The Ice Bucket challenge which involves an individual throwing a bucket of water filled with copious amounts of ice cubes over their heads and then nominating friends to also undertake the challenge is one of the largest virtual trends of 2014. Once nominated, the nominee has twenty-four hours to undertake the challenge. There are varying forms of the challenge in circulation, for example, some rules state that ten dollars must be donated if the challenge is carried out, whereas, a hundred dollars should be donated if the nominee refuses to undertake the challenge. The Ice Bucket challenge is an exceptional example of a case study on the success of global viral marketing campaigns. The campaign, also branded as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, is a collaborative participatory video meme that has dominated social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter in its effort to promote awareness and raise funds for ALS.
The origins of The Ice Bucket Challenge are unclear and contested, however, it is generally believed to have derived from Pete Frates, a Boston baseball player, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2012 after injuring his wrist in a baseball game. ALS which stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, (known as Motor Neurone Disease in Ireland and the UK), is a progressive neurological disease that affects the motor neurones of both the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurones reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles in the body. The deterioration of the motor neurones, which control the brain's ability to initiate and control muscle movement, can affect a patient's ability to walk, talk, eat and drink. As voluntary muscle action is progressively affected it is possible that patients in the later stages of the disease may become completely paralysed. The disease ultimately results in the patient's death, although the rate of progression varies from patient to patient (ALS Association, What is ALS?). About two people in every hundred thousand are diagnosed. There are approximately three hundred people living with MND at any one time in Ireland (IMNDA Care and Research).
For a comprehensive insight into how and why the Ice Bucket Challenge originated as a result of Pete Frate's diagnosis it is highly recommendable to view the inspirational TED Talk given by Pete Frate's mother.
Why was the Ice Bucket Challenge so successful?
A range of factors have contributed to the success of the Ice Bucket Challenge. The foremost of which may be summarised to four fundamental factors: The Charity Element, The Challenge, Celebrity Endorsement and Social Media.
A fundamental aspect of the immense financial success of the campaign is the fact that actually donating money to a charity is a vital part of the challenge. The charity element of the campaign draws on an individual's desire to aid those less fortunate which in turn produces a "feel good" factor. Likewise, the challenge generates empathy, particularly in the case of Frates whose diagnosis saw a transformation from a young and fit athlete to an individual with very limited mobility. Envisioning a family member experiencing a similar affliction is difficult to conceive, consequently individuals have a desire to contribute. ALS has seen a 3,500% increase from the $2.8 million it raised in the same period last year (Diamond). ALS to date has raised an outstanding $115 million dollars since July of 2014 (ALS Ice Bucket Challenge) with awareness of the disease also significantly increasing.
However, The Ice Bucket Challenge has also been critically received. The campaign has been received unfavourably particularly in connection to the campaign's association with slacktivism. Slacktivism, may be defined as "a willingness to perform a relatively costless, token display of support for a social cause, with an accompanying lack of willingness to devote significant effort to enact meaningful change" (Kristofferson et al. 1150). Or more simply, slacktivism defines a feel good act that supports social causes, however, the act is only beneficial to the ego of the participant whilst tending to require nominal effort from said participant (Wikipedia, "Slacktivism"). If participants are contributing to a cause as a result of a desire for a "feel-good" factor or for a desire to maintain one's ego and online social presence, then it is unlikely that the participant will obtain fundamental information concerning the charity they are donating to, such as, where research funds are allocated and how funds are to be distributed? Another critique of The Ice Bucket Challenge which must be taken into consideration is the sheer volume of water that has been wasted at a time when California is on the verge of an epic drought and when up to a billion people around the world do not have access to safe drinking water (Goldenberg). For an insight into the negative connotations of the campaign Ben Kosinski's article "#IceBucketChallenge: Why You're Not Really Helping" is insightful.
The Ice Bucket Challenge is an excellent example of a successful viral peer-to-peer fundraising campaign. A vital component of the success of the campaign is the motivation and involvement of a challenge. The challenge element of the campaign attracts a fundamental aspect of human behaviour; the desire to undertake and complete a challenge and the need to respond to a provocation or taunt. Consequently there is a strong element of peer pressure and social proof, which is a "psychological phenomenon where people assume the actions of others in an attempt to reflect correct behaviour for a given situation" ("Social Proof") , attached to the campaign.
An important component which undoubtedly contributed to the viral success of the Ice Bucket Challenge was the great number of celebrity participants which partook in the challenge. It is important to note that the ALS organisation did not start the campaign themselves. The campaign was initiated by Pete Frates, by challenging the NFL Quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Tom Brady to undertake the challenge. From A-list to Z-list celebrities, there were few who did not participate, including Oprah, Kim Kardashian, David Beckham, Jennifer Aniston, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and so forth. For a selection of entertaining videos, please visit "The 60 Best Celebrity Ice Bucket Challenge Videos." Society is currently obsessed with celebrities, with celebrity culture in Western societies now outperforming organised religion in the sheer volume of numbers that it attracts (Rojek 1). The contribution of celebrities to the cause undoubtedly attracted and enticed participants to the cause while simultaneously providing free publicity on a global scale.
Note – A wide range of educational institutions also elected to undertake the challenge, with University College Cork's own President Dr Michael Murphy electing to contribute to the cause.
Social media platforms have become an integrated part of everyday life. People use social media platforms, such as Facebook, for a range of activities including entertainment, sharing, information exchange, endorsements and communication. Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1.35 billion monthly users as of September 30th, 2014 (Facebook Company Info). Therefore, Facebook is ideal for viral marketing campaigns, not just in terms of the large audience it attracts, but also due to the diversity of the age groups it engages. The Ice Bucket challenge is a clear example of how charities, such as ALS, can utilise Facebook in order to raise essential funds while simultaneously prompting awareness.
The Facebook Data team analysed the viral activity on the platform from the first of June to the seventh of August of this year and found that over twenty-eight million people around the globe have joined the conversion about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge since the phenomenon has gone viral; the data includes liking, posting and commenting on a post. Furthermore, over 2.4 million videos related to the ice bucket challenge have been posted on Facebook (The Ice Bucket Challenge on Facebook).
– Each line represents at least 10 connections between nominators and nominees for the challenge from June 1 – August 13.
Another consideration in the success of the campaign is the current widespread use of the mobile phone, with social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube now available on android and iPhones, participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge could not be easier. Nominees are notified within a matter of seconds and participants of the challenge can easily record their video, post it online and nominate friends within a matter of moments.
Furthermore, the rapid online growth and sharing of the challenge videos may be classified as an Internet meme. Internet memes are phenomena, including: media, activities and concepts that rapidly gain popularity on the Internet, they are often modified or parodied which contribute to their popularity and therefore have the power to transgress social and cultural boundaries (Bauckhage 42). Examining Bauckhage's definition the Ice Bucket challenge certainly fits the classification. For information on the role of the campaign as an internet meme, Kyle Chayka's article, "The Ice Bucket Challenge's Meme Money" is informative.
The Ice Bucket Challenge is undoubtedly one of the most successful viral social media campaign, ALS has seen a huge increase in awareness due to social media platforms and networks on the Internet. Social media as exemplified by the Ice Bucket Challenge is a powerful method to gather, share and spread information and data online on a wide encompassing global scale. The challenge is an exemplary case of how social media platforms and digital tools may be utilised as a means to launch a global viral marketing campaign.
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How do I set an employee's manager?
When you want someone else to approve their time off requests.
First, add them as employees.
Go the Employee that you want to assign a manager to.
Under the Team & Manager section, click the pencil icon to edit it.
Select this employee's manager from the Manager menu.


From 1 April 2019 the minimum hourly pay rates along with the minimum contributions for auto-enrolment pensions will increase affecting both employees and employers.
National Living Wage (NLW) rates (for those over 25 years old) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates (for those under 25 years old) will rise from 1 April 2019.
The NLW increase of 38p represents a 4.8% rise, equivalent to an annual increase of about £700 for a full-time worker.
* The apprentice rate is for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age.
The Government has previously said it plans to raise the national living wage to at least £9 per hour by 2020.
Employer minimum pension contribution 3% (from 2%), staff contribution 5% (from 3%).
If we provide your payroll services then we will of course implement the increased rates on your behalf but because this represents an increased cost for both employer and employee we highly recommend that you let your staff know in advance of this change. To do so you may like to use this TPR letter template.
We have two videos to help on our channel; and for regular tax-tips follow our blog on or click +Follow at the bottom of this page.
Categories: Accounting, Auto Enrolment, Business, HMRC, National Living Wage, National Minimum Wage, PAYE, Payroll | Tags: Accounting, Auto Enrolment, Business, HMRC, National Living Wage, National Minimum Wage, Payroll, Pensions | Permalink.
National Living Wage (NLW) rates (for those over 25 years old) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates (for those under 25 years old) are to rise from 1 April 2018.
The NLW increase of 33p represents a 4.4% rise, equivalent to an annual increase of about £600 for a full-time worker.
The Government has previously said it plans to raise the national living wage to £9 per hour by 2020.
Categories: Accounting, Business, HMRC, National Living Wage, National Minimum Wage, PAYE, Payroll | Tags: Accounting, Business, HMRC, National Living Wage, National Minimum Wage, Payroll | Permalink.
Probably the most important post of the year for limited company directors!
Question: What's the most tax efficient salary and dividend mix for the 2017/18 tax year?
An owner managed limited company will usually pay their directors / shareholders with a mix of salary and dividends.
It should be noted that since the introduction of the dividend ordinary tax rate of 7.5% on dividends over £5,000 there will be a personal tax bill of £2,138 (last year £2,025) if dividends are paid all the way up to the basic rate limit of £45,000 (last year £43,000).
For those companies that also have non-director employees on the payroll then they will continue to benefit from the Employment Allowance which reduces the company's Class 1 National Insurance contributions (Employer's N.I.) by up to £3,000.
In such cases there may be an opportunity for directors to eke out a little more tax savings by paying themselves a salary of £11,500 and dividends up to a maximum of £33,500 (the overall tax saving between the director and the company being around £234).
This second option will not be the best fit for everyone. More that ever, personal circumstances must be carefully considered to give the best results.
Each client of Massey Accounting Company will be receiving a personalised recommendation shortly.
Categories: Accounting, Business, Director's remuneration, Directors salary, Dividend, Limited company, PAYE, Payroll, Tax | Tags: Accounting, Business, Directors salary, PAYE, Payroll, Tax | Permalink.
What happens if you don't comply with Automatic Enrolment?
What happens if you don't comply with Automatic Enrolment or you miss your staging date?
The Pension Regulator will initially focus on educating employers who miss their staging date deadline however persistent and deliberate non-compliance can lead to penalties of between £50 – £10,000 per day. Ultimately criminal prosecution can ensue. For more information please visit The Pension Regulator.
For those who get around to meeting their duties only after their staging date has passed then the consequences include, at a minimum, additional admin and professional fees, and you will be required to back-date any missed contributions (in some cases you may also need to pay the late employees contributions on their behalf).
Massey Accounting Company is starting its communication with each of its employers between 6 – 12 months before their staging date. If you need any help or just a have a question, please don't hesitate to let us know.
Categories: Accounting, Auto Enrolment, Business, PAYE, Payroll, Tax | Tags: Accounting, Auto Enrolment, Business, Payroll, Pensions, Tax | Permalink.
The Budget 2016 was by and large welcomed by small businesses. Notable for plans to scrap business rates for properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or less from April 2017 (up from £6,000) and a further planned reduction in the corporation tax rate to 17% from April 2020 (the current corporation tax rate is 20%, reducing to 19% from 1 April 2017).
Download here our more detailed: Guide to Budget 2016.
Categories: Accounting, Business, PAYE, Payroll, Tax | Tags: Accounting, Business, National Living Wage, National Minimum Wage, Tax | Permalink.
The National Living Wage of £7.20 per hour will become the new minimum pay rate for those aged 25 and over starting 1 April 2016.
If your employees are aged 25 and over they will be entitled to the £7.20 National Living Wage.
Under 25 years old and they will be entitled to the National Minimum Wage of £6.70. Although there are lower rates for those under 21 or on an apprentice scheme. See our post regarding NMW for more details.
It seems that the change needs highlighting because we've become accustomed to the NMW rise on 1 October each year. But on 1 April 2016 many of your employees will be entitled to their second pay rise in 6 months. Please be sure to plan for the additional costs and adjust your payroll settings accordingly.
If you're looking for the 2017/18 optimal directors' salary, check out this year's post here. Otherwise for our 2016/17 article read on.
An owner managed limited company will usually pay their directors' / shareholders' with a small salary + dividends.
It should be noted that with the introduction of the dividend ordinary tax rate of 7.5% there will be a personal tax bill of £2,025 if dividends are paid all the way up to the maximum basic rate limit of £34,960 (yes, that's a personal tax bill of up to £2,025 compared to £nil last year!).
For those companies that also have non-director employees on the payroll then they will continue to benefit from the Employment Allowance which reduces the company's Class 1 National Insurance contributions (Employers N.I.) by up to £3,000 (last year £2,000).
In such cases there may be an opportunity for directors to eke out a little more tax savings by paying themselves a salary of £11,000 and slightly lower dividends of £32,000 (the overall tax saving between the director and the company being around £237 (last year £203)).
This second option will not be the best fit for everyone. This year, more that ever, personal circumstances must be carefully considered to give the best results.
Categories: Accounting, Business, Contractors, Director's remuneration, Directors salary, Dividend, Freelancers, Limited company, PAYE, Payroll, Tax | Tags: Accounting, Business, Contractors, Directors salary, Freelancers, PAYE, Payroll, Tax | Permalink.


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Catholic Church Advocacy and the Affordable Care Act
Jeanine Kraybill
Groups and Identities, Political Institutions, Political Values, Beliefs, and Ideologies, Politics, Law, Judiciary
The American Catholic Church has a long history in health care. At the turn of 19th century, Catholic nuns began developing the United States' first hospital and health care systems, ... More
The American Catholic Church has a long history in health care. At the turn of 19th century, Catholic nuns began developing the United States' first hospital and health care systems, amassing a high level of professionalization and expertise in the field. The bishops also have a well-established record advocating for health care, stemming back to 1919 with the Bishops' Program for Social Reconstruction, which called for affordable and comprehensive care, particularly for the poor and vulnerable. Moving into the latter part of the 20th century, the bishops continued to push for health care reform. However, in the aftermath of Roe v. Wade (1973), the American bishops insisted that any reform or form of universal health care be consistent with the Church's teaching against abortion, contraception, and euthanasia. The bishops were also adamant that health care policy respect religious liberty and freedom of conscience. In 1993, these concerns caused the bishops to pull their support for the Clinton Administration's Health Security Act, since the bill covered abortion as a medical and pregnancy-related service. The debate over health care in the 1990s served as a precursor for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) opposition to the Obama Administration's Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) contraception mandate. The ACA also highlighted a divide within the Church on health care among religious leaders. For example, progressive female religious leadership organizations, such as the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and their affiliate NETWORK (a Catholic social justice lobby), took a different position than the bishops and supported the ACA, believing it had enough protections against federally funded abortion. Though some argue this divide lead to institutional scrutiny of the sisters affiliated with the LCWR and NETWORK, both the bishops and the nuns have held common ground on lobbying the government for affordable, comprehensive, and universal health care.
Axel Tschentscher
Governance/Political Change, Political Institutions, Politics, Law, Judiciary
Research on constitutional law has come in different waves mirroring the development of states in recent decades. While the decolonization period of the 1960s still kept the old ties of ... More
Research on constitutional law has come in different waves mirroring the development of states in recent decades. While the decolonization period of the 1960s still kept the old ties of constitutional "families," comparison based on such ties has become ever less persuasive since the 1980s wave of constitution making following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Research about de facto and de jure constitutional law now tends to embrace institutional details like judicial review powers and procedures of direct democracy. The field of comparative constitutional law is controversial both in methods and substance. It still lacks a consistent framework of comparative tools and is criticized as illegitimate by scholars who insist on the interpretive autonomy within each constitutional system.
Research in the area of fundamental rights has to deal with long-lasting controversies like the constitutionality of the death penalty. Bioethical regulation is another new field where constitutional positions tend to diverge rather than converge. Embryonic stem cell research, therapeutic cloning, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, and surrogate motherhood are examples from biotechnology and reproductive medicine where constitutional scholars disagree about what, if anything, constitutional law can contribute to provide a basis or limit for regulation. With the worldwide rise of constitutional courts and judicial review, the standards for the interpretation of fundamental rights become more important. Legal scholarship has worked out the differences between the rule-oriented approach associated with Anglo-American legal systems versus the principle-based approach common to continental Europe.
Courts in Latin American Politics
Ezequiel Gonzalez-Ocantos
Governance/Political Change, Political Institutions, Political Sociology, Politics, Law, Judiciary
In the aftermath of the third wave of democratization, Latin American courts left behind decades of subservience, conservatism, and irrelevance to become central political players. They ... More
In the aftermath of the third wave of democratization, Latin American courts left behind decades of subservience, conservatism, and irrelevance to become central political players. They now serve as arbiters in struggles between the elected branches, and increasingly affirm fundamental rights. Indeed, some rulings champion highly controversial rights and have huge budgetary implications, sending shock waves across these new democracies. What explains this unprecedented expansion of judicial power? In trying to answer this fundamental question about the functioning of contemporary democracies, scholars of Latin America have developed a truly vibrant and theoretically dynamic body of work, one that makes essential contributions to our knowledge of judicial politics more generally. Some scholars emphasize the importance of formal judicial reforms initiated by politicians, which resulted in more autonomous and politically insulated courts. In so doing, they address a central puzzle in political science: under what conditions are politicians willing to accept limits to their power? Inspired by rational choice theory, other authors zoom in on the dynamics of inter-branch interactions, to arrive at a series of propositions about the type of political environment in which courts are more capable to assert their power. Whereas this approach focuses on the ability of judges to exercise power, a third line of scholarship looks at how ideas about the law and judicial role conceptions affect judges' willingness to intervene in high-stakes political struggles, championing some values and interests at the expense of others. Finally, more recent work asks whether assertions of judicial power make a difference in terms of rights effectiveness. Understanding the consequences of judicial decisions is essential to establishing the extent to which more assertive courts are actually capable of transforming the world around them.
Global Actors: Networks, Elites, and Institutions
Mikael Rask Madsen and Mikkel Jarle Christensen
Political Institutions, Political Sociology, Politics, Law, Judiciary, World Politics
Over the past several decades scholars have intensively debated what factors drive globalization. Answers have ranged from the emergence of the information society and the global economy ... More
Over the past several decades scholars have intensively debated what factors drive globalization. Answers have ranged from the emergence of the information society and the global economy to value-conflicts embedded in different civilizations. A different yet closely related question is who is driving globalization? That is, however, much less studied, even if it is arguably key to making global governance intelligible. A whole list of actors seem to offer possible answers to the question of who the globalizers are: Are they global institutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) or the International Criminal Court (ICC); communities of experts providing technocratic solutions; transnational networks of activists seeking to alter global and national politics by pursuing, for example, environmental or human rights agendas; or are they powerful individuals forming transnational elites taking the fate of the global society in their hands at a safe distance from ordinary politics in places such as Brussels, New York, or Davos?
The Judicialization of Politics Disentangled
Rebecca Hamlin and Gemma Sala
Political Institutions, Politics, Law, Judiciary
The judicialization of politics is an expression that has been widely used in the fields of comparative law and judicial politics alike since it first emerged in the 1980s. Yet, despite ... More
The judicialization of politics is an expression that has been widely used in the fields of comparative law and judicial politics alike since it first emerged in the 1980s. Yet, despite its ubiquity, it is difficult to ascertain its specific meaning because it is used to refer to such a wide range of court-related phenomena and processes. Despite its varying usages and meanings, there has been a puzzling lack of scholarly discussion over the scope of the term, and very little critical analysis of its use. This silence has impeded the project of comparative constitutional law. So it is necessary to disentangle and compare the many faces of judicialization that are used in various political science literatures. There are as many as nine distinct forms of the term that are regularly used; yet the various empirical strategies for measuring, defining, and documenting this phenomenon are often incommensurable, and further, the causes of judicialization frequently overlap and occasionally contradict one another. The popularity of this term has come at the cost of conceptual clarity, and this confusion has impeded both the project of building a comparative theory of judicialization, and efforts to have a coherent normative debate about its consequences. With the goal of theory building in mind, a systematic study of judicialization and its multiple usages can be a useful way to illuminate key questions for a new research agenda geared toward a deeper and more nuanced understanding of this term.
Land-Related Conflict and Electoral Politics in Africa
Catherine Boone
Contentious Politics and Political Violence, Governance/Political Change, History and Politics, Political Economy, Political Institutions, Politics, Law, Judiciary, World Politics
Land-related disputes and land conflicts are sometimes politicized in elections in African countries, but this is usually not the case. Usually, land-related conflict is highly localized, ... More
Land-related disputes and land conflicts are sometimes politicized in elections in African countries, but this is usually not the case. Usually, land-related conflict is highly localized, managed at the micro-political level by neo-customary authorities, and not connected to electoral competition. Why do land conflicts sometimes become entangled in electoral politics, and sometimes "scale up" to become divisive issues in regional and national elections? A key determinant of why and how land disputes become politicized is the nature of the underlying land tenure regime, which varies across space (often by subnational district) within African countries. Under the neo-customary land tenure regimes that prevail in most regions of smallholder agriculture in most African countries, land disputes tend to be "bottled up" in neo-customary land-management processes at the local level. Under the statist land tenure regimes that exist in some districts of many African countries, government agents and officials are directly involved in land allocation and directly implicated in dispute resolution. Under "statist" land tenure institutions, the politicization of land conflict, especially around elections, becomes more likely. Land tenure institutions in African countries define landholders' relations to each other, the state, and markets. Understanding these institutions, including how they come under pressure and change, goes far in explaining how and where land rights become politicized.
The Politics of Language Education in Africa
Russell H. Kaschula and Michael M. Kretzer
Groups and Identities, Policy, Administration, and Bureaucracy, Political Institutions, Political Values, Beliefs, and Ideologies, Politics, Law, Judiciary, World Politics
Language policies in sub-Saharan African nations emerge out of specific political, historical, socioeconomic, and linguistic conditions. Education plays a crucial role for all spheres of ... More
Language policies in sub-Saharan African nations emerge out of specific political, historical, socioeconomic, and linguistic conditions. Education plays a crucial role for all spheres of language policy. Policies either upgrade or downgrade indigenous languages through their application at various educational institutions. The most significant example is the selection of the language(s) used as languages of learning and teaching at higher-education institutions. The region's colonial history also influences the language policies of the independent African states. Language policy in Senegal is an example of a francophone country focusing on a linguistic assimilation policy in which minor reforms in favor of indigenous languages have taken place. Rwanda's language policy is unique as the former francophone nation now uses English as an exoglossic language in a type of hybrid language policy. Botswana is an example of an anglophone country that follows a language policy that is dominated by a very close connection to the notion of nation-building through its concentration on a single language, Setswana, alongside English. Tanzania is an anglophone African country whose policy focuses on Kiswahili, which is one of the very few indigenous and endoglossic languages. Kiswahili is broadly used in Tanzanian educational institutions until the tertiary level, but its use as medium of instruction focuses on the primary level. South Africa demonstrates the very close relationship between general political decisions and language policy and vice versa. Language policy decisions are never neutral and are influenced by the politics of a specific country. As a result, individual and societal language attitudes influence language policies. In addition to this, the overt and official language policy on a macro level may differ from the implementation of such policies on a micro level. At the micro level, practice can include covert language practices by various stakeholders.
Theorizing the U.S. Supreme Court
Charles M. Cameron and Lewis A. Kornhauser
We summarize the formal theoretical literature on Supreme Court decision-making. We focus on two core questions: What does the Supreme Court of the United States do, and how can one model ... More
We summarize the formal theoretical literature on Supreme Court decision-making. We focus on two core questions: What does the Supreme Court of the United States do, and how can one model those actions; and, what do the justices of the Supreme Court want, and how can one model those preferences? Given the current state of play in judicial studies, these questions then direct this survey mostly to so-called separation of powers (SOP) models, and to studies of a multi-member ("collegial") court employing the Supreme Court's very distinctive and highly unusual voting rule.
The survey makes four main points. First, it sets out a new taxonomy that unifies much of the literature by linking judicial actions, modeling conventions, and the treatment of the status quo. In addition, the taxonomy identifies some models that employ inconsistent assumptions about Supreme Court actions and consequences. Second, the discussion of judicial preferences clarifies the links between judicial actions and judicial preferences. It highlights the relationships between preferences over dispositions, preferences over rules, and preferences over social outcomes. And, it explicates the difference between consequential and expressive preferences. Third, the survey delineates the separate strands of SOP models. It suggests new possibilities for this seemingly well-explored line of inquiry. Fourth, the discussion of voting emphasizes the peculiar characteristics of the Supreme Court's voting rule. The survey maps the movement from early models that ignored the special features of this rule, to more recent ones that embrace its features and explore the resulting (and unusual) incentive effects.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Part of us was hoping to use pregnancy as an excuse to eat fried foods and spend nearly ten months horizontal, but we're guessing (or, er, knowing) neither of those things is actually best for baby. So, we tapped AKT founder Anna Kaiser—whose workouts are among our favorites—to put together a safe, go-to workout for the expectant mothers among us, one that would actually keep things tight and make post-baby recovery less painful. Here, 5 moves that are good for both mom and baby.
Stand on your left leg facing away from a barre, couch, table or etc., and hold on behind you to open up your chest and encourage correct posture. Come up on the ball of your left foot, bend your left knee, and tuck your hips under, squeezing your gluts. Hold that position. Now, raise your right leg bent and turn the knee out to the side so that your inner thigh is facing the ceiling. From there, pulse your inner thigh up.
Number of reps: 32, then rest and repeat for 20, then rest and repeat for 12.
Stand on your left leg with your left side next to a barre, couch, table, etc and hold on with your left hand. Bend your left knee as deeply as you can without bringing your left heel off the ground. Then, hinge your body over to a flat-back position and raise your right leg to 90 degrees behind you (straight leg). Engage (squeeze) your right glut and pulse your right leg up.
Starting in quadraped (on all fours), round your spine up as much as you can, pulling your navel to your spine and keeping your shoulders away from your ears. Release your pelvis slightly and then, on an exhale, thrust your pelvis toward your navel while pulling your navel deeper toward your spine. These tucks should be performed in short, quick motions and should be felt in your deep core muscles.
Number of reps: 30, then rest and repeat for 20, then rest and repeat for 15.
Start in a half-side plank, supporting your body on your right elbow and right knee. Extend your left leg forward, directly out from your left hip. Raise the leg in pulses toward the ceiling with either a straight or bent leg.
Number of reps: 32, then rest and repeat for 24, then rest and repeat for 15.
Start by lying on your back with your feet on the floor. Press up into a bridge position, with your hips in the air, and extend your left leg to the ceiling (straight or bent). Holding that position, pulse your right hip toward the ceiling, driving your right heel into the ground and pressing your arms and shoulders firmly into the mat. (You will feel an intense engagement in your right glut and hamstring).
Number of reps: 32, then rest and repeat for 24, then rest and repeat for 24.


With the goal of balancing untouched nature with local cultures, an international colloquium was held from 10 through 14 September 2013 in Clermont-Ferrand in France.
ICIMOD's Associate Coordinator of Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KSLCDI), Nawraj Pradhan, attended the colloquium. He highlighted KSLCDI's global value as an ecological and cultural site and the need for transboundary landscape management in conserving and developing the landscape. He also presented an abstract and poster titled 'Sustaining flow of ecosystem services by harnessing cultural values: A transboundary approach in conserving and developing Kailash Sacred Landscape'.
The major objectives of the colloquium were to exchange knowledge with IUCN experts and UNESCO representatives in developing new criteria for management of natural sites, and share the KSL natural and cultural values and its links to Outstanding Universal Value.
Nawraj Pradhan also networked for partnerships and support for Global Sacred Mountains Conference to be hosted by ICIMOD in 2014, and explored opportunities to forge long-term partnerships with global partners for KSL roadmap as a World Heritage Site. The abstract he presented will eventually be published as a peer reviewed scientific publication for a book chapter.
The colloquium titled 'Balancing untouched nature with local cultures: How to manage inhabited natural sites (MINaH) inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List?' was attended by around 150 participants from Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, and Australia. The participants included academics, researchers, and representatives of governments, civil societies, IUCN, UNESCO, Clermont University, and the Local Council of Puy-de-Dome who hosted the colloquium.


The City of Perth on Australia's West Coast is a perfect place for a International Student to start their journey in Australia. Perth is a lovely river city that is relaxed and also very fun. The Opportunities for International students & Graduates in Perth huge compared to other locations in Australia. the reason there are so many job opportunities in Perth for international students & Graduates in Perth is due to the recourse sector. The mining industry in Perth & Surrounds is huge, people form all over Australia and the world flock to Perth to pursue work in this industry. This then opens up a lot more opportunity for part time and causal work because most of the people who would normally take up those roles are working in the mining sector.
The Climate in Perth is Amazing in Summer it is hot and you have a huge selection of Surf spots you can take a dip. Winter is still generally quite warm and doesn't get Cold like a lot of the other locations in Australia.
Perth is a Beautiful city and extremely fun to explore. You definitely will not get bored while undertaking your study in Perth and listed below are some tips to get you started on what to do and where to go.
The AFL is Australia's Favourite sport, and Perth/ Western Australia has some of the most passionate supporters in all of Australia. There are 2 teams based in Western Australia; The Fremantle Dockers & The West Coast Eagles. If you really want to experience the passion and excitement of one of these Games try and plan to go for the local Darby. this is when the two West Australian teams play each other. I guarantee that once you go once you will find yourself at a AFL game every other weekend.
The Perth Institute Of Contemporary Art is a wonderful way to spend the day. You can literally sit there for hours contemplating and appreciating just one installation. This Gallery exhibits local Perth talent as well as Installations from artists all over the world. It is a must see place for anyone spending any amount of time in Perth and could not recommend it more.
The North Bridge Brewing Company is the perfect place to spend the day or Night. They have amazing food and Micro Brewed Beers for you to taste. It is the perfect place to meet with friends before heading out for a night on the town, or kick back on a Sunday Afternoon on the balcony take in some sun and just watch the world go by.
TAFE WA, Perth International College of English , Kingston College, Australian English Language Centre, Phoenix Academy, Milner International College, Lexis English.
Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, The University of Notre Dame, The University Of Western Australia.
When it comes to Public transport Perth has one of the best systems in Australia for students. All public transport (Buses, Trains & Ferries) are Free. If you are looking to travel outside of the main city as a international student you get 40% discount on all your travel when using public transport. This makes Traveling and Exploring your city even more fun because you get to spend your money on the things that matter and not spending it just to get to your desired destination.
If you are just arriving in Perth there are Hundreds of Hostels and Cheap Hotels for you to stay for a short term. Prices vary depending on the time of year and the style of accommodation you are looking for, expect to pay what you would pay in most other cities of Australia. When it comes to long term accommodation options for international students Perth can be a little more expensive then some of Australia's other study Locations, but in comparison to say Sydney or Melbourne you can still definitely find some wonderful priced share houses close to or in the city.


It just goes to show that you cannot get away with anything these days with out someone somewhere spotting you. Roland and Consie were on the Opera house steps when they saw us motoring under the sydney harbour bridge. We are now deep in the Malbrough Sounds safely sitting on a mooring with 55 knots screaming overhead. Nothing affects us here apart from the odd willy war. There is a beach and a track for some hiking and a settlement not too far away. We caught blue cod on our way into the sounds. They are the king of fish. We had a very pleasant stay in Nelson visiting with friends and soaking up atmosphere of that very genial town.


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Home · Entertainment
Erykah Badu Teams Up With PartyNextDoor For "Come And See Me" Remix
You'll soon be listening to it on repeat!
Maarten de Boer /Getty Contributor
By Rachaell Davis	· May 13, 2016 October 27, 2020
While the internet was in a frenzy with excitement over multiple new music releases within an hour of each other last night, neo-soul queen Erykah Badu announced that she'd also be adding new music into the mix….and she's delivered.
Erykah Badu Shares Personal Photo And Memories Of Prince
Erykah has continued to see success from the release of her last mixtape But You Can't Use My Phone at the end of 2015, but fans were still more than happy when she took to her Twitter account late Thursday evening to sporadically announce plans to drop something new on Friday afternoon.
NEW BADU @ 12 NOON Fri ON MY SOUNDCLOUD….
THIS 1 IS 4 THE CLASS OF 2016… y'all ready?#BADUsoundcloudNOONfriday pic.twitter.com/LiwzhHCU3K
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) May 13, 2016
Keeping good on her promise, Erykah again took to social media to release an official remix to the latest fan-favorite from Drake's OVO Sound artist PartyNextDoor titled "Come And See Me." The original single has already been well-received among the masses, but Ms. Badu's distinct vocals over the sultry track certainly take the tune to new heights.
Jill Scott, Erykah Badu Set to Perform at Coney Island's Boardwalk Concert Series
Take a listen to "Come and See Badu," which Erykah says is "dedicated to the class of 2016," below.
Although no additional details on a new album for 2016 have surfaced as of yet, Ms. Badu will be making her way across the country this summer to grace more than a few stages with her musical presence. PartyNextDoor is reportedly planning to release his debut studio album "P3" sometime this year.
WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.
TOPICS: Erykah Badu


MARJAN is the climbing area situated in the center of Split. On the south side of the hill are the cliffs, facing island Solta and peninsula Ciovo, as well as many of city beaches lying below limestone cliffs.
The cliff is located inside of a well kept state park and runs along the top of the hill for 500m to a height of 15-30m.
Marjan counts 76 routes (ranges 4c-8a), mostly vertical and especially popular for many sunny days throughout whole year. The best season for climbing on Marjan is a winter season, but spring and especially fall are also very good periods. It is possible to climb in the summer, too but be careful of heat.


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Q: Is there a nicer way to convert a string into a data set in python? I've just done an assignment for one of my classes in Python, it works fine and I'm satisfied with it, but it looks so ugly! I've already submitted this code as we are not being marked on how it looks, but that it runs properly. I wouldn't mind some tips and pointers on how to convert strings to data sets for future projects though.
The input is a grid made up of nodes and edges, an example would be:
"4:(1,2;4),(2,6;3),(3,7;15),(4,8;1),(5,6;1),(6,7;1),(5,9;9),(6,10;2),(7,11;1),(8,12;23),(9,10;5),(9,13;7),(10,14;6),(11,15;3),(12,16;3),(13,14;4),(15,16;7)"

The first number before ":" is the size of the grid (4x4), (1,2;4) means a edge going from node 1 to 2 with cost 4. The following code converts this to an array where array[0] is grid size, and array[1] is a dictionary formated like (node1,node2)=cost.
def partitionData(line):
finalDic = dict()
#partition the data around the formating
line = line.split(":")
line[1] = line[1].split("),(")
#clean up data some more
line[1][0] = line[1][0][1:]
end = len(line[1])-1
line[1][end] = line[1][end][:len(line[1][end])-2]
#simplify data and organize into a list
for i in range(len(line[1])):
    line[1][i] = line[1][i].split(",")
    line[1][i][1] = line[1][i][1].split(";")
    #clean up list
    for j in range(len(line[1][i])):
        line[1][i].append(line[1][i][1][j])
    del line[1][i][1]
#convert everything to integer to simplify algorithm
for i in range(len(line[1])):
    for j in range(len(line[1][i])):
        line[1][i][j] = int(line[1][i][j])
line[0] = int(line[0])
newData = dict()
for i in range(len(line[1])):
    newData[(line[1][i][0],line[1][i][1])] = line[1][i][2]
line[1] = newData
for i in line[1]:
    if not ((min(i),max(i)) in finalDic):
        finalDic[(min(i),max(i))] = line[1][i]
    else:
        print "There is a edge referenced twice!"
        exit()
line[1] = finalDic
return line

I had something cleaner at first, but it did not take into account that the digits could be larger than 9. I think this is very ugly, there has to be a prettier way to do this.

A: import re

# regular expression for matching a (node1,node2;cost)
EDGE = re.compile(r'\((\d+),(\d+);(\d+)\)')

def parse(s):
    # Separate size from the list of edges
    size, edges = s.split(':')

    # Build a dictionary
    edges = dict(
        # ...where key is (node1,node2) and value is (cost)
        # (all converted to integers)
        ((int(node1),int(node2)),int(cost))

        # ...by iterating the edges using the regular expression
        for node1,node2,cost in EDGE.findall(edges))

    return int(size),edges

Example:
>>> test = "4:(1,2;4),(2,6;3),(3,7;15),(4,8;1),(5,6;1),(6,7;1),(5,9;9),(6,10;2),(7,11;1),(8,12;23),(9,10;5),(9,13;7),(10,14;6),(11,15;3),(12,16;3),(13,14;4),(15,16;7)"
>>> parse(test)
(4, {(1, 2): 4, (5, 9): 9, (2, 6): 3, (6, 7): 1, (4, 8): 1, (5, 6): 1, (6, 10): 2, (9, 10): 5, (13, 14): 4, (11, 15): 3, (10, 14): 6, (9, 13): 7, (12, 16): 3, (7, 11): 1, (3, 7): 15, (8, 12): 23, (15, 16): 7})

A: import re
data = "4:(1,2;4),(2,6;3),(3,7;15),(4,8;1),(5,6;1),(6,7;1),(5,9;9),(6,10;2),(7,11;1),(8,12;23),(9,10;5),(9,13;7),(10,14;6),(11,15;3),(12,16;3),(13,14;4),(15,16;7)"
temp = data.split(":")    # split into grid size and rest
array = [int(temp[0]),{}] # first item: grid size
# split the rest of the string (from the second to the second-to-last characters)
# along the delimiters ");("
for item in temp[1][1:-1].split("),("):
    numbers = re.split("[,;]", item)          # split item along delimiters , or ;
    k1, k2, v = (int(num) for num in numbers) # and convert to int
    array[1][(k1,k2)] = v                     # populate the array
print array

results in
[4, {(1, 2): 4, (5, 9): 9, (2, 6): 3, (6, 7): 1, (4, 8): 1, (5, 6): 1, (6, 10):2, (9, 10): 5, (13, 14): 4, (11, 15): 3, (10, 14): 6, (9, 13): 7, (12, 16): 3, (7, 11): 1, (3, 7): 15, (8, 12): 23, (15, 16): 7}]

A: What you need is a simple parser. Your input can be shown as in the following Extended-BNF notation:
input := NUM ':' edge_defn*
edge_defn := '(' NUM ',' NUM ';' NUM )
NUM := [0-9]+

You can then either write your own top-down parser or use a parser generator (for example ANTLR or yacc/bison).
Let's go with the writing your own parser. You first need to identify tokens in your input. So far only tokens are: ):,; and numbers. Simply we can use the split() method of Python as in Peter Norvig's Lisp in Python:
 input = "4:(1,2;4),(2,6;3),(3,7;15),(4,8;1),(5,6;1),(6,7;1),(5,9;9),(6,10;2),(7,11;1),(8,12;23),(9,10;5),(9,13;7),(10,14;6),(11,15;3),(12,16;3),(13,14;4),(15,16;7)"
 tokens = input.replace(':', ' : ').replace(')',' ) ').replace('(',' ( ').replace(',',' , ').replace(';', ' ; ').split()

I know, this also looks ugly but this is the only place we use such a hack. What we're doing is simply putting spaces around the symbols and use the split method to get a list of all tokens.
Next we need a get_token function, and because of the edge_defn's we need to look ahead one more token for the last case. This is why where is a global look_ahead variable.
look_ahead = None

def next_token(t):
    global look_ahead
    if look_ahead:
        temp = look_ahead
        try:
            look_ahead = t.next()
        except StopIteration:
            look_ahead = None
        return temp

Then from the BNF notation, we'll write functions for the left-side of the definitions.
def match(t, tok):
    if next_token(t) != tok:
        print "Syntax error! Expecting: ", tok
        exit()

def read_num(t):
    return int(next_token(t))

def edge_defn(t):
    match(t, '(')
    a = read_num(t)
    match(t, ',')
    b = read_num(t)
    match(t, ';')
    c = read_num(t)
    print "%d,%d = %d" % (a,b,c)    # ..do whatever here..
    match(t, ')')

def input(t):
    global grid_size
    grid_size = read_num(t)
    match(t, ':')
    while True:
        edge_defn(t)
        if look_ahead:
            match(t, ',')
        else:
            return

t = tokenizer()
look_ahead = t.next()
input(t)

After calling the first rule (input) the input is parsed and on the way you can execute actions. Although this would be a good exercise in itself, it is better to use a parser generator but I am not sure, if it's going to be accepted. (depends on the purpose of the assignment.)

A: Here's a different approach, which takes advantage of the fact the edge list looks a lot like a bunch of tuples.  In practice I'd have probably done what shang did, but that having been already done:
import ast

def build_graph(line):
    size, content = line.split(':')
    size = int(size)
    content = content.replace(';',',')
    edges = ast.literal_eval(content)
    d = {}
    for v0, v1, cost in edges:
        pair = tuple(sorted([v0, v1]))
        if pair not in d:
            d[pair] = cost
       else:
            print "There is an edge referenced twice!"
            return
    return [size, d]

>>> line = "4:(1,2;4),(2,6;3),(3,7;15),(4,8;1),(5,6;1),(6,7;1),(5,9;9),(6,10;2),(7,11;1),(8,12;23),(9,10;5),(9,13;7),(10,14;6),(11,15;3),(12,16;3),(13,14;4),(15,16;7)"
>>> build_graph(line)
[4, {(1, 2): 4, (5, 9): 9, (2, 6): 3, (6, 7): 1, (4, 8): 1, (5, 6): 1, (6, 10): 2, (9, 10): 5, (13, 14): 4, (11, 15): 3, (10, 14): 6, (9, 13): 7, (12, 16): 3, (7, 11): 1, (3, 7): 15, (8, 12): 23, (15, 16): 7}]

As always, the real headaches come in when you care about error handling and rejecting invalid inputs, so I'm going to ignore that issue entirely. :^)  But literal_eval is a useful little function to remember, and doesn't have the dangers of a direct "eval".

A: Solutions already proposed use

*

*a parser : too long

*a regex : I like it but needs to know regexes

*the module ast: interesting but needs to know it too

.
I treated the problem thinking to do it in the simplest manner understandable to a beginner.
Moreover, my solution shows that Python built-in capabilities are enough to do the job.
.
First, I present your code corrected, WhiteDawn, in order that you will be able to see the very basic points which you must understand they can be simplified using the characteristics of Python.
For example, seq being a sequence, seq[len(seq)-1] is its last element, but seq[-1] is the last element too.
By the way, there is an error in you code: I think it's
line[1][end] = line[1][end][:len(line[1][end])-1]
# not:
line[1][end] = line[1][end][:len(line[1][end])-2]

otherwise there is a error during execution
Also note the great function enumerate()
And you must study the slicing of list: if li = [45, 12, 78, 96] then li[2:3] = [2, 5, 8] transforms li to li = [45, 12, 2, 5, 8, 96]
y = "4:(1,2;4),(2,6;3),(3,7;15),(4,8;1),(5,6;1),(6,7;1),(5,9;9),(6,10;2),(7,11;1),(8,12;23),(9,10;5),(9,13;7),(10,14;6),(11,15;3),(12,16;3),(13,14;4),(15,16;7)"

def partitionData(line):
    finalDic = dict()

    #partition the data around the formating
    print 'line==',line
    line = line.split(":")
    print '\ninstruction :  line = line.split(":")'
    print 'line==',line
    print 'len of line==',len(line),'  (2 strings)'

    print '---------------------'
    line[1] = line[1].split("),(")
    print '\ninstruction :  line[1] = line[1].split("),(")'
    print 'line[1]==',line[1]

    #clean up data some more
    line[1][0] = line[1][0][1:]
    print 'instruction :  line[1][0] = line[1][0][1:]'
    line[1][-1] = line[1][-1][0:-1]
    print 'instruction :  line[1][-1] = line[1][-1][0:-1]'
    print 'line[1]==',line[1]

    print '---------------------'
    #simplify data and organize into a list
    for i,x in enumerate(line[1]):
        line[1][i] = x.split(",")
        line[1][i][1:] = line[1][i][1].split(";")
    print 'loop to clean the data in line[1]'
    print 'line[1]==',line[1]
    print '---------------------'
    #convert everything to integer to simplify algorithm
    print 'convert everything to integer to simplify algorithm'
    for i,x in enumerate(line[1]):
        line[1][i] = map(int,x)

    line[0] = int(line[0])
    print 'line==',line
    print '---------------------'
    newData = dict()
    for a,b,c in line[1]:
        newData[(a,b)] = c
    line[1] = newData
    print 'line==',line

    print '---------------------'
    for i in line[1]:
        print 'i==',i,'  (min(i),max(i))==',(min(i),max(i))
        if not ((min(i),max(i)) in finalDic):
            finalDic[(min(i),max(i))] = line[1][i]
        else:
            print "There is a edge referenced twice!"
            exit()
    line[1] = finalDic
    print '\nline==',line
    return line

print partitionData(y)

.
Secondly,  my solution:
y = "4:(1,2;4),(2,6;3),(3,7;15),(4,8;1),(5,6;1),(6,7;1),(5,9;9),(6,10;2),(7,11;1),(8,12;23),(9,10;5),(9,13;7),(10,14;6),(11,15;3),(12,16;3),(13,14;4),(15,16;7)"

# line[1]== {(1, 2): 4, (5, 9): 9, (2, 6): 3, (6, 7): 1, (4, 8): 1, (5, 6): 1, (6, 10): 2, (9, 10): 5, (13, 14): 4, (11, 15): 3, (10, 14): 6, (9, 13): 7, (12, 16): 3, (7, 11): 1, (3, 7): 15, (8, 12): 23, (15, 16): 7}

def partitionData(line):
    finalDic = dict()
    #partition the data around the formating
    print '\nline==',line

    line = line.split(":")
    print '\ninstruction:\n   line = line.split(":")'
    print 'result:\n   line==',line
    print '\n----------------------------------------------------'

    print '\nline[1]==',line[1]

    line[1] = line[1][1:-1].replace(";",",")
    print '\ninstruction:\n   line[1] = line[1][1:-1].replace(";",",")'
    print 'result:\n   line[1]==',line[1]

    line[1] = [ x.split(",") for x in line[1].split("),(") ]
    print '\ninstruction:\n   line[1] = [ x.split(",") for x in line[1].split("),(") ]'
    print 'result:\n   line[1]==',line[1]

    line = [int(line[0]),dict( ((int(a),int(b)),int(c)) for (a,b,c) in line[1] ) ]
    print '\ninstruction:\n   line = [int(line[0],dict( ((int(a),int(b)),int(c)) for (a,b,c) in line[1] ) ]'
    print 'result:\n   line[1]==',line[1]

    for i in line[1]:
        if not ((min(i),max(i)) in finalDic):
            finalDic[(min(i),max(i))] = line[1][i]
        else:
            print "There is a edge referenced twice!"
            exit()
    line[1] = finalDic
    print '\nline[1]==',line[1]

    return line

print partitionData(y)

I let the end with FinalDict untouched because I don't understand what does this snippet.
If i is a couple of integers, (min(i),max(i)) is nothing else than the couple itself

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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10 Tips about Owning a BMW 3 Series
Posted on November 26, 2013 by socialpacificmedia
Low/Empty Fuel: Allowing your BMW to run out of fuel will probably result in failure of the pump. The fuel pump is in the fuel tank, and the electric motor is cooled by contact with the fuel. Running the pump without fuel in the tank frequently damages the pump, requiring replacement immediately, or in the near future.
Damage From Overheating: BMWs have aluminum heads, which are susceptible to damage from overheating. If the temperature gauge rises rapidly, or the temperature warning illuminates, pull over as soon as safety allows, and have the vehicle towed to your repair shop. Driving a little further, to avoid being inconvenienced, can easily add $2,000 to your repair bill (for a 6 cylinder)!
Brake Wear: Sure, it seem like your brakes don't last as long as they should? Talking on a cell phone while driving is one cause of premature brake replacement. On the freeway, watch the vehicles ahead for brake lights repeatedly and without apparent reason, or sometimes continuously on. When you see one, you'll also probably find the driver talking on the phone!
Fog Lights Easily Broken: The low placement of the fog lights frequently results in breakage from flying debris. Several companies sell clear thick self-adhesive plastic to cover the lens, protecting it from damage.
Earlier Engines (M10, M20, M30) Have More Service: The early 4 and 6 cylinder engines require a valve adjustment at each inspection service. The 1984 – 1991 325s, 1982 – 1986 528s and 1989 –1990 525s have a timing belt which must be replaced every 4 years or 60,000 miles. Ignoring belt replacement may result in a repair bill which exceeds the market value of these vehicles.
"///M" in the Model stands for Money
The "M" models are high performance and relatively low volume. The impact of this is that engineering costs are spread over fewer units and parts availability is more limited. The early "M" engines (S14, S88, S38) were hand built and very complex. A basic rebuild on a 4 cylinder S14 engine (M3 1988-1991) will run in the $7,500-$8,500 range.
The big 6 cylinder motors are proportionally more. These vehicles also have some combination of unique suspension, brake, transmission, drive line, body and interior parts. They are very rewarding to drive, but are probably not a good choice if you're on a budget.
Cooling System Failures: Several of the components in BMW cooling systems are made wholly or partially of plastic. Over time, the plastic becomes brittle and fails due to vibration, system pressure, or a combination of these. The most notable components are the radiator and coolant tank. Also, many of the 6 cylinder engines (91-99) came with a plastic thermostat housing that is prone to failure & should be replaced with an aluminum component.
Light Bulbs & Failure Circuitry: BMWs have circuitry which monitors current flow through the light bulbs to tell you if a bulb has failed. The newer vehicles seem sensitive to the electrical resistance of the bulbs, sometimes giving erroneous failure warnings when non-German bulbs are installed!
Mercedes-Benz unveils an even faster 2015 S65 AMG
Even before it was officially brought under the Mercedes-Benz umbrella, AMG has been making big Benzes faster since the late 1960s. The 1987 AMG Hammer recalibrated the notion of what a performance luxury car should be. To this day, no one does brutal luxury like AMG, and the new 630 hp S65 AMG is ample proof of that.
The engine warlocks at AMG have thrown just about every trick they know at the new S65's 6.0 liter Biturbo V12. Remember, these are the same guys that build engines for Pagani. They've bolted up twin turbochargers, an aluminum crankcase, a forged alloy crankshaft, an air-to-water intercooler, and stop/start functionality. Though, in the case of that last one, it should be noted that any concessions towards fuel conservation in a motor like this is relative.
This is also the first S65 to be fitted with AMG's seven-speed Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic transmission. Previous versions were only available with the old five-speed auto box, due to concerns that, at the time, the seven-speed transmission wouldn't be able to cope with the Biturbo V12's electronically limited 736 lb-ft of torque.
The standard AMG sport suspension utilizes a camera that scans the road ahead and is able to recognize undulations to allow for suspension adjustments in advance. Carbon ceramic disk brakes with 420 mm rotors can be fitted on the front axle as an option. Considering the head of steam this car is capable of producing, these might not be a bad idea.
Outside, the S65 distinguishes itself from the S63 with chrome accents on the front fascia and unique high-gloss polish 20-inch wheels with three other wheel sets available as optional. The interior is fitted with every toy in the Mercedes-Benz catalog. Nappa leather, animated instrument cluster, head-up display, hand rest integrated touchpad and much more are all included.
The S65 AMG will make simultaneous official debuts at the Tokyo and Los Angeles auto shows.
Future Car: 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLC Mercedes to build rival to Porsche 911
Posted on November 6, 2013 by socialpacificmedia
Mercedes-Benz is hard at work on a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe to rival the likes of the Porsche 911, Bentley Continental GT and Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Based on the next-generation SL-Class architecture, the SLC will be smaller and lighter than the luxurious 2-seat roadster. Expect plenty of aluminum and, possibly, even carbon fiber to be used in the chassis and body of the SLC.
Slotted beneath the SLS AMG Coupe (and the new SLS Roadster), the SLC will likely be powered by an AMG-tuned 5.5-liter V-8 engine. That should give the SLC more than enough power to challenge the 911 Carrera, without treading on the toes of its bigger and more expensive sibling, the 571-bhp SLS AMG.
Based on the SLS' starting price of $185,000—and the $80,000 you'd pay for a base Porsche 911—we expect the price of the SLC to fall somewhere around $120,000 when it arrives in 2014.
It has been a while since the SLC name graced a Mercedes-Benz. The last iteration was the long-lived C107 model, which lasted from 1971 to 1981. The top powerplant at the time was an aluminum 5.0-liter V-8 engine mated to a 3-speed automatic (though Mercedes-Benz eventually added one extra cog toward the end of the SLC's lifetime). The new SLC will borrow some styling cues from the past, though the shape appears wholly modern and less retro in spirit than the SLS AMG.
Judging from this illustration, the shape of the SLC appears squat and aggressive. A large grille and oversized Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star dominate the front end. The headlamps sweep backward, giving a sense of speed. Those large side vents are likely functional and there to draw heat away from the engine. And admit it, they also look really cool.
Don't expect any gullwing-style doors, such as the ones you'll find on the SLS. A roadster version of the SLC is likely, though Mercedes will be eager not to have it overlap with the most potent versions of the next SL-Class. That means any SLC Roadster will likely place an emphasis on performance, rather than the luxury and tech goodies found in an SL.
5 Autumn Car Maintenance Projects
Posted on October 9, 2013 by socialpacificmedia
With autumn's shorter days, cooler temperatures and inclement weather drawing closer, now is a good time to get your car ready for the demands of the coming driving season.
Although some seasonal car maintenance will require the assistance of Laguna Motor Werks, here are five, simple do-it-yourself car maintenance projects to make your car better prepared for fall.
1. Change Your Wiper Blades
Wiper blades should be replaced annually every fall. You generally use your wipers more frequently in the fall and winter. They'll also be taking a lot more abuse from road grime and windshield-washer solvent, so it's best to have a fresh set then.
2. Check Your Spare Tire
Autumn is also a good time to check your spare tire to ensure that it is properly inflated. The typical space-saver spare tire found in most cars must be inflated to the inflation pressure listed on the side of the tire. A tire pressure gauge costs $7 to $20.
Tire pressure drops one PSI, or pound per square inch, for every 10-degree drop in temperature, so check your tires on a weekly basis. The proper inflation pressure will generally be listed in your vehicle's owner manual and/or noted on a sticker located on the driver's doorjamb.
3. Replace Windshield Washer Fluid
In fall, windshield-washer fluid needs to be replaced with a solvent that is suited for use in cold weather. The washer fluid costs $2 to $4 per gallon, depending on the brand and whether it has antifreeze mixed in.
Autumn is also a good time to check your level of antifreeze ($10 to $16 per gallon) in the coolant recovery reservoir. In this car maintenance move, if you find that you are below the required minimum stamped onto the side of that opaque container, add the appropriate quantity of properly diluted fluid to that reservoir and not to the radiator. Make sure that you use the correct fluid because green and orange antifreeze/coolant cannot be mixed.
Checking the braker-fluid reservoir is also a good idea. If the level is low, top it off with the appropriate type of brake fluid ($3.50 to $17 per container, depending on the type).
4. Replace Engine Air Filter
At a minimum, engine air filters ($11.50 to $53 per filter, depending on brand) should be replaced twice per year as part of car maintenance. When an air filter reaches the point where it causes enough of a pressure drop to restrict airflow, the car's fuel economy, performance and emissions begin to deteriorate, getting progressively worse until the dirty filter is replaced.
5. Check For Electrical Issues
Many electrical issues and ignition problems stem from loose or corroded battery connections. If you notice corrosion on the posts or cable connectors, use an appropriate brush ($4 per brush.) This is a very inexpensive, yet handy tool that you can get at any auto parts store. And clean both (posts) completely, and then reconnect everything snuggly and securely.
As part of regular cars maintenance, and for safety, make sure all of the car's lights are working; it's important for you to see, as well as be seen, during autumn's longer and darker nights. Replacement bulbs will typically cost a dollar or two, with the exception of headlight bulbs, of course. They're considerably more expensive, but you can replace them all quite easily on your own without tools and save yourself a hefty labor charge in the process.
Headlight bulbs range in price from $14 to $27 for a single bulb to $25 to $50 for a dual pack.
13 Fun BMW Facts
Posted on September 9, 2013 by socialpacificmedia
1. BMW was formed in 1916.
2. The first BMW motorcycle was launched in 1923.
3. BMW owns Mini and Rolls-Royce
4. The BMW headquarters are located in Munich, Germany.
5. In the UK, BMW employs approximately 8000 people.
6. In 2009, BMW produced approximately 1.4 million vehicles.
7. Additionally, 82,000 motorcycles were produced by the company in 2009.
8. BMW owns Husqvarna, a prominent producer of motorcycles and chainsaws.
9. BMW has an estimated 106,000 employees worldwide.
10. BMW made approximately $4,279,000,000 in income in 2008.
11. BMW is ranked 78 in the Fortune Global 500 Business list.
12. BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke.
13. BMW is the only current motorcycle manufacturer to reject the use of telescopic forks on its motorbikes.
First Test: 2013 BMW M6 Coupe
Posted on August 30, 2013 by socialpacificmedia
The 2013 BMW M6 is larger and heavier but more efficient and also quicker than its predecessor. With Sakhir orange metallic paint and a naked carbon-fiber roof, it also tends to attract attention. If you enjoy getting thumbs-ups from Slurpee-sipping Best Buy employees and having camera phone pictures taken by drivers of two-generation-old 3 Series with coffee-can exhaust tips, you've found the right color for your new M6. Color aside, the M6 is a fairly sleek-looking thing, long and low, hunched on its available 20-inch, five-spoke wheels.
While BMW's new M6 is down two cylinders to the outgoing car, those looking for a brute of a sports coupe shouldn't be disappointed. In place of those two cylinders are two turbochargers that force 560 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque from the front-mounted 4.4-liter V-8, and that's enough power for our two-and-a-half ton tester to hit 60 mph in 4.0 sec. Torque is nearly instantaneous and the sound, while a little muted for our taste, is ferocious in tone at the 7200-rpm redline . The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission works well, with fairly snappy manual shifts in the fastest setting. (Shift speed can be adjusted up and down with a proportional loss or gain in smoothness.) Power isn't everything, though. While the M6 feels strong rocketing down the highway or blasting from a stoplight, it feels a little less in its element when you point the nose towards your favorite bit of winding road. It's not that the M6 isn't capable — it is. We got 0.99 g of lateral acceleration on our skidpad and the car rocketed through the figure eight in a competitive time for its class. But despite all that grip and all that power, the M6 doesn't move or communicate as well as lighter, sportier cars in this price range. Initial understeer can transition through neutral to oversteer with a boot of throttle exiting tighter bends, but road feeling seems like it's filtered through thousands of pounds of metal, leather, and rubber. By the time it reaches the driver, it's been censored enough that the feeling of involvement is minimal. As with other BMW M models, the M6's steering, throttle, shift response, and suspension can be set to varying modes from Comfort to Sport+, which is always a horrible choice for anything but a racetrack. Best to leave everything in Sport if you're trying to play race-car driver.
But let's face it: Anyone buying an M6 under the pretention that it's a light, nimble sports car is woefully misguided and should have bought a Porsche 911. M6 buyers want a car that will look cool getting to the office in rush hour traffic, look cool sitting in a luxury condo parking garage, and look cool parked in front of the newest gastropub. The M6 will do all of these things very well, and it will even do them in relative comfort with the suspension set in the softest mode. The interior of the car is a very nice place to be, too. The seats are comfortable and the driving position is excellent, with a strong level of adjustment and a very comfortable steering wheel. The leather and carbon-fiber trim look expensive, and though you won't fit anyone over 5 years old in the rear seats, they work well for storing duffle bags and could be used for emergency transport in a pinch. BMW's current generation of i-Drive, which controls climate, audio and more, continues to work well. We experienced no issues getting our iPhones to pair up.
Though the car's sheer size makes it a little ungainly in heavy city traffic, it's easy to get used to after a few days of driving. There is one caveat: The M6 transmits far too much road noise to be a suitable grand tourer. The stock Michelins demand that stereo volume is raised to a high enough level to subdue the unrelenting groan of rubber against road. Frankly, it's just a frustrating experience for anyone looking to cover hundreds of miles in relative quiet. That's a shame, since the engine is happily muted at freeway speed, churning along at 2000 rpm or so in seventh gear. Since its 1986 inception, BMW's M6 has always been a bit of a
compromise. Too bulky to play sports car on the best back roads and too high-strung to soak up the miles in comfort, the M6 tends to fall into an in-between space. Possibly the best thing about the M6 is cruising up next to a 650i at a stoplight, casting a sideways glance at its driver, and then leaving said 650i in a cloud of smoke and a spray of gravel as you exit your country club. But if you're a dyed-in-the-wool enthusiast looking for an everyday supercar with soul, there are better options available.
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1308_2013_bmw_m6_coupe_first_test/#ixzz2dTVM2cNZ
BMW Repair Tips
It takes a lot of time and effort to keep a luxury car looking fantastic and running smoothly. You should look at a couple different areas when performing maintenance on your BMW. Make sure to take it into Laguna Motor Werks for your scheduled maintenance and take care with these extra tips to keep your BMW in tip-top condition.
More than likely the carpet and flooring in your BMW is subjected to lots of water and salt throughout the winter; therefore, rust may be forming in places you can't even see, such as below your car's carpet. A high quality rug/carpeting shampoo will help you to remove any salt and/or grime from your BMW's carpet fibers.
Clean any vinyl in the car with a vinyl cleansing product to help fight against any drying, flaking, or cracking.
Scrub and shine your BMW's windows, both inside and out, to increase the driver's visibility.
Switch out your BMW's engine oil & filter if it is needed (you should do this around every 3 months). You can come into Laguna Motor Werks to help change the oil and filter when needed.
Get a thorough tune-up from Laguna Motor Werks Mercedes and BMW maintenance shop (check your BMW owner's manual to see the frequency at which you should get a tune up or give us a call).
Look at and inspect the cooling system hoses for leaks, switch out engine coolant fluid if needed, and check drive belts for cracks or splits.
Come in to test your antifreeze. This prevents your coolant from boiling in the summer.
Check the pressure of your BMW's tires. Changes in temperature can affect it. Having good pressure in your tires will give you the best gas mileage and save your tires from any wear & tear!
Make sure your tires are in good condition. Over the winter season, did they sustain any damage? Do you see anything visibly wrong with the tires such as any cuts or places of over-inflation (bulges) in the side walls? If so, come into Laguna Motor Werks and have them checked.
Make sure to take care of your BMW and for any repairs or services call us at Laguna Motor Werks to schedule an appointment!
Twelve tips to help you keep your car running forever
WIth improvements in technology, build quality and metallurgy mean that cars are living longer and longer, even in the Rust Belt. At Laguna Motor Werks, we can make sure your BMW or Mercedes Benz will last past 150,000 miles. In order to do that you will need to pay attention to these car tips and make sure to bring your car into the shop if you're in the surrounding area of Orange County, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach or others.
With proper care and feeding, virtually any car can be kept running as long as the owner wants to keep it. Here are twelve guidelines to keeping your car alive well into six-figure territory with the help of maintenance and check ups at Laguna Motor Werks.
Follow the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. If your car has a "maintenance minder", use that as a guideline for service, but be sure to double-check your owner's manual as some items need to be replaced based on time rather than mileage.Don't forget the timing belt! Most cars need to have the timing belt replaced every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. It's not cheap, but it's far less expensive than the damage it causes if it breaks.
Keep a repair fund. Cars do break, and there's nothing like a $1,500 repair bill to scare an old-car owner into the new-car showroom. Remember, your car would have to generate repair bills of around $5,000 per year for at least four years in a row to even approach the cost of a new car. In place of your payment, try putting $100 or $200 per month into an interest-bearing car-repair account. That way an unexpected repair or major maintenance won't disrupt your normal cash flow.
Do your homework. Many cars have known problems that tend to pop up under certain circumstances or after enough mileage/time. Most makes and models have Web sites and forums devoted to them; they can be a gold mine of information. Knowing your car is prone to a given problem isn't necessarily cause to get rid of it; it just allows you to be prepared.
Be aware. Be on the lookout for new noises, strange smells or anything that just doesn't feel right. If something seems amiss, talk to your mechanic or dealership. Don't let them tell you "that's normal" — if you've been driving your car long enough, you know best what normal is.
Ask a friend to drive. Every two or three months, ask a friend to take you for a drive in your own car. Some problems appear or increase so gradually that you may not even notice them, but they'll stick out like a sore thumb to someone less familiar. And by riding along in the passenger's seat, you may spot something you missed while preoccupied with driving.
Fix everything as soon as it breaks. If you're going to keep your car as long as possible, you have to wantto keep it as long as possible. Don't ignore seemingly unimportant problems like broken trim bits, torn upholstery, or electrical glitches. Little annoyances tend to add up and can begin to erode your love affair with your old car.
Use quality replacement parts. Whether or not to use genuine manufacturer parts is open to debate, but don't just opt for the least expensive parts you can find. Discuss options with your mechanic or parts store. If a non-wearing part is damaged, consider buying a used replacement — you'll get manufacturer quality at a more affordable price.
Keep it clean. Paint does more than make your car look good; it protects the materials underneath. Wash your car regularly. When water no longer beads on the paint, wax it.
Fight rust. If you live where it snows, be sure to wash the car regularly — but only if the temperature is above freezing. (Below freezing the salt stays in solution and won't harm the car.) Don't park in a heated garage; melting snow allows embedded salt to attack. Make sure your car wash does not recycle their water — otherwise they're just spraying your car with salt from other people's vehicles.
Drive gently. There's no need to baby your car; in fact, a little foot-to-the-floor acceleration every once in a while is a good thing, but driving like a wannabe Michael Schumaker in his Formula 1 Ferrari isn't good for your car (or your nerves).
Gloat! If you enjoy the surprised looks people give you when you tell them your car has 150,000 miles on it, wait until you see their faces at 200,000. If people chide you about your old wheels, chide them about their car payments and higher insurance rates. Keeping your car as long as possible saves you hundreds of dollars per month; keeping it in good repair minimizes the environmental impact by ensuring that it runs cleanly and efficiently as possible. Feel free to gloat — you and your car have earned it!
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
Mercedes-Benz is ramping up a small-car offensive with the introduction of a new compact crossover called the GLA-Class, set to debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September.
It looks very similar to the Concept GLA unveiled at the Shanghai auto show. Much of the 2015 GLA-Class' underpinnings are shared with the all-new CLA-Class, which hits showrooms also in September.
The small crossover segment is booming, which makes the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA a lynchpin for growth. It will compete with the Audi A3, which goes on sale next year, and the BMW X1, which debuted as a 2013 model and was first to market in this segment. The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is another potential contender.
The 2015 GLA250 4Matic, set to go on sale in the United States in fall 2014, will use the same 208-horsepower four-cylinder engine and seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission as the CLA250. As the "4Matic" moniker in its name indicates, it will come with all-wheel drive. A front-wheel drive GLA250 will hit showrooms in early 2015.
Together new GLA-Class and its car counterpart, the CLA-Class, comprise the vanguard of a whole new breed of Mercedes, aimed at drivers younger than the brand's typical buyers. The vehicles represent a paradigm shift in technology, from the company's long-running rear-wheel drive architecture, to more fuel-efficient front-wheel drive systems, which help make the the vehicles smaller, lighter and less expensive.
Mercedes plays up the GLA-Class' "light off-road" capabilities in press materials, citing special modes that help the vehicle crawl down steep inclines and negotiate loose surfaces like sand and gravel. But think of it like any other crossover in this segment, as a taller, heavier hatchback that will spend most, if not all of its life on pavement.
Interior photos show design elements such as the dashboard, with its iPad-like center screen and five prominent, round vents, to be identical to those of the CLA-Class. And just like with that car, designers and engineers paid particular attention to aerodynamics on the exterior of the GLA.
The way the hood and fenders flow into the front roof pillars, the position of the side mirrors, and lips along the edges of the taillights were all crafted for optimum aerodynamic efficiency. This is particularly important with crossovers, whose bulkier and taller bodies generally create more wind resistance than cars do. Better aerodynamics translates to better fuel economy.
Even though the 2015 Mercedes GLA250 will be one of the company's most affordable models, it won't skimp on advanced technology. For example, it will have truncated self-steering capability, such as being able to counter-steer on its own to help correct a skid or to maintain course when being buffeted by strong crosswinds.
It will also come standard with Mercedes' drowsy-driver detection and warning system called Attention Assist, and radar-based Collision Prevention Assist, which helps apply the brakes more forcefully if a collision seems imminent. Systems that automatically throw on the brakes all by themselves and help steer you back into your lane will be optional.
Mercedes did not give pricing for the 2015 Mercedes GLA-Class. But based on its competitors and the company's own model hierarchy, it will likely fall between that of the CLA-Class, which starts at $29,900, and the GLK-Class, formerly the smallest Mercedes sport utility, with a starting price of $37,480. By comparison, the BMW X1 starts at $30,800, while the Range Rover Evoque starts at $42,040.
Tired Driving is Like Drunk Driving
That's two in five people admit that they've fallen asleep behind the wheel. What make these statistics even scarier is that these numbers are higher than expected, and that 16 to 24 year olds are "nearly twice as likely to be involved in a drowsy driving crash as drivers age 40-59."
Driving tired is like driving drunk. "Just like alcohol or drugs, sleepiness slows reaction time and impairs judgment, according to AAA Foundation president and CEO Peter Kissinger." And drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence.
Most drivers don't equate driving tired and driving under the influence because driving tired isn't illegal. "Many of us tend to underestimate the negative effects associated with fatigue and sleep deprivation and, conversely, overestimate our abilities to overcome them while driving," vice president of AAA Public Affairs Kathleen Marvaso states. "This data underscores the importance of educating drivers on the simple, yet effective steps they can take to prevent a possible tragedy. Unfortunately, too many drivers have adopted the 'I'm tired, but I can make it' mentality, often to their own peril or to the peril of others."
The New York Times explains that sleep-related crashes are more dangerous. "Thomas J. Balkin, a sleep researcher and chairman of the National Sleep Foundation, said sleep-related crashes were likely to be severe. People 'tend to have worse crashes because they didn't do anything to mitigate the crash,' like hitting the brakes or steering away from a collision."
Avoid driving tired. Bloomberg suggests, "Drivers should get at least six hours of sleep before a long trip, schedule a break every two hours and travel at times when they are normally awake… Drifting from a lane and tailgating may be signs of drowsiness."
Another way is to just get more sleep in general. The New York Times says people get a lot less sleep than they did 30 or 40 years ago, "when the average amount of sleep was about eight hours a night." Now people average seven hours a night.
Caffeine is another solution. The Los Angeles Times summarizes AAA's advice: "If a driver drinks coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help stay alert, he or she should do so about 30 minutes before driving to give the caffeine time to enter the bloodstream and take effect."
Driving is America's primary mode of transportation, but when you drive tired, you're putting yourself, your passengers and other drivers at risk. If you're tired, just don't drive. It could save your — or someone else's — life.


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Jingles the Wonder Kitten
by Bingle Vet
in Care, Kittens, Treatment, Vet Services, Wellness
A kind soul found Jingles on the side of the road, on Thursday, December 8th, wrapped in a towel and left to fend for himself in the pouring rain. The temperature outside had dropped dramatically that day, leaving a grim outlook for little Jingles. The man who had been so kind to stop and pick him up was unable to keep him, and did not want to risk taking him to a shelter, where he likely would not have been given a chance. He was less than six weeks old, and we were unable to determine if he was still alive by simply looking at him.
A couple of our staff members here at Bingle Vet immediately decided that they would pitch in to help the little guy along, if our vet on duty that day deemed him to be beyond our help. Our nursing team set to assessing his situation, by first, and most importantly, getting his body temperature back up to a more normal level. Jingles was suffering from hypothermia, on top of what was quickly diagnosed to be an upper respiratory infection, as well as, an eye infection that was causing him to be unable to open his eyes and he was covered in some pretty sizeable fleas! He was also very malnourished, leaving him even tinier than he already would have been for being so young.
Once his body temperature reached a point that our team felt comfortable with, Jingles was placed on a heating pad and wr apped in blankets in our isolation area. It was still unclear as to whether he was carrying any other illnesses, and we could not risk the upper respiratory infection being spread to other pets in our care. The doctors administered injectable antibiotics and fluids, and said a majority of the outcome would be up to Jingles. The illnesses he appeared to have so far could be overcome, if he had the strength to fight for his little life.
On Friday morning, Jingles had made a bit of an improvement! He, of course, was still very sick, and had an unenviable case of the sniffles, but he seemed relatively alert, and took a small amount of food by syringe. Antibiotics and eye ointment were administered regularly over the course of the day, along with a lot of love and attention from the staff, and he continued to show signs of pulling through. Saturday morning, however, he took another downward turn, as his body temperature again dropped when the heating pad had turned off. Our opening team members immediately tended to him, though, and got him warmed up again.
It was then that one our staff members decided she was going to take Jingles home with her that night to make sure his heating pad stayed on, and to feed him every couple of hours from a syringe since the respiratory infection left him unable to smell his food to trigger his instincts to eat. None of us wanted to fail this little guy! Though it had only been a couple of days, and he was still in pretty bad shape, it was clear he was a fighter, so we wanted to fight for him too!
That Saturday n ight, Jingles slept snuggled up in fuzzy blankets atop his heating pad. He happily took any food offered to him, and then quickly went back to resting peacefully in his cat nest. He was also awarded his name that night, as it was Christmas time, and his chest rattled (or jingled) a bit when he breathed due to the upper respiratory infection. It had a happy sound to it, and this kitty needed as much positivity as possible! He returned to the clinic with our staff member the next morning, a bit more alert, and happy to have remained warm throughout the night. His antibiotics were changed to an oral dosage as opposed to injectable, and there was another medication prescribed in addition to the ointment for his eyes, which still showed no signs of opening any time soon. Jingles went back home with our team member, where he was happy to be curled up again in his blankets, with a loving lap to lay on. He became even more alert, attempting to get up and walk around a bit, but he tired quickly and went back to sleep after a few wobbly steps. But he was still eating, and he was talking to us! He was going to make it!
On December 13th, Jingles took the huge step of starting to eat on his own! He had been a bit more aggressive with the syringe starting a couple of days prior, and his antibiotics were finally starting to clear his nose up a bit, so when a bit of food dropped from the syringe to the blanket, he caught a delicious whiff and took a nose dive for it! We immediately put his food in a bowl, and head-first he went in, devouring every bit.
With every day that passed, it was as though Jingles was determined to give us one more sign that he was going to make it. By December 18 (day ten), Jingles' eyes were mostly open, his sniffles and chest congestion were on the mend, he was eating us all out of house and home, and he decided he was ready to try out playing with his new toy mouse. He found a wonderful, loving home with our team member, who has loved being able to watch and mark his daily progress. His eyes are fully healed, as is the upper respiratory infection, and he is still a hungry boy, weighing in at four and a half pounds! While health issues do still arise from time to time, they pale in comparison to what he overcame in his first couple of weeks with us. The only problem that seems to be stubbornly sticking around is a case of ringworm, which is fully treatable.
Without the kindness of the stranger who picked Jingles up that cold day in December, and without the expertise of our medical team, and all the love that was showered over him, Jingles' prognosis could have ended on a much less cheerful note. He showed us all that, given even the smallest chance, accompanied with magnitudes of love, anything is possible.
If you would like us to feature your pet's treatment story on our blog, please contact us.
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