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Posts Tagged 'form'
Does interesting = Good?
I was just lamenting to a friend that it's sometimes hard for me to blog because I feel like I'm saying the same things again, and again, and again. That's because for the most part you see the same ads, again and again, and again. In my more down moments, I wonder if I have anything to add to what I've already said, and worry that it's not enough to beat the drum, if you're beating out the same rhythm (rhythm is a ridiculously hard word to spell by the way, I never get it right).
I cam across this ad in the Daily Kos' election roundup, a pretty useful daily guide to election goings on, and a great way to see new ads. They have a pretty good sense of the subtext of ads, and said about this one:
"This ad from 25-year-old Republican Weston Wamp (notable only because his father, Zach Wamp, held this seat until a cycle ago) is just deeply… weird. I can't summarize it at all—it's a series of different images (John Wayne! moonshot! Bill Gates!) accompanied by a strange meditation on the meaning of freedom. I will say, though, that I was sure Wamp had hired some ridiculously deep-voiced announcer to narrate the ad. Instead, it turns out that the ridiculous deep voice is Wamp's own. (He doesn't sound that way when he's not trying.) Overcompensating much?…:
It's a little weird, and not really your standard political ad, and yet, there's something about it I like. It puts a premium on emotion and theme over pure message and facts. I just finished reading Adapt: Why Success Always Starts with Failures, by Tim Harford. Harford talks about the need to experiment away from the harsh glare of success and failure, in fact he says explicitly that being able to experience in places where you can fail is critical to future successes. He calls these outposts Galapagos Islands — places outside the scrutiny of everyday business or the mainstream focus of action.
I thought a lot about the idea of Galapagos Islands in politics — the stakes are so high (win or go home) and so much money is spent, there's not much room to experiment because the costs of failure are higher than almost any other industry save ones where life and death are actually on the line (Nuclear plants, airline pilots and the like). Shit, Coke can role out a whole new formula, turn on it's heels and call it a mistake with little or no fallout, other than a cautionary tale. A politician can't even change their opinion on an issue opening themselves up to a negative attack.
I'm getting a little off topic here, but the point is it's hard to try out new things especially in political campaigns. Every candidate wants different, or so they say. The various occasions they're presented with different, the reaction is almost always the same, wow, that's so different, can't we do something you know more… (I wrote a post about this very fact some time back).
Back to this spot, it's different, and sometimes that seems weird. What I don't know is if it's authentic? Is the spot just spitting on the table (if I stood up and spit on the table in a meeting, you'd certainly remember it, but would it be the message I want to convey)? Look at those Pawlenty for President spots if you want to see spitting on the table in action. I don't know if this spot fits people's image of Wamp, is he seen as a daddy's boy, and this spot seems strangely like he's overcompensating (as Nir implies)? Why did they make his voice sound… so oddly deep? My guess after listening to him speak normally is that they put some kind of effect on it in post. What will people think of that? Is he trying too hard (like Pawlenty) to be something he's not?
I don't know the answers to those questions. But here's the thing I do know, I actually find the spot kind of interesting, and think in this case the usually astute David Nir misses the mark. There is something bigger going on here. "We went to the moon and played Sinatra 'cause no one told us not to…" that line is odd, but also strangely compelling and memorable. Which is what I'd say about the spot. I'm not willing to say it's good, but it is interesting, and in a world filled with safe and normal, that's a step in the right direction. Is it a failure? Well, if it is, then it's a failure that moves us closer to a success, and in my book that's something to be admired.
Tags:Adapt, Daily Kos, different, form, function, Pawlenty, spitting on the table, Subtext, Weston Wamp
Super Bowl Ads… The Negative
Yesterday, I went through ads I like from the Super Bowl, today, I wanted to look at some ads I thought flopped as well a continuing trend, consumer brands going negative (see what I did there, there's negative like bad, and negative like attack)….
I don't get it. Met Life cartoon characters, what? Other than getting some attention, there was no connection between the form and the function. What the point? This was weak creative and probably pretty expensive to get the rights to Hanna-Barbara's characters, so why? Because they could? To try and link to some nostalgia of my generation? Again, if you're going to do it, then do it, why not show the scooby gang facing retirement, or Richie Rich or Grape Ape, but this was just kinda weak.
(As an aside, there's a bunch of ads that I thought really sucked beyond my need to discuss, like the sexist"Teleflora" ad where the woman basically says if you buy your girl something for Valentine's day, you'll get some action…. alright.)
Here's an ad that ran only in Michigan, that stirred up some controversy:
The ad was created by Republican ad guru Fred Davis. I've appreciated Davis' flare and talent here in the past, as well as his desire to make ads stand out, and not be ordinary. But again, I feel he missed the mark here.
I just read this great article in Slate on the demise of Crispin, Porter, Bogusky (a must read). The quote this line from the Crispin employee handbook "that defines advertising as 'anything that makes our clients famous.'" I think Davis has a similar take on his ads (and he might agree with the Bogusky quote later in the article, "My relationship with advertising was that I was not that fond of it," he told Canada's Globe and Mail earlier this year. "So mostly the way I approached it was to kind of mess with the form. "). Any ad that gets his client attention is a good ad, and his ads are very good about getting attention.
Here's the thing, attention is not the same as being on-message and being on-message is not the same as being on-emotion. This ad gets Pete Hoesktra attention, it'll get a news cycle or more of talk, but does it move Hoeskstra's message forward, does it connect with voters any more than the creepy King character connected with consumers? It sometimes appears that Davis (like Bogusky) holds his medium in contempt, so he toys with it, plays with the viewer, and tries to get his client as much attention as possible — because any attention is good attention… right?
Beyond the offensive chinese stereotype, this ad feels emotionally tone deaf, the "Debbie Spend It Now" line feels forced, there might be a good message here about spending and China holding our debt, but this one is such a mess that it faces the prospect of missing the beat because of all the noise.
Beyond that, here's are a couple consumer brand on consumer brand crime:
The Chevy ad caused quite a stir as Ford tried to get NBC to not run the ad. I appreciated more than loved this ad. Chevy's commitment to it's concept, from the music to the Twinkies, was well thought out, and they didn't break the reality they had created except for the line that seemed like it came right out of the Chevy Brochure, "Ford's not the most durable… blah, blah, blah." It would have been enough to say Dave didn't make it, he drove a Ford, and leave it at that, it makes the point. Still I thought it was clever, and loved the subtly of the jab in an ad filled with excess (in a good way).
The Samsung ad wasn't the first of it's kind (it's run similar ads before), and I think they're well done. They seem to know their target well — some one hip and cool, too hip and cool to be an Apple Lemming (notice the re-framing of Apple fandom from "think different" to one of the crowd of mindless followers), but someone who wants the latest tech which Samsung happens to offer. Not sure about the "stylus" — which felt like an odd feature (poll driven maybe) to highlight, if you want a stylus, I can did up my old Palm Treo out of my kids toys, still this ad was pretty good, though the big party at the end felt like an unneeded add on, it was something out of a beer commercial.
Still it the ad is nice framing by Samsung, they aren't trying to beat Apple per se, but position themselves as the alternative to Apple. There's an aikido like strategy at work here that I appreciate.
Tags:aikido, attention, emotional intelligence, Emotionally tone deaf, form, Fred Davis, function, Hoekstra, missing the beat, on-emotion, spitting on the table, trust your concept
Form follows Emotion
I'm reading the Steve Jobs biography, and I came across this quote from his first designer, Hartmut Esslinger:
"Form follows emotion."
The statement resonates with me particularly because I'm such a fan of form integrating with function, but of course in advertising function basically boils down to emotion. The form should be connected intimately to the emotional frequency of the brand and message you're trying to drive.
That leads me to a discussion of this ad:
This ad is surprisingly simple in form, but that simplicity is a strength in this case adding a verisimilitude to Huntsman.Using the debate clips without commentary is powerful, even the cutaways to Perry and Mitt looking flummoxed works and adds to the sense of reality.
Huntsman comes off as tough, honest, and eloquent. Talking about his kids in the navy serving a Democratic president is a nice touch.
While patriotism is a good quality in an of itself, it also serves as a macguffin — what Huntsman is really saying is he's the principled one in the race. The contrast is obviously with Mitt, where Mitt is calculating and rising money, Huntsman is principled and committed to his values, even serving for a Democratic president because it was his duty. He's not playing politics he's serving his country, what more could you want in a President?
I think this is a very good ad for Huntsman, contrasting his strengths against his opponent's weaknesses. It's presents his best on-emotion argument for voting for him, in an authentic execution, the real question for him is this enough to propel his campaign forward? And, do Republicans care?
Tags:Authentic, form, form follows emotion, function, MacGuffin, on-emotion
Is it what you say or how you say it?
I watched this ad yesterday, the latest salvo in the Massachusetts senate race, and I knew I wanted to comment about it. Watching it again today, it's amazing how much I forgot about it, ok I'll get to that later.
What I responded to in this ad was the message, Warren is unapologetically saying she's a crusader against Wall Street, and she's going to fight for the 99%. What's interesting is that she does it (unlike me) deliberately without invoking the language of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Of course, you all remember Crossroads GPS just attacked her for her liberal extremism as the intellectual underpinnings of that protest movement.
What I think Warren does successfully here is embrace the message without embracing the messenger. She doesn't run from who she is or her record, she doesn't defend herself "before you hear a bunch of ridiculous attack ads" (which of course have already started), but rather issues a forceful statement of principles and values.
Alright, that's 130 or so words in praise of this ad. When I first started this blog, I broke my reviews up into a form grade and a function grade, while I found that format too constraining and not ultimately helpful, I think it's instructive here. The function of this ad would be an A-, the form, on the other hand, being generous would be a C.
What I remember from the ad was the message: Warren fights Wall Street, which is a pretty good summation, but loses all of the detail and texture of the message. I loved the archival pictures, so vivid, but the text is kind of flat and at times falls into political cliche. The taking on the powerful interests message was lost on me until I re-watched the ad, her story had drifted away.
For a candidate who has capture so much support and excitement of voters, her delivery is alright, but not especially compelling. Was a scripted ad read off a teleprompter the best way to go here? I've never heard her speak, but I can't help but think an interview ad going over the same message points, but spoken spontaneously would capture more of the real Warren. Here, I feel like I'm watching a candidate speak, the ad is well executed for what it is, but it's not compelling in the least.
Warren wants to tell us who she is, but I feel watching this ad that she's hiding behind a teleprompter and words written by a political consultant. I want more from her than this ad gives.
Again, maybe that's not fair, maybe she stinks in an interview, but what the ad gives in message is lost in authenticity. (Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't believe Warren, I just don't connect to her.)
If you averaged my earlier form grade C with the function grade A-, you end up about a B, and that's where I'd put the ad, B/B-. It's not a bad opening ad, certainly serviceable, but this blog isn't about serviceable ads. I've only really read about Warren in the book "Confidence Men," by Ron Suskind, but she comes off as a compelling and intriguing figure there. I can understand the excitement about her campaign, because I felt it too just from the little she's in the book, she seemed genuine and passionate.
I don't get that feeling here, or maybe I do, but it's diluted. Am I less excited about Warren now, no, but I'm a believer after all, am I more excited, not really. At the end of the day, this isn't a bad ad, it's right where it needs to be message wise, but I just felt the pieces were there for a great ad.
Tags:Authenticity, Elizabeth Warren, execution, form, function, massachusetts senate, teleprompter
Playing with and against your story
A couple of ads from the Republican primaries.
Ron Paul is up first, with a very stylistic ad heralding the coming of a new asteroid er, I mean a debt ceiling compromise.
To my mind, Paul's story is staunch conservative, who holds views outside the mainstream, but doesn't let that stop him. This ad plays along with that story, reinforcing what might be his strongest defining characteristic, that he's true blue (or red), so to speak. He has principles where others lack it, he has conviction when others want to compromise.
I think this is a strong ad towards those ends. First of all, I love fake movie previews — even if this one is more of a MacGuffin, it works a the open. It makes Paul appear strong and presidential without drifting into the crazy and dogmatic realm, that's a tough balancing act. The shots at the ends are stills, yet they're not static, they feel dynamic and powerful, he appears presidential, which is important to his candidacy — he can't just be a wingnut, people have to see him as a potential president.
I think this ad also does a good job of raising the stakes on the debt limit, turning it into a battle between the forces of conviction and the forces of accommodation and appeasement — he turns compromise into an abdication of values. I really like the paper look they created, and I find it effective though I'm not sure why. This ad is a great example of the form of the ad (the stylistic elements, the music, the graphics) helping to drive the function (the message). Compare this ad to those early Pawlenty ads, they have a similar style, but in the Pawlenty ads it was all about style, there was no substance underneath.
Great opening ad that sets the frame for the Paul campaign.
On the other side of the coin is this ad from Michelle Bachmann. Bachmann's story of course is similar to Paul's except maybe throw in crazy. I'm not as wild about this ad as the Paul ad, but I still think it might be an effective ad. This ad is short on style, but it's function is clear, to counter the image of Bachmann as a raving lunatic unfit to be president. So, she talks very calmly if artificially about her record (a record that would appeal to Republican primary voters) and comes off as a little charming (hard to see the charm because her "performance" feels forced, but I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt) and somewhat boring.
I also question the opening shot, the time-lapse of Waterloo — not really compelling (maybe to folks in Waterloo), but later in the ad she has those nice archival pictures, why not throw some in of her own childhood?
I would also wonder if Bachmann can continue to run away from her narrative. While this ad does cast her as "serious" I wonder she can continue along this path, even as she bumps into her story — it just doesn't feel authentic. Compare it to the Paul ad where he weaves what we know or might think about him into his message, and turns what might be a weakness into a strength. You can try to change your story, but it's not easy, and you have to maintain the consistency so people really believe what you're telling them.
Tags:Authenticity, form, function, MacGuffin, Michelle Bachmann, Raising the stakes, Ron Paul, Story
Final Push Potpourri
First off, no idea that's actually how you spelled potpourri, would not have guessed it in a million years.
A two minute closing ad from Rubio has some people thinking he'll run for President. I can see that from this ad, he's good to camera, feels authentic and compelling, and the ad has an epic sweep, it's not just about Florida, but about America, it's not about issues, but about a philosophy. Two minutes seems a bit indulgent, but when you're up big in your campaign, you can take a 50,000 foot view of things.
I don't talk about script all that often, but the strength of this ad is it's script. Yes, Rubio is very good, and a lesser candidate would flounder with the sweep and narrative, but this ad gives Rubio stature without making him appear overly ambitious or pompous. It has him stake a position without him being political. It all starts on the page, and if it isn't on the page, it won't appear on the screen. The more I watch this ad, the more I like it, simple and elegant, it's form matches the function.
On the other side of the coin you have this line, "Harry Reid working for us, Sharron Angle pathological." Can't help but laugh even as I write it down. This is exactly the kind of ad I really dislike (is hate too strong a word). It's jammed packed, the last line isn't bad, but it's so rushed it feels almost like a parody of a political ad.
Going back to script, do they really need the first seven seconds of this ad? Can't they just say, a newspaper called her pathological, that she's lying, blah, blah…. They don't really connect running away from reporters its a macguffin that's not particularly useful or satisfying. While I usually like using newspapers as validators, here it almost gets lost, the impact of that word "pathological" never gets to settle because the script is on to the next line.
I'm never a big fan of using your spouse or kids in an ad unless they really have something to ad. Exhibit A is this ad from Rand Paul. Yes, he has a pretty wife, but of course she's going to be shilling for him, she's married to him. I know the rationale for using her, it shows Paul in a softer light, it makes him seem human in the light of the Aqua Buddha stuff.
Still compare this ad to the Rubio ad, which one conveys a better sense of the person? Which one tells a better story, which one is more compelling both in philosophical terms and in the epic scope. Yes, Rubio had more time to talk, but if you gave Mrs. Paul another minute and a half, don't think it would make a huge difference as she feels contrived whether she actually is or not.
It's drivel, it was probably drivel on the page, and it sounds like drivel on the screen.
Tags:form, function, Harry Reid, Rand Paul, Rubio, script, Sharron Angle, simple
Attack and Counter in Kentucky
In this race, Conway is down, but not an insurmountable amount, but time is running out. They can go back and forth or they can try for the big play, swing for the fences, knock out blow, pick your favorite sports analogy here. Well, they sure went for it.
I have to appreciate the fact that they didn't sugar coat, didn't back down, didn't try to hide behind a euphemism, but damned this is an ugly ad, for it's look as much as it's content. The ad is so extreme in it's claim, that it's hard for me to judge how effective it'll be.
To me, it feels like it's trying real hard, almost too hard. Desperate might not be the right word…, I think the word I'm looking for is pandering. Hey Kentucky, you're Christians, well Rand Paul he's not or maybe he's not, see don't you hate him now, huh, please, right? (Eyebrows making exaggerate pleas.)
There's no formula to these things, but I believe that the harder and more outrageous the claim, the softer you ought to sell it. This ad is an 11 on the claim scale, and a 9 on the political negative cliche scale.
Josh Marshall said, "It registered for me as somewhere between a hokey Tea Party ad and an SNL spoof." It's never a good thing when your hard hitting negative looks like a spoof of an ad. In the whole form supporting function, it just doesn't add to the credibility of the ad.
It's one thing to make the decision to air the attack, but the manner it was aired makes it feel clumsy and desperate, a more refined ad, might have overcome that problem.
Paul countered with this ad stating, "He has Christ in his heart," and that Conway is "[bearing] false witness" against him.
The response to Conway's attack makes me wonder if Paul didn't feel vulnerable to it. Seems like overkill to say you both have "Christ in your heart" and he's bearing false witness again you, but I'm from Kentucky, and I'm not the one who's had my christianity questioned. Obviously that last line is a not too subtle attempt to invoke biblical language. Again feels like pandering to me, "See Kentucky, I can say things like bear witness and smite, so I must be Christian…." Ok he doesn't say "smite" but maybe he should have.
The response is pretty cliche (other than false witness which you don't hear very often these days), dark grayed out shots of Conway, his lips flapping hard edged newpaper headlines to accentuate their point (though the script ads the line "gutter politics at its worse," which isn't a quote as far as I can tell). This ad isn't as over the top as the original ad, but if Boris were here he might say, "Rand,… check yourself….."
So who wins this round? Both ads are pretty lame, so as far as form goes, it's a draw. The Conway ad feels a little cheaper, the Paul ad cleaner and slicker, but neither one distinguishes themselves.
So if it comes down to function, I'll give the win to Conway on the technical point that they raised the issue, and it seems that's what folks are talking about with two weeks left in the campaign. Maybe it backfires, maybe it doesn't work, but it's not what Paul wants to be talking about that's for sure.
Tags:Boris, cliche, credibility, form, function, Jack Conway, negative ads, Rand Paul, Response, Talking Point Memo
Off-Target, Style over Substance
Target has gotten themselves in the crosshairs (you like that bit of word play) by donating $150,000 to the group that sponsored this ad in favor or Republican Governor candidate Tom Emmer. It's a can of worms that all corporations are going to have to face as/if they enter into the political fray.
Is the ad any good? Yeah, it uses kinetic typography, which is a style I really like and I've talked about a lot. I also really like the silhouette effect at the end, that's way cool. Still, I think it's a lot of effects, but I'm not sure what the point is? The best I can figure they're copying the Ford ad like old Rory Reid did (which I looked at here), even the voice is similar.
Otherwise, the effects are supporting what's happening around it, they're flashy, but not particularly helpful. I hate it when style trumps substance and form is given the upper hand to function.
Tags:form, function, kinetic typography, Minnesota, Style over substance
A day late and a dollar short
Super Bowl ads are usually high in entertainment and gimmicks, but low in effectiveness and message. In other words they make me laugh, but they don't do much to help me remember the product they're selling. Here check out this list of best Super Bowl ads from ad age. There are a lot of laughs, but how many of those laughs are connected to the brand message? How many make you want to use the product or even have some relevant link to the product they're selling?
And there's this:
It tells a story, it sells a message. It's elegant and not overblown — it cuts across expectation for Super Bowl ads, it's quiet where most are loud, and simple where most are frenetic.
Compare it with this ad for Microsoft Bing (not a Super Bowl ad):
What is search overload? What is a decision engine? What does it have to do with folks riffing stream of consciousness? What does it have to do with Bing?
Now Google needs no introduction to most internet folks, but still this ad is about brand storytelling. It cements the idea of Google as a part of our lives, even as our lives change, and we remember it because it tells the oldest story of all: Boy meets Girl.
Tags:ad age, entertainment, form, function, Genre, gimmicks, Story, Super Bowl
On Strategy
Found this interesting ad from Dish TV attacking Direct TV, another in the recent trend of consumer products going negative against their opponents.
For a high end ad, I think the design is poor. Visually it's not much better than your usual political ad, higher end maybe, but this is the best they can do?
In the martial art Aikido, your taught to use your opponent's energy against them, their attack becomes your attack. It's really quick clever, and minimizes differences in size and power. That's what this ad does.
It's strategically brilliant, Dish Network is turning a weakness (lack of celebrity endorsements) into a strength, lower cost, and at the same time undercutting Direct TV's endorsement strategy. I think this message sticks because it makes sense, those celebrities must cost a lot, and they quote some stats saying how Direct TV costs more, there's a pretty logical if A = B, and B = C, then C = A logic at work. If they tried to link celebrity endorsements to let's say the quality of the satellite signal, then it would be less authentic and less effective.
No I think this works and will stick, and it forces Direct TV to respond in some otherwise they risk people thinking about how expensive they are every time they roll out another celebrity endorsement.
On form this ad would score about a C-, but for function, I think it's an A.
I had an Italian friend, and driving the streets of Rome, she would say, red lights are only suggestions. There's a general rule that you don't repeat your opponent's charges in your ad, Dish TV reminds us that rules like that are only suggestions, good as a general guide, but should be broken when breaking it give your side the advantage.
Tags:aikido, form, function, message, Rules, strategy


I look forward to both learning and sharing! I have a short article entitled "Gandhi Forward" on my website, www.theburninghand.com. I would appreciate feedback! Thanks!
Vacha announces its latest publication Rights of Adolescent Girls in India : A Critical Look at Laws and Policies by Saumya Uma, Gender, Human Rights and Law Consultant . The book critically examines laws, policies and international conventions as they affect girls in India.
symposium on Girls and Girlhoods titled Girls at Margins –Questioning Constraints, Claiming Future to be held on November 23-24 in Mumbai.
What follows is the preface to a book I have just finished writing. Comments and suggestions would be most welcome.


Wow, Happy Crafter, what a well-written post! It honestly makes more sense than your first thread.
You seem like a nice person, so I'll give you an insight of my experience.
I didn't know I lived in poverty until middle school. My parents worked SO HARD to give my brother and I the best life possible, more often than not sacrificing their own needs. My parents later would tell the story of how all they could afford for Christmas was one jacket, and it was during the coldest winter "in history" where they lived, and after Christmas the weather quickly warmed up, so they spent most of winter freezing just to say they had something to give each other for Christmas. And I don't remember the entire conversation, but my Dad was dropping me off at school, maybe I asked him for some money, I don't remember, but I remember him sadly telling me "I'm sorry, we can't, we're poor". Up until that moment I NEVER knew there were ever financial struggles in our family. I never knew how much my parents struggled until that moment and even then it wasn't until after high school when my parents opened up about how hard it was to support us. They worked so hard to make sure that my brother and I never felt poor, and we never did, we always thought we had the absolute best possible childhood.
Money as an adult is something I've always struggled with, especially during manic phases. I could save up hundreds, sometimes thousands of money for months, and blow it all in a week on a whim without even a second thought as to my end goal. Yes, that I can definitely blame on my bipolar, but I've done exceptionally well at overcoming this. The past three years I've worked so hard on correcting this behavior, it seems like I'm getting a handle on it. You should have seen me this year, I tried so, so hard to be diligent about saving. Every paycheck I set money aside. I had weak moments, but nothing so drastic that I screwed up my plans entirely. It wasn't easy, and it was on a step above minimum wage salary, but I saved up enough money to take a few months off of work.
I think I experience more stigma for my mental illness than I do for my poverty. I don't consider myself in poverty anymore, just a lot of struggling because I don't have an education and never had a passion. I've found my passion and plan to go to school so I can follow my dreams.
Your post was very inspiring. I'm very interested in what more you have to say.
Last edited by LiteraryLark; 10-11-2018 at 01:45 AM.
Nope, not a teacher although I am asked that irl more often than I ever imagined I could be. I work with the "nutrition" program as they now call it these days. It was a way into employment after not only divorcing and losing my mom to illness and a stint on unemployment after a daycare conflict but also it is municipal employment.
I interact with children of all ages pk-12.
Ground up employment in this department for me. The undercurrent has been where I had obtained my bachelor's degree. It has one of those local region name drop types of curiosities.
From ground up employment is where I am lost. Please, help me understand.
I thank you for your kind words, LL. To me, it sounds like you did have the most wonderful parents and the best childhood possible!
Please, how did you set money aside? I would love to hear more about that. I am dreadful managing money! And what is your passion?
My passion is to work with the elderly, but caregiving alone won't suffice with living comfortably on my own, so I am going to school to become a geriatric nurse.
I will comment later on my budgeting skills. I am still waking up and have things to do today, but I enjoy sharing how I learned how to budget and definitely want to share something insightful and well-worded.
Hi! Terrific thread. I'm feeling dense today, so forgive me...is this thread part of a social group? If it is, the social group format has changed and is SO much better. I used to belong to a couple of social groups, but gave up posting on them because of the awkward format.
I have a lot to add, but have to get ready to walk over to a rally for opposing the stigma around mental illness. NAMI rally. It's not really a rally, so much...it's more about hearing peer speakers and free pizza and ice cream...thank God for the latter because (speaking of poverty) my only food for breakfast and lunch today has been my last cup of coffee from yesterday, a peanut butter sandwich on my last 2 slices of stale bread, and a yam I bought a few days ago (another blessing!). Oh, and I had some kitty salmon treats (little pieces of vacuum packed salmon)...gave those to the kitties and ate little piece one myself. Pretty bad, I know, eating cat food...but I love them & give it to them, so...). I have no more food until tomorrow, when I can finally go to the grocery store.
HC, thank you so much for bringing up an issue that is an enormous one.
Oh - okay, I see that this thread is on the Finances board. That's fine, too!
Started at the lowest employee level of the contract/department and am now the highest paid of that contract's/department's employees.
Edit: to add clarification. My boss is not on that contract although she's the same department.
Speaking of meals, there had been times that my employee meal benefit was my only meal and I've been creative at home with recipes. Not having been too proud to receive staples from my church either, they would come to my home.
Though today, I'm not in need of charity, I'm still aware of where these two communities offer food to many. There's more than one location in the community that I currently live in. Where I work, I've been part of a Food Rescue program as assisting the volunteers in a limited capacity, for instance ensuring the bags, etc are diverted effectively.
I was on SSI until I married my husband. Never qualified for SSDI because I didn't work long enough before becoming disabled.
Poverty is a hard cycle to break out of. If I hadn't married a man with a middle-class income, I don't know if I could ever have done it. Part of the problem is that the systems in place are designed to keep you dependent. Try to improve your circumstances, and some social worker somewhere is going to warn you not to. I can't count how many times I was warned I shouldn't try to get a job, or I might lose my SSI.
You're allowed to make some income on SSI before the check stops. Also, you can always get that check back again, if the job doesn't work out. But some people are led to believe, whether on purpose or not, that any income at all means your check instantly and permanently stops. If your condition worsens, too bad for you. You'll never see that check again. If you thought that was how it worked, wouldn't you be afraid to even try? Well, it doesn't work like that, but I've been in mental health programs where the staff would lead their clientele to believe it works like that. People were terrified to even look for a part-time minimum wage job. When I took one myself, I was actually told I was doing a stupid thing, rather than being congratulated on trying to improve my situation.
Sometimes people just don't do the math. I'll use round numbers for easy calculation. I don't even know what the actual figures are now, since I haven't been on SSI in ten years. So let's say I draw $600 a month. Then I get a part-time job making $1200 a month. They don't do anything about the first $100, but then for every two dollars on top of that, they take one dollar out of my check. So that's an overage of $1100, which would be $550 that they pull out. Now they're sending me a check for $50, in addition to the $1200 I'm earning. That's $1250 total, as opposed to the $600 I used to get, and I've still got my Medicaid. But ALL some people are going to look at is, "Oh, my gosh, they took almost my whole check! I better stop working!"
I was even warned not to marry my husband. If I did, I'd lose my Section 8 housing. Hello! That's the whole point! I don't need it anymore! Wouldn't it be better for me to live with my husband in a house we own, and save that Section 8 apartment for somebody who doesn't have other options?


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'There's Already Water (In The) Bottom Part Of People's Houses': Hurricane Florence Makes Landfall In North Carolina
Filed Under:Hurricane Florence, Local TV, Talkers
Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook Twitter
PHILADELPHIA (CNN) — Hurricane Florence has made landfall in North Carolina, but its crawling pace and overwhelming storm surges are setting up hours and hours of destruction and human suffering — with dozens desperately awaiting rescue in one flooded town alone.
Hurricane Resource Guide
The Category 1 hurricane, with wind of more than 90 mph and dumping 3 inches of rain an hour, made landfall at 7:15 a.m. ET near Wrightsville Beach, just east of Wilmington.
Florence's center may linger for another whole day along coastal North and South Carolina — punishing homes with crushing winds and floods and endangering those who've stayed behind.
In the besieged North Carolina town of New Bern, rescuers plucked more than 100 people from rising waters, but about 150 more had to wait when conditions worsened and a storm surge reached 10 feet.
"In a matter of seconds, my house was flooded up to the waist, and now it is to the chest," said Peggy Perry, who along with three relatives, was trapped early Friday in her New Bern home. "We are stuck in the attic."
Officials urged residents there to take shelter at the highest points of their homes, including rooftops.
Florence's rain will reach 40 inches in some parts of the Carolina coasts, and gusty winds will send the ocean and rivers spilling into neighborhoods, forecasters said.
By Friday morning, Florence already had:
• Sapped power to nearly 437,000 customers in North and South Carolina, emergency officials said.
• Pushed in a storm surge of 10 feet above normal levels in Morehead City, North Carolina, the National Weather Service said.
• Forced more than 60 people to evacuate a hotel in Jacksonville, North Carolina, after part of the roof collapsed, city officials said.
• Canceled more than 1,300 flights along the East Coast through Friday.
Hours earlier, streets along the coast had been transformed into raging streams, and massive waves surged along the Outer Banks.
"There's already water (in the) bottom part of people's houses," Todd Willis, who lives in Kennel Beach, North Carolina, said Thursday night. "This is just the beginning."
• It's closing in: The eyewall is onshore in North Carolina, the National Hurricane Center said.
• Downgraded but dangerous: Though now a Category 1 storm, hurricane-force winds extend 80 miles from Florence's center, and it will linger for days, with prolonged winds and rain making it more dangerous.
• Ominous warning: "Don't focus on the category of the storm. Hurricane Florence will slow down as it approaches the coast and moves inland. This will cause extremely dangerous flooding," the Federal Emergency Management Agency warned.
• Areas threatened: Hurricane warnings and storm surge warnings are in effect for South Santee River in South Carolina to Duck, North Carolina.
• Location of Florence: By 7:35 a.m. Friday, the hurricane was about 5 miles (55 km) east of Wilmington and was crawling at 6 mph (9 kmh). At 90 mph, its wind speed was dipping but still dangerous.
Rescues and narrow escapes
More than 1 million people had been ordered to evacuate before the streets became inundated.
Morehead City resident Rebecca Marson decided not to evacuate because her surgeon husband wanted to remain behind with other first responders. They're riding out the storm at their home with four children — ages 11 to 17 — Marson's friend, four dogs, two chinchillas, a cat and a lizard.
Marson said they'd lost power and the winds were howling outside, but they had enough food and water to last them for days.
New Bern's WCTI television employees fled their studio Thursday night due to rising flood waters. Footage posted on social media showed a meteorologist saying on air that they had to evacuate. He then leaves the studio and leaves a radar of Florence's rain bands playing on a loop.
In Jacksonville, North Carolina, city officials posted photos of toppled gas pumps and a downed trees early Friday, warning residents to take shelter and avoid roadways.
Officials in several states have declared states of emergency, including in the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia and Maryland, where coastal areas are still recovering from summer storms.
Florence is one of four named storms in the Atlantic.
(The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Among Hawaii's most breathtaking resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua captivates guests with luxury amenities including two golf courses, a locally inspired spa, six restaurants and outdoor activities that highlight our surrounding natural beauty.
Find things to do with our local area map, plan your next meeting or dream wedding, and visit our spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua.
The newly reimagined Ulana restaurant features a renowned breakfast buffet and a la carte menu.
'Ai 'Ono translates to 'eat well' and 'delicious food' in Hawaiian and perfectly describes the new menu at this poolside restaurant.
Hawaii is sure to exceed your expectations. These experiences are perfect for families seeking Hawaii activities, couples in search of romance, or weary travelers seeking a rejuvenating escape.
After experiencing the clear blue water, well-mannered surf, and warm sand, it will become one of your favorite in Hawaii.
Relax as Gemini's Sailing crew set sail for hours of smooth and exciting sailing with phenomenal views of West Maui.
Guided tour on Maui's historic steam locomotive and dinner train between historic Lahaina Town and Kaanapali.
Extraordinary collection of Hawaiian water creatures. Centrally located close to Maui hotels.


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Far from a "consolation prize": A woman VP will be a triumph for all
Ben Falcon|May 8, 2020
Illustration by Genevieve Humphreys
Television is rich with women in powerful political positions — for instance, HBO's Selina Meyer on "Veep" and CBS's Elizabeth McCord on "Madam Secretary." But when it comes to the real world, that "highest, hardest glass ceiling" that Hillary Clinton spoke of is still firmly in place. After a hundred years of women's suffrage, the United States has yet to have a woman president or vice president. The 2020 election saw the most women enter the race for president in history, and unfortunately, none of them won.
This year, electing a woman president certainly will not happen, but it shouldn't be overlooked that we can still shatter a glass ceiling this November. A female vice president would make history and be more than a "consolation prize" for women. Joe Biden committed to picking a woman running mate and announced that he is forming a selection committee. There have only been two women to ever have a serious shot at the job, and Biden is acutely aware that he is in the position to do more than just pick a future vice president, but possibly a future president.
However, understandably many women view his decision with distrust. Sophomore Victoria Henretty thinks he can not merely pick just any woman.
"It is extremely important that if a woman is picked that it isn't done for the sake of seeming progressive," Henretty said.
Sophomore Lindsey Bonin expressed a similar sentiment.
"The reason we need women in politics is to represent the interests of women … being a woman isn't an inherently feminist action," Bonin said. "Truly intersectional feminism requires acting in the best interests of all women."
On that note, several women have been suggested as possible running mates, representing various communities.
10. Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice
For eight years, she was an architect of our foreign policy, and as an African American woman of 55, she would represent the sort of diverse younger pick Biden needs. However, she is an untested campaigner and is in the same shadow of scandal that plagued Hillary Clinton in 2016. Ultimately, with no national profile and a foreign policy record that would further alienate Bernie progressives, she would be a tougher sell.
9. Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan
Her leadership on COVID-19 has earned her a place on Biden's shortlist. Michigan is a must-win battleground state that went for Trump in 2016 by a narrow margin, and if he wants a young running mate that knows how to win there, then the 48-year-old Whitmer makes for a smart choice. She is, however, in the midst of a Republican-created controversy around her latest executive orders in response to the pandemic. GOP tricks aside, she would do little to excite the progressive base.
8. Congresswoman Val Demings of Florida
A second-term congresswoman, Demings is surrounded by VP speculation because of her role as a House impeachment manager. She has a remarkable story and I believe many voters of color can be motivated to vote for a ticket with her on it. Demings grew up poor and Black in the south only to become Orlando's first woman police chief. However, in 2015, the Atlantic reported on dozens of lawsuits alleging things like excessive force against her department.
7. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts
At 46 years old, Pressley would signal the strongest possible generational shift. The first Black congresswoman from Massachusetts has quickly risen to fame, but her youth and limited experience in national politics could seriously harm Biden as Sarah Palin did for John McCain in 2008. Choosing her could divert attention from attacks on Trump to questions about her more extreme differences with Biden on decriminalizing sex work and defunding ICE.
6. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
If Biden truly needs ideological balance on the ticket, Warren makes some sense. With the economy suffering, Biden could also benefit from her expertise. But, she's not much younger than Biden and has received criticism over her false Native American heritage. Not to mention that her famed progressivism makes her a polarizing figure to both the left and independents. Her history of feuding with Biden and the fact that Massachusetts has a Republican governor are major drags on an already unlikely pick.
5. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
Biden has expressed a desire for a running mate that is experienced and shares his vision for America; therefore, a Biden-Klobuchar ticket looks like a no brainer. Amy benefits from the two being such close friends since Biden wants to replicate the close relationship he had with Obama. According to the numbers, she is the most effective Democrat in the Senate and boasts double-digit wins in the same state that Hillary Clinton barely eked out. However, she has limited appeal to progressives and African Americans.
4. Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin
Biden knows he needs to win in a key state like Wisconsin, and for that reason, Tammy Baldwin is another smart progressive choice. Baldwin was just reelected by 11 points in the same state that gave Trump his 270th elector. The existence of Baldwin–Trump voters is a plus, but with how high the stakes are it is fair to be concerned with Baldwin being an unknown figure to voters of color. However, as a gay man, I would love to see a lesbian take down Mike Pence in a debate.
3. Former Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis
A Solis pick would be unexpected, but she strengthens Biden's ties to the labor movement and would garner enthusiasm with progressives and Hispanics. The former Obama official has a long record opposing trade deals like CAFTA and fought against anti-immigrant legislation in Congress. She would help in Arizona and Florida by bringing to the ticket decades of activism and organizing. However, she is not the generational shift that many want Biden to take, but I think discounting her would be a serious mistake.
2. Senator Kamala Harris of California
Kamala Harris is perhaps the most likely choice. She's young, experienced, and the most prominent Black politician in the country. Although her failed presidential campaign showed a lot of indecision and equivocation, Joe learned firsthand how strong a debater she is and her attacks on him might hurt her. The left criticizes her criminal justice record and many still view her as a flip-flopper on healthcare, but perhaps she will be better at selling Biden's message than her own. One thing is for certain, she is well-liked by women of color and they will be essential to winning.
1. Former Georgia Legislator Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams is first on my list not because of her race or gender, but because of what she has been able to achieve despite them. A lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a former Truman Scholar and nonprofit executive, Abrams would go to Washington, D.C. with a new kind of experience backed up by years of research and living the issues important to Americans. So, while her critics say she isn't ready, I say she is more than ready to offer this country something new. Last year, she tripled minority turnout and energized young voters with her near-victory in Georgia, proving that she has the appeal and much-needed charisma to win.
Whomever Biden chooses will be a trailblazer for more than just women, she will be a trailblazer for everyone who ever felt unrepresented in history. This is because, for those of us along the margins of society, she will stand for the possibility of what can be regardless of who she is.
4 Responses to "Far from a "consolation prize": A woman VP will be a triumph for all"
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An Eye for an Eye Part One: A Defense of "The Last of Us Part II"
Dreams Talk: Should We Share Them?
I had a friend who tried hard to remember more of his dreams. He would write them down and then tell people about them. He stopped, though, because it...
Yes, "Die Hard" is unequivocally a Christmas movie
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How to survive a college sleep schedule
Learning a new language as a reflection of yourself
Pianos. Bikes. Mattresses. Cameras. Glasses. These are all inventions that were created with the benefit of language. Language seems so intimate to us...
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"The Hunt" for better political satire
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Online learning cuts students off from valuable campus resources that boost their academics


text:
Chutes and Leaders
(Redirected from Coldplay)
Whoops! Maybe you were looking for Life?
Welcome to Korn, the Coldplay edition.
Chutes and Leaders is a 2017 Uncyclopedia board game. It's a version of the classic Indian game Chutes and Ladders, in which the "chutes" [1] represent Coldplay songs, and the "leaders" [2] represent Korn songs. You could also say that "chutes" are corny squares, while "leaders" are korny squares. In other words, It's a game for both Coldplay and Korn fans. And in so many words, It's much like this article, which is dedicated to both of these bands. In simple English, we were forced to make the Korn article as user-friendly to Coldplay fans as possible, so that Brian Welch won't leave Korn again. So let's get this party started, shall we gentlemen?
1 The squares
2.1 Coldplay
2.1.1 Last Lineup
2.2 Discography
3 Footnotes
The squares[edit]
The Korn equivalent to the Coldplay mega-hit "Yellow" is of course "Falling Away from Me", which was promoted by South Park upon its release. The "Speed of Sound" of Korn is probably "Never Never", the legendary comeback single from 2013. The Korn version of the timeless classic "In my Place" is "Shoots and Ladders" and the Kornish "Fix You" is probably "ADIDAS". That's it. I'm not doing this anymore. I have another idea how to finish this article.
Origin: England
Genres: Nu-metal
Page online: December 2, 2017
Last update/review: December 2, 2017
Coldplay[edit]
Coldplay's rise to pop superstardom in the early 2000s during the nu-metal era is well documented, but few know about their much darker beginnings. Under their original name British Foreplay, the quartet recorded Sataniclit back in 1984, years before anything resembling nu-metal would appear. It is truly a landmark in early nu-metal history, a long-lost and virtually forgotten gem, featuring Cartmanish vocals accompanied by the most primitive of early LL Cool J sound, and guitars as downtuned as any band since. Lyrically they were all over the place, with nods to mom issues (the title track and the 10-minute epic "Bow2Her"), domestic violence ("British Foreplay", "Cunty Aunty"), and even an absurd tribute to Oedipus ("Der Mutterfucker"). Not only that, there was "Friez", a song with suspicious similarities to Korn's hit "Lies", which wouldn't come out until 10 years later. Then there was the cover art, an odd image of the Auschwitz concentration camp as a McDonald's restaurant, with no mention of the band name anywhere. The album proved massively popular to a small segment of music listeners, but over the heads of practically everyone else, and they soon decided they wanted to make money rather than follow their beliefs. Thus, they gave up their stage names (as can be seen in the "Yellow" video, Chris "Spit" Martin kept his spitting image), shortened their name to Coldplay, and embarked on their second musical journey. Sataniclit would be the only album released under the British Foreplay monicker, and it remains one of the most curiously influential nu-metal albums of all time.
Note: this page was sporked from The BNR Metal Pages entry The Bee Gees.
Last Lineup[edit]
Spit (Chris Martin)
vocals/bass
John (Jonny Buckland)
Guy (Guy Berryman)
drums/keyboards
Friend (Will Champion)
sampling/backing vocals
Sataniclit
1984 McDonald's Records
1. Cunty Aunty
2. Friez
3. British Foreplay
4. Third World's War
5. Sataniclit
6. New Music
7. Der Mutterfucker
8. Bow2Her
↑ A reference to the Coldplay album Parachutes.
↑ A reference to the Korn album Follow the Leader.
Retrieved from "http://en.uncyclopedia.co/w/index.php?title=Chutes_and_Leaders&oldid=5887604"
American musical groups
British musical groups
Heavy Metal Maniacs
Hybrid subjects


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OSU Veterinary Hospital Cares About Animals, Even Ducks
Meredith Merton and her duck Issanah.
Despite a ninety-year sports rivalry between the OSU Beavers and the Oregon Ducks, doctors and staff at the OSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital are committed to saving the lives of all animals, even ducks. Especially when a badly injured duck belongs to a young girl who is very fond of her pet.
April Merton has a small, urban farm on the outskirts of Corvallis. There, she and her two daughters have eighteen goats, numerous rabbits and chickens, and seven ducks. Ten-year-old Meredith Merton likes the ducks best. "They are nicer than chickens," she says. Her favorite duck is Issanah because she is "friendliest with people."
Last month, they found Issanah bleeding from multiple throat lacerations. April Merton thinks she may have been mauled by a racoon. "We've had problems with raccoons," she says. "They opened the latch on the hen house and killed some chicks." Meredith was very upset and asked her dad if they could take Issanah to a veterinarian. He agreed and they rushed her to the OSU veterinary hospital.
Usually, the hospital refers avian medical cases to a private practice veterinarian. But when the Mertons showed up with Issanah, Dr. Jorge Vanegas made an exception because the duck's injuries were severe, including a lacerated esophagus and fractured right wing. He sedated Issanah and sewed up her neck with dozens of small stitches. "It was difficult," he says, "because there is so little skin and muscle in a duck's neck." Then he set the wing with two tongue depressors for a splint.
Fortunately, student Katelyn Hollars was on duty that day and was familiar with raising ducks. "She was very helpful," says Dr. Vanegas. "She helped calculate the medication dosage and wrapped the repaired wing next to the duck's body." He sent the Mertons home with an antibiotic to add to Issanah's water, and instructions to keep her quiet and confined to a small area.
Meredith took extra good care Issanah, but one small hole in her throat was not healing well, so Dr. Vanegas added more stitches on a follow-up visit. That did the trick. "I wasn't sure if she would make it, but I guess ducks are tough," he says.
Now Issanah is doing great, scurrying around the farmyard with the other ducks in their little family group. "She went right back to laying eggs," says April Merton, who now has an incubator with eggs from two ducks; the white ones with brown speckles look just like their mom Issanah.
Posted in OSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Back Surgery Gets Hound Back On The Trail
When a coworker asked Kirk Rogers if he was interested in adopting a dog, he said, 'Probably not.' Then he saw Rusty's happy face and big, goofy feet, and fell in love. Rogers took Rusty home that day.
Rogers was not the only one to fall for Rusty's charm. The two-year-old Bassett Hound-mix makes friends wherever he goes. On a recent visit to the OSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, he trotted into the lobby and immediately went around the room saying 'Hello' to everyone by politely standing in front of them and wagging his tail. "To him, everyone is a friend," says Rogers. Rusty was feeling especially good that day because he had recently resumed normal dog activities. Just two months earlier, a seizure left Rusty unable to move his two right legs.
When Rogers adopted Rusty, they started a daily routine, taking one or two walks where Rogers allowed the dog to follow his nose. As a scent-hound, these walks were Rusty's favorite activity.
But a few weeks after settling into his new home, Rusty started acting like his neck was stiff and sore, so Rogers took him to a veterinarian who prescribed NSAIDS and rest. Rusty got better. Then it happened again a month later, and periodically after that.
Top: An MRI shows the fractured vertebra in Rusty's backbone. Bottom: The repaired vertebra after surgery.
One day, while out on a walk, Rusty had a seizure, collapsed, and could not get up. Roger's immediately took him to his veterinarian who referred him to the OSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. There, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Wendy Baltzer ordered an MRI which revealed a fracture of the C2, the second cervical vertebra in his neck. The C2 forms a pivot upon which the C1 vertebra, which holds up the head, can rotate.
The C2 fracture was causing dislocation of the two vertebrae and resulting in a severe compression of Rusty's spinal cord. Dr. Baltzer recommended surgery.
The atlantoaxial joint, in the upper part of the neck, lies between the first and second cervical vertebra; it is a complicated set of bones and ligaments. Dr. Baltzer stabilized this joint using four screws, two wires, and bone cement, effectively fusing the C1 and C2 vertebra together (see image at right).
Following surgery, Dr. Baltzer placed a brace on Rusty's neck and, for 72 hours, the hospital ICU closely monitored him for any sign of spinal cord swelling or breathing difficulty. Overall Rusty did really well and soon began standing, and even taking short walks.
Rogers was able to take Rusty home with instructions for seven weeks of gentle physical therapy movement. But, to allow his neck to heal properly, Dr. Baltzer advised strict limits on Rusty's activity. This meant keeping the dog in a kennel for a large part of the day, and allowing him no walks other than potty breaks: not an easy task for the owner of an energetic hound. "It was really difficult keeping a nose-dog confined to a small kennel, even with anti-anxiety medication," says Rogers.
Despite the frustration of enforced confinement, Rusty did not lose his happy disposition and, on weekly visits to the hospital to get his neck splint changed, he quickly became a favorite with the staff, students and doctors. "The students and veterinarian were all great," says Rogers. "I appreciated that everyone fell in love with Rusty."
Finally the two month ordeal was over and the happy day arrived: x-rays revealed that Rusty's neck was healing nicely and the neck brace was removed. Dr. Baltzer released him to normal dog activity, even running, but cautioned Rogers to restrict play with other dogs. Rogers is happy to have his best pal back on the trail. "I really missed our daily walks," he says.
Rusty in his orange-wrapped back splint. Go Beavs!


Sullo Engineering was established in 2004, located in the Western Sydney Industrial Area of Wetherill Park, servicing local and Australia wide clients with highly professional and reliable manufacturing services at competitive prices. With over 20 years of industry experience and skilled personnel we are the right choice for all of your manufacturing needs. We understand each individual client's requirements and deliver the highest quality workmanship in each job we undertake. Sullo Engineering specialises in Sheet Metal and Metal Fabrication, TIG / MIG Welding and CNC Machining services. From unique custom manufactured structures to high volume manufactured compeonents we can offer solutions for multiple industries. We determine the most effective ways to use the factors of production, people, machines, materials, innovation and information to make a product or provide a service to suits our client's needs.


Weekly Roundup 11.1.17: Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, SAMHSA Webinars, MDHI Blog, DOH Position, and More!
This webinar will explore similarities and differences of housing instability in rural and urban environments, address common barriers, and identify evidence based and best practices for person-centered approaches. The presenters are housing specialists with extensive experience in serving people with mental and substance use disorders in both rural and urban/suburban areas. They will explore individual and cultural considerations and ways to use best practices across a range of communities.
The Division of Housing (DOH) is hiring a temporary Housing Navigator position. This position will be responsible for identifying and coordinating housing placements for the Homeless Solutions Program participants. The announcement period is set to close November 6th, but may close earlier if suitable applicants are found before that date.
The Housing Navigator will play a key role in the success of the Homeless Solutions Program (HSP) by identifying and coordinating housing placements for HSP participants statewide, but primarily in the Denver metropolitan area. This position will coordinate with each program participant and the participant's case manager or other support staff to develop a strategic plan towards permanent housing placement; identify permanent housing units, engage landlords and property management staff, and liaison between all parties during the housing placement process; conduct outreach and engagement to landlords and property managers, both in person and via telephone and email, and will develop and maintain positive relationships with property owners and landlords; and assist with the lease-up and move-in processes where needed.
"At USICH, we've been deepening our conversations with many of you about the concrete strategies we need to leverage to address racial inequities in our efforts to prevent and end homelessness. After digging in with leaders at our August convening and with partners at the Center for Social Innovation (C4SI), I wanted to share some of the ideas that have begun to surface."
"Every element of this work can be underpinned by data; communities and national partners have begun exploring and implementing strategies to leverage a variety of data points and sources. In the description and infographic below, we've outlined approaches and mechanisms for not only assessing the scope of racial and ethnic disparities locally, but also the action steps to take to measure and drive progress toward shrinking those disparities."
Services Available: Employment Support, Benefits, Dental, Immigrant Resources, Pet Pantry, Cooking Demo, CO Affordable Legal Services, & Food Pantry.


I think I have my next pairing challenge: find an all vegetarian meal that really needs a Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah as a partner at the table. This post is a step in that direction, although it's a step sideways as well.
The Rulo Cab was interesting with the stuffed squash on Meatless Monday. We had leftover materials, and I got to thinking about how to turn the leftovers into something more Cab friendly. I had also opened a bottle of Peterson 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon. Fred Peterson has a vineyard and winery in Sonoma, CA and he comes to Surdyk's at least once every year. I always enjoy talking with him and look forward to a future visit to the winery. As I was thinking about pairing the squash to the Cab, I thought of the addition of a savory sausage to the filling, and going with shredded Parmigiano Reggiano cheese in lieu of the creamy topping. The meal did go back to a meat element, but I really wanted to see how this new combination would pair.
The 2001 Peterson Cabernet impressed me as a very European styled wine. If I were tasting it blind, I would definitely guess it was French. For a 2001 wine, I was impressed that it was warm red in color, but still nice and red; not brown. It wasn't super dark for a cab; not quite translucent, but almost. Immediately on opening, it seemed very earthy. After 30 minutes, fruit and herbs emerge. I thought it had a European nose, evergreen and dark fruit. The flavor was nice and dry, medium bodied and not super ripe.
I bought a bunch of small winter squash from Peter's Pumpkins at the last regular Fulton Farmer's Market this October. I figured the squash could be table decorations at first, and part of dinner over the next few weeks. It has been fun to try different types of squash as we worked our way through them. With leftover filling, I just roasted the buttercup squash tonight. As you can see, our table decorations are dwindling!
The buttercup squash is the green one in the front left side of the photo.
I didn't take any photos of the finished squash, but here's a quick summary of how the main dish came together. I roasted the buttercup squash halves in the oven, again for about an hour at 350 F. I used the leftover filling from the Monday Meatless stuffed squash, and I added chunks of a chicken sausage into the filling. I filled the squash half with the warmed up filling and popped it back in the oven. I substituted freshly shredded Parmigiano Reggiano cheese for the cream sauce, and melted it on the top in the oven for a few minutes.
This was a combination that really worked with the Cabernet Sauvignon! Savory, rich, and the Parmigiano Reggiano was a very nice element to match with the Cabernet Sauvignon. Now, I'll need to think about a future version that includes the savory elements brought by the sausage, but using only vegetable ingredients. Ideas anyone?
I have a few bottles of Peterson that I have been sitting on for a while—good to hear I do not have to worry about them for a while!
The 2001 seemed fresh to me. Days 2 & 3 were still very nice. I need to get some more!


The Intelligence Community Wounded Warrior Internship Program (ICWWP) is a unique program that aligns with the Department of Defense's Operation War Fighter (OWF) Program to provide injured, ill, and wounded Service members with meaningful work experiences intended to assist with their recuperation and transition into the workforce through internship opportunities within the IC.
The ICWWP identifies and places wounded warriors in a variety of internships across the IC based on their military skill sets and interests. IC internships provide recovering Service members the opportunity to build their resumes with valuable federal government work experience, explore employment interests, and develop additional job skills. These skills are uniquely correlated to the broad range of career fields across the IC, allowing warriors to continue serving their country.
Providing meaningful work experience to our nation's Service members who have been injured or wounded in the line of duty has never been more important. IC internships are a win-win for recovering Service members and the Federal government; warriors build their resumes with valuable federal government work experience and develop additional job skills, while participating agencies benefit from the operational and military perspective of the warrior. Duty schedules for WW participants are dependent on each individual's treatment schedule. Schedules are flexible so as not to interfere with the Service member's medical treatment or adversely affect their well-being and recuperation. The average length of the temporary assignment is 3-6 months for an average of 20 hours per week. The Agency to which the Wounded Warrior is assigned does not pay a Service member's salary, as they are still considered on active duty and therefore paid by their respective service.
Continue to serve the nation and match interests and military skills to a civilian career field.


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Siya Makuzeni: a Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz we've all been waiting for
November 1, 2015 November 1, 2015 ~ sisgwen
Trombonist/singer/composer Siya Makuzeni's award as Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz is long overdue. Her acceptance video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5m89Y5IVAM ) is graceful and understated. Many of the rest of us are simply asking: "what took so long?"
Outside jazz, there are many artists whose star quality rests on a (sometimes carefully crafted) brand image. Inside the genre, it's the skill of the notes you play, and the mind which shapes them, that count. For years now, Makuzeni's stage appearances have been met with welcoming applause when she begins – and with oh-my-god-how-did-she-DO-that? rapture when she ends.
Here's how Lloyd Gedye described her performance at the Grahamstown Festival this year in TheCon (http://www.theconmag.co.za/2015/07/07/grahamstown-shows-its-jazz-hands/ ):
"Makuzeni used various digital manipulation techniques to contort her voice into all kinds of shapes, as the band followed her lead. Rock, jazz, gospel, hip-hop, soul, and even drum and bass coalesced, often within the same piece, as the band gave life to Makuzeni's visions. The highlight however was a performance of the Marcus Wyatt tune Jessica from his album Gathering, where Makuzeni's voice became a husky hazy dream as she poured everything she had into the gentle ballad."
Makuzeni began her trombone journey at Stirling High School, coming from a home where her mother was a choir conductor and her father had a taste for rock. She started with the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz initiative in 1998, and later studied music and drama at Rhodes and on the jazz programme of the then Pretoria Technikon (now TUT). She's been in line-ups for the late Zim Ngqawana, McCoy Mrubata, Feya Faku, Kaya Mahlangu, Themba Mkhize (with the SWR Big Band) and more, featured at international jazz festivals and contributed to Franco Brogi Taviani's soundtrack for the Italian movie Forse Dio è Malato.
Let's start where Gedye did, with the voice. Like vocal improvisers such as Maggie Nicholls, Makuzeni, who started her musical life as an instrumentalist (on recorder, at 11) plays with all the colours and sounds her vocal chords can create, plus the ones the digital box can add. Though she can sound startlingly beautiful on a ballad, she can also be harsh, guttural, angry, hectoring, sonorous – whatever the context demands. As she says of her role in Language 12, she's not just "delivering the melody with my voice, but creating soundscapes, playing with the rhythms, using electronics [the pedal] … even the rap thing."
Diverse working contexts have extended that range: from accomplished but conventional singer in the band, to a source of interstellar sounds with Carlo Mombelli's Prisoners of Strange (www.youtube.com/watch?v=or1jdr9aJ88 ), co-conspirator with Marcus Wyatt in numerous formations from Language 12 (www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2k1nvDE63E ) to the current Bombshelter Beast, and master of improvisation on the edges of a dozen genres in IppyFuze (http://sidewalktv.com/2015/09/29/cue-this-ippyfuze/ ) That's before you add in her flair for Xhosa poetry: yet another set of sounds on the palette.
Makuzeni's trombone is equally accomplished. She can swing with aplomb in a big band context (www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5m89Y5IVAM ) as well as grunt, growl and bellow on the instrument when Language 12 demands it. She writes or co-writes much of her own material, and leads Ippy Fuze. Apart from Ippy's EP, however, she has no albums under her own name yet. As Nduduzo Makhathini, this year's SBYA has ably demonstrated, the award should provide support and space to change that.
Women on the Standard Bank Young Artist jazz list have been rare (3 including Makuzeni since 2006) and women instrumentalists even rarer (the last was saxophonist Shannon Mowday in 2007). Makuzeni is there this year not because of her gender, but because she is a superb all-round musician. And yet the issue remains significant, because if women instrumentalists do not take the award more often, Standard Bank is sending a very negative message to all female jazz players, and especially the youngest.
Think about e-TV's (self-proclaimed) "coveted Play of the Week award". Since a well-known whisky took over sponsorship, the award announcement is bookended by the exhortation to "Give that man a Bells". So, during this sponsorship, nobody from Banyana Banyana or the women's hockey, swimming, athletics or any other female squad is taking that baby home? It may not be intended, but the exclusionary implication is clear.
What we see and hear most frequently, we think of as 'natural', whether that is actually the case or not. For most media commentators on the Standard Bank Young Artist awards during the past decade, gender has been invisible. Male talent and leadership have been naturalized. We could begin transforming stereotypes about what kind of jazz leadership is 'natural' by simply giving the award next – on grounds of ability alone – to pianist Thandi Ntuli in 2017, bassist Romy Brauteseth in 2018, and in 2019…
< Previous Vuma Levin's guitar frames challenging ideas
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One thought on "Siya Makuzeni: a Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz we've all been waiting for"
Robyn Sassen says:
Can't wait to hear what Siya does at the Festival this year!


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Fireground Safety
Lieutenant Bradford T. Clark Honored with the 2019 Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award
The Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award commemorates the life and career achievements of Deputy Chief Ray Downey, who lost his life while commanding rescue operations at the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001. Deputy Chief Downey was chief of rescue operations and a 39-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York. He was the most highly decorated firefighter in the history of FDNY. Deputy Chief Downey commanded rescue operations at many difficult and complex disasters, including the Oklahoma City Bombing, the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing, and many natural disasters worldwide. Each year, the award is presented at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The recipient of this year's award is Lieutenant Bradford T. Clark, of Hanover County (VA) Fire-EMS. The award will be presented posthumously, with his wife Melanie Clark accepting the award.
Melanie Clark will be presenting "My Lieutenant Didn't Come Home: The Devastation of Distracted Driving" at FDIC International 2019.
On October 11, 2018, Hanover Fire-EMS was managing heavy call volume because of the impacts of Tropical Storm Michael when Lieutenant Clark's unit, Engine 6, was dispatched to an accident on the Interstate highway at 21:00. As the crew was dismounting the apparatus to size up the incident, Lieutenant Clark observed a tractor trailer speeding toward the unit as he rounded the front of the engine. Rather than using this moment to jump to safety, Lieutenant Clark yelled to warn his crew, allowing them a split-second notice to gain cover and brace for impact. One firefighter who was riding behind Lieutenant Clark was reaching back into the jump seat to retrieve a medical bag when he heard Lieutenant Clark's warning. Sensing the impending impact, he dove headfirst back into the cab as the tractor trailer struck the rear of Engine 6. That firefighter emerged from the wreckage without significant injuries and was able to begin treatment of his fellow firefighters. The driver of the Engine 6 and other jump seat firefighter received significant life-threatening injuries as a result of the impact.
The impact of the tractor trailer drove the engine over the top of Lieutenant Clark, pinning him underneath the fire apparatus. Crews worked to free him and begin treatment, but in spite of their best efforts, Lieutenant Clark was pronounced dead at the scene.
RELATED: Fallen Virginia Firefighter Pens Farewell Letter
Lieutenant Clark's selfless actions resulted in the survival of the rest of his crew. Lieutenant Clark used his last second to warn his crew, which gave them just enough warning to survive. Lieutenant Clark's actions exemplify the highest traditions and values of Chief Ray Downey and those firefighters who gave their lives on September 11, 2001. As such, the 2019 Ray Downey Courage & Valor Award is presented to Lieutenant Bradford T. Clark, of Hanover (VA) Fire-EMS.
Melanie Clark will accept the award on Lieutenant Clark's behalf during Opening Ceremony Day 1 of FDIC International on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The award includes the Courage & Valor Medal and a check for $35,000, on behalf of the Courage & Valor Foundation.
Donations to the Courage & Valor Foundation can be made at www.courageandvalor.org.
Register for FDIC International 2019 at https://www.fdic.com/index.html.
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Musings | Visita | OK Listen!
Musings explores various forms/traditions/genres of music, but it dares to be beyond the music. Each song is a thoughtful abstraction, which inspired the album name. The album may be classified as Progressive, Acoustic, World music with a 'dash of tradition'.


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Coronavirus Spain
Catalan Trial
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Sánchez, pending Junqueras report, still hopes to be sworn in prior to 'Three Kings'
Barcelona News Catalonia News Madrid News Main News
by News Desk 28th December 2019 3rd January 2020 0938
Pedro Sánchez, Spain's socialist (PSOE) acting prime minister, is still hoping to be sworn in as leader of a new coalition government before the Three Kings holiday (Epiphany) of 6 January.
However, it will depend largely on a pending report from Spain's Solicitor General regarding Oriol Junqueras, the jailed Catalan leader of the pro-independence Esquerra Republicana (ERC) party.
The PSOE's 120 seats from the 10 November general election (Spain's fourth general election in four years), combined with the 35 won by the left-wing Podemos party – and with whom they have already signed a pre-agreement to form a coalition government – has left them short of the majority in the 350-seat Spanish Congress. The re-election of Sánchez as prime minister is therefore in the hands of ERC's 13 MPs, as well as other smaller political groups.
ALSO READ: Puigdemont and Comín acquire provisional MEP accreditation
Since the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled on 19 December that Oriol Junqueras has parliamentary immunity after being elected as an MEP back in May – the on-going negotiations between the ERC party and the PSOE to reach a deal on investing Sánchez as prime minister have been complicated further still.
The EU court's confirmation of Junqueras' immunity is having a direct impact on Spain's political deadlock, which has so far led to eight months of an interim socialist government.
Oriol Junqueras shakes hands with Pedro Sánchez in the Spanish Congress on 21 May 2019. (ACN)
The judges in Luxembourg said that Junqueras should have been freed in June in order to take up his seat as an MEP after being elected to the European Parliament on 26 May.
ALSO READ: EU Court of Justice rules Oriol Junqueras has immunity
Yet, the court did not specify if he should still be freed, because at the time he was in custody during the Catalan Trial and is now serving a 13-year sentence following the verdict on 14 October.
It is now up to Spain's Supreme Court to decide whether to free Junqueras, and the judges in Madrid have given until 3 January for all sides in the Catalan Trial to have their say before they make a final decision.
Andreu Van den Eynde, defence lawyer of Junqueras, formally requested on Tuesday 24 December that Spain's Supreme Court order the 'immediate' release of the jailed Catalan independence leader so that he can attend the European Parliament.
ALSO READ: Oriol Junqueras: 'I consider myself a political prisoner'
Whilst the defence of Junqueras argues for the jailed leader's release and the overturning of his sentence, the far-right Vox party (which is the 'popular prosecutor' in the case), has called for him to remain in prison, and Spain's Public Prosecutor has accused Junqueras of 'abuse of rights' in demanding his sentence be revoked.
All parties have so far presented their arguments to the Supreme Court, leaving only Spain's Solicitor General still to do so – and which is expected on Monday 30 January. The Solicitor General represents the Spanish government, via the Justice Ministry, with the pro-independence ERC party believing the PSOE can influence the institution.
PSOE spokeswoman Isabel Celaá said in Friday's press conference that if the Solicitor General presented its report on Monday then there would still be 'physical time' to close the agreement with the Catalan pro-independence ERC party and schedule a full investiture debate and vote during 2-5 January.
ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez greeted by 'Sit and Talk' protestors in Catalonia
Former Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras (centre) sits with fellow former Catalan leaders during their trial at the Supreme Court in Madrid on 12 February 2019. (J.J.Guillén / AFP)
She said that the CJEU's ruling 'has stated that Junqueras has immunity as a European Parliamentarian since being proclaimed' a winner in the May election, and therefore the Solicitor General is doing a 'thorough study' of the situation, 'meeting technical and legal criteria'.
Celaá said that the government has no knowledge of the content of the lawyer's report or the timing of its release.
At the very least, the ERC party is seeking a 'judicial gesture' from the Solicitor General that would eventually allow Junqueras to leave prison in order to collect his accreditation as an MEP. The party is also seeking that the Catalan Trial is declared null and void – yet this is highly unlikely, as any final decision would remain with the Supreme Court itself.
ALSO READ: Catalan president Quim Torra barred from public office for 18 months
ERC spokeswoman Marta Vilalta previously said that Sánchez's investiture will depend on what the Solicitor General's report says. 'If the State wants to continue on the path of repression, defeat will only be tougher for the Spanish justice system. The later it rectifies, the harder it will fall.'
Meanwhile, the leader of the Ciudadanos (Cs) party, Inés Arrimadas, has called on some members of the Socialist party to 'raise their voices' to 'curb the madness' of Pedro Sánchez 'pressuring' the Solicitor General.
In a press conference, Arrimadas criticised Sánchez's 'intolerable pressures' for the Solicitor General 'to act as Oriol Junqueras's defender,' in order to secure the support from ERC and form a government.
Click here for all articles and updates the Catalan Trial, verdicts and sentencing
Ciudadanos (Cs)Esquerra Republicana (ERC)European ParliamentInés ArrimadasIsabel CelaaMarta VilaltaOriol JunquerasPSOESpain's ProsecutorSpain's Solicitor GeneralThree KingsShare
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Skier dies after being caught in avalanche in Spain
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Brexit: a dim outlook for Spain-Gibraltar border
Daniel Silva / AFP 30th October 2018 20th November 2018
Puigdemont pays surprise visit to EU Parliament
SiE Newsdesk / ACN / Catalan News 4th March 2019 7th March 2019
Catalan Trial: Day 5 summary
SiE Newsdesk / ACN / Catalan News 21st February 2019 13th August 2020
Huge turnout in Catalonia set to mark election
Newsdesk / ACN 28th April 2019 6th May 2019
Spain in English
Covid-19 Vaccinations in Spain (to 19 Jan)
Coronavirus in Spain (19 Jan) – incidence rate now over 700
Valencia region closing all bars and restaurants for 14 days
Details of curfews & restrictions for all regions of Spain during 'State of Alarm'
From 15-M to Podemos on the 'Sobremesa Podcast'
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HomeMoneroThis Privacy Crypto Has Left Bitcoin and Ethereum in the Dust Since February. Should You Buy?
This Privacy Crypto Has Left Bitcoin and Ethereum in the Dust Since February. Should You Buy?
April 19, 2022 John Monero 0
Many coins and tokens available across the crypto space have had ups and downs over the past several weeks due to macro trends such as record-levels of inflation, rising interest rates from the Federal Reserve, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
However, at least one crypto project has been bucking that trend with a clear and consistent upward trajectory. According to CoinMarketCap, when you zoom out to the three-month view for privacy coin Monero (XMR), you see that this particular asset is up an incredible 87% since Feb. 24, 2022. While the same website shows that Bitcoin (BTC) is up 18% and Ethereum (ETH) is up 32% for the same timeframe.
What is Monero (XMR) and why is it surging?
In 2014, a group of several developers came together with a focus on developing a blockchain-based project where the top priority was anonymity and privacy — followed by efficiency and ease of use. Together they created Monero. Monero was one of the first such coins at the time, along with the Dash (DASH) project. Since then, several other privacy type coins have emerged — which are collectively known as anonymity-enhanced cryptocurrencies (AECs) in crypto circles — and include AECs such as Oasis (ROSE), Decred (DCR), and Zcash (ZEC).
The AEC class of digital assets are unlike other cryptocurrencies because the privacy coins rely on an array of cryptography tools to cloud the wallet addresses of the receivers and senders of respective AECs. Conversely, the majority of all other virtual currency transactions — including those of BTC and ETH — can readily be viewed by anyone who looks at the respective blockchains where trading occurs.
The Monero website states that the project is focused on decentralization, security, and privacy. The site reads, "This level of privacy must be completely accessible to all users, whether they are technologically competent or have no idea how Monero works. A user needs to confidently trust Monero in a way that this person does not feel pressured into changing their spending habits for risk of others finding out."
Ironically, it's these very features that have largely kept the U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchanges such as Coinbase and Gemini from listing XMR, which is currently available on very few crypto exchanges including Binance and Kucoin. U.S. exchanges want to avoid regulatory blowback from listing such privacy coins and tokens because AECs are frequently linked with criminal activities. Regardless, many law-abiding crypto users like the idea of anonymous autonomy, which is the most likely driver of this surge in XMR as people are buying up the coin before it potentially gets blocked or banned.
Should you buy Monero?
As of this writing, Monero is down about a half-percent over the past 24 hours, trading at $253.34 according to CoinMarketCap. It's currently priced 48% off its all-time high of $483.58 in May of last year.
These are only opinions and not financial advice. Each investor should always do their own research, investing only what they can comfortably afford to lose. Given the trending macro conditions, the growing desire for privacy within the crypto space among users, and Monero's low market capitalization of $4.6 billion, this project has a lot of potential — that is unless governments band together to ban this crypto.
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