text:
Міно, Мінон ("наші матері"), амазонки Дагомеї — жіноче військове формування народу фон Королівства Дагомея (зараз Бенін), що проіснувало з 17 століття до завоювання країни Францією 1904 року. До середини XIX століття налічували від 1000 до 6000 воячок, приблизно третину всієї армії Дагомеї. Відомі винятковою хоробрістю, також особисто охороняли короля та впливали на політику. Амазонками названі західними істориками через схожість із міфічними амазонками давнього узбережжя Чорного моря.

Створення
Угруповання було створене королівською династією Дагомеї 17-го століття.

За однією з версій, перша група військовичок була створена як гбето (корпус мисливиць на слонів) третім королем Дагомеї Ахо Хуеґбаджа (правив з 1645 по 1685).

За іншою версією, королева  (правила з 1708 по 1711) мала особисту охоронницю, присутність якої зафіксували європейські купці, і започаткувала створення підрозділів. За традицією, її брат і наступник король Агаджа успішно використовував амазонок під час війни Дагомеї із сусіднім королівством Саві в 1727 р.  Група воїнок називалася чоловічою армією Дагомеї Міно, "Наші матері" на мові фон.

З часів короля Гезо (правив з 1818 по 1858) Дагомея дедалі більше мілітаризувалася. Гезо приділяв велике значення армії, збільшуючи її бюджет і формалізуючи її структуру від церемоніальної до серйозної військової. Хоча європейські розповіді називають воячок "амазонками", вони називали себе ahosi (дружини короля) або Mino (наші матері).

Вербування та структура

Гезо набирав як чоловіків, так і воячок з іноземних полонених, хоча воячок набирали також із вільних дагомейських жінок, деяких зараховували до 8 років. За іншими відомостями, Міно набиралися з гарему ахосі ("дружин короля"), яких часто було коло сотні. Деякі жінки добровільно ставали воячками, інших зараховували за військовою повинністю, якщо чоловіки або батьки жінки скаржились королю на їх поведінку.

Членство в Міно мало відточувати будь-які агресивні риси характеру з метою плекання військових навичок. Під час служби Міно не мали права мати дітей та вести подружнє життя (хоча вони були законно одружені з королем). Багато Міно були незайманими.

Міно інтенсивно тренувалися, розвиваючи навички виживання та байдужості до болю і смерті. Серед тренувань був штурм загорожі з терну на військових навчаннях та страти полонених. Важливою була дисципліна.

Полк мав напівсвященний статус, який переплітався з вудійськими віруванням народу фон. Служба в Міно давала жінкам можливість «піднятися на командні позиції та мати вплив» у середовищі, розробленому для розширення можливостей особистості. Міно були заможними і мали високий статус.

Воячки були ретельно підготовлені та мали однострої. Жіноча армія складалася з ряду полків: мисливиць, стрільчинь, женчинь. Кожен полк мав різний однострій, зброю та командирку.

Амазонки були структуровані паралельно армії в цілому, з центральним крилом (царські охоронниці), що стояли по обидва боки, кожен під окремими командирами. Деякі відомості зазначають, що у кожного солдата-вояка була жінка-воячка. У звіті англійського спостерігача середини XIX століття йшлося про три смуги побіли на нозі для особливо відзначених воїтельок що жінки.

В останній період воячки-дагомейки були озброєні гвинтівками Вінчестера, палицями та ножами. Ці підрозділи знаходились під командою жінок. Опублікований у 1851 р. переклад військового співу жінок стверджує, що воячки співали: "Коваль бере залізний злиток і вогнем змінює свою моду, тому ми змінили свою натуру. Ми вже не жінки, ми чоловіки".

Політична участь

Міно взяли помітну роль у Великій раді, обговорюючи політику королівства. З 1840-х по 1870-ті роки (коли опозиційна сторона розпалася), вони, як правило, підтримували мир з Абеокутою та міцніші комерційні стосунки з Англією, надаючи більшу перевагу торгівлі пальмовою олією, ніж торгівлі рабами, що суперечило позиції військових-чоловіків.

Окрім Ради, щорічні звичаї Дагомеї включали парад військ, а також збори, які приносили присягу королю. Урочистості 27-го дня Щорічної митниці складалися з фіктивного бою, в якому амазонки нападали на "форт" і "захоплювали" рабів усередині, були записані священником Франческо Боргеро у своїх щоденниках.

Участь у бойових діях
Королівство Дагомея часто воювало з сусідами, оскільки для торгівлі рабами потрібні були полонені. Воячки Дагомеї воювали під час набігів за рабами, як згадується в науково-популярній праці Зора Ніл Херстон «Арракун», і в невдалих війнах проти Абеокути.

Перша франко-дагомейська війна (1890)
Посягання Європи на Західну Африку набирало темпів у другій половині ХІХ століття, і в 1890 році король Беханзін розпочав боротьбу з французькими військами в ході Першої франко-дагомейської війни. Європейські оглядачі відзначали, що жінки "чудово справлялися" в рукопашному бою, але стріляли з кременю з стегна, а не з плеча. Амазонки брали участь у великій битві: Котону, де тисячі дагомейців та дагомейок (у тому числі багато амазонок) атакували французькі рубежі та втягували захисників у рукопашний бій.

Друга франко-дагоменська війна (1892-1894)
До кінця Другої франко-дагоменської війни спеціальні підрозділи амазонок були призначені для полювання на французьких офіцерів. Після кількох битв французи перемогли у Другій франко-дагомейській війні і поклали край незалежному королівству Дагомея. Французькі солдати, особливо французького іноземного легіону, були вражені сміливістю амазонок і пізніше писали про їх "неймовірну відвагу і зухвалість" у бою. Однак проти військової частини, що мала кращу зброю та довший багнет, амазонки Дагомеї не змогли вистояти. Під час битви з французькими солдатами в Адегоні 6 жовтня основна частина корпусу амазонок була знищена за лічені години в рукопашному бою після того, як французи пішли на них в багнетову атаку.

Розформування
Жіночі формування розпущені разом з решто війська, коли королівство стало французьким протекторатом. Усна традиція стверджує, що деякі вцілілі амазонки таємно залишились в Абомеї, де тихо вбили кількох французьких офіцерів. За іншими історіями, воїнки пообіцяли свої послуги на захист Аголіагбо, брата Беганзіна, переодягнувшись в його дружин, щоб охороняти його.

Деякі військовички одружувалися і народжували, інші ні. За словами історика, який простежив життя майже 20 ветеранок, вони мали труднощі з адаптацією до життя як відставні воячки, намагаючись знайти нові ролі в своїх громадах, що давали б їм почуття гордості, порівнянне з колишнім життям. Багато ветеранок виявляли схильність до сутичок чи суперечок, що лякало їхніх сусідів та родичів.

У період з 1934 по 1942 рік кілька британських мандрівників в Абомеї зафіксували зустрічі з колишніми амазонками, нині літніми жінками, які пряли бавовну або відпочивали біля дворів. Невідома кількість жінок, як кажуть, тренувалася з амазонками Дагомеї після їх розформування, продовжуючи традицію без участі в фактичних боях. Біля 2019 року Лупіта Ніонго взяла інтерв'ю у однієї з них.

Гаві, остання дагомейська амазонка
Вважається, що останньою амазонкою Дагомеї була жінка на ім'я Наві. В інтерв'ю 1978 року в селі Кінта Наві розповіла історику Беніну, що воювала з французами 1892 року. Наві померла в листопаді 1979 року у віці понад 100 років.

У 2018 році оголошено про художній фільм  з Віолою Девіс і Люпітою Ніонго про командувачку амазонок Наніску та її дочку Наві.

У культурі

 Фільм  з Віолою Девіс і Люпітою Ніонго про командувачку амазонок Наніску та її дочку, останню амазонку Наві.
 «Остання Амазонка Дагомеї» — це вистава в рамках роману-приза Букера 2019 року "Дівчина, жінка, інша " Бернадіни Еварісто.
 Дагомейські амазонки були представлені у фільмі «Кобра Верде» 1987 року німецького режисера Вернера Герцога.
 Амазонки Гезо відіграють важливу роль у романі «Спалах свободи!» Джорджа Макдональда Фрейзера.
 Воячки є головним акцентом у сценічній п'єсі Лейона Грея «Чорна Спарта».
 Дора Міладже, воїни та охоронці персонажа коміксів Marvel Чорна пантера, частково засновані на амазонках Дагомеї.
 В грі Епоха Імперій II: Африканські королівства існує жіноча одиниця на ім'я гбето, яка знаходиться під впливом і названа на честь амазонок Дагомеї.
 В епізоді " Я є  " за країною Лавкрафта Іпполіта переноситься у світ, де вона стає воїном Дагомеї.

Див. також

 Дагомея
 Перша франко-дагомейська війна
 Друга франко-дагомейська війна

Примітки

Бібліографія

Подальше читання

 Місія до Гелеле, короля Дагоме . Річард Бертон, Лондон, 1864 рік
 Акти війни: поведінка людей у бою. Холмс Р. Нью-Йорк, Вільна преса, 1985
 Дагомей і Дагомани, будучи журналами двох місій до короля Дагомея та резиденції в його столиці в 1849 і 1850 роках. Фредерік Е. Форбс. Kessinger Publishing. 2010 рік
 Der Atlantische Sklavenhandel von Dahomey, W. Peukert, 1740–1797, Вісбаден, 1978
 Про вбивство: психологічна вартість навчання вбивати на війні та в суспільстві. Гроссман Д. Нью-Йорк, Back Bay Books / Little, Brown and Company, 1995 pp. 175
 Les Amazones: Une Armée de Femmes dans l'Afrique Précoloniale, Hélène Almeida-Topor, Paris, Editions Rochevignes, 1984
 Жінки-воїни: Амазонки Дагомея і природа війни. Роберт Б. Еджертон. Боулдер: Westview Press, 2000
 Дружини леопарда: стать, культура та політика в Королівстві Дагомей. Една Г. Бухта. Шарлоттсвілль, 1998 рік
 Жінки-полководці: Ілюстрована військова історія жінок-воїнів. Тім Ньюарк та Ангус Макбрайд, Blandford Press, 1989

Зовнішні посилання

 Стаття про амазонок Дагомея з офіційної сторінки Історичного музею Абомей

Культурологія
Застарілі професії
Військова історія Африки
Бойові спеціальності
Сторінки з неперевіреними перекладами
Жіночі військові формування


Meet our Second Quarter 2017 Employee of the Quarter, Senior Vice President – Cash Management Services, Tim Clements! Read on to see the outstanding contributions Tim has made to Triumph so far.
TC: My father was a Director of the US Navy Band so I grew up moving every two years around the United States and Europe (Italy and Spain) allowing me to learn the many different cultures and diversity we have in our country and world. I graduated from high school in New Orleans and moved to Memphis to play tennis collegiately and found a passion for banking. I have two sons, Jeremy (36) and Christian (21) who both played collegiate soccer. Outside of work I actively participate in competitive tennis and I am involved in soccer at the administrative level. I serve as the State Referee Administrator for Mississippi Soccer Association and sit on the MSA Executive Council. I am a member of the Mid South Association of Financial Professionals and a board member of the Southern Financial Exchange. I also represent Triumph Bank on the Fiserv Premier Advisory Council.
TC: I spend my day working closely with our commercial and retail officers evaluating the Cash Management needs of our customers and prospects. I also interact directly with our customers providing cash management solutions and support. I have a high focus on growing deposits for Triumph Bank.
I enjoy the ability to meet with our Triumph Bank customers and solve their issues by providing advice and solutions that allow their businesses to grow and become more successful. It is very rewarding to see their ability to focus on their core business instead of problem solving.
TC: I truly think the best part of working at Triumph Bank is working with a team of bankers that have the same goal in mind. We collectively focus on what is best for our customers and together we help them grow.
Thank you for all you've done to help Triumph grow, Tim!
If you or someone you know could benefit from working with Tim, give him a call at 901-333-8884 or email him at tclements@triumphbank.com.


Taking a breath on the way to Avery!
For the life of me, I could not find our destination today. It was a birthday party and if I did not give her a promised slice of cake, I'd never hear the end of it. I kept trying to tell her we celebrate birthdays to make that person feel special, not to eat cake. However, that is a nice bonus!
She could see I was a bit flustered driving, and she said, "Mommy, now, take a breath and ask Jesus to help you." Brilliant. My kid is brilliant. Where did she get this piece of advice!? Isn't it amazing when our child gives us back what we give them? And, it's so simple full of child-like faith. Just like Jesus modeled and shared. Upon my breath and short prayer, she said, "Now, mommy, don't you feel better!?" As a matter of fact I did. I felt even better knowing my daughter is full of wisdom.
Happy 3rd Birthday Avery! You have a fellow Thomas lover in Tatum!
It's so fun to be an audience. Tatum is constantly wanting to be watched or played with. Now, this sounds like a tall order, however, the girl is so dang cute I could easily do it without being commissioned.
Her swim lesson today was worth seeing. She kept watching to see if I was watching!
But the best part was when I came in to get her from her nap. She had somehow retrieved the keyboard and was playing tunes.
If not tempered, her ability to tell others what to do and her strong sense of self could become haughty and pious. But, we mold, shape and focus her behavior on the way she could be strong AND kind.
No agenda today! Seriously, this is like the first day in forever that we had nowhere to be at no particular time. So…I planned on going to the zoo bright and early. Unfortunately I shared this plan with Tatum, and she expected to go. Upon pleading with her to go another day, and that we would have a blast at home playing in her house, she agreed.
Before we went down to have brekkie, I asked if she wanted to grab a book. She plopped on my bed and started reading Polka Dot Puppy.
Great! She is over going to the zoo and we can have a great day. I figure I will work on organizing her closet and making more Tot Books. That means laminating laminating laminating cutting cutting cutting and pasting pasting pasting. Much effort but worth it.
Luckily, she just stayed busy. I love that she loves to read. The toys she tends to gravitate to are now Bella, her kitchen, and well…books! Tot grabbed a book and a Highlights magazine. We popped up the tent in her room so she could hide and play.
read, then disappeared for a minute. Then…I found her on the stairs reading to Bella!
Aahhhh, the joy of her independence while I laminated!
My Tot Books are going to be so great thanks to this site!
Work in Progress. Also..rotation. Tatum kept finding things in her closet that she poo-pooed before and now loved! It was a great strategy to keep her busy while I laminated AND she discovered old toys/books new again.
We then ran out to the store, and she got her daily dose of friends. She asked everyone she could see, "Hi, what's your name? I'm Tatum." In the car ride home, "Mommy, let's have a conversation." It never ends, my little chatterbox social butterfly.
Even when she slips up, she still maintains her sweet demeanor. Right before nap, I wanted her to come to me, and she just stared and did not respond. I had to ask her a few times, and finally I just plopped her in her bed for 2 minutes. She cried, and I returned for her only to apologize. She looked me straight in the eye and said (without any prompting from me), "Mommy, I'm sorry I did not listen to you. I did not honor-love you." (This is straight from her wall and she remembered!) Wow. This is all about learning and her growing.
I couldn't hold back but I had to surprise her with her new Minnie suit. This made her want to go swimming, and I couldn't believe the growth in her stroke! Man, those lessons give her confidence.
While I cut out all the laminating, she put Jack and the Beanstalk storyboard together and I made more!
This time last year, I was disorganized, unsure how to be with a 2 year old all day, ill-equipped on how to teach her…and the list goes on. Now, I see her become independent, kind, helpful, and introspective with a true conscience.
This organization day helped me organize her room AND gave me a whole new appreciation for my Tot.
My dear mom has been resurrecting clothes I wore at Tot's age. Raggedy Ann and Andy were the Winnie the Pooh of the "olden" days supposedly. Well, I have not seen them around much, but Tot sported my little outfit just the same.
Our resemblance to each other is no coinkeedink…It's pretty HOLY AMAZING! God is so Good.
What is it about trains that brings out the child in us? Maybe it's the child we have with us! Today was one of those days where you realize the best things could be right in your own backyard!
It's darn hot here, and there is not much to do in the outdoors. But today, a little surprise awaited us at the train park.
First, the time I spend with Tatum is one huge investment. Every little second, I imagine I am making deposits into her memory banks and every little experience in our day, including the roller-coaster emotions, well, these are part of the journey. It's like any relationship. She sometimes does not understand me nor I her, but we communicate it through. I love the twists and turns, the ups and downs, and the give and take we share. Man, sometimes I just want to yell, "Calgon, take me away!" but I just go with the moment because I know they are short-lived and they are so special. It's hard being with someone 24/7 with little or no breaks, but you know what? It's pretty awesome when you think of it like a bank account and "dollar cost-averaging." A teeny bit each day will build to a million dollars in a few years.
So, with all of this said, I take on the day when I am dog tired. Today was one of those days. I had little energy to fight the heat and the sand on my feet. We decided to have our brekkie there, and then we would ride the first train. All Aboard!
It sure never gets old..even in 100+ weather. The other 2 passengers enjoyed the ride with us.
Then, we discovered a WHOLE NEW SIDE to the train park. There is a MUSEUM there!!! YES! Indoors, air-conditioned and F..R..E..E! So we ventured in. It was so amazing that I promised to take her back in the afternoon after nap and get her ice cream. What is funny is that we have a book about the park, and we have been reading it for about a year or more. It talks about the HO, O, N and Z trains being the smaller model trains, but I had no clue they were in the museum. I figured I had seen all of it. WRONG!
Well, easily, she could hang there for an hour or so. But first….Strawberry Ice cream.
Then, into the museum to find Mickey, Thomas, and other characters she recognized. Also, she can 'control' parts of it with one touch. This touch makes the train go, the circus come alive, and other things move and groove.
The helicopter starts its propeller….
and this little truck starts shoveling dirt. Fascinating!
And all of it is right next door at the train park. The man who greeted us as we walked in shared that the city of Scottsdale maintains the outside, but volunteers keep this place going on the inside. Honestly, they are just model train enthusiasts who spend their time tinkering and tinkering with every little nook and cranny of these amazing pieces of work. What dedication, and I sure do appreciate all of their hard work!
It's never too late to be a kid again, and I will keep making that investment in TATUM AND ME and in helping that laughing, childlike side of me never die!
And it was…truly blessed to have Melissa as my buddy. She has the most delightful kiddos, Sophie and Gabby. They took Tot in and made her feel so special. We sure love you!
Thank you for coffee talk, Mel.
"What's this thing called, honey?" (it's a comma sitting on the floor) vs. "What's this thing called honey?" (the guy is pouring honey all over himself) Aahhh…the importance of a comma!
No later do I find her stealing my crossword puzzle and working on it!
And..she's even doing the NY Times one. It must be the glasses.
Doug let her sport his spectacles, and she tried to discuss the latest development in space.
Well, maybe she better go back to the drawing board….


text:
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When you are looking for gift ideas this holiday season, the options are endless. Any Game of Thrones fan would be ecstatic to receive one of these gifts. Whether it is a necklace, a sword, or a decal, think about your loved ones and consider their personality to help you decide on a gift that will be treasured for years to come.
Any Game of Thrones fan would be ecstatic to receive one of these gifts. Whether it is a necklace, a sword, or a decal, think about your loved ones and consider their personality to help you decide on a gift that will be treasured for years to come.
Game of Thrones Shirt Daddy of House Chaos. Game of Thrones Fathers Day Gift. Game of Thrones Gift for Him. Got Fans Tee Father of Wildlings. Great Father's Day, Birthday, Valentine's, Christmas or just because gift for any GoT fan!! ❤
==> The graphic design is a registered copyrighted design.
Winter is coming early this year! With our Game of Thrones Ugly Sweater, you will be the center of any Christmas party!
Buy on Etsy
These Personalized Game of Thrones Christmas Stockings make wonderful Christmas gifts for new parents, families, newlyweds, and for all fans of Game of Thrones! Perhaps Tywin Lannister said it best when he said, "It's the family name that lives on. It's all that lives on." Your family name will live on when you personalize these unique Game of Thrones Christmas Stockings.
Father Son Matching Shirts. Game of Thrones Shirts. Game of Thrones Last Name Personalized Gift.
These Game of Thrones Father Son Matching Shirts make excellent gifts for Father's Day, birthdays, the beginning of a new GoT season, or just sitting around waiting for George R.R. Martin's next book to come out. Matching shirts also make great holiday gifts for when winter is coming. Perhaps Tywin Lannister said it best when he said, "It's the family name that lives on. It's all that lives on." Your family name will live on when you personalize these adorable father son matching shirts.
Game of Thrones Mug. Game of Thrones Gift Last Name Personalized Game of Thrones Cup.
Ever wanted to amerce yourself into the world of Westeros? Well now you can by adding a personalized Game of Thrones mug to your home! You can personalize it in three ways: choosing the house, choosing the size in which you want your mug, and by adding your last name to it. There are three houses to choose from, but only one that will rule them all, as it sits next to your bedside while the other peasant mugs are left in the cabinets.
Game of Thrones Pillow. Last Name Personalized Game of Thrones Decorative Pillow. GOT Housewarming Gift.
Are you looking for a unique housewarming gift for an avid fan of Game of Thrones? This Game of Thrones decorative pillow can add just the right touch of geekiness to anyone's bedroom or living room. Customizable with any Last Name, each pillow features the crest of one of the Game of Thrones houses. As Game of Thrones gifts go, these are especially practical because they are fully functional pillows ideal for napping.
I Drink And I Know Things What I Do V-Neck Unisex Shirt
That's What I Do, I Drink And I Know Things V-Neck Shirt inspired by Tyrion Lannister Game of Thrones. This stylish cotton Game of Thrones Shirt is a Tyrion Lannister approved way to let the people around you know what to expect. Printed in the USA!
That's What I Do I Drink And I Know Things Shirt. Game of Thrones Funny Drinking Shirt T-Shirt.
Inspired by Tyrion Lannister Game of Thrones. In our world, as in Westeros, reputation is power, and power is everything. This comfortable and stylish cotton Game of Thrones "That's What I Do, I Drink And I Know Things" T-shirt is a Tyrion Lannister approved way to let the people around you know what to expect. Leave the decapitations and bloody carnage to the other guys. Printed in the USA!
A Baby Has No Name Funny Game of Thrones Baby Onesie
Show off your obsession with Game of Thrones with this funny baby onesie. This Game of Thrones baby onesie has short sleeves and is made of soft, breathable, 100 percent cotton fabric, perfect for hot summer days or for layering when the weather gets cold. This bodysuit features the phrase "A Baby Has No Name," a play on the quote by Arya Stark, in the iconic Game of Thrones font. This onesie would make the perfect baby shower gift for parents to be who cannot get enough of Game of Thrones!
Game of Thrones Baby Onesie. Last Name Personalized Game of Thrones Onesie. Perfect Baby Shower Gift
If you or someone you know loves Game of Thrones, you need this Last Name Personalized Game of Thrones Baby Onesie! This adorable Game of Thrones onesie features the direwolf logo of House Stark to show other fans your favorite characters. Personalize it with your family's Last Name to feel like you are part of the show! This Game of Thrones baby onesie would make a perfect baby shower or first birthday gift for a little one whose parents are obsessed with the show.
I Drink And I Know Things What I Do Funny Set of 2 shirts
In our world, as in Westeros, reputation is power, and power is everything. These comfortable and stylish original Game of Thrones "That's What I Do, I Drink And I Know Things" matching Adult and Kids T-shirt or Baby Onesie are a Tyrion Lannister approved way to let the people around you know what to expect. Leave the decapitations and bloody carnage to the other guys. You have your own approach, one that involves a little more reading and a lot more wine (and milk!) It is a must have for any fan, big or small. These shirts are sure to gain the attention of any Game of Thrones fan, whether it is on vacation or running errands around town, it will surely let people know how you and your child handle things... Like Tyrion Lannister of course!
Funny Baby Onesie I Drink And I Know Things What I Do // Inspired by Tyrion Lannister Game of Thrones
This Game of Throne shirt for the ultimate Tyrion Lannister fan is now available in Baby Onesie! With Game of Thrones being one of the most popular shows on television, why wouldn't you want to have your baby wear this unique conversation starter? It is a must have for any fan, big or small. Your baby will start a fanfare of his or her own with this adorable onesie. This onesie is sure to gain the attention of any Game of Thrones fan, whether it is on vacation or running errands around town, it will surely let people know how your baby handles things... Like Tyrion Lannister of course!
I Drink And I Know Things What I Do Funny Toddler T-Shirt
This Game of Throne shirt for the ultimate Tyrion Lannister fan is now available in toddler size! Now you can show your allegiance to the Lannister who famously said, "I drink and I know things", with your toddler. It is a must have for any fan, big or small. Your toddler can start a fanfare of his or her own with this adorable t-shirt. This shirt is sure to gain the attention of any Game of Thrones fan, whether it is on vacation or running errands around town, it will surely let people know how your toddler handles things... Like Tyrion Lannister of course! There will be no question from anyone who sees this awesome quote on this t-shirt on who your toddler's loyalty lies with.
Funko POP Game of Thrones: Jon Snow
If you are one of the many fans enthralled with Game of Thrones, wouldn't it be fun to have a little piece of the show to keep with you on your desk? This Jon Snow Funko POP figurine is a 3.75-inch-tall vinyl version of the popular character.
Game of Thrones Iron Throne Toilet Decal
Have you dreamed of ruling the realms of Westeros? Do you imagine yourself seated upon an iron throne that is forged from the weapons of past enemies who have fallen in battle? This iron throne toilet seat decal is the perfect way to gain the fear and the respect of those in your kingdom. It can even be applied to a flat surface that is situated behind a chair where you often sit. What coworker would not envy an iron office chair?
AleHorn Medieval Handcrafted Viking Drinking Horn
Nothing says festive drinking more than this ale horn, which is perfect for GOT themed parties. It's a great gift idea for those who want to add a little medieval culture to their holiday cheer. Pour on the mead; just be careful of hidden treachery!
Game of Thrones Stocking
Looking for a place to store your essence of nightshade, tears of Lys, or widow's blood this holiday season? Nothing is more festive for storing your maester-created poisons and gifts than this GoT Stocking. It is colored a regal green and features all of the sigils associated with the major houses of the series, which makes it easy to keep your loyalties on the low.
Game of Thrones Sword Letter Opener
When you receive an elegant letter, perhaps a wedding invitation, you will be glad you have this sterling silver "Game of Thrones" letter opener to slice it open with finesse. The opener has a length of approximately 7.5 inches. "Game of Thrones" is engraved along the shaft of the miniature sword, and it stays free from dust and scratches in its black velvet drawstring storage bag. This letter opener is a fun and useful addition to any desktop and will be appreciated as a gift by any devotee of the show. Hodor.
Game of Thrones Stark Scarf
The Game of Thrones Stark scarf is warm as dragon's breath and gives you a fashionable way to show that you stand with the dwindling Stark clan. It is made of a gorgeous ash-grey acrylic and has a tubular construction for double thickness. The Stark scarf is a generous 64 inches long and 6.5 inches wide. It is embroidered in black with the direwolf sigil of the House of Stark and is attractively fringed on each end. This scarf is the perfect accent for your winter wardrobe, or choose it as a gift for your favorite Game of Thrones fan.
Game of Thrones Dragonclaw Goblet Replica
The Game of Thrones Dragonclaw Goblet replica is a great serving goblet for those dinner parties and family events where your regular glassware just won't do. Pick up several to make your soirees more "medieval fantasy". Imagine your Great Aunt Ruth making her Thanksgiving toast with the same chalice that Melisandre and Master Cressen drank from at the Chamber of the Painted Table in Dragonstone - or don't, if you want to keep things peaceable. The resin dragon claw stem delicately clutches an amber-tinted glass bowl, reminding you of the hit Game of Throne's series with each swig of whatever liquid you choose to fill it with.
Game of Thrones Iron Throne T-Shirt
The Game of Thrones Iron Throne T-shirt is not a garment for the faint-of-heart. Proclaim your love of the hit TV and book series while intimidating friends, family, and confused old ladies on the bus. ("Why is there a sword-chair on your shirt?) The shirt features a slim fit in soft, machine-washable 100% cotton. The Game of Thrones logo is brightly emblazoned across the top in bright gold and orange letters, with a large depiction of the menacing throne itself, shrouded in mist taking up the rest of the front of the shirt. Wear your love for the blockbuster show proudly!
Game of Thrones Ladies' Tank Top
Show your support of three royal houses of Westeros with this Game of Thrones Ladies' Tank Top. This black racer-back style 100% cotton tank top features a Stark direwolf on a blue field, the Targaryen dragon heads on a red field, and the Lannister lion on a golden field. Each house's motto is printed behind its sigil in the appropriate color. Show your Game of Thrones spirit without choosing a side, because let's face it, no one knows who's going to sit in the Iron Throne. The point is that you'll look awesome enough for the job in this shirt.
Game of Thrones Wooden Engraved Cutting Board
When you get out your Valyrian steel chef's knife to cube wild boar for a stew, you need a sturdy, attractive cutting board to work on. An oak board would be great, and if it had the amusing declaration, "Dinner is coming," engraved upon it, that would be even better. You're in luck! Such a board now exists to bring Game of Thrones into every fan's kitchen. This handmade oak cutting board is customized with an engraving of the house sign of your choice. The Game of Thrones board is also a great Christmas or birthday gift idea for fans of the show that love to cook. It can be personalized with any House sign: Stark, Targaryen, Tyrell, Tully etc.
Mother Of Dragons Necklace
The Mother of Dragons Necklace is a beautiful hand-crafted necklace in the shape of a fire breathing dragon. It can be worn around your neck to share your love of Game of Thrones. The design is inspired by the mother of dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, from the hit books and television series. The wings of the dragons are painted in acrylic paint with one of three colors- yellow gold, ruby red, and emerald green, to represent the three dragons: Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal. The body of the dragon and the chain and necklace clasp is a tarnished brass-colored metal. This piece of artwork is a gorgeous accessory that can proudly display your love of Game of Thrones (or your love of dragons, or of fine jewelry) with the world.
Game of Thrones Sterling Silver Dragon Egg Pendant
The Game of Thrones Dragon Egg Pendant is a gorgeous sterling silver necklace that can be either a subtle conversation starter or a proud emblem of your love for the hit novels and TV show, depending on how you choose to wear it. The stunning textured silver pendant is a one inch long mini replica of the mysterious dragon eggs that Daenerys Targaryen received as wedding gifts when she wed Khal Drogo, from which emerged her dragons on the day that she became the mother of dragons. A high quality 18-inch sterling silver chain is included with the dragon egg pendant.
Game Of Thrones Flash Drives
As any fan of the hit series Game of Thrones knows, "Winter is Coming", so save your files while you still can! The Game of Thrones flash drive comes in one of two options, a golden Hand of the King and a silver-colored Stark Direwolf sigil. (Clearly, this product is for Stark family supporters.) The Direwolf head cap can be removed to reveal the flash drive, as can the hand emblem, leaving a sharp mini sword that can be used as a pin. The drive itself has 8GB of memory, and is fast, removable and waterproof for use as a normal flash drive, but it shows your support for the long-suffering Stark family in a subtle yet alluring way.
Game of Thrones Dragon Egg Canister
The Game of Thrones Dragon Egg Canister is the perfect place to hide things that require the protection of a dragon. Its scaly green skin is a replica of one of Daenerys Targaryen's dragon eggs, (the one that hatched the baby dragon Rhaegal), but you are welcome to store things other than fire-breathing reptiles in it. Cookies would be an excellent choice, and less of a fire hazard. This ceramic, 9.25 inch x 6 inch, officially licensed canister is an excellent to show off your superior Game of Thrones pride, right there on your kitchen counter- just make extra sure to check that it's empty when you receive it.
Collectible Dragon Egg Box with Eggs
A gift fit for a Khaleesi, this collectible dragon egg box will make any Game of Thrones fan burn with envy. Three replica dragon eggs come nestled in a deep bed of black satin within a wooden box that hinges open to display its eons-old contents. These petrified eggs will rest heavily in your hands at 10 ounces and are fit for proving your Targaryen birthright with no need to walk through fire. Any serious Game of Thrones collector will appreciate the attention to detail on these green, gold, and red dragon eggs. Perfect for any Rhaegal, Viserion, and Drogon fan or to complete your GOT collection.
Game of Thrones Iron Throne Bookend
You treasure your hardcover copies of the Game of Thrones series by George R. R. Martin. What better way to display your precious books than with a hand-painted Iron Throne Bookend. At four hefty pounds, you won't have to worry about it not being able to handle the bulk of the series. It's almost as well-crafted as Martin's plots. Beautifully adorned, it's practically art. Now, don't worry, if you're a fan of the show and not the novels, this gorgeous collectible item works just as well at propping up boxed sets of DVDs or Blu-Ray discs.
The Game of Thrones Monopoly Game is the best way to get the experience of Game of Thrones in your own home, with slightly less bloodshed. Enjoy battling with your friends and loved ones over the classic board game but with inspiring locations from the original TV and book series such as Castle Black, Winterfell, and King's Landing. Boring tokens have been replaced by a dragon egg, three-eyed raven, white walker, direwolf, crown, and iron throne. Villages and Keeps replace houses and hotels, because as a true fan you will have noticed there are no hotels in the Seven Kingdoms. Play the Game of Thrones Monopoly game to be proclaimed ruler over your kingdom - at least for a time.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Pythonic way to create a new dataframe from each row of an existing dataframe Please recommend a pythonic way to create a new data frame from each row of an existing data frame.
The suggestion MUST take into account that the number of rows of the existing data frame is random, so the solution offered has to account for that. (For the sake of the example below the original data frame includes 3 rows, however, the actual number of rows in the original data frame will be random.) The columns  of the original data frame will remain unchanged.
Original dataframe:
import pandas as pd
from numpy.random import randn

df = pd.DataFrame(randn(3,3), columns=['column 1', 'column 2', 'column 3'], index = ['row 1', 'row 2', 'row 3'])
print(df)

output:
       column 1  column 2  column 3
row 1  0.972855 -0.179018  0.177614
row 2 -2.146628 -1.639054 -0.708013
row 3 -1.295298 -0.313462 -0.229140

Desired output AFTER the solution has been implemented (Three new data frame is created as below, preserving the original columns):
dataframe 1:
   column 1  column 2  column 3
row 1  0.972855 -0.179018  0.177614

dataframe 2:
    column 1  column 2  column 3
row 2 -2.146628 -1.639054 -0.708013

dataframe 3:
    column 1  column 2  column 3
row 3 -2.146628 -1.639054 -0.708013

I also would like to retain the ability to address the new data frames created, and manipulate the data within them.
I have tried to implement my own solution by using the .iterrows function and using dynamically created variables, but I would like to know what would be the recommended, most simple, and elegant way of solving the problem.

A: Ok, I think the solution I found for the problem is the best one out of everything that was suggested, so I am going to share it here:
First, we going to iterate through the rows of the original database using a "for" loop and the ".itertuples()" function.
Within the loop, the data returned by the ".itertuples()" function is used to construct a new pandas database, which is then stored in a dictionary.
The dictionary key to store each newly created database is derived from the first element returned by the ".itertuples" function.
import pandas as pd
from numpy.random import randn

df = pd.DataFrame(randn(3,3), columns=['column 1', 'column 2', 'column 3'], index = ['row 1', 'row 2', 'row 3'])

row = df.itertuples()

my_dict = {}

for row in df.itertuples():
    my_dict[row[0]] = pd.DataFrame([list(row)[1:]], columns=['column 1', 'column 2', 'column 3'],
                                   index = [row[0]])

print(my_dict)

Output:
{'row 1':        column 1  column 2  column 3
row 1  2.083922  1.513993  0.861644, 'row 2':        column 1  column 2  column 3
row 2  0.988185 -0.685701  0.252542, 'row 3':        column 1  column 2  column 3
row 3 -0.526314 -1.481147 -1.789547}

This is the most straightforward solution I was able to find. Any opinion on the above, please? (If there is a better solution, I will change the accepted answer.)

A: You could use groupby for this, with globals which will set the new dataframe name. Something like this:
import pandas as pd
from numpy.random import randn

df = pd.DataFrame(randn(3,3), columns=['column 1', 'column 2', 'column 3'], index = ['row 1', 'row 2', 'row 3'])

count = 0
for (uniquerow), group in df.groupby(df.index):
    count+=1
    globals()['df' + str(count)] = group

where df1-dfn has now been created for the n number of rows in the original dataframe.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


From 2pm to 4pm – tea and cakes at St Peter's church, with time to look at the display of stories and memorabilia.
At 7.30pm – barn dance at Parkhouse Farm, tickets £10 to include a hotpot supper. Proceeds in aid of The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.
Seventeen silhouettes, from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust commemorating that number from Heversham and Leasgill who died in the war, will be displayed in the Church until the 11 November and thereafter, together with a display of poppies (by the WI) at various locations in the villages.
The photo was taken at Carlisle Castle earlier in the year.


0, indicating that these messages will not be sent to the server.
"""Determine wheather is the environment Jupyter Notebook"""
Branch 'release/2.27/master' set up to track remote branch 'release/2.27/master' from 'origin'.
$ grep -r "crypt(3)" .
./crypt/README.ufc-crypt:- Crypt implementation plugin compatible with crypt(3)/fcrypt.
./crypt/README.ufc-crypt:such as the one said to be used in crypt(3).
$ ls crypt | egrep "(md5|sha256|sha512)\.c"


Azari Vineyards is just 1-hour from San Francisco and we can accommodate groups of up to 300.
Let us plan a day for your team complete with food, wine, sunshine and as many activities as you can dream up: archery, watercolor instruction, pizza-making workshop, wine blending and viticulture knowledge, guided meditation and so on.
Or, just let everyone relax by the pool and our tropical sangria bar.
Get in touch with us at +1.707.347.9846 or info@azarivineyards.com.


A great vehicle and a great value! It includes leather upholstery, voice activated navigation, blind spot sensor, and 1-touch window functionality. It features an automatic transmission, 4-wheel drive, and a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine.


text:
AMP Talent Group
Press Release January 2, 2022: AMP Talent Group awarded Canadian Business Awards, "Best Talent Agency" by Corporate Vision.
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in Canadian talent.
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AMP Talent Group works with the biggest brands, networks and studios in the arts and entertainment industry.
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text:
Posted on October 25, 2001 by Greater Media
Howell's Gallo is No. 1 for Michigan X-country team
By tim morris
Lindsey Gallo has always thrived on challenges. It's that competitive drive that made her a state champion and an all-American at Howell High School, where she established herself as the greatest female distance runner in Freehold Regional High School District history.
The next challenge for Gallo was proving she could compete at the Division I-A level in college at an elite program. She did that as a freshman in fall 2000, making the top seven and competing in the Big 10 and NCAA championships.
Now, however, Gallo is facing her greatest challenge yet as the University of Michigan's No. 1 cross country runner.
Under coach Mike McGuire, the Wolverines have steadily ranked among the best programs in the country, and his top runners are all-Americans. Being No. 1 at Ann Arbor isn't enough. Athletes there are expected to compete at the very highest level in the country. McGuire thinks his sophomore has the talent to do it, but it won't be done overnight.
"Lindsey is our No. 1 runner, and she has been all year," McGuire pointed out. "I've got to keep her hungry and not just satisfied to be the team's No 1. She has to strive to the level expected of No. 1 at Michigan. Our last two No. 1's (Katie McGregor and Katie Jazwinski) were all-Americans, and McGregor was a national champion. Lindsey is on her way to doing that, but she isn't there yet."
Gallo wasn't the fastest returning Wolverine from the 2000 squad that was 14th at the national championship, but that didn't matter to the ex-Rebel star. A summer running program, which included some forays into local road races at the Shore, had the sophomore returning to Ann Arbor ready for her newest challenge.
"Lindsey is physically stronger than she was a year ago, and she has the confidence she gained from last year," noted McGuire. "She did a better job preparing for this season than she did last year. There were a lot of adjustments for her to make. Most college freshmen train for their first year like they trained in high school; plus, she was 600 miles from home, and that took some adjustment."
Gallo has been the Wolverines' top runner in every meet this fall. In her last outing, the Notre Dame Invitational, she ran her best race ever in a Wolverine singlet. She posted her fastest 5,000 meters ever, 17:47, finishing eighth overall in a loaded field and leading Michigan to second place. At the same meet last year, Gallo was 37th and clocked 18:07.
"Lindsey has been doing a really good job for us," said McGuire. "She has stepped it up physically and mentally. We're happy with her progress.
"She has the tools to be an All-American," he added. "I think she's a year away. It's a matter of her being able to get the training in with no interruptions."
Gallo and the Wolverines will be in action at the Big 10 championships at the University of Illinois on Sunday. This race will let Gallo know just what kind of prospects she has of making it to the NCAAs this year.
As good as Gallo has been this fall in cross country, McGuire thinks her improved training and racing will show up even more in track.
"Lindsey is someone who likes track better than she does cross country," said McGuire. "The way she's running, she can take 25 or 30 seconds off her 3K time indoors. She did 10:08 last winter, and I think she can run in the 9:30s."
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text:
Q: Letter occurence counter program not holding strings inputted by the user I am creating a program that counts the occurrences of each letter in the alphabet that are in the string the user inputs. The user is prompted to keep entering strings until they enter <end> which stops the input and analyzes the inputs.
The analyzing works just fine. The problem occurs when, for example, I enter the first input "thanks", and then the second input, "please". The program will only analyze "please" and not "thanks". I can't figure out why.
programrun = True
while programrun:
  stringinput = input ("Enter a sentence or word <END> to finish: ").lower()

  if stringinput != "<end>":
    stringinput1 = stringinput

  letters =['a','b','c','d','e','f','g','h','i','j','k','l','m','n','o','p','q','r','s','t','u','v','w','x','y','z']
  #print (programrun)

  if stringinput == "<end>":
    programrun = False

#stringinput2 = stringinput1

print (stringinput1)

for i in range(0,26):
#frequency = (int(stringinput.count(letters[i]) / 26) * 100)
  length = len(stringinput1)
  print(letters[i],": ",stringinput1.count(letters[i]), " Freqency: ", (float(stringinput1.count(letters[i]) / length) * 100))

A: The problem is the indentation, the for loop was not inside the while loop, so after inputing one word, the code stops, I've add other improvements

*

*you can just use a string with the letters instead of a list, and define it before the loop

*iterate directly over each letter, not over ints then access by index

*stop the code it the input is "<end>" don't do other string manipulation

letters = 'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz'

while True:
    stringinput = input("Enter a sentence or word <END> to finish: ").lower()

    if stringinput == "<end>":
        break

    for letter in letters:
        length = len(stringinput)
        count = stringinput.count(letter)
        print(letter, ": ", count, " Freqency: ", (count / length) * 100)

A: I think because, you need to concatenate all entries in stringinput1:
stringinput1=""
while programrun:
    stringinput = input ("Enter a sentence or word <END> to finish: ").lower()

    if stringinput != "<end>":
        stringinput1 = stringinput1+stringinput

...


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'Tall Girl' is a self-aware, self-confident teen rom-com
The Netflix rom-com is sharper and less self-serious than expected, and the result is a pleasant surprise.
Patti Perret/Netflix
Brenden Gallagher— 2019-09-13 07:00 am
Don't judge a teen rom-com by its trailer.
When Netflix released its first trailer for Tall Girl, it sparked concern that the film would send the wrong message in 2019. In an era that's begun to focus more on actual marginalized identities encompassing race, gender, and disability, a "Tall Lives Matter" film doesn't feel like what we need right now.
As is often the case with assumptions made on Twitter, that's not what this film is doing at all. In fact, Tall Girl gently mocks its target audience of relatively privileged teenagers who believe they have it worse than everyone else.
DIRECTOR: Nzingha Stewart
STREAMING: Netflix
This funny, self-aware rom-com reminds viewers that experiencing alienation doesn't make you special or weird. It just makes you a teenager.
Tall Girl doesn't attempt to conflate tallness with marginalized groups, but instead points out the absurdity of how teenage life makes everyone feel less than. Every character— protagonist or antagonist, studly exchange student or nerdy gamer—has a moment when they feel ostracized and small. The "tall girl" experience is the teen experience.
The film confidently announces its thematic intentions in its first few moments. Jodi (Ava Michelle), the titular tall girl, is in English class studying Confederacy of Dunces, a nod to the film's New Orleans setting. She says, "It's about alienation. It's about Ignatius finding acceptance in a world that wants nothing to do with him."
Tall Girl works so well because the film doesn't take Jodi's plight as seriously as she does. Toward the beginning of the film, Jodi's mother says that she had a difficult time in high school too, because she was "so beautiful." Everyone remembers themselves as the odd one out in high school, even beauty queens.
Scott Saltzman/Netflix
Director Nzingha Stewart and writer Sam Wolfson thread an incredible needle with the cast, respecting the emotional journeys of these teens while keeping the proceedings light and funny. Jodi also has a chorus of people who care about her ready to tell her she doesn't have it that bad. Her best friend Fareeda (Anjelika Washington) and friend-zoned buddy Jack (Griffin Gluck) constantly encourage her to relax and enjoy life instead of worrying about what everyone else thinks.
The supporting cast serves to combat Jodi's self-seriousness while also offering comic relief, which keeps Tall Girl buoyant. Gluck might become a comedy star after his physically sharp turn here. Casting Steve Zahn and Angela Kinsey as Jodi's parents could make these veteran character actors what Eugene Levy and Jennifer Coolidge were for a previous generation.
Tall Girl also has a number of surprisingly sharp comedic sequences. Sabrina Carpenter plays Jodi's pageant queen older sister Harper with sweetness and humor instead of the stereotypical iciness. A scene in which she counsels Jodi not to pursue an exchange student because every girl in school will be circling them is hilarious. Making the "hot girl" the comic relief is tough, but it works here.
The film also uses its Louisiana setting to its advantage (even if the filmmakers probably chose the location for the state's generous tax credit). B-roll of New Orleans neighborhoods and location shooting in shotgun houses and French Quarter mansions add another unique touch to the film.
Most importantly, Tall Girl constantly circles back to its main theme, deepening and enriching its ideas. Every teenager feels like a loser in high school. Every teenager experiences unrequited love. Every teenager feels that the world is deeply unfair. Even pageant queen Harper and Swedish exchange student Stig (Luke Eisner) have crippling insecurities that the lusty glances of their peers can't cure. Tall Girl reminds viewers that experiencing alienation doesn't make you special or weird. It just makes you a teenager.
Tall Girl isn't perfect, but it doesn't have to be. As with most Netflix rom-coms, the "Hallmark Channel budget for good scripts" formula results in scenes that are underlit, undershot, and altogether under-budgeted. And like many studio rom-coms made for adults, the film makes a few missteps in the run-up to its climax. But the film's act-two problems are no more damning than the ones that occur in classics like You've Got Mail or Notting Hill.
For the most part, however, Tall Girl is a success. Just as 10 Things I Hate About You and She's All That resonated with a previous generation, Tall Girl's message of self-acceptance and self-awareness could make the film a mainstay among teens today.
Still not sure what to watch tonight? Here are our guides for the absolute best movies on Netflix, must-see Netflix original series, documentaries, docuseries, and movies.
Looking for something more specific? Here are our Netflix guides for the best war movies, documentaries, anime, indie flicks, true crime, food shows, rom-coms, LGBT movies, alien movies, gangster movies, Westerns, film noir, and movies based on true stories streaming right now. There are also sad movies guaranteed to make you cry, weird movies to melt your brain, old movies when you need something classic, and standup specials when you really need to laugh. Or check out Flixable, a search engine for Netflix.
Brenden Gallagher
Brenden Gallagher is a politics reporter and cultural commentator. His work has been published by Motherboard, Complex, and VH1. He's the co-founder of Beer Money Films, an indie production company. Based in Los Angeles, he works in television drama as a writers assistant.
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Inside The Photographer's Studio: Sebastian Tan
|In Lifestyle
|By PPAS Editor
At 51, Sebastian Tan, owner of The Shooting Gallery and Wishing Well The Imaging Station is one rare individual who can truthfully say he has taken the road less travelled, and enjoyed every minute of the rollercoaster ride. Formally trained in advertising art, Sebastian or Seb, as he is affectionately known by friends; fell into photography entirely by accident, and has never looked back since. This chance encounter jump started an impressive career that is instrumental in shaping Singapore's creative industry into what it is today – a regional production hub for top media agencies worldwide.
In 1987, with little more than the clothes on his back, Seb started The Shooting Gallery to provide Singapore with a comprehensive array of commercial photography services. Within two years, it swiftly grew to become Singapore 's largest studio. Since then, The Shooting Gallery has expanded to incorporate television commercial production, 3D imaging (undertaken by subsidiary Wishing Well The Imaging Station) and branch facilities in Malaysia , Indonesia and Vietnam.
That's not all. Unlike run-of-the-mill studios that cash in on fickle trends for a quick buck, The Shooting Gallery has made a distinctive name for itself by delivering high-quality work that is consistently innovative, creative and relevant. Under Seb's direction, The Shooting Gallery has won virtually every major international award, such as D&AD, The Cannes Gold Lion, the Asian Media Awards and the Singapore Creative Circle Award. In a word, you name it, they've bagged it.
Despite his success, Seb is one of the most down-to-earth personalities you'll ever meet. At first sight, he resembles a very friendly grizzly bear, with generous hints of salt-and-pepper in his hair. Yet, underneath a weathered exterior, the veteran photographer and director still exudes a youthful vitality and raw enthusiasm that light up every room he walks into.
We speak to Seb one sunny Tuesday afternoon to find out what makes him tick.
Tell us one thing that you'd really love to do right now. Right now?
I'd love to go back to sleep.
Oh dear. How many hours do you sleep on an average day?
Three, maybe four hours at a stretch. I make it a point to sleep.
You must have a busy schedule. So what do you do in your spare time?
I love gardening. I grew up in the kampong, so I love to spend time in the garden with my plants. I love nature.
Tell us, how did you get started in this business?
I didn't plan for that to happen! I was actually working as the Chief of Security at Robinson's for three years right after NS. But I've always been interested in art, so although it wasn't my job to be involved in displays and signage, I was kaypoh enough to chip in my two cents and help the store to write signage and the set-up of displays. One day, my manager pulled me aside and said, "Seb, you should leave because you're not doing justice to yourself. You're good for the company and you'll probably rise up to a senior position, but you will never realize your full potential." I took her words to heart, and left to attend art school. So I must thank her for recognizing my artistic inclination, and for being the catalyst behind my decision to explore advertising. I was 25 when I studied advertising art at the Baharuddin Vocational Institute.
You were trained in advertising art. Why did you go into photography?
I was approached and offered a job by a photographer three months before graduation. At that point in time, I had to find a job immediately as I had to service my mortgage, and there was only enough funds to last one month after graduation. So when I was asked to join a photography studio as an assistant, I figured a bird in hand is worth two in a bush.
Did you explore other options?
I was offered a number of attractive job offers just before graduation. We were quite fortunate then; although we didn't have graduation shows, the school would actually arrange for ready placements and interviews from various organizations. I remember my Head of Department coming up to me one day, and telling that he'd selected a high paying job for me. So you can imagine his shock when I told him that I've already got a job (with the photographer) which paid only S$400 a month. His response was, "What? But you're trained in art. You studied art! How can you do photography? You must be mad!"
Oh dear. Did you regret your decision?
No. The photographer was willing to wait for me to finish my course, so I was committed to join him after graduation. Besides, I figured I could work for him for one month or two, and leave if it didn't work out. At least I would have fulfilled my promise. And it was a blessing in disguise. Looking back I'm glad I went into photography instead of advertising art, because I'm a very restless person. I'm hyperactive! I love art, but if I'd stayed back to do art, I'll don't think I could sit still for so many hours in front of the drafting table. I really, really enjoy photography.
Starting The Shooting Gallery
You assisted a photographer for seven years. Why did you leave?
I was working both as an assistant and photographer by then. People started calling for me and eventually I became more prominent. Things came to a point when I was the only person shooting. It didn't go down well. I had to leave because of these insecurities, which was a big mistake for the studio. I could have made a lot of money for the company, but most bosses don't see the wisdom behind nurturing and grooming talent and let them earn money for you. When I left, I took these lessons and set up The Shooting Gallery.
So this is how The Shooting Gallery came into the picture. Was it tough starting on your own?
We barely had any funds when we started The Shooting Gallery. I spent my last $4,000 on a Hasselblad, and the rest of the equipment was basically acquired without any collateral or funds.
Wow. How did you manage that?
In my previous company, I was buying equipment for the studio with the money that was given to me as a bonus, because I felt that in order to deliver a good job we need certain things that the photographer was unwilling to support. Sometimes, being unselfish and not calculative works out well. All the suppliers knew that I was paying out of my own pocket, so when I had to leave, that became a blessing in disguise. When I was looking for equipment for The Shooting Gallery, the suppliers said to me, "Take whatever you want. Pay when you can."
How long did it take to pay off the equipment?
We cleared everything within six months.
That's very impressive. How would you describe your guiding philosophy for The Shooting Gallery?
Honesty, integrity and fairness. When I wanted to leave my ex-studio, the boss tried to get me to stay back. He actually threatened to close the company, since I was generating nearly 90% of the profits then. He offered to let me buy the company if I work for another five years. Two and a half years later, he suddenly told me to leave at once, as he had found more photographers to join the studio. When I asked for the dues that were owed to me, he turned around and said, no. He said, "This is business, and if you don't understand it, you get burned. Too bad."
What happened after that?
I told him, "I'll set up a business that is based on honesty, integrity and fairness. I'll prove to you that business need not be unscrupulous, dishonest or a cheat to be successful." And that's the way Shooting Gallery was run ever since. My experiences in this studio became checkpoints for The Shooting Gallery to remind us of our principles behind starting the company. They are the pillars that we operate the company by. We made it a point to let all our photographers gain equal prominence as individuals, and in two years we were the largest studio in Singapore.
The Shooting Gallery has nurtured many talents who have left to start out on their own. What do you think of this?
They don't become enemies just because they left. For those that have left the company with honesty and fairness, we still ask them to collect the shares that are due to them. People ask, "Why do you bother? Nobody does that." And I tell them, "I have a conscience. If they have done well and generated revenue for the company, they deserve it." This is why we still maintain very good relationships with these photographers. Although we compete for jobs, we still have respect for each other. And we always keep in touch. Sometimes, we rent equipment to them because they know we have these facilities. This support is very healthy because at the end of the day we can't do everything by ourselves.
Digital vs Film
What do you think of the digital revolution?
Film has its glory days, and it served the profession and the public well. But the industry must be realistic and move with the times. We cannot afford to be stubborn, and insist on doing things the way that we are used to. Digital capture has its pros and cons; most importantly, digital capture is finer than film. It is fast, and eliminates the uncertainty of shooting film. There is more stability in terms of the images captured. With film, there's always Murphy's law: You tell the lab, "This job is important, very urgent, please don't screw up!" and the next thing you know, your film gets damaged in the processor.
But digital photography has made it much easier for amateurs to infiltrate the industry.
To a certain extent. But whatever it is, garbage in, garbage out. Sure, you can do wonders with Photoshop, but understanding the fundamentals and basic principles of photography; light, shadows, textures and perspective are more important, because this is what photography is about. The ability to relate to a given situation. If you don't have a firm foundation, you'll be spending hours and hours enhancing your pictures, you'll be spending hours and hours correcting your pictures just to make them work. The difference between a good shot and a bad shot will still be telling.
Do you think the industry is too dependent on Photoshop and other digital imaging tools?
Digital capture has made it easier for us to capture the perfect image without going through multiple exposures or wasting processing time. But you have to know when to stop, and tell yourself, "It's good enough. Don't touch it." More often then not the image is overcooked. So a photographer must have the eye to leave certain imperfections in the image, because we don't live in a perfect world. What I usually do is to insert "intentional imperfections"; putting imperfections internationally so the image looks good, it looks natural, so it doesn't look plastic or computer generated.
Future Of The Industry
You've worked as a photographer for 20 years. What do you think the future of the industry will be like?
Honestly? It's a little bleak. Technology costs a lot more these days, but in terms of budget, the clients' willingness to pay for creativity has not appreciated. In fact, it has been diluted and does not relate to inflation.
Inflation? What do you mean by that?
When I was a junior photographer twenty years ago, the average fee was about $2,000 a day. And this is the same rate we're charging today. And we can't charge any higher because we have to stay competitive. But everything else has gone up, such as rental, staff salaries and equipment. Inflation has gone up by 400-600%, but our fees have stagnated, and the profitability of the business has eroded steadily.
Are there ways to reverse this situation?
I've anticipated and told a lot of photographers that if we do not work together as a team and charge fairly based on our costs, it will no longer be justifiable to operate a commercial studio, because our overheads have become much higher than what we can charge out for. The sad thing is that not many photographers take their overheads and hidden costs into consideration until they break their revenue down at the end of a year. By then, it's too late. Photographers in Singapore must realize that undercutting is not the way to remain competitive, and they cannot forgo certain charges and bill below costs just to win a job. This actually kills the industry, it kills the profession.
What are some of the hidden costs that photographers tend to overlook?
Rent, material, equipment and salaries. It got worse when digital photography entered the scene. Photographers were charging as low as $70 per shot because suppliers tell them they can afford to cut their fees since they no longer have to charge for film. But there's a reason why we charged $30 for a roll of $3 film. It's to cover the operational costs of running a studio, and ensure that we make enough to replace equipment that are worn due to usage.
So how can a photographer charge fairly for his work?
Clients can bargain like hell for fees, but they will never bargain for materials. That was the case for film, and this can be the case for digital. We must educate the industry to start charging for services together with fees, because it takes time to download, transfer and enhance clients' images, and time is money. There is no way a photographer can survive based on fees alone; after deducting the money for equipment, assistant fees and overheads, you're lucky if you get $400 for a $2,000 job. Unless photographers understand how much cost is involved in running a studio, they will exit the industry after two years because they realize they can't sustain a living. There is no logic left for anyone to make a living as a commercial photographer.
What do you think the PPAS can do to correct this situation?
Let photographers know where their overheads are, and educate them on how much they should charge to be profitable by imposing a standard billing structure for the industry. Most importantly, the PPAS can educate the industry on copyright issues.
How is copyright relevant to the industry?
Copyright is essential for the industry to survive. Not only does it protect the interest of the creative, it also helps to lubricate the industry. If a client have to pay a loading fee to reuse the image that he has been using for the past two years, it is actually more justifiable for them to sink in a little more money to create new artwork that is fresher and more current, and generate more revenue for their business. In turn, this creates more business and opportunities for the photographic industry, the advertising agencies, the printers. Everyone wins.
Written by Ho Pei Ling
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Philip Tinari is the director of the Ullens Center of Contemporary Art in Beijing. He is also the co-curator of "Art and China after 1989: Theater of the World," now on view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York.
Zeng Fanzhi is perhaps one of China's best-known painters. He is also one of its savvy interlocutors and most knowledgeable connoisseurs.
Now, Zeng is offering a unique twist on one of the art world's most recognizable figures by recreating Van Gogh's self-portraits in a series of striking new paintings.
The collection of six canvases -- three of which are going on display for the first time at Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum -- see Zeng adding his own signature swirls and expressionist brushstrokes to the Dutch painter's familiar face.
The exhibition "Zeng Fanzhi | Van Gogh," pays a special tribute to the revolutionary artist whose museum he now inhabits. Van Gogh's square format remains, though Zeng updates it with ready-for-Instagram videos showing the paintings taking shape.
It is widely known that Van Gogh drew inspiration from the Japanese art of his time (he used the term "Japonaiserie" in his letters). Now, more than a century later, Zeng returns the favor as the first living Asian artist to show alongside the Van Gogh Museum's holdings.
Interestingly, the exhibition opens in the same week as the 19th Party Congress in Beijing, where the country's leadership is expected to convey China's expanded role in the world.
For Zeng, as for many artists who came of age in the early post-Mao years, the great figures of the Western tradition loom as inspiration. They help him to consider the ways in which art can encourage individual vision, formal experimentation and social commentary.
In recent years, Zeng has surrounded himself with some of China's most innovative and influential entrepreneurs, like Jack Ma, Pony Ma, and Thomas Shao. He offers them a sense of transcendence and inspires people to connect the day-to-day bustle of China's economic growth with the larger truths of history, beauty and thought.
If Zeng feels the internal anxieties that plagued Van Gogh, he doesn't show it. But if we were to choose paintings that stand in for this particular time and place -- China at the dawn of yet another new era -- we might do worse than to look to his. They are at once grounded and frenetic, classical and subversive, monumental and ethereal.
A visit to Zeng's studio in Caochangdi, a neighborhood in Beijing's northeastern outskirts, is an experience of quick transcendence. Greeted by an ancient wooden bodhisattva, guests are offered hot drinks and ushered into a room of the grand, blocky proportions found throughout the capital's art districts since the mid-2000s. Strains of Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky lilt through the air.
Unlike the industrial feel of many Beijing studios, Zeng's workshop serves as both an active space for producing massive oil paintings and intricate pencil drawings, and as a reflective place for reading, conversation, cigar smoking and even afternoon naps. It is littered with books -- mainly on the masters of Western painting from the renaissance onward. It is also impeccably appointed, though he would not want us to dwell on the specifics of the furniture or porcelain.
Zeng belongs to a generation that sits on a cusp in Chinese history. Born in 1964, he remembers the Cultural Revolution and the feeling of social control from his childhood. But he was too young to participate fully in the artistic awakening of China's rollicking 1980s.
Zeng spent that decade at home in the capital of Hubei province, Wuhan, where the city's art academy accepted eight students to its oil painting department every four years. Having missed his chance the first time around, Zeng spent his early twenties working in a printing press and waiting for another turn.
This diligence, when he did finally enter the Hubei Fine Arts Academy, became legendary: When not painting late into the night, Zeng would absorb what information he could from the school's limited library. He remembers an encyclopedia of Western art history, published by the Japanese newspaper company Asahi Shimbun, from which he first learned about figures such as Beckmann, Ernst and Schiele.
Zeng's earliest works boldly explored internal psychological terrain, attracting the attention of local critics and curators in the rocky years following the Tiananmen protests of 1989. For his graduation project, he rejected the norm of painting peasants or shepherds on China's rural periphery, and instead created a triptych inspired by a hospital across the street from his student apartment. Arranged into compositions that channeled Western religious paintings, the works oozed with the nervous tension of a painterly prodigy finding his place in a turbulent society.
Within months, Zeng had sold his first painting (to the dealer Johnson Chang). He was then included in the January 1993 exhibition "China's New Art: Post-1989," which Chang organized in Hong Kong to bring international attention to the artistic outpouring that had taken place since Tiananmen. Zeng then moved to Beijing, entering the capital's vibrant art scene and quickly realizing the affectations and pretenses that underlay success within it (his best-known works -- the "Mask Series" -- date back to this moment of jaded discovery).
Zeng's style has continuously evolved in the quarter-century he has spent in Beijing. And crucially, unlike many of his contemporaries, when he shifts gears, he does so for good.
Last year, I had the privilege of curating Zeng's largest retrospective to date, a sweeping survey of his career's output at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing. For the occasion, Zeng's longtime friend and sparring partner, the renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, designed a concept for our space. Through inserting a series of freestanding walls, he transformed the converted factory into into rigidly structured "parcours" (also the exhibition's title) that took visitors through Zeng's life and work.
The exhibition featured a 13-by-13-foot painting -- featuring his signature brushwork and palette -- that revolved around elements from Renaissance masters such as Dürer and Da Vinci. Beside it, one of a series of eight openings through which Zeng's 2009 self-portrait remained visible at the far end of the space.
Through curating the exhibition, I learned a great deal about Zeng and, most importantly, the level of detail that goes into his creative process. Zeng meticulously records this process by filming his every stroke. When paintings are as layered as his, each canvas contains hundreds of iterations that are altered and buried as the act of painting unfolds.
"Zeng Fanzhi | Van Gogh" is on at The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam from October 20, 2017 to February 25, 2018.


Dhakal, Arjun and Ajaya Dixit (2013). Economics of Climate Change in the Water Sector in Nepal: A Stakeholder-Focused Approach. A case study of the Rupa Watershed, Kaski, Nepal. International Institute for Environment and Development, London, UK.


Seven Dutch towns and cities are beginning experiments with versions of a 'basic income light'. Some of those in favour are disappointed by the restrictions raised by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. One municipality decided to ignore those restrictions: Amsterdam. As happens so often, it decided to determine its own course. Socrates Schouten talked with three advocates spearheading the project.