Who is blood sugar control important for?
Our blood glucose level, or blood sugar level, is the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. The amount of glucose in the blood is measured in millimoles per litre (mmol/l). Glucose levels are measured most commonly to diagnose or to monitor diabetes. It is also important to keep an eye on blood glucose levels during certain situations – for example: during pregnancy, pancreatitis and with increasing age. Normally, blood sugar levels stay within a narrow range during the day. A good level is between 4 to 8mmol/l. After you consume food, your blood sugar level will rise and after you have had a night's rest, they will usually be lowest in the morning.
Good blood sugar control is important for most people in the general population. However, if you have a condition such as diabetes, pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism / hypothyroidism or Cushing's syndrome, it becomes even more important to achieve good sugar control. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is also essential to maintain good sugar levels to ensure both your own and your baby's wellbeing.
Stable blood sugar levels significantly reduces the risk of developing diabetic complications at a later date. Depending on the level of control achieved, these problems may start to appear 10 – 15 years after diagnosis with type 1 diabetes and often earlier in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Blood sugar levels are usually measured on a daily basis with a home blood sugar level testing kit. There are several brands and varieties available, but they will all consist of a measuring device and disposable paper strips. To check your blood sugar level, you are usually required to prick your finger tip with a lancet (a small, fine, sharp needle). Then you have to put a small amount of blood on the paper strip and place the strip into the measuring device. After about 15-30 seconds the blood sugar level will be displayed. These blood sugar measuring devices are available at most local pharmacies and also through Diabetes Australia.
There have been new meters that test alternative sites that have been released. These meters allow you to test alternative sites,such as the forearm, upper arm, base of the thumb and thigh. However, testing at different sites may give you results that are different from those obtained from the fingertip. It has been shown that blood sugar levels in the fingertips show changes more quickly than those in alternative testing sites.
People who have type 1 diabetes should measure their blood sugar levels at least once a day, either in the morning before breakfast or at bedtime. Those with type 2 diabetes and are on insulin treatment should also measure their blood sugar levels one – two times a day. For those type 2 diabetics who are on a special diet or oral tablets, blood sugar levels should be measured once or twice a week before mealtime or one to two hours after a meal.
When your blood sugar levels are in the extreme ranges – either a fasting blood sugar greater than 15-20mmol/L or less than 3-4mmol/L, and especially if there are two or more abnormal readings, you should seek medical attention. However, you will find out the normal value of blood sugars for your own body and these levels provided are just arbitrary values – some people will feel no symptoms at a level of 20mmol/L whereas others may have symptoms of a high blood sugar such as thirst, urinating frequently, lethargy and vomiting. Regardless, you should contact your local doctor to see if better control of your blood sugar levels can be obtained.
If your blood sugar reaches very high levels at any time, you will need to adjust your food intake or insulin dose. Blood sugar levels rise in the blood after breakdown of carbohydrates in the food we consume.
The Glycaemic Index (GI) is a measure of the effect that a carbohydrate containing food has on blood sugar levels, compared to the effect of the same amount of pure sugar, on blood sugar levels. Foods with a low GI (less than 55) means that they cause a slower and lower rise in blood sugar levels. These include types of bread such as mixed-grain and fruit and oat breads, barley, pasta, noodles, beans, sweet potatoes, green peas and milk. Foods with a high GI (greater than 70) means that they cause a faster and higher rise in blood sugar levels. High GI foods include white bread, brown rice, jasmine rice, French fries and coffee.
Limiting your intake of high GI foods will help bring down the average GI of your meal and prevent marked surges in blood sugar. If you are a diabetic, high blood sugar levels may need to be controlled by increased amounts of insulin, if you are already on insulin treatment. If you are only taking tablets to control the blood sugar levels, this may need to be reviewed, to optimize treatment of your diabetes. In any case, high sugar levels can make you feel unwell, with symptoms as described above and you should consult your doctor if this arises.
Diet and exercise play a very important role in helping control blood sugar levels. Research has shown that by eating a diet with a lower GI and rich in healthy foods, people with diabetes can reduce their average blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications. There are various factors that affect the GI of a food. These include: the types of sugar in the food, the way it is prepared, the type of starch, and it's fat and fibre content. Although you don't have to avoid all high GI foods, you should try and combine them with low or intermediate GI foods when possible.
Follow the dietary guidelines for Australians, trying to incorporate a variety of foods into your eating plan.
Try and use low GI foods instead of high GI foods when possible.
Try and have at least 3 low GI foods throughout the day, especially during mealtimes.
Physical activity is an important part of optimizing glucose / diabetic control. It has many benefits, including: helping lower blood sugar levels, reducing weight, improving blood pressure and cholesterol levels and also improving muscle strength and stability. It also helps the body decrease it's insulin resistance and burn excess sugar. The National Physical Activity Guidelines for Australians recommends that at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity be performed on most days of the week.
If you are thinking about starting regular physical activity, it is important that you slowly build up achievable goals over the next few weeks, gradually increasing the intensity. It is essential to closely monitor your blood sugar levels during physical activity. When you first start exercising, it is recommended that you test your blood sugar levels before, during and after physical activity. This gives you an idea of the way your body responds to exercise. Some of the signs of a low blood sugar level include feeling light headed, faint, sweating and weak. If this occurs, you should stop what you are doing and take some quickly absorbed glucose such as jellybeans or glucose tablets. Everyone is different, so it is important to know how you respond to exercise.
Overall, the long term benefits of eating a good diet and exercising regularly far outweigh the short term excuses and effort that is needed to initiate these changes.
Glucose control has been shown to be very important in helping prevent particular diseases, especially if you have diabetes. Studies have been done, which show that in adults with diabetes, persistently elevated blood sugar levels is associated with an increased risk of peripheral arterial disease, (a condition affecting the arteries which results in reduced blood flow). There have also been studies which show that poor blood sugar control and an unhealthy diet is linked to cardiovascular disease (affecting the heart and major blood vessels). This is because the body's ability to use sugar for energy is not optimized and the blood fats (triglycerides) are increased, leading to cardiovascular disease.
In the long term, poor control of blood sugar levels in diabetic patients leads to both heart and blood vessel disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, eye problems and heart disease. Gaining optimal control over blood sugar levels is therefore essential to ensure that these long term consequences are avoided.
If you are affected by type 2 diabetes, medications may be used as an adjunct to manage your condition at a later stage. Factors such as diet, exercise and loss of weight are very important in managing blood sugars – if you have tried to make changes in all these areas and are still not successful in gaining good control of your blood sugars, there are many types of medications that can help you manage your diabetes. These medications are usually taken orally, to help lower blood sugar levels. There are different classes of medications, which work on different parts of the body, to try and alter the levels of insulin and sugar in the body.
Biguanides are becoming increasingly popular in helping patients with diabetes gain control over their blood sugars, especially in those who are overweight. For example: Glucophage, Diabex and Diaformin (Metformin) belong to this class. These medications work by helping the body use insulin more effectively. Some side effects include nausea, diarrhoea and on rare occasions – lactic acidosis, especially in patients who have kidney, liver or heart disease.
Sulfonylureas are one of the commonly prescribed medications to help control diabetes. This group of medication works by acting on cells, to help your body make insulin. Some examples of this group include: Daonil (Glibenclamide) and Diamicron (Glicazide). They have few side effects, such as bloating, weight gain, allergic skin rashes and gastrointestinal disturbances (ie nausea, diarrhoea) and should be avoided by people who are allergic to sulpha. Due to the fact that this class of drugs increases the release of insulin, an important side effect to be aware of is hypoglycaemia. You should learn to recognize the signs and symptoms that you experience when your blood sugar levels are low – light headedness, sweating, hunger, etc.
This group includes medications such as Glucobay (Acarbose), which work by blocking an enzyme called alpha glucosidase, resulting in a slower absorption of sugar in your digestive system. These medications are often used in combination with another diabetes medication, such as a biguanide or sulfonylurea. Alpha glucosidase inhibitors are often associated with side effects such as abdominal discomfort and flatulence.
Thiazolidinediones act to make cells more sensitive to insulin. Examples of this group of medication include: Avandia (Rosiglitazone) and Actos (Pioglitazone). Side effects which may be experienced with this group of medication include: swelling (retention of fluid), weight gain, and liver problems.
This is a newer group of oral agents developed to help control blood sugar levels. Novonorm / Prandin (Repaglinide) work by causing a rapid, transient increase in insulin secretion from the pancreas, helping control blood sugar especially after meals. It is usually taken with meals and adjusted according to the number and timing of meals eaten. Some side effects that may be experienced include: nausea, diarrhoea and blurred vision.
Insulin is the body chemical that is responsible for lowering blood sugar levels and in patients with type II diabetes the body becomes resistant to its effects and can eventually stop producing it at all. So if your blood sugar levels are not controlled well enough on antidiabetic tablets, then your doctor many consider using insulin injections, along with your tablets, to lower it.
You will usually start on a fairly small injected dose of long-acting insulin, or a mixture of long and short acting insulins, which will have an effect for up to 24 hours. These injections are often given in the morning, the evening, or both, but always at the same time. The dose starts at around 10 units per day (although this will vary from person to person) and is injected below the skin (not into the muscle) of the arm, belly or thigh. This can be extremely effective in lowering blood sugar levels, but precautions must be taken because if too much insulin is given there is the risk of your blood sugar going too low and causing a 'hypoglycaemic' episode. To avoid this, measurements of blood sugar level should be taken at least once every day and preferably more often. One reason for this is to make sure that the dose is as effective as possible, because it means adjustments to the dose can be made by the patient every few days.
Below is a table describing one system, although your doctor may prefer a different method and they should always be consulted if you are unsure about what dosage is correct for you.
It is important to know that this should always be concurrent with frequent blood glucose measurement and discussion with a physician.
Bate K, Jerums G. Preventing complications of diabetes. MJA. 2003; 179 (9): 498-503.
Couper J, Prins J. Recent advances in therapy of diabetes. MJA. 2003; 179 (8): 441-447.
Davies M, Storms F, Shurler S, et al. Improvements of glycemic control in subjects with poorly controlled diabetes: Comparison of two treatment algorithms using insulin glargine. Diabetes Care. 2005; 28(6):1282-88.
DeWitt D, Hirsch I. Outpatient insulin therapy in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. JAMA. 2003; 289(17):2254-64.
Hoffman L, Nolan C, Wilson D, et al. The Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society consensus statement on gestational diabetes mellitus management guidelines. MJA. 1998: 169; 93-97.
Kumar P, Clark M (eds). Clinical Medicine. United Kingdom: WB Saunders; 2002.
Longmore JM, Hope RA, Longmore M, et al. Oxford Handbook of Specialties. USA: Oxford University Press Inc; 2001.
Murtagh J (ed). General Practice: Diabetes. Australia: McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd; 2003.
Rao P, Gatlin W. Perioperative management of the patient with diabetes. Surgery. 2002; 77-81.
Rohlfing C, Wiedmeyer, H, Little R, et al. Defining the relationship between plasma glucose and HbA(1c): Analysis of glucose profiles and HbA(1c) in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. Diabetes Care. 2002; 25:275.


text:
Why I'm voting Labour on Thursday, no.1
The short answer: because I will not be able to live with myself if I wake up on Friday morning and played any role in David Cameron becoming prime minister.
Over to Johann Hari:
Revealing Policy One: Today, 1,600 British people are killed every year just doing their job, putting us behind many poorer countries for workplace safety. They are people like Michael Adamson, a 26-year-old electrician who went to his job one day and was given a massive electric shock because his employer hadn't bought a £12 piece of safety equipment.
More stuff like this: Election2010, Labour, ToryWatch, UK politricks
For Blair Peach
Francis Sedgemore and History is Made at Night.
(Added: lots more background and links from Modernity.)
Posted by bob at 8:59 pm No comments: Links to this post
More stuff like this: Fascism and anti-fascism
La Priere De L'absent / Neda Agha-Soltan
Dhafer Youssef "La Priere De L'absent / Neda Agha-Soltan"
For Kiana Firouz, Bita Ghaedi, Zahra Amir Ebrahimi and Jamal Saberi.
Dhafer Youssef: Blip.fm/Homepage/Wikipedia.
Also read: Music as rebellion - Burma; It is Still Possible Not to Surrender to this Nightmare; Ey Iran.
Added: Pomegranates - Iranian funk.
Posted by bob at 11:41 am No comments: Links to this post
More stuff like this: Bob's beats, Iran, obituaries and appreciations
I haven't had so much time on-line this week. Here are the three posts I got most out of:
Martin in the Margins: Britain: brilliant, not broken
Flesh is Grass: Election: the BNP, their supporters and their opposition
The New Centrist: Things I've Been Reading and Thinking About
Please read them.
More stuff like this: Meta-blogging
Crime, anti-social behaviour, class politics and the reconfiguration of the left
A post by Reuben at the Third Estate kicked off a long discussion (still continuing) on one of my posts, mainly between The New Centrist, standing to my right, and Schalom Libertad, standing to my left. I have one or two more things to add to the debate, but it prompted me to go back to some things I was reading in early 2009, which I'm linking to again, mainly from the sadly now boarded up Left Luggage and from the IWCA.
The IWCA do not see themselves as part of the left. In fact, the issue of crime and anti-social behaviour are precisely one of the topics on which they see the left as irrelevant and best abandoned.
These issues are at the top of my mind for reasons noted here: the surge of violent street crime in my area in 2010. Another reason they are in my mind is the hollowness of the nonsense most politicians are coming out with about this in the election campaign, especially the Tories' with their "Broken Britain" broken record (when surely if it's broken it was the Tories what broke it) and, in my local area, the Lib Dems, whose Lewisham mayoral candidate, Chris Maines, includes in his "six to fix" the fact that violent crime in Lewisham has risen, but has absolutely no serious strategy to deal with it.
Anyway, here are the links: Stressing the social in anti-social behaviour; Taking crime seriously; Thatcher's children; The radicalism of action, not words; Dealing with the renegades;'Society is indeed broken'—and we all know who broke it; The soul of man under neo-liberalism; Battle lines have been drawn.
I plan to return to this topic in the next few days, but I've written a little about it at these posts: Policing the G20 protests and Policing the miners' strike.
More stuff like this: Proles and chavs, Reconfiguring the left, ToryWatch, UK politricks
I want to sleep with common people II
I could only bear to watch about 10 minutes of the leaders' "debate" on ITV on Thursday night. I caught the bit where they were talking about education, where David Cameron said - twice - talking as a parent with children in state schools. I found this nauseating. Especially as I read this earlier in the day, from one of his maringally less posh than him neighbours:
His local school, Oxford Gardens Primary School, which all three of my children attend, is Kensington and Chelsea's largest state primary, with fantastic staff and great children who represent London's huge multicultural mix. Motivated, giving parents — just the sort the Tory leader talked about Tuesday — are a huge help to its head teacher, Sarah Cooper, who relies on them to keep improving the school.
Though the Camerons are in the perfect position to contribute to their community school, they felt that their child would be "a bit lost" there. So she attends St Mary Abbots, an exclusive CofE school two miles away in a significantly richer community. Nor, to my knowledge, do they attend their local CofE church, St Helen's, two streets from their home. The Camerons judiciously began attending St Mary Abbots church three years before their daughter started at its adjoining school.
This is their prerogative and, hey, if parents want to jump through such hoops in order to secure a more exclusive education for their child, who I am to judge? But Dave, don't then start lecturing me about community values. "Do as I say, not as I do" is a stance that has contributed mightily to our disdain for politicians.
Writing as someone whose child does go to the local state school, I am also irritated by his party's notion that parents should be "empowered" to take over schools, a continuation of the sick Thatcherite "choice" agenda that has been ruining our education system since 1979. Parents don't want "choice" or "empowerment"; they want their most local school to be decent.
And, of course, this is especially grating when Tory slash-and-burn economic policies mean spending some £1.7bn less on education than Labour in the current financial year, meaning a loss of some 38,000 frontline education jobs.
Image credit: Political Cream, via Paul Waugh via Shiraz Socialist.
Previous: Andrew Adonis on Jim Callaghan and education; Blair's Thatcherism; Neo-liberalism's assault on civic culture.
More stuff like this: ToryWatch
[This post is a last minute plug for La Zona at the Brockley Jack Film Club tomorrow (Sunday) evening.]
The ward I live in is apparently statistically one of the safest in the the borough of Lewisham, which I think is still the statistically safest borough in inner London. However, it doesn't feel like that sometimes. As part of an epidemic of gun and knife crime sweeping young London, we have had a shooting at Brockley Cross this week, a stabbing there the week before, a stabbing at Catford a few weeks ago, one on Brockley Rise and one on Brockley Road days before that. And a horrific knife attack at a party in Bellingham down the road a couple of days ago.
Given this, I sometimes feel a desire to retreat into gated safety. The Mexican film, La Zona, showing tomorrow at the Brockley Jack Film Club, set in a dystopian near-future, is about what happens when people withdraw behind security walls.
Watch the trailer. Read a 4* review from the Guardian here.
Note: the Film Club has sold out the last few screenings, but I'm told this one has plenty of tickets left, so get booking,.
Posted by bob at 7:38 am No comments: Links to this post
More stuff like this: Battle of Lewisham, film, SE4
Having been too busy to blog in most of April, I have a lot to catch up on.
Post of the month (so far)
Airforce Amazons: Liberté ou la Mort.
Gita Sahgal and Amnesty International
Gita Sahgal's resignation statement from AI. More from Flesh is Grass, Kellie, Nick Cohen, Oliver Kamm, Raincoat Optimist.
Our shared history (31 March 1990)
HiM@N with Trafalgar Square memories and Jim with his poll tax shame.
Bertrand Russell and Hannah Arendt
The Thomas Sowell text I posted on here (criticising Bertrand Russell's naivety) was also at Poumista, where there was an interesting short comment thread, while the Contentious Centrist posted a late BBC interview with Russell, which is beautiful, inspiring and still relevant. Michael Ezra at Poumista and Migreli at CC both made points echoing Sowell's, on how Russell's pacifism in the face of fascism was morally appalling. They are correct. But in my view this does not mean that we should jettison everything about Russell's heritage. See also: "Why patriotism is morally indefensible" by Phil Dickens, an anarchist perspective. Specifically, scroll down to the section headed "In war and genocide", which looks at Gandhi's "objective pro-fascism" and Orwell's critique, while the following section mentions Anti-Fascist Action.
The Russell issue made me think of Arendt and her relationship with the Nazi philosopher Heidegger, and her notion that philosophy suffers from a lack of worldliness which makes it complicit with evil. Here is an interesting article on Raul Hilberg versus Arendt, and here (via Migreli) is Shlomo Avineri on Arendt.
Jews, Whiteness, The Shoah And Public Sympathy
A good post at Contested Terrain, and a good comment by Negative Potential below it.
Far right watch (contemporary and historical)
Now: BNP: On Lewisham's own Tess Culnane. BNP at Lunar House in Croydon. European Conservatives and Reformists: End of the road for Cameron's extremist alliance?
Then: The New Party: Mosley's proto-fascist New Party (1931) and its lessons for today. Mosley's British Union of Fascists and National Socialist in Peckham (1937). Pro-fascist Tories in Lewisham (1937).
UK politricks
I'm still making up my mind how to vote, but my instincts so far are pretty much along these lines.
Meta-blogging
I have failed to complete most of the tasks set myself here. Plus I have new things to add to the blogroll, in particular Arguing the world, which I found via Martin who describes it as Democratiya's afterlife (see also Ignoblus). Other miscellanies: Modernity, Poumista, Andy.
Bob's beats/East London
David Rosenberg interviews Billy Bragg on West Ham, Barking and the BNP (h/t Jim).
Bob's beats/Sarf London
South East of the Thames Border Infection Mix.You can download this fantastic mix from History is Made at Night, and I have started to play it on my new radio station at Blip.fm. Let's see if this works:
TT Ross – Imagine | play
Sir Collins & His Mind Sweepers – New Cross Fire | play
Roy Rankin & Raymond Naptali – New Cross Fire - KG Imperial | play
Benjamin Zephaniah – Dis policeman keeps on kicking me to death (Lord Scarman Dub) | play
Mad Professor & Jah Shaka – Gautrey Road Style | play
Brown Sugar – I'm in love with a dreadlocks | play
Brinsley Forde in Babylon 1980 – Cant Tek No More | play
Dizzee Rascal – Can't Tek No More (Produced By Shy FX) | play
Posted by bob at 7:45 am 2 comments: Links to this post
More stuff like this: Bob's beats, Fascism and anti-fascism, Hannah Arendt
The mutating forms of post-fascism, and immigration politics
Anti-fascism: defeating the EDL and the BNP
Via AWL, I read about the formation of a new network of anti-fascists, to provide an alternative to the pointless liberal posturing of the mainstream anti-BNP campaigns. The network was called by Notts Stop the BNP and South Yorkshire Stop the BNP. To be honest, I know nothing about either organisation, and even less about who else might be involved apart from the AWL. Anyone who can tell us more in the comments would be appreciated. My fear would be that it has all the signs of something that would attract sterile Trot sects like flies to the proverbial. However, the resolution on the English Defence League (pdf, via here) is pretty good. Here is part of it:
1. The EDL (and its far weaker Scottish and Welsh satellites, the SDL and WDL) are racist populist organisations whose political staple diet is organising racist street provocations.
2. From the EDL's inception there have been organised fascists prominent in its organisation. The EDL's initial organisational base has been from nationalist gangs of football hooligans but it has been successful over the last year in pulling behind it a layer of working class youth. It has energetically attempted to claim that it is not racist and attempted to pull in black (Afro-Caribbean) youth and they have had people from the Black and non-Muslim Asian community speaking at rallies. Some of those in its periphery, particularly on the web, appear to be taken in by this.
3. The EDL however still has only a skeletal organisational structure and few policies other than crude anti-Muslim slogans and implicit anti-immigrant policies. As such at present it cannot be regarded as a fascist organisation. Whilst some in the EDL are members of the BNP, it is not a BNP front. Any unsubstantiated claims that it is a BNP front, only weakens our argument.
4. Like organised fascist organisations the EDL feeds off the disillusionment in working class communities with politics, particularly the Labour Party and the lack of a fight by many trade unions. Even a limited growth in trade union activity and militancy would marginalise the racists of the EDL and their pretence that they to genuinely represent working class dissent. But until and even when a revival in real working class politics happens, there is still a need to stop the racist activities of organisations like the EDL.
5. Whilst the EDL's demonstrations continue, they might provide the resources and personnel for a major growth of fascism in this country either by:
a) continuing to be a recruiting milieu for organised fascists of the BNP and NF; or
b) becoming a significant factor in a future fascist regrouping
6. The EDL contains many who have experience in street fighting and confrontations with the police. Legal bans, which we do not support, and attempts by the police to restrain them are even less likely to be effective than such action taken against the BNP or NF.
7. The EDL also pose an indirect threat, in that their slogans feed into the Islamophobia which has been pushed into the public consciousness by government institutions and the media when attacking the rights of asylum seekers, immigrants or justifying wars in Afghanistan, Iraq or Iran. This normalises the association of the Muslim community with extremism, fundamentalism, cultural dominance and terrorism and without the offer of an alternative perspective provides justification for supporting the BNP.
As communities/individuals already targeted by racism seek to distance themselves from those scapegoated by the EDL ( e.g . Asian speaker at EDL rally) it creates confusion by lending credence to EDL's claim to be non-racist. Such divide and rule tactics undermine attempts to organise against racism and fascism.
This strikes me as very clear-headed analysis, and a massive improvement on Unite Against Fascism's pointless shout-Nazi policy. Further discussion of these issues can be found here, Sacha Ismail's summary of his debate with Weyman Bennett of the Socialist Workers' Party and Unite Against Fascism, on the Islam Channel. The other participants were Labour GLA member Murad Qureshi and Birmingham Respect councillor Salma Yaqoob, and the host recently expelled SWPer John Rees. The debate covers state bans, anti-fascist unity and Islamophobia, and Ismail is basically right on all of those, especially the first and third.
(I think that a similar effort is required to understand complex and contradictory nature of the Tea Party movement in the US, and not simply dismiss it as a form of fascism. A good starting point is this piece by Andrew Epstein, which Contested Terrain considers here.)
Detoxifying the immigration debate
In my view, the two key elements in defeating the EDL, BNP and their ilk are the re-emergence of grassroots politics in working class communities, and the detoxification of the immigration debate. On the latter, a recent intervention by the IPPR, "The limit to limits", is promising. This has been picked up by George Eaton at the Staggers. The IPPR's Sarah Mully has good blog posts on the excellent Left Foot Forward, and on the IPPR blog (where she also takes on the Lib Dems). A related article, from back in November, that is somewhat softer on the Tories but frames the issues well, is by Ayesha Saran at Open Democracy.
In a recent post, Chris Dillow puts forward some other pro-immigration arguments, although this should be balanced against this piece by the IWCA. See also Francis Sedgemore.
On a different immigration topic, Paul Canning at LFF is good on LGB asylum issues: Never mind Latvian gay rights, what about Iraq's record?
More stuff like this: BNP, EDL, Fascism and anti-fascism, No One Is Illegal
Dunkin' bagel—splash! In the coffee. Matzo ball, matzo ball-o-roonie! Gefilte fish, gefilte fish-a-fruitie!
For Alex...
Slim Gaillard: Dunkin' Bagel (1946) via History is Made at Night
Live at Billy Berg's, Hollywood
"Dunkin' Bagel
Dunkin' Bagel
SPLASH in the coffee
SPLASH in the coffee"
Bam Brown: "Matsoh Balls" Slim: "Matsoboutsiereenie"
Bam: "Gefilte fish" Slim: "Gefilte fish avoutie"
Bam: "Pickled Herrings" Slim: "Pickled Herrivoonie"
Bam: "Macarootie"  Slim: "Macaroonie"
piano solo (perhaps by Slim, but probably by [Dodo] Marmarosa)
guitar solo (very much in the vein of Charlie Christian)
Slim singing: "Dunkin' Bagel" etc
and then as a coda the spoken words:
Bam: "How about a bowl of gefilte fish?"
Slim: "Cold? Hot?"
Paul Shapiro's cover of this, (More info. Review.)
Slim Gaillard: Matzo Balls (on Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio)
from 'Matzoh Balls' 78rpm, 1939 / Columbia
Tom Waits: The most famous Yiddish curses (on Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio)
More stuff like this: Bacon bagel, Bob's beats, jewish music, Yidishkayt
From Bob's archive: the Gay Destroyer
I am incredibly busy right now, too busy for blogging. To keep the site alive until I am back, here is one from my archive, from September 2005, when I posted it as "The strange, unexplored overlap between homosexuality and fascism". I've updated the dead links, although some of them mystify me (what does the gay destroyer look like?) and done a tiny bit of tidying. Food for thought, I hope, so feel free to chat about it in the comments thread while I'm away.
Johann Hari has recently been declared The Gay Destroyer by the Nazis of Stormfront (see here for what a Gay Destroyer might look like). So it's worth reading this article he published a year ago: The strange, unexplored overlap between homosexuality and fascism.
Jogo writes:
I have never cared for the word "gay," meaning homosexual or queer. It sounds like a Victorian euphemism, which I believe it is. I don't know when this word started popping up everywhere. I don't remember it having much currency back in the fifties and early sixties. Or certainly, it wasn't THE word, as it is now.
Maybe it became the word when the Gay Liberation Front formed (immediately post-Stonewall, 1969), and defined, and sort of began, the militant struggle for homosexual rights and acceptance.
"Gay" -- especially if you're hearing the Victorian note -- sounds extremely weird when you read it 53 times in Johan Hari's article about the homosexual/fascism connection.
This quote jumped out at me from Johann Hari's article: "Since I am an immature and wicked man, war and unrest appeal to me more than the good bourgeois order." -- Ernst Rohm
Did Rohm come up with a real insight here, or was he just being ironically, self-deprecatingly, clever?
To prefer unrest to "good bourgeois order" (to prefer it as a permanent state of being, that is) has been a dream not only of the political revolutionary mind for the past 157 years, but is also characteristic -- even a defining characteristic -- of the modern artistic mind, beginning with ... what? .... Dadaism, or the Armory Show, or Surrealism ...
Rimbaud was all about unrest set permanently against bourgeois order. Appolinaire -- and all the poets and writers of his ilk -- were deeply, emotional, psychically configured to despise bourgois order, and worked to undermine it, to replace it with chronic "unrest" and a kind of "war." An unbroken line connects them to Ginsberg and Corso, utlimately to Gangster Rap and the Poetry Slam.
The idea of Unrest as a Primal Solution lies at the heart of the ideologies and theories of all the movements of my adult lifetime -- from The Living Theater and UAW/MF to Rage Against the Machine. Unrest is deeply desired, longed for, by the likes of Barthes and Foucault, and by Lynne Stewart, who says things like "I've been fighting all my life." As if there was never a moment, for her, in which peace seemed preferable to war.
So what should we make of Ernst Rohm's statement?
[Bob:] This is a really important issue, and Hari is on to something here. As Daniel notes, this issue has been explored in the important book Male Fantasies, by (gay) historian of fascism George Mosse and, in different contexts, by Paul Gilroy in his essay "Hitler Wore Khakis" and Ian Buruma in his book Occidentalism.
The key point, I think, is that at its heart, fascism's appeal and core is aesthetic as much as ideological.
Jogo again:
Is Johann Hari very smart, or just averagely smart? He calls Pym Fortun a "fascist," using as evidence Pym's opinion that Islam is "the biggest threat to Western Civilization today." O Horrors! Whether that view is right or wrong -- or partly right -- can't one believe it without being thought a fascist?
Later, Hari writes: Fascism is often defined as "a political ideology advocating hierarchical government that systematically denies equality to certain groups." Well, he doesn't say who defines it that way. I certainly don't. I don't think that's a very good definition of fascism at all.
[Bob:] I think that the definitions of fascism that are used today have lost all clarity. People have made the term stretch so far as to make it almost meaningless. The Wikipedia definition, I think, gets it more or less right, but misses out the importance of race. The idea of fascism simply as authoritarianism or inequality - and, worse, the idea of America today as fascist - reflects the hollowing out of political debate today.
This, along with Hari's political correctness in his over-use of the anodyne, meaningless phrases "gay" - and "gay people" (where there many lesbian Nazis?) - suggests a refusal to think about certain things, which sits uneasily with his insight elsewhere in his writing.
I agree that it is incorrect to call Pim a "fascist". Wikipedia again:
"Fortuyn was a focus of controversy for his views on Islam and his anti-immigration positions. He called islam a backward culture and once said "if it were legally possible, I'd say no more muslim should ever enter this country". He was labelled a far-right populist by his opponents and the media, but he fiercely rejected this label and distanced himself clearly from far-right politicians like in Filip Dewinter of Vlaams Blok, Jörg Haider of Austria or Jean-Marie Le Pen of France. Fortuyn could be considered a nationalist, but on cultural, rather than racial grounds."
I think Fortuyn was wrong on most things, but the idea that he was a fascist is another one of those liberal orthodoxies that Guardianistas just take for granted without thinking about it. Again, I expect better of Hari!
One further thing: I think that Hari is also wrong about gay skinheads. Hari assumes that skinheads are automatically fascist. Anyone interested in the fascinating history of queer skinheads should read Murray Healey's Gay Skins. In the 1980s anti-fascist movement (as opposed to the liberal "anti-Nazi" movement), we always used the term "boneheads" for Nazi skins.
Pim Gortune, Pym Fortine, Pim Fortuyn, Pym Fortoyn
Johan Harri, Johan Hari, Johann Harri, Johann Hari
More stuff like this: Fascism and anti-fascism, From Bob's archive, Jogo, Queer
Gnome Chomsky 5: and his dog predicate
Continuing my monthly series. Not sure if I've posted this before. From Postmodernhaircut.com.
Via. Check back on Mayday for another.
Bob Black on Noam Chomsky:
El Presidente Hugo Chavez (a statist leftist with authoritarian tendencies) may have learned something about US imperialism from Chomsky, as he related to the UN General Assembly, but a lot more people have gotten the same lowdown from Harper's or The New Yorker, or from many alternative and small press publications and internet sites. But now we have Chomsky on Anarchism! After 40 years, he has outed himself as an anarchist. Who would have ever suspected it? Certainly nobody who read all the Stalinist and nationalist manifestos he signed in full page ads in the New York Review of Books (By People Who Write for the New York Review of Books).
I mean really, why reprint, from 1970, At War with Asia: Essays on Indochina? Is there currently no unpublished anarchist book more worthy of publication by an anarchist publisher? ... Chomsky was, and is, like AK Press, an anti-imperialist fellow traveler, a sucker for any Third World authoritarian nationalist gang that seizes state power, or tries to, or wants to.
[Via James Horrox, see here.]
Neo-neocon on stupid intellectuals:
The stupidity of supposedly smart men (and women!) can be simply stunning. And that stupidity is not random; it tends to almost always go in the same direction, that of failing to understand the workings of the totalitarian and tyrannical mindset.
More stuff like this: Chavez, ChomskyWatch
I haven't had so much time on-line this week. Here...
Crime, anti-social behaviour, class politics and t...
The mutating forms of post-fascism, and immigratio...
Dunkin' bagel—splash! In the coffee. Matzo ball, ...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
UAW President Curry under investigation for possible ethical misconduct
Breana Noble Robert Snell
Detroit — United Auto Workers President Ray Curry is under investigation by the UAW's ethics officer for possible ethical misconduct for accepting almost $2,000 worth of tickets from a union vendor to watch the University of Alabama play in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship game.
The investigation was disclosed Thursday by New York lawyer Neil Barofsky, a court-appointed watchdog in charge of reforming the UAW following a years-long corruption scandal that led to the conviction of 11 labor officials — including two former presidents — and pushed the union to the brink of federal takeover.
Barofsky filed a 188-page report chronicling work conducted by his team of investigators since spring. The report reveals Barofsky has 15 open investigations into misconduct and has concluded one involving Curry, who is the fourth consecutive UAW president to be investigated. Two predecessors, Gary Jones and Dennis Williams, are serving federal prison sentences for wrongdoing during their tenure. His immediate predecessor, Rory Gamble, was cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation.
Unlike the cases of Jones and Williams, the probe involving Curry is not criminal in nature but could result in "corrective action" by the union.
On May 17, Curry, prior to becoming the UAW president in July after Gamble retired, paid back the $1,900 face value of the four tickets to the UAW, according to the report. In a letter Thursday to UAW members, Curry said he did so "voluntarily and without any request or demand," resulting in the International Executive Board deciding there was no violation of existing union policy.
Barofsky determined that because of the age of the conduct, its lack of "relative materiality" and the ambiguity regarding the UAW's policies on such matters, the situation didn't warrant further consideration. Further details weren't shared at the request of the UAW's ethics officer, Wilma Liebman, former National Labor Relations Board chairman, who is further investigating the matter.
"I want my brothers and sisters to know that I have been fully transparent with the International Union and the Monitor and have cooperated with the monitor's inquiry into the matter," Curry wrote. "Despite this ruling, I am personally pained that any question whatsoever was raised as a result of any action on my part."
At the recommendation of the monitor, the union has instituted a new policy that the UAW will no longer enter into any contracts with vendors that include any sporting, concert or entertainment ticket as part of the contract, Curry added.
Barofsky also raised concerns about lingering problems, including an "unhealthy culture" and faulted UAW leaders for failing to promptly cooperate with requests for documents or address 140 reforms recommended by a consultant in spring 2020.
The UAW is committed to ensuring misconduct exposed by federal investigators is not repeated, union lawyer Terence Campbell wrote in a separate court filing Thursday. He cited several reforms, including a new code of conduct for leaders, that were enacted by the union's governing board Oct. 28 — just ahead of what was widely expected to be Barofsky's critical report to U.S. District Judge David Lawson.
"At some point, union members have to wonder whether they wouldn't have been better off if the government had just taken over the UAW," Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan's Ross Business School, told The Detroit News.
The report also argues the UAW initially wasn't transparent with the monitor on the union's audits and investigations into local unions. Investigators found an absence of a formal, consistent disciplinary process within the union, as well.
The filing may add fuel to the fire for greater reforms in the UAW, including implementing direct elections of the UAW International Executive Board — a proposal on which the nearly 1 million active members and retirees are now voting. This referendum is a part of a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department announced almost a year ago that required an independent monitor to oversee the union and investigate ethical complaints for at least six years. The consent decree combined with other internal financial reforms the union made had led former president Gamble and Curry to declare the UAW as a "clean union" with "a culture of transparency, reforms and checks and balances."
As director of UAW Region 8, Curry signed contracts on behalf of the union with marketing vendors to purchase advertising that promoted the union at sporting events and that those contracts offered a "ticket allowance" for the union or "merchandising points" to acquire tickets, according to the report. Curry signed six contracts with values ranging $8,500 to $50,000.
"Although he usually forwarded the tickets that the union received to someone else for distribution to other members, Curry used tickets from one of these agreements on one occasion to attend the national college football championship game nearly five years ago," Barofsky wrote.
Alabama lost the 2017 championship game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
"Curry explained that, on the day of the game, he was already in the area where the game was located working on a contract negotiation with three other UAW staff members," the watchdog wrote.
Curry, who headed a UAW region spanning Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and several other southern states, attended with three staffers. They used tickets from a UAW marketing vendor.
For some UAW members, however, it sounds like more of what they have been hearing in recent years: "It looks like to me that this guy was doing what they were all doing or what was accepted, but not what was expected," said Jonathon Mason, 45, of Detroit, a production floor associate at Ford Motor Co.'s Dearborn Truck Plant. "I'm glad that this hopefully will be the end of that era and the beginning of a more transparent era."
Dajuan Hampton, 31, of Detroit, who works in materials at Stellantis NV's Warren Truck Assembly Plant, added: "I've been here 22 years, it isn't a new story to me. It's almost becoming the way of the land. At this point, I'm not surprised."
In early September, the monitor received nearly 700,000 documents from the Justice Department's closed investigations into union corruption to investigate historical acts of misconduct among union officials who haven't been charged in a criminal case.
The U.S. government proposed Gil Soffer, a Chicago attorney, in September as the union's adjudications officer to hear misconduct cases and determine if and what punishment is needed, including possible expulsion from the union or termination of employment.
Barofsky said his work "was slowed in getting off the ground by the Union's pace in making relevant documents and information available," echoing previous statements from former U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider. Barofsky says the union wasn't initially transparent about its investigations into misconduct at local union. He is "hopeful the issues that were impeding its progress have been resolved."
Barofsky also investigated the union's "unhealthy culture" in which staff members were unwilling to disagree with superiors about problems or issues for fear of losing their position, citing a May 2020 draft report from outside consultant and ethics ombudsman Exiger LLC. Conditions improved when Gamble took the top office in November 2019, according to the report, but fear of retaliation remains. Additionally, it found an absence of consistent and fair discipline.
"Members of the IEB, the president, regional directors and other senior leaders in positions of authority are not constrained by any written disciplinary policies and instead 'have wide latitude on disciplinary measures,'" Barofsky wrote.
He said the union must do more to make UAW employees feel that it encourages ethical behavior and protects those who make it a priority. The union has largely accepted suggested reforms, he wrote, including creating a dedicated compliance department, adding compliance and ethics a standing item on executive board and staff meetings and providing regular compliance updates.
But some UAW members say election reforms are needed to bring greater accountability and transparency to leadership and represent non-automotive sectors in particular. Under the current system, locals elect delegates to represent them at conventions to vote on the union's 13-member board consisting of a president, a secretary-treasurer, three vice presidents leading departments for each of the Detroit automakers and eight regional directors.
For 70 years, the delegates nearly always have elected the slate of candidates endorsed by the Reuther or Administrative Caucus. UAW members at the end of October were mailed ballots to vote on whether to maintain the delegate system or institute direct elections. They must be returned — not postmarked — by Nov. 29.
"The people who work on the floor, who actually build these trucks, will feel like they have a voice and feel like they have a choice, not getting a choice forced on us," Mason said. "We send delegates, and the delegates don't necessarily take what's best from the floor to the international level.
"Some people just lose sight of that. One member, one vote will bring some type of dignity to the UAW for folks that are working on the floor, men and women who are turning out the best product we can for Ford Motor Company and the other American automakers."
Meanwhile, 15 people and automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV have been convicted as a part of the federal government's criminal probe into union corruption.
The U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday charged a 16th person, Tim Edmunds, the former Local 412 financial secretary/treasurer, with embezzling more than $2 million in union funds, money laundering and spending the funds on gambling, guns, cars and child-support payments. UAW auditors identified the improper expenditures this summer, leading the union to champion its internal reforms as a "deterrent" to malfeasance.
The union has hired outside experts, installed an independently staffed ethics hotline for misconduct reports, created an internal audit function and begun the process of establishing a robust controls environment.
bnoble@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @BreanaCNoble
Twitter: @robertsnellnews


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Winter break recap: Men's basketball picks up two key NEWMAC wins
Emerson's men's basketball team suffered a tough defeat on Wednesday night, falling to WPI 74-73 in the final seconds of the game. Photo: Daniel Peden/Berkeley Beacon.
By Matt Couture
Emerson's men's basketball team kept pace in the NEWMAC standings during winter break, compiling a 2-2 record to place fourth in the conference entering Wednesday's games.
A loss to WPI on Wednesday knocked Emerson behind the Engineers and into fifth place in the conference, still leaving the Lions in playoff position.
The break was highlighted by a 97-93 road win over Clark, after which the NEWMAC named junior point guard Geoff Gray defensive player of the week. Gray scored 19 points and added 14 rebounds and nine assists to fall just shy of a triple-double in the victory against the Cougars.
Emerson's win against Clark came after an 87-79 home victory over Coast Guard in its first NEWMAC game.
Sophomore forward Ben Holding stepped into the starting lineup for the first four games of conference play, and scored a team-high 22 points in 24 minutes against Clark. Holding joined Gray, seniors John Geary and Michael Sheng, and sophomore Jack O'Connor in the starting five for each of the team's first four NEWMAC games. Junior center Mac Sashin drew the start against WPI.
Freshman guard Ethan Gabert-Doyon also saw a spike in production, filling out the box score with seven points, six boards, and five assists against Coast Guard on Jan. 3. Gabert-Doyon scored 10 points and pulled down nine rebounds against Clark.
The two early wins were followed by back-to-back losses against MIT and Springfield, who rank first and third in the conference respectively. In the Jan. 13 loss to Springfield, Emerson led by three at halftime but was then outscored 44-21 in the second half en route to an 80-60 loss.
The 2-3 conference record represents an upgrade from a year ago, when the Lions started NEWMAC play with a nine-game losing streak, which included losses to Clark and Coast Guard.
Unlike the women's basketball team, the men's basketball schedule separates conference and nonconference play, so each game played after the new year pits Emerson against a NEWMAC foe.
— On the stat sheet, Sheng is converting 91.2 percent of his free throws this season, ranking him first in the conference.
— Gray is up to 888 career points, putting the 1,000 point threshold within reach in his junior season. Gray currently ranks second in points (20.2) and rebounds (8.9) per game in the conference.
Matt Couture


text:
Trenton Transit Center, Trenton, New Jersey
To demolish and rebuild two new head house buildings and to design / build 130-ft long pedestrian bridges over the Assunpink Creek and NJ Transit & AMTRAK railroad tracks. Pedestrian access to New Jersey Transit bus and rail, SEPTA bus and rail and AMTRAK trains was maintained during the two year $56M renovation of the 46,000 sf Transit Center.
Thomas P. Carney, Inc. designed and built a 130-ft long temporary pedestrian bridge over the Assunpink Creek, which is adjacent to the Wallenberg head house. This allowed safe 24/7 access of passengers to the Transit Center. The original design called for the construction of half of the head house building alongside of a pedestrian tunnel, followed by shifting the tunnel once the first half of the head house was completed. This not only posed safety and access risks to the passengers, but it would have resulted in work down time and remobilization by each trade for the second half of the building construction.
The station, which serves 4,600 passengers per day, remained occupied and operational during the entire construction period. A significant amount of work was completed during off-peak hours. During required AMTRAK power showdowns and NJ Transit and SEPTA train service shutdowns, work times were limited to 45 minutes.
The Trenton Transit Center project consisted of additions and major renovations to the existing train station over AMTRAK's Northeast Corridor, the most heavily traveled train tracks in the U.S. The project required demolition of the existing head houses, added new head house buildings at each end of the existing station and renovation of the existing concourse. The new head houses were placed on steel and wood piles 45-ft to 50-ft deep.
During construction of these buildings, TPC installed pedestrian bridges to allow access to the operating station. The bridge spanning the Assunpink Cree was 110-ft long and 30-ft high. A second 130-ft long bridge spanned a parking lot.
click here to download the PDF
Gravity Thickener
W-Hotel


text:
Anglo saxons return - The Great Prophet Nostradumbass
Funny story written by SPECTRUM
The great Prophet Nostradumbass has predicted that within the next 10 years all those of Anglo Saxon origin will return from where they came. This could create problems for some countries notably England because England gets its name from the Anglo Saxons that invaded the place over a thousand years ago and there are a lot of people of Anglo Saxon origin in England.
The other problem is that there seems to be great bitterness between the English and the Germans which usually flares up at football matches between them. Its all very strange because they are so similar they came from the same place they both think they are better than every body else and both the English and the Germans have tried to take over the world bringing death and misfortune to millions.
Area 51 - Aliens held as prisoners- The Mr X files 17 July 2009
Fat Fern F*cks Off This Morning 17 July 2009
Biden Says Gummint Will Reclaim, Recycle and Reuse 17 July 2009
Never Aired Interview of Elizabeth Taylor 17 July 2009
Skoob1999 - The Michael Jackson Interview 17 July 2009
Bargis Tryhol Agent 004,Chapter Nine:Bankruptcy 16 July 2009
Top 15 Low-Cost Rivals Of Two-Buck Chuck 15 July 2009
Bullshit Machine Continues to Run Unabated 15 July 2009


text:
Q: time complexity of this while loop Hi
I have written such a this code and I want to know that : its time complexity is O(n) ?
      DNode header = new DNode(null, null, null);
        DNode trailer = new DNode(null, header, null);
        header.next = trailer;
        for (Point point : pointList) {
            DNode node = new DNode(point, header, trailer);
            dList.addLast(node);
            header = node;
        }

I want to copying all objects from the pointList(ArrayList) to a dList(Doubly-Linked list).
thanks

A: Yes. There's only one obvious loop here, which is O(n) - and everything within the loop is O(1), assuming a sensible implementation of the doubly-linked list.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Best Album Of All Times – Number 11
On July 29, 2013 August 13, 2013 By saarimnerIn Best Album Of All Times, Music
The album cover – that was all black due to the mourning of late Bon Scott.
Best Album Of All Times – Number 11: AC/DC – Back In Black
<- Back To Index
Who could believe that a group, named after Malcolm and Angus sister Margaret had seen the initials AC/DC on a sewing machine, would be one of biggest groups in history? (in Australia they are commonly called Acca Dacca")
When I started to arrange this top 40-list, it was obvious that AC/DC would end up on the list. A band that have pretty much gone their own way over time, and for instance never have produced a commercially ballad like many other Heavy Metal bands. AC/DC always stays true to their concept, straight on, pub-rock inspired heavy metal, with guitar, bass, drums and vocals.
In my opinion this is their best album (so far?); Back in Black. With over 40-50 million (both figures can be found on internet) records sold this is the second, or fourth most sold album in history (depending on source).
Back in Black was the first album with Brian Johnson on vocals, after the tragic death of Bon Scott (after a tragic night of severe drinking 1980). It's been said that the band was about to quit at the time, but Bon Scott's family wanted them to continue.
Various candidates were considered for his replacement, including: Buzz Shearman, ex-Moxy member, who was not able to join because of voice problems, ex-Back Street Crawler vocalist Terry Slesser and then Slade vocalist, Noddy Holder. The remaining AC/DC members finally decided on ex-Geordie singer Brian Johnson.
Angus Young later recalled, "I remember the first time I had ever heard Brian's (Johnson) name was from Bon. Bon had mentioned that he had been in England once touring with a band and he had mentioned that Brian had been in a band called Geordie and Bon had said 'Brian Johnson, he was a great rock and roll singer in the style of Little Richard.' And that was Bon's big idol, Little Richard. I think when he saw Brian at that time, to Bon it was 'Well he's a guy that knows what rock and roll is all about.' He mentioned that to us in Australia. I suppose when we decided to continue, Brian was the first name that Malcolm and myself came up with, so we said we should see if we can find him." For the audition, Johnson sang "Whole Lotta Rosie" from Let There Be Rock and Ike & Tina Turner's "Nutbush City Limits". He was hired a few days after the audition.
The album was named Back in black as a sign of mourning, and respect to the late Bon Scott.
Source: Wikipedia and AC/DC fan page
<- Back to number 12
AC/DC Documentary from 1979
AC/DC live at River Plate – Full Concert (HD 1080p)
"We don't speak very good spanish, but we speak rock n' roll"
AC/DCAngus YoungBack in blackBest album of all timesBon ScottBrian JohnsonMalcolm YoungMusic
Amazing two-year old knows every car brand
5 thoughts on "Best Album Of All Times – Number 11"
Pingback: Best Album Of All Times – Number 12 | My thoughts, pics and personal opinions
Bara på elfte plats! Jag är chockad, borde vara top 3!
Kan hålla med den tanken också. Nästan omöjligt att skilja topp-10 åt.
Pingback: Final update, and INDEX of Best Albums of All Times | My thoughts, pics and personal opinions


Keeping track of your heart rate is one of the most essential metrics when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle and improving your fitness training and finding a good heart rate monitor is part of that. Even paying a little more attention to your heart rate during a workout can help you stay in your desired heart rate zones, which will in turn help maximize your training efficiency.
Thankfully tracking your heart rate is pretty easy nowadays, as most activity trackers and smartwatches on the market come with built-in heart rate monitors. Of course, there are also dedicated chest straps for heart rate monitoring if you're looking for something a little more accurate.
2016's Fitbit Alta has been one of our favorite fitness trackers since launch, mainly due to the sleek, stylish design that many other Fitbit devices lack. But what if you're looking for a device similar to the Alta, but can't go without a heart rate sensor? You'll want to check out the Fitbit Alta HR, the company's slimmest activity tracker with a heart rate monitor.
The new Alta HR brings the company's own PurePulse heart rate technology to a slimmer form factor. Fitbit supposedly developed a new chip for the Alta HR that reduced the size and number of components needed, allowing for a 25% slimmer design than the Charge 2. With a built-in heart rate sensor, you'll be able to better track your calories burned, non-step exercises like yoga and spinning, and also see real-time heart rate zones on your wrist. Having a heart rate sensor on your activity tracker really does make a world of difference.
Alongside the Alta HR, Fitbit also introduced two new sleeping features, Sleep Stages and Sleep Insights. Sleep Stages utilizes the heart rate sensor to estimate the amount of time you spend in light, deep and REM sleep, as well as the time you spend awake each night. Sleep Insights, on the other hand, uses all the data your Fitbit collects to provide personalized guidance on how to better improve your sleep. If you're interested in learning more about Sleep Stages and Sleep Insights, more details can be found here.
If you need a slim fitness tracker that doesn't skimp on the features, the Alta HR is for you.
If you're buying a fitness tracker in this price range, it's hard not to consider the Charge 2.
It's clear Fitbit really focused on design when making the Charge 2. This device not only looks more like a piece of jewelry and less like a standard fitness tracker this time around, you also have the option to change out the bands if you'd like.
The Charge 2 also has a bigger display this time, meaning you get more room for smartphone notifications. Plus, Fitbit also introduced a few new features to the Charge 2 that should help users stay healthy and relaxed overtime: Cardio Fitness Level, which will give you a cardiovascular rating based on an estimate of your VO2 Max, and Relax, a new on-device guided breathing feature that will walk you through short breathing exercises to help you lower blood pressure, reduce stress and lessen anxiety.
Overall, it's an all-around great fitness tracker, especially considering its $150 price point.
The best fitness tracker with a heart rate monitor is the Garmin vívosport.
This new device packs a GPS and a heart rate monitor, which is pretty incredible considering its slim and lightweight design. It's also waterproof up to 50 meters, will last up to seven days on a single charge, and comes with a Chroma touchscreen display that's miles better than the display on the vívosmart 3. The display is a little small for my liking, however.
The Garmin Elevate heart rate sensor on the vívosport will track your resting and active heart rate throughout the day, and it does so pretty accurately. Resting heart rate is spot on, though, like pretty much all wrist-based sensors, active heart rate readings can be a little off. It's still one of the best out there, though.
The vívosport is available now for around $199.99, though the great thing about buying Garmin devices is that their prices fluctuate every couple of weeks. I'm assuming we'll see a price drop on the vívosport sometime soon. Keep an eye on that Amazon listing over the next couple weeks. You might get lucky.
Polar's M600 sport watch is by far the best Android Wear-powered fitness tracker on the market.
With a built-in GPS, IPX8 water resistance rating, a super accurate optical heart rate monitor, and 4 GB of on-board storage, the M600 is quite the feature-packed device. It also comes with support for Polar's wonderful Flow app, allowing you to track just about any activity you can think of – rowing, skiing, hiking and much more. You'll also be able to squeeze about two days of battery life out of this thing, which is impressive for an Android Wear watch.
It's a little pricey, though, starting at $329. You can certainly find Android Wear devices for less than that, but the M600 provides much more than other devices.


text:
Kandide And The Mysterious White Lion
As the first rays of golden sunlight welcome the New Year, icy fog sweeps across Calabiyau's Enchanted Forest, meticulously wrapping each branch and pine needle in shimmering crystals of silvery blue.
Entrance into the mysterious Enchanted Forest—located high in the northern mountains between the Chateau in the Mists and the Bardic Kingdom—is strictly forbidden, except by the reigning monarch's of Calabiyau's three kingdoms… and for good reason.
Since the beginning of time, once a year on New Years' Day, Calabiyau Proper's reigning monarch has visited this strange land. Today, it is Queen Kandide's turn. She, as are all of Calabiyau's queens and kings, is greeted by a majestic white lion named Netapa.
In the language of the ancients, "ne" means one, and "tapa" means "to protect"—one who protects. Netapa is more than five hundred years old, and likely to live another five hundred years. He, as with his ancestors before, is the guardian of all things in the Enchanted Forest.
Netapa and Kandide will spend the entire day visiting the mysterious animals who live there, ensuring that those who are aging have plenty of food, shelter, and warmth until Spring can bring forth a new burst of life. All of the magical creatures are endangered and are protected by the four Kingdoms—which is about the only thing the monarchs ever agree upon.
Among the rarest of the animals are: a small of band of Centacors—golden striped dear-like creatures whose horns can swivel in every direction, and, when threatened, emit blinding bursts of pure white light; Albino Fire Birds, whose flaming wings shimmer with a purple-blue radiance; a family of rare flying Snow Turtles, whose shells split to reveal leathery wings; Wooly Crocottas, an elusive amber and black-colored dog-like creature who the Banshees used in battle before they created Garglans; Spotted Owlcats, white and black owls with the winged body similar to a long-haired lynx; and so many other more "normal" looking animals including deer, elk, foxes, bears, raccoons, skunks, llamas, eagles, and wolves.
When the sun sets, Kandide and Netapa will be joined by all of the creatures for a vast feast of winter berries, Veltaca—special high-protein plant-based cakes made just for the animals by Kandide's chefs, and Zaca nectar from the cup-shaped flowers that contain a warm highly nutritious golden liquid similar in flavor to cinnamon-spiced apple cider. The animals thrive on it, and no matter how much they drink, the flower-cups continue to refill themselves.
As the large orange moon rises high above the treetops, the forest animals, full from their feasting, thank Kandide for her protection and then slowly wander off to sleep. Netapa and the two lead Centacors escort Kandide to edge of the forest, bidding her good-bye for another year.
In the spring, Selena of the Chateau will visit. In the summer, it will be the Banshee Queen Cyndara. And in the fall, High Priestess Viviana of the Bardic Temple will join the creatures for a harvest feast. But for now, no one else will be permitted to enter.
Transporting home takes Kandide nearly eight hours. Throughout the entire journey, her mind is a swirl of amazement for the beauty and harmony she has experienced. If only the rest of Calabiyau could learn to get along like they do, she thinks, all would be well in the world.
In any case, it will be another good year for these remarkable creatures, she asserts. Snuggling into bed, Kandide watches the snow gently fall outside her bedroom window.
Her purple blue eyes flutter shut, as she drifts off to sleep, more certain than ever that, while solving Calabiyau's troubles won't be easy, it can… and will happen.
loves to write. Whether it's about Business, Branding, Jewelry, or Fantasy, writing is a passion.


text:
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
One (rating) from many (observations): Factors affecting the individual assessment of voice behavior in groups
Nathan P. Podsakoff, Timothy D. Maynes, Steven W. Whiting, Philip M. Podsakoff
This article reports an investigation into how individuals form perceptions of overall voice behavior in group contexts. More specifically, the authors examine the effect of the proportion of group members exhibiting voice behavior in the group, the frequency of voice events in the group, and the measurement item referent (group vs. individual) on an individual's ratings of group voice behavior. In addition, the authors examine the effect that measurement item referent has on the magnitude of the relationship observed between an individual's ratings of group voice behavior and perceptions of group performance. Consistent with hypotheses, the results from 1 field study (N = 220) and 1 laboratory experiment (N = 366) indicate that: (a) When group referents were used, raters relied on the frequency of voice events (and not the proportion of group members exhibiting voice) to inform their ratings of voice behavior, whereas the opposite was true when individual-referent items were used, and (b) the magnitude of the relationship between observers' ratings of group voice behavior and their perceptions of group performance was higher when raters used group-referent, as opposed to an individual-referent, items. The authors discuss the implications of their findings for scholars interested in studying behavioral phenomena occurring in teams, groups, and work units in organizational behavior research.
Journal of Applied Psychology
https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038479
Challenge-oriented citizenship behavior
Referent shift
Voice behavior
10.1037/a0038479
Dive into the research topics of 'One (rating) from many (observations): Factors affecting the individual assessment of voice behavior in groups'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
rating Social Sciences 100%
Group Social Sciences 40%
Form Perception Medicine & Life Sciences 23%
group membership Social Sciences 20%
organizational behavior Social Sciences 13%
laboratory experiment Social Sciences 13%
event Social Sciences 12%
performance Social Sciences 10%
Podsakoff, N. P., Maynes, T. D., Whiting, S. W., & Podsakoff, P. M. (2015). One (rating) from many (observations): Factors affecting the individual assessment of voice behavior in groups. Journal of Applied Psychology, 100(4), 1189-1202. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038479
One (rating) from many (observations) : Factors affecting the individual assessment of voice behavior in groups. / Podsakoff, Nathan P.; Maynes, Timothy D.; Whiting, Steven W. et al.
In: Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 100, No. 4, 01.07.2015, p. 1189-1202.
Podsakoff, NP, Maynes, TD, Whiting, SW & Podsakoff, PM 2015, 'One (rating) from many (observations): Factors affecting the individual assessment of voice behavior in groups', Journal of Applied Psychology, vol. 100, no. 4, pp. 1189-1202. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038479
Podsakoff NP, Maynes TD, Whiting SW, Podsakoff PM. One (rating) from many (observations): Factors affecting the individual assessment of voice behavior in groups. Journal of Applied Psychology. 2015 Jul 1;100(4):1189-1202. doi: 10.1037/a0038479
Podsakoff, Nathan P. ; Maynes, Timothy D. ; Whiting, Steven W. et al. / One (rating) from many (observations) : Factors affecting the individual assessment of voice behavior in groups. In: Journal of Applied Psychology. 2015 ; Vol. 100, No. 4. pp. 1189-1202.
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title = "One (rating) from many (observations): Factors affecting the individual assessment of voice behavior in groups",
abstract = "This article reports an investigation into how individuals form perceptions of overall voice behavior in group contexts. More specifically, the authors examine the effect of the proportion of group members exhibiting voice behavior in the group, the frequency of voice events in the group, and the measurement item referent (group vs. individual) on an individual's ratings of group voice behavior. In addition, the authors examine the effect that measurement item referent has on the magnitude of the relationship observed between an individual's ratings of group voice behavior and perceptions of group performance. Consistent with hypotheses, the results from 1 field study (N = 220) and 1 laboratory experiment (N = 366) indicate that: (a) When group referents were used, raters relied on the frequency of voice events (and not the proportion of group members exhibiting voice) to inform their ratings of voice behavior, whereas the opposite was true when individual-referent items were used, and (b) the magnitude of the relationship between observers' ratings of group voice behavior and their perceptions of group performance was higher when raters used group-referent, as opposed to an individual-referent, items. The authors discuss the implications of their findings for scholars interested in studying behavioral phenomena occurring in teams, groups, and work units in organizational behavior research.",
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N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2014 American Psychological Association.
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AB - This article reports an investigation into how individuals form perceptions of overall voice behavior in group contexts. More specifically, the authors examine the effect of the proportion of group members exhibiting voice behavior in the group, the frequency of voice events in the group, and the measurement item referent (group vs. individual) on an individual's ratings of group voice behavior. In addition, the authors examine the effect that measurement item referent has on the magnitude of the relationship observed between an individual's ratings of group voice behavior and perceptions of group performance. Consistent with hypotheses, the results from 1 field study (N = 220) and 1 laboratory experiment (N = 366) indicate that: (a) When group referents were used, raters relied on the frequency of voice events (and not the proportion of group members exhibiting voice) to inform their ratings of voice behavior, whereas the opposite was true when individual-referent items were used, and (b) the magnitude of the relationship between observers' ratings of group voice behavior and their perceptions of group performance was higher when raters used group-referent, as opposed to an individual-referent, items. The authors discuss the implications of their findings for scholars interested in studying behavioral phenomena occurring in teams, groups, and work units in organizational behavior research.
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A soon to be National Monument in Western Massachusetts. Many folks I run into have no idea this amazing place exists right in their State. Over the years I have brought many people here to discover this beautiful place, and they return, over and over, with friends and family. Check out the 1841 Keystone Arch Bridges Trail website here. The Arches were named to the'1000 Great Places in MA' visitor's bureau list.
Out of 12,000 nominations. Directions: Parking is in the lot at the top of Hebert Cross Road at the Walnut Hill Conservation Area off Middlefield Road (off Route 20) in Chester. Please note parking is very limited.
This trail would not exist without the efforts of many community organizations. Much of the trail maintenance is done by volunteers. The Friends of the Keystone Arches was formed to coordinate efforts in this direction. Donations for the work are accepted and appreciated. Please help us keep this amazing place open to all.
CHESTER — When we think of the famous artist known widely as Whistler, his mother comes into the picture — as in "Arrangement in Gray and Black No. 1: Portrait of the Artist's Mother," more popularly known by its colloquial name, "Whistler's Mother." George Washington Whistler, his father, remains somewhat obscure. But he plays a prominent role in this exploration, as architect and engineer of the Keystone Bridges bringing the Western Railroad through Chester and Middlefield into Becket and the Berkshires.
If you go there, listen for the echoes of the nearly 1,000 immigrants from Ireland, Italy and Russia who arrived in 1838 to build the 10 original stone structures, working for less than a dollar a day. Much of their legacy remains, although little about their living and working conditions can be condoned. They were mostly married men, and their shanties were crude — built of construction remnants with roofs of shakes trimmed from railroad ties.
Five remain of the first stone railroad bridges in the United States. Three were washed away in 1927 and two removed by the railroad. The first stone bridge we come to is still in use by the CSX Railroad and is the only double arch located here. Historically it is the second along the line, as the first was washed away by the flood of 1927.
At the first parking area, besides the double keystone arch, a small but attractive cascade flows down a gentle hill toward the West Branch. A second parking area is located before a steel grate bridge, and the road deteriorates after that.
Blue blazes mark the way, and the visitor can easily spend an afternoon of light walking (and some visitors with four-wheel drive vehicles have been known to lessen the time between the keystone arches).
Look for the kiosk well into your journey. It will point out much that we might otherwise overlook. Caution: The bridges you encounter are without fencing, so do not stand along the rim.
If well-conditioned for climbing very steep inclines, do not refuse the opportunity to climb down to the river for a view — and photo opportunity — of the bridge above. One that I happened upon has ropes to assist. As in visiting any new trail system, stop and study any available information.
To that I would add, provided the river is high enough.
I have never visited the area when a CSX freight train did not pass along adjacent tracks. Views of the river and the mountains from the trail and the bridges are often striking, and if the visit coincides with fall foliage, it becomes a spectacular blending of the past with the present.
Keystone or arch bridges were built before the days of iron and steel were discovered to be suitable materials and date back to at least the Romans who built them through much of Europe with many still standing. On a recent visit to England we encountered them throughout the country. The Berkshires have more of them than I first imagined, and I have found examples in Pittsfield, Cheshire, Dalton, Adams, Becket and Leeds.
Friends of the Keystone Arches, Inc. completed the popular trail when a Planning Commission process stalled. Gateway Regional High and Middle School students were utilized in a number of roles; The Outdoor Club for trail building, signage by The Graphic Design Class and kiosk frames by The Welding Fabrication Class. In partnership with the Westfield River Wild & Scenic Committee and the National Park Service / Dept of the Interior, Friends mobilized volunteers and paid professionals to stabilize and repair the two Arches owned by MA Fish & Wildlife at the Walnut Hill Conservation Area. Friends of the Keystone Arches, Inc. is currently producing an hour-long documentary, Railroad to the Moon, on Maj. Whistler building this revolutionary rail line over the Berkshires. Previously Historically listed, from there Friends gained a series of alternate recognitions for the Arches, including a spot on the 'Historic American Engineering Record' (HAER) files of the Library of Congress, the '1,000 Great Places in MA', by The MA Tourism Bureau, the '10 Most Endangered Historic Resources in MA' List, from Preservation Mass and the 'Editor's Choice' list of YANKEE magazine.
Friends of the Keystone Arches, Inc. was awarded a $30 K Wild & Scenic Grant used to hire a team of professionals to prepare an Historic Landmark Nomination for the two bypassed, state-owned Keystone Arches and the railroad station at Chester, MA. Freight rail company CSX, wants no part of the venture. This pinnacle of designations must be prepared by experts in the field of study, per Park Service rules. Friends will continue to seek recognition and protections for the Keystone Arches. These listings and personal visits via the KAB Trail we trust have created a dedicated group of citizens ready to step forward if the Arches suddenly find themselves in need of grass roots advocacy.
Friends of the Keystone Arches, Inc. also built a trail showcasing a section of the Chester & Becket Railroad (The Chester & Becket or C&B Trail) on the J.J. Kelly Wildlife Area in Chester and received a grant to build an urban extension for that through downtown Chester, ending up at the rail station. All these efforts are geared toward telling the story of Chester's unique history, with a particular focus on rail, to promote growth, tourism and preservation.
Friends of the Keystone Arches, Inc. a 501c3, would like to invite you to join one of these workdays. Know that we don't make everyone hang over the side. We have many good solid ground jobs available. Work sessions will be posted when seasonally appropriate on this page and website. If that doesn't fit your schedule, but you'd still like to participate, donations are always appreciated. Please send yours to: Friends of the Keystone Arches, P O Box 276, Huntington, MA 01050.
Friends of the Keystone Arches, Inc. is the non-profit, volunteer organization that has taken the mantle of building awareness of the Keystone Arch Bridges, these strangely forgotten monuments that are such an integral part of the first mountain railroad. With the wilds around the Keystone Arches and the untamed Westfield River, as a workplace, Friends strives to maintain the Keystone Arch Bridges (KAB) Trail, as well as a website, Facebook page and a number of other initiatives over the past 25 years. The Westfield River Wild & Scenic Committee is a ready and frequent partner in the ongoing work.


We're happy to announce that Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger were recently honored with spots on Fortune's 40 under 40 and Business Insider's 25 under 25 lists, respectively. It's been just over a year since Kevin and Mike released Instagram to the public, and in that time the Instagram community has grown into a network of over 12 million people sharing small moments of life through gorgeous mobile photos. We're proud to see our founders recognized for leading a team trying to change the face of mobile and are excited about what's ahead for Instagram.
If you're interested in joining us, we're hiring! Take a look at our Jobs page, learn more about our team, and drop us a note if you think you're a good fit!


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Home » Greencore acquires H.C. Schau & Son
Greencore acquires H.C. Schau & Son
DUBLIN, IRELAND — Greencore Group P.L.C. continued its expansion in the United States with the announcement it has acquired H.C. Schau & Son, Inc., a fresh food manufacturer with facilities in Jacksonville, Fla., and Chicago, for $13 million in cash, plus deferred cash consideration of $4.3 million.
An additional cash amount of up to $2 million will be payable dependent on certain performance conditions, Greencore said.
Schau is a producer of fresh sandwiches and sushi as well as fresh entrees and other ready-to-eat items, sold through both the convenience store and grocery retail channels. The company has an established modern facility in Chicago and a new high quality start-up facility in Jacksonville.
In the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, Schau had sales of approximately $32 million.
The addition of Schau also is expected to build on the earlier acquisition of Marketfare Foods by adding scale with 7-Eleven, to whom Schau is a long-term supplier in the Chicago region.
Greencore said it has put in place a multi-year partnership with the new customer to supply its stores with approximately $50 million of Food to Go products on the East coast and in the Midwest from four of Greencore's facilities. The delivery of this new business will be phased in between September 2012 and March 2013, the company said.
"Schau, along with Marketfare, will allow us to take a strong step forward in executing the next stage of our U.S. strategy," said Patrick Coveney, chief executive officer of Greencore. "Greencore now has a Food to Go platform in the U.S. that will not only enable us to better serve our existing customers, but also to support what is a significant and exciting new business opportunity."
Greencore acquires On A Roll Sales
Greencore to sell malt business
Greencore to buy 7-Eleven sandwich provider


This should be one of the first destinations on your list if you're keen on biking in the North Island! The city boasts some impressive events with the first leg of Crankworx hitting 17 - 25 March 2019. A celebration of world-class mountain biking, this event makes full use of the Skyline Gravity Bike Park. Here the 10km of trails are made more accessible by the Gondola ride to the top! Nduro run a full calendar of events including the Whaka100, 20-21 October 2018.
Whakarewarewa Forest is also home to world-renowned trails through beautiful Redwoods. Current estimates say there are 150km of trails, to suit all levels. Check out DOC's Top 10 Trails around Rotorua for more info.
This is the ideal hostel for MTB addicts. YHA Rotorua has a secure bike storage area, workshop, wash down area, and basic tools available. There are bike shops nearby, and the hostel has some mountain and road bikes to hire if you don't fancy bringing your own. It's an easy ride to the Redwood Forest, and who doesn't fancy a post-ride soak in a nearby hot pool?!
Not just a ski haven, Ohakune is perfectly located near the start of the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail, with easy transport access to three of the five sections.
Take a shuttle to the top of Ruapehu and ride the 1000m descent down the mountain on the Ohakune Mountain Road. This is an easy ride on a sealed road through the UNESCO-listed Tongariro National Park, finishing on the doorstep of YHA Ohakune.
Ohakune Old Coach Road can be ridden in either direction as a day trip, exploring some of New Zealand's oldest rail history over some pretty epic-looking bridges. It's a grade 2, with most punters choosing to ride towards Ohakune for more downhill stretches.
The grade 3 Mangapurua Track (Bridge to Nowhere) is touted as one of the most beautiful trails in the region. Do it as a one day leg or carry on to the next section of the trail by jet boat!
Jane and Darren at YHA Ohakune are passionate mountain bikers, so can share their first hand local knowledge of trails and track conditions. They can arrange bike rental and shuttle services to take you to the local trails, and point you in the direction of mechanics and stores in town. Top that off with secure bike storage, washing facilities, and trail maps, and you're onto a winner.
For a capital city, there are a surprising number of cool trails quite close to town. 15 minutes from downtown (and YHA Wellington) is Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park. This is a shared area with 40km of mixed grade tracks set in 250 hectares of native bush. Sweet!
Other central city spots are Mt Victoria, known for 360 views of Wellington city, and Polhill Reserve, very close to Victoria University. It is possible to make your way from Polhill back to Makara without setting foot on a road if you're a more experienced rider. Te Kopahou Reserve and Hawkins Hill are the way to go if this is your aim, or if you're keen on checking out Red Rocks and a view of the South Island.
Alternatively, if you're staying out near the airport, Miramar has you covered with Centennial Reserve. Check out more ride info and plenty of other locations here.
YHA Wellington have upped their game lately with the installation of a brand new bike cage and workstation. This is a secure area so you can be sure your prized possession isn't going to go walkabout. If you've flown in, there are even tools available for you to assemble your bike!
This town is a strong contender for MTB Capital of New Zealand. It's a good place to start or finish your journey if you're biking the remote Heaphy Track, or one of the trails near Abel Tasman National Park. Plenty of trails around the underrated St Arnaud and Nelson Lakes area top off this trio of beaut locations.
There are a grand total of six mountain bike parks in the area, which means some serious downhills closer to town too. Dun Mountain is a popular route as part of the Codgers MTB Park, located right next to the township. This park contains three hills and a multitude of rides so you can tailor a route to suit yourself.
If you're heading out Abel Tasman way, there's a purpose built bike park out at Kaiteriteri that might catch your eye. The single track trails here are designed for all skill levels, set in 180ha of native bush. A bit further afield, you can also access the Old Ghost Road near Westport. This is one of the premier multi-day rides in the country, so don't miss it!
This five star backpacker hostel is located in the Nelson township, which means easy access to a number of local trails and still being able to grab a hot meal at the end of the day. There are bikers on staff who can supply their top tips, and bike hire at the hostel, and storage for between rides. The Saturday Farmers Market is located right next door - great for grabbing a picnic lunch before you hit the tracks.
The Queen Charlotte Track is a must-ride trail and there's no better place to base yourself than Picton. The Sounds are an absolutely stunning location, so you'll have no trouble passing the time on this long-haul track. At 70km worth of trails, Queen Charlotte is one of the longest pieces of continuous track in the country. This Great Ride is narrow and steep in some places, bringing it in at a grade 3/4.
There are a number of beautiful places to stay and/or grab a bite along the route, but minimal facilities available between them, so you'll need to carry or transport your gear and repair materials.
The section between Meretoto/Ship Cove and Kenepuru Saddle is closed to bikes 1 December - 28 February each year, so plan around the busy summer period. We recommend riding the track in two-three days so you can afford to stop every so often, have a dip, and take in those beautiful views!
Your host Rob has been involved with developing the Queen Charlotte Track so he's in a great position to give you insider knowledge. YHA Picton offers a free booking service to and from the track, and can organise luggage storage and tent hire. They've also got a spa pool, and free hot apple crumble with ice cream and breakfast from May to October. Bonus!
If you're looking for a variety of tracks in one destination, Wanaka is the place for you. Intersperse longer, scenic rides with dedicated downhills for days of enjoyment. Sticky Forest is a network of 20+ single track intermediate and advanced rides, right next to the township. Dean's Bank is also popular; the purpose-built 11km loop suits intermediate riders with some obstacles to provide a bit of a challenge and some fantastic fun riding.
You can also make full use of Cardrona (a well-known ski field) in their off-season. They're getting the most out of their chairlifts to get you and your bike to the top so you can maximise your time on the downhill runs. There's a good mix of intermediate and advanced trails here so it's not for the faint-hearted.
If you're still in need of an adrenaline fix, Wanaka is a great spot for Helibiking. There are lots of different options available here which you can book through reception at YHA Wanaka.
Located in town with excellent views across the lake and great facilities, YHA Wanaka has easy access to the best of Wanaka's riding spots. Bike stores within 5 minutes walk of the hostel can help with supplies and bike hire. Brilliant views from the hostel lounge and deck do wonders to help you unwind at the end of the day too!
The home of downhill mountain biking in central Queenstown, Skyline gets a special mentions for providing Gondola-assisted access to Queenstown Bike Park. 30km of tracks accommodating all levels wind through the pine trees of Ben Lomond Reserve, before funneling you back to the Gondola for your next ride up!
Trail lovers will find something to enjoy here too. For a leisurely scenic ride try the Frankton Track by the lake, cycle out to Arrowtown, Kawarau Bridge, or around Lake Hayes. The Queenstown Trail is a more comprehensive ride incorporating these shorter sections.
A little further afield, head towards Glenorchy and you'll discover 7 Mile and 12 Mile tracks (so named for their distance from Queenstown Central), both popular with locals and with stunning views.
Just ten minutes walk from town, YHA Queenstown Lakefront has easy access to all of Queenstown's riding, and the benefit of a good night's sleep at the end of it! Some bike storage and equipment is available, and staff can point you towards the nearest bike stores and hire outlets.
YHA Wellington is one of the best-located backpacker hostels in town, complete with two kitchens, vibrant communal spaces, and an on-site espresso bar.
YHA Nelson is a comfortable, central backpacker hostel next to the popular Nelson Markets. Enjoy our garden, BBQ area, and well-equipped communal areas.
A family-owned backpacker hostel, YHA Picton The Villa has everything on its doorstep; diving, kayaking, walks, or of course, a ferry ride to the North Island.
YHA Wanaka's central location boasts views of the lake and mountains. Cosy and sociable, this is the ideal backpacker hostel for discovering all of Wanaka's activities and adventures.
While Queenstown gets all the glory for being New Zealand's adrenaline capital, we know a few more hotspots to suit your mood and adrenaline tolerance!
Love skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing or any and all fun on and off the piste? Check out our great snow hostels located near New Zealand's best slopes.