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Aida Austin
Ann Cahill
Michael Clifford
Shaun Connolly
Roja Fazaeli
Fergus Finlay
Suzanne Harrington
Gerard Howlin
Brian Lucey
Daniel McConnell
Alison O'Connor
Terry Prone
Colm O'Regan
Home»Viewpoints
Book review: Lock No. 1
Review: Billy O'Callaghan
Georges Simenon (translated by David Coward)
Penguin Classics, €10.50; ebook, €6.49
ONE night, while staggering back to his barge home, Gassin, an old drunkard, falls into the Marne canal on the outskirts of Paris.
While in the water, he finds another body, that of his long-time friend, Emile Ducrau, who has been stabbed in the back. Fortunately, the wounds are superficial, and Ducrau, a haulage magnate who owns practically everything in the area on both land and water, is soon revived.
Maigret, about to take early retirement for the tranquillity of a country life, picks up the case and quickly discovers a kinship with Ducrau, a brutish sort who'd built an empire from nothing and who can't help but feel contempt for those around him, particularly his family — the constantly solemn wife, the demanding daughter and her useless military husband, the sickly son — all of whom rely on him for support.
He lives in a large house, keeps his mistress on an upstairs floor, openly seduces the maid, and is truly comfortable only among the bargees and prostitutes.
Ducrau and Gassin had started out together, and remain friends. But Ducrau has a secret. Years earlier, he'd slept with his friend's wife, and is likely the father of their only child, Aline, a gentle, mentally underdeveloped daughter.
Aline, and Ducrau's son, Jean, have been close, and now the girl can be seen nursing a baby. The mystery appears to solve itself when Jean commits suicide, leaving a note confessing to the attack on his father, but when a second man is found, hanging (an assistant lock-keeper named Bébert), Maigret has to fit together all the pieces of this sordid and tragic puzzle.
Born in Belgium in 1903, it was during his 20s, living in France, that Georges Simenon emerged as a major force in European letters. A larger-than-life personality, possessed of ferocious appetites, he was, as a writer, something of an anomaly.
With 200 novels to his name, as well as several hundred short stories and novellas, and sales that have long since passed the half-billion mark, his prodigious output and popularity diminished his literary standing.
Yet he was nominated on numerous occasions for the Nobel Prize, and counted the likes of Gide, Colette, TS Eliot, Hemingway, William Faulkner and Henry Miller among his ardent admirers.
His work — as in the manner of Graham Greene's 'novels' and 'entertainments' — can be divided into two camps: the so-called 'romans durs' or 'hard novels'; and the Maigret series. The former (novels like Dirty Snow, The Train, Act of Passion and The Little Man from Archangel, to name just a few) are simply astonishing; tense, nihilistic, psychologically acute forays into the darkest corners of the soul.
But for all their greatness, Simenon's immortality rests with the 75 novels and 28 short stories that comprise the Inspector Maigret universe.
Furthermore, each novel reads as a stand-alone piece, and chronology has no particular bearing on which book the reader chooses as an entry point.
Eighteen months ago, Penguin began reissuing the books, newly translated, in a collection of handsome paperbacks that will, hopefully, break this essential work to new generations.
Lock No 1 is the 18th volume of the series, and showcases Simenon's great gifts: clear, yet subtle storytelling, tightly focused plot, prose that is lean and possessed of a rare, tensile quality, and thoroughly three-dimensional characters. But what elevates these books above the usual genre fare is the non-judgemental and existential acceptance of the world's horrors.
Simenon is a great, cold-eyed observer of the evils that men (and sometimes women) do, and human enough to accept the sadness that results.
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved
Blasket Islands caretaker job attracts 23,000 responses
Walsh full of praise for attacking game-plan under Joyce
Small predators 'most at risk' when habitats are converted for human use


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Karan Johar rushed to Janhvi''s house after the death of the actress went viral
This Sunday morning wasn't good for the Kapoor's family. All of them woke up with the shocking news of the death of an all-time star Sridevi. Her untimely death is a loss to the Bollywood Industry, her fans, and above-all are the family members.
From the reports, it is clear that the actress went to Dubai in order to attend the wedding occasion of her nephew. Due to severe cardiac arrest, the actress left a void. Not only the fans, Bollywood Industry but her loss is the biggest loss to the family members.
Sridevi with her husband Boney Kapoor and one of the daughters Khushi Kapoor went to attend the function. Janhvi stayed home to shoot for her upcoming film, Dhadak. Obviously, the news of her mother's death might have come as a shocking surprise to her.
As soon as the news of the death of the superstar went viral, Karan Johar immediately rushed to the house of Janhvi. In fact, he was the first one to reach her place. He immediately took her to the house of Anil Kapoor.
Boney Kapoor and some of the family members have already left for Dubai. Sridevi trusted Karan Johar and asked him to take her daughter, Janhvi under her direction.
Only five months are left for the Janhvi's debutant film and the fans are eagerly waiting for the release of posters.
TAGS: Sridevi, Janhvi, Karan Johar
Karan Johar's Twins turn 1 today
Sridevi died on the same day, her blockbuster film, Himmatwala completed 35 years
What happened on the night Sridevi died
Sridevi's last advice to Janhvi Kapoor, her daughter
Useful tips by Cardiologist Dr Trehan on living with a healthy heart
Arjun Kapoor Sridevi's step son flies off to Dubai to stand by his father
The Family members bid farewell to Sridevi
Why Sridevi kept fast for Rajinikanth?
Rajinikanth and wife Latha broke 37-years custom due to loss of couple's best friend.
Mahesh Bhatt's tribute to Sridevi
Karan Johar on break from direction to spend some good time with his twins
Daughter Khushi Kapoor and Father Boney did their first-film outing post Sridevi's death
Karan Johar to throw a grand bash on his mother, Hiroo Johar's 75 birthday
Karan Johar congratulated newly engaged Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta
Karan Johar revealed how Roohi mini-meltdown his heart
Sridevi won the best actress award at the 65th National Film Awards 2018
Anil Kapoor's reaction on Sridevi's National Award win
Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sidharth Malhotra to share the big screen space for Karan Johar's next
Kiara Advani to be a part of Karan Johar's 'Kalank'

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


You can use your Gamestop Gift Card as a payment method on GameStop.com or ThinkGeek.com.
What kind of account do I need to redeem my GameStop gift code?
You don't need an account to redeem your GameStop Gift Card. Simply enter the card or account number and PIN on the payment page during checkout. It's possible to complete your checkout as a guest.
How can I redeem my GameStop digital gift card?
Enter the card or account number and PIN on the payment page during checkout.
Open the Redemption URL, print out the Digital Gift Card. The card is redeemable at US GameStop, EB Games, Babbage's, Electronic Boutique, EBX, Planet X, and Software Etc. stores.
How long is my GameStop e-gift card valid for?
Your GameStop Gift Card does not expire.
How can I check my GameStop credit balance?
To check the balance on your GameStop Card, visit the Balance Inquiry page and use the provided card number as well as the PIN.
These GameStop Gift Cards allow you to pay for products from GameStop, online and in offline shops.
On this page, you can choose the value of the Gift Card for GameStop.
These GameStop Gift Card are mostly used by people who want to give an online gift to someone else or themselves. People who want a different way of paying for their GameStop products.
With over 6.100 stores throughout the U.S and 17 countries, GameStop is the world's largest video game retailer.
This card can be used to purchase merchandise only in the U.S. GameStop stores listed below or at either GameStop.com or EBgames.com. Except where required by law, it may not be returned, redeemed for cash, or applied as payment on any account, and will not be replaced if lost or stolen. This card is not a A1:S132 card or a debit card and carries no warranties, expressed or implied. This card is issued by and represents an obligation of Marketing Control Services, Inc. (a Virginia company), which reserves the right to change these terms and conditions. Void where prohibited. To obtain your card balance, call 1-888-818-2915. GameStop is the world's largest video game retailer. GameStop operates EBgames, Babbage's, Electronics Boutique, EBX, Funcoland, Planet X, Software Etc., EBgames.com and GameStop.com.
*GameStop is not a sponsor of the rewards or promotion or otherwise affiliated with this company. The logos and other identifying marks attached are trademarks of and owned by each represented company and/or its afliates. © 2016 GameStop International, Inc. The GameStop logo is a registered trademark and copyrighted work of GameStop International, Inc.


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Home Tags Posts tagged with "south korean flag"
south korean flag
Olympics 2012: North Korea in wrong flag row
London Olympic organizers have apologized to the North Korean women's football team after their images were shown on a screen beside a South Korean flag.
Kick-off at Glasgow's Hampden Park on the first day of the Games' sporting action was delayed for about an hour.
The men's football competition gets under way with eight games later, including Britain v Senegal at Old Trafford at 20:00 BST.
The penultimate day of the torch relay sees the flame visit Buckingham Palace.
The flag mix-up at Hampden Park had been an "embarrassing mistake" and not the start Games organizers would have wanted, but "no great harm was done".
As the North Korean players were being introduced before the match against Colombia, South Korean flags were mistakenly displayed in the video package.
London Olympic organizers have apologized to the North Korean women's football team after their images were shown on a screen beside a South Korean flag
The squad walked off and could only be persuaded to return when the teams were announced again with each player's face displayed next to the North Korean flag.
Relations between the two Koreas are tense – they remain technically at war following the 1950-53 Korean conflict, which ended in an armistice.
Speaking after the match, North Korea's coach Sin Ui Gun said: "Our team was not going to participate unless the problem was solved properly…
"Unfortunately it took some time later for the broadcast to be done again properly and we made the decision to go on with the match."
It was not immediately clear who had produced the video shown in the stadium.
A statement released by London 2012 organizers said: "We will apologize to the team and the National Olympic Committee and steps will be taken to ensure this does not happen again."
London 2012 spokesman Andy Mitchell said: "The South Korean flag was shown in the video package on the screen before the kick-off and the North Koreans were naturally very upset about that…
"A genuine mistake was made for which we apologize."
The opening match in the men's football gets under way at 12:00 BST at Hampden Park when Honduras take on Morocco, followed by Spain v Japan.
Matches are also taking place at St James' Park in Newcastle, Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and the City of Coventry Stadium.
In other Olympics news:
• In the first event of the Games, Britain's women footballers beat New Zealand 1-0 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. This was one of six women's football matches played on Wednesday
• Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the torch relay in Tottenham, north London, on Wednesday. On the torch relay's penultimate outing – day 69, which can be followed live here – the flame will pass through Downing Street and be greeted at Buckingham Palace by Princes William and Harry, and the Duchess of Cambridge
• A global investment conference being held in London on Thursday will kick off a series of business summits intended to showcase the UK and attract investment during
[youtube ZuVdSLYy_LU]
Akademik Shokalskiy rescue ship Xue Long stuck in ice
Chinese ice-breaker Xue Long that helped rescue passengers stranded on the Akademik Shokalskiy vessel in Antarctica is now stuck itself. …Read More »
Trayvon Martin's parents speaks out for first time since George Zimmerman's acquittal
Trayvon Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, said they are shocked and disgusted the jury in George Zimmerman's trial …Read More »
British Fashion Awards 2012: Stella McCartney wins Designer of the Year and Designer Brand of the Year awards
Stella McCartney was the big winner of the British Fashion Awards 2012, taking home two major awards. Stella McCartney, daughter …Read More »
Canadian motorist drove 220 miles with his dead wife in the passenger seat
A 71-year-old Canadian motorist drove for 220 miles with the body of his dead wife beside him in the passenger …Read More »
EU Budget 2014: Negotiators agree on next year's spending
Negotiators in Brussels have clinched a deal on the 2014 EU budget after a night of hard talks, cutting spending …Read More »


A small and decorative shelving system for display of your small precious items.
A 3-armed candlestick where you discover different set-ups of your candles depending on how you turn the candlestick.
LIVLETTO is a part of a collection of bed designs made for Dormiente. The design was launched in January 2015.
JIL is a upholstery system bed and a part of a collection of bed designs made for Dormiente. The design was launched in January 2015.
VIGO is a part of the collection of bed designs made in collaboration with Dormiente and launched in January 2015.
The Organic Collection for Wössner contains 3 variations of benches and 3 variations of tables. The oval version was awarded "Selection 2015" at the Interior Innovation Award by the German Design Council.
The vision of the design is to create an embracing and elegant bed where you can play with the use of colors.
The concept behind the kitchen system defines the kitchen as a functional oasis of calm, which aesthetically enhances the home.
In cooperation with Brazilian company Archi / Cermag a collection of 10 designs have been created.
The Italian design association "Promote Design" have selected 2 designs to be displayed in their "Design for 2015" publication.


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Top 5 Headlines 4/16: What Would a Philip Rivers Trade do to AFC West?
Daily headlines to keep you up-to-date on the latest news from local and national media
1. A Philip Rivers trade would alter balance in AFC West
By Adam Teicher - ESPN
"But if the Chargers trade Rivers, as speculation persists they will, then it isn't out of the question that Smith in 2015 is the best QB in the division and, more importantly, that his team is also the best of the bunch.
Ever since Manning, injured though he was, looked every bit his age down the stretch last season, the Broncos looked like they would be vulnerable in 2015. That looked more of a sure thing at the end of the season, when the Broncos fired coach John Fox." READ MORE…
Behind the Scenes: Chiefs Cheerleaders in St. Lucia
Photo Gallery: Behind the Scenes of Chiefs Cheerleaders Calender Shoot
A look at a few of the locations and shots for the 2016 Cheer Calendar shot on location in St. Lucia, hosted by Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa.
2. Marcus Mariota reportedly scored 33 on Wonderlic; Jameis Winston had 27
By ESPN News Services - ESPN
"The Wonderlic scores for Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston won't be among the knocks against them when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers choose what to do with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft -- if they haven't already.
Mariota scored a 33 out of 50 on the test and Winston a 27, Yahoo! Sports has reported, citing multiple league sources, later posting Mariota's score via Twitter.
That puts both in good company among NFL quarterbacks: Andrew Luck scored a 37, while Aaron Rodgers had a 35, Tom Brady a 33 and Philip Rivers a 30. Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Russell Wilson each scored a 28, while Joe Flacco had a 27 and Ben Roethlisberger recorded a 25." READ MORE…
3. Jaelen Strong has broken bone in wrist, likely needs surgery
By Bryan Fisher - NFL.com
"The medical rechecks for 2015 NFL Draft prospects are scheduled for this weekend in Indianapolis, and Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong is among the players that will be under examination.
The potential first-round pick has a broken bone in his wrist and likely will need surgery, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport." READ MORE…
4. Rex: Amaro will see how happy he is when he plays us
By Kevin Patra - NFL.com
"It didn't take long for Rex Ryan to fire back at Jace Amaro.
The New York Jets tight end, who played under Ryan as a rookie, said a little more than a week ago that Gang Green wasn't held "accountable" and had several instances of tardiness last season.
In a sprawling interview with The MMQB's Jenny Vrentas, the new Buffalo Bills coach took issue with Amaro's characterization and vowed retribution.
"He's full of (expletive), and I'll remind him of that when we play him," Ryan said. "Look, we weren't perfect, and I never said we were going to be perfect. But that's a (expletive) b.s. comment. But, hey, he's happy that he's got a different coach in place. We'll see how happy he is when I play against him."" READ MORE…
5. Cosell: I'd take Titans' Zach Mettenberger over Jameis Winston
By Chase Goodbread - NFL.com
"Count NFL Films executive producer Greg Cosell among those that don't believe the Tennessee Titans should draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
But while some who agree with Cosell might cite a bigger need than quarterback or the "best-player-available" argument, which might lead the team to choose USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams, Cosell has a different explanation: The club already has a quarterback better than the best one available in the draft. Yes, as Cosell sees it, the Titans are better off with their sixth-round pick from 2014, Zach Mettenberger, than with the presumptive No. 1 overall pick this year, Florida State's Jameis Winston.
"You look for traits. When you do that with Jameis Winston ... he's a pocket quarterback for the most part. His strengths are anticipation. Zach Mettenberger, by the way, is a pocket quarterback who is very good at making anticipatory throws, arguably better than Jameis Winston at making anticipatory throws. Zach Mettenberger actually has a bigger arm than Jameis Winston," Cosell told Nashville radio station 104.5 The Zone. "They're both a little bit slow-twitch in the pocket. They're both a little bit heavy-footed, which of course are negatives, but they're very similar in that regard. In many of the traits, and I'm just scratching the surface by the way, but in many of the traits that you look for, you would say that they're similar and that Mettenberger is a little bit better." READ MORE…
From 18th & Vine to changing the world. Today we honor Jackie Robinson.#JackieRobinsonDay pic.twitter.com/p2k499Utun
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 15, 2015
Chiefs Daily Podcast
](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/chiefs-download-daily-podcast/id930050418?mt=2)


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Material: 100% Cotton Fabric, Screen Printed Design.


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League-Leading 15 KU Men Named to Academic All-Big 12 Teams
IRVING, Texas – A total of 24 Kansas student-athletes were named to the 2014 Academic All-Big 12 Men's & Women's Track & Field Teams, the league office announced Wednesday. The Jayhawk men led the league with 15 honorees along with their nine first team selections. The Kansas women added nine to the Academic All-Big 12 lists and joined 112 female student-athletes, including 96 first team members and 16 second team honorees. On the men's side, 77 earned honors, with 53 first team and 24 second team selections.
Nine Jayhawk men were placed on the first team, and were led by senior Kellum Schneider, who was one of five Big 12 track & field athletes to earn a perfect 4.0 GPA. Three KU men: seniors Dalen Fink, Josh Munsch and Nick Seckfort, earned spots on the first team for the third time in their careers. Junior Aaron Blevins was named to the first team for the second time, while junior Jonathan Miller and redshirt freshmen Ben Brownlee, Daniel Koech and Jaime Wilson all took home the first team accolades for the first time.
On the women's side, seven KU student-athletes earned a spot on the first team. Seniors Natalie Becker, Timmie Morris and Abby Row were honored on the first-team list for the third-straight year. Junior Jaimie House was added to the first team for the second time and Jayhawks earning a first-team nod for the first time included junior Lindsay Vollmer and sophomores Rhavean King and Hannah Richardson.
Six Kansas men and two Jayhawk women were second-team selections. For the men, seniors Alex Bishop, Conner Day, Teddy Oteba and Brendan Soucie, junior Austin Hoag and sophomore Nick Maestretti were all named to the team. For the women, senior Amanda Caines and sophomore Sydney Conley also made the second-team list.
Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services, the track & field academic all-league squad consisted of 150 first-team members combined with 56 on the second team. First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.
To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of their team's scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.
This weekend the Jayhawks travel to Lubbock, Texas, for the 2014 Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships, taking place May 16-18 at the Fuller Track & Field Complex on the campus of Texas Tech University.


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Q: Username in HTTP Header for SSO I am looking to add single sign on (SSO) to one of my web applications. I don't want anything heavy at the moment, I just want to know the userId of the logged in user, without the need for them to enter a username.
The web app is an internal application, so I can guarantee they are coming from a Windows PC etc.
I have looked at jCIFS, but this doesn't seem to be supported any more, and recommends a commercial product.
I have also looked at WAFFLE, but I am building SSO for a playframework application, which does not use a Servlet stack, so I can't make use of the SecurityFilter. I have tried to make sense of the WindowsLoginModule, but couldn't really understand what I had to do to implement it.
Is it possible to just get the username from the HTTP header, or does it require some negotiation first before it will post the header?

A: You want the windows user to automagically login to your intranet webapp. So the user accounts would sit in an active directory and the usual microsoft way would be to use a protocol like NTML oder Kerberos. Applications are generally advised not to use NTLM, although there are enterprises still using NTML (and jCIFS) for SSO.
A quick search on Kerberos and Java showed this article. It seems to depend on the  Java EE stack (JAAS).
For a more stripped down approach: Usually, you cannot sent the username in a http request in a portable way. With ActivX you could do:
var wshshell=new ActiveXObject("wscript.shell");
var username=wshshell.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%username%");

On the server side, you can parse the http header and extract the username with your technology of choice.
Well, security doesn't matter in your playframework application?
Why don't you use long-living cookies?
Hope it helps!

A: In an intranet context with ActiveDirectory and workstations registered in the domain, the HTTP SPNEGO Negotiation support is the best option. But it requires specific skills around ActiveDirectory and Java Kerberos implementation.
Spring Security provides implementation and documentation to set it up. But  Secure.Security is not designed to support token-based authentication like HTTP Negotiation. So using Spring Security will require a specific integration module.
Other options are OpenID and shibboleth but both requires a dedicated server, which can be configured to do SPNEGO itself. Thanks to available Play modules, integration in your application will be easier.
The only way to get the username in an HTTP header without client-side complex and unsecure/unreliable tweaks is to use an authentication proxy between browsers and your application server. Most of these proxies also support Kerberos SPNEGO as authentication mean.

A: Non-heavy answer
It sounds like it should be possible to get your ops team to implement a Group Policy which will send the logged-in username down the wire as an HTTP Header.
Otherwise, you're correct in your assumption that there is some sort of negotiation "dance" between IE and your server. See here. Perhaps you can fake this dance in your Play code.
Heavy answer
I know jCIFS and this example uses servlets and filters, but the important bits of code can be extracted and a custom Play Authenticator can be built (I can paste a Scala example override of play.api.mvc.Security.Authenticated , but your answer is tagged Java). You only need the request headers (not body) so it should be doable in an authenticator.
PS jCIFS seems to have had an update since your post, so I'm presuming you'd reconsider using hacking it. I'm wary of unmaintained libraries too, but sometimes they just reach a maturity and stability which alleviates the need for any more updates.

A: Active Directory uses Kerberos, so all logged in users should have a kerberos ticket.
A fast google found this:

*

*https://blogs.oracle.com/wyllys/entry/kerberos_web_authentiation_with_apache
If you want the windows logon details, I think it's your only option.

A: You can try to use Shiro for enabling SSO in your application.
Shiro id independent of the servlets and since your framework does not support Servlets you can very easily go for Shiro.
You can create a Realm where you define the hashPassword.
You can configure the username and the hashPassword and ask the shiro to authenticate your user with the hashPassword.
You will then assign role for the user which will serve your purpose of SSO.
You can authenticate user for more than one application and hence when user logs into another application the shiro has already authenticated you and hence it will straight away log you inside the application..
You can go through the shiro documentation(exhaustive and you should be able to configure it on first go) from the following link:-
http://shiro.apache.org/
It provides you many out of the box functionality for authenticating and authorization along with security and Cryptography modules.

A: The username isn't sent in the header. Even if it was this shouldn't be relied upon as a savvy user could fake the values.

A: If NTLM would be a valid option for you Jespa might be a good alternative to JCIFS. Jespa (unlike JCIFS) supports NTLM v2, among other things. The limited version of it (up to 25 users) is free.

A: You can always get any header from filter. See javadoc for HttpServletRequest.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Inside Japan' s most exclusive hotel, AMANEMU: impressions & review. Sydney- Brisbane ( NSW Trainlink XPT) Brisbane- Cairns sydney ( Spirit of Queensland) Brisbane- Charleville ( The Westlander).
According to Countrylink' s website, the Brisbane - Sydney XPT is a sydney daylight. The New South Wales XPT ( short for Express Passenger Train) is the main long- distance passenger train operated by NSW casino TrainLink on regional railway services in New South Wales, Australia from Sydney to Dubbo, Grafton and Casino as well as interstate destinations, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
Casino nach sydney xpt. Grafton ( railway Stn) : Coffs Harbour ( railway Stn) Sawtell.
Der XPT ist ein moderner Zug, der die Metropolen Sydney, Melbourne und Brisbane miteinander verbindet. Sorry for the wobbles.
XPT Train Sydney to Casino April Paul Donovan. casino Onboard CountryLink' s XPT and some exterior shots.
NSW Trains / Countrylink XPT Sydney to Brisbane. xpt Von Melbourne nach Brisbane verläuft die Prozedur genauso, nur in die andere Richtung: Mit dem XPT von Melbourne nach Sydney, umsteigen, weiter nach Casino und mit dem Coach Service schließlich nach Brisbane.
NSW TrainLink the operator of country railway passenger services in the state of New South Wales, Australia, currently operates ten routes taken over from CountryLink in July, as at July :. Casino to Brisbane in daylight; Search thread Image gallery.
XPT Regional Trains Book xpt a seat on NSW TrainLink sydney Regional services Introduced to service in 1982 the XPT, short for sydney " express passenger train", has an aerodynamic design and travels between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, xpt Dubbo, Grafton and Casino. Pensioner or Senior fares are not available through TravelOnline.
If I was to catch the daylight train towards Casino from Sydney, which would be the best place stop and have a look around at railway related stuff, basically between Newcastle and Casino. Unsubscribe from Paul Donovan?
Please note there are many other regional services operated by NSW TrainLink xpt however TravelOnline only sells the sectors that are displayed on this page. Casino nach sydney xpt.
Wer mit dem XPT von Sydney nach Brisbane fährt, den führt diese Strecke entlang der casino abwechslungsreichen Pazifikküste. The NSW TrainLink operates casino main line passenger services between Sydney - Melbourne and Sydney - Brisbane.
Brilliant 11 hour trip from Sydney to Casino on the 15th April. Sydney- Coffs Harbour- Brisbane XPTs Regional Train service operated by NSW Trainlink.


text:
Food & large retailers
Unilever storage and distribution center
Supporting a
Unilever storage and distribution center,
Prologis Park Piotrkow, Poland
Find out how LED warehouse lighting is contributing to a cleaner environment
This project is also another
in the direction set by the 'Sustainable life' project, organized by Unilever, in which our company vowed to reduce its influence on the natural environment."
- Mateusz Mikołajczyk, Junior Logistics Specialist, Unilever
Customer challenge
Prologis is a leading force in industrial real estate. With over 15 years' experience in the industry, it is a leader amongst warehouse leaders and managers. The company wanted to improve sustainability for its tenant at the park, Unilever. Could energy-efficient lighting help?
Type of distributor or partner
The right lighting
The 'sustainable life' strategy, developed by Unilever, outlined several goals for the center's development. The lighting had to be brightened to a normative level, creating a productive working environment and making the area more attractive. It also had to meet specific requirements for maintenance and energy consumption.
Philips began with a light audit to assess the current system. It became apparent that by upgrading the light sources, we could reduce the total amount of fixtures needed. The T8 fluorescent bulbs were replaced with more efficient T5 ones. As a result, the total number of luminaires was dropped from 2,136 to 1,674. The new lights create an optimal working ambience, with bright, clean illumination.
The new system is controlled by an intelligent lighting system, which adjusts the intensity of the bulbs according to the amount of daylight available. This has a cost-saving effect, as artificial light is never used more than necessary. In addition, the reduction in luminaires means that Prologis will spend less time and money on maintenance.
The energy savings from the new warehouse lighting total about 40% a year. This amounts to 219,000 tonnes of C02. Thanks to the cost savings delivered by the new system, the investment will be paid back within four years.
Helping the
Verhoef Access Technology
Find out how Verhoef made savings around 60% with MASTER LEDtubes
Find out how industrial lighting is helping ABB Drives make factory-sized energy savings
Index Living Mall
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President Lincoln's Cottage staff will collaborate with author and historian Garrett Peck to provide historical content and poetry that bridge both Whitman and Lincoln's time in Civil War Washington. Throughout the experience, visitors will explore Whitman and Lincoln's shared values related to democratic ideals, the preservation of the Union and the greatness of the common man. The intimate tour through the Cottage will use interactive multimedia, traditional storytelling methods, and dialogue to bring President Lincoln and Walt Whitman to life. The tour is 1 hour long.


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Q: Check if a NSDate object is in the past I want to check if an NSDate object I have is in the past or now (if it's not in the future).
I've tried this but it don't working:
-(void)checkIfMuted
{
    NSDate *muteOverDate=[[NSUserDefaults standardUserDefaults] objectForKey:@"muteOverDate"];

    if ([muteOverDate timeIntervalSinceNow]<0.0) {
        self.muteEnabled=YES;
        return;
    }
    self.muteEnabled=NO;
    NSLog(@"%@\n%@",[[NSDate date] description],[muteOverDate description]);
}

NSLog print: 2016-02-10 14:55:19 +0000
2016-02-10 15:54:32 +0000
Any idea why it's not working? Thanks!

A: Use [NSDate compare:]:
NSDate *now = [NSDate date];
if ([now compare:muteOverDate] == NSOrderedAscending) {
    // muteOverDate is in the future
}


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Zenith Watches
Over the past decades, Zenith continues to be one of the highly-trusted Swiss watch manufacturers to ever exist, all thanks to its premium collections of intricate timepieces. The brand has been loved by the general public not only because of its dedication to innovation but also its commitment to preserving its timeless and remarkable designs. Above all, Zenith has proved its prestige in the watchmaking industry through its range that is fueled by the groundbreaking El Primero automatic chronograph movement. Introduced in 1969, the Zenith El Primero remains an iconic movement to this day.
Zenith Watch Collections
50th El Primero Anniversary
Product Name Price Brand Recommended
03.2040.4061/01.R576
Save26%
29.1940.679/21.C800
24.2041.400/01.R576
05.2430.679.17.C902
Save1%
29.2430.4069/63.I001
03.2330.679/11.M2330
51.2530.4047/78.C810
Zenith Watches: A Forefront in Precision and Reliability
Throughout its 156-year run, Zenith has always been known for producing its movements and pieces in-house. This proves that the company always gives its full attention to its practices and its traditions to be able to come up with releases that reflect their admirable journey. Moreover, the Swiss luxury brand takes pride in being the pioneer in creating dependable and superb automatic chronograph watches that cater to people coming from different walks of life.
With the emergence of the highly-accurate and sleek El Primero movement, Zenith was able to set the bar higher in the entire watch realm, making it the true icon not just in men's watches but also in women's. Through continuous minor tweaks and upgrades since its release, the El Primero remains unrivaled among its other competitors. Aside from the fact that it bears rich history and the title of being the world's first automatic chronograph calibre, the movement offers superior quality, characterized by its incomparable speed and accuracy. From the classic Zenith Chronomaster to the extraordinary Zenith Defy, watch lovers can easily identify the movement through its celebrated and diverse collections.
How much do Zenith watches cost?
Prices for the Zenith models vary depending on its material, characteristics, and rarity. Specifically, the watches range from $4,700 USD to a whopping $40,000 USD. You can check the table below to know which Zenith model best suits your personality and lifestyle.
Model Price (approximate) Size (mm) Material Features
Zenith Chronomaster Sport Ref. 03.3100.3600/69.M3100 $10,200 USD 41mm Stainless Steel
El Primero 3600 Automatic Movement
100m Water Resistance
Increased power reserve of 60 hours
Stop-second mechanism
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Tourbillon GFJ, Ref. 18.2520.4805/98.C713 $86,150 USD 45mm 18ct Rose Gold
El Primero 4805 Hand-wound Movement
50m Water Resistance
Tourbillon at 6 o'clock position
Zenith Elite Classic 39, Ref. 18.2290.679/18.C498 $8,735 USD 39mm 18ct Rose Gold
Elite Calibre 679 Automatic Movement
Power reserve of 50 hours
Bronze dial with sunray pattern
Zenith Defy El Primero 21, Ref. 95.9001.9004/01.R582 $8,500 USD 44mm Titanium
El Primero 9004 Automatic Movement that measures up to 1/100 of a second
Silver panda dial
Frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour ("vph")
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero 42, Ref. 24.2041.400/21.R576 $7,800 USD 42mm Aluminum
El Primero 400 B Automatic Movement with 31 jewels
30-minute, 12-hour and running seconds sub-dials
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero 38, Ref. 03.2150.400/26.C714 $6,000 USD 38mm Stainless Steel
El Primero 400 Automatic Movement with 31 jewels
Luminous hands and hour-markers
Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special, Ref. 29.2430.679/21.C753 $5,900 USD 45mm Bronze
Elite 679 Automatic Movement with 27 jewels
Luminous and gold-plated hour-markers
Titanium case-back engraved with Zenith's signature logo
Frequency of 28,800 vph
Zenith Pilot Type 20 Chronograph Ton-Up, Ref. 11.2430.4069/21.C773 $6,500 USD 45mm Stainless Steel
Small seconds sub-dial
Green leather bracelet
Zenith Heritage 146 $5,900 USD 38mm Stainless Steel
El Primero 4069 Automatic movement with 35 jewels
Zenith Elite Moonphase Ref. 03.3100.692/03.C923 $6,000 USD 40mm Stainless Steel
Elite 692 Automatic movement
Moonphase indication
Rhodium-plated and faceted hands and indices
Zenith Chronomaster Revival El Primero A384 Ref 03.A384.400/21.M384 $7,370 USD 37mm Stainless Steel
El Primero 400 Automatic column-wheel movement
Revival of "Gay Frères" ladder bracelet
30-minute, 12-hour and small seconds sub-dials
Tachymetric scale
Zenith Chronomaster Revival El Primero A385 Ref 03.A384.400/385.C855 $8,370 USD 37mm Stainless Steel
Gradient dial
Date indication
Minimum power reserve of 50 hours
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open Ref. 03.2040.4061/01.M2040 $6,760 USD 42mm Stainless Steel
El Primero 4061 Automatic COSC-certified movement
Silicon escape-wheel and lever
Small opening that reveals the movement
Zenith Defy Classic Ref. 87.9001.670/79.M9001 $11,200 USD 41mm Titanium
Luminous rose gold-tone hands
Transparent caseback
Zenith Watches' Collections
Prices for the Zenith Chronomaster: Precise Watches That Never Go Out of Style
It is nearly impossible for an individual not to think of the Zenith Chronomaster when talking about automatic chronographs. The pieces under this line are equipped with the majestic and well-built El Primero movement that has been loved by many since 1969. While it prides itself as the brand's most famous and widely-recognised collection, the Zenith Chronomaster is also exceptional due to the cutting-edge serviceability it brings. The watches from this line will surely exceed your expectations. Aside from the fact that they go well with any outfit you wear it with, the pieces also encapsulate Zenith's heritage and give wearers the opportunity to wear the brand's precious legacy around their wrists.
The Chronomaster came to life during the time when the watch making industry started to pick up interest in creating automatic movements. Realizing there is no company that has released an automatic chronograph yet, Zenith took a step forward and worked on the idea in 1962 with the aim of unveiling the final result in 1965 during its centennial anniversary. However, the release was delayed for four more years due to inevitable challenges in the watch's production. Finally, in January 1969, the brand announced the development of the world's first-ever integrated automatic chronograph and successfully debuted the pioneer timepiece with the prestigious mechanism later that year. Even though Zenith was not the first one to conquer the trade, there is no denying that the brand is the main reason behind the automatic chronograph's popularity among watch lovers even until this present day.
One of the cheapest men's watches from the collection is the Zenith El Primero 36'000 vph Ref. 03.2080.400/01.C494, which uses the calibre El Primero 400 B. It provides around 50 hours of power reserve and sports a white lacquered dial with a date window between the 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock positions. Its polished steel 42mm case, hands, and indexes also give the watch a more glamorous vibe. Simple as it may seem, this watch could easily pass as your daily companion due to its neat finish. Its price ranges from $4,620 USD to $8,226 USD.
Another strong contender is the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open with reference number 18.2040.4061/69.C494. This watch gives a nod to the vintage Zenith watches under this collection due to the colors of its strap and dial. Moreover, it also has two sub-dials dedicated for the 12-hour and 30-minute counters as well as a tachymetric scale that fans will easily recognize. Underneath, it runs on the El Primero 4061 movement, which can provide up to a minimum 50 hours of power reserve. The calibre is also COSC-certified so you will surely get your money's worth. Gracing the newest roster of Zenith watches, this timeless beauty in rose gold case costs $19,000 USD. You may also cap the stainless steel model in leather, fabric, or rubber straps with black, blue or white dials for a cheaper price of around $6,000 USD to $9,000 USD.
A more complicated version with moonphase indicator and date window is also available for an expensive price tag of around $21,964 USD. The Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Open Grande Date Ref. 18.2160.4047/01.C713 is the contemporary example of a Zenith Automatic watch for it uses a Calibre El Primero 4047 that provides a power reserve of 50 hours. It beats at a frequency of 36,600 vph like any other models with the El Primero movement and dons a moonphase and sunphase indicator at 6 o'clock.
Prices for the Zenith Pilot: Vintage-Inspired Watches for Adventure-Seekers
As its name suggests, the Zenith Pilot can provide not only refined and vintage aesthetics but also basic yet high-level of functionalities that an aviator needs. Rather than completely relying on the contemporary trends, the brand ensures that these professional watches carry a retro vibe, with additional subtle modern touches on the side. These Zenith men's watches are known to have large dials, oversized crowns and a case that can go as big as 45mm, which can significantly aid in making a pilot's job easier. Furthermore, the watches under this collection are also characterized by luminous hands and hour-markers for easier readability under dim light conditions, whether up in the sky or down here on Earth.
Zenith introduced its Pilot collection to the public in the early 1900s. While the company had already laid its interest in creating dashboard clocks and pocket watches, its founder, Georges Favre-Jacot, had another idea in mind. He wanted to expand his business by entering the world of airplane watches as well as altimeters, which eventually led to the production of pilot watches. As proof of its strong background, famous French aviator Louis Blériot took this watch to his journey across the English channel in 1909. The first Zenith Pilot watch that Blériot had in his wrist was beyond exceptional. It featured a chrome-plated case with a cool black dial and large Arabic numerals for easier readability. The word "special" above the sub-dial dedicated for the running seconds also steals the spotlight. With Blériot's notable achievement, the Zenith Pilot also received praises for the credibility it brought during the flight.
Today, the whole Pilot line serves as an ode to Zenith's fruitful past. Some models have the classic 40mm case you can see mostly in vintage Zenith watches. An example is the Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special with Ref. 29.1940.679/21.C800, which you can get for approximately $3,970 USD. True to its name, this release is truly one-of-a-kind since it comes in a blue color, with matte dials and bronze case as its main features. You do not have to worry with tracking time at night since the huge hour-markers in the dial are coated with the SuperLuminova mechanism, along with the hands that sport a cathedral look. The protruding crown also reflects the original design of the first Zenith Pilot watches.
Meanwhile, some models are also advanced in terms of the functions it came with like the Zenith Pilot Type 20 Tourbillon. Known for increasing the value of a watch up to three or more zeroes, the tourbillon is responsible for increasing the accuracy of a watch, no matter what position you place it in. Initially released in 2013, these beautiful watches for men have a starting price of $21,630 USD. It can go up to $118,051 USD if you opt for a variant that has diamonds all over its surface. With these facts presented, the Pilot Type 20 Tourbillon is one of the most expensive Zenith watches in the market today.
Another Pilot model to look out for is the Zenith Pilot Montre d'Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903. This breathtaking field watch has red tips that adds a quirky vibe. Furthermore, the addition of the second time zone also makes the watch even more valuable. This is helpful for those men whose life mainly revolves in traveling. Inside, it runs on the 26-jewel calibre Elite 693, which can last for 50 hours when fully wound. Although not powered by the top-tier El Primero movement, you can consider this one the ideal Zenith automatic timepiece due to its additional splendid functionalities. The Zenith Pilot Montre d'Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903 has a price tag of around $6,500 USD. A pre-loved piece may come as affordable as $5,200 USD.
Prices for the Zenith Elite: The Favorite Watch of Stylish Men and Women
It is no doubt that Zenith leads the game when it comes to producing watches that are extremely unique that could certainly make many heads turn. The Chronomaster El Primero Open and the Defy El Primero 21 are the prime examples of these. However, when the company decided to release the Zenith Elite line in 2015, their reputation became more honorable and recognized among the leading names in the watch industry. Watches under this collection exhibit sophisticated, minimalist and ergonomic designs, which is why people typically use them for formal occasions. Aside from the exteriors, the Elite series also come with various complications such as having a tourbillon and moonphase mechanism as well as sporting the legendary El Primero movement.
Its story began in the early 1990s when Zenith decided to launch its efficient calibre Elite 6150 after the horrendous quartz crisis took place between 1970s to 1980s. Its applaudable performance resembles what the El Primero movement can do and offer. Known for being incredibly thin but mighty, this movement also fits even the smallest watch case, while also having the capacity to store up to 100 hours of power.
The Elite is one of the cheapest Zenith watches you can get your hands on. However, this doesn't mean that it has low quality. In fact, many novice collectors often opt to buy a timepiece from this line to test out the abilities of Zenith as a brand. Some good examples of these are the Zenith Elite Classic with reference numbers 18.3100.670/01.C920 and 03.3100.670/02.C922. Both of these models use the calibre Elite 670 with a frequency of 28,800 vph. These watches also come with a sharp date display at 6 o'clock position. Furthermore, they offer a stop-second mechanism for more meticulous timekeeping. Generally speaking, these watches retail around $6,000 USD for the steel variation and $13,000 USD for the gold variation. However, if you're on a tight budget and you want to save up for other models the brand offers, you can get a pre-loved one in good condition for as little as $1,800 USD.
Moving to a much more elegant version, the Zenith Elite is also available in a variation that perfectly complements the taste of a fine and modern woman. This is called the Elite Lady Moonphase. While the Elite line was initially made for men, the brand also wanted to cater to a wider range of consumers, which is why they came up with various phenomenal models for women. The model with the reference 16.2320.692/80.C714 stands out because of its versatile white mother-of-pearl dial with numberless indices in silver hue. Moreover, it has a moonphase indicator with blue accents, making the watch more attractive as ever. Inside, it uses an 27-jewel Elite Ultra Thin self-winding movement, which beats at 29,800 vph. This Zenith Elite watch costs around $8,000 USD.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Zenith Elite 6150 with reference number 18.2270.6150/01.C498 is perfect for those who want a bigger watch that still sits nicely on the wrist. Like its smaller siblings, this watch is also simple and alluring. It also has Elite 6150 calibre, comprising 195 parts, at its very core. While it does not have any date or moon phase indication, the symmetrical lugs and the strap made out of crocodile skin will surely take your breath away. The straightforward signature format and the thin hands also makes this watch worth adding to anyone's collection. Since it is made out of rose gold material, this model is readily available for around $11,200 USD to $13,500 USD, one of the most expensive Zenith watches in the collection. On the other hand, the date version without the chronograph costs only $5,900 USD. These prices are certainly worth it, given that it is one of the coveted Zenith men's watches in the collection.
Prices for the Zenith Defy: A Ruggedly Powerful Watch
If there is one thing where Zenith ultimately excels, it is creating tough and sturdy automatic watches that could last perhaps even a lifetime. This is evident in their Zenith Defy collection that many watch enthusiasts always bring up in any conversations. First released in the late 1960s, the collection effortlessly redefines the watch world through its meticulously-made blueprints and inventive concepts. The pieces in this line also sport loud, stunning, and compelling designs you will not see in any other luxury brands. This is why it is impossible to compare these watches to others as they have their certain charms guaranteed to make your jaws drop. Due to their detailed and gripping structures, the models under this line become the rightful epitome of a modern Zenith men's watch.
Spearheading the popularity list, we have the Zenith Defy El Primero 21 with reference number 95.9000.9004/78.M9000 that costs $9,500 USD. This multifaceted timekeeper has a complicated aesthetic that displays two multi-colored sub-dials. It also comes with a titanium case which is known for its durability and lightweight characteristics. You would not notice the 30-minute and the 60-second counters at first glance due to the open skeleton dial, unless inspected closely. The transparent dial that exhibits the entire El Primero 9004 movement makes it visually appealing. Since it runs on a high performing calibre that measures 1/100th of a second, the watch beats at an impressive frequency of 36,000 vph and carries a power reserve of 50 hours. Other features worth noting about this mesmerising watch are the central chronograph hand's powerful capacity to make one turn per second as well as its ability to resist water pressures of up to 100 metres. While it contains ultra-modern parts and mechanisms, the Zenith Defy El Primero 21 reflects the essence of the vintage Zenith Defy models released in 1969.
For fans of watches that have a reserved vibe, the Zenith Defy El Primero 21 Ref. 95.9001.9004/01.R582, popularly known as the Zenith Defy El Primero 21 Black Croco, is the perfect option. On the outside, it has a black, white, and silver colour scheme with some red accents on the dial and small hands on two of the sub-dials. Not to mention, the edges of the watch also match the whole theme, along with the numberless yet luminous hour-markers and hands. However, this watch is not only about its extravagant appearance. It also tells the exact time with its 53-jewel and 203-component calibre El Primero 9004. You can get this gem for as low as $8,400 USD. If you fancy a more flawless-looking scratch-resistant case, you can cop a Zenith Defy El Primero 21 in a ceramic material for $8,400 USD.
Demonstrating its flexibility, some Defy models also come with in-house Elite movements. The Zenith Defy Classic with reference number 49.9000.670/77.R782 and the Zenith Defy Midnight in 03.9200.670/02.MI001 variation are some of the best examples you can find. While the first one features a 41mm ceramic case, the latter has a smaller one at 36mm. The looks of the dials and straps also vary, with the first model having a rugged and unbreakable feel. This is primarily due to the differences in its purpose. The Defy Classic is a men's watch, which costs around $5,650 USD. The other one is solely dedicated for women and has a price tag of $6,500 USD.
One of the latest models from this series is the Zenith Defy Inventor. Released in 2019, it features a 44mm titanium case and a lightweight aeronith bezel. On the dial, it bears a refreshing blue tone that is pleasing to the eye. As if the design is not yet enough, this timepiece also runs on the brand's newest offering, the Zenith Oscillator 9100 movement that boasts an enormous frequency of 129,600 vph. This watch is indeed a go-getter's best friend and costs around $18,000 USD, which is more on the expensive side.
Prices for the Zenith Captain: A Versatile Watch
One of Zenith's iconic slogans was "powered for brilliance" and they are living up to their word with the Zenith Captain collection. While only a handful of people know about this line, its watches contain trailblazing mechanisms like a second time zone and calendar display. Browsing through the catalog, you will see that a lot of these watches have a simple yet outstanding exterior, much like the vintage watches we see around. Some of them have Roman numeral hour markers, while others are plainly numberless and have a neutral colour scheme. They perfectly embody the phrase "do not judge a book by its cover" for its true purpose lies on its core. Notably, some are powered by El Primero automatic movements, while some rely on Elite calibres.
The Zenith Elite Captain Central Second Automatic Ref. 03.2020.670 is the popular go-to choice and it costs only $4,000 USD. It is uncomplicated because it only displays the time and date on the tobacco plume-colored dial. Since its 40mm case has a steel finish, you also do not have to worry about its longevity because it can resist even the highest level of moisture. Under the hood, it runs on an automatic calibre coupled with the ability to withstand up to 10 metres. This means that you cannot submerge this ornate beauty onto deep seas nor it can stay alive with even a splash of water.
For the dapper gentleman, who wants a watch that showcases an annual calendar along with the regular date and day indicator, the Zenith El Primero Captain Winsor Automatic with reference number 22.2070.4054/02.C711 is the right choice. Apart from the gorgeous hands and case in rose gold hue, this men's watch breaks barriers with the 31-jewel El Primero 400 calibre that ensures the displayed time is always on-point. The silver guilloche-colored dial and the hands in dauphine style adds a rather lavish and luxurious vibe to it. Due to the addition of diamonds in the bezel, it has an expensive price of $37,084 USD. Despite the gigantic price tag it came with, the watch guarantees a precise timekeeping ability that you will certainly need for the years to come.
Prices for the Zenith El Primero 50th Anniversary: A Powerhouse Watch
To pay homage to the magnificent El Primero movement, Zenith released a collection of watches that reflects the technicalities and design of the original models that were released years ago. As mentioned above, the El Primero was released in 1969 and it subsequently achieved success because of the thoroughness it offers to wearers. While the line consists of pieces that prove the brand's loyalty to its hallmark, the Zenith El Primero 50th Anniversary collection also has watches that provide enthusiasts a glimpse of Zenith's future. Through this series, you will realize why people continue to patronize Zenith and its amazing products.
One of the most popular models you can opt for is the Zenith El Primero A384 Revival. What's great about this one is that it stayed true to the classic A384 in terms of aesthetics and functionalities. Besides the fact that it comes with a 37mm steel case, it is also equipped with a dial in white color and a sculpted date indication between the 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock position. Moreover, it also has a 12-hour totaliser and a strap made out of alligator leather. This watch will set you back for around $10,000 USD. But if you want something with a more sumptuous look, you can get a stainless steel version (reference number 03.A384.400/21.M384) for $6,500 USD.
Moving on, we have the Zenith El Primero A386 Revival that looks a lot like the A384. The only difference is that this one has tri-colored sub-dials and a tachymetric scale in a milky white color. Moreover, a domed sapphire crystal is what protects the watch and the bloody red seconds hand also serves as its focal point. Its huge crowns and the revered signature at 12 o'clock position also stayed true to the original version of the A386. Inside, it uses a calibre called the El Primero 400, which is the upgraded version of the calibre you will find in the first-ever model. Since you can only find this timepiece in the 50th Anniversary Box Set, along with the Zenith Defy El Primero 21 and Zenith Chronomaster 2.0 El Primero, expect that it comes with a heavy price tag. Being a limited-edition release with only 50 pieces worldwide, the whole set costs $50,000 USD.
Zenith's Milestones and Innovations
The Zenith El Primero Movement
One cannot bring up Zenith's achievements into any horological discussion without mentioning the El Primero calibre. As emphasized above, this movement was introduced in 1969 with an aim to change the watchmaking landscape. Translated from Spanish as "The First", the El Primero deserves its title as the world's first automatic chronograph calibre for a reason. It stands out because of its finesse and slick form, leading to a suave operation and performance. Thanks to its defying and whopping frequency of 36,000 vph, the movement remains superior among the extensive list of automatic calibres we have today. In fact, it is so iconic that even brands like Rolex and Tag Heuer adapted the mechanical system into their watches. This is seen in their Daytona and Carrera Calibre 36 collections, respectively.
The El Primero 21 Calibre
Treated as one of the company's newest accolades, the development of the state-of-the-art El Primero 21 calibre is something that people should not ignore. Released in 2017 at Baselworld, the said movement is the direct successor and latest upgrade of the famous El Primero calibre. According to company officials, this calibre is also 10 times more accurate than its predecessor. With a wheel train that can beat at 36,000 vph as well as an escape wheel that runs at 360,000 vph, the El Primero 21 is surely one of the fiercest and strongest forces in the watchmaking game. These amazing capacities also allow the movement to give a resolution of 1/100th of a second. Above all, it sports a well-executed finish, with the patented balance-springs as its main point.
Bringing Back the Past With the Pilot Collection
An ode to vintage Zenith watches that will never get old — this is what sums up the entire Zenith Pilot collection. It is one of Zenith's notable masterpieces, which reflects the brand's historical ties to aviation. By accompanying Louis Blériot in his voyage to the English skies, the Pilot watch offered became one of the most sought-after models offered by the brand.
From its large Arabic numerals and crowns to its illuminated hour-markers and eye-catching coloured straps, all watches from this series are oozing with regality and peculiarity that will make you want to hoard every single model it offers. Exceptional and handsome watches in this lineup include a Pilot Type 20 Tourbillon, Pilot Type 20 Extra Special, Pilot Type 20 Chronograph as well as the Pilot Cronometro TIPO CP-2. It is highly unusual for a watch label to come up with a collection that signifies diversification at its finest. However, Zenith did this marvelously with this line at question through its watches that give not only a good level of assortment but also unparalleled complications.
Redefining Elegance With the Elite Series
Although seldom placed in the limelight, the Zenith Elite series is simply a sight to behold. This line needs more recognition for it boasts timepieces that are of superior quality. Not only men could benefit from these Elite watches, but also women coming from either the older or younger generations. Significantly, extremely thin movements that are dependable up to its smallest parts are what set it apart. In fact, the 1994 Elite 6150 calibre only has a thickness of 3.92mm, making it the ideal system for watches sporting small cases.
Adding to its grandiose attributes such as having stop-second and second time zone features, the calibre, bearing the same name as the lineup, also has the capacity to preserve power of up to 100 hours. Despite being released years ago, the collection still holds great value because it is the testament to the eminence of Zenith's wondrous watchmaking skills.
The Zenith El Primero Legacy
When talking about Zenith, the El Primero is certainly the first thing that comes to mind. While it is the primary reason behind the company's glory, the El Primero is also its greatest and most precious feat. This is why it is impossible for one to disassociate the pioneer movement to the brand. Their decades worth of history is enough proof of how tight-knit their relationship is.
Comprising two movements namely 3019PHC and 3019PHF, the El Primero has been known for its tri-coloured counters and its smooth-sailing running seconds hand. Moreover, the calibre is also rich in frequency which is why it effortlessly stands out among its other competitors during the 60s such as Seiko's Calibre 6139 and Hamilton-Buren, Breitling, Dubois-Dupraz, and Heuer-Leonidas' Chronomatic invention. Notably, the 6.5 mm-thick chronograph movement has 36,000 vibrations per hour. To emphasize how efficient it is, the El Primero beats faster than Chronomatic and Seiko 6139 with 19,800 vph and 21,600 vph, respectively. This makes it possible to have time intervals measuring up to 1/10 of a second. Adding to its amazing details, the calibre also boasts a power reserve of up to 50 hours.
Among the top Zenith watches that house the El Primero movement at its core are the El Primero Full Open Ref. 03.2081.400/78.C813, Chronomaster El Primero Grande Date Full Open Ref. 03.2530.4047/78.C813, and the new Zenith Defy El Primero 21 Ref. 95.9000.9004/78.M9000. While they sport different case sizes, these watches all have the ability to endure water pressures of up to 100 metres. Other great examples are the Chronomaster El Primero Tourbillon GFJ with reference number 18.2520.4805/98.C713 and the El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th with reference number 03.2062.4057. The first luxury men's watch utilizes an 807-component El Primero hand-wound movement, coupled with the presence of a tourbillon mechanism and power reserve indicator. It was also released in commemoration of the company's founder, Georges Favre-Jacot, who is the mastermind behind all the incredible ideas and innovations Zenith has spread throughout the watchmaking industry. Meanwhile, the latter is more of a sports watch rather than an everyday dress watch. It features a stopwatch seconds hand, a date window, and a black outer minute track, which are all useful for people who want to track time in a proper and effective manner.
Reasons to Buy a Zenith Watch
1. It is more affordable than its competitors in the market.
Compared to Rolex and Patek Philippe, Zenith has a cheaper price point. While it is technically a luxury label, Zenith can also be considered as a brand accessible to all because it offers a diverse range of watches that could fit every lifestyle and budget. Though it may seem off at first, you will realize that the company intentionally made some of their lines cheaper to cater to different people regardless for their social status. They also did this so that consumers will get an equal taste of the superb quality of Zenith watches without worrying about the price tags.
2. The brand offers both timeless designs.
One of the best things about Zenith watches is that they reflect the brand's passion for detail and design. From rugged-looking pieces to watches that scream extravagance and intricacy, Zenith makes sure that everyone would be able to resonate with their collections effortlessly. Its releases are the living testaments to the brand's courage when it comes to exploring possibilities. Moreover, they are also the proof that Zenith was not afraid to experiment and expand their horizons.
3. It sports solid and dependable movements.
The brand excels simply because of their groundbreaking movements such as the El Primero and Elite. Both of them guarantee accurate timekeeping as well as great usability. Zenith's calibres are simply incomparable for they bear certain appeal. For one, they have the capacity to function a rich frequency. Moreover, they also offer superb power reserves, which makes them the ideal companion to every adventure you will conquer. These are the main reasons why Zenith's watches are known to last long despite its slightly low resale value.
The Colorful History of Zenith
The history of this renowned luxury brand started in 1865, when Georges Favre-Jacot instituted his own small company in Le Locle, Switzerland. When he founded this business, he had one goal in mind — to make accurate watches all under one roof. He swayed away from the budding trends during that time, proving that he wants to make a difference in the horology realm. This led to the establishment of the Manufacture, which served as the home for the highly-precise watches and movements you will ever find. Moreover, it also serves as Zenith's official nest for their research and development. In other words, this is where the magic and their pursuit of greatness really happens.
Ever since the foundation of the Manufacture, Zenith consistently left significant marks in the industry with their durable releases and solid achievements. One of which is the pocket chronograph released in 1899. Afterwards, Georges Favre-Jacot won a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition, which led to the expansion of Zenith's manufacturing plant. By 1911, the Manufacture finally adopted the name Zenith, which pertains to the highest point above a particular location or observer on Earth. The name also signifies the brand's continuous commitment to excellence and success. From 1948 onwards, the company attained massive recognition with their avant-garde innovations like the Calibre 135 as well as the El Primero. All in all, Zenith dominated numerous horology events, won 2,333 awards and filed over 300 patents, demonstrating its expertise when it comes to legendary watchmaking. Today, Zenith is headed by the French giant LVMH. Joining them are other eminent names such as TAG Heuer and Hublot.
Famous Patrons of Zenith
Zenith may not immediately ring a bell to common people but this does not mean that it did not bring significant contributions to history. In fact, when you see it in another perspective, Zenith is like a rare gem in the watch world that only people with enough dedication to study the origin and composition of timepieces as well as how they perform will know. Aside from Louis Blériot, there are other big names that have proudly carried Zenith's trademark and legacy on their adventures that certainly changed the world, one way or another.
An A-lister in the skydiving and stunt industry, we have Felix Baumgartner, who loves Zenith timepieces as much as watch connoisseurs do. In 2012, the daredevil dove from the edge of space while riding a helium balloon. With this unprecedented achievement, Baumgartner became the first individual in the world to break the sound barrier even without the support of a vehicular power. While wearing a Zenith watch, he also broke various records in the skydiving landscape such as being the only one in history to achieve the highest freefall. The model that accompanied Baumgartner in the Bull Stratos mission is the Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th. Because of the attention and hard work Zenith poured into making the watch, it came back from the flight with no taint of damage at all. Later on, it also scored the top spot in the GPHG Sports Watch category.
A lot of people immediately recognize the name Mahatma Gandhi — an Indian lawyer and political ethicist, who spearheaded India's independence campaign from Great Britain. He dedicated his life in serving his countrymen and his principles are still being recognised by many up until this present day. While he lived a simple and modest life, Gandhi considers his silver pocket watch as one of his ultimate possessions. This Zenith watch was given to him by his friend Jawaharlal Nehru, who served as India's Prime Minister from 1947 to 1964. Accompanying Gandhi in his most important schedules such as his praying time, the watch has served him a great purpose all throughout his life. That is why when he briefly lost it, he was wrapped in regret and sadness. However, the thief eventually decided to return the watch, much to Gandhi's delight. At present, the said pocket watch is in possession of Vijay Mallya, an Indian billionaire.
Zenith: A Timeless Brand You Can Count On
With over 150 years of heritage, Zenith has been known for manufacturing timepieces, both for men and women, that fuse innovation and tradition all in one. One of its greatest contributions to the entire watch history is their automatic chronographs, measuring time up to 1/10th of a second. Due to its authenticity and great legacy, one cannot simply mention Zenith without its iconic companion, the El Primero. While it may not be as popular as other luxury brands you hear regularly, Zenith stays true to its trademark of being a flexible company through its world-class designs that accentuates their dedication to craftsmanship. Indeed, Zenith is the brand you should definitely keep your eye on.
Lloyd Stevens
Another top Swiss watch contender is Zenith. Zenith watches got started back in 1865. Zenith offers a unique line of watches within four of their awesome collections: Defy, Chronomaster, Elite and Pilot. All four collections have their own creative looks and features, but they all provide wearers with the same comfort and durability.
03.2040.4061/69.M2040
Zenith New


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The Chrysler K Car. Just how exactly did this unassuming boxy little car, literally save the Chrysler Corporation?
By the late 70's, Chrysler was in serious trouble due to mismanagement and poor quality control Though large as ever and quite luxurious, Chrysler products suffered a persistent lack of refinement which led to increasingly reduced market share over the course of the decade. Things went from bad to worse with the introduction of the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare which were rushed into production and suffered a record number of recalls. Chrysler had experienced the same type of massive failure at launch before with the 1957 models. An entire year was cut from the development process resulting in everything from leaky windows to failing suspension components.
The buying public however was much more forgiving in the 1950s and Chrysler regained market share with the much improved product that was introduced the very next year. Unfortunately for Chrysler, by the late 1970's the market was growing intolerant to poor quality and inefficiency. With inflation in the double digits, value for money was essential. Many buyers who had shunned Japanese cars in the past now viewed them as the only alternative to the increasingly poor quality of the US products.
This lack of quality and innovation, combined with improved Foreign competition accelerated Chrysler's path to financial devastation. As a stopgap measure, Chrysler re-badged Mitsubishi products and marketed them to compete with foreign rivals. It helped, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide. Chrysler also introduced reworked versions of the European market Horizon. Built on the L platform, these models were well received but also could not right the sinking ship.
When Chrysler approached the US government for a bailout, President Carter refused so long as the current management team was still in place. Chrysler's future seemed Dim. The ghosts of repeated past failures were finally taking their toll. The failure of the Chrysler Corporation would have had a devastating impact and not only for the company and its employees. In fact, the national security of the United States was at risk as Chrysler held several important military contracts. Fortunately for Chrysler, Henry Ford II had recently fired someone who could definitely make a difference.
It wasn't long before Lee Iacocca was offered the leadership position at Chrysler and accepted. Shortly after taking the reins of the Chrysler Corporation, Iacocca made an impassioned plea to the US government for billion dollars in government-backed loans. Upon reviewing the three-year business strategy Iacocca had developed, the government-backed loans were approved. So successful was Iacocca's plan, the loans were paid back seven years early and the government earned approximately five hundred million dollars on the deal. So, what was responsible for this phenomenal turnaround? The Chrysler K Car was actually already in development when Iacocca was brought on board to rescue Chrysler.
Iacocca had been cutting costs in a number of ways including layoffs, selling off European operations and renegotiating labor contracts. He then turned his attention to the K Car project insisting the platform be as versatile as possible and host the widest possible array the configurations. The K Car program also emphasized space efficiency. The overall length was reduced to 179 inches from 206 inches for Chrysler's previous smallest model. The foreign competition had a reputation for extremely high quality and Iacocca made it clear to those involved in the K Car program he expected a quality product. Durability testing was essential.
Every effort was also made to reduce the number of unique components between individual models. Essentially, the goal was to make each model variant as unique as possible visually while sharing the maximum number of components under the skin. The K Car finally launched in 1980 and the quality push was a success with no major recalls. Engine choices consisted of a liter Chrysler 4 cylinder, which offered increasingly more potent turbocharged options over the years. A slightly larger Mitsubishi engine was also offered which happened to feature a hemispherical combustion chamber. Chrysler's advertising department quickly realized this was an opportunity to capitalize on Chrysler's Hemi powered past and slapped Hemi Badges on all Mitsubishi powered models. initial sales were sluggish and it wasn't until Iacocca himself got in front of the camera things really turned a corner. "If you can find a better car, buy it!" Legendary actor Ricardo Montalban was also brought on board to sell the virtues of Chrysler's rich Corinthian leather which was really just a made a term for leather produced in New Jersey. Many customers liked what they saw when they arrived in the showrooms.
The modern front-wheel drive layout afforded plenty of interior space for such a drastically downsized car. Within only two years, the unassuming little K Car and all it's variants accounted for 50% of Chrysler's operating profits. Chrysler was saved. The first of those variants would arrive in 1982 as the Chrysler LeBaron coupe, convertible, wagon and sedan. The Lebaron models added a more upscale alternative to the basic transportation aesthetic the K Cars offered.
The convertible in particular was huge news as convertibles were thought to have gone extinct in the 70's. It was constructed by cutting the roof off a coupe and adding structural members to the floor pan. Also introduced in 1982 was the Chrysler Town and Country editions which featured simulated woodgrain panels. These woodgrain panels were another attempt to recall Chrysler's glory years of the past. Designer Mark Cross was commissioned to design optional interiors that were rich in color and appeared of high quality. The Dodge 400 was yet another variant introduced in the Chrysler k Car 's sophomore year. The 400 was essentially a decontented LeBaron but it did gain several upgrades such as revised suspension geometry and increased sound isolation thanks to a redesigned firewall. 1982 also brought the Volare and Dart names back in the way of rebadged K Car models for the Mexican and Canadian markets. Two of the more interesting variants of the K Car platform were introduced in 1983. The Chrysler executive sedan and limousine both were built by the ASC corporation and featured a 24 inch stretch for the executive sedan and a 31 inch stretch for the limousine. 1983 also saw the introduction of the Chrysler New Yorker, Chrysler E Class and dodge 600 sedan.
The New Yorker and other well equipped models offered many new electronic features such as the electronic voice alert system, digital instrumentation and a trip computer. The Voice alert system utilized Texas Instruments technology which happened to be very similar technology to that used in the Speak & Spell toy many children of the 80's will remember. The new E Class was essentially a de-contented version of the upscale New Yorker. it was intended as a direct replacement for the Newport. The Dodge 600 sedan was offered as a sporty alternative to other K Car variants. It's rear styling was intended to resemble models from Mercedes. A coupe and convertible version of the 600 were introduced in 1984. 1984 actually turned out to be a very big year for Chrysler. Flush with cash from several very successful years of sales, Chrysler invested heavily into further expanding K Car variations. 1984 saw the introduction of the Chrysler Laser and Dodge Daytona. These cars completely shed the boxy K car styling while maintaining the same basic underpinnings and they sold reasonably well. The biggest news however for 1984 was the introduction of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager minivans. These minivans were the ultimate illustration of just how versatile the K car platform was.
They kick started a revolution that Chrysler maintains a big presence in to this day. 1985 was the year the Chrysler LeBaron GTS and Dodge Lancer were introduced. These models featured completely new styling and were much rounder and sleeker than most of the K car variants that came before them. Some customers were confused by the LeBaron badge however as it was also still in use on non GTS models that were essentially unchanged from the 1982 models. A slew of new variants was introduced for 1987, including the high performance Shelby Lancer, the Dodge Shadow, Plymouth Sundance, a sleek new LeBaron coupe and convertible and the new Shelby CSX. Carroll Shelby was an old friend of Lee Iacocca who had helped infuse the original Mustang with genuine performance and he was all too happy to help out with Iacocca's K Car. While the '87 models focused on performance, the '88 models brought new levels of luxury. New models for 1988 included the Dodge Dynasty and two additional versions of The New Yorker. In the spirit of as many variations on a single theme as possible, the New Yorker was now offered as The New Yorker turbo, (which was essentially the car introduced in 1984), as well as the standard New Yorker and the New Yorker Landau.
The standard New Yorker and New Yorker Landau now rode on the K car derived C platform and offered a slightly longer wheelbase and exterior dimensions. With model year 1989 came the introduction of the Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim. These models were essentially replacements for the original basic K Car offerings. Though still heavily based on K car underpinnings and mechanical components, exterior styling was completely new and far more contemporary. 1989 was also the year the most exotic variant of the K car by far was introduced, the Chrysler TC by Maserati. Many people forget there was a connection between the humble K Car and the exotic Maserati brand. This however is a little easier to fathom when reminded of Chrysler's ownership of Maserati. At the time, Lee Iacocca and Italian designer Alejandro De Tomaso were old friends from their Ford days and collaborated to transform a heavily revised LeBaron GTC convertible into the Chrysler TC. The Chrysler TC actually turned out to be a rare misstep in a long line of successful K car variants. No amount of high quality leather and genuine wood could convincingly hide the humble K car origins.
The New Yorker Salon was introduced in 1990 as a replacement for the one year only New Yorker Turbo. It was essentially a Chrysler version of the Dodge Dynasty and differed considerably from other New Yorkers. The Chrysler Fifth Avenue was migrated to the K Car derived Y body platform in 1990. The Y body variant of the K Car platform featured the longest wheelbase yet at 1inches. This marked the end of the line for the venerable M body which had been around since 1977. 1990 also saw the return of the Imperial name plate, a name first used by Chrysler all the way back in 1926. Imperial had been absent in the lineup since 1983. The imperial featured a more sloped front end and unique rear styling that set it apart from the lesser Fifth Avenue. Next to the TC, this was the most luxurious K car variant produced. The final derivative of the K Car platform were the second generation minivans which would soldier on until 1995.
And that is the story of the Chrysler K Car. In total there were 12 platform variations underpinning nearly 50 models. It has been said that no other single product changed so completely the fortunes of a single company as the K Car. The simple concept of one shared basic platform with distinct exterior styling for each variant was a formula for success and it is one copied by most modern auto manufacturers today, And of course much credit is owed to legendary Lee Iacocca. Without him, it is unlikely the K Car would have even seen production and Chrysler very well could have been but another automotive footnote in history.
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Working World
Careers in International Education, Exchange, and Development
Nov620096:16 pm
Why Penelope Trunk is really, really wrong
by Mark Overmann
When she gives her four reasons why traveling is a waste of time. Where do I even begin…
It was shocking to both me and my friend Joanne at Rogue Stampede (who first alerted me to this article and at whose blog this has been cross-posted) that a prominent Gen-Y career coach was pontificating such an insular opinion, especially in light of the U.S.' strengthened push for soft power in the Obama era. I'm also astounded that Ms. Trunk, as a professional career guide, so discounts (or just fails to recognize) travel, international and intercultural competency, and linguistic skills as important 21st century career competencies. ALL careers these days (not just those I blog about) are international to some degree, and the sooner her readers understand this and equip themselves with the skills they'll need to succeed in a global economy, the better off they'll be. I'm afraid Ms. Trunk might eventually get left behind if she isn't able to shake this insular outlook and apparent fear of that which isn't right beside her.
But let's pump the brakes for just a second. As Joanne mentioned in our discussion about this, other people's lives and decisions are not for us to judge. If someone wishes not to travel and to remain close to home, that is their decision and there is nothing wrong with this. In the same way, those who do love to travel should be permitted to do so judgment-free, yet also have no right to view themselves as better or superior to those who don't travel (everyone who's traveled has been at some point at least a bit guilty of feeling better than the bumpkins who haven't been where they've been).
Cut to a scene from last Sunday's episode of Mad Men: When discussing the pompous, I'm-so-cultured opinions of someone who had done a lot traveling, one character commented: "Just because she's been to India doesn't mean she's not stupid." Beautifully said and that sums it up: Just because you've been on an airplane a few times and eaten some weird food doesn't give you permission to act like a know-it-all jackass.
That said, I fervently believe the benefits of travel to an individual, both personally and professionally, are far too great and real for Ms. Trunk to so casually dismiss to her readers. Let's start with her gross generalizations about culture. She says that you don't need to leave the U.S. to find cultures different than your own. This is certainly true, but you do need to travel to fully engage and understand them. It is true that I can experience something about, say, the black culture of Baltimore by reading Ta-Nehisi Coates or having a beer with someone who grew up in West Baltimore. It is also true that I can experience something about Ethiopian and Eritrean culture by going to the 9th and U, NW, area in DC, known as "Little Ethiopia," and eating a meal or talking to a cabbie. But these experiences cannot possibly be as powerful, formative, or true as actually traveling to those places. Is meeting someone from West Baltimore near your home and talking about black culture the same experience as actually walking the streets where he grew up and visiting his family? Is eating tibs and injera in downtown DC the same as eating them in downtown Addis Ababa? While the vicarious experiences we may have with other cultures near our home will be informative to some degree, to pretend that this is the same as actually going to a place and immersing ourselves in that culture is lazy and disengenous.
I was also intrigued by Ms. Trunk's thought that it's not culture that separates us, it's economics. Jews, South Africans, French—as long as we're from the same economic status, we're the same, she intimates. She didn't get along with those pesky farm kids in France, but the city kids were "just like" her. This argument strikes me as shallow and completely unthought-out. While the city kids in France may have been more socio-economically in line with her, did she really believe that this made them just like her? That there were no cultural differences between them? Did the notion that she was speaking French or (more likely) they were speaking English ever strike her as an obvious and smacking (cultural) difference between them? What about the cheek kisses in lieu of handshakes? The small coffees instead of the big Americanos? Long lunches and late, even longer dinners? I would imagine these were more annoyances to Ms. Trunk than cultural differences worthy of particpating in and trying to understand.
While one benefit of traveling and interacting with those from a different place is precisely that we do get to break down the walls of difference and see the similarities we have, it's just silly to say that we don't have cultural differences, only economic ones. Seems to me that this view is completely ignoring the fact that a whole host of factors contribute to our individual identities: national culture and socio-economic are two, but there are many more—and the mix for each person is unique and impossible to quantify. As Joanne recently wrote so eloquently on her own blog, "I am Singaporean, but I am also my own person, not a mere reproduction of my cultural background." I think "cultural" here could be replaced with any number of other words ("racial," "economic," "religious") and the statement would apply to all of us, no matter where we're from.
Next point. Ms. Trunk writes: "People who love their lives don't leave." Are we supposed to take this as a serious thought? Does she really believe all travel is about abandonment and running away? What if people love a life of visiting new places and meeting new people and experiencing new things? That's exactly why I got into the business I'm in. I remember my dad saying, right before I left to live in China: "I'd feel a lot better if you just stayed here." But for me, that wasn't the case. He wanted me to stay in what he viewed as a comfortable place: my hometown, Cincinnati, working for a corporate real estate office. To me, this was the exact opposite of comfortable or a life I would love. For me, the comfortable thing to do—the thing that made me love my life far more than I did before—was to go to China, was to travel. We all have our preferences—some of us want to wander, some of us don't. As I said before, no shame in either one. But for Ms. Trunk to say that one can only fashion a life they love by remaining in the exact same place and doing the exact same things over and over and never leaving it? I believe this to be a little silly at best, and willfully ignorant at worst. I love my girlfriend and my cat and my job, and I enjoy a good downward facing dog as much as the next person. But I also love to get on a plane and end up in New Delhi—because that is excitement to me. That is living. That is creating a life I love.
Ms. Trunk also believes it's more "effective" to revel in the sameness of your daily existence than travel some place new to experience the vibrancy of a wholly unique place, culture, people, and life. I won't argue that staying at home and fully realizing the beauty and complexity of the place in which you live is a bad thing. In fact, this is probably something more of us should take the time to do. But in no way will travel not help you see the world differently than before. In fact, it's by traveling, by taking ourselves outside of those places we live and come to know so well (and often take for granted) that we are able to fully realize their beauty and complexity. It's the same way that one only truly realizes what it means to be an American (or a Singaporean or an Ethiopian) when they travel outside of their homeland and are able to view their home country, culture, and people from a completely and totally different perspective.
Travel is not about running away. People don't plan trips only when their lives are shit and changes need to be made, but instead of facing those changes and challenges, they flee (I wonder how much the Eat Pray Love mentality is affecting Ms. Trunk's view here). Travel for many is about the vitality of the experience. It's about the newness of the place and the people and the food. It's about the anticipation of the trip—the planning, the reading, the preparation for what you may encounter. It's about the experience in the moment—the new sights, the new sounds, the new scents, the new flavors. It's about doing those things you always wanted to do—and going with the flow when you're pulled along on adventures that you couldn't possibly plan. It's about returning to the comforting embrace of home, sharing your photos and stories with friends, reliving the best moments, telling the horror stories of the worst, all the while teaching those around you a little bit about a place you've just been.
This is the beauty of travel to me, and if Ms. Trunk's grown this sour on it, then I feel bad for her. I encourage her to plan a trip abroad to somewhere she's always wanted to go (I know there's at least one place) and when she returns, I'd be interested to know if she feels any different.
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2 Responses to "Why Penelope Trunk is really, really wrong"
"Travelling is a fool's paradise." | Working World says:
[...] a devil's advocate-like follow up to last week's take on why travel really, really isn't a waste of time, a few quotes from some luminaries on why, sometimes, it can be better to stay at home and how what [...]
Why Penelope Trunk is really, really wrong « Rogue Stampede | Theatre, Public Diplomacy and then some. says:
[...] of Working World and blogger at Working World Careers "guest blogs" (or rather cross-posts) in response to Penelope Trunk's provocative article: 4 Reasons Travelling is a Waste of [...]
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