Our mission is to provide quality luxury suite boarding, multiple pet services, and customer convenience, all at one location. We will ensure our customers, both pet and owner, will receive excellent service in a playful, pet friendly, and safe environment.
Closed on all major holidays. We do not accept arrivals or departures on Holidays as Pet care is our priority.
All fees are due at time of pick-up. Cash, checks, and major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, and Discover) are accepted. A $25.00 service charge will be applied for all returned checks.
As a courtesy, our office will attempt to contact you for confirmation prior to your reservation. However, we do ask owners to assume responsibility for their pet's reservation. If your schedule changes and necessitates rescheduling a reservation, we ask that you kindly give us at least 3 days notice. Failure to give 3 days notice will result in a "cancellation charge" equal to our required 3 night minimum rate.
If your schedule changes and necessitates rescheduling a grooming visit, we ask that you kindly give us at least 24 hours notice. Failure to give 24 hours notice will result in a $20 "cancellation charge."
We require a three night minimum boarding stay during "peak" season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) and on all major holidays. If you need to board your pet less than three nights during our "off peak" season, we will be glad to accommodate you based on availability.
All Daycare visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. We reserve the right to decline Daycare service to your dog if you arrive and are not on the schedule. Drop-offs and pick-ups for day-campers can be made Monday - Friday (See Hours). No weekend daycare. A late fee of $10 per 15 minutes will be charged for any daycare dog pick-up after 6:00 PM.
Prior to any boarding and daycare service all dogs must be evaluated and selected through a scheduled interview process, which includes a guided tour, phone policy review & question/answer time, and full Observation Day (daycare fees apply). Dogs will be selected based on temperament and behavior in relation to other dogs as well as humans. An application fee of $40 for the first dog and $20 for each additional dog will be collected at time of the evaluation (pass or fail). We take great pride in selecting dogs that are safe and adapt well to our environment here at Oscar's Pet Resort; therefore, if your dog does not pass the evaluation, the staff will provide you with appropriate recommendations to meet overnight care, day time care, and/or exercise needs. A "Zero Tolerance" rule regarding aggression is enforced at our facility to maintain a safe environment for other dogs as well as pet handlers. Any aggression toward other dogs and/or pet handlers will not be tolerated. If a dog displays aggression towards another dog the dog is removed from the off leash play group environment. It is Oscar's Pet Resort's right to determine if the dog is off-leash playgroup appropriate and will notify the Owner if the dog is to be placed on a private exercise program at Oscar's Pet Resort or removed from any care offered through Oscar's Pet Resort. Preventing any aggressive incident (towards staff or other dogs) is our number one goal. If a dog displays aggression towards staff resulting in any injury the parent will be notified and the dog will be handled by qualified senior staff until the dog can be returned to the Owner. A special handling fee of $5 will be applied daily to any overnight dog displaying human aggression and the dog will not be permitted to return to Oscar's Pet Resort for further overnight care.
All dogs are encouraged to display good behavior while at Oscar's Pet Resort. This is critical in order to maintain safe off-leash play groups, for the safety of our staff, and to minimize stress on other dogs. Dogs that display poor manners (jumping, door bolting, bossiness, inappropriate play, etc.) may be corrected in the following ways: distraction, squirt of water from spray bottle, use of calming band or gentle leader, use of a slip lead to have a timeout with a staff, timeout in a holding area, or removal from playgroup. We require all dogs display good recall, good impulse control, and good bite inhibition to be involved in off leash play. The Owner will be notified and a plan of action will be implemented if we observe a dog displaying poor obedience, poor impulse control, over arousal, and/or poor bite inhibition (age and history taken into consideration). Dogs that do not obey the staff and/or dogs that do not have good bite control, will be removed from playgroup at Oscar's Pet Resort staff discretion and be provided a private exercise program of (3) 15 minute sessions. Dogs that chronically bark will be encouraged to be quiet by occluding their vision from other dogs, offering them a chew toy, offering a holistic calming tablet, rewarding them with a treat or attention when quiet, placing a head halter/calming band to promote pressure to calming pressure points on the nose, and/or providing an Anti-Bark Citronella collar (emits a harmless, no side effect, unpleasant odor of citronella). Minimizing pet stress is always our goal. Do not be upset if your dog cannot be involved in group dog play. Not all dogs enjoy group dog play and we will provide you feedback as to what activities best fit your dog. Your dog's emotional and physical well-being is of utmost importance to us!
Any dog displaying aggressive language (growling, snapping, showing teeth, lunging, and threatening bark) at other dogs and/or staff through any enclosure will be placed on a "Special handling" program (additional fees apply) and will be cared for in a special "housing" area and handled by qualified staff who are trained in minimizing and handling dog reactive behaviors. Any dog using their mouth inappropriately on staff in an aggressive or over-aroused manner resulting in skin abrasions or bruising will be placed on a "Special handling" program (additional fees apply) and will be handled by qualified staff who are trained in minimizing and handling dogs with decreased mouth and emotional control. High arousal to the environment can lead a dog to use their mouth in aggression which may lead to the dog needing to be handled by staff with specialized training. The qualified staff will use methods to minimize environment over-arousal in attempts to minimize aggression. If in the event the Daily Operations Supervisor evaluates all modifications to the dog's environment and special handling techniques are unable to meet the dog's needs and aggressive displays continue, Oscar's Pet Resort will provide the dog specialized Daycare services off the premises and/or recommend an in-home Dog Walking/Sitting service.
All pets are cared for by qualified Pet Care Technicians. All Technicians have completed a Pet Care certification through The Dog Gurus to have a thorough understanding of dog body language and safe handling of dogs in off-leash play. Dogs are supervised in off-leash play by a staff ratio of approximately 1 Pet Care Technician per 15 dogs. The Pet Care Technician's level of experience and temperament of the dogs participating in a given play group are factors used in determining staff/dog ratios. During off-leash play dogs are supervised at all times. The staff work diligently to be proactive in managing the dog's play and social behaviors while caring for the dog's water, potty, and daily needs. In the event an aggressive incident occurs between two dogs, a pet handler is always present to intervene and lessen the injury. All pets will be supervised by staff in adjacent housing overnight. Oscar's Pet Resort is equipped with a smoke alarm system that will notify on-site staff and our local fire station of any smoke/fire. In addition, a fire escape/evacuation plan is in place.
Dogs are involved in play throughout their stay at Oscar's Pet Resort. Play involves tug, fetch, agility, and/or obedience games with staff. Dog play interaction in play group involves wrestling, chasing, and mouth play. Play can result in minor skin lesions, bumps/bruises or possible injury to joints, ligaments, or tendons. Owners will be notified upon pick-up of any play injuries. All serious injuries will be addressed immediately with medical care as indicated. Playing on any solid surface can result in abrasions to the dogs' pads and owners must be aware this cannot be prevented if their dog is to be involved in play at Oscar's Pet Resort. If your pet sustains an injury during their stay that we are unaware of, you MUST notify us within 24 hours and provide a visual to the Daily Operations Supervisor of the injury (either bring pet in or submit a clear photo/video). If your dog is involved in an aggressive incident which results in a puncture injury, you will be notified immediately and appropriate medical care will be provided. If a puncture injury requires sutures, you will be notified immediately to allow adequate time to schedule a vet visit. Oscar's Pet Resort is not responsible for veterinary costs for play or aggressive injuries that occur while attending Oscar's Pet Resort, provided that reasonable care, precautions, and instructions are followed (see Behavioral Management). Owners with dogs that play rough will be notified so parents are aware of the risks of rough play. Owners with dogs that demonstrate any aggressive displays will be notified and removed from dog-to-dog interaction and provided a private exercise program with the staff three (3) times a day for 15 minute sessions. Owners with dogs that demonstrate any aggression towards staff will be notified and the dog will be handled by special trained staff (see Behavioral Management).
All vaccinations must be current. Oscar's Pet Resort requires written proof of vaccinations prior to your canine/feline's visit. It is required by law to have a current rabies vaccination certificate on file for each pet. Required canine yearly vaccinations include DHPP, Rabies, and Bordetella. Due to the nature of Bordetella and Canine Influenza vaccines not being able to be 100% effective in the prevention of the disease, please discuss your pet's Bordetella & Canine Influenza vaccination schedule with your vet. Recommended vaccinations include Leptospirosis and the Canine Influenza Vaccination.
Required feline yearly vaccinations include Rabies and Feline Distemper. Recommended feline vaccinations include Feline Leukemia Infectious.
As a courtesy, our office will attempt to contact you if it has come to our attention that your pet's vaccinations are about to or have expired prior to a scheduled visit to Oscar's. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to keep all vaccinations current on your pet. Failure to maintain current vaccinations upon time of visit will result in cancellation of your reservation.
All dogs attending Oscar's Pet Resort that are older than 6 months must be neutered or spayed (for Boarding and Daycare services only).
In the event a visit to your Veterinarian is indicated, our staff will be glad to schedule an appointment with your Vet. We will contact your emergency contact to transport your pet. If in the event your emergency contact is unable to transport your pet, our staff will be happy to transport him/her for a $30 transport fee.
Our staff will ensure your Veterinarian has your contact information to discuss with you the care and treatment of your pet. Once your pet has been returned to the Resort, a staff member will contact you to follow up.
In the event your Vet office is closed you will be notified. If your pet's condition is an "emergency" our staff would transport your pet to PETS Emergency in Lancaster for treatment.
All incurred vet fees are the responsibility of the owner, including a minimum charge of $30 for transportation if a visit to the vet clinic is required by Resort staff. All Veterinarian bills are the responsibility of the pet owner. Your Vet will likely put the bill on your account for you to pay upon your return. PETS Emergency requires payment before any treatment so a credit card payment will be required.
If a pet becomes ill while staying at Oscar's Pet Resort, the Owner will be notified and provided with a plan of care and/or if a health Vet checkup is indicated. Any dog displaying ill symptoms will be withheld from any dog-to-dog interaction in the event the illness maybe contagious.
Please keep in mind we cannot prevent all dog/cat communicable illness. Due to dogs being in close proximity such illness may include, but not be limited to: upper respiratory illness (doggie cold or flu) and intestinal parasites/virus/bacteria resulting in vomiting or diarrhea. PLEASE notify us if you have a dog with a suppressed immune system. It is also the Owner's duty to report any signs of change in their dog's health (i.e. sneezing, coughing, diarrhea, eye discharge, stomach upset, lethargy, etc.) immediately and KEEP their dog home. Daily the staff observe for any signs of illness and the Owner will be notified to take their pet home if any contagious symptoms are observed (i.e. coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, fever). We do not cover any veterinary expenses for any contagious illness that is beyond our control of environmental and health procedures. We request all customers be diligent to provide us honest feedback to their pet's health upon entry into Oscar's Pet Resort.
If a pet becomes ill after leaving Oscar's Pet Resort, we request the Owner notify the Daily Operations Supervisor so we can carefully monitor the illness to assess if it is contagious, as well as place contagious illness information on www.oscarspetresort.com "Health Update". In addition, Owner's will receive the Health Update link when they receive any email confirmation reminder. It is the Owner's responsibility to view the online "Health Update" to be aware of any illness we may be experiencing in the general pet population. It is the Owner's responsibility to keep the pet home and not bring the pet in for any services at Oscar's Pet Resort if the pet is experiencing any contagious symptoms of coughing, nasal discharge, eye discharge, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
If our staff observe your dog is suffering from upset stomach or diarrhea and he/she is otherwise acting normal, then the first thing we will do is hold him/her off food for 12 hours. This allows everything to clear out of the intestinal tract and allows the intestines to rest. When withholding food, remember that this includes treats, bones, or anything else that's edible! It is very important to encourage hydration and promote fluids. Our Staff will contact you to inform you of any stomach upset or diarrhea symptoms. Secondly, one of the most important things our staff can to do in the case of gastrointestinal upset is to simplify the diet and increase hydration. After we have withheld food and encouraged hydration, we will start back simple with a bland, easily digestible diet, such as Dave's canned formula of plain cooked Chicken & Rice in conjunction with Pedialyte. Once the stools have returned back to normal, we will then slowly transition back to your pet's normal diet. In the event we need to feed your dog Dave's Canned Formula and Pedialyte to treat Stomach Upset & Diarrhea, there will be a $3/can charge. We will continue to monitor your dog for any fever, lethargy, and abnormal stool (i.e. mucus, blood). If you are aware your dog has chronic issues of gastrointestinal upset and you want to avoid any special diet fees, please pack a canned chicken & rice bland diet or provide cooked chicken and rice formula. In the event the upset stomach or diarrhea persists for more than 48 hours or we observe fever, lethargy or abnormal stool, we will contact you and recommend a Veterinarian assess and treat your pet. In the event of continued diarrhea or abnormal stool, underlying problems can range from simple food intolerance or intestinal parasites to more complicated diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease; thyroid, liver, or pancreatic disease; or cancer.
All dogs and cats receiving any services at Oscar's Pet Resort must be on a veterinarian approved flea control program. Flea collars are not an acceptable form of flea control. If fleas or ticks are found on a pet, treatment will be provided at the owner's expense. The owner will be notified prior to a flea bath.
Feeding dishes, water bowls, and bedding are provided by Oscar's Pet Resort. If you do bring your canine/feline's personal belongings to Oscar's Pet Resort, please limit toys and bedding. Please do not bring toys your dog may ingest (i.e. stuffed toys for dog to "de-stuff", rope toys) and please be careful of chew treats that your dog may ingest, due to the potential for colon blockage.
Snacks are provided for all dogs/cats at Oscar's Pet Resort. While we will be happy to provide our "house" food to your pet, sudden food changes can result in stomach upset so please bring food for your pet. If your pet is staying overnight, bring premeasured food in sealed containers with lids or in plastic sealable bags (i.e. If your dog needs 1 cup AM and PM, you will pre-measure (2) 1 cup meals for each day). With medication and food, please bring enough for your pet's stay plus a few days extra in case of an emergency or for an extended stay. A feeding fee will be applied if your pet does not have food and needs to use our "house" brand. Medication MUST be in a medication bottle with the medication name, pet name, dosage, and frequency of medication clearly marked. Staff will monitor food intake and medication distribution daily on written check lists.
If your dog/cat has not eaten within 24-48 hours of arrival, we will provide canned "house" food (at owner's expense) to stimulate appetite. This is of special concern for those dogs that are diabetic and/or on medications.
Special circumstances regarding health and medication issues will be discussed and priced accordingly at time of application and interview process. Our goal is to have all inclusive pricing.
If you request daily brushing for proper maintenance of long coated dogs/cats, a $5.00 daily brushing fee will be applied. Please remember dogs who play very actively in play group and who use water pools may quickly develop mats. Please let us know upon check-in if you desire brushing service for your dog.
Please note that due to outside play, it is very difficult to keep "hard playing" dogs clean. Our staff will wipe down and "spot" clean dogs before pick-up, but we cannot guarantee a perfectly clean dog after a day of play. Please feel free to utilize our professional grooming services as needed.
When scheduling a grooming visit to Oscar's Pet Resort, pet owners are asked to disclose all issues their pet may have or has had in the past when going to the vet or while being groomed (i.e. aggressive tendencies, likes/dislikes and any health conditions). This policy is to ensure the health and safety of both pet and Groomer. You will be informed upon pick up if your pet had any issues or problems with any part of the grooming process.
Disclosing that a pet may have aggressive tendencies does not automatically result in refusal to groom. This allows the Groomer to be mindful of the pet's behavior while being groomed so the groomer can avoid being bitten and can avoid injury to the pet if the pet were to move suddenly during the grooming session.
Oscar's Pet Resort reserves the right to refuse service to overly aggressive pets, severely matted pets, or pets with health issues that may require a visit to the veterinarian. Any issues (health or behavior) not disclosed to the Groomer by the Owner or unknown by the Owner, may result in the immediate termination of the grooming session at the Owner's expense.
All pets scheduled for grooming services at Oscar's Pet Resort must be current on DHLPP, Rabies and Bordetella vaccinations. Written proof of current vaccinations is required prior to any grooming visit. If your pet does not have its Rabies vaccination, the Groomer will not groom your pet. This policy is to ensure the health and safety of both pet and Groomer and is required by PA State law.
Oscar's Pet Resort is committed to providing the utmost care while grooming your pet. However, it is possible for pets to receive minor injuries as a result of being groomed (i.e. razor burn, minor cuts or scratches due to sudden movement, etc.). If your pet sustains an injury during their grooming visit that we are unaware of, you MUST notify us within 24 to 48 hours.
Our Groomer will provide a maximum of 10 minutes of de-matting time if needed and IF YOUR PET IS HIGHLY TOLERANT TO IT. Additional charges will apply if more time is needed. We will do our best to notify you of any special de-matting needs prior to service. Please keep in mind de-matting a pet is very painful and can ruin the coat. The safest alternative is to strip the pet and start the coat over. Our Groomer will be happy to demonstrate effective brushing techniques for mat prevention. Brushes and combs are available for purchase.
Oscar's Pet Resort is not responsible for any preexisting skin condition discovered by our Groomer while your pet is being groomed or de-matted. A veterinarian consultation will be recommended to deal with any condition at the Owner's expense. Our Groomer does not diagnose medical conditions nor prescribe medications.
Clipper alopecia occurs when a dog with a double coat gets shaved. Some breeds that have double coats are Pomeranians, Huskies, Border collies, Australian shepherds, Chow chows etc. When a dog with a double coat gets shaved the result may be permanent patches of hair loss. Sometimes hair grows back but it will be short and fuzzy. Please talk to the groomer before deciding to shave your dog. She can explain the risks involved.
If a pet is not picked up by the scheduled departure date for any service that Oscar's Pet Resort provides, we will attempt to contact the owner immediately. A pet will be considered abandoned after ten days if all attempts to reach owner and family (including phone, mail, and certified letter) are unsuccessful (according to PA State Law). An abandoned pet will become the property of Oscar's Pet Resort and will be re-homed as we see fit.
All pet areas are continuously cleaned and disinfected daily. The interior is designed for easy sanitation and cleaning. We use Germicide disinfectant cleaner for walls and flooring. All containers with sanitation products are kept in closed containers to ensure your pet will not come into contact or ingest any cleaning products.
The owners and staff thank you for choosing Oscar's Pet Resort of Greenfield. We look forward to providing a safe and fun experience for your best friend while you are at work or on vacation. Consider Oscar's Pet Resort of Greenfield your pet's home away from home!


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Mike Hughes on TV
What's on and what's worth watching
Daily Best Bets
News and Quick Comments
Pop network
"One Day" adjusts to TV changes
For the "One Day at a Time" actors, there have been some sharp adjustments.
The first was the notion of having a studio audience. "I was terrified," Justina Machado recalled.
And the second is NOT having one. On March 10, "One Day" became the first situation comedy to forego a studio audience because of coronavirus concerns.
By then, the show was taping its fourth season and actors were comfortable. "I could not even imagine this show without an audience," Machado had told the Television Critics Association in January.
That's been one or many changes for "One Day." It was canceled by Netflix and then rescued by cable'a Pop network, where it starts its season Tuesday. Read more…
By Mike Hughes / March 20, 2020
A small show, a tiny network … and big success
PASADENA, Cal. – For Dan Levy, it was a big (and uncharacteristic) step: He asked his dad for help.
The result is "Schitt's Creek" (shown here), which has just started its final season, amid praise and nominations.And yes, his dad was surprised.
"He never came to me for anything," Eugene Levy told the Television Critics Association. "I would say, 'Do you need me to help you read lines?' 'No, no, I've got it.'" Read more…
By Mike Hughes / January 20, 2020
A time for joy: Lear's comedy is rescued
For the TV world, this was one of the year's biggest news flashes:
The Pop network is rescuing "One Day at a Time." It will have 13 new episodes next year.
OK, not everyone will consider it huge. Chances are, many people weren't aware there is a Pop network or a "One Day" reboot. But ponder this from several standpoints
:– TV history. Norman Lear is the producer who sparked TV's first golden age of comedy. Now he's had a one-two shot – last month, ABC's live show using "All in the Family" and "Jeffersons" scripts … and now this. In his statement, Lear said he was "heartbroken" when Netflix decided against a fourth season, and is now "overwhelmed with joy." Read more…
By Mike Hughes / June 28, 2019
Best-bets for Jan. 23: BBC has a natural high
Best-bets for Jan. 22: tough times for Red and Mac
Best-bets for Jan. 21: Comedies soar, "Walker" broods
Best-bets for Jan. 20: all-day inauguration
Best-bets for Jan. 19: dramas on inaugural eve
. Linda Ronstadt Acorn TV All Rise social distance episode American Masters Batwoman Better things Big Sky TV show Bob (hearts) Abishola B Positive Call Me Kat CBS Sunday movies Chuck Lorre CW Fargo TV show Fiddler on the Roof documentary FX FX on Hulu GetTV Gina Yashere HBO Homeland Hulu Jimmy Kimmel John Landgraf Josh Groban Kelli O'Hara Mrs. America Murdoch Mysteries National Geographic Channel Pamela Adlon PBS PBS Masterpiece PBS Newshour Pop network Queen Latifah Ryan Murphy Sally Field Sharkfest Shonda Rhimes Showtime Snowfall (TV show) social distance TV shows The Masked Dancer Thirtysomething sequel Turner Classic Movies
© 2019 Mike Hughes on TV - All rights reserved. | Theme: Elegant Magazine - AF Themes | Website Designed by Pam Weil and Associates.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Not many people realize how a few minutes soaking your body in heated water can directly improve your health.
There are several bodily actions that happen when your body absorbs the heat from a portable hot tub. The first thing that is improved is your blood circulation. As your body warms up, so does the blood, causing the vessels to dilate and flow much more easily. Since circulation is up, blood pressure must go down. Studies show that just 20 minutes of soaking can greatly reduce that pressure.
The second benefit you'll receive is muscle relaxation. Since your entire body soaks in the hot water, all your tense muscles will absorb the heat and subsequently become much more comfortable.
Even inflatable hot tubs can maintain a specific temperature at a constant rate, unlike bathtubs that inevitably cool down. Therefore, when soaking in a hot tub, your circulation rate does not drop with the cooling water. It instead keeps flowing with ease and allows the body to maintain a certain heat as well. This constant hot water treatment is essential to therapeutic benefits.
Heat will relieve physiological pain as well. Staying hot in the water will stimulate your central nervous system, which prompts your body to absorb as much heat as it can. As your body temperature goes up, any pains you feel will be relaxed and numbed.
The many bodily advantages heat can provide are evident elsewhere as well. Notice how athletes and day laborers often apply hot packs to their bodies whenever they are in pain and discomfort. People understand that heat is vital in releasing any strain you may feel. So why not take advantage of heat therapy and alleviate your entire body by soaking in a portable hot tub?


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Welcome to Spring Hill Eyecare, PLLC.
See What You've Been Missing!
Spring Hill Eyecare, PLLC is the destination for quality eye care. In the heart of historic Spring Hill, we are conveniently located right on Highway 31/Main Street.
We are your hometown optometry office independently owned and operated by Dr. Rob Szeliga. We are not part of a chain, franchise, or big box store. Our mission is to treat every patient like a member of our family while providing quality eye care with the most modern technology.
Please browse our website filled with actual photos, rather than stock industry photos, and click here to read our patient reviews to see "See What You've Been Missing!"
Spring Hill Eyecare named as Top 3 Finalist for Transitions in two categories: "U.S. Eyecare Practice of the Year" -and- "Best in Marketing"
Transitions lenses just announced their 2019 Innovation Award Finalists and Spring Hill Eyecare is a finalist in 2 categories: U.S. Eyecare Practice of the Year -and- Best in Marketing! We were told this is the 1st time a practice has been named a finalist in more than 1 category! The other 2 finalists in the Marketing category are from Canada and Trinidad. Winners will be announced in early February of 2020.
https://www.visionmonday.com/…/transitions-optical-announc…/
Spring Hill Eyecare Named places in top 3 in "Review of Optometry's Office Design Contest!"
See the article here: http://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/the-optometry-office-reimagined
Spring Hill Eyecare Named One of 'America's Finest!'
See the article here: https://invisionmag.com/want-15-years-of-growth-while-keeping-your-team-close-and-building-the-optical-of-your-dreams-this-tennessee-practice-can-show-you-how/
Press Release: Spring Hill Eyecare has been recognized as one of America's Finest Optical Retailers by INVISION, the magazine for the American eyecare professional. The Spring Hill, TN-based business was named an Honorable Mention in the international contest.
Now in its sixth year, the annual contest highlights the best examples of independent eyewear retailers in the United States and Canada.
"Every year we feel privileged to bring our readers the best of the best of independent optical retail in our industry," said Deirdre Carroll, INVISION's editor-in-chief. "But a store wouldn't really fit our 'Finest' criteria if it weren't for things like creative marketing, spectacular design, and a unique story. Each year, I am blow away by the caliber of honorees recognized and this year is no exception!"
Stores are judged on exterior appearance, interior appearance/design, store biography, marketing, web presence and overall individuality.
The top three winners are awarded trophies and featured in multi-page spreads in the July/August issue of INVISION and on invisionmag.com. Honorable Mention are announced in the same issue and each receives an expanded America's Finest Optical Retailers profile in a monthly issue of INVISION from September 2019 through June 2020.
Thank you for voting us Best Healthcare Provider!
Thank you to all of the Advertiser News readers who voted us Best Healthcare Provider in Thompson's Station and Spring Hill! This means a lot since there wasn't just an "Optometrist" category - we won in the entire "Healthcare Provider" category! Also, thank you for voting Dr. Rob Szeliga as a Top 3 Finalist for Citizen of the Year!
Spring Hill Eyecare is a Coopervision 2019 Best Practice!
Following a nationwide search for eye care practices who elevate the profession through innovation, industry leadership, and patient experience, CooperVision has named 10 honorees for 2019. Spring Hill Eyecare was one of the 10 practices recognized in the U.S. that go above and beyond to find ways to differentiate their practice and deliver extraordinary care to their patients, even in the face of increasing competition.
New Business Hours Staring July 8th:
Hate the puff of air test? We now have a way to test your intraocular pressure without it.
Social-Eyes with Us!


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Hungary struggling to register all migrants
Some migrants refuse to register for fear they'll be sent back to Hungary (Photo: Daniel Belenyi)
By Eszter Zalan
Brussels, 8. Sep 2015, 20:05
Chaotic scenes unfolded again in Hungary on Tuesday (8 September), as dozens of exasperated migrants broke through police lines close to the Serbian border.
Hundreds of migrants spent Monday night at a makeshift "collection point" near the Serbian border, close to the refugee center in Roszke, where police rounded up those who had just crossed into Hungary.
The migrants have to wait in an open field lacking facilities, and are then transported by bus to Roszke, where their processing starts.
Hungary insists that under EU law all new arrivals have to be registered and fingerprinted.
But aid workers say many migrants, who intend to travel on to Austria and Germany, do not want to be processed fearing they will be transported back to Hungary.
On Tuesday afternoon, dozens of migrants broke through police lines and started marching towards Roszke and further onto Budapest, some 170 kilometers away.
The camp in Roszke is able to hold 800 people and cannot cope with the influx. On Monday alone, 2,706 people arrived in Hungary, according to police figures.
Aid workers expect a bigger number to arrive over the weekend.
In the meantime, Hungary's prime minister vowed to speed up the construction of an anti-migrant fence along the Serbian border.
The four-metre high fence is to be completed by the end of October or beginning of November.
Hungary's defence minister resigned late Monday, and it has since emerged that he quit because of the slow pace of the fence's construction.
The PM, Viktor Orban, told an online newspaper that he was convinced "the works in progress have to be sped up", AFP reported.
A razor-wire barrier along the 175-kilometre border was completed on August 29, but failed to prevent migrants from climbing over.
The contentious frontier has become a major crossing point into the European Union, with around 160,000 entering Hungary so far this year.
The European Commission said on Tuesday it has allocated €4 million in emergency assistance to Hungary.
A request for €8 million was made by the country in mid-August. The money is to be used to improve the infrastructure of existing reception facilities as well as to develop new ones.
France and Germany to take bulk of 120,000 migrants
Romania and Cyprus impose migrant relocation conditions
Orban: Migrant crisis is Germany's problem
Juncker: Migrant quotas must be 'compulsory'
German and Swedish leaders welcome migrants
France and Germany are to take the bulk of 120,000 asylum seekers from Greece, Italy, and Hungary, according to EU proposals due Wednesday.
Romania wants to join the passport-free Schengen zone in exchange for relocating asylum seekers, while Cyrpus says it wants only Christians.
Hungarian leader Viktor Orban has defended his handling of the migrant crisis by heaping responsibility on Germany.
Jean-Claude Juncker has urged EU states to adopt, as of next week, mandatory quotas for relocating 160,000 migrants from Greece, Hungary, and Italy.
German and Swedish leaders say the EU has room for more asylum seekers, if it formulates a joint approach.
Frontex to spend €100m on returning migrants this year
The EU's border agency Frontex will spend around €100m this year to return unwanted and rejected asylum seekers.
What happened to the non-Ukrainian refugees from Ukraine?
Some 5,000 refugees and asylum seekers were registered in Ukraine in 2021. Small in the context of the millions now displaced, but one of the most at-risk groups in this crisis.
Europe's response to Musk's Starlink set for 2024 launch
Europe's response to Elon Musk's Starlink broadband internet system — currently used by Ukraine in its war against Russia — is to deliver its first services sometime next year.


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Q: If $|c_k| \leq k^2 $ does $\sum \frac{(-2)^k +c_k^3}{3^k }$ converge?
If $|c_k| \leq k^2 $ does $\sum \frac{(-2)^k +c_k^3}{3^k }$ converge?

My approach, using the tools that we have learnt so far and trying to be as clear as I possibly can:
If an infinite series converges absolutely, it converges. We will apply the absolute value to the summand and apply the triangle inequality:
$$\left|\frac{(-2)^k +c_k^3}{3^k } \right|=\frac{|(-2)^k +c_k^3|}{3^k } \leq\frac{|(-2)^k| +|c_k^3|}{3^k } = \frac{2^k +|c_k|^3}{3^k } $$
Now we can apply our hypothesis that$|c_k| \leq k^2$
$$\frac{2^k +|c_k|^3}{3^k }\leq \frac{2^k +k^6}{3^k } $$
certainly the exponential function grows faster than $k^6$ (this is something we discussed in class and studied)
$$\frac{2^k +k^6}{3^k } \leq \frac{2^k +2^k}{3^k }= 2\frac{2^k}{3^k}=2\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^k $$
So we can finally conclude that by comparison:
$\sum \left|\frac{(-2)^k +c_k^3}{3^k }\right| \leq \sum 2\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^k  $
The majorant series  is convergent, hence the absolute series is convergent by comparison. Since the series is absolutely convergent, it is also convergent. Conclusion: the series is convergent $\square$
This feels like a lot of work, I can probably do it in a better way, but this is the first thing that came to mind.

PS: this is the TU Eindhoven 2WA30 midterm practice test of 2014. If any fellow students are practising here. Welcome and good luck! remember, analysis is fun!

A: We have that
$$ \frac{(-2)^k -k^6}{3^k }\le \frac{(-2)^k +c_k^3}{3^k }\le  \frac{(-2)^k +k^6}{3^k }$$
and since the LHS and RHS series converge also the given series converges.

The result can be easily shown indeed suppose that $\sum a_n$ and $\sum c_n$  converge and eventually
$$a_n\le b_n \le c_n \implies 0\le b_n-a_n \le c_n-a_n$$
then by comparison also $\sum (b_n-a_n)$ converges but
$$\sum b_n= \sum (a_n+(b_n-a_n)=\sum a_n +\sum (b_n-a_n)$$
and therefore also $\sum b_n$ converges since it is the sum of two convergent series.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Q: Cannot Configured Oracle local DB ORA-12505, TNS:listener does not currently know of SID given in connect descriptor I've installed oracle 11g express edition on my machine and successfully add user and grant access using Run SQL COMMAND LINE, however I cannot configured it using SQL DEVELOPER that's where I encountered the above error. I've compared my configurations (tnsnames.ora and listener.ora) to other working machines and found with the same config.
Also I can longer access this site http://127.0.0.1:8080/apex/f?p=4950:1:384148910814731
tnsname.ora

    XE =
  (DESCRIPTION =
    (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = win)(PORT = 1521))
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      (SERVER = DEDICATED)
      (SERVICE_NAME = XE)
    )
  )

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  (DESCRIPTION =
    (ADDRESS_LIST =
      (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = IPC)(KEY = EXTPROC1))
    )
    (CONNECT_DATA =
      (SID = PLSExtProc)
      (PRESENTATION = RO)
    )
  )

ORACLR_CONNECTION_DATA =
  (DESCRIPTION =
    (ADDRESS_LIST =
      (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = IPC)(KEY = EXTPROC1))
    )
    (CONNECT_DATA =
      (SID = CLRExtProc)
      (PRESENTATION = RO)
    )
  )

listener.ora

    SID_LIST_LISTENER =
  (SID_LIST =
    (SID_DESC =
      (SID_NAME = PLSExtProc)
      (ORACLE_HOME = C:\oraclexe\app\oracle\product\11.2.0\server)
      (PROGRAM = extproc)
    )
    (SID_DESC =
      (SID_NAME = CLRExtProc)
      (ORACLE_HOME = C:\oraclexe\app\oracle\product\11.2.0\server)
      (PROGRAM = extproc)
    )
  )

LISTENER =
  (DESCRIPTION_LIST =
    (DESCRIPTION =
      (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = IPC)(KEY = EXTPROC1))
      (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = win)(PORT = 1521))
    )
  )

DEFAULT_SERVICE_LISTENER = (XE)

A: thanks for the replies, appreciate it really but lucky I resolve it, I removed the IP and PC Name on C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.


text:
AAI employees' union urges CBI to probe Mumbai airport land deal
The AAI employees union has sought a CBI probe into the Mumbai Airport land issue after citing a CAG report which castigated the Civil Aviation Ministry for granting extensions to the airport modernisation project, delayed by four years, and not penalising the private operator for it.
"Delhi Airport land is a big scam and the Mumbai Airport land (scam) is even bigger… Regarding Mumbai airport, the CAG report is in public domain… Please investigate Mumbai airport case also," the Airports Authority Employees Union said in its request to CBI.
The Mumbai airport which was developed through the PPP model. PTI
It also urged the CBI director to consider its request as a "complaint". It has sent copies of the letter to the Minister of Civil Aviation, Civil Aviation secretary as well as to the Chairman of AAI.
AAEU welcomed the central investigative agency's move to initiate a probe against unknown officials of Civil Aviation Ministry, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Delhi International Airports Ltd (DIAL) and GMR for alleged irregularities in the Delhi Airport land deal. The previous UPA government had in 2006 handed over the two airports — Delhi and Mumbai, which cater to the bulk of air traffic — to two private companies, respectively, the GMR and GVK groups, for modernisation and operation under a revenue sharing agreement.
NCP leader Praful Patel was at the helm of the Civil Aviation Ministry when the two top revenue-generating airports were handed for modernisation to corporates despite stiff opposition from the unions.
Both Mumbai and Delhi Airport are run under joint venture companies, namely MIAL and DIAL. While MIAL (Mumbai International Airport Ltd) is a 74:26 JV between a GVK-led consortium and AAI, DIAL is 74:26 JV between GMR-led consortium and the airports operator.
CAG in its report had said, "Neither Operations, Management Development Agreement (OMDA) nor the lease deed signed between MIAL and AAI demarcated the land leased to MIAL.
"Both documents were to have a map of the premises, which was left blank… as such area of CSI airport Mumbai stated to be 1,875 acres in the Request For Proposal increased to 2,006 acres on actual survey by MIAL. The very significance difference in area quoted by AAI and MIAL raises questions on the quality of land records maintained by the AAI."
The CAG report further stated that "as per the OMDA, the concessionaire was eligible for commercial exploitation of 10 per cent of the demised premises. With the increase in demised premises, the quantum of commercially exploitable land available to MIAL as per OMDA increased by 10.23 per cent". CAG, in its report, also found that the carved out assets were primarily intended for the use of AAI and could be transferred to MIAL for aeronautical purposes only following suitable negotiations as per OMDA.
"AAI transferred 48.15 acres out of the carved out assets to MIAL against a consideration based on a meagre upfront payment by MIAL (of Rs 3.52 crore) without negotiations," the report said.
Last year, a Gujarat-based social activist, Vishwas Bhamburkar, had filed an FIR in Mumbai, based on the said CAG report, accusing MIAL and GVK of receiving undue benefits to the tune of Rs 5,887 crore through various irregularities while constructing the airport. The FIR was later stayed by Bombay High Court.
The FIR had named Alok Sinha, a former joint secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Dr GVK Reddy, chairman and managing director of GVK Power and Infrastructure Ltd, GV Sanjay Reddy, managing director of MIAL, and a few Mumbai Police officials.
There was no immediate response from MIAL regarding this matter.
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Money & Politics, News, The Fed & Central Banks
The Nice Limits of Modern Monetary Theory
by George Selginon May 10, 2019 January 2, 2020
In my Twitter feed the other day, I came across a link to a website "dedicated to explaining and promoting awareness of Modern Monetary Theory." The site is called "We CAN Have Nice Things," and its summary of MMT seems to me to represent reasonably well how MMT is understood by many of its fans, if not by MMT experts themselves. That summary also "nicely" shows just how cavalier MMT enthusiasts can be when it comes to describing MMT's practical policy implications—and particularly the quantity of "nice things" we can have by heeding its advice. Whether MMT experts themselves are to blame for this is a good question. Perhaps they regret that their fans keep exaggerating their theories' policy implications. But at least some of them seem to make similarly exaggerated, or at least highly speculative, claims.
The Green Land of Cockaigne
The exaggerations I have in mind occur in the "Nice" webpage's opening paragraphs:
We CAN have nice things. We can provide a well-paying job for anyone who wants one. Medicare-for-All. Child care. Tuition-free public college and excellent public schools. Modern infrastructure including high-speed rail from city to city. We CAN have nice things that make our lives better.
We can (and must) implement a Green New Deal to de-carbonize the economy and address the climate crisis.
Because the US government issues its own currency, it can't "run out of money" or go bankrupt. That means "We the People" can — and should — spend what we need to spend on what we want and need without worrying about "how to pay for it."
To paraphrase: if governments would only take MMT insights into account, instead of heeding the advice of other clueless antediluvian economists, folks can all enjoy all sorts of extra goodies: better health, education, and welfare; better transportation; a cooler planet; and more besides. Nor need they pay for them. Instead the US government can. And it can do so without having to tax people more, and without burdening the economy with higher interest rates. The government must only take better advantage of the fact that it "issues its own currency." It has, in other words, only to create the necessary paper and digital dollars.
This take on MMT is certainly not unique to the website in question. Nor is it found only among overzealous MMT fans. It's quite similar, for example, to one offered some weeks ago by Stephanie Kelton, one of MMT's leading lights, with which I took issue in a previous post, and it is, I believe, an important reason for the recent surge in MMT's popular appeal.
Real versus Nominal Limits
As every politician knows, promising people the moon is a good way to get their attention—and their votes. But MMT, as represented here and elsewhere, purports to have uncovered otherwise unappreciated truths about the workings of economies equipped with fiat-money-issuing governments—truths that reveal that it's not only possible but easy for politicians to actually deliver on scores of such promises without raising taxes or interest rates. They might deliver on them, in other words, without making the public do without some of the "nice things" they've already got.[1]
What are those unappreciated truths? The technical MMT literature is mainly devoted to arguments concerning the ways in which money is created and particularly the bearing of government spending on money creation. Some of these arguments are themselves dubious, while others do indeed contribute to our understanding of "modern" monetary systems.
But these subtle points about the mechanics of money supply don't supply the ultimate basis for the claims that have made MMT so popular—claims, not merely to the effect that the government can always "pay for" nice things in the sense of not lacking the paper or digital means for doing so, but to the effect that it can also allow us to "have" more nice things.
That essential distinction—one between the limits of money creation and those of real-goods creation—is one that seems to me all-too-easily lost sight of in the oft-repeated MMT-based claim that "paying for" the GND will be a cinch. Admittedly, Modern Monetary Theorists themselves don't see things this way. Instead some claim that drawing more attention to real resource limits is just what they're trying to do. "By reframing the question of 'how are you going to pay for it?' into a question away from financial resources and toward real resources," Nathan Tankus, Rohan Grey, Scott Ferguson, and Raúl Carrillo write, "we move public conversation to new and better terrain."
But with all due respect to these and other Modern Monetary Theorists, that is precisely what MMT has not managed to do. On the other hand, it's what orthodox economists, starting with Hume, have themselves been trying to do from the discipline's earliest beginnings."Though the wages of the workman are commonly paid to him in money," Adam Smith wrote, "his real revenue, like that of all other men, consists, not in money, but in the money's worth; not in the metal pieces, but in what can be got for them." He might well write today that "paying for" the GND properly means, not just paying with bits of paper, but paying with the real resources that can be got for those bits. Instead of serving to make people, and Democratic politicians especially, more conscious of such elementary truths of orthodox economics, MMT, with its repeated insistence that the government can always "pay for" anything, appears simply to have given those politicians an excuse to ignore those classical economics strictures and to instead conclude that the government's capacity to supply real goods is as vast as its powers of money creation.
Real Limits Matter, Theoretically
This isn't to say that MMT enthusiasts, experts and amateurs alike, don't recognize real resource constraints. They do. "Of course, there are limits," the "Nice" homepage says. "Our spending limit is inflation; we mustn't exceed the time, materials and human resources available to produce what we fund." This couldn't be more explicit or more correct; and similar statements are common in the MMT literature.
But when one recalls the "Nice" homepage's earlier paragraphs suggesting, not merely that the government might offer some additional goodies to its citizens without running into any resource constraints, but that it might offer many trillions of dollars worth of such goodies without doing so, one realizes that the real resource constraint that our MMT fans recognize is one that they regard as so unlikely to become binding that we need hardly be concerned about it. Yes, inflation becomes a problem as the output gap narrows. But never mind: just now that gap is is as wide as the ocean.
Keynes, admittedly, took the same approach when he wrote the General Theory. But there's a difference, and its a lulu. The General Theory was written in the midst of the Great Depression, when the US unemployment rate, as conventionally measured, was 15 percent or more. The unemployment rate today is just 3.6 percent. That's lower than it's been at any time since 1969, and also a full-percentage point below the CBO's current NAIRU ("Non-Accelerating-Inflation Rate of Unemployment") estimate. It doesn't follow, of course, that we're presently at, let alone above, full employment: for one thing the CBO estimate is notoriously unreliable. Still it's far from obvious that the government can start spending several trillion dollars more each year before it reaches it.
I say "several trillion dollars," because no one can say with any greater accuracy just what the broad set of Green New Deal programs will cost. The center-right American Action Forum's much publicized figure of $93 trillion over a decade is regarded by its own authors as an upper bound only, their lower-bound estimate being $50 trillion. One estimate places the costs of making the US power-grid emission-free alone north of $13 trillion. Noah Smith, who considers himself "libertarian-left," puts the back-of-the-envelope cost of the whole GND package at $6.6 trillion a year, or closer to the AAF's lower bound, most of which would be spent not on the GND's environmental initiatives but on its social programs. Even by this relatively conservative estimate the GND would, according to Smith, "spend the US into oblivion," for the figure amounts
to about 34 percent of the U.S.'s entire gross domestic product. And that's assuming no cost overruns — infrastructure projects, especially in the U.S., are subject to cost bloat. Total government spending already accounts for about 38 percent of the economy, so if no other programs were cut to pay for the Green New Deal, it could mean that almost three-quarters of the economy would be spent via the government.
Is it plausible that programs costing 34 percent of current US GDP can be financed by money creation without running up against those pesky real resource constraints, or by exceeding them only by a margin consistent with a tolerable level of inflation? I very much doubt it, which is another way of saying that I doubt that GND can be paid for without diverting substantial amounts of presently-employed real resources from their current uses.[3]
But Not Really
Perhaps some MMT experts doubt it as well, even if some of their enthusiastic fans don't. Perhaps some will even express such doubts publicly. But I'm not holding my breath, and especially not after reading the response of three of the smartest MMTs (Scott Fullwiler, Rohan Grey, and Nathan Tankus) to Josh Barro's observation that
If the government prints and spends money when the economy is at or near full employment, MMT counsels (correctly) that this will lead to inflation, and prescribes deficit-reducing tax increases to reduce aggregate demand and thereby control inflation.
Barro's statement seems like a fair interpretation of what I myself would like to consider the sophisticated MMT position—namely, that the real resource constraint is real, and that it's the same sort of real resource constraint that orthodox economists recognize. But it turns that that isn't their position. Instead, our sophisticated MMT experts reject Barro's interpretation. "When we suggest that a budget constraint be replaced by an inflation constraint," they explain,
we are not suggesting that all inflation is caused by excess demand. Indeed, from our view, excess demand is rarely the cause of inflation. Whether it's businesses raising profit margins or passing on costs, or it's Wall Street speculating on commodities or houses, there are a range of sources of inflation that aren't caused by the general state of demand and aren't best regulated by aggregate demand policies.[2]
Since this is intended to contradict "Barro's assertions" to the effect that if it's not to lead to inflation the GND might have to be financed through higher taxes after all, it can only be understood to mean that our experts do not believe that having the government print and spend money when the economy is at or near full employment will lead to inflation. It follows that the inflation constraint isn't a constraint on government spending after all, since there's no point in trying to regulate inflation by means of "aggregate demand policies," including policies that would limit how much the government spends![4]
So yes, the inflation constraint makes an appearance on the "Nice" summary of MMT that I've chosen to pick on, just as it does in many other MMT-inspired arguments for the GND. But the more one looks into it the more it resembles those disclaimers and warnings rattled-off at the end of TV ads for prescription drugs: "Take Zylodrin and You'll Look 20 Years Younger*" (*FDA Warning: Not recommended for persons over 25.) The "nice" stuff is the pitch that sells the product. The disclaimer then explains, to anyone who's still paying attention, that MMT's paper-money prescription may not be all that nice after all.
I know fully-well that MMTs will scoff at these criticisms, informed as they are by passages on an amateur website, and that they will accuse me of not delving into their more academic writings. But I say that criticism misses the point, for my concern here isn't with the fine points of Modern Monetary Theory, some of which are of genuine merit. It's with the way MMT has been and continues to be used, both by the authors of the website in question and by some expert MMTs themselves, to sugar-coat the Green New Deal. Nor am I aware of attempts by any expert MMT to throw cold water on what might perhaps be fanciful interpretations of the implications of their theories. Instead, when I peruse expert MMT writings concerning the GND, I'm led to conclude that the amateurs are doing those writings full justice.
Snake oil, it turns out, isn't all that bad for you; in fact some versions are actually good for you. Still it became a byword for quackery when versions, inferior or not, were pitched as cure-alls. Likewise, no matter how many valuable insights Modern Monetary Theorists have to offer, so long as those insights continue to packaged and sold as painless remedies for long-lists of economic ills, people will have reason to take them with a grain of salt.
[1] Note that I'm not saying that an exchange of "other goodies" for improved schools, public transportation, etc. isn't worth it. I'm pointing out how MMT is understood by many to mean that no such exchange is necessary.
[2] Another sophisticated MMT expert, Randall Wray, doesn't seem to share this view. In answer to the question, "Could there be too much of a good thing?", he says "Yes, and the consequence would be inflation. The problem is not with bonds, but rather the spending behind deficits that exceeded productive capacity." However he adds that "MMT doesn't advocate running up aggregate demand" precisely because "that would cause inflation before reaching full employment." Instead it "relies on the job guarantee. It offers a basic wage (we advocate $15 per hour, consistent with GND), providing a GND job to anyone willing to work." So we come right back to those oceans of unemployed resources.
[3] To put the values here into perspective, 34 percent of current U.S. GDP is about $6.8 trillion. That means that spending on the combined GND programs will amount to about $1.13 million annually for each of the roughly 6 million persons who are presently unemployed. (Note added 5/14/2019.)
[4] I said that the authors of this argument are all "smart," and indeed they are. But I hasten to add that the argument itself seems mistaken. The premise that most inflation is of the cost-push sort is itself controversial, to put it mildly. But the logic of the rest of the argument makes no sense at all. It is like arguing that, because most boiler explosions are caused by corrosion rather than by excessive pressure, we needn't trouble to regulate the pressure. Having gone rounds with MMTer's, I know they will hotly deny that this is a fair description of their position. And it wouldn't be in a different context. But their argument can either be sensible, or it can serve to rebut Barro's claim that GND spending beyond the point of full employment will call for increased taxes to avoid inflation. Both things can't be true. (Note added 5/10/2019 at 1:30PM: The MMTs respond that part of their response to Barro, not mentioned by me, is that there are other ways than increased taxation by which to offset government-sponsored increases in aggregate demand. This is correct, and I apologize for overlooking it. But it remains the case that some kind of demand offset is needed notwithstanding that excessive demand growth may not be the only cause of inflation.)
This entry was posted in Money & Politics, News, The Fed & Central Banks and tagged budget deficits, Green New Deal, Modern Monetary Theory, monetary policy, Stephanie Kelton. Bookmark the permalink.
About George Selgin
George Selgin is a senior fellow and director emeritus of the Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives at the Cato Institute and Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Georgia. His research covers a broad range of topics within the field of monetary economics, including monetary...
Banking Regulation, Economic History, Money & Politics, News, The Fed & Central Banks
More on the Challenges of Main Street Lending
Speaking of Greece…
The Fed's Shifting Goalposts
George Selgin/ May 16, 2019 January 2, 2020
The Fed's New Repo Plan
George Selgin/ May 2, 2019 January 2, 2020
Yglesias on the Gold Standard
In a column at Vox yesterday morning, Matt Yglesias gave us 7 reasons to think a gold standard is a terrible idea. They are not...


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2018 Annual Report Home
Developing a Diabetes Research Nexus
Searching for the Single Cell
Big Data as a Diagnostic Tool
Discovering Better Antibodies and Vaccines
Five C's
Creating an Idea and Innovation Park
Single Cell Analytics Center
Researchers in the Single Cell Analytics Center (SCAC) work with industry and academic partners on the Signal Ion Emission Reactive Release Amplification (SIERRA) platform for rare cell analysis.
In 2018, the Single Cell Analytics Center (SCAC) advanced the SIERRA platform significantly towards commercialization. Currently, it can detect fewer than 30 cells in a whole blood sample by size-exclusion filtration, microfluidic sample handling and mass spectrometry. The team continued to develop a method for the non-destructive enumeration of rare cells at a sensitivity of 20 cells from whole blood samples with same-sample RNA analysis.
This means they were able to filter out and count as few as 20 cells from a blood sample without any cell damage, followed by molecular tests. A manuscript describing this progress has been accepted for publication in Analytical Chemistry.
funding for commercialization
Grant applications proposing the use of SIERRA technology with new antibiotics, affinity agents and lipidomics methods for the analysis of drug resistance in urinary tract infections were completed and are ready for submission in early 2019.
This work seeks to increase the specificity and sensitivity of bacterial cell targeting to enable the use of SIERRA technology without a bacterial cell culture step.
Such funding may enable rare cell analysis in military, public health, chronic disease and food safety applications.
How we're increasing cell-detection effectiveness
Michael Pugia, Ph.D., Director, Single Cell Analytics Center
A working laboratory format for the SIERRA platform, in which nanoparticles are combined with standard 96-well microtiter plates, was completed to test its effectiveness. Manufacturing procedures are on track to provide a routine supply of reagents for analysis.
This continuous improvement will allow the targeting and detection of an even lower number of cells. New nanoparticle chemistries have also been identified which may improve assay sensitivity to allow the detection of a single cell.
Perfecting the rare-cell analyzer
Collaborator: Purdue University
Working with collaborators from Purdue University's School of Mechanical Engineering, the SCAC constructed the first "breadboards" (a construction base for prototyping) of the microfluidic interface for a point-of-care Rare-Cell Analyzer that is compatible with SIERRA and other detection technologies.
SCAC postdoctoral trainees in bioanalytics identified and selected areas for improvement and generated advanced technology data under the supervision of staff scientist Dr. Zane Baird. Related to this work, Dr. Baird was part of a team that was awarded $30,000 by Purdue for research using mass spectrometry to identify antibiotic-resistant bacteria in recalcitrant urinary tract infections.
The SEIRRA platform may ultimately achieve the diagnosis of infections and other diseases from a single cell. This may significantly reduce waiting times and costs for patients, especially for the identification of bacterial infections.
SCAC postdocs and scientists make important advances
Three SCAC postdoctoral fellows also made significant advances with the SIERRA platform.
Dr. Daniel Debroy integrated new particle-capture features into the breadboard design in collaboration with Purdue.
Dr. Tiyash Bose integrated rapid enzymatic electrochemistry detection into the breadboard and nanoparticle design in collaboration with Indiana University.
Dr. Marco Tjioe designed a set of 10 multiplexed mass labels and demonstrated simultaneous quantitation over a dynamic range spanning three orders of magnitude.
This work will facilitate the simultaneous detection or targeting of multiple cell types in the same sample, such as different species of bacteria, which may save time and resources.
Overall, these enhancements are expected to improve cell detection sensitivity and greatly increase the applicability of SIERRA technology in the life sciences ecosystem and in the clinic.
Demonstrating the SIERRA platform's effectiveness
Collaborators: Purdue, IU and University of Notre Dame
The SCAC assay team under the direction of Senior Staff Scientist Dr. Zehui Cao demonstrated the utility of SIERRA technology by confirming the detection of bacterial cells in any sample media. The team successfully used the immunoassay and genetic assay platform to screen for bacteria and avoid antibiotic resistance in collaboration with Purdue, IU and University of Notre Dame.
Dr. Dylan Frabutt, a bioanalytical postdoctoral trainee, developed screening methods to select affinity agents for a multiplexed bacterial panel comprising several bacterial pathogens. In collaboration with Purdue, he developed microbiological tools by using lipidomics and other methods to measure antibiotic efficacy.
Lipidomics is the large-scale study of cell wall lipids (fatty acids) and this work will improve the SIERRA platform's ability to detect microbes as a further development along the path toward commercialization.
SCAC Postdoctoral Fellows Dylan Frabutt, Daniel Debroy and Marco Tjioe use fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), a method used to characterize and sort cell populations by using fluorescent markers.
Single cell analysis performed by FACS enables researchers at the IBRI to design and optimize alternative cell detection techniques that can be adapted to point-of-care diagnostic devices.
Every gift makes an impact.
Our research is made possible by your generous gift and it will help lead to solutions to major health challenges affecting almost one out of every three people globally.


You can capture a screenshot of any application window that is not minimized to your task bar and insert it in a PowerPoint slide in a few easy steps.
On the Insert tab, in the Images group, click Screenshot.
From the Available Windows gallery, select the screenshot to insert in your slide.


To cause a systemic illness, a virus must first enter the host animal, undergo primary replication at a site near its portal of entry, and then ultimately spread to distant target tissues, such as the central nervous system (CNS). Viral infections of the nervous system are amongst the most severe and potentially devastating of human infections. The outcome of such infection is determined in part by the type of cells infected in the CNS, with most severe infections caused by viruses that replicate primarily in neurons. Neuroinvasiveness and neurovirulence are the crucial properties that determine the capacity of a virus to cause encephalitis. Neuroinvasiveness is defined as the ability of a neurotropic virus to invade the host CNS following its introduction by a peripheral route (Gonzalez-Scarano and Tyler, 1987; Johnson, 1982) whereas neurovirulence is the ability to establish a lethal infection within the CNS. The two major pathways mediating the spread of the virus from the periphery to the brain are via the bloodstream and via nerves (Chou and Dix, 1991).


Join the Broward Section of ASLA Florida for a Fall Social sponsored by Victor Stanley! Get ready to 'Tee-Up' for some swings, sips, and snacks!
Join the ASLA Florida Broward Section for a Fall Social on November 8th!!!


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Jurassic World 3: A New Age belongs on the big screen! – Movie review of the blockbuster
"Jurassic World 3: A New Age" offers the best cinema entertainment. A visually stunning film adventure that belongs on the big screen – more in our film review!
Jurassic World: A New Age concludes the Jurassic World trilogy.
"Jurassic World 3" is a cinematic adventure that, despite some logic gaps and silliness, is extremely entertaining.
If you accept the same weaknesses as the first parts, then "Jurassic World 3" is the best part of the trilogy.
The finale of the "Jurassic World" trilogy has finally started in German cinemas: "Jurassic World: A New Age". The film brings together new heroes from the Jurassic World films, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, with the Jurassic Park trio of Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill and Laura Dern.
The third part starts with a short summary of the events of the first two films in the form of a small news program, so you don't have to remember much about the events so far. In terms of plot, the film picks up a few years after "Jurassic World 2".
The dinos are in the wild and so humans have to adapt to coexist with the massive dinosaurs. Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) live a reclusive life trying to protect Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon).
Since Maisie turned out to be a clone in "Jurassic World 2", she is of great interest to the company Biosyn Genetics. As the company tries to get their hands on Maisie, Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and Alan Grant (Sam Neill) infiltrate the Biosyn lab and investigate a major conspiracy.
"Jurassic World 3" is popcorn cinema as it should be!
Of course, "Jurassic World 3" is by no means a Steven Spielberg masterpiece like "Jurassic Park", but hopefully nobody expected that after the first two "Jurassic World" films. And if you know what to expect, "Jurassic World: A New Age" delivers like no other action blockbuster in recent months.
The film is playfully reminiscent of western classics, agent thrillers and monster films. The dinosaurs we all go to the movies for never looked better and when Sam Neill puts his hat on and John Williams' famous "Jurassic Park" tune plays, a grin spreads across your face and you settle in comfortably the cinema seat and know: The next two and a half hours will be entertaining!
And indeed, one can accuse "Jurassic World: A New Age" of many things, but the film is never boring. If you disregard the confused, overloaded plot and some illogical actions of the protagonists and the fact that a rain forest exists right next to a snowy landscape in Italy, then the film is a grandiose popcorn cinema masterpiece.
And as cynical as the previous paragraph reads, all these negative points were already to be criticized in "Jurassic World" and "Jurassic World: The Fallen Kingdom". So we as viewers should know what's coming and we're dealing with a point of criticism here that you have to accept. With that in mind, Jurassic World: A New Age is the best part of the Jurassic World trilogy!
The film is nostalgic and brings back numerous familiar faces – not only from "Jurassic Park", but also from "Jurassic World". We are presented with various exciting locations, creative dinosaur fights and some funny dialogues. The things you want to watch a Jurassic World movie for are there, par excellence. What more do you want?
The visual power and the outstanding film music by Michael Giacchino unleash true cinema magic. You leave the cinema with a pleasant feeling of contentment, humming the "Jurassic Park" melody and wanting to do a "Jurassic" marathon.
Of all the Jurassic World movies, this is the most fun!
Brain out, film off: With this attitude you are well entertained and experience a fabulously visually stunning and atmospheric action adventure full of dinosaurs and likeable film heroes with "Jurassic World: A New Age". It is true that part 3 also suffers from an unnecessarily complicated and confused plot and is illogical in many places, but this is a point that we already accepted with the previous films – it should not detract from the cinema experience!
age rating from 12 years
Duration 147 minutes
Budget $165.000.000
recorded $6.000.000
Post-Credit-Coal ✘
Claire Dearing
Daniella Pineda
Zia Rodriguez
Den Lachman
Soyona Santos
Isabella Sermon
Maisie Lockwood
Dr. Ian Malcolm
Franklin Webb
Dr. Ellie Sattler
Mamoudou Athie
Ramsay Cole
Barry Sembène
Dr. Alan Grant
Scott Haze
Rainn Delacourt
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Buy and rent Jurassic World: A New Age
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The bets are down, but the Gujarat assembly elections have generated a lot of interest among the bookies in Gujarat. The Satta market as it is called is betting that the BJP would win anything between 107-110 seats in Gujarat.
The amount being placed on the bets is down this time. The bookies had during the UP assembly elections predicted that the BJP would win 192 to 200 seats, but the party went on to bag 235. Owing to this miscalculation, the bookies lost a lot of money.
They are more cautious this time around. While they still back the BJP to win up to 110 seats, the bets being placed are lower. The bet amount during the UP polls had soared to almost Rs 4,000 crore. This time the amount is down to Rs 1,000 crore.
Bookies have offered Rs 1.25 for every Rs 1 placed on a BJP win. They are offering Rs 2 for every Rs 1 placed on a Congress win. With the Congress campaign stepping up, the bookies have also upped the ante in favour of the party. Bookies had in November offered Rs 7 for every Rs 1 placed on a Congress win.
Meanwhile, bookmakers say that a BJP win is certain. While one section feels that the BJP may end up with 118 seats there is another which feels that the party could win just 100 of the Congress bagging 80. In 2012, the party won 119 seats.
One bookie that OneIndia spoke with say that it would be the Modi magic which would ensure a BJP win. He continues to remain the most popular figure in the state and the people would vote only for him said the bookie.
He further said that there has been a Congress resurgence no doubt. The party would gain due to the Patidar issue and also its campaign against the GST. Competition would be tough in the urban areas, but in the rural parts of Gujarat, the BJP would win big, he also said.


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05/10/2019 10:37 AM IST | Updated 10/10/2019 5:10 PM IST
Booker, JCB, Nobel, DSC Prize: 2019 Is Just Getting Started For Book Lovers
Margaret Atwood's newest book is barely out and we're already excited about who'll win the Booker, Nobel, JCB and DSC this year.
By Harsimran Gill
Books Prize
It's been a great year for readers, one that has paid tribute to that most infuriating but accurate phrase that is sagely presented in the face of impatience—good things, at least in the world of books, do seem to come to those who wait.
While we're still recovering from the publication in September of The Testaments, one of the most eagerly awaited novels in recent times that came 34 years after its genre-defining predecessor, there have been plenty of announcements to whet literary appetites. Hillary Mantel's final book in the Thomas Cromwell trilogy—the first two books both won the Booker Prize—will be published in March 2020; Susanna Clarke, author of the much loved Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, will have a new book out after 16 years in September 2020. Hell, we might even finally get Vikram Seth's long-awaited A Suitable Girl and the new George RR Martin (although you'd be forgiven for not staking your wintry kingdoms on this one).
But even as 2019 nears an end, there's still plenty on offer for readers as we hit the peak of literary prize season. Some of the biggest literary awards, both Indian and international, will be announcing their winners (and in some cases, shortlists) in the weeks to come, offering up a slew of reading lists in the process. It's a literary smorgasboard—prizes big and small, new and old, with debut authors and seasoned past winners all in the running—that can get hard to keep track of, so here's our handy guide to the major literary prizes to watch out for.
There's no getting around the fact that the Booker Prize is the most influential book award in English fiction publishing, especially after it changed its rules in 2014 to make books by authors outside the Commonwealth and Ireland eligible for the prize (the source of a lot of criticism). The Booker clearly matters. Last year, Anna Burns's Milkman was dismissed by many as too 'challenging' after it was announced as the winner but readers felt otherwise. It jumped in sales from 5,000 copies before its win to over half a million as of earlier this year. The shortlist of six titles this year might hold hope of similar success for a largely unknown author but the presence of two books by past winners of the prize seems to have reduced those odds significantly – The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, who won for The Blind Assassin in 2000 and Quichotte by Samlan Rushdie, who is a Booker fixture, having won for Midnight's Children in 1981, and again for the Best of Bookers prizes for the award's 25th and 40th anniversaries. With his newest novel receiving fairly mixed reviews, a win isn't guaranteed for the writer, leaving room for one of the other shortlisted titles, the most striking and talked about of which is Lucy Ellmann's Ducks, Newburyport, a 1,040-page long novel mostly comprised of a single sentence.
Announcement of the winner: October 14
See all the shortlisted titles HERE
JCB Prize For Literature Shortlist: Perumal Murugan And Madhuri Vijay Among Those Shortlisted
The DSC Prize Longlist Shows The Award Is Alive And Mostly Well
One Of These Books Will Win India's Richest Literary Prize This Year
Nobel Prize for Literature
The world's most prestigious literary award is back this year after its cancellation for the first time in nearly 70 years in 2018, following allegations of corruption and sexual assault that shook the Swedish Academy, the organisation that awards the Nobel Prize for Literature. Polish author Olga Tokarczuk and Austrian author Peter Handke were awarded prizes for 2018 and 2019, respectively. The near unprecedented cancellation in 2018 led to the establishment of an alternate prize that hoped to not only fill in the gap but also address the undeniable blind spots of the Nobel Prize, which is awarded by a homogenous cultural body that has a poor track record in representation—only 14 of its 114 laureates, for example, have been women—and famously opaque judging process. With its return, all eyes were on the prize with a sharper focus on these inequities. The Swedish Academy awarded two laureates this year, one for 2018 and another for 2019, and with the absence of any form of shortlist or idea of the judging process, a time-honoured practise provided us the only clue—good old fashioned gambling. Bookies have placed odds on potential winners for years and once again, the numbers for this year were in. Canadian poet and essayist Anne Carson had been touted as the likeliest to win with the highest odds, followed by Guadeloupean novelist Maryse Condé, who was awarded the Alternate Nobel last year. The venerable Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o was also on the list of likely awardees as he has been for years, but it is for fans of Haruki Murakami—infamously dubbed the "Nobel bridesmaid"—that the doubled odds meant the most. Of course, the last winner, English author Kazuo Ishiguro wasn't anywhere in the list with the highest odds, and we won't even talk about Bob Dylan.
Announcement of winner:October 10
See all the past winners of the prize HERE
JCB Prize for Literature
Only in its second year, the JCB Prize has already become one of India's most talked about literary awards, in no small part, due to its Rs 25-lakh cash prize, making it the country's richest. Founded to recognise a "distinguished work of fiction by an Indian author", the prize, modeled after the Booker, only takes full-length novels into consideration but also has a specific focus on books translated from any Indian languages to English—in case the winning book is a translation, the translator gets a Rs 10-lakh prize. Last year, Malayalam writer Benyamin's acclaimed Jasmine Days, translated by Shahnaz Habib, took home the inaugural edition of the prize.
This year, six novels are in the running for the top prize – Perumal Murugan's twin sequels to One Part Woman messing with what is supposed to be a list of five – whittled down from a longlist of 11 by a jury chaired by environmentalist and filmmaker Pradip Kishen. Besides Murugan (who was on last year's shortlist as well), Manoranjan Byapari's There's Gunpowder In The Air is the other translation to make the cut, alongside two debut novels – Ib's Endless Search For Satisfaction and The Far Field – and Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar's My Father's Garden.
Announcement of winner: November 2
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Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay New India Foundation Book Prize
India's first literary prize exclusively for non-fiction books, the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize comes with a purse of Rs 15 lakh for winners. Set up last year, the prize is awarded to the best "non-fiction book on modern/contemporary India", irrespective of genre—history, biography, memoir, travel, political commentary are all eligible. In its inaugural edition, Milan Vaishnav took home the prize for When Crime Pays, an in-depth study of the co-existence of crime and democratic processes in Indian politics. This year, six books are on the shortlist, ranging from Ornit Shani's How India Became Democratic, a rigorously researched and fascinating history of how universal adult franchise was rolled out across India, to Manoranjan Byapari's searing memoir, Interrogating My Chandal Life: An Autobiography of a Dalit. The two heavyweight titles in the running, however, are anthropologist Alpa Shah's accomplished Nightmarch: Among India's Guerrilla Revolutionaries, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Orwell Prize for Political Writing, and journalist Snigdha Poonam's highly acclaimed Dreamers, which combines reporting and commentary to ask what drives young Indians today.
Announcement of winner: November 9-10
One year short of completing a decade, the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature still holds a fair share of prestige (and a $25,000 prize) even as it's been unseated from its position as the richest literary award in India. The DSC Prize is distinct in its vision, however—awarding fiction about South Asia, irrespective of the nationality of its authors. The 2019 longlist of 15 books, announced in September, features several prominent literary names—Perumal Murugan for A Lonely Harvest, Mirza Waheed for Tell Her Everything and Fatima Bhutto for The Runaways, among others—but the year seems to belong to debut authors – Madhuri Vijay's The Far Field, Akil Kumarasamy's Half Gods and Nadeem Zaman's In The Time of Others are in the running alongside four other first-time novelists. With the shortlist being announced in London in November, and the final winner in Nepal in December, it's a bit of a wait to see which book will join past winners—including Jeet Thayil's Narcopolis, HM Naqvi's Home Boy and last year's No Presents Please by Jayant Kaikini, translated by Tejaswini Niranjana—but the meaty longlist will make for rewarding reading in the meantime.
Shortlist announcement: November 6
Announcement of winner: December 16
See all the longlisted titles HERE
Praise Be! Fans And Bookstores Are Celebrating Release Of Margaret Atwood's The Testaments
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50 More Books To Look Out For In 2019
Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize
Currently in its 12th year, the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize has firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious awards for debut authors in the South Asian subcontinent. The prize, which comes with a purse of Rs 2 lakh, counts Sujatha Gidla's Ants Among Elephants, Bilan Tanweer's The Scatter Is Too Great Here and Rohini Mohan's The Seasons of Trouble among past winners. This year, the shortlist of five titles comprises two books of non-fiction and three novels, including late Bangaldeshi author Numair Choudhury's Babu Bangladesh! and Roshan Ali's Ib's Endless Search For Satisfaction, which also found a spot on the JCB Prize shortlist. Tony Joseph's much-talked about book, Early Indians, on the ancestry of Indians, sits alongside journalist Priyanka Dubey's work of reportage on violence against women in India as the two non-fiction titles.
Announcement of winner: November
Although they're a US-based set of literary prizes, celebrating the "best writing in America", the National Book Awards deserve attention, particularly this year, because of their daring and exciting choices of nominations—and a wide array of reading lists in the process—especially in a year that the Booker Prize longlist pretty much paid no attention to American writers. Awarded in five categories—fiction, non-fiction, translated literature, poetry, and 'young people's literature'—this year's nominees include heavyweight names like past winner Colson Whitehead for The Nickel Boys and Booker winner Marlon James for Black Leopard, Red Wolf but a number of accomplished debut authors also find pride of place, including Ocean Voung for On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous.
Shortlist announcement: October 8
Announcement of winners: November 20
Harsimran Gill .
MORE: books Margaret Atwood Salman Rushdie reading list reading Fatima Bhutto literary
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Looking after your mental health while moving
Moving is often described as one of the most stressful times in a person's life. Recently I moved out of my parents' house into a flat 50 miles away, starting a new job and living with a new housemate. There was a lot going on and looking after my mental health was really important.
The first thing I had to do was say goodbye. I had my own dog-grooming business, and while in most jobs you'd just say goodbye to your colleagues on your last day, I had to say goodbye to every customer separately. All the goodbyes got really hard; some owners I knew really well, other times it was the dogs that I loved and didn't want to leave, and after a week or so I found myself getting overwhelmed. I found it really helpful to speak to someone about how I was feeling, and for them to validate that while moving out was exciting, I was still allowed to be sad about saying goodbye. I was also told that I could write down how I was feeling if it helped, or even send emails over not to be read, much like writing a letter you never send. I didn't have to do this as the chat was enough to help me work through it, but I think it would have been really helpful if I'd needed it.
I found it really helpful to speak to someone about how I was feeling, and for them to validate that while moving out was exciting, I was still allowed to be sad about saying goodbye.
Once I'd closed my business, it was time to pack. I don't think you ever realise just how much stuff you have until you have to pack it all into boxes! This was another thing that quite quickly became overwhelming. Thankfully my sister and my parents were able to help out so I didn't have to face it alone. There was so much to be done and it wasn't finished until after 11pm on the night before I left, but we got there! If I have one big tip from this experience it would be to start earlier. I also made a list of every room and the sections that needed doing in rooms with a lot of things (like my bedroom), and then made a list of which day I would do which room. This helped to keep me focused, and knowing I had the list helped me with worries that I would forget something big.
Then it was moving day! The night before I'd actually been doubting my decision, wishing I didn't have to go because it all felt like too much. As soon as I walked into the new flat though I knew what I'd done was right. Boxes upon boxes were piled into the living room (thankfully my new housemate was very understanding!), and I started unpacking. My parents tried to help, but I found it easier to put things away myself, as then they were the way I liked them. They were very helpful when it came to the contract though, helping me to understand what I was signing, and questioning anything that didn't completely make sense to us. If you're also moving out for the first time I'd suggest you get someone to help you with that if you feel you need it, as I know I would have struggled on my own.
The night before I'd actually been doubting my decision, wishing I didn't have to go because it all felt like too much. As soon as I walked into the new flat though I knew what I'd done was right.
Once my parents had left, the major job of unpacking continued. I spoke to the same person I'd spoken to about the goodbyes who told me to be gentle with myself, which I really needed to hear. I'd been putting pressure on myself to be fully unpacked the next day, but after the call I took my time and, although it took five days in total, I'm now really happy with my room. They also reminded me of things to do now that I'd moved (such as changing my address on important records) which was really helpful to be reminded of. It was just helpful to have someone to talk to as well, as it helped me realise I wasn't all alone now that I'd moved out of home.
My last piece of advice is to just be prepared for anything to be thrown at you. I wasn't prepared for how hard the goodbyes would be, I wasn't prepared for how long packing would take, and I wasn't prepared for how long it would take me and my dog to settle in. I think going in with a mindset of "this will probably be quite hard but we'll get through it" is really helpful in a situation like this, and is good to remind yourself of if it all becomes a little too much. I have definitely found that, now I've moved and things have settled down, I couldn't be happier with my new flat. I hope that if you're moving soon then you'll feel the same way.
I think going in with a mindset of "this will probably be quite hard but we'll get through it" is really helpful in a situation like this, and is good to remind yourself of if it all becomes a little too much.
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The perils of mixing music and politics in Nigeria
Musicians play a prominent role in Nigeria's dynamic political landscape, especially since the country became a democracy. Politics and music have always enjoyed a symbiotic relationship, even during austere military regimes. For example, in 1995, the late dictator, General Sani Abacha (1993-1998) commissioned highlife maestro, King Oliver de Coque to record an album titled Democracy. The project was designed to launder his image, and position him as an aspiring democratic president.
Popular musicians endorsing politicians and their parties are common in Nigeria during elections. One particular episode stands for its post-electoral significance. Local pop star D'banj got into bed with a former president, Goodluck Jonathan, who ruled Nigeria from 2010 to 2015. Jonathan took power in 2010 after the death of the incumbent, and went on to win a presidential election held in 2011.
During his campaign, Jonathan ducked multiple debates, choosing instead to organise a special live interview. D'banj was contracted as the celebrity interviewer to help cast Jonathan in good light. The singer only asked three prearranged questions, curated to improve the president's chances at the polls.
That performance negatively affected D'banj's reputation. The interview offended Nigerians and, before long, calls to boycott D'banj's music gathered steam. The controversy affected D'banj, who needed an inventive damage control strategy to bring the public around.
He succeeded. All was forgiven a year later, when D'banj released the smash hit Oliver Twist. The party record completely turned around the singer's fortunes and pulled him back into public favour. Barely six months after the elections which Jonathan won, all was well with D'banj's world.
In my paper, I unpack these events. I highlight the nexus between music and politics in Nigeria, exploring how corruptible art is, and the fickle nature of public opinion.
From D'banj to Oliver Twist
D'banj dropped his debut album No Long Thing in 2005. Two years later, he won Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards and also became MTV Africa's Artiste of the Year in 2008 and 2009. Now with five recorded pop albums, 2010 marked his entrance into and his first involvement in the political space.
Soaring high with a growing loyal fanbase across Africa, he was prime choice for politicians looking to sway public opinion. D'banj was signed on to President Jonathan's reelection efforts, starred in a promo jingle, and conducted the interview.
During the fallout from his political involvement, he recorded the single Oliver Twist, to manage the damage.
In Oliver Twist, D'banj deploys the cultural symbolism of namedropping to connect with fans. Each of the twelve names mentioned in the song lyrics belong to black luminaries. Beyonce, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna are American cultural icons, while Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Genevieve Nnaji and Nadia Buari are African actresses. Others include Don Jazzy, 2face Idibia, Fally Ipupa, Trey Songz and JAY-Z.
D'banj also launched an Oliver Twist dance video competition on his website to gauge the public mood towards him. The competition was an overwhelming success and the song crossed over into the United Kingdom and became a global hit.
A people obsessed with the foreign
Among other things, the recent #EndSARS protests has shown that Nigerian leaders and celebrities are obsessed with international media. After all, the average Nigerian loves to seek validation from the 'international community'.
The reception of Oliver Twist in 2011 and 2012 also drew from this foreign fascination. The Nigerian audiences' obsession with the dance competition getting global recognition, made them forget all that had transpired in the buildup to the elections. To the public, all that mattered was uploading dance videos for international audiences.
In the official music video, D'banj featured a cast of American and British acts, including Kanye West and Bricka Bricka. On the surface, it appeared the singer had scored a masterstroke in public manipulation. But all he had done was take advantage of Nigeria's fascination with Western validation.
Author: Garhe Osiebe – Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Rhodes University
Published at Mon, 23 Nov 2020 18:41:35 +0000
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