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McBean_Music
mcbeanmusic@gmail.com
Sea of Moyle
All things are quite silent
York Songs
Repair ID
Water's Edge
Beningbrough Hall
Collect for th...
Fantasy Soundtrack
James McBean is a Composer and Multi-Instrumentalist based in the UK.
Over the last decade James has worked with Music and Film professionals establishing a seasoned portfolio. His portfolio includes a range of material from classical works to soundtracks for film and video games.
Among his influences are strong ties to literature and the natural world.
His work is characterised by arching melodies transporting the listener into another world of sonic delights .
Scroll down to listen
Sea of Moyle:
Across the Sea, Eider Down
The Sea of Moyle was commissioned as part of the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival by the joint efforts of the Ballycastle Writers Group and the Fairhead Photographic Club. This piece was written to complement an exhibition of poetry and photographic artwork to be exhibited at the 2018 Rathin Sound Maritime Festival. These works were inspired by the landscape and folklore of the Rathlin Sound and the Sea of Moyle.
Growing up on the north coast of Northern Ireland, I was a frequent visitor to Rathlin Island. I found myself captivated by the landscape of the North Antrim Coast. It, its folklore and its musical traditions have profoundly shaped my creative output. So, it was a great privilege to be asked to compose a set of folk tunes to accompany an exhibition that celebrates the area that I know and love.
Kebble Lough, Rathlin; Photo by Sue McBean
The track features sounds that I recorded in the area back in the spring of 2017. These sounds include the lapping of waves off a sailing boat in the Rathlin Sound and the sounds of sea birds recorded at Ballintoy Harbour. Whilst recording the sound of the waves on the boat, the Belfast Coast Guard came over the radio with a weather update. I left this in as I felt it ties these ambient sounds directly to the area. As well as the sounds of gulls, the bird song recorded at Ballintoy Harbour also includes the cooing of the Eider Ducks, and a rather tuneful Robin.
Below are three of the photos from the exhibition, these reflect some of my inspirations for the piece. Evita Browne Photography's Eider Down girl at Fairhead; Sue McBean's Moonlit Fairy Thorn; and Andrew Cameron Mitchell's Falcog Mhor Drontheim in Church Bay.
Eider Down girl at Fairhead
© Evita Browne Photography
Moonlit Fairy Thorn
© Sue McBean
Falcog Mhor Drontheim in Church Bay
© Andrew Cameron-Mitchell
Geraldine Fitzgerald's poem Fionnghuala, one of the poems exhibited at the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, was inspired by Evita Browne's Eider Down girl at Fairhead.
The set Sea of Moyle, is made up of two tunes: Across the Sea and Eider Down. Across the Sea is a slow air and was initially conceived as a call across the waves as a musical representation of the connection of the two communities celebrated in the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival that are separated by the Rathlin Sound. Eider Down, the second tune in the set, is a Jig and is named in reference to the Eider Duck and as a play on words with the highly sought-after down from the female duck during the nesting period to make quilts and duvets. The Eider Duck is a coastal bird resident in the northern coasts of Europe and Greenland. The bird is classified on the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable and from 2000 until 2027 it is estimated that their population will have decreased by 30-49%. Still a popular sight in Northern Ireland, the bird can often be seen along the shoreline. It has an extremely distinctive cooing sound.
I wanted the piece to emerge from its surroundings so, setting the scene for the whole set, the field recordings and the tin whistle here invite the listener in to the magical landscape. These field recordings reoccur at various landmarks throughout the piece, anchoring the listener to the coast. With a strong tradition of sailing, I wanted the percussive sounds to sound like the wind dropping in and out of the sails.
Special thanks to the Ballycastle Community Development Group and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. Additional thanks to Rathlin Development and Community Association.
All things are quite silent, each mortal at rest,
When me and my true love lay snug in one nest,
When a bold set of ruffians broke into our cave,
And they forced my dear jewel to plough the salt wave.
I begged hard for my darling as I would for my life.
But they'd not listen to me although a fond wife,
Saying: The king must have sailors, to the seas he must go,
And they left me lamenting in sorrow and woe.
Through green fields and meadows we of times have walked,
And the fond recollections together have talked,
Where the lark and the blackbird so sweetly did sing,
And the lovely thrushes' voices made the valleys to ring.
Now although I'm forsaken, I won't be cast down.
Who knows but my true love some day may return
And will make me amends for my trouble and strife,
And me and my true love might live happy for life.
English Folk Songs; Vaughan Williams
'All things are quite silent' is a composition based on the folk song by the same name. I first came across this folk song in Ralph Vaughan Williams and A .L. Lloyd's collection of English Folk Songs. This personal, heart wrenching song comes from a time of impressment in Britain, dating this song to sometime before 1835. Impressment was a kind of forced conscription enforced
by press-gangs. From the late 17th Century through to 1835, when impressment had all but faded out (English Folk Songs, Williams, R), hundreds of thousands of eligible men where called upon to man the warships of Britain. This song is part of a wider wealth of personal stories and fiction that help paint 'images of press gangs dragging husbands from weddings and people who have no experience of the sea' (The Myth of the Press Gang, Dancy, J).
Transforming the song's original context and applying a rather more 21st Century filter to it, I decided to frame the piece in a post apocalyptic world. To aid this process I set the lyrics to one side, using them purely as a frame of reference and source material. I was able to leave the original tune unadulterated as the ambiguity of the Dorian mode lends itself really well to the disquieting atmosphere that I was creating. However, in fragmenting the original melody, I was able to create a new context for each part of the tune and thus able to weave my own narrative into the song. Throughout the composition process I held in my mind the following, slightly adjusted, narrative:
Someone trapped in a bunker waiting for a response from their lover who has gone out into the post-apocalyptic world that surrounds them. The cavernous reverberation of the otherwise empty bunker amplifies every clunk of metal and whirring of the ventilation system, reminding them of their partner's absence. With each radio crackle hope blooms that they are out there reaching back. It is only through holding on to the idea that they will come back that they can go on.
This piece uses samples and recordings of instruments from my own collection, including: Piano, Guitar, Mandolin, Crotales and Glockenspiel. As well as these I was able to borrow a Motorola CP040 radio for the hisses and beeps.
Composed during my time in York, UK, these piano pieces are inspired by various places around the city and surrounding countryside.
I originally started writing this as a setting of Ave Maria
Repair ID - 193850
In October 2017 I suffered from some technological difficulties with my computer regularly crashing. As a result my computer was in various states of repair for the whole month.
For a long time my computer has been an essential part of my compositional process. Being without it meant I was confronted with the extent of my dependence on it and my initial sense that I would not be able to compose without it. This was compounded by a frustrating repair process, during which I felt that the specific issues that were affecting my machine were not being identified or dealt with.
Repair ID is a musical ramble exploring my own sense, or indeed lack, of creative purpose and the rather clinical way in which the repair company was dealing with my computer.
All of the musical material stems from my repair identification number (193850). This is first as a horizontal tone-row of the corresponding pitches that, over time, is transformed into a vertical rearrangement of the figure. Eventually, with the return of the original tone row, these two approaches are combined forming the climax of the piece.
Having got my computer back, I am pleased to share this slightly different approach to compositional creation. The single is available to purchase and the sheet music is available as a free download. Despite my initial frustration I am pleased to say that I found the experience refreshing, that it sometimes takes an external push to force some introspection and change of your creative processes.
Repair ID – 193850 was composed and recorded by James McBean in October 2017.
Day's fondest moments are at dawn,
Refreshed by his long sleep, the Light
Kisses the languid lips of Night
Ere she can rise and hasten on.
All glowing from his dreamless rest
He holds her closely to his breast,
And sees her dusky eyes grow dim,
'Till, lo ! she dies for love of him.
—ELLA WHEELER
Water's Edge opens with the sound of water droplets in a limestone cave. As piece continues you are taken along a journey following the rivers course as it gently carries you towards the sea.
James composed this piece in the Spring of 2017, having been inspired by a walk along the forested banks of the River Nidd near Knaresborough in North Yorkshire.
Volunteering at Beningbrough Hall
Composed for the National Trust at Beningbrough Hall in North Yorkshire for their volunteer recruitment for 2017.
Collect for the Royal Dragoon Guards
Our God, Our Defence was commissioned by All Saints Church, York in 2015 for the dedication of a New Stained glass Window installed in the Church. This is a setting of the regimental Collect for the Royal Dragoon Guards based in York.
O God, Our defence, Our Castle and our Shield. Whose blessed Son has taught us that no man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for thy kingdom:
Grant, we beseech thee, that we, thy servants of the Royal Dragoon Guards, may never be severed from thy grace; and united under thy standard may choose to follow him who hath the words of eternal life, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In 2014 I was asked to compose music for an animated short. It was a fantasy adventure film that unfortunately never got finished however, at the time, they needed the score on short notice. Based on the brief, concept art and a finished storyboard this is what I came up with at the time.
The story dealt with friendship and loss structured around a central quest.
Composed in January 2013, for a short film about depression.


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Il termine Wider può riferirsi a:

Persone
Albert Wider – pittore e scultore tedesco (1910-1985)
Fritz Wider – politico tedesco (1877-1965)
Jedd Wider – produttore cinematografico statunitense
Karl Friedrich Wider – sacerdote, aracnologo e collezionista tedesco
Theresia Wider – attrice tedesca (1937-2012)
Wilhelm Wider – pittore tedesco (1818-1884)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Seph, finished version for Psyche =D. Seph belongs to her. And on another note, I have lost all my email messages from the past two months. If you emailed me and i haven't yet responded, that means your email was probably lost. If you want me to reply, then please resend. ^^'' Thanks and sorry for the inconvience.
Shear, finished version for Psyche =D. Shear belongs to her.
Forest, Pheanyx and Reagan Forrester (ya I know ;P) belong to Adelle Crowe.
It's a Steve! Steve belongs to Steve.
My rendition of Synnabar ^_^. Synn belongs to Stephanie Hahn.
Kitty fight! Teknikats are copyright © 2001 Sarah Bosma.
Lighting experiment. Wolf Hunter belongs to Jessica Ratte.
Indian Chief wolf...christmas present for my Gramma.


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Home > Mumbai > Mumbai News > Article > Mumbai Crime Man beats 86 year old colleague to death held
Mumbai Crime: Man beats 86-year-old colleague to death, held
Updated on: 04 October,2022 07:53 PM IST | Mumbai
The incident took place in the early hours of the day at JC Builder compound, where the duo were consuming alcohol, an official from Powai police station said
A 86-year-old security guard was allegedly beaten to death by his colleague in an inebriated state in Powai area of Mumbai on Tuesday, police said.
The incident took place in the early hours of the day at JC Builder compound, where the duo were consuming alcohol, an official from Powai police station said.
Hari Shripat Dengle (56) allegedly hit his colleague Limbaji Kamble multiple times with a stick and killed him on the spot, he said.
Also read: Mumbai Crime: 'Fake CBI officers' held for cheating businessman
When Dengle reached home, his son noticed bloodstains on his clothes. The accused then took him to the crime scene, where he saw Kamble lying dead, the official said.
The accused's family members called the police control room and informed them about the incident, he said.
Dengle was arrested under section 302 (murder) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the official added.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
powai mumbai news mumbai
Next Story : Mumbai Police plans heavy security deployment ahead of Uddhav-Shinde camp Dussehra rallies

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


 Nestled in the quietness of a centuries-old private park, Grand Hotel Palazzo della Fonte is an enchanted country manor, stunningly unique in both style and ambience, that celebrates the leisurely pace of the countryside and the healing properties of Fiuggi's natural thermal springs.
With that in mind, the focus here is very much on rest, relaxation and healthy eating. Horseback rides, long walks, cooking classes and vineyard tours are all available in the surrounding area, and at the hotel itself you'll enjoy top quality food and wine, indulgent spa experiences, and a rich history of quirky details.


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Vendelín Erős, též Vendel Erős (* 28. listopadu 1947), byl československý politik Komunistické strany Slovenska ze Slovenska maďarské národnosti a poslanec Sněmovny národů Federálního shromáždění za normalizace.

Biografie
K roku 1971 a 1976 se profesně uvádí jako opravář zemědělských strojů.

Ve volbách roku 1971 zasedl do slovenské části Sněmovny národů (volební obvod č. 88 - Komárno, Západoslovenský kraj). Mandát obhájil ve volbách roku 1976 (obvod Komárno) a volbách roku 1981 (obvod Komárno). Ve FS setrval do konce funkčního období, tedy do voleb roku 1986.

Odkazy

Reference

Externí odkazy
  Vendelín Erős v parlamentu

Narození v roce 1947
Českoslovenští politici maďarské národnosti
Poslanci československého Federálního shromáždění
Členové KSČ
Muži


The BBC Technology Operations department provided a wide range of production resources to BBC staff around the UK, including cameras, audio equipment and editing facilities. It was formed to rationalise duplicated services around the BBC and bring them under one centralised resource.
I introduced a user-driven access interface using an interactive map for geographic services and a wayfinding interaction to direct users to departmental-specific services (e.g. News journalists or Radio production).
Having previously worked for BBC Radio Resources, I was familiar with many the departments involved in this project.


text:
Q: localStorage returns undefined when page is reloaded I'm saving the array in localStorage but when I try to retrieve the data from it return undefined. Then I call upon the retreiveData function to display the data.
let LIST, id;

if (localStorage.getItem('todo')) {
    LIST = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('todo'));
    id = LIST.length;
    retreiveData(LIST);
} else {
    LIST = [];
    id = 0;
}

function retreiveData(arr) {
    arr.forEach(el => {
        addToDo(el.toDo, el.id, el.done, el.trash);
    });
}

function addToDo(toDo, id, done, trash) {

    if (trash) { return; }

    const DONE = done ? check : unCheck;

    const newHTML = `

                ${toDo}

 `;

    list.insertAdjacentHTML('beforeend', newHTML);
}

document.getElementById('listBtn').addEventListener('click', event => {
    event.preventDefault();

    const toDo = input.value;

    if (toDo) {
        addToDo(toDo, id, false, false);
        LIST.push({
            name: toDo,
            id: id,
            done: false,
            trash: false

        });
    }
    localStorage.setItem('todo', JSON.stringify(LIST));

    input.value = '';
    id++;

});

function markAsDone(element) {

    element.classList.toggle(check);
    element.classList.toggle(unCheck);

    LIST[element.id].done = LIST[element.id].done ? false : true;
}

function deleteToDo(element) {
    element.parentNode.parentNode.removeChild(element.parentNode)

    LIST[element.id].trash = true;

}

list.addEventListener('click', event => {

    const element = event.target;
    const elementID = element.id;

    if (element.dataset.task == 'delete') {
        deleteToDo(element);
    } else if (element.dataset.task == 'complete') {
        markAsDone(element);
    }
    localStorage.setItem('todo', JSON.stringify(LIST));

});

A: Might it be that the retrieveData() function is undefined and not localStorage.todos?
Try something like this:
let list = [ { "name": "Do shopping ", "id": 0, "done": false, "trash": false }, { "name": "work on project", "id": 1, "done": false, "trash": false } ];

localStorage.todo = JSON.stringify(list);

let theData;
if (localStorage.todo) {
    theData = JSON.parse(localStorage.todo)
    console.log(theData);
} else {
    console.log('No todos');
}

OR

It might be that you're trying to use localStorage on your local machine. For security reasons it won't work. What you might need to do is run it on a local server. You can do it by following these steps.
If you have PHP installed on your computer:

*

*Open up your terminal/cmd

*Navigate into the folder where your website files are

*While in this folder, run the command php -S localhost:3000 ← Notice the capital 'S'

*Open up your browser and in the URL bar go to localhost:3000. Your website should be running there.

or
If you have Node.js installed on your computer:

*

*Open up your terminal/cmd

*Navigate into the folder where your website files are

*While in this folder, run the command npm init -y

*Run npm install live-server -g or sudo npm install live-server -g on a mac

*Run live-server and it should automatically open up a new tab in the browser with your website open.

or
You can use XAMPP
NOTE: remember to have an index.html file in the root of your folder or else you might have some issues.

OR

It could be the browser settings.
In Chrome, when you go to settings > site settings > cookies and site data, there is an option that says Allow sites to save and read cookie data (recommended). If that is turned off then you won't be able to use localStorage either.

OR

If none of the above fixes it, then you might want to wrap the function that saves to localStorage in a try-catch block and see if an error gets returned and take it from there:

let list = [ { "name": "Do shopping ", "id": 0, "done": false, "trash": false }, { "name": "work on project", "id": 1, "done": false, "trash": false } ];

try {
  localStorage.todo = JSON.stringify(list);
} catch(error) {
  alert(error)
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


As part of your health care team, we strive to stay on the cutting edge of clinical therapy. Our years of experience allow us to sort through the large volume of information to determine what approaches are in the best interest of the patient.
We sponsor a variety of continuing education courses throughout the year so we can expand our knowledge together.
Our practice is registered with the state of Illinois as certified continuing education provider.
April 13, 2018 "Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Dentistry: Periodontal-Restorative Collaboration"


Classroom Freebies Too: Is Work and Life Balance for Teachers Possible?
Is Work and Life Balance for Teachers Possible?
Do you have work and life balance? Do you know what the secret to it is? I don't know all the answers, but I can tell you that everyone struggles with this and perhaps there really isn't such a thing as work/life balance anyway. Furthermore - maybe we should stop striving for something that actually might make us LESS effective.
If you think about work/life balance as something that you are trying to multitask, it suddenly makes sense that by trying to do EVERYTHING at once (work, maintain a household, run our kids everywhere, have hobbies, stay connected to friends and family members, and on and on), you are actually less effective at each of those things, just like you would be if you were trying to read a book, watch TV, surf work ideas on Pinterest, and cook dinner at the same time. I am not sure any of those items would be done well - and probably result in the smoke alarm going off at some point too.
I believe doing more of less.
Not only will this save your sanity, but it will result in you getting far more focused time on the activity you are currently paying attention to and allow for above average results. Effectiveness at its finest.
So, what are some tools that can help you to do more of less?
Make a weekly fridge board. Have 2 lists that anyone in the family can add to and cross off as items are completed: Need to Do and Want to Do. Need to dos are obvious. Cleaning out a room that hasn't been organized and is long overdue. Changing a light bulb. Washing the dog. Things that aren't part of your normal weekly routine.
Want to dos are a list of items that the family wants to do or experience. This might include a cake tasting night at home. Family game night. A date night for you and your significant other.
For every 3 items on the Need list that get marked off, the family gets to vote on a Want to item (or take turns picking it). This really helps to get everyone in the family involved so you don't feel like you have to do it all.
How can you adapt this for your classroom? Exactly the same way. Need to get the classroom library organized or pass out last week's homework? Students will help in order to secure a popcorn snack silent reading block as a reward.
Want a list of 10 classroom "Want Do" ideas that cost little to no money, plus 2 premade templates?
Most likely you have heard of Parkinson's Law that essentially means if you have 5 things or 3 things to do in the next 8 hours or you will be fired, you would spend the entire 8 hours to complete the list, no matter whether you had 3 or 5 items to complete. We fill up the time allotment regardless.
If you know you have to complete extra grading or lesson planning at home, set a timer for 45 minutes. Whatever you get done is what gets done in that 45 minutes. If you don't get it finished, you don't continue to work.
Having a set time to start and finish helps procrastination and dawdling (I know you are surfing Facebook while "reading those essays").
Whenever you can do something simultaneously - and not jeopardize your effectiveness at all, jump on that idea fast! A great example is using a crockpot to cook dinner while you are at work - or working outside in the yard. It does the heavy lifting while you can pull your focused attention elsewhere.
Don't you hate it when you lose time during trnasitions at school? It always drives me bonkers if you are switching with another classroom and you have to pack everything up, get in line, get quieted down, walk to the next room, wait quietly again until that teacher is ready, switch groups, get the next group back to your room, get settled in seats with supplies ready, and only then are you able to start focusing on work. It really makes me crazy to lose all that amazing instructional time.
Believe it not, there are many, many things you can save transition time on at home and at school too. When you are grading or doing the laundry - make sure you do it all at once. Otherwise, each time you start and stop you have to remember where you left off, make sure you have collected all the relevant supplies again, and get your mind back in the game. Even if we are talking about minutes or seconds - those time fragments can add up very quickly.
Batch your tasks so you are getting larger chunks of those actvities done at the same time.
How do you pick what items MUST go on your list? Pick items that get you closer to a current goal first.
Good example: I want to get my classroom (or home) organized so my 3 activities are emptying out the 3 drawers near the sink and repacking them into organized groups, make a list of the read alouds you keep in your secret teacher spot that students don't have access to, and purging any old papers from your desk.
Bad example: I want to get my classroom (or home) organized so my 3 activities are grading, lesson planning, and reorganizing the entire supply cabinet by pulling everything out and completely obliterating the currently picked up classroom.
Start with 3 items and if you are finding that you are able to get those 3 completed with a reasonable amount of time left over, then up the list to 4, but never go over 5. You want to feel challenged, but still accomplished at the end of the day knowing that your efforts were helping you to get to an endpoint of some sort.
Work/Life Balance is not impossible if you start looking at it a different way. Instead of trying to spin many plates in the air at one time, start thinking about spinning just one plate in the air, and then switching it up when the time for the next focus is upon you.
What are some of your best time-saving tips for teachers? I would love to hear your ideas in the comments at the blog too!


This listing is courtesy of Catie Vanvalkenburg from Re/Max Central Inc.
End unit coachhouse ranch! This unit is right next to the clubhouse and pool! If you like to entertain but need to downsize this is the place for you! You can rent the clubhouse and have guests in both places. Plenty of space in the clubhouse, pool deck and retention area for all your family and friends! Two bedrooms, one full bath, washer and dryer and a one-car garage with loads of storage in the attic and on the shelves. Master bedroom has huge walk-in closet and connects to the shared master bath. Fresh paint throughout. Don't miss this one!


text:
takahē magazine
Bringing literature and art from Aotearoa New Zealand to the world.
t. 97, Lawrence Winkler, The Bolthole
April 17, 2019 Michelle Elvy
The Bolthole, a novel of New Zealand
by Lawrence Winkler
Victoria, BC: Choice Books (2017)
RRP: $25.99. Pb, 282pp
Reviewed by Peter Brigg
This book hovers in a very strange and intricate space. It is at once a sort of novel but is also New Zealand history of a sort and archaeology and it is a book about place. It also has a 'target' issue as it is written by a Canadian who spends a good part of his life in New Zealand's Coromandel Peninsula. Rarely have I read a book with so many local words – many of which have meaning to New Zealanders but would puzzle outsiders. Forty-seven pages of research notes at the end are a tribute to the author's fascination with his adopted hideaway but readers don't go to such notes.
The governing ideas of the book are intricately interleaved. It is built around a place, the bolthole or hiding place, beside running water in the deep and beautiful bush. Three ages of man experience it. Tama, a young tribal chief circa 1769, flees to it in a storm of tribal combat. Billy, a gold miner in the 1890's, comes to it and struggles with his claim, and Dr Sababa, a Canadian physician married to a Kiwi, comes to the place he loves to die of prostate cancer in 2016. The chapters are each split in three as the men move through the arcs of their lives.
The problems with the book are problems of control. Because a helicopter will appear (as part of a vividly angry section on the urban NZ invasion of nature) Winkler feeds us two pages of description of its physical interior. He cannot resist including waves of old popular poetry from the gold rush days nor can he hold back tsunamis of anecdotes from the era, many of which are just stuffed in. And the author keeps changing tone from fictional events and narrative to digressions which explain things about New Zealand culture and history. The prose is uneven, with occasional bits of powerful lyricism and other bits of slow ploughing.
At Tama's death a priest intones 'Man passes away, but the land endures forever.' This book is a paean to a treasured place, and it is at once rich and alive and yet conflicted by the effort to convey a deep affection while rambling through history and anecdote.
Peter Brigg was a Professor in the School of English and Drama at the University of Guelph. He also taught in Shanghai and at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. He has researched New Zealand distopic writing. He loves New Zealand almost as much as Dr. Winkler does.
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Location: Located at the foot of the formal driveway to Plâs Dinam, immediately within the gate on the left (E) side.
The history of the Lodge is also that of the mansion, which was built in 1873-4 by W.E.Nesfield for Captain O.M. Crewe-Read.
Snecked rubble, with small slate-hanging to the upper floor, and timber framing jettied over the entrance. Arcaded ridge tiles. The building is of 1p storeys, 'L'-plan, the entrance raised above the driveway consisting of a stone quoined open porch. The upper floor of the porch is timber framed, and jettied, and the roof carried well in front of the bressumer. Paned timber casement windows with limestone lintels. Large ribbed brick axial stack.
Not accessible at time of inspection.
Included as a characteristic work by Nesfield, a leader in the Domestic Revival style of the third quarter of the C19, and respecting, by the use of local materials, slate hanging and timber framing, the local vernacular.
It is an excellently composed small scale building, of group value with the entrance gates and walls, and an important element in the total ensemble of Plâs Dinam.
Located at the foot of the main driveway leading off the main Caersws to Llandinam road, approximately 1km N of the village centre.
Located in the road verge immediately opposite the driveway and lodge to Plâs Dinam, approximately 1km N of the village centre.
Plâs Dinam stands on an elevated plateau above the valley of the Severn, approximately 1Km N of the village centre. It is approached from a formal driveway from the A.470 Caersws to Llanidloes road.
Located in the Severn valley, approximately 1Km N of the village, and accessed by a farm road off the A.470.
Situated at the roadside, set back from the eastern end of Llandinam Bridge.
Set at right angles to the main A.470 on the northern edge of Llandinam village, and carrying the by-road west over the River Severn.
The cottage is located beneath the S side of the churchyard, within a terrace of cottages.


19 June 2017, Hamburg: The Civil20 (C20) Summit concluded here today with over 300 civil society groups from around the world urging the world's largest and richest countries of the G20 to commit to firm and immediate action on global challenges like climate change, inequality and regulation of financial markets.
This comes just three weeks ahead of the G20 Summit on 7-8 July when Heads of State will be hosted by the German Presidency.
The two-day C20 meeting, under the theme "The World We Want", produced a Statement to advise governments on priority issues that require their joint attention.
On climate change, the Statement reiterated that the global civil society rejects the recent decision of the United States government to withdraw from the historic Paris Agreement, a move that has drawn widespread condemnation from outside and within the US. It calls on the remaining 19 countries to reaffirm and strengthen their commitment to the Paris goals by taking steps to implement it wholeheartedly.
They must do this by submitting ambitious long term climate strategies, phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, setting effective and fair carbon price signals, shifting the finance flows to promote transformation and resilience and sticking to the promises to ramp up climate financing.
"Climate change has been at the top of the agenda across the Civil 20 Summit here in Hamburg over the last two days, where civil society groups have made it absolutely clear that they expect an ambitious outcome from this year's G20 Leaders' Summit. The case for acting on climate change is incontestable for the future of our planet and people, but also to make the most of the opportunities of transitioning to a sustainable future that include creating jobs, making economies more resilient and promoting security," said Wael Hmaidan, International Director, Climate Action Network.
Last week, the engagement groups of the G20, representing civil society, think tanks, foundations, women, labour and business also put out a joint statement asking countries to stand by their climate commitments despite the US withdrawal and step up ambition in the years to come.


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Аль Нахайян () — династия шейхов (c 1761 года) и эмиров Абу-Даби (с 1971 года по настоящее время), а также де-факто наследственных президентов Объединённых Арабских Эмиратов (с 1971 года по настоящее время).

Происхождение и история династии
Род Аль Нахайян происходит из арабского клана аль-Абу-Фалах (аль-Фалахи), входящего в племенную федерацию Бени Йас, доминирующую на территории Объединённых Арабских Эмиратов с XVIII века. Клан аль-Абу-Фалах во главе с шейхом Зийабом I ибн Исой Аль Нахайяном переселился в район будущего города Абу-Даби в 1761 году. Вскоре шейхи Абу-Даби установили дружеские отношения с султанами Маската и мирные взаимоотношения с англичанами.

Аль Нахайян в первой половине XIX века
Первая половина XIX века прошла для рода Ааль Нахайян в постоянных внутренних и внешних потрясениях — в династических распрях, переворотах и войнах с внешними врагами. Уже в первые 14 лет нового века (1800—1814) шейху Шахбуту ибн Зийабу Аль Нахайяну пришлось отражать несколько агрессий недждских ваххабитов. В 1833 году произошёл государственный переворот, в результате которого шейх Тахнун I ибн Шахбут был убит своим братом Султаном и шейхом стал их брат Халифа I ибн Шахбут, которому пришлось вести войну за оазис Бурайми. Ему наследовал Саид ибн Тахнун (1845—1855), сын Тахнуна I, который продолжал войны с кочевниками-соседями и недждскими ваххабитами, пока не был свергнут сыном Халифы I Заидом.

Правление шейха Заида I
При шейхе Заиде ибн Халифе (1855—1909) династия Аль Нахайян достигла невиданного ранее могущества.

Генеалогическое древо династии

Источники
 Рыжов К. В. Все монархи мира. Мусульманский Восток. XV—XX вв. — : Вече, 2004. — 544 с.


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The president of the Colorado Motor Carriers Association is encouraging those looking to support the relief efforts underway in flood-ravaged Colorado to contribute funds to the American Red Cross.
As of Monday, the Red Cross was operating nine shelters in and around flood-ravaged communities in Colorado. At least eight people have died and hundreds more are still awaiting helicopter rescues from remote communities that have been cut off by surging waters.
Flood conditions are being reported across 17 counties statewide. An estimated 11,750 people have been evacuated and 1,500 homes have been destroyed, according to the state's emergency management office.
Fulton also said drivers traveling through Colorado should consult the website www.COTrip.org for the latest information on state and federal roadway closings. The website is operated by the Colorado Department of Transportation.


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Q: Prevent upvotes for duplicates, or carry upvotes to master question Questions that are duplicates and triplicates are still asked, even though the automatic "Related Questions" list that appears must be showing them!
These re-asked questions still get upvotes even after a question has been closed as a duplicate. To further discourage the questions, perhaps prevent upvotes to them after they've been closed? Or transfer the upvotes to the master (canonical or original)?
Also, this might help meta question Please charge rep for questions after threshold.

A: We are unlikely to do this, because voting is an important axis of expressing disagreement with a closure.

A: Like Atwood said, voting is the primary method that people without much moderator power on the site can point out whether they agree or disagree with a particular action taken by higher ranked editors. Often times you'll see a question closed for a reason (even duplicate) and you'll have a lot of people upvote the question as an expression that they don't believe it is really a duplicate and that they want the question reopened.
Whether this makes them correct or not is irrelevant. I agree with Atwood on this on the idea of it being an unlikely feature.

A: I disagree.  Sometimes a well-asked question is closed as a duplicate of a poorly-asked one -- but the poorly-asked one already has answers, so reversing the direction of the duplicate would make things worse.  And transferring a vote on the well-asked duplicate to the poorly-asked original would certainly be the wrong thing to do; a vote should reflect one's judgement of the question being voted on, not some other question that happens to be hanging around.
There are also different ways to ask the same question -- neither is better than the other, but they're different enough that the existing one didn't come up in a search.  Those duplicates are valuable and I sometimes upvote them even knowing that they're duplicates -- especially if my own search took me to the duplicate rather than straight to the original.


The Scottish Fisheries Museum Trust are currently seeking pro-active and enthusiastic part time Visitor Assistants to join their team. The Visitor Assistant role is to ensure, through providing exceptional standards of customer care and an excellent visitor experience, that all visitors are welcomed warmly, encouraged to learn about and engage with the collections and have a safe and enjoyable visit to the Museum sites.
To carry out any other reasonable duties as required by line manager.
To apply please send your CV plus covering letter to [email protected].


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Haringey Literature Live
Thursday 11th September
We proudly host Word for Word Writers Group
Doors open at 7pm for readings 8pm
Karamel restaurant, 4 Coburg Road, London N22 6UJ
Headed by poet Brian Docherty, and also featuring writers Lynda Brennan, Mary Masaba and Jane Wibberley, the Word for Word writers, a Crouch End based group, will entertain us!
Word for Word is a group which meets on Wednesdays at 3pm in Hornsey Library, Crouch End. It is a friendly mixed group of poets, prose writers, novelists, filmmakers, musicians and other creative people who gather to write, and share their work. Word for Word reflects the cosmopolitan nature of Crouch End; this group of men & women whose ages range from 20 to 80 features native Londoners and people from a rich variety of ethnic & cultural backgrounds who have settled in London. Word for Word runs a mixture of peer-led sessions run by group members, and sessions led by professional writers.
Word for Word has a weekly Poetry Group on Tuesdays, and a Saturday writing group at Wood Green Library. They stage quarterly performance evenings featuring members reading their work, live jazz, and floor spots. Most of Word for Word's members live locally. It is an open access group with a membership structure, and has a Management Committee with sub-groups who take responsibility for areas such as Finance, Publications, Events, Membership and Tutor Booking. Members regularly receive a Calendar of events and information on the group's various activities. Come along and find out more!
Brian Docherty was born in Glasgow and now lives on north London. He has published three books of poetry: Armchair Theatre; Desk with a View; Woke up this Morning.
Lynda Brennan grew up in Lancashire but now lives and works in Haringey. She is a drama teacher and has worked for many years in schools in Haringey and Islington. Lynda has just finished her first Young Adult novel, Looked After Boy, a story based on insights she gained fostering children. She also writes short stories and is the Artistic Director of the newly formed Tottenham Theatre. At present she is directing Tullby Phil Vasili.
Mary Irene Masaba writes children's stories. A teacher and a newsreader for Radio Uganda/Uganda Television, she relocated to the UK in the 80s and worked as an outreach worker. She was a runner-up in the T. S. Eliot International Short Story Competition 2007. Loving Relatives is her a novel in progress.
Jane Wibberley writes and illustrates satirical tales about animals, plants and invented creatures. At various times she has been a playwright, a performer, a puppeteer, and an animator.
For more info about Haringey Literature Live, contact [email protected]


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iPhone 6 Mockup indicates a Slimmer Profile and Repositioned Buttons
May 2, 2014 by Arpit Verma
The eventual announcement might be a good few months away, but the winds of leaks of iPhone 6 are now an everyday phenomenon. And yes, sadly, we are being blown away by the wind! We have resisted covering any iPhone 6 rumor so far simply because there has been a lingering question mark over the substantiality of the leak. But, with too many leaks pointing towards the same direction, looks like the iPhone 6 has succumbed before the prowess of freedom on the internet.
According to an Italian site, Macitynet, which was picked by Macumors, the iPhone 6 will feature rounded edges, more so than any other iPhone we have seen, perhaps closest to the iPhone 3Gs. According to the leaked image the power button of the iPhone 6 will be on the right sleeve of the device which makes sense given the larger form factor of the new iPhone.
Not just this, the build materials of the iPhone 6 too are different. Apple has moved to what looks like a complete metallic profile and the glass bits like on the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s are gone. The Camera module too has moved a tad upwards. It is weird but for some reason, this placement reminds us of a Micromax Canvas 4, where we always felt the Camera was too far closer to the top flank.
Macitynet claims that this is a refined prototype and is as close to a real iPhone as possible saying about the design, (Translated using Google translator) "We see however also two thin lines on the upper and lower edges that probably indicate a design similar to that of the iPhone, characterized by an aluminum back but broken by two bands in another material (maybe in the glass as the iPhone 5S) which should ensure proper operation of the antenna. Of note, the projection lens of the camera; the technical solution is the same as for the latest generation iPod touch, remember, has just a protruding ring that protects the glass lens, reading to the surface of the back. Apple may have been forced to this by the fact that the modules have a thickness of the lens unavoidable and can not be integrated, parading perfectly with the profile of the telephone. At this point it seems to me that, apart from size, we can easily imagine the new iPhone 6 as an evolution of the iPod touch which might look like a lot."
What are your views on the iPhone 6 if this indeed is the final design? Do let us know in the section below.
Filed Under: News Tagged With: Apple iPhone, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Mockup
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by yeti9000 | February 25, 2008 · 7:10 am
The year without an Oscar Party…
Since we are both here in Santa Fe right now, Christine and I — like Vanity Fair before us — decided to cancel our annual Oscar party this year for the first time since 1989. I know…sad, huh? Admittedly, the '89 pre-Christine bash was more like beer and chips with Gregg and James in our dorm room, but hey, it was still a party. And every year since then, we have had a fairly ornate bash…so, I must say it was kind of weird to not have one this year.
Also kind of odd to not even be in the same time zone as the show…still getting used to that central time zone insanity. Did you know they play "The Tonight Show" here at like, 10:30?! Crazy!
But, probably the strangest thing of all this year was the nagging uncertainty about whether the show would even go on at all. Honestly, I was kinda prepared to picket the damn thing…so, all things considered, I guess it was appropriate that our humble semblance of a party consisted of pizza, beer and treats from my "Welcome to Santa Fe" gift basket. Which were quite tasty…thank you, "Not Forgotten" Production Office!
Sticklers for tradition that we are, we did still fill out a ballot with our hotel pen and play along with the show. Not that there were prizes to be had, but I won with 12 correct picks, so, yeah for me!
Anyway, the show itself was pretty damn awesome! Jon Stewart mentioned the strike here and there and managed to keep things appropriately political, the winners were all totally deserving — we're still cheering for Tilda Swinton's surprise Best Supporting Actress win, rock on, Tilda! — the honorary Oscar to Robert Boyle (a former teacher of mine at AFI) was really sweet and (thankfully) not nearly as long as they usually are, and overall, the show moved at a really good clip…even without the benefit of Tivo.
But hands down our favorite moment of the night was when Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova took home the gold for their beautiful song from "Once". If there is anyone reading this who has not seen that movie yet, then go rent it RIGHT NOW. Truly one of the best films of the year and the fact that Jon Stewart allowed Irglova back up onstage to finish her speech just shows you how much the movie rocks. If it touched his cold, cynical heart, it will surely touch yours. Seriously…check it out.
Also glad to see the awards spread out over so many movies. I hate it when one or two movies dominate the night, and with all of the films nominated for Best Picture scoring at least one win — even bloody "Atonement" for that cool at first, but ultimately annoying "typewriter key" music…yikes! — none of the major movies went home totally empty handed. So…hooray for Hollywood.
And finally, and I gotta mention the rocking Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill. Those guys were f-ing hilarious! Seriously, I coulda watched that Halle Berry-Judy Dench bit all night long! Also kind of dug some of those cheesy flashback clips of past winners. Babs looked great and we both got a little verklempt all over again at the sight of Steven Speilberg's mom reduced to tears after his "Schindler's List" win…beautiful!
Love to hear what you guys thought of the show, so comment away! Oh yeah, and just for the record, if and when I ever bag one of those bald dudes, let me tell you right now…I am so consulting Diablo Cody's stylist. Awesome!
Filed under Do, Eat
RIP: HAL 9000
OK, I know I haven't written in a bit, and while a big part of the blame is my own, another huge chunk of the blame can be heaped on my late, great, Macbook, HAL 9000. Yes, I said late. Great, I'm still not so sure about…
As many of you might know, I have the surreal good fortune of having two films that I wrote or co-wrote in production right now. I know…how crazy that after all these years, they both went at the same time…insane. But they did, so, naturally, I went to visit the sets.
The first one was shot in Provo, Utah (they should have wrapped this week) and the second movie is being shot, literally as we speak, in and around Santa Fe, New Mexico, were I have been now for the past two weeks.
The shoot has been awesome! The cast is great, the New Mexican food is fantastic, I've been lucky enough to have a couple of on-set guests to keep me company — Muchas gracias, Ginger, Aunt Linda and Cousin Albert! — and the weather, while cold as fuck sometimes, is actually pretty nice. Even the snow has been giving us a break, snowing only when we shoot interiors and stuff, which is awesome. Thanks, snow!
But my computer has been another story altogether. For it was here in the high desert plains of my ancestors — seriously, Romero's are one of the Primeras Familias de Nuevo Mexico — that I lost my beloved Macbook to the other side. Not sure if it was all the traveling I've done recently or the fact that he was just not built to last, but either way, my first day here in Las Vegas, New Mexico…I turned on HAL and was greeted with the bone-chilling image above. Yikes…
After consulting a cool Mac specialist here in Santa Fe, the Apple Store in Albuquerque and even my Mac guru, Dave (at Di-No Computers in Pasadena) all signs point towards a failed hard drive. Which means that unless someone can resurrect HAL's innards, all my videos, data and most importantly, my pictures are lost to the ages. The saddest thing is that I had some sweet-ass pics on there from the set in Provo. What a bummer…
And sadder still is the news that my computer was not covered by an Apple Care Protection Plan at the time of his unfortunate demise. Which basically means…I'm screwed. So, with no other choice — I mean, come on, I'm off-strike now, you think I wanna go computer-less for the duration of my stay here in NM? — I bought a new laptop. Same model, same color, different generation.
I'm still hopeful that HAL's data can be salvaged and even if it can't, Di-No Dave tells me a new hard drive will have him up and running again in no time (Hooray, Christine can have a laptop for work now!), but wow…what a bummer.
And so, I salute you HAL 9000. We had some good times together, brother, but when it really counted you kind of dicked me over, dude. So, while I cherish the memories we shared, you can bet your ass I won't name this new Macbook after the murderous super computer from "2001".
Hasta la vista, HAL. You will be missed…
Filed under Do
by yeti9000 | February 13, 2008 · 9:40 pm
Though I myself am not entirely cool with the terms of the deal we received from the AMPTP last week, the WGA voted yesterday, by a whopping 92.5% to end the strike. So, as of today, the strike is over…
There is still, of course, the little matter of ratifying the new contract. That vote will take place on February 25th, once the membership has had a chance to fully digest the fine print of the proposed deal and distribute what I'm sure will be "lively" pro and con statements on the matter. Man, can't wait to read some of those con statements!
The thing that really galls me though, and the reason I voted (by proxy, thanks, Patty!) against ending the strike, is that if we don't ratify the new deal on the 25th, then we would probably have to go back out on strike. Kind of stupid, huh? Not to mention the fact that it would make us look like total jerks coming back to work one week, then leaving again the next.
I think we should have stayed out till we voted to ratify the contract, and then stopped striking. But judging by the overwhelming member support for ending the strike, I'm pretty sure our leaders feel that ratification is kind of a slam dunk. So, as of today, we're all allowed to go back to work with the same people we've been fighting with since November…awkward!
I'm sure things will iron themselves out eventually, but man, it's times like these I'm glad I write movies. Thankfully, I don't have to cross our old picket line site at NBC (or any other network) to go back to work today.
But for all the super cool folks I met who do, hang tough, amigos! It's gonna be a little hairy for a couple weeks, but you'll get back in the swing of things soon enough. And hey, look at the bright side…if we don't ratify the new contract, we might just all meet up again in a couple weeks for cold pizza and teamster sandwiches on the picket lines! Yeah!
Either way, have a great day back at work, everyone. Let's hope this tentative peace with the AMPTP is a lasting one…
by yeti9000 | February 8, 2008 · 9:43 am
Joss Whedon: AMPTP Slayer!
Wednesday was Sci-Fi day on the picket line at NBC and man alive, what a blast! Not only were there tons of fans bearing food — the pizza and brownies rocked, the cupcakes, not so much — but the event was attended by writers and creators of some of TV's biggest Sci-Fi hits as well.
Jaime Paglia, the co-creator of the Sci-Fi channel's "Eureka" (pictured above with me and Joss) made the rounds with the strike-bearded Ronald D. Moore (below), executive producer/writer of the cult hit "Battlestar Gallactica", but for me the highlight was my old pal, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Angel" and "Firefly" creator, Joss Whedon.
Not only did these guys sign my geek-tastic hand-crafted picket sign — which read: "GUILD WARS, The WGA Strikes Back!" — but they also signed just about anything else the fans or fellow writers brought with them. Awesome!
So, in honor of Jaime, Ronald and Joss' gracious, kick-ass appearances on the picket lines Wednesday afternoon, wanted to reprint something Joss Whedon wrote later that day for United Hollywood.
I have been a huge Whedon fan since the wacky feature version of "Buffy" and after reading his fiery, impassioned letter to the WGA membership (printed in vampire blood red below) my esteem for the dude has reached kinda epic proportions.
With every carefully chosen word, Whedon beautifully sums up the feelings of many of us hard-core picketers at NBC. So, for that and so much more, we salute you, brother Whedon…long may you reign!
Dear Writers,
I have good news. I have lots of good news. In fact, I have way too much good news.
The strike is almost over. A resolution is days away. Weeks. Friday. Valentine's day. Two weeks exactly from whenever my manager/agent/lawyer told me. Yes, after talking to writers and actors all over town, I'm happy to report that the strike is going to end every single day until March. Huzzah! All of this entirely reliable information means that at last the dream of the writing community has been realized: the Oscars will be saved..
Let's step back..
The Oscars seem to be the point of focus for a lot of this speculation. That either they must be preserved, or that the studios feel they must be preserved, and therefore this terrible struggle will end. There is an argument to be made for wanting the show to go on: it showcases the artists with whom we are bonded (there's no award for Best Hiding of Net Profits), and it provides employment and revenue for thousands in the community that has been hit so hard by this action. Having said that, it's a f%$#ing awards show. It's a vanity fair. It's a blip. We're fighting (fighting, remember?) for the future of our union, our profession, our art. If that fight carries us through the Holy Night when Oscar was born, that's just too bad.
And the studios? Well, the Oscars provide advertising revenue and a boost for the films that win. But the studios have shown impressive resolve in ignoring short-term losses in order to destroy us. I don't hear any knees knocking in the Ivory Towers over that night of programming. Hey, I wish I did. I wish, like a lot of people, I could hear anything from in there besides that weird clicking sound Predator makes.
I ask you all to remember: the studios caused an industry-wide shutdown. They made a childishly amateurish show of pretending to negotiate, then retreated into their lairs (yes, they have lairs) to starve us out. They emerged just before Christmas to raise our hopes, then left in a premeditated huff. They Force Majoured with gay abandon, cutting deals and 'trimming the fat' (I've met a couple of 'the fat' on the picket lines. Nice guys.) and made every selfish, counter-intuitively destructive move in the Bully's Bible. They met with the DGA and resolved quickly, as expected.
We have been advised to tone down the anti-studio rhetoric now that a deal might be progressing. Our negotiators have the specific task of forgetting the past and dealing only with the numbers before them. Their ability to do that impresses me greatly, but I maintain that it's their job to treat the studios like business partners and it's our job to remember who they really are. The studios are inefficient, power-hungry, thieving corporate giants who have made the life of the working writer harder from decade to decade. They are run by men so out of touch with basic humanity that they would see Rome burn before they would think about the concept of fair compensation. I maintain that they have never revealed their true agenda in the causing and handling of this strike, and to expect them to now is cock-eyed optimism of the most dangerous kind.
I have heard people both in and out of the industry say, "But that's enough now, right?" I have seen the thing I fear most: that whatever their agenda, they are beating us down. With hope. With rumors. With Time. The mindset seems to be shifting to one of relief and even unspoken gratitude for their return, instead of flaming indignation that they ever (illegally, do you recall?) left the table in the first place. It's the mindset of the victim. The lethargy of limb that strikes the fighter as he unconsciously lets himself lose. The studio strategists have worked this scenario as carefully as they have everything else. It is so crucial that we outside of the talks remember that, and let them know we do.
This is not over. Nor is it close. Until the moment it is over, it can never be close. Because if we see the finish line we will flag and they are absolutely counting on us to do that. In the room, reason. On the streets, on the net, I say reason is for the 'moderates'. Remember what they've done. Remember what they're trying to take from us. FIGHT. FIGHT. FIGHT.
I have been mugged an embarrassing number of times, even for a New Yorker. I've been yelled at and chased, beaten down and kicked, threatened with a gun and the only mugger who still hurts my gut is the one who made me shake his hand. Until there is a deal – the right deal, not the DGA deal – held out, let's keep our hands in our pockets or on our signs. Let's not be victims. Let's never.
by yeti9000 | February 6, 2008 · 6:43 pm
Que viva los voters!
Wow…talk about Super Tuesay. In my entire life as voter I have never had a harder choice to make. Both Clinton and Obama would make bad-ass presidents, and I was literally on the verge of flipping a coin at one point.
In fact, when a Clinton pollster called our house as we were preparing to leave to vote, Christine answered her quite honestly by saying that she was still undecided but would make up her mind when she got there.
We were like a couple of undecided Kennedy cousins unsure of whether to listen to Caroline and Uncle Teddy or Kathleen and Kerry. It was madness…
As you can see from the picture, we did eventually decide on who to vote for, and though our man didn't win in California we can hardly complain, since, as I said above, we really like them both. I say join forces now and rule the galaxy! I seriously don't care if it's Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton, as long as you keep my true favorite little Johnny Edwards in there somewhere as Attorney General.
But whatever the final outcome in this truly unprecedented election year, I think the most exciting news yesterday was the whopping Latino voter turnout. I read somewhere that a record-breaking 29% of Latinos voted in California yesterday. That is so awesome! I don't care who they voted for, just the fact that they came out at all is pretty damn incredible.
So rock on, hermanos and as I said above…que viva los voters!
Remain calm…
OK, contrary to several major media reports, the WGA strike is NOT over. Not by a longshot. What is true is that the WGA negotiating committee has called a meeting for all members in good standing on both coasts to discuss the details of a possible tentative agreement with the AMPTP.
To clarify another rumor swirling around town (and beyond!) we will NOT be voting to ratify the new deal at this meeting. This gathering is strictly informational, with the WGA leaders briefing us on what's been happening in the negotiating room, and us sounding off on it. WGA leaders on both coasts have assured us that they will not act on anything until AFTER they hear what we have to say at this meeting.
That would mean a vote to accept or decline the latest offer from the AMPTP would happen sometime next week at the earliest. So, for now, chill out, stay strong and definitely don't believe everything you read. And if you're feeling really anxious about things, you can always relax the way mi amiga Patty and I do on the picket line…strike yoga!
Actually, Patty's the only one who does the yoga…I usually just take the pictures and eat. But, hey, whatever gets you through the strike.
I'm sure many of you already know this, but chain of chains TGIF has a Cherry Coke on their menu that is just…wow…truly heaven-sent. I mean, Cherry Coke on tap or in a can is one thing, but the cherry-tastic TGIF concoction is quickly becoming my drink of choice out here in snowy Utah!
Not only does it have the taste and look of a classic soda fountain Cherry Coke, but it is also deceptively simple to make. I can say that with some authority, because, well…I watched my waiter make me half a dozen of these bad boys. OK, not really half a dozen…but MANY.
To make this awesomeness at your own house, simple pump three or four squirts of Monin (or at least it looked like Monin) cherry flavored syrup into an ice-filled cup, splash some Coke on top and Bob's your uncle. Simple, delicious and, as I said above…heaven-sent! Seriously, you'll die…
So, make some at home if you want, or, if you have a TGIF in your neck of the woods — which, sadly, I do not — check this stuff out in person…it's amazing! Oh yeah, and the Jack Daniels baby back ribs aren't bad either…


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Men of Good Fortune and Bad Nature: F.W. Murnau's NOSFERATU (1922)
Released more than ninety years ago, F.W. Murnau's still horrify and absolutely brilliant 1922 film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror remains one of the most transcendent, trailblazing and forward thinking horror films ever released. It is so much more than a great horror film though, as its sharp political and social statements on themes ranging from class-separation, to how we interact with nature, make it one of the great political statements in all of film history. Murnau is an absolute giant and Nosferatu resonates remarkably well all these decades later.
While it is the unforgettable Max Schreck that almost always comes first to mind when thinking of the original Nosferatu, the first image that always comes to my mind when I think of the film is a strangely eerie shot early on of a kitten. While it seems random on first viewing, it is one of many instances in the film where Murnau returns to shots of animals. A brilliantly edited work, Nosferatu is at its purest when Murnau intercuts these many shots of animals with the crazed visage of Schreck as the menacing vampire. With this iconic character, Murnau suggests that it is his title 'monster' that is actually the closest to nature in the film. The vampire is ultimately a much more organic being than almost any of the other characters, specifically the rich that Murnau justifiably savages through both humor and satire. Nosferatu, like the creatures he dwells with, has been forced to fight for survival in a world catered to the rich, the inhumane and the inhuman. He might very well be one of the "rats in the streets", as author Gerald Mast would write, but he is also very much that innocent kitten we see early on who is guided by an instinctual urge to hunt, eat and survive.
Murnau's distrust of the evil, weak, and ignorant, men of good fortune in the film can also be seen in the way that he treats the poor villagers. Shown in shadow and left mostly nameless and faceless, a sly commentary on how they are treated in real life, it is the villagers who are ultimately right about Nosferatu. It is their superstitions, and not the 'smarts' of the wealthy that turn out to be correct. It is the wealthy's inability to accept the possibility that such an evil might come into their blessed and easy lives that brings Nosferatu to them.
It is indeed the well to do men of Nosferatu who Murnau holds up as the real villains. This is especially seen in the case of the character Hutter, the stand in for Harker, who is a man who doesn't just pick a flower but kills it...a man who ultimately relies on the poor farmers he has always detested to save him from drowning late in the film. Hutter is a man who has lived a life that has totally separated him from his natural surroundings and it takes a 'monster' to help him truly connect for probably the first time.
Powered by Murnau's stunning directorial styling, unique framing choices and wild editing (that really allows the audience an extra eye in every frame of the film), Nosferatu is one of a handful of masterful films that reside in true ground zero territory. It is an astounding and haunting creation that stills feels ahead of its time.
If it comes down to one moment though then it is surely the iconic image of Schreck magically rising from his coffin. A stunning testament to Murnau's skill behind the camera, this moment is still breathtaking to watch. Schreck rises, his head slips partially out of frame (a touch that makes the moment all the more otherworldly) and we, the audience, stop breathing. It's an odd and surprising moment that presents us with something truly odd, exotic and alien in the most cinematic way possible.
As the line goes in the film, "Nobody can escape his destiny"...just as cinema can ever escape the brilliant imposing shadow of F.W. Murnau.
***Nosferatu is now available on Blu-ray via a splendid 2 disc special edition set from Kino Lorber. Read about the disc here and order it here.
-Jeremy Richey, 2013-
Labels: F.W. Murnau, Nosferatu, Writing on Film
Diandra said...
I never thought about this film in that way before. Thanks for the great post!
Nostalgia Kinky said...


Paying more than you should for water?
Helping local children is a walk in the park!
Tom Blenkinsop praises Northumbrian Water Group for their ′continued commitment to East Cleveland in hard times′.
Sun, sea, sand . . . . and showers!
Who will be your inspired choice for our School Awards?
The osprey has landed in Kielder - again!
Steve goes extra mile to launch marathon!
Steve Cram to make comeback!


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I was searching for a Property and found this listing (MLS® #MDHR229914). Please send me more information regarding 3130 Laurel View Dr, ABINGDON, MD, 21009. Thank you!
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1) Make sure all the channels you want to copy and paste are scoped. Channel groups and lists are probably the best way to ensure this. (http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1859&Itemid=257). In the Timeline, press shift-LMB to select the region you want to select from. RMB-click in the timeline and select Copy. Go to your second rig and make sure all the channels are scoped. You may need to set a single keyframe on all the channels to ensure this. RMB-click in the timeline and select Paste. This can feel a bit like a leap of faith but it does work and may take a while if you have lots of keys and lots of channels.
2) Set up channel groups for the channels you want to copy and paste. With all the animated objects selected, you will have all the channels scoped. Go to the Channel List and RMB-click and select Create Group from Scoped. Now RMB-click on the channels themselves and select "Motion Effects > Create Clip." This puts all your keys into a keyframe CHOP and adds a stretch CHOP. In CHOPS you can then point the channels to your second rig instead of the first and your motion will be copied. Motion FX lets you do other cool things if you want to.
3) If you set up your rigs as digital assets then you can RMB-click on your asset node in the network view and select "Change Type." Choose the second rig and all the motion from the first moves to the second. This is more of a transfer rather than a copy and paste but if your goal is to animate the second rig then this may be your best choice.


If you are a human resources representative extending the stay of a J1 exchange visitor who is already here, please complete the J1 Scholar Extension Request Form using the link below. You will receive an email confirmation upon submission.
If the data provided below is not sufficient to identify the visitor, we will contact you directly. We will not extend J status unless the request comes directly from the responsible HR representative. Please allow five business days for processing.
Please DO NOT send confidential biometric data (date of birth, SSN, country of birth).
The Office of Global Learning will not be able to prepare a DS-2019 form for a Transfer-In J1, until the other Program Sponsor "releases" the SEVIS record to us. This will most often be the date that the Cornell appointment begins.
J-1 students are not eligible to Transfer-In to Cornell J Program as a J1 Professor, Research Scholar, Short Term Scholar or Intern.
Complete and submit the appropriate online form. If applicable, forward the J1 Scholar Transfer-In Form to the Office of Global Learning once your initial request has been submitted.
You can monitor the status of initial requests at J1 Academic Staff Initial Request Transactions. Extension requests can not be monitored electronically; allow 5 business days before inquiring about a submitted extension request.
After the Office of Global Learning receives the request, we will prepare the DS-2019 form. If it is an initial request, we will send the new DS-2019 directly to the visitor, along with an information packet which contains housing contacts, instructions on how to obtain the J1 visa and an explanation of the health insurance requirement. If it is an extension request, we will email the J1 visitor to come to the Office of Global Learningto pick up the new form.
For initial visitors, the DS-2019 form will enable the visitor to secure a J1 visa from the US Consulate.


More than anything else, Slaughter was known for his hustle, routinely running hard down to first base even on walks—a habit later adopted by some players in baseball's modern era. In 1946, the Cardinals met the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, with the Sox considered heavy favorites. Surprisingly, however, the series went into game seven and was tied as play entered the eighth inning. With two outs and Slaughter on first, Saint Louis's Harry Walker lined a single to left-center field. Slaughter, having gambled and started running on the pitch, quickly rounded second and headed for third. The Cardinals' third-base coach Mike Gonzalez gave him a signal telling him to stop there, but Slaughter ignored it, rounded third, and headed for home. The center fielder's throw from the outfield went to cut-off man, Boston's shortstop Johnny Pesky. A quick throw home would likely have caught the runner for the third out; yet somehow Pesky hesitated, and Slaughter scored what proved to be the winning run, giving Saint Louis the game and the Series. Asked later why he had ignored Gonzalez's signal to stop at third, Slaughter said he believed he had a chance to score and that he might never have been able to forgive himself if he didn't take that chance.
Even today, only a few players would risk making that same choice for fear of letting down their team and of humiliating themselves. Taking the risk and falling short could mean being excoriated in the press, jeered by fans, and—depending on the impact of that failure—even tainting the player's reputation and career. Against the prospect of such dire consequences, most players would choose the safer option. Moreover, even in less public circumstances and with less at stake, most of us would also choose not to take the sort of risk taken by Enos Slaughter.
In the course of my work as a therapist, I frequently meet people who reflexively give themselves the stop signal, as if rounding third and trying to make it home in life's ballpark is a terrifying prospect. As we discuss their decisions not to do things, I often hear reasons such as "I'm just not ready," or "I have no idea what I would do instead," or "I'm afraid I might fail," or—perhaps most frequent and telling of all—"I'm afraid of what people might think." In short, they restrict themselves out of a fear of being judged.
Such a deeply held fear often has its roots in the very early parts of our lives, when we are starting to learn about the world and our place in it. During this period, the "higher-order" parts of our brains are not yet fully developed; thus, whatever we take in is entered directly into our long-term memory, where the foundation for our sense of self resides. For this reason, simple interactions, typically with some of the older people in our lives—which might seem to them to be innocent and well-intended—can have profound effects on us and the way we learn to see ourselves. Our experiences with family, with friends, with people in school, and with our community in general shape our understandings of our world. Moreover, we tend to internalize and adopt the view of ourselves that we believe these other people are reflecting. In this way, we come to learn who we are, who we are "supposed" to be, and what consequences we could suffer if we fail to live up to what is expected of us.
Many of the people who come to me for therapy have grown up with the inculcated notion that to be accepted as a person, they must somehow earn the approval of their fellow human beings. Unfortunately, they never received precise instructions as to how this might be accomplished. As a result, their only recourse has been to avoid any possibility of appearing to be less than perfect, which essentially required them to arrange not to be noticed at all. By the time they come to see me, many have spent years, even decades, languishing in their own quiet misery.
Therapy involves helping these people understand that the root of their misery lies not so much in the possible judgments of others but in the judgments they have continued to make of themselves. During this process, the realization frequently emerges that they don't really know themselves—not accurately, not fully. They have simply internalized the view reflected in the criticisms they have received over the years. Once they begin to see themselves more clearly, without any imposed distortions or biases, they often start to recognize having qualities that they had never been able to acknowledge.
As these people continue to gain more self-knowledge, they are encouraged to be mindful of what they are thinking and feeling about themselves—who they are, what they believe in, and how they want to deal with life. In the safety of the therapy office, they can freely express whatever they have been holding back and explore possibilities for living without fear. The result of this effort is that they become increasingly self-accepting, and they learn that with self-acceptance comes freedom—the freedom simply to be themselves, to disregard other people's judgments of them, and to jettison the burden of having to be perfect.
For each of us, the freedom gained through self-acceptance means we no longer have to hold ourselves back. We can strive for ambitious goals, knowing that we may not always succeed, yet still be willing to try. We can readily accept the fact that risk is a part of life and that without risk, striving means nothing. Playing in life's ballpark, we can recognize that we won't win every game, but that we won't win at all if we don't show up and play. As the renowned baseball executive Branch Rickey once observed, "A great ballplayer is a player who will take a chance." By becoming self-accepting, each of us can play life's game in our own way, pursuing our own goals, and like Enos Slaughter, make our own Mad Dash.


These packages are designed as an introduction to the life-long sport of skiing and snowboarding. Our Professional Ski Instructors will make learning to ski or board fun and easy.
This lesson will teach you the basic fundamentals for gliding, turning, and stopping. This lesson is intended for first-timers only, ages 10 and older.
This lesson will take you to the next level. Our instructors will work with you to improve your parallel turns, control, stops, and riding the chairlift.
After completion of learn-to-ski levels 1 and 2 or taken as a refresher. This lesson will focus on the finer techniques of carving on shape skis.
This lesson will teach you the basic fundamentals for gliding, turning, and stopping. This lesson is intended for first-timers only, ages 13 and older.
In this lesson our instructors will work with you on improving your control, toe-side and heel-side turns, and riding the chairlift.
After completion of learn-to-ride levels 1 and 2 you are now ready for our level 3 carve school. The pros willl focus their instruction on carving toe-side and heel side turns, and touring our mountain.
Nothing is better than a customized lesson with one of our Professional Ski Instructors. Private lessons are offered for adults and children (3 years and up) and all ability levels. You can also make it a semi-private and bring along up to 3 of your family members or friends, with similar age and ability level.


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IFS: Tax system helps reduce wealth inequality
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) says the UK tax system helps reduce wealth inequality in the country. The IFS report shows that the top 20% of earners had an income 12 times that of the bottom 20% before taxes and benefits took effect, with this dipping to five times afterwards. While benefits account for the majority of that narrowing of the inequality gap, the role of taxation was noted. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said the study shows the Government is wrong to plan tax cuts, commenting: "The IFS has confirmed the importance of taxation and social security in creating a fairer society." The findings, funded by the government-backed Economic and Social Research Council, contradict an Office for National Statistics report published in 2018 which said the tax system has a "negligible effect on income inequality". Pascale Bourquin, a research economist at the IFS said: "The tax and benefit system significantly reduces the gap between rich and poor, with benefits playing a particularly big role. However, contrary to the ONS's claim, taxes do also reduce inequality."
The Times, Page: 38 Financial Times, Page: 2 The Times, Page: 38 The Guardian, Page: 32 The Independent, Page: 50 I, Page: 8 Daily Mail, Page: 14 The Scotsman, Page: 22 Yorkshire Post, Page: 4
Raab: There is room to cut taxes
Tory leadership hopeful Dominic Raab has said he wants to reduce the basic rate of income tax from 20p to 15p and raise the national insurance threshold. He refuted a claim that this could mean a £30bn hit for the Treasury, saying the initial increase was likely to cost £15bn. He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "We have got £26bn worth of head-room within our deficit target." He said the "great work" of Chancellor Philip Hammond and previous chancellors means there is what Mr Hammond calls the "luxury of choice" with what ministers do with that head-room, "including cutting taxes for working families."
The Independent, Page: 4 Daily Mail, Page: 9 The Daily Telegraph, Page: 4 Daily Star
Corbyn and tax
Tom Stevenson of Fidelity International considers what a Labour government under Jeremy Corbyn could mean, highlighting Labour's stated policy to reinstate the 50% additional rate for top earners and to introduce a 45pc rate for those earning £80,000. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he also says pension tax relief for higher-rate taxpayers "is very unlikely to survive." Elsewhere, the Mail questions Mr Corbyn's stance on taxation. It notes that the top 1% of taxpayers account for 28% of income tax, commenting: "Hammering the rich will drive them abroad, meaning they pay less tax – forcing the less wealthy to foot the bill."
The Daily Telegraph, Business, Page: 2 Daily Mail, Page: 16
UK tourist tax will only work with hotel VAT cut, warn MPs
A report from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality says the introduction of a tourist tax "must include a significant reduction in VAT on hotels".
Financial Times, Page: 2
Restaurants serve up lower profit
Analysis conducted by UHY Hacker Young shows that pre-tax profits at the UK's top 100 restaurant groups – as measured by turnover – fell from £345m in the first quarter of 2017 to £102m in the first three months of 2018. Of the top 100 restaurant groups, figures show 48 are loss-making, up from 37 last year.
The I, Page: 40
Monsoon in rent reduction move
The Telegraph's James Cook looks at reports that fashion chain Monsoon Accessorize is seeking to negotiate rent reductions with landlords in an effort to avoid store closures. He notes PwC figures showing that the number of retailers entering CVA deals has doubled since 2016. On the climate for fashion retailers, Mr Cook points to another PwC study which reveals that 28% of 18 to 24-year-old shoppers plan to reduce spending on clothes rather than any other category. The Guardian also looks at Monsoon Accessorize founder Peter Simon's plan to invest £34m in the business to help convince landlords to agree to rent cuts. It notes that Deloitte was hired in April to help the retailer secure a CVA.
The Daily Telegraph, Business, Page: 3 The Guardian, Page: 29
British Steel sale hangs in balance
The FT reports that efforts to find a buyer for British Steel could be abandoned "within a few months." The Official Receiver is working alongside EY to seek a buyer. Analysing the impact of British Steel's collapse, the paper says that accountants have noted a 20% increase in the number of building firms going into administration following the receivership of Carillion last year.
Financial Times, Page: 11 Financial Times, Page: 11
Investors take on bosses big pensions
The FT looks at executive pensions, noting PwC research showing that 47% of the FTSE 100 companies with a calendar year-end for annual reports have adjusted pension contribution rates for new executives.
Financial Times, FT Fm, Page: 10
Cash boost awaits promoted sides
Analysis by Deloitte suggests teams promoted to the Premier League could see revenue reach £300m over five years if they survive their first season in the top flight. With the Championship play-off between Aston Villa and Derby County taking place today, Deloitte says the winners will earn at least £170m.
The Daily Telegraph, Page: 26 Yorkshire Post, Page: 15
150 jobs saved in café pre-pack
Café chain Filmore & Union Group has closed eight sites. Phil Pierce and Paul Whitwam at FRP Advisory were appointed joint administrators, with 150 of 230 jobs saved as a result of a pre-pack deal.
Yorkshire Post, Page: 8
SMEs NEWS
Burnout hits half of SME bosses
A poll by accounting software firm FreeAgent shows that 53% of small business owners have experienced burnout as a result of working too hard.
The Daily Telegraph, Business, Page: 8
Charity fraud hits £2.5bn
A report from Crowe and the University of Portsmouth's Professor Jim Gee shows that fraudsters stole a record £2.5bn from UK charities last year – up £200m on the year before. The statistics, revealed in BBC One series Britain's Secret Charity Cheats, show that around a quarter of the £10bn a year donated by the British public is lost to fraud.
Daily Mail, Page: 13
Contact Paul Southward.


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Home / News / First Drives
2016 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder first drive review
Kirk Bell February 4, 2016 Comment Now!
Before this week, I had driven a Lamborghini once. It was a Gallardo Spyder and I drove it about four miles in the mid-2000s. That wasn't enough time to get much of an impression, but I remember that the V-10 provided ridiculous power and an ear-searing engine note. The engine also vibrated like a washing machine with a brick in it. It wasn't a refined car, but it's raw nature made it quite appealing.
Almost a decade after that experience, I attended my first Lamborghini press drive this week in Miami. Given that I would be driving the Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder, a 610-horsepower supercar, I was hoping for a day of track time and twisty roads. Given that the event was in Miami, I was also hoping that the weather would be 75 and sunny. I'll have to wait until my next Lamborghini experience to get any of that.
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With its soft convertible top, Lamborghini doesn't tout the Huracán Spyder for its performance. Lambo calls the Spyder its "lifestyle" car and therefore this was more of a lifestyle trip that involved low-speed cruising on Miami's streets. Unfortunately, it also involved a lot of rain, too.
2016 Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 Spyder, First Drive Miami 2016
Performance roots
Lamborghini may say the Huracán Spyder is its lifestyle car, but that doesn't mean it isn't a performer. After all, it shares its aluminum spaceframe with the Huracán coupe (as well as the upcoming 2017 Audi R8), and that structure, which uses carbon fiber for the firewall and central tunnel, is light and strong. Torsional rigidity is up 40 percent compared to the Gallardo Spyder, and Lamborghini says the droptop is almost as sturdy as the coupe.
The engine is also shared with the Huracán coupe and the R8. It is a 5.2-liter V-10 that kicks out 610 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 413 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm. It features Lambo's "Iniezione Diretta Stratificata," which is Italian for direct and port fuel injection. Providing both types of fuel injection creates fewer emissions upon startup and allows the computer to choose which type of injection works best for the throttle demands. Compared to the coupe, however, this V-10 adds start/stop technology and cylinder deactivation, both of which help it improve emissions by 14 percent over the V-10 in the Gallardo Spyder.
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The V-10 is mated to the "Lamborghini Doppia Frizione" seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the power is sent to all four wheels thanks to standard all-wheel drive.
All that adds up to jaw-dropping performance. The Huracán Spyder can accelerate to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds (probably about 3.2 seconds for the 0 to 60 run), vault from 0 to 124 mph in 10.2 seconds, and reach a top speed of 201 mph. The max speed is possible with the top up or down.
Snug top
The reason Lamborghini views the Huracán Spyder as a lifestyle car is its convertible soft top. No matter how good the top is or how quickly the roll bars pop up behind the occupants, if you flip the car over on a track, there is no metal up top to save you.
Lamborghini offers the electrohydraulic soft top in black, brown or red. It is very well integrated into the car. With the top up, the Huracán's sharp, aggressive lines play out over the car much like they do on the coupe. In fact, the profile is pretty much the same. Put the top down, and Lamborghini provides some pieces to block out wind and contribute to a cohesive design. A pair of fins rise up to flow with the shape of the rear deck. They have integrated ducts to reduce turbulence, and a pair of removable lateral wind guards do the same.
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2016 Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder
On this rainy day, I found the top is well made, too. It consists of three layers that block out noise quite effectively. It fits well; I experienced no leaks during six or seven hours of rain. And it works as advertised, going up or down in 17 seconds at speed up to 31 mph. I expected the top would less well designed and engineered, like something you might get from a small boutique brand instead of a mainstream automaker. I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong.
A dose of refinement
That same dose of refinement is evident in the cabin. Sure, the Huracán Spyder has its supercar quirks, but it's thoughtfully designed and well assembled. The interior materials are Audi quality, which is no coincidence because Audi owns Lamborghini. In fact, the Audi influence can be found in the infotainment system. It's a stripped down version of Audi's MMI control interface, complete with a central knob surrounded by familiar buttons that control the information on the 12.3-inch instrument panel screen. It's not as comprehensive as the Audi system, but it controls the Lambo's phone, optional navigation system (optional on a $265,000 car!), and other functions quite well.
Of course, some of those small company supercar quirks are still there. The climate controls are a jumbled mess, it's hard too see out the back over the tall rear deck, the turn signals and wiper controls are on the steering wheel, the seats are hard and narrow, legroom becomes a problem for anyone over six foot, the front wheelwells intrude into the foot space of the driver and passenger, and getting into the car involves a steep drop down while getting out requires more core strength than many of the greatest-generation CEO-types that can afford this car possess.
Still, many of those issues are more charming than truly problematic, and the Huracán Spyder has a refined feel that is far more finished than that Gallardo Spyder I drove years ago.
Pure performance...probably
With a supercar at my disposal, it was tempting to push the Huracán Spyder to find its performance limits. On this day, however, the rain put a kibosh on any of that activity. The most I could experience was a few bursts of acceleration, which was quite thrilling in its own right. The V-10 emits a throaty "whumm" when fired up, and its melody is a constant companion that sounds better than any music you can play on the optional Sensonum audio system. The soundtrack is louder and more in your face than you get with the 2017 Audi R8, it pops and crackles when you let off the gas, and the throttle pedal acts like a volume knob. It's a little obnoxious but in line with the Huracán's aggressive personality.
The dual-clutch transmission is perfectly in tune with the V-10. It reacts differently based on what mode the Advanced Network Intelligence Management (ANIMA) system is in. It's fairly docile in the base Strada mode, and more aggressive the Sport and track-ready Corsa modes. In fact, when in Sport or Corsa, the transmission is always in the right gear to make the power readily available. ANIMA also adjusts the performance of the engine, exhaust, all-wheel-drive system, and electronic stability control. In Sport or Corsa, the ESC is cut back 40 percent to let the tail hang out in corners.
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I'd like to tell you about the handling and sing the praises of the Huracán Spyder's on-track performance, but a day of driving on rainy city streets makes that impossible. Instead, I drove the car like many of its owners will, cruising the streets, looking conspicuous, and attracting plenty of attention in South Beach. In that type of drive, the ride proved to be firm but not punishing, and I detected no cowl shake. The optional magnetorheological shocks help make it livable on the street and agile on the track. Lamborghini Dynamic Steering is also optional. It adjusts the ratio depending on speed, but again, I didn't really experience that. And while I never needed heavy braking, the brakes have a progressive pedal and the standard carbon ceramic rotors are almost guaranteed to be strong enough for racetrack duty.
My second turn behind the wheel of a Lamborghini wasn't a complete bust. I'm left with the impression that Audi's influence gives the Huracán Spyder a shot of welcomed refinement, while Lamborghini's passionate Italian character still shines through in design, power, performance, and outright aggression.
After a somewhat disappointing day of rain on slow, straight city streets, Lamborghini threatened to make a Huracán Spyder available in California so I can rip through canyon roads. It sounds like my third turn in a Lamborghini will be the charm. I'll be happy to report on that experience if I can make it happen this summer.
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High-Res Gallery: 2016 Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder
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