, Kamala Harris, and the DNP is a vote to stop fascism and a step toward a workable, survivable future. It’s as simple as that right now. I am on my knees to beg against throwing a vote to Trump by punching the ticket of a 3rd Party candidate.
By contrast, Trump is a vote for chaos and death. He is the perfect vehicle for extractive predator capitalism. His turning the Environmental Protection Agency into the Environmental Predatory Agency and his sadistic assault on wildlife delivered yet more blows to decades of hard work to secure protections for nature. While the majority world is grappling with climate change, Trump is doing the exact opposite. McConnell’s defense of Citizen’s United in 2018, a ruling that put democracy up for sale, ensures interest groups can buy political power and plunder at will.
WE VOTE FOR A GREEN NEW DEAL
Patriarchy’s Last Gasp: The GOP’s Kakistocracy (rule by the worst.)
This week Trump refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power. In response, Bernie Sanders stated, “This is not just an election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy – and democracy must win.” The GOP is using Trump to push through their archconservative agenda. To do that, they are abandoning democracy.
Trump is their perfect vehicle to bring about that end. Regardless of how egregious his lies or how dangerous his actions, a racist and misogynistic GOP have utterly failed to restrain him. Instead, they are destroying the government and replacing it with rapture intoxicated and extreme “Christian” theocrats, criminals worthy of the Mafia, and Trump’s cold, heartless, thieving nepotistic relatives. All buddies, it seems, of Putin’s poisonous reach. This craven Kakistocracy personifies the dinosaur of patriarchy’s last gasp. They have only one reptilian drive. To control and loot by the use of all means foul. In their necrotizing march for domination, they have set the stage for mass upheaval and death, gruesome migrations, and unimaginable suffering.
In the figure of Trump himself, we see the personification of a graceless, heartless, cruel, and sadistic destroyer of the best of human nature, disabling the higher dream of humanity, so needed to guide these times, at every turn. Trump’s vacuous soul makes him a perfect vessel for those propagating the decade’s long war on the truth of anthropocentric climate change to deadly effect. We cannot let such a depraved man determine the destiny of so much.
WE VOTE TO BRING DOWN PATRIARCHY
Truth is Truth
Regardless, however, truth is truth. Global collaborated science lays bare the brutal reality before us. We have almost no time to turn around this nightmarish trajectory. We also have virtually no time, and few moves left to stop Trump and his decrepit fascistic, supremacist, misogynistic political coup.
By now, it’s clear how dangerous Trump’s psychotic cult is. It’s also clear we cannot afford to descend further another four years of Trump’s barbarism. We also know there’s a radically different new world trying to be born that we must lend every effort to midwife and protect. However, where we falter is galvanizing mass mobilization to preserve our beloved Earth. But if democracy starts to fall in November, we must take courage and mobilize.
WE VOTE TO MOBILIZE TOGETHER
Meeting the Challenge
If your heart is breaking with all this, you’re not alone. But, that is better than entering this critical decade of the 2020’s asleep. In the Ayurvedic medicinal model, which inspired the template for the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths, the first step to overcoming suffering and ignorance is to diagnose the sickness. The second step is to meet the illness directly rather than hoping it will magically disappear. It tends to be easier to diagnose the problem than activate the third and fourth steps, which are finding the cure and applying the remedy. The difficulty is that however harmful the circumstance, our default mechanism habitually resists change. To cure ourselves, we have to clear out any last illusions and commit fully to the remedy.
My primary Buddhist influence, the Thai meditation master Ajahn Chah, said, “when you can’t escape, you can’t go up, down, or to the side then the real practice begins.” When up against a wall with no apparent means of escape, there is no other option than to face the challenge directly.
With the challenge of Trump, it’s important to remember that the point of malignant narcissism, which is Trump’s mental disposition, is to create victims and render them powerless. Unrelenting abuse is a tactic to ingrain the belief in beleaguered minds that an all-consuming ascendency of evil is unstoppable.
Therefore, the initial battle, to counter his toxic virus, is an inner one. However much we wobble, we must energize and bring to life our inner warrior who stands for truth. For that, it’s helpful to focus on what we are fighting for and against. We fight for a sustainable, just, equitable, and compassionate society. We fight against patriarchy, the umbrella dominator system within which all other oppressive systems exist and thrive.
WE VOTE TOGETHER AS WARRIORS
The End of Vampire Trump
Trump, like Hitler, is a vampire. He feeds off hate, fear, violence, and the pain he inflicts through his unrelenting, cruel abuse. The destructive power of Trump, extracted from the shadow energies he unleashes, is dangerous, catastrophic, and overwhelming. His weakness, though, is that he believes himself to be invincible. However, the power Trump is tapping into is not enduring. Malignant energies ultimately consume those wielding them. One way or another, Trump will be defeated. It’s inevitable. The question is how much damage will he inflict in the process, so we must do all we can to end his reign quickly.
WE VOTE TO DEFEAT TRUMP
Trump, the US’s Mirror
Trump, reflects America’s violent and racist psychotic shadow. He is like the decrepit, twisted, ugly portrait in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” Gray, the leading character, exchanged his soul for youth, indulging his every impulse. He is seductive and charming. However, his sinister deeds, reflected in the ever-fouling portrait in his attic, states the truth of who he is. Whatever happens to Trump, he has underlined the extreme urgency of working for a more just and equitable society.
WE VOTE TO UNDO WHITE SUPREMACY
Another Kind of Power
There is another kind of power, which endures. The power of the human spirit, with its ingenuity to overcome challenges regardless. This spirit is capable of extraordinary achievements. It can marshal love and compassion and has a yen for truth. The truth eventually wins out. Lies do not. The power of love, as the Buddha stated, overcomes hate. “This is the eternal law.” Love isn’t weak. It endures beyond time and space. After all, isn’t that the central message of Christ? Not bibles to bash people, or guns. Wasn’t unconditional love his real power?
In Buddhist lore, the guardian of the world is conscience. It can discern what is harmful and what is not, and fears wrongdoing. These all are superpowers, alongside so many others, that we employ at this time. We saw these powers at Standing Rock. The Elders invited People of Prayer from all over the world to join them in their act of resistance. At dawn on those cold frozen lands, every day began with honoring ancestors, invoking protector guides, and offering prayers to the spirits of the Missouri River.
We, too, can create a shrine to Mother Nature with representations that inspire. We can set the alarm and get up earlier, and like RBG, do some strengthening exercises. We can align with the warrior lineage of justice, truth, and love for Earth and all. We can offer prayers for all. The Elders at Standing Rock said their prayers are for everyone, even those fighting against them. This is the superpower of the heart.
We can make daily offerings, so our shrine is a supportive space for contemplation. Every day, we can vow to serve as Her protector and the protector of the human realm. In doing so, we join the Great Spirit’s lineage, the deep intelligence of mother nature, and the intuitive impulse of reality itself.
WE VOTE TO PROTECT MOTHER NATURE
Put On Your Warrior Cloak
We are here to heed the call. It’s time to midwife the beautiful new world of our higher dream. Let’s not dream small. Instead, keep that higher dream alive and assert its reality, over and again, and not doubt it.
Let’s put on the warrior’s mantel and get to work. We, the majority, join the spirit and struggle of Standing Rock, Black Lives Matter, Greta’s School Strikes, Extinction Rebellion, and all non-violent Resistance Movements.
Let’s do everything we can to stop Trump and the GOP, and overturn all they stand for by delivering a Democratic landslide. And, most important, let’s keep naming the truth of what is happening. It undoes the lies of fascism and it gives courage.
So, let’s roll up our sleeves for this last push. Let’s follow the example of RBG and to fight to the end.
Let’s do this because a revolution is at hand.
“WE THE PEOPLE” ARE POWERFUL. WE WILL CRUSH FASCISM
Guardians of the Sacred Prayer Circle for Peace. Join us for a daily online gathering for protective mantras, chants, meditation during this election cycle. The focus is to contribute to a frequency of safety and wellbeing for all, dedicated to protecting goodness, wisdom, and compassion, and dispelling the forces of harm, division and delusion. DETAILS HERE | <urn:uuid:83d001c2-fc60-444f-a4d5-5b7d131f95b3> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://thanissaradharma.com/tag/biden-rocks/ | 2020-10-21T18:19:27Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107877420.17/warc/CC-MAIN-20201021180646-20201021210646-00040.warc.gz | en | 0.935692 | 6,077 |
Since the 2015 publication of his Pulitzer Prize–winning debut novel The Sympathizer, Viet Thanh Nguyen has emerged as one of the literary world’s leading public intellectuals. At a time of rising xenophobia and anti-refugee sentiment in the United States and elsewhere, Nguyen’s fiction, academic writing, and media commentary remind us of the need to keep telling the stories that drop out of national narratives, and to remember the histories that the powerful would have us forget. In the following conversation with Karl Ashoka Britto, Nguyen discusses literary form and the representation of violence, the complex dynamics of remembering and forgetting, and the possibility of a politics that could be post-communist without being pro-capitalist.
Nguyen is University Professor of English, American Studies and Ethnicity and Comparative Literature, as well as the Aerol Arnold Chair of English, at the University of Southern California. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, he has received many other honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a MacArthur Fellowship.
Karl Ashoka Britto (KAB): In Race and Resistance and Nothing Ever Dies, you write about the complicated issues that shape relationships between minority writers and the various communities with which they might identify, as well as about what we could call the “majority” reception of their writing. How have you tried to negotiate that complicated position in relation to different publics—Vietnamese American, Asian American, American, Vietnamese, international?
Viet Thanh Nguyen (VTN): As you say, there are a lot of different terrains that I find myself working in—as do a lot of other writers in my situation. I could be classified as a minority writer in the context of the United States, but when I go to France, I’m pleased that they actually call me an American writer or an American writer of Vietnamese origins. In Vietnam, I’m considered a Vietnamese writer but also, as in France, an American writer of Vietnamese origins. That means that sometimes I’m a minority, sometimes I’m part of a national community, sometimes I’m part of a diasporic returning community, and all of these have different connotations. That makes it very hard for any one book to be able to address all of these different kinds of horizons or terrains.
I’ve approached that issue from the perspective of thinking through my status as a minority in the United States. But I do so as a minority who doesn’t want to be apologetic about that status and doesn’t want to be a translator. Instead, I try not to renounce being a minority, while at the same time trying to appropriate or claim for myself the same aesthetic possibilities that a writer of a majority background would have. That means that I have to think about what it means to be a majority American writer, which in the US means being white, male, and heterosexual. In Vietnam, a majority writer is someone who is Vietnamese, just like me, but at the same time not like me. So I want to be in a situation where I would write as if I were in Vietnam and be read as the majority there, and outside Vietnam, while at the same time writing like I’m a minority in the case of the United States, and be defiant about that.
I have to write as both a minority writer and a majority writer at the same time, which means to write about my minority experience as if it were a majority experience. That’s a psychological decision, an aesthetic decision, a political decision, and this transforms the writing itself. A lot of writers don’t make those decisions; they accept—deliberately or otherwise—the constraints of being a minority, as a result of historical forces beyond any individual’s control: migration, diaspora, war, capitalism.
KAB: Could you talk about the aesthetic decisions you have made in your writing? How does literary form, for example, relate to the project of representing certain histories in the way that you’ve just described?
VTN: Well, I’m a scholar of Asian American literature, and a student of ethnic studies and various kinds of so-called ethnic literatures. When we read some of the works of so-called ethnic or minority writers, especially over a long historical span, we recognize that there are some writers who are outstanding, and some writers who are not outstanding. That’s an aesthetic judgment that requires me to make some kind of value judgment, and for a long time it was difficult for me to do so. A literary scholar coming of age in the 1980s and 1990s was not supposed to make aesthetic judgments of that kind. As a scholar, I want to read so-called ethnic or minority writers simply because they existed, regardless of whether I enjoy reading their books or not. But as a writer, I have to respond viscerally to things that give me great pleasure or provocation. And that puts me in another difficult situation: without renouncing being a minority writer or a scholar of minority literature, can I write in these traditions and yet also make aesthetic claims about trying to be “the best”? And what does that mean? What are these aesthetic standards?
That’s why it was important to me to have gone to UC Berkeley, and to have been forced to go through the Berkeley English major’s canonical requirements, which include the best minority writers—Toni Morrison, for example, or Ralph Ellison. Reading the canon gave me a sense of European, and English, and American literary history, and allowed me to think that I should aspire to be somewhere in there—again, not apologetically. I don’t want people to say, “Oh, well, we should talk about him just because he’s Vietnamese,” or for other historical reasons. I wanted people to talk about my work because they thought it was good, by whatever intuitive, prejudicial standards they might have. And I wanted to do that while being conscious of minority traditions. Some so-called minority writers might say, “Well, we’re not minority writers, we’re just writers.” I do not agree with that; I am both a writer and a minority writer at the same time.
That’s what I hoped for when writing The Refugees and The Sympathizer. With The Refugees, I was just trying to learn how to write short stories, which meant aspiring to a certain kind of literary realism that dominates the contemporary American fiction scene—not because I totally agree with it, but because I couldn’t figure out how to break the form; I could only aspire to be good at the form. In The Sympathizer, I felt like I finally reached a level of competency and confidence in the act of fiction writing, and I could imagine breaking the form. That’s when we get to the question of aesthetics, and this is how you enter the canonical conversation: you show that not only do you aspire to achieve a form, but you also aim to push that form in a variety of ways.
KAB: In Nothing Ever Dies, you write at length about war narratives, and about the kinds of responsibilities that accompany the project of telling stories about war and violence. What was that project like for you as a writer of fiction, of historical fiction? How did you approach the representation of extreme violence, often linked to scenes of torture?
VTN: The Sympathizer’s entire plot is about our narrator and what’s going on in his head, how he feels about the various actions that are taking place, and that he is engaged in. He has watched various kinds of pain inflicted upon lots of people, so it made sense that, at the end, he himself would be subjected to torture, and that the interrogation would be completely psychological, about him and his own psychology. Typically narratives of torture show us pain being inflicted on somebody, or the pain is being described retrospectively, at some degree of distance. From a formal perspective, then, I had to think about how to depict someone experiencing torture from his own point of view and in the present, even as he tries to recapture that moment retrospectively.
I used methods borrowed from canonical examples: Morrison and Ellison, for example, both feature descents into madness, the supernatural, or the surreal in the climactic parts of their novels. In doing so, they push the formal boundaries of the novel, and I did the same. I have to say that it’s fun to do so, from a writerly point of view. As I was writing the novel, I was saving up in my mind various kinds of literary tricks that I wanted to do—but you can’t just throw them in because you want to, you have to have a formal reason, and it was the violence that was the occasion for the deployment of all these formal tricks, such as using the screenplay form or the first-person plural.
KAB: The Sympathizer ends with a rape scene. What are the ethics of including rape as a plot point in a novel?
VTN: The novel is divided into two parts: the first part is the farce, and the second part is the tragedy. The farce ends with the making of the movie in the Philippines, which includes a rape scene. It’s filmed during that time period, but it’s a delayed mechanism in the novel: we don’t get to see that until later, and it’s also a foreshadowing of what’s going to happen in the narrator’s own mind. I wanted to put the cinematic rape in there because those things happen in the American imagination of the war, and I find them very problematic.
This exposes me to a reasonable criticism: if you found it to be so problematic in Hollywood films, why did you replicate it in your novel, both in terms of depicting it cinematically and in the plot of your own novel, in the narrator’s story as well? That’s a very good question, and a very good criticism. I felt that I needed to include those scenes because of the character that I had constructed, and because of the spy narrative that I had chosen. The Sympathizer is a first-person narrative from the point of view of someone who is very masculine, very misogynistic, very sexist. From his point of view, there would be no way to depict something like this that would offer a critical take on the rape, so the reader just has to see it happen.
Why did it have to be rape? Could I have chosen something else? Two-thirds of the way through the novel, I realized who my narrator was. I liked him a lot, even though he was a complicated character. But I also had to understand that he was misogynistic and masculine, and that I was enjoying that as a writer, which made me question why I was enjoying that as a writer. I wanted to show that the misogyny and the sexism that he takes pleasure in, which some readers presumably also take pleasure in, exists on a spectrum.
At one extreme of that is going to be the most atrocious expression of masculinity and misogyny, which is sexual violence. He had to be confronted with that, I had to be confronted with that, and readers who took pleasure in the objectification of women that he participates in had to be confronted with that. Once I had made certain formal decisions—spy novel, first-person narration, masculine and misogynist narrator—a rape was, I felt, the logical conclusion. If I didn’t go there, I would be making a mistake, and if I did go there, I would be making a lot of people uncomfortable—but that is actually what they should feel.
KAB: The short stories in The Refugees, which you wrote over a long period of time but didn’t publish until after The Sympathizer, are filled with violence, but how you represent that violence varies a lot. What kinds of approaches did writing this collection allow you to experiment with?
VTN: In writing The Refugees, I was focused on the mode of the realistic short story that would end with a kind of epiphany, but also ambiguously. That is the kind of short story I enjoy reading, but one that I felt very constrained in writing. I could not figure out how to depict violence more extremely, for example. That had good and bad consequences. The opening story, “Black-Eyed Women,” also pivots on a rape scene, shown from the perspective of the victim. The good thing about that, I think, is that because I was writing it from her point of view, I felt that I had to be more restrained in depicting that, versus how the rape is depicted in The Sympathizer.
I felt that way with other stories as well. All kinds of terrible things are happening—for example, in “The Americans,” the protagonist James Carver is a former bomber pilot who has probably killed thousands of people, but who would never see that, because of his situation. Again, that was an exercise in restraint. The political person in me wants to say, “You killed thousands of people with your bombs,” but in a short story told from James Carver’s point of view, that’s not possible. The violence has to be more restrained, because that’s his point of view, and that’s the point of view of Americans. We do all the bombing, but we rarely ever think about the consequences of that on the people being bombed. A formally different kind of short story could confront that, but I didn’t know how to write that story.
KAB: All of your work is characterized by a deep interest in the dynamics of remembering and forgetting. Your writing is preoccupied with ghosts, secrets, and complicated relationships to what is securely in the past and to elements of the past constantly threatening to irrupt into the present. These are narratives constructed not simply around absence, but around many different forms of absence, all of which are complicated by struggles over what must be forgotten, and what must be remembered.
Reading your work, I find myself thinking about what this temporal unevenness has to do with how the Vietnam War has and has not been remembered by different groups. Could you talk about the particular challenges involved in constructing narratives that are so shaped by differing ways of being in time?
VTN: I think of the question from two angles. One is from the personal angle of my own memory, and the other is from the angle of writing about characters who have a very different relationship to the events of my own memory. My characters are directly immersed in a historical time period of which I have no memory. From my personal perspective, I grew up always having a very distinct sense that remembering and forgetting were taking place simultaneously. For example, when my family fled to the United States, we left my adopted sister behind, and the only trace we had of her was a black-and-white wallet-sized photograph. I grew up seeing that picture and thinking, who is this person? I know her name, but I don’t know why we left her behind. We don’t talk about her. What if I had been that person?
So I literally grew up with a sense of absent presence in the house, and a haunting, and a sense of parallel universes. I think all of us who are refugees feel that. We’ve all left somebody behind, and we bear with us the mementos of these people. Every Vietnamese refugee household I would go into had black-and-white photographs, and many of those people were not actually there. We who were lucky enough to flee, or to get out, always carry with us the sense of an alternate existence where we did not live, or where we were stuck behind. That’s reinforced for us whenever we communicate with our family members who were left behind, or when we go back and we see how life turned out there.
I was always aware of this, and aware of what it is that I did not remember. I could remember certain things, but basically my memory begins as a refugee coming to the United States. At the same time, I grew up aware that everybody else around me who was older than me remembered more than I did and remembered things in which I was involved, for which I was present, but of which I had no recall. My brother, who is seven years older, remembers many of the details of our refugee experience, which are really horrible, and which I don’t recall. This makes me aware, again, that I was present for things of which I know nothing. That pervades my work as a critic and as a fiction writer, because I’m trying to reconstruct things for which I was partially present, but that I don’t remember, while my characters, obviously, were present for these things.
There are all kinds of ethical and aesthetic issues around the act of memory. How do I, as a writer, create a past time and a space in a way that the people who were actually there would accept? I also have to put my characters in the same situation I’m in. Not only are they experiencing events that I myself don’t remember, they themselves are subjects of both memory and forgetting.
Obviously, in The Sympathizer, the narrator has forgotten something crucial, even as he is spending the entire narrative remembering stuff. The process of me as a writer writing his account was a process of discovering what it is that he had forgotten, which I had also never known. I did not know, when I began writing the novel, what he had forgotten—I did not know that there was going to be a rape. Writing that narrative was also a process of me remembering what I had forgotten: that part of me is also a misogynistic, masculine person. I don’t comport myself that way, for the most part, but psychologically, I vicariously participate in these kinds of things, and maybe I’m complicit in these kinds of behaviors. That is something that of course I am aware of, but that I forget immediately. That was why writing that concluding moment of the novel was an act of memory and forgetting not just for the narrator, but for me as well.
KAB: There’s a story in The Refugees called “War Years,” which I learned earlier today is the one story in the collection that will be censored in the upcoming Vietnamese translation. It’s about a Vietnamese refugee family, and their business, and their son who literally keeps the family business accounts. Many of the stories in The Refugees play with the notion of the account as a form that is simultaneously economic, narrative, and ethical. “War Years” brings together a narrative of traumatic displacement in the wake of war and of capitalism as a form of assimilation. The final moment of that story involves the boy, the son of this refugee family, being given five dollars by his mother and being let loose in a store, where he finds himself paralyzed because for the first time he has been told that he can buy anything he wants. It’s such a complicated moment, because the reason he has been rewarded with the five dollars has to do with his ability to acknowledge a shared past of suffering.
What was at stake for you in ending the story in that way? Could you talk about the place of capitalism in your work in general, or more specifically in this collection of short stories?
VTN: “War Years” is the only autobiographical story I have ever written—it’s half autobiographical. The premise is autobiographical, in that it’s about a little boy in his Vietnamese refugee parents’ grocery store, which was our situation. That boy, as you said, takes care of the accounts after the end of the workday, which I did at a young age. The rest of that story is inspired by something my mother told me: during the 1980s, when there was a lot of anti-communism going on in the Vietnamese American community, someone came to their store and asked my parents to support this anti-communist cause.
The story is, as you say, very much about capitalism as a means of assimilating and gaining upward mobility, which is what happened to my parents. They were very poor, they didn’t get very much schooling, and they became successful businesspeople in Vietnam through sheer work, luck, and talent. So they are capitalists through and through. I grew up witnessing that, and witnessing that it was an extremely difficult life for my parents to be these refugee shopkeepers. And yet at the same time, I became someone who, by college, had all these basically Marxist sympathies. How do you reconcile this? It was a very significant ethical and political problem for me. Obviously, from my perspective, looking at my parents, I don’t see them as bloodsucking capitalists. They’re not exploitative people, they’re ethical people, they’re very good people, but they want to make money. From a Marxist perspective, this means they’re petit bourgeois, and that they participate in the larger system. That ethical conundrum is part of what motivated me to become the writer that I am, and the critic that I am, and to write The Refugees and The Sympathizer.
When I was at Berkeley, I really did ask myself the question, like my narrator, what is to be done? And what would I have done in my other, alternative life, if I had been older and alive during the Vietnam War? What choices would I have made regarding colonialism and capitalism? Would I have made the right ethical and political choices, from my retrospective perspective as a Berkeley radical? At the same time, because I had grown up in a Vietnamese refugee community, it was impossible for me to be completely judgmental and say, “Yes, the Marxists are right, and the Vietnamese who sided with the French and the Americans are wrong, and the capitalists are wrong,” because I grew up with these people. While I might disagree with them politically in many ways, I could see that they suffered, and that many of them were making the best moral and ethical choices they could make. That’s what led to The Refugees—the capacity for empathy, the capacity to understand that you can’t just judge these people based on some kind of ideological presupposition. The Sympathizer takes on that ideological presupposition of what is to be done, but shows how even that anti-capitalist decision-making can be completely corrupted from the inside.
For me the process of writing the stories and the novel was a process of trying to be ethical and political while granting myself and my family some sense of human flexibility, and an acknowledgment that rigid judgments lead to disaster.
“War Years” is about the little boy’s capacity to be empathetic with the adult characters and to understand that the world is much more complex than he is able to understand at this point. Capitalism in the story is extremely contradictory, because it’s something that his parents are sacrificing for, for him, but that also makes him feel very deprived, because his parents’ being capitalists comes at a huge emotional cost to the family. When he’s given five dollars by his mother at the end of the story, he gets what he has wanted all along: the promise of capitalist luxury. But he’s also paralyzed, he can’t spend the money, because he has witnessed what his mother has gone through to get this money, and he recognizes that there is enormous cost in this five dollars. To the extent that there is a Marxist critique in the story, it’s about recognizing what five dollars is symbolic of, all of what Marx would talk about in relation to alienated labor.
KAB: And of course, at the moment at which he witnesses his mother actually giving Mrs. Hoa a considerable sum of money—not really because it has been extorted from her at that point, but because the mother chooses to—he runs through a calculation in his mind, and he thinks about how many things they would have to sell in their store, and how many hours of work it would take for that money to be replenished.
One of the things that really struck me in this story is the constant reminder that money circulates, as you say, in a symbolic fashion, but that the gap between people’s lives and economic accounts can become very small. There’s a beautiful scene where the son is plucking out his mother’s gray hairs, and he’s getting a little bit of money for each hair that he plucks. In his mind, he is already converting that gray hair into the Captain America comic he wants to buy. There’s also the memory that comes to him at a crucial point in the story, of the fact that his father was saved from military service due to a bribe. And there’s another moment where he asks for an allowance, and instead his father gives him a bill, basically, for everything that he has cost his parents financially over the course of his short life.
Again, the accumulation of these kinds of details ends up producing a powerful and moving reminder that while economic considerations are certainly bound up in various forms of capitalism and various forms of capitalist fantasy, they also function on an almost corporeal level. The link between bare survival and money is never forgotten over the course of the story.
VTN: All those incidents that you cite are actually true—all those things really did happen. I think your idea of accounting and corporeality is absolutely right. It’s true that writing that story was for me a personal accounting of that time period and my place in it, and of my parents’ place in it. It’s an accounting of the costs on their bodies, and on their psyches, and it’s an attempt to confront what that would mean, to do something like bribe your way out of military service. Many people in Vietnam who could do that did it, so my father was not unique, but it’s not something you want to talk about, because of course a lot of people could not do that, they had to do their military service, with often tragic consequences. So the story is also an accounting of the toll taken on the body by trying to get that money to save yourself—whether that’s by bribing your way out of military service, or being able to get out of the country, or being able to survive here in this country.
I remember growing up with a sense of the corporeality of things. There’s a scene in “War Years” where the boy sees his mother’s breasts through her nightgown, and that’s true, I did see that. It bothered me. It didn’t bother her, but it bothered me, and it was related to that sense of alienation, the fact that at the end of the day she was exhausted, she just wanted to relax. But I was also alienated from her, in the usual mode of the refugee or the immigrant who is embarrassed by his parents. And all of that is wrapped up in cultural difference and economic exploitation and self-exploitation.
KAB: A question about language. One of the interesting things about The Sympathizer is the narrator’s absolute fluency in both Vietnamese and American English. Early on in the novel, he tells us that if we heard his voice on the telephone, we would think he was American. In The Refugees, by contrast, there are many more moments of linguistic confusion or incomprehension, and at various points the process of acquiring English is foregrounded. Do you have memories of learning English? Or has your experience of language, as far as you remember, always involved English?
VTN: I have no memory of learning English, or of learning how to read—which is amazing to me, because it makes it seem as though I somehow just became fully fluent. I remember going to the library and immersing myself in books by the time I was six or seven. My parents took me to the library, but they didn’t teach me English. Somehow some incredible teachers did this work for me, or television did, or just the general environment of being a little kid and having to survive and learn the language. I do remember discomfort. One of my earliest memories is living with my sponsor family when I was four years old and had been taken away from my parents. They wanted to make me feel at home, so they got chopsticks and said, “Hey, teach us how to use chopsticks.” I actually did not know how to use chopsticks. I don’t know how that conversation concluded. I just remember that moment very vividly, and the feeling of embarrassment and shame that I did not know how to use these things, and that I was expected to.
The Refugees is realistic in dealing with language, because it does show that people who are refugees are obviously going to have varying levels of English capacity, and are going to struggle with this. That’s a formal challenge for a writer. If the story itself is written in fluent English, how do you account for these different capacities without reproducing people’s flawed language? I had to figure out ways to acknowledge people’s different capacities without turning the language “ugly” in the book.
In The Sympathizer, I decided that I was going to take a completely different tack and create this character who was equally fluid and fluent in both cultures. That’s an act of fiction. Does such a person exist? Can such a person exist? I don’t know. I certainly know that during the time of the Vietnam War, there were Vietnamese people who were really quite fluent in English, but whether they were so fluent that their intonations sounded American is a different issue. But I thought, well, why not? Do we have to automatically rule out the possibility simply on the grounds of believability, as some of my Vietnamese American critics have said—that this is clearly an Asian American novel, written by an Asian American, that no Vietnamese could have spoken like this? Maybe, maybe not. Why do we have to be bound by the constraints of our own realism? Why can we not imagine that there have been exceptional people able to do exceptional things? Or depart in some respects from full-blown realism?
This returns to my political and aesthetic intention to work against the limitations facing writers dealing with refugees and immigrants, characters for whom English must be a second language. That demand for realism has thrown so many problems at writers like me, who have dealt with refugees and immigrants. We worry about the realism of depicting what people are going through. I wanted, first, to dispatch that right away, and second, to find formal methods to deal with it anyway. So that’s why there’s so much free indirect discourse in The Sympathizer, no use of quotation marks. That technique means that often you don’t know whether the language reflects what the character is thinking in his mind or what people are actually saying.
In The Sympathizer, I also don’t let the grammatical flaws of people who are speaking English as a second language appear, for very deliberate reasons. Finally, inasmuch as I don’t want to stigmatize Vietnamese people in the imaginations of non-Vietnamese readers who will automatically judge characters who speak “broken” English, I do the complete opposite as a narrator by writing in an English so extremely literary that no one can ever dare question my authenticity as a writer, or the fluency of my narrator. They can be taken aback, and they can say this is not realistic, but they will not be able to question my competence as a writer. That was a very deliberate choice for me.
KAB: That’s really interesting, though it also moves me to come to the defense of The Refugees, many of whose characters do not possess mastery over English. The moments where you bring their struggles with English or their different linguistic capacities to the fore are always very thoughtful. For example, you have one character who is always being told that he either should or shouldn’t be using contractions when he speaks, and there are others being trained to seem more “natural” in English.
VTN: Yes, and they were very difficult moments to write. I was trying to figure out the nuances of how to both render the awkwardness of these people who are struggling with English and render that awkwardness in my own language, in the story, as something much more fluid.
KAB: Many readers would be interested to know your thoughts about the future of the narrator of The Sympathizer, and about the sequel that you are working on. Is that something you feel that you can talk about?
VTN: Yes, I felt that when I reached the end of The Sympathizer there was more to my narrator’s story. Obviously, his life continues. The novel ended where it should, with him at the moment of what is basically his own psychic destruction, and his very early attempts to try to reassemble himself. His story could just end there, in a fictional sense. But when I finished reading Invisible Man—one of the major inspirations for The Sympathizer—I remember thinking about the politics of that novel, and that part of me wanted to know what happens next.
The narrative of one’s disillusionment with communism, or with anything else, is its own climactic narrative, ending with someone’s illusions shattered and their need to reemerge into the world, as happens at the end of Invisible Man. But I didn’t want to write a narrative of communist disillusionment resulting in liberal individualism. I wanted to write about someone who is disillusioned, but who refused to go to the opposite extreme by embracing capitalism and individualism. What would a post-communist politics that is not also a pro-capitalist politics look like? I don’t know, and that’s why I felt: this is grounds for writing another novel. I am also interested in how you write a narrative of post-traumatic experience.
And for me, personally, I also wanted to take up the question of France. I spent a lot of time criticizing the United States in The Sympathizer, but France is equally culpable in the situation the narrator finds himself in—and he’s half French. The sequel finds him in Paris in the first half of the 1980s, and he will be subjected to France’s contradictions around race and liberalism and individualism and democracy. Hopefully there will be a lot of material to work with there.
This article was commissioned by Sharon Marcus. | <urn:uuid:a9b1ce85-0dff-40a1-b084-9b737927d6cd> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://www.publicbooks.org/remembering-and-forgetting-an-interview-with-viet-thanh-nguyen/ | 2020-10-21T19:21:21Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107877420.17/warc/CC-MAIN-20201021180646-20201021210646-00040.warc.gz | en | 0.983901 | 7,297 |
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On the roster: Trump tax story no bombshell - Wallace wants to be ‘as invisible as possible’ for debate - Voters narrowly oppose pre-election court replacement - Biden draws even to Trump among male voters - Should have *ahem* tied the knot sooner
TRUMP TAX STORY NO BOMBSHELL
What will $750 buy you these days? Either one night at the Trump International Hotel or, according to a NYT report, cover a billionaire’s tax bill for one year.
Now, we try not to be this kind of a note, and we certainly acknowledge the potency of class resentment in politics, but it’s hard for us to see how the revelations about Trump’s taxes and business struggles are major movers in the campaign.
It’s certainly helpful for Democratic nominee Joe Biden to have a hard number on which to peg those resentments. It’s far easier to connect with voters on the claim that President Trump pays only $750 a year than it is to say Trump pays “virtually no taxes.” It always helps when you can paint a word picture for voters, as Biden does with his new ad. (And, of course, stickers.)
Trump says that it is all you know what – it starts with a “f” and ends with an ooze. Of course, Trump could prove his case about the Times’ claims by doing what all of his predecessors in the past 46 years have done and release his taxes. But not only is he not doing that, he’s going to the mattresses to keep them from being revealed.
That seems kind of silly now, at least from a political point of view. His reasons for trying to keep his taxes from prosecutors certainly involve legal considerations for him and his family.
We could understand why for political reasons Trump wanted to keep his returns secret in 2016 since the story they tell, according to the Times and some of Trump’s own subsequent explanations, was not in keeping with his pitch as a business whiz. Huge losses leading to penny-ante tax payments isn’t a good look.
And, again, it may not be all about the politics here. The Times says Trump is battling the IRS over an audit that could end up with him having to cough up about $100 million. It wouldn’t be good to be poor mouthing the T men about terrible losses while spinning for voters how he cunningly gamed the tax code. But he was the one who ran for president while fighting a cataclysmic battle with the IRS, much as his 2016 opponent ran for president while being investigated for mishandling state secrets.
On the actual politics five weeks before the end of the election, though, the issue seems like one so well litigated for so long that the actual details aren’t likely to sway voters.
Right-leaning voters (and plenty of others) hate taxes and many no doubt admire Trump’s self-proclaimed skill in minimizing them – as long as it was done legally. As Judge Learned Hand put it: “Everybody does so, rich or poor; and all do right, for nobody owes any public duty to pay more than the law demands: taxes are enforced exactions, not voluntary contributions. To demand more in the name of morals is mere cant.”
Trump has also gone to pains to portray himself to supporters as a beneficent mogul. Like Herbert Hoover and John Kennedy before him, Trump donates his presidential salary (now $400,000) and has frequently talked about how much it has cost him to be president.
A lot of the stuff in the Times’ reporting – much like its exhaustive work about the empire Trump’s father built and shielded from the IRS to make his children so rich – falls into the gee whiz category for regular taxpayers. It’s fascinating (if disheartening) to read about all the time and effort that rich people put into squeezing every nickel out of each and every of the 2.4 million or so words in the federal tax code.
Or that thanks to the Obama administration’s 2009 stimulus efforts, Trump scored a $73 million windfall when a rule change let him apply huge losses in his regular business to the big profits in previous years from “The Celebrity Apprentice.”
There’s no doubt that this will not help Trump with his ongoing struggle with working-class white voters this time around, which is why Biden will be ringing up $750s like a cash register on Tuesday. The preferred narrative for the Blue Team is that Trump is selfish and corrupt, and they will try to use this as evidence of their claims.
One of the reasons that President Obama talked so much about increasing the taxes on rich people was that it’s so darned popular. It was no accident that Warren Buffett’s secretary became the most famous personal assistant since Jane Hathaway.
But while the Times report is chockablock with new details and insights, it doesn’t fundamentally change the public understanding about Trump the businessman. He did get elected with six corporate bankruptcies after all.
Part of what lessens the force of the blow for Trump is how much effort has gone into trying to get to his returns. Unless there was a line item for payments from Vladimir Putin, it’s hard to imagine the real thing living up to the hype.
Like much of the news of late, it’s not good for Trump, but it’s hard to see how this fundamentally changes perceptions of him as a person. Trump in 2016 was something of a mystery.
Four years later, it’s hard to imagine any American being unsure what to make of him.
THE RULEBOOK: STILL TRUE
“To judge from the conduct of the opposite parties, we shall be led to conclude that they will mutually hope to evince the justness of their opinions, and to increase the number of their converts by the loudness of their declamations and the bitterness of their invectives.” – Alexander Hamilton, in his general introduction to the Federalist Papers, Federalist No. 1
TIME OUT: ALL ABOUT THE TIMING
History: “On September 28, 1941, the Boston Red Sox’s Ted Williams plays a double-header against the Philadelphia Athletics on the last day of the regular season and gets six hits in eight trips to the plate, to boost his batting average to .406 and become the first player since Bill Terry in 1930 to hit .400. Williams, who spent his entire career with the Sox, played his final game exactly 19 years later, on September 28, 1960, at Boston’s Fenway Park and hit a home run in his last time at bat, for a career total of 521 homeruns. Williams was born on August 30, 1918, in San Diego, and began his major league career with the Red Sox in 1939. 1941 marked Williams’ best season. In addition to his .406 batting average–no major league player since him has hit .400–the left fielder led the league with 37 homers, 135 runs and had a slugging average of .735.”
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NATIONAL HEAD-TO-HEAD AVERAGE
Trump: 43 percent
Biden: 51.2 percent
Size of lead: Biden by 8.2 points
Change from one week ago: Biden ↑ 2 points, Trump no change in points
[Average includes: Monmouth University: Trump 45% - Biden 50%; NYT/Siena College: Trump 41% - Biden 49%; ABC News/WaPo: Trump 44% - Biden 54%; Quinnipiac University: Trump 42% - Biden 52%; NBC News/WSJ: Trump 43% - Biden 51%.]
BATTLEGROUND POWER RANKINGS
(270 electoral votes needed to win)
Toss-up: (109 electoral votes): Wisconsin (10), Ohio (18), Florida (29), Arizona (11), Pennsylvania (20), North Carolina (15), Iowa (6)
Lean R/Likely R: (180 electoral votes)
Lean D/Likely D: (249 electoral votes)
[Full rankings here.]
TRUMP JOB PERFORMANCE
Average approval: 44.2 percent
Average disapproval: 52.8 percent
Net Score: -8.6 points
Change from one week ago: ↑ 1 point
[Average includes: NYT/Siena College: 46% approve - 50% disapprove; ABC News/WaPo: 44% approve - 55% disapprove; Quinnipiac University: 43% approve - 53% disapprove; NBC/WSJ: 45% approve - 53% disapprove; NPR/PBS News/Marist: 43% approve - 53% disapprove.]
GOT A WILD PITCH? READY TO THROW A FASTBALL?
We’ve brought “From the Bleachers” to video on demand thanks to Fox Nation. Each Wednesday and Friday, Producer Brianna McClelland will put Politics Editor Chris Stirewalt to the test with your questions on everything about politics, government and American history – plus whatever else is on your mind. Sign up for the Fox Nation streaming service here and send your best questions to [email protected].
WALLACE WANTS TO BE ‘AS INVISIBLE AS POSSIBLE’ FOR DEBATE
Fox News: “Chris Wallace, the host of ‘Fox News Sunday’ and moderator of the first presidential debate between President Trump and Joe Biden, said that he hopes to remain as ‘invisible as possible’ during their faceoff on Tuesday in Cleveland, Ohio. ‘I’m trying to get them to engage…to focus on the key issues…to give people at home a sense of why they want to vote for one versus the other,’ he said. ‘If I’ve done my job right, at the end of the night, people will say, ‘That was a great debate, who was the moderator?’’ The debate will focus on some of the key topics of the day, including the coronavirus pandemic, the economy and the violent protests that have erupted across the country. ‘Everything is different about 2020,’ Wallace said. ‘We’ve got the coronavirus, we’ve got this huge economic dislocation, now something of a recovery, we’ve got this racial tension in this country…the violence on the streets…you know, it’s just, it’s a different year. It makes it particularly tough because 90 minutes—the length of this debate—is a lot of time, but there is an awful lot to ask these two men about,’ he said.”
Urine trouble - Politico: “The 2020 campaign for the White House has reached the bizarre stage where the president wants his opponent drug tested before they debate — and his rival’s campaign responds with a potty joke. This latest in the race began Sunday morning when President Donald Trump used his Twitter feed to amplify unfounded statements that Joe Biden takes performance-enhancing drugs before their first face-off Tuesday night. ‘I will be strongly demanding a Drug Test of Sleepy Joe Biden prior to, or after, the Debate on Tuesday night. Naturally, I will agree to take one also,’ Trump wrote. … Even Biden had to chuckle at Trump’s latest taunts, although the Democratic nominee opted against saying anything… Later, the Biden campaign reconsidered. ‘Vice President Biden intends to deliver his debate answers in words. If the president thinks his best case is made in urine he can have at it,’ said Kate Bedingfield, Biden’s deputy campaign manager.”
VOTERS NARROWLY OPPOSE PRE-ELECTION COURT REPLACEMENT
Monmouth University: “American voters are split on the general question of whether the U.S. Senate should consider a nominee for the Supreme Court at the very end of a president’s term (47%) or if this should be put on hold until after the election (49%). … When asked specifically about the current vacancy created by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 46% of voters approve and 51% disapprove Trump trying to fill it before the election. However, that opinion is basically flipped when voters are asked if the Senate should hold hearings on his nominee – 53% say it should and 43% say it should not. In 2016, 73% of voters said that the Senate should hold hearings on Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland.”
Poll shows key demographic groups opposed - NYT: “Only 41 percent said they wanted Mr. Trump to choose a justice before November. More striking, the voters Mr. Trump and endangered Senate Republicans must reclaim to close the gap in the polls are even more opposed to a hasty pick: 62 percent of women, 63 percent of independents and 60 percent of college-educated white voters said they wanted the winner of the campaign to fill the seat.”
White House prepares ‘knife fighters’ to defend Barrett - Fox News: “The White House is mounting an ‘offensive’ communications strategy ahead of Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett's upcoming Senate confirmation fight, with aides describing an aggressive plan for ‘knife fighters’ to ‘fiercely’ defend the nominee ahead of what’s expected to be a heated battle on Capitol Hill. ... Senior White House officials told Fox News that the team is broken into two parts: one focused on communications and the other focused on guiding Barrett through the process on Capitol Hill. Senior officials argued the team is ‘uniquely equipped’ for the mission: The White House communications team will consist of White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who is a graduate of Harvard Law School and will take on the role of ‘lead spokesperson.’ Deputy Press Secretary Brian Morgenstern, a graduate of Columbia Law School, and White House communications officials Alyssa Farah and Ben Williamson, who are veterans of Capitol Hill and who have unique relationships with Republican leadership in both chambers of Congress, are also on the team.”
BIDEN DRAWS EVEN TO TRUMP AMONG MALE VOTERS
Bloomberg: “Democrat Joe Biden holds an 8-point lead over President Donald Trump, 49% to 41%, in a New York Times/Siena College poll, helped by a wide lead among women voters. Biden leads among women by 53% to 37% but has also drawn level with Trump at 45%-45% among men, who typically lean Republican, according to the survey. … Some 62% of women, 63% of independents and 60% of college-educated white voters said they preferred that the winner of November’s election make the court selection. The poll showed that 57% of respondents said they support the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, against 38% who oppose it.”
Women drivers - WaPo: “Biden and vice-presidential nominee Sen. Kamala D. Harris (Calif.) lead Trump and Vice President [Mike] Pence by 53 percent to 43 percent among registered voters, statistically unchanged from the 12-point margin in a poll taken in August just before Democrats and Republicans held their conventions. Biden and Harris also have a 10-point advantage among likely voters, 54 percent to 44 percent. … A sizable gender gap continues to fuel Biden’s lead, with women making the difference in the current state of the race. Trump has a lead of 55 percent to 42 percent among male likely voters, but Biden has an even larger 65 percent to 34 percent advantage among female likely voters. Trump’s lead among men is about the same as his margin over Hillary Clinton in 2016, but Biden’s lead among women is more than twice as large as Clinton’s was then.”
Michigan, Wisconsin stay strong for Biden - NBC News: “Majorities of likely voters in Michigan and Wisconsin say the winner of the 2020 presidential election should get to fill the U.S. Supreme Court seat left vacant after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, as Democrat Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump in both states. Those are the results of two new NBC News/Marist polls of these two battleground states, which show Biden ahead of Trump by 8 points among likely voters in Michigan, 52 percent to 44 percent, and by 10 points in Wisconsin, 54 percent to 44 percent. The likely-voter numbers in Michigan are within that poll’s margin of error, while the numbers in Wisconsin are outside the margin of error.”
Steady lead in Minnesota - MPR News: “A new MPR News/Star Tribune/KARE-11 Minnesota Poll of 800 registered voters shows former Vice President Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump by 48-42 percent with 8 percent undecided. The 6 point lead is up 1 percentage point from the last Minnesota Poll in mid-May. The new poll shows Biden with a considerable lead among women and in the core Twin Cities, while Trump draws his strongest support from outside the metro area. … Most registered Minnesota voters—52 percent—disapprove of Trump’s job performance, according to the poll, about the same as the last Minnesota Poll found in mid-May.”
Maine split - Colby College: “The Colby poll showed that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden holds a comfortable statewide lead: 50 to 39 percent. However, in the Second Congressional District, the poll finds more or less a dead heat, with Biden netting 46 percent of the vote and President Donald Trump with 43 percent. ‘It’s certainly not a surprise that the president’s team is investing in the Second CD,’ said [Dan Shea, Colby College Government Department chair]. ‘There are a number of scenarios where one electoral vote could decide the presidency. Here again, it’s going to be a nail biter.’ … The poll asked if they thought Susan Collins should vote on a nominee as soon as possible or wait until either Donald Trump or Joe Biden is sworn into office. Responses to the question found that 58 percent felt Collins should wait, 35 percent said she should vote as soon as possible, and 7 percent were unsure.”
PELOSI TELLS DEMS: BE READY FOR HOUSE TO PICK A PRESIDENT
Politico: “Speaker Nancy Pelosi has begun mobilizing Democrats for the possibility that neither Joe Biden nor President Donald Trump will win an outright Electoral College victory, a once-in-a-century phenomenon that would send the fate of the presidency to the House of Representatives to decide. Under that scenario, which hasn’t happened since 1876, every state’s delegation gets a single vote. … And right now, Republicans control 26 delegations to Democrats’ 22, with Pennsylvania tied and Michigan a 7-6 plurality for Democrats, with a 14th seat held by independent Justin Amash. … Pelosi, in a Sunday letter to House Democrats, urged them to consider whether the House might be pulled into deciding who is president when determining where to focus resources on winning seats in November. This could lead to more concerted efforts by Democrats to win in states such as Montana and Alaska — typically Republican turf but where Democrats have been competitive statewide.”
Kraushaar: ‘Don’t buy into the political panic porn’ - National Journal
Bloomberg commits $4 million to GOTV efforts for Biden in Florida - Miami Herald
AUDIBLE: BUT OTHER THAN THAT, A GREAT GUY
“Everything he says is false.” – Director of the CDC Dr. Robert Redfield talking on the phone on a flight about Dr. Scott Atlas, overheard by NBC News.
FROM THE BLEACHERS
“You both deserve much credit for making it fun and enjoyable to read the news. Even the bad news sometimes. Case in point, the Tampa Bay Lightning story [in Friday’s Halftime Report] about yelling to shoot. I have screamed at the TV with the same invective enthusiasm. Fortunately my neighbors cannot hear me. Last but not least is the way you both make it easier to absorb a political story due to your relaxed and in some cases your writing wit. Thanks and keep up the great work.” – Patrick J. Conroy, North Fort Myers, Fla.
[Ed. note: You can give alllll the credit on that one to producer extraordinaire and super sports fan Brianna. I suspect her appreciation is rooted in personal experience…]
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SHOULD HAVE *AHEM* TIED THE KNOT SOONER
NDTV: “A man's marriage proposal was ruined by a runaway boat that sent him tumbling into water. A video of the proposal gone wrong was shared on Twitter by Theo Shantonas, where it has gone viral with thousands of views and puzzled comments. In the video, the unnamed man can be seen standing on one boat, while his fiancée-to-be stands on another. The scene was presumably filmed by someone standing on the deck. The man brings the two boats together and stands on the edge of one as he fishes out a ring and pops the big question. His partner, smiling broadly, appears to say yes, and the two reach out to embrace. Things, however, take an unlucky turn when the woman accidentally hits her boat's controls, sending it flying forward. As she lurches forward, shocked by the sudden movement, her leg hit the man in the face and sent him falling into the water. Luckily, the two were not injured.”
AND NOW, A WORD FROM CHARLES…
“The premise of a free market is that people can withhold their labor if they find the conditions under which they work intolerable.” – Charles Krauthammer (1950-2018) writing about doctors striking in a larger piece about the high cost of malpractice insurance in Time magazine on Jan. 31, 2003.
Chris Stirewalt is the politics editor for Fox News. Brianna McClelland contributed to this report. Want FOX News Halftime Report in your inbox every day? Sign up here. | <urn:uuid:535377a8-f1da-4e29-ab91-41b1eb0b31aa> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-tax-story-no-bombshell?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxnews%2Fpolitics+%28Internal+-+Politics+-+Text%29 | 2020-10-26T04:59:38Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107890273.42/warc/CC-MAIN-20201026031408-20201026061408-00280.warc.gz | en | 0.956783 | 4,723 |
I began the day in Torremolinos, finishing off a nice week away with the family. I was initially supposed to travel elsewhere in Spain to meet some work colleagues, but with that trip cancelled I had to arrange a flight home and with a home game at 3pm Saturday, I managed to get on an un-cancelled Ryanair flight from Malaga at 11:10am. The rest of the family already scheduled on a later flight.
Arriving at 13:25pm, I was sat on the very back row so was allowed off the flight very quickly, too quickly for the airline’s liking in fact as they allowed about a dozen of us off the plane before realising we weren't supposed to be out. Luckily, rather than send us back on the plane, they let us go straight to passport control, and with only hand luggage with me, I was able to scoot through very quickly and meet my Dad on the other side who kindly took me straight to Goodison Park. Quite a nice feeling, jetting in straight to the game. I even had time to meet the guys in the pub for a quick pint before we were onwards to Goodison Park.
We were all agreed that a win was vital and that the team needs to start delivering. Personally, I'm giving Ronald the benefit of the doubt for now. We really could have done with an easier start than what we had, but if similar results follow in the few games you have to ask questions. Others are less forgiving, one of the fellas comparing out style to the Doomsday work of Walter Smith.
After an impressive return of two goals mid-week, Dominic Calvert-Lewin retained his place in attack. Given it was a must-win game I was surprised to see Tom Davies relegated to the substitutes bench, with the struggling Davy Klaassen retained. Wayne Rooney, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Cuco Martina and Morgan Schniederlin were all back in, and with Phil Jagielka and Michael Keane both injured, Mason Holgate was given an opportunity alongside Ashley Williams at centre back, though perhaps the biggest cheer was for Oumar Niasse, when his name was read out as substitute. Ex-blue Dan Gosling, veteran Jermaine Defoe and Norwegian Joshua King, a player I'd liked us to have made a move for, all featured for The Cherries. Everyone's favourite referee Martin Atkinson officiated.
Bournemouth probably shaded the opening few minutes but Everton managed to stabilise into the game albeit without creating an awful lot. Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney were probably the most effective players in orchestrating the few attacks we had, though a Dominic Calvert-Lewin header which was well-wide, and an Ashley Williams effort which had the sting taken out of it en-route to Asmir Begovic, where the fruit of our labours.
The first half flashpoint came when Simon Francis caught Wayne Rooney with a stray elbow when challenging for a ball in the penalty area. Rooney went down clutching his face and got up to give Martin Atkinson a barrage of abuse before leaving the field for treatment. We couldn't see the damage done to Rooney's eye from our seats, but having seen it since on TV, it didn't look pretty. That said, i don't think it was a penalty either. Simon Francis didn't elbow him intentionally.
I wouldn't say we were quite "on the ropes" for the remainder of the half, but we had to hang on in there as Bournemouth got in and amongst us in the final third, but we got to half time unscathed at 0-0 and needed to improve second half.
It was nice to see Daniel Amokachi take to the field at the break to the sound of 'All Together Now' by The Farm - our 1995 FA Cup Final song of course. He famously came off the substitutes bench to score twice at Elland Road of course in the semi-final on the road to Wembley that year in what Joe Royle described as "the best substitution I never made". Ironic then that another African Everton player would make the headlines this afternoon in similar circumstances.
We began the second half sluggishly, and Bournemouth quickly capitalised. I thought that Cuco Martina had done well to squeeze up on Junior Stanislas to try to apply pressure up the pitch, but with him doing so, nobody pressed with him or covered his defensive position so when Charlie Daniels found himself in the vacant space, the break was on. Daniels fed Joshua King who ran at us, evading Mason Holgate's desperate challenge and finished with aplomb into the corner, in off the post with Jordan Pickford no chance.
Goodison Park turned very hostile towards Koeman and the team, and when Wayne Rooney gave the ball away in midfield, Joshua King fed Jermaine Defoe who was thwarted by his ex-Sunderland team mate Jordan Pickford in goal, the latter saving well with his leg. The natives were getting restless and Ronald had to change it. That he did, with Davy Klassen and Wayne Rooney replaced by Tom Davies and Oumar Niasse. "Here's your chance Oumar" we all thought/willed. "Go take it".
As we re-adjusted we had a very painful five minutes or so when we just couldn't get on the ball as Bournemouth popped it around nicely in our half of the pitch, much to our frustration. We just couldn't get a hold of it at all. When we did finally, briefly, get going again, Martin Atkinson stopped the game for a non-existent injury, to I think Junior Stanislas. It all seemed so premeditated by Bournemouth who were already playing their time-wasting tricks as all their players instantly ran to the touchline for a pep-talk with boss Eddie Howe. Needless to say, Stanislas was absolutely fine and didn't even require treatment. That's my chief gripe with Martin Atkinson. The bet referees, you don't tend to notice in a game whereas Martin Atkinson has to be centre of attention throughout and the game is often so stop-start.
This didn't half irk the supporters and the tide seemed to turn. All of a sudden our players seemed more daring and more willing to gamble and we were nearly level when the lionhearted Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header was cleared onto the inside of the post and away by Andrew Surman.
That was unlucky but we were getting closer, and the Gwladys Street sensed it, Oumar Niasse's efforts endearing to the crowd, and if a script was written, it had to be for Oumar. He worked a one-two with I think Leighton Baines and manafged to get himself inside as the ball was given to the excellent, innovative, Tom Davies. He threaded it through. Oumar mis-controlled but persevered, and smashed the ball past Asmir Begavic to the crowd's delight. It was also brilliant to see that he knew the draw wasn't enough for us, and he was quick to grab the ball to get the game re-started. With 77 minutes played we still had time to force what 15 minutes earlier would have seemed a very unlikely win.
Win we did. It still wasn't especially pretty up until the winning goal just five minutes later, but we persevered. Jonjoe Kenny's under-hit cross was collected by Tom Davies who drove at goal from inside the penalty area. It was blocked but the ball looped high up into the air for what seemed like an eternity, and who else was under it but Oumar Niasse who's header at goal was desperately blocked/saved on the goalline. That may have been in anyway but it mattered not, as Oumar was quickly on hand to volley in the rebound. The crowd went wild as Oumar went off celebrating. My eyes, for some reason, were drawn to Martin Atkinson who first began pointing at his watch before standing there, seemingly gutted that we had scored.
Including the four minutes of injury time we still had 12 minutes to navigate, but we got through it. Dominic Calvert-Lewin probably should have made the game safe when he volleyed over from close range following a cross from impressive young substitute Jonjo Kenny. The miss nearly cost us also, when Bournemouth substitute Lys Mousset flashed a header narrowly wide from a corner kick. I thought he'd scored for a moment.
The game finished in satisfying fashion when Junior Stanislas, probably Bournemouth's chief culprit of time-wasting earlier in the game lost his rag and earned himself a caution as Dominic Calvert-Lewin won a succession of throw ins and then a corner kick to tick down the clock. It was a nice moment, particularly for the young players and Oumar Niasse as we celebrated our win. After the game I got the train back home with Ste, and by the time I arrived home I only had about 15 minutes to have a quick coffee before heading on to Manchester Airport to pick up the family. It was nice to see them again, and nice to crash out for the night with a takeaway, and Match of the Day following an important win.
Pickford: Made an important save to deny Jermaine Defoe. Had that have gone in, at 0-2 you struggled to see a way back. Otherwise, he claimed and dealt with crosses when he had to. He's yet to find his range with his kicking at Goodison Park but he keeps on trying. That's the only way he'll get it right. 7
Baines: Has seemed somewhat out of sorts these last few games I think. 5
Williams: He did OK at the back. Nothing more or less than OK though. 6
Holgate: Had a tough afternoon and will be relieved to come through with the three points. All part of the learning curve. 5
Martina: He kept on coming forward and joining in the attacks, even if he crossing wasn't quite up to scratch. Didn't do badly but it was a good substitute by Ronald Koeman and Jonjo Kenny did offer a fresh attacking impetus plus more tenacious defending. 6
Schneiderlin: Was our best player in the first half, constantly making tackles and trying to get us moving forward. Not quite as effective second half but he did put the graft in. 6
Gueye: Also a bit out of sorts but, even when playing poorly, his presence throughout the pitch is probably felt by the opposition. 5
Klaassen: Though he worked hard in the first half, as usual he hardly saw the ball and the game seemed to pass him by. It was no surprise to anyone that he was hooked when Koeman made his substitutions. He's struggling and may need the whole season to get up to speed in this league. 3
Sigurdsson: Probably his best game for us yet and I think he's getting there. He worked hard at both ends of the pitch and showed a few nice touches of class on the ball. I think he'll become a good player for us, and game by game, he's slowly getting there. 6
Rooney: Was doing OK but then his injury really disabled him and he couldn't effect the game after that. Was rightly substituted. 5
Calvert-Lewin: He has the heart of a lion and doesn't let himself get bullied or intimidated. I loved the way he kept on getting up, winning headers and putting hid body on the line. Perhaps the bravest player we've had since Tim Cahill. From being pretty sceptical of his ability last season, I've gone full circle and feel we have a player with great potential on our hands. Surely he'll get a good run of games now until our next attempt to try and sign a striker in January. Well done Dominic. Keep on going. 8
Davies (for Klassen): I thought he was outstanding and should have started the game. The composure, intelligence and flair he shows for his age is quite phenomenal. While Niasse rightly wins the headlines given his Everton plight to date, Tom Davies' impact shouldn't be overlooked given he set up both of the goals. Well done Tom, I hope Ronald takes head and keeps him in the team, particularly as we are currently in no position to experiment, we need the wins. My man of the match. 8
Niasse (for Rooney): You've got to be delighted for the man who has had a torrid time at Everton and got on with it without even a murmur. His play and touch remains clumsy (maybe with games that will improve), but he has a big heart and keeps on going. He likes to play off the shoulder of the defender, and always looks for the pass. It's great to see he's worked his way in and, until January at the very least, he'll get opportunities. Here's your big chance Oumar, make yourself irreplaceable. Congratulations. 8
Kenny (for Martina): While we were saying Vlasic or Lookman should have been introduced, credit to Koeman for instead turning to our young full back as he, like his fellow aforementioned substitutes, came on, made a telling impact, and suggested to me that he should be in the team for our next game. Well done Jonjoe, another one that has waited patiently for his opportunity. Fantastic. 7
Reader Comments (20)
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1 Posted 24/09/2017 at 20:16:07
2 Posted 24/09/2017 at 20:28:59
Calvert-Lewin looks as thought he has been learning how to compete in the air from Duncan Ferguson. He has learnt a few tricks.
Martin Atkinson is a cheat who does not like EFC. He has form.
3 Posted 24/09/2017 at 20:33:30
4 Posted 24/09/2017 at 20:36:39
There is absolutely no way, given the lack of creative ability in the side, that Tom Davies should have started on the bench against Bournemouth.
I don't like to see player's pilloried, but Klaassen is so out of form at the moment, that it is criminal he started that game, for the team and the player himself. I don't know if he will come good; I sincerely hope so, but at the moment, there is simply no value in him starting a league game.
We were very near, the sort of toxic atmosphere at Goodison on Saturday, that reflected the latter days of Walter Smith and Martinez, before they were eventually dismissed.
Koeman's 'last throw of the dice', with the introduction of Niasse, might only mean a stay of execution, when we meet more resilient sides than Bournemouth.
Packing the side with so many similar players, maybe to justify their purchase in the beginning, simply does not make sense. We desperately need pace and more pace, both in midfield and up front.
Lookman, after an average display recently, has seemingly been cast aside, the manager isn't prepared to tolerate younger players having an 'off' day, despite the player being one of the few players in the current squad, who can leave defenders on their heels, but, as with all out and out wingers, you need to accept some inconsistency for flashes of brilliance.
I fear for Koeman's future, I really do, a sheer lack of vision in the selection of the players at his disposal and the 'stifling' way the team is set up to play is leaving the fans totally underwhelmed.
There is an alarming lack of goal threat in the team, and more worryingly, a very low level of goalscoring chances being created as a result. The question is, does he have the intelligence to drop, or leave out, the players he signed in the summer, for the greater good of the team?
Unless there is a massive improvement or turnaround, I feel we are in for a long season.
5 Posted 24/09/2017 at 20:45:00
Yes he did. I've watched the incident over and over, slowed down, normal speed, he intentionally elbowed Rooney, he knew where Rooney was, and knew what he was doing.
I don't believe this bull that to jump you have to raise your arms, what, and then throw back your elbow with force? He raised his arm and threw back his elbow into Rooney's face: a penalty and a straight red all day long.
6 Posted 24/09/2017 at 20:58:19
His movement off his defenders, leaving them unsure and creating space, his willingness to go wide to receive the ball, his tenacity to win the ball back after receiving a poor pass, his link play to get back in position then creating space before taking his goal with aplomb, all very impressive.
The lad deserves a run in the team.
7 Posted 24/09/2017 at 23:05:51
I agree with all of that, with the exception that I don't fear for Koeman's future. I fear him staying.
8 Posted 25/09/2017 at 01:45:13
9 Posted 25/09/2017 at 12:55:08
Dad to sons: 'Right lads, we're off to B & Q...
Sons: 'Why Dad'?
Dad: 'To buy that Niasse a fucking locker'!!
10 Posted 25/09/2017 at 13:03:36
11 Posted 25/09/2017 at 13:10:43
Thanks for your report, Paul.
12 Posted 25/09/2017 at 13:17:38
13 Posted 25/09/2017 at 14:17:00
As Dick said, this habit of raised arms should be banned.
14 Posted 25/09/2017 at 14:55:39
That apart, I agree with most of your report, although I think a score of 3 for Davy Klaassen is a tad harsh also. The lad is trying but he is clearly not up to speed. He might need a season to adapt physically to the Premier League he seems to be struggling for stamina. Has he finished a game yet?
While I am writing this, I can't help thinking that most of our central midfielders seem to be struggling this season.
Tom Davies bucked the trend with his pass for the first goal, but to be honest I even think he has struggled for us in one or two games this season. I can only think that centre-mid is not a great position to play in our team currently little width and movement up front is no doubt the cause of this.
I am hoping Koeman saves Klaassen for the Europa League, as he is struggling in the Premier League. Davies has surely played his way in to our first choice team now, and hopefully Jonjoe Kenny is there or thereabouts also.
15 Posted 26/09/2017 at 08:36:31
Niasse's first touch for the goal wasn't a miscontrol, but was a great piece of skill, showing excellent close control to take him away from the defender to give himself the space to make the shot. Even the commentators saw it as such, unusually for them whenever Everton are concerned. Let's hope Koeman gives the lad more opportunities to repeat Saturday's performance.
16 Posted 26/09/2017 at 23:47:17
Will, thanks for the clip. I get to Goodison about every 3 years these days but what I love most is hearing the comments as the ball is moved around takes me back. The goal wasn't bad either!
17 Posted 27/09/2017 at 14:44:00
After I visited some pubs like The Spellow and The Winslet (great atmosphere) I entered the Grand Old Lady. But the atmosphere inside the stadium is a little bit quiet. I think it is about the all-seater. But the eruption after the goals was absolutely incredible.
After the game, I went to The Elm Tree and The Royal Oak where the crowd was very friendly and the atmosphere great again. So I'll be happy to come back in December or latest January.
Bye from a German Evertonian.
18 Posted 27/09/2017 at 15:08:37
19 Posted 28/09/2017 at 15:08:31
20 Posted 28/09/2017 at 15:10:02
Some of the background "Comments" on that one were interesting...
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Prof. AAA. Atayero
B.Sc|M.Sc|Ph.D Moscow, Russia
Head, IoT-enabled Smart and Connected Communities (IESCC) Research Cluster
Awards & Honours
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Administration (FCIA), “having met the educational and practical experience requirements prescribed by Chartered Institute of Administration Act No. 103 of 1992.” Nov.27, 2018..
- Recipient, CEO of The Year #IAMBRANDNIGERIA Award, In Collaboration with Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON). “In recognition and celebration of the scholastic work of as an individual, whose work has significantly advanced Nigeria and its educational system, placing the Nigeria brand on the global news for such accomplishment(s)”.
- Recipient, IEOM Society Distinguished Leadership Award ‘In recognition of Outstanding Leadership and Dedication to Education and Exceptional Contributions to Engineering and Technology”, St. George Hotel, Pretoria, SA, Oct. 31, 2018.
- Recipient, IEOM Society Outstanding Educator Award ‘In recognition and appreciation of lifelong service and dedication to education and exceptional contributions to academia”. University of the District Columbia (UDC), Sep.27-29, 2018.
- Fellow, The Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC), “In recognition of outstanding, and demonstrated commitment to creating, maintaining, extending and promoting the highest world standards of management consulting practice, ethics, competence and client service.” Lagos, Nigeria, Oct. 2017.
- Recipient, African Entrepreneurs Merit Award 2017: Award for Excellence and Leadership, by African Entrepreneurs Foundation, Abuja, Nigeria, Sep 2017.
- Senior Research Fellow, (Certified Advisory Member in Communication Engineering), International Association of Research Scholars and Administrators (IARSA), July, 2017
- Fellow, The Science Association of Nigeria (FSAN), Jul 2017
- Recipient, Nigerian Society of Engineers’ (NSE, Ikeja) Award for Excellence, 2016
- Host Professor, Carnegie - IIE African Diaspora Fellowship (ADF) programme, Jan - Mar 2015.
- Recipient, Ford Foundation Teaching Innovation Award, 2009/2010: “For demonstrated innovative approach to teaching, research, and mentoring of junior academics.”
- Recipient, International Center for Theoretical Physics (Trieste, Italy) Grant for Workshop on Low-Cost Wireless Networking, AUST, Abuja, October 2010.
- Recipient, International Center for Theoretical Physics (Trieste, Italy) Grant for FPGA and VHDL Workshop, Kumasi Ghana, 2005
- Recipient, Federal Government of Nigeria Scholarship: Bureau for External Aide, 1988–1994.
- Recipient, Russian Government Stipend: 1988–1994.
Undergraduate: Information Theory & Coding Techniques. Digital Systems Design with VHDL. Satellite Communications. Digital Speech Processing. History and Philosophy of Science. Cryptography Principles & Application. Internet Technology & Programming. Digital Electronics. Electric Circuit Theory. Use of Engineering Software Packages. Physical Electronics. Analogue Electronics. Postgraduate: Modelling of Information and Communication Systems and Networks | Satellite Communications | Transmission of Information | Digital Communication & Network Management.
Current Postgraduate Supervision
• mmWave Massive MIMO 5G Network Optimal Path Loss Determination In a Smart City using ELM
• mmWave Massive MIMO Channel Characterization and Performance Analysis for 5G Networks
• Development of a Graphene Field Effect Transistor for Saliva-Based Micronutrient Quantification
• Cervical dilation assessment using image processing and machine learning techniques
• M.Eng. Thesis: , Department of Electrical and Information Engineering (EIE), College of Engineering (CoE), Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria (Defended: Jun.2018).
• Development of FIGA: A Novel Trust-Based Algorithm for Securing Autonomous Interactions in WSN, Department of Electrical and Information Engineering (EIE), School of Applied Engineering (SoE), College of Engineering (CoE), Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria (Defended: Feb.2015).
• PhD. Thesis: Development of Robust Pre-processing Algorithm for Low-Contrast Human Iris, Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, SAE, CoE, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, (Defended: 15.07.2015).
• PhD Thesis: Wind Power Integration Into Nigeria Distribution Grid, Department of EIE, SET, CST, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, (2011 – 2014).
• PhD Thesis: Development of a Framework for Intelligent Self-Service Voice-Enabled Systems, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, School of Natural and Applied Sciences (SNAS), College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, (Defended 2012.02.17).
• PhD Thesis: End-to-End Delay Determination of Switched Ethernet Tree Local Area Networks, Department of EIE, SET, CST, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, (Defended 2011.06.07 | Published 2012.04.18 Available at: http://qr.net/end2end1 ).
• M.Eng. Thesis: Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System Models for Dynamic Load Balancing in 3GPP LTE Network, Department of EIE, SET, CST, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria (‘A’ Defended 2012.06.13 | Published 2012.07.26, Available at http://qr.net/anfis2 ).
• M.Eng. Thesis: Modelling and Simulation of the Physical Layer of PRIME PLC, Department of EIE, SET, CST, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, (Defended 2012.06.13).
• M.Eng. Thesis: Development of a Framework for the Implementation of Voice over IP on an IP PBX for Corporate Enterprises, Department of EIE, SET, CST, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, (Defended 2012.06.13).
• M.Eng. Thesis: Development of a FOS Web-Based Dark-Skinned/Brown-Eyed Iris Corpora, Department of EIE, SET, CST, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, (Defended 2012.07 | Published 2012.08.26 | Available http://qr.net/cuiris2 ).
• M.Eng. Thesis: Design and Implementation of a Multi-channel Application for Customer Care Service Delivery, Department of EIE, SET, CST, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, October, (2006).
Selected Publications (3)
51. Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies Summit, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar, Jan 14–16, 2019.
50. The 1st African International Conference on Industrial Engineering & Operations Mgt. (IEOM) Society, Pretoria/Johannesburg, South Africa, Oct 30-Nov 1, 2018.
49. The 3rd Industrial Engineering & Operations Mgt. (IEOM) Society Conference, The University of The District of Columbia, Sep. 27-29, 2018
48. Times Higher Education World Academic Summit, National University of Singapore, Sep. 25-27, 2018
47. AWARD Leadership Course, Sep.3-5 2018, Covenant University, Ota
46. AWARD Grant Proposal Writing Course, Sep. 5-8 2018, Covenant University, Ota
45. IEEE Comsoc Continuing Education for Communication Professionals Course, Title: Millimeter Wave Wireless Communications for Fifth Generation(5G), by T. Rappaport, (CEUs = 0.3), Download, 2018.07.01-05.
44. Panelist, The African Society of Cambridge University 5th Africa Together Conference: Pathways to a New Africa, Cambridege Union, University of Cambridge, 15th–16th June 2018, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
43. Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging economies Summit, Mohammed The 5th University, 8th–10th May, 2018, Rabat, Morocco
42. King Baudouin Foundation US, Art and Science of Fundraising, Rockefeller Center, 29th Apr–2nd May, 2018, Greater New York, NY, USA
41. Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Gender Workshop 2018, Theme: Mainstreaming Gender in Higher Education: Implications for National Growth and Development, 27-30 Mar. 2018, Covenant University, Nigeria.
40. MIT J-WEL, Group of global leaders in education for World Education Lab, themed “Learning Communities of the future”, 19-22 Mar. 2018, MIT, Boston, Massachussetts, USA
39. International Association of Engineers (IAENG), World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science WCECS 2017, October 25-27, 2017, San Francisco, USA.
38. Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit, King’s College – IET Savoy Place, 2nd–5th Sep. 2017, London, U.K.
37. International Association of Engineers (IAENG) World Congress on Engineering (WCE2017), University of Cambridge, 5th – 7th July, 2017, London, U.K.
36. 1st Times Higher Education (THE) Innovation Summit, Hong Kong Poly. University, 31 May–2 Jun, 2017. Hong Kong.
35. Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), Round Table on: “The role of faith-based universities in promoting respect”, Liverpool Hope University, 30 Jan-1Feb 2017, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
34. Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies Summit, Dec 2016, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
33. 3rd Covenant University International Conference on African Development Issues CU-ICADI 2016, 9th -11th May 2016, Ota, Nigeria.
32. NIST-USIgnite Global City Teams Challenge/IoT-Enabled Smart City Framework, NIST Campus, 22d-25th Mar. 2016, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
31. Future Technologies Conference (FTC 2016),6-7 December 2016, San Francisco, CA, United States
30. Times Higher Education BRICS & EE Summit, 30Nov.-2Dec. 2016, University of Johannesburg, RSA.
29. Huawei Cloud Connect: Shape The Cloud, Aug.31-Sep.2 2016, Expo Center, Shanghai, China.
28. IEEE Technically Sponsored SAI Computing Conference 2016, 13-15 Jul. 2016 London, United Kingdom
27. 3rd Covenant University International Conference on African Development Issues CU-ICADI 2016, 9th-11th May 2016, Ota, Nigeria.
26. IoT-Enabled Smart City Framework, NIST Campus, 24th-25th Mar. 2016, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
25. NIST-USIgnite Global City Teams Challenge, NIST Campus, 22nd-23rd Mar. 2016, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
24. International Conference on Circuits and Systems (ICCS), IAENG WCECS 2015, 21st~23rd Oct. 2015, San Fransisco (USA).
23. International Conference on Communication Systems and Technologies (ICCST), IAENG WCECS 2015, 21st~23rd Oct. 2015, San Fransisco (USA).
22. International Conference on Computer Science and Applications (ICCSA), IAENG WCECS 2015, 21st~23rd Oct. 2015, San Fransisco (USA).
21. 3rd Int’l. Conference on Advances in Computing, Electronics & Communication ACEC 2015, 10-11 Oct 2015, Zurich, Switzerland
20. Inaugural Times Higher Education™ Africa Universities Summit, 30th–31st July 2015, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
19. 7th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies EDULEARN 2015, 6th–8th July 2015, Barcelona (Spain).
18. The International Conference on Web & Open Access to Learning (ICWOAL'2014), Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, UAE, Nov. 25-‐27, 2014
17. 7th International Conference on Education, Research and Innovation ICERI 2014, 17th-19th Nov 2014, Seville, Spain
16. 6th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies Edulearn 2014, 7th-9th July 2014, Barcelona, Spain
15. British Council Going Global Conference 'Global Education: Knowledge-based economies for 21st Century Nations', 29th April - 1 May 2014, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Florida USA.
14. 1st. Times Higher Education Young Universities' Summit, 28th April 2014, Fontainebleau, Miami Florida USA.
13. 20th Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NES#20): Transforming Education Through Partnership for Global Competitiveness, Resource Person, Design Workshop IV: Tertiary Education – Competitiveness and Employability, 18–20 Mar, 2014, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Nigeria.
12. 8th International Technology, Education and Development Conference (INTED2014), 10–12 Mar. 2014, Valencia, Spain.
11. ICMCS National Conference on Teaching & Research Innovation in Nigerian Universities, 17-19 April, 2012. Redeemers' University, Mowe, Nigeria.
10. International Conference on Computer Science and Applications 2011, World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science 2011, October 19-21, 2011, San Francisco, USA.
9. International Conference on Signal Processing and Imaging Engineering 2011, World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science 2011, October 19-21, 2011, San Francisco, USA.
8. International Conference on Communications Systems and Technologies 2011, World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science 2011, October 19-21, 2011, San Francisco, USA.
7. IEEE 2nd International Workshop on Recent Advances in Broadband Access Networks RABAN 2011, co-located with IEEE 11th International Conference on ITS Telecommunication, August 23-25, 2011, St. Petersburg, Russia.
6. IEEE Region 8 EUROCON 2009 Conference, Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
5. The 2nd IEEE International Conference on Adaptive Science & Technology (ICAST), December 14~16, 2009, Accra, Ghana.
4. IEEE Communication Society 16th Telecommunication Forum, Belgrade, Serbia, Nov. 25–27 2008.
3. Southern African Telecommunications and Applications Conference (SATNAC2007), Sugar Beach Resort, Mauritius, 9-13 Sep. 2007.
2. International Conference and Workshop on 3G GSM and Mobile Computing: An Emerging Growth Engine for National Development, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, 2007.
1. International Conference on New Trends in Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, 2006.
SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS:
11. COREN-NSE Workshop on Engineering Regulations Monitoring (ERM) to Sensitise the Chief Executives of Engineering-based Companies, Corporations, Agencies, and Institutions, NSE Abeokuta Branch Head Quarters, Ogun State, 3 May 2012.
10. International Center for Theoretical Physics (Italy)–African University of Science and Technology–NUC Workshop on Low-Cost Wireless Networking, AUST, Abuja, October 2010.
8. Nigerian Institute of Elelctrical and Electronic Engineering Workshop, Abuja, 2009.
7. NUC Workshop for Deans and HODs of Electrical Engineering, Abuja, 2008.
6. International Federation of Inventors Association (IFIA), 4th International Exhibition of Young Inventors, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Nov. 2007.
5. International Federation of Inventors Association (IFIA), 2007 World Cup of Computer Implemented Inventions (CII) 27-30, Sept. 2007, Taipei, Taiwan.
4. Nigeria Association of Inventors’ 2nd National Young Inventors & Innovators Summit, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, (2006).
3. International Center for Theoretical Physics (Italy)–Kwame Nkruma University of Science and Technology ICTP-KNUST Regional Microelectronic Workshop on FPGA and VHDL for research and Training in Africa, Kumasi, Ghana, 2005.
2. Harris Communications Microwave Engineering Workshop, Eko Hotel, Lagos, 2001.
1. Crosna Scientific Industrial Center, Workshop on Satellite Communications, Moscow, Russia, 1994.
Summary of Profile
The University also ranked as #151 Globally in THE Emerging Economies Rankings and ranked 301+ in the inaugural THE Impact Rankings for 2019. She is likewise ranked in the 151-200 range among universities under 50 years old globally in THE Young University Rankings 2019. In the recently released WUR 2020, Covenant was ranked in the 401-500 bracket globally, as the best of four institutions in Nigeria. The University emerged as #7 globally by improvement over last year's performance. Covenant won African Development Bank Center of Excellence in ICT slot and became one of the World Bank Africa Centers of Excellence (ACE-Impact) host Institutions with the Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication (ACE-ApIC). His dynamic and innovative leadership has created the necessary impetus for winning several international grants and awards from reputable organisations like the World Bank, UNESCO, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, National Institute of Health, DAAD, to mention but a few.
Engineer (Prof.) Atayero has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Radio Engineering and a Master of Science Degree in Satellite Communication Systems in 1992 and 1994 respectively. He earned his PhD from the Moscow State Technical University of Civil Aviation (MSTUCA) in 2000. A professor of communication engineering, Atayero is a Fellow of the Science Association of Nigeria (FSAN), Chartered Institute of Administration (FCIA); Chartered Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC); as well as a Senior Research Fellow of the International Association of Research Scholars and Administrators. Atayero is a COREN Registered Engineer and member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and other professional bodies. He has published over a hundred scientific papers in international peer-reviewed journals and proceedings. He is on the editorial board of several international scientific and engineering Journals. Atayero is a recipient of various awards and scholarships including NIEEE Distinguished Communications Engineer’s Award of Excellence; APCON-#IAMBRANDNIGERIA CEO of The Year Award, IEOM Distinguished Leadership and Outstanding Educator Awards; Award for Excellence and Leadership, by African Entrepreneurs Foundation; the 'Ford Foundation Teaching Innovation Award' to name a few. His current research interests are in various aspects of Communication Engineering, including (but not limited to): Wireless Sensor Networks, Wireless (Mobile) Communications, Internet of Things (IoT), Smart Cities, and Cyber-Physical Systems. | <urn:uuid:f1bd285c-a1ab-4461-bd92-ae95997c68ff> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/Profiles/Atayero-AAA | 2020-10-31T13:02:06Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107918164.98/warc/CC-MAIN-20201031121940-20201031151940-00600.warc.gz | en | 0.804634 | 4,015 |
- Open Access
Identification, molecular characterization and expression of aminopeptidase N-1 (APN-1) from Anopheles stephensi in SF9 cell line as a candidate molecule for developing a vaccine that interrupt malaria transmission
Malaria Journal volume 19, Article number: 79 (2020)
According to the World Health Organization reports, billions of people around the world are at risk for malaria disease and it is important to consider the preventive strategies for protecting the people that are living in high risk areas. One of the main reasons of disease survival is diversity of vectors and parasites in different malaria regions that have their specific features, behaviour and biology. Therefore, specific regional strategies are necessary for successful control of malaria. One of the tools that needs to be developed for elimination and prevention of reintroduction of malaria is a vaccine that interrupt malaria transmission (VIMTs). VIMT is a broad concept that should be adjusted to the biological characteristics of the disease in each region. One type of VIMT is a vector-based vaccine that affects the sexual stage of Plasmodium life cycle. According to recent studies, the aminopeptidase N-1 of Anopheles gambiae (AgAPN-1) is as a potent vector-based VIMT with considerable inhibition activity against the sexual stage of Plasmodium parasite.
Systems for rapid amplification of cDNA ends (3ʹ-RACE) and genome walking methods were used for sequence determination of apn-1 gene from Anopheles stephensi and distinct bioinformatics software were used for structural analysis. AsAPN-1 was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cell line using the baculovirus expression system. Recombinant AsAPN-1 was purified under the hybrid condition and its biological activity was assayed.
Asapn-1 gene and its coded protein from An. stephensi were characterized for the first time in this study. Subsequently, the structural features and immunological properties of its coded protein were evaluated by in silico approaches. Enzymatic activity of the recombinant AsAPN-1, which was expressed in Sf9 insect cell line, was equal to 6 unit/μl.
Results of this study revealed that AsAPN-1 is very similar to its counterpart in An. gambiae. In silico evaluation and fundamental data which are necessary for its evaluation as a VIMT-based vaccine in the next steps were acquired in this study and those could be useful for research groups that study on malaria vaccine for countries that An. stephensi is the main malaria vector there.
Despite the impressive progresses in medical sciences, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2018, malaria is still as one of the most significant infectious diseases in the world and there were 219 million new cases with increment of about 3.5 million cases over 2017 [1, 2].
The severity of the disease is directly related to the species of Plasmodium and the geographical dispersion and proportion of Anopheles. There are about 30 species of Anopheles, which are responsible for transmission of malaria across the world . One of the most considerable challenge in malaria control is the diversity of the vector and parasite species in different endemic regions which means distinct strategies must be considered for each geographical region . For instance, Anopheles gambiae is the main malaria vector in sub-Saharan of Africa, while Anopheles stephensi is the most prevalent vector which is spread from the east of Africa (Djibouti and Ethiopia) to the south regions of China . In addition, resistance to insecticides and drugs increases the complexity of malaria treatment and control [6,7,8]. Moreover, proximity with special endemic malaria regions affects the malaria control progress and, therefore, needs more considerations to achieve the final goal. For example, Iran which is in elimination phase is a neighbour of Afghanistan and Pakistan, which are categorized in the “Control Phase” with high prevalence of malaria. This situation might be established in many parts of the world and may lead to the failure of the malaria elimination goals of the United Nations by 2030 . According to the malEra guidelines, vaccines are one of the main tools for malaria control and with regards to the progress in the elimination programme; specific types of vaccines should be considered for each country. Development of the vaccines that interrupt malaria transmission (VIMTs) was emphasized by the vaccine consultative group for countries that have passed the pre-elimination step and have proceeded to the global goal . VIMTs are divided into various types; one type is the classical transmission-blocking vaccine that blocks the sexual parasite development by targeting the required effector molecules in the vector, including mosquito-based transmission-blocking vaccines with targets such as Anopheles gambiae aminopeptidase N-1 (AgAPN-1) , CPBAg1 (Carboxy Peptidase B1) [12, 13], Trypsin , saglin , FREP 1 [16, 17], and SGS1 . APN-1 is a candidate molecule for which the blocking efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum in An. gambiae has been confirmed . Given the fact that Jacalin prevents ookinete attachment by masking the glycan ligands on the surface of midgut epithelial cells, Dinglasan et al. used affinity chromatography to identify its receptor on the midgut epithelial cells of An. gambiae. Some glycoproteins, such as APN-1, are receptors for the lectin-similar structures of ookinete that trigger the attachment of ookinetes to the internal side of the epithelium and are essential for preceding the sexual development of parasite in the mosquito midgut [13, 16, 20].
Therefore, Dinglasan et al. used AgAPN-1 as a TBV candidate and their results showed that it can inhibit the sexual development of P. falciparum with 100% efficacy (at ~ 10 µg/ml specific IgG). In addition, it was shown that 100 μg/ml of polyclonal antibody against AgAPN-1 could reduce oocyst formation of Plasmodium berghei in the midgut of An. gambiae. Furthermore, peptide mapping showed that a 135 amino acids fragment located in the N-terminal of AgAPN-1 is immunogenic even in the absence of adjuvant and has equal blocking efficacy similar to the full length of AgAPN-1 .
Since An. stephensi is the main malaria vector from the east of Africa to the south regions of China, and due to the considerable efficacy of APN-1 as a VIMT in whole protein and sub-unit formats, the apn-1 gene and its related protein in An. stephensi were identified and characterized in the current study to provide the basic and fundamental information necessary for developing an effective and regional mosquito-based VIMT in areas that An. stephensi is the major threat for malaria transmission.
Identification of the middle part of apn-1 mRNA sequence of An. stephensi had been reported in the study of Bokharaei et al. . Thus, general and specific primers were designed for performing the 5ʹ-Genome walking and 3ʹ-RACE, respectively, based on the reported sequence using the GeneRunner software (version 126.96.36.199 beta) (Table 1). Their specificity was evaluated by the nucleotide BLAST server (http://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi) [13, 23]. After determining the full-length sequence of apn-1 mRNA molecule, specific primers were designed to amplify the full length coding sequence of the mRNA and DNA of the target gene for evaluating the arrangement of introns and exons. In addition, full-length cloning primers, which contained restriction sites, were designed for cloning and expressing of the whole APN-1 in SF9 cell line using the baculovirus expression system.
Collection of Anopheles stephensi samples and insectary rearing
All experiments were performed on the An. stephensi mysorensis, using the Chabahar strain which had previously been collected from the Chabahar district in the southeastern part of Iran, Sistan and Baluchestan Province. This strain was reared in the National Insectarium at Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Malaria and Vector research Group (MVRG) under the standard conditions: a temperature range of 26–28 °C, 60–80% humidity, and 12 h light/dark cycle . Five-days adult mosquitoes were used in the all experiments of this study.
RNA and DNA extraction
Live mosquitoes were anesthetized on ice, and their midguts were dissected. Ten isolated midguts were used for RNA extraction which was performed by High Pure RNA Tissue Kit (Roche, Germany) according to the manufacturer’s instruction. The extracted RNAs were treated with DNase I enzyme to remove any probable DNA contamination, as per the instruction recommended by manufacturer (Thermo Scientific, USA). Quantity and quality of the extracted RNA was evaluated using the Colibri microvolume spectrometer (Titertek-Berthold, Germany) and 1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively. Genomic DNA, which was used to determine the full length of apn-1 gene sequence and arrangement of its introns and exons, was extracted from the whole body of the mosquitoes by MBST genomic DNA extraction kit (MBST, Iran).
Reverse transcription (RT; cDNA synthesis)
Considering that there was no data on the expression pattern of apn-1 gene, total RNA was extracted in different time frames (0, 2, 7, 12, and 18 h) after blood feeding. RT reaction was performed in a final volume of 20 µl using the Oligo(dT) as primer. The volume of 200 ng of the total RNA was adjusted to 5 µl by adding RNase-free distilled water. This mixture was incubated at 75 °C for 5 min to remove the secondary structures and was cooled on ice immediately. Then, RT mix which included Revertaid Moloney murine leukaemia virus [M-MuLV], RNase inhibitor, deoxynucleoside triphosphate solution, RT buffer, and Oligo(dT) primer, was added to the cooled RNA, and RT reaction was started by the following program: 10 min at 25 °C, 60 min at 42 °C, and 10 min at 70 °C. All reagents were purchased from Takara, Japan.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay
All reactions were carried out in a 20 μl total volume for 35 cycles. Ingredients of the PCR reactions consisted of 400 nM of each primer, 1 unit of Taq DNA polymerase, 0.2 mM of each deoxynucleoside triphosphate, 2.5 µl of 10× reaction buffer, 1.5 mM MgCl2, and 150 ng of genomic DNA in each reaction as template. The PCR reactions were performed in a Flex Cycler PCR machine (Analytik Jena, Germany) using 5 min primary denaturation at 94 °C which followed by 35 cycles of denaturation at 94 °C for 30 s, annealing at 58–62 °C for 40 s depending on the Tm of primers and 1-3 min (with regard to the size of amplicon) extension at 72 °C with an additional final extension at 72 °C for 10 min. Finally, PCR products were evaluated using the 1.5% agarose gel.
3ʹ-RACE and 5ʹ-genome walking
Based on the study of Raz et al. , the RT reaction was performed by the linker primer (Table 1). Various gene specific primers were designed for this technique. In this step, two PCR reactions were carried out with outer and inner primers as reverse and internal gene-specific primers as forward primers. After performing the agarose gel electrophoresis, only amplicons that their sizes were close to the expected size were selected for TA cloning. Selected amplicons were recovered from agarose gel and TA cloned in pTG19-T vector (both from Vivantis, Malaysia). Next, TA-cloned products were sequenced by Macrogen company (South Korea). After editing sequences using Chromas software (Technelysium, Australia), those were analysed by nucleotide BLAST (http://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi) for similarity search.
To determine the 5ʹ-end sequence of the apn-1 gene, the genome walking method was used according to Alipour et al. . Briefly, the prepared cDNA with linker Oligo(dT) primer was used as template. Asymmetric PCR was fulfilled with the universal (UAP-N1for step one and UAP-N2 for step two) and gene-specific primers (GW 27-R GW 40-R, GW 59-R, GW 130-R, and GW 282-R) in two consecutive steps. Then, amplicons with the sizes more than the expected size were selected, TA-cloned and sequenced. Finally, sequences were analysed by Gene Studio Software 188.8.131.52 (GeneStudio Inc., USA), and those had an overlapped region with the middle part sequence of the apn-1 mRNA molecule were selected for further analysis.
Assembly and determination of the full-length sequence of Asapn-1 mRNA molecule
After sequencing of the 3ʹ- and 5ʹ-ends of Asapn-1 mRNA molecule, acquired sequences were assembled using the GeneStudio software. Finally, FL Inner-F/FL Inner-R and FL Outer-F/FL Outer-R primers were designed for amplifying and sequencing the full-length sequence of the mRNA and DNA of Asapn-1 gene.
In silico study
Analysis of the sequence features
First, to determine the structural features of the AsAPN-1 protein and its division, the coding sequence of Asapn-1 mRNA was translated to its coded residues by GeneRunner software 184.108.40.206 Beta. Then, the protein BLAST was used to search similar proteins to our query. Subjects with high similarity and scores were selected to perform multiple alignments with Clustal Omega based on the Clustal W method and determine the conserved residues. Evaluation of the antigenicity and finding the functional epitopes of the target molecule was accomplished by Hopp-Woods-Hydropathy plot as a subdivision of ExPASy protscale tool (http://web.expasy.org/protscale/) . In the output plot, a negative value is associated with non-polar residues, values >0 represent the hydrophilic ß strands regions and negative values indicate the ɑ helix hydrophobic regions . In addition, the physiochemical properties such as amino acid quantity, instability index and estimated half-life were analysed using the stand alone Protparam (https://web.expasy.org/protparam/).
Prediction of the post translation modifications (PTMs)
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins are usually accomplished by proteolytic cleavage or covalent modifications. These modifications are done by specific enzymes that identify especial amino acid residues or distinct sequences. In order to predict the amino acids that undergo glycosylation, NetNGlyc 4.0 and NetOGlyc 3.1 servers were used . The NetOGlyc server is based on the neural network predictions of mucin type GalNAc O-glycosylation sites. In this method, the score of each amino acid is calculated, and values above the threshold are reported as glycosylated amino acids.
Prediction of the dynamic nature of AsAPN-1
The residue-level backbone dynamics from the AsAPN-1 sequence in the form of backbone N–H interaction was predicted, to understand the motion restriction of an atomic bond in comparison with the molecular reference frame . The values were variable between 1, for fully restricted (rigid conformation), and 0, for fully random movement (highly dynamic). DynaMine webserver (Brussels-, Belgium) was used to assess the dynamic nature of AsAPN-1.
Peptide toxicity prediction
Support Vector Machines (SVM) classifier was used from the freely available software package SVMlight for searching the toxic motifs in our target protein by the MEME Suite software (version 3.5.0), and then query sequences were hit with the toxic peptide motif list using the MAST software . If hit was higher than the SVM score threshold, which is 5, peptides are predicted toxic for the host cell.
Prediction of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of AsAPN-1
The SWISS-MODEL (http://swissmodel.expasy.org) was used for predicting the 3D structure of our target protein . Prediction of the 3D structure was performed based on the X-ray crystallography deposited data of the well-characterized molecules using this method . According to the QMEAN (qualitative model energy analysis) and GMQE (global model quality estimation) scores, the best model was selected and used for comparing the structural properties of the AsAPN-1 with the reference molecule in the next steps . UCSF Chimera software version 1.11.2 was used for alpha carbon root-mean-square deviation (Cɑ-RMSD) and overall RMSD analysis .
Molecular docking studies
In order to evaluate the structural predictions and determining the structurally important residues in the active site of AsAPN-1, we docked the active sites of AsAPN-1 and AgAPN-1 with bestatin, which is the aminopeptidase enzymes specific inhibitor with the EADock method using the SwissDock server . First, the crystal structure of bestatin was retrieved from the 2DQM accession number (PDB database). Then, the entire protein surface was scanned using the SwissDock to identify the most probable interaction sites with bestatin. This scanning is performed based on multi-objective hybrid evolutionary algorithm. In this method, the probability of binding the ligand to receptor in the form of random and semi-random is examined at two levels of accuracy. In the first stage, screening is faster and has less accuracy (simple-Fitness), but in the second stage, screening is time-consuming and has high-precision (full-Fitness). The best appropriate ligand binding site is calculated based on the highest free energy which determined by the analytical Generalized Born Molecular Volume performed in the CHARMM program among the different binding probabilities. This sampling and selecting of the target cavity is performed with the accuracy of 2 angstroms in the crystal structure .
For AsAPN-1, the mapped protein onto the 3D grid and ligand connection cavities were evaluated and the amount of binding powers were finally determined as a free energy of amino acid geometries and specific ligand interaction positions.
Prediction of antigenic peptides of AsAPN-1
With regard to the importance of developing the subunit vaccines, the profile of antigenic peptide of full-AsAPN-1 was evaluated using the Immunomedicine group tool (http://imed.med.ucm.es/Tools/antigenic.pl) which determines the antigenic peptides according to the Kolaskar and Tongaonkar method with 75% accuracy . In addition, this analysis was performed for AgAPN-1 as the reference molecule and performing further comparison.
Prediction of the epitope avidity
After introducing the antigens in the antigen presenting cells, antigen processing and presenting are done in this type of immune cells on the major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs). Two factors are important in antigen presenting which are the primary structure of the peptide and allelic variation of the residues in the binding site of the major histocompatibility complex receptor. These two elements should interact together for final presentation of the small processed peptides. Therefore, we evaluated the potential presentation of our target protein with the common MHC-II alleles in Iran using the NetMHCII 2.2 and pyDockWEB web based servers to evaluate the induction of potential humoral response. To perform this evaluation, the MHC-II binding regions of AsAPN-1 and their binding affinities with receptors were predicted in the first step. According to the recommendations of Vina et al. , the prevalent alleles of HLA in Iran were selected. Subsequently, the binding affinity between the peptide segments and prevalent alleles were investigated using the NetMHCII 2.2 and pyDockWEB web based servers. NetMHCII 2.2 predicts the binding efficacy of peptides to HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, HLA-DP alleles using the artificial neuron networks. The prediction values are given in nanomolar IC50 values, and binding efficiency are determined by the strong and weak values . pyDockWEB, as a structure-based server, was used for predicting the MHC-II binding properties with an overall ΔG which includes electrostatics, desolvation energy, and limited van der Waals contribution . In addition, these analysis and evaluations were performed for AgAPN-1.
Baculovirus expression and purification
For expression of the recombinant AsAPN-1, UFLC-F, and DFLC-R primers were used (Table 1). Expand High Fidelity Taq DNA polymerase (Roche, Germany) was used to amplify the coding sequence of asapn-1 gene. Then, this amplicon was TA cloned in pTG-19 vector and subcloned to pFastBack HT A vector using SpeI and XhoI restriction enzymes (Invitrogen, Germany). Next, pFastBac-full apn construct, was first transformed to Escherichia coli DH5α and the purified pFastBac-full apn was transformed to E. coli DH10Bac subsequently and confirmed using sequencing. The generation of recombinant virus and transposition was performed according to the recommendations of Invitrogen for Bac-to-Bac system (http://www.ThermoFisher.com). The screening and presence of the recombinant bacmid (pFastBac-full apn) was done by colony-PCR using M13 Forward and Reverse primers. Then, recombinant bacmid was purified from one of the selected colonies and transfected into the Sf9 cells using the Cellfectin II (Invitrogen). This step was performed in order to generate the recombinant baculovirus stock P1. P1 viruses were harvested and stored at 4 °C. In order to earn the highest yield of recombinant virus, the optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) was determined by screening the 1,3,5,7 MOIs. To determine the expression kinetics of the target recombinant protein, screening was preformed within 0 until 96 h of post infection using SDS-PAGE. Afterwards, P1 stock virus was used to get the P2 stock in the fresh Sf9 cells at 27 °C for maximum 96 h and similarly P2 virus was used for producing the high titer of P3. Finally, P3 viruses were harvested and used for recombinant protein expression according to the Invitrogen protocol (http://www.ThermoFisher.com). For recombinant AsAPN-1 expression analysis, 1 ml of the harvested culture was analysed using the SDS-PAGE analysis. Solubility of the expressed recombinant protein was determined according to the QIAexpressionist protocols (http://kirschner.med.harvard.edu/files/protocols/QIAGEN_QIAexpressionist_EN.pdf) . With regard that 6X His-tag was embedded in the upstream of the target protein by the used expression system, Ni-NTA (QIAGEN, Germany) beads were used for protein purification under the hybrid purification condition according to the Life Technologies™’ instruction with few modifications in buffer ingredients . Hybrid purification method is a type of purification that the 3D structure and native folding of the target protein is rearranged beyond denaturation and no need to renaturing after purification. Different buffer ingredients were: lysis and denaturing binding buffer contained 100 mM NaH2PO4, 10 mM Tris·Cl, 8 M urea and 5–8 mM imidazole at pH 8.5; denaturing wash buffer contained 100 mM NaH2PO4, 10 mM Tris·Cl, 8 M urea at pH to 6.3; and native elution buffer contained 50 mM NaH2PO4, 300 mM NaCl, 250 mM imidazole at pH 8.5. In brief, cultured cells were collected from the 75 cm2 cell culture flasks which contained 2 × 106 cells/mL and pelleted cells were lysed using 6 ml of lysis and denaturing binding Buffer. Then, lysis solution was centrifuged at 8000 rpm and 4 °C for 15 min. Next, the supernatant was incubated at 23 °C for 60 min with Ni-NTA agarose beads while those were rotating. After that, Ni-NTA agarose beads were washed three times with denaturing wash buffer. In the last step, target protein was eluted using the native elution buffer. The total purified protein was desalted using the Econo-Pac® (Bio Rad, USA) and finally analysed using SDS-PAGE. To keep the bioactivity of the purified AsAPN-1 for long term and storage, our target protein was mixed with glycerol (5–50% (w/v)) and divided in small aliquots and kept in − 20 °C until use.
Analysis of bioactivity
For analysis of the bioactivity of AsAPN-1, a spectrophotometry based test which l-leucine p-nitroanilide substrate (Sigma) is broken down by the endopeptidase property of the aminopeptidase enzyme was used. This endopeptidase activity of the enzyme causes an increment of absorbance at 405 nm wavelength due to the release of 4-nitroaniline . In order to determine the bioactivity of recombinant AsAPN-1, 1 μg/ml of the purified protein was used and Streptomyces griseus aminopeptidase (Sigma) and 1,10-phenanthroline (10 μM; Sigma) were used as positive control and metalloprotease inhibitor, respectively. Eighty microliters of the purified recAsAPN-1 which contained 1 μg/ml of active enzyme, 20 µl of 10 mM l-leucine-p-nitroanilide as substrate (Sigma, USA) and 100 µl of 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.6) were used to perform the bioactivity assay. This mixture was incubated at 37 °C. AsAPN-1 activity was measured spectrophotometrically using the microtitre plate (BioTek Instruments, USA) and reading the absorbance at 405 nm in 15, 30, 90 and 120 min after the start of reaction. This reaction was also performed in the presence of 10 μM 1,10-phenanthroline as an inhibitor simultaneously.
Characterization the 3ʹ-and 5ʹ-end sequences of asapn-1 mRNA molecule
After confirmation with the internal primers, the amplicon of RC-921 and inner primers with ≈ 900-bp length was sequenced and nucleotide BLAST analysis revealed its high similarity with its counterpart in An. gambiae. Finally, this sequence was submitted to the GenBank under the 1990583 accession number.
After performing the genome walking, amplicons with length greater than 500-bp (six amplicons), were sequenced. Nucleotide BLAST revealed that all of the acquired sequences were related to Asapn-1 gene. Therefore, final contig from the assembled amplicons was submitted to the GenBank under the 1985952 accession number.
Characterization of the full-length of asapn-1 mRNA sequence
After sequence determination of the 3ʹ- and 5ʹ-ends of the asapn-1 mRNA molecule, these sequences were assembled, and the full-length sequence of asapn-1 mRNA was determined and submitted to the GenBank (accession number: 2017959). The length of this sequence was 3285-bp which included an open reading frame with 3078-bp length that encoded a protein with 1025 residues, and predicted molecular Pi (isoelectric point) and molecular weight equal to 4.82 and 118,792.27 Da (118.79 KDa), respectively. Comparison of the coding sequences of asapn-1 on DNA and mRNA sequences revealed that the asapn-1 gene has four introns and five exons and introns have been located at 698-794, 1241-1477, 1822-1891 and 3218-3250 positions (GenBank accession number: 2017959). Sequence analysis of apn-1 gene introns demonstrated that their donor and acceptor splice sites were AG-AC and CA-TG, GT-AG, and AG-TC, respectively. Comparison of the splice sites of asapn-1, agapn-1 (XM_318000.4), and similar gene in Anopheles culicifacies (MK033514.1) revealed that the sequences of donor and acceptor of the splice sites in An. gambiae and An. culicifacies are more similar (Table 2).
Phylogenetic tree analysis of the nucleotide sequences of our target gene and other apn-1 genes from the other insects indicates that the asapn-1 is located in Anopheles group and has close relationship with An. gambiae (Fig. 1).
In silico findings and predictions
Alignment of asapn-1 mRNA sequence with agapn-1 mRNA sequence revealed that their similarity is 80.48%. The comparison of AsAPN-1 with AgAPN-1 (XP_318000.4), and APN-1 of An. culicifacies (QCO76330.1) showed that these proteins have 74.93% and 73.31% similarity with AsAPN-1, respectively. Alignment of AsAPN-1 with seven similar proteins revealed that the structurally important motifs of these proteins, such as zinc binding domains, active site and peptide 9 have a high degree of conservation (Fig. 2).
Homology modelling analysis of the target protein with fully characterized proteins in structure through the SWISS-MODEL server revealed that the highest structural similarity is related to homo-dimer of APN-1 from the An. gambiae (AgAPN-1) (PDB accession No: 4WZ9). Therefore, the AgAPN-1 was selected as the reference molecule to predict the structural features of AsAPN-1.
Analysis of the predicted 3D structure of AsAPN-1
Prediction of the 3D structure of AsAPN-1 using the SWISS-MODEL and according to the homology modelling and QMEAN and GMQE scores of the predicted models, revealed that the target protein has a close topology to the AgAPN-1 (4WZ9 PDB accession No). Therefore, 4WZ9 was selected as the reference molecule for further structural analysis such as superimposition and finding the counterparts of structurally important residues and motifs, such as ookinete attachment sites, peptide 9, Gluzincin, active site and zinc binding domain (Fig. 3a–e). Structural comparison of AsAPN-1 and AgAPN-1, revealed that our target protein is composed of an N-terminal (residues 1-19), a C-terminal ecto-domain (residues 36-1005) and a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor (residues 1006-1031) (Fig. 3b). As APN-1 has consisted of two symmetric units (A and B homologues) (Fig. 3a, b). Ectodomain (residues 69-954) is composed of four domains (I–IV), which have metallopeptidase M1-family activity. Domain I (residues 69-281) is predicted that composed of a 15 β-sheet (Fig. 3b). Domain II is the catalytic domain (residues 282-534) which contains the substrate recognition site (H377EYAH381) and zinc-binding motif (NE400GFA). Domain III and domain IV (the C-terminal region) encompass the residues 535-625 and residues 626-954, respectively. It is predicted that the active site is located in domain II, and zinc ion is coordinated with the NEGFA motif and the N-terminus of the modeled protein (Fig. 3c). RMSD of the structurally critical residues of AsAPN-1 and AgAPN-1 are presented in Table 3. Moreover, analysis of the reactive residues in hydrogen binding plot (Fig. 4a, b), the torsional angles (Ramachandran plot) (Fig. 4c, d) and stoichiometry analysis of the alpha Carbons of AsAPN-1 and AgAPN-1(Fig. 4e, f) revealed that those have the same patterns. Further analysis revealed that AsAPN-1 has five residues (G832TGVE836) more than AgAPN-1 in domain II which acts as a linker between the two alpha-helixes and superimposition reveled that it had no effect on the three-dimensional structure of AsAPN-1 and these five residues are seen as a protrusion in the protein structure in comparison to AgAPN-1 (Fig. 5).
Molecular docking analysis
Docking analysis of AgAPN-1 and AsAPN-1 as receptors with bestatin as ligand (specific inhibitor) showed that bestatin interacts with our target and reference proteins in a similar pattern and with the same residues in their active site cavities. The details of these interactions such as estimated ΔG and involved residues are given in Table 4.
APN-1 surface features
After identifying the AsAPN-1 and matching with AgAPN-1 as reference protein, its structural features such as hydrophobic regions, accessibility, amino acid polarity, and N-glycosylation were determined (Fig. 6a–e). Hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of AsAPN-1 revealed that the most of hydrophilic residues are located at the N-terminal (such as peptide 9) and C-terminal regions. Therefore, they have the numeric values above the zero and AsAPN-1 is considered as hydrophilic antigen (Fig. 6a). In addition, accessibility prediction shows that second structure of AsAPN-1 in all part of N/C terminal would be accessible for the immune system (Fig. 6b). Polarity prediction tools showed that 230 primary residues, residues from 450 to 750 and 800 to 1000 are polar and in terms of electric charge, those are suitable for interaction with immune system (Fig. 6c).
Prediction of N-&O-glycosylation sites revealed that three amino acids in AsAPN-1 structure are susceptible for N-glycosylation that are V2, N148 and N589 (Fig. 6d). Stability of the candidate molecule is one of the basic principles for vaccine development and our prediction shows that in overall, As APN-1 has high stability with eight exceptions that are in the form of four paired flexible regions. These regions are M1-V2, G763-Y764, A975-G976 and finally L1024-G1025 residues (Fig. 6e).
Prediction of antigenic peptides of AsAPN-1
Prediction of the antigenic peptides of AsAPN-1 and AgAPN-1 using the Kolaskar and Tongaonkar’s method revealed that the profile of their antigenic peptides are very similar together and those have been located in the same topological position in the first structure of two proteins (Additional files 1, 2). AsAPN-1 average antigenic propensity is 0.9956 and 25 immunogenic epitopes were identified. Some of these peptides were short and some of them were long (Table 5) . In comparison with AgAPN-1, it was observed that AsAPN-1 had more and stronger immunogenic components with lower energy (Table 6, Additional files 3, 4).
Prediction of AsAPN-1 epitopes and MHC-II interactions
Prediction of interactions of the AsAPN-1 and AgAPN-1 epitopes with MHC-II using pyDockWEB revealed that similar antigenic peptides and epitopes of both proteins interact with the common MHC-II alleles in Iran. The binding efficiency of interactions is presented by ΔG by the pyDockWEB and details of the best interaction are presented in Table 7. In addition, similar analysis by different method, which was performed using the NetMHCII, showed that the AsAPN-1 and AgAPN-1 have the similar processing and presentation capability by common MHC-II alleles in Iran (Table 6). It is very interesting that the number of presented peptides and high binder peptides are more for AsAPN-1 in comparison with AgAPN-1. Furthermore, the highest affinities among the evaluated peptides for different MHC-II alleles; which is presented by nano molar (nM); are related to the antigenic peptides of AsAPN-1.
Expression of the full length of AsAPN-1 using the baculovirus expression system
SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the recombinant His-tagged AsAPN-1 was produced as non-soluble intracellular molecules in SF9 cell line. The majority of recombinant AsAPN-1 was expressed in the form of inclusion bodies. Therefore, hybrid condition was selected for extraction of AsAPN-1 recombinant protein. The highest protein content was obtained in 96 h after P3 virus inoculation. The best MOI (number of applied viruses per cell) was three, and the best concentration of the heat-inactivated complement fetal bovine serum was 12%. The best temperature and pH for growth and infection of the cultured insect cells in this study were 27 °C and 6.3, respectively. The AsAPN-1 recombinant protein with 118.79 kD molecular weight was produced from the coding sequence of Asapn-1 gene in the SF9 cell line (Fig. 7a).
Purification of the recombinant AsAPN-1
One of the most important troubles in production of the recombinant AsAPN-1 was disinclination of protein for attachment to Ni-NTA column during purification process. Changing the temperature, increasing the incubation time with Ni-NTA beads, addition of 2-mercaptoethanol, and decreasing the concentration of imidazole did not solve the problem. Finally, this problem was solved by elevating the pH during incubation time with Ni-NTA beads to 8.5 (Fig. 7b).
Bioactivity assay of AsAPN-1
Bioactivity assay revealed that AsAPN-1 and positive control (Streptomyces griseus) had the same enzymatic activity in reaction with the specific substrate (l-leucine p-nitroanilide) and inhibitor (1,10-phenanthroline) of aminopeptidase enzymes. Enzymatic activity assay revealed that the amount of bioactivity of AsAPN-1 in comparison with the standard protein is 6 unit/μl. The details of bioactivity assay of AsAPN-1 and Streptomyces griseus in the presence of l-leucine p-nitroanilide and 1,10-phenanthroline is presented in (Fig. 8). Bioactivity assay showed that two proteins act on l-leucine p-nitroanilide as specific substrate and 1,10-phenanthroline inhibit their bioactivity on the substrate.
Complexity of Plasmodium spp. genome, different bio-evolution stages in the host and vector and antigenic variation for escaping from immune system, complicate the fight against malaria. Therefore, Anopheles spp. due to their behaviour and ability for malaria transmission, are one of the main targets for restricting this disease. Vaccines have been the primary objects to achieve this goal from previous years, but most of them have been designed based on parasite antigens . Few studies have been performed to find the critical molecules in the vector, which are essential for sexual parasite development, and few vector-based antigens have been introduced as promising candidates for vaccine development against malaria . Most of these molecules are considered as classical transmission-blocking vaccines, which are a category of VIMTs. According to the considerable results of AgAPN-1 as a TBV candidate for regions where An. gambiae is the main vector, AsAPN-1 was characterized in this study to provide the basic and necessary information for evaluating its potential role as a TBV candidate molecule in regions where An. stephensi plays the main role in malaria transmission.
According to the genomics results, the apn-1 gene in An. stephensi has four introns and five exons. This structure is very similar to its counterpart gene in An. gambiae and the length of their coding sequences has high similarity. With regard to the structure of several reported isoforms of apn gene in different insects, it could be concluded that the characterized gene is the correct isoform of agapn-1 in An. stephensi. Moreover, phylogenetic tree analysis of AsAPN-1and its comparison with some characterized APN proteins from other insects revealed that AsAPN-1 is located in the same branch with AgAPN-1. In addition, protein sequence alignment of the APN enzymes from the seven species of insects showed that the structural residues of their active sites are conserved, except the case that glutamic acid had been substituted with glutamine in AsAPN-1 at 186 position. Furthermore, involved residues in zinc binding motif are fully conserved. Another interesting point is peptide 9, a small protective peptide against Plasmodium spp. infection which has more than 50% similarity among the aligned sequences (Fig. 2). This fact is important for designing a universal VIMT to be applicable in different endemic malaria regions.
According to the predicted model and hydrophobicity analysis and acquired scores, it is predicted that AsAPN-1 would be a good antigen. In addition, it is interesting that peptide 9 is located in the surface of the protein and available for immune system recognition (Fig. 6a–c). These results and this level of accessibility are in accordance with the considered role for peptide 9 in sexual parasite development in the mosquito midgut.
Performed studies on the antigenicity of peptides according to the MHC presented type have shown that the longer peptides (10–15 residues) induce stronger CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell immunity responses in immunized hosts and are more efficient and stable than the shorter peptides . For instance, Ekeruche-Makinde et al. observed that the outcome of T-cell receptor/MHC interaction is dependent on the peptide length and the sequence identity of the MHC-bound peptide . Immunoinformatics analysis showed that the length of the in silico predicted antigenic peptides are almost 9–14 residues and it is expected that the processing and presenting of AsAPN-1 on MHC-II groove be done well in antigen processing cells of immune system. Among the predicted antigenic peptides of AsAPN-1, there are only one fragments that their lengths are 27 residues and these results propose a good presentation of AsAPN-1 to immune system (Table 5). Therefore, peptides might not be able to bind the MHC groove in suitable and effective form. It is interesting that peptide 9, which was identified and confirmed by Dinglasan et al. as the shortest and best protective peptide in the experimental assays, acquired good scores for presenting with the common MHC-II alleles in Iran .
Genetic diversity of the MHC plays an central role in antigen recognition and strength of immune responses . Each individual has specific alleles which may be different in distinct geographical regions . Therefore, for designing an effective recombinant immunogenic vaccine, considering and evaluating the prevalence of an allele in the target area is crucial . Draheim et al. study disclosed that the presentation of malaria antigen by MHC-II on dendritic cell is particularly important in induction of an effective immune response . According to the in silico analysis, it is predicted that nine antigenic peptides have the best scores for perfect processing and presentation ability with the DQA10102-DQB10602 and DR B1 alleles and those could be considered as candidates for developing a recombinant subunit vaccine (Additional file 3) . A study on Fula ethnic group (the largest ethnic groups in the Sahel and West Africa) showed that the presented antigens by DQA-DQB are associated with the higher levels of antibody production . With regard to the geographical location and ethnic genome polymorphisms, prediction of the immune response before any laboratory analysis is critical. Herein, HLA-DRB1 allele which is common among the Caucasian and sub-Saharan African populations and has been evaluated in the Dinglasan et al. study, has the best predicted binding efficiency in comparison to the other examined MHC alleles in our analysis. Furthermore, analysis using pyDockWEB and NetMHCII revealed that AsAPN-1 is well processed and presented by the common MHC-II alleles in Iran and potentially could be a suitable candidate molecule for vaccine development. In addition, NetMHCII scores and statistical data revealed that AsAPN-1 is better processed and presented by DP, DQ and DR alleles in comparison with AgAPN-1. With regard to the presence of An. stephensi in Iran and neighbouring countries and the frequency of the mentioned alleles in this region, this seems that there is a natural adaptation between the target antigen and immune system.
For achieving the best functional and native structure of the recombinant protein, it is necessary to evaluate the occurrence of PTM such as glycosylation, especially in vaccine candidate molecules. These modifications are highly sequence specific and dependent to the arrangement of residues in the primary structure of proteins . Results of the PTM prediction revealed that AsAPN-1 could be modified by glycosylation at three residues in V2, N148, and N589 positions. It is noticeable that two of them have been located in N-terminal of AsAPN-1 and it should be considered that peptide 9, which is the best and short protective epitope in the Dinglasan et al. study, has been located in N-terminal region. Therefore, suitable host must be selected for recombinant expression of the target protein according to the predicted PTMs.
Antigen stability is an important determining factor for potency and efficacy of a vaccine candidate molecule. Variation in antigenic epitopes of a protein would not lead to the production of effective neutralizing antibodies by immune system. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the structurally stable antigens in the process of vaccine design. In silico analysis of the present study revealed that our target protein has a stable and rigid structure, which is suitable for recombinant antigen production except the first and second residues which are located in the N- terminal region and have variable structure. It is predicted that there are three variable regions in the C-terminal region. Therefore, according to this point and the results of Dinglasan et al. it is reasonable to consider N-terminal part, including peptide 9, for developing an efficient vaccine. Additionally, this location is represented by the most common MHC-II alleles in the selected area in this study and possibly other neighbor countries in the Middle East region. In addition, several previous investigations evaluated the protection efficacy of different segments of AgAPN1 . According to the findings of Dinglasan et al. residues at positions 758 and 821 are the ookinete attachment sites that their blocking with antibodies could be resulted in inhibition of the sexual P. falciparum development in the mosquito midgut . Moreover, based on the performed peptide mapping by Armistead et al., it was found that the produced antibodies against the peptide 9 have the best inhibitory effects on ookinete attachment. In another study, Atkinson et al. performed peptide mapping which showed that the size of epitopes were 60 to 200 amino acids long. Their study revealed that some peptides, despite are on the surface, did not have the suitable performance, and only peptide 9, which has been located at residues 173-194, had the perfect inhibitory feature. According to our predictions, the 3D structure of these regions is identical to the reference molecule and those could be considered for an efficient regional VIMT development.
In addition, similar bioactivity of the recombinant AsAPN-1 and recombinant aminopeptidase enzyme of Streptomyces griseus (as standard) on specific substrate and the same inhibitory effect of 1,10-phenanthroline on enzymatic activity of them suggest that these two proteins are belonged to a same enzyme super-family. These data confirm the performed structural analysis on AsAPN-1 and show that AsAPN-1 is belong to the aminopeptidase superfamily.
The importance of VIMTs and efficient ookinete-blocking activity of the antibodies produced against AgAPN-1, AsAPN-1 as its counterpart in An. stephensi was characterized in this study. Structural in silico analysis revealed that the critical residues in AsAPN-1 have very close similar topology with their counterparts in AgAPN-1, especially in peptide 9. Moreover, biological activity assay with specific substrate and inhibitor confirmed that the characterized protein (AsAPN-1) is related to the aminopeptidase superfamily and confirms the in silico structural analysis and docking results with specific inhibitor. These findings are hopeful for the future steps and pave the road for designing a new vector-based VIMT for countries that An. stephensi is the main malaria vector. However, there is a black box regarding the distance between the peptide-9 and ookinete attachment site in AgAPN-1 and AsAPN-1 and their relation in structure that needs to be answered in the future studies: how the produced polyclonal antibodies against the peptide-9 could inhibit sexual parasite development while the ookinete attachment site has been located in another and distinctive domain?
Availability of data and materials
The sequences which obtained and/or analysed during the current study were deposited in the GenBank database under the accession numbers (1985952) for 5ʹgenome walking, (1990583) for 3ʹRACE and (2017959) for full length of the Asapn-1 gene. All the other related data are included in the article.
Vaccines that interrupt malaria transmission
An. gambiae, aminopeptidase N-1
An. stephensi aminopeptidase N-1
Carboxy peptidase B1
Pasteur Institute of Iran
Malaria and Vector Research Group
Polymerase chain reaction
Support vector machines
Alpha carbon root-mean-square deviation
Major histocompatibility complex II
AgAPN-1 PDB accession Number
Post translation modifications
Qualitative model energy analysis
Global model quality estimation
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We thank our colleagues in MVRG, National Insectary of Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Biotechnology Research Centre (BRC), and Research Development Center, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, for their continuous supports during the performing of this project.
This project has been funded by the educational office of PII to Javad Dadgar Pakdel and Fund No 707 to NDD from Research Office.
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Dadgar Pakdel, J., Zakeri, S., Raz, A. et al. Identification, molecular characterization and expression of aminopeptidase N-1 (APN-1) from Anopheles stephensi in SF9 cell line as a candidate molecule for developing a vaccine that interrupt malaria transmission. Malar J 19, 79 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-020-03154-3
- Anopheles stephensi
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Prof. Alan Dershowitz has gotten a lot of media attention lately for his claims that Special Prosecutor Angela Corey ought to be criminally prosecuted for her actions so far in the prosecution of George Zimmerman. Specifically, Dershowitz believes that the Affidavit of Probable Cause that was filed in support of the State’s Motion for Pretrial Detention on April 12, 2012, was “a crime.” In the Fox News interview where he made the comments, Dershowitz went so far as to suggest that Special Prosecutor Angela Corey ought to be hiring a lawyer to defend herself from potential criminal charges.
But Dershowitz’s claims are, to put it simply, completely wrong. His overblown accusations of criminal conduct on behalf of the prosecutors are not supported by the law, and there is absolutely no basis under which anyone could be charged with wrongdoing due to the specific acts that Dershowitz complains of. Dershowitz does not even attempt to identify any specific statutes or rules which may have been violated by the prosecutors. Instead, rather than providing any actual explanations, his accusations of criminal conduct are based on nothing more than a few empty declarations to the effect that “this is the justice system” and “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
Which sounds nice and everything, but making broad statements about principles is not the same as actually providing support for a specific claim. It is more along the lines of a cheap rhetorical trick than a legal argument.
Dershowitz’s Fox News interview was devoid of any intellectual content; unsurprising, perhaps, given the context — this was a primetime news network interview, not a law review article — but many commentators are parroting the claims he made as if they were asserted by Dershowitz-the-legal-scholar, rather than Dershowitz-the-conservative-news-show-pundit. I am reasonably confident that Dershowitz would never put in an academic article many of those same claims that he was willing to say on national TV. Although to be fair, even in the interview, Dershowitz did try to carefully qualify some of his more unsupported assertions — he had to have known that what he was claiming, left unqualified, was bordering on the ridiculous. But unfortunately, the careful nuance Dershowitz did include has been uniformly ignored, while his aggressive and unsupportable soundbites have been repeated a hundred times over.
So, what did Dershowitz get wrong? To start with, Dershowitz seems to be speaking out of a feigned ignorance for criminal law in general, as well as a complete ignorance for the specific Rules of Criminal Procedure enacted by the state of Florida. The prosecution’s handling of the initial pretrial detention hearing, along with the Affidavit of Probable Cause that Dershowitz calls “a crime,” was completely and utterly routine; the State was doing the same thing it does every day, for all of the defendants it charges with crimes, in all of the cases it handles.
The particular affidavit that Dershowitz ascribes so much profound significance to is in fact of little procedural significance and absolutely no substantive significance, and the prosecution is not required to do any of the things Dershowitz suggests in his interview. To clarify, an Affidavit of Probable Cause, submitted in conjunction with a pretrial probable cause determination under Rule 3.133 of the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure: (1) is not a formal charge; (2) is not subject to normal evidentiary rules or standards; and (3) is not used to disclose the State’s case against the accused, and as a routine matter the State attempts to provide as little of the State’s evidence as possible in such affidavits, providing only what is necessary to demonstrate probable cause.
Simply put, “[a] preliminary hearing is for the purpose of determining if probable cause exists to hold one accused of a crime for trial. Such a hearing is not a critical stage in the proceedings.” Anderson v. State, 241 So. 2d 390, 392-93 (Fla. 1970). At these initial hearings, “the strict rules of evidence are not enforced … and no formal charges are existing or filed against the defendant. The whole proceedings partake of the nature of an inquiry and, outside of being conducted by a magistrate (perhaps in a court house), bears little or no resemblance to a trial.” Davis v. State, 65 So. 2d 307, 308 (Fla. 1953).
Contrary to Dershowitz’s unsupported claims, it is expected, normal, and proper for everything but the bare bones case for probable cause to be left out of a probable cause affidavit, whether it be in support of a warrant or a pretrial preliminary hearing. See Perry v. State, 842 So. 2d 301, 303 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2003) (“Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.133(a)(3) states that … the court should apply the same standard as is required for issuing an arrest warrant.”). The Probable Cause Affidavit filed against Zimmerman is in no manner unique or somehow lacking, as compared to the probable cause affidavits filed in every other criminal manner. In any matter where more than a modicum of investigation has been done, such affidavits essentially never include the State’s full case against the accused. So if Dershowitz was right about the State’s requirements in filing such an affidavit, it is not just Angela Corey that ought to be looking for an attorney; every prosecutor in the U.S. ought to be doing the same as well.
But of course that is not how it works. True, if the prosecution had put any fabrications in the Affidavit of Probable Cause, there would be a very real problem. But Dershowitz is not actually claiming that occurred — although he alludes to the existence of such fabrications or misstatements, i.e., announcing “you don’t indict based on false information,” his actual claims of prosecutorial wrongdoing focus on omissions from the affidavit only.
But the State is not, under any possible interpretation of the law, required to include all potentially exculpatory evidence at the initial pretrial probable cause hearing. The Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure are specifically geared towards a system where such pretrial detention hearings are brief, cursory, and exist only to establish probable cause prior to the court setting bail for an accused. These hearings are not intended to be anything more strenuous, and if the State was required to produce every scrap of evidence in a case within 24 hours of making an arrest — which, in a case like Zimmerman’s, is the amount of time provided after an arrest before the pretrial hearing must occur — the whole system would quickly break down. For most homicide cases where the accused is apprehended at the scene of the crime, by the time the probable cause hearing occurs the investigation is less than 24 hours old, and the investigators have only the bare bones of a case thrown together, if that.
So while the existence of misstatements or fabrications in a pretrial affidavit would definitely be a problem, the failure to give “the whole truth” in such an affidavit is a routine and unobjectionable matter:
“[M]isstatements are fundamentally a different problem than omissions. Some omissions may be ‘intentional’ but also reasonable in the sense that they exclude material police in good faith believed to be marginal, extraneous, or cumulative. Such an exclusion is a valid and necessary part of the warrant process. Moreover, some omitted information is simply overlooked in the exigencies of the moment without intent to deceive or recklessness with respect to the truth. The State and the defense reasonably may disagree as to the import and effect of the large amount of information that necessarily will be omitted in the warrant process, since police routinely collect far more information than goes into the affidavit.” Johnson v. State, 660 So.2d 648 (Fl. 1995).
Omissions are only a potential issue where the state has withheld information that can absolutely defeat probable cause; evidence that is inconclusive, even if arguably supportive of claims that the accused may raise at trial, is not required to be included. It is not a 4th Amendment violation, or any other kind of violation, to leave out exculpatory but immaterial evidence from a probable cause affidavit. Exculpatory evidence is only considered material where the State can be presumed to have omitted such information because it knew that, were that evidence brought to light, probable cause would be destroyed. As Florida case law has held, “[t]he omitted facts are only material if there is a substantial possibility that had the magistrate been aware of the omission he would not have found sufficient probable cause for issuance of a warrant.” State v. Van Pieterson, 550 So.2d 1162 (Fla. 1st DCA 1989). See also Johnson, 660 So.2d 648 (finding that omissions in a probable cause affidavit can only amount to a constitutional violation where “[(1)] the omitted material, if added to the affidavit, would have defeated probable cause, and (2) … the omission resulted from intentional or reckless police conduct that amounts to deception.”).
So the next question is, were the omissions from the Affidavit of Probable Cause that Dershowitz objected to “material”?
Dershowitz’s first argument for why the affidavit was “a crime” is that it does not include the cellphone captured photo of Zimmerman’s head that was taken in the minutes following the shooting. Dershowitz states that “if [Prosecutor Corey] in fact knew about ABS News’ pictures of the bloody head of Zimmerman and failed to include that in the affidavit, this affidavit is not the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” But the omission of this photo is about as ridiculously far from a material omission as it gets, for the following two reasons:
1. The prosecution does not appear to have seen the photo until eight days after the affidavit was submitted to the court. The Affidavit of Probable Cause was submitted to the court on April 12th, and was executed the day before on April 11th. The ABC News photograph of Zimmerman’s head was not released until the day of Zimmerman’s bond hearing, on April 20th. The photograph was taken on a cellphone by a friend or neighbor of Zimmerman’s, and there is nothing suggesting that the photo was released to investigators before it was given to ABC News.
2. Even if the prosecution did have the ABC News photo, there is absolutely no requirement that the photo be included in the Affidavit of Probable Cause. The photo Dershowitz harps on will likely be important at later stages of proceedings, but it is basically irrelevant as far as probable cause goes. The ABC News video shows that Zimmerman had blood on the back of his head after he shot Trayvon Martin. As the first police officer to respond to the scene had clearly noted in his report that he observed blood on the back of Zimmerman’s head, this is not evidence of previously undisclosed facts. It is further evidence in support of previously asserted facts. Moreover, there is nothing inherently shocking or probative about the fact that someone who was part of a hand-to-hand struggle, for over a minute, would be bleeding from a wound.
Zimmerman could easily have more extensive injuries than what is shown in the ABC News photo, so the photograph is not dispositive evidence that such injuries do not exist. However, the photo itself does not show the existence of life threatening injuries, let alone anything that could destroy probable cause. It just shows that Zimmerman was injured in a fight. Zimmerman being injured in a fight is not in any way inconsistent either with the State’s theory of the case or with the charges that have been brought against him, and therefore, even had the prosecution actually had the photo in their possession on April 12th, there was absolutely no purpose or reason for including it in the affidavit.
Not a single exhibit was attached to the Affidavit of Probable Cause. Nevertheless, Dershowitz has apparently decided it is “a crime” that this particular photo did not get included — even though there was no inculpatory documentation included either. Unsurprisingly, Dershowitz offers absolutely no legal authority to support his claim of criminal wrongdoing in this instance, because no such authority exists.
Dershowitz’s second argument for why the affidavit is a crime is that it fails to “describ[e] the fact there is evidence that during the struggle, Martin may have been on top, Zimmerman on bottom.” This too is a baseless assertion, because such evidence — even if it were somehow a confirmed fact rather than yet another version of already conflicting witness accounts — would also not defeat probable cause.
But this omitted “fact” is not a fact at all. True, hearsay evidence is permitted at a pretrial detention hearing (so long as it is not the exclusive evidence), so theoretically evidence that Zimmerman was pinned by Trayvon could be admissible at this stage. However, the evidence that supports that theory comes from two sources — from Zimmerman himself and from the confused and contradictory reports of the six 911 callers. Zimmerman’s own testimony is obviously insufficient to defeat probable cause, or else we’d never be able to lock up any defendant. And the 911 callers’ testimony cannot possibly be said to defeat probable cause either, as the omission of a witness’s testimony that is contradicted by other witness’s testimony is not a material omission. That is, the fact that one out of six 911 callers saw Trayvon on top of Zimmerman does not eliminate a finding of probable cause, because it is only one possible testimony out of six available testimonies, the comparative veracity of which cannot be determined at this time.
Again: it is ridiculous to claim that it is criminal misconduct for a pretrial probable cause affidavit not to include to the specific details of every available witness’s statement about the incident. Of those six calls, some can be interpreted to support Zimmerman, some to inculpate him, and others to show only that the callers were completely confused. Instead of reciting the specifics of each witness’s testimony, the affidavit of probable cause summarizes them all into an accurate but unspecific summary: “witnesses heard arguing and then a struggle.” The fact the specific testimony of each one was not included does not make the omission “material” in any respect, as the pro-Zimmerman witnesses are balanced out by the ones that support a finding of his guilt.
So, in conclusion, while I have tried to explain in this post why Dershowitz’s allegations of criminal misconduct are legally incorrect, I probably did not need to spend half so long in doing so — because, after all, Dershowitz has not made any attempt to actually defend his claims on legal grounds. Which is fine, because Dershowitz was speaking on Fox News as a commentator, not a legal expert — he was giving a statement of his beliefs about the equities of the situation, not his analysis of the law. The problem is that a lot of people appear to have taken Dershowitz’s comments as a pronouncement on Florida criminal procedure — when in fact he was not addressing anything of the sort.
Update, 6/8/12: A few days ago, Dershowitz wrote an article stating that Angela Corey called the Harvard Law School and spoke to the Office of Communications, where she “proceeded to engage in a 40-minute rant, during which she threatened to sue Harvard Law School, to try to get [Dershowitz] disciplined by the Bar Association and to file charges against [him] for libel and slander.”
Making such a call was both unprofessional and ill-advised on Corey’s part, no matter what discussion occurred, but I am somewhat skeptical of Dershowitz’s account of the incident. Not only was the call related to him by a third-party, leaving room for confusion over what she actually said, Dershowitz’s article lets his own petulant streak shine through, littering his claims with snide jabs such as “[s]he persisted in her nonstop whining” and “[s]he should go back to law school.”
But even though Corey was wrong in making the call, it does not change the fact that Dershowitz’s own credibility and judgment ought to be under scrutiny for his decision to double down on his false accusations against Corey. Dershowitz steadfastly refuses to provide any supporting evidence for his legal claims. In contrast, the only Florida criminal attorney I’ve seen that has spoken on the matter has stated that Corey’s actions are fully permitted under Florida law. It is, unfortunately, not from a totally unbiased source, but it is still the opinion of an actual practitioner, which is more than Dershowitz has provided:
Richard Kuritz, a former prosecutor who worked with Corey but now works as a defense lawyer, supported her position. Kuritz said Corey had no obligation to include exculpatory evidence in the affidavit.
Kuritz said some of the public that once praised her for arresting Zimmerman has now turned on her as evidence that may support the defense, as there is in most cases, is being made public.
“The only reason Dershowitz has an argument to make is because she’s doing everything ethically she’s supposed to do: She’s turning over the evidence she’s supposed to,” Kuritz said.
Dershowitz’s accusations about Corey “misleading” the judge are even less believable in such a high profile case as this one, as information regarding what evidence investigators did or did not find is all over the media. The judge was not oblivious to the facts that existed outside of the probable cause affidavit — indeed, the only reason Dershowitz knows about the facts that he alleges were “perjuriously omitted” is because they have been made publicly known. The judge was hardly unaware of them, although as they were irrelevant to the probable cause hearing, such extraneous information would not play much of a role in the judge’s decision making process.
Dershowitz has still failed to cite to even a single court decision, Florida rule of criminal procedure, or rule of professional conduct that would support his claims of prosecutorial misconduct. Instead, Dershowitz continues to engage in overblown grandstanding (“If Angela Corey doesn’t like the way freedom of expression operates in the United States, there are plenty of countries where truthful criticism of prosecutors and other government officials result in disbarment, defamation suits and even criminal charges.”) and false equivalencies (“The prisons, both in Florida and throughout the United States, are filled with felons who submitted sworn statements that contained misleading half truths.”). His attempt to equate Corey’s conduct with Zimmerman’s is particularly thin:
Ironically, Corey has now succeeded in putting Zimmerman back in prison for a comparably misleading omission in his testimony. His failure to disclose money received from a PayPal account requesting donations for his legal defense made his testimony misleadingly incomplete.
In her motion to revoke his bail, Corey argued that Zimmerman “intentionally deceived the court” by making “false representations.” The same can be said about prosecutor Corey. She too misled and deceived the court by submitting an affidavit that relied on a review of photographs and other reports that showed injuries to Zimmerman, without disclosing the existence of these highly relevant injuries.
Conspiring to make false claims to a judge for your own material benefit has absolutely nothing in common with failing to include the entirety of available evidence in a probable cause affidavit. Zimmerman did not give “misleadingly incomplete” testimony. Instead, he conspired with his wife to make false representations to the court, regarding the only material questions that are at issue at a bond hearing, which is the accused’s ability to pay and his risk of flight.
In contrast, the probable cause affidavit does not make any claim that would contradict the fact that Zimmerman had injuries when he was arrested. It also plainly notes that
[t]he facts mentioned in this affidavit are not a complete recitation of all the pertinent facts and evidence in the case but only are presented for a determination of Probable Cause for Second Degree Murder.
The probable cause affidavit did not speak of Zimmerman’s injuries for the obvious reason that it was a two-page summary of a case in which a simple review of the available data would easily requires hundreds of pages. There are thousands of things omitted in the probable cause affidavit — so why is Dershowitz focusing solely on the fact Zimmerman’s injuries were not mentioned? The probable cause affidavit provides that “a struggle ensued” and that witnesses heard “what sounded like a struggle.” As such, evidence that Zimmerman had injuries consistent with having been a participant in an unarmed struggle is not material evidence, and is fully consistent with the prosecution’s affidavit. If Zimmerman started the altercation with Trayvon, as alleged in the prosecution’s case, Zimmerman’s injuries are entirely irrelevant — if you start a fight and then get your nose broken, you are not entitled to shoot the other person and then raise the justification of self-defense. So even had Zimmerman’s injuries been briefed in full, the determination of probable cause could not have been affected.
I would say that, before Dershowitz makes any further false accusations of criminal conduct, he ought to check into what the law actually provides for regarding what is required to be disclosed in a probable cause affidavit. Except I am sure Dershowitz already knows exactly what the law requires in this area — but is choosing to indulge in attention-seeking rhetorical nonsense instead of providing his actual legal analysis of the situation. | <urn:uuid:51a540c4-2c7a-490b-9138-789c6c16e9b0> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://viewfromll2.com/2012/04/29/why-alan-dershowitz-is-completely-wrong-about-the-zimmerman-case/?replytocom=5696 | 2020-10-26T07:00:05Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107890586.57/warc/CC-MAIN-20201026061044-20201026091044-00560.warc.gz | en | 0.968955 | 4,656 |
- Open Access
A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human free and bound kallikrein 9
Clinical Proteomics volume 14, Article number: 4 (2017)
Kallikrein 9 (KLK9) is a member of the human kallikrein-related peptidases family, whose physiological role and implications in disease processes remain unclear. The active form of the enzyme is predicted to have chymotryptic activity. In the present study, we produced for the first time the active recombinant protein and monoclonal antibodies, and developed novel immunoassays for the quantification of free and bound KLK9 in biological samples.
The coding sequence of mature KLK9 isoform (mat-KLK9) was expressed in an Expi293F mammalian system and the synthesized polypeptide was purified through a two-step protocol. The purified protein was used as an immunogen for production of monoclonal antibodies in mice. Hybridomas were further expanded and antibodies were purified. Newly-produced monoclonal antibodies were screened for reaction with the KLK9 recombinant protein by a state-of-the-art immunocapture/parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry-based methodology.
Anti-KLK9 antibodies were combined in pairs, resulting in the development of a highly sensitive (limit of detection: 15 pg/mL) and specific (no cross-reactivity with other KLKs) sandwich-type ELISA. Highest KLK9 protein levels were found in tonsil and sweat and lower levels in the heart, kidney and liver. Hybrid immunoassays using an anti-KLK9 antibody for antigen capture and various anti-serine protease inhibitor polyclonal antibodies, revealed the presence of an a1-antichymotrypsin-bound KLK9 isoform in biological samples.
The ELISAs for free and bound forms of KLK9 may be highly useful for the detection of KLK9 in a broad range of biological samples, thus enabling the clarification of KLK9 function and use as a potential disease biomarker.
Human tissue kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) constitute the largest family of secreted serine proteases, with diverse expression patterns and physiological roles . Aberrant KLK activity has been linked to various pathologies such as respiratory diseases, neurodegeneration, skin-barrier dysfunction and cancer. Thus, KLKs are attractive targets for novel therapeutics . The deregulation of KLKs at the gene and protein level has been associated with the hallmarks of cancer .
Human tissue kallikrein 9 (KLK9), which was originally identified as the KLK-L3 gene, spans an area of 7.1 kb on chromosome 19, flanked by the KLK8 and KLK10 genes . The full gene sequence (GenBank accession no. AF135026) contains five coding exons and the encoded KLK9 protein (UniProt accession: Q9UKQ9 (KLK9_HUMAN)) is predicted to be synthesized as a pre-pro-enzyme (1–250 amino acids) which is processed to the mat-KLK9 (lacking the signal peptide and the pro-segment) [4, 5].
According to previous RNA data, KLK9 was found to be expressed in a restricted number of tissues, including the salivary gland, ovary esophagus, tonsil and skin (http://www.proteinatlas.org/). Some recent data suggest that KLK9 may play an important biological role. In brief, the mRNA level of KLK9 expression has favorable prognostic value in ovarian and breast cancer , while elevated KLK9 expression levels were associated with higher grade gliomas . Further analysis of cancer cell lines revealed that KLK9 is constitutively expressed in breast, ovarian and lung cancer . Recent studies associate KLK9 expression patterns with non-malignant diseases, such as cardiac hypertrophy and hypertension-induced target organ damage psoriatic lesions and complications in asthma patients .
Based on the cited literature, we hypothesized that KLK9 may be involved in various pathologies and could be a disease biomarker of diagnosis/prognosis. These studies could benefit from a highly sensitive and specific KLK9 ELISA, which was not available until today.
In this study, we describe the production and characterization of mouse monoclonal antibodies against the mature KLK9 form (mat-KLK9) and the development of a highly sensitive and specific ELISA assay for the free monomer. We also developed an ELISA that measures the inhibitor-bound KLK9 form, through a hybrid assay that includes a1-antichymotrypsin antibodies. These assays were used to quantify free and bound forms of KLK9 in tissue extracts and biological fluids.
Production of recombinant KLK9 in the Expi293 transient mammalian expression system
The mature form of KLK9 (mat-KLK9) (aa 23–250) was expressed in the Expi293 mammalian protein expression system (ThermoFisher Scientific, Carlsbad, CA, USA). The expression plasmid pCDNA3.4, carrying the appropriate part of the KLK9 gene (pCDNA3.4-KLK9), in-frame with a mammalian IgK-chain secretion signal peptide (METDTLLLWVLLLWVPGSTG) was synthesized using Gene Art synthesis under optimal conditions (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA). The pCDNA3.4-KLK9 plasmid was amplified via transformation of E. coli One Shot™ TOP10 chemically competent cells according to the company’s instructions (Invitrogen). The plasmid was purified (PureLink™ HiPure Plasmid Midiprep Kit, Invitrogen) and the KLK9 sequence was further confirmed by DNA sequencing (ACGT Corp. Toronto, Canada).
The mat-KLK9 protein was expressed in suspension Expi293 cells according to the manufacturer’s instructions after optimization. Briefly, for each 30 mL small scale KLK9 expression, Expi293F™ cells were diluted in Expi293™ Expression medium to a final cell density of 3 × 106 cells/mL in 25.5 mL (125-mL flask). For the transfection of the Expi293F™ cells with pCDNA3.4-KLK9 plasmid: (1) 30 μg of the plasmid were diluted in Opti-MEM® I Reduced Serum Medium to a total volume of 1.5 mL, (2) 90 μL of ExpiFectamine™ 293 Reagent was diluted in Opti-MEM® I medium to a total volume of 1.5 mL and incubated for 5 min at room temperature, (3) The diluted DNA was added to the diluted ExpiFectamine™ 293 Reagent and the mixture was incubated for 20 min at room temperature, to allow the DNA-ExpiFectamine™ 293 Reagent complexes to form, (4) The 3 mL of the DNA-lipid complexes were added to each flask and the cells incubated at 37 °C in 8% CO2 air under 125 rpm shaking, (5) after 24 h incubation, a mixture of enhancers (150 μL of ExpiFectamine™ 293 Transfection Enhancer 1 and 1.5 mL of ExpiFectamine™ 293 Transfection Enhancer 2) were added to each flask (final volume: 30 mL). Media from each flask, containing the secreted KLK9 protein, were harvested at different time points (24, 48, 72 and 96 h post-transfection) and the KLK9 protein expression was verified by Western blot analysis using existing in-house KLK9 antibodies. Large scale protein expression was followed, and the media was harvested at 96 h post-transfection, concentrated 10× and stored at −80 °C until use. The yield was estimated by mat-KLK9 quantification using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) analysis (see below).
Purification of mat-KLK9
Mat-KLK9 was purified using a two-step purification protocol. Initially the KLK9 supernatant was diluted 3 times with the equilibration buffer (50 mM Tris–HCl, pH 9.0) and the protein was purified using the Akta FPLC system on a Mono Q™ 4.6/100 PE column (GE Healthcare, Life Sciences, Mississauga, ON, Canada). The conditions of the purification procedure were as follows: Equilibration buffer: 50 mM Tris–HCl (pH 9.0), elution buffer: 50 mM Tris–HCl (pH 9.0) + 1 M NaCl, flow rate: 2 mL/min, step-gradient of the elution buffer: 5% for 10 min, linear gradient: 5–40% for 44 min (fractions of 4 mL each were collected), step-gradient: 100% for 5 min. KLK9 was eluted using linear gradient of elution buffer at approximately 200 mM NaCl. To further purify KLK9 to homogeneity, reversed-phase HPLC was used as a second purification step. KLK9-containing fractions were combined, diluted to 1% (v/v) TFA and loaded onto a Viva C4 column (5 μm, 50 × 4.6 mm, Restek, USA). The following multi-step gradient elution (0.1% trifluoroacetic acid and 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in 90% acetonitrile) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min was used: linear gradient (10–40% acetonitrile for 5 min), 40% acetonitrile for 10 min, linear gradient (40–50% for 20 min), linear gradient (50–80% acetonitrile for 5 min), 80% for 5 min and linear gradient (80–10% acetonitrile for 2 min). KLK9 was eluted at approximately 40–50% acetonitrile. The presence and the identity of the purified KLK9 in the positive fractions (after acetonitrile evaporation) was confirmed by Western blotting and SRM analysis (see below). The protein purity was verified by silver and Coomassie-staining.
SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analyses of KLK9
SDS-PAGE was performed using 4–12% gradient polyacrylamide gels at 200 V for 45 min (BIO-RAD). Gels were either stained using the silver staining kit (PlusOne Silver staining protein kit, GE Healthcare) or with Biosafe Coomassie staining (Invitrogen). For the Western blot analysis, a Trans-Blot Turbo Transfer Starter system (BIO-RAD) was used. Briefly, after transfer, the PVDF membranes were blocked in 5% milk for 2 h and further incubated with the in-house primary anti-KLK9 mouse monoclonal antibody in 1% milk (1/500 dilution) for 2 h. Next, membranes were washed 4 times with Tris-buffered saline, 0.1% Tween-20 (TBST) and further incubated with peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG antibody (1/10,000) for 45 min at room temperature. After 4 times washing with TBST, membranes were incubated with ECL Western blotting detection reagents (GE Healthcare) and exposed to X-ray film.
Selected reaction monitoring (SRM) analysis of KLK9
Ten µg of total protein were aliquoted from a crude KLK9-secreting Expi293 cell culture supernatant, as well as from purified fractions. Samples were initially mixed with 50 mM ammonium bicarbonate (ABC) and 10 mM dithiothreitol (DTT). Following the addition of a heavy-labeled KLK9 peptide (2500 fmol for the crude supernatant and 600 fmol for the purified KLK9, respectively), samples were incubated at 60 °C for 30 min. Subsequently, 20 mM iodoacetamide (IAA) were added and samples were left in the dark for 1 h at RT. Proteins were then digested overnight at 37 °C using trypsin from porcine pancreas (Sigma, T6567-5X, USA) at 1:30 ratio (trypsin: total protein). Trypsin inactivation was accomplished with the addition of TFA at a final concentration 1% (v/v). Peptides were extracted using C18 Bond Elut OMIX tips (Agilent Technologies, Mississauga, ON, Canada) and eluted in 5 µL of 65% acetonitrile in 0.1% formic acid. Finally, eluates were further diluted to 60 μL with 0.1% formic acid. Using a 96-well microplate autosampler on an Eksigent ekspert NanoLC 425 system, 18 μL of each sample were loaded onto a 15 cm long 3 μm particle C18 analytical column (i.d. 75 μm) with an 8 μm tip (New Objective, Woburn, MA, USA). The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid in water (buffer A) and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (buffer B). Peptides were separated with a 22 min gradient elution at a flow rate of 350 nL/min. The gradient started with 1% buffer B and ramped to 14% buffer B over 1 min, followed by an increase to 40% buffer B over the next 11 min. The gradient then ramped further to 65% buffer B over 2 min before it reached 100% within 1 min and was kept at that concentration for 7 min. The nano-pump was coupled online to a 6500 QTRAP 6500 quadrupole-ion trap mass spectrometer (AB Sciex, Concord, ON, Canada) equipped with a NanoSpray III source and a PhotoSpray ionization source. Declustering and entrance potentials were set to 150 and 10 V, respectively. Resolutions for both the first quadrupole and the ion trap were set to “unit” [0.7 Da Full Width at half maximum (FWHM)]. In order to exclude possible interferences, to ensure correct identity of each peak and to achieve absolute quantification of the protein, a heavy isotope-labeled peptide internal standard with a quantifying tag was synthesized for KLK9 (SpikeTides™_TQL, JPT Peptide Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany). For the SRM method, 4 transitions of (+3) precursor ion VTDFFPHPGFNK and its heavy-labelled counterpart were monitored (Additional file 1: Table S1). For each transition, scan time was set to 30 ms, while retention time was 12.1 min. Absolute quantification of the recombinant protein was achieved by comparing the peak area of the chromatographic peak of the endogenous peptide (VTDFFPHPGFNK) to the corresponding internal standard in each sample. Results were evaluated using the Skyline software (Mac Coss Lab Software, Seattle, WA, USA).
Monoclonal antibody production in mice
Female BALB/c mice were purchased from Jackson laboratories via the Toronto Centre for Phenogenomics (TCP). All animal research was approved by the TCP Animal Care Committee. Mice were injected subcutaneously with 100 μg of mat-KLK9 protein, mixed (1:1) with Sigma Adjuvant System (Sigma-Aldrich). Two subsequent booster injections with 25 μg of antigen in adjuvant were performed at 3-week intervals. Final boost was an intraperitoneal injection of 25 μg of antigen in phosphate-buffered saline (137 mM NaCl, 2.7 mM KCl, 10 mM Na2HPO4, 1.8 mM KH2PO4). Three days later, the mouse spleen was excised aseptically and homogenized. Extracted spleen cells were fused with NSO murine myeloma cells (5:1 ratio) using polyethylene glycol (Sigma-Aldrich). Successfully fused cells were selected using HAT media (Invitrogen), supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (Hyclone, Thermo-Fisher Scientific, Waltman, MA, USA).
Screening for immunogen-reacting clones by an IgG capture ELISA
White polystyrene 96-well microtiter plates were coated with 500 ng/well of sheep anti-mouse IgG, Fcγ fragment-specific antibody (Jackson ImmunoResearch, West Grove, PA, USA) in 50 mM Tris buffer (pH 7.8). Plates were washed 3 times with 0.05% Tween 20 in 20 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl (pH 7.4). Cell culture supernatants of hybridoma cells diluted twofold in a solution containing 10 g/L BSA in 50 mM Tris (pH 7.8) were added to the plates and incubated for 2 h at RT with gentle shaking. Plates were then washed 3 times with the washing buffer. Five nanograms of biotinylated mat-KLK9 in assay diluent were added into each well (100 μL/well) and incubated for 2 h at room temperature (RT) with gentle shaking. Plates were washed 3 times and alkaline phosphatase-conjugated streptavidin was added (100 μL per well). Incubation was for 20 min at RT with gentle shaking, followed by a final wash (6 times). Diflunisal phosphate (DFP) solution was prepared in substrate buffer (0.1 M NaCl, 1 mM MgCl2 in 0.1 M Tris, pH 9.1), added to the plate (100 μL per well) and incubated for 10 min at RT with gentle shaking. Subsequently, the developing solution (1 M Tris, 0.4 M NaOH, 2 mM TbCl3 and 3 mM EDTA) was added on top and mixed for 1 min. Time-resolved fluorescence was measured with the Wallac EnVision 2103 Multilabel Reader (Perkin Elmer), as previously described .
Expansion of hybridoma cell cultures and purification of anti-KLK9 monoclonal antibodies
Following the screening procedure, hybridoma cells were further grown and transferred in serum-free medium (CD-1 medium; Invitrogen), containing 8 mM l-glutamine. Supernatants were collected and purified using a Protein G column, according to the manufacturer’s protocol (GenScript, Piscataway NJ, USA). Culture supernatants were diluted two-fold with the binding buffer (20 mM NaH2PO4, 150 mM NaCl, pH 8.0) and loaded on the column. The column was then washed with the binding buffer and antibodies were eluted with 0.1 M glycine at pH 3.0.
Immunocapture-PRM screening for purified mouse antibodies against KLK9
500 ng of each purified monoclonal antibody were diluted in 100 μL of coating buffer (50 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.8), added in each well of a 96-well polystyrene microtiter plate and incubated overnight at RT. The plate was then washed three times with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The mat-KLK9 antigen (10 or 50 ng) was added to each well and was further diluted up to 100 μL with 1% (w/v) BSA in PBS buffer. Wells with no KLK9 antigen added, were used as negative controls. The plate was incubated for 2 h at room temperature with gentle shaking and was finally washed three times with PBS and three times with 50 mM ABC. The captured antigens were subsequently subjected to trypin digestion. 88 μL of ABC buffer (100 mM), and 10 μL of DTT (50 mM) were added in each well and incubated at room temperature for 30 min. After reduction, the samples were alkylated in the dark at room temperature for 1 h, by adding 10 μL of IAA (100 mM). Five hundred femtomoles of KLK9 heavy isotope-labeled peptides with a quantitation tag (SpikeTides™_TQL, JPT Peptide Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany) were added to all samples prior to trypsin digestion. Each sample was digested overnight by the addition of 5 μL of sequencing grade modified trypsin (0.05 μg/μL) in 50 mM ABC (trypsin from porcine pancreas, Sigma). Trifluoroacetic acid (1%) was finally added in each well to stop the reaction. Microextraction and desalting of peptides was performed with C18, as previously described .
Tryptic peptides were loaded onto a 3 cm long 5 μm particle C18 trap precolumn (i.d. 200 μm) via an EASY-nLC pump (Proxeon Biosystems, Odense, Denmark) at 8 μL/min before switching in- line with the gradient. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% of formic acid in water (buffer A) and 0.1% of formic acid in acetonitrile (buffer B). Peptides were separated on a 15 cm long 3 μm particle C18 analytical column (i.d. 75 μm) with an 8 μm tip (New Objective) with a 22 min gradient elution at a flow rate of 350 nL/min. The gradient started with 1% buffer B and ramped to 14% buffer B over 1 min, followed by an increase to 40% buffer B over the next 11 min. The gradient then ramped further to 65% buffer B over 2 min before it reached 100% within 1 min and was kept at that concentration for 7 min. The EASY-nLC system was coupled online to a Q Exactive Plus hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Berlin, Germany). The performance settings for the PRM method were the following: in-source collision induced dissociation was set to 3.0 eV, MS transitions in the orbitrap were acquired with 17,500 resolving power at 200 m/z, AGC target was set to 3 × 106 with a maximum injection time of 100 ms, the isolation window was set to 1.0 m/z and the normalized collision energy was set to 25. The performance of the nanoLC analytical column and the mass spectrometer were verified at the beginning of each day, and every six runs thought the day, by the analysis of a quality control solution of 1 fmol/μL BSA. Two KLK9 proteotypic peptides (WEGPEQLFR and LFCGATLISDR) were used for protein identification and one peptide (VTDFFPHPGFNK) was used for protein quantification. The absolute quantification of the protein was calculated by taking the area ratios of heavy to light peptides and correlated to the concentration of the heavy peptides spiked into each sample. The .raw files of PRM runs were recorded for each sample and were analyzed using Skyline Targeted Proteomics Environment v184.108.40.20682 (MacCoss Lab Software, Seattle, WA, USA) and the.csv files with peptide areas were extracted.
Development of a fluorometric KLK9 immunoassay
A sandwich type ELISA immunoassay was developed using mouse monoclonal antibodies as capture and biotinylated detection antibodies, respectively. White polystyrene microtiter plates were coated with 500 ng of mouse monoclonal anti-KLK9 antibody diluted in 50 mM Tris buffer (pH 7.8). The plate was incubated overnight at room temperature (RT) and the following day was washed 3 times with washing buffer (20 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% Tween-20, pH 7.4). KLK9 standards diluted in 6% BSA or samples were then added into each well (50 μL/well) along with 50 μL of assay Buffer A (60 g/L BSA, 25 mL/L normal mouse serum, 100 mL/L normal goat serum, and 10 g/L bovine IgG in 50 mM Tris, pH 7.8, 0.005% (v/v) Tween-20) and incubated for 2 h with shaking. The plates were washed 3 times and 100 μL of the detection mouse biotinylated anti-KLK9 antibody, diluted in Buffer A (0.2 μg/mL) was applied in each well and incubated for 1 h. After washing 3 times, 100 μL of alkaline phosphatase-conjugated streptavidin (SA-ALP) was added in the wells (diluted 1/20,000 in 6% BSA) and incubated for 15 min. After 6 times final washing, 100 μL of Diflunisal phosphate (DFP) diluted in substrate buffer, were added to each well and incubated for 10 min. 100 μL of developing solution were added, mixed for 1 min and the fluorescence was measured with the Wallac EnVision 2103 Multilabel Reader (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA).
Hybrid immunoassays using antibodies against KLK9 and common serine protease inhibitors
Microtiter plates were coated with 28ED436 anti-KLK9 antibody (500 ng) diluted in 50 mM Tris buffer (pH 7.8) and incubated overnight. On the following day, plates were washed 3 times and 100 µL of tissue extracts/fluids diluted in Buffer B (60 g/L BSA, 25 mL/L normal mouse serum, 100 mL/L normal goat serum, 10 g/L bovine IgG, 0.005% (v/v) Tween-20 in 50 mM Tris, pH 7.8, 0.5 M KCl) were added in each well, in a total of 4 duplicates, and incubated at RT (2 h). Subsequently, plates were washed 3 times and 100 µL of polyclonal antibodies against different serine protease inhibitors [αlpha-1-antitrypsin pAb (biot)(A1AT), antithrombin III pAb (biot)(ATBIII), a1-antichymotrypsin (serpinA3 rabbit Ab), alpha-2-antiplasmin Ab (A2AP) (Fitzgerald, Acton, MA, USA), prepared in Buffer B, were added to the plates. Additionally, an equal amount of the biotinylated anti-KLK9 antibody 4ED28.2 was added in additional identical wells as a control. After 1 h incubation, plates were washed 3 times. Due to limitations in the available detection Abs, we followed both fluorogenic and colorimetric detection procedures. In more detail, for the 3 biotinylated Abs (4ED28.2, anti-AIAT and anti-ATBIII) 100 μL of alkaline phosphatase-conjugated streptavidin (SA-ALP) prepared in 6% BSA was added in each white well and incubated for 15 min. Additionally, for the rabbit anti-SERPINA3 Ab, 100 µL of the ALP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG, diluted in Buffer B, were added in clear wells and incubated for 30 min at RT. Then, plates were washed 6 times and 100 μL of Diflunisal phosphate (DFP) solution, prepared in substrate buffer described above, were added into the plate (100 μL per well) and incubated for 10 min at RT with gentle shaking. Subsequently, the developing solution described above, was added on top and mixed for 1 min. Time-resolved fluorescence was measured with the Wallac EnVision 2103 Multilabel Reader (Perkin Elmer).
In the case of A2AP, 100 μL of HRP-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG (Fc Fraction; Jackson ImmunoResearch) (in 1% milk/PBST), were added to each clear well. Following a final wash (3 times), 100 μL of 3,3,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine substrate solution were added and plates were incubated for 15 min at 37 °C with gentle shaking. 50 μL of stop solution (2 M H2SO4) were added on top. Absorbance was measured with the Wallac EnVision 2103 Multilabel Reader (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA) at 450 nm, with a reference wavelength of 540 nm.
Biological fluids and tissue extracts
Our protocols for the analysis of human tissues and fluids have been approved by the Ethics Committee of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada. The following human tissues (fetal and adult) were used from different individuals; post-mortem. Lung, liver, kidney, heart, fat, uterus, pituitary, bone marrow, esophagus, colon, aorta, trachea, prostate, thymus, tonsil, pancreas, salivary gland, skin, stomach, small intestine, larynx, thyroid, breast, gallbladder. Tissue cytosolic extracts were prepared from snap-frozen tissues as described elsewhere [15, 16]. The supernatants representing the tissue extracts were collected and stored at −80 °C until use. The biological fluids used were: amniotic fluid of 18 weeks gestation, sweat (collected after strenuous exercise), breast milk, ascites from ovarian cancer, and synovial fluid. Fluids were stored at −20 °C until use.
Fractionation of biological samples by size exclusion chromatography
One normal tonsil cytosolic extract and one ascites fluid sample, obtained from an ovarian cancer patient, were loaded through a 500 µL loop on a silica-based TSKGEL G3000SW gel filtration column (60 cm × 7.5 mm ID), connected to an Agilent 1100 series HPLC system. The tonsil extract was diluted 2 times in a buffer containing 0.1 M NaH2PO4 and 0.1 M Na2SO4 (pH 6.8), while the ascites sample was diluted 10 times in the same buffer. Separation was accomplished during a 60 min run at a flow-rate of 0.5 mL/min. 1 mL fractions were collected throughout the run and were analyzed for the presence of free and ACT-bound KLK9 isoforms by ELISA, as described above.
Mat-KLK9 protein production, purification and mass spectrometric analysis
Mat-KLK9 expression after enhancer induction was verified by Western blot analysis using an anti-KLK9 mouse monoclonal antibody that was previously produced in-house. SRM analysis using a heavy-labeled peptide for protein quantification (Additional file 1: Table S1) showed that the Expi293-KLK9 cells reached a protein yield of ~10–11 mg/L, 96 h post-transfection. As depicted in Fig. 1, the expressed protein migrated around ~42 kDa, corresponding to the glycosylated KLK9 form. Upon deglycosylation by the PNGase F, the 42 kDa band migrated at ~25 kDa (data not shown). Large scale KLK9 expression and collection of the supernatant 96 h post-transfection, was then performed, to purify the produced mat-KLK9 (aa 23–250). The recombinant mat-KLK9 was purified using 2 steps: anion-exchange chromatography, followed by reversed-phase chromatography. The purity was assessed by Coomassie and silver staining SDS-PAGE (Fig. 1a). The identification and quantification of KLK9 in the different chromatographic fractions was confirmed by SRM analysis.
Production of mouse mAbs and screening against mat-KLK9 using immunocapture-PRM
Purified mat-KLK9 was injected into mice for the production of monoclonal antibodies by somatic cell fusion of murine splenocytes with murine myeloma cells. Eighteen hybridomas were positive after the initial round of screening and were further expanded in serum-free media. Purified IgGs were tested against mat-KLK9 protein by an immunocapture-PRM assay, according to which the 28ED436 mAb exhibited the highest binding signal for the antigen (Additional file 2: Figure S1A). We also tested 16 additional mouse monoclonal antibodies, generated by a previous in-house immunization and fusion by using a mammalian pro-KLK9 form (Additional file 2: Figure S1B). Two mAbs (4ED28.2 and MIGI EII), showed high reactivity against mat-KLK9, but still, the newly produced 28ED436 antibody showed the highest KLK9 binding signal (Additional file 2: Figure S1B). Repeatability of the immuno-PRM method and system stability were assessed for all monoclonal antibodies tested. Each sample was analyzed in duplicates and the variation of light/heavy peptide ratio was estimated <13% for antibodies of higher binding affinity (e.g. 4ED28.2: CV = 12%; 28ED436: CV = 6%). Additionally, the variation of the spiked heavy peptides’ total ion current across all samples was estimated <20%.
Development of KLK9 ELISA
The three aforementioned mAbs were tested in a mono–mono ELISA assay format against two different recombinant KLK9 forms, the mature KLK9 (mat-KLK9) (purified here) and a commercially available mammalian pro-KLK9 (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA). According to these results (Additional file 3: Figure S2), 28ED436 was chosen as the capture Ab and 4ED28.2 as the biotinylated detection antibody.
We tested this assay against the rest of the kallikreins (KLK1–KLK15), to exclude the possibility of cross-reaction. None of the other kallikreins showed measurable readings, even at concentrations of 1 mg/L (cross-reactivity: <0.05%). Next, the limit of blank (LOB) was estimated at 10 pg/mL (matrix was 6% BSA) and the limit of detection (LOD) was around 15 pg/mL (LOD = LOB + 1.64 * SD). Linearity was assessed by diluting mat-KLK9 in BSA and the assay was linear in the range 0.023–6 ng/mL with each point displaying adequate accuracy (Additional file 4: Figure S3A). Within-run (N = 10) and between-run (N = 10) imprecision was assessed over one and 7 different days, respectively. Within-run imprecision was <12% and between-run imprecision was <21% within the measurement range (Additional file 5: Table S4). The limit of quantification (LOQ) was equal to the KLK9 concentration with ≤15% CV (20 pg/mL). The stability of native KLK9 in sweat, as well as the recombinant protein’s (mat-KLK9) stability spiked in serum (5 ng/mL), were determined in a 7-day (d) experiment (d0 → d1 → d7), during which sample aliquots were stored at 4 °C, RT and −20 °C (Additional file 4: Figure S3B). KLK9 concentration in sweat was stable after 24 h in all cases. On day seven, the KLK9 concentration decreased at RT only, by about 40% (Additional file 4: Figure S3B). KLK9 concentration spiked in serum decreased by about 60% after 24 h incubation (d1) at all conditions and remained relatively stable at 7 days (Additional file 4: Figure S3C). The KLK9 rapid decrease in serum may be attributed to the formation of heterocomplexes between the added mat- KLK9 and endogenous serum serine protease inhibitors. This is supported by additional data of spiking recombinant KLK9 proteins in serum samples obtained from female and male individuals. The mat- and pro-KLK9 forms were spiked in serum samples (at final concentrations of 5 and 10 μg/L) and incubated for 1 h at RT. Recovery for mat-KLK9 ranged between 20 and 25%, while pro-KLK9 recovery was around 90–100% (Additional files 6, 7: Tables S2,3).
To further evaluate the low recovery of KLK9 in our assay and validate the hypothesis that mat-KLK9 could form heterocomplexes with the anti-chymotrypsin serpinA3 inhibitor, we spiked different amounts of the human recombinant serpinA3 inhibitor into a given constant concentration of mat-KLK9 and measured the KLK9 free monomer. A gradual decrease in the measured KLK9 concentrations was observed along with increasing amounts of spiked serpinA3 (Additional file 9: Figure S5), clearly indicating the interference of this spiked inhibitor with the free KLK9 ELISA.
Detection of KLK9 in tissue samples and biological fluids
Using the newly developed ELISA, KLK9 protein presence was examined in various human tissue extracts (Fig. 2). In general, KLK9 ELISA signal appeared to be low in all extracts, suggesting that KLK9 might not be synthesized in abundance. Higher KLK9 levels were observed in adult tissues, compared to the fetal ones, the most positive being tonsil, kidney, liver and heart (Fig. 2a). Among the examined biological fluids, KLK9 was detected in 2/10 sweat samples, whereas the rest of the fluids demonstrated low signal (Fig. 2b).
Detection of free and bound forms of KLK9 in biological samples
Based on our observation that mat-KLK9 had poor recovery in human serum, we sought for evidence that both free and bound forms of KLK9 exist in biological samples, similar to PSA and other proteinases. We set-up hybrid immunoassays in a mono-poly format, by using the anti-KLK9 mouse mAb 28ED436 for capture and commercially available polyclonal antibodies against several common serine protease inhibitors [such as α1-antitrypsin (A1AT), α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), antithrombin III (ATBIII), and α2-antiplasmin (A2AP)]. We tested two KLK9-positive sweat samples (sweat samples 14 and 15; Fig. 2b). The ELISA assay signals are shown in Additional file 8: Figure S4. Elevated signal in the two sweat samples was seen with the KLK9 ELISA but not with any of the 4 hybrid assays. In ovarian cancer ascites, the major form was KLK9 bound to a1-antichymotrypsin (see also below).
Detection of free and bound forms of KLK9 in fractionated biological samples
Two samples with detectable KLK9 (tonsil extract and ascites fluid), were subjected to gel filtration chromatography and fractions analyzed with two immunoassays (KLK9 ELISA and KLK9-ACT hybrid assay). For tonsil, KLK9 ELISA had maximum signal at 41 min elution time, corresponding to a molecular mass around 40 kDa (Fig. 3a). The KLK9-ACT ELISA gave no detectable signal in any of the fractions. For ascites fluid, KLK9 ELISA gave no signal, while maximum signal with the KLK9-ACT hybrid ELISA assay was seen at 31 min (corresponding to a molecular mass of ~100 kDa) (Fig. 3b). These data suggest that some biological fluids (tissue extracts, sweat) have predominantly free KLK9 (~40 kDa) while others (ascites) contain predominantly KLK9 bound to a1-antichymotrypsin.
Human kallikrein 9 (KLK9) is a serine protease and a member of the kallikrein family. Its physiological and pathophysiological roles have not as yet been elucidated. Some recent data suggest that KLK9 may play an important biological role. In brief, KLK9 gene expression was found to have favorable prognostic value in ovarian and breast cancer [6, 7], while elevated KLK9 expression levels were associated with higher grade gliomas . KLK9 gene expression has also been related to non-malignant diseases. Recent studies associate KLK9 expression patterns with cardiac hypertrophy and hypertension-induced target organ damage , psoriatic lesions and complications in asthma patients . In general, KLK9-related studies are still very few.
We previously produced KLK9 recombinant protein and anti-KLK9 monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies , which were used to develop an ELISA (mono-poly format), applied for screening a variety of biological samples . However, due to the assay’s poor sensitivity, there was still a need for improved analytical tools.
Here, mature, enzymatically active mat-KLK9 was produced in mammalian cells. The purified polypeptide was used for the production of new mouse monoclonal antibodies (Fig. 1). It has been previously shown that immunoaffinity and mass spectrometric methodologies can be combined for the effective screening of hybridoma supernatants against the native forms of antigens or for elucidation of antigens bound to mAbs of unknown specificity . In the present study, we utilized a mass spectrometer (Q-Exactive Plus) to design PRM experiments (Additional file 2: Figure S1) and rapidly screen the monoclonal antibodies [14, 19, 20]. A potential limitation of the current protocol is perhaps the inaccuracy of antigen quantification in some cases. In more detail, the structure of the formatted immunocomplex could cause incomplete trypsin digestion, due to occlusion of cleavage sites, and thus in inadequate MS analysis. Therefore, one should consider applying more stringent sample prep conditions, such as heating above 60 °C during the initial reduction step, or even adding an extra denaturing factor (e.g. Rapigest).
A newly produced mAb (28ED436) and a pre-existing one (4ED28.2) were paired to develop a sandwich-type ELISA (Additional file 3: Figure S2). The assay was highly sensitive (LOD: 15 pg/mL), thus meeting the demands for future clinical studies , as well as highly specific (cross-reactivity with all other KLKs: <0.05%). The estimated recovery of mat-KLK9 from human serum was low (~20–25%), whereas pro-KLK9 recovery was much higher (90–100%), suggesting a possible interaction of the active KLK9 enzyme with endogenous inhibitors (Additional files 6, 7: Table S2, 3). This speculation was strengthened by the observation that the titration of the serpinA3 inhibitor in mat-KLK9 solution interfere with the free KLK9 ELISA (Additional file 9: Figure S5).
Screening of human tissue samples revealed higher KLK9 levels in adult tissues compared to the fetal ones, predominantly in tonsil extracts and at lower levels in kidney, liver and heart (Fig. 2a). These findings are in good agreement with RNA expression data (http://www.proteinatlas.org/). Only two out of 10 sweat samples were moderately positive for KLK9 among the tested biological fluids (Fig. 2b). KLK9 signal was very low in the sera of healthy females and males, in accordance with previous studies . In light of the recovery experiments, we speculated that these findings could point to a significant binding of KLK9 by endogenous serum inhibitors [22–24]. The formation of these heterocomplexes could effectively mask KLK9 epitopes. This has been observed with many other kallikreins, including PSA [24, 26, 27].
We set up hybrid assays using one capture Ab (28ED436) and polyclonal Abs targeting the most common serine protease inhibitors, such as A1AT, serpinA3, ATBIII and A2AP. The KLK9–serpinA3 Ab combination gave the highest signal, compared to the rest of the inhibitors. This was not surprising, given that KLK9 is predicted to be a chymotryptic enzyme . Further screening of biological tissues and fluids, suggests that in some samples KLK9 is mostly present in its bound to ACT form (e.g. ascites) while in others (e.g. sweat) it is a free monomer. To strengthen our hypothesis, we sought for free and bound KLK9 forms in two biological samples (i.e. a tonsil homogenate and ascites fluid) which had been fractionated by size exclusion chromatography (Fig. 3). The results are suggestive of two distinct forms for KLK9 in each sample. In tonsil homogenate, which was only positive with the KLK9 assay, there is only one peak, appearing at ~40 kDa (Fig. 3a). In ovarian cancer ascites, that was positive only with the hybrid assay, there is only one 100 kDa form (Fig. 3b).
These data suggest that KLK9, like other kallikreins [29, 30] exists as a free active protease in tissues or fluids devoid of inhibitors (e.g. tonsil and sweat) or represents a pro-enzyme or an inactivated proteolytic form [31, 32]. Active KLK9 (mat-KLK9) also interacts with endogenous protease inhibitors in biological samples and more specifically, with a1-antichymotrypsin (ACT). In a similar manner, a1-antichymotrypsin binds to other chymotrypsin-like kallikreins, such as PSA and/or KLK7, in serum [31, 33]. Since the free/total PSA ratio in serum of prostate cancer patients is used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes , this could suggest a similar application of KLK9.
In summary, our newly developed tools for quantifying free and ACT-bound KLK9 with high sensitivity and specificity will facilitate further studies aiming to better define the role of KLK9 in health and disease.
The development of ELISAs for the accurate quantification of the free and bound to a1-antichymotrypsin KLK9 forms will be a valuable tool for the quantification of KLK9 in a broad range of biological samples in normal and diseased individuals. Our newly developed tools for quantifying free and ACT-bound KLK9 with high sensitivity and specificity will facilitate further studies aiming to better define the role of KLK9 in health and disease.
parallel reaction monitoring
selected reaction monitoring
sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
alkaline phosphatase-conjugated streptavidin
limit of blank
limit of detection
limit of quantification
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Kishi T, Soosaipillai A, Grass L, Little SP, et al. Development of an immunofluorometric assay and quantification of human kallikrein 7 in tissue extracts and biological fluids. Clin Chem. 2004;50:709–16.
Luo LY, Grass L, Howarth DJ, Thibault P, et al. Immunofluorometric assay of human kallikrein 10 and its identification in biological fluids and tissues. Clin Chem. 2001;47:237–46.
Christensson A, Bjork T, Nilsson O, Dahlen U, et al. Serum prostate specific antigen complexed to alpha 1-antichymotrypsin as an indicator of prostate cancer. J Urol. 1993;150:100–5.
PF and DK designed, performed, analyzed the experiments and wrote the paper. EPD contributed to the conception and design of the study and helped draft and revise the manuscript. AS assisted with the ELISA assays. SF contributed to the expression and purification experiments. TK designed the Immuno-PRM experiments. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
We thank Dr. Davor Brinc for helpful discussions and assistance with the protein purification experiments.
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Availability of data and materials
All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article (and its supplementary information files).
Consent for publication
All authors consent to the publication of this manuscript.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Analysis of human tissues and fluids was approved by the Ethics Committee of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
This work was supported by Mount Sinai Hospital.
Panagiota Filippou and Dimitrios Korbakis have contributed equally to this work
SRM assay parameters for KLK9 analysis.
Screening for KLK9 monoclonal antibodies by immunocapture-PRM. (A) Microtiter plates were coated with equal amounts of purified mAbs and incubated with 50 ng of mat-KLK9. Following Ag capture, the proteins in the wells were trypsin-digested and peptides were analyzed by a PRM assay. Results are depicted as KLK9 peptide intensity ratios (Light-to-Heavy, L/H) with bars representing the respective standard error. (B) Comparison of signals between the newly produced mAb 28ED436 and 16 previously developed mAbs against mat-KLK9. Trypsin digestion and PRM analysis were performed as in panel A. The three highest affinity antibodies were used for KLK9 ELISA development.
Testing mouse anti-KLK9 mAbs for optimal pairing against KLK9. Standard sandwich ELISAs were developed using the following combinations: (i) 28ED436 vs. biotinylated 4ED28.2 and MIGI EII, (ii) 4ED28.2 vs. biotinylated 28ED436 and MIGI EII, and (iii) MIGI EII vs. biotinylated 28ED436 and 4ED28.2. The mat-KLK9 and the pro-form of KLK9 (R&D systems) (final concentrations: 2.5 and 5 μg/L) were used as antigens. The best signal was obtained with the pair 28ED436 (coating)-4ED28.2 (biotinylated; detection). For more details see text. 1. pro-KLK9 (5 μg/L), 2. pro-KLK9 (2.5 μg/L), 3. mat-KLK9 (5 μg/L), 4. mat-KLK9 (2.5 μg/L).
Linearity and stability of the KLK9 immunoassay. (A) The linearity of KLK9 ELISA was assessed by diluting recombinant KLK9 in BSA. Serial dilutions of the samples were prepared and the assay was performed by following the described protocol. Linear correlation was estimated between the theoretically spiked KLK9 concentrations and the ELISA-estimated KLK9 concentrations (regression coefficient β1 = 1.20, P < 0.0001). Sample stability was tested through a 7-day experiment, by storing sweat samples (B), as well as serum samples with spiked mat-KLK9 (C) at room temperature (RT), 4 °C and −20 °C. KLK9 was measured at 3 points (Days 0, 1 and 7) by the ELISA assay. For comments see text.
ELISA within-run and total imprecision.
Recovery of recombinant mat-KLK9 spiked in female (F) and male (M) serum samples.
Recovery of recombinant pro-KLK9 spiked in female (F) and male (M) serum samples.
Development of hybrid ELISAs for the detection of KLK9 heterocomplexes with serine protease inhibitors. In-house generated mAb 28ED436 was used as capture Ab, while pAbs against common serine protease inhibitors (e.g. A1AT, ACT, ATBIII, and A2AP) were used as secondary Abs in two biological fluids (sweat 14 and 15). The A2AP (HRP-conjugated) levels were undetectable and are not shown in the graph. KLK9 measurements were depicted as arbitrary fluorescence units. The ELISAs used include the first antibody as coating and the second antibody for detection. Note detection of free KLK9 in 2 sweat samples (↓). For more discussion see text.
KLK9 free monomer detection by the newly developed KLK9 ELISA upon the formation of serpinA3–KLK9 heterocomplexes. Mat-KLK9 (0.5 μg) was incubated either alone (control) or with different amounts of the human recombinant serpinA3 inhibitor (R&D systems) [at molar ratios (KLK9/SerpinA3): 1/0.2, 1/0.5, 1/1 and 1/2] in 50 mM Tris–HCl (pH 8.0) for 1 h at 37 °C. The samples were further diluted with 6% BSA and the assay was performed by following the described protocol (see “Methods” section). The values of the sample containing no inhibitor (control) was arbitrarily defined as 100 % recovery. The samples containing serpinA3–KLK9 complexes were expressed as % recovery of KLK9 compared to the control.
About this article
Cite this article
Filippou, P., Korbakis, D., Farkona, S. et al. A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human free and bound kallikrein 9. Clin Proteom 14, 4 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12014-017-9140-6
- Kallikrein 9
- Serine protease inhibitors
- Hybrid assays | <urn:uuid:4ef60f67-b59c-439d-8f8f-0e27bfb9e1d6> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://clinicalproteomicsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12014-017-9140-6 | 2020-10-27T16:07:55Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107894203.73/warc/CC-MAIN-20201027140911-20201027170911-00640.warc.gz | en | 0.919688 | 13,495 |
my goal is to publish these posts weekly every thursday, but i made the mistake of starting this series when my life is in chaos. i just moved to LA and i’m still in the process of finding somewhere to live, and i’m working…so things are hectic to say the least. once i’m settled, this will be something you can expect every thursday. this takes a lot more work than i thought it would, but it is so so satisfying…i can’t wait to be doing it regularly.
also, i just want to note again that the production of these songs aren’t perfect — in fact, that’s kind of the point. the stems have been completely lost, so there’s no way to really mix or master them into something better. writing about them is my way of trying to do them justice.
there are a few ways to write a song, but the method i’m most familiar with starts with finding a series of progressions i like on a guitar or piano. the last song i wrote about wasn’t written in this way — it was found and developed almost exclusively through toying around with sampling and software instruments. so, i wanted to make sure the next song i wrote about was made in the more traditional way and mostly featuring acoustic instruments. i’ve always really liked this song too, so i’m excited to talk about where it came from, how it was made and what it means.
it’s called “withdrawal”, and while presumably being a song about the aftermath of drug addiction, it’s foremost a song about distancing yourself from a toxic relationship. this is clearly not the first time love has been metaphorized as a drug addiction, but i do think the particular language is unique, and the comparison is never explicitly beaten obvious (unlike, i don’t know, something like “love is like oxygen”).
there’s not a lot of set-up for this song: it was 2010, i was in a bad relationship in college and we decided to stop speaking to each other by the time summer started. chicago was bumming me out; i decided to come home to florida for a few months. i had a few friends in town who had dropped out of school and started selling coke. i had spent the previous winter break blowing more blow than i was used to with some family, and i wasn’t in a good place already, so i spent that summer completely in a snowstorm.
by the end of the summer, i felt like i was close to a heart attack a hundred times. anyone who has done drugs a lot will know this feeling, but it was the first time i had the realization i needed to rebuild my body. that includes sleeping off the bad feelings, working out vigorously, eating saltless dinners, etc.
of course, when you’re an actual addict, these realizations aren’t epiphanies — they are just part of the pattern, whereafter you get tired and then sad and then go back to drugs again. even though this was the first time i had this realization with drugs, it wasn’t the first time i had it with girls (i’m the actual worst when it comes to cutting girls off who are horrible for me; i never seem to let them go). so, in this song, i’m using my experience with girls to try and temper the overwhelming optimism that comes with getting over your first drug addiction. you think you are over it. you think you’ve got the solution. you’re an idiot.
as i said, this song was something i wrote on the guitar, which means initially i was more interested in the relationship between the chords than i was about specific sounds or melodies. if you listen to the verse, the actual progression lasts quite a few measures. most passages in pop songs only switch between two or three chords, because we aren’t being asked to listen to that compositional relationship — there are other elements, such as a cool sample or an interesting melody or a subversive instrument, that are being showcased and simply need a foundation to be brought to life. nonetheless, that foundation can be a fascinating place to spend your songwriting energy, because there’s so much movement that can be expressed there.
for instance, “freak of the week” and “withdrawal” are both in the same key, but that’s not obvious in any way. “freak of the week” only changes between two major chords the entire song, because the progression is simply serving the other surface elements. but with “withdrawal”, the verse is 6 chords over either 6 or 8 measures; the chorus changes 4 chords over 2 measures; the outro envoi is 5 chords over 4 measures that seek to composite features from the progression of both the verse and chorus into a passage of a different tempo, etc.
meanwhile, the logic of the progression is being used to facilitate the understanding of the song’s lyrical content. the verse starts in a minor chord, and then immediately uses the salient major chord of the scale — this is a way of demonstrating optimism, moving from a sad place to the highest place. but then we immediately drop not only to a minor chord, but the most unused minor chord in the scale, the iii chord. that again drops to the ii minor chord, which juxtaposes, and even undermines, how the initial first two chords moved in an optimistic way. but from here we move to the V major chord, a much deeper upper move on the scale from those two first chords. this signals an overcoming, but from here we move downwards to the IV chord, which is major, but still downwards. we linger on this chord because it represents what the song itself is about: a hopeful (because it’s major) but unconvincing (because it arrives after moments that are undermining and degrading) resolution.
that might seem like a lot of bullshit. maybe it is. but i believe it’s a real way, unconsciously or not, that songwriters go about their craft. the progression used in a song isn’t always about directionality of course; sometimes it’s about using standards in subversive ways, sometimes it’s about geometry (i.e. the transpositions of chord shapes), etc. but at any rate, the character of a song is in many ways decided by what chords are used and how they are used; it’s just a fact that most of the songs we listen to don’t spend a lot of energy developing these relationships, and instead opt for simple progressions.
there’s only one other comment i want to make about the song’s progression: one reason for the tempo slowing down in the outro is that it’s supposed to represent the tapering off of energy that happens after you come out of that epiphany moment when quitting something. if you’re relying on the burst of energy you get when you finally quit a drug or someone you’ve loved, you’re probably going to relapse when that energy dies off — the lyrics i think complement this position as well.
in terms of orchestration, i tried to mostly use acoustic instruments because i wanted a spooky campfire feel to the song. the only things that aren’t acoustic are the organ and the bass guitar, but the mandolin, the xylophone, the acoustic guitar, the tambourine, the egg, snare and bass drum — all that was recorded with a microphone (for what it’s worth, i always play all my own instruments). i like how the instruments come together at times and then move away from each other. notice how on the 2nd chord of the verse, the mandolin, guitar and xylophone come together to form a melody, and then they all split off again on the third chord back to their respective roles.
the mandolin and the egg operate on a similar high frequency, which lends a background kind of anxiety to the verse since the egg is working double-time. that anxiety comes to the surface in the chorus, when the snare drum more prominently comes into focus. another cool percussive note is that during the outro, there is a cymbal in the background that gets louder and louder throughout the passage, until the end where it is being smashed. this is another expression of anxiety.
i could keep writing about this song all day, but i think the main point i’m trying to get across is that the chords you use and the orchestration you devise all can tell a story, even if it’s difficult to put into words what that story is.
Online TV, why you freezing?
I won’t ask from where you buffer.
i started writing the lyrics to this song because as i was recovering from my last bender, my mind drifted as my online TV stream cut off. i was too paralyzed to get up and try to fix it — so here i am, pleading to the tv that it start working.
what might be lost here is that i worked with this idea because it was a funny metaphor for why i had to cut off the relationship with the girl i talked about earlier. in brief, she had another boyfriend back home that i didn’t know about. but the tv, the girl, even the drugs…they all work in the same way: whatever they are giving me, i don’t know where it’s coming from. and i’m surrendering control.
I just want the things I want.
I’m happy every day now.
so much of sobriety is about surrender, and unpacking your complexities. “i just want the things i want” is a way of demystifying myself. “i’m happy every day now” is a confirmation of that strategy of demystification. but the harrowing feel of the song belies the optimism of these sentiments.
My quiet, sober gypsy moths —
I’ll watch what these pests eat out.
a friend’s dad was explaining to me that one of his properties was losing value because the forest behind it was being devastated by gypsy moths – it was something he knew could happen, but the effects and spread of gypsy moths are not very well understood, so it wasn’t predictable.
i thought that would be a nice metaphor for sobriety. my understanding is that a lot of creative people, myself included, are afraid how their creative life will turn out once they get sober (“i’ll watch what these pests eat out”). creatively, is sobriety a way of mistaking the forest for the trees?
Picking at my nose, still stuffy,
But it’s getting better.
when you snort a lot of drugs, your nose gets stuffy all the time. but even once you get clean, it takes a lot of time for your nose to get better. so this is an image that represents the ways in which your drug abuse lingers, even after the physical addiction has ended.
Schizo-analyze just what I like,
So tired of my patience, and
i was reading anti-oedipus when i was writing this song; here is the wikipedia link to schizo-analysis. the book is basically nonsense, but i did feel a connection to the idea that being addicted to drugs is like trying to understand yourself through complexification as opposed to reduction. you’re schizophrenic in the sense that your values and truths are different between your sober and fucked up selves – you are a clear contradiction.
“so tired of my patience” is an expression of exploring that contradiction, while also being a very real-to-life expression about how sobriety makes me feel.
Kissing pillows that look like you
By my imagination
but again, this portrait of a drug withdrawal and recovery is an extended metaphor for a break up. the purpose of this line is to establish this connection before the chorus, as all the chorus is is a simple demonstration of this connection.
it’s also an honest and pathetic line – maybe you’ve never done it, but sometimes you want someone so bad you’ll kiss your pillow and pretend it’s them. the fact it’s a childish behavior returns a characterization to drug use itself.
I don’t want you now.
I don’t want you now.
I won’t haunt you now.
the first two repetitions of “i don’t want you now” suggests a personification of drugs. but when we get to “i won’t haunt you now”, the personification seems skewed – it becomes apparent this is actually about a person, and letting that person go.
People only talk of people.
I have lost the interest.
we come back to “people”, in order to stress the drug-girl connection again. but also this was just a real observation i was having in my life, that the conversations in my life were dwindling from the important topics to mindless social discussions. drugs can activate you when the other areas of your life aren’t. but “i have lost the interest” in this way of life.
3 good sets of 15 reps
And steady health will keep you equal.
fitness is an important part of staying clean for me. it’s also a solitudinous act for me; focusing on the physical life is a strategy to isolate yourself from a toxic social life.
I’m jogging next to road kill cats
As if life wasn’t lethal.
but there’s also the awareness that this energy will taper off, and that your efforts are pointless. during the time i was writing this song, i went for a run one day and saw a dead cat on the road that had been run over. cats are domestic animals – they are one of us. we all die – what’s the point?
But do something for long enough
And it starts to feel legal.
when you become complacent with abuse and it becomes part of your life, you can completely forget how it’s illegal and uncommon. you can forget that your soul doesn’t have to be so damaged.
Now my tedium smiles while it’s yawning,
Pawing from a distance.
i can feel the energy tapering off – even boredom is bored of itself. the cat from before, here a symbol of futility, is reaching at me, tempting to close the “distance”, seducing me to give up.
And coke dealers rap in my ear,
But I don’t want to listen.
this is a figurative image that also happened in real life. on the last bender i went on before writing this song, we invited some coke dealers to come over to our studio. they wanted to record and started rapping for us. that’s when i started coming down, and i just remember thinking how miserable they were at rapping, and how miserable i was for listening.
of course, the figurative part of this image is that i’m being coaxed into using again, even though “i don’t want to listen” to temptation.
Clinquant, the breeze —
so we have finally slowed down, we have tapered off and have given up our defenses. the metaphor is mostly stripped — we are firmly in the romantic image that this song has earlier tried to resist. we’ve been seduced.
in other words, this passage is basically describing a romantic fantasy i’m having about the girl i’m breaking up with. i just can’t resist.
palmettos are little palms that are natural to florida, my home; to be under them is to basically be laying on the ground, to have surrendered. so in my fantasy, i’ve taken her to my home, we are laying on the ground under palms, there is a breeze, the scene is glittering with gold and silver, etc.
You know, I’m not what I look like,
But I am what I seem.
this is an expression of romantic abandon by way of a phenomenological perspective. “i’m not what i look like” means to say that there’s more to me than what meets your judgement. but at the same time, “i am what i seem” — that is, all there is are appearances. in that way, i can be whatever you want me to be.
this also harkens back to the first line of the song, where there’s a surrendering of the desire to know where things come from, what hides behind the surface (“i won’t ask from where you buffer”). it doesn’t matter what i am to you, so long as i am with you.
I’d kiss you forever
With benzo ease.
You know, I’m not what I look like.
the structure of this song also represents a cocaine bender – you go fast and keep going until you come down. to cope with the come down, you can take a benzo like xanax, which slows down your anxiety. i used to do that often. the loose, sloppy feel of this ending represents that benzo effect.
the line “benzo ease” is supposed to signal this structural representation, while keeping continuity with the romantic abandonment theme that is being developed (“i’d kiss you forever”).
Clinquant, the breeze —
You know, I’m not what I look like,
Though I am what I seem.
repeating this stanza is another way of being loose and almost mindless. form and function again.
Autumnal calm you’d breathe
With benzo ease.
You know I’m not what I look like
the only change here is the “i’d kiss you forever” with “autumnal calm you’d breathe”. autumn as a season signals the beginning of the end. but it’s beautiful, and quiet. and nearly dead. if i look alive, well then…you know i’m not what i look like.
hope you enjoyed! any feedback is appreciated. if you enjoyed this, please spread the word — i’d be so grateful if you did. thanks! | <urn:uuid:779f86e7-6d1a-4564-b03c-c09f76486d87> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://johnnypaglino.com/2016/11/17/portrait-withdrawal/ | 2020-10-27T15:06:17Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107894203.73/warc/CC-MAIN-20201027140911-20201027170911-00640.warc.gz | en | 0.96525 | 3,952 |
Cotswold Way - 9 Days & 8 Nights9 Days & 8 Nights 4.6 Read 159 reviews
- Walking the Cotswold Way, one of England's finest National Trails.
- Explore Broadway, Stanton and other pretty villages of the Cotswolds.
- Enjoying the warm and friendly atmosphere of a Cotswold country pub.
- Fine walking through quintessential English countryside.
- Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage city, at the end of the Cotswold Way.
What To Expect
Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent active trip.
Inn to Inn Walking | A classic point to point walking trip, staying in a different location each night
This trip is suitable for:
Ideal if you have an interest in:
- Historical Journeys
- National Parks & Trails
- Most Popular
Activity Level & Terrain
This tour is rated easy to moderate overall. However, if you choose an itinerary which is 9 days or less, then the rating becomes moderate to strenuous, as you will be walking more miles per day. The trail is on well-maintained footpaths, bridleways, across fields, golf courses and on some minor roads. It does involve some steep ascents and descents from the escarpment.
The Cotswold Way is a National Trail and is fully way marked. A comprehensive guidebook and map are supplied.
One of the highlights of this tour is the high standard of the accommodation. You will stay in carefully selected B&B’s, guesthouses and small hotels. Your room will always have an ensuite or private bathroom. A delicious breakfast is always included.
During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard as those described.
If you require single rooms within your party we will always try and accommodate you subject to availability. A single supplement is payable.
This walking holiday is available to solo walkers but as we incur additional baggage transfer costs their is a solo walker supplement payable.
- Hand picked B&B's, guesthouses and small hotels.
- Door to door baggage transfers.
- A detailed information pack, maps and a guide book.
- Emergency telephone support
- Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk.
- Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks.
- Travel Insurance.
- Personal Equipment.
- Extra nights
When To Go
You can start The Cotswold Way on any day of the week between the start of April and mid-October, subject to availability. It is great at any time throughout the season as all the flowers will be in bloom throughout this time. The Cotswolds are very popular so it is best to book as far in advance as you are able to.
** Please be aware that at the beginning of May the Badminton Horse Trials are held and it is a challenge to find accommodation in Kings Stanley, Old Sodbury and Cold Ashton during this time.
It should also be noted that we will not book accommodation in Stanton on a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday night due to the fact there is no-where to eat in the village on those evenings. If your booking does land in Stanton on those days then we will include return transfers to Broadway for a small additional cost.
Getting to the Start
Train services connect London to Moreton-in-Marsh (2h) and Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon (1h). If you wish to take a taxi from Moreton-in-Marsh this will need to be booked ahead of time as there is no taxi rank at the station or in the town. The cost is about £25. Please check the following website for taxi information and to pre-book. Or you can walk from the station to the Corn Exchange (a 5 minute walk) and from here you can take a bus to Chipping Camden. It is the Line 22 bus, it takes approximately 25 minutes and the buses leave hourly (approx £3 cost). Please note buses do not run on Sundays.
Getting from the End
Fast and frequent train services connect Bath to London (1h30). If you have left a car in Chipping Campden getting back from Bath on public transport rail/bus takes about 3.5 hours. We don’t recommend you leave a car in Bath as long term parking is expensive.
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person. Please ensure that you do not bring more than one bag of 20kg as if this occurs, the luggage transfer company will ask you to pay an additional fee (approx. £5.00 per day, per bag). This additional payment, should it be necessary, needs to be made locally to the driver and in cash.
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking/cycling gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking/cycling gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the Cotswolds are extremely popular. If booking at short notice, we will always try and accommodate your plans.
We offer a range of itineraries so you can choose your preferred daily distance so hopefully, you will find an itinerary that suits your preferred level of activity. If you currently don’t enjoy an active lifestyle, we suggest regular walking in hilly terrain supplemented by cardio vascular exercise for at least six months before your walk. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.
Depends on which guidebooks/maps/route notes you use for your particular trip, it can be possible to combine them. Check with your destination specialist, and they will be more than happy to let you know if your itinerary is possible.
We would recommend Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and Hidcote, famous for its rare trees and shrubs. Click here for a full list of Gardens and Arboreta in the Cotswolds.
There are many houses and historical monuments throughout the Cotswolds, and what you can see depends on the itinerary you are doing. There are historic houses, rustic ruins and many museums for you to explore. Click here for a full list of Historic Houses and Museums.
You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc.
The Cotswold Way is sublime at any time between the end of March and beginning of October although the path is arguably at its most beautiful in the Spring.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.
You can use local bus services or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop.
ItineraryDay 1 Arrive Chipping Campden
The town of Chipping Campden is arguably the loveliest of the Cotswold towns and many people choose to stay an extra night here before starting the walk. A two-hour train journey from London to Moreton-in-the-Marsh and 6-mile taxi or bus bring you easily to the start of your holiday.
A warm welcome awaits you at Park Road B&B, they are family run and have 2 lovely en-suite guest rooms. Their rooms are centrally heated with tea & coffee making facilities and all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.
This tea room has en-suite accommodation upstairs. All rooms are tastefully decorated with a comfortable and cosy feel. The Bantam Tea Rooms was built in 1693 and directly overlooks the 17th Century Market Hall. There is also a peaceful, private guest lounge and on those cold mornings you can enjoy your delicious breakfast by the roaring log fire.
The Old Bakehouse is one of the oldest houses in Chipping Campden, dating back over 600 years. It has been home to the Gabb family for over 90 years and is conveniently situated in the centre of Chipping Campden. The guest rooms are all en-suite, each room has tea & coffee facilities, hairdryers and flat screen tv’s.
Leaving the honey-coloured architectural beauty of Chipping Campden behind, you climb immediately onto the escarpment where Dover’s Hill and then Broadway Tower reward with fine views. The tea rooms of Broadway are a welcome diversion before heading back into the hills. The idyllic village of Stanton welcomes you at the end of the section.
Ascent: 378m / Descent: 421m
Shenberrow is a country house in 8 acres of North Cotswolds’s little village of Stanton. All rooms for comfortably furnished with en-suite bathrooms and all the usual comforts in the way of TV & tea & coffee making facilities.
The Old Post House offers accommodation in an old converted stable block furnished with original antiques and comfortable beds. The rooms have a television, radio and the facility for making tea and coffee. Breakfast is served in the house itself, in what used to be Stanton’s original post office.
New Forge House is a comfortable B&B which has 2 double en-suite rooms. The rooms have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.
Leaving Stanton, you soon discover the Iron Age hill fort Beckbury Camp dating back to 2,000 BC, before arriving at medieval Hailes Abbey. The 13th Century ruins and newly built museum (open April-August, payable locally) are wonderful to explore and discover the history of the monks who lived and worshipped at the abbey for nearly three centuries. Continue via Sudeley Castle, part of England’s history for over 1,000 years, featuring a beautiful 15th century church and lovely gardens. Pass Belas Knap, a huge Neolithic burial chamber, and then on to Cleeve Hill, the highest point of the Cotswolds hill range.
Ascent: 522m / Descent: 416m
The hotel sits close to the top of Cleeve Hill, which is the highest point in the Cotswolds and has exceptional views across Cheltenham to the Malvern Hills. Each of their rooms is individually decorated, all are a generous size, en-suite with TVs, and Tea/Coffee making facilities. Their light, airy breakfast room commands stunning views across the local countryside, and their excellent breakfasts are renowned for being extremely generous and will provide the perfect start to your day. The Trust Bar is available to residents 24hrs a day, offering a selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, either in the lounge or in your room.
Upper Hill Farm is a Cotswold Stone Country Farmhouse with many original features including flagstone flooring, wooden beams and exposed stone walls. Their bedrooms have all been recently decorated to a high standard, they have large towels and fine linen, flat screen tv with freeview, complimentary wi-fi internet access and a hospitality tray with tea and coffee making facilities. You can relax in their resident's lounge that has French doors opening onto their well-kept gardens that you can wander at your leisure.
Marco and Cathy Giorgi draw on their many years of experience and professionalism, to make sure that every little detail is taken care of. Their rooms are comfortable and beautifully designed, offering sumptuous Egyptian cotton bedlinen, 32 inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, free WiFi and a well stocked hospitality tray. Plus, each room has its own private ensuite facilities (except 'Hereford' which has its bathroom across a small hallway. Towelling robes are provided). You can indulge yourself with their luxury rain showers, complimentary toiletries and large fluffy white towels as standard.
Leaving Cleeve Hill, enjoy a series of outstanding panoramic views of the rolling green hills of the Cotswold countryside to Cheltenham and beyond. Pass through peaceful woodland and quiet country lanes before descending through Dowdeswell Wood to a reservoir and then on to Seven Springs (believed to be the source of the Thames). After leaving the busy Severn Springs you are soon in open countryside ascending Hartley Hill and onto Leckhampton Hill with its panoramic views and interesting rock faces. From here the route passes through countryside and a short road section to ascend Crickley Hill and on to finish in Birdlip.
Ascent: 452m / Descent: 456m
An English Country Hotel set in 26 acres of grounds, which has views over the Gloucestershire Countryside. The hotel has 34 comfortable en-suite bedrooms of individual character. The restaurant offers a great selection of traditional British favourites, from hearty main courses to lighter snacks, complemented by a selection of carefully selected wines, cask ales and speciality teas and coffees.
A gentle woodland walk leads out of Birdlip following the foot of the escarpment towards Cooper’s Hill. The woods are a carpet of flowering plants in the spring. The path then climbs steeply up to the top of Cooper’s Hill, the scene of the famous annual Cheese Rolling festival! Continuing on through Buckholt Wood and Painswick Golf Course a short detour to Painswick Beacon is recommended. From here the path leads downhill into the delight that is Painswick itself. Ancient woodlands, rural tranquility and vast panoramas combine to deliver a walker’s paradise on the next section of today’s walk. Stanley Mill on the edge of Kings Stanley once employed 1,000 people and is a testament to the areas rich history in the woollen trade.
Ascent: 491m / Descent: 706m
Valley Views is a quiet peaceful location, they have three bedrooms all with free Wi-Fi access. The Luxury room has a king size bed, is en-suite with bath. The Superior Double room with it's own private bathroom, grandiose corner bath and power shower. Their Superior Twin room, which along with its bathroom is on your own private floor and boasts exceptional views.
You are assured a very warm welcome at No 1. Woodchester Lodge and also a most comfortable stay!
The main hall is one of the best features of Woodchester Lodge. Incorporating a wide grand staircase, framed with oak turned banisters, it acts as a central pivot to the house, giving access to all other rooms. There is a great feeling of space and height here, culminating in an attractive barrel vaulted ceiling. It is a room in its own right, complete with wood burning stove and bookcase for browsing. Whether you like sun or shade there will be a spot for you in their peaceful, attractively laid out gardens. Relax on the front or back patio after work, a busy day sightseeing or a hike in the local countryside. You can enjoy tea and home made cakes or shortbread, which are always ‘on tap’The bedrooms are a delight, being large, light and airy; recently decorated and carpeted throughout, with a variety of period furniture. A full range of toiletries is provided, including bath hats, tissues and cotton wool balls. Rooms are equipped with colour T.V., alarm clocks, hair dryers and tea tray plus home made cookies.
Orchardene is a B&B that was built in the early 1820's, in rural King Stanley. Each room has facilities for making a hot drink, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and fruit teas, and fresh milk.
They also provide each room with toiletries, a hair dryer and digital clock radio. Wi-fi access is available free of charge.
A series of short sharp ascents and descents, Neolithic burial chambers and Iron Age hill forts quickly eat up the six and a half miles to Dursley. Climbing steeply back to the scarp edge Tyndale Monument is the main point of interest before reaching Wotton-Under-Edge. A lovely stop which blends old and new.
Ascent: 638m / Descent: 588m
The Swan is a former coaching Inn; it has a wealth of charm and character enhanced by original features including beamed ceilings, stone floors and exposed walls plus 3 open fires and traditional furniture. The restaurant offers a modern and contemporary feel while still retaining the character and features of a period building. They pride themselves on serving high quality food and where the ingredients are sourced locally for their seasonal menus.
Mounteney's is a 400 year old farmhouse which overlooks Inglestone Common and the Ancient Lower Woods which are 10 minutes walk away. The farmhouse is grade II listed and retains wonderful period features. You are assured the warmest of welcomes at this splendid accommodation and the rooms have all that one would require for a most comfortable stay.
All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, complimentary toiletries, television, central heating, extra blankets during the autumn/winter months, and iPod docking station/digital alarm clock. The accommodation provides Free wi-fi, drying facilities, laundry service (small fee), ironing facilities, hairdryer.
From Wotton under Edge the route leads along a lovely stream to Coombe, then steeply up Blackquarries hill for commanding views across the surrounding area. Around Worley Hill and through the woods the way descends via a sunken lane to the edge of Wortley. From here the path meanders through quiet countryside, past the imposing Somerset Monument, to Horton and the impressive Iron Age hill fort at Little Sodbury. Finally, you descend through the old churchyard to Old Sodbury. Leaving Old Sodbury the Cotswold Way leads through fields to Coombs End. Here farmland gives way to the parkland of the Dodington Estate, originally designed by Capability Brown. Leaving the estate the path continues to the small village of Tormarton to finish at the Interesting church of St Mary Magdalene.
Ascent: 461m / Descent: 421m
The Compass Inn is a medium sized, family run, hotel set in the beautiful South Cotswolds. The Orangery Restaurant has a reputation for using the very best of local produce and seasonal game, as well as a fine wine list.
Noades House is a traditional Cotswold stone built house offering comfortable accommodation very close to the trail. Rooms are freshly decorated and have all the amenities for your overnight stay.
Smithy House is an attractive 18th Century house in the heart of Tormarton. Rooms are in a cottage adjoining the house where you have your own sitting room. You will be welcomed with tea and home-made shortbread on arrival. Joanna serves breakfast in the main house – she makes her own bread and marmalade and collects eggs from a neighbour’s hens.
From Tormarton the route goes over the busy M4 motorway before veering off into more peaceful countryside. The country lanes take you to the edge of Dyrham Park and past Hinton Hill with its ancient hill fort. Through the hamlet of Dryham and past the National Trust Dyrham House with its exquisite gardens you finally arrive in the quiet village of Cold Ashton with its marvellous southerly aspect. Leaving Cold Ashton the route crosses the A46 for the last time and heads along Greenway Lane before the ascent up onto Lansdown Hill. Crossing the Civil War battlefield to the Grenville Monument, the Cotswold Way heads out to the scarp edge at Hanging Hill and around Bath Race Course to Prospect Stile Viewpoint, and fine vistas of your final destination. Now it’s downhill and into through the suburbs, parks and historic streets of Bath to the finish at the Abbey.
Ascent: 392m / Descent: 534m
The Kennard offers comfortable accommodation in an elegant Georgian town house dating from 1794 and located just minutes from the Roman Baths and the new Thermae Spa Complex. You will find modern features including plasma-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi internet. The breakfast room is hung with Venetian chandeliers and is the place to enjoy a freshly cooked breakfast.
Hill House is a three storey Georgian end of terrace situated in the heart of historic Bath. Originally built around 1760 it has formerly been a hotel, wine merchants and public house. They have 6 bedrooms retaining much of its original charm and character with all the amenities you would expect. All the guest accommodation has refitted contemporary en suite shower rooms, flat screen TVs with Freeview, and complimentary White Company toiletries.
You are assured a very warm welcome at Oldfields House. The comfortable rooms offer all one would require to relax after a days walking. With chic décor, complimentary toiletries, tea/coffee making facilities and a flat screen TV, you have the perfect environment in which to unwind.
Check out after breakfast and take a train to London for onward travel connections. Alternatively, ask your Macs destination specialist about arranging extra nights in Bath to explore more of this beautiful small city.
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It is my belief that the individual has the right to live their life untroubled and untrammelled. Everyone should be free to choose to "go to the devil their own way".
Nevertheless, there are many snares in untrammelled freedom- selfishness cuts us off from others, greed ultimately poisons our bodies, or our happiness. Materialism leads us to neglect ourselves in favour of possessions.
So, although I will make no judgments of others, it is clear that there are certain disciplines that we can impose upon ourselves that will help us live more fulfilled and happier lives. It is these disciplines that form the basis of morality and ethics.
From the 1930s, the Oxford Group began to talk about a "moral re-armament" in the face of the challenges of both Hitler and Stalin, and while occasionally th…
Just over a year ago a gigantic earthquake hit the fault between the Indian and Burma tectonic plates. At 9.3 on the Richter scale it was the second largest earthquake ever recorded on a seismograph. A few minutes after the quake had stilled, the first tsunami came ashore on Sumatra, before spreading out across the Indian Ocean. Along a huge section of coast the surge of water flooded ashore- often for many miles. The US Geological Survey initially recorded the casualty toll as 283,100 killed, 14,100 missing, and 1,126,900 people displaced- one of the most destructive natural disasters ever recorded.
The Boxing Day Earthquake reminds us that the unexpected can come from many different quarters. Humans seem remarkably good at ignoring long term danger- until, that is disaster strikes.
There are several events that may at the time be considered "black swan events"- that is that they are inherently unpredictable- arguably 9/11 was one such event. However this is not so with many …
Christmas, the season of Saturnalia, has come and gone.
The days are drawing out- albeit that it will be weeks before we notice the longer daylight.
It is impossible to know what 2007 holds. We can talk about trends, but this forgets the "black swan" events that are by their nature unpredictable. The Grim Reaper can confuse many calculations- as he seems to have done in Turkmenistan with the death of the brutal dictator Niyazov, leaving no obvious successor. New ideas can gain purchase rapidly and then turn into the Conventional Wisdom. So I make no serious predictions about the passage of events.
So I will devote this fallow period before real work restarts to some unserious thoughts about the kind of events that may shape the coming year.
"Unseriously", we could think of many things that might happen in 2007- Iran may go nuclear, or may go moderate. North Korea may collapse or linger on. China may reform or crack down. Each seems about equally likely at the moment.
Labour gets ever more mired in the cash for peerages mess. The Tories find themselves funded by obscure trusts in Liechtenstein. Questions continue about the Michael Brown affair amongst the Lib Dems.
Some commentators now believe that political parties should be funded directly by the state. After all, goes the argument, it is necessary for the workings of the political system to have vigorous, well funded parties and it is better to have these openly funded rather than by foreign or other questionable sources.
Bluntly, this is self serving bulls**t.
If the political parties can not manage to fund themselves in a legal or orderly way, then I have no quarrel with the idea that they should go under.
Why should what is, in effect, a private club that seeks to fund a massive advertising campaign every few years get its money from the state, that is to say, from everyone else?
If Labour or Tories can not run themselves without recourse to unsustainable levels of debt, then tough- they will hav…
An occasional poster to this blog, "Lepidus" made the following comment:
"many Lib Dems will likely be elected on the back of "Tory Votes" as was John Leech, so you are wise to seek out Labour held seats, as they will be far the easier pickings. You have I think adopted the classic Lib Dem obsession with the Tories at the point when the easier pickings are elsewhere even if some like Gidley weren't hammering the final nail into their political careers themselves, hence your strident tones. Excuse my cynicism but if the Tories were more "ideological" in your view you would be lambasting them equally hard for being "extreme", come to think of it that makes you a perfect Lib Dem MP Consul! I look forward your new Philippics in the HoC."
Essentially, if I can paraphrase: basically "don't get hung up on Tories, it will be easier to beat Labour".
I think to answer the point, I have to step back and reiterate why I support the …
The implications of his point that Russia is not a sensible place for major international investment are even more profound than they first appear.
Essentially Russia is not only refusing to allow international business to function, but where investment is being made in capital equipment and techniques that the Russians do not posses themselves, then they are trying to steal this proprietary technology.
Meanwhile the political picture grows more violent. Putin's "Nashi" goons continue to harass anyone they see fit- including the widespread use of violence and murder.
This is not a recipe for a powerful Russia. It is a recipe for an impoverished, weak and isolated Russia. Such is the catastophe that the KGB Colonel has led his country into.
The greedy, Mafia state will fail- and with unforeseeable consequences. Despite the flow of petro-dollars, the money leaves Russia as fast as it arrives. Away…
I particularly recommend their latest discussion on the electoral maths of hung Parliaments.
However, there are fewer discussions about first principles- and yet for me, this is what is attractive about the idea of politics. The fundamental questions about what political power is and what the aims and practice of politics should be can be inspiring topics. Young people are passionate about political topics, from the environment to health- overtly political areas- but the business of party politics is viewed with suspicion and even disgust.
After the murder of Litvinenko, perhaps we should not be surprised that Shell have decided to relinquish control of the Sakhalin-2 energy fields. As BP's deal with TNK now increasingly comes into the spotlight, it is salutary to see the campaign of harassment against the British Ambassador waged by Putin's thugs.
The fact is that Russia has drifted into "capitalism in one country"- failing to acknowledge the necessity to trade in order to gain expertise. The only relationship they seem to understand is control and compulsion.
It has been a busy day, enduring the pelting rain in the Albanian capital.
My purpose was to meet with various public figures and discuss ideas about investment. The first port of call was The President of the Republic. As the traffic in the crowded streets of Tirana began to delay us, I got out of the inevitable Mercedes and strode out, in order to meet my appointment on time.
I was-just- on time, but President Moisiu has a military sense of timing. I was reminded that "punctuality is the politeness of Kings", as I arrived in his office about five minutes later than 11.00. Nevertheless it was interesting to see way that such a man engages with the new Albania. As a general in the Albanian army he was given the job of building the famous "bunkers"- three million pill boxes- that the Dictator decreed. Although Hoxha was a megalomaniac, even he must have been surprised by the effectiveness of the army in completing the task. President Moisiu is known as conciliator, an…
As the Conservatives and their blinkered friends in "Migration Watch" continue to pedal their warped ideas about immigration, it was interesting to get some information about British emigration overseas. In recent years we have heard a lot from the Tories about refusing to let in "non-European immigration" to the UK. Fascinating to notice that apart from Spain, most Brits chose to leave the UK and go to... Non European destinations.
A good thing that the New Zealanders are not arguing "send them back" then.
The fact is that emigration/immigration are subjects that are far to complicated to be debated using the language of the Daily Mail.
So, by all means let us discuss the question of migration, only please, without the misrepresentations and distortions of "Migration Watch" and the Tory party.
I am "enjoying" the dubious pleasures of Stansted Airport as I wait for my flight to the Albanian capital.
I am due to meet with senior figures in the government of Albania to discuss the results of a meeting that I hosted between Estonian political figures and the Albanian PMs advisor in London. I will also be discussing aspects of a potential involvement between the firm that I advise and the Albanian financial system- such as it is.
However already, the extra immigration checks and the rather piratical figure of the Albanian Airlines rep are setting the usual tone: that Albania is still too poor and chaotic to be either trusted or liked by the European powers.
Nevertheless, the fact that those who sent me are interested enough to do so, and that those who have issued the invitation understand why, is encouraging.
Albania is still in the middle of a long and hard journey, but recent progress has been swift- I sense similar things beginning to happen in Albania as have already …
A few days ago Cicero met with one of the better known figures in the Libertarian Alliance, Brian Mickelthwait. Brian writes for various blogs that I enjoy reading- including Samizdata.
Ahead of our meeting Brain expressed "scepticism" about the Libertarian credentials of the Liberal Democrats: "My charge was that when you meet a Liberal Democrat you never know what he will believe. The one who talks to you is likely to say what you want to hear. But the others will simultaneously be telling other people with quite different views what they want to hear. So don't vote for these lying creeps."
Political parties- all of them- are coalitions of people who quite often disagree with each other. Apparently we are not supposed to "air our dirty linen in public", but actually one of the reasons that the Liberal Democrats appealed to me was that they were prepared to talk about issues and policies amongst themselves in public. The eclipse of the Liberal Party as…
Having finally analyzed the Chancellors pre-budget report, it is hard to know whether to laugh or cry. As Philip Webster and Gary Duncan write in The Times today, Gordon Brown has simply repeated his habit of imposing extra taxes and increasing public borrowing. At a time of severe labour shortages in the construction sector, the timing of his announcement of further expenditure to refurbish schools could hardly be worse.
Meanwhile his cocktail of "green taxes" looks weak and ineffective. Whereas, the Liberal Democrats would increase taxes on pollution and cut taxes elsewhere, the Labour government just increases taxes. The British economy is already groaning under the weight of Gordon Brown's attempts at micro management. Meanwhile Cameron's promise to "share the proceeds of growth"- increasing expenditure while making undefined pledges on lower taxes just looks like what it is: pure waffle.
The fact is that a limit must be set on the size of the state- and …
Much is being made of the development of a small lead for the SNP in the opinion polls ahead of next years election to Holyrood. In addition there is said to be small majorities in favour of independence on both sides of the border. The way some tell it, the United Kingdom is headed for inevitable dissolution.
So, it is a relief to see a much more balanced analysis from Magnus Linklater in The Times.
The key point is that while the idea of independence might be emotionally attractive, the practical realities would be deeply unpopular and as a result, even were the SNP to be able to form a government at Holyrood next year, they would be highly unlikely to win a referendum on independence. The support for the SNP is support for an opposition- and as the election draws nearer, even that lead in the polls may prove illusory.
To a certain extent the increase in the support for the SNP reflects the final despair of the Scottish Conservatives. The classically liberal elements of the Scottish Co…
Last week the Adam Smith Institute linked to a piece I did advocating greater understanding and use of markets in dealing with our housing crisis. Today I see The Guardian has linked to my piece pointing out the heroically overspun Blairite approach to hospital closures.
I suppose what they have in common is hostility to Mr. Blair.
Mind you, good to see that Liberalism can be attractive to people across the British political spectrum...
Last night Cicero attended a talk given by Steve Forbes, the American publisher and former presidential candidate at the London Junto- a discussion group for financiers, loosely modeled upon Ben Franklin's original Junto.
Ben Franklin famously said "Certainty? In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.". So it was particularly appropriate that the leading American advocate of flat tax should be speaking to the group.
Cicero has been involved with the Baltic countries since he first discovered the Estonian Legation in London in 1979 and Estonia has been in the vanguard of the flat tax movement in Europe. Following Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Serbia and Montenegro have all adopted modified flat tax regimes, with new countries joining the list quite regularly.
So far, no Western European state has adopted flat taxes.
A major benefit of a flat tax is that since there are no deductibles, it becomes extremely simple to calculate- thus…
Unless Mr. Putin actually wants a major diplomatic crisis- to include the arrest and or expulsion of the very large number of Russian spies in the United Kingdom- then I would suggest that he talks to his chief prosecutor- now.
The patience of the United Kingdom in the face of murder and nuclear contamination coming from Russia is not unlimited. It would be wise not to add insult to injury.
Ah! In December a young Prime Minister's fancy turns lightly to thoughts of spin.
The gigantic deficits in the British health care system are reinforcing a need to rationalise services on fewer sites. The problem is that closing hospital services is always deeply unpopular in the the communities they serve. When the services under threat are Accident and Emergency- then campaigns are tinged with the fear that A&E services might be too far away and that lives may be lost. Whether road accidents or heart attacks- people get nervous about closures.
So Mr. Blair is making a pre-emptive strike - arguing that those who oppose the closures are putting lives at risk. I have no idea whether Mr. Blair believes this, or whether he merely finds it expedient to believe this- in any event the evidence is somewhat finely balanced. However the concentration of sick people in one place strikes me as potentially quite dangerous.
Today we have MRSA- what happens tomorrow if H5N1 becomes transmissib…
Why is it required that the system should be centralised?
It is almost as though the Ministers forgot that the internet exists- it is totally unnecessary to centralise patient information to this absurd degree. While there might be concerns over the security of the links, these apply just as much to a centralised system - and curing the problem would not take £31 billion.
A system that re-invents the wheel to solve a problem that does not really exist- that is typical of Whitehall.
Meanwhile Microsoft has also managed to lay an egg, in the shape of its new Vista operating system- a system that has taken an enormous amount of centralised brain power to develop. Yet no one else will ever do the same. Again, the answer is the internet- linking simple units together creates far more…
As Dame Pauline Neville-Jones said "bloody cheek!".
Whatever the plots and machinations behind this sinister murder, the fact is that Russian agents were complict in the crime. The Russian government should understand that in previous times, this would have been considered and act of war against the Queen's peace. Instead of criticism, the British government has a right to demand full co-operation from the Russian government.
If we don't get it, then that would be tantamount to an admission of guilt.
Russia doesn't do apologies- while Blair busies himse…
Except it is not the centre ground- supporting ideas such as "relative poverty" and Polly Toynbee's rants is not triangulation, it is capitulation.
This country does not need more of the same- it needs a radical deregulation and much clearer limits to the power of the state.
The Conservatives are offering nothing new that can advance this agenda. Either they are serious about their new stand, in which case they are wrong, or they do not believe a word, in which case they are untrustworthy.
Looking at Cameron this weekend, it could even be both.
Since we have established that the poison used to kill Alexander Litvinenko was Polonium -210, it has been clear that there was a direct connection with the Russian security services.
The Polonium has also created its own trail- leaving traces in the plane that it came to Britain on, and cross contamination in several other planes.
The investigation has already established that Alexander Litvinenko was murdered, that the poison came from a specific reactor in Russia and that the poison was brought to London on October 25th on a BA flight -around the time of the Arsenal-CSKA Moscow football match. Access to the poison is limited to people with specific security clearances in the Russian security services.
As the question of how, and even who killed Mr. Litvinenko has become clearer, the critical question still remains: Why was Mr. Litvinenko killed?
In attempting to answer this question, we keep taking more steps closer to the person and personality of President Vladimir Putin himself.
As the "Yo Blair!" incident showed, the oafish Bush administration has taken Britain for granted for some time. The fact that this is now openly acknowledged in Foggy Bottom will not solve the problem.
When the inevitable change of personnel happens in Downing Street next year, we can only hope that a more sober appraisal of British interests will follow. Yet another extradition of British citizens under the one-sided US extradition treaty reminds us that there are major aspects of British American relations that need to be changed- urgently.
Cicero stirred late this morning- he had been making a speech out of town and did not return until just before two in the morning.
Through the numbing dirge of the Today Programme that came on to awake me, I suddenly sat up bolt upright in bed and issued Latinate curses.
Ken Loach, the director of the television drama "Cathy Come Home" was being interviewed concerning the latest Shelter Report that has just been released that suggests that one in seven children are homeless or living in sub-standard accommodation.
Shelter was established after Ken Loach's film publicized the issue.
Homelessness is likely to become a growing problem, as the cost of housing, relative to earnings, continues to rise. Shelter is raising an issue of significant concern.
What made me sit upright was the comment that housing shortages are caused by the free market. Furthermore, Loach explicitly said that the problem was that the economy was no longer being planned. He suggested that British industry …
The Conservatives snub to the CBI is a nice line in biting the hand that feeds you.
Now, these days, the CBI conference is less a conference of the Captains of Industry and more of a conflab of their PR people. However the message that Cameron is sending out to the wider world is interesting: the Conservatives have more important things to do than to think about the problems of business.
The problem is that that the problems of business are actually more important than the rantings of Polly Toynbee or the inner turmoil of Hoodies. British business is being undermined by regulation and high taxation. Jobs are moving away from the UK as a result, with Burberry only the latest high profile manufacturing departure to Asia.
Perhaps next year they should invite Sir Menzies Campbell. The Liberal Democrat leader now clearly leads the country's most pro-business party. After all the Liberal Democrats manifesto in 2005 called for deregulation, including sunset clauses, and a simpler tax regime including lower taxes on small business.
At a time when Labour are drowning the British economy with burdensome regulation and increased taxes, I am sure the fact that the Conservatives' promise more of the same will be noted.
In fact I see that UKIP have gained some support from the Conservatives i…
As the reverberations of the death of Alexander Litvinenko continue, several interesting facts come to light.
Firstly, the killers who planted the Polonium 210 have left finger prints all over the crime scene. Not physically, but in the Polonium 210 itself. As we know, it is an extremely rare isotope. Not only that but the precise composition of the poison will identify the reactor that it came from.
That reactor will be Russian- it may well be the GRU reactor at the "Aquarium". It is a direct smoking gun.
Access to the poison will be very limited, and under the control of the Russian security service.
Smuggling the poison into the United Kingdom would be difficult and although there are various ways that it could have come, however there is a good chance that it simply came through the diplomatic bag.
The evidence that Russian security agents were involved is overwhelming- the Polonium could not have come from anywhere else.
I had intended not to write about Russia for a little while. This is especially since I am in the Baltic states this week, and it is difficult to be objective about a Russia when here it seems very big, very bellicose and very close.
However the death of Alexander Litvinenko may end up being the catalyst for a turning point in the perception of the West about what is happening in Russia. The British authorities are, rightly, trying to ensure that the investigation into Mr. Litvinenko's "unexplained death" will be as fair as possible.
Quite likely, the British government does not want to find any connection between the Kremlin and a callous murder of a British citizen in London. Since proving such a connection in a court of law is likely to be extremely difficult, publicly the British government will maintain the polite fiction that this crime is an unpleasant distraction to good Anglo-Russian relations.
Spies, especially double agents, are not popular with anyone on either …
I flew into a dark and damp Tallinn this morning- the snow has not arrived, although the Christmas market has arrived in the Old Town Square.
I quite like the Baltic winters; although dark, they are cosy and candles and hoogvein help to lighten up the season.
Tallinn is busy- the roads are clogged, where once it would have taken 10 minutes to run in from the Airport, now it takes nearly a half hour. The Airport itself is cramped- the result of yet another expansion programme (it does not seem so long ago that the gleaming new terminal opened, now it is already too small). All of these changes are, perhaps, a function of the fact that Estonia is set to overtake Portugal in PPP GDP per capita by the end of next year. Convergence is happening so fast that it is fair to say that it looks more like overtaking.
Another reason for all the congestion is the visit of President Bush. He will arrive in Tallinn on Monday. Already the security is tight, although the fact that the President's chil…
Polly Toynbee is so consistently wrong in her analyses that it is almost comical to think that anybody, still less her political opponents, should take her seriously.
Yet, there is a kind of mad logic in the idea. The Conservative manifesto in the 2005 general election was a collection of policies that were often mutually contradictory. The spending commitments did not match with commitments in taxation or borrowing. Quite literally, the Tory manifesto did not add up. The party did not have the courage to present to the electorate what politicians usually call "tough choices". So perhaps we should not be surprised to find them so "elastic" in their other ideas about policy.
I occasionally meet refugees from the regime in Russia who have come out of the looking glass world of the secret services. Oleg Gordievsky, a highly successful agent- for the British, or Vasili Mitrohkin who brought much of the KGB archive into the public domain. I think Westerners often find the cloak and dagger brutality of the Soviet state very difficult to believe.
It is always a salutary experience reading the books of Viktor Suvorov , especially Aquarium, his personal history as a GRU- Soviet military intelligence- officer. The murderous brutality of the machine is made entirely plain. It is interesting to see how short people's memories are- the mysterious and very convenient death of Stephen Curtis of Bank Menatep in a helicopter accident seems to have been long forgotten.
Modern Russia is led by a former KGB officer. We …
The recently announced death of Milton Friedman put me in a reflective mood. In particular I was thinking about what the lessons of Thatcherism are for today's generation of political leaders.
Margaret Thatcher, nominally influenced by Friedman and indeed to some degree Friedrich von Hayek, was yet not an acolyte of these thinkers. Up until the 1982 Falklands conflict her government was pragmatic on many issues- encumbered said her allies with the need to accommodate the Heathite "wets". After the victory in the South Atlantic and subsequently in the 1983 election, her administration changed substantially. She became more abrasive and combative. 1984 saw the miners strike- and arguably the defeat of Arthur Scargill's brand on Kremlin supported Marxist unionism was both the end of the 1970's and the beginning of the end of the ideological struggles of the cold war.
Privatisation and the City big bang, with hindsight, may be seen as her lasting contribution, yet by t…
I see that the more rabid conservative bloggers are advertising a meeting of the Bruges Group over the weekend that intends to discuss policies for "a post EU" Britain.
You might expect to see such immaturity on the amusing Guido Fawkes blog- but I was moderately surprised to see the same event given equal coverage on Iain Dale's blog.
Iain is the Queen Mother of political blogging, especially since he became a Tory "A" Lister- "They can't answer back you know". Although he was on a hiding to nothing trying to unseat Norman Lamb in North Norfolk, there are many people who would certainly like to see him inside the House of Commons. Personally, I enjoy many of his initiatives as a blogger.
Nevertheless the fact that the majority of British Conservatives can no longer have a sensible debate about the costs and benefits of membership of the European Union and have taken the maximalist position of complete withdrawal just reminds me why the party should …
"My lords and members of the House of Commons, my government will pursue policies aimed at making fundamental changes to the system and conduct of government in the United Kingdom, reducing the power of the state and decentralising political decision making to the lowest appropriate level. It will seek to reduce the regulatory burden on citizens and on business and will promote personal freedom as its highest cause.
The dangerous culture of secrecy concerning government decisions at the highest level has eroded public trust in the very institutions of British democracy, accordingly a new bill enshrining a presumption that government information be published under all circumstances unless certain, limited operational military information is involved will be introduced as soon as practical. At the same time a bill to establish a right to private privacy will be published.
Democracy rests on the engagement of the citizen with their institutions, the unfair electoral system has weakene… | <urn:uuid:587ad069-be3b-478e-97f9-cd3e1a7611f6> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | http://cicerossongs.blogspot.com/2006/ | 2020-10-31T20:00:27Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107922411.94/warc/CC-MAIN-20201031181658-20201031211658-00160.warc.gz | en | 0.968191 | 5,858 |
NEUTRAL SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENT
Welcome to VirtualCourthouse.com and the online services of VirtualCourthouse LLC. (VirtualCourthouse). Please read this Agreement carefully. It governs your access to and use of the VirtualCourthouse Services through VirtualCourthouse.com. Your use of VirtualCourthouse.com is conditioned upon your acceptance of this Agreement. By clicking on the "I Accept" button or by using the VirtualCourthouse Services, you are agreeing to be legally bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement as amended from time to time. If you are acting as an employee, you agree that this Agreement will bind your employer. As used in this Agreement, "You" or "Your" includes you and your employer.
Section 2. License; Restrictions on Use
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Section 3. Access to VirtualCourthouse.com
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Section 4. Compensation and Fees.
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Section 5. Proprietary Rights
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Section 6. Warranty and Disclaimer
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Section 7. Your Warranties and Indemnification
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Section 8. Limitations of Liability
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Section 9. Arbitration
Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, which is not settled by reasonable negotiations and mediation between the parties, will be settled by arbitration under the Maryland Uniform Arbitration Act that will be binding on all parties. Each party expressly agrees to be bound to any results of such arbitration and not to dispute in any way, at law or otherwise, the decision rendered by such arbitration. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitration will be conducted by a single arbitrator and agreed rules if all parties can agree upon such arbitrator and rules, and if such agreement cannot be reached between the parties, the arbitration will be arbitrated by a single arbitrator selected and appointed by a Judge in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, Maryland in accordance with the rules determined by the arbitrator, which decision will be binding on the parties. The arbitrator will be a person from the State of Maryland, and the arbitration hearing will be held in the State of Maryland. The cost of arbitration will be borne equally by the parties unless the arbitrator makes a final determination, which determination will be binding upon the parties, that one of the parties should be regarded as the prevailing party as to the matters submitted to the arbitration, in which event the nonprevailing party will bear all costs related to the arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may, on good cause shown, seek a temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary injunction from a court of competent jurisdiction, to be effective pending the institution of the arbitration process and the deliberation and award of the arbitrator.
Section 10 Alternative Dispute Resolution Process (ADR)
10.1 Rules of the Process. The rules of the VirtualCourthouse ADR process will be determined by the agreement of the parties. In the event that the parties cannot agree upon the rules of the ADR process or have a dispute over the rules of the ADR process, the Neutral, selected and agreed upon by the parties, shall determine the rules of the ADR process.
10.2 Confidentiality. The parties and the Neutral shall keep all of the Information provided through the VirtualCourthouse dispute resolution process confidential and will not disclose that information to any other individual without the express written authorization of all of the parties. Should any party or their agent seek to compel the disclosure of any information by subpoena or other court process then that party shall be responsible for all of the costs of compelling disclosure including reasonable attorney’s fees.
Section 11. Miscellaneous
11.1 Modifications. This Agreement may be changed by VirtualCourthouse from time to time. All amendments and current user agreements will be posted on the VirtualCourthouse web site – www.virtualcourthouse.com. Continued use of VirtualCourthouse Services following the effectiveness of any change constitutes acceptance of the change. This agreement may not be modified by you unless such modification is agreed to in writing by VirtualCourthouse.
11.2 Assignment. This Agreement, and the License granted hereunder, may not be assigned by You to any third party. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement will bind and benefit the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
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11.5 Applicable Law; Jurisdiction and Venue. This Agreement will be interpreted, construed and enforced in all respects in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, U.S.A., without reference to its choice of law principles to the contrary. The 1980 UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods or its successor will not apply to this Agreement. You hereby consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in Anne Arundel County, State of Maryland, U.S.A., with respect to any claim arising under or by reason of this Agreement. You will not prosecute any action, suit, proceeding or claim arising under or by reason of this Agreement except in such courts.
11.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and this Agreement replaces and supersedes any prior verbal understandings, written communications or representations on the subject matter hereof.
Last Modified 12/29/2006 | <urn:uuid:950a90df-f930-4ede-8b1f-631a636cbaa1> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://www.virtualcourthouse.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=users.account_membership | 2020-10-31T19:59:32Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107922411.94/warc/CC-MAIN-20201031181658-20201031211658-00160.warc.gz | en | 0.875435 | 3,834 |
A History of the County of Hampshire: Volume 5. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1912.
This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.
Ermud (xi cent.); Eremuthe (xii cent.); Heremud, Ermue, Eremuham, Horemue, Ernemue (xiii cent.); Yaremuth, Yaremuth-under-Wyght, Heremuth, Iremuth (xiv cent.); Yernemouth (xvi cent.).
Yarmouth, the smallest parish in the Isle of Wight, containing only 58 acres of land, is chiefly noted as possessing one of the oldest boroughs in the Island. It is the first port inside the Needles, and lies at the mouth of the Western Yar, being connected by a bridge (fn. 1) with Freshwater parish, and has a harbour and quay. It is one of the ports for the mainland, a line of steamers running from it to Lymington, and has a station on the Isle of Wight Central railway. The pier, built by the corporation in 1876 (fn. 2) at a cost of £4,000, has three landing-stages and is 700 ft. in length. The town is well lighted and supplied with water from Afton.
There is a town hall with an undercroft on the west side of the square bearing the inscription 'A.D. 1764 the fourth year of the reign of his present Majesty King George III, this hall was rebuilt by Thomas, Lord Holmes, Governor of the Isle of Wight. Benjamin Lee Esq. Mayor.' (fn. 3) The market-house or town hall is described in 1849 as 'a neat building with a hall over it in which the several courts are held, and the public business of the corporation transacted.' (fn. 4) It was formerly known as the Guildhall. (fn. 5)
At the time of the building of the castle the town possessed four gates—the Quay Gate (fn. 6) towards the sea, the outer and inner (fn. 7) Town Gates (fn. 8) towards the east, and the Hither Gate, (fn. 9) probably to the south.
Stone Cross and Draffehaven are place-names (xvii cent.).
The borough of Yarmouth, which is co-extensive with the parish, received its first charter from Baldwin de Redvers third Earl of Devon, (fn. 10) who granted his men of Yarmouth all liberties and customs belonging to free burgesses, and quittance from tolls and other customs throughout all his lands in fairs and markets. (fn. 11)
In 1334 the burgesses of Yarmouth obtained from Edward III a confirmation of their charter, (fn. 12) but the borough still remained a mesne borough (fn. 13) until 1440, when Henry VI confirmed their charter (fn. 14) and granted the burgesses their town at a fee-farm rent of 20s., payable yearly at Michaelmas. (fn. 15) A confirmation of the charter was granted in 1466 by Edward IV, and by Queen Elizabeth in 1560. (fn. 16) The last and most important charter to Yarmouth was granted in 1609 by James I at the petition of the mayor and burgesses. (fn. 17) The town was to remain for ever a free borough, and was to be incorporate under the style of the 'Mayor and Burgesses of the borough of Yarmouth,' with the right to acquire land to the value of £20 a year, and to have a common seal. (fn. 18) The common council was to consist of the mayor and eleven chief burgesses, and was to hold the view of frankpledge and the assize of bread and ale in the gild hall.
In 1693 Lord Cutts reported that the Corporation of Yarmouth consisted of a mayor and twelve aldermen, (fn. 19) who had power to add to the corporation as many free men as they pleased, all of whom had a voice in the election of members to Parliament. (fn. 20) These free men or free burgesses, who were elected by a majority of the common council, were very numerous in the 18th century, but the Commissioners upon the Municipal Corporations of England reported in 1835 that only those were chosen who would support the interest of the patron within the borough.
Under the Municipal Corporations Act of 1883 (fn. 21) the corporation ceased to exist in March 1886, and the town is now governed by a town trust of eleven members, five of whom are elected by the parish council of Yarmouth, two by the parish council of Freshwater, three are co-optative, and one is appointed by the London and South-Western Railway Company.
The governing officer of the early borough was a bailiff who was probably an officer of the lord of the town for the time being, and was elected by him, as his stipend was paid from the issues of the town. (fn. 22) Between 1378 and 1385 the vill of Yarmouth was farmed by the bailiff at a rent of 40s., paid at Easter and Michaelmas in equal portions, (fn. 23) but from Easter 1380 to Christmas of that year no rent was paid for the town, because it had been burnt by the French, and neither the bailiff nor the townsfolk had any goods on which the rent could be distrained.
The right to elect a mayor was apparently granted to the burgesses in 1440 with the right to have the borough at fee farm, for in 1449 the fee farm was paid by the mayor, bailiff and burgesses of the borough. (fn. 24) The charter of 1609 ordered that the election of the mayor by the common council from among the chief burgesses (fn. 25) should take place yearly at the feast of St. Matthew the Apostle in the gild hall of the borough. (fn. 26) If a mayor died in office another was elected for the remainder of the year. One of the mayoral duties was to preside as returning officer at the election of members of Parliament. (fn. 27)
Originally the possession of a burgage tenement was probably a necessary qualification for a burgess, but all burgage tenures had ceased before 1835. (fn. 28) The capital burgesses (fn. 29) were chosen from among the free burgesses, but the latter never seem to have taken any part in the administration of the borough and were only present at the meetings for the election of members of Parliament. In 1835 there had been no recent elections of free burgesses except of such as were intended for chief burgesses immediately. The corporation had by this means been reduced to the smallest possible limits, possibly owing to a desire to prevent any risk of opposition at parliamentary elections. (fn. 30)
The function of the common clerk who under the charter of 1609 was elected by the common council and held office during pleasure was to attend at meetings of the common council and enter the proceedings in a book and to keep the accounts and serve as steward of the court leet. His salary was £6 6s. a year with a fee of a guinea on the election of a free or chief burgess. The serjeant-at-mace held office under the charter of 1609 during pleasure and by the election of the common council. (fn. 31) His salary was a guinea and his duty was to attend all meetings of the corporation and serve all notices and summonses of the mayor.
The market of Yarmouth was held on Mondays and a fair lasting three days took place at the feast of St. James. The right to both market and fair was successfully claimed by Isabel de Fortibus in 1279–80, (fn. 32) and belonged to the borough after 1440. By the charter of 1609 the market day was changed to Wednesday, (fn. 33) and in 1778 the market was held on Fridays, but was unfrequented. (fn. 34) In 1849 it was held on Wednesdays (fn. 35) and in 1863 and subsequently on Fridays, (fn. 36) but the market had died out before 1875. The date of the fair remained unchanged until 1863, (fn. 37) but it was merely a pleasure fair in 1792, (fn. 38) and ceased before 1875.
The revenues of the corporation in 1835 arose from tolls of the markets and fairs, wharfage dues, a rent of £4 12s. 6d. derived from 2½ acres of land, fee-farm rents from old burgage tenements called town rents, amounting to £3 17s. 6d., and rent arising from the lease of an oyster fishery. The wharfage dues were imposed upon all goods imported or exported by water, but no toll was levied upon fish. In addition to this a toll was imposed on each vessel of 12 or 15 tons and upwards. Burgesses were exempt from all these dues. (fn. 39) In 1835 the tolls of the market had diminished to 10s. a year, paid by a butcher, the only person who sold in the market-house, for his standing there. (fn. 40) Fair tolls were taken from persons setting up stalls at the fairs, but the receipts at each fair seldom exceeded 2s. 6d. (fn. 41) In the 13th and 14th centuries the market and fair tolls had varied between 16s. and 22s. (fn. 42)
By the charter of 1609 the mayor and burgesses were entitled to hold a court of pie powder, but this court, if it was ever held, was quite obsolete in 1835 (fn. 43); in fact, the borough of Yarmouth never seems to have had a borough court as distinct from the court leet, any by-laws or orders for the payment of money being made at the meetings of the common council. (fn. 44) The only case which has been found in which the court leet is called the court of the mayor and burgesses is in 1625. (fn. 45)
During the 17th century the court leet was apparently held twice a year, in April and September or October, (fn. 46) but in 1835 the commissioners found that it was held only once a year on 18 October. The jury was composed of the small tradespeople of the town, and the same persons generally attended year by year as a matter of course without a summons, providing substitutes when they were unable themselves to be present. An allowance was made to the jury for a dinner on the court day. (fn. 47) They presented two high constables, (fn. 48) two petty constables (fn. 49) and a hayward annually, and also presented encroachments, nuisances and improper weights and measures. (fn. 50)
Yarmouth and Newport together returned two members to Parliament in 1295, (fn. 51) but Yarmouth was not again represented until 1584, (fn. 52) from which date it regularly returned two members until disfranchised in 1832.
Yarmouth was visited by King John in May 1206, (fn. 53) and it was probably at this time that he entertained the Earl of Salisbury there. (fn. 54) He again visited the town in February 1213–14, making a stay of a week, (fn. 55) so that there must have been at that time a mansion of some importance at Yarmouth.
A survey of the town taken in 1559 showed that its size and importance had greatly diminished, since there were not many more than a dozen houses. (fn. 56) The commissioners of 1835 stated that there was scarcely any trade in the town and very little export or import. (fn. 57)
In the survey of Yarmouth taken in 1559 a list is given of all the boats belonging to the port. (fn. 60) At a court leet held in 1602 the inhabitants were bidden to repair the quay with all speed, (fn. 61) and in 1603 the common council ordered that every ship belonging to the port of the burden of forty tons and upwards should pay yearly at Michaelmas towards the maintenance of the quay 5s.; boats between forty and twenty tons, 2s. 6d.; and those between ten and twenty tons, 1s. 6d.; all barques of four tons and upwards using the passage should pay 1s. and 'every pynnys keeping passage' 6d. (fn. 62) In 1618 the quay was again in decay, and the duty of repairing it fell upon the mayor and constables, (fn. 63) while in 1625 a levy for that purpose was made upon all the inhabitants of the town. (fn. 64)
In 1628 Charles I granted the port of Yarmouth to Mary Wandisford, widow, and to William Wandisford, her sister's husband, (fn. 65) who proposed to include it in a scheme for cutting off the parishes of Freshwater and Totland from the main island. The mayor and burgesses petitioned against this scheme, on the ground that it would ruin their harbour by diminishing the current of the river, which was already only just sufficient to keep the harbour clear. (fn. 66) About 1662, however, the Governor of the Island cut a passage round the eastern side of the town, thus making it an island, with a view to rendering it more capable of being fortified, as a French invasion was feared. (fn. 67) Two years later the marshes were embanked and the town was connected with the main island by a drawbridge. (fn. 68) In 1825 £44 12s. 9d. was spent in repairs to the quay and sea wall, which had been injured by a storm, (fn. 69) and in 1829, the wharfs having been found insufficient, an application was made to the Board of Ordnance for a lease of some ground belonging to the castle and adjoining the old wharf, which was granted to the corporation at a rent of £1, and a quit-rent paid to the Board of Ordnance. The corporation also had to pay the government £30 for the old material standing upon the ground. In the following year the corporation built a new wharf on this land and the site of the old wharf. (fn. 70)
The trade of the port is at the present day very limited, the imports consisting chiefly of coal and iron, but not more than is required for use in the immediate neighbourhood. A small quantity of corn is exported.
The manor of YARMOUTH, consisting of a hide and 2½ virgates of land, was held in the time of King Edward the Confessor by Alvric and Wislac in parage of the king, and they retained it after the Conquest. It formed one of the three holdings in Hemreswel Hundred. (fn. 71) The manor was evidently granted by Henry I to Richard de Redvers, and subsequently followed the same descent as the lordship of the Isle (fn. 72) and Carisbrooke Castle (q.v.) until about 1440, when the men of Yarmouth began to farm their own borough. The interest of the lord of the manor was from then until about 1886 represented by a fee-farm rent of 20s. annually, which was apparently granted by the Crown to Sir Robert Holmes. He died in 1692, leaving an illegitimate daughter Mary, and left the chief part of his estate to his nephew Henry Holmes on condition that he should marry Mary Holmes. (fn. 73) This Henry did and the fee-farm rent of Yarmouth passed on his death in 1738 to his son Thomas, who was created Lord Holmes of Killmallock in 1760. (fn. 74) He died in 1764 without surviving issue, and was succeeded in the property by his nephew the Rev. Leonard Holmes, formerly Troughear, who was created Baron Holmes in 1798. (fn. 75) He died in 1804 and the rent passed to his daughter Elizabeth wife of Sir Henry Worsley Holmes, bart. On her death in 1832 it passed to her granddaughter Elizabeth, wife of William Henry Ashe A'Court, who assumed the name Holmes in 1833 and succeeded his father as Lord Heytesbury in 1860. (fn. 76) He died in 1891 and was succeeded by his grandson William Frederick third Lord Heytesbury, whose widow, Margaret Lady Heytesbury, is now lady of the manor.
Sir Robert Holmes, Governor of the Isle of Wight from 1669 until 1692, (fn. 77) built at Yarmouth a large mansion, said to be the present Pier Hotel (fn. 78) (formerly, until 1897, the George Inn), where in 1671, 1675 and 1677 he entertained the king with great magnificence. (fn. 79) The room where Charles II slept is still shown at the inn. This house was apparently built on the site of an old mansion, probably to be identified with 'the king's house' at Yarmouth mentioned in 1638. (fn. 80)
In 1301–2 a payment of 3s. was made for a new pillory at Yarmouth. (fn. 81)
The castle of Yarmouth was built towards the end of the reign of Henry VIII (fn. 82) in consequence of a raid by the French upon the Island about 1543, (fn. 83) and formed part of the south coast defence scheme which included Calshot, Hurst, and Sandown. It was built under the superintendence of Richard Worsley, then Captain of the Island, (fn. 84) and consisted of a tower and platform towards the sea, mounted with cannon of various calibre, (fn. 85) backed with the usual residence and storehouse. It had a fine gateway towards the east with the royal arms above it, (fn. 86) and seems to have been a more ambitious building than either Cowes or Sandown. The building was probably finished about 1547, for in that year £1,000 was paid to George Mill for the works at Yarmouth and for the discharge of the soldiers there. (fn. 87) The castle has always belonged to the Crown, and was exempted by a special clause in the charter of 1609 from the jurisdiction of the borough. (fn. 88) Repairs were required there in 1565, and were carried out under the direction of Richard Worsley. (fn. 89)
Owing to troubles with Spain the fortifications of the coast towns were inquired into in 1586, and the defences of Yarmouth Castle were found to be very insufficient. (fn. 90) Between March and November in the following year works costing in all £50 7s. 7d. were carried out at Yarmouth under the supervision of Thomas Worsley and John Dingley. The chief item seems to have been the erection of a fortification of earth and turf. (fn. 91) After the Armada scare it was again repaired, and a new building was erected on the platform. (fn. 92) In 1599 Sir Edmund Uvedale estimated at £300 the cost of putting Yarmouth Castle into a proper state of defence, and stated that the sum would be well spent, as Yarmouth was strongly situated, and was a necessary fort for holding up any ships which might get past Hurst Castle and Carey's Sconce. (fn. 93) Repairs were undertaken at about this time, and were reported in 1603 as being almost completed. (fn. 94) In 1609, however, the Earl of Southampton, then Governor of the Isle of Wight, spent £300 on the repairs of Sandown and Yarmouth Castles. (fn. 95) In 1623, when John Burley was Captain and the garrison consisted of four men, a survey of the castle was taken. The surveyors reported that the parapet of the middle tower was quite decayed, and that lodging was wanted for four gunners. The three rooms in the square tower were in a ruinous state and required roofing. The moat and the sluice regulating the supply of water in it were both useless. The moat was 17 rods in circumference and 2 rods wide, and was to be made 5 ft. deeper, and a counter-scarp of brick or earth was to be constructed.
Repairs were again urgently required in 1625. (fn. 96)
On the outbreak of the Civil War in 1642 the Parliamentarians took steps to secure all the castles of the Isle of Wight. Captain Barnaby Burley, who was then in command at Yarmouth, made active preparations to defend the castle for the king, but finally surrendered on condition that he might remain in the castle, the Parliamentarians leaving with him a sufficient guard. (fn. 97)
In 1650 the garrison at Yarmouth was found to be very insufficient, and it was proposed that the existing force of a captain and thirty men should be increased by thirty men and a lieutenant. (fn. 98) Thus in 1654 the garrison comprised seventy soldiers, (fn. 99) and in 1655 the cost of the upkeep of the garrison was £78 3s. 4d., and steps were taken to reduce it. (fn. 100) On the accession of Charles II the dismantling of castles and fortresses, begun under the Long Parliament as a precaution against rebellion, was carried further, and in 1661 the entire garrison of Yarmouth Castle was disbanded at four days' notice, and the removal of the guns to Cowes was ordered unless the men of Yarmouth would undertake to defend their own castle. (fn. 101) Apparently the burgesses did not do this, for in 1666 the king wrote to Lord Colepeper, then Governor of the Island, suggesting that the inhabitants of Yarmouth and other places in the Isle of Wight might contribute to the safety of the Island by fortifying their castles. (fn. 102) Some steps may have been taken in this direction, for Sir Robert Holmes, when he surveyed the fortifications in 1669, found that, though Yarmouth Castle was totally out of repair and had no officer, there were four men acting as a garrison. (fn. 103) In the following year orders were issued by the king for the proper fortification of the town of Yarmouth, fresh ground to be bought if necessary for the extension of existing fortifications, and such guns and ordnance as could be spared from Cowes to be placed at Yarmouth. (fn. 104)
In 1688, when William of Orange was preparing to land in England, Sir Robert Holmes wrote in despair to Lord Preston that he could never secure the Island without speedy help. He could only attempt to retain the two forts of Yarmouth and Hurst, the militia being already mutinous and the townspeople ready to declare in favour of the prince. (fn. 105) In the following year things were in the same bad state. (fn. 106) The military establishment in 1781 included a captain, one master gunner and five other gunners. (fn. 107) Extensive repairs were carried out at the fort in 1855, and it was then garrisoned by a detachment of the regular army of the county, (fn. 108) but it was dismantled about thirty years later, and the fort has been used since about 1898 for coastguard purposes. It consisted in 1863 of a platform with four guns. (fn. 109) The castle is leased to the proprietors of the Pier Hotel, with which it is now incorporated. (fn. 110)
The parish church of ST. JAMES is an uninteresting structure consisting of nave with north and south aisles, a chancel and a western tower. The original church was said by local tradition to have been at the east end of the town, and its foundations were visible in the old churchyard in 1845. (fn. 111) Destroyed by the French in their raid of 1377, it is said to have been rebuilt on the present site only to be again reduced to a ruin in 1543. At the beginning of the 17th century it was practically rebuilt, (fn. 112) and reconsecrated by the Bishop of Salisbury on 11 March 1626. (fn. 113) The chancel, which had a polygonal roof with enriched bosses at the intersection of the ribs, was lengthened 12 ft. in 1889. To the south of it is the little mortuary chapel containing a fine statue of Sir Robert Holmes, died 1692, and many memorials to the Holmes family. There is a wall tablet by Nollekens to Captain John Urry, 1802, and in the floor are 17th-century grave slabs of the Hide family (fn. 114) and to Peter Pryavlx, 1644. On the front of the gallery at the west end are brass tablets commemorating the different charitable bequests, and in the north aisle is the royal achievement of George I, 1715.
There is one bell, by James Bartlet of London, inscribed 'The . Gvift . of . Sir . Richard . Mason . Knight . 1679' and a clock made by Nicholas Paris in the same year.
The plate consists of two pewter 18th-century patens, plated flagon, plated paten on three feet, of 8½ in. diameter, and plated chalice, both inscribed 'PARISH OF YARMOUTH,' and silver chalice and paten. In the vestry are two lidded pewter flagons said to have formerly been used in the church.
The registers date from 1614.
Baldwin de Redvers, the first of the name, granted to the priory of Christchurch Twyneham the tithes that belonged to Sir Alfred de Brockley in Yarmouth, (fn. 115) and this grant was confirmed by his sons Richard and Baldwin and by the king in 1313. (fn. 116) The lords of the manor evidently retained the advowson, (fn. 117) and it passed to the king in the same way as the manor, (fn. 118) and was granted with it to the Earl of Chester. (fn. 119) In 1333, however, Philip de Heyterdebury came before the king and sought to recover the advowson of a moiety of the church of Yarmouth to the Prior of Christchurch Twyneham, the advowson having been taken into the king's hands on account of the prior's default before Geoffrey le Scrop the king's justice. (fn. 120) In the following year Geoffrey and his fellow-justices received orders not to put the prior in default for his absence at a suit between the king and the prior concerning the rendering by the prior to the king of a moiety of the advowson, as the prior was in the king's service at that time. (fn. 121) Presumably the whole advowson then passed to the king, (fn. 122) and the king or the Lord Chancellor presented (fn. 123) until 1866–7, when the advowson was purchased by Samuel Fisher. (fn. 124) In 1894–5 it was sold by the trustees of the Rev. C. T. Fisher to the Rev. B. Maturin, from whom it passed in 1900 to Mr. Elmer Speed, the present patron. (fn. 125)
In 1380 the church of Yarmouth was exonerated from the subsidy on account of the poverty (fn. 126) of the town, which had been burnt by the French. In 1559 in the survey above quoted it is stated that the benefice of Yarmouth was insufficient to find a priest, (fn. 127) and in 1654 the mayor and inhabitants of the town in a petition to the Protector stated that the benefice, being not above 20 marks a year, served only for an old man who could merely read. They, therefore, begged that they might have an augmentation of £50 a year, so that they could have a proper pastor, and this request was granted. (fn. 128)
A brief assigned to the year 1626 was issued for building a new church at Yarmouth, (fn. 129) and by a faculty granted by the Bishop of Winchester in 1635 the townsfolk of Yarmouth were allowed to pull down their old church, which was in a ruinous state, and to build a new one. (fn. 130)
William de Vernon, lord of the Isle of Wight from 1184 to 1216, granted and confirmed to William Mackerel the land and house at Yarmouth which Guy the clerk held, for making a hospital in honour of God and St. Mary the Virgin and All Saints, for the soul of King Henry son of Earl Geoffrey and for the soul of Earl Baldwin and Richard his brother, (fn. 131) and for the soul of William Mackerel and his ancestors. (fn. 132) William's grant was confirmed by Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury (1185–90), (fn. 133) and by Godfrey Bishop of Winchester (1189–1204). (fn. 134) The hospital was endowed with land at Milford and Kerne, and at Chalk in Wiltshire, and with the chapel of Brook. (fn. 135) William Mackerel apparently gave the hospital with its endowments to the knights of Solomon's Temple, for his gift to that effect was confirmed by Ralph his brother and successor, and by William de Vernon. (fn. 136) It would seem that the hospital was allowed to fall into decay, for no further mention of it has been found, and its endowment with the exception of the chapel of Brook was appropriated to the Knights Templars.
There are Baptist, Wesleyan and Bible Christian chapels at Yarmouth, the latter having been registered for marriages in 1869, (fn. 137) and the Plymouth Brethren have a small room.
The Town Trust, comprising the property of the dissolved corporation of 'The Mayor and Chief Burgesses of Yarmouth,' is regulated by a scheme of the Charity Commissioners 30 December 1890.
The property consists of:—
Part i, fee-farm rents and parcels of land and buildings in Yarmouth, and £134 19s. 5d. Plymouth Corporation 3 per cent. stock, £35 6s. 8d. consols, and £49 18s. 6d. India 3 per cent. stock held by the official trustees;
Part ii, the quay, harbour, wharfage, tolls and harbour dues, and also reversion of Yar Bridge;
Part iii, the pier and tolls and rates comprised in and levied under the Yarmouth (I. of W.) Pier Order 1874;
Part iv, the mace, common seal, ancient charters, &c.;
Part v, mud land containing 36 a. 2 r. 27 p.
The scheme directs that the income from Part i, about £30 a year, shall be applied in defraying cost of repairs and management of Parts i and iv, and in maintenance of the town hall and to any purpose for public benefit; the income from Part ii, about £250 a year, in payment of harbour master and other officers, in maintaining harbour lights, &c., and in contributing to the expenses of the pier; the income from Part iii, about £610 a year, in upkeep of the pier, including salaries of officers, and in paying interest accruing in respect of debts incurred.
In 1752 Thomas Lord Holmes by deed charged his farm called Alverstone in Brading with an annuity of £30, to be applied in keeping in repair the monument in the parish church in memory of his son, one-third of the residue in apprenticing poor boys and girls, a moiety of the remainder for the minister and the other moiety for the poor. By an order of the Charity Commissioners 12 June 1896 the yearly sum of 20s. was directed to be applied in repair of the monument and £9 13s. 4d. for the minister, constituting the Ecclesiastical charity, £9 13s. 4d. for apprenticing and £9 13s. 4d. for the poor.
In 1846 Joseph Squire by will bequeathed £200 consols, now £196 14s. 1d. Nottingham Corporation 3 per cent. stock, the dividends to be distributed among poor not receiving parochial relief, on the anniversary of testator's death (September 14).
In 1856 John Squire, by his will proved at Winchester 15 September, bequeathed £100 consols, now £98 7s. like Corporation stock, the income to be applied in distribution of coals to poor widows at Christmas.
In 1872 Miss Harriet Blagrave Dean Love by deed gave £200 consols, now £196 19s. 2d. like Corporation stock, the income to be distributed to the poor on 1 January yearly.
The same donor, by her will proved at London 17 March 1881, left £50 consols, now £49 4s. 3d. like Corporation stock, the interest to be applied in keeping in repair a tablet in the church and tombstones in the churchyard, and the surplus to any useful or charitable purpose. The income of this charity is accumulating until required.
In 1871 Vice-Admiral Henry Ommanney Love by deed gave £200 consols, now £196 19s. 2d. like Corporation stock, the income to be applied as to one moiety for the rector and the other moiety for the poor on 1 March in each year.
In 1868 Caroline Leigh, by her will proved at Winchester 27 October, bequeathed £1,000 consols, now £984 16s. 1d. like Corporation stock, producing £29 11s. yearly, to be applied in augmentation of the rector's stipend.
The sums of stock above mentioned are held by the official trustees, producing in the aggregate £51 13s. 6d., of which £32 10s. is received by the rector, in addition to the share of Lord Holmes's charity. The proportion (fn. 138) applicable for eleemosynary purposes is distributed in coal and money doles.
In 1825 Jane Seymour Hearne by will bequeathed a sum of money, now represented by £88 8s. Nottingham Corporation 3 per cent. stock.
In 1871 Vice-Admiral Henry Ommanney Love by deed gave £100 consols, now £98 9s. 7d. like Corporation stock.
In 1872 Miss Harriet Blagrave Dean Love by deed gave £100 consols, now £98 9s. 7d. like Corporation stock.
In 1874 Barnabas, otherwise Barnaby, Beere bequeathed a sum of money, now represented by £143 17s. 10d. like Corporation stock.
In 1897 Miss Elizabeth Leigh, by a codicil to her will proved 10 December, bequeathed £1,000 consols, now represented by £1,000 like Corporation stock, and £21 12s. 1d. consols, the income to be applied in equal proportion towards the salaries of the master and mistress of the National schools, both to be members of the Church of England.
The several sums of stock are held by the official trustees, producing in the aggregate £43 8s. yearly, which is applied in connexion with the National schools. | <urn:uuid:013cbb95-fa9e-4246-8ec2-e1041a167751> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/hants/vol5/pp286-292 | 2020-10-25T04:48:49Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107887810.47/warc/CC-MAIN-20201025041701-20201025071701-00040.warc.gz | en | 0.978381 | 7,555 |
Geofluids Flow in Rock Strata Movement Induced by Coal MiningView this Special Issue
Research Article | Open Access
Luzhen Wang, Hailing Kong, "Failure Behavior of Thin Disc Sandstone under Coupled Bending-Seepage Condition", Geofluids, vol. 2020, Article ID 8830358, 15 pages, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8830358
Failure Behavior of Thin Disc Sandstone under Coupled Bending-Seepage Condition
A floor aquifuge usually bends and fails when mining above a confined aquifer, which may lead to water inrush disaster. The floor aquifuge was simplified as a thin disc model in this paper, and a series of coupled bending-seepage tests of sandstone were carried out by a patent test system. The variation characteristics of load-displacement, load-time, and permeability-time were analyzed. The deflection and stress in the thin disc rock samples were deduced; the initiation and propagation of cracks were analyzed. The failure behavior of the thin disc rock samples was described. It shows the following: (1) The bending failure behavior relates to the stress distribution and crack evolution inside the thin disc. (2) The main cause of crack initiation is a tension-shear failure. (3) The 5 mm thickness thin discs form petal-shaped cracks, due to tensile stress, while petal-shaped cracks only appear at the cap block of the 10 mm discs, which are sheared into two pieces along the conical surface with an inclination about 45°. (4) Water inrush occurs after bending failure in the floor aquifuge, and it is an opportune moment to grout along the crack propagation trend lines to prevent the water inrush disasters.
Due to the gradual depletion of shallow mineral resources, mining activities are shifted to the deep. In deep mining activities, geological conditions become complex; confined water pressure increased. Continuous deep mining may result in bending deformation and failure of the floor aquifuge, which may link the groundwater to the working face, and induce water inrush accidents [1–4]. Hence, the bending failure of the floor above a confined aquifer is one of the reasons to induce water inrush.
Scholars began to study the mechanism of floor breakage and water inrush since the last century. Some important theories have been proposed successively, such as the key stratum theory, three-underlying belts theory, in situ rifting and zero failure theory, relative aquifuge thickness and water inrush coefficient method, and water inrush critical index method [5–9]. In recent years, due to the complex geological background and mining conditions, the floor breakage and water inrush mechanisms have been extensively and deeply studied based on the above theories, and new achievements emerged endlessly.
A large-scale model test is one of the effective means to reproduce the process of water inrush from floor breakage. Zhao et al. [10, 11] developed a large-scale three-dimensional solid-fluid coupling simulation experimental equipment, analyzed the wall rock distortion and breakage process, and described the variation law of stress and water pressure and their influence on water inrush. Li et al. divided the mining-induced floor stresses into three distinct stages with the help of a fluid-solid coupling model test system. Chen et al. described the crack formation and evolution law in the floor aquifuge by the solid-fluid coupling similar simulation test system and found that most mining cracks were vertical tensile cracks, shear cracks, and layer cracks. Kang et al. studied the failure law of the floor after mining using a large-scale simulation test system and divided the floor fracture belt into an open-off-cut fracture zone, central goaf compaction zone, and working-face fracture zone. Liu et al. found that the failure range morphological map of the mining floor was approximately a spoon shape and obtained the maximum failure depth of the floor aquifuge by similar simulation tests. Based on the multifunctional simulation test apparatus, Hua et al. pointed out that the floor heave was mainly composed of the compression bending type, shear dislocation type, and extrusion fluidity type, and the floor heave was mainly caused by the tensile failure or tensile-shear failure.
The similar model test can reproduce the process of floor’s breakage and water inrush, but it still has some disadvantages; for example, the model sizes are usually too large, cost too much, and last for long test periods. Therefore, theoretical research and numerical calculation are essential.
Miao et al. simplified the floor aquifuge to a rock beam model with both ends fixed and loaded uniformly and analyzed the strength characteristics and water-resisting performance of the floor aquifuge. Sun and Wang regarded the floor aquifuge as a square elastic thin plate with fixed constraints on four sides and deduced an instability mechanics criterion of the inclined floor water-resisting key strata using the elastic thin plate theory. Gao et al. established a fracture mechanics model based on the thin plate theory and regarded that the essence of water inrush in the mining field was the result of the accumulation of microcracks and propagation of macrocracks in the floor aquifuge caused by mining-induced stress and confined water pressure. Wang et al. established a plate model subjected to horizontal extrusion force, deduced the critical load of floor buckling failure based on the thin plate yield theory, and obtained that the floor thickness was the main factor affecting the critical load. Guo et al. analyzed the distribution of displacement and pore water pressure on the floor using Comsol Multiphysics and pointed out that the key cause of water inrush was the release of energy from the floor above the confined water aquifer when mining. Pang simplified the layered floor to homogeneous elastic plates, calculated the floor failure depth by means of the average modulus method, and considered that the lithology and composite structure of the floor are two important factors affecting the failure depth. Xie used Flac3D to analyze the damage law of elastic modulus of the floor aquifuge caused by mining qualitatively and found that the floor crack rate controlled the stress distribution in the floor and the thickness of floor aquifuge played an important role in controlling the displacement and failure depth of the floor. Obviously, the mechanism of water inrush can be clarified by mastering the failure behavior in the floor aquifuge.
The research above studied the stress distribution [10–12, 17, 23], displacement change [10, 11, 21, 23], crack evolution [13, 14, 19, 23], and failure law [15, 16, 18, 20, 22] in the floor aquifuge. The achievements reach a consensus that (1) the essence of water inrush from the floor aquifuge is the result of the combined action of mining-induced stress and confined water pressure, (2) the stress variation and crack evolution in the floor may lead to water inrush, and (3) the thickness and lithology of the floor aquifuge are two important factors affecting the failure behavior of the floor. However, the above studies ignored the correlation between the distribution of stress and the propagation of cracks when the floor aquifuge was bending, and the formation and propagation of cracks have not been described in-depth, so the bending failure characteristics and the induced water inrush behavior in the floor aquifuge need to be studied further.
To this end, this paper established a thin disc model, conducted the bending-seepage tests of different thicknesses and lithology under the coupled bending-seepage condition, calculated the deflection and stresses inside the thin disc gray sandstone and red sandstone, revealed the formation and propagation mechanism of the cracks in the thin disc rock with different thicknesses and lithology, and described the bending failure behavior in the floor aquifuge, as well as the bending-failure-induced water inrush behavior. This research is expected to provide references for the description of floor failure and the prevention of water inrush.
2. Simplified Model and Experimental Process
2.1. Simplified Model
With coal extraction continuing, the confined water pressure and the mining-induced stress become the force sources. Subject to their joint action, the floor aquifuge undergoes bending deformation. In the bending floor aquifuge, the cracks are formed, developed, and penetrated, and water flow changes from seepage to turbulence and rushes into the working face, which may cause water inrush disaster.
A simplified model is shown in Figure 1, established based on the following assumptions:(1)The floor aquifuge in practical engineering is assumed as a circular thin plate relative to the stratum; the self-weight of the thin disc rock sample is ignored.(2)Owing to the strength and stiffness of the surrounding rock mass that are far greater than those of the floor aquifuge, the constraint of the thin disc rock sample is peripheral clamping.(3)The floor aquifuge is assumed above the confined aquifer. The confined water pressure is regarded as a uniformly distributed pore pressure, , distributed on the lower surface of the thin disc rock sample.(4)Excavation disturbances induce floor heave; the upward bending deformation is applied to the thin disc rock sample, which is realized by applying an upward concentrated force, , on the lower surface of the thin disc rock sample by a conical indenter.
As shown in Figure 1(c), the peripheral clamping is equivalent to a force couple, , and a force, . is the radius of the thin disc rock sample, is a circumferential load applied by the Material Testing Machine, and a retaining ring is used to act on the annular upper surface of the thin disc rock sample.
2.2. Testing System
In order to simulate the heave and breakage of the floor aquifuge and realize the coupled bending deformation and water flow applied on the floor aquifuge, a testing system that can conduct the coupling bending-seepage test is designed and manufactured [3, 24]. It consists of an axial loading subsystem, a pore pressure loading and controlling subsystem, a permeameter subsystem, and a data acquisition and analysis subsystem. The overall design of the testing system is shown in Figure 2.
As the core of the testing system, the permeameter subsystem contains a bottom plate, a cylinder, a permeable piston, a conical indenter, a retaining ring, seals, etc., shown in Figure 3. The thin disc rock sample is fixed between the retaining ring and the conical indenter. It is critical to tightly seal the interspace between the outer boundary of the sample and the cylinder wall using high water materials and to ensure that the liquid only flows within the rock sample but not seeps out from surrounding voids before and during the loading process.
The test adopted the steady-state permeation method. Stable pore water pressure was provided by driving oil pressure in the pore pressure loading and controlling subsystem. Water flowed through the pressure transducer, flow transducer, and the inlet at the bottom plate, entered the conical indenter, and evenly distributed on the lower surface of the thin disc rock sample to simulate the action of the confined water pressure on the floor aquifuge. An axial load was applied onto the piston of the permeameter, then loaded on the upper surface of the thin disc rock sample through the retaining ring as circumferential load. Under the bidirectional actions of concentrated force from the conical indenter and circumferential load from the retaining ring, the rock sample underwent bending deformation, which was used to simulate the floor heave bending deformation of the floor aquifuge due to excavation disturbances.
2.3. Testing Scheme
2.3.1. Material Characterization and Sample Preparation
The floor aquifuge in Pan mine in Sichuan is taken as the example in this paper, which is mainly gray sandstone and red sandstone. All samples were acquired from a single rock block to ensure their similar physical properties, respectively. The physical and mechanical properties are listed in Table 1.
Based on the simplified model of the floor aquifuge and the diameter of the permeameter cylinder, the rock sample was processed as a 50 mm diameter disc. According to the definition of the thin plate theory, the thickness-diameter ratio should be less than 1/5. Therefore, two thicknesses, 5 mm and 10 mm, are selected in this research.
Samples were examined before testing to exclude those with obvious macroscopic defects and to ensure the testing values free from the impacts of macrojoints and fissures. The structures of the selected thin disc rock samples were compact, and there was no visible natural microfissure. Then, thin disc rock samples were polished to keep the surface smooth at two ends.
Taking lithology and thickness as the influencing factors, four independent tests were carried out, marked GS05, GS10, RS05, and RS10. Three samples were tested in each independent test.
2.3.2. Testing Design
At the beginning of testing, water was injected into the permeameter to saturation at least half an hour. Then, the pore pressure was loaded, and the sealing performance of the system was timely checked. According to relevant geological data, the pore pressure was set as 2 MPa in this test. When the pore pressure was completely stable at 2 MPa, the rock sample was loaded by the axial loading subsystem in the displacement control mode at a loading rate of 0.5 mm/min till the rock sample failed.
In addition, the pore pressure and water flow were simultaneously acquired from the beginning of loading; the load and displacement during bending deformation were real-time recorded.
Permeability, , can be calculated by Darcy’s law as below:where is the dynamic viscosity of water, is the seepage speed calculated from , is the pore pressure, and is the thickness of the thin disc rock sample.
3. Experimental Results
3.1. Variation Characteristics of Load-Displacement Curves
Figure 4 shows the load-displacement () curves of the gray sandstone and red sandstone with two different thicknesses. They have similar variation characteristics, which can be divided into four stages , as shown in Figure 5.
The section of the segment is shorter and steeper. This section contains adaptive adjustment and elastic deformation of the thin disc structure under uniform water pressure and bending load. Obviously, the thin disc samples have low elastic deformation.
The segment is a line with a very small slope; the deformation increases significantly while the load-carrying capacity increases very small in this stage. The structure produces large plastic deformation, and microcracks in the disc germinate and develop; floor heave occurs in the section [16, 25, 26].
The section has a great slope. With the increase of deformation, the load increases sharply, and the bearing capacity of the thin disc structure is strengthened. In this stage, the crack propagation inside the thin disc changes qualitatively, microcracks develop and grow continuously, forming macrocracks, and the internal structure of the thin disc is damaged gradually. Although the thin disc structure is still in the overall state, the internal cracks penetrate rapidly. The bearing capacity of the thin disc structure reaches its peak value at point , which is listed in Table 2. It presents that the thicker disc rock sample has a greater peak load, the peak value of red sandstone with the same thickness is larger than that of gray sandstone, and the displacement of gray sandstone is less than that of red sandstone.
After the peak value, is the postfracture stage. In this stage, cracks intersect each other, under the action of splitting expansion of pore water pressure, the macrofracture surface is united and formed, and rock blocks slide along the fracture surface, which may cause water inrush [27, 28]. The bearing capacity of the sample decreases slowly with the increase of deformation in and then drops rapidly in , and the thin disc structure collapses till its bearing capacity loses completely. Generally, if the deformation and heave behavior of the floor have not been dealt with in time before the peak value in the project, it can be remedied in the section. Because the floor still has its bearing capacity, it is not too late to control the floor deformation and heave behavior by means of grouting. Mastering the characteristics of crack initiation and propagation can better guide grouting.
3.2. Time-Varying Characteristics of Load and Permeability
Figure 6 shows the load-time () curves and permeability-time () curves of the gray sandstone and red sandstone with two different thicknesses.
The permeability of the intact thin disc rock sample is about 10-17 m2 at the beginning of the experiments, which is consistent with the testing result of standard intact rock samples [29–37]. It increases rapidly after bending failure occurred several seconds, water flow changes from seepage to turbulence simultaneously, and then, water inrush may occur. In this process, permeability evolved from 10-17 m2 up to 10-11 m2, increasing six orders of magnitude. Its evolution rule is obviously different from standard rock samples , in which permeability usually increases three to four orders of magnitude after the postpeak strength. Obviously, the permeability of the thin disc structure changes greatly with stronger mutation, because the stress distribution and crack evolution of the thin disc are different from that of the standard rock sample.
As shown in Figure 6, the peak permeability always lags the peak load, indicating that it still has time and opportunity to take measures to prevent water inrush disaster, which is consistent with the section in Figure 5. Table 3 lists the occurrence time of peak load and peak permeability, as well as the lagging time.
The sample GS05 experienced the longest time; this is because the sealing material between the outer boundary of the sample and the cylinder wall was compacted for a long time. The compression of the sealing material only prolongs the test time but does not affect the deformation measurement of the sample. Because of the difference in experimental operation, the peak load and permeability occurrence times of four samples cannot be compared separately. Only the lagging time can be analyzed; it shows that the lagging time of gray sandstone is longer than that of red sandstone. It is because the brittle behaviors of the thin disc in the postfracture stage are different, which relates to the crack propagation. The longer the lagging time is, the longer the time that can be used for water inrush prevention and control is, the more effective the water inrush risk can be reduced.
3.3. Bending Failure Pattern
Figure 7 shows the bending failure patterns of the four thin disc rock samples. The 5 mm thickness disc rock samples formed petal-shaped cracks after bending failure, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(c). For the 10 mm thickness disc samples, a cap block was cut out along a conical surface with an inclination about 45°, as shown in Figures 7(b) and 7(d), and petal-shaped cracks also appear in the cap block.
Obviously, when the thin disc rock samples are under the coupled bending-seepage condition, their failure behaviors belong to the problem of structural failure. It is related not only to material properties but also to the structural properties and external force characteristics. In order to analyze the bending failure behavior in-depth, the stress distribution and crack evolution in the thin disc rock structures should be studied further.
The hard rock floor aquifuge is mainly a local plastic failure, and the stability coefficient is generally high; it can be solved with the elastic solution .
4.1. Deflection Calculation and Distribution in Thin Disc Rock Samples
Based on the simplified model in Figure 1(c), circumferential load, , and pore pressure, , can be measured timely during the test; the concentrated force, , and the force couple, , can be calculated as
In polar coordinates, as shown in Figure 1, the transverse loads on the thin disc rock sample are symmetrical around the -axis, which is a vertical plate face up. The deflection, , of the elastic thin disc is also symmetrical around the -axis, and it is a function of but does not change with . When the thin disc rock sample bends axial-symmetrically, the differential equation of the deflection iswhere is the bending stiffness of thin disc and and are elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio, respectively.
A semi-inverse method is used to solve the differential Equation (3); the general solution for the deflection of the thin disc rock sample iswhere , , , and are coefficients, determined by the boundary conditions.
Based on the boundary conditions in the mechanical model, the deflection is expressed as
Applying Equation (5), the deflection distribution inside the thin disc rock sample along the radius direction at different loading times could be obtained.
The deflection distributions along the radius direction when are shown in Figure 8(a). It shows that when the thin disc rock sample is only under the action of pore pressure, the maximum deflections of samples GS05, GS10, RS05, and RS10 are 0.0191, 0.00374, 0.0264, and 0.0046 mm, respectively. It can be inferred that the thinner the floor aquifuge, the larger the deformation caused by the confined water pressure.
Figure 8(b) shows the deflection distributions at the time of peak load appearance, , the maximum deflections of samples GS05, GS10, RS05, and RS10 are 0.0218, 0.0132, 0.0797, and 0.0203 mm, respectively. Mining disturbance induces further bending deformation of the floor. Under the combined action of mining-induced stress and confined water pressure, the deflection of the floor aquifuge is 1.2 to 4 times of that under the alone confined water pressure.
It is worth noting that these deflections are the elastic ultimate load-bearing displacements. The displacements are different from the values in Table 2, which includes not only the deformation of the thin disc rock sample but also the deformation of the sealing material and the displacement of the sample after being fractured.
The maximum deflections both occur at the center of the thin disc rock sample when and ; as a result, the center of the disc is the dangerous position that the disc may break from here.
Sandstone is a typical brittle material at room temperature; its elastic deformation is weak. The bending failure of the thin disc rock sample mainly results from the strength, but not the stiffness. Therefore, in addition to analyzing the deformation in the disc, stress distribution should be emphasized.
4.2. Stress Calculation and Distribution in Thin Disc Rock Samples
As Figure 9 shows, through the analysis of the microelement in the thin disc rock sample, the internal force equation of the element is calculated as follows:
(a) distribution curves
(b) distribution curves
(c) distribution curves
As seen in Figure 10(a), the reverse bending point of is about 0.01 m away from the center of the disc. When m, the upper surface of the disc is in tension and the lower surface is in compression, and when m, it is just the opposite. All the samples except for GS05 have the maximum value of at the center, where it is the most dangerous cross-section. Particularly, the maximum value of occurs at the edge in the sample of GS05. The value in the center is slightly less than that in the edge; both the center and edge cross-sections are dangerous sections.
It can be seen from Figure 10(b) that the distribution curves are similar to the distribution curves of , but the reverse bending point is different, which is about 0.022 m away from the center. When m, the upper surface of the disc rock sample is in tension and the lower surface is in compression, and when m, the upper surface is compressed and the lower surface is tensed. The maximum value of occurs at the center, so the central cross-section is the most dangerous point.
It can be seen from Figure 10(c) that when m, the shear force in the disc changes from positive to negative. The maximum value of occurs at the center of the disc, so it is the most dangerous cross-section; the direction of the shear force at the dangerous section is downward.
Using Equation (7), the stress distribution at the central dangerous cross-section along the direction of the disc thickness (i.e., the -axis direction) is shown in Figure 11(a). For the sample of GS05, the edge cross-section is dangerous too; its stress distribution along the direction of the disc thickness is shown in Figure 11(b).
(a) Stress distribution at the central dangerous cross-section along the thickness direction
(b) Stress distribution at the edge dangerous cross-section along the thickness direction for the sample of GS05
As seen in Figure 11, both and are linearly distributed along the thickness direction, forming the bending moments and , respectively. The maximum values of and occur at the upper and lower points of the dangerous cross-sections. is parabolically distributed along the thickness direction, constituting the shear force . The maximum value occurs at the neutral point of the dangerous cross-section.
Summing up, the location and stresses of the dangerous points in the thin disc rock samples can be calculated and are shown in Table 4.
As illustrated in Table 4, for sample GS05, at the upper and lower points of the edge cross-section is very large, and the thin disc rock sample may be damaged from the edge. For samples GS05, GS10, RS05, and RS10, both and occur at the upper and lower points of the central cross-section, and occurs at the neutral point of the central cross-section. is larger than at the upper and lower points of the central cross-section, and the thin disc rock sample may be damaged mainly by from the center.
It also shows that the sample RS05 has the largest , , and , followed by RS10, GS10, and GS05. The thin disc red sandstone has higher stress than the gray one. The greater the stress is, the faster the cracks develop in the thin disc, and the shorter the time of water inrush passage through. This is consistent with the experimental phenomenon that the lagging time of red sandstone is shorter than that of gray sandstone in Table 3.
The stress state of dangerous points in the thin disc rock samples can be described as shown in Figure 12.
(a) The biaxial tensile stress state
(b) The biaxial compressive stress state
(c) The uniaxial tensile stress state
(d) The uniaxial compressive stress state
(e) The pure shear stress state
Based on the description for the location and stress state of the dangerous points on the thin discs, these dangerous points are in the biaxial tensile/compressive stress state, the uniaxial tensile/compressive stress state, and the pure shear stress state, respectively. The structural failure of the thin disc rock sample is mainly due to the stress reaching or exceeding its strength limit, and therefore, the strength condition should be established to reveal the failure mechanism.
4.3. Crack Initiation and Propagation in Thin Disc Rock Samples
Sandstone is a kind of brittle material so that we use the Maximum Tensile Stress Theory and Mohr-Coulomb Strength Theory to analyze the bending failure behavior.
4.3.1. The Cause of the Crack Initiation
Combining Figures 12 and 13, the upper points of the central cross-section in the four samples are the dangerous points. They are in the biaxial tensile stress state, and the principal stresses of the dangerous points are , , and 0. According to the Maximum Tensile Stress Theory, when bending failure occurs, the maximum tangential tensile stress reaches and exceeds the allowable tensile stress. So, the upper points of the central cross-section in the disc, i.e., the points in Figure 13, are the points of crack initiation, and the disc rock sample is tensed at these points along the tangential direction.
Meanwhile, the lower points of the edge cross-section in sample GS05 are also the dangerous points. They are in the uniaxial tensile stress state, and the principal stresses of the dangerous points are , 0, and 0. When bending failure occurs in sample GS05, the maximum radial tensile stress reaches and exceeds the allowable tensile stress. Therefore, for the sample GS05, besides the upper points of the central cross-section, the lower points of the edge cross-section, i.e., the points in Figure 13, are the points of crack initiation, too. That is to say, the sample GS05 is tensed simultaneously at the location along the tangential direction and at location along the radial direction.
In addition, the neutral points of the central cross-section in the four thin disc rock samples are also dangerous points, which are in the pure shear stress state, and the principal stresses of the dangerous points are , 0, and -. According to the Mohr-Coulomb Strength Theory, it is obviously obtained that shear is the main cause of the bending failure. It shows that the four kinds of discs also suffer from shear failure from the neutral points of the central cross-section, i.e., the points in Figure 13; this location is also the points of crack initiation.
In summary, the crack initiation points for the samples GS10, RS05, and RS10 are and as shown in Figure 13; the crack develops resulting from the upper point of the central cross-section which is tensed along the tangential direction and the neutral point of the central cross-section which is sheared. The crack initiation points for sample GS05 are , , and in Figure 13; they are caused by the upper points of the central cross-section and the lower points of the edge cross-section that are tensed simultaneously along the tangential direction at the center and radial direction at the edge and the neutral points of the central cross-section that is sheared. Briefly, tension-shear failure is the main reason for crack initiation.
4.3.2. The Cause of Crack Propagation
As seen in Table 4, there are two dangerous locations in sample GS05. One is at the disc center, where and play major roles, and is about 2.06 times of . The other is at the lower points of the disc edge, which is the uniaxial tensile stress state dominated by . Crack propagation in this disc is caused by the tangential tensile stress and shear stress at the center and the radial tensile stress at the edge. The cracks are developed oppositely by the tension-shear failure at the center and tension failure at the edge, producing the petal-shaped cracks shown in Figure 14(a).
(c) GS10 and RS10
For sample RS05, the cracks propagate from the center, where is only 1.38 times . Crack propagation of this disc is mainly due to the tension failure, which is perpendicular to the radius direction and caused by the tangential tensile stress. The cracks develop from the center to the edge; petal-shaped cracks are formed, as shown in Figure 14(b).
For samples GS10 and RS10, is about 2.38 times . Due to the thicker thickness, crack propagation in the disc is mainly caused by shear failure; meanwhile, the tension failure plays a secondary role. As shown in Figure 14(c), the cracks rise along a conical surface with an inclination about 45° from the center to the edge, and the disc rock sample is sheared into two pieces. The cap block is accompanied by petals with tension cracks caused by the tangential tensile stress.
4.4. Bending-Failure-Induced Water Inrush Behavior in the Floor Aquifuge
During mining activities, the floor aquifuge is bending; the deflection and stress are changing timely. It is safe when the deflection and stress are far less than the allowable values. The cracks initiate and propagate with the increase of stress, and the confined water pressure split and expand the cracks continuously. When bending failure occurs, the maximum tensile stress exceeds the allowable values; the cracks propagate to penetrate.
Although the occurrence of bending failure is really very dangerous, the water inrush disaster does not happen immediately, because of the water inrush lagging. There is a short time to take measures to grout the cracks and to prevent the water inrush accident. According to the crack initiation and propagation (Figure 14), the grouting should be at the center or the edge of the floor aquifuge along the crack propagation trend lines.
A simplified thin disc model was introduced to study the bending failure of the floor aquifuge. Based on a self-designed experimental system, thin disc gray and red sandstone samples were tested under coupled bending-seepage condition to study the failure behavior. The failure behavior in thin disc sandstone with two different lithologies and thicknesses were analyzed. The main conclusions can be drawn as follows:(1)The failure process of thin disc sandstone can be divided into four stages: adaptive adjustment and elastic deformation stage, plastic deformation and microcrack development stage, bearing capacity strengthening and macrocrack formation stage, and postfracture stage, of which water inrush disaster occurs at the postfracture stage.(2)The permeability changes from 10-17 m2 to 10-11 m2 in the thin disc structure, and the sharp increase leads to more sudden and intense water inrush. The peak permeability always lags the peak load, and the lagging time of water inrush in gray sandstone is longer than that in red sandstone owing to the difference of crack propagation.(3)The crack initiation point occurred at the center because of the tangential tensile stress and shear stress. The crack propagation is related to disc thickness and lithology.(4)Water inrush accident occurs after the bending failure in the floor aquifuge. It is an opportune moment to grout along the crack propagation trend lines to prevent the water inrush disasters.
|:||Radius of the thin disc rock sample (L)|
|:||Bending stiffness of thin disc (ML2T-2)|
|:||Elastic modulus (ML-1T-2)|
|:||Circumferential load (MLT-2)|
|:||Shearing internal forces (MLT-2)|
|:||Force couple (ML2T-2)|
|:||Internal force couples (ML2T-2)|
|:||Concentrated force (MLT-2)|
|:||Peak load (MLT-2)|
|:||Confined water pressure/pore pressure (ML-1T-2)|
|:||Water flow (L3T-1)|
|:||Radial direction in polar coordinates (-)|
|:||Testing time (T)|
|:||Seepage speed (LT-1)|
|:||Symmetrical axis (-)|
|:||Thickness of the disc (L)|
|:||Tangential direction in polar coordinates (-)|
|:||Dynamic viscosity of water (ML-1T-1)|
|:||Poisson ratio (-)|
|:||Uniaxial compressive strength (ML-1T-2)|
|:||Radial stress (ML-1T-2)|
|:||Maximum radial stress (ML-1T-2)|
|:||Tensile strength (ML-1T-2)|
|:||Tangential stress (ML-1T-2)|
|:||Maximum tangential stress (ML-1T-2)|
|, , :||Shear stresses (ML-1T-2)|
|:||Maximum shear stress (ML-1T-2)|
|:||Internal friction angle (-).|
The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by the National Natural Science Fund (11502229), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province of China (BK20160433), the Program of Yellow Sea Elite in Yancheng Institute of Technology (2019), the Program of Outstanding Young Scholars in Yancheng Institute of Technology (2014), the Program of Yellow Sea Team in Yancheng Institute of Technology (2019), and the Program of innovative training program for College Students in Yancheng Institute of Technology (2020).
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Copyright © 2020 Luzhen Wang and Hailing Kong. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. | <urn:uuid:b9edac35-be53-4753-bd97-c1aec8a1fda6> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | https://www.hindawi.com/journals/geofluids/2020/8830358/ | 2020-10-25T05:20:39Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107887810.47/warc/CC-MAIN-20201025041701-20201025071701-00040.warc.gz | en | 0.909013 | 10,021 |
Life is about to change in a huge way for CW sweethearts Jensen Ackles and Danneel Harris Ackles — they’re expecting twins!
A rep for the couple, who have been married since 2010, confirmed that they will welcome a son and a daughter later this year.
The babies will join 3-year-old big sister Justice “JJ” Jay.
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Courtesy Danneel Harris
Fans of One Tree Hill — whose cast recently reunited for a night of fun — will recognize Harris Ackles, 37, from her role as Rachel Gatina. She is also known for her 2004 role as Shannon McBain on One Life to Live.
Ackles, 38, is easily recognizable as Dean Winchester from Supernatural, on which he has starred since its inception in 2005.
“In an effort 2 squash some posers, my daughter is helping me start an Instagram profile,” he wrote. “Chk it out. Hint: it’s just my name.”
— Jen Juneau with reporting by Julie Jordan
David Nail on Fertility Struggles Before His Twins: We Felt ‘Like Everything Was Stacked Against’ Us
David Nail became a first-time dad in December to twins Lawson Brent and Lillian Catherine. And now, he’s opening up about the fertility struggles he and wife of seven years Catherine endured on their multiple-year journey toward expanding their family.
“A lot of what we dealt with had to do with me,” admits the country singer, 37, in a video for his website’s #Fighter series, which premiered Wednesday and will lead up to the Friday release of Nail’s album Fighter. “As a man, you definitely don’t want to hear that.”
Aside from Nail’s video — in which he and Catherine discuss their fertility issues and Nail’s past experiences with long-term depression — the six-episode series will run inspirational “fighter” stories from everyday people who have conquered hurdles in their own lives.
The “Night’s On Fire” crooner also recounts his thoughts behind their decision to implant two embryos, regardless of the risk and difficulty involved in potentially having and raising twins.
” ‘It’s been this difficult … if we are so lucky to have two, it may be the only two we ever get,’ ” Nail recalls saying.
Courtesy Nail Family
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Though Nail admits it got to the point where it felt “like everything was stacked against” the couple, the time and effort involved in trying multiple procedures was worth it — for both of them.
“[Catherine] had dreams to be a mother, and would always tell me that’s what she was born to do,” he says. “So in whatever way I was [contributing to that not] happening was beyond frustrating.”
Catherine adds it was “insult to injury” for her husband after finding out the cause of their conception issues right around the time Nail’s depression was diagnosed. But she adds she would go through the entire fertility treatment process again.
“Your eye is on the prize, and that’s just what I kept telling myself every single day: ‘What’s the end result?’ ” the new mom says. “Yes, this may hurt for now, but I would do it again. I would do it 10 times again to get what we have now.”
The couple also shares the stories behind the moments Catherine found out she was pregnant, breaking the news to her husband and the day their children were born.
“I had a pretty decent idea of what I was about to witness but I had, at the end of the day, no clue,” Nail says about his experience during his wife’s labor and childbirth. “I can remember [the doctors] counting the needles and counting the knives and the tools.
“I can remember her shaking,” he adds, continuing emotionally as both he and his wife tear up. “And then you hear somebody cry.”
Nail also admits that he knew his life had just changed in the best way immediately upon the arrival of Lawson and Lillian.
“It’s the beginning of a new journey, but it’s the end of this tremendous struggle that we had gone through for so long,” the singer says of his thoughts following the moment he became a father.
Fighter comprises 11 tracks total — including one called “Babies,” a tribute to his twins.
“The most important part of the song was to let them know, ‘Hey, this wasn’t just some Tuesday night [where] we went out to dinner and came home and nine months later you were here,’ ” he shares. ” ‘This was a lot of prayer, a lot of work, a lot of frustration, anger, fights.’ ”
He continues shakily before wiping a tear away, “You just want them to know that it wasn’t easy, but [you’d] go through it 15 times just to experience that moment again.”
In a press release for the album, Nail gets honest about what writing and recording the album meant for him.
“I truly believe this album, from top to bottom, is the first time I have been able to tell my story in real time of where I am right now as an artist, a husband and a father,” he confessed.
“I wrote more songs for this album than I have for any of my other three so it’s already more personal. Fighter speaks to my journey, my life and now to where I am personally and professionally.”
For more inspiring stories from the Fighter series, go to fighter.davidnail.com.
— Jen Juneau
Dania Ramirez on Going Back to Work Two Weeks After Giving Birth to Twins: ‘It Was a Really Good Learning Experience’
“I also went to work two and a half weeks after I had the babies,” the actress, 36, told reporters at the Devious Maids season 4 premiere party on Thursday. “And it’s twins. So you can imagine, I still can’t wrap my head around it. I still ask myself this question every single day.”
Ramirez adds, “I think it was a really good learning experience for me as an actress and, also, as a mother. I didn’t really have time to double guess anything.”
The actress, who welcomed her babies in 2014 with husband John Beverly Amos Land, admits that going back to work was no easy task.
“I think, for me, the season where I had the babies was very difficult because there was just no time,” she says. “With two babies, I was getting like 15 minutes, maybe, of sleep in between feedings and changing them. But it definitely made me stronger, and it made me feel like I was a better actress in a way. So I think it definitely defined a lot of the characteristics that I took with my character.”
Now, her little ones are 2 years old with blooming personalities.
“They’re incredible,” says Ramirez. “I think mother of twins, the one thing that you, from my opinion, need to have is just patience. And it really puts everything into perspective, for me, anyway. I’m working in that industry that’s always up and down, and it’s always hectic.”
She adds, “There’s nothing more motivating, there’s nothing more fulfilling than knowing that I’m doing it for them.”
— Christina Dugan
It’ll be girls for Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and pregnant wife Sally.
The father of four revealed the sex of his twins on Sunday after Sally left the iconic rock band’s tour.
While Wood, 68, took the stage in Rio, Brazil, Sally, 38, returned home for fear of the Zika virus — prompting the big announcement.
“My wife @sallywood has not been ‘sent home’ from the @rollingstones tour,” Wood tweeted over the weekend. “Our twins come first and we decided the Zika virus & excessive flying was too dangerous for them.”
He continued, “Our baby GIRLS are growing beautifully. Thank you for the love!”
Source: Ronnie Wood/Twitter; Inset: Dave Benett/Getty
Alongside the revelation, Wood included a hand-drawn photo of Sally and their daughters-to-be, as well as a nude shot of the expectant mom’s growing baby bump.
Wood re-shared the images to her own Twitter account, adding, “Yes, we’re having two girls! So wonderfully happy & excited, we can’t wait to meet them.”
Sally is due in June, and the baby girls will join the impressive Wood brood, which includes sons Jamie, 41, Jesse, 39, and Tyrone, 32, and daughter, Leah, 37, as well as the rocker’s 10 grandchildren.
The mom-to-be’s decision to leave the Stones’ tour is not surprising, as the mosquito-borne Zika virus can be transmitted to fetuses through a pregnant woman’s amniotic fluid. Further, it’s thought to be connected to microcephaly, a neurological disorder that leads to babies being born with much-smaller-than-normal heads and ultimately creates developmental problems.
— Lindsay Kimble
“We used to go on vacations all the time, but then suddenly Sarah was pregnant,” the Shameless actor tells PEOPLE of life prior to son William Wolf‘s birth in 2009. “All our energy was going to the baby.”
But when the couple welcomed twins Violet Moon and Knox Blue last March, they felt a little more prepared for what was in store.
“It is not easy, but all three are beautiful babies,” says Howey. “We’re a very close-knit family, just bigger.”
Shahi, 36, gave birth to Violet (who is the older twin by two hours) and Knox at their Sherman Oaks, California, home — a decision the couple made after watching a documentary called The Business of Being Born.
“You have more control during a home birth and with hospital births, there is a system in place and we didn’t like the whole system,” Howey explains. “[Sarah] did not like the idea of being injected with stuff and having a c-section.”
Howey says he helped deliver the babies with the aide of a doula, midwife, and — for the twins — a licensed OB/GYN, and contends that he understands home births are “not for everybody.”
Naming their brood was a little easier: Howey says the pair “went through a bunch of different names” before settling on Moon as a middle moniker for Violet, as it is Shahi’s mother’s maiden name.
“Moon is the English translation of Sarah’s mom’s name,” he shares. “[We] were going to name her Moon, but we decided that was better as a middle name. We liked Ruby and Olive — we liked colors for a girl — and then I came up with Violet.”
He calls Knox’s moniker “old timey” and says Wolf is named as such because he “wanted to go with an animal name.”
“Names are tough because one person loves it and another person hates it, but these kids were not going to be named Steve or Michael or anything like that,” he says.
Just a couple of months after giving birth, Shahi flew her newborns with her to New York City, where she was filming Person of Interest.
Meanwhile, Howey, 38, stayed with Wolf in Los Angeles, where he was filming Shameless.
“It wasn’t ideal,” admits Shahi. “But we made it work with lots of communication.”
Recently reunited in Los Angeles, Shahi says she and Howey are “in the trenches together” as they establish their routine.
“It can be overwhelming,” says Howey, who gives their nanny a lot of credit for making their lives easier.
“But Sarah and I work really hard now to schedule workout time together. Or we’ll run to the kitchen and do a tequila shot really fast — just do something together. Then it’s right back into the playroom or changing a diaper.”
For more from Howey and Shahi, including how the twins get along (or don’t!), pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
— Patrick Gomez
The Romijn-O’Connells know how to have a good time — and they have the pictures to prove it.
Actress Rebecca Romijn and husband Jerry O’Connell have been sharing snapshots from their family vacation on social media, and the foursome — including twin daughters Dolly and Charlie — are having a blast while soaking up some sun.
The actor posted a picture of his wife walking down the beach as their girls practice cartwheels and run alongside the Librarians star, who showed off her amazing bikini body in a teeny two-piece.
In a second photo, O’Connell shared a sweet moment with daughter Dolly and happily posted the picture while he still can.
“Still at the stage where they like me so figured it was postable,” he joked.
Romijn’s Instagram is filled with fun photos from their hot spot destination — including one of O’Connell showing off his own beach body in a speedo.
“Preparing for the wire walk,” she wrote alongside the photo of her husband balancing on a wooden board.
But O’Connell wasn’t the only brave one in the family: After peering over the edge, one of the twins took the plunge and jumped off the board with Romijn.
“Jumping into 2016 today,” the mom of two captioned the candid.
Not only did the couple ring in the new year with their daughters at the tropical locale, but they also celebrated the twins’ Dec. 28 birthday.
“Happy 7th birthday to these two yesterday. Sorry it took me so long, wifi slow in paradise,” the proud mama joked on Instagram.
— Anya Leon
“They sleep through the night,” Saum, 41, told PEOPLE. “We don’t need a DNA test because they like to sleep like me, so I know they’re mine.”
Adds husband Kamar do los Reyes, “They’ve been giving us nine to 10 hours and they wake up for a quick bottle and go back down for another hour and a half.”
Saum has avoided cutting her boys’ long curly shoulder-length locks — and isn’t planning on taking the plunge anytime soon.
“I’m not going to ever,” she says. “I just don’t see the point unless they have a job interview coming up, then I might consider it. But even then, I might try to fake a pin under a bun or something.”
John carries a slightly darker shade of brown than his brother Michael, who sports natural highlights. “This one is a little blond,” says Saum. “Teri Polo, my costar on The Fosters, is always like, ‘That’s my son. He’s blond!’ I don’t know what happened biologically, but he’s mine.”
Though their sleep patterns and hair length are the same, differences in their personalities are definitely starting to show. “From day one, Michael was like, ‘Hey, I’m the showman,’ ” Saum says. “John is super chill, we call him ‘super chill.’ ”
The couple are encouraging their children to learn Spanish and admit their bilingual skills are in full force.
“They have a repository of vocabulary words now,” says Saum. “We speak to them in Spanish so they have about six, seven, eight words now. They’re saying, ‘hola,’ ‘luna,’ [and] ‘mas.’ The big one is ‘mas’ — more, more, more! Mas! Mas! Mas!”
The family will be enjoying more and more festive cheer as they set up their home for the holidays. “They’re starting now to just notice a lot of things so we will decorate a tree,” says Saum. “They’ll be able to decorate a tree for the first time.”
As parents, they know things won’t be perfect and that when it comes to the tree the kids will probably “knock it down,” Reyes jokes. Which makes the holiday all the more fun for this family.
“We’re going to take it as it comes,” Saum shares. “I’m big on not forcing things and not trying to be the perfect Christmas mom. I’m just going to be like, ‘Let’s get through the day and see if we can have a candy cane and call it success.’ ”
— Raha Lewis
“Adrienne and I enjoyed a lot of pillow talk while we were dating about having kids and raising a big family,” Chris, 31, told PEOPLE at Monday night’s opening of Sparkle + Shine Darling, Adrienne’s glam new gift shop, cafe and event space in Miami Beach.
He adds, “It’s exciting to actually be doing it now!”
Already the parents of three children, the couple admit they enjoy the chaos of hearing many young voices filling their home.
“I love having lots of children around, and a big family is wonderful for holidays and other traditions. It’s really fun to watch them grow and become cohesive adults,” Adrienne, 30, told PEOPLE during the party that included Chris’ basketball teammate Dwyane Wade and his actress wife Gabrielle Union.
The couple are parents to Trinity, 7, who is Chris’ daughter with Allison Mathis, and Jackson 3, and Dylan Skye, 2, their children together. Already, the Bosh kids are thrilled to welcome new siblings.
“Jackson thinks the twins will be a big brother and sister who want to play with him,” says Adrienne with a laugh. “He is excited, but doesn’t quite understand. Trinity went to the ultrasound with me. And Dylan rubs my stomach and puts lotion on me.”
While awaiting their arrivals, Adrienne will be busy with day-to-day operations of the new store, which has become a passion over the last couple of years.
“I haven’t had time to think about a nursery because I have been part of the creative process of this store and curating with unique gifts from around the world,” Adrienne says of the glittery, girly shop done up in pink and black with gold and silver accents.
“But I have a good team around me who will help when I need the time,” she explains.
Among the dozens of displays of whimsical and practical gifts, stationery and books, Adrienne has several sections of baby gifts like pink studded slippers, tutus, hand knitted hats, stuffed animals, bows, dolls, pajamas and adorable little purses.
She loves to dress her own toddlers and applauds her husband for being such an amazing dad even though he is constantly busy with his basketball career.
“Chris is a great father,” she shares. “He helps me dress the kids, feed them and put them to bed when he is not sword-fighting with our son!”
She adds: “I would not be having more kids with him if he weren’t so good!”
Chris is super anxious to welcome their new additions — even if their births may coincide with the NBA playoffs.
“The joy of babies is priceless,” Bosh tells PEOPLE. “And I consider them good luck. We can’t wait!”
— Linda Marx
David Nail is on fire — on all fronts!
In addition to his hot new single, “Night’s on Fire,” the country singer is also set to become a first-time father — to twins!
Nail walked the red carpet at Wednesday’s CMA Awards with his leading lady, wife Catherine, on his arm.
And while the couple stunned in their evening ensembles — Nail in his dapper Zegna suit and the mom-to-be in a fuchsia dress — all eyes were on Catherine’s budding baby belly.
Nail told PEOPLE they’re expecting both a boy and a girl and that she could give birth “any minute now but hopefully in the next four weeks.”
“We struggled with infertility for years and really just had to stick together to get through it,” Catherine said.
Her husband added, “Everyone tells us instincts take over and that’s what we’re hoping.”
The news is yet another bright spot for Nail, who spent 10 years living in deep depression before “bottoming out” in 2012.
“I carried around a lot of guilt because I had all these blessings in my life and yet I was still struggling to try to find some joy,” he told PEOPLE in April 2014.
Nail — who’s currently out on the Southern Style Tour with Darius Rucker — and Catherine wed in 2009.
— Anya Leon with reporting by Sarah Michaud
While her newborn twin daughters may have come a few months early, Glory Johnson is still overjoyed by motherhood — and keeping her fans constantly updated.
The 25-year-old WNBA star’s baby girls, Ava Simone and Solei Diem, entered the world on Oct. 12 at only 1 lb., 7 oz., each, but were originally due in February.
In a new Instagram post, shared Wednesday, tiny Ava rests her head in a knit pink cap.
“The Babies are doing Good!!!” Johnson writes. “While sitting at the hospital, I find myself constant staring, trying to spot out any differences between Ava & Solei . . . In my last post, you can see that Solei’s hair is Very Dark, but I wonder what color Ava’s hair is going to be??? Black, Brown, or Blonde.”
The athlete, who took a season off during her pregnancy, added the hashtags “#MommyLovesYouSoMuch” “#KeepPraying” and “#KeepFighting.”
Courtesy Glory Johnson; Inset: Getty
RELATED VIDEO: Celeb Moms Spill: The Ups and Downs of Breastfeeding
On Tuesday, Johnson shared a photo of Ava’s sister, who has a shock of dark brown hair.
Ava and Solei were conceived via in vitro fertilization with a donor’s sperm while Johnson was first married to fellow WNBA star Brittney Griner.
— Lindsay Kimble
They’re keeping her on her toes already.
WNBA star Glory Johnson took to her Instagram account on Thursday to post an adorable photo of her newborn twin daughters‘ tiny feet nestled next to each other in their hospital bed.
A picture of Johnson with the word “Mommy” written across it can be seen hanging in the background, in front of the baby girls.
The 25-year-old Tulsa Shock player captioned the snap, “My Sweet Babies opened their eyes today!!! #AvaSimone#SoleiDiem #JohnsonTwins.”
Johnson later shared a follow-up Instagram post featuring a fitting inspirational quote: “There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world.”
“Mommy Loves You 1 Week 4 Days #JustTheBeginning#KeepFighting #AvaSimone #SoleiDiem,” she captioned the second post.
Johnson gave birth to her two baby girls, Ava Simone and Solei Diem, via c-section on Oct. 12, much earlier than their February due date.
In another Instagram post welcoming her daughters, the WNBA star wrote, “Born a little earlier than expected, I have no worries because these babies are fighters just like I am.”
Johnson’s wife, fellow WNBA star Brittney Griner, filed for an annulment of their May marriage just one day after Johnson announced in June that she was pregnant via in vitro fertilization with a donor’s sperm. The annulment was denied in August, however, and the two remain legally married.
— Tierney McAfee
Céline Dion‘s twin sons are growing up so fast, but their love for Mickey Mouse is still going strong.
On Wednesday, the singer, 47, took her boys Eddy and Nelson to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, for an early start on their birthday celebrations. (Dion and husband René Angélil welcomed the fraternal twins nearly 5 years ago on Oct. 23, 2010. They also have an eldest son, René-Charles, now 14.)
At one point, Dion and her twins took a break from the rides for some face time with Mickey himself, gathering for a group photo in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle. The adorable snap shows Dion beaming as she kneels down next to her boys, who are wearing matching outfits, including the same Converse shoes their famous mom has on.
Scott Brinegar/Disneyland Resort/Getty
Fans might be used to seeing Dion dressed to the nines for the stage, but the diva kept it casual for her fun family day, opting for white pants and a comfortable grey top.
It’s been a challenging time for the singer, whose husband Angélil, 73, is battling throat cancer. After a year-long break to care for him, the star returned to the stage at Caesars Palace’s Colosseum in August.
Dion opened up about her husband’s health struggles in an interview with USA TODAY that same month.
“I’ll say, ‘You’re scared? I understand. Talk to me about it,'” she explained. “And René says to me, ‘I want to die in your arms.’ Okay, fine, I’ll be there, you’ll die in my arms.”
— Nick Maslow
Despite the thousands of “World’s Greatest Dad” mugs in the hands of dads who are, by all accounts, pretty solid, Neil Patrick Harris and husband David Burtka may just win the actual World’s Greatest Dad awards.
On Monday night, Harris posted photos on his Instagram account of the massive birthday cake he and Burtka created for their twins, Harper and Gideon.
“Happy 5th birthday to Gideon and Harper, the two greatest kids in all the land! (Cakes created and decorated by their fathers),” Harris captioned a photo of his beaming kids, dressed up in “formal” attire and sparkly crowns.
Courtesy Neil Patrick Harris
The cake, which appears to be covered in cinnamon sugar, features several characters in battle, including “droids fighting princesses.”
“The droids were mostly winning, but princesses have gumption,” Harris captioned a close-up of Gideon’s side of the cake, decorated with a giant “G.” (Harper’s side has an “H.”)
Another birthday celebration for the twins? Going to Blue Hill Farm in upstate New York to pick apples.
Conclusion: We love our dads, yes … but kind of feel bad about not being raised by Harris and Burtka.
— Maria Yagoda
Kevin Zegers is in between jobs right now — and he’s totally fine with that.
“I don’t know how one person could physically raise twins on their own,” the actor says in the latest issue of PEOPLE. “There’s just not enough time or hands to do everything that needs to be done. It’s nice that my wife and I are doing as much as we can together.”
“We really tried for a while to have children — we didn’t just happen to get pregnant,” says Zegers. “We definitely wanted these girls and knew that we would be super attentive.”
Zoë (left) and Blake (right) with Zegers – M.A. Katcher
The time together is even more precious for Zegers after spending his first five days as a father with Blake — his older daughter by two minutes — in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit because of her smaller birth weight.
Meanwhile, Feld was recovering — and caring for Zoë — on a different floor of the hospital.
“I would go up to the NICU to feed Blake and FaceTime my wife so she could see her,” says Zegers.
Now back at their Los Angeles home with “little Buddha” Zoë (who has big eyes like Mom) and their “thinker” Blake (who’s inherited Dad’s dimples) Zegers and Feld have developed a “healthy sense of humor” for when things get particularly daunting.
“The other day, I was in the backseat with them and they were both screaming at the top of their lungs,” says Feld, 36, a talent agent. “[Kevin and I] were crying because we were laughing so hard — if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry too.”
Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Screen Gems/AP
She continues, “Everything about them is so amazing and every day they do something different. I’m sure every parent says this, but I think they’re geniuses.”
And Zegers agrees. “We’re already saving money for both of them to go to college,” he explains. “Harvard.”
For more on Zegers and Feld’s twins, including how they chose their names, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands now.
— Patrick Gomez
Twice as nice!
The 40 year old wrote that she is expecting identical twin girls in December — news that took the couple completely by surprise.
“I have no family history of twins or any other predisposing factors. However, as I’ve now learned, identical twins occur by random chance in roughly one out of approximately every 300 pregnancies,” she explains. “Zack and I have embraced the surprise and are very excited about these new additions to our family.”
Although she’s prepping for double the work, Mayer — already mom to son Macallister, 3 this month — doesn’t plan to leave the office for too long.
“Since my pregnancy has been healthy and uncomplicated and since this is a unique time in Yahoo’s transformation,” she writes, “I plan to approach the pregnancy and delivery as I did with my son three years ago, taking limited time away and working throughout.”
The mom-to-be — and one of America’s most prominent female CEOs — told NBC’s Today that she will take two weeks leave during the pregnancy and will work from home.
— Charlene Adams
Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Screen
Kevin Zegers has two new little buddies: His baby girls!
“They’re here! I’ve never been more in love than I am with the gift my beautiful wife just gave me … Zoe Madison and Blake Everleigh Zegers,” the proud new dad Tweeted.
“Kevin and Jaime have not let the twins out of their sight since they were born. They are so thrilled to have two happy and healthy baby girls!” a source tells PEOPLE.
In April, Zegers, 30, confirmed he was doubling his family with Feld, a talent agent, with the upcoming addition of twin girls.
“Kevin and Jaime are so excited and can’t wait for their little bundles of joy to arrive,” his rep told PEOPLE.
With weeks to go until the arrival of their daughters, Zegers told PEOPLE that all the bags were packed and the nursery was complete. According to the dad-to-be, all that was missing were the new additions.
“I’m getting the car seats put in,” the actor told PEOPLE in July. “I took a few months off of work so I can focus on baby stuff. The nursery’s all done — I’ve been doing that for the past month or two.”
One thing that wasn’t completely set in stone: baby names. “We have a few, but we want to wait, meet them and see what they look like,” he explained.
And although it’s double the diaper duty, Zegers — who will take a break from work to spend time as a family of four — admits the proud new parents have been waiting for this moment for a long time.
“We were trying to have kids — we didn’t just happen to get pregnant,” he said. “Twins is obviously a lot, but we’re just super grateful that we were able to get pregnant.”
— Anya Leon with reporting by Patrick Gomez and Raha Lewis
One thing is certain: Mariah Carey‘s kids were not impressed with their mom getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Four-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe Cannon were amusingly vying for their mother’s attention — and a little mic time –as their mom was honored Wednesday.
“Mommy, mommy,” Moroccan repeated as he tugged on Carey’s custom-designed Yousef Aljasmi dress while she tried to give an acceptance speech.
Finally bowing to her son’s wishes, the “We Belong Together” singer picked up her son, who sweetly declared, “I love you Mommy” into the microphone before a little impromptu singing and chatting.
Seemingly envious of her brother’s moment in the spotlight, Monroe then told her mom she wanted a little mic time too. Carey conceded, and Monroe adorably said, “I love you Mommy” as well.
“I better get through with this before the kids want to come up and talk again!” Carey joked once she finally got a word in. “Thank you so much, really, everybody for being here … I just want to thank all the fans for coming. This is a huge honor. A childhood dream come true … Before these kids take me off the stage, I guess I should move along. Thank you so much.”
The duo got a little rambunctious at other times as well, running around before settling into adults’ laps. Moroccan appeared to be the more outgoing one of the pair, at times even asking his mom for gum.
“I didn’t know what they were going to do or say. Trust me, it was not planned!” Carey told PEOPLE after the ceremony. “For them to be here was everything. I’m so humbled and grateful.”
On Tuesday night, Carey hosted a pre-ceremony private dinner at her $30 million Airbnb estate to celebrate. Guests — including Brett Ratner, Jeff Beacher and French Montana — enjoyed lobster rolls and mini sliders by STK Out and Infuse Vodka cocktails. Later, Carey enjoyed some grown-up time at the reception at Beacher’s Madhouse at The Roosevelt Hotel. She joined LA Reid at a table and at one point walked over to the deejay and requested he play an unreleased remix of “Infinity” with Montana and Justin Bieber.
— Kathy Ehrich Dowd with reporting by Melody Chiu and Christina Dugan
The singer posted an Instagram photo of her children’s first day of summer school.
“First day for Roc and Roe and they’re already in summer school … Following in my footsteps,” Carey captioned the snapshot of son Moroccan and daughter Monroe, her twins with ex-husband Nick Cannon.
While Moroccan looks shyly at the camera, Monroe is busy striking a sassy pose.
Courtesy Mariah Carey
— Lily Lopate
Good things come in twos, especially babies.
On April 13, Dylan Lauren and husband Paul Arrouet became first-time parents to twins.
The couple, who used a surrogate “because it was the way we wanted to start a family,” says Lauren, were both in the delivery room when son Cooper Blue and daughter Kingsley Rainbow were born.
“It was amazing. I was crying, my husband was crying. [And] we were very nervous. I had never held a baby before,” Lauren, the founder and CEO of Dylan’s Candy Bar, tells PEOPLE.
“But the delivery room nurses were holding them in these weird positions — it helped me understand that they’re not going to break,” says the new mom.
Now Lauren, 41, and her financier husband of four years, 44, are settling into parenthood. “We’re both excited. It’s like an instafamily!” says Lauren.
Cooper, or “Mr. Blue” as Lauren has affectionately come to call him, together with sister Kingsley are the first grandchildren in the Lauren family. “My parents spoil them,” says Lauren. “My dad [designer Ralph Lauren] loves seeing his clothes on them.”
And though time is flying and Lauren “got sad when they turned 2 months,” the candy entrepreneur is excited for the years to come.
“Bringing them to work will be fun. Dylan’s Candy Bars are perfect for kids,” notes Lauren. “My husband’s a little jealous.”
And Lauren, who is herself a fan of toy stores and zoos, can’t wait to share such experiences with her twins. “I’m looking forward to showing them things that inspire me, like Disneyland. I can’t wait,” she says.
— Jennifer Heyde
Glory Johnson just scored the ultimate double-double.
“It’s not a surprise for me because this is what we planned for with the IVF cycle, though hearing their hearts beat for [the first] time was the most ASTONISHING thing I have ever heard in my ENTIRE LIFE,” she writes.
Johnson, 24, continues, “For 15yrs Double-Doubles came with hardwork and dedication … now I’ve been blessed by God to have ‘double doubles’ for the rest of my life!”
The expectant athlete teased the news Sunday night, posting an Instagram of the words ‘Big News’ with the caption, “Coming soon!!!!”
One month after their May nuptials, the two-time Tulsa Shock All-Star announced she was expecting a baby with wife Brittney Griner. But the following day, Griner filed for an annulment, a move that left the mom-to-be “truly really saddened.”
Griner, 24, called the former couple’s May wedding a “huge mistake” in an interview with ESPN.
“Prior to us getting married, I knew I didn’t want to,” Griner said, sobbing. “I shouldn’t have went through with it. You know, sometimes you feel pressured into things, and I went along with it. And I know I shouldn’t have. It was a huge mistake. I just knew it was a mistake.”
In a statement released by Johnson, she also cleared up any rumors that Griner, a player for the Phoenix Mercury, was pressured into starting a family.
“At no stage was Brittney pressured to undertake the fertility process. In fact, throughout the entire process, Brittney was a willing participant, consenting and signing all the necessary documents that needed to be signed in order to move forward with the treatments,” she said.
— Anya Leon
Hoppy birthday, John and Michael!
Actress Sherri Saum and her husband Kamar de los Reyes celebrated a major milestone in their twins’ lives — their first birthday! — with a frog-themed party at their Hollywood-area home on Saturday, May 16.
After receiving invites from EchoAge, guests — including The Fosters cast — showed up at the backyard bash, which Good Carma Studio and Laura Stewart Design had transformed into a party space inspired by the boys’ favorite cartoon, Atención Atención.
In between playing games and posing for pictures, guests noshed on a barbecue spread of salads, mac & cheese and chicken fingers. Trays filled with nutritional chocolate shakes from Usana were also passed around to the pint-sized crowd, while the adults sipped on La Croix‘s lemon, lime and passion fruit sparkling water.
Before heading home with treat bags filled with goodies from Mabel’s Labels, Little Green and Soothie Suckers, everyone indulged in Polkatots‘s dessert bar, made up of caramel apples, one-shaped cookies and a vanilla and chocolate frog cupcake cake.
The Fosters returns June 8 at 8 p.m. on ABC Family.
After the party, Saum caught up with PEOPLE to discuss everything from her favorite memory of the day and the twins’ personalities to their sleep schedules and how her marriage has changed since becoming a mother.
PEOPLE: What was your favorite thing about the party? Any sweet/memorable moments with the boys?
Sherri: The party was dynamite. I used to think we’d be the anti big celebration parents. “Here’s a birthday paper bag, you guys, now go play in the yard.”
But I was totally enchanted with what the Good Carma girls created for the boys. A frog fantasy inspired by their favorite Spanish TV show Atencion Atencion. I loved everything, but I think my favorite was the smash cakes and genius treats from Polkatots. The boys looked so confused as to why we were allowing this mayhem. But, they finally got into it and made the most beautiful mess.
PEOPLE: When they were born, you said John was quieter and Michael was your man-baby. Are their personalities still completely opposite?
Sherri: I’d say John is still the more chill of the two; he’s really focused and very independent. Michael likes action and interaction, and he’s super rambunctious.
PEOPLE: Now that they’re mobile, how have things changed? Is Kamar still the baby whisperer when it comes to settling them down?
Sherri: Now that they are crawling and nearly walking, we are constantly yanking them out of the empty fireplace or chasing them up and down the stairs. It feels like an Olympic sport!
Kamar is a performer and really puts on a show for them. He dances and sings and can turn tantrums into laughter.
PEOPLE: Are they sleeping through the night yet?
Sherri: They’ve been sleeping like kings since about 5 months, which means now we can, too. It makes all the difference in the world when everyone is rested.
Although I confess to having a confusing impulse to wake them and play some more. No matter how tired I may be, I miss them as soon as they go to sleep.
PEOPLE: You mentioned that you had found your groove with breastfeeding. Are you still nursing?
Sherri: I’m no longer breastfeeding and I miss that as well. Even though working and nursing was a little nutty, that connection and bonding was one of my favorite things.
PEOPLE: What has been the hardest part of motherhood during the first year?
Sherri: I’d say the hardest part during the first year was Kamar and I melding our parenting styles and instincts — I’m super laid back and he functions best with planning and schedules.
But as stubborn as I am in my freewheeling ways, I have to admit that having structure was crucial to making this machine run well.
PEOPLE: How has it been balancing both babies with your role on The Fosters? Do you bring the babies to the set?
Sherri: For me, the only way to manage the shooting schedule with The Fosters and having newborns was to have them come to set as often as possible. Some days it could only be 30 minutes, but it calmed me and made me so happy to be able to at least squish them and kiss them as much as I could.
PEOPLE: What’s one thing you would tell another expectant mom?
Sherri: I would tell another expectant mom that sometimes Googling your pregnancy and baby questions can be helpful — but don’t overdo it.
There’s so much contradictory advice and information it can be overwhelming. Trust that you will figure things out in your own time and that it really does get easier and more fun every day.
PEOPLE: Do you think your family is complete or will John and Michael eventually become big brothers?
Sherri: I’d like to think we have an addition on the family radar, but I’m so grateful and in love with our two boys so I don’t want to get greedy!
PEOPLE: Their hair is gorgeous! Have they had their first hair cut yet?
Sherri: I can’t cut their hair, I can’t! Don’t make me! And other moms out there, don’t judge me when we cruise by with their hair in man buns until they’re 25.
PEOPLE: How has your marriage changed since welcoming the twins?
Sherri: Kamar and I definitely have to carve out our “we” time and keep it sacred — it could be very easy to be baby-consumed and put ourselves down the priority list. But it’s nice putting extra thought into what we will do. It feels very date-like and special.
PEOPLE: What do John and Michael think of their big brother, Caylen? What’s their relationship like?
Sherri: Caylen is almost 18 and so thrilled to finally have siblings. When they were first born, he wrote them the sweetest letter that we had framed, telling them they can always count on him.
He’s the kindest, warmest young man and he’s going to be an amazing influence on them in years to come.
— Anya Leon
Mariah Carey wants to give her kids the world — literally.
During a Friday appearance on Live with Kelly and Michael at Disneyland, the singer admitted she’s excited for her twins Monroe and Moroccan to experience the happiest place on earth.
“The babies can’t wait to get on the rides. They’re super excited,” Carey, 46, shares.
David M. Russell/Disney/ABC
“I’ve been loving Disney forever — since I first came here — because when I was little, I didn’t have the money to come to Disney so I had to make up for it over the years,” says Carey.
She explains, “I just want them to have everything that I never had, [but] now they want everything and more!”
Carey’s love for the magical amusement park isn’t the only thing she’s passed on to her children with Nick Cannon. On Monday, the mom of two visited Jimmy Kimmel Live! and brought both 4 year olds out on stage.
“My daughter loves to sing and Roc now loves to sing. They want to come up … and sing, especially Monroe,” says Carey.
“I don’t want to be a stage mother like, ‘Get on stage, sweetie, you got to sing.’ But I don’t want to keep her from it [either].”
— Anya Leon | <urn:uuid:260afe7b-3df0-43a7-b2a4-e0b8d2b1fa11> | CC-MAIN-2020-45 | http://www.celeb.name/category/multiples/ | 2020-10-29T05:17:27Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-45/segments/1603107902745.75/warc/CC-MAIN-20201029040021-20201029070021-00280.warc.gz | en | 0.968733 | 10,655 |
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Judge's Chambers, Giants.com's weekly interview with Giants coach Joe Judge:
Q: You like to take the same approach with the players each week to ensure there is a consistency in your message. You are 0-2 as you prepare to play Atlanta this week. Do you need to do anything to convey a heightened sense of urgency, or is it important in your mind to remain consistent?
Judge: "To me, consistency is critical. The players have to understand and know what to expect when they come in on a daily basis, in terms of my approach and what I expect of them. The urgency starts back in training camp, even before that in the spring. We remain urgent in everything we do. To us, it's about the process and staying focused. The focus is on improving right now as a team. That would be our focus, regardless of what the record is. We were a better team last game than we were the first game, and we have to keep continuing on that track. We have to do things that don't limit opportunities to be successful. That's really our focus right now as a team."
Q: Some people say, "It's a must-win game." Are there must-win games in Week 3?
Judge: "I think every game is a must-win game. We get paid for production. We get paid to go out there and have results. In terms of how we approach it, we prepare every week to win games and so does the opponent as well. It's about the execution within that 60-minute frame that we have to go out there and give ourselves a chance. Look, we approach everything to win. That's the attitude we have here."
Q: There are 16 quarterbacks that have already thrown for 500 yards. Daniel Jones is the only one who has also run for at least 100 yards. Did you envision that Daniel's running would become so integral, because it has really become an important component of the offense?
Judge: "Yes, it has. I don't think it's something that we go into every game saying he has to get a certain amount of touches or mandatory runs. It's just things that organically happen based on what we're presented with and how we can play the game. I'd say it's probably different than what I initially imagined coming in, but then last year we got going and started seeing how effective he is as a runner. That's a position right there that you can be calculated on how you use those runs with quarterbacks. He can also do a good job of being productive as a runner, and then still being safe for the team as well. Quarterbacks can slide, get out of bounds, or a lot of things like that. He's learning how to be a safe runner.
"I think Daniel is very competitive. I'm going to be honest, he doesn't want to turn down the hit for the extra yard. That's just the reality of it. We're trying to do a good job coaching right there and put him in position to make the right decision for the team. But he's been very productive for us. It's definitely something that sparked the offense in a lot of different games at the right time. Every game plan is different, but it's definitely become a feature of our offense."
Q: Throughout the spring you had five young players preparing to be the starting offensive line. Now two of them (Nick Gates and Shane Lemieux) are hurt and out for the season. (Tackle) Nate (Solder) has taken over at right tackle. What are the challenges in reconstructing an offensive line on the fly?
Judge: "I think it's just the way the NFL is. Our job is to constantly be coaching and developing. The roster changes over all the time. It's very different than high school or college where you have what you have, and that's how you get through the year. The NFL is always evolving, always changing. You always have to know who's available on the street, always know who's available that could upgrade your roster, and always who's available for competition. I'm pleased with the guys who we brought in. They're all competing right now, they're all working. There were some positive things in the last game. We have to keep making sure we improve as an entire unit. No one wants to see anybody get hurt. We'd love to have Shane and Nick fully healthy. But regardless of anything that's happened, we have to keep on pushing forward, improving, and competing. We're never looking back and saying, 'If only this or that.' Of course, Nick and Shane were key parts of our team, but we're very pleased with (new center) Billy (Price), (left guard) Ben (Bredson), (center Matt) Skura, and those guys, as they're working and going forward right now."
Q: We always hear about the importance of communication and the five working as one unit. Have they been doing a good job, especially the two new players, in doing that?
Judge: "I think so. I think Billy did a really good job last week getting ready on a short week. He only had the one week with us, and then turned around on the short week. He got ready to play in the game and was very effective in that game for us. Then you turn around, you watch how these guys prepare. It really starts in meetings with these guys. They've got to watch the tape together. They have to express to each other how they see it through their lens, so they're all playing on the same page. It's very important to make sure there's chemistry within that unit. Then, it's always not just those five guys. I say it all the time, it's seven-to-eight in the game. You have to make sure all those guys are on the same page. You saw last week, obviously Nick got hurt, Ben came in, and that chemistry that Ben and Billy were able to build through some limited reps, but also good meeting time, carried on to the field."
Q: Nick Gates, like Saquon Barkley last year, is a team captain who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2. Was Saquon able to be a presence with the other players at some point in the meeting rooms and the locker room? If so, do you hope to see Nick do the same thing?
Judge: "I'd say yes to both. Saquon was a presence for us last year. I'm very big on the leaders staying involved. I'm very big on having those guys involved. We don't always have a lot of extra guys on our sideline, but there's certain key veteran players on our team that when the time comes, I think it's good to have them down there with the team. When Nick gets back and as he's healing up, we're definitely going to keep him involved with the team mentally, from a leadership standpoint, and involved within the culture here."
Q: Azeez (Ojulari) has two of the team's three sacks. Sacks always stand out, but how is he doing with the other requirements of his position (outside linebacker), like playing the run and setting the edge?
Judge: "To me, sacks are a byproduct of a lot of peoples' work. It's the coverage on the back end, it's the other people's rush that kind of frees it up, and it's obviously the technique, effort and finish by the player who gets the sack. I think they're important stats, but they're also sometimes the most overblown stats. The thing you referenced a second ago, in terms of the edge setting, playing the run, getting pressure when he's not going to get to the quarterback. There are times we may drop him out in places we might need coverage. He's making progress on all those things. I think being a young player at an impact position like that, there's a microscope on you every week.
"I think Azeez does a very good job of focusing on the game plan and what he has to do. He's really improving every week. There's just some learning curves that come with that position. I think you look at some of the standout guys on the edge over the last few years in this league, and it takes some time to really get going. That's not a knock on any of the players being young. It's just the reality of what it is. You've got to learn the differences in the game, the difference in the skillsets, the difference in the body types you've seen from the rest of your career. But he's definitely working hard and progressing right away."
Q: I don't want to jinx him, but (kicker) Graham (Gano) has an impressive streak (35 consecutive successful field goal attempts). Does that change how you think sometimes in terms of game management and play calling? For instance, if you're in four-down territory but know you're essentially guaranteed three points, would you take a shot on third down? Or do you not think about what your kicker can do when you make those decisions?
Judge: "That's definitely a factor. You've got to account for what your specialists can do, and that's your kicker and your punter as well, based on what the field position is, what you can kind of lock in, and what you may have. That definitely allows you to free up some different things, as you reference, on third down. There's other points where you may be outside of field goal range and think we're in four down territory here. That gives you that same freedom on third down to go ahead and be a little more aggressive, throw down the field, or whatever it may be.
"But look, we're very pleased with Graham. The guy comes prepared every day. We have a lot of confidence in him. You have confidence in him because of how he prepares on a daily basis. This guy was elected captain by his teammates for a reason, because of how he works, prepares and puts the team first. It gives everyone a lot of confidence when he goes on the field."
Q: There's been a lot of talk about the taunting penalties being called. Is that something you like to see, and is that something you have to remind the players that it's being called closely?
Judge: "We talk about the rules and penalties that are being called around the league on a weekly basis. We always show clips to our players and remind them that this is the penalty, this is the emphasis, and this is what they're looking for. In terms of whatever the rule is, like taunting, it doesn't matter what the deal is, we don't make the rules, we've got to play by them. It's our emphasis that we're within the rules all the time. We just ask the officials, however they're officiating it, to be consistent and to clarify what they're looking for, so we know how to go ahead and teach our players and make sure that we're within the construct of the rules. That's how we're going to play the game. Whatever the rules are, they are, and that's how we're going to play it."
Q: Penalties are up. There were 221 penalties called last week. Last year, there were no 200-penalty weeks. Again, is that something the players must be alerted to?
Judge: "We just keep stressing what they're calling, what they're looking for, and stressing our fundamentals and technique throughout the play to make sure we avoid those. Penalties really come from either a lack of focus pre-snap or poor technique and fundamentals post-snap. So, what we're always talking to our players about is just in terms of playing clean football and not putting ourselves behind the eight-ball with penalties, turnovers and mental errors. In terms of if there's a certain crew calling it a certain way, or if penalties up or down, we're going to do business they way business is being done. So, however they are calling it, that's how we're going to play."
Q: Eli Manning is being honored Sunday. Have you gotten a chance to know him since you got here?
Judge: "I have a world of respect for him. I think everybody in the league has a world of respect for this guy. He's accomplished, but also how he's handled himself. I haven't gotten a chance to listen to the Monday Night Football broadcast with his brother. I hear it's great. We're normally working at that time, but I've heard it's phenomenal. I should probably start putting it on in the background just listen to it. I think the significance he's had for this organization, it's important for our players when any player is getting their number retired, not to mention someone who a lot of these guys have played with and shared a locker room with, it's important to recognize that not what they accomplished but how they worked to get to where they are. The things they did on a daily basis and commitment to the team. That's why I think it's great that our players have the opportunity to see this happen at the game and be out there with the guy who used to wear the uniform in that locker room. I love when Eli is around. He definitely gives a great perspective. He gives a lot of insight. He can definitely change the mood. He's got, as everyone is seeing, a very quick humor. I love having him around."
Q: A little bit about the Falcons. What kind of problems does (rookie tight end) Kyle Pitts present with the speed of a wide receiver and size of a tight end? I read he has an 80-something inch wingspan.
Judge: "On top of that, he's got phenomenal hands. He's got a great catch radius and great hands. With those guys, the ball doesn't have to be on pinpoint accuracy. Although Matt Ryan is a very accurate quarterback, they've got that ability of snatching, grabbing and continuing to run without breaking stride, just because of their catch range. This guy's got phenomenal speed. He's a very, very good athlete. You watch him coming out of college, everyone obviously knew about him going in the draft. I don't think anyone's been shocked by what they're seeing right now. He's really building on it. It's early in his career, two games in, but you can see from Week 1 to Week 2 how they use him more and how he's gotten more comfortable within the role. I'm sure he's going to be one of the top guys in this league for a long time. This guy is extremely athletic. He's very polished. He's got a rare skillset. It's not just the fact that he's big and fast, it's the type of athleticism he has. It's the ability of changing direction and having that fluid movement in and out of cuts. That's what's really so rare about him. You can find a lot of big guys that can build speed and run fast straight line. The ability he has to truly run routes like a receiver, and there's a lot of receivers who can't run routes like that, but his fluid movement in and out of cuts is very tough to match. He is big. He has good strength. He runs very aggressive and physical. He's tough to tackle in open space. He can outrun you. He can run through you. He can juke you and make you miss. This guy is definitely a problem."
Q: Defensively, (lineman) Grady Jarrett has been an anchor in there for a long time. Then, (linebacker) Foyesade Oluokun, he's their Blake (Martinez), but his stats aren't as gaudy.
Judge: "Those linebackers (Oluokun and Deion Jones) both have very good speed and aggressiveness. When you watch those guys, they both flow over top and run down plays sideline to sideline, but they come in and they plug very aggressively as well. (Oluokun) is definitely the signal caller, and he gets them all lined up. I think Deion Jones is very capable of being the signal caller. He has done it in the past as well. They kind of free him up in this scheme to play a little more to his athleticism and range. Both guys will blitz. Both guys will plug. Both guys can play in coverage, zone or man. So, you've got to account for where these guys are at all times. They are definitely a key point of this defense. There are some similarities to our defense and construct. It's not carbon copy, but it comes from a very similar tree. A lot of background is very similar, so some of the ways you see Blake get plugged in on a linebacker run through, they'll do that with their linebackers as well. They're definitely capable of making plays."
Q: Lastly, (running back) Cordarrelle (Patterson). He entered the league as a wide receiver, but he runs, he catches, he returns kickoffs. You had him for a year in New England (in 2018). Does he look like the same guy?
Judge: "He looks phenomenal. He looks great. There's no lost tread on the tires with this guy. I think he's keeping his body in great shape. He's playing fast and aggressive. He's really developed within that role. Playing him as a running back right now, that was something we kind of fell into, to be honest with you, in 2018 with him out of necessity. He was a guy that was on the team doing a lot of things for us, and it was a way to give him the ball more. We had some injuries, and it wasn't like he went in there and was just plugged into the game. He went in there and made an impact and it was instantly recognizable, like, 'Okay, this is something different. How do we use this guy? How do you keep building on this package?' Then, obviously, that carried over in Chicago and now to Atlanta. He's continued to get more comfortable in that role and really does a good job with it.
"I think when you look at him now, there's a lot of things he does that when he first started learning the position weren't natural to him because he hadn't played that position. The way he sees it inside-out, his stretch and cut, his blitz pickup in protection, his receiving out of the backfield, this guy is a great player, he really is. People don't realize how big he is until you stand next to him. I didn't until I was coaching him. He's a big, big man. You don't realize how fast he is until you feel that speed come up on you. I can tell you from personal experience, I just know guys don't want to tackle him head-on. He's a big, fast-moving man who is coming downhill at your heart, whether it's a kick return, it's a run, it's a catch, whatever it may be. He's an issue in space and you've got to really account for this guy. He's done a really good job being a productive player in this league. I think they're using him very inventively. I think (head coach) Arthur (Smith) and (offensive coordinator) Dave (Ragone) have done a really, really good job. Obviously, Dave has experience in Chicago with him. But, C.P. now, he's fun to coach, he's fun to watch play. He's definitely a guy when you coach against him, you have to account for him." | <urn:uuid:8c42d977-6cac-40d0-a7fa-7dfc6c5e501b> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://www.giants.com/news/atlanta-falcons-vs-giants-week-3-joe-judge-eli-manning-daniel-jones-matt-ryan | 2022-05-16T06:18:25Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662509990.19/warc/CC-MAIN-20220516041337-20220516071337-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.990466 | 4,109 |
|Town of Shrewsbury|
|— Town —|
|• Type||Representative town meeting|
| • Town
|Daniel J. Morgado|
| • Board of
|• Total||21.7 sq mi (56.1 km2)|
|• Land||20.7 sq mi (53.7 km2)|
|• Water||0.9 sq mi (2.4 km2)|
|Elevation||668 ft (204 m)|
|• Density||1,526.3/sq mi (589.3/km2)|
|Time zone||Eastern (UTC-5)|
|• Summer (DST)||Eastern (UTC-4)|
|Area code(s)||508 / 774|
|GNIS feature ID||0619489|
Shrewsbury is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Shrewsbury is an unusual New England town in that it was neither a mill town nor a farming village. Rather, it grew as a suburb to neighboring Worcester from the start, with visitors to Lake Quinsigamond. The population was 35,608 according to the 2010 US Census, in nearly 12,400 households.
Incorporated in 1727, the town is governed now under the New England representative town meeting system, headed by the Town Manager and five-member elected Board of Selectmen whose duties include licensing, appointing various administrative positions, and calling a town meeting of citizens annually or whenever the need arises.
The Town of Shrewsbury, named for Shrewsbury, England, is a suburban community with an uneven and hilly terrain cut by a number of minor streams providing several small water power sites. Grants of land were made in what would eventually be the town beginning in 1664, with the 3,200-acre (12.9 km2) grant called Haynes Farm as the largest. Settlers came primarily from Sudbury and Marlborough, and the first permanent settler was Gersham Wheelock in 1720. As a town, Shrewsbury was first settled in 1722 and officially incorporated in 1727.
Townspeople created an agricultural economy with apple orchards, and by 1750, there were two stores and four taverns as well as several small industries in operation. The rapid fall of prices for agricultural goods, the shortage of hard currency, and the general economic depression following the Revolutionary War produced disastrous conditions for colonists. Shays' Rebellion in 1786 sought to close the courts to prevent debt collections and the foreclosure of mortgages. Shrewsbury became a staging area for the rebellion and the encampment of the more than 400 insurgents, before the march on the Worcester Court House.
A leather industry began in 1786 in Shrewsbury, and town farmers developed large cattle herds to support the manufacture of boots and shoes. This was followed by the establishment of gunsmithing operations in 1797, which produced rifles, shotguns and pistols and eventually cutlery. Luther Goddard began in 1809 by making brass clocks and then established a small watch factory employing a few skilled Swiss and English watchmakers. Lumbering created sawmills, and they in turn drew chair and cabinet makers, plow and wagon builders.
The development of streetcar routes in the 19th century spurred the growth of single-family housing in town. A summer resort population on Lake Quinsigamond became consumers of the market garden produce grown by town farmers. As Shrewsbury's industry was killed off by the lack of large waterpower sites and the tardy arrival of the railroad, its role as a suburb of Worcester grew more important. The town's population doubled from 1915 to 1940 as continued streetcar suburb growth brought more modern settlers into the community. Other modern developments included an increased number of lakeside cottages, ethnic clubs and recreational areas on the lake. The economy of modern Shrewsbury has been described as depending on agriculture, the resort industry and the providing of recreation and food for the population of Worcester.
Registered Historic Places
Shrewsbury is home to three current and one former Nationally Registered Historic Places:
- The Gen. Artemas Ward Homestead on Main Street
- The Shrewsbury Historic District, in the town center which includes parts of Church Road, Main Street, Prospect Street, Boylston Street, and Grafton Street
- 1767 Milestones, of which two surviving milestones are in town, along the route of the old Boston Post Road.
Shrewsbury is a suburb of both Boston and Worcester, about 45 minutes from Boston and 10 minutes to downtown Worcester.
Shrewsbury is located in Central Massachusetts, bordered on the west by Worcester, separated by Lake Quinsigamond. To the north is Boylston and Interstate 290. The south side is bounded by Grafton. Northborough and Westborough are to the east. A small parcel of land on the northwest side is bordered by West Boylston.
The town has a total area of 21.6 square miles (56 km2), of which, 20.7 square miles (54 km2) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) of it (4.25%) is water.
|Climate data for Shrewsbury, Massachusetts|
|Record high °F||64.0||70.0||83.0||90.0||97.0||96.0||96.0||98.0||96.0||86.0||78.0||69.0||97|
|Average high °F||33.0||36.0||44.0||55.0||68.0||76.0||81.0||79.0||71.0||61.0||50.0||38.0||57.67|
|Average low °F||15.0||17.0||26.0||37.0||48.0||57.0||63.0||61.0||52.0||40.0||32.0||22.0||39.17|
|Record low °F||−26||−15||−6||13||28||34||42||36||28||18||9||−10||−26|
|Record high °C||17.8||21.1||28.3||32.2||36.1||35.6||35.6||36.7||35.6||30.0||25.6||20.6||36.1|
|Average high °C||0.6||2.2||6.7||12.8||20.0||24.4||27.2||26.1||21.7||16.1||10.0||3.3||14.26|
|Average low °C||−9.4||−8.3||−3.3||2.8||8.9||13.9||17.2||16.1||11.1||4.4||0.0||−5.6||3.98|
|Record low °C||−32.2||−26.1||−21.1||−11||−2||1||6||2||−2||−8||−13||−23.3||−32.2|
By the 2010 census, the population had reached 35,608.
As of the census of 2000, there were 31,640 people, 12,366 households, and 8,693 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,526.3 inhabitants per square mile (589.3 /km2). There were 12,696 housing units at an average density of 612.4 per square mile (236.4 /km2). The racial makeup of the town was 89.12% White, 1.45% African American, 0.12% Native American, 7.61% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.59% of the population.
There were 12,366 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54, and the average family size was 3.09.
In the town the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $64,237, and the median income for a family was $77,674 (these figures had risen to $77,734 and $92,599 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $56,259 versus $37,129 for females. The per capita income for the town was $31,570. About 3.3% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Shrewsbury is governed in the traditional New England style. Municipal elections are held on the first Tuesday in May.
Legislative Branch: Representative Town Meeting: 240 elected members.
Executive Branch: Five-member Board of Selectmen with three-year staggered terms, an appointed Town Manager, and other elected and appointed positions.
- Christopher Mehne (2015)
- Board of Selectmen
- Maurice M. DePalo (2014)
- Henry Fitzgerald (2014)
- James F. Kane (2015)
- John I. Lebeaux (2013)
- Moira Miller (2013)
- School Committee
- Erin H. Canzano (2013)
- Sandra Fryc (2014)
- Dale Magee (2013)
- Jason Palitsch (2015)
- John Samia (2014)
- Library Board of Trustees
- Jack Avis (2015)
- Joan T. Barry (2014)
- Beth Cassavant (2014)
- Carol B. Cullen (2013)
- Nancy Gilbert (2013)
- Laurie Lindberg Hogan (2015)
- Carl A. Larson (2015)
- Kevin M. McKenna (2014)
- Frances Whitney (2013)
- Appointed officials (selected)
- Town Manager: Daniel J. Morgado
- Town Clerk: Sandra Wright
- Chief of Police: James J. Hester, Jr.
- Fire Chief: James M. Vuona
Source: "Town Officials". Town of Shrewsbury. http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/department/division.php?fDD=3-303.
Various other boards, committees, and commissions round out the variety of services provided to residents, including water, health, fire, ambulance, police, education, recreation, etc.
|County government: Worcester County|
|Clerk of Courts:||Dennis P. McManus (D)|
|District Attorney:||Joseph D. Early, Jr. (D)|
|Register of Deeds:||Anthony J. Vigliotti (D)|
|Register of Probate:||Stephen Abraham (D)|
|County Sheriff:||Lew Evangelidis (R)|
|State Representative(s):||Matthew Beaton (R–11th Worcester District)|
|State Senator(s):||Michael O. Moore (D–2nd Worcester District)|
|Governor's Councilor(s):||Jen Caissie (R)|
|U.S. Representative(s):||James McGovern (D–2nd district)|
|U.S. Senators:||Mo Cowan (D), Elizabeth Warren (D)|
Shrewsbury Public Schools is the public school district in the town. Schools in the district include Oak Middle School and Shrewsbury High School.
The Shrewsbury Public Library was established in 1872. In fiscal year 2008, the town of Shrewsbury spent 1.4% ($1,164,563) of its budget on its public library — about $34 per town resident. Following the 1978 library expansion project, another expansion was needed. In 2004 and 2010, officials completed research showing inadequate space, poorly maintained roofs and heating/cooling systems, lack of handicap accessibility, and a growing demand for library services. In 2010, a project was proposed that would create a new 42,000-square-foot (3,900 m2) facility for a total of approximately $19 million.
- Richard T. Antoun (1932–2009), Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Binghamton University; stabbed to death by a student.
- Kenneth S. Apfel (b. 1948), 13th Comisioner of Social Security
- Lillian Asplund (1906–2006), last American survivor of the Titanic sinking
- Mike Birbiglia (b. 1978), stand-up comedian
- Peter I. Blute (b. 1956), Congressman representing Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district from 1993 to 1997
- Min Chueh Chang (1908–1991), co-inventor of the combined oral contraceptive pill and in-vitro fertilization.
- Ralph Earl (1751–1801), American painter and landscape artist, known for his portrait of Roger Sherman
- Gardner Howe (1759–1854), Vermont state legislator
- Jonah Howe (1749–1826), Massachusetts state legislator
- Jesse Lauriston Livermore (1877–1940), famed for making and losing several multi-million dollar fortunes as a stock speculator. He was known as the Boy Plunger and also as the Great Bear of Wall Street.
- Gregory Mcdonald (1937–2008), author of the "Fletch" series of novels
- Craig Mello (b. 1960), 2006 Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine
- Francis Patrick O'Connor (1927–2007), Massachusetts Supreme Court Judge
- Robert Allan Ridley Parker (b. 1936), director of the NASA Management Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Charlie Pierce (b. 1953), American writer/journalist, and panelist on NPR's Wait,Wait... Don't Tell Me.
- Artemas Ward (1727–1800), American Major General in the American Revolutionary War and a Congressman from Massachusetts, often characterized as the runner-up for George Washington's post. The Artemas Ward Homestead is a museum preserved by Harvard University. Located at 786 Main Street in Shrewsbury, it is open to the public for limited hours during the summer months
- The Hebert Candy Mansion, where white chocolate was first produced in the United States.
- The now-defunct Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, the renowned research facility where the combined oral contraceptive pill was first developed. The campus is now the Hoagland-Pincus Conference Center of the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
- The now-defunct Spag's, the original all-purpose store, which predated Costco, Walmart and other similar outlets. Spag's was noted for its unorthodox inventory and discount prices. Upon the death of it founder, Anthony Borgatti, Spag's succumbed to the competition of the modern megastore and the challenges of handing over the reins to a new generation and was acquired in 2002 by Building 19. The location became Spags 19, and in 2004 the store was converted to Building 19's format (it is now just another Building 19 location).
- The now-defunct White City amusement park, now the site of a shopping plaza
Shrewsbury is broken down into districts breaking the town down into sections.
Prospect Street The "Historic Street" known by many, has many key features with Dean Park Prospect Park to name two.
Lake Street/ Beverly Hill Drive Key features include Hill Side
- ^ Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
- ^ Narrative supplied by community and based on information provided by the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
- ^ According to the United States Census Bureau
- ^ "Weather.com". http://weather.com.
- ^ "TOTAL POPULATION (P1), 2010 Census Summary File 1". American FactFinder, All County Subdivisions within Massachusetts. United States Census Bureau. 2010. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk.
- ^ "Massachusetts by Place and County Subdivision - GCT-T1. Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US25&-_box_head_nbr=GCT-T1&-ds_name=PEP_2009_EST&-_lang=en&-format=ST-9&-_sse=on. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1990 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics: Massachusetts". US Census Bureau. December 1990. Table 76: General Characteristics of Persons, Households, and Families: 1990. 1990 CP-1-23. http://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cp1/cp-1-23.pdf. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1980 Census of the Population, Number of Inhabitants: Massachusetts". US Census Bureau. December 1981. Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions: 1960 to 1980. PC80-1-A23. http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_maABC-01.pdf. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1950 Census of Population". Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950. http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/23761117v1ch06.pdf. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1920 Census of Population". Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920. http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41084506no553ch2.pdf. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1890 Census of the Population". Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890. http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41084506no553ch2.pdf. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1870 Census of the Population". Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts. http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1870e-05.pdf. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1860 Census". Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c.. http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1860a-08.pdf. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1850 Census". Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c.. http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1850c-11.pdf. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Shrewsbury town United States Census Bureau
- ^ Tillinghast, C.B. (1891). The free public libraries of Massachusetts. 1st Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter. http://books.google.com/books?id=LusKAAAAYAAJ.
- ^ http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/department/index.php?fDD=17-0 Retrieved November 10, 2010
- ^ July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008; cf. The FY2008 Municipal Pie: What’s Your Share?, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Library Commissioners. Boston: 2009, Retrieved August 4, 2010
- ^ Campaign4ShrewsburyLibrary.net. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/egov/docs/1327424553_848052.pdf
- ^ http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/department/division.php?fDD=4-5
- ^ http://www.prospectfriends.org/
- ^ http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vtcstjoh/cemetery/hillsidelist.htm
- Town of Shrewsbury Official Website
- Shrewsbury, Massachusetts travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Shrewsbury Historical Society
|This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.| | <urn:uuid:2da967cf-d211-47af-98f5-480e81a75a12> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://familypedia.fandom.com/wiki/Shrewsbury,_Massachusetts | 2022-05-17T13:28:58Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662517485.8/warc/CC-MAIN-20220517130706-20220517160706-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.904407 | 5,464 |
Colectivo v. Society, 2021AP463
We start with an exception to our rule—Colectivo is not yet a decision, but rather a pending appeal. It is the first COVID-19 business interruption case to reach the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Because the appeal remains pending—with no decision so far from either the Wisconsin Court of Appeals or Supreme Court—we note Colectivo here more as a case to watch, and one with important implications for many Wisconsin businesses.
The Colectivo appeal arises out of a class action brought by Wisconsin bar and restaurant owners that purchased property insurance from Society Insurance. The insureds filed suit seeking a determination that they and the class are entitled to coverage for losses they suffered as a result of the presence of COVID-19 in their bars and restaurants and government orders requiring that they cease in-person dining and service operations. Society filed a motion to dismiss the insureds’ complaint, arguing the insureds failed to allege facts sufficient to trigger coverage under Society’s policy, which requires “direct physical loss of or damage to” covered property. Society argued this language means the insureds must allege facts establishing (1) physical damage in the form of tangible injury to covered property, or (2) physical loss in the form of actual destruction or dispossession of covered property.
The trial court denied Society’s motion, finding that the insureds had adequately alleged having suffered a “direct physical loss of” covered property because they were physically unable to use their property in its intended manner (e.g., for in-person dining) as a result of COVID-19. The court also concluded the insureds had adequately alleged a dangerous condition on or around the insureds’ covered property because COVID-19 was “widespread” and likely present on covered property, which, in turn, caused a governmental entity to “prohibit” access to covered property, triggering civil authority coverage.
Society filed a petition for leave to appeal, which the Court of Appeals granted. Society then filed a petition to bypass the Court of Appeals and proceed directly to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Supreme Court granted the petition and now will review the trial court’s undisputedly nonfinal decision denying a motion to dismiss—a highly irregular procedural posture for a case in any state’s highest court.
On appeal, Society repeats the same arguments it asserted in the trial court. Society insists that “a mere loss of use without a corresponding physical alteration or displacement . . . does not constitute a ‘direct physical loss of or damage to’ covered property.” It likewise insists that the government orders at issue did not trigger coverage because they limited, but did not eliminate, the insureds’ use of the covered property, which Society argues was not “tangibly damaged or destroyed,” notwithstanding the insureds’ contrary allegations in their complaint.
The insureds respond that Society’s policy does not require any “physical alternation” or complete destruction—had Society intended such requirements, it should have expressly written them into the policy. As drafted, the policy instead requires “physical loss,” which the insureds allege having suffered as a result of the presence of COVID-19 and government orders. The insureds note that Society’s policy expressly uses the disjunctive “or” between “direct physical loss of or damage to” covered property. Under standard rules of interpretation, “loss” therefore must mean something other than and different from “damage,” which the insureds also allege having suffered. It thus would be inappropriate to construe “loss” to require physical alternation of the sort “damage” denotes. The insureds further point out that standard dictionaries define “loss” to include “loss of use.” And the insureds explain that Society chose not to include any virus exclusion in its policies, which is a telling omission that also renders the non-Wisconsin cases on which Society relies interpreting such exclusions clearly distinguishable.
The appeal already has attracted the sort of interest one would expect on such important issues to Wisconsin businesses, nearly all of which have been impacted in some way by COVID-19 and routinely look to their policies for coverage in circumstances involving less than the complete destruction of their property. Several amicus briefs have been filed, including one by our firm on behalf of United Policyholders. The Supreme Court has not yet set a date for argument.
Kemper Independence Ins. Co. v. Islami, 2021 WI 53, 397 Wis.2d 394, 959 N.W.2d 912
We noted Islami in our 2020 Year in Review and discussed the Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision, which held that an estranged spouse’s bad actions forfeited coverage otherwise available to an innocent co-insured. This year, the Wisconsin Supreme Court affirmed that holding in a 4-3 split decision.
The facts supposedly were undisputed. Ismet Islami legally separated from her husband in 1998 but did not obtain a divorce. She took sole title to their marital home, but she and Mr. Islami continued living there together. While Ms. Islami was on vacation in 2013, Mr. Islami intentionally burned down the home. He then lied under oath about the cause of the fire. When these misdeeds eventually came to light, Ms. Islami’s homeowner’s insurer, Kemper, sued her, seeking a judicial declaration of no coverage.
The majority of the Supreme Court held that although Ms. Islami was, by all accounts, an innocent victim of Mr. Islami’s arson, the particular language in Ms. Islami’s homeowner’s policy precluded coverage. First, the policy specified that a spouse who resides in the same home qualifies as an “insured.” And even though the Islamis were legally separated, they still technically remained spouses. Second, the policy’s “concealment or fraud”condition specified that Kemper would provide coverage to “no insureds” if “an insured”concealed or misrepresented material facts to the insurer, as Mr. Islami had done. Finally, the majority rejected Ms. Islami’s attempt to invoke Wis. Stat. § 631.95, which preserves insurance coverage for victims of domestic violence. The majority held that the statute did not apply because the majority found no evidence in the record to suggest Mr. Islami started the fire as an act of domestic violence, to harm Ms. Islami.
The dissent took issue with the final step in the majority’s analysis, and in particular, the majority’s review of the record and legal interpretation of acts constituting “domestic violence.” According to the dissent, there was sufficient evidence in the record to establish a genuine issue of material fact as to whether the arson by Mr. Islami, a convicted sex offender with a criminal record, caused Ms. Islami “reasonably to fear imminent engagement of” bodily harm, which would constitute “domestic violence” by law. The dissent therefore rejected the majority’s conclusion that Wis. Stat. § 631.95 did not apply.
Ms. Islami has petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review arguing the majority decision violated her right to due process and freedom of religion. So there may be further developments in the future.
5 Walworth v. Engerman Contracting, 2021 WI App 51, 399 Wis.2d 240, 963 N.W.2d 779
5 Walworth confirms that coverage exists for “property damage” caused by an “occurrence” that is the result of defective workmanship. No part of that sentence should be controversial, and the decision in 5 Walworth should not be noteworthy because it simply applies long-standing precedents repeatedly affirmed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. But insurers routinely misconstrue those same precedents and argue they should be ignored or overturned. As a result, 5 Walworth is worth reviewing closely.
The facts are relatively straightforward: 5 Walworth hired Engerman as its general contractor for a residential construction project consisting of building a swimming pool complex—two pools, a patio, and surrounding retaining walls. Engerman subcontracted the work to a subcontractor who completed the project using shotcrete purchased from a supplier. After the subcontractor finished the work, 5 Walworth discovered that the pools included in the complex were leaking. An engineer investigated the cause of the leaks and concluded that the subcontractor had incorrectly installed the shotcrete and certain steel reinforcing bars, which caused cracks to form in the pool walls, as a result of which water escaped the pool and destabilized the surrounding soil, causing the cracks to widen and resulting in additional and further leaks.
5 Walworth decided to remove and replace the complex. It then sued Engerman, the subcontractor, and the insurers of each to recover the costs it incurred in doing so. The subcontractor sued the supplier of the shotcrete and its insurer in a separate action, later consolidated with 5 Walworth’s suit, alleging that the shotcrete mix was defective.
Engerman’s insurers agreed to defend Engerman under a reservation of rights and then filed motions for summary judgment arguing that their policies provided no coverage. They contended that the complaint against Engerman alleged defective workmanship only, which they argued cannot give rise to a covered “occurrence.” They also argued that their policies provided no coverage because the complaint purportedly failed to allege “property damage” and instead alleged damage to Engerman’s product—the pool complex—only. The supplier’s insurer also filed an early motion for summary judgment arguing that its policy provided no coverage because the supplier’s shotcrete must be considered a component part of an indivisible integrated system—the entire pool complex—damage to which amounts to damage only to the supplier’s own product.
The trial court granted the insurers’ motions, agreeing with the insurers that the claims “come down to faulty workmanship” and therefore “cannot constitute an occurrence” and that the pool complex constitutes an “integrated system”—a single product, damage to any part of which is not damage to “other” property, regardless of the cause or nature of the damage.
The Court of Appeals reversed. It held that while defective workmanship is not, in and of itself, an “occurrence,” “defective workmanship may cause an occurrence (i.e., an accident), resulting in property damage.” The Court of Appeals further held the record suggests that may in fact be what happened—the incorrect installation of shotcrete and steel reinforcing bars (not an “occurrence”) caused the pool walls to crack (an “occurrence”), resulting in leaks that destabilized surrounding soil and caused the cracks to widen (also an “occurrence”). The Court of Appeals further held that the occurrence appears to have caused “property damage” in that the defective shotcrete caused the pool walls to crack, as a result of which water escaped and destabilized the surrounding soil, which destabilization caused additional damage in that the cracks widened. In light of such property damage, the Court of Appeals rejected the insurers’ claim that any “integrated system” analysis was appropriate—that analysis applies only where a product causes no damage to any property.
Notwithstanding that the Court of Appeals analysis is based on long-standing Wisconsin Supreme Court precedents, the insurers have petitioned the Supreme Court to hear a further appeal. The Supreme Court has accepted the petition, perhaps to confirm once and for all that it has meant what it has said all along—defective workmanship can cause a covered “occurrence.”
Bee Forest Products, Inc. v. Western National Mutual Ins. Co., 2021 WL 2634733 (W.D. Wis.)
Bee Forest also involved the question of what circumstances constitute an “occurrence.” But unlike the insured in 5 Walworth, Bee Forest undisputedly intended to do exactly what it did—there was no allegation of any defective workmanship. Bee Forest instead made a mistake about its authority to perform the work in question and its liability hinged on that mistake.
Bee Forest entered a contract with LeRoy Bechly to cut timber on a property in Lincoln, Wisconsin. The contract and online property records identified Bechly as the owner of the property. But both were mistaken—Bechly’s daughters in fact owned the property. And they objected to Bee Forest cutting timber on it and demanded damages from Bee Forest after it began cutting.
Bee Forest tendered the daughters’ claims to its liability insurer, Western National. Western National denied coverage. Bee Forest then settled with the daughters and sued Western National. Western National moved for summary judgment, arguing that its liability policy covers only property damage caused by an “occurrence,” which the policy defines as an “accident,” and Bee Forest’s act of cutting down trees the daughters owned was not “accidental”—Bee Forest instead cut the trees it intended to cut located on the property in question.
Bee Forest filed no opposition to Western National’s motion. So the district court was left only with Western National’s arguments on which to base its decision. And the Bechly daughters never filed suit. As a result, there was no complaint against Bee Forest alleging a series of negligent acts, including, for example, negligent failure to confirm ownership of the property before commencing timber cutting operations. It therefore is not particularly surprising that the district court agreed with Western National that the alleged damages the daughters suffered were not caused by an “occurrence.” After all, Bee Forest cut only the trees it was hired to cut and that it intended to cut.
Eaton Corp. v. Westport Ins. Co., 2021 WL 4810538 (E.D. Wis.)
Eaton addresses the appropriate timing for coverage litigation with excess insurers in suits involving long-tail claims (e.g., asbestos or environmental liabilities) and specifically, when such litigation might be “ripe” for judicial determination.
Eaton has been in litigation for years with its historical liability insurers. The litigation arises out of disputes relating to coverage for tens of thousands of underlying asbestos claims. Under Wisconsin law, the asbestos claims trigger coverage under policies issued over multiple decades, in each year of which there exist multiple layers of primary and excess liability policies.
Eaton has settled with most of the insurers. But a few holdouts remain, each of which issued high-layer excess policies in the 1970s and 1980s. These excess insurers moved to dismiss Eaton’s remaining claims against them, arguing that Eaton needs to first exhaust all of the underlying coverage before Eaton’s claims against the high-layer excess insurers will ripen and present a sufficiently imminent controversy for the court to resolve. Eaton countered that the claims are ripe because (1) Eaton already has incurred sufficient asbestos liabilities to exhaust all of the coverage underlying some of the high-layer excess policies at issue, and (2) even if that were not the case, it is likely that Eaton’s asbestos liabilities eventually will exhaust all underlying coverage.
The district court agreed with the insurers and dismissed Eaton’s claims against them without prejudice, leaving the door open for Eaton to pursue the claims in the future. The court acknowledged Eaton’s right under Wisconsin law to allocate its asbestos liabilities to specific years of coverage, allowing Eaton to tap into high-layer excess policies in given years without exhausting lower layers of coverage in other years. But the court noted that Eaton had not yet actually selected the year(s) it wanted to target. And while Eaton might have sufficient liabilities to reach some of the high-layer excess policies by targeting specific years, its liabilities were not sufficient to trigger all of the policies at issue. Additionally, the court noted that settled insurers that issued policies in different years already appeared to have paid many of Eaton’s asbestos liabilities. As a result, the court questioned Eaton’s ability to allocate those same paid liabilities to years covered by the holdout excess insurers. Finally, the court disagreed with Eaton that its asbestos liabilities soon would exhaust the coverage underlying all of the applicable high-layer excess policies. The court estimated that it could take several decades for that to happen, meaning any dispute about the high-layer excess policies remains too remote to warrant judicial attention now.
The court’s decision confirms that in some instances, policyholders may be forced to litigate long-tail coverage disputes in multiple phases over time with different sets of insurers that issued coverage in different years or at different excess layers. However, policyholders may avoid this outcome by investing additional time and resources to allocate their past liabilities and project their future liabilities to prove the ripeness of their claims.
Hayes v. Wisconsin & Southern Railroad, LLC, 514 F.Supp.3d 1055 (E.D. Wis.)
Hayes held that, under Wisconsin law, an insurer may not pursue a claim for unjust enrichment against its insured to recover costs paid in the insured’s defense where there never was any coverage under the insurer’s policy in the first instance.
The facts were as follows: a railroad worker was electrocuted while working for Wisconsin & Southern Railroad. The worker sued the railroad and its insurer, Zurich. The railroad tendered the defense to Zurich, which initially defended the suit under a reservation of rights. Zurich later withdrew its defense after the district court agreed with Zurich that there was no coverage for the worker’s claims.
Zurich then amended its pleadings to assert a counterclaim for unjust enrichment seeking reimbursement of the costs it incurred in defense of the railroad. Zurich’s policy did not include any right to reimbursement. But Zurich nevertheless purported to reserve such a right in its reservation of rights letter.
No Wisconsin case had previously addressed the question of whether an insurer may recover defense costs it paid under a purported reservation of right to reimbursement. But the district court predicted that the Wisconsin Supreme Court would not allow Zurich’s purported reservation of rights to unilaterally create a right to reimbursement that Zurich had not included in its policy. The court followed the Wisconsin principle that unjust enrichment is not available where the parties have entered a contract (including an insurance policy). The court further observed that unjust enrichment requires that the defendant received a benefit under circumstances making it inequitable to allow the defendant to retain the benefit. And as the court aptly observed, those circumstances are present when an insurer such as Zurich defends its insured to protect the insurer’s own best interest in avoiding a claim for breach of the policy.
Hayes offers some comfort to insureds who otherwise must monitor reservation of rights letters and reject purported rights to reimbursement that do not exist in most policies and therefore cannot be “reserved” at all.
Badger Mining Corp. v. First American Title Ins. Co., 534 F.Supp.3d 1011 (W.D. Wis.)
Badger Mining addresses the scope of a title insurer’s duty to defend under policy language stating that the insurer will defend “only those stated causes of action alleging matters insured against by this policy” and that the insurer “will not pay any fees, costs, or expenses incurred . . . in the defense of those causes of action that allege matters not insured by the policy.” The district court enforced such language as written, holding that the title insurer’s duty was limited to covered claims only and did not extend to any and all claims in the underlying suit, even where there existed at least one covered claim.
The coverage dispute arose out of Badger’s purchase of a frac sand mine. Badger purchased the mine from Northern Frac Proppants II, LLC (“NFP II”). As part of the transaction, Badger also purchased a title insurance policy from First American. Years later, multiple parties sued Badger and NFP II, asserting seventeen causes of action, several of which challenged Badger’s title to the mine. Plaintiffs in the suit asserted that the transaction by which NFP II had acquired the mine prior to the sale to Badger involved a fraudulent transfer, that NFP II therefore did not in fact own the mine it purported to sell to Badger, and that Badger knew NFP II did not own the mine at the time Badger purchased it from NFP II.
Badger tendered the suit to First American, which refused to defend Badger, arguing that its policy excluded the claims because the complaint purportedly alleged Badger was a “knowing, active and willing participant” in the fraudulent transfer scheme. Badger defended itself, later settled the underlying suit, and then sued First American for breach of its duty to defend.
Badger and First American filed cross motions for summary judgment regarding First American’s alleged breach. The district court granted the motions in part and denied them in part. It held that First American was obligated to defend at least some of the claims in the underlying suit—those alleging fraud by NFP II based on events that predated Badger’s purchase of the mine. Although those claims were not asserted against Badger, they nevertheless implicated Badger’s title to the mine and asserted claims “adverse to” Badger’s interest. They therefore triggered First American’s duty to defend under the title policy, which promised a defense “in litigation in which any third party asserts a claim covered by this policy adverse to the insured.” But the district court held that First American had no obligation to defend all claims in the underlying suit, as its policy required that First American defend “only those stated causes of action alleging matters insured against by this policy.”
This limited duty to defend is narrower than the duty to defend under general liability policies, as to which the duty to defend the entire “suit” exists if coverage arguably exists for at least one claim. But because First American refused to defend any claims, the district court found it breached its duty and set further proceedings to assess damages.
Cincinnati Ins. Co. v. Ropicky, 2021 WI App 25, 397 Wis. 2d 196, 959 N.W.2d 356
In Ropicky, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals held that the statutory immunity granted to “safety investigators” under Wis. Stat. § 895.475 does not extend to investigators retained by insurers to conduct post-loss investigations in the course of the insurer’s review of a policyholder’s claim for coverage.
Cincinnati hired Infratek Engineering to conduct a post-loss claim investigation of property damage to an insured’s residence and determine the causes of such damage so that Cincinnati could make a coverage decision. Based on Infratek’s subsequent report, Cincinnati denied the homeowners’ claim and filed suit, seeking a declaration of no coverage. The homeowners joined Infratek in the suit, asserting a third-party claim for negligence. In support, they alleged Infratek failed to discover the full extent of the damage at issue and gave bad advice to the homeowners, their contractor, and Cincinnati.
Infratek moved for summary judgment, arguing that the homeowners’ negligence claim was barred under Wis. Stat. § 895.475, which states that “safety inspection or advisory services intended to reduce the likelihood of injury, death or loss shall not subject . . . an . . . insurer’s agent . . . to liability for damages from injury, death or loss occurring as a result of any act or omission in the course of the safety inspection or advisory services.” The trial court granted Infratek’s motion, finding that Infratek acted as Cincinnati’s agent and provided “advisory services to reduce the likelihood of loss” to Cincinnati in the claim evaluation process.
On the homeowners appeal, the Court of Appeals reversed. It noted that the “advisory services” contemplated by the statute must be “intended to reduce the likelihood of . . . loss” before such loss occurs and that is not at all what Infratek was engaged to do by Cincinnati. Infratek instead was retained to investigate the extent and cause of the loss after the fact, and to do so in connection not with any “safety inspection,” but instead in furtherance of Cincinnati’s attempts to reduce and avoid its contractual obligation to pay property damage under its policy.
While not strictly speaking a coverage case, Ropicky confirms that neither an insurer nor its claims investigation agent are immune from liability under Wis. Stat. § 895.475. | <urn:uuid:18f0257f-b297-49ce-b9bc-6631e04f598a> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/2021-wisconsin-insurance-case-law-year-5348164/ | 2022-05-17T15:44:46Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662517485.8/warc/CC-MAIN-20220517130706-20220517160706-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.959339 | 5,183 |
As I said previously, in March (in New York Timeline (1913)), I’m totally fascinated by Rudolph Valentino’s first years in the USA; particularly those spent in and around New York from 1913 to 1917. Forty two or so months crammed with incident; six months of which are, apparently, an impenetrable void. This month, June, I look in some detail at 1914 — one of his most difficult years. Anyway, here is: New York Timeline (1914).
For Marchese Guglielmi the first few months of 1914 are, for-want-of-a-better-phrase, a Social Whirl. Determined to put behind him his miserable Festive Period, he plunges into the dance-mad city of New York. His accommodation, Giolito’s, at 108-110 W. 49th St., is situated just east of Broadway, ten blocks south of Central Park, ten or so more north west, of the gleaming and glistening, newly-opened Grand Central Station, and a quick walk away from several exciting afternoon and evening establishments. At which, by all accounts, he becomes a regular.
He calls on his fellow S. S. Cleveland passenger, Miss Eleanor Post, and they go riding in Central Park at least once. He also pays a visit and introduces himself (with a letter of introduction), to Social Butterfly, Schuyler L. Parsons Jr.; who invites him to remain for dinner and then join the various guests, when they go out to dance until the early hours.
Miss Post had, along with Marion Herrion, been the young woman who’d enjoyed many hours dancing the latest dances, with Rodolfo Guglielmi, in the Second Class dining room. (Their friendship didn’t last.) Mr. Parsons, meanwhile, was a person whose name appeared in the press with alarming regularity, as an attendee, of dinner and theatre parties, dance parties and other exclusive society events. It’s interesting that he featured in an amateur film, The Flame of Kapur (1916), as a villain, not dissimilar to the sort played by Valentino a few years later. (He was to be a friend of Rudy’s right to the end.)
Rodolfo continues to socialise hopeful it’ll lead to something. He reacquaints himself with three Paris friends: brothers Count Otto and Count Alex. von Salm-Hoogstraeten, and their friend, Georges/George T. Aranyi. The trio are in the US to play tennis, and Rodolfo no doubt watches them, at the National Indoor Championship Tournament, at the Seventh Regiment Armoury, 643 Park Avenue, in mid. February. Afterwards, in the evenings, the quartet enjoy nights out.
Austrians, Otto and Alex., and Frenchman George, too, were seemingly all a little older than their Italian playmate. (Otto was born in 1886 and Alex. (who would perish during WW1) in 1890.) So being in their company would’ve been something of an education for someone not yet 19. I personally don’t believe that the Salms taught Valentino to tango at the Central Park Zoo, as his female fellow passengers on the Cleveland said he already knew it. However, there’s no doubt they taught him other things, and that he was a willing Pupil.
The addiction of New Yorkers at this time to dancing is clear when we peruse the city’s newspapers and see how often it’s mentioned. At the start of the month a report states that the Pope has neither banned the Tango nor endorsed La Furlana. A review, days later, of The Laughing Husband, an operetta at the Knickerbocker Theatre, reveals how “Graceful Steps [Of] A New Sort” had been added to the U. S. adaptation, and that the chorus did “The Tango”. (You can listen to a medley here.) On the 9th, we see a story about 2,000 waiters, trotting, tangoing, dipping, maxixeing, and hesitating, at the Manhattan Waiters’ Association Annual Ball. (In many instances with each other.) On the 14th, we view fourteen recent or expected social gatherings, of which seven included dancing. The 17th saw the Castles, Vernon and Irene, explaining to Marguerite Mooers Marshall, a columnist, how to dance the Half and Half. And at the close of February, we learn that the Arabian Nights Ball, on the 26th, at the Folies Marigny, had begun at midnight, and had been: “… JUST ONE DANCE AFTER ANOTHER.”
Thanks to high living and nightly shenanigans, with the Salms, Aranyi, and with others, Rodolfo’s funds are dwindling; and as he commences the month, he begins to appreciate he’s unable to continue in the same fashion as in January and February. In order to save money he quits his quarters at Giolito’s, and moves to less expensive, unknown, Uptown rooms.
Knowing he’ll soon have to find employment, he’s also eager to seriously improve his basic English. He understands that what he learned at Nervi won’t be sufficient for him to be able to work, and he’ll be unable to improve it, while he’s surrounded by fellow Italians.
His departure from Giolito’s isn’t fixed in stone and it could easily have occurred in February. The reason being, that the position he secured as a Gardener (thanks to a letter of introduction (from his older brother Alberto), to outgoing Commissioner of Immigration, William Williams), commenced after the snow had melted. As I only saw bad snow reported locally in early March, and not later, we have to accept the possibility he was out of his initial accommodation earlier than was previously thought. Maybe even by the middle of February.
After some work, which included planting rhododendrons (which are still there and are referred to as ‘Rudy’s Rhodos’), his employment with Mr. Bliss, at his estate, at Brookville, outside the city on Long Island, abruptly ends, after he crashes a borrowed motorcycle. It’s also an issue that the return of Mrs. Bliss, from Europe, has ended plans for an Italian garden. Rodolfo himself isn’t enjoying being so far from Manhattan. And isn’t too pleased to be eating his meals with the other servants.
Cornelius N. Bliss Jr., a kind-hearted type, then President of the New York Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor, provides him with a letter of introduction, to the New York City Parks Commissioner, Louis F. La Roche. He also, amazingly, provides him with a small weekly allowance so that he can manage in the short term.
Rudy returns to Manhattan, able, just about, to manage on his recent earnings, and his allowance from Bliss. Despite his worsening situation, it seems, from time-to-time, that he’s still able to enjoy the cafes and restaurants.
Rodolfo Guglielmi doesn’t grasp that Mr. and Mrs. Bliss are two people who, in time, could’ve seriously helped him with a career as a Landscape Gardener. However, he did understand he was a million miles from entering, or being accepted in, Society. Painfully aware. And this was something of a problem for him.
After resettling back in the city, sometime in May, Rodolfo secures a less pleasant position as an Apprentice Park Gardener. He works the majority of the month. But eventually discovers that he’s unable to continue working, as the apprenticeship exam is open only to American citizens.
By now Cornelius N. Bliss Jr.’s small allowance has probably ceased. The little he’s earned in May is disappearing. And he searches for some other kind of employment.
It’s probably in May and June that he goes to the Waldorf-Astoria, one of the great New York hotels, to write on the their fine stationery to his mother (to reassure her that he’s alright and is doing well). That he eventually revealed this to his family, is known, thanks to his older brother, Alberto, mentioning it in a lengthy interview in 1977.
He manages to secure a position as a Bank Teller. However, due to poor English, or an inability to calculate quickly enough, or both, he loses this job. And is once again forced to look for another vacancy.
It’s now, in mid. June, that he catches the eye of ‘Dickie’ Warner – true name Richard H. Warner – a blonde, blue-eyed man in his late twenties, who’s as much of a Social Moth as Schuyler L. Parsons Jr.. Apparently, Dickie sees him: “… seated at the opposite side of the dancing space in company of several friends.” After a formal introduction they converse. And days later he invites him to dinner on the roof of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. On that warm evening, they afterwards sit drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes, and Rodolfo opens his heart to the near stranger. Telling him he’s a foreigner in a foreign land. Isn’t getting anywhere in his profession. And is: “… too proud to seek aid from his family.” Dickie’s sympathetic and tells Rudy he can move into his apartment with him until things improve. Which, the very next day, he does. Warner helping him to pack his possessions at his “anything but cheerful” lodgings. Thus commences a quite lengthy and comfortable stay, at Dickie Warner’s gorgeously decorated two room studio, at 78 West 55th Street. Rudy wakes late each day; lounges about in pyjamas in Warner’s tulip wood bed; plays with the cat, Prunella; and talks on the telephone to his girlfriends. His host is irritated by his poor English but doesn’t mind his singing. (The song that he sings most often is Mamma Mia.)
Warner’s detailed – too detailed to be fabricated – account, which was published in the early Twenties, in a piece entitled, Before They Were Famous, in SCREENLAND, reveals much about Rudy half way through 1914. He continues to frequent some of the places he enjoyed earlier that year as and when he can. Has friends. And is still able to dress and present himself well. Warner remembered: “… distinctly, his dress suit, also the handiwork of a tailor in Taranto.” This pretty much proves false, the claim that Frank A. Mennillo took him to his New York tailor, to kit him out in more suitable, American garb. He was in May and June still wearing all of the garments he’d carried with him at the end of the previous year.
So far he’s moved from Giolitos, to Uptown, then out to Long Island, then back to Manhattan. (He also appears to have been in Brooklyn at some point in order to be able to save money.) Living with Dickie facilitates indolence. For the time being, at least, he seems in no hurry to do anything, except laze, pet Prunella, and speak for hours on the telephone. According to his host a stay of a few days stretches to many weeks. In my estimation at least a month to six weeks.
Rudy continues to live with Dickie. At some point the pair enjoy a trip to Long Beach; for so long, that Warner is forced to wire a friend in the city, and get them to climb through a window, in order to feed the cat.
At the end of the month World War One breaks out in Europe. However, as neither Italy nor America are initially involved, it doesn’t yet affect Rodolfo Guglielmi, or, his family.
After six or so weeks his stay with Warner ends. Where he goes next isn’t too clear. Yet it’s certain about now is when things begin to get very tough. For the next eight weeks he goes from poorly-paid job to poorly-paid job. He washes dishes, cleans automobiles, and polishes brass; anything that will give him enough money to be able to eat and pay for a place to sleep.
This is a period where he’ll move about even more frequently, staying a week here, then a week there. Always moving. He’s forced to pawn his belongings. What’s left is kept by a Landlady that he’d been unable to pay. In later years, he told Norma Talmadge a story about walking five miles to City Hall, in order to find work, and, after failing to, how he’d bought a “bologna sandwich” with his very last ten cents, before walking the five miles back. The fact Norma recalled such a story, in 1938, again shows he couldn’t possibly have had a Godfather during this time.
Nineteen-year-old Rodolfo continues to suffer. He eats at one, perhaps all, of the Horn & Hardart Co. Automats, on Broadway, Sixth Avenue and West 42nd St. And he sleeps at the downbeat, Mills Hotel, which charges 12 cents per night. When he can’t even afford that he doesn’t eat and sleeps on a bench in Central Park. (He also sleeps under the shrubbery and in all-night cinemas.)
There’s absolutely no evidence nineteen-year-old Rudolph Valentino was forced to commit any crime in order to survive; but we must consider the possibility he may have had no choice. It’s interesting, that in a letter home, he feels that any work is better than a life of crime. And it’s in this letter, according to the family, that he reveals he’d come very close to compromising his honour. So if he didn’t commit a crime it was certainly on his mind. The disappearance of the contents of his police file, decades ago, doesn’t allow us to be sure one way or the other. In a report, in The New-York Tribune, in 1910, vagrants were only arrested if they were considered to be a ‘Cadet’ — in-other-words, a person learning to be a street criminal. If they were, they were discharged, sent to a work house, or, fined. If Rudy slept on a park bench, he would simply be moved along; as Anthony Dexter was, as Valentino, in Valentino (1951). (A rare instance of accuracy in an otherwise largely inaccurate film.)
Broke and homeless things are so bleak that Rudy contemplates suicide. Then a Mystery Man he meets changes his luck. The person, apparently an Italian, takes him under his wing, shares his food and his bed, talks to him, gives him advice, and perhaps allows his guest to get a wash and to shave. The next day, or soon afterwards, after the suggestion, Rodolfo heads to Maxim’s/Cafe Maxim to speak to the piano player (who’s from Taranto). The piano player suggests talking to the Head Waiter there. When he does, The Head Waiter recalls him from earlier in the year, and offers him work as a dance partner for hire. (To dance with females who aren’t already accompanied by a male.) He accepts and commences that month. There’s no pay, but he can eat for free, keep any tips, and use an upper room, with a Victrola, to give dance instructions on the side.
A different version of Rodolfo’s spell as a dancer, at Cafe Maxim, is found in the owner, Julius Keller’s, 1939 memoir, Inns and Outs. Keller claims that he himself hired him. And that Rudy had been washing cars at a nearby garage. Keller says that he found the young man to be “dark and romantic in appearance”. Whether it was Keller’s or another proprietor’s innovation isn’t clear. But dance partners for hire were far from unique to Maxim’s. They were very much looked down upon at the time as it was considered to be an unsuitable profession for a Real Man.
Maxim’s was, along with Sherry’s, Delmonico’s, Luchow’s, Churchill’s, Rectors, Murray’s, and a few other venues, a restaurant that allowed patrons to dance. Their adverts in September declared that it was the “COOLEST and BEST VENTILATED DINING ROOM in TOWN”. That luncheon was just 60c. That dancing was from noon to close. And the cabaret was after 6:30 p. m.
Dark, romantic Rodolfo Guglielmi swiftly enhances his natural ability, and is an instant success with patrons. He returns to being a Marchese; but, perhaps due to the French atmosphere of the establishment, tells customers he’s a Marquis. By now he has many regular female dance partners. And these varied ladies generously tip him and shower him with small gifts.
In the third or fourth week of the month, Bonnie Glass (“the most original young person in the [dancing] profession”), and her former dance partner, Clifton Webb, arrive at Cafe Maxim and take a table. Glass has asked Webb to assist her in searching for a talented new partner, and they soon notice: “… a remarkably handsome, dark young man named Rudolph.” Bonnie is impressed by his tango and, on the spot, offers him the job. He tells her frankly that he doesn’t have the money to pay for the clothing required. And she tells him that she’ll cover the cost.
In Clifton Webb’s posthumously published autobiography, Sitting Pretty: the Life and Times of Clifton Webb, 2011, the then very notable Bonnie Glass had recently returned from Chicago. Checking her engagements in late 1914 I saw this to be the case. (She’d danced in Chicago recently with Al. Davis.) And so I trust both Clifton Webb’s memory and his story. It seems Bonnie had a partner – George Richmond – but he was temporary. And, as she had plans for 1915, that included re-opening the grille of Cafe Boulevard, at Broadway and 41st Street, as Cafe Montmartre, she required somebody reliable who’d be available nightly. (For me this settles once and for all the question of how they met and came to be a successful Act.)
It’s easy to imagine Rudy’s delight in being singled out by Bonnie and Clifton after they’d left and it all began to sink in. In no-time-at-all he would be able to quit the establishment and leave behind him, perhaps forever, the life of a Taxi Dancer — a life he found more than a little distasteful.
During the first two weeks of the month Rodolfo rehearses with Bonnie in the mornings and continues to work as a hired dancer, at Maxim’s, in the afternoons and evenings. He likewise continues to be the favourite of several ladies (as mentioned by Keller in Inns and Outs). And utilises the upper room, with the Victrola, to provide private instruction for a fee.
Mid. December, he dances for the first time with Glass, at Rector’s, in front of their “stage setting”, for an elegant New York audience seated amidst “fronded palms”. He’ll continue to do so for the rest of the month. And, though he fails to be credited at this point in any adverts, he’s buoyed by the realisation that bigger things lie ahead of him in 1915. In only a matter of months he’s turned his life completely around. This year, the Festive Period will not be the lonely, upsetting affair it was twelve months before.
Thank you so much for reading this post. As always, the sources are available to anyone who contacts me, if they’re not already embedded into the text, or added as an image. This latest timeline will be followed by others looking at the years 1915 to 1917. And I’ve planned standalone posts for his 1916 arrest and also the missing half year. See you all in July! | <urn:uuid:d4cb1253-575c-4eb5-a27c-3b6a77fc8a8b> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://hisfamestilllives.home.blog/2019/06/14/new-york-timeline-1914/?replytocom=238 | 2022-05-18T23:49:27Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662522556.18/warc/CC-MAIN-20220518215138-20220519005138-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.976838 | 4,450 |
|Kent Kiehl and Julia Lushing (2014), Scholarpedia, 9(5):30835.||doi:10.4249/scholarpedia.30835||revision #141274 [link to/cite this article]|
Psychopathy is a personality disorder defined by a constellation of affective and behavioral symptoms. The symptoms of psychopathy include shallow affect; lack of empathy, guilt and remorse; irresponsibility; impulsivity; and poor planning and decision-making (Kiehl & Hoffman, 2011). The best current estimate suggests that just less than 1% of all non-institutionalized adults meet criteria for the disorder (Hare, 1996). The base rate of psychopathy is higher in institutional settings, with an estimated 15-25% of incarcerated individuals meeting criteria for the disorder.
It was Philippe Pinel (1745-1826) (Figure 1), the founding father of modern psychiatry, who first described a group of patients afflicted with mania sans délire (insanity without delirium)(Pinel, 1801). The term was used to describe individuals who had no intellectual problems but a profound deficit in behavior typified by marked cruelty, antisocial acts, alcohol and drug use, irresponsibility, and immorality. Pinel described a type of “moral insanity” that occurred in the absence of confusion in mind and intellect, differentiating these cases from patients with psychotic behaviors.
Importantly, psychosis and psychopathy are not the same. Psychosis is a loss of contact with reality that leads to symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thoughts. Psychosis presents itself in disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Psychotic symptoms are not typically observed in individuals with psychopathy. Indeed, it was the absence of psychotic symptoms that originally differentiated individuals with psychopathy from other patient groups.
German psychiatrist, J.L.A. Koch (1841-1908) (Figure 2), coined the term psychopastiche, or psychopath, in 1888. Koch claimed that psychopathy arose from a flaw in one’s constitution at birth. Constitutional psychopathy became a popular disorder in the literature of the early 1900s.
Koch recognized that assessing psychopathic traits requires a holistic appraisal of the patient’s life history. This gestalt view is necessary to accurately characterize psychopathic traits in an individual. Koch’s strategy is generalizable to assessing all personality traits and was included in the 8th edition of Emil Kraepelin’s classic textbook on clinical psychiatry (Feuchtersleben, 1845).
Even though Koch’s psychopastiche construct was more focused than the concept “moral insanity,” it was still sufficiently broad to encompass personality disorders generally. Psychopastiche constituted people who hurt themselves (i.e., suicide attempts) as well as others. This overly encompassing definition lost sight of the moral disability that is central to what is today known as psychopathy.
By the 1920s psychiatry was using the word psychopath to include people who were depressed, weak-willed, and excessively shy and insecure—in other words, it became a placeholder for abnormal psychology.
Psychopathy vs. Sociopathy
In 1909, Birnbaum suggested that sociopathic might be a better term than psychopathic to describe individuals with this particular constellation of symptoms. Birnbaum believed that antisocial behavior rarely stemmed from constitutional flaws in character. Rather, he felt that most antisocial acts emanate from the operation of societal forces that make the more acceptable forms of behavior difficult to learn (Birnbaum, 1909). One of the immediate problems with the diagnosis of sociopathy was that it, like many of its predecessors, was too broad and encompassed far too many individuals. Literally every criminal met the criteria for sociopathy as it was defined. Unfortunately, the term sociopathy has been used in colloquial settings interchangeably with psychopathy ever since.Psychopathy and sociopathy generally refer to the same set of symptoms, but sociopathy connotes social origins, whereas psychopathy is agnostic to etiology, meaning social and biological reasons are equally plausible. The term sociopathy is not used in modern academic circles anymore.
A closely related construct to psychopathy, is anti-social personality disorder (APD). APD is defined in the DSM-V as a having a pervasive disregard for and willingness to violate the rights of others (DSM-V, 2013). While most individuals with APD d0 not meet the diagnostic criteria for psychopathy, psychopaths are almost invariably diagnosed with APD (Harpur,1994). APD is more closely correlated with Factor 2 of the PCL-R than Factor 1. It is also important to note that unlike APD, psychopathy is actually not in the DSM, but is still a very useful clinical diagnosis in a forensic context.
Modern Conception of Psychopathy
In 1941, Dr. Hervey Cleckley published the first edition of The Mask of Sanity (Figure 3), a compilation of clinical research and case studies conducted with a wide variety of psychopaths from both community and institutional settings. The title refers to the “mask” of normalcy psychopaths put forth, hiding what Cleckley describes as a serious, yet unappreciated psychiatric defect (Cleckley, 1976). After nearly fifty years of clinical work and through four subsequent editions of The Mask of Sanity, Cleckley’s characterization of psychopathy is still used today. His work is considered to be of seminal importance and The Mask of Sanity remains one of the most influential clinical descriptions of the disorder.
Measurement Tools and Assessment of Psychopathy
The two most common ways to assess psychopathic traits are to use expert rater devices and self-report inventories.
Hare Psychopath Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)4) created the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL) in 1980 and revised it in 1991 (PCL-R) (Hare, 1991) (Figure 5). The Psychopathy Checklist and its successors remain the most widely used expert-rater devices to assess psychopathy today (Craig et.al, 2008). The PCL-R comprises twenty items that are used to assess the presence of psychopathic traits in adults. The standard procedure to complete the PCL-R is comprised of two parts. The first part includes an extensive review of collateral sources of information (e.g., reports about family, education, extra-curricular activities, work history, relationships with family and friends). The second part of the assessment is a detailed life history interview with the patient. The in-person interview is strongly recommended but not required to validly complete the Psychopathy Checklist provided there is sufficient collateral information on the patient. Thus, the Psychopathy Checklist can be completed even if the patient refuses to cooperate in the interview. Using all available information, the expert rates the patient on the 20 items according to very specific scoring criteria articulated in the PCL-R manual. The scores on the PCL-R range from 0 to 40. The average PCL-R score in the general male population is 4 out of 40. The mean PCL-R score in male prison samples is 22. A score of 30 or higher is considered a high score. Thirty is one-standard deviation above the mean score of prison samples and is the score typically used to signify high, or diagnostic, levels of the traits. Approximately 15-25% of incarcerated males will meet criteria for psychopathy, using 30 as the cut-off score.
Psychopathic traits are less common in females than in males. However, within forensic samples, females show a similar distribution of psychopathic traits as men. The mean Psychopathy Checklist score for female offenders is 19 with a standard deviation of 7.5 (Hare, 2001).In addition to the PCL-R, Dr. Hare and collaborators also developed the PCL- SV (screening version) and PCL-YV (youth version)(Figure 6). The PCL-SV is a shorter version of the PCL-R and is useful for assessing psychopathy in non-forensic populations. The PCL-YV is a twenty-item test specifically designed for the assessment of psychopathic traits in males and females between 12 and 18 years old (Neumann et al., 2006). However, the label psychopathy is not advisable in minor populations. Rather these latter traits are referred to as callous/unemotional traits in youth.
There is now a well-developed peer-reviewed literature on the use of expert-rated devices to assess psychopathy. The PCL-R has been translated into over 16 languages and is used around the world in forensic settings to assess the disorder.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM) conception of psychopathy
The DSM is the standard guidebook for defining mental illnesses in the United States. It provides a template for how clinicians assess and classify patients into various categories of mental illness. Determining a patient’s diagnosis is usually the first step towards determining the best course of treatment. However, defining mental illness is a complicated process and the DSM is an evolving document.
While almost everyone recognized the importance of the affective traits Cleckley articulated as central to the construct of psychopathy, some psychiatrists had doubts about the average clinician’s abilities to reliably detect affective criteria (e.g. lack of empathy, guilt or remorse). It was this tension—between those who did and did not think the affective traits could be reliably diagnosed—that drove the swinging pendulum of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Illnesses (DSM) classification of psychopathy over successive iterations (Kiehl & Hoffman, 2011).
There was widespread dissatisfaction (Hare, 1998; Livesley & Schroeder, 1991; Widiger & Corbitt, 1995; Widiger et al., 1996) with early versions of the DSM’s treatment of Antisocial Personality Disorder/Psychopathy. This led the American Psychiatric Association to conduct field studies in an effort to improve the coverage of the traditional symptoms of psychopathy. The result was that the DSM-IV reintroduced some of the affective criteria the DSM-III left out, but in a compromise it provided virtually no guidance about how to integrate these symptoms. This has led to substantial confusion within the clinical community.
The DSM conceptualization of Antisocial Personality Disorder is very broad and approximately 80% of prison inmates will meet criteria for the disorder. Thus, the condition has very little predictive utility within forensic samples because it is essentially synonymous with criminality. And in the opinion of the authors, criminal behavior, per se, is not a disorder.
Confusion between the DSM concept of Antisocial Personality Disorder and the Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) assessment of psychopathy remains problematic in many academic and forensic circles. The two expert-rater devices are very different, and their labels should not be used interchangeably. The DSM Antisocial Personality Disorder construct is not a sufficient proxy for a PCL-R score.
Thus, given the limitations of Antisocial Personality Disorder as defined by the DSM, the most common expert-rater instrument to comprehensively assess psychopathic traits remains the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R).
Whereas clinicians typically use expert-rater instruments to assess psychopathy in forensic contexts, researchers have developed a number of self-report inventories to assess psychopathic traits in non-institutionalized populations (e.g., undergraduate students). Self-report scales are typically quicker to collect than expert-rater instruments and they require little clinical training to administer and score.
Some notable self-report psychopathy scales include:
- Self-report Psychopathy Scale (SRP) (Hare, 1985)
- Levenson Self Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP)(Levenson et al., 1995)
- Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI)(Lilienfeld & Andrews, 1996)
- Parent and teacher reports for assessment of callous/unemotional traits in youth (Frick et al., 2003)
- Lynam’s Self-Report Child Psychopathy Scale (Lynam, 1998)
- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (Lilienfeld, 1999)
- Gough Socialization Scale (Taylor et al., 2000)
Self-report measures of psychopathy have been shown to modestly correlate with expert-rater devices (Kedrick & Funder, 1988). However, there are several limitations of self-reports that are worth mentioning.
First, self-report scales require cooperation. Many individuals may be unwilling to complete the scales if they are to be used in an adversarial legal proceeding, such as a risk assessment. As noted above, expert-rater instruments can often be completed even if the client refuses to participate in the process. Also, a central characteristic of psychopathy is lying and conning behavior. Self-report scales are more likely to be susceptible to manipulation than expert-rater devices.
Second, self-report scales typically require an eighth grade or higher reading level and vocabulary. Such abilities are often lower than normal in forensic populations. Also, to the extent an individual with psychopathy lacks insight into his psychological state, he will not be able to accurately assess his own behavior and its impact on other people (Miller et al., 2011). It may be inherently problematic to ask a psychopath to report on the presence or absence of emotions such as guilt or fear if they have never experienced them (Cleckley, 1941/1988).
Third, self-report scales may also be more susceptible to the current mental state of the participant. For example, if the client is currently depressed they may endorse self-report items differently than if they are not depressed. Psychopathic traits are stable, enduring traits that are present in multiple domains of a person’s life. Thus, any procedure to assess the traits needs to be immune from acute psychological states (e.g. anger, depression, etc).
Self-report assessments of psychopathy generally remain limited to academic inquiries. Due to the limitations articulated above, they are not widely recommended for use in clinical samples, especially in forensic and adversarial settings. Nevertheless, self-report instruments are widely used in research and have led to numerous insights regarding the condition. For these reasons, the author’s recommendation is to collect both expert-rater data and self-report inventories of psychopathic traits whenever possible.
Symptom Profiles, Factors and Facets of Psychopathic Traits
Statistical techniques have been used to parse psychopathic traits into two underlying dimensions or factors. Each dimension may also be meaningfully expressed as comprising one or more facets (Hare & Neumann, 2006). Factor 1 (composed of facets 1 and 2) measure interpersonal (e.g. glibness, grandiosity, pathological lying, conning behavior etc.) and affective (e.g. lack of remorse or guilt, shallow affect, lack of empathy, failure to accept responsibility etc.) traits. Factor 2 (composed of facets 3 and 4) measure lifestyle (e.g. need for stimulation, parasitic lifestyle, lack of realistic long term goals or plans, impulsivity, irresponsibility etc.) and antisocial/developmental (e.g. early behavioral problems, juvenile delinquency, poor behavioral controls, revocation of conditional release, criminal versatility etc.) tendencies (Hare & Neumann, 2009).
It is important to note that psychometric analysis of the different factors and facets of psychopathy is an active area of academic research. A number of different models have been proposed and meaningful relationships have been found between the different factors, facets, and external variables. For example, Factor 1 seems to be positively correlated with intelligence scores whereas Factor 2 appears to be negatively correlated with intelligence scores (Blonigen et al., 2010).
Forensic Utility of the Construct of Psychopathy
The PCL-R was designed to assess psychopathic traits in the clinical tradition articulated by Cleckley. However, many studies have shown that the PCL-R scores predict recidivism, which has contributed to its widespread use in the criminal justice system.
A meta-analysis examining the relationship between PCL-R scores and violent recidivism among both sexes and juvenile and adult populations yielded a mean weighted Cohen’s d of .47 across 68 effect sizes (Leistico, Salekin, Decoster, & Rogers, 2008; Rice & Harris, 2005). Additional meta-analyses yielded a mean (weighted) AUC of .67 across seven effect sizes, (Walters, 2003) and .66 across 24 effect sizes (Campbell et al., 2009). These results amount to moderate effect sizes in the behavioral sciences (Cohen, 1988). Additionally, two meta-analyses of PCL-Youth Version scores and violent recidivism yielded AUC’s of .64 across twenty (Oliver et al., 2009) and fifteen (Edens et.al., 2007) effect sizes, also indicating moderate predictive value. The PCL-R has also demonstrated significant predictive value with respect to sexual recidivism, particularly when combined with a measure of sexual deviance (Hawes et al., 2012).
The PCL-R is also used as a component of several instruments that were explicitly designed to assess future risk of violence. The following are popular risk assessors that incorporate the PCL-R:
- Violence Risk Assessment Guide (Quinsey et al., 1998)
- Historical-Clinical-Risk Management 20 (Webster et al., 1997)
- Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Guide (Hilton et al., 2008)
It is important to note that the PCL-R may not predict recidivism in all populations. For example, there is little research examining the Psychopathy Checklist’s ability to predict recidivism in adolescent females and non-Caucasian adult male populations (Edens, Magyar & Cox, 2013).
Due to the significance of the PCL-R in forensic settings, including determination of liberty and death sentences, careful scrutiny of its predictive value is essential. Indeed, judges and parole boards often use the PCL-R to predict future dangerousness, equating high scores with higher risk of recidivism (Freedman, 2001). Accordingly, misuse of the PCL-R in incarcerated individuals could have serious consequences (Edens, 2001). Thus, it is strongly advised that specifically trained experts administer and score the PCL-R in appropriate contexts (Hare, 2003).
Causes and Precursors
The causes and specific pathophysiology of psychopathy are an active area of research. Like other mental illnesses, psychopathy appears in all races and cultures. Cleckley and other authors have long noted that psychopathy may manifest in both genders, in all socio-economic strata, and in all cultures and races (Cleckley, 1941/1988). At the present time, the general consensus is that a genetic predisposition is necessary for psychopathy while environmental conditions determine its specific expression (Porter, 1996).
Taxon versus Dimensional Constructs of Psychopathy
One preliminary question regarding the etiology of psychopathy is whether the disorder is dimensional or categorical in nature. As with most personality disorders, this is an ongoing topic of research in psychopathy. Several types of statistical analyses have been performed to examine the latent structure of psychopathy using PCL-R scores, including factor analysis (Blackburn & Jeremy W. Coid, 1998) and model based cluster analysis (Hicks, et al., 2004). However, dimensional and categorical assumptions are built into factor and cluster analyses, respectively. These tests do not determine whether a construct is categorical or dimensional (Walters et al., 2007). On the other hand, taxometric analyses were specifically designed to identify discrete versus dimensional structures. Taxometric studies of the PCL and related instruments have yielded mixed results, (Walters et al., 2007) rendering the latent structure of psychopathy yet undetermined.
Further controversy over the latent structure of psychopathy relates to a more general problem in personality disorder diagnosis; namely, the cut off for pathological behavior is inherently normative. In other words, it is an oxymoron to suggest that someone is a “successful” psychopath because by definition, to be afflicted with a personality disorder (e.g. psychopathy) one must have pathological symptoms that cause impairment in multiple domains of one’s life.
Nevertheless, individuals who evince elevated psychopathic traits, but not at pathological levels, may appear to a layperson to have psychopathy but in actuality they do not likely have clinical levels of (all) of the traits.
Preliminary research indicates that there are correlations between physical neglect, absentee father, whether either parent was incarcerated, low socioeconomic status, young mother, depressed mother, and general instability in the family with psychopathic traits in adults (Patrick, 2005). Another study looking at adult male psychopathic and nonpsychopathic criminals showed that aversive familial and societal experiences in childhood were both correlated with adult male psychopathy (Marshall & Cooke, 1999). These conditions are hardly dispositive of psychopathy however and likely only produce psychopathic outcomes when a certain genotype is present.
A more nuanced look at the relationship between psychopathy and environmental conditions revealed correlations between childhood abuse and the irresponsible lifestyle and impulsivity facet of psychopathy (Pothyress, 2006). Again, the prevailing pathogenic hypothesis of psychopathy is a diathesis stress model similar to that of schizophrenia; i.e. a certain genotype must be present which interacts with aversive environmental conditions in order for psychopathy to manifest (Porter, 1996).
It should also be noted that many clinicians have noted that individuals with psychopathy often are raised in average to above average home environments (Cleckley, 1941/1988). Thus, the precise environmental risk factors for psychopathy remain elusive.
Genetic studies using the twin method (Plomin, DeFries & McClearn, 2008) have shown moderately strong genetic and non-shared environmental precursors of adult psychopathy (Waldman & Rhee, 2006). For example, a study using the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI) self-report scale showed genetic effects accounting for 29% to 56% of variance within dimensions of psychopathy, while shared environmental factors did not account for any PPI facets (Blonigen et al., 2003). Another study looked at callous-unemotional traits and antisocial behavior in seven-year-old twins (Viding et al., 2005). The conclusions of this study suggest callous-unemotional traits are strongly determined by genetic influences, while antisocial behavior in the absence of callous-unemotional traits has strong shared and non-shared environmental influences. Further research is necessary to determine the generalizability of these findings to non-twin children, as well as examining the predictability of different callous-unemotional traits and antisocial behavior presentations in children on the development of clinical levels of psychopathy as an adult.
An additional line of genetic research in psychopathy focuses on a variant of the monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) gene and its correlation with psychopathic traits (Frazzetto et al., 2007). The gene variant identified produces less MAO-A enzymes (Young et al., 2006). Low MAO-A phenotypes coupled with adverse childhood experiences have been shown to correlate with low thresholds for violence and aggression (Caspi et al., 2002). While there is no gene for antisocial behavior or psychopathy, MAO-A may be a useful predictor of relevant neurophysiological vulnerabilities that when certain environmental conditions are present (e.g. abuse or neglect in childhood), an antisocial or psychopathic personality emerges.
Primary vs. Secondary Psychopathy
Psychopathy may emerge from a number of different pathways. One conceptualization suggests two dichotomous origins, termed primary and secondary psychopathy (Karpman, 1941). In this model, primary psychopaths arise from largely genetic factors whereas environmental factors play a stronger role in secondary psychopathy. Secondary psychopaths are believed to have high levels of anxiety while primary psychopaths are low anxious individuals (Newman et al., 2005).
There is substantial evidence that anxiety can play a mediating role in a many psychopathologies, including psychopathy. However, there is insufficient evidence supporting the etiological processes thought to underlie primary versus secondary psychopathy at this time.
Neuropsychological Profiles of Psychopaths
The general finding is that there is no relationship between classic neuropsychological tests and clinical levels of psychopathy (Hart et al., 1990).
A significant body of research regarding emotional processing abnormalities in psychopaths continues to emerge. Research suggests that deficits in emotionally relevant decision making is largely constitutive of psychopathy (Koenigs & Newman, 2013). Decision making itself, however, is a complex and multifaceted cognitive function. Substantial research is dedicated to identifying the specific information- processing skills relevant to decision making that are disrupted in psychopathy. For example, one influential hypothesis suggests that an inability to generate fearful responses underlies psychopathy (Lykken, 1957). Other research points to abnormalities in the deployment of attention that go beyond affective processing (Hiatt, 2004). Another line of inquiry suggests a general deficit in the perception, reasoning, and management of emotional states in oneself and others among psychopaths using a well-validated test of emotional intelligence (Ermer et al., 2012).
The last decade has seen a significant increase in brain imaging studies of psychopathy. Current research support the hypothesis that psychopathic traits are associated with abnormalities in the amygdala; orbital frontal cortex (OFC); and extended paralimbic structures, prominently the temporal pole (superior temporal gyrus) and anterior and posterior cingulate cortex (Kiehl et al., 2001). Moreover, patients with lesions in the anatomical areas relevant to psychopathy present with psychopathic-like symptoms further suggesting that temporolimbic network dysfunction is integral to this disorder (Boccardi, 2013).
Another prominent model of psychopathy hypothesizes that psychopaths suffer from associative learning dysfunction associated with selective amygdala and OFC abnormalities. Associative learning is believed to be crucial to healthy socialization (Blair, 2003).
While the etiology of these brain abnormalities are unknown, clinical data suggests that the affective dysfunction associated with these paralimbic structures are present at a young age (Frick, 1998). Moreover, longitudinal studies have found high year-to-year stability of psychopathic traits in at risk males ages 8 to 16 (Obradovic et al., 2007). This further supports the hypothesis that psychopathy is a developmental condition with strong genetic loading.
Psychopathy and Crime
The best current estimate is that just less than 1% of all noninstitutionalized males aged 18 and over have psychopathy (Hare, 1996). This translates to approximately 1,150,000 adult males who would meet the criteria for psychopathy in the United States today (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). And of the approximately 6,720,000 adult males that are in prison, jail, on parole or probation, 16%, or 1,075,000, are psychopaths. Thus, approximately 93% of adult male psychopaths in the United States are either in prison or jail or on probation or parole.
Psychopathy is a significant predictor of general recidivism (Hart et al., 1988), violent recidivism (Rice & Harris, 1997), and sexual violent recidivism (Rice & Harris, 1995). Simply put, individuals with psychopathy, who represent approximately 15-25% of the prison population, recidivate at higher rates, and more quickly, than the other 75-85%. The average inmate with psychopathy is back and forth to prison three times before the average non-psychopath with the same sentence makes it back once (Rice & Harris, 1995). The average incarcerated adult with psychopathy has been convicted of committing four violent offenses before age 40 (Hare et al., 1988).
Co-Morbidity with Substance Abuse
Psychopaths are at a markedly higher risk for developing substance abuse problems than the general population (Smith & Newman, 1990). Substance abuse is highly correlated with Factor 2 symptoms, which are associated with poor behavioral controls, and weakly correlated with Factor 1 symptoms, which relate to affective dysfunction (Smith & Newman, 1990).
Female psychopathy research is significantly more limited than work done in male populations. This is in part due to the relatively lower prevalence rate of females with psychopathy. In a 1997 study, researchers found that the rate of psychopathy in female prisoners was 15.5% (Salekin et al., 1997). Moreover, research examining the correlation between PCL scores and recidivism generated different results between male and female populations. The overall predictive value of PCL-R scores on recidivism in female offenders remains uncertain (Salekin et al., 1995).
One promising approach to treatment for psychopathy has been targeting youth who are on a high-risk trajectory towards developing the condition as adults. In a longitudinal study measuring the effects of the Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center (MJTC) on antisocial behavior in high-risk juvenile offenders, treatment emphasizing interpersonal relationships and social skill acquisition was correlated with marked decrease in criminal recidivism, particularly violent recidivism, compared to high-risk youth who did not receive this treatment (Caldwell et al., 2012). The MJTC program provided intensive, year long, cognitive behavioral therapy and produced a significant reduction in violent outcomes. It is not clear whether the program “cured” psychopathy, but it at least altered the most salient and destructive manifestation of psychopathy—propensity for aggression (Caldwell, 2013).
There has been little research in the way of treatment for adults with psychopathy. Indeed, there has never been a single published randomized treatment control study for psychopathy. Unfortunately, there remains a pervasive perception in the clinical community that adult psychopaths are impervious to treatment (D’Silva et al., 2004). A meta-analysis of research on treatment outcomes in psychopathy concluded that the vast majority of the studies conducted lacked proper experimental design and scientific validity (Caldwell, 2013). Accordingly, it is premature to make any conclusions regarding the treatability of adult psychopathy. Clearly more treatment studies are needed.
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Since the beginning of the 1990s, global contemporary art worlds have seen the emergence of many artistic, art criticism related and curatorial projects associated with notions such as the decolonial turn, decolonization of the museum and decolonial aesthetics. The dynamic consisting in acknowledging how the colonial experiences have shaped the values in art and society, and of mapping art as a point of mobilisation to engage in critical ways with this enduring heritage might constitute a common thread running between these variegated projects. The simultaneous statement and undoing of colonialism's effects seem eager to inscribe these aesthetic propositions within the frame of decolonizing processes. Indeed, they espouse the words spoken by Peruvian sociologist Aníbal Quijano on knowledge, of which aesthetics is constitutive: "if knowledge is colonized, then one of the tasks ahead is to de-colonize knowledge" [Quijano 1997].
"The dynamic consisting in acknowledging how the colonial experiences have shaped the values in art and society, and of mapping art as a point of mobilisation to engage in critical ways with this enduring heritage might constitute a common thread running between these variegated projects."
The critical nature of the ways in which recent aesthetic experiments connect to the values of art inherited from the Modern European heritage form another argument for reading decolonial aesthetics as a movement that owes to the processes of decolonization. The reworking of European legacy within which revolves the decolonial turn of art unfolds in frames of protestation, resistance and emancipation, that may remind the operations driven in the 1980s by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o of decolonizing the mind, as a "contestation around European colonial heritage and legacies" [Andersen 2018].
The impulse to decolonize can be seen as a response to today's structural forms of privilege and oppressive hierarchies. In spite of the end of political colonization, effects of coloniality defined by Quijano as a "matrix of power that produces racial and gender hierarchies on the global and local level" [Quijano 1997] pervade, especially the "racial stratification of labour and the proliferation of inequality and racism" [Muñiz Reed 2017: 99]. The realm of culture has also been constructed out of Western imperial categories like the museum, which has historically given impetus to artists and curators to attempts to decolonize aesthetics.
In Mining the Museum (1992), the Afro-American artist Fred Wilson, who had been invited by the Maryland historical society to make a site-specific work in the Baltimore's Contemporary museum, attempted to raise the implications for curators and museums for telling history.
If decolonial practising is about re-inscribing histories and perspectives that have been devalued [Maldonado-Torres 2014], then exercise of undoing the coloniality of power could unleash in the re-arranging of objects of existing collections. Assembling historical objects of the collections, Modes of transportation worked on the association of Ku Klux Klan hood and a baby carriage and had provocative effects on the viewer, who, at first, could think he was seeing a baby. By reshuffling the objects in a display that brought to visibility some of the artefacts of collections including accounts of colonization, slavery and abolition that were, usually, not shown, the artist reinforced the Baltimore museum's status as a place where history is not only subjectively told, but told 'from a specific viewpoint, namely that of its white male founding board' [Ginsberg 2014].
The Black Mirror / Espejo Negro series started in 2007 by Mexican artist Pedro Lasch relied on the same basis of a re-arranging of museums' objects. Its decolonial stake comes from the fact that the context of the museum is used to pose the question of coloniality of knowledge. Coatlicue and Las Meninas was based on the gathering of these two iconic works of pre- and colonial periods, usually separated in collections in Madrid and Mexico - bringing out the fact that imperial history has been that of a 'modernity/coloniality union' [Lasch 2013].
Lasch's decision to separate the works confronted in the Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology and Prado's contexts by a black glass entailed strange perceptive effects of light reflections that involved the audience bodily, and of superimposition, colliding indigeneity, coloniality and the Self. Lasch, thus designed interesting ways of handling the colonial heritage. These were less about getting rid of it, than making it an opportunity to imagine a physical dialogue where Modern and Indigenous have the same status, where the physical experience of cotemporality translates the extent to which copresence of cultures was and is constitutive of the Mexican and Spanish identities.
For theorists like Walter Mignolo, much of the necessity to re-conceptualise aesthetics relies on the failure of the museum fueled with the values inherited from Modern aesthetic heritage – addressed by Wilson – to provide the people of the transmodern world with categories suitable to their current experiences. Around Duke University's Transnational Decolonial Institute, a group of researchers, artists and theorists (gathering Pedro Lasch, Alanna Lockward, Walter Mignolo and Rolando Vázquez) adressed decolonial aesthetics on this basis. Their aim was to point the limits of the Modern model, throughout a philosophical investigation of aesthetic concepts. Their main assumption was based on the fact that aesthetics constitutes and is constitutive – like knowledge, politics and economy – of systemic expressions of the colonial matrix of power that began in the sixteenth century with the emergence of the Atlantic slave trade as a capitalist commercial circuit and the colonization of the New World.
"Discussion on the new functions for art, by Mignolo and Vázquez, who called for the word aesthesis to replace aesthetics, dovetail with the Global South epistemologies' project to reflect on the subalternized bodies and spaces."
The issue, thus, was to challenge Modern espitemology and to change the hegemonic ideas of art. They did so by the use of terminological de-naturalization. Mignolo considered this as a way of exploring coloniality of knowledge. The Kantian aesthetics comes as the concept around which Mignolo and Vázquez engaged their epistemic critique of aesthetic knowledge. From a mainstream/modern point of view, Kantian aesthetics could be seen as a coupling of art as skill and theory of beauty. But a decolonial gaze on it – which is Mignolo and Vázquez' one – would describe it as a normative standard that attempts to superimpose its own sense of beauty over the world [Mignolo and Vázquez 2013]. Aesthetics then is twice an operation of reduction. Firstly, for as came with Immanuel Kant the enunciation of a theory of beauty that reduced the plurality of the organic senses encapsulated in the Greek word aesthesis or aiesthesis to a single visual sense. Secondly, since non-Western ways of sensing were denied by aesthetics' universalist claims. Once this regulating of the beautiful became projected 'to the entire population of the planet' [Mignolo and Vázquez 2013], reduction gave way to a control of Europe over the world. By way of consequence, aesthetics entered into a colonization of the different types of aesthesis in the world. This argument of aesthetics as an operation of control over the senses owes much to Frantz Fanon's concept of sociogenesis (quoted by the two thinkers) which exemplifies how colonized subjectivity was made by the colonial gaze. In other words, from a decolonial point of view, Modern aesthetics was nothing else than a form of sensory colonisation, that dovetails with other economic and political forms of control.
The de-naturalization of the terms stands for the first step of an epistemic critique that contests the Western hegemonic ideas. Besides, the decolonial option aims to strive to incorporate "the perspectives/cosmologies/epistemic visions of the Global South critical thinkers" [Grosfoguel 2007]. Discussion on the new functions for art, by Mignolo and Vázquez, who called for the word aesthesis to replace aesthetics, dovetail with the Global South epistemologies' project to reflect on the subalternized bodies and spaces. In the beginning of the 2010s, the Greek and pre-colonial word aesthesis was elected in relation to the use Afro-Colombian researcher Adolfo Alban Achinte had made of it, ten years before. He addressed then the practices of everyday creation, which had been denied validity under the Modern aesthetic hegemony [Mignolo and Vázquez 2013]. Aesthesis then talks of concrete re-existance of ways of sensing through the everyday practices [Mignolo and Vázquez 2013] and enters in one the three kinds of re-emergence upon which could be enacted 'decolonial futures' [Knudsen 2018].
For Mignolo, the powerful agency of aesthesis plays as a source for coining an aesthetic model founded on the liberation of senses. In contrast to Adolfo Alban Achinte, aesthesis is less about the recognition of the senses than about articulating, through the liberation of senses, a delinking from aesthetics as based on regulation of the senses. This new model does not only oppose to the Kantian one, but wishes to decolonize it [Mignolo and Vázquez 2013]. The political sounding of words chosen to rebuilt aesthetics's meaning might be explained by decoloniality's dialogue with the Global South genealogies, Mignolo and Vázquez lean on, that of Fanon, inscribing thereby decoloniality in dialogue with struggles for emancipation, and that of the Abya Yala knowledge, absorbing thereby a part of indigenous way of understanding human actions with the topic of healing [Mignolo and Vázquez 2013]. From these traditions, the theorists define aesthesis as both a practice of resistance and of healing. Though reflecting aesthesis' significance in the process of decolonization of aesthetics, Mignolo and Vázquez felt necessary to distinguish between aesthesis and another current: decolonial aesthesis. Replaying old Modern European divide between folkore and art, the first was seen as a basic human global skill while the second as the interventions within the world of the contemporary arts aimed at challenging 'the hegemonic normativity of aesthetics in its own field' [Mignolo and Vázquez 2013].
Critical voices that speak from the center of colonial power are also especially crucial for the ECHOES project, which addresses bodies of artworks located in Bristol, Cape Town and Marseille.
Artists based in Marseille, Martine Derain and Dalila Mahdjoub have explored indigenous culture and historical vacuums as part of decolonial strategizing. From a threshold another (2007) revolves around a physical residence where old former colonial Algerian workers in Marseille live today. The burial, deep into the soil, of two doors coming from the first residence built during French Empire to host colonial workers in the metropole (in the aftermath of World War II) completes the installation. The feeling of injustice, born out the research led by Dalila Mahdjoub in colonial archives services, pointing to poor housing of Algerian workers, was the source a creation that addresses delinking from colonial heritage via epistemic disobedience.
Indeed, throughout the image of the dwell and the use of a Kabylian proverb, the work questions the notion of belonging, partly reminiscent in the title of the installation. The dwell, as conceived in the proverb as the site of impredictibility, rather than enclosure, challenges the notion of belonging since domesticity is often equated with national space [Meskimmon 2010].
"Concerning the post-colonial subject addressed by decolonial thinkers, it should be interesting to consider effects of transculturation that decolonization had also on subjects in Europe (Hulme quoted in Rycroft 2015), identity and the inter-aesthetical/inter-epistemic ways of sensing and thinking."
Moreover, the issue of the disruptive effects of positionality on the Western Self is important to understand how decolonial aesthetics challenges power structures. But it ought not to be restricted to the position of the subjects/artists in the world. The way Mignolo discusses the decolonial aesthetics seems sometimes to reduce the other parameters entering in the formation of identity, especially class and gender, what could bring, when applied to artworks, to read the contestation of colonial/Modern values in unidimensional ways. Concerning the post-colonial subject addressed by decolonial thinkers, it should be interesting to consider effects of transculturation that decolonization had also on subjects in Europe [Hulme quoted in Rycroft 2015], identity and the inter-aesthetical/inter-epistemic ways of sensing and thinking. The fact that transculturation eschews binary ways of being obliges us to re-read the sometimes binarity from which decoloniality adresses aesthetic phenomena. It brings us to ask what kind of definitions of identity should be mobilized to get frames that recognize how decolonial aesthetics also comes to negotiate power-relations in terms of class and gender. Indeed, class and feminist discourses do encapsulate decolonial artworks and many decolonial artworks locate at the crossroads of entangled struggles. Ivan Muñiz explains the multidimensional expressions of the links between identity and decolonial art by the fact that "many of the normative principles of male dominance have been propagated by the same matrix of power" [Muñiz-Reed 2017:101]. This comment seems especially right, due to the fact that Martine Derain and Dalila Mahdjoub's work can certainly be understood as a decolonization of colonial aesthetic knowledge, but also as a challenge to cultural hegemony; that the resistance it produces certainly responds to colonial history, but also to the oblivion of the history of the colonial workers and to the restrained artistic space for women artists. Therefore, a suited methodological approach would be to inform the inquiry in intersectional terms, by drawing on other academic fields like feminism and cultural studies. Kimberlé Crenshaw's concept of intersectionnality would also help to understand the extent to which power-relations might be articulated within decolonial aesthetics. Interestingly, the discussion she developed to address the crossings of the feminist and the black liberation movements were underpinned by a conception of identity as multifacted, lying at the intersection of class, gender and race. This could precisely pave the way to a rethinking of decolonial aesthetics in more mobile and flexible ways.
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By Keven Roy, Nicole S. Khan, Timothy A. Shaw, Robert E. Kopp and Benjamin P. Horton, 14 January 2021
Rising global sea level, a consequence of climate change, results from an increase in the world ocean’s water volume and mass. Recent climate warming is responsible for producing the highest rate of global average sea-level rise of the past few millennia, and this rate will accelerate through the 21st century and beyond, exposing low-lying islands and coastal regions to significant flood risks. The flood risks can be compounded or diminished locally because changes in sea level are not uniform. In this review, we briefly discuss ice sheets as drivers of global and local sea levels, and how they could evolve under modern climate change. We underline some of the impacts of sea level change on coastal communities, and emphasize that local sea-level projections can be very different from estimates of the global average.
The impacts of climate change are serious and far-reaching [IPCC, 2019]. One of its most serious consequences is the rise in global sea level that has accompanied the warming of the atmosphere and oceans and the subsequent melting of land ice. However, given the relatively slow pace of sea-level rise with respect to our daily lives, it may be easy to underestimate the gravity of its consequences on coastal populations, infrastructures and ecosystems. Here, we review how global sea level has changed in the past up to the present, the role played by ice sheets and glaciers in its evolution, and how this knowledge can be used to better understand its future.
Observations of past and modern sea-level change
To understand how sea level changes through time, various measurement techniques are used. Since the early 1990s, radars onboard satellites have been used to monitor changes in the surface of the oceans with millimetric precision [R.S. Nerem et al., 2010; H.B. Dieng et al., 2017; J.-F. Legeais et al., 2018]. To understand sea level variations further in the past, records from instruments that have been fixed along the coast to measure sea level and tides (called tide gauges) are used. Long-term trends in those records can provide information on global sea-level change, but recovering this signal is challenging, and careful consideration must be given to the baseline to which any change in sea level is assessed [J.A. Church and N.J. White, 2011; C.C. Hay et al., 2015; S. Dangendorf et al., 2019]. Although some records cover the whole 20th century and even before, most of the records are much shorter, suffer from gaps and are concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, careful statistical analyses are required to infer from them the global behaviour of sea level. Some examples of tide gauge records showing very different patterns of sea level change are shown in the top panels of figure 1.
Figure 1: Examples of relative sea level change observed for the instrumental period (top panels, dark blue) and for the Holocene era (bottom panels, light blue), together with their position on a world map (middle panel). The top panels show tide gauge measurements for (1) Stockholm, Sweden (sea level fall); (2) New York, USA (sea level rise); and (3) Khepupara, Bangladesh (rapid sea level rise) [PSMSL, 2018; S.J. Holgate et al., 2013]. The bottom panels show relative sea level change in the past few thousand years using proxies, for (1) Northwest Georgia Strait, Canada [S.E. Engelhart et al., 2015]; (2) New Jersey, USA [B.P. Horton et al., 2013]; and (3) Singapore [M.I. Bird et al., 2010]. The lighter-coloured shaded area represents the uncertainty in the value of sea level (1 standard deviation). The three sites in the lower panels show the very different impact of long-term glacial isostatic adjustment between regions. Please note the different time scales (years vs. thousands of years) and amplitudes (centimetres vs. metres) used in the top and bottom panels. Modified from [N.S. Khan et al., 2015].
A clear picture has emerged from those tide gauge records. Sea levels have been increasing at an accelerating rate for most coastlines worldwide. Over the 1901-1990 period, the average increase was about 1.2 mm/year, while it rose to about 3.0 mm/year over the 1993-2010 period [C.C. Hay et al., 2015]. Estimates from satellites are consistent with tide gauge observations and indicate about 3.1 mm/year of global sea-level rise over the 1993-2018 period [WCRP, 2018]. It is estimated that the melting of mountain glaciers, of the Greenland ice sheet and of the Antarctica ice sheet have respectively contributed about 0.7, 0.5 and 0.7 mm/year to this value, while the thermal expansion of the oceans has raised global sea level by about 1.3 mm/year [WCRP, 2018]. The rest of the signal (about 0.4 mm/yr) can be linked to other changes in land water storage, such as groundwater extraction.
To understand how sea level changed before those records existed, more indirect measurement methods, called sea-level proxies, are used [B.P. Horton et al., 2018]. Such proxies have a measurable relationship to sea level, and may include wetlands flooded regularly by tides, archaeological remains of coastal structures or material deposited along former beaches [I. Shennan, 2015]. Careful measurements of the depth and age of formation of this material can be used to estimate where sea level was at a given location and time in the past. If retrieved at different ages and from different elevations, the history of local sea-level changes can be reconstructed relative to a present-day reference point (what is called relative sea level) (figure 1, bottom panels). Over many decades, a large number of records covering most coastlines have been assembled [N.S. Khan et al., 2015]. Such proxy records have reinforced the link between global climate conditions and sea level change, and demonstrate that the rate of global sea-level rise over the past century was greater than the rate during any other century over the past 3,000 years [R.E. Kopp et al., 2016; A.C. Kemp et al., 2018].
Ice sheets as drivers of sea-level change and variability
Overall, global sea-level change is driven by the mass and the volume of water contained in the oceans, but it manifests itself in an irregular manner around the world, as a range of processes overlap to create regional and local variability [R.E. Kopp et al., 2015]. At all timescales, sea level responds to tides, regional weather conditions (e.g. atmospheric pressure, evaporation/precipitation, surface winds, freshwater runoff from the land, etc.) and to any trends in wind patterns and oceanic currents, but this review focuses on the surprisingly complex contribution from ice sheet melting.
Over long timescales, a major source of sea-level variability comes from the ongoing physical response of the Earth to the last ice age. The Earth is not fully rigid, and it deforms under weights that rest on its surface. At the peak at the Last Glacial Period, more than 20,000 years ago (a period known as the Last Glacial Maximum), ice sheets covered large parts of North America and Northern Europe, in addition to the ice sheets currently covering Antarctica and Greenland [W.R. Peltier, 2004; W.R. Peltier et al., 2015; K. Roy and W.R. Peltier, 2017]. In some locations in North America, the Laurentide ice sheet reached over 4 kilometres in thickness (similar to the maximum thickness of the ice sheet currently covering Antarctica). The water locked in those ice sheets led to an average sea level that was around 120 meters lower than today. As shown the left panels of figure 2, the land located underneath the former ice sheets was pressed down under the weight of such heavy ice masses, pushing out the displaced Earth material. This uplifted the land located outside the edges of the ice sheets. When the ice started melting and returning to the oceans, the Earth’s crust began a slow return to equilibrium. This ongoing process is called glacial isostatic adjustment. As shown on the bottom left panel of figure 2, it creates distinct patterns of sea-level change that depend on where a place is located with respect to the former ice sheets, and will also be impacted by the increased weight of water contained in the oceans [N.S. Khan et al., 2015]. In regions that were covered by land ice, like northern Canada, the crust has been moving upwards leading, in some instances, to a sea level fall that is still ongoing. Conversely, the land is subsiding in regions that were located just outside the former ice sheets, such as the East Coast of the United States, leading to a faster-than-average sea level rise. In some areas, this impact can be exacerbated or dominated by tectonics and other sources of local subsidence, such as groundwater or oil/gas extraction.
Figure 2: Schematic of two ice sheet-related drivers of sea level change over longer (left) and shorter (right) timescales, as discussed in the text. The upper left panels show a cartoon of glacial isostatic adjustment, with the vertical arrows representing land motion and the red arrows the movement of the material inside the Earth, while the bottom left panel shows a map of the vertical motion of the Earth at present in response to the deglaciation that occurred after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) (millimetres per year). The melting of an ice sheet impacts sea level on shorter timescales due to the increase in mass of the ocean and because of gravitational, rotational and elastic deformation effects. The upper right panel focuses on the gravitational and elastic deformation components of this response. As an example, the bottom right panel shows a map of how sea level changes in the short term from melting in West Antarctica, as a fraction of the global mean sea level (GMSL) change. Regions in blue show a fall in sea level or a much lower relative sea level rise than the global mean, while regions in red show a relative sea level rise greater than the global mean. Maps modified from [R.E. Kopp et al., 2015].
Sea-level variability is also driven by ice sheets on shorter timescales. For instance, present-day climate change has a strong impact on sea level worldwide. Satellite-based measurements of the mass balance of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets indicate they have respectively lost on average about 280 and 160 billion tons of ice each year over the 2006-2015 period [A. Shepherd et al., 2018; IPCC, 2019; A. Shepherd et al., 2020]. Mountain glaciers, although far less massive in total than the ice sheets, are comparatively more vulnerable to changes in temperature due to their smaller size. Measurements of their year-to-year changes are challenging, but current estimates indicate they have lost on average 220 billion tons of ice per year over 2006-2015 [IPCC, 2019]. This influx of water in the oceans leads to an increase in average sea level, but it is not uniform, as the surface of the oceans responds to changes in the planet’s gravity. As shown in the right panels of figure 2, ice sheets gravitationally attract ocean waters due to their large mass, raising sea level around them. If an ice sheet melts, its gravitational attraction decreases and, thus, sea level around it can counter-intuitively go down. Conversely, regions far from a melting ice sheet will see an increase in sea level greater than the global average. Each melting ice sheet will thus create a specific global pattern of sea-level change. The bottom right panel of figure 2 shows the pattern produced by a melting of Western Antarctica, which would increase sea level rise in North America by a value that is about 30% higher than the global average.
Future estimates of sea-level change
This understanding of sea-level change drivers can be combined with estimates of future greenhouse gas emissions to create models of sea-level change throughout the 21st century and beyond [B.P. Horton et al., 2018; IPCC, 2019]. Those models provide global and regional estimates of variability.
However, current projections of sea-level rise over the 21st century exhibit sizeable uncertainties. Those are mainly related to the unknown path that greenhouse gas emissions will follow and to uncertainties in the response of the ice sheets to climate change [J.L. Bamber et al., 2019]. An example of such recent projections of average sea-level rise over the 21st century and beyond is presented in figure 3. The projections to 2100 have a likely range of 0.5 to 1 m under a low-emission scenario, and of between 0.8 and 1.8 m for a high-emission scenario with an unstable Antarctic ice sheet [J.L. Bamber et al., 2019]. Extending those projections further into the future reveals even larger differences between the scenarios. In fact, if looking at changes until 2300, the likely range for a low-emission scenario is between 1.2 and 3.6 m but reaches between 2.7 and 6.5 m for high-emission cases [J.L. Bamber et al., 2019]. However, those values are global averages and local projections are strongly impacted by spatial variability.
Figure 3: Change in global mean sea level measured since 1000AD using sea level proxies (blue), as well as tide gauges and satellite measurements (purple) [A.C. Kemp et al., 2018]. Projections until 2300 are shown for low (green) and high (red) carbon emission scenarios [J.L. Bamber et al., 2019]. Shaded areas show the error range corresponding to one standard deviation. All values are with respect to the mean sea level in 2000 CE. Coloured numerical values indicate the median value of mean sea level rise for each scenario (with the one standard deviation error range in parentheses).
Why does it matter?
250 million people currently live below annual flood levels, 220 million of which are found in Asia (see table 1). Low-lying islands and coastal regions with high population densities, mainly concentrated in Asia and Oceania, are extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise. For instance, the average elevation of the Maldives is below 1.5 m above mean sea level [MEE, 2017], while other island countries, such as Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands, lie within 2 m of mean sea level [CIA, 2018]. Other countries have a very large fraction of their population living in low-lying deltas and floodplains, particularly in Asia. For instance, 27% of Bangladesh’s population lives within 2 m of the average height of the highest local daily tide [S.A. Kulp and B.H. Strauss, 2019]. This makes Asia particularly vulnerable to a rise in sea level. In fact, the 8 countries with the most population living in potentially vulnerable areas are found in Asia (5 of which in Southeast Asia). The population migrations resulting from sea level rise could potentially have geopolitical repercussions and are seen by various military organizations as a risk for global security in the 21st century [House Armed Services Committee, 2014; HM Government, 2015].
|Region||Year 2000||Year 2100|
|Low emissions||High emissions||High emissions +
Table 1: Estimated population (in millions) exposed to local 1-year coastal flood return level in 2000 and in 2100 for various projections.
Beyond the permanent flooding of low-lying coastal regions, sea-level rise will also expose new areas to recurrent tidal flooding or potential storm surges [IPCC, 2019]. The height of flooding attained during a storm is the product of the storm-surge height, the timing in the astronomical tidal cycle and the local wave and surface conditions, all superimposed on the local background sea level. A change in background sea level will shift the distribution of potential extreme events, with a disproportionate impact on the return period of unlikely tail events. As coastal engineers should consider the worst-case flood scenarios that could impact coastal infrastructures during their lifetime, any change in the frequency of extreme events can overwhelm existing sea wall barriers meant to protect coastal communities, even if they remain above mean sea level.
Large fractions of the United States coastline have been found to be very susceptible to worsening flood risk. A recent study determined that local flood heights corresponding to ‘100-year events’ (flood levels that have a 1% change of being reached or exceeded in any given year) would be matched or surpassed more frequently by 2050 (median 40-fold increase in frequency), with significant differences between regions because of spatial variability in sea level rise [M.K. Buchanan et al., 2017]. Another specific example comes from Hurricane Sandy, which hit the East coast of the United States with force in 2012 (in particular New York City and New Jersey). The large storm surge that hit the region (3.5 m above mean tidal level) was responsible for a large fraction of the estimated 68 billion US dollars in total economic loss [Impact Forecasting, 2013]. In New York City, where sea level has risen by around 46 cm since 1856, the return period of the pre-industrial 500-year return period storm surge (2.25 m above mean tidal level [A.J. Reed et al., 2015]) has been reduced to 25 years for the 1970-2005 period. Current projections of sea-level rise indicate that this return period could go down to 5 years by 2030-2045. In consequence, while a 2.25 m surge height had a yearly probability of occurrence of 0.2% in the pre-industrial era, this probability could go up to 20% by 2030-2045 [A.J. Garner et al., 2017].
Sea level change has an important impact on coastal ecosystems and the natural services they provide. Marsh and mangrove ecosystems provide protection against coastal erosion, as they trap sediments, attenuate waves and stabilise shorelines. Tidal wetlands can keep up vertically with sea level rise if the rate of change is within the range of sediment build-up that can sustain the ecosystem. For mangroves, recent analyses suggest that this threshold is about 7 millimetres per year, a rate which could be reached within 30 years for many tropical coastlines [N. Saintilan et al., 2020]. Sea-level rise will also impact water and food security, due to saltwater intrusions in low-lying water tables and in agriculture-intensive flood plains [S. Adams et al., 2013]. Low-lying deltas are particularly vulnerable: for the Mekong delta, which generates 20% of the global rice trade, some studies estimate that the combined impacts of soil elevation and salinity changes could lead to a 50% decrease in rice field productivity by 2100 under high-emission scenarios [A. Smajgl et al., 2015]. Early indications of increased salinity levels due to sea level rise have already been documented in some estuaries, such as Chesapeake Bay in Delaware, USA [A.C. Ross et al., 2015].
The rise in global sea level brought by climate change is a serious societal concern, due to the hazard it poses to coastal populations, infrastructures and ecosystems. Multiple factors influence how sea level rise manifests itself locally and many areas will suffer from disproportionate impacts. The relatively slow response of ice sheets to elevated levels of greenhouse gases, as well as the fact that a small change in mean sea level can still have a significant impact on the local frequency of extreme water levels, are important features of a changing climate. Understanding them is essential in designing appropriate adaptation measures for coastal communities.
- This pattern is referred to as a ‘sea-level fingerprint’ or ‘Barystatic-GRD fingerprint’, arising from the increase in mass of the ocean (barystatic) and gravitational, rotational and elastic deformation impacts (GRD) [J.M. Gregory et al., 2019].
- Defined as the range between the 17th and 83rd percentiles.
- The emission scenarios discussed here are from [J.L. Bamber et al., 2019]. The ‘low-emission’ and ‘high-emission’ scenarios refer to a global mean warming in 2081-2100 of +1.9°C and +4.5°C above pre-industrial levels, respectively.
- Also referred to as ‘Mean Higher High Water’ (MHHW).
- The top 10 is formed of China (110), Bangladesh (43), India (42), Vietnam (39), Indonesia (33), Japan (16), Thailand (14), the Philippines (12), the Netherlands (7) and Egypt (5.8). Based on the data from [S.A. Kulp and B.H. Strauss, 2019] for the population living below 2 m above MHHW (shown in parentheses, in millions).
- Based on [S.A. Kulp and B.H. Strauss, 2019], and using geographical region definitions from the World Bank. The numbers for 2100 are based, for the ‘Low emissions’ and ‘High emissions’ cases, on the median of the probability distribution of future sea level rise from [R.E. Kopp et al., 2014], while the ‘High emissions + Antarctica instability’ case is based on the median frequency distribution from [R.E. Kopp et al., 2017].
- Mean tidal level is the difference between the mean high water and mean low water, measured here at the Battery tide gauge in New York City.
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SaleRank No. #7
Cigarette Lighter Bluetooth FM Transmitter - Universal Wireless Car Bluetooth Adapter, Music Audio Stereo Radio Receiver w/Mic, Handsfree Calling, Siri/Google Asst, USB, Micro SD Slot - Pyle Pbt97
- Cigarette lighter: The Pyle Bluetooth adapter for car is equipped w/ FM transmitter that transmits music or play radio stations W/ 4-way stereo music streaming. The frequency range is 87.5-108.0MHz & it draws power via a car鈥檚 cigarette lighter
- 30ft wireless range: The car FM transmitter is compatible w/ Bluetooth-enabled gadgets like iPhone, Android & more W/ wireless range of up to 30+ ft. Enjoy wireless music streaming & answer phone calls. Compatible w/ cars & other automotive vehicle
- Hands-free call: this Bluetooth radio transmitter for car features integrated microphone W/ noise cancellation for hands-free calling mode. Transmits calls through vehicle鈥檚 stereo speaker system for drivers to take incoming calls while driving safely
- Siri/Google asst activation: the Bluetooth FM transmitter for car features Siri & Google asst activation W/ LCD display screen which displays the car鈥檚 battery voltage, also W/ easy buttons for channel/PREV/next/bass, volume knob & answer call button
- Dual USB ports: The Bluetooth transmitter for car Supports MP3 and WMA. Features 1 quick charging USB port, 1 USB port for music playback & Micro SD memory card slot that supports up to 64GB. Includes hook & loop fastener, and detachable microphone
Rank No. #8
Wireless Karaoke Speaker System with 12'' Subwoofer, Kacsoo Outdoor Portable Bluetooth PA Speaker System with 2 Karaoke Microphones, DJ Lights, FM Radio, MP3/BT/TF card, AUX interface, Remote, Black
- 銆怣ULTIPLE FUNCTIONS銆? Bluetooth, AUX and USB / TF card modes. There are 4 modes available. It will be used as karaoke machine, music player, PA system, FM radio, etc. It also supports Micro TF Card and USB flash memory connection, suitable for all your external devices, such as mobile phones/tablets/PCs, very suitable for parties, parties, karaoke, lecture outdoor and indoor activities. The karaoke machine easy to use and you can easily switch between different modes.
- 銆怶IDE COVERAGE銆? Super noise reduction and strong anti-interference ability, to ensure that you get a clear and loud sound. Equipped with 12-inch speakers that amplify your voice, play radio or streaming songs, and provide excellent range, durability, perfect for nightclubs, home entertainment, seminars, or any other venue or event.
- 銆怭OWERFUL RECHARGEABLE BATTERY銆?Powerful rechargeable battery can provide long-term uninterrupted maximum volume music playback. Therefore, whether it is at an indoor dance party or an outdoor party, you can shake it without restraint! In addition, the USB port has a callback function that can charge smartphones and tablets.
- 銆怓LASHING DJ LIGHTS銆? Not only does this loud speaker sound great, it also looks great lighting up in in a variety of color combinations This is it really great for patio party or gatherings at night when a colorful presence is noticeable. The microphone and speaker will automatically connect when turned on, no further action is required.
- 銆怑ASY TO CARRY銆? Are you still putting up with bulky wooden stereos?The karaoke machine features an extra-long hand lever design, making it easy for even a child to pull the stereo. The stereo's casing is made of lightweight materials, making it easier to carry and transport.
Rank No. #9
Pyle 3000W Bluetooth Hybrid Speaker-High-Powered Pre-Amplifier w/ 2 VHF Wireless Handheld Microphones, MP3/Aux/USB/SD Readers/FM Radio/Rack Mount Design w/LED Backlight PWMA3003BT
- 3000-WATT POWER: The Multi-Channel Pyle Bluetooth Stereo Amplifier Receiver is perfect for your home entertainment system. Gives you 3000W peak power to be used for multi speakers w/ 2-8 ohms impedance, lets you enjoy high quality amplified audio
- BLUETOOTH COMPATIBLE: The professional integrated stereo receiver is equipped with Bluetooth wireless music streaming. Works with today鈥檚 latest devices including smartphones, iPhone, iPad, laptops and computers with hassle-free receiver pairing
- 8 INPUTS: The personal portable digital amp box supports headphone, USB, iPod, MP3, AM FM tuner, AUX, DVD CD player, 2 microphones input w/ echo for karaoke or event hosting, recline, 1 RCA preamp output and 2 mono RCA dedicated for subwoofer
- EQ CONTROLS: The sound amplifying device has crisp buttons for the audio sources and selectors, rotary knob for equalization and master volume adjustments. It also features blue LED lights which brightness can be adjusted through the LED dimmer
- DISPLAY METER: The compact and rack mount amplifier has a built-in digital fluorescent display meter that displays all the functions and input used. Remote control for distant audio adjustments and 2 VHF high band wireless mics are included
SaleRank No. #10
EARISE T26 Portable Karaoke Machine Bluetooth Speaker with Wireless Microphone, Rechargeable PA System with FM Radio, Audio Recording, Remote Control, Supports TF Card/USB, Perfect for Party
- Compact and Portable: Carry your music with you anywhere you go - beach, gym, outdoor party, long drive, or your home garden. With a wireless microphone (NOT Included 2*AA Battery), T26 turns to a karaoke machine.
- Multi-function PA System: T26 has a built-in Bluetooth 5.0 with a working range up to 33ft. Easy connection to Bluetooth, AUX, TF/USB input. It can record audio as streamed through the microphone with USB/TF card inserted. Besides, the T26 can be used as a power bank to recharge your smartphone/tablet via USB port.
- HD Stereo Sound Quality: It's designed with multi-functions for full-range stereo sound reproduction. It makes the bass stronger and more balanced. The technology of separating high and low pitch can provide optimized sound, which is clear and sonorous.
- Convenient Remote Control: Get rid of keeping near the speaker and getting back to adjust the music. The T26 is equipped with a remote control which includes all needed buttons for easier operation. (Note: The volume can't adjusted by the remote)
- Long Lasting Battery: Built-in rechargeable 3.7V/3600mAh high-capacity Li-ion battery provides non-stop music up to 4.5 hours on maximum volume. Recharge for 6 hours with the included USB cable.
Rank No. #11
ION Audio Block Rocker Plus - Portable Bluetooth Speaker 100W W/Battery, Karaoke Microphone, AM FM Radio, Wheels & Telescopic Handle and USB Charging
- Dynamic, powerful sound 8 inch woofer and wide dispersion tweeter deliver clear, lifelike sound; A 100 watt peak power amplifier pumps up the volume and a Bass Boost button instantly cranks up the low end
- Ultra-portable centerpiece for your gathering rugged plastic enclosure featuring a telescoping handle, wheels and two conveniently located carrying handles; Plus, a microphone is included for public speaking, karaoke and more
- Long life battery 50 hour rechargeable battery for nonstop fun, plus a USB port is included for charging smartphones, tablets and more
- Connectivity covered send your music to block rocker plus from any Bluetooth enabled device and control playback via dedicated Bluetooth track controls (play/pause, next, back).
- No Bluetooth No problem A 1/8 inch (3.5 millimeter) aux input is also included for non Bluetooth devices as well as an on board AM/FM radio
Rank No. #12
LAOB Wired Gaming Headset, Foldable Portable HiFi Stereo Headphone Heavy Bass Gaming Headset, Adjustable Music Headset Earphones with FM,Mic, for, Work, Classroom, Home,Black
- 1. Immerse 3D game sound and exciting gameplay: low sound will bring bad gaming experience. For gamers, it is very important to hear footsteps from different directions in the game environment. High-precision drive, powerful sound driver, bring you vivid, clear voice in the game, let you listen to the enemy's footsteps, guns and explosives, you can accurately locate the enemy's location and enjoy the fun . Excellent headphones can provide 360-degree viewing effects, adding a true sense and repro
- 2. Noise reduction microphone: Designed for people who have been annoying keyboard noise and other background sounds, excellent headphones can accurately pick your voice and distinguish background noise and your voice. Let the user easily call in a fierce game interact with the teammates in real time. .
- 3. Ergonomic Soft-headphones: Many people complain that long wear ends will hurt their ears. The excellent headset shape is designed to naturally suitable for human heads, and the earmuffs are filled with a soft memory foam, which adjustable headband helps to adapt to the head of different people. Made from lightweight materials, we can reduce hearing loss, we do our utmost to make you enjoy the biggest comfort.
- 4. Professional design: speaker unit, three-dimensional sound, pointing to noise reduction micro, listening, anti-violent head, breathable earmuff, volume roller adjustment. .
- 5. Reliable after-sales support: You are most cherished is your experience. We will do our best to take responsibility for your shopping experience. We are happy to answer any questions and will give you a reply.
Rank No. #14
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Discovery (Producer)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
Rank No. #16
ByronStatics Portable Cassette Players Recorders FM AM Radio Walkman Tape Player Built In Mic External Speakers Manual Record VAS Automatic Stop System 2AA Battery Or USB Power Supply Headphone Jack
- Sound QUALITY is pretty good, there's no static, or cut off, no hissing. Automatic stop system, protect old cassette tape, rediscover old songs with this tape player, relive and enjoy your memories.
- One-key recording cassette recorder, convenience in class-recording, conference recording, note taking or just a simple conversation, never worry about missing out parts of the conversation.
- Built-in microphone and speaker, volume control and volume to go up adequately for someone with hearing problems.
- Lightweight and portable design fits in virtually any bag and enables you to play anywhere, enjoy the music conveniently whenever and wherever via 3.5mm jack earphone (included).
- This handheld cassette tape player runs on 2 AA battery (not included), it can also be powered via USB port, it works perfectly as a vintage walkman.
Rank No. #17
Pros & Cons of New York
- Audio CD 鈥?Audiobook
- 04/06/2018 (Publication Date) - Video Music, Inc. (Publisher)
Rank No. #18
HTTJDY Bluetooth Headphones, 40 Hour Playing Time Stereo Bass Active Noise Cancellation Foldable Wireless Gaming Headset with Mic/FM/ BT5.0, for Gaming, Office, PC, Phone (Color : White)
- Convenience to Use: The in-line Audio control makes it possible to conveniently adjust the volume and mute the microphone without having to go into extra settings.
- Lasting power: about 40 hours listening to music, 45 hours talking, 1600 hours standby time.
- Built for comfort: Soft leatherette ear cups and ergonomically padded headband allow for long gaming sessions without fatigue.
- Versatile Compatibility: Designed for everywhere you game, including PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile. (Xbox One Stereo Adapter may be required, not included).
- Satisfaction Guarantee: Our products will bring more fun and surprises to your life. If you are not satisfied, please contact us, we will serve you wholeheartedly to make you satisfied!
Last update on 2021-06-28 / Affiliate links / Product Titles, Images, Descriptions from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Q: What kind of frequencies do wireless mics work on?
A: Wireless mics and similar devices are designed to tune and operate on certain frequencies known as “spectrum bands.” Most wireless mics today operate in the various unused portions of the broadcast television bands, including both VHF and UHF channels.
Q: When did the FCC prohibit the use of wireless mics?
A: In 2010, the FCC prohibited the use of wireless mics and devices on unused broadcast channels on the 600 MHz service band and on the 700 MHz band 鈥?specifically the frequencies between 698 and 806 MHz.
Q: Which is the best microphone for a radio station?
A: The Electro-Voice RE320 is exceptionally versatile. It鈥檚 an industry standard microphone used by most commercial radio stations here in the UK and aboard in the USA. There are 2 settings: “Flat” for spoken word and 鈥淐ontour鈥?for instruments. Radio Stations use the Electro-Voice for radio shows and live music sessions.
Q: What are FM systems and how are they used?
A: FM systems FM systems are wireless assistive hearing devices that enhance the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants and also assist people who are hard of hearing but do not wear hearing aids, in particular over distance and in noisy environments. | <urn:uuid:854f71ca-9c7d-4466-be33-35a20a2d0c9c> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | http://jgoerrissen.com/472659.html | 2022-05-26T20:08:33Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662625600.87/warc/CC-MAIN-20220526193923-20220526223923-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.889537 | 4,703 |
By 1950, say the author of this
story, "No longer are 'aerials' merely required to transfer electromagnetic energy
into space," in reference to airborne platforms. Following great advancements in
radio and radar technology during World War II, great interest lay in what
would later become referred to as 'stealth' technology and in secure communications.
The transition of aircraft speeds into the realm of supersonic also mandated that
projections beyond the main airframe outline be either eliminated or very much minimized.
The long cable aerials that stretched from the cockpit area to the tip of the vertical
fin, and the round direction finding antennas hanging from below could not be accommodated
at airspeeds above about 300 knots. The aerodynamic drag would be excessive
and the forces would tear the antennas apart. Douglas Aircraft set up one of the
first antenna measurement laboratories specifically to address those issues both
for airborne and shipboard platforms.
Thanks to Terry W. for providing this article.
The Antenna Research Laboratory
By Joseph M. Boyer, Consulting Engineer
Fig. 1 - Tiny crystal receiver shown in engineer's right hand,
is used to detect signals from model antenna. Plate on side of model plane is removable
to permit receivers to be installed within the hollow fuselage of plane.
Fig. 2 - Diagram shows position of model aircraft and rotation
axis for each of the three principal radiation pattern "cuts" made during pattern
Douglas Aircraft's laboratory eliminates costly full-scale experiments by using
tiny replicas in solving complicated antenna design problems.
Never before in the history of radio has interest in the antenna beam been at
such a feverish pitch! No longer are "aerials" merely required to transfer electromagnetic
energy into space. Experts today, working with surrealistic shapes of metal and
plastic, are molding radiated energy into the precisely shaped beams needed for
the varied classes of radar - for highly eavesdrop-proof communication links, or
even changing the beam's contour from instant-to-instant, automatically following
the boiling vagaries of the Heaviside layer.
The center of all such investigation is the antenna research laboratory. Here
antenna engineers work with worlds in miniature. Out on the model antenna range
of one such laboratory it is not uncommon to see a complete scale replica of a television
station: the tiny buildings, the accurately-made antenna towers, even the green
rolling hills of the surrounding country. This Lilliputian model slowly revolves
on a turntable, a large horn-type radiator some distance away "illuminating" it
with microwave signals. The miniature antennas of the model station detect such
energy and feed it back to high gain amplifiers in the laboratory. Thus, as the
model turns, automatic plotting instruments draw an accurate trace of the radiation
pattern of the station for later study. Such model tests save costly cut-and-try
procedures previously made on full scale installations.
Even more important, in view of our National Preparedness Program, is the investigation
of aircraft antennas. With aircraft now operating both near and beyond the speed
of sound, no object of any kind is permitted to project from the sleek, polished
metal skin to add parasitic drag. This requirement is a death warrant for the numerous
masts and wires which once were draped lavishly over aircraft exteriors. In the
high-pressure search for distinctly new antenna types which may be faired flush
into the skin of a high speed airplane, several of the large airframe manufacturers
have aided the radio art immeasurably by taking the lead in such research. In order
to see, at first hand, the evolution of a new antenna, a visit was made to the El
Segundo, California antenna laboratory of the Douglas Aircraft Company which pioneered
in this field. Here, work begins with the presentation of the Navy specifications
to the aircraft antenna designer.
Such specifications call for a v.h.f. communications antenna. This unit is to
be mounted flush within the skin of a high speed carrier type fighter, yet provide
full 360-degree coverage about the horizon. When used for transmitting, the antenna
must produce most of its signal in a zone approximately twenty degrees above and
below the airplane. Efficiency must be equal to the older type protruding antenna
because airborne power requirements are stringent. Finally, as if to complete the
designer's frustration, such an antenna must be capable of operating from 300 to
5901 megacycles while remaining matched to the coaxial transmission line
feeding it. Specifically, it must not exceed a voltage standing wave ratio of 2
The resourceful engineer begins a strenuous period of reading the available technical
literature, making rough preliminary calculations, and weighing and discarding a
number of configurations which come to mind. In this process the crude pencil sketches
which litter his desk would be unrecognizable to prewar engineers. There is not
a sign of wires or porcelain insulators. One sketch may show a small square portion
of the metal skin isolated from the surrounding surface and fed by a tapered funnel
section of coaxial line. Or perhaps a flat disc of polystyrene a foot or so in diameter
is shown, excited at its center by a sphere of silver designed to function as a
Finally, the antenna designer may feel he has what is needed. Before he makes
a preliminary shop drawing he must refine his design. This step involves extremely
complex calculations. For some such problems he must discard his slide rule, set
up the equations he wishes solved, and pass them on to electronic or mechanical
computing machines. Satisfied that his "brain child" has a good chance of success,
the engineer authorizes the experimental shop to fabricate a full size antenna and
pass it on to the antenna laboratory for measurements.
Fig. 3 - Typical aircraft antenna radiation pattern. The pattern
shown was photo. graphed on the screen of antenna range cathode-ray "pattern painter."
Magnetic deflection coils move in synchronization with rotation of model under study,
tracing out an accurate polar diagram of antenna signal variation around the plane
Fig. 4 - Operating and recording position. Shown are the
v.h.f. and microwave transmitters, power supplies, and switching panel. In front
of operator is a pen recorder and the Douglas cathode-ray "pattern painter." The
"full moon" labeling device is seen as the white window below the cathode-ray tube.
Fig. 5 - A coaxial slotted line in use. The slotted coaxial line
is used to measure the voltage standing wave ratio of the prototype antenna. The
radiator under test is mounted on the outside metal surface of the wall, directly
behind the Hewlett Packard Voltage Standing Wave Ratio meter shown in photo.
The antenna laboratory technician, highly-trained and experienced in this specialized
field, first may mount the prototype antenna upon a large ground plane. This usually
is a metal wall forming one side or the roof of the laboratory building. In some
cases the antenna may actually be mounted into a full scale wire cloth mock-up of
the aircraft itself. A precision section of slotted coaxial transmission line (Fig.
5) is connected in series with the antenna and a laboratory v.h.f. oscillator. Beginning
at one end of the frequency range to be covered by the antenna, the technician makes
measurements of the voltage standing wave ratio in the transmission line. If the
antenna is a perfect match there will be no change in the measured voltage from
one end of the transmission line to the other. Such "flat" lines, however, are rarely
encountered. There usually is a small v.s.w.r, but it must be under the called-for
2:1 ratio. If the designer has done his job properly this condition will be met
over the entire frequency range desired. So far so good, but more hurdles remain
to be cleared.
Once more an order goes to the experimental model shop: "Fabricate one 1/20th
scale model of the antenna for range pattern tests." The men who receive this assignment
are not ordinary machinists or metalsmiths. They are, for the most part, former
instrument makers used to working with tiny precision parts under a powerful lens.
They are fantastically ingenious in devising ways of soldering and welding parts
the size of a pin head into place within complex assemblies, of bending and twisting
metal into shape while it is glowing in the flame of an alcohol lamp. An idea of
the difficulty of their job can be obtained when it is realized that ordinary RG
8/U coaxial cable reduced to 1/20th scale is the size of store string. The inner
conductor of such cable is the diameter of a human hair, yet must be soldered to
the minute antenna without melting an extremely thin, easily-destroyed polyethylene
sheath which insulates the assembly. Upon completing his exacting task, the model
shop craftsman places the tiny antenna into the metal skin of a previously prepared
1/20th scale model of the aircraft in which it is intended to see service.
Radiation Pattern Measurements
Briefly, the basic idea behind the use of the model antenna pattern range is
this: an aircraft operates far from the earth. The only environment which affects
the antenna on the airplane is the configuration of the craft itself. Any attempts
to measure radiation patterns on a full size aircraft resting on the earth would
be futile. Patterns taken by means of flight tests are not only prohibitively expensive,
difficult to measure and interpret, but usually end in doubtful results. However,
by reducing the aircraft to 1/20th or 1/40th of the full scale dimensions it is
possible to mount it from 40 to 60 wavelengths from the ground. This can be done
because the operating frequencies must also be multiplied by 20 or 40 to keep in
step with the model dimension change. That such theory is correct, when suitable
precautions are taken, has been demonstrated conclusively.
The scaled-down model aircraft, complete with its test antenna, is mounted upon
a special dielectric tower, the base of which rests on a motor-driven turntable.
Within the hollow belly of the little plane is a simple receiver usually consisting
of an impedance matching transformer and a silicon crystal detector or hot wire
With the tower placed as many as 100 wavelengths from the laboratory building,
technicians energize a tunable Klystron transmitter which excites a large horn type
antenna projecting toward the model through the wall of the laboratory. The transmitter's
signal is amplitude modulated by a square wave with a repetition rate of 1000 cycles.
A square wave is needed to avoid frequency modulation of the Klystron. Operating
frequency is carefully adjusted to be 20 or 40 times the full scale point in the
spectrum where the antenna is intended to function.
Reference to Fig. 2 will make clear the patterns to be described. The antenna
specialist refers to such patterns as "cuts." The first "cut" is made by slowly
rotating the model so that every portion of the plane's horizontal axis is exposed
to the radio beam from the laboratory transmitting horn antenna. The model on the
tower is then turned 90 degrees and again rotated by means of the turntable, exposing
its nose, belly, topside surface, and tail, to the beam. Finally, a "cut" is made
presenting the wingtips, belly, and topside surface of the model. This triad of
cuts - the horizontal, longitudinal vertical, and transverse vertical, are fundamental
in any pattern investigation and quickly tell if the radiation pattern of a new
antenna is going to meet specifications. At least the three patterns just described
must be made at frequent intervals over the simulated radio spectrum in which the
antenna is going to operate. An antenna may frequently have the desired radiation
pattern at one end of its frequency range and fail miserably at the opposite extreme.
Leaving the antenna designer for the moment with his problem let us enter the
laboratory building proper and investigate the equipment used to study the radiation
characteristics of antennas. Several racks of audio amplifiers are the first instruments
seen. These are quite special items. There are preamplifiers capable of boosting
the few millivolts or so of signal received from the model to about 10 or 20 volts.
This piece of equipment is linear in response and features a tuned feedback network
which permits the amplifier to operate with full gain only at 1000 cycles. All other
signals of random frequency and noise are sharply attenuated. The output of the
linear preamplifier drives a logarithmic amplifier which is also sharply tuned to
1000 cycles. Logarithmic response is desired so as to properly record variations
in the model signal which may extend over 50 decibels or more. To graphically present
the radiation pattern several different types of recorders are used.
Fig. 6 - General view of antenna model pattern range. A scale
model of the Douglas "Skyraider" is shown mounted on the motor driven dielectric
tower. The large electromagnetic horn antenna to the right is being turned to change
electric polarization of signal to model. Smaller horn to the left of the picture
covers the three centimeter frequency range.
Fig. 7 - Scale model aircraft and antenna shown in process of
construction. Craftsman in foreground solders a connection in minute cavity type
slot antenna. The 1/20th scale aircraft model shown is of wood.
The most common is a so-called polar recorder in which a pen is driven by signal
variations from the model through the use of a servo-mechanism. In appearance this
unit may resemble an automatic phonograph record changer. A circular piece of polar
graph paper is placed upon its turntable and centered by means of a pinpoint of
light at the center. The paper edges are clamped down by means of small Alnico magnets.
Rotation of the recorder turntable is synchronized by means of selsyns to turn in
step with the model out on the pattern range. When the model is rotated the servo-driven
pen moves back and forth on a radius, tracing out the pattern.
Also used is a cathode-ray pattern painter illustrated in Fig. 4. This instrument
has several important advantages over the pen type recorders. One of the most valuable
is lack of mechanical inertia. There are occasions when a radiation pattern being
recorded varies from a deep null to maximum signal intensity within a fraction of
a degree of rotation. Even for the slow speeds at which the model turns (3/4 to
1 r.p.m.) this condition requires the pen to whip over the graph paper at an exceptionally
fast rate. The consequent lack of response and "overshooting" of the pen distort
This difficulty is absent in the cathode-ray "pattern painter." Here the magnetic
deflection coils actually rotate about the neck of the cathode-ray tube in synchronism
with the model. Thus, as the signal intensity changes the electron beam can follow
the speediest variation with no time lag, no error. When used for radiation pattern
plotting the screen (long persistence) of the tube is photographed on 35 mm. film
for a permanent record (Fig. 3), Another fine feature of the particular model developed
at the Douglas laboratory is an edge-lighted Lucite disc seen in the illustration
mounted below the cathode-ray tube. This disc is called the "full moon" because
of its characteristic of glowing with evenly distributed white light. All pertinent
data such as frequency, aircraft type, and description of the "cut," is typed on
transparent gummed paper and this is then fixed over the face of the "full moon."
Easily photographed on the same film as the pattern, such a screen label feature
permits the laboratory to obtain a very complete, foolproof record of work in progress.
Antenna laboratories must have transmitters available to cover enormous ranges
of frequencies. To see the reason why, let us assume that the full scale frequencies
of three antennas to be tested span the region 80 to 1600 megacycles. Not only must
oscillators be on hand for these exact frequencies but, in addition, if the model
range measurements are to be made at 1/20th scale, r.f. generators are required
for the simulated range 1600 to 32,000 megacycles. Spanning such an expanse of radio
territory calls for an imposing collection of coaxial cavity, and "butterfly" type
oscillators, many, many Klystron tuners as well as elaborate high-voltage regulated
power supplies and frequency measuring equipment of great accuracy. It is no wonder
that antenna engineers always ask for bar-gains in frequency coverage when shopping
for transmitters; otherwise such equipment would overflow the laboratory.
To cover the multitude of problems which trouble an antenna specialist's slumber
would be beyond the scope of this article. Some of the especially serious ones,
however, may be of interest. The first and worst of these is spurious reflected
signals. Exactly the same problem is faced by television service technicians in
the form of "ghosts." The aircraft model itself is, of course, placed carefully
"in the clear." Any posts, buildings, fences, or personnel in its vicinity would
reflect signals into the model as if they were secondary transmitters. Such reflections,
depending upon their instantaneous phase, either add or subtract in certain directions
from the true magnitude pattern of the model.
The real villain of this story, however, is the ground or platform upon which the
antenna laboratory rests. "Splash" from this source is almost impossible to eliminate
completely. Great care is exercised in designing the large sectorial horn antennas
which "illuminate" the models so that just enough beam width with uniform phase
front is produced to cover the model with r.f. energy. Even though this precaution
lowers the magnitude of floor "splash" it does not completely remove it. Sometimes
low metal fences properly called detraction edges are placed on the model range
to deflect the "splash" signal into a harmless area. Placing these fences for each
frequency used (and sometimes as many as 200 "cuts" are made on a single model)
is more of an art than a science.
Fig. 8 - Close-up of 1 cm. transmitter and horn antenna. A complete
30,000 mc. Klystron transmitter, cavity wavemeter, and high gain horn radiator makes
only a light handful of microwave equipment.
Fig. 9 - Slot antenna and cable. The size of a pair of 1/20th
scale slot antennas and miniature coaxial cable may be judged by comparison with
hand holding them.
Fig. 10 - View of computer showing vacuum tube bays. Mathematician
inspects plug board which inserts problem into the 1285 vacuum tube electronic computer
used to solve complex antenna equations. Such machines are now routine tools in
the search for new antenna designs and antenna improvements.
Fig. 11 - View of "feed" end of large horn type antenna. Coaxial
cable shown supplies v.h.f. energy to probe "feed" for the large horn type "illuminating"
antenna. Microwatts are precious, and technician carefully adjusts the matching
stub for the maximum obtainable signal.
Another troublemaker is the small coaxial cable which conveys the detected signal
from the model down the tower to the laboratory. This is, of course, a metallic
conductor of many wavelengths projecting from the model. Pattern distortion will
be introduced by this cable, and only highly experienced personnel can minimize
this difficulty by judicious placement of the cable when setting the model up for
a "cut." To overcome this hazard some researchers have actually placed midget transmitters
inside the model aircraft. Battery power or an air-driven generator energized by
a high pressure hose are used, but the attendant cooling problems and frequency
drift due to lack of power supply regulation makes this technique a last resort
The problem of distance in wavelengths at the operating frequency between the
model under test and the "illuminating" horn antenna poses, at times, a nightmarish
enigma for the antenna worker. In order that an accurate radiation pattern be secured,
the model aircraft must sometimes be placed as many as 100 wavelengths from the
laboratory antenna, otherwise true "free space" conditions are not realized. Even
at the microwave frequencies 100 wavelengths may be a sizable distance physically.
Unfortunately, the power output of laboratory type Klystron tubes is only about
200 milliwatts for the region up to about 8000 mc. and 40 to 50 mw. for frequencies
above this. Sensitivity of the simple receivers used in the models is quite low
and, upon numerous occasions, the model simply cannot be placed at the required
distance and still secure sufficient signal to record a pattern. The model tower
must then be moved into the so-called "near zone" region and many hours spent in
calculations and educated guesses in order to replot the pattern to some degree
of accuracy. The uninitiated invariably suggest going to higher powered transmitters
such as radar pulsed units. When such suggestor, however, ponders over the problem
of building or purchasing the number of high power, room-size radars needed to cover
the frequencies called for, he soon realizes that a fairly large warehouse would
be needed to mount them for use.
Rejoining the antenna engineer it is found that his new antenna has successfully
completed its preliminary radiation pattern tests. While mildly jubilant he must
still subject his creation to an investigation to determine its response to cross-polarized
signals. Also he must investigate what effect additional structures, such as wing
mounted rockets or bombs, have on its pattern. The worried frown will remain on
his brow for some time to come as he follows the antenna through the intricate maze
of production decisions, cost analysis, and lastly the flight test which places
the final stamp of approval on his work.
While emphasis has been placed on the aircraft antenna because of its present
importance, it should be made clear that the laboratories of such institutions as
Ohio State University are carrying on programs of investigation into many other
aspects of the antenna problem. For example, in the study of land-based radio stations
scientists must content themselves not only with dimensional perfection with regard
to towers and buildings, but must also actually design the soil of these scale models
to have proper conductivity at the higher model frequencies in order that it simulate
the soil found in the region under study. The "guess and by-gosh" methods of the
past in making costly antenna installations are slowly giving way to exact knowledge.
Last but by no means least, Naval research centers are engaged in measuring the
radiation patterns of antennas mounted within the complex maze produced by a ship's
masts, cables, and other marine structure. As might be expected, Naval antenna designers
must take the sea into account when making their scaled-down ships for range tests.
To an electromagnetic wave a ship resting upon the sea appears to have an exact
mirror image directly beneath it. This can be duplicated on "the Naval antenna model
range by cutting a ship model off at its water line and resting it upon a large
sheet of metal. In lieu of this, two ship models are constructed, sawed off at the
water line, and one fastened upside down to the waterline of the other. The technique
of making the actual radiation pattern measurements is identical to that described
1) Military frequencies are classified. Those given are only representative.
Posted February 8, 2019 (original | <urn:uuid:5be38157-2876-4645-95fa-8b30977ceca9> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://www.rfcafe.com/references/radio-news/antenna-research-laboratory-march-1950-radio-television-news.htm | 2022-05-16T09:54:18Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662510097.3/warc/CC-MAIN-20220516073101-20220516103101-00200.warc.gz | en | 0.923917 | 5,102 |
True Story of Obsession, Faith, and the Pursuit of an Ancient Bible
Published in 2012
פּירוש בּעל הטורים על התורה לרבּינו יעקב ב”ר אשר זלה”ה
Rabbi Yakov Koppel Reinitz
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The timeline and thread of this post is as follows:
November 6, 2021 – Matti Friedman is a Scholar in Residence at Anshei Shalom
November 7, 2021 – Spoke to Rabbi David Wolkenfeld
November 15, 2021 – I purchase Matti Friedman’s book – The Aleppo Codex
April 15 – 23, 2022 – I read the Aleppo Codex
April 25, 2022 – I am at the BAYT in Toronto and discover the Sefer authored by Rabbi
Yakov Koppel Reinitz פּירוש בּעל הטורים על התורה לרבּינו יעקב ב”ר אשר זלה”ה
April 26, 2022 – Baruch Kelman tracks down Yakov Kopel Reinitz’s phone number
April 27 2022 – I call and speak to Rabbi Yakov Kopel Reinitz
May 5, 2022 – I research and put together this blog post
The Aleppo Codex – כֶּתֶר אֲרָם צוֹבָא
Book written by Matti Friedman titled The Aleppo Codex
Last November Matti Friedman was a Scholar in Residence at Anshei Sholem. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matti_Friedman
VISITING SCHOLAR MATTI FRIEDMAN
Saturday, November 6, 2021 • 2 Kislev 5782
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Join us after Kiddush on November 6 to hear from guest speaker Matti Friedman – journalist, contributor to the New York Times Op-Ed Section, and the author of three award-winning books.
“The Aleppo Codex”
The perfect copy of the Hebrew Bible was written 1,100 years ago. It was kept in Jerusalem, stolen by Crusaders, ransomed by the Jews of Cairo, used by Maimonides, and hidden in a vault in Aleppo for six centuries. Around the time of Israel’s founding in 1948, it vanished. The story of the Aleppo Codex, Judaism’s most important book, is not only a true mystery involving theft, murder, and a government cover-up – it also allows us to look at Jewish history in the Islamic world, the creation of Israel, and the role of the Bible in the unlikely survival of the Jews in exile.
After Shabbos, I called Rabbi Wolkenfeld of Anshei Sholom and told him that I was sorry I missed attending. Rabbi Wolkenfeld told me how they had a wonderful Shabbos and told me that I should read The Aleppo Codex. He was excited about the book and infected me with his excitement.
I purchased the book from Half Price Books. I started reading the book and the opening chapter was a difficult read. I put the book aside for a while, but went back and read it during Pesach.. Once I got through the first chapter and understood what was happening I was able to read this magnificent book.
Background of the Aleppo Codex:
The Aleppo Codex in Hebrew is titled כֶּתֶר אֲרָם צוֹבָא and means “The Crown of Aram Tzova”. Aram Tzova is Aleppo. The Aleppo Codex was written in the city of Tiberias in the 10th century CE (circa 920). The Aleppo codex and the other Codex’s are companions to Tanach. Whereas a Sefer Torah and the prophets are written on a scroll and have no vowels or cantillation notes – Trup, the codex contains the vowels and cantillation notes. It also contains notes that hint to connections to other parts of the Torah. This is what the Ba’al Haturim means when he says ב’ במסורת , there is a letter ב’ in the codex by this word and that there are two times in Tanach that this word or combination of words are used. The other difference between the Codex and the Sifrei Tanah they had was that the codex was written in manuscript form and not in scroll form. This made it easier to use than a Sefer Torah as to move around and read different parts of Tanach you can flip pages vs. having to roll a scroll. The word codex itself means “a manuscript book especially of Scripture, classics, or ancient annals.” Tradition has it that the Rambam used the Aleppo Codex when he learned. Together with the Leningrad Codex, it contains the Ben-Asher masoretic tradition.
This time period in which the Torah codices were written were towards the end of the Geonic period. The period of the Geonim began in 589 CE after the period of the Sevora’im, and ended in 1038. The first gaon of Sura, according to Sherira Gaon, was Mar Rab Mar, who assumed office in 609. The last gaon of Sura was Samuel ben Ḥofni, who died in 1034 CE; the last gaon of Pumbedita was Hezekiah Gaon, who was tortured to death by fanatics of the Buyid dynasty in 1040; hence the activity of the Geonim covers a period of nearly 450 years. There were two major Geonic academies, one in Sura and the other in Pumbedita. The Sura Academy was originally dominant, but its authority waned towards the end of the Geonic period and the Pumbedita Gaonate gained ascendancy (Louis Ginzberg in Geonica).
The Aleppo Codex was kept for five centuries in the Central Synagogue of Aleppo, until the synagogue was torched during anti-Jewish riots in 1947. The fate of the codex during the subsequent decade is unclear. When it resurfaced in Israel in 1958, roughly 40% of the manuscript—including the majority of the Torah section—was missing, and only one additional leaf and a small scrap have been recovered since then. The original supposition was that the missing pages were destroyed in the synagogue fire has increasingly been challenged, fueling speculation that they survive in private hands. This Is from Wikipedia. Matti Friedman in his book clearly says they were not burnt, and strongly believes that they were stolen, and sold on the black market. The portion of the codex that is accounted for is housed in the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum.
Matti Friedman Efforts
Matti Friedman traces how and why the codex was transferred to Israel In 1957, how it ended up with the government and his speculation as to what happened to the missing parts of the codex. Missing is half of Bereshis, all of Exodus, VaYikra, and Bamidber. He found a transcript of the Din Torah starting on March 18, 1958 to decide where the codex belongs; to the state of Israel or to the exiled of the Aleppo community living in Israel and other parts of the world. Matti Friedman said the Din Torah lasted on and off for four years. Page 110 states about the trial, “It was charged and, at times, ugly. Most of the characters in the story appeared in court. Not all of them told the truth.” Unfortunately when Matti Friedman was researching this story most were dead and the rest who were still alive were well into their 80s and 90s and had faulty memories. It seems clear that Murad Fahem, the envoy who brought the codex from Aleppo to Israel, did not tell the truth of how the codex ended up with Yitzchok Ben Zvi, the second president of Israel.
As Matti Friedman dug deeper into the mystery of how the State of Israel obtained the Codex and what happened to nearly 200 missing pages, the story became fascinating.
Matti Friedman concluded:
- The Codex was to go to the Aleppo community to be kept by their Rabbis
- Murad Fahem, the envoy who brought the Codex from Aleppo to Israel in 1957, lied about his instructions from the Rabbis in Aleppo in 1957
- There was a Din Torah starting on March 18, 1957 as to who should be the keepers of the Aleppo Codex and safeguard it.
- The State of Israel in effect stole the Aleppo Codex from the Aleppo community
- The missing pages were stolen from the Ben Zvi Institute which was the place where the Aleppo Codex was to be safeguarded for the Jews of Israel.
- Matti Friedman touched upon the theft of the Israeli government and others of historical treasures that the Yemenite Jews brought when the community left Yemen. Clearly there was anti-Sephardic and anti-religious bias on the part of the Israelis
The person who brought the codex from Aleppo to Israel was Murad Fahim at the direction of Rabbi Moshe Tawil who was the Chief Rabbi of Aleppo and Rabbi Shlomo Zaafrani. Upon arriving in Israel Murad Fahem gave it to Shlomo Zalman Shraga who was Orthodox and was the director of Israel’s immigration network in the 1950s. Shlomo Zalman Shraga then gave it to President Yitzhok Ben Tzvi, the second President of Israel, the first one being Chaim Weitzman.
In Matti Friedman’s book, Yitzchok Ben Tzvi seems to come off as a villain, although Matti Friedman never said this outright. I found this interesting tidbit on Yitzchok Ben Tzvi that sheds light on his character. Yitzchok Ben Tzvi in 1924 ordered the first political murder in Israel. tps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yitzhak_Ben-Zvi . What the leaders of the Yishuv lws by Ben Gurion tried to do is silence debate on the entire issue with how the Yishuv deals with the existing Arab population. If someone has an opposing view and seems to have a voice, he must be silenced by whatever means. Killing anyone, let alone a Jew who doesn’t present harm to people is corruption at its highest form. Once you do this, you can justify anything. This is what Reb Chaim Brisker said about the Zionists, that they are murderers. I found this on Wikipedia and the allegation about Yitzchok Ben-Tzvi was written by Shimon Nakidimon, an Israeli journalist.
Yitzchok Ben-Zvi served in the Jewish Legion (1st Judean battalion ‘KADIMAH’) together with Ben-Gurion. He helped found the Ahdut HaAvoda party in 1919, and became increasingly active in the Haganah. According to Avraham Tehomi, Ben-Zvi ordered the 1924 murder of Jacob Israël de Haan. De Haan had come to Palestine as an ardent Zionist, but he had become increasingly critical of the Zionist organizations, preferring a negotiated solution to the armed struggle between the Jews and Arabs. This is how Tehomi acknowledged his own part in the murder over sixty years later, in an Israeli television interview in 1985: “I have done what the Haganah decided had to be done. And nothing was done without the order of Yitzhak Ben-Zvi. I have no regrets because he [de Haan] wanted to destroy our whole idea of Zionism.”
As I understood the Aleppo Codex and got deeper in the book, I realized that the Ba’al Haturim is partly an explanation of the Codex and had a codex when he wrote his Perush on Chumash. Until now I never understood what the Ba’al Haturim meant when is said ב’ במסורת .
“וְחֹשֶׁךְ עַל פְּנֵי תְהוֹם” – ב’ במסורת. הכא, ואידך: “וְחֹשֶׁךְ אֵי זֶה מְקֹמוֹ” (איוב לח יט). זה הוא שאמרו (חגיגה יא ב), שאין לשאול: “מה לפנים? מה לאחור?” “וְחֹשֶׁךְ אֵי זֶה מְקֹמוֹ”, פירוש, שאין לשאול אי זה היה מקום החושך תחילה.
The ב’ במסורת means that in the codex which is the מסורת the letter Bais appears before these words. It is code telling us that there are only two times in Tanach that these words appear. The Ba’al Haturim then goes on to explain the connection. Artscroll never explained this properly.
I found on the internet this 2010 book written by Hayim Tawil and Bernard Schnieder. I have not read it and I do not know if Matti Friedman read this book or spoke to the authors. Hayim Tawil must be the son of Rabbi Tawil who authorized the transfer from Aleppo to Israel in 1957.
פּירוש בּעל הטורים על התורה לרבּינו יעקב ב”ר אשר זלה”ה
Rabbi Yakov Koppel Reinitz
I was davening at the BAYT in Toronto on Monday April 24th, right after Pesach and I came upon the below Sefer –
As can be seen from the title page, the author is Yakov Kopel Reinitz and was printed in 1996. I saw somewhere that he is from Bnei Brak. I was amazed at the fact that someone spent the time and wrote a commentary on the Ba’al Haturim. What scholarship! I love people who have great knowledge.
I asked my good friend, Boruch Kelman, from Har Nof to track down Rabbi Yakov Kopel Reinitz. Boruch Kelman is amazing. He adds a sense of American fair play into israel.
Boruch obtained his phone number and I called Rabbi Yakov Kopel Reinitz. Rabbi Reinitz and his wife know little English and I know little Hebrew and Yiddush. I spoke to him and I think he understood that I am calling from Chicago to thank him for producing a book of great scholarship. It seemed because we could not communicate properly, he struggled to understand why someone was calling him from America to thank him. It does seem a little odd. Afterwards his wife’s friend got on the phone who had a better English. She did a better job of explaining why I called and I could hear the joy in his voice. He told me that he will be 89 in two days. He lives in Neve Daniel. Neve Daniel is located next to Alon Shavut in the Gush. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neve_Daniel. I was taken aback because I thought Reb Yakov Kopel Reinitz lived in Bnei Brak and would have nothing to do with the Gush. Just to be sure I understood, I asked him if he ever spoke to Reb Aaron Lichtenstein TZL and he said, Yes, many times. I told him that in the summer, I should be in Israel and will visit. He told me he looks forward to my visit. I could hear the joy in his voice.
Kuntris Atoros AD”R – Rabbi Eliyahu Dov Rabinwwitz-Toemim known as the Aderes
I received a major bonus looking at the Sefer. Rabbi Reintiz included a Sefer written by the Aderes on the Ba’al Haturim by Rabbi Eliyahu Dov Rabinwwitz-Toemim, Rav Avrhom Yitzchok HaCohen Kook’s father-in-law.. I know that the Aderes was a major Torah scholar and authored Seform. But this is the first time I have seen one of his Seforim. I have a Blog post on Rav Kook and the Aderes. This is very exciting for me. https://kotzk.com/2014/04/14/in-tribute-to-rav-avrohom-yitzchok-kook/
Rabinowitz-Teomim was born on 11 June 1843 in the town of Pikeln. At the age of five his mother died and from then on, his father, Rabbi Benjamin Rabinowitz, raised him and his brother, Tzvi-Yehudah, alone. He studied Talmud and rabbinics under the tutelage of his father and by the age of fifteen he had acquired a substantial knowledge of Talmudic and rabbinic literature. Rabinowitz-Teomim was married to Feige Minna, with whom he had seven children. His daughter Batsheva married Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook in 1886; however she died a few years later, whereupon Rabinowitz-Teomim encouraged Rabbi Kook to marry his niece (the daughter of his brother Tzvi-Yehudah). He encouraged Rabbi Kook to become the Chief Rabbi of Jaffa. He died on 3 Adar 5665 (10 March 1905). He is buried on the Mount of Olives. | <urn:uuid:a39cb610-be57-45ee-a0c0-3607814b58fb> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://kotzk.com/tag/rabbi-yakov-kopel-reinitz/ | 2022-05-19T02:37:16Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662522741.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20220519010618-20220519040618-00200.warc.gz | en | 0.964079 | 3,992 |
By now most armchair pundits and faux Mideast experts have chimed in on the violence in Israel and Gaza. Some of the most frivolous comments come from misguided hyper woke celebrities and athletes who seek to establish their expertise when they know virtually nothing. For example, Trevor Noah, on MSNBC’s Joy Reid show claimed “Jewish Supremacy” was the cause of the violence, rather than the thousands of rockets aimed at Israeli civilians. To be clear, they are not misguided for feeling sympathy for the Palestinians living in Gaza, but rather, they are cartoonishly misguided for blaming Israel for the suffering.
The Israel/Palestinian conflict is among the most vexing foreign policy issues. However, there is nothing complex about the need to recognize that Hamas deserves absolute culpability for the suffering of average Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. I say “average” because poverty, unemployment and illiteracy are rampant in Gaza, but not among the Hamas elite.
Hamas has a specific and obvious raison d’être — to kill as many Jews as possible. No mind reading is required to know this — it is Hamas’ explicitly stated goal. They spend most of their foreign aid money not on much needed infrastructure, COVID vaccinations, or education. Instead, their priority is building illegal smuggling tunnels from which they launch attacks, and unguided rocket technology from Iran to indiscriminately target Israeli civilians.
Hamas prefers using the money it receives from well-meaning nations including the US, and many European and Middle Eastern nations to launch attacks, murder homosexuals, oppress women, and prevent truly democratic institutions from taking root. If you doubt this, try going to Gaza when things settle down and attempt to form a new political party that supports equal rights for women and homosexuals and that actually seeks peace.
Before the George W. Bush years, Hamas was a rogue terror group with no official power. However, the unintended consequences of the Bush foreign policy of rightly condemning the PLO/Arafat regime for rampant corruption and an unwillingness to make peace, unfortunately led to the election of Hamas in Gaza. Thus, the only time Gazans were afforded an actual choice began Hamas’ reign of terror.
Since those faithful years, Palestinians have been living in a prison of their own making. In fact, a significant percentage of Hamas rockets fired at Israel did not even make it to Israel from Gaza, killing or injuring many Palestinians. This is, of course, of no consequence to Hamas leaders who see average Gazans as pawns to manipulate in order to maintain power. But it is even more troubling that liberal celebrities and media organizations don’t care and end up acting as a shield to the monstrous actions of Hamas.
No matter how pro-Palestinian one may be, to normalize the actions of Hamas, as so many liberal journalists are doing (and a few folks among the alt-Right), is to directly oppose and fight against the hope of a better future for Gazans.
As usual, support for Israel is nearly unanimous among the GOP. While some Republicans want foreign aid generally reduced across the board as a budgetary matter, none would disagree with Israel’s inherent right to self-defense.
This is juxtaposed to an increasingly hostile Democratic Party who once were part of the bedrock support of Israel. Now, its Middle East policy is increasingly driven by younger Democrats who are extremely woke and see Israel as the automatic aggressor, regardless of the facts. For some reason Hamas escapes any real blame.
Over the last few years of President Trump’s term, the world saw a flowering of new peace arrangements between Israel and Arab nations, including but not limited to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Morocco. Amazingly, UAE officials have threatened to cut investment in Gaza if Hamas does not immediately commit to complete calm. They have admitted what many have known for some time, that Hamas policies are hurting the people of Gaza. This is a far more enlightened understanding than that of the Washington Post or foreign policy professors at Harvard University.
The irony is that during this time of immense political and security challenges facing Israel, it is the Republicans who stand steadfast with our ally Israel. As Democratic support for Israel continues to wane, even “pro-Israel” Democrats are more apt to criticize the GOP for “making the Israel issue political” rather than criticizing their own for being increasingly radical and woke while ignoring fact.
For Israel, the choice is the same today as it was decades ago when Golda Meir said: “If we have to choose between being dead and pitied, and being alive with a bad image, we’d rather be alive and have the bad image.”
By defying conventional wisdom on the Middle East and China, he reshaped both political parties
On Sept. 16 the editorial board of the New York Times did the impossible. It said something nice about President Trump. “The normalization of relations between Israel and two Arab states, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, is, on the face of it, a good and beneficial development,” the editors wrote. They even went so far as to say that the “Trump administration deserves credit for brokering it.” I had to read that sentence twice to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Perhaps the world really is ending.
Or perhaps the Times cannot avoid the reality that the “Abraham Accords” between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain are a historic achievement. It is the first advance toward peace in the Middle East since Israel signed a treaty with Jordan in 1994. By exposing the intransigence and corruption of the Palestinian authorities, and thereby removing them from the diplomatic equation, the Trump administration reestablished the “peace process” as a negotiation between states. And because the states in the region face a common foe—Iran—they have every incentive to band together. This is textbook realpolitik. The world is better off for it.
Just as remarkable as the deal itself is the bipartisan applause that greeted it in the United States. No one needs reminding that domestic politics is polarized and paranoid. Each party is convinced that the other one will extinguish democracy at the first opportunity. The past three presidencies have been jarringly discontinuous in style, temperament, and policy. But the same Democrats who sometimes appear eager to remove Donald Trump from office by any means necessary treated this foreign policy accomplishment with equanimity and acquiescence. “It is good to see others in the Middle East recognizing Israel and even welcoming it as a partner,” Biden said in a statement, adding that “a Biden-Harris administration will build on these steps.” Senator Chris Coons of Delaware told Jewish Insider that the agreement is “a very positive thing.”
The irony is that Trump’s opponents are ready to accept this “very positive thing” despite warning against and objecting to the policies that contributed to it. Through his personal relationship with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump reaffirmed that there is “no daylight” between the United States and Israel after an eight-year caesura. He defied conventional wisdom when he moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, when he withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, when he cut off aid to the Palestinians, when he recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and when he ordered the lethal strike against Qassem Soleimani. But the catastrophes that the foreign policy establishment predicted would follow each of these measures never materialized. What emerged instead were the Abraham Accords and a growing alliance against Iran.
It is in the realm of foreign policy that Trump’s deviations from political norms have had the most positive and irreversible consequences. If he becomes president, Joe Biden may mistakenly try to revive the chances for Palestinian statehood by getting tough on the Israelis. He may attempt to resuscitate the moribund Iran deal. But it is highly doubtful that he will rescind the Abraham Accords, or withdraw recognition of Israel’s Golan sovereignty, or return the U.S. embassy to Tel Aviv. He won’t have the support for such decisions. And he won’t have any good reason to make them. Anyone who has read the news latelyunderstands that a strong and engaged Israel is good for security. Her enemies are our enemies.
By establishing inescapable facts on the ground over the ceaseless objections of critics, President Trump overrides the often meaningless verbiage that constitutes international diplomacy and ends up changing the very terms of the foreign policy conversation. Nowhere has this dynamic been clearer than in U.S. relations with China.
Beginning with his surprise call to Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen in December 2016 and continuing through his resumption of U.S. Navy freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea the following year, his tariffs on Chinese goods in 2018, his and his administration’s rhetorical barrage against China beginning in earnest in 2019, and culminating in his multiple actions against China this year, from limiting travel to canceling visas to forcing the sale of TikTok to tightening the vise on Huawei to selling an additional $7 billion in arms to Taiwan, Trump has reoriented America’s approach to the People’s Republic. No longer is China encouraged to be a “responsible stakeholder.” It is recognized as a great-power competitor.
Resistance to this proper understanding of China’s position in the international system remains strong. But it is unquestionably the case that both Republicans and Democrats are starting to see China more as a threat than a partner. And it is Donald Trump who is behind this clarification of vision. (Xi Jinping and the pandemic helped too.) Whatever a President Biden might do about China—and he seems far more interested in repairing our alliances in “Old Europe” than in tackling this paramount challenge of the 21st century—he would operate within the constraints Trump established and on the intellectual terrain Trump landscaped.ADVERTISING
There is no greater measure of presidential significance than a chief executive’s ability to transform not just his own but also the opposing party. When it comes to the Middle East and China, the Democrats are closer to Donald Trump today than they were at the outset of his term. That they find themselves in accordance with someone whom they despise is evidence of Trump’s ability to realign politics at home and abroad. This is no small feat.
Some might say it’s worthy of a prize.
That’s what we all said nearly twenty years ago while struggling to cope with our grief. Since the days of George Washington, we’d thought of ourselves as more or less removed from what he called “messy, foreign entanglements,” protected from the rest of the world by two great oceans and divine providence.
We’d jumped into the thicket a time or two. America saved the world at least twice during the 20th century, probably three times given our willingness to contest an expensive, global Cold War which occasionally turned hot in places like Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East at the cost of our greatest treasure: the young men and women sent to fight.
Was it strange that we never asked to be thanked for it? No, that’s just the way we are. We want to live our lives in peace, left alone to make our own choices, secure in our liberties as God gave them to us. We flirted with the building of empires but that really wasn’t for us. We wanted to be, and often were, the good example for others to follow.
Then came 9/11. A group of religious fanatics hijacked four U.S.-flagged airliners, turning them into flying missiles aimed straight at the heart of our political and commercial institutions. Two of them hit New York’s Twin Towers with such explosive force the buildings crumbled to the ground as if they were made of sand.
A third jetliner reportedly headed for the White House crashed instead into the Pentagon. On the fourth plane, the passengers who’d learned what had happened on the other three revolted against their captors. The ensuing struggle meant their plane, instead of piercing the dome of the U.S. Capitol as planned, broke apart in a field in Pennsylvania.
“Never forget,” we said afterward. “Never forget the everyday Americans and the others from all walks of life who perished that day,” we said. “The people who represented the multitude of differences between Americans but were, for a brief moment, united by their humanity.”
“Never forget,” we said about the first responders from the police and fire departments and emergency techs in New York City, Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and rural Pennsylvania who came to the aid of those injured, dying, or dead. Especially those who died that day because their jobs had them rushing into the burning buildings rather than out of them.
America, we forgot—and we should be ashamed.
Over the last decade, we’ve watched as the nation turned in on itself. First responders are being shunned, even assassinated. In California this past weekend, so-called peaceful protestors gathered outside the hospital where two Los Angeles County deputies who’d been ambushed were being treated, shouting their hopes the officers would die.
This didn’t start with Donald Trump. This didn’t start with Barack Obama. It started outside politics, in the American culture where somehow we’ve been divided up, piecemeal, into groups airing grievances. Left or right, it makes no difference. We’ve allowed ourselves to be pitted against one another, and we should be ashamed.
We’ve forgotten that in America each life matters. We’re all created equal, as individuals, not assigned at birth into groups because of skin color, economic status, education, or biological sex. We are an imperfect nation, to be sure, but almost certainly less imperfect than any other.
The fanatics responsible for the murder of more than 3,000 of our brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers on that dark day nineteen years ago didn’t attack us in protest of the country’s history of systemic racism. Or because women get paid less on average than men. Or because some people think you should have to show a government-issued photo ID that proves you are who you say you are before you can exercise your right to vote. Pick any complaint you want; it isn’t why America was attacked.
We were attacked because, out of all the nations of the world, America stands for the idea that all men and women are by their birthright free and should be treated equally under the law. We were attacked because of our ideas about religious liberty—that different faiths can coexist respectfully and peacefully—and because we believe women have just as much right as men to pursue an education. And for many other reasons, all of which have to do with what is best about us, because of the ideas that make our civilization strong. We are one nation and, fundamentally, we all matter. In the heat of the moment, we’ve forgotten that. Yet rather than dwell much longer on our errors, let’s come together in our strengths to make this nation all it can be, for now and for generations to come.
President Donald announced another historic peace deal for the Middle East on Friday between Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
A joint statement released by the United States, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the State of Israel announced the “establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
The agreement also specifies that “peaceful worshippers of all faiths” will be allowed to visit mosques and holy sites in Israel.
In the statement, King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed their intent to “achieve a just, comprehensive, and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict” and praised Trump for “his dedication to peace in the region, his focus on shared challenges, and the pragmatic and unique approach he has taken to bringing their nations together.”
President Trump tweeted his support of the deal, calling it “another HISTORIC breakthrough” with “our two GREAT friends.”
The peace deal is the second of its kind involving Israel in the last month in a broader effort by the Trump administration to facilitate “stability, security, and prosperity” in the Middle East. A similar deal was struck between the United Arab Emirates and Israel in early August, making it the first “Gulf Arab country to open relations with the Jewish nation.”
In the Israel and UAE peace deal statement, the White House signaled the United States will be helping Israel continue to facilitate peace in the region with their largely Islamic neighbors.
“As a result of this diplomatic breakthrough and at the request of President Trump with the support of the United Arab Emirates, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President’s Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.”
White House Innovations Director Jared Kushner praised Trump for assisting in two previously “unthinkable” deals for the Middle East. He said the deal met much “optimism” on his most recent trip overseas.
“This makes America safer, allows us to bring our troops home, and allows us to work on bringing prosperity to American communities,” Kushner said.
According to the joint statement, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani will sign the official “Declaration of Peace” on Sept. 15 at the White House.
Could it signal a new era in the Middle East?
President Trump last Thursday announced the first Middle Eastern treaty in 26 years between Israel and an Arab country. Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will establish full diplomatic relations between the two countries. The heart of the agreement is the UAE recognition of Israeli sovereignty in exchange for Israel’s postponing its intention to annex the Israeli settlements on the West Bank. The treaty is being hailed as a major step toward peace in the Middle East.
Most of us do not know enough about the situation to understand the importance of this step. So, let’s take a quick look.
From President Trump’s first trip abroad which was to Saudi Arabia in 2017 and ever since, one of his first priorities in foreign policy has been to promote peace in the Middle East, which has cost the United States so much blood and treasure in the past several years. The underlying motivation for USA involvement since the 1920’s has been protection of America’s oil supply, the greatest source of which has been the Middle East, specifically (since the fall of Iran in 1978) Saudi Arabia.
One of the greatest imperatives, therefore, has been to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. Luckily, the development of new technology for the venerable practice of fracking has made that goal achievable, and the encouragement of the new Administration has assisted the industry to realize America’s independence from importing foreign oil – a major milestone in Middle Eastern policy.
The full effect of this abundance, however, has been delayed by the lack of available refinery capacity, due to very onerous restrictions imposed by previous Congresses aimed at protecting the environment. Nevertheless, the USA now occupies a much stronger position than previously in its Middle Eastern negotiations.
The other major factor in Middle Eastern policy since 1948 has been the US relationship with Israel, particularly, the hostility with which Israel has been viewed by its Arab neighbors. Egypt, the largest Arab neighbor of Israel, made peace with Israel in 1978. That treaty was brokered by President Jimmy Carter after President Richard Nixon saved the Israelis from defeat in the Yom Kippur War of 1973. However, there have been few additional breakthroughs since then as the Palestinians grew more and more influential after being adopted by Iran.
This treaty has followed a succession of moves by the Trump Administration over the past three years, after President Obama had alienated the Sunni Muslim neighbors of Israel by his extraordinary treatment of Iran, the leader now of the Shia Muslim countries in the age old feud between the two branches of Islam. The open enmity of the Iranian leadership toward all the allies of the United States, especially against its Sunni neighbors, has been growing as Iran has committed more and more resources to its terrorist activities. Understandably, the Obama pact has therefore become ever more odious to our Sunni allies. So, in order to show them good faith, Trump repudiated that agreement (which was never ratified by the US Senate).
Next, he moved the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, implementing a promise made by several of his predecessors but never executed. He then formed the Sunni-Israeli Coalition which unofficially coordinates the anti-Iran activities of its members – Israel, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Oman. The establishment of this group is an astonishing development, given the fierce anti-Israeli posture of Arabs in the past. It also engages the leader of the Sunni opposition, Saudi Arabia, with Israel in a way which was inconceivable only a few years ago.
Now comes the treaty with the UAE. Because of its strategic position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf and the beginning of the Gulf of Oman as well as its vast oil reserves, the UAE is very influential as a trend-setter among the Sunni countries. It also has a very vulnerable coastline across the narrowest stretch of Persian Gulf water between its shores and coast of Iran.
Another consideration can be imputed to the government in that its economy – and its citizens – tend to be aggressive, prosperous and progressive. The increased familiarity with Israel is bound to be reflected in an increased exposure to the United States which bodes well for one of the historically most active trading centers in the Gulf, if not in the entire Arab world. This aspect of the new treaty is highlighted by the invitation to the principals to come to the White House for the official signing of the treaty in the next three weeks.
In summary, this treaty joins similar treaties between Israel and two other Arab countries, Egypt and Jordan (1984), and is a significant step towards the President’s goal of creating a more peaceful Middle East, where the USA’s interests can be trade and commerce instead of war and violence. However, this development and the trend of the Sunni nations to band together with the United States does have a military implication.
For one thing, it puts Iraq, a traditional enemy of Iran, but one where Iranian influence has been rapidly increasing, right in the crosshairs of the territorial distance between Iran’s eastern border with Iran, and its western border with Saudi Arabia. In spite of all the sacrifices Americans made to win freedom for the Iraqi people, the ascendency of Iran’s influence there makes its future posture toward the USA highly problematical.
Be that as it may, UAE’s joining the American side of this rivalry must be comforting to them. And this, of course, is due to the Trump revival of America’s military capabilities. Seeking protection from a country which could not defeat a ragtag force of Afghan rebels in 19 years would not be attractive without it. Only a double-edged initiative of diplomacy and might will win new friends.
Finally, there is China. The UAE is one of China’s major suppliers of energy. Accordingly, China has been taking a notable interest in the UAE — and all of the Gulf states. It is not beyond imagination that China has had its eye on major influence, if not control, of the Persian Gulf, with its friend Iran on one bank and the UAE on the other. China’s avowed goal of world domination would be well served if their permission, if not assistance, would be required for commerce to continue in the world’s most active energy industry depots. In that particular race, the treaty means America 1, China 0.
Well done, Mr. President, and congratulations also to your young phenomenon, Jared Kushner (who represented the President on these negotiations).
Craven American leadership harms the cause of peace and stability, and only benefits the world’s dictators and aggressors.
by George C. Landrith & Dr. Miklos K. Radvanyi
Vladimir Putin is a gambler. He has a weak hand. But he will bluff, pretending that he holds a good hand, until someone in power calls him on the ruse. While President Barack Obama’s hand is not weak, he behaves as if he holds no cards at all. Thus, Obama plays into the hands of Putin who is pleased at his good fortune to have an anemic and spineless American president unwilling to call Putin’s bluff or reveal his untenable position.
Putin’s willingness to bluff despite his weak hand is at least in the long run quite risky. But given Obama’s consistent and demonstrated weakness, why would Putin do anything else?
Putin is devoid of sentimentality. He is pragmatic in the extreme. Some say he longs for the days of Soviet power and prestige. No doubt power and prestige are of interest to a vain and ambitious poser like Putin. But his main objective is to rescue his rule at home by diverting attention from the near bankrupt Russian economy. By giving his countrymen the impression that he is restoring “Russia’s greatness” abroad, he hopes to neutralize the total failure of his economic policies and the financial pain that Russia is experiencing. Continue reading
Just three years ago, President Obama famously ridiculed GOP opponent Mitt Romney’s statement that Russia remained America’s main geopolitical foe by taunting: “The 1980s are calling to ask for their foreign policy back.”
Four years before that, Obama stood at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate to declare that once he became president, all people would join him around a global campfire, hold hands and put an end to the world’s evils and miseries.
Well, seven years into Obama’s presidency, the promised worldwide Kumbaya is instead global chaos — caused in large measure by his willful retreat from America’s position of leadership. Continue reading | <urn:uuid:40d20f86-a7f0-41fd-a97a-316df9d86836> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://www.ff.org/tag/peace/ | 2022-05-19T03:02:48Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662522741.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20220519010618-20220519040618-00200.warc.gz | en | 0.962628 | 5,483 |
Tim Eriksen unites a mastery of traditional American and world folk styles with innovative arrangement, original and experimental music. “One of the best singers in music” according to producer T Bone Burnett, he has contributed extensively to films including Cold Mountain, for which he worked closely with Jack White, Ralph Stanley and Nicole Kidman, and his song I Wish The Wars Were All Over was chosen by Joan Baez to be her final recorded musical statement. His singing and storytelling, alternately heart breaking and hilarious, showcase his ability to bring a rare depth of musical and emotional experience even to those who are completely new to his “hardcore Americana” and world music sound.
A multi-instrumentalist whose performances typically include banjo, fiddle, guitar, bajo sexto (Mexican twelve string bass) and kaval (Balkan end blown flute), Eriksen’s influences range from the American folksong canon and “shape-note” music to Ottoman-era Balkan love songs and otherworldly indie folk. His theater and dance collaborations have included live original music for Minnesota Dance Theater (“In The Shadow Of The Mountain,” 2006), Nimbus Dance (“Hollow Square,” 2019) and the play “Refugee” by Milan Dragicevich (2017-2019). He has performed his ongoing “Pumpkintown,” magic lantern musical theater from an imaginary village, at venues including Harvard University, Dartmouth College, Occidental College, Theatre
Thenardier (Paris), Konstepidemin (Gothenburg) and throughout the UK and US.
Eriksen’s primary musical training was in South Indian classical music, and he holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology, but he cut his teeth playing punk, world and indie rock in seminal bands including Cordelia’s Dad (post-punk and folk) and Žabe I Babe (Bosnian folk and rock). He has recorded with artists including Afro Cuban pianist Omar Sosa (on the twice Grammy nominated Across the Divide), English fiddle legend Eliza Carthy, and in composer Evan Chambers’ symphonic song cycle The Old Burying Ground. His recent and upcoming work includes a second collaboration with Omar Sosa, collaboration with legendary producer Joe Boyd (Nick Drake, Pink Floyd) and a posthumous recording project with Esma Redžepova, “the queen of Gypsy music.” With his longtime involvement in Sacred Harp or “shape-note” singing he has helped spearhead an international revival of the music, teaching workshops across North America, Europe and as far abroad as Singapore. Eriksen’s media appearances have included Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage and the Academy Awards, and he
has been called the only performer to have shared a stage with both Kurt Cobain and Doc Watson.
A broad take on jazz, a fascination with rhythmic sequences, and abstract vocals: Zabelov Group is the musical dialogue between Roman Zabelov, accordionist from Belarus, and Jan Šikl, Czech drummer and multi-instrumentalist. Their original acoustic puritanism gradually transformed into complex cinematic music accompanied by samples and acoustic instruments enhanced by electronics. Zabelov Group’s musical endeavour is permeated by the effort to maintain live contact with the instrument but provide the entire spectrum of club sounds while performing as a duo.
Zabelov Group is active on the Czech scene since 2012, their first work was a homemade recording “40.000 Km” (2012) followed by the live album “Secret Session” (2014). Their first studio album “Eg” (Minority Records, 2018) was a milestone which brought them on stages of clubs and festivals like Eurosonic Noorderslag Groningen, MENT Ljubljana, JazzFest Brno, Spring Break Poznan, Jazzinec Trutnov, Live Rock Toscana, Spectaculare Festival Prague etc. and received very good reviews from international media.
The duo’s latest work is “Madhouse Session EP”, released in 2020 by Minority Records. While the previous album “Eg” is a precisely puzzled highly-developed studio piece which came into being at multiple locations with contributions by various guest-artists and did not allow for all the tracks to be performed live due to its demanding nature, Madhouse Session is a live recording of concert preparations which were also partly previously performed live e.g. at the Dresden Jazzclub Tonne or as a support for Portico Quartet.
“Madhouse Session had a strong ambition to emancipate itself in the process of recording. Most of the old pieces were the work of soundengineer Matouš Godík, which was noticeable in the sounds and we were very happy with the collaboration. However, we needed to try the sound production ourselves. From samples to master recording it was up to us, everything was created in a home studio where we rehearse. We have to say that we are happy with the result. It turned out that limits are often opportunities for new and interesting solutions. We feel that we finished the process of a sort of musical emancipation“ says Jan Šikl.
Their unique interpretations fused ambient textures, freeform jazz, cinematic dance and even post rock into just under forty-five minutes, and for the most part was a revelation. Zabelov’s pained facial expressions throughout coupled with Sikl’s rhythmic accompaniments bore all the hallmarks of two craftsmen deep in concentration, fully focused on the task at hand. Gigwise.com
Unexpected, intrinsic music. Blending together sparse electronics with jazz flourishes, this duo manage to be both complex and effortless all at once. DIY magazine
It takes a little while to wrap your head around the quirks and offshoots embedded within Zabelov and Šikl’s music, but once it clicks you’ll have a hard time ignoring it. Allthingsloud.com
It is jazz, and it is not jazz. It is modernism, but full of tradition at the same time. It is a semi-improvised, complex musical structure thats swirls with a perfectionistic care about every sound and every detail. Beehy.pe
A bright flash on the alternative music scene. Reflex magazine
The potential of the sound possibilities and the interplay of the all-electronic modulated sound of accordion and percussion, functionally complemented by a host of other instrumental and vocal tracks and samples, is tightened to its full shape. This music defies the description. All the more colorful are the feelings it evokes. UNI cultural magazine
After passing the bless on latest album, in 2019 Darla Smoking presened their new album “Extinct”, dedicated to all the wanishing live on our planet. “Extinct” will try to awake and remind again that the battles against extinction from some decades ago are still there and haven’t been getting any attention and help in solving the situations. We still have Native Americans without their prairie, Tibetian people being forced to become Chinese, Maori and Aborigini tribes drowning in the big city’s slums, massacre in Amazonia and the last sheppard in Bulgaria who is being sucked into globalisation. It goes all the way to the plastic soundscape under the Arctic sea. All in all the new album will spit out the dying screams and helpless anger while we all quietly watch the world blow in our faces. Extinct is the new dead.
Darla Smoking is a Slovenian duo of crazed cats, Brgs and Nac, who seriously shook the Slovenian grounds with the release of “Big Bug” on Kapa Records in 2017. Darla mixes various influences and sounds, including field recordings from various parts of the world, which Nac then carefully electronically processes. Brgs on the other hand provides a constant drum drive, combined with extensive use of modular synthesizers. Their sound is therefore extremely multifaceted, with the most dominant elements of world or ethno music, dub and psychedelia, but their music reaches and goes far beyond just these genres. Album Extinct is supported with live visuals on concerts by Atlas Skull who is part of Darla’s visual message from the beginning.
“A post-everything cacophony of brilliance that barges into your brain and forces your limbs to dance. It’s dub music for rockers, punk music for the electro generation, world music for the outcasts and night owls. Few bands ever get close to creating such a hedonistic, seductive racket, but that’s because few bands are like Darla Smoking.” Europavox.com
“Incredibly interesting, unusual, challenging and fresh album” Rockline.si
“The Big Bug album is proof that people who rush through life often overlook the unique moments which make this world so beautiful” RockOnNet webzine[/trim]
The Carioca-Japanese-Portuguese-Italian songwriter, Luiz Murá, was born in one of the paradise cities in the world Rio de Janeiro, Luiz always had been close to a musical atmosphere. Hearing samba on the bars and streets together with by his multicultural family. One Japanese grandfather born in Peru, another Portuguese grandfather from Madeira Portugal. One Grandmother from Brazilian-Japanese Family and the other Brazilian-Sicilian-Calabrese family. Mixing music and cultures have been going on since before he was born.
Luiz Murá left Brazil with the dream of finding music cultural connections between Brazil and other a countries around the world. It was on the Mediterranean Barcelona, that he met the Italian violinist Agostino Aragno, Desirée Miras from Spain, the contrabassist Ernesto Vargas from Mexico and the drummer Gloria Maurel from Barcelona. They all found the perfect environment to put at test their dreams: Moroccan gimbris, Italian singers, Flamenco dancers, Brazilian sambistas, Irish fiddles, Senegalese djembes, Russian bayans, Mexican mariachis and Romenian gypsies were unconsciously performing the same song, with a new sound and flavour. That became the core of MiraMundo’s path. Connecting Cultures that seem different through music.[/trim]
“Invisible World“ is based at the jazz crossroad where East European, Balkan and Mediterranean influences merge and set off in new directions. The band is led by Czech bassist Tomáš Liška, a prolific musician of many ideas and projects, joined by Turkish violinist Efe Turumtay, Serbian accordionist Nikola Zarić and Moravian drummer Kamil Slezák. Tomáš Liška met all of them in the course of his musical journey around the world, while tirelessly searching for fascinating interactions between instruments and cultures which would enthrall both him and his audiences. The foursome’s join approach is not based on individual exhibitions, but rather on a philosophy where music is a crystalline medium which irradiates a rich palette of emotional hues. These are inspired by strong melodies which are adorned by a subtle and seemingly effortless lacework of improvisation.
Invisible World have been awarded the Audience Award of the Ostrava Music Crossroads 2017 music conference. In 2018 reached nomination for the Czech “Grammy” award Ceny Anděl in category Jazz & Blues. In 2020 released their second album “Hope” which has won the Ceny Anděl award as The Best 2020 Czech Jazz Album. The band have performed at world music & jazz festivals and venues across Europe, Africa, United Kingdom and Japan including WOMEX Gran Canaria 2018.
“A sophisticated blend of New and Old World influences, including Turkish violin, Balkan accordion and a pinch of tango nuevo. The result leaves as much space for listeners as for the musicians. A great opportunity for music adventurers.”
(Petr Dorůžka, world music journalist & explorer)
“Eastern European flavours with a Parisian jazz air.” 4*/5
(Tom Newell, Songlines, December 2017)
Between New Orleans street brass band and mini-big fairground band, common jazz combo and bunch of mimes and circus clowns, the Sergent Pépère are something unique. With their shimmering rhythms and charming ingenuity the band mixes balkan, gypsy and oriental tunes with jazz, chanson, latin, folk and circus music. But what makes their show so irresistible event is their kind- hearted human humour, which is easy comprehensible for an audience of all kinds, nationalities and ages. Indoor or outdoor, across France and Europe, Sergent Pépère has been giving happiness and pleasure to children and grown up for more than 10 years now.
The Sergent Pépère was born in 1998 in French/Bretagne city of Rennes. The band started as a part of street theater Arpion Celeste and lately has morphed to the regular band. Members of the band are experienced both as actors and musicians of many musical styles. On their concerts these musicians are able as well to make their audience twitching with an incredible deal of energy as to smoothly embark them to the road of an intoxicating imaginary folklore. On stage or on streets the Sergent Pepere tumbles and sets the tone!
Francophilles, Terre-Neuvas, Coup de chauffe, Jazz a la Villette, Jazz en Touraine, Les Fondus du Macadam, Paleo Festival, Colours of Ostrava, Folk Holidays festival and many more… + touring United Kingdom, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Spain.
Wild Polka, bohemian jazz, oriental group… The Sergent Pépère’s mix is astonish! Ouest- France
There is the Sergent Pépère, and the show goes on with their delirious musical show with its mimes, acrobatic gags with 6 cranks outfitted kind of serbo-croatian middle age style! ( Lester Bowie’s brass band is not so far): a real success! Jazz Hot
With this psyche name, a crazy and coloured direction, and a singular instrumentation, Sergent Pépère is remarkable in the middle of the happy brass bands. Precise, falsely chaotic, their music blows and tinkles with class and impudence, with simple fancy. Not folk: but rare; I said! Radio Ceros
The 6 musicians, or I should say “the folklorico-mobil disarming commando” as they call themselves, proposed some jazz, gipsy songs, ouzbeks, latino with casualness. Good mood for sure! La Montagne
Sometimes you listen to a band and say to yourself – that would be great to work with such amazing artist… yep, as you wish, here you go! We are happy to announce ORKESTA MENDOZA, hot and intriguing band from Tucson, USA, is a new member of our family. Check out the band’s profile HERE.[/trim]
“Orkesta Mendoza is one of the best live bands out there. Their music delves into a myriad of directions, rhythms and moods, big band orchestrations mixed with lo fi electronica, vocals en Español together with moving instrumentals.” — Joey Burns, Calexico
Something is stirring in downtown Tucson. That’s no great surprise perhaps: Calexico have been sending out missives from the desert for 20 years now, Giant Sand for even longer than that, and the Green on Red revival is surely overdue. These three giants of American popular music ask questions of the form, chiefly because of where they are situated. Let us remind ourselves that this isn’t a big city in the American sense (it’s the country’s 33rd largest), but that its hinterland is indeed as big as it gets. For an hour south, Mexico starts. And this is where things get interesting.
Born in Nogales, Arizona, raised in Nogales, Sonora, multi-instrumentalist and band-leader Sergio Mendoza grew up listening to the Mexican regional styles jostling for headspace in a young, music- mad mind – cumbia mainly, but mambo, rancheras and mariachi too. The border is always a fierce arena of exchange, both commercial and cultural, and so there was American music too. At one point ‘rock and roll, the classics’, as Mendoza himself deadpans, seemed to win out and he stopped playing those ‘Latin styles’ for a good decade and a half.
The return to those sounds was a strong one in 2012’s Mambo Mexicano, co-produced by Mendoza and Joey Burns of Calexico – a band for which Mendoza has become an increasingly integral touring and recording member. While that record had a studied air, tentative in parts (as befits the renewal of an old love affair), ¡Vamos A Guarachar!, released on 7 October 2016 by prestigious Glitterbeat Rec., is another beast entirely: by turns raucous (‘Cumbia Volcadora’, featuring Mexican electronic pioneer Camilo Lara), tender (‘Misterio’, surely Salvador Duran’s finest moment with the band so far) and plain serious fun, as in ‘Contra La Marea’ and ‘Mapache’, it also bears a robust electronic edge, a keen pop sensibility and all the hallmarks of Mendoza’s love of 60s rock, with the closing track, ‘Shadows of the Mind’, sure to be included if anyone decides to update the Nuggets collection for the 21st century. This is roundabout way of saying that it appears to have everything, but never too much of anything. Focused, fierce and beautifully executed by a superbly drilled set of musicians, it is a record that fully matches the band’s explosive live performances.
Nogales, Sonora, Nogales, Arizona: this is what the border looks like here – for now. To talk about borders and the diasporas they create, is to be pitched headlong into our era’s most urgent debate, marked by Trump’s lurid obscenities and the lines being hastily reinstated across Europe. Orkesta Mendoza’s contribution to that debate is to show us what the border sounds like and what masterpieces can be achieved by honest cultural exchange. What we decide to do with that information is up to us. With this record, however, we’ll have an awful lot of fun deciding.
You could, of course, take the trip to Tucson yourself, to the home of this essential set of field recordings. The scene hangs out together, so … if the stars align and their frantic tour schedules permit, you might see any number of folks from Calexico, Giant Sand or up-and-coming cumbia rockers XIXA deep in conversation somewhere in town with a quiet young man in black. That’s Sergio. Right now, in this endless game of Tucson tag, Orkesta Mendoza are IT.
“Mixing 60s rock styles with traditional Latin stompers, the US-Mexicanband are both experimental and rousing.” – The Guardian
“A sunny-side-up mix of cumbia, mambo, indie and electronica… If you think Latin American music tends towards the formula, try this out for size.” — fRoots
“Sergio Mendoza is probably my favourite musician of this time. He has the cumbia and mambo in his DNA, but he has the power to make it sound like today. His Orkesta is as punk as the Sex Pistols and as violent as Perez Prado” — Camilo Lara, Mexican Institute of Sound
TERNE ČHAVE are considered as probably the oldest working and definitely one of the most famous Roma (Gypsy) bands in the Czech Republic. The band is renowned for their distinctive sound blending Central European traditional gypsy music with funk, rock, soul, ska, jazz, blues and other influences. Many years ago these musicians have stood on their own feet and crossed borders of Roma ghetto. Bringing their gadjo friends as musicians among themselves they set out into the big world. Touring Europe from Czech Republic and Slovakia via Poland, Hungary, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Benelux, England to Scotland, wherever they go people are dancing.
Today Terne Čhave are band without ethnic or genre limits but their gypsy roots give them a solid base for musical trips to destinations too distant for many others. The band doesn’t fuss about style too much and you will have no time to think about it too because much of their songs are played with devil’s tempo. But in case you wouldn’t sleep this off we can reveal that this is the real gypsy rock’n’roll or … It’s only Rom’n’Roll!!! | <urn:uuid:93b70097-50c3-4cac-90a8-10c0d041b2f6> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://www.earthmusic.eu/en/tag/world-music-2/ | 2022-05-21T18:44:24Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662540268.46/warc/CC-MAIN-20220521174536-20220521204536-00200.warc.gz | en | 0.943018 | 4,563 |
Human actors aren’t the only stars when it comes to movies and TV-series. Sometimes they can be overshadowed by machines – not androids or robots, but heart-warming, engine-revving automobiles with beauty and style and flair. So here are some of my favourite ‘caractors’. . .
My first favourite is the 1963 Ford Ecoline Van, which doesn’t sound very exciting, but is also called The Mystery Machine – which sounds much more exciting. Yes, the psychedelic blue and green van from Scooby Doo is one of the most famous film/TV vehicles around and if you ever see one, tell the girl in the orange jersey and glasses that it was probably the theme park owner who did it.
Another famous storage container on wheels is the Chevy Van, driven by the angriest man in the world – Bosco “B.A” Baracus. It is of course the A-Team van with its iconic red stripe running along the side. It is awesome and usually my go-to paintjob for any van I own in racing games.
Probably the most famous station-wagon in the film world is the 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor, also known as the ECTO-1. If you don’t recognise the name – it’s the car from Ghostbusters (the original two movies, not the 2016 remake). It is set to appear in the new Ghostbusters film, which will apparently ignore the last movie, if movie leaks can be trusted.
Charger and Gran Torino
Another awesome movie car is the 1969 Dodge Charger R/T (the General Lee) from The Dukes of Hazzard. It is one of the coolest muscle cars ever and the stunts done with it were just ridiculous! The stunt team totalled quite a few Chargers. Speaking of muscle cars – what about the Ford Gran Torino from Starsky & Hutch? Much like with the General Lee, its iconic paintjob makes it instantly recognisable with movie fans.
One of the most expensive cars to star in a movie is the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT California from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I had a miniature petrolhead panic attack when it went through the garage window and plummeted the few meters towards the ground. Luckily, it was a fake built for the movie, but it sold for nearly $400k! It’s still a few million short of the price for the real thing, but coughing up that much for a fake is quite preposterous.
Another famous Ferrari is that of the Hawaii-based ex-navy-veteran-turned-private investigator, Magnum PI, played by Tom Selleck. The series ran for eight seasons and each season saw a new version of the Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS. It is an awesome car and one of my favourite Ferraris with its manual V8 and Targa top roof.
Who can forget the sheer awesomeness that was Mad Max? The movies forever immortalised the Aussie Ford Falcon XB GT as the ‘Pursuit Special’. It was modified to look post-apocalyptic-y with its faded black paint and fake supercharger on the front. (The supercharger was functional for Mad Max 2 and Fury Road.)
For the 2015 film, as many practical effects as possible were used, meaning that most of the vehicles seen in the movie are real – from the War Rig driven by Charlize Theron’s Furiosa, to the Doof Wagon with all the speakers, and the man with a guitar-flamethrower-thingy hanging from a stretchy rope, to my favourite vehicle in the movie – The Gigahorse. It’s essentially a Cadillac El Dorado sandwich with two V8s as the cheese and some plumbing as the mayonnaise. I love it!
Fast & Furious
I will not be able to name all the various Fast & Furious cars, but I’ll give it a try: Brian’s Toyota Supra, Dom’s Dodge Charger (any of them), Han’s Mazda RX-7, Letty’s Jensen Interceptor, Jesse’s VW Jetta, Brian’s R34 Skyline GT-R, Brian’s Mitsubishi Eclipse, Letty’s Dodge Challenger, a Lamborghini Murcielago SV, a Honda S2000, the Koenigsegg CCX, the heist Dodge Chargers with the scaffolding on the back, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII, the Ford F150 SVT Lightning, the three Honda Civics, those two weird ramp cars, the Plymouth Superbird/Dodge Charger Daytona, the Ford Escort RS1800, the Ford Mustang Boss 429, the Aston Martin DB9, a Lexus LFA and many, many more.
Quite honestly, I have given up on the Fast & Furious franchise, because it had become less about the cars and more about doing increasingly outrageous and far-fetched stunts from badly written storylines – and it has become less enjoyable over time. I enjoyed the movies up until the runway scene in FF6. After that, it just got silly – and not Leslie Nielsen-silly either.
When I saw Dom “The most important thing is family” Toretto Spidermanning a Ford Mustang GT500 between some cliffs in the F9 trailer, I decided that I’m done with the franchise. Jumping a W Motors Lykan Hypersport between buildings (which has been proven to be impossible) was silly enough, but this was just stupid. I will watch F9 though, because Helen Mirren power sliding a purple Noble M600 is one of the coolest things I have ever seen.
Whilst not entirely a real car, Lady Penelope’s FAB-1 from Thunderbirds also makes this list, because I was in love and obsessed with it after I saw the 2004 movie. It used a Ford Thunderbird (wink-wink) as inspiration, but it also had wings, a jet engine and hydrofoils. It was the coolest car of my childhood and I even liked it in pink. I used to draw the FAB-1 with various extra modifications to make it even cooler. Plus Parker was an awesome valet. Ah, the nostalgia…
The Italian Job
Probably the most famous cinematic use of the Mini Cooper, occurs in The Italian Job movies and are enjoyable to watch. The 1969 movie is incredibly long-drawn-out, as movies were in those days, but it is still makes for good entertainment. The 2003 version was just used to drive up sales of the new Mini Cooper, but it was still a good movie with lots of car chases, explosions and funny quips.
Then we get to the world of Gotham City. Bruce Wayne has had quite a few awesome cars throughout the years. The coolest being the 1989 Batmobile with Michael Keaton at the wheel – the beautiful curves and jet exhaust protruding out the back and the bat wings on the rear haunches like a 1950s Cadillac. It’s such a cool car! Another favourite is the Tumbler from 2005’s Batman Begins. It is literally a tank with a motorbike coming out the front. How cool is that?!
I’m not a fan of the Justice League Batmobile as it’s too fantasy-like and too physics-ignoring. I am, however, excited for the new one with Robert Pattinson, because the new Batmobile reminds me of the Quadra Type-66 ‘Cthulhu’ muscle car from Cyberpunk 2077.
Herbie – everyone’s favourite (slightly disturbing) sentient Beetle! Yes, this racing liveried VW Beetle is probably the most famous ‘Bug’ in cinema. From doing rally stages in the 1970s and going bananas to NASCAR racing with Lindsey Lohan at the wheel, it has had quite a colourful film history. I just have a few questions though: Why is Herbie the only sentient car in his universe? Why does he make noises? WHY IS HE A BEETLE?! I NEED ANSWERS!
There are very few animation films that I wholeheartedly enjoy. The Incredibles, The Incredibles 2, Finding Nemo, Finding Dory, Shrek 2, WALL-E… That’s about it. However, in the not too long ago year of 2006, an animation movie was released that spoke to my inner petrolhead heart. That movie was Cars. I mean, come on. CARS! I watched that movie over and over and over and over. It is my favourite animated movie and will probably forever be.
The story, the characters and the setting are just perfect. I still love it! And apart from Mater, my favourite caractor is Doc Hudson, the legendary Fabulous Hudson Hornet, a car with a brilliant racing history, with its revolutionary low centre of mass. It is one of the most famous race cars in the motoring world.
Then Cars 2 came out, and it was about Mater and had spies in it! Even better! James Bond in animated car form! How utterly cool and petrolheady is that?! And there was even a big Navy boat in it! My only question still is: Why are taxis and busses a thing? Who rides in them in a car world? Trains and plains, sure – you can get in them if you are a car, but not taxis or busses. The physics of the Cars dimension still elude me.
When Cars 3 came out, I wasn’t all that impressed with either the movie or the cars featuring in it, except for one of the new caractors, which is an almost BMW CS Vintage Concept look alike. The storyline is boring, the ending you could see from a mile away and characters have about as much emotion as actual cars. It had child-friendly moonshiners and a tedious NASCAR history lesson in it. (As if NASCAR isn’t monotonous enough with everyone just continuously turning left for 500 laps.)
The Ford Mustang has been a staple of American Muscle since its introduction in 1964. In 1968, it became immortalised by Steve McQueen in his action movie Bullitt, where a dark green Fastback has a chase scene with a Dodge Charger R/T. It is such a famous car that people have tried to recreate it with each generation of Mustang – so much so that Ford themselves decided to make an anniversary edition with the 2020 version, the Mustang Bullitt, that I lust after. Plus, it is the only newish Mustang you can get in South Africa, which comes with a manual transmission, other than the new Mach 1.
Another ‘Stang that people keep trying to recreate is one known as Eleanor and is from the newer Gone in 60 Seconds, released in 2000. It was designed by the famous Chip Foose and, I must say, whilst it is a cool car – I have become bored with it. In every car game people try to replicate it with varying success and it is just annoying.
However, my favourite movie Mustang is the green/grey one from the first John Wick. It is a Mach 1 rebadged as a Boss 429 for the movie. It is an awesome car and the 1969 Mustang is without a doubt the best looking Mustang ever created (plus, a red ’69 Mach 1 lives a town away from me and I get to ogle it every now and then).
The Great Gatsby
I watched The Great Gatsby (2013) with intrigue as the whole setting is magnificent to behold. The art-deco setting of the movie with the 1920s high-life style is just brilliant! But I was even more intrigued when I saw the cars – more specifically the yellow 1932 Duesenberg Model J, which Jay Gatsby drives. (I just got that. J Gatsby drives a Model J. Funny.)
This is all wrong of course, as the movie takes place in 1922 and most of the cars in the film were produced after the movie’s setting – like the blue 1933 Auburn that Tobey Maguire’s character drives.
One of the most beautiful cars ever produced is a certain red Duesenberg Model SJ LaGrande Dual-Cowl Phaeton which, in 1932 when it was built, was the most powerful production car in the world for three years – until it was surpassed by the 1935 Duesenberg Model SSJ. The model SJ Phaeton was also the fastest car in the world in 1932, with its supercharged straight-8 and non-syncro-mesh 3-speed manual. It’s sad then that by 1937, Duesenberg had gone bankrupt and ceased to exist, leaving one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in its wake – the curious case of the ‘missing’ Duesenberg Coupé Simone…
Ah, Austin Powers. What wonderfully weird movies – with an awesome Union Jack-themed Jaguar – sorry, Shaguar. Yes, just like James Bond has his Aston, Austin Powers has his E-Type. In the second movie, his American counterpart has a Stars & Stripes-themed Chevrolet Corvette C2, which is equally awesome!
Unfortunately, in the second movie, his spy car is a be-flowered VW ‘New Beetle’ time-machine in which he travels back in time from 1999 to 1969 – and in the final movie, the spy car is a Union Jack Mini Cooper which could swim and attach itself to Dr. Evil-shaped submarines. Yes, the whole thing spiralled out of control a bit, but it was still funny.
Who can forget all of James Bond’s marvellous spy cars? From the Sunbeam Alpine in Dr. No (1962), to (what looks like) the Aston Martin Valhalla in No Time to Die (postponed to October 2021, but who knows when we’ll actually be able to finally see it? Grumble-grumble). All these cars were excellent in their movies, except maybe the Aston Martin DBS V12 in Casino Royale which chased the baddie’s Jaguar XJ for all of two minutes before getting totally… totalled. Luckily, it got the chase scene it deserved in the prologue to Quantum of Solace.
The best and most famous Bond car – and definitely one of the most famous and most beautiful cars in the world, is the 1964 Aston Martin DB5. It made its debut in Goldfinger (1964), which is one of my favourite Bond-movies, and went on to star in Thunderball (1965), GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), Casino Royale (2006), Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015). It is also set to appear in No Time to Die (please be October, dammit!) where it is again doing some stunts in an Italian village. In an interview with the stunt driver, it wasn’t explicitly said, but was implied that underneath the body it was an E46 BMW M3 with various stunt modifications.
It is difficult choosing a favourite Bond car, so I have rounded it down to three – the Aston Martin DB5, the Lotus Espirit and the Toyota 2000GT. I chose the DB5 because it is a film icon and because it is utterly beautiful in every way – from the styling and the contour lines to the wire wheels and the classic Aston Martin grille. It’s just brilliant! The reasoning behind the Espirit is because of the sheer silliness that it is. One of my favourite bits of all Bond films, is Sir Roger Moore’s smug face as he drives the Espirit out of the water and onto a French beach. It’s hilarious!
I chose the 2000GT (one of very few Toyotas I actually like) as a favourite because it has a cool story behind it. Apparently, Toyota said that it’s okay if they want to use their car as a Bond car, but when Sean Connery got to Japan to begin filming, they realised that he was way too tall to fit in it. (Standing at 1,95m myself, I can certainly relate.) So within two weeks, they cut the roofs off of two 2000GTs and strapped some covers on to make it look like a convertible – even though neither of them have functional convertible roofs. And thus, those are the only two 2000GT ‘roadsters’ in existence.
My favourite movie car is the DeLorean DMC-12 from the Back to the Future franchise. It looks like a concept car that was actually put into production, much like the modern BMW i8. Yes, apparently it is terrible to drive and the engine is pitifully underpowered, but it is an awesome car nonetheless. I mean, the gullwing-like doors make it unquestionably cool already, but then it was chosen to be a time machine in one of the most loved sci-fi movies franchises of all time. I love it!
The cool thing is that there is still a huge following for the DeLorean and thus parts and upgrades are available – not only in the USA, but in Great Britain as well. Many DeLorean owners swop the puny 2.85L V6 out for Chevy V8s and even convert them to EVs, which is splendid!
My choices may not be the ones you like, but they’re mine and they may change as new caractors are being cast in future movies. Not everyone might like cars (speaking of you, Greta) or think of them as a terribly exciting subject, but they are a part of our everyday lives and they will continue to be for the foreseeable future – in one way or another. So, why not continue celebrating them in everyday entertainment?
Watch this space for a sequel…
…whenever it’s eventually done.
Help stop the hate – adopt a V8!
©2021 Michael De Kock
Michael de Kock is a blogger, because he likes it, a Psychology graduate, because he thought it’d be interesting (so many essays) and is busy doing a National Certificate in Motor Mechanics to get more skilled, as he struggles to get a job in this day and age in this country.
In the meantime, why not help him with paying the bills by buying his new book?
125 Writing Prompts for Petrolheads. Now available on Amazon Kindle – https://amzn.to/3lwaUPh. | <urn:uuid:85eb34c8-d5c9-4953-9db9-9d2d688e0516> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://michaeldekock.com/tag/dodge-charger-r-t/ | 2022-05-23T01:42:14Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662552994.41/warc/CC-MAIN-20220523011006-20220523041006-00200.warc.gz | en | 0.958927 | 3,909 |
Update: Now $3 more, but still a good deal.
If you need a lot of extra space for your Nintendo Switch, GoPro, or smartphone, SanDisk’s massive 200GB microSD card is back down to $63 on Amazon today. It’s been cheaper a few times in the past, including during a Gold Box deal last week, but this deal is still a few bucks less than usual, if you’re in the market.
While supplies last on Amazon (which probably won’t be long), $48 gets you a refurbished T-Mobile AC1900 router, which is actually just a rebranded version of the $136 ASUS RT-AC68U, which is our readers’ favorite router.
The T-Mobile version has some T-Mobile branding, and uses custom firmware that claims to be optimized for Wi-Fi calling, but under the hood, it’s just a standard (and very popular) Wi-Fi router. You can even flash the firmware and install the original ASUS version, or a third party solution, if you wanted to put in the work. Just check out the customer reviews for ideas.
“The Beats X are the third product from Beats (and the fourth from all of Apple) to use the new W1 Bluetooth chipset. This Apple-designed chipset should allow for better battery life. It also makes pairing with an Apple device a total snap—as long as your iPhone runs iOS 10.1 or higher. All I had to do to pair was turn the Beats X and bring them near my phone. A ‘Connect’ button instantly popped up and I was off—music ready to be heard wirelessly.”
We’ve seen our fair share of USB power receptacle deals, but this $16 2-pack from iClever is the most affordable deal yet. Half the things you plug in these days probably plug into USB, so it just makes a ton of sense to install these around your house. Just make sure you know what you’re doing. Just use promo code WALLPLATE at checkout to save a few bucks.
Anker’s most impressive entry in the true wireless headphone market is on sale for the lowest price we’ve seen since they were on Kickstarter.
You can read our impressions of the Zolo Liberty+ over on Gear, but here are some highlights:
- 3.5 hour battery, plus a charging case with enough power for 48 hours of playback.
- Transparency mode that lets in some ambient noise.
- Customizable EQ settings.
- Bluetooth 5.0 for a stable connection.
All you have to do is use promo code LIBERTYZ at checkout to save a whopping $40. That’s $10 better than the last deal we saw, back before Valentine’s Day.
What dummy created this thing and didn’t name it the Power Tower?
This Aukey charger includes 12 AC outlets and six USB ports, so you can plug in all of the things. Just use code AUKEYPS5 at checkout to get it for $35.
There’s not a whole lot to say here: This phone stand has a nearly perfect review average form almost 7,000 customers, looks great, and is only $6 today with code 7LM3H6FB. Why wouldn’t you put one on your desk?
Want to stream the NBA playoffs, or the reboot of Trading Spaces? They’re both included in the $35 base package of DIRECTV Now, and so is a free Roku Streaming Stick when you prepay for a month.
This is similar to the Apple TV promotion (which is still active), except instead of paying for three months in advance, you’ll only have to pay for one. That’s like getting a $15 discount on the normally-$50 Roku Streaming Stick, plus a month of over-the-top cable access.
If you’re still using a computer that doesn’t run off an SSD, fix that today with an all-time low price on this 500GB drive from Crucial. It carries a stellar 4.6 star rating, and you could even turn it into a DIY portable SSD, if you felt so inclined.
Love Alexa, and wish you could take her with you on your commute? Anker’s running a $12 discount on their hands-free, Alexa-enabled car charger today with promo code AKAMVIVA.
You can check out my full impressions here, bu the Roav VIVA from Anker does an admirable job of providing hands-free Alexa access while you’re driving, including turn-by-turn directions, your daily briefing, and even third party Alexa apps like Jeopardy. As befitting an Anker product, it’s also a dual port car charger, albeit an awkwardly designed one.
These Anker PowerLine+ Lightning cables are wrapped in nylon, include a pouch to keep them from tangling, and come with an 18 month warranty, all of which are improvements over Apple’s own Lightning cable, and that’s not even accounting for how much nicer they feel to use.
Oh yeah, and at $10 each, they cost half as much as what you’d pay at the Apple Store for an inferior product. Get them for $10 each with promo code ANKERA82, in the color of your choice.
DirecTV Now is one of the better over-the-top cable replacements out there, and with this deal, there’s very little reason not to give it a try.
For a limited time, if you prepay for three months of the service at $35 per month, you’ll get a 4K Apple TV included for free. That Apple TV costs $179 normally, so you’re basically getting a $74 discount on the box, plus three months of live TV. No brainer.
VPNs have been in the news, and whether you want to get around video geoblocks, circumvent proxy filters, or just keep prying eyes out of your browsing data while using sketchy public Wi-Fi, reader-favorite Private Internet Access has a deal to fit your needs.
Last month, they offered our readers $10 off two year memberships, but this time around, you get a few more choices, ranging from a quick taste of the service to an extended commitment with additional savings:
- One month for $6 | Usually $7
- One year for $35 | Usually $40
- Three years for $90 | Not offered to the general public at all
These deals are only for our readers, but we aren’t sure how long they’ll be available, so go ahead and sign up while you can.
The Instant Pot Ultra features a completely revamped, dial-based UI that makes fine-tuned adjustments faster and easier than the older models. A new processor allows it to compensate for altitude and carry out completely custom programs, and it also has a few modes you won’t find on the standard Instant Pots, like cake, eggs, and sterilize. For a limited time (probably very limited), the 6 qt. version is on sale for $40 off, bringing it to within $10 of the price of the regular model.
We saw a similar deal on the 3 qt. model yesterday, and it was gone within hours.
If you’re worried that you won’t get a ton of use out of this thing, note that in addition to speedy pressure cooking, this is also our readers’ favorite slow cooker, and one of their favorite rice cookers too. Basically, it’s one of the most versatile kitchen gadgets you can own.
Is it cliché? Sure, a little. But what mom wouldn’t want to get a bunch of fancy chocolate-covered berries for Mother’s Day?
From now until the big day, you can save 25% off any $39+ order from Shari’s Berries when you use our special link. The discount will work sitewide, but you’ll find their mother’s day selection here, which is a good place to start.
Arrangements that start over $39 will show the discount by default, but you can add on cards, ribbons, or a box of cake balls to some of the cheaper options to get over the discount threshold.
Update: This is now listed at $122, but it’s still a good deal.
If you aren’t familiar with the concept of a wake-up light, the gist is that the light turns on and gradually brightens for 30 minutes prior to your alarm going off. This sunrise simulation usually won’t wake you up, but it will jog you out of deep sleep and get you ready to wake up, so you don’t feel like garbage for half the morning. I’ve owned one for years now, and I swear by it.
In addition to the cool, donut-like design, the high end Philips Somneo includes tons of lighting options, built-in white noise, a breathing relaxation mode that you can use when going to sleep at night, a USB charging port for your phone, and a bunch of wake-up sounds. The best feature though? <Music from a heavenly choir rains down from the sky> An eight hour battery backup so a power outage won’t mess up your alarm! Finally! Its price has been falling precipitously over the last few weeks, and it’s now down to $119. Prior to this month, it rarely dropped below $160.
Camping, drinking, what could possibly go wrong? This four-pack of stainless steel Stanley shot glasses comes with a screw top carrying case that clips to your back. Just don’t go overboard, bears can smell inebriation from miles away. Get the set for $10 today, which is the best price Amazon’s ever listed.
Feel like getting out of town, but don’t know where yet? Check out Alaska Airlines’ latest flight sale, with one-way tickets starting at $54 from dozens of cities. I clicked around a few random deals, and the lowest prices were available for a surprising amount of dates, so you should be able to find a deal that fits your schedule.
Note: If the link doesn’t work, try pausing your ad blocker.
If the Magno Ti’s unique magnetic mechanism didn’t do it for you (or if you were scared off by its thick 2mm lead), here’s another premium mechanical pencil that you can preorder on Kickstarter. The Grafton pencil is made of anodized aluminum (silver or black) and uses standard .5mm or .7mm leads.
They sent me a couple to try out, and in my hand at least, I think they really nailed the weight. The aluminum feels great in the hand, and while they’re heavy enough to feel premium, they’re not so heavy as to give you finger cramps during long writing sessions. Get one for $29 ($6 below retail), or two for $55 by preordering, with delivery expected next month.
We sort through the noise of Kickstarter to find you preorder discounts worth taking advantage of. Someone on our team has tested a prototype (or final version) of every Kickstarter we cover.
You don’t need a yard, or even any gardening skills to grow your own food at home; you just need one of these Click and Grow countertop gardens. Both the Smart Garden 3 and the Smart Garden 9 are 25% off for Mother’s Day.
To start growing, you simply pop in the seed pods, pour in some water, plug into a power outlet, and the machine does the rest - even alerting you when it needs more water. As you may have guessed, the Smart Garden 3 has accommodations for three plants and the Smart Garden 9 has nine slots, both include enough seed pods to get you started with a full garden. These also make great gifts.
After the $3 off coupon and Subscribe & Save discount, these 30 mini Larabars are just $14. That’s 10 bars of each flavor; apple pie, peanut butter chocolate chip, and peanut butter cookie.
If you’ve never had Larabars before, they’re gluten free, dairy free, kosher, non-GMO bars mostly made from dates. Full of some of their most popular flavors, this box would be a very good one to test out. Just remember, you can cancel your next Subscribe & Save order anytime after your first one ships.
Update: This deal is back, if you missed it last week. Use promo code UJKCMIUZ
Only luddites use tape measures anymore. This laser distance measurer takes instant distance readings of up to 164', and includes several built-in area calculation functions, in case you’re a little rusty on your middle school geometry. Use promo code UJKCMIUZ and see the discount at checkout.
If you still have any incandescent bulbs in your home that you haven’t already replaced, it’s time to upgrade them to LED. Amazon’s selling a four-pack of frosted 60W equivalents from Philips today for just $9, so stock up, because they’ll pay for themselves.
If you want to go all out, Philips’ full color Hue smart bulbs are also on sale for $41 each, or about $9 less than usual.
Typically selling for around $45 on Amazon, you can snuggle up with one of these all-season down alternative comforters for $27 or less today, thanks to this Woot sale. The comforters have a solid 4.3 star rating on Amazon and over 1,300 reviews. Plus, you’ll have six color options and sizes ranging from twin to king. This sale will only last through the end of the day or until the products sell out, so if you’re in need of a new comforter, don’t sleep on it.
If you want to try a standing desk, but you’re not ready to commit to it for eight hours per day (editor’s note: don’t stand at your desk for eight hours per day), today’s Amazon Gold Box has a couple of deals just for you.
These 35" and 42" risers from iMovr aren’t the cheapest we’ve seen, but they do have a few features that you won’t find on most competing products, including compatibility with monitor arms, a tilting keyboard tray that encourages better wrist positioning, and even an included standing desk mat. Trust me, you’re going to want the standing desk mat.
Today’s prices are both all-time lows, but they’re only available today, and could sell out early.
You know those “Magic Erasers” that can wipe stains off seemingly any surface? They’re really just melamine sponges with a marketing budget, and you can get 20 off-brand equivalents for just $9 on Amazon. I used these after moving into a new apartment last year, and they made quick work of all of the scuffs I made on the walls.
We’ve seen packs with more sponges for about the same price, but they usually ship from China, whereas these have Prime shipping, and are even eligible for Subscribe & Save. They’re also twice as thick as most of the inexpensive competitors on Amazon, so they should last longer and be easier to use.
Mother’s Day is 11 days away, so if you’re on the hunt for a gift, you’re sure to find your mom’s favorite chocolate in this Amazon sale. They have the fancy Ferrero Rocher, Lindt, and Godiva boxes, the more classic favorites like Reese’s and Hershey’s, and more.
This deal will only last until the end of the day or until the chocolate sells out, so don’t wait too long.
Gulp down savings on this Camelbak chute water bottle today. It’s just $6, the lowest price ever, and a significant discount from the usual $16. Just note, this is an Add-on item so it’ll only ship for free with a larger order.
If you’re hooked on sparkling waters like the rest of the country, these IZZE sparkling juices are a more flavorful way to get your fix. Plus, today they’re the cheapest they’ve been in months. Get 24 cans in four different flavors for about $9 when you use Subscribe & Save and clip the 25% coupon. Drink up!
This microfiber towel is considered by many detailing aficionados to be the best for drying off your car after you wash it. In fact, I can personally confirm that it’s less a towel and more a towel-shaped sponge. It’s also down to one of the lowest prices Amazon’s ever listed.
Update: Back in stock for $255, if you missed it last week.
If you want a Big Green Egg charcoal grill, but don’t want to cash in your 401(k) to buy one, this Char-Griller alternative is down to $255 on Amazon today, the best price in months.
The Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker features a 306 square inch cast iron cooking surface (which is most similar to the $829 large Big Green Egg), and traps heat inside a heavily-insulated stainless steel body. For those of you that follow Drew Magary’s culinary adventures, this is the grill he used to become a big bad smokeboy.
Obviously, this isn’t the “real thing,” but the consensus among Amazon reviewers is that it’s at least nearly as good, which sounds like a decent compromise considering it’s less than 1/4 of the price, and comes with a stable cart and folding shelves, both of which you’d need to buy separately with the Egg.
Grabbing breakfast or lunch with coworkers can be a great way to break up the day, but more often than not you’ll just wallow in your own indecision before ordering a bad $12 sandwich.
Break the cycle with Soylent, a nutritionally complete meal replacement shake that now comes in a variety of flavors (no, green is not one of them). The 20% discount will apply to your first Subscribe & Save shipment, which you can always cancel after you get your first box.
Prices vary by flavor, but you can get 12 bottles of Vanilla for $26 with this deal, or a 2.3 pound tub of powdered Soylent for the same price.
Clicking the button on a mechanical pencil was a fidget toy before fidget toys were even a thing, but it was just made obsolete by the power of magnets.
The Magno Ti mechanical pencil uses an intuitive magnetic ring to raise and lower the 2mm lead. It’s also constructed from polished or brushed aluminum, and the simplicity of its magnetic mechanism means that it should enjoy a much longer lifespan than the cheap pencils you’d buy at the store.
Chemical Guys make some of the most popular car detailing products on the market, and Amazon’s currently taking 20% off several soaps, waxes, tire and glass cleaners, and more today. They’ve been running coupons on their cleaning products pretty often recently, but today’s sale also includes some of their popular brushes, towels, and sponges.
Just note that the prices listed on this page don’t include the discount, so you won’t see the deal until checkout.
Bask in the nice spring weather with one of these discounted waterproof blankets. You can take your pick between the pineapple (with code FRLHLDL4), navy plaid (with code J4692ZE4), or green leaves (with code NADVT266), all for $19 or less.
It’s almost barbecue season, and you can be ready with a set of Char-Broil potato screws, now marked down $9 for six, within $1 of an all-time low. As you might have guessed from the name, you screw these stainless steel corkscrews into potatoes, and throw them on the grill. The screws make them easier to grab with tongs or gloves, and help transfer grill heat to the inside of the potato, which makes them cook faster.
These $8 gloves (with promo code DR5MYTKE) let you grab a hot pan out of the oven, pull meat right off a grill, or even turn logs in an active campfire without getting burned, like some kind of kitchen superhero. We’ve seen silicone barbecue gloves for less than this in the past, but these are rated for much higher temperatures, and should be more flexible as well.
Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away, and if you haven’t already ordered flowers, you can save 25% on any $39+ order from ProFlowers today by using our exclusive link.
This deal should work sitewide, but you can find the most popular Mother’s Day bouquets here. Any bouquets that starts at over $39 shows the discounted price by default, but you can also pick a cheaper option and add a premium vase to get over the $39 threshold, but you won’t see the discounted price until you get to checkout.
Of all the things you can run out of in your bathroom, contact solution might be the most annoying. You can always squeeze a little more toothpaste out of the tube, but once you find an empty bottle of contact solution, you’re either making a late night run to the pharmacy, or sacrificing a pair of perfectly good contacts.
Today on Amazon, you can save $5 on a 2-pack of ReNu lens solution, bringing the pack down to $10, or $9 if you use Subscribe & Save. If you prefer Biotrue, that also has a $5 coupon that brings it down to $11, but you’ll have to use Subscribe & Save in that case.
For a limited time, Amazon will sell you three pouches of Tide HE-compatible Free & Gentle laundry detergent (totaling 144 ounces or 93 loads) for just $14. These pouches are designed basically as refills for plastic Tide bottles, but as long as that doesn’t bother you, this is a fantastic price-per-ounce for any detergent, let alone name brand. Just be sure to clip the $3 coupon on the page and use Amazon Subscribe & Save.
Okay, so socks aren’t the most fun thing to buy, but when it comes to technical materials and form factors, it can be a jungle out there. What style is best for hiking compared to rock climbing? Do you even need socks if you’re fishing? Backcountry’s 20% off sale lets you decide what kinds of socks you need from brands like Smartwool, Darn Tough, Pendleton and more.
Gel manicures are A Thing right now, but paying for one (especially if you’ve already mastered the art of painting your nails) seems redundant. Amazon is having a one-day sale on a bunch of different nail dryers. And with a 4.3 average rating with over 1,200 reviews on a few of them, this may be your best time-and-money-saving investment yet.
I’m not the biggest fan of mud and clay masks but the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay mask has survived the testament of beauty time. With a 4.4 star rating with over 17,000 (yes, thousand) reviews, it’s safe to say this shit works. And, for $11 you get a giant, 2lb tub of the stuff that’ll last you until you’re as dried up and powdery as the mask itself.
If you want to take better care of your teeth, buying a Philips Sonicare 2 Series toothbrush for $30 would be a great start.
We sometimes see the Sonicare Essence available for $20 (in fact, it is right now), but for $10 more, the 2 Series includes a slimmer design, compatibility with multiple brush head styles, and a smaller charger that’s easier to pack in a suitcase.
May the Fourth isn’t actually here for another couple of days, but ThinkGeek is cashing in on the impending Star Wars frenzy. They’re taking up to 80% off four pages worth of merchandise. Everything from t-shirts and socks to animatronic Porgs. There’s even a freakin’ R2-D2 french press.
Try not to panic, but Amazon is raising the price of Prime for the first time in four years, from $99 per year to $119. The change goes into effect on May 11 for new members, and June 16 for renewing members. This is obviously disappointing, if not surprising given all the benefits Amazon’s added since 2014. But if your renewal date is after June 16, there is (probably) a way to get another year at the old price.
The trick is to buy an Amazon Prime gift subscription now, and then redeem it on your account once it comes time to renew. The fine print on gift memberships says that redeeming them with an existing Prime account will net a gift card for the amount you paid, rather than an additional year of Prime, so you’ll need to remember to cancel your membership before you redeem the gift. Luckily, if you go into your account settings, there’s an option to receive a reminder three days before your account is set to auto-renew.
Let me be clear, while this trick worked the last time Amazon raised the price of Prime, it’s entirely possible it won’t this time. Amazon would be in its rights to not allow people to redeem $99 Prime gift memberships after the price goes up. But I feel pretty confident that, in the worst case scenario, they’d at least give you a gift card for whatever you paid, so you wouldn’t really be out any money. It’s a small risk, but could be worth it to save $20.
With exclusive shows like Westworld and access tons of movies, including several recent hits, $15 per month is honestly not a lot to ask for HBO, which is what you normally pay when subscribing to HBO Now. But for a limited time, you can add the same library of HBO content to your Hulu membership for just $5 per month for the first six months.
Note: To find the deal, just click the Add-Ons button on the top of the page once you sign into your account.
To get the deal, you’ll need to be a paid Hulu subscriber (plans start at just $8 per month), and it’s not valid for anyone that added HBO to their membership in the past. It’ll also automatically renew at the standard $15 rate after six months, so keep that in mind. But otherwise, there really aren’t a ton of strings attached here: six months of HBO for $30 is a crazy-good deal.
If the pirate’s life is for you, Sea of Thieves is down to $44 on Amazon, the lowest price we’ve seen so far. Just make sure you have some other sailors in your squad, because it’s not much fun playing by yourself.
Whether you prefer to buy your Xbox games digitally, or just occasionally need to buy DLC, it’s worth adding $100 to your Xbox Live wallet for just $85. Just be sure to log in to Rakuten account and use promo code SAVE15 at checkout to get the deal.
May the 4th is upon us, and Humble’s celebrating with a galaxy-sized sale on Star Wars PC games. Save big on the likes of KOTOR, LEGO Star Wars, and The Force Unleashed, with an extra 10% off at checkout for Humble Monthly subscribers.
Have any favorites included in (or missing from) the sale? Drop them in the comments.
The brutal and beautiful Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze is out on Switch this Friday, which means Prime members only have a few days left to preorder and save 20%. That’s still too costly for a port of a four year old game, but hey, it’s Nintendo, we’ll take the discounts when we can get them.
Humble’s run bundles in the past with tools for game developers, but the new CRYENGINE bundle is worth checking out, even if you’ve never seen a line of code in your life.
In addition to training videos and CRYENGINE assets, the bundle includes a bunch of games that were made with the engine, including a couple of games from the Sniper series, and Homefront: The Revolution. As always, you can name your own price, but you’ll need to pledge $15 to get access to everything.
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Master Direct (Complemento Directo) vs Indirect Objects (Complemento Indirecto) in Spanish
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish which object is accompanying a verb and whether it is a Direct Object (DO) or an Indirect Object (IO) in English.
These grammatical objects also exist in Spanish, and are known as Complemento Directo (CO) and Complemento Indirecto (CI).
So, if you were to read (or hear) the following sentences, would you be able to tell what was the Direct Object and what was the Indirect Object?
• Yesterday, I saw your mother at the cinema. Ayer vi a tu madre en el cine.
• I am writing a letter to my sister. Estoy escribiendo una carta a mi hermana.
• The dog barks at the children. El perro ladra a los niños.
• John greets Paul. Juan saluda a Pablo.
If you were able to recognize each one, great job! However, if not, don’t worry.
You’ll definitely be able to learn it. Now, let’s think of a different question: if I were to ask you to replace the direct object noun or the indirect object noun, would you be able to do it?
Just like in English, it is typical to replace or substitute the noun objects with pronoun objects in Spanish. But, why?
Well, when we speak Spanish, we want to avoid repetition or redundancy as much as possible. Therefore, in this article, we will take a look at the principles, structures and forms in order to clear up any questions regarding whether we should choose nouns or pronouns when using direct and indirect objects.
Direct Object: Nouns and Pronouns
In grammatical terms, a direct object of a verb is a noun or a pronoun that is being directly acted upon by a person or thing by way of a verb:
• He hits the ball. (Él) golpea la pelota.
• The dog bites John. El perro muerde a Juan.
• We saw them. (Nosotros) los vimos.
• I found it. (Yo) lo encontré.
“The ball” and “John” are both nouns, while “them” (los) and “it” (lo) are both pronouns, being that they take the place of other, presumably previously mentioned, nouns.
• We saw our friends (them). Vimos a nuestros amigos (a ellos).
• I found the money (it). Yo encontré el dinero.
We can further distinguish between personalobject nouns (John / Juan, our friends/ nuestros amigos) and impersonalobject nouns (the ball / la pelota, the money / el dinero).
In English, all direct objects, whether nouns or pronouns, are placed after the verb they are the object of in everyday speech. There are some exceptions, such as in certain forms of poetry, where the direct object is occasionally placed in front. Examples:
• Her beauty, I have admired for many years.
• That I would not care to say.
In Spanish, a noun that acts as a direct object is also normally placed directly after the verb. However, because Spanish word order is more flexible than that of English, this is not always the case, even in normal speech.
Nevertheless, when the direct object of the verb is personal and refers to a specific person or group of people, the preposition a (often called the “personal a”) must be placed before the noun or name referring to the person.
This preposition, however, has no English equivalent, and is simply used as a marker in Spanish in order to indicate that following noun is a direct object (and not the subject) of the verb.
On the other hand, when the direct object is impersonal, or does not specify a particular person, no preposition is put before the noun.
Note that when the a is followed by the masculine singular definite article el, these two words contract to form a + el = al.
• Deseo ver al señor Escudero. (personal, specific)
• Deseo ver una película. (non-personal)
• Juan visita a la amiga de su madre. (personal, specific)
• Juan visita Madrid. (non-personal)
• Diego llama a su jefe. (personal, specific)
• Diego llama un taxi. (non-personal)
• ¿Conoce usted a María? (personal, specific)
• ¿Conoce usted esta playa? (non-personal)
• Busco al mecánico. (a specific one)
• Busco un mecánico. (any one)
In many speech and writing situations, however, replacing nouns by pronouns is preferred being that it is cumbersome to keep repeating a noun that has already been mentioned. This “noun replacement” process happens particularly in question-answer situations.
• Have you still got the money? ¿Tienes (tú) todavía el dinero?
• No, I’ve spent it. No (yo) lo he gastado.
Languages have therefore developed sets of direct object pronouns to fulfill this function. In Spanish these are as follows:
• Masculine: lo / los
• Feminine: la / las
Note that the direct object pronouns differ by number (singular and plural) and gender (masculine and feminine). The form used in a particular sentence is determined by the number and gender of the noun that is replaced. This is called pronoun agreement.
Another characteristic of Spanish pronouns that is different from English usage is that when used with conjugated forms of the verb (that is, with verbs in the present, future, past tense, etc.), the direct object pronouns are placed before the verb. In this regard, Spanish is similar to French, but different from English.
Consider the following examples:
• ¿Ya conoce Carmen a Carlos? Sí, ya lo conoce. (masculine, singular: him)
• ¿Ya conoce Carlos a Carmen? Sí, ya la conoce. (feminine, singular: her)
• ¿Conoce José a Pedro y Julián? No, no los conoce. (masculine, plural: them)
• ¿Conoce Manuel a las chicas? No, no las conoce. (feminine, plural: them)
The same set of pronouns is used to replace non-personal (inanimate object) nouns as well, because we now know that gender is not limited to human beings alone in Spanish. All nouns are either masculine or feminine in gender, and hence, are replaced by the pronoun that corresponds to that gender, whether singular or plural.
• ¿Compraste (tú) el coche? (masculine, singular) Sí, lo compré
• ¿Ve (usted) la casa? (feminine, singular) No, no la veo
• ¿Estudian los chicos los poemas? (masculine, plural) Sí, los estudian
• ¿Tenéis (vosotras) las fresas? (feminine, plural) No, no las tenemos
• ¿Bebe usted agua todos los día? (feminine, singular) Sí, la bebo todos los días
You should note in the last example that even when the noun is used without a definite article, it is still replaced by the appropriate direct object pronoun (in this case, la).
Also, you should remember that the noun agua is feminine, even though it is accompanied by the article el: el agua. Other exceptions include el mapa and el problema.
• Teresa lee el mapa de carreteras. Teresa *lo* lee.
• No entiendo el problema. No *lo* entiendo.
Placement of Direct Object Pronouns with Infinitives and Gerunds.
When a direct object pronoun is used in conjunction with an infinitive or a gerund, the pronoun is placed after the infinitive or gerund and is attached to it, forming one single word.
There are some allowable exceptions to the rule, however, such as when the object pronoun is located elsewhere in the sentence. Nevertheless, it is better to learn the base rule first and then learn the variations later. That way, you can be sure of always being right, even if your style might sometimes be a bit more formal than native speakers.
• ¿Quieres ver esta película? No, no quiero verla hoy
• ¿Es fácil aprender español? Sí, es muy fácil aprenderlo
• ¿Cuándo vas a hacer estas tareas? Voy a hacerlas mañana
• ¿Puede usted ayudar a esos hombres? No, no puedo ayudarlos
• Ana, ¿estás limpiando las cortinas? Sí, claro estoy limpiándolas
• ¿Está mirando la columna? Sí, está mirándola
Indirect Object: Nouns and Pronouns
So far, we have seen how nouns that are the direct objects of verbs can be replaced by their equivalent direct object pronouns.
• ¿Estás leyendo ese libro? Sí, estoy leyéndolo
However, in addition to direct objects, there are also indirect objects, which are noun phrases that indicate to whom or for whom an action is done.
• I write to my mother. Escribo a mi madre. (feminine, singular: her)
They also often occur in sentences that already have a direct object.
• He gives the book (DO) to his brother (IO). (Él) da un libro (DO) a su hermano (IO)
Spanish also allows an indirect object to precede a direct object without any apparent change to the meaning. We can restate the sentence above in this way:
• (Él) da a su hermano (IO) un libro (DO)
Here are some other examples:
• Mando la carta (DO) al banco (IO)
• Mando al banco (IO) la carta (DO)
• Ofrecemos dinero (DO) a nuestros hijos (IO)
• Ofrecemos a nuestros hijos (IO) dinero (DO)
On the other hand, there are some English verbs that only take indirect objects, and never a direct object.
• That idea appealed to the professor (IO). Esta idea sedujo al professor (IO
• That didn’t occur to the police (IO). Eso no ocurrió al policía (IO)
Similar structures occur in Spanish. Indirect objects are most frequently found with verbs that also take direct objects, but there are a number of verbs that only take indirect objects. Such verbs have to be learned as we encounter them.
However, when such structures are found in a question, it is much easier to answer that question by replacing the noun phrases with pronouns (the shorter form), being that it is redundant to repeat them if it is already quite clear what we are talking about. We have already learned direct object pronouns, in which the direct object forms distinguish between both number and gender:
• Masculine Singular: lo / Plural: los
• Feminine Singular: la / Plural: las
However, in Spanish, indirect object pronouns only distinguish between singular and plural, and the gender doesn’t matter. Thus:
• Singular: le (se)
• Plural: les (se)
In the third person, le and les are much more ambiguous. Le can mean both a él, a ella, or a usted according to the noun it is referring to, while les can mean a ellos, a ellas, or a ustedes. So, the gender of whomever is completing the verb is not important.
Let’s see how this substitution works if we turn the example sentences above into questions. For the moment though, we will only change the indirect objects to pronouns, leaving the direct object nouns in the answers (this is not the way that it is generally done in Spanish).
• ¿Mandaste la carta (DO) al banco (IO)?
• Sí, le (IO) mandé la carta en seguida
• ¿Dan dinero (DO) a sus hijos (IO)?
• No, nunca les (IO) damos dinero
• ¿Compra el hombre muchos regalos (DO) a su mujer (IO)?
• Sí, cada semana le (IO) compra un regalo
As with direct object and reflexive object pronouns, indirect object pronouns are placed before the verb when it is in a conjugated (tense) form.
However, if the verb is an infinitive or uses a gerund, then the indirect object pronoun (like the direct) is generally placed after the infinitive or gerund.
Due to the pronunciation problems that would occur when an indirect object pronoun appears before a direct object pronoun, we have to use the se instead of le form.
Let’s go back to our example sentences, and this time transform both object nouns into pronouns:
• ¿Mandaste la carta al banco?
• Sí, se (le) la mandé en seguida
• ¿Dan dinero a sus hijos?
• No, nunca se (le) lo damos
• ¿Compra el hombre regalos a su mujer?
• Sí, se (les) los compra cada semana
Now, let’s remember this set of pronouns:
• Direct Pronoun me Indirect Pronoun me (a mí)
• Direct Pronoun teIndirect Pronoun te (a ti)
• SubjectÉl / Ella / Usted
• Direct Pronoun lo / la
• Indirect Pronoun le o se (a él / a ella / a Usted)
• SubjectNosotros (as)
• Direct Pronoun nosIndirect Pronoun nos ( a nosotros - as)
• SubjectVosotros (as)
• Direct Pronoun osIndirect Pronoun os ( a vosotros - as)
• SubjectEllos / Ellas / Ustedes
• Direct Pronoun los / las
• Indirect Pronoun les o se (a ellos/ a ellas / a Ustedes)
Note that the first person and second person singular and plural are the same for both object pronouns: me / te / nos / os
Such pronouns, however, have no difference in form between their direct and indirect functions (though they are much more commonly used as indirect objects since they are less frequently the direct recipients of an action). Thus, they can be used for both, with the context indicating which function they are fulfilling in any particular sentence.
• ¿Vas a comprarnos (IO = a nosotros) la fruta (DO)?
• Sí, os (IO = a vosotros) la (DO) compraré
• ¿Me (IO = a mí) puedes reparar los zapatos (DO)?
• No, lo siento, no te (IO = a ti) los (DO) puedo reparar
• ¿La universidad va a enviarnos (IO = a nosotros) los títulos (DO)?
• Sí, la universidad os (IO = a vosotros) los (DO) enviará mañana
You should be careful with usted and ustedes in particular because despite the fact that they mean you, they are third person forms and therefore distinguish between the masculine and feminine forms according to whether the you being referred to is male or female (at least for the direct object).
If this is a bit hard to get your head around, imagine that you are a courtier speaking respectfully to the Queen. You might ask (especially if this was in the days of Queen Victoria) …
• What does Your Majesty wish I should bring (to) her? ¿Qué desearía que le trajera a su Majestad?
Or, if addressing a king, the courtier would say:
• What does Your Majesty wish I should bring (to) him? ¿Qué desearía que le trajera a su Majestad?
So when using the usted forms, think of Her Majesty and address her in the third person!
However, because these third person object pronouns can refer to him, her or you, there is potential for ambiguity. Hence, when you is meant in particular, the phrase a usted or a ustedes is often added in addition to the object pronoun. This assists in clearing up any possible ambiguity.
• I’m offering (to) you a pay raise.
• Le ofrezco a usted un aumento de sueldo
• They are giving them (los) to you (plural)
• Se los dan a ustedes. (Se for les)
Same structure but different object pronoun.
Finally (for now anyway, this being a nearly inexhaustible subject), a (the preposition a in this case) + personal pronoun is also used in Spanish to indicate a direct object with a personal reference.
• ¿Has visto a mi madre (DO)?
• No, no la (DO) he visto. (have seen)
This raises the problem of how Spanish distinguishes such a direct object from an indirect object structure that also uses a (preposition a connoting “to”) + personal noun, such as:
• ¿Escribiste a mi madre (IO)?
• No, debes escribir**le** (IO) tú mismo
• ¿Escribiste a mi padre (IO)
• No, debes escribirle (IO) tú mismo
Note: le refers to mi madre (feminine) or mi padre (masculine).
While in most cases the reference is clear, the potential for ambiguity is such that Spanish has come up with the device of the so-called redundant pronoun , (though this term is deceiving because it is not always redundant being that it helps to clear up ambiguity). It involves inserting the indirect object pronoun (le or les) into a sentence, in addition to the indirect object noun phrase.
• ¿Le (IO) escribes a tu madre (IO)?
• Sí, le escribo todos los días
• ¿Les (IO) va usted a preguntar a los policías (IO)?
• No, no les voy a preguntar
If we notice that such a redundant pronoun is present in the question, then we simply retain it in the answer and drop the noun phrase. However, this redundant pronoun usage is an indicator of relatively formal speech in Spanish. When there is no possible redundancy, especially in oral language, it is often left out.
To take one of the examples above, a less formal rendition of this would be:
• ¿Vas a preguntar a los policías (IO)?
• No, no les (IO) voy a preguntar
This response with les shows that a los policías is in fact an indirect object of the verb preguntar (to ask a question). However, in this case there is no chance of it being confused with a direct object, so the redundant pronoun is not necessary.
It is a good idea, however, as a new speaker of Spanish, to always put the redundant indirect object pronoun in when an indirect object noun phrase is used. That way you will always be grammatically correct, even if you end up using a slightly more formal style.
• ¿Qué les (IO) da Carmen a Lola y Julián?
• Les (IO) da un regalo (DO)
• Se lo da
• `¿Le (IO) pides ayuda a tu padre (IO)?
• No, no le (IO) pido ayuda nunca
• ¿Le (IO) va a mandar la carta (DO) al Primer Ministro (IO)?
• Sí, se (IO) la (DO) voy a mandar
I hope that this article has helped to clarify any confusion you might have had regarding Direct and Indirect Object pronouns in Spanish.
You can find out more through this Map Mind.
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For sizes 1- half of” NPS and underneath, A106 may be produced by two totally different processes; both hot finished or chilly drawn. Unless in any other case specified, pipe 2″ NPS and over shall be furnished hot completed. It is often found in moderate and lower temperature purposes.See all results for this questionsp.info ASTM A106 Vs A53 - oil and gas piping materialsA106 is a similar pipe in chemical composition but is intened for high temperature service (up to 750 Degs F). It is a seamless pipe. At least in the US, there is usually A53 for welded pipe while A106 is seamless. If you ask for A53 in the US they will quote A106 as an alternate. A53 Pipe vs A106 Pipe – (3)Chemical Compositionsp.info Astm A106 C.s Seamless Pipe Gr.b/c - Buy Seamless Pipe 10 ...Astm A106 C.s Seamless Pipe Gr.b/c , Find Complete Details about Astm A106 C.s Seamless Pipe Gr.b/c,Seamless Pipe 10#,Astm A106 C.s Seamless Pipe Gr.b/c,Seamless Pipe 10# from Supplier or Manufacturer-Tianjin Zhuochuang Da Steel Sales Co.,Ltd.sp.info ASTM A106 Round Seamless Steel Pipe , Annealed Precision ...ASTM A106 Round Seamless Steel Pipe , Annealed Precision Steel Tube Quick Detail: Standards: ASTM A106 Grade B. Material Grade: A519 SAE1026 / A519 SAE1518 / 16Mn / 25Mn / 20# / 45# / 27SiMn / ST45 / ST52 / E355
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At Midwest Craft Con’s 2016 event we invited dozens of experts from creative fields to share their expertise and opinions in breakout sessions and panels. The two cornerstones of the event were our keynote speakers: Lisa Congdon and Abby Glassenberg!
Fine artist and illustrator Lisa Congdon is best known for her colorful abstract paintings, intricate line drawings, pattern design, and hand lettering. She works for clients around the world including the MoMA, Martha Stewart Living, Chronicle Books, The Land of Nod, Simon & Schuster, and Cloud9 Fabrics, among many others. She has exhibited her work around the country, including in shows at the Contemporary Jewish Museum and Bedford Gallery and is currently represented by Uprise Gallery in New York. She is the author of five books, including Art Inc: The Essential Guide to Building Your Career as an Artist, Fortune Favors the Brave, Twenty Ways to Draw a Tulip, A Collection a Day and Whatever You Are, Be a Good One. She lives and works in Portland, Oregon.
Abby Glassenberg is a sewing pattern designer, craft book author, teacher, and writer. On her blog, WhileSheNaps.com, she writes about the sewing industry, running a creative business, and the online culture of craft. Abby has an undergraduate degree in history from Johns Hopkins and a master’s degree in education from Harvard. She taught middle school social studies in Mississippi through Teach For America, and sixth grade in the Newton Public Schools before becoming a textile artist. She’s the author of three sewing books. Abby lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with her husband and three daughters.
In addition to her keynote speech, Abby will also be presenting a session on Awesome Email Newsletters.
These are the fantastic crafty businesspeople and experts who will be leading sessions and participating in panels at Midwest Craft Con:
Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood was born in Detroit Rock City and now lives in West Michigan with her husband, Jeff, and two daughters. She makes a living teaching craft work shops, working as a freelance feature writer, art & craft columnist, adjunct journalism professor and selling wooden weaving looms and handprinted goods in her Etsy shop. She hopes to realize her childhood dream to write a book very soon. She likes to quilt, knit, weave, sew, carve blocks, pull prints and do just about every craft under the sun. She’s almost always armed with a portable project. She started the Craftsanity podcast in late 2005 while on her second maternity leave from her newspaper gig. She continues to interview artists and crafters from around the globe, review the latest books and products and share fun project ideas you can try out in your home studios or with a group of artist friends and kids. She’ll be recording interviews at the con with anyone who’d like to tell their story!
She’ll be speaking: on a panel about pivots and relaunches
Olivera Bratich is a terrible crafter. She has very little artistic ability and even less patience with the creative process. Because of this, she has a deep respect and admiration for makers and works hard help handmade businesses succeed. She has owned and operated the super-fun handmade gift store Wholly Craft! in Columbus, Ohio, for over a decade. Wholly Craft features handmade goods from more than 400 crafters, artists and independent designers and offers workshops, parties, and events designed to help everyone get in touch with their creative side (whether or not they are any good at crafting). In addition to keeping the shop, Olivera is a community organizer, cake lover and mother to a rambunctious toddler.
She’ll be speaking: on a panel about the future of handmade
Allison Chapman has been creating since she was young, and was taught how to print on her Granddad’s letterpress in his print shop. She went to school for history and eventually completed an internship at the Smithsonian in 1994. She moved back to Minneapolis and spent a decade teaching letterpress printing, paper arts, and bookbinding at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. After inheriting her Granddad’s 19th century press and collection of vintage images and type, Allison founded Igloo Letterpress in 1996. After moving with her family to Ohio in 2008, Allison has grown Igloo from a solo operation to a staff of talented printers and creatives. Today, Igloo is a thriving makerspace, print shop and bookbindery. In 2015, after a successful Kickstarter campaign, Igloo will quadruple its studio and retail space with a move to High Street, and dramatically expand the classroom and group workshop area.
She’ll be teaching: How to Stay In Love with Your Handmade Business
Stephanie is just a small-town girl, living in a lonely world. She’s really a quilter, mixed media artist and writer living in Baltimore, Maryland. Stephanie’s story goes something like this: Five years in art school led to an unfulfilling corporate career and a very sad 10-year creative hiatus. When her inner child said, “Hey, knock that off!” she found meditation and a renewed interest in making stuff. Mindfulness and creativity have become an important part of Stephanie’s day-to-day, and she is always looking for ways to connect the two in fun and meaningful (but mostly fun) ways. She blogs at Creative + Mindful, and you can find more of her quirky brand of inspiration in her Secret Design Portfolio.
She’ll be teaching: Time Management, and Mindfulness and the Creative Mind
Talia Halliday is the owner of Conduit Press, an arts business specializing in hollow books and leather goods. Her hollow books can be found exclusively through Uncommon Goods and her leatherwork can be found at over 50 stores in nearly all 50 states. Halliday also organizes the Bloomington Handmade Market, an indie craft show in its seventh year in Bloomington, IN, with the help of a few very entitled and opinionated minions. Beyond that, most recently Talia decided she wasn’t being quite masochistic enough and opened up her own brick and mortar shop called Gather in downtown Bloomington in fall 2014. Gather is home to nearly 200 makers from across the Midwest and beyond and continues to grow by the day. In her spare time (oh yes, there is spare time), Talia enjoys hanging out with her crafty cohorts, spending time with her loving and adorable family, and making plans to take over the world — or at least Bloomington.
She’ll be teaching: Wholesale Like a Pro, and Packaging for Retail
Handmade Arcade (HA), founded in 2004, is Pittsburgh’s first and largest independent craft fair. Now in its 12th year, HA brings innovative crafters and progressive do-it-yourself designers to sell, their handmade, locally produced and offbeat wares at a bustling marketplace. HA is highly anticipated event that attracts more than 9,000 attendees in one day, providing craftspeople and artists working outside mainstream fine arts sectors with a grassroots, high-visibility venue to sell wares, build community, network and share their artistic practice. Handmade Arcade is run by a collective of creative Pittsburghers who have helped to shape and bolster Pittsburgh’s independent craft scene over the past twelve years. The group’s founders — who, along with new volunteers, still run the event today — were inspired to organize a craft fair of Pittsburgh’s own that would tap into a national movement and provide a welcoming venue for artists and shoppers to come together.
They will be offering: Craft Show Booth Critiques
Cincinnati, OH • Facebook
Nikki Jenkins is an entrepreneur and mixed-media jewelry designer, the owner of Nimmy Designs, which is sold at art and craft shows, concerts, trunk shows, boutiques and online. With experience in fashion modeling, personal styling, metalsmithing and glass artistry, she is passionate about incorporating artistic vision into professional development. She is motivated by uncovering the uniqueness and beauty at the center of creativity and artistic expression. By day, Nikki is a Certified Health Education Specialist; she holds a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Nikki specializes in project management and in personal and professional development, and her team’s work has received national recognition from the CDC for policy and environmental change integration. She has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati. She volunteers for local non-profit organizations, and she enjoys traveling, good eats, mud racing, music and dancing — she’s also a salsa instructor!
She’ll be teaching: Making an Action Plan, and Find Your Tribe: Building a Craft Community
Part chemist, part entrepreneur, part entertainer, and part pixie, Sandria Marie is a serial entrepreneur. Throughout various marketing businesses she always kept “making” as a side gig, never assuming she’d make it her career one day. Now she fuses her love for marketing and branding into the handmade movement with relentless passion and unapologetic authenticity. Sandria started her love affair with formulating natural products in college when allergies prevented her from using conventional makeup and skin care. Over the years, she taught herself soapmaking, aromatherapy, skin care and cosmetic formulating. She set out to invent products that changed the way women experienced natural cosmetics, in a non-intimidating and inclusive environment, creating Brazen Cosmetics. Never one to sit still, Sandia owns a retail store, several online stores, teaches weekly cosmetics-making classes, and hosts workshops for entrepreneurs and bloggers. Her main mission in life is to spread self-acceptance, confidence and authenticity through a creative business. In her spare time, Sandria performs in musical theatre, bakes treats for her two chihuahuas and obsessively hunts for all things pink leopard print.
She’ll be teaching: Acting Lessons for Shy Crafters
Brooklyn, NY • Twitter
Kate McKean is Vice President and Literary Agent at the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency in Brooklyn, NY, where she has been representing clients in the areas of craft, art, illustration and pop culture (among many other areas) for over nine years. She earned her MA in Fiction Writing at the University of Southern Mississippi and likes to write, crochet and sew when she’s not reading.
She’ll be teaching: Craft Book Publishing and will also be taking 10-minute appointments for craft book pitches!
Mei Pak is a marketing strategist guiding and supporting small and creative business owners. She helps makers, artists and designers create more buzz for their business at Creative Hive Co. Business topics she is passionate about are PR and publicity, social media, wholesale, paid advertising, blogger outreach, pricing, branding, customer experience, web design and scaling up your biz without any capital. Mei also runs Tiny Hands, a line of handmade, scented food jewelry with her small team of assistants. She sells in over a hundred stores across the United States, has been featured on Parks and Recreation, InTouch Magazine, Every Day With Rachael Ray, Design*Sponge and Hello Giggles and has appeared on TV a number of times. Mei is an absolute foodie, loves chocolate, video games and adores wearing dresses.
She’ll be teaching: Blogger Outreach for Exposure, and Social Media the Right Way
Allison Rosen is a crafty girl at heart: Her first business, at 9 years old, was selling pom-pom animals with googly eyes. Many years later, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Concordia University in Montreal. In 2002, with a master’s degree in accountancy, she and her new husband moved to Berkeley, CA, where she worked as an auditor and controller for a number of firms. During this time, Allison rediscovered her love of craft and jumped headlong into paper crafting and mixed media before settling on quilting. After the birth of her twins, her accounting career continued to grow and she began blogging and podcasting at Within A Quarter Inch. In 2008, she and her new family moved to Athens, OH, where it became clear her son had some serious disabilities. Allison left her finance position at Ohio University to raise her twins full-time and figure out what would help her son the most. She started a social website for quilters called SeamedUP, which she ran with a partner for three years before selling the site and taking a position in internet marketing with C&T Publishing. Now living in Wilmington, NC, with 9-year-old twins, Allison is finally working for herself as The Crafty Controller, an accountancy firm that serves indie crafters.
She’ll be talking about: Bookkeeping Basics, and Financial Analysis for Crafters
CheyOnna has lived much of her adult life split between the city she grew up in, Kansas City, MO, and the city where she found her second voice, St. Louis. She now lives in Minneapolis, MN, with her husband and two cats. In 2014, she founded The Yarn Mission, an anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti-oppression knitting collective to support and organize for Black Liberation. The Yarn Mission has shared the art and (sometimes) calm of knitting with others through community knitting sessions and facilitating learning at self-care events and workshops. As a criminologist, she have done work for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in an effort to combat systemic racism within the criminal (in)justice system. Through her academic work, she strives to be intersectional and critical. Her time and energy is devoted to her arts (knitting and crocheting), cats, family, The Yarn Mission, Black Liberation, and working on a dissertation in criminology and criminal justice. She believes that all of those things, people, and animals are intimately related.
She’ll be speaking about: Racial Justice and the Role of Knitting
Anne Holman and Jen Townsend have been making and selling their individual jewelry lines for a combined total of 20 years in galleries, art festivals, boutiques and online. With experiences in organizing art events and craft markets, and teaching workshops and undergraduate metalsmith courses, the pair have a wealth of experiences on both sides of the artist/retailer relationship. Each discovered their passion for working in metal while in art school and graduated with BFAs from the Columbus College of Art and Design. After many studio moves while growing their jewelry businesses, these two ended up sharing a studio where they realized they had a similar dream for a retail/studio/workshop space. In October 2014, they founded The Smithery as a working metalsmith studio and artist-made shop. Specializing in contemporary jewelry and modern craft, The Smithery has a retail storefront showcasing a curated collection of fine handmade goods from around the world. The Smithery offers workshops, hands-on events, artist trunk shows and work from over 75 independent artists in the Columbus storefront on historic Grandview Avenue.
They’ll be talking about: Building Valuable Retail Relationships
Tara Swiger is the author of Market Yourself, a system for creating a marketing plan for your craft business. She began her entrepreneurial journey as a yarn-maker, and quit her day job in 2009 to be a full-time maker. She has been writing and teaching about handmade business for over five years, via (free) weekly lessons, her weekly podcast, and in-person and on-line courses. Her superpower is translating complex business principles into the language of artists and makers and turning theory into doable action plans. Tara’s taught marketing and business growth to traditional artists in rural North Carolina with the nonprofit Handmade in America, to yarn shop owners at their trade show, to alpaca farmers at the Camelid Conference, to makers at Craftcation and School House Craft Con, along with four classes with CreativeLIVE.
She’ll be teaching: Make a Marketing Plan, and Craft a Customer Path
Stephanie Tardy Duimstra
Stephanie Tardy Duimstra has over a decade of experience organizing and working in the DIY community. She helped found and is a past member of Handmade Detroit, which produces the annual Detroit Urban Craft Fair. She currently runs Type Shy, a handmade stationery company, featuring papercut art and cards made with vintage paper. She also runs Hip Hip Handmade, a site full of resources for the indie craft fair community, including an email newsletter featuring open craft show applications. Despite how dry this bio sounds, she’s actually not a crashing bore.
She’ll be leading: The Business Building Lightning Round
Akron, OH • Twitter
Professor Annal Vyas teaches business planning law at The University of Akron School of Law, and he also helps run the Small Entrepreneur and Economic Development Legal Clinic, which assists small businesses and nonprofits with legal matters. Vyas is the author of the forthcoming book The Legal Guide to Starting Your Business: A Conversation and was named as one of “Ten Attorneys to Watch” in Northeast Ohio by Crain’s Cleveland Business for his work providing legal counsel to entrepreneurs. He is also the program director of The Bit Factory, the City of Akron’s internet startup accelerator, as well as the event organizer of Pecha Kucha Akron and NEXTOhio, an internet startup conference that drew 300 attendees to its inaugural event. Before teaching at Akron Law, he worked at Thompson Hine LLP, where he was part of the 19-attorney team that represented Obama Biden 2008 in Ohio litigation matters in the U.S. presidential election. In addition, he previously helped run a domestic violence legal clinic where he advocated on behalf of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
He’ll be teaching: Going from Sole Proprietor to LLC or Inc., Contracts for Crafters, and Intellectual Property and Copyright | <urn:uuid:b2c185e7-0db1-4f31-aba4-405184b876e3> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://midwestcraftcon.com/speakers/ | 2022-05-28T08:27:24Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652663013003.96/warc/CC-MAIN-20220528062047-20220528092047-00200.warc.gz | en | 0.955289 | 3,833 |
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Sibling rivalry doesn't just happen in families. It exists among cities, too. It happens all over the world: the biggest smoke gets all the attention; its often lower-profile siblings stay hidden in the shadows, regarded as less interesting and less inviting. Think Paris and Marseilles; New York and Chicago; London and Birmingham.
Yet second cities – yes, even Birmingham – can be every bit as fascinating and compelling as their show-stopping siblings. In some cases, they have been competing with and occasionally outshining their siblings for centuries. Krakow may be the second city in Poland, for instance, but it was the royal capital long before Warsaw usurped that role, as its beautifully preserved city centre attests.
The next time you travel, look beyond the star turns, and include some of these cities in your itinerary.
Equally, the inhabitants of Antwerp regard their neighbours in Brussels as newcomers, remembering the days when their city was the undisputed financial capital of Europe. Some second cities take their own path, developing in a radically different way from their bigger siblings.
Montreal's French flair and its historic centre could not be more different from Toronto's New York-style high-rise streetscape, And, as Australians, we don't need to be reminded of Melbourne's scene-stealing ways over Sydney. Some second cities experience a harder time of it. Marseilles, for instance, has endured periods as a poverty-stricken, crime-ridden no-go zone.
But today's Marseille is a hip, multi-cultural city with a visible joie de vivre completely distinct from Paris. So next time you travel, look beyond the star turns, and include some of these cities in your itinerary. You are, as our tribute to the second city shows, in for a pleasant surprise.
Lisbon has wealth and glamour and power, but Porto has rivers of port, considerate neighbours and that bolshie resilience peculiar to cities forged in the shadow of their better-known counterparts. There's a welcoming, unpretentious, almost provincial quality to this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city.
At lunchtime you'll see a woman sitting on her front steps in Afurada grilling sardines and chatting to her neighbour.
In the evening, an octogenarian dances with a broomstick in the doorway of her shop on Rua des Sao Joao in Porto's historic Ribeira neighbourhood. In the morning the driver hands his passenger a twine-bound gerbera flower as he picks her up for her ride to the airport.
Perhaps this community focus among Portuenses, as residents of Porto are known, stems from the city's status as runner-up to the older and larger Portuguese capital, Lisbon. Perhaps it's just how the historically working-class people living on the Douro River estuary in Portugal's far north have evolved.
The city is beautiful enough as it is: narrow, terracotta-roofed, decoratively-tiled houses spill higgledy-piggledy down the hill towards the river. Narrow streets with names that sometimes define their purpose – the Rua das Flores, for example, is lined with flower-sellers – converge on the waterfront. The river bobs with brightly-painted rabelo boats and is spanned by the majestic, Eiffel-designed Maria Pia Bridge.
But it's this river that in many ways defines this city and its people, for it connects them to the Douro Valley, a few hours inland, where intense summer heat has for centuries produced the sweet port wine for which this region is famous. Over the centuries, barrels of this nectar – tawnies, rubies, whites – have floated downriver from the valley all the way to Porto, where they've been readied for export.
The industry has underpinned Porto's transformation into a leading centre of trade, a city independent of the capital, and one which today boasts its own economy and prestigious international connections. Porto's a contented old dame, sitting on the Douro River in all her rosy, buttery, ochre-tinged glory, doused, it seems, in the very port for which she is famous.
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
There are several theories on why Chicago has sometimes been identified as America's "Second City." Perhaps it's because the first Chicago burned down, in 1871, and residents built a second version on the ashes. Perhaps it's because for many years Chicago had the second-largest population in America, following New York (now it's third, following Los Angeles).
Or perhaps it's because Chicago was simply second-rate for many years. In 1952, A. J. Liebling, writing in the New Yorker, called Chicago "a theatre backdrop with a city painted on it", and a pulpy place "plopped down by the lakeside like a piece of waterlogged fruit". Compared to New York it was a provincial backwater in the Midwest –– a "not-quite metropolis".
Liebling's snooty portrait was probably an unfair characterisation in 1952 –– his essay, in three parts, become immediately infamous, and generated a great number of angry letters –– but today it is downright laughable. Walk through Millennium Park and glance up at the most beautiful skyline in the entire country. You can't help but think: Really? This city? Have things really changed that much in the past five decades?
In truth, modern Chicago is a terrific city, easily navigable, spacious, affordable, with miles of shoreline overlooking a lake so vast it may as well be the ocean. No, it's not New York; but why should it try to imitate? Chicago has its own idiosyncratic charm (and the people are nicer).
For example, the arts scene is outstanding. More than 700 public sculptures are scattered around the city, including pieces by Picasso and Chagall, Moore and Miro. Anish Kapoor's "Cloud Gate" resembling a giant steel bean, has become an attraction in its own right. And the Art Institute of Chicago has just about every major piece of American art you could name off the top of your head – Grant Wood's American Gothic, for example, and Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, all accessible without the enervating crowds of the Big Apple.
Throw in some of the world's best theatre (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), improv comedy (The Second City), and Jazz (Green Mill), and you have a cultural incubator as vital as anything on the east or west coast. That's not even getting to the African-American history; the green spaces so numerous even 4000 coyotes have taken up residence; or the beautiful beaches, just a stone's throw from downtown and far surpassing anything in New York, which ruined its shoreline with a wrap-around freeway.
ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
Rotterdammers are wharfies at heart. They live in Europe's largest port and pride themselves on their tough working-class roots. Fans of their football team, Feyenoord, never miss an opportunity to stick it to Amsterdam's Ajax supporters on the day of a "Klassieker" (classic), as their matches are known. But in cutting-edge architecture and cultural events, their city can now claim to outshine genteel Amsterdam, with its cutesy little canals and stuffy old museums.
Amsterdam's population, its Jews in particular, suffered dreadfully in World War II, but its buildings survived largely unscathed. Hitler's bombers forced the Dutch into early surrender by flattening central Rotterdam in May 1940.
It was a tragedy resilient Rotterdam turned into an opportunity. After the war, instead of reconstructing the old buildings in their original style, the city opted to go modern. It's still working at it. All over town iconic buildings compete with other iconic buildings in the quest to become Rotterdam's icon.
Architect Piet Blom's remarkable 1984 Kubus houses, a line of connected cubes standing on their points, are now matched in eye-catching strangeness by the spectacular coloured arch of the foodie paradise Markthal that stands across from them. Rotterdam architect Rem Koolhaas is among the world's finest. He's contributed the modern art museum Kunsthal and de Rotterdam, the mighty "vertical city" building on the harbour overlooking the elegant span of the Erasmus Bridge.
Rotterdam Centraal Station is just 41 minutes by train from Amsterdam's stately 19th-century Centraal railway station. It's brand-new. The interior is a triumph of glass and light, the outside a towering pointed façade. Yep, it sure is iconic. In culture too, Rotterdam punches above its weight. The International Film Festival (late January-February) and the North Sea Jazz Festival (July) are regarded as the premier Dutch events of their type.
Few museums quite match the riches of Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. Rotterdam's art establishments don't try to. There's a fine permanent collection of Dutch and European works in the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, and in the Kunsthal frequently rotating contemporary exhibitions, sometimes wonderful and sometimes, well just plain weird.
Birmingham grew to be Britain's second city, after London, on the back of manufacturing and the industrial revolution. This, in turn, drew the attention of the Luftwaffe in World War II, who blitzed the place almost to the ground. The developers of the 1950s and 1960s rebuilt much of it in the tower-block brutalist style so prevalent at the time – a move which encouraged plenty of loathing and very little love.
Certainly, the Bull Ring shopping centre, the epitome o '60s' grey box architecture, did nothing to dispel the idea that Birmingham was no more than an unattractive concrete jungle surrounded by motorways – this was, after all, the site of the original spaghetti junction, that Gordian knot of motorways that met just outside the city.
Today, though, it's thriving and even booming. In a slap in the face to London, the British Office for National Statistics last year revealed that in the 12 months to June 2013 almost 60,000 30-somethings left the capital looking for a better work-life balance – and most those went to Birmingham.
Among the reasons for this much-derided city's resurgence include excellent transport links and housing affordability. Birmingham international airport is just 16 kilometres away and trains to London take 90 minutes from Birmingham New Street station right in the city centre. Plans for a high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham will bring that down to an easy 40-minute commute.
On top of this, the city's central location in Britain – and that ring of motorways – means it's within easy driving distance of Bristol, Bath, Oxford and the Peak district national park. Several regeneration projects have given this once-industrial heartland a sexy makeover. The old Victorian manufacturing district of Digbeth is now a thriving hub of shops and small creative businesses, and the derelict canal system is once more alive and kicking, especially around Gas Street Basin.
The city's new-found confidence is evident everywhere, an excitement and a vibe you could cut with a knife. And nowhere is it more apparent than in the Jewellery Quarter, a Georgian-era conservation area full of listed buildings, jewellery businesses, funky shops, restaurants and quirky bars.
Birmingham really has only one downside these days; it's full of Londoners.
Although on his birth certificate is written in a firm hand "Warsaw", my father suspects he was born in Krakow. His mother, a woman well attuned to the snobberies of pre-war Polish society, refused to admit that he was born anywhere but the capital. Despite long family connections with Poland's second city, Krakow was Hicksville, and no self-respecting Pole could possibly be born there.
Set on the banks of the broad river Vistula, at the confluence of East-West trading routes, Krakow began as a mercantile city in the Middle Ages. Within the pear-shaped enclave of the Old Town there arose a handsome city of mansions, churches, palaces and squares. Almost unique among Polish cities, most of old Krakow survived the wrecking-ball of Nazi occupation.
Radiating from colossal Rynek Glowny, the old town square, fashionable Grodzka Street runs south to Wawel Hill. For the five centuries before 1596, when Warsaw became the capital, this was the seat of the Polish kings. In Wawel Cathedral, all but four of Poland's 45 kings and most of their queens are buried, along with the nationalist hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko and some of the greats of Polish literature.
Within the cathedral, the palace and the treasury on Wawel Hill is a heavyweight accretion of treasures, including Flanders tapestries, a frieze by Hans Durer, the remarkable Heads Room and the royal sarcophagi. Kazimierz, site of the Krakow ghetto, begins just 300 metres from Wawel Hill. There has been a Jewish community in Krakow since the mid-14th century. By 1939, that community numbered more than 60,000. Apart from a certain bleakness there is nothing that indicates what happened in the Krakow ghetto but all the same, you know. This is a void that speaks.
These streets were the backdrop for Schindler's List, the film version of Thomas Keneally's novel that chronicled the deadly cat and mouse game between the German industrialist Oskar Schindler and the local SS, in which the prize was several hundred Jewish lives. The former Emalia Enamel Factory, "Schindler's Ark", still exists on the south side of the river, now resuscitated as the city's Museum of Contemporary Art and its Historical Museum. A past rescued from the ashes is a precious thing, and Krakow is a lesson in remembering.
When it comes to movie-making, Toronto is often used as a substitute for New York. The city is large enough and "gritty" enough to make a convincing, low-rent version of the Big Apple. A few hours to the north, Montreal doesn't have to pretend to be anywhere else. Cleaner, smaller and splendidly planned, it's one of North America's best walking cities, with the Mount Royal that gives the city its name, dominating its centre.
This is a town which can be 40C in summer and -40C in winter, but it copes admirably with both. During the long days of summer, people make the most of Montreal's parks (especially Mount Royal) and come the biting winter, they head into a labyrinthine network of heated underground malls. Even if you're not looking for Gallic flare and trendy bars, the traditional architecture is superior to not only Toronto, but any city in Canada – there are 50 national historic sites here, more than anywhere else in the country.
Yes, you'd have to brush up on your French if you wanted to move here (and don't be surprised if one or two of the locals flounce off in the other direction when addressed in English) but the confluence of cultures has almost always added more to Montreal than it has taken away.
Sadly, the major exception came in 1970, the point at which it was surpassed by Toronto as Canada's economic centre. At the heart of it all was the October Crisis, which saw several kidnappings and the murder of politician Pierre Laporte by Quebec nationalists. Montreal gained a reputation for being an unsafe hot-bed of extremism; even hosting the Olympics in 1976 did little to revive the city's fortunes.
Damaging as that period was to Montreal, today it has emerged stronger for the experience. More affordable than Toronto, it's also been listed by UNESCO as a City of Design, and though almost no Torontonians would agree, it's far cooler. That's no doubt in part thanks to its dense concentration of students, the city's four universities giving it a higher percentage than Boston – higher, in fact, than anywhere else in North America.
If none of this convinces you, then know this: Montreal is also home to La Banquise, a restaurant which serves over 30 types of poutine, the French-Canadian speciality of fries, cheese curds and gravy. That alone should see it regarded as first city in Canada, if not the entire world.
If you happen to arrive in Antwerp by train, you will get the message loud and clear: this city cedes first place to no one. The palatial station, with its golden dome, its sweeping staircases and its 20 different kinds of marble, welcomes you to a city that has complete confidence in its own status.
As well it should. Brussels may have been the capital of Belgium since 1830, but Antwerp was a global powerhouse three centuries before that. In the 16th and 17th centuries Antwerp, which then belonged to the Spanish empire, was both a global financial centre and a vital port for valuable commodities such as pepper, sugar and textiles. It has been estimated that the Spanish made seven times more money from Antwerp than it did from the silver flowing in from its South American colonies.
With all that money washing around, it is not surprising that Antwerp also became a cultural powerhouse, home to artists of the calibre of Pieter Paul Rubens. That gives today's visitors no end of sights to explore, from the mighty Cathedral of Our Lady to museums such as Museum Mayer van den Bergh.
Don't go thinking Antwerp's glory days are all in the past, however. As a casual glance in the shop windows reveals, this is Belgium's most stylish city. Since the 1980s, the city's celebrated design school has been churning out designers who have built global reputations, from Ann Demeulemeester and Dries Van Noten to Martin Margiela.
The city's vibrant design scene isn't confined to high-end boutiques, however. Flanking its beautifully preserved city centre you will find striking modern structures such as the Museum aan de Stroom and the new sail-crested law courts designed by Richard Rogers. Also worth a visit is the Middleheim Museum, a 30-hectare sculpture park featuring works by Moore, Rodin and Hepworth, among others.
Perhaps Antwerp's greatest charm, however, is the way it melds its grand history and its design flair with the laid-back lifestyle that characterises Europe's smaller cities. The city centre is navigable by foot; if you are heading slightly further afield, the city's trams are easy to use. In leafy squares such as Dageraadplaats,you will find laid-back restaurants like Ardent which deliver fine food without fuss. Alternatively, head to the hip Zuid district, where the art nouveau buildings house chic boutiques and cafes, as well as probably the city's finest seafood restaurant, Fiskebar.
FIVE MORE GREAT SECOND CITIES
Melbourne is the second city in excelsis (and that's a Sydneysider talking). It's the second city that has emerged from the shadows of its now famous laneways to continually show up its bigger brother to the north, most notably in those now ubiquitous though influential urban quality of life indices. Melbourne is even expected to surpass Sydney in population terms some time in the first half of this century, as Australia's biggest city, reclaiming the crown it once held, the charming al fresco cafe tables finally turned. In its effort not to be Sydney, Melbourne even invented its own football code, and for that matter, its own mercurial climate. Remnants of the tedious rivalry between the cities do still exist but most sensible heads are more liable these days to shout, "Vive la difference".
Norway doesn't really do metropolises. Its first capital, the northern city of Trondheim, is a quiet place snoozing in the shadow of its massive cathedral. Its current capital, Oslo, has lots of parks and forests, and just 650,000 inhabitants. So it's no surprise that Norway's second city, Bergen, is pretty laid-back. There is still plenty to see and do, however, from the historic Bryggen quarter, with its colourful wooden warehouses, to quirky museums and an impressive schedule of concerts. Add in hills to hike and fjords to explore, as well as fresh seafood to feast on, and you have a destination that definitely merits a couple of days of your time. See visitbergen.com.
If there's one certain way to cause a Parisian to choke on his or her escargot, it's to announce that you plan to visit Marseilles on your visit to France. Parisians disparage it in much the same effortless, asinine way Sydneysiders used to dismiss Melbourne before even they had to admit its virtues. But Marseilles, despite its obvious rough edges, is a revelatory breath of fresh Mediterranean air. And, like a good many second cities around the world it benefits from not being the first city, and utterly distinct from it. Go for its dramatic, raffish port setting; go for a taste of its authentic bouillabaise; go for a pastis or two from the balcony overloooking the bay and Notre-de Dame la Garde. Whatever you do, go, and bugger the Parisians.
Though others laid claim to the title, Glasgow was rightly called "the second city of the British Empire" during its Victorian pomp. But those days have long gone, even if its population remains bloated. Now, Edinburgh is Scotland's second city in name only – and a fine example of how a second city can eclipse its larger counterpart. This is the home of Scottish government, old and new, and boasts some of the best preserved Georgian architecture anywhere in Europe. On top of that, you've got the Festival, the world's largest arts and culture event – oh and a massive castle.See www.visitbritain.com.
With a fraction of the population of Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, in the south, Hanoi may be less dazzling, but it is also more interesting. As the national capital, Hanoi embodies an idea of the country with minimal influence from outsiders. Visiting its museums, for example, is like stepping through a looking glass: Communist propaganda rules defiantly, and the Vietnam War is the "American War of Aggression". Meanwhile, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex is as grand and holy-looking as most cathedrals. It is strange and disorientating, but worth the effort. Open your mind, bite your tongue, then enter the labyrinth of streets surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake. | <urn:uuid:b3d37bcf-6e31-4e2b-98b6-cef43b9b1efa> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://www.traveller.com.au/second-to-none-look-beyond-the-biggest-cities-gipzy7 | 2022-05-19T04:59:25Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662525507.54/warc/CC-MAIN-20220519042059-20220519072059-00400.warc.gz | en | 0.958266 | 5,067 |
An Analysis of All’s Well That Ends Well (Shakespeare)
by Joseph Suglia
“Die Forderung, geliebt zu werden, ist die grösste aller Anmassungen.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche, Menschliches, Allzumenschliches, Volume One, 525
My argument is that Shakespeare is both the most overestimated and the most underestimated writer in the history of English literature. His most famous plays are stupendously and stupefyingly overrated (e.g. The Tempest), whereas the problematical plays that have been relatively understaged and underread until recently, such as Measure for Measure and Love’s Labour’s Lost, are his masterworks. All’s Well That Ends Well is rightly seen as one of the problematical plays, since it does not exactly follow the contours of the Shakespearean comedy.
One could rightly say that all of the Shakespearean comedies are conjugal propaganda. They celebrate marriage, that is to say, and marriage, for Hegel and for many others, is the foundation of civil society. In the Age of Elizabeth, long before and long afterward, the way in which children are expected to have been begotten is with the imprimatur of marriage.
But there is no marriage-boosterism in All’s Well That Ends Well, no ra-raing or oohing and aahing over marriage. In All’s Well That Ends Well, a celebration of marriage is absent.
Whereas Much Ado about Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream end in anti-orgies, in collectivized, communalized, semi-coerced marriages, the wedding in All’s Well That Ends Well takes place in the second act and is absolutely coerced.
The play is about a woman named Helena who forces a man named Bertram to marry her and to have sexual intercourse with her. As blunt as this synopsis might be, it is nonetheless accurate. A psychotic stalker, Helena will stop at nothing and will not take “Yes” for an answer. She pursues Bertram relentlessly. As I shall argue below, Bertram genuinely does not want to be married to Helena, nor does he wish to be physically intimate with her. Not only that: There is absolutely no evidence that he desires Helena at the end of the play. Quite the opposite, as I shall contend. Much like her predecessor, Boccaccio’s Giletta, Helena is a monomaniac whose obsession ends in the achievement of her desire and her scheme: “[M]y intents are fix’d, and will not leave me” [I:i]. And yet, does obsession ever end?
When we are first presented with her, Helena remarks, “I do affect a sorrow indeed, but I have it too” [I:i]. She means that she affects a sorrow for her father, who died not more than six months ago, but is genuinely sorrowful over the thought of the impossibility of possessing Bertram: “I think not on my father, / And these great tears grace his remembrance more / Than those I shed for him” [Ibid.]. Her indifference to her father’s death reveals that she is hardly the virtuous innocent that the Countess, Lefew, and (later) the King of France take her to be: “I think not on my father… I have forgot him. My imagination / Carries no favour in’t but Bertram’s” [Ibid.]. All she thinks about is Bertram, whose “relics” she “sanctifies” [Ibid.], much like a dement who collects the socks of her lover which she has pilfered from the laundry machine.
Even more revealingly, Helena’s love for Bertram has a social and political valence: “Th’ambition in my love thus plagues itself” [I:i]. Am I alone in hearing in the word ambition an envy for Bertram’s higher social status? I am not suggesting that her love for him is purely socially and politically motivated. I am suggesting rather that her love is inseparable from the desire for social / political advancement.
When he takes his leave, Bertram does not propose that Helena visit Paris to win the King’s favor, despite what Helena’s words might suggest: “My lord your son made me to think of this; / Else Paris and the medicine and the king / Had from the conversation of my thoughts / Haply been absent then” [I:iii]. Helena lies to the Countess—and/or lies to herself—when she says that her love “seeks not to find that her search implies, / But riddle-like lives sweetly where she dies” [I:iii]. No, Helena is indefatigable and is hardly the self-abnegating “barefooted” saint [III:iv] that she pretends to be. Furthermore, she is lying to herself and to the Countess of Rossillion when she says that she is not “presumptuous,” as she is lying when she says that she would not “have [Bertram]” until she “deserve[s] him” [I:iii]. Who decides when she should “deserve” Bertram? Apparently, Helena believes that only she is authorized to decide when she is deserving of Bertram. Why is Bertram not permitted to decide when and if she is deserving of him? Helena is sexually aggressive from the beginning unto the sour end.
The fundamental challenge of the play is not for Helena to find a way to become married to Bertram. As I wrote above, Bertram is forced to marry Helena in the second act of the play. The fundamental challenge of the play is for Helena to find a way to have sexual intercourse with Bertram—to couple with him, whether he wants to couple with her or not.
And Bertram has made it clear that he does not find Helena sexually attractive. And yet Helena refuses to accept his rejection and sexually unifies with Bertram while dissembling herself as another woman, Diana Capilet.
Helena is not satisfied merely being married to Bertram. Nor, it seems, would she be satisfied with Bertram’s assent and consent, even if he had assented and consented to the marriage. She wants to possess Bertram against his own will: “[L]ike a timorous thief, most fain would steal / What law does vouch mine own” [II:v].
Why not take Helena at her word? On the one hand, she is saying that she is lawfully entitled to the appropriation of Bertram’s body, but that is not enough for her. She is saying that she has the power to break his life, but she would rather have the power to break his heart. On the other hand, taking Helena at her word, she is the thief who would like to steal what is lawfully her own. She would like to experience the thrill of transgressing the law without ever transgressing the law. All’s well that ends well. She does not want to take the wealth of his body; she wants to steal the wealth of his body. Now, this might seem a curiously literal interpretation of the line, but does Helena not deceive her husband like a thief in the night [III:ii]? She does not cheat on her husband; she cheats with her husband. She is like the banker who steals from her own bank or like the casino owner who gambles at her own casino.
It would be a mistake to see Bertram as an erotophobe, since he does attempt to seduce Diana. He is revolted by Helena. The idea of having sex with her suffuses him with nausea. Bertram acknowledges that he is married to a woman whom he does not love, but he swears that he will never be physically intimate with her. In a letter to his mother, Bertram writes: “I have wedded [Helena], not bedded her, and sworn to make the ‘not’ eternal” [II:ii]. He is so disgusted by the idea of having sex with her that he goes to war to escape her: “I’ll to the Tuscan wars and never bed her” [II:iii].
Bertram’s reluctance to be yoked to Helena must be seen within the horizon of the early seventeenth century. Let us not forget that Queen Elizabeth was the monarch at the time of the play’s composition, and within Bertram’s refusal to become the “forehorse to a smock” [II:i] (the leading horse in a train of horses spurred on by a woman) one can hear the resonances of Elizabeth’s reign. However, it would be mistaken to suggest that Bertram does not want to marry Helena merely because she is a woman who has been invested with regal authority or merely because she was once lowborn and poor. Again, he finds her physically repellent.
Helena does not stop until she couples with Bertram without his consent. Is this not rape? According to the standards of our day, impersonated sex is indeed sexual violation, but it is unlikely that it would have been considered ravishment in the Age of Elizabeth.
And is this not incest, for Helena and Bertram are sister and brother, disregarding the banality of biology? There is a conversation about incest in Act One, Scene Three, the conclusion of which is: Helena would acknowledge the Countess as her mother, on the condition that the world does not recognize Bertram as her brother. But are Helena and Bertram not sister and brother? They grew up together in the same household, and it is possible that Bertram rejects Helena partly out of the fear of incest.
The Countess certainly sees Helena as her organic daughter: “If [Helena] had partaken of my flesh and cost me the dearest groans of a mother I could not have owed her a more rooted love” [V:v]. Helena is the replica that is naturalized, much like the artificial fruit in the bowl that lies upon your kitchen table, which you accept as natural.
Fortune (what is constituted after birth) and Nature (what is constituted at birth) reverse each other: Bertram becomes the bastard child; the orphan Helena becomes the proper daughter: “Which of them both / Is dearest to me I have no skill in sense / To make distinction” [III:iv]. Much worse: The Countess raises Helena to a status that is higher than that of her own son, who is written off by her as a reprobate. When the Countess intones the opening line of the play, “In delivering my son from me, I bury a second husband” [I:i], you do get the impression that her biological son is dead through the act of birth, that her son is a stillborn.
Throughout the play, there are posited false equivalences. Convalescence is falsely equated to marriage, as virginity is equated to mortality. Epexegesis: The revival of the King of France is equated to the compulsory marriage of Bertram to Helena (Bertram questions this false economics of equivalence: “But follows it, my lord to bring me down / Must answer for your raising?” [II:iii]), in a Bachelorette-style gameshow that is rigged in advance in which she nominates Bertram without ever taking any of the French lords seriously as his competitors. The death of the King is equated to virginity, as virginity is equated to death in Parolles’ campaign against virginity (“He that hangs himself is a virgin; virginity murthers itself, and should be buried in highways out of all sanctified limit, as a desperate offendress against nature” [I:i]). The King strikes a balance between Bertram’s loss and Helena’s gain: “Take her by the hand / And tell her she is thine; to whom I promise / A counterpoise, if not to thy estate, / A balance more replete” [II:iii]. A fake equivalence, false equation is again posited, between the sacrifice of Bertram’s social status and the elevation of Helena’s status. One thing is taken for another, one person is replaced with another, as we see with the replacement of Diana with Helena. Such is the logic of substitution or the logic of substitutability in All’s Well That Ends Well.
Those literary critics who praise Helena as an innocent are wrong (I am looking at you, Harold Bloom), in the same way that the Countess of Rossillion and Lefew are wrong about her “innocence”: Helena is not saintly, she is not simple, she is not unambiguously honest (unless by “honesty” one intends “virginity”), she is not unambiguously good, she is not uncomplicatedly “virtuous” [I:i]. She is not reducible to the role of the innocent that she plays. Shakespeare’s characters are not undifferentiated. His fools tend to be wise, and his characters in general are neither simply good nor simply evil, but rather both good and evil—sometimes, his characters are even good and evil at the same time. This is stated almost aphoristically in the words of the First Lord, a gentleman whose role seems to be to emphasize that #NotAllMenAreSwine: “The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together; our virtues would be proud if our faults whipp’d them not, and our crimes would despair if they were not cherish’d by our virtues” [IV:iii]. The proto-Nietzschean Shakespeare is ventriloquized through the First Lord, I think. Both Nietzsche and Shakespeare admonish us against pouring all of humanity into twin buckets, one marked GOOD and the other marked EVIL. Shakespearean characters are of overwhelming and self-contradicting complexity, assemblages of oxymoronic elements.
For this reason, those critics who condemn Bertram as a cad are wrong in the same way that Diana is wrong when she calls him simply “not honest” [III:v]. (Let me remark parenthetically that Parolles is the double of Bertram, as Diana is the double of Helena. Parolles absorbs all of Bertram’s negative traits, particularly the tendency to seduce and impregnate washerwomen.) (And here is a second set of parentheses: Parolles is also the double of Helena. He ignores his social status when he refuses to call his lord Bertram “master” [II:iii].) Those who suggest that Helena shyly longs after a man who is unworthy of her are as wrong as Lefew, who claims that the French lords reject Helena, when it is the other way around. (I’m still looking at you, Harold Bloom.) Bertram is a cad, a seducer, yes, but he is not reducible to his caddishness.
Despite her indifference to her father’s death, Helena identifies with her father, Gerard de Narbon, the physician, and uses her father’s recipes to heal the King of France. When Bertram pleads to the Florentine washerwoman, “[G]ive thyself unto my sick desires” [IV:ii], it is apparent that he is conscious of his own sickness, and it is Helena who will wear the quackish mask of the physician once more. The first half of the play folds upon the second half: In the first half, Helena cures the King of his ailment; in the second, Helena cures Bertram of the sickness of his lechery—against his will.
When the King’s eyes first alight upon Helena, she seems a radiant presence: “This haste hath wings indeed” [II:i], he says, as if she were a seraphic apparition. It is Helena’s womanly charm, her femaleness, that resurrects him from the dead: “Methinks in thee some blessed spirit doth speak / His powerful sound within an organ weak” [Ibid.]. It is her vixenishness that virilizes him.
The King is revived from the dead. Now, Bertram has lost the right to say, “No” to Helena. Love for Helena is now equated to the obedience to the King of France: “Thou wrong’st thyself if thou should’st strive to choose [to love Helena]!” [II:iii], the King screams at Bertram. In other words, “You should not have to choose to love Helena. I have commanded you to love Helena, and therefore you MUST love Helena.” The word of the King is law, and to defy the word of the King is misprision. Behind Helena’s monomaniacal pursuit of Bertram is all of the weight of legal and regal authority. Love of Helena is bound up with love of the King, and an affront to Helena is an affront to the throne. This is to say that Bertram is legally and politically obligated to love Helena, as if love is something that could be compelled, coerced, commanded.
Here, the King of France ignores that desire is not logical or causal and is not subject to regal injunction. Desire cannot be systematized. We cannot program our minds to love; we cannot download love applications into the smartphones of our minds.
Were she not such a monomaniac, Helena would have let Bertram go after he refuses her, but she does not. Not once does Helena accept Bertram’s rejection. Not once does she turn her attention to another man after Bertram scorns her. Instead, she pretends to relinquish the man she is determined to appropriate: “That you are well restor’d, my lord, I’m glad. / Let the rest go” [II:iii]. When Helena says this, it is accismus, that is, the feigned refusal of that which is earnestly desired. It is not a statement of resignation. Nor should one mistake her demand to marry for a marriage proposal. Helena does not propose marriage; she imposes marriage.
It would have been noble had Helena renounced Bertram upon learning that he is a marriage escapee, that he defected to Italy and entered the Tuscan Wars and a likely death to escape her. However, this is not what Helena does: Instead, she pursues him to Italy. Her path of reflection is as follows: “Bertram left France to escape me; therefore, I will leave France, as well—and follow him to Italy.” Whereas Helena wants presence, Bertram wants absence: “Till I have no wife I have nothing in France” [III:ii], he writes to his mother. To say that she wants everything would be a gross understatement. She wants more than everything—she wants to eat her Key Lime Pie and refrigerate it at the same time.
Bertram gives away his six-generation family ring to Helena, who is disguised as a Florentine washerwoman, and this is ring will be returned to him. The ring seals not only his marriage to Helena, but also seals his marriage to the community / to the collective. The symbol of the ring is clearly the chief symbol of the play, for treason moves in an annular pattern. Treachery is circular; treason is circular. This is the meaning of the difficult and frequently misinterpreted words of the First Lord:
We are, the First Lord says, “[m]erely our own traitors. And as in the common course of all treasons we still see them reveal themselves till they attain to their abhorr’d ends; so he that in this action contrives against his own nobility, in his proper stream o’erflows himself” [IV:iii].
I would translate these lines thus: “We human beings are traitors to ourselves. We betray ourselves in the very act of betrayal. As we betray others, we betray ourselves—that is, we reveal ourselves as traitors and thus we betray our own betrayals.” According to a citation in The Oxford English Dictionary, “till” could mean “while” in 1603. All’s Well That Ends Well is believed to have been written between 1604 and 1605. If “till” meant “while” in 1603 in England, then this is a justifiable reading of the lines.
All of the main characters are unrepentant traitors, and traitors always betray themselves. We see treacherous treason in the treacheries of Parolles, of Helena, and of Bertram.
Parolles intends to betray the Florentine army, but ends up betraying military secrets to the Florentine army.
Helena does, in fact, deceive her husband, but this deception ends in legitimized sexual intercourse. Moreover, she lies when she says that she “embrace[s]” death to “set [Bertram] free” [III:iv], but she does so in order to affirm the sanctity of marriage. She is a liar who feigns her own death—but she does so in order to honor marriage and thus to honor Elizabethan society. In the eyes of the world, she has done nothing wrong. Who could blame her for cozening someone who would unjustly win? Would could blame her for deceiving her husband in order to sanctify conjugality? A Casanova in reverse, she takes a honeymoon to Italy and has sex with her husband—only her husband thinks that he is having sex with someone else. No one is devirginized, except for Bertram’s wife.
Bertram would betray Helena by cheating upon her, but he ends up betraying himself. He intends to commit adultery on his own wife, but he ends up committing adultery with his wife.
From a purely external / legal / formal point of view, neither sin nor crime has been performed in each case. In each case, the three characters have sinful intentions, and yet commit no sin. All’s well that ends in a socially acceptable manner. It is for this reason that Helena says that the reason within her treasonous marriage plot “[i]s wicked meaning in a lawful deed, / And lawful meaning in a lawful act, / Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact” [III:vii]. And later in the play: “All’s well that ends well; still the fine’s the crown. / Whatever the course, the end is the renown” [IV:v]. “Fine” here means “ending.” The formal close of the plot sanctifies all of the deception that came before it. The ring turns itself around; the end communes with the beginning. The ring is closed, erasing all of the treachery and deception that was used to forge it.
No one is innocent, and no one is guilty. Diana implies the innocent guilt of not only Bertram, but of all traitors, when she says: “Because he’s guilty and he is not guilty” [V:iii]. The traitors of the play (Parolles, Helena, and Bertram) are innocent, though their intentions are treasonous.
One character after the other intends to perform a treacherous action, but this action is transmuted into its opposite. Such is the reversal of language: As the First Lord says to the Second Lord (in reference to a secret that will be communicated by the latter to the former): “When you have spoken it, ’tis dead, and I am the grave of it” [IV:iii]. Language kills. That is: Language has the tendency to say the exact opposite of what we mean. When we say or write, “I am lonely,” we cannot be lonely, for we open up the possibility of communication. When we say or write, “I am sad,” we are not sad enough to stop speaking or writing.
Concerning the intentional errors of language: The bescarfed fool Patrolles misuses words throughout, and this is always Shakespeare’s way of ridiculing characters he does not respect. For instance, Parolles says “facinerious” instead of “facinorous” [II:iii]. He uses an affected language, such as when he calls Bertram’s defection from marriage a “capriccio” [Ibid.]. He often cannot finish his sentences. Again and again, his sentences are broken off with em-dashes (this is what rhetoricians call aposiopesis). And yet there is some sense in his nonsense. When he intones, “Mort du vinaigre!” [III:iii], this might seem to be mere babble, and yet might it not evoke the crucifixion of Christ, whose broken lips and tongue were said to be moistened by vinegar? When Parolles is accosted by the Florentines, dressed as Muscovites, they utter gibble-gabble, such as “Boskos vauvado” and “Manka revania dulche” [IV:i]. And yet are they gabbling? Dulche might invoke Dolch, a German word that means “dagger” (after all, the Florentines-dressed-as-Muscovites are pointing their poniards at Parolles), and boskos might evoke “bosk” or “boscage,” which makes sense, since the scene takes place in a forest. Even though they are gabbling, there is significance in their gibble-gabble. Shakespeare cannot allow his writing to be meaningless. There is, in his writing, a tyranny of meaning. Even the nonsense in his plays carries sense.
At the end of the play, which does not end well, and which therefore belies its own title, Bertram acknowledges that his wife is his wife, but he does so in formalistic and legalistic language: “If she, my liege, can make me know this clearly / I’ll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly” [V:iii]. In other words, “I love you because I am socially, legally, and politically obligated to love you.” He speaks as if the knowledge of information led to desire, as if the confirmation of a legal contract necessarily issued in passion. Indeed, Helena has proven that she has fulfilled both conditions of the contract: that she pull the ring from his finger and that she produce a child of whom he is the father. The ring is given as evidence to Helena’s kangaroo court; the parturition of the child is demonstrated, as if this were the Elizabethan version of a talk-show paternity test. It is probable, however, that Bertram intended “ring” and “child” as metaphors—and yet Helena takes the letter as the law. Helena literalizes what might have been intended metaphorically.
Is the social, legal, and political obligation to love another human being not the definition of marriage? Kant defined marriage as the mutual leasing of each other’s genital organs, and philosophers since Hegel have criticized his glacial definition. But was Kant incorrect? All’s Well That Ends Well implies essentially the same thing. It could be said, with only slight exaggeration or overstatement, that this play is a work of misogamy in contrast to the epithalamia Much Ado about Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shakespeare’s most problematical comedy would suggest that marriage is the lie of all lies, the hoax of all hoaxes, and should be avoided by anyone who values solitude, privacy, and freedom.
When Bertram submits to the will of Helena and the will of the King the first time, it is hardly a profession of love: “I find that she, which late / Was in my nobler thoughts most base, is now / The praised of the king; who, so ennobled, / Is as ’twere born so” [II:iii]. This is the least erotic assent to marry someone that has ever been articulated.
“All yet seems well” [V:iii; emphasis mine]. There is the semblance of a happy closure, the simulation of a happy ending. Simply because the circle has closed in a formal sense, this does not mean that anyone is happy. All’s Well That Ends Well does not end well. All is not well in All’s Well That Ends Well. All’s ill that ends well. | <urn:uuid:f9dfafe6-bc3e-4f7b-9c6a-84bf5087114c> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://drjosephsuglia.com/category/melville/ | 2022-05-21T22:49:56Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662541747.38/warc/CC-MAIN-20220521205757-20220521235757-00400.warc.gz | en | 0.968039 | 6,209 |
Supply side economics and monetary policy
Speech by Jean-Claude Trichet,President of the European Central Bank,at the Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft,Kőln, 22 June 2004.
The notion of supply and demand in the context of price determination goes back to the economic writings of the Greek philosophers. But the economy’s supply side in particular gained attention with Adam Smith’s “Wealth of Nations”, published in 1776, where he railed against the restrictive, regulated, “mercantilist” system of his time and showed how the principles of free trade, competition and choice foster economic development and reduce poverty. More than two centuries later, the analysis of the supply side has lost none of its attraction to economists and politicians.
This seems to have mainly two reasons, one pleasant and one more sobering. The pleasant one is that economic theory can still contribute new ideas on how to improve the functioning of the supply side. The more sobering is that too many of these ideas have still found insufficient implementation, requiring continuous calls for more hearted progress with supply side reforms.
These calls are particularly audible in several European countries. Whereas over the last two decades, European countries have made considerable progress with product market reforms, including the creation of a Single Market as well as substantial reductions in entry barriers to network industries, reforms in several European labour markets have often been only very cautious and marginal. This also applies to the Single Market for services, where efforts for its creation need to be pursued.
Against this background, I would first like to outline the importance of an economy’s supply side for its ability to increase its potential growth path. Second, I would like to focus on the ways in which structural reforms that change an economy’s supply side affect the economic environment in which monetary policy is conducted. Third and finally, I would like to touch on how, in turn, the single monetary policy of the ECB supports non-inflationary growth in the euro area.
2. The importance of the supply side for potential growth
The supply side of an economy is responsible for mobilising resources to supply goods and services, entailing as a crucial part the supply of labour and capital. The supply side thus contributes to determining the economy’s potential growth path and the real income of its citizens. Any malfunctioning of the economy’s supply side is thus tantamount to leaving opportunities for raising the welfare of its citizens non-exploited. In this regard, the best economic measure for raising income opportunities is the implementation of policies, which help letting the supply side operate flexibly and efficiently. These policies include, among many others, education, research and development. For the euro area, the focus is increasingly shifting to how lasting impediments to the functioning of these policies can be removed with the help of structural reforms. Such well-designed structural reforms increase the mobility of production factors towards their most efficient use, thus raising factor productivity, opening up additional employment opportunities and allowing for lower prices of goods and services. By exploiting the opportunities of such a more efficient allocation of production factors, well-designed structural reforms allow the economy to reach a higher sustainable long-run growth path, higher employment, higher real incomes and thus a higher level of welfare.
Increasing the mobility of production factors between different uses and thus changing the economy’s production structure is normally a time-consuming process, and the beneficial effects of structural reforms often only materialise in the longer run. As a necessary although of course not sufficient condition, gaining support for the implementation of structural reforms requires highlighting the beneficial effects that reforms improving the functioning of economies’ supply sides have for potential growth and employment.
Let me therefore briefly draw attention to the US that successfully implemented structural reforms already towards the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s. The new direction of economic policy, the so-called “supply-side economics”, entailed a liberalisation of a number of network industries, previously heavily regulated, including air and surface transportation, natural gas pipelines as well as telecommunications. Furthermore, economic policy aimed at raising the incentives on the supply side as regards labour through a higher degree of labour market suppleness. Incentives to participate in the labour market were also enhanced by strongly reducing marginal income tax rates and by simplifying the income tax system. Overall, these policies contributed to the increase in economic activity and employment that the US witnessed in the following years.
In contrast to the reform efforts engaged in a number of industrialised countries towards the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s, several euro area countries started with structural reforms in labour, product and financial markets only more than one decade later. Some countries, in particular the Netherlands and Ireland, tended to act earlier and more decisively than others in the euro area. The success of the reforms undertaken in these countries is manifested in the low rates of unemployment compared to the average. In 2003, for example, unemployment in Ireland and the Netherlands amounted to 4.6% and 3.3% respectively, compared to more than 9% in Germany and France.
Looking at the euro area as a whole, some important structural reforms have taken place. Among the outcomes of these structural reforms were a higher level of competition in product markets due to the Single Market programme, a lower level of state aid and regulatory reform in network industries that resulted in price reductions and increased activity. Furthermore, since the introduction of the euro and in anticipation of it, reforms of the euro area capital markets have been stepped up, in particular through the Financial Services Action Plan initiated by the European Commission in 1999. As far as labour market reforms are concerned, these included, for example, improvements in countries’ job mediation systems as well as policies raising the efficiency of tax and benefit systems. These policies seem to have contributed to the strong employment growth and to the considerable decline in unemployment during the cyclical upswing between 1997 and 2000.
However, the high rate of unemployment in the euro area, which amounted to 8.9% in 2003, signals a still insufficient flexibility of the euro area and thus the necessity of further substantial efforts with structural reforms in labour markets in particular. In this regard, a cause for particular concern is that the level of euro area unemployment of young people aged 15-24 still amounted to 15.8% in 2002, despite a significant decline since the mid-1990s. This seems to reveal continued difficulties of this group to grow into work. This is all the more problematic as youth unemployment signals a particularly mediocre functioning of that segment of the labour market. A malfunctioning youth labour market negatively affects labour and product market performance immediately but also in the future because it has long-term consequences as regards the quality of the full body of the labour force.
The implementation of well-designed structural reforms in labour, product and capital markets and reforms aiming at increasing innovation, research and development is decisive at the euro area’s current juncture. The available conjunctural indicators suggest that the recovery of real economic activity in the euro area has continued into 2004, and it can be expected that this gradual recovery will continue and will strengthen over time. The economic recovery is likely to be stronger and more sustained, if ambitious well-designed structural reforms are implemented that improve the microeconomic fundamentals of the euro area. In this respect, a convincing commitment to the implementation of structural reforms and a successful communication of their economic benefits to the general public is crucial for raising consumer confidence, private consumption and ultimately growth and employment. In contrast, inactivity where reforms are necessary, piecemeal reform approaches or a lack of vision would hamper the economic recovery.
One last remark: In my view, there is no lack of knowledge why structural reforms are necessary. We all agree in Europe on the Lisbon diagnosis and the Lisbon agenda: the Heads of States and governments, the Commission, the ECB and the Eurosystem. There is more difficulty on how to convince households, to persuade our fellow citizens about their necessity. It is therefore very important to improve the communication on the substantial benefits well-designed structural reforms entail for all and particularly for the unemployed.
3. The impact of supply side policies on the conduct of monetary policy and financial stability
Let me now turn to the discussion of the implications that supply side policies like those I have just described may have for the conduct of monetary policy and for financial stability in the euro area.
In general, more competitive product and labour markets would increase firms’ productivity as well as aggregate demand and employment and, as a consequence, social welfare. Furthermore, a diversified, competitive, deep and well-integrated financial market structure increases the efficiency of both intertemporal consumption decisions and savings allocation. Following on from the above, it is not surprising that the ECB has always stressed the importance of a swift implementation of “supply side” policies, as those embodied in the Lisbon agenda, across the euro area.
From the monetary policymaker’s point of view, “supply side” reforms have an additional positive effect, as they tend to facilitate monetary policy and increase its effectiveness. To be sure, a more flexible economic environment would not insulate labour, product and financial markets from unforeseeable shocks that eventually hit the economy but it would smooth the process of adjustment to those shocks. In such a flexible economic environment, policy actions will be more efficient and feed through the economy more quickly. Furthermore, one notable consequence of reforms should be to lower inflation persistence. For example, more flexible labour markets may imply that negative supply shocks (e.g. oil price increases) are absorbed with a smaller increase in inflationary pressures, as second round effects are appropriately subdued. This, in turn, would allow monetary policy to react less strongly to such shocks. As another, similar, example one could think of the case when an economy open to international trade has to face the consequences of the appearance on the world stage of a new, eventually large, competitor country. Endowed with sufficiently flexible labour and product markets this economy will be able to undergo the necessary structural re-adjustment while at the same time maintaining low output volatility and enjoying the benefits of lower import prices. As a consequence, domestic inflationary pressures will remain muted and monetary policy is facilitated.
In this context, reforms aiming at developing the financial sector would strengthen the effect of “supply side reforms” on the economy and on the effectiveness of monetary policy. In particular, well developed financial markets will enhance the transmission of monetary policy impulses to the rest of the economy due to wealth and income channels that will complement the classic effect that an interest rate change has on aggregate demand.
In summary, a flexible economic environment will make it easier for monetary policy to maintain price stability, while at the same time it should also help to keep the volatility of output and unemployment lower.
From a different, but certainly related, perspective, policies aiming at the creation of an integrated, deep and competitive financial market in order to improve its resilience to shocks are important for the maintenance of financial stability, which, in turn, ensures a smooth functioning of the economy and supports macroeconomic stability. In extreme cases, the inability of the financial system to withstand unforeseeable shocks – which is one possible definition of financial instability - gives way to cumulative processes that hinder both the normal allocation process of savings towards investment and the functioning of the payment systems. In this context, the finalisation of the process of integration of the euro area’s financial system will provide investors and financial institutions with the opportunity to diversify away the “regional” risk arising from asymmetric shocks eventually hitting any single country or region within the euro area. As a consequence, financial institutions which have diversified loan and assets portfolios across the euro area will be better able to absorb the losses resulting from region specific developments, thus contributing to minimise overall macroeconomic volatility while maintaining the proper functioning of the monetary policy transmission mechanism.
Everything just said provides strong justifications for central banks’ interest in the implementation of structural reforms that increase the flexibility of the economy in which monetary policy operates. However, the impact of supply side policies, and structural changes more generally, on both the supply potential of the economy and the transmission mechanism of monetary policy calls for the monetary policy-maker to deepen its understanding of the dynamics of the economy. I shall try, now, to elaborate on this more in detail.
In the pursuit of their own objectives, modern central banks recognise that the economic environment in which they operate changes continuously and in ways that are extremely difficult to precisely identify in real time. As a consequence, when assessing their monetary policy stance central banks cannot rely on mechanical deterministic rules whereby a simple, reduced-form system of equations provides a unique and never changing mapping of economic developments into interest rates. Quite to the contrary, modern central banks need to adopt the broadest possible perspective when assessing the wealth of information that is available at the time the policy decision has to be taken. It is against this background that central banks need to assess the consequences for the conduct of monetary policy over time of possible changes in the supply potential and the structure of the economy.
In theory, central banks need to assess the impact of structural changes on the production potential of the economy and on the determination of the “equilibrium” real interest rate - which is often defined as the real short-term interest rate that is consistent with output at its potential level and a stable rate of inflation. For illustrative purposes, let me assume for the time being that potential output and the real equilibrium interest rate can be estimated with a high degree of precision. Under this, admittedly, simplifying (– and unrealistic –) assumption, the central bank, in a first step, would distinguish between changes in the level of potential output and changes of the long-run growth rates of potential output. For example, supply-side policies leading to a one-off increase in the level of potential output will only have a temporary effect on the economy and will not change the long-run equilibrium real interest rate. In a different situation, when the central bank comes to the conclusion that it is potential output growth that increases, the return on capital will also increase and the equilibrium real interest rate will follow.
Staying in this fictitious “thinking experience” a bit longer, economic theory would prescribe that once the, possibly, new “equilibrium” interest rate and potential output growth are estimated, the central bank takes into consideration a large set of other indicators, including the short-term interactions of aggregate demand and supply. This is needed because it is quite unlikely that supply side policies will affect aggregate demand and potential output growth at the same time and by the same magnitude.
However, as I already alluded to, these considerations oversimplify the issue. Reality is much more complex than described by this discussion. In real life, monetary policy cannot rest on the assumption that the level of the equilibrium interest rate, the natural rate of unemployment or potential output can be observed or estimated with a sufficient degree of confidence. The difficulty of producing reliable estimates of these indicators calls for appropriate decision-making in an uncertain environment. In a world where the degree of uncertainty about the structure of economic agents’ preferences and the relations among economic variables is very high, monetary policy is well advised to attach a relatively small weight to indicators or equilibrium concepts that can only be estimated with a high degree of uncertainty.
The design of the ECB’s monetary policy strategy takes into account such problems, thus facilitating robust decision-making in an economic environment characterised by high uncertainty. In our approach, the assessment of risks to price stability relies on a comprehensive economic analysis based on a large set of information and models. We do not give any privilege to a particular equation, set of equations or algorithm. We cross check this economic analysis with a monetary analysis in a medium and long-term perspective. In so doing, and by cross-checking all the available information, the central bank needs always to carefully consider the possibility of structural breaks in historical relationships as well as the signals sent by different models in the context of various types of approaches.
4. Monetary policy and long-term economic growth –The contribution of the ECB
I would now like to provide an answer to the opposite question, namely how the ECB’s monetary policy supports the non-inflationary growth of the euro area economy. In doing so, I want to start by emphasising again that on the basis of decades of economic research and central banking practice a widespread consensus view has by now consolidated on what monetary policy can and cannot do to foster long-term economic growth. According to this consensus view the changes in money supply eventually engineered by the central bank will, in the long run, only have a permanent effect on the general price level, not on economic growth.
However, this does not mean that monetary policy is irrelevant for long-term economic growth. Quite the contrary, by maintaining price stability and anchoring long-term expectations to a low and stable inflation level, the central bank reduces uncertainty in the economy and thereby contributes in the most effective way to support long-term growth and job creation. Needless to say, this is not necessarily an easy job to perform. In order to keep long-term inflation uncertainty low, the central bank needs to be credible, that is to say it must ensure that its behaviour is always fully consistent with the maintenance of price stability, and must be able to communicate its economic assessment and, eventually, its policy actions to the public in an open and transparent way.
By successfully preserving price stability the central bank will enhance the transparency of the price mechanism and remove certain distortions, thus allowing economic agents to take the most efficient consumption, saving and investment decisions. The outcome is an efficient allocation of resources that enhances the supply potential of the economy. In particular, price stability makes it easier for people to identify changes in relative prices, since such changes are not obscured by fluctuations in the overall price level. This allows households to decide upon their consumption on the basis of the right signals, while at the same time enabling a more efficient allocation of resources as both workers and firms are in a better condition to assess the developments in their own markets and, thus, take the appropriate decisions concerning production, employment and wages. Furthermore, in an environment of low and stable inflation the transaction costs associated with both frequent changes in the final prices, the so-called “menu costs”, and with people’s holding of a sub-optimal level of cash (“shoe leather” costs), will be smaller.
Moreover, price stability helps to avoid the arbitrary redistribution of wealth and income that arises in inflationary as well as deflationary environments.
In addition, price stability allows the economy to fully exploit its supply potential through other important channels. In a low and stable inflation environment, inflation uncertainty is minimised and this, in turn, reduces risk premia in financial asset prices and fosters investment by lowering the costs of financing for firms. It is one of the main benefit that the euro area currently enjoys that long-term interest rates all over the maturity spectrum are very low – reflecting the high level of credibility of the ECB in preserving price stability in continuity with the best performances observed in Europe before the setting up of the euro.
I thank you for your attention.
See P. Gronewegen (1987) “Supply and demand” in J. Eatwell et al. (ed.) “The new Palgrave – a dictionary of economics” p. 553.
See L.J. White (1997) Public policy towards network industries, Stern School of Business, New York University. | <urn:uuid:62fbe31f-a76b-429f-9998-3cbc331a2c0d> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/key/date/2004/html/sp040622_1.cs.html | 2022-05-28T11:36:43Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652663016373.86/warc/CC-MAIN-20220528093113-20220528123113-00400.warc.gz | en | 0.945477 | 4,048 |
In the ecological transition of the world economy sovereign issuers have a fundamental role to play in mobilizing resources to finance the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as mitigating the effects of the current crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic through national reconstruction plans that are presented as an opportunity to reassure the commitment to a sustainable economy. Green bonds were the pioneering instrument aimed at channeling these resources. However, after a few years of experience, we begin to observe proposals for financial innovation that suggest the possibility of resorting to more efficient structures to achieve the scalability and consolidation of these financing instruments, such as green certificates and twin bonds.
Keywords: sovereign green bonds; greenium; sustainability; green finance.
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – a United Nations agency that provides scientific information on climate change and its political and economic impact – published a report called AR4 that presented robust scientific evidence linking human action with global warming. This milestone, together with the observation of a greater number of natural disasters and extreme weather events, constituted the beginning of a global awareness of climate change, and the financial sector began to consider its marginal contribution to the issue. In the capital markets framework, the first major innovation was undoubtedly the issuance of green bonds, the essential element of which is the issuer’s commitment to use the funds raised for projects that have a positive environmental impact.
This instrument is of particular importance for meeting the financing needs derived from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the year 2030, as agreed in Paris (2015), which remarked the role of the financial sector in this ecological transition, sparking the authentic sustainable revolution. The involvement of the private sector is key in this challenge (Alonso and Marqués, 2019) both due to its exposure through their investment portfolios, but also because of its function as intermediary channeling the necessary funds to transform our economy into a sustainable model. Therefore, there is no doubt that the scope of this challenge in achieving these goals is so huge that success depends on public-private collaboration. It is enough to note that it is currently estimated that the European Union needs EUR 290 billion a year in additional financing to achieve a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. The validity of this transformation of the economic model is highlighted by the recent announcement by such international authorities as the United Nations Secretary General pointing towards the need for the recovery of world economies to be based on a sustainable model (UN, 2020). Likewise, in Europe there is widespread demand for support for the revitalization of the single market and financial recovery in a green and digital transition, as core areas underpinning the relaunch and modernization of national economies (EP, 2020). This is demonstrated by the European Commission’s recent commitment to maintain its calendar of programs that began with the European Green Pact (December 2019) and the European Climate Law (March 2020). It is not clear whether the high fiscal costs derived from the current crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will limit progress or delay the transition towards environmentally aligned public policies, but this is undoubtedly an opportunity to lay the foundations for economic growth and ensure minimization of the long-term risks associated with climate change.
In this sustainable revolution, financial institutions have created an extensive battery of instruments linked to the environment, from green mortgages to credit cards with a limit based on the carbon footprint for retail clients, through certificates or securitization of green assets, such as renewable energy. In Spain, non-financial companies have been pioneers in the issuance of green bonds (Iberdrola 2014) and public issuers have gradually been starting to follow this same strategy for years (the Official Credit Institute – ICO – and Adif Alta Velocidad are two examples). Sovereign issuers have perhaps been the last to join the process of transformation (see Chart 1 – Bloomberg NEF)1, possibly because their different economic nature makes it impossible to assimilate the operations of a country with a company (Krugman 1994)2. Thus, the purpose for which green bonds were created (identification of the use of funds) would be better adapted to the case of private issuers whose environmental impact is limited to the characteristics of the assets on their balance sheet, credibly allowing investors to quantify this commitment, which is viewed as its sustainable reputation. However, sovereign issuers can affect the climate in other ways, specifically by using their regulatory power and fiscal capacity as a means to generate income with repercussions on climate change depending on the policies adopted. For example, if a sovereign were to issue a green bond, which it justifies with the claim that it is to be used to clean its coasts, but then lowers taxes on fossil fuels, would that issuer be fulfilling the transformation that investors expect of their green bond? Similarly, would that sovereign’s green bond really be trading its exposure to climate change risk?
In 2019, the volume of green sovereign bonds amounted to USD 76 trillion, which despite still representing less than 5% of total living sovereign debt had undergone growth by 60% on the previous year (according to Bloomberg data), largely due to investor demand and popular commitment. That is why sovereign issuers are accompanying this shift towards sustainability with a process of financial innovation, exploring new models that are compatible with the requirements for responsible investment, such as liquidity and scalability of emissions.
|Chart 1. Evolution of the issuance of green bonds, by type of issuer.|
|Source: Bloomberg NEF|
This article aims to review in retrospect the origins and evolution of conventional sovereign green bonds, as well as their current situation and possible future scenarios. To do so, recent emissions from Poland and the Netherlands are reviewed, and then two innovative structures that are being assessed by different sovereign issuers today, including their advantages and disadvantages, are analyzed. Of particular concern is the proposal for the issuance of twin bonds by Germany and green certificates by Denmark. Finally, the added value of these new alternatives is evaluated.
Following the publication in 2007 of the IPCC AR4 report, a group of Swedish investors and pension funds began to think of ideas to use their available funds to contribute to a climate solution. In conversations with the country’s investment banks, they contacted the World Bank3 due to its position as a leading international body in the fight to reduce poverty, and for its knowledge of economic, social and environmental promotion around the world. In retrospect, the solution seems simple: to ensure that the investment is channeled into programs that have the greatest positive impact for the planet. The idea was clear, but how are such projects to be found? And above all, how can their impact be measured?
To do so, the Swedish investors contacted the International Center for Environmental Research (CICERO), located in Oslo, where a group of leading researchers were able help assess and advise on the impact of the funded projects. Less than a year later, in November 2008, the World Bank issued its first green bond, creating a global benchmark for other issuers (see the box below for details of what is technically considered the world’s first green bond, although focused on a smaller scale, issued by the European Investment Bank – EIB-).
In essence, we consider a green bond to mean any simple debt issuance in which there is a commitment by the issuer to dedicate the funds raised to green projects and periodically report on their use and the impact caused on climate change. To do so, the classic debt issuance program is complemented by a new document called framework that will collect the details of the issuer’s sustainability strategy4, as well as new disclosure or communication requirements for clients and investors, by reporting on the use of funds, treasury, selection and monitoring of projects, including the measurement of their impact. All of this is validated by a new role known as external evaluator (ICMA 2018), a service that might constitute one of the main innovations in conventional green bonds, and which focuses on providing transparency to a market in which trust between investor and issuer is cornerstone.
|The first green bond had a structured format
At the same time that the World Bank was beginning its journey with the study of its first green bond, what is technically considered the first green bond was issued in 2007 by the European Investment Bank (EIB), classified as a Climate Awareness Bond (CAB). Curiously, this first bond was created with a structured format. It was tied to the performance of an equity index, the newly created FTSE4GooD. It was also linked to the destination of the raised funds, which were committed to financing projects in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency. As a new feature, it included an expiration option, whereby the invested money could be received in cash or dedicated to removing from circulation the equivalent amount of carbon allowances from the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).5
It took some time before such a structure could be part of the field of sovereign bonds, as it meant a change from the idiosyncrasy of public sector issuance. In most countries when debt management offices raise money, it is never tied to a specific goal, as it is inherent to the philosophy of green bonds. To find the first case of a sovereign issuing a green bond we have to go back to Poland in 2016. Subsequently, Belgium, France and Ireland have followed with green issues, as well as public agencies such as the German KfW and the EIB itself in the supranational issuers subsector. Outside of Europe, Chile, Indonesia and Nigeria have issued green bonds, as well as certain semi-sovereign American entities such as the California state pension fund.
Globally, in the public domain, Fannie Mae6 is the largest issuer of green bonds by annual volume and on a smaller scale, it is worth mentioning that the small country of Fiji issued its first green bond in 2019.
A question of price: the greenium
The issuance of green bonds can only be financially justified if they offer more value than a conventional bond with the same economic conditions. So, if a sovereign can issue for 10 years with a 2% coupon at a price of EUR 100, then we should be able to issue a green bond that pays the same coupon at a price of, for example, EUR 101. From the issuer’s perspective, a green bond offers less flexibility since it requires a greater commitment than a conventional bond, so it would only opt for this type of indebtedness if, under equal conditions, it achieves a better financing cost. From the investment point of view, those agents that are most committed to the sustainability of the planet are possibly interested in knowing about the use that is made of their contributed funds, whereby they not only hope to achieve financial profitability, but also want to define the use that is made of the funds and know about their social and/or environmental impact. It is therefore reasonable to suppose that in exchange for this commitment they are willing to give up part of the financial return.
In other words, a green bond can be broken down into (1) a financial commitment, in the form of coupons and principal to maturity, plus (2) the promise that the funds raised will be used for activities that have a positive impact on the environment. We therefore expect the value of this commitment to be positive in order to justify the existence of this asset class, and we should be able to obtain that value by comparing the financial flows of a traditional bond and those of a green bond with the same characteristics, such as amount, priority of payments and maturity. Following this reasoning, if we go to the market and compare the price of these two types of bonds, we observe that the theoretical assumption that there is a positive premium between the price of green and conventional bonds of the same issuer is very closely fulfilled. In fact, so-called greenium is the premium (or discount in terms of returns) of green bonds at the time of issue. The empirical evidence to date remains inconclusive on this greenium and varies in amount, but on average it would be around 1 or 2 basis points (b.p.) of discount in profitability. In other words, slightly lower profitability is required for issuers to finance green projects compared to other traditional indebtedness, so the market offers incentives (albeit few) to commit to climate change7.
Going deeper into the scientific literature, numerous studies have already addressed this topic. Serena et al. (2019) analyzes 268,083 issues, of which 1,131 are classed as green, finding that there is no premium for financial issuers, while in the case of non-financial corporates and especially supranational issuers, there is a “greenium” in the primary green bond market. In contrast, Karpf and Mandel (2017) find a small negative greenium in the United States municipal green bonds market. A justification for these divergent results can be found in Bachelet et al. (2018), where 89 bonds from institutional and corporate issuers are analyzed. Although for private (small) issuers they find a negative greenium in green bonds compared to conventional ones, this is partly explained by the lower liquidity. On the other hand, for institutional issuers, with greater liquidity, they find a greenium of around 2 p.b. Finally, in a large cross-sectional study over time, Zerbib (2019) estimates the greenium between green bonds and traditional equivalents at an average of 2 bp. for the entire sample (between 2013 and 2017), corroborated after analyzing EUR and USD portfolios separately.
This empirical evidence suggests that certain additional considerations to the risk and return expectations may be being considered by investors in these products, such as liquidity, which makes the magnitude of the financial premium that measures green commitment difficult to determine in isolation.
Although this premium may seem small, there is an additional factor to take into account when explaining the growing interest in this type of issue in the market, namely the stability of the investor base. When debt issuers perform debt operations, one of the most valued variables, together with the cost of financing, is frequently the stability of their bondholders, so if the number of sales orders in the secondary market were low and therefore the share price is at its most stable, sovereign issuers would look to attract, in their green bond order books, accounts or investors with a real interest in maintaining their buying position in said securities (buy and hold accounts). On the contrary, in traditional bonds there would be a higher percentage of less conservative or fast money investors, which would make their prices in the secondary market more volatile. In CBI (2018) estimations, green bonds to date have attracted an average of 55% of investors specializing in green assets. For instance, the inaugural Dutch issue had a distribution of up to 82.5% in accounts denominated “Green real money” (Reuters, 2019).
This type of stability is especially important in the case of sovereign bonds, which tend to be considered reference issuers in their respective jurisdictions.
The search for stability creates the effect of broadening the investor base that would be attractive to sovereign issuers, since part of this investment profile would be genuinely new, as these managers are less concerned with market volatility, and more with the purpose of their investment. In parallel, it is interesting to observe how the maturities of green sovereign issues are normally longer term than those of other types of issuers (see Chart 2).
|Chart 2: Sustainable Debt Maturity Structure by Issuer Type|
|Source: ICMA Green Bonds The state of the market 2018|
Typically, long-term bond issuers partner with investors such as pension funds and insurers seeking to match the durations of their investment portfolios with their liabilities, this being an associated management strategy.
Therefore, green debt issues would fit with the traditional investor profile of sovereign issuers. Following the same example, 33% was allocated to pension funds and insurers (the majority investor category in the order book) in the inaugural Dutch issue, followed by 31% allocated to investment funds and asset managers.
As we have seen so far, green bonds are currently slightly more expensive for investors than traditional bonds, although this situation is somewhat inconclusive due to the short history of the market. Thinking about the viability of these financial products in the future, we perform a small exercise in abstraction and ask where things might stand 30 or 50 years from now.
In a favorable future scenario8 in which the concentration of greenhouse gases is lower than current levels, it would be foreseeable that large investors would come to see green bonds as a luxury asset, resulting in a potential shortage of supply in the primary market.
However, what is considered the base case scenario or BAU –business as usual– by the IPCC is not so optimistic 9, taking global warming to 4.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Given this circumstance, the population is expected to be fully aware of the need to decarbonize the economy more aggressively, and investors should decide to dedicate a higher percentage of their budget exclusively to products with a positive environmental impact, and be forced to focus their investments on green bonds, to the detriment of other less necessary types of investment10.
While these scenarios are uncertain, the reality is that the odds are skewed towards one in which the environment is not a luxury, but a necessity. Along these lines, we have recently heard how the first vice-president of the European Commission has defended this point before the European Parliament, stating that “the European Green Pact is not a luxury, but a lifeline to emerge from the crisis against the coronavirus […] Green recovery is not only possible, but crucial, given that Europe would lose twice if we mobilize investments to restore the old economy before turning it green and sustainable”11.
Poland and Holland, the pioneers
As mentioned at the beginning, on December 12, 2016, Poland issued its inaugural green bond, following the ICMA green bond principles (GBP) that had just been published in June of that same year. This transaction is considered the first green issue by a sovereign and followed a conventional format, involving the evaluation from the company Sustainalytics of its green financing framework, as well as certifying its commitment to (i) the use of funds, (ii) the selection system for eligible projects, (iii) the financial management of the funds raised, and (iv) the reporting or impact report after the issue. Poland thus committed on the financial side to paying a coupon of 0.5% over 5 years on a nominal amount of EUR 750 million, while its environmental commitment was intended to finance renewable energy projects, sustainable agriculture operations, reforestation, national parks, clean transport and forest recovery, explicitly leaving out any use related to unsustainable sectors, such as the burning of fossil fuels and operations related to palm oil. In this first transaction, the issuer had to pay a new issue premium of 8 b.p. (i.e. negative greenium)12, although this was reduced in its second issuance of a green bond in 2018, leaving the price at the same level as its traditional credit curve (see the following chart, CBI 2018).
Meanwhile, the Netherlands was the first AAA issuer to take out a green bond in Europe. The issue was made in 2019, for an amount close to EUR 6 billion, and with a term of 20 years. In this case, the justification of the funds raised is based on the expenses committed both in the current budget, as well as in the year prior to the issuance and subsequent years. However, it included a commitment for at least having
|Chart 3: Primary Green Bond Market (|
|Source: Climate Bonds Initiative (2018)|
50% of the justification done against the budget of the same year of the issue. As in the previous case, this bond was approved by Sustainalytics, who considered their green strategy to be credible and that ICMA’s GBP principles had been followed.
Germany recently announced its interest in issuing its first green bond in 2020, for a potential amount of EUR 10 billion, which would make it the second country with an AAA rating to issue green debt, after the Netherlands. This would also be an important step in the development of this market on a global level since it would constitute the risk-free reference curve in Europe following the same consideration as its traditional debt.
While Germany may not have been the first player in the sovereign green bond market, it presented a good opportunity for a country with one of the most ambitious green tax packages to use strategic debt to finance the more than EUR 50,000 million committed to investment in key sectors that could make a significant contribution to boosting the economy while supporting the planet’s sustainability.
Germany’s innovative proposal involves issuing two twin bonds, one green and one traditional, at the same time. Both would carry the same financial conditions and they would only differ in terms of the green commitment of one of the bonds (they would bear different ISIN identification codes). To ensure the liquidity of both bonds, the sovereign would commit to exchange them at any time, eliminating any liquidity premium from these green assets. This would therefore offer a solution that would provide depth to the green bond market, seeking to reduce the isolation of this type of debt with respect to the traditional credit curve and laying the first foundations towards the creation of a green reference curve.
The low liquidity due to this isolation of green emissions may be a particular problem for smaller sovereigns, such as Denmark. Being a small issuer, setting up a new benchmark separate from the traditional credit curve would be so illiquid that it would presumably fail to attract a discount or greenium in the primary market. In addition, there would be a certain expulsion or crowding-out effect with respect to its own traditional debt, that is, assuming a fixed budget, the government should issue less non-green debt and, therefore, probably damage the liquidity of its credit curve, potentially having to pay an additional premium for illiquidity on all their debt due to the fragmentation of its issuance program, with an impact on the total cost of financing.
Based on this need, Denmark would be evaluating a model that would divide the two commitments that make up a green bond 13. Although this is still a theoretical development, it is interesting to analyze the advantages of the structure for issuers, as well as the potential it would offer to investors in terms of greater flexibility. In this proposal, the financial commitment would be issued as a traditional bond, while the green promise would be issued as a green certificate. Hence, an investor in possession of both instruments, the traditional bond and the green certificate, would be in a position equivalent to an investment in a sovereign green bond. The green certificate would thus be interpreted as a commitment by Denmark to invest in green assets being at least equal to the amount raised from the sale of the traditional bond and the green certificate.
Denmark would sell this structured green bond in an auction, so that the buyer of a “green package” can have a traditional Danish bond exchangeable for any other sovereign bond of the same maturity, plus the certificate that ensures reinvestment by the issuer of said amount in green assets. The bond will hence be as liquid as any other issue reference, while the certificate will have a price for which the buyer who has bid in the auction is assumed to be willing to pay a positive amount. So the issuer could quantify the greenium directly in the primary market and investors could keep the certificate or sell it in the secondary market, since they will have their own ISIN identification code.
Suppose that in an auction the sovereign sells its bond at a price of EUR 100 plus a green certificate that is valued for example at EUR 1. The issuer hence obtains EUR 101 in the primary market, a price that may fluctuate based on interest rates and the issuer’s credit risk: But on what basis would the certificates vary in price? The market would be responsible for pricing the government’s level of commitment to its reinvestment in sustainable projects. In a way, the certificate would be a “zero coupon bond with zero amortization at maturity.” As strange as it sounds, there would be some financial logic behind that would support the existence of monetary value in a product that has no cash flows. When Denmark gave the investor a green certificate, that is all she would get, the certificate. Who then might be interested in paying a positive amount for this? Maybe major activists who want to show their followers that they are committed to climate change, even going so far as to influence the expectation of a country being committed to sustainability. Furthermore, the certificates would be an interesting piece of financial engineering offering the possibility for credit structuring in order to create synthetic green bonds; for example, pairing an American sovereign bond with a Danish green certificate, allowing large investors to offset the global carbon footprint of their portfolios, fulfilling their commitments to align with the Paris goals (2015) or, for example, the Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI), while adapting their financial profile to the needs of their portfolios. Ultimately, a manager could, for example, benefit from buying bonds from Saudi Arabia while adding green certificates to its portfolio, thus being able to justify its net contribution to the decarbonization of the economy to rating agencies and investors, this being a way to facilitate the ecological transition supporting the financing of companies and sovereigns that are currently outside the scope of the green activities taxonomy during this transition14.
A certificate market that quotes the sustainability of issuers could even be created. If investors believe that the demand for green bonds will increase, they can choose to invest in these instruments, but due to their low liquidity, another cheaper way to position themselves in this scenario would be to buy green certificates, minimizing exposure to the issuer’s credit risk on the part of the traditional bond, so it would no longer be necessary to finance the purchase of a bond to take a bullish position in terms of sustainability. We would thus achieve an efficient way of assessing the sustainability of the countries in the market that would complement the assessment of their public policies that are committed in the framework of the Paris Agreement (2015) to the so-called National Determined Contributions (NDCs), and climate metrics based on the production of goods and services in the country, such as, for example, adaptation indexes as calculated by the Notre-Dame Global Adaptation Initiative.
We are shifting from a market based on the fiduciary duty of managers to their clients towards one in which the people are committed to climate change and thus incorporate it in all their investment preferences. Green bonds have therefore changed investor behavior, leading some of the biggest managers to publicize their purchases of this type of asset and communicate their responsible investment strategies15.
In the ecological transition, sovereign issuers play a fundamental role in mobilizing resources to finance the SDGs. This is of even greater importance in the current scenario of implementing recovery measures in the wake of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The emphasis on planning for green reconstruction means green bonds appear to be a central instrument for satisfying these plans.
After a few years of experience of issuing green bonds, we begin to see other proposals for financial innovation that suggest the possibility of resorting to more efficient structures for the issuance of sustainable public debt. There is still a long way to go, but in the future, responsible investment managers would benefit from knowing the true level of compliance with national climate commitments and separating it from each country’s level of credit risk, an area in which the current greenium is unable to offer a credible conclusion due to the distortion caused by liquidity differences between green and traditional public debt. The new financial structures analyzed here would allow this effect to be isolated, directly in the price of the green certificates in the Danish model, or indirectly, from the price differential between the “twin” green bonds of the German proposal.
About the author
Andrés Alonso is a senior economist at the Bank of Spain, where he works in the Financial Innovation Division.
I am grateful to Ana Fernández, Sergio Gorjón and José Manuel Marqués for their comments on this article, which is the sole responsibility of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Bank of Spain, the Eurosystem or any other institution with which the author collaborates.
Alonso & Marqués (2019). “Innovación financiera para una economía sostenible”. Banco de España. DO 1916.
Bachelet et al. (2018). “The Green Bonds Premium Puzzle: The Role of Issuer Characteristics and Third-Party verification” MDPI. Maria Jua Bachelet, Leonardo Becchetti, Stefano Manfredonia. December 2018.
EP (2020). “Roadmap to Reallocation. A critical assessment of the Green Deal’s growth, financial and regulatory challenges”. European Parliament. April 2020.
Fama & French “Disagreement, tastes, and asset pricing”. E.F. Fama, K.R. French. Journal of Financial Economics, 83 (2007) ICMA (2018). “Guidelines for Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds External Review”. June 2018.
Karpf & Mandel. “Does it pay to be green? A Comparative Study of the Yield Term Structure of Green and Brown Bonds in the US Municipal Bonds Market”. Andreas Karpf, Antoine Mandely. February 2017.
Serena et al. (2019) “The pricing of green bonds: are financial institutions special?”, Serena Fatica, Roberto Panzica, Michela Rancan. European Commission – Joint Research Center (JRC). 2019.
UN (2020). “Letter from the Secretary-General to G-20 leaders”. March 23.
Zerbib (2019). “The effect of pro-environmental preferences on bond prices: Evidence from green bonds”. Olivier David Zerbib. Journal of Banking and Finance, 2019.
Pies de página
1 Recently, in April 2020, the Community of Madrid launched the first green bond issued by a Spanish public administration, following a conventional commitment structure regarding the use of funds.
2 In 1993 Jacques Delors argued that the unemployment problem in the European Economic Community was due to a lack of competitiveness, and he used the words of US President Bill Clinton who said that his country was “a great company competing in the world market”. This led economist Paul Krugman to review the definition of a country’s competitiveness vis-à-vis a company. Intuitively, a large company’s income statement is literally that, the result of its profits and losses, so if it cannot pay its employees, suppliers, and debtors, it will run out of business. On the other hand, a country may be more or less content with its economic development, but it does not run out of business. We might think that the balance of its current account balance will determine its position of strength in terms of imports and exports, and will therefore determine the wealth of its population, but it is not so simple. Interdependencies in international trade mean that countries do not compete in a zero-sum game, as for example Coca-Cola and Pepsi could otherwise do by competing for drink sales. Ultimately, the numbers show that the quality of life in a country is determined more by domestic factors than by how the nation competes in international markets.
3 For further explanation, see World Bank(2018).
4 Common practice involves the issuer’s adherence to “green principles” such as those promulgated by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) and the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), which normally establish the minimum conditions necessary for inclusion in a framework in order for it to be considered a green bond, namely (1) justify the use of funds, (2) the evaluation and selection of projects, (3) the management of the treasury and (4) the commitment to reporting the impact of projects.
5 See Alonso and Marqués (2019) for further information on new sustainable financial instruments.
6 Fannie Mae is the popular name for the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), an entity guaranteed by the US government whose work is to give depth to the secondary mortgage market, through the acquisition and subsequent securitization of these loans, in order to facilitate reinvestment by financial institutions in the real estate sector.
7 BBVA (2019) studies the evolution of the greenium of the issuer KfW, as well as the evolution of said premium in the secondary market, observing its volatility, which ranges between 2 and 6 p.b.
8 See “RCP4.5: a pathway for stabilization of radioactive forcing by 2100”. Climate Change (2011). Another even more favorable scenario with which the IPCC is currently working would correspond to a RCP 1.9, which would entail a significant decrease in emissions compatible with an increase in temperatures of less than 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, as has been agreed in Paris (2015).
9 The so-called RCP8.5 would mark the high range of carbon emissions if no mitigation measures are taken.
10 Thus, a rise in the price of green bonds could end up leading investors to buy more of them, since although in relative terms they became more expensive (substitution effect), the imminence of the climate impact would lead investors to maintain or increase their effort to invest in sustainable instruments, disregarding other types of assets (negative income effect). This situation, in which a rise in price is associated with a higher demand for the product due to the basic need to dispose of said good, is known in economic theory as a Giffen good or less. 11 Along these same lines Germany, the UK, China and even the IMF have been mentioned.
11 Along these same lines Germany, the UK, China and even the IMF have been mentioned.
12 See reference, Societe Generale, 2019.
13 Similar to traditional debt stripping operations, in which the coupons of a bond are separated from the principal, which will be listed separately with individual ISIN codes, in the style of small zero coupon bonds.
14 The first transition bond aligned with the recently published Taxonomy of green activities of the European Commission has just been issued by the gas company Cadent. For further information, see BNP (2020).
15 See, for example, BlackRock.
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Tasman trail notes
The Richmond Alpine Track is rugged and, though well-marked, is unformed in places. The summits are consistently above 1500m and the track has many steep, exposed sections and stream crossings. It's only suitable for fit, experienced, and well-equipped trampers but the landscapes are superb, amongst the very finest along Te Araroa.
The track is within the Mt Richmond Forest Park. Below the tree line, the forest contains a mixed variety of beech and podocarp forest. The summits and higher ridges often have rocky approaches. Towards its end, the track traverses the flanks of the Red Hills. These hills, formed from mineral-rich ultramafic rock, are barren and the vegetation that can survive upon them is sparse and stunted.
Anyone attempting the Pelorus River Track and Richmond Alpine Track together as a single section should prepare for at least a 9-day tramp, the first 3 days would be on the Pelorus River Track.
Note - that the Department Of Conservation brochure available through the link on this page relates only to the northern portion of this Te Araroa section.
Hacket Junction to Hacket Hut – 1.3km, 15min (and a further 5.7km if starting from the Hacket Picnic Area).
For trampers continuing on from the Pelorus River Track, Hacket Hut is a 15min walk from the sign-posted junction at Hacket Creek.
For those starting afresh, access to Hacket Junction is 5.7km from the Hacket Picnic Area, about 12km from Hope up Aniseed Valley Road. From the picnic area cross the Roding River footbridge and continue on the formed track towards Browning Hut. There is a Te Araroa marked sign after 5.7km. This is at Hacket Junction. Take the 1.3km track from here towards Hacket Hut as indicated. Alternatively, trampers can remove 20 minutes from this section by taking the first sign-posted track to Hacket Hut off the track up from the Hacket Picnic Area.
For transport to or from Hacket Picnic Area
Private Driver Hire P: 0272 565 643 (Paul) - can transport to/from all locations Picton-Anakiwa-Pelorus Bridge-Nelson-St Arnaud, priced on enquiry. We can collect from the Hacket carpark and drive to Nelson or to re-supply and go back in again. You will need to contact us from Starveall hut as there is no phone coverage at Hacket hut or the carpark.
Hacket Hut to Starveall Hut - 6km / 4 hours
The track continues up Hacket Creek with numerous crossings. The track then departs the river and embarks on a 900m climb, initially towards Pyramid Rock, and them on towards Starveall Hut (6 bunks). The hut is located just above the tree line.
Starveall Hut to Slaty Hut - 5km / 2.5 hours
Water can be scarce between Starveall and Mid Wairoa Huts so carry at least enough to last through to the next hut and resupply point.
The track follows poles up towards Mt Starveall and summiting is an attractive possibility on fine days. The main track, however, descends into the forest and follows the ridgeline towards Slaty Peak. A sidle across the peak’s northern face brings you to Slaty Hut (6 bunks).
Slaty Hut to Old Man Hut - 10km / 5 hours
This section is predominantly above the tree line and is marked with poles. Old Man Hut (5 bunks) is located in a clearing and is accessed via a marked side trail.
Old Man Hut to Rintoul Hut - 4.5km / 5 hours
This section is rocky and exposed. It involves some scrambling and is the most difficult portion of the Richmond Alpine Track. Care needs to be taken here and trampers should be prepared to wait out adverse weather.
From the head of the Old Man Hut access track, the main track climbs through the bush and then above the bushline to the summit of Little Rintoul (1643m). It then descends very steeply on a loose surface for 250m following poles to a saddle before climbing steeply again to the summit of Mt Rintoul (1731m), the highest point on the Richmond Alpine Track. This track is very susceptible to erosion which can make for challenging walking so please take great care. Little Rintoul and Mt Rintoul should not be attempted in poor weather.
Beyond Mt Rintoul’s summit, the poled route traverses the ridgeline before dropping steeply down scree slopes to the bushline. From here a marked track leads to Rintoul Hut (6 bunks).
Rintoul Hut to Tarn Hut - 8km / 4.5 hours
The track follows a bush-clad ridge to Purple Top, the only significant open section on the route. Follow poles up and over rocks here to return to the bush. There is a sign-posted junction beyond Bishop’s Cap. The left-hand track leads to Tarn Hut (5 bunks).
Tarn Hut to Mid Wairoa Hut - 6.5km / 4 hours
The track continues along the ridge to a sign-posted junction before Bushy Top. Take the right-hand track from here down towards the Left Branch Wairoa River and Mid Wairoa Hut. The final descent to the river is steep. The hut is reached across the river via a swing bridge.
Mid Wairoa Hut to Top Wairoa Hut - 7km / 4.5 hours
The track from Mid Wairoa Hut follows the river. It involves a lot of sidling, at times on steep terrain, and eight river crossings. In some areas, erosion on the track presents slippery and/or narrow footholds and extreme care should be taken through here. Some trampers will find this section challenging. It should not be attempted during periods of heavy rain as the river can rise quickly.
Top Wairoa Hut to Hunters Hut - 10.5km / 5 hours
Beyond the hut, Te Araroa enters Red Hills country and a landscape transformed. The track follows markers and climbs away from the hut to a saddle at 1374m.
Beyond the saddle, the track veers northward and sidles, first on a high and exposed ridge and then westward below Mt Ellis towards another ridge. The marker poles on this section are distant but are still visible in clear weather from one to the next. Once over the ridge's shoulder, the track descends and passes through a lightly forested section.
Below the forest, the track veers southwest and down towards Motueka River Left Branch. Cross the river where marked and continue down the true right bank.
Ford the river again where marked and, from the true left side, the track climbs up towards Hunters Hut (8 bunks).
Hunters Hut opened in 1997 and is a memorial to Department of Conservation staff members Russell Griebel and Bob Waldie, both of whom died on duty when Bush Edge Hut was destroyed in a flash flood. Remnants of the old hut are still visible as you cross the river and then make the 15-minute climb up to the new hut site.
Hunters Hut to Porters Creek Hut - 9km / 4 hours
The track undulates south and crosses a number of open boulder fields and streams on its way to Porters Creek Hut (6 bunks).
There are a water tank and woodshed at the hut.
Porters Creek Hut to Red Hills Hut - 10.5km / 5 hours
The track curves around to the Motueka River Right Branch and, once there, sidles above the true right bank to a crossing near the Maitland Creek confluence. The Motueka river can rise, and fall, very quickly after heavy rain. Take care in crossing and be prepared to sit it out if required. The track then climbs and sidles above Maitland Creek's true right bank towards Red Hills Hut (6 bunks), which opened late in 2009 and replaced an older hut.
Red Hills Hut to SH63 – 7.5km / 4-5 hours
- Note: There is no water supply on this route between Red Hills Hut and SH63/St Arnaud
After Red Hills Hut, Te Araroa completes the Richmond experience on the Maitland Ridge Track - this was constructed as a MTB track by local volunteers and we are very grateful to share it with them. Take care on this route as it is used by mountain-bikers who may be moving at speed in some areas.
From Red Hills Hut an old 4WD track climbs steadily uphill to a rocky knoll at 1050m. Down the ridge to a broad saddle before (at times steep) climbing to a high point of 1200m, through lovely beech forest. Then a long downhill with some zigzags that keep the gradient smooth with open patches that offer occasional spectacular views. The saddle is at 1040m then another climb follows to the 1300m high point of the track where you have a great vantage point over the surrounding area. Finally, a steep descent (more zigzags) to the Tophouse Road.
From Tophouse Road it is 750m to SH63 then an 8km (2hr) walk on the road shoulder to St Arnaud.
There are toilets and rubbish bins available just as you arrive in St Arnaud - across the road from the school, next to the Community Hall.
- Summits are consistently above 1500m
- The track can be difficult and unformed at times - please take caution
- Hunting is encouraged in Mt Richmond Forest Park. All hunters must have a Department of Conservation permit. For a permit contact the Nelson Regional Visitor centre or a local Department of Conservation office.
Dogs with a Department of Conservation permit only. Contact the relevant Department of Conservation office to obtain a permit.
Most trampers start from the Hacket road-end, 29km south of Nelson and walk through to Starveall Hut to begin the Alpine Route. From Tarn Hut, they complete the trip by descending to either Wairoa road-end, inland from Wakefield, or to the Goulter road-end, on the north bank of the Wairau River.
The Alpine Route is also accessible on tracks from the Goulter River, Lake Chalice, or via the Te Hoiere/Pelorus River.
- From Nelson, trampers transport services operate. Unfortunately this type of service is not available from Blenheim.
- Trips and Transfers Nelson Lakes and Beyond is a new local transport company in St Arnaud. I can pick you up from the track end and take you into St Arnaud or to Nelson /Blenheim airports if required. If you are also looking for a night's accommodation in a rural retreat ( suitable for single person or a couple) we can assist. Feel free to phone Jennifer with your enquiry 03-5394896 or make a transfer request online.
- Nelson Lakes Shuttles - P: 03 547 6896 or 0275 476896 - Including connections with Naked Bus and Intercity Coachlines to Nelson InterCity - P: 03 365 1113
- Private Driver Hire - P: 0272 565 643 (Paul) - can transport to/from all locations Picton-Anakiwa-Pelorus Bridge-Nelson-St Arnaud, priced on enquiry. We can take you from Anakiwa to the start of the trail head for the Pelorus track at the end of Maungatapu road, including stopping to re-supply in Havelock en-route. Travel time just under 2 hours including time to re-supply. This saves almost 3 days of road walking
- New for 2020. Red Hills one way bike hire. Bicycles with a trailer for packs available at Tophouse Rd. Pre-book and pay to receive lock combination. Coast down to St Arnaud and lock the bike up at the drop off point. You can take a friend's pack to arrive early and set up camp before they arrive. $15.00/Bike and trailer. Find us on Facebook Red Hills Bike Hire or email [email protected]
Alpine Lodge St. Arnaud - Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park - E: [email protected] - P: 03 5211869 - W: Includes: dorm and double private rooms plus hotel room accommodation also available. There is internet, laundry facilities, spa pool for hire, a restaurant/bar/café (with the famous Sunday BBQ $31pp). The Alpine Lodge can store food parcels - $15 per parcel staying/not staying at the lodge. Send those to Alpine Lodge, 75 Main Rd, St Arnaud, RD2 Nelson 7072. (Clearly mark the parcel with "<your name>, Te Araroa Walker").
Tophouse Historic Inn and Mountain View Cottages. Hotel, Motel, B&B. 68 Tophouse Road R.D.2 Saint Arnaud Nelson, 68 Tophouse Road R.D.2 Saint Arnaud Nelson, Saint Arnaud 7072. Ph: 035211269, Mob: 0273444027, Email: [email protected]. 4 double rooms in the historic Tophouse Inn B&B. and 4 Cottages self-contained with 2 double bedrooms. Meals on request and are situated 2kms from the Red Hills Beeby's Knob exit on Tophouse road. 7kms from St Arnaud and serviced by courier post for your food boxes.
St Arnaud is a pleasant tourist village on the shore of Lake Rotoiti and the gateway to the Nelson Lakes National Park. This popular park is serviced by a network of spacious but heavily used huts.
DOC have adjusted hut pricing from July 2021. Huts on the Travers-Sabine circuit are no longer covered by the Backcountry Hut Pass. Hut tickets may still be used. The adult price for summer is now $20. The Backcountry Hut Pass can still be used for camping at any time. This applies to Lakehead Hut, John Tait Hut, Upper Travers Hut, West Sabine Hut, Sabine Hut, Speargrass Hut, and Blue Lake Hut
Angelus Hut, a popular diversion off Te Araroa on the Mt Robert Route, requires advance booking year round. The same restrictions as above apply to the use of the Backcountry Hut Pass. Outside of the peak season you can use your Backcountry Hut Pass to apply for a discount, by entering 'Backcountry Hut Pass Holder' and uploading a scan
This long tramp connects Travers/Sabine Circuit with the St James Walkway. It provides an extraordinary summer tramping experience at the northern end of the Southern Alps. In winter and spring some sections are snowbound and avalanche prone.
At 1870m, Waiau Pass is Te Araroa's second-highest point. It's the most likely part of the route to be blocked by snow and has some avalanche risk on its southern face. Contact the Department of Conservation (DOC) before you start, to enquire about the route's current condition. DOC is at the Nelson Lakes Visitors Centre in St Arnaud (03 5211806).
The track ends at a car park and bus shelter on SH7 next to the Boyle River Outdoor Education Centre.
St Arnaud to Lakehead Hut
9.5km / 2-3 hours
The track starts opposite St Arnaud's alpine store. This is on the Black Valley Walk, which heads through beech forest to DOC's Kerr Bay Campground on the shore of Lake Rotoiti.
Te Araroa then joins with the Travers/Sabine Circuit at the eastern end of Kerr Bay. From here the track follows the shoreline through the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project area to Lakehead Hut. This is about 15min beyond the jetty near the lakehead.
The recovery project started in 1997 and is one of 6 maintained by DOC. Its goal is to restore native biodiversity to the beech forest. A trapping and poisoning programme aims to rid a 5000ha block of introduced pests including cats, possums, stoats, wasps, rats and mice. Kaka and reintroduced great spotted kiwi are 2 native species that benefit from the project.
Lakehead Hut to John Tait Hut
12km / 5 hours
The well-graded track continues from Lakehead Hut up the river flats through open and forested sections to John Tait Hut. Mt Travers comes into view around Hopeless Creek.
John Tait (1901-1982), a former president of the Nelson Tramping Club, led a volunteer effort to raise funds and to construct the original hut in 1951. This was 5 years before Nelson Lakes National Park became New Zealand’s 8th national park. The original hut survived 27 years. A new hut sits in a clearing with views of Mt Travers and Mt Cupola.
John Tait Hut to Upper Travers Hut
6km / 3 hours
Beyond John Tait Hut the track continues up the Travers Valley and has some steeper sections. The track passes marked turn-offs to Cupola Hut and Travers Falls, which is a short and worthwhile side trip.
Upper Travers Hut sits on the edge of a large flat immediately below Mt Travers.
Upper Travers Hut to West Sabine Hut
8km / 6-8 hours
The track continues as a defined ground trail that follows snow poles up to Travers Saddle (1787m). This is a steady 450m climb.
From the Saddle, the snow poles continue down the western face to the tree line. The track then takes walkers down to the East Branch Sabine River in the valley floor below. This is a long and in places steep descent and crosses a large avalanche risk zone. Take the alternative marked track during times of avalanche risk.
Change to Travers Saddle Track
The Te Araroa map for this section is based on LINZ Topo50 map (BS24 Mount Robert 2018). It does not correctly show a later modification to the route. At km 1997.7 southbound follow the poled role down the ridge. The older route, still shown on the maps, is visible leading to the right, but was abandoned due to track damage in the steep valley. For northbound travel follow the poled route up the ridge after km 1999.
From the East Branch Sabine River, the track climbs, sidles and then descends to the West Branch Sabine River. West Sabine Hut is a short distance upstream.
West Sabine Hut to Blue Lake Hut
7km / 3 hours
Te Araroa leaves the Travers/Sabine Circuit from West Sabine Hut and continues up towards Blue Lake and Waiau Pass. Trampers wishing to return to St Arnaud can continue on the circuit.
From the hut follow the Blue Lake Track up the West Branch Sabine River to its source. The route is forested and climbs steeply in places, in particular during the short final climb to the hut and lake. The track crosses several short avalanche risk zones.
Blue Lake Hut is a popular side trip to the Travers/Sabine Circuit but tramper numbers do start to thin by this point.
Blue Lake Hut to Upper Waiau Forks
7km / 6-8 hours
The next section, over Waiau Pass, is the most demanding on this track. It is a fair-weather route, suitable for experienced individuals or parties with experienced leadership. Good fitness and reasonable agility is a prerequisite for all. These criteria aside, Waiau Pass is a Te Araroa highlight. Allow a full day for the journey.
The track leaves Blue Lake Hut through the forest and climbs onto Lake Constance's moraine dam. The lake itself is attractive and set within a dramatic alpine landscape. From the dam, a rough and rocky track, marked by snow poles, leads up above bluffs on the west side of the lake. Then it descends very steeply in places to the lakehead. The track continues across the open upper valley floor and then climbs a steep scree slope in direct fashion to a high terrace. From here it is a 500m sidle and climb up to Waiau Pass.
The route from the pass continues through the rocky and exposed country. Take care where turning off the main ridge to follow the poled track route. It then drops steeply in places through bluffs to a terrace. Then it continues west before descending to the West Branch Waiau River in the valley floor. This area is an avalanche hazard zone when conditions are right.
From the valley floor, the track follows the river through thick sub-alpine scrub to the Upper Waiau Forks. There is an attractive informal campsite here within a stand of beech trees.
Upper Waiau Forks to Waiau Hut
8km / 4hr
The track follows the Waiau River down and stays mostly on the true right. The valley opens up as you near Waiau Hut (6 bunks), new in 2017 thanks to a generous donor.
Waiau Hut to Anne Hut
26km / 7-8 hours
Travel down the valley is easy, through grassy flats, and on the Waiau River’s true right. Two bush-clad terminal moraines add interest and provide good camping opportunities.
In time the Ada homestead comes into view. The homestead area remains in private hands. Trampers should avoid this area and continue to the Ada River. This is a straightforward crossing in low to normal flows. Beyond the river, trampers link to the St James Walkway and continue down in a south-west direction towards Anne Hut – a new 20 bunk hut.
Anne Hut to Boyle Flat Hut
15km / 6 hours
The track continues up the Anne River through a series of grassy clearings towards Anne Saddle. Then it descends into the Boyle River Valley.
The small 3 bunk Rokeby Hut is lower down the valley. Built in 1965 it is in original condition. Beyond Rokeby Hut the track continues downstream on the true left to a swingbridge. Boyle Flat Hut is a short distance beyond down the true right side of the river.
Boyle Flat Hut to Boyle Village
14.5km / 4 hours
Re-cross the swingbridge and continue southwest on the walkway. The track sidles through a gorge and descends to a junction. Cross the river on a swingbridge here and continue on the track within the forest margin. In time the track crosses the river on another swingbridge and continues down towards Boyle Village. The track emerges at a carpark next to the Boyle River Outdoor Education Centre.
Track standard: Tramping track
- River crossings - Never cross flooded rivers Take care with Wairoa, Motueka, Waiau and Ada Rivers, these rivers are unbridged
- Weather extremes - snow or heavy rain can occur at any time of the year
- Steep drop-offs Avalanche zone - Travers Saddle, track to Blue Lake, Waiau Pass
- East West Shuttles - P: 03 789 6251
Shuttles run between Westport and Christchurch - daily except Saturday. Must book for Shuttle to stop at the Boyle.
- Cost from Boyle to Hanmer - $35 to $47 (call to book and confirm cost).
- Times – Must Book First:
From the Boyle:
to Hanmer / Christchurch - stops at the Boyle about 10am;
to Westport - stops at the Boyle about 4-4:30pm;
To the Boyle:
Christchurch to Boyle – leaves from Canterbury Museum at 2pm
Hanmer to Boyle – leaves from the Hanmer i-Site at 3:45pm
Westport to Boyle – leaves the Westport Caltex at 8am
- Hanmer Tours & Shuttles – P: 03 315 7418, E: [email protected] Will Shuttle from / to the Boyle or from/to Windy Point for a minimum $150 one way for up to 5 people. Call for availability.
- Nelson Lake Shuttles - P: 03 547 6896 or 0275 476896 Can run a shuttle/charter from Boyle Village to St Arnaud; call for cost and availability.
- InterCity Bus – only operates through the Lewis Pass when State Highway 1 – via Kaikoura – has a road closure (this is the Christchurch to Picton route); and then it is an “on request stop only” it needs to be pre-booked.
Private Driver Hire - P: 03 3910500 (Paul) - can transport to/from all locations Picton-Anakiwa-Pelorus Bridge-Nelson-St Arnaud, priced on enquiry.
The Alpine Lodge - Alpine Lodge St, Arnaud, Lake Rotoiti - P: 03 5211869) has accommodation in a dorm, private room, and hotel rooms available. There is internet, laundry facilities, spa pool for hire, a restaurant/bar/café (with the famous Sunday BBQ $31pp) and they are happy to store food parcels ($5 if staying at the Lodge or $10 if not) - send those to Alpine Lodge, 75 Main Rd, St Arnaud, RD2, Nelson 7072. (Clearly mark the parcel with "<your name>, Te Araroa Walker".
Accommodation at end of route
Boyle River Outdoor Education Centre - P: 03 315 7082 - E: [email protected] A not-for-profit organisation providing outdoor education and recreation opportunities for school and community groups first and foremost, the Centre also supports walkers on their Te Araroa journey. You can book and prepay for parcel storage, backpacker-style accommodation, hot showers, laundry and Wi-Fi on our Te Araroa Online Store; https://www.boyle.org.nz/shop. Please note, any parcels sent to us should be booked in advance of sending, be well-sealed, clearly labelled with your name, contact information and expected date of arrival. On your arrival at the Centre, follow the TA signs to our Walker’s Shelter where you can rest your legs and check the latest weather updates. We have a small resupply shop with cold drinks, hot pizzas and a pantry of typical tramping foods. We also have gas for sale. Cash only please, we do not have eftpos or credit cards facilities.
With the help of our volunteers, the Centre is open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm most days, and 9am – 3pm on Fridays and Sundays. Unless staying overnight with us, please respect our opening/closing hours. We hope we can assist you on this amazing journey and look forward to welcoming you to the Boyle River.
Boyle DOC campsite. The campsite has separate areas for up to six vehicles/campervans and an enclosure (no vehicle access) for tents. Toilet and water onsite, as well as Spark and Vodafone mobile phone reception. Pay cash on arrival at the self-registration stand and display registration slip on tent/vehicle. Adult (18+ years): $8 per night, Child (5 - 17 years): $4 per night, Infant (0 - 4 years): free. Backcountry hut tickets and annual hut passes are not valid at this campsite.
Cell Phone Reception – there is now a mini cell tower for Spark and Vodafone users. This is at the DOC carpark at the end of this section.
- YHA Hanmer Springs - 14 Amuri Avenue, Hanmer Springs P: 03 315 7472 E: [email protected]
Hanmer Backpackers - 41 Conical Hill Rd, Hamner Springs - P: 03 315 7196 - E: [email protected] - (Note: HanmerBackpackers is closed from 20th of July - 1st of September for a winter break)
- Jack in the Green (BBH) - 3 Devon St, Hamner Springs - P: 03 315 5111 - E: [email protected]
- Other accommodation providers at most levels.
- Reefton Old Bread Shop Backpacker - 157 Buller Rd, Reefton - P: 03 732 8420 - E: [email protected]
- The Old Nurses Home Accommodation - 104 Shiel St, Reefton - P: 03 732 8881 - E: [email protected]
- Numerous other options available.
Food and Supply
- Hanmer Springs Four Square Supermarket - Conical Hill Rd, Hamner Springs - P: 03 315 7190
- Hanmer Springs Foodway - 45 Amuri Ave, Hamner Springs - P: 03 315 777 | <urn:uuid:61f89ad5-7ebf-4ba7-a392-8bc992a1f95b> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://teararoa.org.nz/the-trail/tasman/tasman-trail-notes/ | 2022-05-19T08:46:56Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662526009.35/warc/CC-MAIN-20220519074217-20220519104217-00600.warc.gz | en | 0.902786 | 6,238 |
2020 was QUITE a year. The density and weight of events taking place, including the world-stopping virus, made it seem like we crammed two-years’ worth of time into it. That also had some impact on video games, with many, many delays interspersed with some really unexpected successes. Oh, and PS5 and X Series X/S released, some people even managed to buy them!
Let’s take a look at some of the stuff that happened before we get into a list of games that were worth remembering the most from this 2020, in a good way.
|Cyberpunk 2077||2020-12-10||Action RPG||CD Project Red||-||Read more|
|Crusader Kings III||2020-09-01||Strategy||Paradox Development Studio||-71%||Read more|
|Desperados III||2020-06-16||Strategy||Mimimi games||-92%||Read more|
|Hades||2020-09-17||Indie||Supergiant Games||-||Read more|
|Microsoft Flight Simulator (Microsoft)||2020-08-18||Simulator||Microsoft||-24%||Read more|
|DOOM Eternal||2020-03-20||Action||id Software||-69%||Read more|
|Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition||2020-08-07||Adventure||Guerrilla Games||-70%||Read more|
|Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout||2020-08-04||Action, Indie, MMO||Mediatonic||-||Read more|
|Death Stranding||2020-07-14||Action-Adventure||KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS||-66%||Read more|
|Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla||2020-11-10||Action role-playing||Ubisoft Montreal & San Francisco||-67%||Read more|
|Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)||2020-04-10||jRPG||Square Enix||-||Read more|
|Ori and the Will of the Wisps||2020-03-11||Action||Moon Studios||-||Read more|
|Half-Life: Alyx||2020-03-01||Action-adventure||Valve Corporation||-||Read more|
|Among Us||2018-11-16||Party, social deduction||Innersloth||-||Read more|
|Factorio||2020-08-14||Indie||Wube Software LTD.||-||Read more|
|F1 2020 | Standard Edition||2020-07-10||Racing, Simulation, Sports||Codemasters||-65%||Read more|
|Halo: The Master Chief Collection (Halo 3)||2020-07-14||Action & Shooter||343 Industries||-||Read more|
|Spelunky 2||2020-09-29||Platform adventure||Mossmouth, Blitworks||-||Read more|
|Persona 4 Golden||2020-06-13||jRPG||Atlus||-||Read more|
|Wasteland 3||2020-08-28||RPG||inXile Entertainment||-80%||Read more|
|Deep Rock Galactic||2020-05-13||Early Access||Ghost Ship Games||-16%||Read more|
|Monster Train||2020-05-21||Strategy, deck-building||Shiny Shoe||-64%||Read more|
|Huntdown||2020-05-12||Action, Indie||Easy Trigger Games||-76%||Read more|
|Football Manager 2021||2020-11-24||Sports||Sports Interactive||-49%||Read more|
|There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension||2020-08-06||Puzzle, Adventure||Draw Me A Pixel||-||Read more|
|Phasmophobia||2020-09-18||Horror||Kinetic Games||-||Read more|
|Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo)(NA)||2020-03-20||Social simulation||Nintendo EPD||-||Read more|
|Streets of Rage 4||2020-04-30||Action-adventure||DotEmu, Lizardcube||-55%||Read more|
|Persona 5 Strikers||2020-02-20||Action, Adventure||ATLUS||-42%||Read more|
|Release:||June… of 2018|
|Genre:||Party, social deduction|
Still kinda sus
This year feels like it’s been two years long already. On the flipside, a game that’s two years old feels like it only came out in 2020, because of an unexpected boom in popularity. It’s a weird year, ok? Anyway, Among Us in some ways is a perfect game: it has simple, easy-to-understand rules; a clear, entertaining premise; and system requirements low enough you can play it on low-end PCs and even mobile phones.
It’s a multiplayer game for up to ten people, playing Crewmates on one of three maps. Everyone has some tasks to perform, mostly maintenance of various systems, but some players are alien impostors trying to sabotage these tasks and, hopefully, kill a few crewmates without being discovered and forcefully ejected out of the map. It’s a game of stealth, mischief, and deduction, endless fun! It’s also cheap, which matters.
3D before HL3
Half-Life: Alyx wasn’t the Half-Life game everybody is waiting for, but it showed how much can be done with VR. People who have the necessary hardware could enjoy a surprising, and fascinating degree of simulation, going so far that people could even juggle items in real-time, or smash the glass in most, if not all, windows. It also gives some screen time to Alyx Vance, which is nice.
The story is set a few years before Half-Life 2 starts, but after Alyx and her father, Eli are captured by the Combine. What follows is best left to discover on your own, if you can focus on the story while the virtual environments are so detailed and tactile. If you have a VR headset, you should absolutely give it a shot, because this game feels like discovering the Gravity Gun for the first time in 2004.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Forest of wonders
Ori and the Blind Forest was a charming, and frequently pretty challenging Metroidvania/puzzle platformer and the sequel was eagerly awaited by its fans. It’s nice, then, that Ori and the Will of the Wisps turned out to be at least as good as its predecessor. It’s even more beautiful, the gameplay is tighter and with new interesting maneuvers you unlock to gain access to new areas.
There’s a strong and satisfying Metroidvania element to the new Ori, and as you reach new areas, the story will keep unfolding in front of you, from the moment where Ori and the Blind Forest ended towards the ending you’ll need to reach yourself. It’s a great follow-up to a great game, and if you enjoy a good fable AND a good Metroidvania, you can’t go wrong with Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
|Developer||Square Enix Business Division 1|
A breath of fresh Aerith
The hellscape of 2020 had a few rays of sunshine, few as cool as the remake of one of the most beloved Final Fantasy games. People spent ages pestering Square Enix to make it, and, after a long, long, LONG time, we finally got the first part of it. And it turned out very well! It looks fantastic, the city of Midgar looks much more like a real place, and even the story got expanded!
The world and characters look like they were taken straight out of the Advent Children movie, combat is dynamic, but retains elements of the ATB system, and promises a new story woven on the basis of the source material, which is exciting, if potentially unsettling. Either way, the game’s a joy, the characters have more personality, and there’s plenty of new scenes and side activities.
Ghost of Tsushima
|Developer||Sucker Punch Productions|
Ghost of Tsushima somehow managed to not only make good on the promises it made, but also turned out better than many people even expected. It’s an absurdly beautiful game, with as much of this beauty attributed to artistic direction as to the technical quality that Sucker Punch managed to squeeze out of PlayStation 4. And there’s so much to do you’re not likely to get through it all quickly.
There are no obvious, video-gamey markers. Instead, wind gusts will direct you to the location you want to reach, and animals (foxes and yellow birds) will reveal hidden locations to you. The story is also interesting and quite nuanced, woven around the historical event of the first Mongol invasion of Japan, and focused on Jin Sakai, a samurai who fights against the invaders, by any means necessary.
Press F1 for pit stop
Formula 1-based racing games are a bit of a niche, but it doesn’t mean they are bad, far from it. For example, F1 2020 is a damn great game, and it deserves being among other greats of the year. Codemasters have years of experience making racing simulation games and it does show here. The attention to detail is staggering, and the extent of customization should be a gold standard.
You can customize not only your driver, but also the composition of your entire crew, pick the sponsors and component manufacturer, even work on the facilities. And that’s before you even sit in the driver’s seat, rev the engine and get to enjoy the game’s driving physics. It’s not the easiest game to get into and get the hang of, but if you’re an F1 fan already, you’re in for a real treat.
|Genre:||Battle royale, platformer|
Fall Guys’ success was a surprise for everyone, most of all, it would seem, the developers themselves. But, like Among Us, it seems like a game that’s really, really good at being a great game. A bunch of players (up to 60) have to complete various challenges as cute, round, clumsy beans. There are races, games of tag, team-based competitions, and more, usually with physics-based obstacles.
And there are tonnes of neat costumes for the beans, many inspired by, or made in cooperation with, bigger franchises. On top of Fall Guys being just a cute, colorful, extremely entertaining game, some consideration must be given to the developer’s top-tier Twitter game. Even if you’re not playing Fall Guys, you really should give their Twitter a look, it’s going to be worth your time.
Crusader Kings 3
|Genre:||Grand strategy, role-playing|
|Developer||Paradox Development Studio|
The Crown: Medieval Edition
Paradox’s Crusader Kings III is the latest entry in the Swedish studio’s series of Medieval dynasty simulators. You can join a historical noble house, or create your own, and try to keep your family alive over centuries. Pick heirs, arrange marriages, and maybe even get some people on the throne somewhere. And a recent update added a really, really good ruler creator. A REALLY GOOD ONE.
Although this entry adds more RPG elements to the experience, make no mistake: it’s still a complex, demanding game. The campaign can span almost six centuries, many generations, and things that happen to your house in that time can be ALMOST as entertainingly messed up as real medieval history. If you take the time to learn the systems, CK3 becomes a generator of infinite stories.
|Genre:||Rogue-like, action role-playing|
Supergiant Games’ games already have a reputation for being great, but Hades puts them all to shame. You play as Zagreus, a son of Hades himself. When you meet the small-statured deity, he’s just jumped off his balcony and is about to attempt his first escape from his father’s realm. Nobody escapes Hades’ domain, as the grumpy god keeps remind you, but Zagreus gets the help of Olympian gods.
The game is a fantastic rogue-lite with a tight combat system with six very different weapons (with four variants each), complex dialogue system, which may not give you conversation options, but it does respond to your actions, weapons, etc in a very clever way. Beautiful tile sets, engaging storyline, complex progression systems and memorable hades all contribute to Hades’ stellar quality.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Early Access
|Release:||October (Early Access)|
Psychic parasitic passenger
Nobody expected a new Baldur’s Gate game, especially after the Bhaalspawn story was concluded in the original BioWare-made BGs. When Larian Studios, at the time famed for having made Original Sin 2 announced they are making it, much rejoicing and conversation happened. After several extensive gameplay livestreams, the Early Access version of Act I launched in October. And it’s great.
The game adapts the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons to adjudicate your action in the game, and thanks to a turn-based combat system it manages to adhere quite closely to the ruleset. The map is full of stories big and small, including getting rid of a psychic parasite in your head; ending the conflict between goblinoids and a druidic grove, and finding your way to the infamous Underdark.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Viking and hiking
Ubisoft’s long-running tour of history filtered via the Ancient Aliens science-fiction trope has visited many regions and periods, it an inevitable, perhaps, that it would end up in the Viking era at some point. Valhalla takes place some time after the fabled conquests of Ragnar Lothbrok, and you play as Eivor, a young raider seeking to make his or her (players can choose) fortune in 9th century England.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is much more of an action-RPG than even Odyssey or Origins, and the world is rich in small stories, memorable NPCs, and plenty of things to do in the game’s open world. In addition to hunting legendary artifacts left by the Isu, you could engage in more thematic activities, like Norse verbal battles called flyting, or building cairns in noteworthy locations.
|Developer||CD Projekt Red|
Do you feel lucky, cyberpunk?
The year’s biggest launch finally came on December 10th, and vast numbers of players took a trip to see the marvels of Night City, a technological metropolis of year 2077. The new action RPG from the creators of The Witcher 3 promises cybernetic urban adventure within city limits and some vehicular fun when you drive out into the Badlands beyond Night City. And it did delivers on that and more.
There are many things to know about CP2077. The city is huge, detailed, and pleasantly diverse from district to district and block to block. Johnny Silverhand (played very well by Keanu Reeves) is a frequent presence in V’s (the protagonist) head, and the game give you a nice degree of choice in how you approach missions, which evokes pleasant memories of playing Deus Ex games.
A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one
Two games experienced an unprecedented degree of success this year. One is a cute game about clumsy bubbly humanoids competing in various minigames, and another is a cartoonish game which is a hidden role game in science fiction clothing. It’s not hard to come up with possible reasons they both got a LOT of action this year. They are, ultimately, pretty simple, very easy to get into, and losing can be quite funny, or at least stressless. But there’s also another facet: they are very social games. Among Us relies heavily on communication and working together which players are impostors (or framing innocent players), while Fall Guys… you won’t talk much, but the beans you play as have the energy of small children in a playground. In a year when many people didn’t get to spend much time with friends, that counts for a lot.
Cyberpunk 2077 didn’t have a good year. Due to various factors, it’s release was delayed three times, moving the launch from April 19th to December 10th. It generated a lot of negative emotions, stress, and messed with many people’s plans. The delays even caused turmoil in the launch schedules of OTHER games. Several smaller (than CDPR) developers realized that it may be a bad idea to launch games around the time Cyberpunk 2077 releases after months of edging its fanbase. The three that immediately come to mind are Everspace 2, an expansion for Path of Exile, and an expansion for MechWarrior 5. All delayed, because suddenly Cyberpunk 2077’s release came too close for comfort. On a more positive note, the final product is looking hot and delivers on the promises from its many trailers and marketing materials and it’s worth checking out.
What awaits us in 2021?
The future is always in motion, and 2020 has done a really good job teaching us not to trust launch dated too much. Nevertheless, some games are announced to have a possible release in 2021. Most notably, there are many interesting sequels scheduled for 2021 (for now). God of War may present a new chapter in the story of Kratos and BOY, Hitman 3 is sneaking by, while Capcom is prepping a new Monster Hunter game. Of course, we can also expect Halo Infinite while fans of fighting games have new Guilty gear, Strive, to wait for.
On the “tabletop origins” front there are some Warhammer games, including Blood Bowl 3, and Warhammer 40k: Darktide, made by the creators of Vermintide. There’s also Vampire: the Masquerade 2 – Bloodlines and a few games based in the same setting, like Werewolf and Geist. Maybe even Baldur’s Gate 3 will get to leave Early Access, who knows? Of course, there are many, many more games launching, or at least scheduled for release. Maybe 2021 will have its own unexpected hit selling like hotcakes, its own Fall Guys. Maybe there will be another game brought back from oblivion, like Among Us. There’s no way to know, but hopefully, the coming year will be interesting in all the best ways. | <urn:uuid:e7c108ce-9f4b-4b07-bb1c-f070dc1aa4df> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://www.g2a.com/news/features/best-games-of-2020/?internalsource=g2a.com_buyer.guides_product.page_/townscaper-pc-steam-gift-global-i10000196280001 | 2022-05-20T18:32:24Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662533972.17/warc/CC-MAIN-20220520160139-20220520190139-00600.warc.gz | en | 0.908846 | 4,352 |
If you’re qualified, getting hired for one of these related Dietitian jobs may help you make more money than that of the average Dietitian position. Zumeist A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in Jamaica costs anywhere from 482,000 Jamaican Dollar(s) to 1,450,000 Jamaican Dollar(s) and lasts approximately two years. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. We’ve identified nine states where the typical salary for a Dietitian job is above the national average. On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a Dietitian in Jamaica, Queens, book an appointment, and see the Dietitian within 24 hours. Pay Difference by Location Learn more about cost of living by city. Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value. Knowledge and understanding of Health … Surgeons / Doctors Salary Range: from 172,000 JMD to 563,000 JMD Surgeons top the list of the highest paying careers due to the critical nature of their job. Community Servings. Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Jamaica. Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. The average salary for a Dietitian in Jamaica is JA$651,780. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization. Sign in to create your job alert for Registered Dietitian jobs in Jamaica Plain, MA. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. NPI list of 28 dietitian, registered registered providers with a business address in Jamaica, NY of which 2 are registered as organizations and 26 as individuals. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained. In 2018, the Veterans Health Administration hired the most employees titled Dietitian And Nutritionist, with an average salary of $72,958.. Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Salaries vary drastically between different careers. 1. Registered Dietitian jobs in Jamaica Plain, MA All Filter 41 jobs within 15 miles. Search for full time or part time employment opportunities on Jobs2Careers. The Caribbean Association of Nutritionists and Dietitians is the professional Association for all Nutritionists and Dietitians in the English Speaking Caribbean. Nearby Cities: Brooklyn / New York / Queens Competitive salary. 2 Dietitian Salaries in Jamaica provided anonymously by employees. Dietitian job posting site for Caribbean, Europe, DE, ME / Asia, UK, London, UAE/Dubai, SA, Ireland, India, Canada. You are going to create that balance that is going to be necessary for Jamaica Moves, and any such similar programme, to achieve its full potential,” he said. Competitive salary. The estimated salary for a Dietitian is $39.21 per hour in Jamaica, IA. Salary Range. Search and apply for the latest Culinary jobs in Jamaica, NY. You deserve a salary increment but you are not sure how to ask.Check our 25 sample Salary Increase Request emails. Na maioria das vezes, esse problema pode ser Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff. Salaries range from 85,900 JMD (lowest) to 297,000 JMD (highest). The Registered Dietitian will provide specialized medical nutrition therapy to patients with conditions relating to primary adult care, obesity, bariatric … A mid-career Dietitian with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of £30,854 based on 12 salaries. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. Salaries in Jamaica range from 24,400 JMD per month (minimum salary) to 430,000 JMD per month (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). The most common payscale was the general schedule payscale.. Apply online instantly. Als het probleem zich blijft voordoen, The average salary for Ministry of Finance employees in Jamaica is JA$2,900,000 per year. Where can you get paid more, working for a private company or for the government? People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. The average Dietitian salary in Brooklyn, NY is $76,085 as of June 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $69,258 and $83,607. Hourly Wage = Annual Salary ÷ ( 52 x 5 x 8 ), 8 Essential CV Tips That Will Make a Huge Difference, 25 simple money saving tips ($15000+ in savings! Jamaica Plain, MA Massachusetts’ free, home-delivered meals program for the critically and chronically ill has an opening for a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. Search Renal dietitian jobs in Jamaica, NY with company ratings & salaries. Si Find the best Dietitian in Jamaica, NY To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). Find best Dietitians in Jamaica, Virginia & make an appointment online instantly! Search for full time or part time employment opportunities on Jobs2Careers. Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. The Jamaican Salary Calculator includes income tax deductions, National Insurance Scheme, National Housing Scheme calculations and age related tax allowances. Dietitian Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessment and develops and implements individualized plans for medical nutrition, wellness and weight management therapy in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives. Site listing Dietitian internships in U.S. & abroad, with free CV database. While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 130,000 JMD per month, 34% more than someone with less than two year's experience. DaVita. Also from the diagram, 75% of Dietitian(s) are earning less than 269,000 JMD while 25% are earning more than 269,000 JMD. Your nutritional know-how can help patients in your community live happier, healthier lives. Detailed salary report based on career, education, experience, gender, age etc. So who gets paid more: men or women? The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. ), 6 simple ways for anyone to earn extra income, 10 salary negotiation tips everyone should know, 7 unconventional and creative job hunting techniques, 7 tricky job interview questions and answers, 21 high paying jobs that don't require a college degree, 9 deadly resume mistakes that you must avoid, How to write the perfect resume (complete guide). Klicken Job ID: 55362936 Location: JAMAICA, New York, United States Position Title: Outpatient Registered Dietitian Company Name: Sodexo Specialty: Other Job Type: Full-Time Salaries range from 24,400 JMD (lowest average) to 430,000 JMD (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).. Find Dietitian jobs in Jamaica, NY. 30065001 - JAMAICA HOSPITAL is now hiring a Registered Dietitian 1 in JAMAICA, New York. Job email alerts. The average Registered Dietitian salary in New York, NY is $76,688 as of October 28, 2020, but the salary range typically falls between $69,907 and $84,326.Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. An entry level chief clinical dietitian (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of $3,721,298. If you can afford the costs of higher education, the return on investment is definitely worth it. Additionally, Dietitian(s) whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 235,000 JMD per month, 22% more than someone with five to ten years of experience. The median represents the middle salary value. Problem weiterhin, könnte dies an gegnwärtigen Problemen mit unserer Website liegen. Lo sentimos, tuvimos problemas al procesar tu solicitud. Requested URL: www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/jamaica-dietitian-salary-SRCH_IL.0,7_IC1132292_KO8,17.htm, User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/83.0.4103.116 Safari/537.36. The numbers seem to support the thoery. Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Jamaica. Search and apply for the latest Culinary jobs in Jamaica, NY. Those working in outpatient care centers tend to earn the most, while dietitians and nutritionists working for government facilities or for nursing home facilities tend to earn a bit less. We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? It's free! Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. Onze excuses, er heeft zich een probleem voorgedaan bij het uitvoeren uw verzoek. How much does a Registered Dietitian make in New York, NY? regulatory authorities e.g. The average Dietitian salary in Queens Village, NY is $75,999 as of November 25, 2020, but the range typically falls between $69,176 and $83,512. * Based on the average change in salary over time. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria. Zocdoc helps you find Dietitians in Jamaica and other locations with verified patient reviews and appointment availability that accept your insurance. If you’re qualified, getting hired for one of these related Registered Dietitian jobs may help you make more money than that of the average Registered Dietitian … Sodexo is seeking a Registered Dietitian 1 to join their dynamic team at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center located in Jamaica, NY. A person working as a Dietitian in Jamaica typically earns around 187,000 JMD per month. 83 open jobs for Renal dietitian in Jamaica. Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary . Password Show. In Jamaica one may find opportunities working in hospitals, local health centers, in teaching and research, dieticians and nutritionists may find employment at the Bureau of Standards and sporting environments, wellness programmes and supermarkets. Topping the list is Massachusetts, with Hawaii and Connecticut close behind in second and third. Dietitian salaries in Jamaica range from 85,900 JMD per month (minimum salary) to 297,000 JMD per month (maximum salary). You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. Salary Statistics a fix amount regardless of the job details and apply the... 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|Year : 2022 | Volume
| Issue : 1 | Page : 45-52
Risk Stratification in Acute Normotensive Pulmonary Embolism– Role of Echocardiography Imaging and Biomarkers
Rohit Tandon, Adesh Kumar Singh, Bishav Mohan
Department of Cardiology, Hero DMC Heart Institute, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
|Date of Submission||21-Jul-2021|
|Date of Acceptance||12-Sep-2021|
|Date of Web Publication||16-Dec-2021|
Dr. Rohit Tandon
Tagore Nagar, Ludhiana - 141 001, Punjab
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is an important cause of mortality. It requires alertness to facilitate early diagnosis which becomes a benchmark for further risk stratification and optimal management. Although pulmonary artery imaging by computed tomography scan has become the gold standard in diagnosis of acute PE, echocardiography also plays a complementary role as an imaging modality in deciding about the treatment and for prognostication. Combining echocardiography with cardiac-specific biomarker assays further enhances the required diagnostic yield in the emergency setting. In this chapter, we mainly focus on the role of echocardiography along with specific biomarker assays in prognostication of acute PE patients who are normotensive at presentation.
Keywords: Acute pulmonary embolism, biomarkers, echocardiography, risk stratification
|How to cite this article:|
Tandon R, Singh AK, Mohan B. Risk Stratification in Acute Normotensive Pulmonary Embolism– Role of Echocardiography Imaging and Biomarkers. J Indian Acad Echocardiogr Cardiovasc Imaging 2022;6:45-52
|How to cite this URL:|
Tandon R, Singh AK, Mohan B. Risk Stratification in Acute Normotensive Pulmonary Embolism– Role of Echocardiography Imaging and Biomarkers. J Indian Acad Echocardiogr Cardiovasc Imaging [serial online] 2022 [cited 2022 May 23];6:45-52. Available from: https://www.jiaecho.org/text.asp?2022/6/1/45/332708
| Background and Epidemiology|| |
Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) can be associated with mortality rates in the range of 5%–36%. In-hospital mortality rates in different subsets are as follows:
- 25%–50% in massive PE which is associated with sustained hypotension (i.e., systolic blood pressure [SBP] <90 mmHg for at least 15 min)
- 3%–15% in submassive PE which is characterized by elevated cardiac biomarkers for myocardial necrosis (troponins) and/or right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction with SBP more than 90 mmHg at presentation
- <5% in low risk/nonmassive PE characterized by the absence of hypotension, RV dysfunction, and myocardial necrosis.
Rapid and accurate risk stratification depends upon assessment of thrombus location and burden and its effects on systemic, pulmonary, and RV hemodynamics.
| Initial Risk Stratification|| |
Pathophysiologically, acute PE results in a cascade of events leading to release of neurohormonal factors which cause a rise in pulmonary artery pressures, thereby affecting effective forward cardiac output resulting in hemodynamic decompensation and eventually cardiogenic shock. In patients presenting in shock, termed as massive PE, urgent clot removal from the main pulmonary artery, either surgically or using catheter-based techniques, assumes utmost importance, while low-risk or nonmassive PE patients can be discharged after initial emergency room assessment and can be managed on outpatient basis. The patients who are hemodynamically stable usually require advanced risk stratification based on clinical risk prediction tools, imaging, specific biomarkers, and presence/absence of comorbidity. In this review article, we focus upon the various strategies used for risk stratification based on biomarkers and imaging and their current status and clinical validation.
| Formulating a Risk Assessment Strategy- Risk Prediction Models|| |
In acute PE patients who are normotensive at presentation, it is imperative to risk stratify for in - hospital or early (30-day) adverse events.
Early risk stratification
The European Society of Cardiology 2019 guidelines and PE Response Team Consortium 2019 guidelines suggest the use of Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) or simplified PESI (sPESI) clinical scores as they are most extensively validated. They integrate clinical indicators of acute PE severity with aggravating conditions/comorbidity. PESI I, PESI II, or sPESI 0 reliably predict low-risk PE. Patients in intermediate-risk group can be further classified into low-risk or high-risk category based on the presence/absence of RV dysfunction on imaging using either echocardiography, computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), or elevated cardiac biomarkers., It is preferable to monitor these patients closely to allow identification of hemodynamic decompensation at the earliest for expeditious management. In a recent meta-analysis consisting of 3295 patients from 21 cohort studies, need for newer prognostication models for patients termed as low risk based on low PESI/sPESI scores was highlighted. These authors found signs of RV dysfunction in 34% of patients with early all-cause mortality of 1.8%, confirming that patients with signs of RV dysfunction despite low risk based on clinical validation scores, should be reclassified into intermediate-low-risk category [Table 1].
New clinical tools for prognostication
Bova and FAST scores are novel risk prediction scores used in small trials of acute PE patients [Table 2].
|Table 2: Bova and FAST scoring systems for estimation of risk of pulmonary embolism-related complications within 30 days of acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism diagnosis|
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Bova score includes two clinical variables - heart rate and SBP. It gives a score of 1 if a patient's heart rate is ≥110 bpm and a score of 2 if SBP is in the range of 90–100 mmHg. A score of 2 each is assigned for elevated troponins and RV dysfunction detected on imaging study (transthoracic echocardiography/CT pulmonary angiography). In this way, patients can be divided into three categories - 0–2 points low risk, 3–4 points intermediate low risk, and >4 points intermediate high risk. FAST score has three variables: heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H - FABP) ≥6 ng/ml or elevated troponins (1.5 points), syncope (1.5 points), and heart rate ≥100 bpm (2 points). The patients are divided into two risk groups as low risk with <3 points and intermediate high risk with ≥3 points. Both of these new scores have integrated imaging or new biomarker assays in risk score model, thereby allowing an integrated assessment.
Assessment of pretest probability in acute pulmonary embolism
In PE, heightened clinical suspicion is kept for patients having established deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Well's criteria combined with D-dimer assay are useful as a rule-out approach [Table 3]. Usual cutoff levels of D-dimer assay indicating PE are >500 microgram/L. However, recent guidelines recommend using age-adjusted cutoff for D-dimer levels in patients >50 years of age (age ×10 microgram/L), as it helps to reclassify at least 30% of patients as low risk. Thromboembolism risk at 3 months was <1% with this approach in many outcome studies of PE. If Well's score is <2, but D-dimer levels are high, then further testing is definitely recommended, [Figure 1].
|Figure 1: Flow diagram: Diagnostic and prognostic algorithm in acute pulmonary embolism, |
CTPA: Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography, PE: Pulmonary embolism, PESI: Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index, sPESI: simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index, TTE: Transthoracic echocardiography
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| Computerized Tomography Pulmonary Angiography: The Gold Standard|| |
CTPA is considered one of the most accurate investigations to assess embolic burden in acute PE. It allows visualization of thromboemboli in main pulmonary artery up till segmental branches. Although it has an 83% sensitivity at a high specificity of 96%, it is associated with a radiation exposure of 3–10 m Sv in a single test (Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis [PIEOPED] II study). In their meta-analysis, Vedovati et al. showed that although localization of emboli in central branches of main pulmonary artery was associated with increased 30-day mortality, no association could be correlated with thrombus burden and obstruction index. In an outcome-based study done recently, obstruction index <20% on CTPA could identify low-risk PE patients who did not have associated cardiopulmonary disabilities such as heart failure and lung cancer.
Based on the results of the available studies, it can be concluded that CTPA has a 96% value to rule out PE, but if clinical suspicion is high, then it reduces to only 60%, so a combined approach for further testing is recommended.
| Risk Stratification Using Echocardiography|| |
Echocardiography may be normal in a substantive population of acute PE patients as signs of RV dysfunction typically described in echocardiography studies appear only when there is at least 30% obstruction in pulmonary artery including its branches. Yet, it plays an important role in management of PE patients due to its a availability and ease of use. There is a consensus that 30%–40% of acute PE patients have echocardiographically recognizable RV dysfunction which is useful for monitoring the patients during hospital stay up till discharge.
Echocardiographic Criteria for Right Ventricular Dysfunction
RV dysfunction in a case of PE is defined as RV dilation using any of the following criteria- RV end-diastolic diameter at basal level >30 mm, end-diastolic RV: left ventricular (LV) diameter ratio >1 at basal level, pulmonary hypertension (value derived from either tricuspid regurgitation jet >2.5 m/s or pulmonary acceleration time <90 ms), RV free wall thickness <7 mm, and dilation of the right pulmonary artery (>12 mm/m2). Documenting RV dysfunction using the above criteria indicated two times higher short-term mortality risk (data from 6 studies including 1773 patients).
Additionally, specific echocardiography findings, namely mobile thrombi in right heart chambers or thrombus in transit, carry high mortality risk and demand urgent embolectomy. This finding has been reported in 4% unselected and in 18% intensive care unit (ICU)-admitted patients of acute PE [Video 1].
[Additional file 1]
Video 1: A mobile saddle thrombus at bifurcation of main pulmonary artery in a patient of acute submassive pulmonary embolism. On echocardiography, a high left parasternal short-axis view is preferred for proper localization of thrombi in main pulmonary artery, its bifurcation, or at origin of right/left pulmonary arteries.
Echocardiography-Based Risk Stratification Tools
Echocardiography-based risk stratification tools can be divided into the following:
Normally, RV is one-third the size of the LV. When its size appears more than LV visually, it is said to be enlarged. Besides this, regional or global hypokinesia of RV free wall, abnormal septal motion, tricuspid regurgitation, and inferior vena cava (IVC) size and inspiration induced collapsibility, all can be appreciated visually. These findings of right heart strain, although have low negative predictive value, still indicate the possibility of acute PE in an appropriate clinical scenario (53% sensitivity and 83% specificity).
Another important sign noted on visual assessment is McConnell sign, which refers to severe hypokinesia of whole RV free wall, sparing the apex [Video 2]. It was associated with a 57% higher mortality rate at 3 months in patients who were hemodynamically stable at presentation. So, although it is found in <30% of acute PE patients, its presence on echocardiography adds substantive prognostic value.
[Additional file 2]
Video 2: Typical McConnell sign (as described in text) in apical four-chamber view.
Quantitative parameters involve documentation of findings of RV pressure overload and dysfunction in a guideline-recommended manner [Figure 2] and [Figure 3].
|Figure 2: The typical echocardiography signs seen in a patient of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) are described. (a) Dilated right atrium and right ventricle with moderate tricuspid regurgitation (TR) jet on color flow. (b) Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) of 36 mmHg derived from TR jet velocity signal using continuous-wave Doppler. (c) Pulsed-wave Doppler across pulmonary valve to calculate pulmonary acceleration time (52 ms) and 60/60 sign which is a combination of RVSP <60 mmHg and pulmonary acceleration time <60 ms with mid-systolic notch, a highly specific sign for acute PE. (d) Basal right ventricular:left ventricular ratio is >1 with dilated right ventricle. Basal right ventricular diameter is 38 mm, measured 1 cm below the tricuspid annulus. (e and f) Calculation of right ventricular fractional area change by tracing right ventricular endocardium in diastole and systole, respectively, right ventricular fractional area change in this case was 23% suggesting moderate right ventricular systolic dysfunction|
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|Figure 3: Various other echocardiographic findings in acute pulmonary embolism which are reproducible and reliable for acute prognostication. (a) Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (15 mm) using M-mode at lateral tricuspid annulus. (b) Systolic velocity of tricuspid annulus (7 cm/s) derived by placing tissue Doppler cursor at lateral tricuspid annulus. (c) Calculation of right ventricular myocardial performance index (0.8). (d) Global longitudinal strain of right ventricle (-14%) using speckle tracking. (e) Dilated inferior vena cava (22 mm) seen in subcostal view suggesting raised right atrial pressures. (f) Inferior vena cava collapsibility is <50% calculated by placing M-mode cursor on inferior vena cava and measuring the change in inferior vena cava diameter with respiration|
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Right ventricular/left ventricular ratio
Normal RV/LV diameter ratio is <0.6. Ratio >0.9 is considered an independent predictive factor of in-hospital mortality. This measurement is made 1 cm below the tricuspid annulus. Patients who have a persistent ratio >0.9 at hospital discharge were eight times more likely to have recurrent PE and have a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.4 for intensive care unit (ICU) mortality.
60/60 sign is a combination of RV systolic pressure (RVSP) <60 mmHg and pulmonary acceleration time <60 ms. It was first studied by Kurzyna et al in a cohort of 100 acute PE suspected patients. It is thought to be less operator dependent than the McConnell's sign and is a highly specific sign of acute PE. The largest evaluation of the 60/60 sign was done by Kurnicka et al. in an analysis of 511 consecutive PE patients and found it to be present in 12.9% of the patients.
Right atrial pressure
This is measured echocardiographically using IVC diameter and collapsibility on inspiration as a surrogate for estimation. Dilated IVC with <50% inspiratory collapse suggests elevated right atrial pressure and is associated with increased ICU mortality with HR 4.3.
Right ventricular systolic pressure
RVSP can be easily calculated from tricuspid regurgitation velocity.
Usually, in acute PE, RVSP ranges from 40 to 55 mmHg, which has HR 1.03 for ICU mortality. If RVSP exceeds 60 mmHg, then signs of chronic pulmonary thromboembolism such as RV hypertrophy, gross pulmonary artery dilatation, and fixed, noncollapsible IVC should be excluded.
Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion
Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) provides a quantitative measure of global RV longitudinal function. Its normal value usually exceeds 60% that of normal mitral annular motion during systole. It is measured by keeping M-mode cursor at the lateral tricuspid annulus. TAPSE <16 mm has been correlated with pre-discharge and 30-day post-discharge complications.
In a prospective, multicenter study of 782 acute PE patients who were normotensive at presentation, RIETE study investigators concluded that TAPSE ≤16 mm correlated with raised pulmonary artery pressures ≈ 53.7 ± 16.7 mmHg, increased end-diastolic diameter of RV ≈ 3.5 ± 0.8 cm, increased RV: LV diameter ratio in end-diastole ~ 1.0 ± 0.3, and hypokinesia of RV free wall ~ in 68%. TAPSE cutoff value of 16 mm at presentation carried HR of 2.3 for any cause and 4.4 of PE-related mortality on follow-up. In conclusion, among patients presenting with acute PE, TAPSE value ≤16 mm identifies high risk while value of >20 mm identifies very low-risk group.
Two novel parameters incorporating TAPSE have emerged as promising prognostic indicators in recent studies, namely tricuspid regurgitation peak gradient (TRPG)/TAPSE and TAPSE/pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP). These parameters were studied to improve risk stratification in intermediate-risk PE patients on the premise that a ratio of RV function to afterload might be superior in prediction of adverse outcome than longitudinal function alone. TRPG/TAPSE ratio >4.5 and TAPSE/PASP cutoff value 0.4 implied a 21% risk of PE-related short-term mortality, especially in normotensive patients with TAPSE value between 16 and 20 mm.,
Recently, TAPSE was also used to validate a new bedside score named PESI-Echo which helped in a 9.9% improvement in reclassification of at-risk normotensive acute PE patients. PESI-Echo score is calculated using the following formula:
PESI + PASP - TAPSE = PESI-Echo score as TAPSE's value is inversely related to the severity.
Tissue Doppler-derived systolic velocity S'
This tissue Doppler-based parameter measures RV longitudinal motion similar to TAPSE but is considered more reproducible. Normal velocity at tricuspid lateral annulus is >11 cm/s; in acute PE, it falls below 9 cm/s and is a useful parameter for detecting early change in RV function, but unlike TAPSE, this parameter has been shown to be inferior in prognostication of acute PE patients.
Right ventricular fractional area change
This quantifies the change in RV area during the cardiac cycle.
It is calculated as (RV end-diastolic area − end-systolic area) X 100/end-diastolic area, and values are derived by tracing RV endocardium in diastole and systole using calipers. RV fractional area change correlates with RV ejection fraction (RVEF) calculated by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Its normal value ranges from 35% to 50%.
Right ventricular myocardial performance index
RV myocardial performance index is the ratio of RV isovolumic time divided by ejection time which can be calculated using tissue/pulsed-wave Doppler. It may be used for both the diagnosis of RV dysfunction and the assessment of treatment effectiveness. Normal value is <0.4 by pulsed-wave Doppler and <0.55 by tissue Doppler method.
Right ventricular longitudinal systolic strain
RV longitudinal systolic strain is helpful to quantify subtle changes in RV contractile function. Both RV free wall and global RV strain have been included as prognostic measures in various studies showing robust correlation with biomarker assays, PE outcome, improvement with therapy, and unfavorable outcomes in short-term follow-up. Normal value of RV global longitudinal strain is −24.5% ± 3.8% and that of RV free wall strain is −28.5% ± 4.8%; a cutoff of ≤−15% was an independent predictor of inhospital events in nonmassive acute PE patients. Combination of mean RV free wall strain <−12%, RVEF <40% on three-dimensional echocardiographic imaging, and RVSP >43 mmHg predicts worse prognosis in submassive PE patients [Table 4] and [Table 5].
|Table 4: Diagnostic value of various echocardiography signs of right ventricular dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism patients (data from pooled analysis)|
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|Table 5: Prognostic value of specific echocardiography parameters in predicting all-cause and pulmonary embolism-related mortality within 30 days of hospital admission in normotensive acute pulmonary embolism patients|
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Combining Compression ultrasonography and Transthoracic Echocardiography in Risk Stratification
Keeping in mind that acute usually originates from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of lower-limb veins, recent guidelines have emphasized on combining echocardiography with compression ultrasonography of veins for better early risk stratification. This is due to high sensitivity (>90%) and specificity (95%) of compression ultrasonography for DVT diagnosis. In a meta-analysis investigating 8859 patients with acute PE, the presence of concomitant DVT was confirmed as a predictor of 30-day all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 1.9, 95% confidence interval).
| Laboratory Biomarkers for Acute Pulmonary Embolism Risk Stratification|| |
In acute PE, a cascade of events is initiated due to near-complete/complete thrombotic occlusion of pulmonary vasculature. This sudden blockage in pulmonary artery circulation results in development of acute pressure load on the thin-walled RV, which in response shows stretching of RV wall and dilates as a compensatory mechanism so as to maintain cardiac output. This leads to release of natriuretic peptides and copeptin.
Prolonged state of increased afterload also produces some amount of RV myocardial ischemia leading to myocardial injury as depicted by rise in troponins, H-FABP, and growth-differentiating factor 15 (GDF-15).
Estimating Myocardial Injury Using Biomarkers
In this regard, troponins have a proven role in documenting myocardial injury as well as predicting increased risk of mortality with OR ranging from 5.2 to 5.5 in normotensive patients with acute PE. Age-adjusted cutoffs are useful in further improving its negative predictive value for in-hospital and short-term adverse events which is up to 96% at cutoff >14 pg/mL for patients aged <75 years and >45 pg/mL for those >75 years.
Their main limitation remains detectability only for up to 72 h from index event and delayed release unlike in acute coronary syndromes.
H-FABP is a protein mainly found in cytoplasm of myocardium, skeletal muscle, and distal renal tubular cells. It is a small molecule with low serum concentrations under normal physiological conditions. Its blood levels start rising within 90 min of myocardial injury, peak in 6 h, and return to baseline after 12–24 h. This rapid release pattern makes it suitable for use in early triage of patients. At a cutoff of ≥6 ng/mL, it poses seven times increased risk of PE-related adverse events with OR of 17 and 33 for all-cause mortality (data from meta-analysis of 1680 patients). Due to these advantages, such as early rise and low overlap, it is now part of FAST score as described above.
Biomarkers for Increased Myocardial Stretch
Both brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) have established prognostic role in acute PE as both show increased levels in response to RV stretch. They also reflect the severity of RV pressure overload before development of overt hemodynamic compromise.
On admission, BNP values >90 pg/mL and NT-proBNP values value >500 pg/ml have been shown to predict a 10% higher risk of early death and a 23% risk of adverse clinical outcome. These peptides suffer from wide variability of concentrations in various population groups and their delayed release due to slow upregulation of messenger ribonucleic acid. Still, their low levels imply high negative predictive value for adverse in-hospital events.
Another new molecule which is useful in depicting RV stretch is copeptin. This molecule is similar to vasopressin as it gets released from neurohypophysis following alteration in pulmonary hemodynamics secondary to acute RV pressure overload, but it is more stable than vasopressin which allows its estimation even hours after index event. In various studies, copeptin levels above cutoff value of 24 pmol·L−1 predicted a 6–7 times increased risk for PE-related adverse events and mortality.
Another new marker which has been studied in the context of PE-related adverse outcome is GDF-15, which is a congener from transforming growth factor and is released in myocardial ischemia and heart failure. Although cutoff values are lacking due to paucity of studies, it has shown almost 95% negative predictive value for 30-day adverse events in a study by Lankeit et al.
| Profiling Right Ventricular Dysfunction Using Combination of Imaging and Serum Biomarkers|| |
As discussed above, all three approaches are useful for risk stratification of normotensive PE patients when used in a judicious stepwise fashion [Table 6] and [Figure 1].
|Table 6: Clinical, laboratory, and echocardiography parameters predicting 30-day pulmonary embolism-related mortality in normotensive acute pulmonary embolism patients- an integrative approach|
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The focus of all approaches is documenting RV dysfunction, although cutoff values for each of them may differ. Risk ratio for RV dysfunction assessed by echocardiography/CT was 2.4, for BNP 9.5, NT-pro BNP 5.7, and troponins 8.3 in a retrospective analysis of published data over the last 22 years by Sanchez et al.
Hence a combined integrative approach toward prognostication is advocated in acute PE as it has additional additive value.
| Conclusions|| |
Risk stratification of normotensive acute PE patients is an evolving subject. Cardiac biomarkers and imaging of heart and limb veins have paved the way for rapid and accurate bedside risk stratification. These parameters complement clinical decision-making and therefore have now been included in recently validated risk assessment models for better prognostication of PE patients.
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5], [Table 6] | <urn:uuid:0ff5c322-2fa8-4c9f-b168-f3b395766ce6> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://jiaecho.org/article.asp?issn=2543-1463;year=2022;volume=6;issue=1;spage=45;epage=52;aulast=Tandon;type=3 | 2022-05-23T08:06:07Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662556725.76/warc/CC-MAIN-20220523071517-20220523101517-00600.warc.gz | en | 0.841503 | 8,354 |
Collaboration of Japanese Kampo Medicine and Modern Biomedicine 2015View this Special Issue
Research Article | Open Access
Shuichiro Uehara, Keiko Ogawa, Junsuke Arimitsu, Hiroomi Okuyama, "“Ninjinto” (Ginseng Decoction), a Traditional Japanese Herbal Medicine, Improves Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Immune Competence in Patients with Chronic Intestinal Failure", Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2015, Article ID 462586, 6 pages, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/462586
“Ninjinto” (Ginseng Decoction), a Traditional Japanese Herbal Medicine, Improves Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Immune Competence in Patients with Chronic Intestinal Failure
Background. Treating functional gastrointestinal disorders is extremely difficult. We herein report the effect of the oral administration of Ninjinto (NJT, ginseng decoction), a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine, on chronic intestinal failure. Patients and Methods. Seven patients with chronic intestinal failure treated with NJT were evaluated in this study. The primary diseases included chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction (CIPO: ), short bowel syndrome (SBS: ), and intestinal atresia . All patients orally received NJT extract granules at a dose of 0.3 g/kg BW per day. The treatment outcomes were then assessed according to the patients’ symptoms and consecutive abdominal X-ray findings. Results. The targeted symptoms were abdominal distension in four patients, diarrhea in three patients, and frequent hospitalization due to infections in two patients. An improvement in the symptoms was observed in six of the seven patients, whereas one patient with SBS did not show any improvement. An improvement in an abdominal roentgenogram was observed in the four patients with remarkably dilated bowel loops due to CIPO. Conclusions. NJT may be effective in controlling functional gastrointestinal disorders associated with chronic intestinal failure. The use of Kampo medicine in the field of pediatric surgery may help to improve the quality of life in children suffering from such conditions.
Pediatric intestinal failure is a complex clinical problem associated with high patient morbidity and mortality. Intestinal failure due to short bowel syndrome (SBS) and/or intestinal dysmotility caused by chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction (CIPO) or a postoperative state of intestinal atresia result in inadequate nutritional absorption to support normal growth and development. Short bowel syndrome (SBS) reflects a state of malabsorption resulting from the loss of a significant portion of the small bowel . In addition, CIPO is a syndrome characterized by episodes mimicking the features of mechanical obstruction in the absence of mechanical, systemic, or metabolic disorders . Managing functional gastrointestinal disorders, especially those associated with intestinal failure, is extremely difficult and hindered by both the poor efficacy and adverse effects of standard pharmacological therapy.
Ninjinto (NJT), a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine, is prepared from four different Chinese crude drugs. This medicine is a major prescription in Japan and most frequently used for the treatment of gastroenteritis, esogastritis, gastric atony, gastrectasis, vomiting, and anorexia . A previous study demonstrated that treatment with Ninjinto not only significantly improves gastrointestinal motility, but also exhibits stronger effects than that observed for various prokinetic drugs, such as cisapride and metoclopramide, in a rat model of postoperative ileus . Therefore, we speculated that NJT may be a candidate as an effective Japanese herbal medicine for ameliorating the symptoms of intestinal failure.
We herein describe our experiences with seven patients with intestinal failure who received therapy with the oral administration of NJT. The aim of this report was to evaluate the effects of NJT in improving intestinal failure and increasing the quality of life (QoL) in these patients by comparing the clinical findings obtained before and after the administration of NJT.
2. Patients and Methods
Seven pediatric patients with intestinal failure due to CIPO, SBS, or intestinal atresia who visited our hospital between April 1, 2012, and April 30, 2014, were selected for this study. All subjects were under 18 years of age or transitioning from pediatric to adult care and continuously used NJT for at least three months. In all cases, no formula changes including modern medical treatment were attempted after the start of the oral administration of NJT.
2.2. Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety
We assessed the treatment outcomes and safety based on periodic feedback from the patients and their parents in terms of symptoms, such as abdominal distension, pain, and diarrhea, as well as consecutive abdominal X-ray findings. The primary variables for evaluating the effectiveness of NJT administration included change in the intensity of abdominal complaints from baseline to approximately 3 months following NJT administration and patient satisfaction regarding the improvement of abdominal symptoms, such as abdominal distention and pain and diarrhea. Briefly, the patients were asked to classify the intensity of all abdominal complaints by marking a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) with a straight line before and three months after NJT administration. The VAS assessment was statistically analyzed using a paired -test.
In addition, in order to examine natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in two patients, measurements of the cytotoxic activity of NK cells were obtained. Briefly, the NK-sensitive cell line K-562, as target cells, was cocultured with PBMCs collected from the peripheral blood of the patients before and three months after the administration of NJT. The percentage of target cells killed by effector NK cells was determined using a 51Cr release assay .
2.3. Dose and Regimen
All seven patients were administered the NJT extract fine granules manufactured by Kracie (Kracie Holdings, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) (Table 1) at a dose of 0.3 g/kg BW per day, with a maximum total dose of 7.5 g per day. A 3D HPLC profile of NJT along with a chemical analysis (PDA condition) is shown in Figure 1. As the chemical marker, glycyrrhizic acid was used for quality control.
|6.0 g of Kracie NJT extract fine granules contains 3.0 g of a dried extract of the above mixed crude drugs. JP: Japanese Pharmacopoeia.|
A review of the patients is shown in Table 2. The mean age was 13.8 years (1–27), and the diagnoses were as follows: CIPO (), SBS (), and postoperative ileal atresia (). The targeted symptoms of seven patients included abdominal distension and pain in four patients, diarrhea in three patients, and frequent hospitalization due to infections (representing a compromised state) in two patients. No patients withdrew from the oral administration of NJT for at least three months during the treatment period, as the sweet taste of NJT increased patient compliance. No notable adverse effects, such as itching, gastrointestinal symptoms, and other subjective symptoms or abnormalities in the blood count or blood biochemistry data, were observed during or after NJT administration.
|CIPO, chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction; SBS, short bowel syndrome; OP, operation.|
The abdominal distension and pain improved in all four patients, and the intensity of abdominal distension and pain significantly improved on the VAS after 3 months of the oral administration of NJT (Figure 2(a)). Although the VAS after 3 months of the oral administration of NJT did not show a statistically significant decrease of the intensity of diarrhea (Figure 2(b)), diarrhea improved in two of three patients. The frequency of hospitalization due to infections decreased in the two patients (one patient’s frequency reduced from six times to twice a year and the other from eight times to twice a year). An improvement in the abdominal roentgenogram findings was observed in the four patients with remarkably dilated bowel loops due to CIPO as shown in Figure 3.
An improvement in the symptoms was observed in six of the seven patients. The patient who did not notice an improvement in his symptoms after the oral administration of NJT did not have remarkable inner cold or qi deficiency, while the other six patients had both of these problems.
The details of two representative cases are described below.
Case 1. A 12-year-old female suffered from repeated abdominal pain, distension, and diarrhea as a result of megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome, a condition of CIPO and a representative cause of intestinal failure. Since birth, the patient had been hospitalized on 12 occasions due to periodic abdominal distension three to four times per month and easily developed infections, such as catheter-related bloodstream infections and enteritis. As shown in Figure 3 (upper left), an abdominal roentgenogram showed severe intestinal dilatation and niveau formation, suggesting intestinal obstruction. Neither surgery nor medical treatment was able to successfully control her symptoms. However, after starting treatment with the oral administration of NJT extract, the periodic abdominal distension was well controlled, with evidence of amelioration on an abdominal roentgenogram (Figure 3, upper right) and significant improvements in her general condition and QoL. Interestingly, an increase in the NK activity in the PBMCs was observed three months after the initiation of NJT administration, compared to that seen before the start of NJT treatment (Figure 4, left). The patient has not been hospitalized since receiving oral NJT for two years. Similarly, consecutive improvements in symptoms and abdominal roentgenogram findings following NJT administration were also clearly observed in Case 3 (Figure 3, below).
Case 2. A 13-year-old male suffered from SBS due to intestinal necrosis associated with gastroschisis at birth. He experienced constant watery diarrhea as well as frequent hospitalization (5-6 times a year) due to bronchitis and pneumonia, probably due to the weakness of his immune system. Based on our experience in Case 1, we speculated that treatment with NJT may increase the NK activity in PBMCs and subsequently decrease the likelihood of infection. One year after starting treatment with the oral intake of NJT extract, the frequency of hospitalization had decreased (to once a year), and the patient’s bowel movement disturbance improved. In addition, a blood examination performed three months after the initiation of NJT therapy demonstrated that the NK activity in the PBMCs was upregulated compared to that noted prior to the administration of NJT (Figure 4, right).
Intestinal failure is a complex clinical problem that is associated with high patient morbidity and mortality. Although surgical treatment is often successful, dietary manipulation and pharmacological management of abdominal distension, diarrhea, and a compromised state both have the potential to substantially improve the overall health and quality of life (QoL) of SBS patients . The symptoms of SBS may be caused by multiple etiologies, for example, accelerated intestinal transit, gastric acid hypersecretion, intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and malabsorption of fats and bile salts . Similar to that observed with SBS, most patients with CIPO present with a variety of abdominal symptoms, including abdominal distension, vomiting, chronic constipation, and abdominal pain . It remains still difficult to control these symptoms with medication or surgery in patients with conditions associated with intestinal failure. In six of the seven current patients with intestinal failure, treatment with NJT successfully rescued severe symptoms that could not be managed with existing treatments. Against this background, traditional Japanese herbal medicine (Kampo medicine) may be an attractive alternative option. In fact, Dai-kenchu-to (DKT) was recently reported to be clinically effective in improving gastrointestinal motility in a case of MMIHS . A previous study also demonstrated that NJT not only significantly improves gastrointestinal motility, but also shows stronger effects than those of various prokinetic drugs, such as cisapride and metoclopramide, in a rat model of postoperative ileus , and NJT has been confirmed to increase the level of motilin, a powerful inducer of gastrointestinal motor activity, and somatostatin, which participates in the regulation of gut motility by exerting both inhibitory and stimulatory actions in human plasma. Sato et al. reported that NJT significantly increases the release of plasma CGRP, substance P, motilin, and somatostatin, thereby contributing to the gastrointestinal protection, motility, and secretion . For these reasons, NJT is thought to be effective in treating gastrointestinal symptoms and obtaining an improvement in the abdominal roentgenogram findings in patients with intestinal failure.
Surprisingly, in the present study, the administration of NJT increased the NK activity in PBMCs in two patients, who consequently became relatively insusceptible to treatment. There are several hypotheses explaining this phenomenon. First, in an animal study, Kaga et al. confirmed that NJT augments the NK activity in vivo, and the authors suggested that certain components of NJT, which contains four different components, directly stimulate immune system in vivo . Another explanation is that the increase in QoL resulting from the improvements in abdominal symptoms indirectly contributes to increasing the NK activity.
Panax ginseng is one of the most important crude drugs in NJT. Ginseng contains ginsenoside Rb1 as its main constituent and is traditionally used in Kampo formulas for cancer, inflammation, stress, and ageing. Ginsenoside Rb1 present in orally administered ginseng is metabolized to bioactive compounds, including compound K, by gut microbiota prior to absorptions in the blood. Colonic bacteria cleave the oligosaccharide connected to the aglycone compound stepwise from the terminal sugar to yield the major metabolites . The intestinal bacterial metabolism of ginseng, particularly ginsenoside Rb1, may be dependent on the composition of gut microbiota, such as Ruminococcus spp., Bacteroides spp., and Bifidobacterium spp. , and the continued administration of NJT may induce the development of a suitable composition of gut microbiota for the metabolism of ginsenoside. The other important crude drug in NJT is Atractylodes japonica. It has been reported that SKI3246 of the rhizome of Atractylodes japonica is potentially effective in treating visceral hypersensitivity in experimental rat model of irritable bowel syndrome . According to the Kampo diagnosis, NJT improves interior cold, a pathological state characterized by the preponderance of yin cold or a decline in yang qi in the interior, thus tonifying the digestive system. The intestinal failure can be considered to be a deficiency of spleen qi, a pattern marked by digestive dysfunction such as the loss of appetite, abdominal distention, or loose bowels. For this reason, NJT is one of the best formulas for patients with intestinal failure associated with interior cold.
In this study, NJT was administrated to pediatric patients with intestinal failure without the Kampo diagnosis because most of the pediatric patients with intestinal failure could be considered to have the disease pattern of NJT. As a result, one of the patients with SBS without the disease pattern of NJT, such as inner cold or qi deficiency, did not have a symptomatic improvement following NJT treatment. It is important to determine the cause, nature, and location of the pathological change at specific stages of the disease by the Kampo diagnosis for case selection in order to obtain sufficient effects. In future investigation, the selection criteria according to the Kampo diagnosis should be included in the selection of the patients. It may be possible to find inner cold in the diagnostic process with an interview, for example, and whether the patient’s symptoms exacerbate with cold stress.
Similar to that observed in our cases, various Kampo formulas have been prescribed for pre- and postoperative pediatric patients with gastrointestinal anomalies and diseases. Representative Kampo formulas used for daily treatment in the pediatric surgical field include rikkunshito after upper gastrointestinal surgery , daikenchuto after colorectal surgery , inchinkoto for postoperative biliary atresia, and hainosankyuto for perirectal abscesses . These formulas have been reported to achieve satisfactory results. Therefore, we believe that Kampo formulas have the potential to greatly contribute to controlling perioperative symptoms and preventing permanent damage in the field of pediatric surgery.
Kampo medicine is in general very safe. There are few adverse effects reported in connection with some Kampo formulas, such as pneumonitis, pseudoaldosteronism, and liver dysfunction. Nevertheless the patient’s condition should be continuously monitored during treatment using careful history-taking, laboratory assessments, and physical examination. Since in Japan Kampo medicines are prescribed by medical doctors and are monitored by the national pharmacovigilance system, safe use can be insured.
NJT may be effective in controlling the symptoms of intestinal failure, CIPO, and SBS, and further randomized controlled trials are warranted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of NJT for patients with these disorders. The use of Kampo medicine in the field of pediatric surgery may contribute to improving the quality of life in children suffering from such conditions.
Conflict of Interests
None of the authors disclose any potential conflict of interests.
The authors thank Dr. Brian Quinn, Japan Medical Communication, for revising the paper.
- V. Uko, K. Radhakrishnan, and N. Alkhouri, “Short bowel syndrome in children: current and potential therapies,” Pediatric Drugs, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 179–188, 2012.
- W. J. Byrne, L. Cipel, A. R. Euler, T. C. Halpin, and M. E. Ament, “Chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndrome in children-clinical characteristics and prognosis,” The Journal of Pediatrics, vol. 90, no. 4, pp. 585–589, 1977.
- Y. Sato, I. Hiroki, Y. Suzuki, R. Tatsuta, and M. Takeyama, “Interaction between pirenzepine and Ninjinto, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, on the plasma gut-regulated peptide levels in humans,” International Journal of Peptides, vol. 2013, Article ID 907850, 5 pages, 2013.
- M. Sekiya and Y. Morimoto, “Effect of several Kampo medicines on postoperative ileus model,” The Japan Journal of Oriental Medicine, vol. 54, pp. 785–790, 2003.
- T. L. Whiteside, “Measurement of cytotoxic activity of NK/LAK cells,” in Current Protocols in Immunology, chapter 7, p. 18, John Wiley & Sons, 2001.
- V. J. Kumpf, “Pharmacologic management of diarrhea in patients with short bowel syndrome,” Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, vol. 38, no. 1, supplement, pp. 38S–44S, 2014.
- M. Muto, H. Matsufuji, T. Tomomasa et al., “Pediatric chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare, serious, and intractable disease: a report of a nationwide survey in Japan,” Journal of Pediatric Surgery, vol. 49, no. 12, pp. 1799–1803, 2014.
- H. Hirakawa, S. Ueno, H. Matuda, T. Hinoki, and Y. Kato, “Effect of the herbal medicine dai-kenchu-to on gastrointestinal motility in patients with megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) and chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIIP): report of two cases,” The Tokai Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 28–33, 2009.
- H. Kaga, H. Ochiai, M. Kurokawa, and N. Sakuragawa, “Effects of Kamphozais (Sho-saiko-to, Ninjin-to, Hochu-ekki-to and Juzen-taiho-to) on immune responses in mice,” Acta Medica et Biologica, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 161–167, 1991.
- H. Hasegawa, “Proof of the mysterious efficacy of ginseng: basic and clinical trials: metabolic activation of ginsenoside: deglycosylation by intestinal bacteria and esterification with fatty acid,” Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, vol. 95, no. 2, pp. 153–157, 2004.
- K.-A. Kim, I.-H. Jung, S.-H. Park, Y.-T. Ahn, C.-S. Huh, and D.-H. Kim, “Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota in people with different levels of ginsenoside Rb1 degradation to compound K,” PLoS ONE, vol. 8, no. 4, Article ID e62409, 2013.
- H. J. Son, K. Jung, Y. H. Park et al., “Inhibitory effects of SKI3246, the rhizome extract of Atractylodes japonica, on visceral hypersensitivity in experimental irritable bowel syndrome rat models,” Archives of Pharmacal Research, 2014.
- H. Kawahara, Y. Mitani, M. Nomura et al., “Impact of rikkunshito, an herbal medicine, on delayed gastric emptying in profoundly handicapped patients,” Pediatric Surgery International, vol. 25, no. 11, pp. 987–990, 2009.
- H. Kawahara and K. Yanaga, “The herbal medicine Dai-Kenchu-To directly stimulates colonic motility,” Surgery Today, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 175–177, 2009.
- H. Kawahara, H. Nakai, A. Yoneda, and A. Kubota, “Management of perianal abscess with hainosankyuto in neonates and young infants,” Pediatrics International, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 892–896, 2011.
Copyright © 2015 Shuichiro Uehara et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. | <urn:uuid:7f553486-10b2-428b-afa1-ef06e9286950> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/462586/ | 2022-05-27T06:29:55Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662636717.74/warc/CC-MAIN-20220527050925-20220527080925-00600.warc.gz | en | 0.919335 | 4,866 |
Everybody’s “favorite” time of year is here once again. It’s tax time.
If you’re looking for free tax filing this year, I am recommending to use H&R Block for 2020 tax filing.
While TurboTax has remained the “gold standard” among the DIY tax software giants, H&R Block has made some very impressive strides to compete with TurboTax. In fact, after taking a long look at both TurboTax and H&R Block for my 2020 tax software review, I am going to go with H&R Block for the win.
H&R Block 2020 Review
H&R Block is almost identical as to what TurboTax offers this year, however H&R Block’s free services are superior. As far as premium services, you will pay a lot less for H&R Block than you will with TurboTax. In addition, H&R Block partnered with Amazon and now offers a 4% tax refund bonus which TurboTax does not. I’ll explain more about how the bonus works further down in this 2020 H&R Block review.
2020 H&R Block Review
Name: H&R Block
Description: H&R Block has options for all tax filers in 2020. Whether you want to file for free, completely online, get help online, or file in person - H&R Block provides all services.
5 Ways to File with H&R Block in 2020
This year H&R Block has 5 different ways to file your 2019 tax return. There are two options for the DIY filers and then you will also have three more options for having them do file your taxes for you.
1. Do It Yourself Online
- Federal Cost: $0
- State Cost: $0
If you pay rent and didn’t sell any investments in 2019, there’s a good chance you can file your federal and state income tax returns free.
It used to be that the only way to get free tax filing was making less than a certain annual income. Now, you can file for free regardless of your income if you only need to claim the following income and deductions:
- W-2 Income (not Form 1099 self-employment income)
- Retirement Plan Income
- Social Security Income
- Student Loan Interest
- Earned Income Credit
- Child Care Expenses
- Child Tax Credits
If you have home mortgage interest to deduct, sold investments, own rental property or earn freelancer or self-employed income, you will have to pay to file your return with H&R Block.
H&R Block Free
H&R Block calls their free filing option, “H&R Block Free.”
With this option, you can file basic federal and state returns free. Seriously, no strings attached.
If this isn’t your first tax season, you probably remember filing your federal return for free. But, having to pay to file your state return. This fee is usually around $40.
Who Can Use It?
H&R states their Free platform is best if you “have a W-2, have kids, and pay rent.”
But, you might fall into this category if you have itemized in the past because of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts is making it harder to itemize. For tax year 2019, experts estimate only 10% of people can itemize instead of the usual 30%.
Gen Z college students and young Millennials will most likely be able to file for free as well. Even homeowners who don’t have enough itemized deductions ($12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for joint filers) can also file completely free.
Easily Upload Your Tax Documents
H&R Block’s free tax filing 2019 perks are pretty good. In the past, you had to type all your tax information by hand. To upload your documents, you needed to upgrade to a paid option.
With your mobile device or webcam, you can now take a picture of your W-2. In seconds, the data uploads to H&R Block and spares you from accidentally typing the wrong information into the incorrect box.
You can also upload the forms you receive from your bank, brokerage, health insurance marketplaces, and student loan lenders too. Some of these forms include:
- 1095-A (Health Insurance)
- 1098-E (Student Loan Interest Paid)
- 1099-DIV (Stock Dividends)
- 1099-INT (Bank Account Interest)
And, H&R Block lets you import last year’s tax return that makes completing this year’s return faster.
Free Earned Income Tax Credit
The free version of H&R Block sees if you qualify for more than 350 credits and deductions. One of these is the Earned Income Tax Credit. If you qualify, you can boost your tax refund without paying a dime to file your return.
Free Chat Technical Support
Since you’re filing a “simple” return, you shouldn’t have any complex tax questions. For the tax questions you do have, you should be able to find an answer in the online self-help guide.
If you can’t figure out how to upload a form or need help navigating the platform, H&R Block offers free chat support. Keep in mind, this isn’t free tax advice like you get from an accountant or Block’s premium Tax Pro Review.
Refund Reveal Explains Refund Amount Changes
The various tax prep programs display your current tax refund amount in real-time. As you enter new income, deductions, and credits, that dollar amount fluctuates. If you’re a tax novice, you might not understand why the refund amount changes.
The Refund Reveal tool helps explain these changes so you understand why you are receiving the tax refund you are. Or, why you’re paying in this year if enough wasn’t withheld.
Up to 4% Amazon Gift Card Bonus
When you choose to receive any amount up to an including your full tax refund as an Amazon gift card, Amazon boosts your balance by 4%. Let’s say you choose to take your entire $3,000 tax refund in the form of an Amazon gift card. You would then get thirty $100 Amazon gift cards and then an additional 4% ($120) in free Amazon Gift cards.
But what if you only want to take a portion of your tax return in the form of Amazon gift card?
You can do that as well. Let’s say you only want to take half of your return, $1,500 in the form of gift card from Amazon. H&R Block would issue you fifteen – $100 Amazon gift cards plus 4% ($60) as a free bonus in gift cards from Amazon.
Free Tax Audit Support
If you’re audited, H&R Block provides free basic audit support. They will help explain the audit process and what follow-up actions you may need to complete.
This free benefit doesn’t include audit defense where an H&R Block provides in-person representation when meeting with the IRS agent. This deluxe coverage costs extra.
Tax Filing Options for Homeowners and Investors
If you deduct mortgage interest and property taxes or sell stock in 2019, you have to pay H&R Block to file your federal and state returns. The IRS requires you to report this information on a separate tax form that you include with the standard Tax Form 1040.
These are the three main reasons you have to fill out an extra schedule:
- Mortgage Interest or Property Taxes (Schedule A)
- Self-Employment Income (Schedule C-EZ or Schedule C)
- Investment Income by Selling Shares of Stock (Schedule D)
Our tax code is confusing. Don’t worry about the exact Schedules you must complete right now. H&R Block walks you through every tax situation and fills out these additional forms when you reach that part of the process. Even if you start with the free option, they will notify you when you need to upgrade to an advanced plan to continue filing.
If you can’t file for free, you will most likely either use the Deluxe or Premium plan. For an extra set of eyes on your return, you may also opt for the TaxProGo which lets you file online with the help of an H&R tax professional who offers personal tax advice.
Tip: Save money by filing your taxes ASAP. H&R Block raises prices as the April 15 tax filing deadline approaches. You can get up to 25% off your federal return by acting now.
- Federal Cost: $29.99 for limited time (Full Price is $49.99)
- State Cost: $36.99
Want me to let you in on a little secret?
Downloading the Deluxe software to file your federal and state income tax (instead of filing online) can save you $12.
Who Can Use It?
Homeowners and itemizers with W-2 Income who didn’t sell any investments in 2019.
Itemize Mortgage Interest, Taxes, and Charity (Schedule A)
Mortgage interest deductions, state and local property taxes (up to $10,000), charitable contributions, and medical expenses are all itemizeable expenses.
Since you can claim more deductions, H&R Block uses a more extensive screener to find more deductions. Their DeductionPro tool that provides the value of any tangible items you donate. For instance, this tool assigns a cash value to your clothing and household items you donate to your local thrift store.
Free Tax Document Storage
It’s a good idea to keep a paper copy of your tax return in your personal files for up to six years. This way, you have a copy if you need to apply for a loan or apply to an IRS inquiry. If you’re audited, the IRS can request your tax documents for the most recent six years.
Having a digital copy on H&R Block means you never lose your documents. It’s also easier to send a copy to the loan officer. And if you move to a new house, you don’t have to worry about losing these important papers during a packing purge.
Phone Technical Support
If you don’t like live chat support, you get free phone technical support with H&R Block Deluxe.
- Federal Cost: $49.99 for limited time (Full Price is $69.99)
- State Cost: $36.99
Who Can Use It?
When you sell investments or earn freelancing income in 2019, you must use Premium.
Even if you sell one share of stock, your broker will send you an extra tax form that requires a Schedule D. For instance, if a family member in 2019 sold stock and had $100 in taxable capital gains and didn’t itemize, they will get a Schedule D. Therefore, they will have to now use the Premium option to file their return to include a Schedule D.
However, had they not sold any shares and continued to collect the regular dividend payments, they could have avoided the Schedule D and filed for free.
Also, if you earned any freelancer or self-employment income and receive a Form 1099, you have to file a Schedule C-EZ. When filing a C-EZ, you can still claim basic self-employment deductions less than $5,000 total. For example, this may be something you would complete if you have an side hustle.
Having employees or claiming asset depreciation means you have to upgrade to the Self-Employed plan. This also applies to rideshare drivers.
Import 1099-B Investment Income
So you don’t spend as much time completing the Schedule D as the rest of your tax return, you can import your broker’s investment income statement. On the Schedule D, you must report the cost basis (the original investment amount) and the final sales value for each investment sale you make.
This can be a monotonous task. It’s also easy to type the wrong information in the wrong field causing further delays
However, H&R Block helps you determine the accurate cost basis for stocks, home sales, inheritance, and other investment income.
Import Expenses from Expense-Tracking Apps
When you have freelancer income to report from a Form 1099, you probably have deductible expenses too. You can import your expenses from apps like Stride, Uber, and Lyft. These apps can track your mileage and other expenses so you don’t want to forget.
For example, as a self-employed person myself, I keep a running log for all my business-related expenses so I can quickly tally my expenses in January. And, tracking expenses in real-time ensures you don’t forget certain expenses.
- Federal Cost: $79.99 for a limited time (Full Price is $104.99)
- State Cost: $36.99
Who Can Use This?
To save you money, H&R Block will determine if you can file a Schedule C-EZ first. They will prompt you to upgrade if you have a complex self-employment tax situation.
Find Common Business Deductions
One benefit of being self-employed is that you can deduct certain expenses that W-2 employees can’t. To help you find every possible deduction, H&R Block helps you find eligible business deductions, asset depreciation, and startup costs to lower your taxable income.
2. Do It Yourself with Online Help
H&R Block also offers two virtual tax prep add-on services. The first service is their Basic Online Assist which is still for the DIYers, but also gives you access to online or phone support from a certified tax professional.
Basic Online Assist
- Federal Cost Starting at $39.99
- State Cost Starting at $0
With Basic Online Assist, you complete your return yourself and a tax expert reviews it before sending it to Washington.
This isn’t a bad idea if you’re itemizing or you earn self-employment income as these two types of returns are more complex. And, you think there is a possibility you may miss a few of the many deductions the IRS allows you to deduct, then it may be a great idea to pay the small premium now for a bigger return.
3. File My Taxes For Me Online
- Federal Cost Starting at $49
- State Cost Starting at $39
The other virtual tax prep option is Tax Pro Go. This is most similar to walking into your local H&R Block office to file your taxes. Since it takes place online, it can be cheaper and more convenient if you have a busy schedule.
With Tax Pro Go, the tax expert completes your tax return for you. This is ideal for complex returns where you deduct asset depreciation or payroll expenses.
How It Works
When you choose Tax Pro Go, you are matched with a tax professional who has expertise the state you are filing in and best suited for your particular situation. Then you simply drag and drop your tax documents via their online dashboard and you can also schedule a live call or chat with someone if you have any questions.
Once they are finished preparing your return, H&R Block will sign and file your return for you. This is perfect for those who are looking to maximize their return with the least amount of effort on their part.
4. File My Taxes For Me – Drop Off and Go
- Federal Cost Starting at $69
- State Cost will vary by state
With over 12,000 H&R Block locations across the United States, this is a great option if you feel more comfortable dropping off your taxes files in person.
Without even scheduling a time, you can pop in and drop off your tax documents and a tax professional will prepare, sign and file your taxes for you.
5. File My Taxes For Me In Office
- Federal Cost Starting at $69
- State Cost will vary by state
If you still prefer to meet in person with a tax professional, you can. H&R Block also offers in-person tax consulting with a tax pro in any of their 12,000 locations across the United States.
What I Like Most About H&R Block
- Most non-itemizers can file federal and state taxes free
- All plans can digitally import tax documents to quickly complete return
- Easy-to-Navigate Platform
- 4% Amazon gift card bonus
- Can have a tax expert review your return (Tax Pro Review or Tax Pro Go)
H&R is one of the best tax prep programs for free tax filing. Even if you have to pay, the user experience is better than discount filing programs.
What I Dislike About H&R Block
- Six years of storage only comes with paid plans
- Can file Self-Employed returns for less elsewhere online
If you want H&R Block to digitally save your tax documents, you must pay for a premium plan. Some people might wish to have free document storage in lieu of having H&R Block auto-fill your taxable income into your Form 1040 tax return.
What Else To Know About Filing 2019 Taxes
While you have to file income taxes every year, your tax return will be different this year. If your employer withholds part of your paycheck, you might already see a small difference in your take-home pay.
Below are a few important changes you should know about so you don’t think H&R Block is miscalculating your taxable income.
Fewer People Can Itemize
While we’re not going to talk about all the 2019-2020 tax law changes, one notable change is the increased standard deduction. Before, roughly 30% of taxpayers filed an itemized return with multiple tax-deductible expenses. That number is expected to shrink to 10% of all filers now.
This is partially because of several deduction removals like tax prep fees and unreimbursed work and travel expenses. Keep in mind, you can still deduct most of these expenses if you file a Schedule C to report self-employment income.
And, because the 2019 standard deduction increases to these new amounts:
- Single Filers: $12,200
- Head of Household: $18,350
- Married, Filing Jointly: $24,400
To “itemize,” you’re essentially limited to the three most commonly itemized expenses:
- Home Mortgage Interest
- State and Local Taxes
- Charitable Deductions
Change to Home Mortgage Interest Deduction
If you have a mortgage originating on or after December 15, 2017, you can only claim the interest paid on the first $750,000 loan balance.
This restriction primarily affects homebuyers in high-cost-of-living areas like San Francisco, Seattle and New York City.
State and Local Tax Deductions Capped at $10,000
You can now only deduct the first $10,000 in state and local income, sales, and property taxes each year. This deduction is more commonly known as SALT and will continue through 2025 per the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017.
Anybody Can Deduct Student Loan Interest
One deduction that isn’t changing is deducting student loan interest. Even if you file for free, you can deduct the first $2,500 of student loan interest. You will receive Form 1098-E from your lenders stating how much interest you paid.
This deduction instantly reduces your taxable income just like pre-tax, traditional 401k or IRA contributions.
Health Insurance Is No Longer Required
For the past few years, you were subject to a financial penalty if you didn’t have adequate health insurance coverage from your employer, healthcare marketplace, or a health sharing ministry. The IRS collected this fee when you filed your federal income tax return.
With tax year 2019, the individual mandate is no more! If you paid penalties in the past, you won’t pay one this year.
Compare Prices for Downloading Software and Filing Online
To save a few dollars, compare H&R Block’s file online price to downloading their software first. In either case, your tax return is digitally sent to the IRS and your state’s tax agency.
While you might think filing online is always cheaper, H&R Block software downloads might be the cheaper option. If you have a computer and time to download, it’s worth price shopping.
Is Free Online Tax Filing Legit?
I might be dating myself here, but free tax filing online is still relatively new. As a cash-strapped college student, I would scour the web looking for free tax prep software. If you didn’t click the correct link on just the right page you had to pay to file your “free” return. But, you didn’t find out until after you entered all your information. So, you either paid the prep fee or re-entered all the information with a different tax prep program.
While these programs accurately calculated my tax refund, the experience wasn’t always pleasant. The websites were clunky and sometimes hard to navigate.
That’s not the case when you file taxes for free today. You can easily file with your phone, tablet, or computer. And, you no longer have to hand-enter all your information by hand.
What’s the Best Way to File This Year?
In summary, H&R Block has 5 different options to make sure all filers have the best option for filing this year. If you are the DIY-type, then you have the two options:
- H&R Block Free
- H&R Block Online Assist
But, if you would rather have a tax professional file for you (and I don’t blame you), then there are three options to choose from:
- Tax Pro Go where you upload all docs on line and a tax professional prepares, signs and files for you
- Drop off in office
- In-person consultation
Now, with each of the online options, you have four different tiers to choose from based on your current situation.
The Four Tiers of H&R Block Online Filing
H&R Block offers four core products. The summary below helps you quickly see which option your tax situation lands in.
- W-2 and dividend income only
- Not itemizing
- Didn’t sell any investments
- W-2 and dividend income only
- Can itemize
- Didn’t sell any investments
- W-2, dividend, or basic freelancer (Form 1099) income
- May or may not itemize
- Sold investments
- Own rental property
- Self-employment income
- Advanced business deductions including ridesharing expenses | <urn:uuid:e2f8c955-4453-4ee8-a4cc-eaa1664ac5e0> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://www.moneypeach.com/hr-block-review/ | 2022-05-27T06:27:07Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662636717.74/warc/CC-MAIN-20220527050925-20220527080925-00600.warc.gz | en | 0.938108 | 4,842 |
- Only three small pages to fill out
- No need for banking information at this stage
- Choose how the bookmaker can contact you
Before we settle into our review properly, we would like to point out that we will be focusing on the South African version of this site. This means that if you are from elsewhere then the details shown here may differ slightly. With that said let’s dive into everything Sportingbet.
After over 20 years in the business you’d certainly imagine Sportingbet to have mastered the fine art of the registration form, and you’d be absolutely right. Nonetheless we know that, especially for new online bettors, this process may seem initially daunting. With that in mind we’re going to be taking a look through the registration process step by step so you know exactly what you can expect should you decide Sportingbet is right for you.
Start by using a valid e-mail, one you have access to and by creating a strong password. Your password will need to contain at least a letter, number, 6 to 20 characters and must not contain parts of your name, e-mail or special characters.
Step two has you enter your full name, date of birth and a security question and answer. You will of course need to be above the legal gambling age for your country of residence and make sure you select your security information wisely because it may be a lifesaver if you are unlucky enough to get locked out of your account. Finally, you have to select your source of funds from a drop list before moving onto the final page.
The final step, yes, we are here already, sees you enter your address, mobile number, identification and accept the terms and conditions. And that is pretty much all there is to it.
There’s not much to fault here. Some people prefer to add their banking details at this stage, but considering that can be done so easily following registration, and their welcome bonus is one which doesn’t require bank details, this makes a lot of sense. It’s simple but it gets the job done.
Deposits and withdrawals options
- Huge selection of banking options
- Ability to see progress of withdrawals
- Only cryptocurrencies are truly notable by their absence
As soon as you have completed your registration form you will be given the option to sort out your banking information, however, if you don’t want to at this time you can easily leave this screen and go check out the site before making any further commitments.
The first thing you will notice though is that before you get onto banking methods, you are asked if you want to set deposit limits. Putting responsible gaming at the forefront like this is something that we appreciate and shows that Sportingbet are taking that side of things seriously.
Another side point before we start talking about the banking methods properly is that Sportingbet don’t just deserve credit for how easy they have made depositing funds, but also the explanation of all the different payment options in their terms and conditions is among the most comprehensive we have come across.
Having said that, the following banking options were available at the time of writing for South African players: Ozow, ecoPayz, Fast Bank Transfer, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill and Visa.
Ozow is only a deposit option, but with no charges and instant transfers, and you’ll need to be part of ABSA, Capitec, FNB, Investec, Nedbank or Standard bank to make use of its services.
EcoPayz allows you to both withdraw and deposit funds. In terms of charges, there are none from Sportingbet, but may be some from ecoPayz itself. To withdraw using this method, you must have made a successful deposit in your ecoPayz account within the last six months. Funds will be credited to your account after 24 hours of approval.
Fast Bank transfer can be used for both deposits and withdrawals, but it will take 1-4 business days for the money to be credited to your account using this method. It will take 2-4 business days to receive money withdrawn using this method.
Mastercard is available to deposit for South African players using Sportingbet but is only available for withdrawal for customers in Ireland, Romania and the UK. Transfers only take two minutes and there are no fees unless administered by the credit card company. All processing should take around 24 hours after approved by the internal review team.
You can deposit and withdraw funds using NETELLER, who set their own fees, once again, none are administered by Sportingbet.
Skrill can be used to deposit funds and can be withdrawn 24 hours after they are approved by the internal review team and there are no transaction fees.
Finally, there are VISA deposits, these can be deposited with no fees within a couple of minutes and withdrawn for South African players, although there are restrictions for players from other countries.
This is of course just an overview and there’s a huge amount more information in the terms and conditions for you to check out if you want any additional information. We do however think this could be laid out to be easier to understand. A massive amount of additional payment methods is also available for players all across the world.
Speaking more internationally, it’s a huge selection, one which really represents the worldwide appeal of SportingBet, with the only real notable absence being cryptocurrencies.
Beyond that, this is a fairly comprehensive list with plenty to offer a wide variety of users. You can even check the status of your withdrawal as part of your transaction history.
Also, when you need to confirm your identification all you need to do is scan a photograph of your passport, national ID or driving license.
The main criticisms here are that we can’t say they will quite appeal to everyone due to a lack of cryptocurrencies and a simple table to understand the key information would be helpful.
Beyond that, the selection here is varied and should appeal to a wide variety of users. The attention to detail is also something they deserve praise for. Consider for instance, how they place the live chat at the bottom of the banking page so you always know where to find help as one example. Not quite perfect, but close.
- 100% bonus up to R2000
- 3X wagering requirement
- Minimum odds of 1.5
Introduction to bookie welcome offer
If there’s one way to show that Sportingbet is very serious indeed about appealing to a mass audience, it’s with a generous welcome offer. This promotion provides you with a 100% First Deposit Bonus up to R2000. Of course, when it comes to promotions, the devil is in the details, or in this case, the terms and conditions. On a side note, do keep in mind before we start to go into detail that bonuses and terms and conditions are subject to change meaning you should always check them out for yourself before committing.
Sportsbook Bonus Description
We’ll start with how you receive the welcome offer. Simply sign up, open an account and make your first deposit. This deposit will be equalled to a maximum of R2000, with a minimum of R50. A couple of important notes: this first deposit must be made within 30 days following registration and Skrill and Neteller do not count towards this promotion.
Although this may be a disappointment for some the fact that the wagering requirement is only 3 times will make up for that for many more users. Minimum odds are also a reasonable 1.5. Bonus funds are also available for 30 days but considering the reasonable wagering requirement that seems pretty fair too. All in all, a very generous start to your journey with Sportingbet.
- Current ongoing promotions provide free bets for losing accumulators
- Available on both Football and Tennis
- Event-specific promotions are also very common
And the welcome bonus is far from where the generosity ends with Sportingbet as they have plenty of other promotions to keep you coming back for more.
One thing that we feel is important to point out is that Sportingbet are constantly updating their bonus page, more than most we would say.
In fact, there were two time-sensitive, in other words, based on specific upcoming sporting events, bonuses available at the time of writing which we won’t mention because there’s a very good chance they will have passed by the time you are reading this.
But we just want to point out that there’s more to look forward to than can be found here. With that in mind here are some of the promotions at Sportingbet right now.
Football Multi Special: This is an accumulator bonus which gives you cashback if you lose by a single selection. Minimum selections to qualify is five, and stakes to be refunded via a free bet. This means there’s a solid chance that you can get a second chance at a losing bet, with no clear downside. The key condition here is that the odds of each selection must be greater than 1.5.
Tennis Multiple Refund: The rules of this are the same as our previous promotion except this time we’re talking about accumulators for Tennis match winners rather than Football. Another key difference is the minimum odds are lower this time, down to 1.25.
A couple of great bonuses there but like we said there’s much more to enjoy as many of the promotions are event specific. The only thing we’d say is missing is the lack of a loyalty scheme. Other than that, the promotions we’ve seen are pretty excellent.
- Fantastic selection of sports both mainstream and left field
- Excellent E-Sports options
- Surprising selection of specials
- Odds format: fractions
It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that the key selling point for Sportingbet is, well, sports. And they have plenty of them.
At first glance it may seem that Sportingbet doesn’t go too left field with its options, instead focusing on the likes of Football, Tennis, and Basketball, covering major sports extensively. And this is true, plus a lot of people would be perfectly happy if this were the extent of their reach. After all, for many, being able to bet on the La Liga to the Premier League is all they are after.
However, this is before you dive into Sportingbet’s A-Z of sports which is on a whole different level. Alongside all those hugely popular picks there are options like Handball, Darts, Politics, Virtual Sports, Entertainment and other Specials. It’s a massive amount of options for South African players, and it only looks set to expand.
And that’s not the only area where Sportingbet excels, not only is the number of sports huge, so is the number of markets on major games. We found over 70 markets available on a random game we looked at between Manchester United and Wolves, and that’s just one example.
In terms of odds quality, we’re going to use the overround to examine the quality of their odds using this very game.
The overround is the margin above 100% when you convert odds to percentages. The closer the percentage to 100, the better. The amount above that is essentially how bookmakers stay in profit, and less than 110% is generally viewed as good. The odds available on this game were 91/100 for United to Win, 12/5 for a Draw and 13/4 for Wolves. That translated to 52.4%, 29.4% and 23.5%. This comes out to 108.9%, all in all, we’d consider the number of options and the quality they represent to be excellent.
Speaking of left-field options there’s also Esports, which in our opinion aren’t always covered as well as they should be in South African markets. There were 47 events to bet on when we checked, focusing on CS: GO, COD and League of Legends.
The markets are currently limited to who will win but that is pretty much expected from most bookmakers. In that regard, we could say they meet but don’t exceed expectations. When we look at odds do keep in mind that Esports odds are generally higher than typical sports.
With that in mind odds for a game between Chicago Huntsmen and Dallas Empire on the Call of Duty league gave us 6/5 and 3/5 odds respectively. These come out at 45.5% and 62.5%, giving us a respectable total of 108%, which to our surprise, is lower than the sports example!
We spoke of specials and we’re certain you’re dying of curiosity as to what exactly these referred to. Well, do keep in mind that the number of events in this regard varies hugely and many of these markets will have likely passed at the time of you reading this.
Nonetheless, as an example of the type of thing you can expect at the time of writing we had markets on the BAFTA’s, the Sanremo Festival, the next Irish general election and even who will replace Pope Francis. Honestly, we were blown away by the variety here. When it comes to specials, Sportingbet can stand with the very best.
Cashout & Bet Builder
Both Cashouts and Bet Builder are available on Sportingbet, with the latter, as is common, being restricted to soccer matches.
The specifics of when Cashouts is available is at the bookmaker’s discretion but we found it to be widely available. Both of them worked perfectly during our usage, allowing us to craft custom bets and accumulators alongside taking money out early during live betting, speaking of which…
- Live streaming available on some events
- Many others covered by updating graphics
- Live offer, in general, is hugely extensive
We’ve had plenty positive to say about Sportingbet’s pre-match offer and we are happy to say that we have been no less impressed by the live options either.
It’s not just impressive that the live offer can stand up to the pre-match variety but what really blows us away is how seamlessly the site makes this experience. Live betting is all about thinking fast and a hard to use or slow to update site can have a hugely detrimental effect. There’s no need to be concerned here as Sportingbet provides one of the finest live experiences South Africa has to offer.
Not only that but live streaming is even available on selected events, and for those which can’t get a direct feed, this is often due to logistical and licensing issues, are lovingly followed by an updating on-screen graphics. This is just one more example of how Sportingbet go the extra mile.
- Licensed by Western Cape Gambling &
- Racing Board among others
- Encrypted to keep data safe
- Encrypted to keep data safe
We already talked about how impressed we were by Sportingbet providing deposit limits the moment we registered, well, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. They have an entire policy section which also provides advice alongside a self-exclusion option. There’s even a phone line for those who wish to seek help.
Of course, security goes far beyond responsible gaming, you also need to know that the site is legitimate and your data is safe. While we doubt there are many who think that Sportingbet is illegitimate, it is worth noting that they are licensed for South African players by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing board. They also have several other licenses from the likes of the UK Gambling Commission for instance, for players from elsewhere.
Service and customer support
- Extensive help section means that often no contact is needed
- But customer service is contactable via e-mail, live chat and in some areas phone
- Coverage for South African users runs between 9 am and 9 pm
One side effect of the terms and conditions section being so comprehensive is that you may find that you don’t need to contact customer service very often.
However, if you do they can be found, although one small criticism we have to point out is you need to seek out the contact section, which should be easier to find. This is a bit ironic considering that we praised the site for making the live chat so easy to find during that initial deposit.
That aside you can contact the site via live chat, e-mail or in some countries, phone. For South African users the live chat hours available are between 9 am and 9 pm. Reasonable opening hours then, if not quite as good as round the clock coverage.
The customer support staff also live up to the high standards set by the help section with fast and friendly advice. Although not quite perfect, they still do enough in this department to get our recommendation.
Design and Usability
- Classic if unoriginal aesthetic
- Brilliant layout and usability
- Makes the site’s many features a joy to use
While in terms of aesthetic we doubt that Sportingbet is going to be a world-changer, it is fairly easy on the eye, if a touch old fashioned in places. What really matters though is how brilliant this site is on a practical level. With the odd exception, like getting to the contact options, everything is meticulously laid out making for an easy and smooth online experience.
This is especially important when it comes to balancing the sheer amount of content available at Sportingbet. Providing all this while keeping the experience accessible is no small task, and they’ve pulled it off here.
- Optimised browsers help craft a better handheld experience
- Web Design is perfect for the small screen
- No app available at the time of writing
There’s no app for mobile with Sportingbet, which may disappoint some, but they’ve managed to come to a good compromise with the help of optimised browsers. Yes, you may have to make a couple of extra clicks to get onto Sportingbet, which means we can’t give it a perfect score, but the mobile experience itself is a very good one.
That simple design we talked about also pays dividends here, and all of your additional features are present and just as easy to use. We wouldn’t say that the mobile experience offers anything new, but it does offer a great small-screen version of the Sportingbet experience.
A quick note before we discuss the other products Sportingbet has to offer: while we have focused this review on the experience for South African players they do not have access to Sportingbet’s Casino.
However, because we know there will be readers that will have access to the casino, we thought it was worth discussing regardless. If you are a South African reader, feel free to skip forward to the summary.
The casino at Sportingbet is no mere afterthought and although we would probably say on balance the sportsbook is objectively more impressive this side of the site nonetheless comes very close to matching its level of quality.
The simple design of Sportingbet works beautifully here and also translates to mobile about as well as any casino we’ve seen.
There’s a huge amount of games to choose from with software developers like NetEnt showcasing their skills across dozens and dozens of options.
Perhaps even more impressive is their monstrously huge live casino which features a massive selection of games by Evolution gaming for players all across the world.
Their commitment to an international audience perhaps has no better example than the number of Roulette tables aimed at players from different parts of the world.
Just like the sportsbook the promotions are also generally event-specific, meaning you can look forward to new and exciting bonuses being added regularly. An excellent addition, and allows Sportingbet to appeal to an even wider audience.
Sportingbet is rather old fashioned in the sense that it is more focused on getting the fundamentals right than looking impressive. That’s not to say it looks bad, but that first impression might not be as striking as some of its competitors. That said, we recommend that you look a little deeper because beneath what seems like a fairly standard, conservatively designed site in many ways, is an enormous level of quality and variety.
We’re not just talking about the number of sports here, which is ample, but the markets available for those sports, the excellent promotions, the top class customer service and help section. Even the design, which may not be to everybody’s tastes, actually turns out to be something to be celebrated as well. Because instead of needless gimmicks of fancy graphics, what you have is a site that from top to bottom is crafted to create the best user experience possible. If what you’re interested in is substance, that there’s few better than Sportingbet. | <urn:uuid:0ee6b7e2-0978-4b0c-82cd-fbd107eaa3ce> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://www.soccerbetting365.com/bookmaker/sportingbet-review/ | 2022-05-19T14:45:53Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662529538.2/warc/CC-MAIN-20220519141152-20220519171152-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.957496 | 4,351 |
Visible and Invisible/Mrs. Amworth
The village of Maxley, where, last summer and autumn, these strange events took place, lies on a heathery and pine-clad upland of Sussex. In all England you could not find a sweeter and saner situation. Should the wind blow from the south, it comes laden with the spices of the sea; to the east high downs protect it from the inclemencies of March; and from the west and north the breezes which reach it travel over miles of aromatic forest and heather. The village itself is insignificant enough in point of population, but rich in amenities and beauty. Half-way down the single street, with its broad road and spacious areas of grass on each side, stands the little Norman Church and the antique graveyard long disused: for the rest there are a dozen small, sedate Georgian houses, red-bricked and long-windowed, each with a square of flower-garden in front, and an ampler strip behind; a score of shops, and a couple of score of thatched cottages belonging to labourers on neighbouring estates, complete the entire cluster of its peaceful habitations. The general peace, however, is sadly broken on Saturdays and Sundays, for we lie on one of the main roads between London and Brighton and our quiet street becomes a race-course for flying motor-cars and bicycles. A notice just outside the village begging them to go slowly only seems to encourage them to accelerate their speed, for the road lies open and straight, and there is really no reason why they should do otherwise. By way of protest, therefore, the ladies of Maxley cover their noses and mouths with their handkerchiefs as they see a motor-car approaching, though, as the street is asphalted, they need not really take these precautions against dust. But late on Sunday night the horde of scorchers has passed, and we settle down again to five days of cheerful and leisurely seclusion. Railway strikes which agitate the country so much leave us undisturbed because most of the inhabitants of Maxley never leave it at all.
I am the fortunate possessor of one of these small Georgian houses, and consider myself no less fortunate in having so interesting and stimulating a neighbour as Francis Urcombe, who, the most confirmed of Maxleyites, has not slept away from his house, which stands just opposite to mine in the village street, for nearly two years, at which date, though still in middle life, he resigned his Physiological Professorship at Cambridge University and devoted himself to the study of those occult and curious phenomena which seem equally to concern the physical and the psychical sides of human nature. Indeed his retirement was not unconnected with his passion for the strange uncharted places that lie on the confines and borders of science, the existence of which is so stoutly denied by the more materialistic minds, for he advocated that all medical students should be obliged to pass some sort of examination in mesmerism, and that one of the tripos papers should be designed to test their knowledge in such subjects as appearances at time of death, haunted houses, vampirism, automatic writing, and possession.
"Of course they wouldn't listen to me," ran his account of the matter, "for there is nothing that these seats of learning are so frightened of as knowledge, and the road to knowledge lies in the study of things like these. The functions of the human frame are, broadly speaking, known. They are a country, anyhow, that has been charted and mapped out. But outside that lie huge tracts of undiscovered country, which certainly exist, and the real pioneers of knowledge are those who, at the cost of being derided as credulous and superstitious, want to push on into those misty and probably perilous places. I felt that I could be of more use by setting out without compass or knapsack into the mists than by sitting in a cage like a canary and chirping about what was known. Besides, teaching is very bad for a man who knows himself only to be a learner: you only need to be a self-conceited ass to teach."
Here, then, in Francis Urcombe, was a delightful neighbour to one who, like myself, has an uneasy and burning curiosity about what he called the "misty and perilous places"; and this last spring we had a further and most welcome addition to our pleasant little community, in the person of Mrs. Amworth, widow of an Indian civil servant. Her husband had been a judge in the North-West Provinces, and after his death at Peshawar she came back to England, and after a year in London found herself starving for the ampler air and sunshine of the country to take the place of the fogs and griminess of town. She had, too, a special reason for settling in Maxley, since her ancestors up till a hundred years ago had long been native to the place, and in the old church-yard, now disused, are many grave-stones bearing her maiden name of Chaston. Big and energetic, her vigorous and genial personality speedily woke Maxley up to a higher degree of sociality than it had ever known. Most of us were bachelors or spinsters or elderly folk not much inclined to exert ourselves in the expense and effort of hospitality, and hitherto the gaiety of a small tea-party, with bridge afterwards and goloshes (when it was wet) to trip home in again for a solitary dinner, was about the climax of our festivities. But Mrs. Amworth showed us a more gregarious way, and set an example of luncheon-parties and little dinners, which we began to follow. On other nights when no such hospitality was on foot, a lone man like myself found it pleasant to know that a call on the telephone to Mrs. Amworth's house not a hundred yards off, and an inquiry as to whether I might come over after dinner for a game of piquet before bed-time, would probably evoke a response of welcome. There she would be, with a comrade-like eagerness for companionship, and there was a glass of port and a cup of coffee and a cigarette and a game of piquet. She played the piano, too, in a free and exuberant manner, and had a charming voice and sang to her own accompaniment; and as the days grew long and the light lingered late, we played our game in her garden, which in the course of a few months she had turned from being a nursery for slugs and snails into a glowing patch of luxuriant blossoming. She was always cheery and jolly; she was interested in everything, and in music, in gardening, in games of all sorts was a competent performer. Everybody (with one exception) liked her, everybody felt her to bring with her the tonic of a sunny day. That one exception was Francis Urcombe; he, though he confessed he did not like her, acknowledged that he was vastly interested in her. This always seemed strange to me, for pleasant and jovial as she was, I could see nothing in her that could call forth conjecture or intrigued surmise, so healthy and unmysterious a figure did she present. But of the genuineness of Urcombe's interest there could be no doubt; one could see him watching and scrutinising her. In matter of age, she frankly volunteered the information that she was forty-five; but her briskness, her activity, her unravaged skin, her coal-black hair, made it difficult to believe that she was not adopting an unusual device, and adding ten years on to her age instead of subtracting them.
Often, also, as our quite unsentimental friendship ripened, Mrs. Amworth would ring me up and propose her advent. If I was busy writing, I was to give her, so we definitely bargained, a frank negative, and in answer I could hear her jolly laugh and her wishes for a successful evening of work. Sometimes, before her proposal arrived, Urcombe would already have stepped across from his house opposite for a smoke and a chat, and he, hearing who my intending visitor was, always urged me to beg her to come. She and I should play our piquet, said he, and he would look on, if we did not object, and learn something of the game. But I doubt whether he paid much attention to it, for nothing could be clearer than that, under that penthouse of forehead and thick eyebrows, his attention was fixed not on the cards, but on one of the players. But he seemed to enjoy an hour spent thus, and often, until one particular evening in July, he would watch her with the air of a man who has some deep problem in front of him. She, enthusiastically keen about our game, seemed not to notice his scrutiny. Then came that evening, when, as I see in the light of subsequent events, began the first twitching of the veil that hid the secret horror from my eyes. I did not know it then, though I noticed that thereafter, if she rang up to propose coming round, she always asked not only if I was at leisure, but whether Mr. Urcombe was with me. If so, she said, she would not spoil the chat of two old bachelors, and laughingly wished me good night.
Urcombe, on this occasion, had been with me for some half-hour before Mrs. Amworth's appearance, and had been talking to me about the mediæval beliefs concerning vampirism, one of those borderland subjects which he declared had not been sufficiently studied before it had been consigned by the medical profession to the dust-heap of exploded superstitions. There he sat, grim and eager, tracing, with that pellucid clearness which had made him in his Cambridge days so admirable a lecturer, the history of those mysterious visitations. In them all there were the same general features: one of those ghoulish spirits took up its abode in a living man or woman, conferring supernatural powers of bat-like flight and glutting itself with nocturnal blood-feasts. When its host died it continued to dwell in the corpse, which remained undecayed. By day it rested, by night it left the grave and went on its awful errands. No European country in the Middle Ages seemed to have escaped them; earlier yet, parallels were to be found, in Roman and Greek and in Jewish history.
"It's a large order to set all that evidence aside as being moonshine," he said. "Hundreds of totally independent witnesses in many ages have testified to the occurrence of these phenomena, and there's no explanation known to me which covers all the facts. And if you feel inclined to say 'Why, then, if these are facts, do we not come across them now?' there are two answers I can make you. One is that there were diseases known in the Middle Ages, such as the black death, which were certainly existent then and which have become extinct since, but for that reason we do not assert that such diseases never existed. Just as the black death visited England and decimated the population of Norfolk, so here in this very district about three hundred years ago there was certainly an outbreak of vampirism, and Maxley was the centre of it. My second answer is even more convincing, for I tell you that vampirism is by no means extinct now. An outbreak of it certainly occurred in India a year or two ago."
At that moment I heard my knocker plied in the cheerful and peremptory manner in which Mrs. Amworth is accustomed to announce her arrival, and I went to the door to open it.
"Come in at once," I said, "and save me from having my blood curdled. Mr. Urcombe has been trying to alarm me."
Instantly her vital, voluminous presence seemed to fill the room.
"Ah, but how lovely!" she said. "I delight in having my blood curdled. Go on with your ghost-story, Mr. Urcombe. I adore ghost-stories."
I saw that, as his habit was, he was intently observing her.
"It wasn't a ghost-story exactly," said he. "I was only telling our host how vampirism was not extinct yet. I was saying that there was an outbreak of it in India only a few years ago."
There was a more than perceptible pause, and I saw that, if Urcombe was observing her, she on her side was observing him with fixed eye and parted mouth. Then her jolly laugh invaded that rather tense silence.
"Oh, what a shame!" she said. "You're not going to curdle my blood at all. Where did you pick up such a tale, Mr. Urcombe? I have lived for years in India and never heard a rumour of such a thing. Some story-teller in the bazaars must have invented it: they are famous at that."
I could see that Urcombe was on the point of saying something further, but checked himself.
"Ah! very likely that was it," he said.
But something had disturbed our usual peaceful sociability that night, and something had damped Mrs. Amworth's usual high spirits. She had no gusto for her piquet, and left after a couple of games. Urcombe had been silent too, indeed he hardly spoke again till she departed.
"That was unfortunate," he said, "for the outbreak of—of a very mysterious disease, let us call it, took place at Peshawar, where she and her husband were. And——"
"Well?" I asked.
"He was one of the victims of it," said he. "Naturally I had quite forgotten that when I spoke."
The summer was unreasonably hot and rainless, and Maxley suffered much from drought, and also from a plague of big black night-flying gnats, the bite of which was very irritating and virulent. They came sailing in of an evening, settling on one's skin so quietly that one perceived nothing till the sharp stab announced that one had been bitten. They did not bite the hands or face, but chose always the neck and throat for their feeding-ground, and most of us, as the poison spread, assumed a temporary goitre. Then about the middle of August appeared the first of those mysterious cases of illness which our local doctor attributed to the long-continued heat coupled with the bite of these venomous insects. The patient was a boy of sixteen or seventeen, the son of Mrs. Amworth's gardener, and the symptoms were an anæmic pallor and a languid prostration, accompanied by great drowsiness and an abnormal appetite. He had, too, on his throat two small punctures where, so Dr. Ross conjectured, one of these great gnats had bitten him. But the odd thing was that there was no swelling or inflammation round the place where he had been bitten. The heat at this time had begun to abate, but the cooler weather failed to restore him, and the boy, in spite of the quantity of good food which he so ravenously swallowed, wasted away to a skin-clad skeleton.
I met Dr. Ross in the street one afternoon about this time, and in answer to my inquiries about his patient he said that he was afraid the boy was dying. The case, he confessed, completely puzzled him: some obscure form of pernicious anæmia was all he could suggest. But he wondered whether Mr. Urcombe would consent to see the boy, on the chance of his being able to throw some new light on the case, and since Urcombe was dining with me that night, I proposed to Dr. Ross to join us. He could not do this, but said he would look in later. When he came, Urcombe at once consented to put his skill at the other's disposal, and together they went off at once. Being thus shorn of my sociable evening, I telephoned to Mrs. Amworth to know if I might inflict myself on her for an hour. Her answer was a welcoming affirmative, and between piquet and music the hour lengthened itself into two. She spoke of the boy who was lying so desperately and mysteriously ill, and told me that she had often been to see him, taking him nourishing and delicate food. But to-day—and her kind eyes moistened as she spoke—she was afraid she had paid her last visit. Knowing the antipathy between her and Urcombe, I did not tell her that he had been called into consultation; and when I returned home she accompanied me to my door, for the sake of a breath of night air, and in order to borrow a magazine which contained an article on gardening which she wished to read.
"Ah, this delicious night air," she said, luxuriously sniffing in the coolness. "Night air and gardening are the great tonics. There is nothing so stimulating as bare contact with rich mother earth. You are never so fresh as when you have been grubbing in the soil—black hands, black nails, and boots covered with mud." She gave her great jovial laugh.
"I'm a glutton for air and earth," she said. "Positively I look forward to death, for then I shall be buried and have the kind earth all round me. No leaden caskets for me—I have given explicit directions. But what shall I do about air? Well, I suppose one can't have everything. The magazine? A thousand thanks, I will faithfully return it. Good night: garden and keep your windows open, and you won't have anæmia."
"I always sleep with my windows open," said I.
I went straight up to my bedroom, of which one of the windows looks out over the street, and as I undressed I thought I heard voices talking outside not far away. But I paid no particular attention, put out my lights, and falling asleep plunged into the depths of a most horrible dream, distortedly suggested no doubt, by my last words with Mrs. Amworth. I dreamed that I woke, and found that both my bedroom windows were shut. Half-suffocating I dreamed that I sprang out of bed, and went across to open them. The blind over the first was drawn down, and pulling it up I saw, with the indescribable horror of incipient nightmare, Mrs. Amworth's face suspended close to the pane in the darkness outside, nodding and smiling at me. Pulling down the blind again to keep that terror out, I rushed to the second window on the other side of the room, and there again was Mrs. Amworth's face. Then the panic came upon me in full blast; here was I suffocating in the airless room, and whichever window I opened Mrs. Amworth's face would float in, like those noiseless black gnats that bit before one was aware. The nightmare rose to screaming point, and with strangled yells I awoke to find my room cool and quiet with both windows open and blinds up and a half-moon high in its course, casting an oblong of tranquil light on the floor. But even when I was awake the horror persisted, and I lay tossing and turning. I must have slept long before the nightmare seized me, for now it was nearly day, and soon in the east the drowsy eyelids of morning began to lift.
I was scarcely downstairs next morning—for after the dawn I slept late—when Urcombe rang up to know if he might see me immediately. He came in, grim and preoccupied, and I noticed that he was pulling on a pipe that was not even filled.
"I want your help," he said, "and so I must tell you first of all what happened last night. I went round with the little doctor to see his patient, and found him just alive, but scarcely more. I instantly diagnosed in my own mind what this anæmia, unaccountable by any other explanation, meant. The boy is the prey of a vampire."
He put his empty pipe on the breakfast-table, by which I had just sat down, and folded his arms, looking at me steadily from under his overhanging brows.
"Now about last night," he said. "I insisted that he should be moved from his father's cottage into my house. As we were carrying him on a stretcher, whom should we meet but Mrs. Amworth? She expressed shocked surprise that we were moving him. Now why do you think she did that?"
With a start of horror, as I remembered my dream that night before, I felt an idea come into my mind so preposterous and unthinkable that I instantly turned it out again.
"I haven't the smallest idea," I said.
"Then listen, while I tell you about what happened later. I put out all light in the room where the boy lay, and watched. One window was a little open, for I had forgotten to close it, and about midnight I heard something outside, trying apparently to push it farther open. I guessed who it was—yes, it was full twenty feet from the ground—and I peeped round the corner of the blind. Just outside was the face of Mrs. Amworth and her hand was on the frame of the window. Very softly I crept close, and then banged the window down, and I think I just caught the tip of one of her fingers."
"But it's impossible," I cried. "How could she be floating in the air like that? And what had she come for? Don't tell me such——"
Once more, with closer grip, the remembrance of my nightmare seized me.
"I am telling you what I saw," said he. "And all night long, until it was nearly day, she was fluttering outside, like some terrible bat, trying to gain admittance. Now put together various things I have told you."
He began checking them off on his fingers.
"Number one," he said: "there was an outbreak of disease similar to that which this boy is suffering from at Peshawar, and her husband died of it. Number two: Mrs. Amworth protested against my moving the boy to my house. Number three: she, or the demon that inhabits her body, a creature powerful and deadly, tries to gain admittance. And add this, too: in mediæval times there was an epidemic of vampirism here at Maxley. The vampire, so the accounts run, was found to be Elizabeth Chaston . . . I see you remember Mrs. Amworth's maiden name. Finally, the boy is stronger this morning. He would certainly not have been alive if he had been visited again. And what do you make of it?"
There was a long silence, during which I found this incredible horror assuming the hues of reality.
"I have something to add," I said, "which may or may not bear on it. You say that the—the spectre went away shortly before dawn."
I told him of my dream, and he smiled grimly.
"Yes, you did well to awake," he said. "That warning came from your subconscious self, which never wholly slumbers, and cried out to you of deadly danger. For two reasons, then, you must help me: one to save others, the second to save yourself."
"What do you want me to do?" I asked.
"I want you first of all to help me in watching this boy, and ensuring that she does not come near him. Eventually I want you to help me in tracking the thing down, in exposing and destroying it. It is not human: it is an incarnate fiend. What steps we shall have to take I don't yet know."
It was now eleven of the forenoon, and presently I went across to his house for a twelve-hour vigil while he slept, to come on duty again that night, so that for the next twenty-four hours either Urcombe or myself was always in the room where the boy, now getting stronger every hour, was lying. The day following was Saturday and a morning of brilliant, pellucid weather, and already when I went across to his house to resume my duty the stream of motors down to Brighton had begun. Simultaneously I saw Urcombe with a cheerful face, which boded good news of his patient, coming out of his house, and Mrs. Amworth, with a gesture of salutation to me and a basket in her hand, walking up the broad strip of grass which bordered the road. There we all three met. I noticed (and saw that Urcombe noticed it too) that one finger of her left hand was bandaged.
"Good morning to you both," said she. "And I hear your patient is doing well, Mr. Urcombe. I have come to bring him a bowl of jelly, and to sit with him for an hour. He and I are great friends. I am overjoyed at his recovery."
Urcombe paused a moment, as if making up his mind, and then shot out a pointing finger at her.
"I forbid that," he said. "You shall not sit with him or see him. And you know the reason as well as I do."
I have never seen so horrible a change pass over a human face as that which now blanched hers to the colour of a grey mist. She put up her hand as if to shield herself from that pointing finger, which drew the sign of the cross in the air, and shrank back cowering on to the road. There was a wild hoot from a horn, a grinding of brakes, a shout—too late—from a passing car, and one long scream suddenly cut short. Her body rebounded from the roadway after the first wheel had gone over it, and the second followed. It lay there, quivering and twitching, and was still.
She was buried three days afterwards in the cemetery outside Maxley, in accordance with the wishes she had told me that she had devised about her interment, and the shock which her sudden and awful death had caused to the little community began by degrees to pass off. To two people only, Urcombe and myself, the horror of it was mitigated from the first by the nature of the relief that her death brought; but, naturally enough, we kept our own counsel, and no hint of what greater horror had been thus averted was ever let slip. But, oddly enough, so it seemed to me, he was still not satisfied about something in connection with her, and would give no answer to my questions on the subject. Then as the days of a tranquil mellow September and the October that followed began to drop away like the leaves of the yellowing trees, his uneasiness relaxed. But before the entry of November the seeming tranquillity broke into hurricane.
I had been dining one night at the far end of the village, and about eleven o'clock was walking home again. The moon was of an unusual brilliance, rendering all that it shone on as distinct as in some etching. I had just come opposite the house which Mrs. Amworth had occupied, where there was a board up telling that it was to let, when I heard the click of her front gate, and next moment I saw, with a sudden chill and quaking of my very spirit, that she stood there. Her profile, vividly illuminated, was turned to me, and I could not be mistaken in my identification of her. She appeared not to see me (indeed the shadow of the yew hedge in front of her garden enveloped me in its blackness) and she went swiftly across the road, and entered the gate of the house directly opposite. There I lost sight of her completely.
My breath was coming in short pants as if I had been running—and now indeed I ran, with fearful backward glances, along the hundred yards that separated me from my house and Urcombe's. It was to his that my flying steps took me, and next minute I was within.
"What have you come to tell me?" he asked. "Or shall I guess?"
"You can't guess," said I.
"No; it's no guess. She has come back and you have seen her. Tell me about it."
I gave him my story.
"That's Major Pearsall's house," he said. "Come back with me there at once."
"But what can we do?" I asked.
"I've no idea. That's what we have got to find out."
A minute later, we were opposite the house. When I had passed it before, it was all dark; now lights gleamed from a couple of windows upstairs. Even as we faced it, the front door opened, and next moment Major Pearsall emerged from the gate. He saw us and stopped.
"I'm on my way to Dr. Ross," he said quickly. "My wife has been taken suddenly ill. She had been in bed an hour when I came upstairs, and I found her white as a ghost and utterly exhausted. She had been to sleep, it seemed—— but you will excuse me."
"One moment, Major," said Urcombe. "Was there any mark on her throat?"
"How did you guess that?" said he. "There was: one of those beastly gnats must have bitten her twice there. She was streaming with blood."
"And there's someone with her?" asked Urcombe.
"Yes, I roused her maid."
He went off, and Urcombe turned to me. "I know now what we have to do," he said. "Change your clothes, and I'll join you at your house."
"What is it?" I asked.
"I'll tell you on our way. We're going to the cemetery."
He carried a pick, a shovel, and a screwdriver when he rejoined me, and wore round his shoulders a long coil of rope. As we walked, he gave me the outlines of the ghastly hour that lay before us.
"What I have to tell you," he said, "will seem to you now too fantastic for credence, but before dawn we shall see whether it outstrips reality. By a most fortunate happening, you saw the spectre, the astral body, whatever you choose to call it, of Mrs. Amworth, going on its grisly business, and therefore, beyond doubt, the vampire spirit which abode in her during life animates her again in death. That is not exceptional—indeed, all these weeks since her death I have been expecting it. If I am right, we shall find her body undecayed and untouched by corruption."
"But she has been dead nearly two months," said I.
"If she had been dead two years it would still be so, if the vampire has possession of her. So remember: whatever you see done, it will be done not to her, who in the natural course would now be feeding the grasses above her grave, but to a spirit of untold evil and malignancy, which gives a phantom life to her body."
"But what shall I see done?" said I.
"I will tell you. We know that now, at this moment, the vampire clad in her mortal semblance is out; dining out. But it must get back before dawn, and it will pass into the material form that lies in her grave. We must wait for that, and then with your help I shall dig up her body. If I am right, you will look on her as she was in life, with the full vigour of the dreadful nutriment she has received pulsing in her veins. And then, when dawn has come, and the vampire cannot leave the lair of her body, I shall strike her with this"—and he pointed to his pick—"through the heart, and she, who comes to life again only with the animation the fiend gives her, she and her hellish partner will be dead indeed. Then we must bury her again, delivered at last."
We had come to the cemetery, and in the brightness of the moonshine there was no difficulty in identifying her grave. It lay some twenty yards from the small chapel, in the porch of which, obscured by shadow, we concealed ourselves. From there we had a clear and open sight of the grave, and now we must wait till its infernal visitor returned home. The night was warm and windless, yet even if a freezing wind had been raging I think I should have felt nothing of it, so intense was my preoccupation as to what the night and dawn would bring. There was a bell in the turret of the chapel, that struck the quarters of the hour, and it amazed me to find how swiftly the chimes succeeded one another.
The moon had long set, but a twilight of stars shone in a clear sky, when five o'clock of the morning sounded from the turret. A few minutes more passed, and then I felt Urcombe's hand softly nudging me; and looking out in the direction of his pointing finger, I saw that the form of a woman, tall and large in build, was approaching from the right. Noiselessly, with a motion more of gliding and floating than walking, she moved across the cemetery to the grave which was the centre of our observation. She moved round it as if to be certain of its identity, and for a moment stood directly facing us. In the greyness to which now my eyes had grown accustomed, I could easily see her face, and recognise its features.
She drew her hand across her mouth as if wiping it, and broke into a chuckle of such laughter as made my hair stir on my head. Then she leaped on to the grave, holding her hands high above her head, and inch by inch disappeared into the earth. Urcombe's hand was laid on my arm, in an injunction to keep still, but now he removed it.
"Come," he said.
With pick and shovel and rope we went to the grave. The earth was light and sandy, and soon after six struck we had delved down to the coffin lid. With his pick he loosened the earth round it, and, adjusting the rope through the handles by which it had been lowered, we tried to raise it. This was a long and laborious business, and the light had begun to herald day in the east before we had it out, and lying by the side of the grave. With his screwdriver he loosed the fastenings of the lid, and slid it aside, and standing there we looked on the face of Mrs. Amworth. The eyes, once closed in death, were open, the cheeks were flushed with colour, the red, full-lipped mouth seemed to smile.
"One blow and it is all over," he said. "You need not look."
Even as he spoke he took up the pick again, and, laying the point of it on her left breast, measured his distance. And though I knew what was coming I could not look away. . . .
He grasped the pick in both hands, raised it an inch or two for the taking of his aim, and then with full force brought it down on her breast. A fountain of blood, though she had been dead so long, spouted high in the air, falling with the thud of a heavy splash over the shroud, and simultaneously from those red lips came one long, appalling cry, swelling up like some hooting siren, and dying away again. With that, instantaneous as a lightning flash, came the touch of corruption on her face, the colour of it faded to ash, the plump cheeks fell in, the mouth dropped.
"Thank God, that's over," said he, and without pause slipped the coffin lid back into its place.
Day was coming fast now, and, working like men possessed, we lowered the coffin into its place again, and shovelled the earth over it. . . . The birds were busy with their earliest pipings as we went back to Maxley. | <urn:uuid:c0872a2b-2a23-455e-9946-bac0e511e1a5> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Visible_and_Invisible/Mrs._Amworth | 2022-05-22T08:27:13Z | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662545090.44/warc/CC-MAIN-20220522063657-20220522093657-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.988631 | 7,597 |
ARTICLES: Do Gemstones Work - How to Know if Gemstone is Working
Essentials to know before you wear a gemstone
Do Gemstones Work
Do Gemstones Work - No They Don't for 90% of the People
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Alteration of Karmic Life Map is a Herculean Task
The day an individual takes birth, his/ her karmic life map also referred to as fate/ destiny by many, comes into force. This karmic life map is the sum total of all milestones going to occur in an individual's lifetime. This map includes but is not limited to moments of happiness and despair, phases of luxury and poverty, supreme strength and diseases, periods of power as well as humiliation, focussed mind and anxiety, experience of love as well as failure in relationships etc.
To combat the negative factors of the karmic life map such as accidents, fatal diseases, divorce, lack of job, litigation, lack of social respect, lack of a progeny etc. the sacred texts have listed 6 karmic pathways to remove obstacles, tide over problems and finally emerge victorious with a feeling of fulfilment and happiness.
The 6 pathways to alter negative karmic life map are:
The 6 pathways to alter negative karmic life map
Here we will to touch briefly on the essential meanings of these pathways and the limitations attached to each.
- The first pathway to remove negative factors is Mantra. Mantra is a spiritual formula consisting of sacred syllables which when chanted in a particular manner leads to attainment of desires. The limitations attached to mantra chanting are as follows:
Mantra has to be chanted in a particular manner everyday at a particular time for optimum effects. Many mantras have the prerequisite condition of living a celibate lifestyle during this whole procedure. In these times, it is difficult to imagine a normal householder (Grihasta) - one who is in maximum need of a remedial measure sitting under a tree at 4 o'clock early in the morning and doing this practice for several days at a stretch.
The total number of mantras to be chanted is huge. This range is anywhere from 108 to 1,25,000 or more. Besides, it is an established fact that your daily quota of mantra chanting should be same in number as the previous day or more.
One has to be initiated into a mantra by a Guru- the divine preceptor who will teach the finer nuances of the mantra chanting to the individual and also transfer a part of his/ her spiritual strength. This process together is called as Deeksha and Shaktipath .
Mantra chanting has to be in a rhythm with a proper flow of syllables as Mantras basically work by sound waves. For example Hreeng is different from Hreem which in turn is different from Hareeng . Incorrect chanting and choice of wrong mantra creates havoc in an individual's life and brings more problems including delusion. I have seen many families get destroyed by the random and incorrect chanting of the Gayatri Mantra - Yes the most powerful, divine and pure mantra. Individuals start chanting this mantra indiscriminately after reading a web page and the result is frequent quarrels and confrontations at home leading to a vicious atmosphere.
One has to be aware of the fact that most of the mantras have flowed from Shiva and Shakti. At the start of the Kaliyuga (The present time frame) Lord Shiva after observing the abuse of mantras for meeting selfish ends and causing of pain to other individuals made all mantras Kilita , i.e. put a spiritual lock to them. Most of the mantras that we see today are a modified form of the original mantra wherein a particular syllable or a sound factor has been eliminated to create a spiritual lock to make the mantra dysfunctional. To make the mantra an effective one again we have to perform practices such as Utkilana (removal of spiritual lock) and Shapodhara (removal of the spiritual curse). The individuals who are aware of these practices are surely a very rare breed.
- The second pathway to alter a karmic life map is Tantra . The word tantra basically means a mechanism or an amalgamation of spiritual procedures to bring the desired result. These include but are not limited to the use Mudras - systematic hand gestures, asanas -yogic postures etc. Efficacy of Tantra is intimately dependent on mantra to yield the desired results. Hence all limitations as listed in mantras apply in this case. You can imagine the result.
- The third pathway for karmic life map alteration is Yantra . Yantra is an intricate geometrical diagram drawn while chanting of mantras and has been traditionally considered as the seat of the sacred deities. Energization of Yantras requires strong and consistent mantra sadhna, daily rituals to consecrate the Yantra. This process is required daily and sometime runs anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. Limitations such as these render most of the yantras quite ineffective.
- Aushadha basically means medicine and is used only in cases of diseases. It has little use in other challenging karmic situations.
- Yagya is basically a fire ritual wherein sacred herbs and other sacred material is offered to the fire which in turn acts as their carrier to the sacred deity. Yagya is again dependent on mantras and if you see the limitations of mantras you can guess how effective this remedy is going to be. An unhealthy trend viewed today due to lack of time, patience and devotion is the culture of seemingly short cut Yagyas. These Yagyas have no basis in the shastras and have been basically customized to justify laziness and lack of time and resources. For example the sacred texts mention that Ganpathi Homa- the Yagya of Lord Ganesh should start before in the wee hours of early morning and finish before the sun actually begins to rise on that particular day itself. What we see today is Ganpathi Homa being conducted randomly at any point of the day. The number of mantras is also varied according to time constraints. The result is little or no benefit.
- That leaves us with the last resort and the main subject of our discussion, to alter the Karmic life map - Ratna or the gemstone. This sounds too good to be true. Just wear a Gemstone of the representing planet set in a finger ring and just forget everything. Next morning wake up in heaven with all desires fulfilled.
No, even though this is the most effective and easy solution several flaws creep into the gems therapy for destiny does not want you to alter your karmic life map so easily. One has to go through pain.
How Gem Therapy Fails
I will generally classify gem therapy failures in 5 sections:
- Recommendation is incorrect, gem is correct
I have seen recommendations made on just basis of the Nakshatra-the birth star of the individual, the Janma Rasi-the placement of moon based on the position of moon and many times gems recommendation of the dasha lord-the major planetary period without an actual assessment of the planetary position in totality. This sometimes leads to escalation of major problems rather than solutions.
Individual born in Ardra Nakshatra was recommended to wear a Hessonite garnet just because he was born in Ardra Nakshatra. Well this individual just went ahead and wore a massive 6 carat fully flawed Hessonite through which no light was actually passing. Result- In one week, while riding, his motorbike engine seized. He developed a fungal infection in his right foot and had to battle fever and flu for 5 days continually. His consultant did not bother to check that his Rahu was posited in the 8th house of losses and accidents in the sign of Sagittarius.
To make gem therapy work one has to analyze the chart as a whole including Rasi, Lagna, Navamasa, Planetary periods and Gochara-actual present planetary position of planets. General recommendations such as you are a Gemini native and hence an emerald will suit you leads to very ordinary and in many cases negative results.
- Recommendation is correct, gem is incorrect
This is the scenario which leads to maximum failures in Gem Therapy. In most cases when a gem prescription is going to work the force of the negative karmic life map takes over and makes an individual wear a flawed gem with the result that there are no positive breakthroughs. Following permutations and combinations occur in this clause:(a) Gem is heavily flawed - Natural gemstones will have some visible inclusions which prove that they were born in the lap of Mother Nature and not created in a laboratory. However a good quality gemstone is characterized by a uniform cut, good clarity with little to no inclusion, having a good lustre and adequate size. Please note my use of adequate size. Big is not exactly powerful if it is not a clean gemstone. This fascination for gem weight leads to maximum failures in gem therapy . Imagine what you find more impressive- A Man wearing a 1 carat flawless Diamond or a bonded labourer carrying 100 Kg worthless stones on his head with a bent back.
This can best be illustrated by pictures:Picture A
Heavily flawed African Ruby of 6.5 carats purchased at $50 per carat (I really don't know even if this one is actually an African stone. Owner says it was sold to him with the description reading as African. Looks like a sample from South India rather than Africa)
I really would not classify this even as a gemstone. I will just qualify this as a mineral sample. Yes I know several shady geology departments operating out of nowhere issuing certificates that will classify this as a Ruby. There will be no mention of treatments or comments about colour or clarity etc. This certificate is used just to mentally satisfy a client that he/ she is wearing something genuine. What kind of results will this gemstone give? None. Who will be blamed for non-performance - Gemology? If you believe in certificates, get a certification from a standard gemology lab such as GIA-Gemmological Institute of America or a qualified Gemmologist or get Government appraisal through Government nominated qualified appraisers. Sometimes certification cost will be more than cost of such a stone. Majority of gemstones sold by jewellers and internet consultants are of this quality . This gemstone is not worth even $2 a carat. Yes the mineral sample is Ruby but does it actually make the cut as a gemstone?
Nearly eye clean Burmese Ruby of 2.2 carats purchased at $650 per carat.
Such a natural eye clean gemstone even though of less weight will give 1000 times more results and powerful results at that. This will harness the best of Sun energies and will lead to potent results.
Conclusion - Always aim for eye clean natural gemstone. The cost of Ruby A is $325 and the cost of Ruby B is $1430. Many sceptics will argue that in such a scenario gem therapy will only work for rich people who can afford such a eye clean gemstone. I beg to differ. In case cost factor is a consideration please go ahead and buy two, 1 carat each natural eye clean rubies. Your cost will come down by 50% but such a strategy will definitely deliver results rather than wearing a 6.5 carat bluff rock. If someone is not able to afford even this budget, then opt for a natural eye clean alternative substitute gemstone such as a spinel. If one cannot afford this too, please wait and start at a basic correct point after sometime. A good gemstone will definitely lead you to a position where at a later stage you will be able to procure a much better quality gemstone. If a natural pearl is beyond your means, aim for a natural blue sheen moonstone.
(b) Lack of Treatment disclosure . One of the other major reasons for gem therapy to fail is the lack of ethical disclosure of gem treatments. Enter here, the family jeweller who has been supplying gold and silver ornaments from my grandfather's time. It just so happens that he also carries gemstones and I have faith in him. I have been tired of this story. Please understand that as compared to a jeweller a gemmologist is a rare breed and an Astro gemmologist (someone who is a qualified astrologer and a certified gemmologist - mind you not one who is an astrologer who also happens to practice gem recommendation) is still a rarer breed. Just for example today 90% of rubies in the open market have gone through a process of glass filling and are ineffective for astrology purposes. What kinds of results will a Beryllium treated Blue Sapphire deliver. A stone which was White in colour became blue by infusion of some trace element! It will deliver no results.
Conclusion - Always aim for a untreated natural gemstone and insist on a written statement about treatments if any. Ignore diffused Sapphires, Gum/Resin filled Emeralds, Dyed Yellow Sapphires and cultured Pearls (Insist on a Radiography report in case of pearls) .
c) Ignoring Doshas within the gem listed in the sacred texts. In the sacred texts certain doshas have been listed for each gemstone that leads to problems. Very few individuals are aware of these doshas. One of the doshas mentioned in the Shastras about Blue Sapphires is to avoid a Sapphire with an inclusion that resembles the claw of a crow . Such a Blue Sapphire leads to loss of wealth and bad health.
Always ascertain that the Gem is Sattvik (having positive energy) and is free from doshas.
- Recommendation is incorrect, Gemstone is incorrect.
This is a combination of the above two clauses. However sometimes this clause goes to really weird levels. An individual who came to consult me was wearing a Blue Sapphire in the middle finger of right hand in silver and a Ruby in the ring finger of right hand in Gold. I really could not fathom that why were these were being used in conjunction unless the objective was to heal a physical disease. I asked him to enlighten me on this unique combination. He said that the Blue Sapphire was supposed to bring in wealth and the Ruby was to make Government officials favourable to him as he was primarily into earning through government contracts. I do not know whether these objectives were met but this individual was suffering from chronic depression, high blood pressure, water retention and gained weight rapidly after using these two gemstones together. I just asked him to remove both the gemstones for a period of minimum 42 days and revert back. The result- barring his weight problem all his health parameters improved including a stabilized blood pressure level. Till today he is not wearing any gemstone and still thanks me for the best gem recommendation - A recommendation which did not prescribe any gemstones.
Conclusion - This is the most unfortunate scenario and leads to many horror stories associated with gems. The so called mythical bad effects of Blue Sapphire are less due to Lord Saturn and more due to use of bad stones full of flaws.
- Recommendation is correct, there is no action.
This is the least occurring scenario but happens. People just keep delaying their remedy for one reason or another. Commonly cited issues are lack of time, lack of funds, lack of proper source but it is basically a lack of motivation which has crept into by a negative karmic life map. Whatever the reason the gem has not failed. The individual has made it fail.
- Recommendation is correct, Gemstone is correct but use is improper.
I call this scenario as the case of so near and yet so far. To get a proper recommendation and a good gemstone is extremely good fortune. But the karmic life map works to bring flaws even in this system. I have such a long list of reasons which lead to failure but I will stick to the basic ones:
a) Frequent removal of the gemstone ring - Many individuals remove their rings while visiting the rest room, eating non vegetarian food, enjoying intimate pleasures thinking that their gem will get some bad energy. Well please understand that gems work by the play of light. A gem has worked hard to bring up the positive vibration within you. As soon as you remove it that vibration goes back to the base line and then the gem works hard again to bring it back. Gems are a power of God himself and have formed over a period of million of years absorbing the panch bhootas of earth, water, fire, air and space. They are so Sattvik that they can never get bad energies. The sacred texts are very clear in stating that one should remove the gemstone only when visiting a funeral or a cremation ground for someone's last rights. After this process once an individual comes back, have a bath and wear your gemstone. Barring this single instance you should be wearing your gemstone all the time for optimum results. Secondly when you wear the gemstone for the first time an auspicious time is calculated according to principles of Electional astrology . The planetary combinations occurring at that time also aid in making your gemstone more effective.
b) Letting other people wear your gemstone. This should be avoided at all costs. Your gemstone has been energized in your name and birth star and is attuned to your body energies and destiny. Let other people see and appreciate your gemstone but do not let them wear your gemstone.
c) Having too much expectation from the gemstone. I have seen this scenario where many people want to experience an effect which I equate to the electric chair . Just as one experiences a shock by sitting in a electric chair they should feel the same by wearing the gemstone instantly. Treat your gemstone as your most intimate friend. It is working. It takes time to clear negative blocks and mistakes of many years. It will deliver. Have patience.
Your checklist to avoid a failure in gem therapy and get good results from your gem:
Here is a basic summary which can help you make a dent in your negative karmic life map and achieve a positive breakthrough:
- Get a correct recommendation. Research and ask for references of your consultant.
- Identify a good gemstone that comes with a guarantee of being gem quality and being astrologically potent.
- Give priority to clarity, lustre, good colour and lack of inclusions to weight.
- If having financial constraints go for a substitute gemstone.
- If still having financial constraints please wait and avoid taking a flawed gemstone.
- Consecrate and energize your gemstone properly with the correct procedure and rituals. Once you wear it in an auspicious time do not take it out.
- Do not wear mutually inimical gemstones.
- Be patient. If the above 7 conditions are met to the "T" your gemstone will deliver and will bring much development and happiness.
Among all 6 karmic pathways of solutions the pathway of gemstone therapy is the simplest, most effective and brings tangible results provided you do not fall prey to pitfalls listed above. Gemstone therapy never fails and a good gemstone never fails. The sway of the negative karmic life map leads to failures. I have seen individuals reach exceptional success through gemstones and have also seen the scenarios listed above.
Your gemstone can be your most dear and intimate friend staying closest to your body and heart. It will deliver. Do therapy correctly and have patience.
Guruji Shrii Arnav
Guruji Shrii Arnav - Vedic Guru is also an internationally acclaimed planetary gemmologist. An Accredited Jewelry Professional from the Gemmological Institute of America at present he is the chief mentor of www.astromandir.com and www.gemstoneuniverse.com. He is also the chief Horoscope columnist of Deccan Herald - A leading Indian English daily.
3000 Articles, Resources and Videos for 2 decades but somethings seldom change. View for yourself the abundant misconceptions leading to Gem Therapy failures. Avoid these in your own interest
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