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Archive for Narrative structure
Game of Thrones 1-7 Rewatch
I just finished my full binge rewatch of all seven existing seasons of Game of Thrones — in preparation, of course, for the April debut of the final season. I wanted to offer some thoughts on the show as a whole, instead of the detailed episode by episode analysis I usually do. Bear in mind that I've watched many of these episodes 6-8 times (particularly the first 2-3 seasons) and read the books 3 times. However, it's been 3 or 4 years since I did a big watch on the show, maybe a bit more, so it wasn't too fresh (a good thing). Seasons 6 and 7 I only watched once previously when they were released (with maybe an episode or two watched twice).
I'll just make a series of observations based on this watch. It took me about 4 weeks to view all 67 episodes (Feb 13 – Mar 18, 2019). There were a couple big binges in there, particularly season 7 which was all one day.
It's hard to say if GOT or Buffy the Vampire Slayer is now my favorite television show of all time. Let's just call them tied. Clearly GOT is far less dated but 7 full watches later Buffy is still a work of art. The slot just below them goes to Madmen.
You can really feel the budget ratchet up, particularly starting with season 4. Big events in season 1 and 2, namely the large scale battles, feel skimpy by the standards we have grown accustomed to. For example, Tyrion's season 1 battle and the Battle of the Whispering Wood and even the season 2 Battle of Blackwater Bay. Large scale (CG) troop action is avoided for cost reasons. In the first few seasons some FX shots look a bit fake whereas they are seamless from season 4 on. An example would be Dany and her dragons at the end of season 1 or her "destruction" of the House of the Undying in season 2.
GRRM's general pattern of oscillating the fortunes of each character in a slightly random sinusoidal pattern is more evident (and just as brilliant) when taken in bulk. Take a major character like Tyrion. His fortunes rise, hit setbacks, rise, then fall, then rise, then fall. Each of these individual notes (given the number of characters) combines in an orchestra like effect to form the whole.
He also really knows how to put characters to the test with really tough choices. They are often really really difficult. From Jaime's simple choice in episode 1 to be caught with Cersei or push Bran out the window to Theon's torturous decision as to whether to stay at Winterfell and die vs crawl home a coward. Each major character is confronted again and again with these breaking points.
As with the books, Season 1 still has the most dramatic and complex narrative. Really A Game of Thrones is a near perfect novel. GRRM's ability to introduce such a vast range of characters, detailed world, and tell such a complex story is brilliant. Dany's narrative in S1 / AGOT mirrors the whole season and is perfect rise and fall and rebirth.
Season 2 and to a slightly lessor extent 3 suffer the most relative to the books. A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords are nearly as good as A Game of Thrones and yet much larger. Compressing these two chunks of the narrative into one season each, when it probably needed 2.5-3 total makes season 2 in particular feel rushed. Watching it as a binge it's less noticeable, but there is a lot of good stuff touched on, but not fully realized.
If seasons 1-3 are probably slightly inferior to the books, seasons 4-6 generally handle the material from A Feast of Crows and A Dance of Dragons better than the source novels. Both these novels suffer from terrible editing of the different narrative streams and the addition of useless and boring POV characters like Damphair and the forgotten extra heirs (2 sets?) who travel to Dany and get torched. Yes, the show's Dorne narrative is weak, but at least it's pretty short and gives Jaime and Bronn some banter.
Season 7 was better on this rewatch and felt a bit less rushed.
Still there were some stupid decisions like the whole idiot plan to grab a live wight (losing the dragon).
Also the narrative attempt to "fool" us with regard to Sansa and Arya's relationship felt forced and an unusual distortion of the usually straightforward (show) POV.
The season is nearly one continuous set of character reunions / dramatic first meetings (heroes and villains alike). But they nearly all work — even the "band of brothers" north of the wall.
The binge watching helps to smooth over the uneven episode presence of different characters. For example, Dany often disappears for an episode or two, particularly in season 2 or 3. Watched week to week this is very noticeable but all together not a big deal.
GOT has a tremendous number of characters and we can break them into a few tiers: A level (book POV characters like Dany, Jon, Tyrion, Arya, Sansa, Ned, Theon, Cersei, Davos, Jamie etc), B level (extremely important non POV characters like the Hound, Drogo, Littlefinger, Varys, Jorah, Ygritte, Tywin, the Red Lady), C level (memorable minor characters like Ser Roderick, Jaqen H'ghar, Gendry, the Sand Snakes, etc), and D level bit players. The books have vastly more C and D level characters. The show generally merges and minimizes many of the D level characters and promotes nearly everyone in the C and B level upward.
Even the A characters have their narratives smoothed out. Due to a combination of Martin's heavy POV style and his terrible breakdown for books 4 and 5 (discussed a bit here) the "pacing" of the individual character narratives is much better in the show. A perfect example would be Theon. He's more or less always present in the show, even if his role in the first half of season 1 is minor. In the books, after his capture by Ramsay, he just vanishes for several books, then reappears in a narrative trick much later. The reconstruction of the Reek narrative over seasons 3 and 4 bridges this and keeps him relevant.
B level characters of high importance like the Hound, Littlefinger, Varys, Jorah, Bronn etc get a huge promotion and much more development than in the books where the gap between POV and not POV is tremendous. A role for them is often found in parts of the story where Martin left them out.
The ability of actors to add depth even during short performances (for example, Syrio Forel — but there are many others) breaths life into some of the C level characters. Others are are merged or given more involved stories like Gendry.
Some of the irrelevant D level characters like those in the one off POV prologues lose out — but this is a wise choice.
Occasional weird recasting:
The Mountain (3 actors!) is poorly handled (in season 2). Actors 1 and 3 are more or less interchangeable, but the decision to go with a tall skinny guy for season 2 sucks and would almost certainly make novice viewers not even realize this incarnation of the character is the same person.
The Dario recasting is odd too, although I like the second Dario better.
Bran ages the most poorly of all the characters. He just looks (and once he's the raven) acts so different. I know this later is on purpose, but you do feel like you've lost him.
It's amazing how much emotional impact some characters that have very little overall time in the narrative have, for example Ned, Robert, Oberyn, and even Viserys.
Because I watch a TON of British period television, I constantly notice how GOT uses nearly every common BBC actor. Even minor little ones. And of course the batch overlap with certain shows like Rome (Mance, Ellaria Sand, Tobias Menzies), Skins (Gendry, Gilly), Iron Fist (Loras, Nym) and I'm sure more.
There are a couple of oddball castings/performances:
Mace Tyrell is so broad and comic
The Sand Snakes are so lame, particularly Obara. And I love Jessica Henwick in the Iron Fist — but she's lame here. Speaking of, early (more swishy) Loras and Danny Rand are barely recognizable as the same actor.
The "sexposition" ratchets down after the first few seasons, although there is still some tendency to throw in gratuitous nudity even in later seasons. By gratuitous, I'm not talking about the love scenes, but for example, in the Season 6, the theatrical troupe is half naked back stage (and a bit on stage). Not that I mind, but in a mixed gender setting this would never happen in the middle ages — East or West. Perhaps among slaves in the ancient world.
Because Croatia (namely Dubrovnik and Split and environs) feature so prominently as filming locations, all/most of the cities have a seaside that looks a bit Adriatic. Or Irish (like in the case of Pyke). Or Spanish (Dragonstone, Dorne). This leads Kings Landing, Bravos, and Meereen to have some considerable overlap in visual style, particularly with the coastal view, general terrain, and grey stone streets. If they had shot Meereen in the middle east or something this could have been avoided, but the show has a lot of filming locations as it is.
GOT borrows liberally from all across history. A bit of history's great hits. George R. R. Martin does it in the books and the show does it even more (as it continues the trend on a visual and stylistic level). The series is rife with out of time historical borrows/allusions. Below are a few ancient references repurposed into this largely medieval setting:
Arya's presenting Frey with the pie containing his sons' is reminiscent of Herodotus describing the Persian king Cambyses as serving his enemies their dead children.
The Titan of Bravos is borrowed from the Colossus of Rhodes.
The architectural style of Old Town's Citadel is copied directly from the Lighthouse of Alexandria (a second wonder of the Ancient World).
As many of the scenes were filmed in the Palace of Diocletian, they have a Roman feel. As does the Dragonpit which is obviously old Roman construction because of the telltale Roman brickwork (looking it up, it's a Roman amphitheater in Seville).
Slavers bay feels vaguely Babylonian — the harpies subbing in for winged bulls and the like.
The Dothraki are of course an amalgamation of steppe people like the Mongols and Huns. There have been steppe cavarly armies sense early antiquity and they posed a constant threat to city people until the invention of small (gunpowder) arms. At least one of the Dothraki "flavor" conversations is borrowed from Gibbon's description of statements allegedly made by Atilla.
or all my Game of Thrones posts or episode reviews:
Season 1: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
Season 2: [11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20]
Season 6: [51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57]
Game of Thrones – Episode 11
Game of Thrones – Episode 4
More Game of Thrones CGI
Posted in: Television
Tagged as: a game of thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Throne, George R. R. Martin, got, HBO, Narrative structure, Television
Title: Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc
Author: Dara Marks
Genre: Writing Guide
Read: Oct 22 – Nov 3, 2011
Summary: Best book I've read on character arcs.
I've been finishing up my fourth (and hopefully final) draft on my new book Untimed. In discussing the previous draft with one of my writer friends he recommended this book on writing. It's aimed at screenwriters, but while the mediums are different, there are a lot of commonalities — stories are still stories.
The Inside Story deals with character and structure, and the relationship between these and theme. I've read a lot of books on writing in general and story structure in particular, and this is certainly the best on the subject of the transformational arc. It has certain overlapping information with Save the Cat (reviewed here) — but the style is radically different and more serious.
Inside Story focuses very clearly and with no bullshit on the basics of film structure. The A Story forms the external plot, the B story the internal challenge of the protagonist (usually hindered by a fatal flaw in opposition of the story theme) and the C story is contains the relationship challenges required to solve the internal conflicts, and then change enough to overcome the external ones. This book walks through each stage of the arc both in the abstract and specific, using three consistent film examples (Romancing the Stone, Lethal Weapon, and Ordinary People).
It's clear after reading this that the deficit in many films is a lack of proper arc and thematic development. Sometimes even good (but not great) films forget this key component. Speed is a good example. It's a well executed and watchable film, but it fails to really have any arc or theme. Unless you consider "Jack must stop the bomber" to be a theme. There's no development. Jack stops the bomber by way of guts, determination, and cleverness — all of which he possesses at the start of the film. He really doesn't have to learn any lesson. The film gets by by way of excellent execution and casting. Lethal Weapon, however, is a character driven (even if intense) action film. No one remembers the specifics of the drug dealer plot. They remember Mel Gibson and Danny Glover's characters. And they remember them because they actually have problems they learn to overcome (which incidentally also helps them stop the bad guys).
So how does all of this apply to my novel? Or so I asked myself as I read. Untimed does have a fairly clean three act structure. It does have a character who needs to change in order to overcome his antagonist. C story solves B story solves A story. But on the other hand, I didn't conceive of the book originally with a clear "theme" in mind, the protagonists issues are not structurally in opposition to this theme (what theme I have, organically grown), and the intensity of suffering is muted by a sometimes light tone. Does this matter? Perhaps less in a novel. Even less in an action novel. Even less in a series book. It's perhaps this neat and packaged arc that makes so many great films difficult to sequel. If the character has already changed, it's hard to make him change again. All too often the studio/writers attempt to regress the protagonist in a sequel, to undo and then redo the conflicts that made the first film great (Die Hard 2!). The best sequels, films like Terminator 2 or Aliens, change up the formula and give the character something new to overcome. Still, it's really really hard to do this three times. Can anyone even think of a stand alone movie where the third installment is great? And Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban doesn't count, even if it is the best of the eight films.
In fact, this leads me to the interesting observation that not only do individual Harry Potter books have very weak arcs, but even the entire series doesn't cover much emotional transformation. How is Harry (or Ron or Hermione) terribly different at the end of book 1? Even at book 7? I mean as people, not in terms of circumstance, which is only the A story. The answer is "not very different." Yeah, they grow up a bit, but there is no fundamental quality that they gain which isn't present in book 1. Still, these are good books. Some of them are even great books (like the first and third). So go figure.
For more posts on writing, click here.
Or for my full list of book reviews.
Short Story: The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate
Book and Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Save the Cat – To Formula or Not To Formula
Inside Game of Thrones
Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing
Posted in: Books, Untimed, Writing
Tagged as: 3 Act Structure, Book Review, Character arc, Danny Glover, Dara Marks, Fiction, Harry Potter, Inside Story, Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc, Literature, Mel Gibson, Narrative structure, Plot (narrative), Romancing the Stone, Story Structure, Three-act structure, Transformational Arc, Writers Resources, Writing


Company formation in India, Indian Tax Return & NRI Legal Services - Did you Know ?
Please refer to paragraph 4 of our circular DBOD.Dir.BC.42/13.03.00/ 2011-12 dated October 25, 2011 on Deregulation of Savings Bank Deposit Interest Rate and paragraph 1 of our circular DBOD.Dir.BC.59/13.03.00/2011-12 dated November 23, 2011 on Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and FCNR (B) Deposits.
2. With a view to providing greater flexibility to banks in mobilising non-resident deposits and also in view of the prevailing market conditions, it has been decided to deregulate interest rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts (the interest rates on term deposits under Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts are already deregulated). Accordingly, banks are free to determine their interest rates on both savings deposits and term deposits of maturity of one year and above under Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposit accounts and savings deposits under Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts with immediate effect. However, interest rates offered by banks on NRE and NRO deposits cannot be higher than those offered by them on comparable domestic rupee deposits.
3. Prior approval of the Board/Asset Liability Management Committee (if powers are delegated by the Board) may be obtained by a bank while fixing interest rates on such deposits. At any point of time, individual banks should offer uniform rates at all their branches.
4. The revised deposit rates will apply only to fresh deposits and on renewal of maturing deposits. Further, banks should closely monitor their external liability arising on account of such deregulation and ensure asset-liability compatibility from systemic risk point of view.
5. An amending directive DBOD.Dir.BC. 63 /13.03.00/2011-12 dated December 16, 2011 is enclosed.


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Starseed Pilgrim •
Wot I Think: Starseed Pilgrim
scaffolding against the sky
former Deputy Editor
19th April 2013 / 9:00PM
I didn't know a great deal about Starseed Pilgrim until its Steam release a couple of days ago. I thought it was a puzzle game. I knew it had bemused John. I was vaguely aware that clever people were urging others to play it and to talk about it. For the last seventy two hours it has dominated my waking thoughts and infiltrated my dreams. It's a challenging, perplexing game set in a strange space that is illuminated by frequent sparks of genius.
Starseed Pilgrim has made a fool of me. It's not because it left me to explore and learn the rules of an abstract universe all by myself, and it's not because I'm still finding new confusions, even at the point where I thought I'd mastered all of its processes and problems. No. Starseed Pilgrm's biggest challenge, for me, is a critical one. What to say about a game that would be better passed from hand to hand at bizarre conventions, residing on an unmarked disc with no readme.txt and no explanation. I'd gladly forbid people from trying to explain what they've experienced to newcomers because the joy is in the discoveries.
I'm not talking about conventional spoilers here – you're not going to find out that Barry Gubbins kills Gertrude who is in fact Barry's pet dog from an alternate dimension, wearing a wig – I'm talking about things that actually matter.
With that in mind, it's tempting to declare that 'you have to experience it for yourself' without further explanation, but that'd make me a snooty self-appointed curator who just wants to sit in a corner, polishing his canon. Therefore, in the next two paragraphs I'll lay out the basics. If you're happy to go in completely blind, skip forward and start reading again after the next screenshot, but I'm not going to include any information that you won't receive in the first few minutes of playing.
Following a brief introduction, in which fragments of narrative assistance are partially obscured from view, Starseed Pilgrim drops the player onto a block, surrounded by empty space. At the bottom of the block is a star that is emitting a darkness, blotches of jet black, like pustules, spreading into the surrounding squares and infecting them. Eventually, everything will have been consumed by the darkness and, if it touches the pilgrim, your tiny avatar atop the cube, then what? It looks like corruption, death, emptiness. Best to stay away. And since there's nowhere to run and you can't jump very far, you'll have to make new structures to carry you into the gap. The only way to do that is to start planting your seeds.
Apart from the cube, the darkness and the pilgrim, the screen contains one other piece of information. Seeds, three of them, hovering above the pilgrim's head. They're colour-coded and (optionally) vary in shape to assist the colour-blind but the only way to understand the code, to understand how they change each other and the environment, is to play the game. They look like the fruits revolving inside a one-armed bandit and when one is planted, blocks are etched from it, extending into the environment. Then another takes its place in the queue until the entire collection is depleted. I've given the seeds names – 'drippy, gloopy bastard' being a favourite – but I had to understand them first. Their utility is hidden, like most things. Step off the edge and you'll soon realise that there are whole worlds to discover.
Starseed Pilgrim throws its abstractions into the player's face like a glass of cold water. Even trying to work out the game's objective is a question for later, because the first question may well be 'is there an objective at all'? The combination of apparently procedural growth patterns and audio creation led me to believe I'd been dropped in a block-based sandbox, but scratching at the edges of the pit soon reveals other playful frameworks in the distance. Climbing frames, like scaffolding against the sky.
I've often played a game and considered it to be a great example of the ludic arts, a construction of code that relies on the interplay between player and systems to achieve much of its meaning. It's rare to find a game that doesn't include diversions, obstructions and distractions between the player and its core mechanics. The player often finds the creators on hand to provide a guided tour of the systems – we converse with them almost as much as with the thing they have constructed. I've never met Ian Chess, creator of Chess, but I can recognise the brilliance of his game's mechanics without knowing about the story he wanted to tell or the political point he was trying to make. Starseed Pilgrim is similar, though with the added mysteries and potential for obfuscation supplied by code and computation. While discovering the game's complexities and beauty, I feel like I'm cutting out the middle-man and communicating directly with the machine.
That doesn't mean the game is cold. I've sworn at the screen, marvelled at the sights and laughed at my predicament, as I plant the wrong seed in the wrong place and end up stranded on a space-bridge, stuck between the stars as the void closes in. I have focus now, sensing that I'm close to some sort of ending but still unsure what that might entail, or even if there really is such a thing, but I've also spent hours creating patterns and song, occasionally stumbling across a fragment of meaning.
If you fear, as I did, that Starseed Pilgrim might be a confusion of blobs and blocks, impossible to decipher without a degree in cryptology and intended to make its devotees feel superior to ordinary folk, then put those fears to rest. After half an hour, perhaps double that at most, you'll have discovered the first clues, the edges of the framework, and it's then that the realisation sets in – this isn't really a puzzle game, or at least not entirely a puzzle game, because it's also a creative canvas, a sci-fi thriller, a musical meditation and an occasionally frantic chase across space. It has improvised rhythms and sequences, near misses and anguished failures, but it also has something of PixelJunk Eden's sense of relaxed botanical playground.
This morning, as I played into the small hours, I found something at the periphery of what I knew that introduced new doubts about the pilgrim's purpose. It unnerved me far more than a flailing monster mash ever could, thereby adding yet another response to the mix. That's the flow of Starseed Pilgrim – it acts, you respond, then you act and it responds, both changing as each fragment plays out. It's a conversation with few words but a great deal of power and while it may not be all things to all men, it'll mean a huge amount to a great many.
Starseed Pilgrim is available now. You can purchase it in a collection with three other Droqen games for $10 or solo for $6.
Tagged with droqen, feature, wot i think, Starseed Pilgrim.
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Microsoft@SourceForge and More Software Patents Poison
Posted in Courtroom, Deception, Free/Libre Software, Microsoft, Patents at 4:30 am by Dr. Roy Schestowitz
Microsoft Poisons Free Software from the Inside
SourceForge seems determined to find out just how 'risky' Free software is.
Welcome Microsoft, which has been getting cosy with SourceForge lately [1, 2]. Some months ago we warned about it. The old analysis still stands and the The Register took note.
Co-incidentally, or not, Microsoft – who has a schizophrenic relationship with open source when it comes to the subject of intellectual property in free and open source software – is sponsoring the poll.
One wonders what diamond-level sponsor Microsoft might feel about this, given its own sense of software manifest destiny and, ahem, "concerns" over IP in open source software.
Microsoft is still trying to broadcast the message that users of Free software (e.g. from SourceForge) are at risk. It's about as bad as those anti-GNU/Linux advertisements Microsoft puts in NewsForge. Is it really sponsorship or a licence to ruin?
"Using the language of money, they try to get FOSS to publicly acknowledge guilt and repel prospective customers."What an evil yet elegant way of spreading FUD. Instead of coming from the outside to accuse Free software of not honouring intellectual monopolies, Microsoft pays some money for an open source Web site to shoot itself in the foot with FUD directed against itself. Using the language of money, they try to get FOSS to publicly acknowledge guilt and repel prospective customers.
We shall return to this in the future.
More Software Patents
We have already discussed one of the greatest insults to the USPTO. It's known as the "JPEG on a Web page" patent [1, 2] It's not just GIF that requires PNG (PNG is Not GIF) and perhaps it's dangerous to even put a picture — any picture — on a Web page these days. Either way, watch what has happened with this JPEG patent owner.
Owner Of Infamous JPEG Patent Tries To Line Jump The Re-Exam Process
You may recall the infamous "JPEG patent" we've talked about recently. It's the one that patent attorney Ray Niro, about whom the phrase "patent troll" was initially coined, has used to sue all sorts of critics or companies he doesn't appear to like.
We wrote about Ray Niro before [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 8, 9, 10]. He should really be kept behind bars, along with the likes of Carl Icahn. Sadly, the current law is dysfunctional, so these people not behind bars.
Another obscure company called WordLogic decided to attack with a patent that it hadn't even received. What would make a better target than a wealthy and luxurious Mercedes-Benz?
WLGC: Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Mercedes-Benz USA
The company through its wholly owned subsidiary 602531 British Columbia Ltd., which holds the Company's patent and patent pending portfolio, will be seeking damages for patent infringement for use of their car navigation system in certain 2007, 2008, and 2009 Mercedes-Benz models under US Patent No. 7293231 titled "DATA ENTRY FOR PERSONAL COMPUTING DEVICES". WordLogic believes that this infringement was willful.
"Wholly owned subsidiary"… does that ring a bell [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]? Anyway, let's move on.
Remember game patents? They are back. It's Konami yet again [1, 2].
News: Konami sues Viacom over Rock Band
This jockeying took another step forward this week when Konami, makers of the upcoming Rock Revolution® musical group rhythm game, filed suit against Harmonix, makers of the popular Rock Band® musical group rhythm game, accusing Harmonix of infringing three of Konami's patents.
The Qualcomm saga that we mentioned here before [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28] has not ended. it's about video compression patents, which is a classic case of mathematical ownership through software patents. Have a look at this article from Law.com.
The Qualcomm discovery fiasco dealt a blow to the lawyers involved at Day Casebeer Madrid & Batchelder. As the question of sanctions lingers in the courts, another big one remains: How badly will it hurt the highly respected patent litigation boutique?
The discovery issue arose during the January 2007 trial over video compression patents. A Qualcomm witness disclosed the existence of e-mails that turned out to be highly relevant to the case. In April 2007, Qualcomm's then-General Counsel Louis Lupin and Batchelder apologized for neglecting to turn over the e-mails to Broadcom but argued that Qualcomm's trial team had never acted in bad faith.
What a total waste of time and money. Just ask professor Stiglitz, a Nobel Laureate. █
"Fighting patents one by one will never eliminate the danger of software patents, any more than swatting mosquitoes will eliminate malaria."
Patent Trolls Watch: Red River Innovations, Bradium Technologies/General Patent, and Wordlogic
SourceForge Learns Not from Windows' Failures and Even Hires from Microsoft
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Wine Project Responds to Microsoft FUD Award
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Novell Resentment: OSI, Others Begin to Wake Up
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DOUGman said,
*sigh*, I just had 15-something kid come to me and explain that MS is ALL-ABOUT open source now and the LIVE technologies are to benefit us all, talk about being delusional.
Needs Sunlight said,
The Register still has some good stuff sometimes, but they really started to softpeddle on Microsoft after one point. IIRC that was some advertising partnership or something like that.
Roy Schestowitz said,
They have a Microsoft Search deal.


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1. Inspire, educate and empower young people. We create wildlife, conservation and traditional cultural experiences for young people that give them a life-changing opportunity to learn from local guides, conservationists and mentors in South Africa's nature reserves. This type of beyond-the-classroom education opens students' hearts and minds to the diverse world they live in. Through experiences such as these, young people begin to learn the most important life lesson of all: the essential role they play in building and shaping a sustainable future for all.
2. Operate a sustainability-driven eco-education business.
As a company, we believe it is our responsibility to be the change we want to see in the world. We are committed to building a business that is grounded in sustainability. It is our mission to have a positive effect on both the environment and on the communities within which we operate.
Established in 1996, to date we have hosted over 12 000 students.
Susi and Andrew Anderson
Co-founders and directors of African Insight
Both born in Africa, Andrew and Susi love their African heritage dearly and spend their free time exploring its natural bounty at every opportunity. Andrew qualified in professional conservation and wildlife management and Susi is a veterinary nurse. After they got married, they lived and worked in Umfolozi Game Reserve in various conservation and hospitality positions.
The limitations of working within an autocracy eventually resulted in them leaving to set up their own business in 1996 … which is today African Insight. Their vision from the outset was to play a significant role in educating and mentoring future generations to be responsible global citizens with regards to the environment and specifically conserving biodiversity, which sustains human life on earth.
Living and leading by example is important to them. African Insight, in its various forms, is the realisation of their vision. They strongly believe that success has no financial value but is measured by the positive difference one makes.
They live on a small holding in the beautiful KwaZulu Natal Midlands of South Africa where they strive to achieve self-sufficiency and a "carbon-negative" footprint. Each member of the African Insight team is hand picked and encouraged to work to, and grow, their natural strengths.
Stef Steyn
Academic Lead Facilitator
Stef Steyn is a true South African, born and raised in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal where he was fortunate to enjoy good quality life, fresh air, blue skies and clear mountain water. He has a passion for the outdoors, wildlife and conservation.
He started his career in professional guiding in 1995 after retiring from the South African Police Services, where he held the rank of Colonel. His list of qualifications includes: National Nature and Cultural Guide, Level 2 Field Guide, Mountain Guide and Rock Art Guide. It is this knowledge and experience that secured him guiding contracts with the BBC during the filming of various documentary programmes.
Stef is stimulated by sharing his great knowledge of the history, culture, fauna, flora, geography and geology of Southern Africa. His strong people skills combined with being highly organised and the ability to handle pressure makes him the ideal expedition leader. He has been leading African Insight groups for almost 20 years.
Abednigo Nzuza
Academic Facilitator
Abe Nzuza is one of the Zulu pioneers of post-apartheid professional conservation, serving in many positions within formal conservation organizations such as Natal Parks Board and KZN Wildlife, as well as the renowned NGOs, Wilderness Leadership School and Foundation. He has had a close relationship with African Insight spanning over two decades!
His in-depth experience in conservation management, guiding visitors through South Africa's prime wilderness areas and passion for his native Zulu culture is a unique and invaluable asset to African Insight. Over the last 20 years he has facilitated numerous international academic field trips and private safaris.
Abe holds a Diploma in Protected Area Management obtained from Southern African Wildlife College and recently completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies from the University of the Western Cape.
Thabani Nzuza
Field Programme Facilitator
Thabani comes from solid conservation stock; his father is regarded as one of the pioneering "black" African conservationists in the hitherto "white" dominated apartheid professional wildlife conservation landscape. Thabani graduated from a unique high school where he was positively influenced by teachers that groomed learners to be ready for the changes happening in South Africa. Thabani knew that in the new South Africa his calling was for public service and initially thought that a career in the police was for him.
Whilst waiting for his application to police college to be processed, he signed up for a three-month African Insight Academy internship and never looked back. After finally completing a one-year internship he joined the permanent Academy as a trainee guide.
Thabani's talent for making people feel at home and at ease is invaluable when introducing foreign participants to the cultural perceptions and authentic cultural immersion components of the academy's programmes. In African Insight he has found his true calling for service in being an ambassador for the Zulu culture and wildlife conservation.
Shadreck Chinamira
Shadreck is Zimbabwean born and has 15 years' experience as an outdoor adventure and education instructor. His passion for working with youth has given him the opportunity to travel and work internationally. "Shaddie" joined the African Insight Academy team on a freelance basis in 2015, leading youth development programmes.
In 2017 he joined the African Insight permanent team on Somkhanda Game Reserve where he has added a wildlife/nature guiding qualification to his list of qualifications. Shaddie's greatest strength is his ability to make groups feel at home and safe in no time at all.
Michael Belton
Michael grew up on a farm and is a high achiever by nature. His passion for nature and wildlife led him to sign up with African Insight Academy as one of the first one-year interns on Somkhanda Game Reserve. This internship was a catalyst for impacting his life like a dose of steroids that triggered off a metamorphosis that transformed a boy into a man. At the end of his internship a position was created for him in the permanent African Insight Academy team. Michael's deliberative and responsible approach to his work brings an understated energy to the team that connects with programme participants across the academic spectrum that inspires them in their life journey.
Nokuthula Mtembu
Camp Cook
Nokuthula (Nox) is always smiling and chatting as she goes about her work as our amazing camp cook. A member of the Gumbi community adjacent to Pongola Game Reserve, Nox signed up as a hospitality intern with African Insight in 2013 and, not ever having considered cooking as a career, she found her calling. In 2014 she joined our permanent team as a kitchen assistant. She completed a certificate in Tourism Services (hospitality) and worked her way up to cook's assistant and finally cook. Our groups love her cooking which blends some favorite local Zulu dishes and traditional South African dishes into our unique "safari kitchen".
Vicky Kearney
Volunteer Intern Co-ordinator
Vicky hails from Winchester in the United Kingdom where she achieved the highest level in the Scouts and is a registered Scout Leader. She came to South Africa on an academic field trip with her college (Sparsholt). On this trip she learned about African Insight Academy's Internship programme and after graduating she applied to do a three-month internship …. and another one …. and another one …. three in total. It was obvious that a position with African Insight Academy was a perfect fit, so when she proposed a three-year volunteer visa it was agreed, and Vicky joined the team as a volunteer intern co-ordinator.
Vicky brings passion, commitment to being organized and the ability to see beyond the obvious to the team, which are invaluable when working in remote locations. Vicky's achievements are the tangible result of African Insight Academy's slogan – Inspire, Educate, Empower.
Service excellence accreditations:
African Insight Academy develops and facilitates world-class wildlife conservation field trips, internships and volunteer projects in South Africa.
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The Impact of tourism/field trips on traditional communities
Field Trips For South African Schools
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OKLAHOMA CITY – A long-time Texas political consultant was subpoenaed earlier this month to testify in connection to an investigation of a GPS tracking device found on a state legislator's vehicle.
According to a grand jury subpoena issued February 16, an Oklahoma County judge wants George C. Shipley, of Austin, to testify before the Oklahoma Multicounty Grand Jury in the coming days. His testimony relates to his connection to a private investigation firm and its connection to the tracking unit found on State Rep. Mark McBride's truck last December.
McBride, R-Moore, contacted the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation on December 1, 2017, believing someone was following him, according to court records. In the grand jury subpoena affidavit, an OSBI agent says a friend of McBride had told him the "wind group" wanted to discredit McBride, who has been critical of the industry and its subsidies in the state.
"Have you testified before the multi-county grand jury?" I asked McBride Wednesday.
According to civil filings in Oklahoma County court and the grand jury affidavit, the tracking device traced back to Eastridge Investigations and a contact named HL Christensen. Eastridge Investigations is a private investigation firm based in Tuttle, Oklahoma. The company's owner, Kyle Eastridge, was interviewed by an OSBI agent, along with Christensen, and their attorney Danny Shadid, according to the affidavit. Eastridge declined to comment when I spoke to him at his home Wednesday. Calls to Shadid were not returned.
However, according to KFOR'S NBC sister station, KXAN-TV, officials at the office building said Shipley and his company, Shipley & Associates, moved out about three years ago.
And according to The Wind Coalition, an Austin, Texas-based wind energy trade association and lobbying group, it hasn't been in that office building since 2012.


Since it's Saturday, we're continuing our end of the year recap by revisiting entry level non-profit jobs.
Posted by Willy Franzen on December 27, 2008. Jobs updated daily.
Displaying 1-10 of 316 results.
I'm now posting from a tropical island trying to get rid of a cold. You don't have to feel sorry for me. Since it's Saturday, we're continuing our end of the year recap by revisiting entry level non-profit jobs. Here are links to Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 of our end of the year recap of for-profit jobs.
Save Our Wild Salmon: Wild salmon still need saving, but Save Our Wild Salmon isn't hiring right now.
Cool Culture: There don't appear to be any entry level type jobs with Cool Culture right now.
Ithaka: No jobs with Ithaka either.
Best Buddies: There are quite a few jobs available with Best Buddies. Opportunities that sound well suited to new grads include Grant Writer and Employment Consultant.
Living Lands and Waters: They're always accepting applications for paid staff, so hop on the barge and help Living Lands and Waters clean up our rivers.
College Summit: College Summit doesn't currently have any entry level job openings.
New York City Teaching Fellows: NYCTF has extended their application deadline for their June 2009 program to January 12th. That should give you just enough to figure out what they're all about and get an application together.
Calvert Foundation: Calvert has moved their Jobs page, but finding it won't do you much good, because they only have one Senior level position available.
YAI/NIPD: There are currently 122 jobs available with YAI, and plenty of them are entry level. Use their search function to narrow things down.
Americans for the Arts: All of the jobs posted on their site are very stale.
One Laptop Per Child: I can't seem to find a Jobs page on the OLPC site any more. Maybe they're no longer hiting.
KickStart International: KickStart isn't hiring right now.
SEED Foundation: None of the current listings with SEED Foundation look well suited to new college grads.
Harlem RBI: Current opportunities with Harlemt RBI that might interest new grads are Softball Coordinator, Youth Girls Softball Manager, and Staff Accountant.
Dogs for the Deaf: There is one entry level position in the Training Department available at Dogs for the Deaf.
Sylvan Beach Foundation: There's nothing new at the Sylvan Beach Foundation.
National Trust for Historic Preservation: There are a couple of jobs available with the NTHP that might be considered entry level.
The New Teacher Project: There are a couple of Program Associate positions with TNTP that look well suited to new grads.
Northwest Service Academy: If you're an outdoorsy type, there are some awesome jobs for you at Northwest Service Academy.
American Association of Zoos & Aquariums: Since these include jobs from Zoos and Aquariums all across the country, you'll have to check out the job listings to find what's right for you.
Wikimedia Foundation: Unless you're looking for a job as a C-level executive, there's nothing for you at Wikimedia right now.
Punxsutawney Groundhog Club: You better land a job with them soon, Groundhog's Day isn't far away.
USA Football: They're not hiring right now.
Minds Matter: They don't have a Jobs page, so it's impossible to know if they're hiring.
Gapminder: They don't really seem to have jobs, but that doesn't mean that you can't ask.
Heldref Publications: The only opportunity at Heldref right now is for a part-time Accounting Assistant.
Creative Commons: Creative Commons isn't hiring right now.
It looks like the job market in the non-profit world is tighter than in the for-profit world; although, this is just a small sampling.


text:
River to River
Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6
Fourth Wall Films
Highway 6 Cruise - Classic Cars
2020--A different kind of 'River to River Retro Road Trip' September 18-20
This year will be a different kind of River to River Retro Road Trip, announced the Board of Directors of the Historic US 6 Iowa Association. Due to COVID-19 an organized cruise will not be held in September. However, Board members plan to "Hit the Highway Safely" on September 18th-20th and hope others will cruise Iowa's Historic Route 6 on their own or in small groups.
"Over the years we have had all sorts of roadblocks that have jeopardized the trip, ranging from road construction, to weather, to switching leadership and having to pull off a cruise having never planned one before," the Board of Directors posted on the organization's Facebook page. "When C19 first started its surge, over two-thirds of the counties that Hwy 6 covers had been hit with cases. Currently six of the counties we go through have some of the highest case counts in the state and three of those counties again have rapidly increasing numbers... In the best interest of the safety for everyone we have made the tough decision not to have a "formal" River to River Road Trip this year.
"We do however encourage everyone to get out in small groups and enjoy the sights, visit restaurants, and shops that are along the route. We the BOD plan on doing some live streaming on Facebook showing some of the sights along the route as conditions allow. While this is a departure from what we have done in the past, we feel that this is the safest and best way to proceed this year. We DO plan on coming back strong in 2021 and having a great time when we can all get back together as a group."
Dash plaques, event sticker and a Booklet of Attractions are available to purchase. Mail a $10 check and your shipping address to:
Historic US 6 Iowa Association
1334 West Pleasant Street
Davenport, Iowa 52804
"Yes, it'll be different this year, and that's OK. We on the board of directors hope to take this opportunity to maybe find some different sights/stops while traversing the state. We don't know what to expect attendance wise since this is an unofficial cruise, but for those traveling with, please be safe and take others into consideration when necessary. We do hope to see some familiar faces, and by all means, come out and enjoy what Highway 6 has to offer."
For more information about the UNOFFICIAL cruise, visit https://www.facebook.com/usroute6iowa/.
If you have additional questions, call (evenings only), Adam 563-349-6277 or Casey 563-260-5757.
Safe travels, everyone!
To purchase Fourth Wall Films' Emmy-nominated River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 or other award-winning documentaries on DVD, click HERE!
You can also get the River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 DVD at the Wilton Candy Kitchen in Wilton, Iowa right on Historic Route 6!
Posted at 04:06 PM in Highway 6 Cruise - Classic Cars | Permalink | Comments (0)
River to River Retro Road Trip Sept. 19-22
Ladies and Gentlemen, Start your engines! The 2019 River to River Retro Road Trip is ready to roll September 19th through Sunday, September 22. The Cruise is sponsored by the non-profit Historic US 6 Iowa Association.
The 4-day Historic Route 6 road trip begins where Historic 6 and New 6 meet at the Mississippi Marketplace, 4004 W. Kimberly Rd, Davenport, Iowa and ends in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the 100 Block Car Show.
Thursday night will feature music, food, and the traditional Cruising the Ones in downtown Davenport.
Friday, Davenport Mayor Frank Klipsch will welcome cruisers and the trip begins with a rally in Tiffin, a tour of the Pioneer Heritage Museum in Marengo, overnight dinner and stay in Colfax.
Saturday drivers hit Route 6 to explore the White Pole Road, lunch at the fabulous Menlo Cafe, rally in Oakland, and final stop Council Bluffs' 100 Block Car Show.
Sunday the traditional stop at Freedom Rock and head home.
Visit http://usroute6iowa.org/Cruises/River-to-River-Retro-Road-Trip/Trip-Info for details and registration. There is a $20 registration fee.
Happy Cruisin' Historic Route 6, everyone! Be safe!
Tags: Candy, car show, cruise, Fourth Wall Films, Highway 6, Iowa, road trip, Route 6, Wilton
2019 River to River Retro Road Trip set for Sept 19-21
Image courtesy Dave Darby (Copyright Dave Darby; all rights reserved).
Mark your calendars! U.S. Route 6 Iowa's Sixth Annual River to River Retro Road Trip is set for Thursday, September 19 through Sunday, September 22, 2019.
The cruise begins in Davenport, Iowa and ends in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the 100 Block Car Show. Details of the event will follow.
According to US Route 6 Iowa's Facebook page: "We are working diligently behind the scenes to get things finalized and are excited about all of the improvements we are planning. We will be posting more information in the next month or so on where and when to send in your registration and fee. If you have registered with us in the past you will be receiving information via email. We look forward to seeing everyone again this year."
Check back for updated information regarding Cruise registration, cruise schedule and loding details at US Route 6 Iowa's website: http://www.usroute6iowa.org/
Or their Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/usroute6iowa/
Looking for the perfect Father's Day gift? Purchase Fourth Wall Films' Emmy-nominated River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 or other award-winning documentaries on DVD, HERE!
Tags: car show, Council Bluffs, cruise, Davenport, documentary, Fourth Wall Films, Highway 6, Iowa, River to River Retro Road Trip, US Route 6 Iowa
2018 River to River Retro Road Trip 2018 Promises Beautiful, Fun Cruise on Iowa's Route 6
The Historic US 6 Iowa Association's annual River to River Retro Road Trip is set for September 13-15, 2018 beginning in Davenport, Iowa and ending in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
This year's event promises fun stops, sights to see, car shows, history to take in, wonderful food, and beautiful Iowa landscapes along Iowa's winding Route 6.
The popular cruise was started in 2011 by former Iowa Historic Route 6 Tourist Association executive director Dave Darby in response to Fourth Wall Films' desire to film classic cars cruising the historic 2-lane highway for their documentary River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6. Each year the cruise has grown and added more fun activies and stops in small-town America during the three-day cruise.
For details about the cruise visit US Route 6 Iowa's Facebook page.
To register visit http://usroute6iowa.org/Cruises/River-to-River-Retro-Road-Trip/Registration-Form.
For information on lodging during the cruise, click HERE!
For more information about Historic Route 6 Iowa, visit www.usroute6iowa.org.
Dave Darby recently retired as the executive director of Iowa's Historic Route 6 Tourist Association after serving for nearly a decade. Formed by new leadership in 2018 the Historic US 6 Iowa Association is a non profit organization and its purpose is: To educate the public about history and original route of Highway 6, using maps, old and new photos, post cards, and travel brochures; To increase awareness, traffic, and commerce in the cities, towns, and businesses along original route ; To place historical signage designating Historic Route 6, along with the River to River Road, and the Great White Way auto trails; Encourage cooperation of communities along Highway 6, to hold festivals, concerts, car shows, garage sales, etc, to boost tourism; As well as to encourage car clubs, bicycle clubs, and others to hold River to River cruises along highway 6 in cooperation with local communities and locally owned businesses, i.e., motels, gas stations, and restaurants.
To order a copy of the award-winning and Emmy-nominated documentary "River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6" by Fourth Wall Films, visit http://www.fourthwallfilms.com/dvds.htm.
Posted at 02:42 PM in Highway 6 Cruise - Classic Cars, Highway 6 Events | Permalink | Comments (0)
10th Annual "River to River Retro Road Trip" is set for Sept 13-16
Copyright Dave Darby, US Route 6 Iowa. Used by permission.
US Route 6 Iowa's Dave Darby announced that the River to River Retro Road Trip 2018 is ON, celebrating its 10th year!
The popular cruise will take place September 14-16, 2018, with the traditional "Cruising the Ones" in Davenport, Iowa opening the event on Thursday evening, September 13.
"This cruise is to help educate, preserve and promote the Heritage of US Route 6 through the State of Iowa. US Route 6 is the longest transcontinental highway in the US. It covers 14 states, 3652 miles and starts in Provincetown, MA and ends in Long Beach,CA," said the River to River cruise organizer Dave Darby. "We will start in the City of Davenport, Iowa with a Thursday night Welcome Show and Cruise through the downtown streets.
"On Friday, September 14 we start our journey from Davenport with a police escort along Historic Route 6 through town. From there it is all two lane small-town Midwest America. We pass through about two dozen small towns on the first day. We will have a couple of stops along the way to showcase some of the amazing gems they have to offer. We end the first day with all the participants in a car show.
"Saturday, September 15, we start out from our Day 1 ending location and continue west, where you get to see the really beautiful parts of the rolling hills through Iowa. We again pass through about two dozen towns and will have places of interest to stop and experience along the way. We end in Council Bluffs, Iowa where we are guests at the 100 Block Car Show.
"We encourage everyone to stick around Sunday, September 16 when we drive just south of Menlo, IA, off of Route 6, to visit Iowa's first Freedom Rock which pays tribute to men and women of the armed forces. It is truly a site to experience.
Dave Darby, US Route 6 Iowa.
"So we invite you to join us. You don't have to go all the way and you can do day one, day two or all four. It is an amazing drive and a great time. And remember, it's not what you drive, it's about the drive," said Darby, who stars in the Emmy-nominated documentary River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 produced by Fourth Wall Films.
To register early Visit http://usroute6iowa.org/Cruises/River-to-River-Retro-Road-Trip/Registration-Form.
To order a copy of the award-winning River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 DVD, visit http://www.fourthwallfilms.com/dvds.htm
Tags: Dave Darby, Fourth Wall Films, River to River Retro Road Trip, River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6, US Route 6 Iowa
River to River Retro Road Trip set to roll Oct. 9-12th
The Iowa Route 6 Tourist Association invites classic car owners to get their motors running and head on down America's Longest Highway, Historic US 6.
The event kicks off in downtown Davenport, with the latest addition to their popular River to River Retro Road Trip –"Cruising the Ones", which is open to anyone with a classic car. Come visit Downtown Davenport, where there will be hundreds of classic cars cruising Third and Fourth Streets, just like in the good old days. A complete schedule can be found HERE.
Sargent Peppers and Klemme Motorsports will have a DJ and special Cruiser Parking on the 300 block of East Third Street, while downtown restaurants will be open for the event.
"We feel there are many Quad Citians that have never been to some of these terrific restaurants downtown. This is your opportunity to come cruise, watch the cars, and grab a delicious meal." says Dave Darby, Executive Director of the association, which is devoted to preservation and economic development along the Iowa stretch of America's longest highway. "We are excited to make Downtown Davenport a focal point of our Iowa experience this year."
The cruise, which is scheduled for Thursday evening from 6 -9 PM on October 9th, is "pre-party" for the annual "River to River Retro Road Trip, now in its fourth year. The road trip invites anyone with a classic car to join them in a trip across Iowa on the original historic alignments of US Highway 6. The credo for their road trip is "No Interstates – No Chain Restaurants. Just Mom & Pops and Two Lane Blacktop".
"Most people's perception of Iowa as a flat, boring state stems from the fact that they've only seen it from Interstate 80. The Iowa you'll discover on Highway 6 is rich with history, scenery, small town friendliness, and great food." says Darby. "It's a completely different driving experience. Many of our participants are repeats, some having been along for every trip."
Darby notes, "Most of today's travelers are in a rut. They hop on the interstate to get where they are going, and have onlythe same old chain restaurants they have at home to choose from. They come home from their trip with only a fraction of the experience they could have had."
The River to River Retro Road Trip begins Friday morning October 10th, and concludes Sunday, October 12th, after a visit to the Freedom Rock, and the Covered Bridge Festival in Winterset. Participants are invited and encouraged to dress in clothing that matches the era of their cars.
Overnight stops are in Grinnell and Council Bluffs this year, withevents and activities planned for each evening. Some of the proceeds, as in years past, will benefit the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities.
The past three cruises were filmed for the upcoming documentary River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 by award-winning filmmakers Kelly & Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films. The film will be released in the Spring of 2015 and screen in venues and theaters along Iowa's Historic Route 6.
For details on joining the 2014 River to River Retro Road Trip, visit www.usroute6iowa.org or contact the Route 6 Tourist Association via email usroute6iowa@gmail.com or by phone at (563) 499-8211 (after 4:30 PM on weekdays).
The Route Tourist Association is a nationwide 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information on the Route 6 Tourist Association, visit www.route6tour.com.
River to River Route 6 Classic Car Cruise is Success
Arriving in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Between 75 and 150 classic cars motored across Iowa from the Mississippi River in Davenport to the Missouri River in Council Bluffs. Organizer Dave Darby, President of the Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourism Association joined forces with sponsor Dahl Ford to show motorists all that the two lane Highway 6 has to offer. Proceeds from the cruise benefited the Children's Therapy Center in Moline, Illinois.
The tour enjoyed fantastic food and drink at Hill of Beans in Durant; the Wilton Candy Kitchen in Wilton; the Ladora Bank Bistro; the Menlo Cafe in Menlo; Wiota Steakhouse in Wiota; M&I Weather Vane Cafe in Anita; George the Chili King in Des Moines, and others!
Emmy-nominated filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films captured footage of the Route 6 cruise along the way for their new documentary River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6, due for release in the fall of 2014.
Documentary filmmaker Kelly Rundle and Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourism Association President and Cruise Organizer Dave Darby.
Highlights of the cruise included a block party for the cruisers in Brooklyn, Iowa that drew crowds for good food, music and photographs of rows of classic beauties. The cruise made stops at the Spaulding Transportation Museum in Grinnell and paraded by waving townfolk. Music and a good old drive-in movie at the Valle in Newton; tour of the Coke Museum in Atlantic; a moving visit to the Freedom Rock created by artist Roy "Bubba" Sorensen in Greenfield, and many, many more memorable town offerings along the way.
The All the Way Club poses for a photo in Council Bluffs.
Those cruisers who made the entire journey from River to River posed for the "All the Way" Club photo in Council Bluffs. Next year's cruise promises to be even bigger!
Historic Highway 6 Cruise Story Hits Local Paper
Photo by Dave Darby.
Check out today's Quad-City Times for an informative article about the upcoming Iowa Historic Highway 6 car cruise. The drive, which begins in Davenport on Friday, August 23, 2013, may draw up to 150 classic cars as it snakes along Historic U.S. Highway 6 to Council Bluffs.
http://qctimes.com/news/local/historic-route-classic-car-trip-starts-here/article_e011b428-7be8-51d8-9cc0-cbb727de6dec.html
'River to River Classic Car Cruise' Set for August 23-25, 2013
The wheels are turning and Dave Darby, the Director of the Iowa US Route 6 Association, is busy making arrangements and preparations for the 3rd Annual River to River Classic Car Cruise which promises to be bigger and better this year!
Emmy nominated filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle will be gathering final footage for their new documentary River to River: Iowa's Highway 6 during the tour, scheduled for August 23-25, 2013. The cruise begins in Davenport, Iowa and ends in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
"This year's classic car cruise across Iowa will be the biggest one we've ever put on. Excitement is building!" said Dave Darby. "We are extremely pleased to announce that we are partnering with the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities on our Classic Car Cruise."
Get off of I-80 and see the Midwest at its best! Mark your calendars and register/RSVP at usroute6iowa@gmail.com.
For more information about this fabulous road trip, special lodging rates and the cruise itinerary and special stops and events along the way, visit: http://www.route6tour.com/Route6iowa.htm or https://www.facebook.com/usroute6iowa?fref=ts.
2nd "River to River" Iowa-U.S. Route 6 Classic Car Cruise September 7-9
Iowa-U.S. Route 6 Classic Car Cruise rolls a second time from Davenport to Council Bluffs, Iowa the
weekend of Sept. 7-9, 2012. (Photo 2011 Cruise. Copyright Fourth Wall Films.)
The Iowa division of the US Route 6 Tourist Association will sponsor a classic car cruise across Iowa on old Route 6 the weekend of September 7-9, 2012.
Portions of the cruise will be included in the new documentary River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 by Emmy-nominated filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films (Country School: One Room - One Nation, Lost Nation: The Ioway, Villisca: Living with a Mystery). The film will feature scenic and historic towns and attractions along the historic highway.
"We want to encourage people to leave the interstate and head out on the old two lane highway, to leave the rat race of today's world and to stop and smell the roses," says Iowa Route 6 Tourist Association Executive Director David Darby. "Not only is it more enjoyable, but it benefits the local economy."
The ride begins in Davenport, Iowa with drivers meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 7th at the corner of 2nd and Iowa streets.
Drivers are invited to join for all or part of the cruise as they travel west on Route 6, stopping at various locations on the way to Council Bluffs, Iowa--the final destination of the tour. Lodging with special Route 6 tour rates to be announced.
Those wishing to join for the western half of the cruise can either meet in Newton, Iowa on Friday night at the Valle Drive-In or Saturday, September 8th for breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Mid Town (Old Maytag) Cafe. Cars will depart from the square at 9:30 a.m. for the next leg of the tour.
Some of the best food in the state will be sampled at several eateries during the tour. A firm believer in buying local, Darby said, "When you go to a chain restaurant, the experience is soon forgotten. But when you go to a 'mom and pop' establishment, you can make friends, capture some history, and take with you memories that last a lifetime while the money stays within the community."
An itinerary will be distributed to drivers during the cruise. Stops along the Route 6 tour include:
Friday, September 7, 2012:
Choice of The Wilton Candy Kitchen, world's oldest ice cream soda fountain - Wilton, IA; or, Brunch at the delicious Hill of Beans Bistro in Durant, IA.
Happy Hour at the Ladora Bank Bistro - Ladora, IA.
Dinner at the Carnforth Inn – Victor, IA.
Valle Drive-In (Iowa's oldest drive-in movie theater) - Newton, IA. (Drivers from the western half are welcome to join us for the movie as well.)
Saturday, September 8, 2012:
Breakfast at the Mid Town Café – Newton, IA.
Tony's Classic Cars, T-Bird restoration HQ – Des Moines, IA.
Bonnie & Clyde historical site, and Drew's Chocolates - Dexter, IA.
Bonnie & Clyde bank robbery site - Stuart, IA.
Lunch at the Menlo Café – Menlo, IA.
Jesse James Train robbery site – Adair, IA.
Dinner at the Wiota Steakhouse – Wiota, IA.
Sunday, September 9, 2012:
Breakfast at the Weather Vane Café - Anita, IA.
Lunch at George's Chili King - Des Moines, IA.
The documentary is the first step in reaching a wider audience. Once the film is complete, Darby plans on publishing a book he's authored entitled "From River to River: Your Guide to the Original Highway 6" to further encourage drivers to use Route 6 over the interstate for their travels.
"In such an impersonal world, it is a joy to take off on an adventure along the heartland of America, and breathe in exactly what America was built on," Darby says. "Instead of a flat, straight pair of lanes interrupted by only green signs and overpasses, the rolling fields and curving roads undulate under your wheels in between the small towns that are filled with friendly people."
River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 is slated for release late in 2013. The documentary project recently received a grant from Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area.
Dave Darby, is the Executive Director of the Iowa Route 6 Tourist Association. The non-profit organization works to encourage state and local government to place historical signage designating Route 6 roads; preserve historical buildings, bridges, and alignments along Route 6; and to encourage co-operation of communities along the highway to hold festivals, concerts, car shows and more, to boost tourism and traffic to local businesses.
David W. Darby,
Iowa Route 6 Tourist Association
dwdarby@aol.com
1 - About the Film & Filmmakers
2 - How YOU Can Help Raise Awareness
3 - Sell the DVD at your Business or Organization
4 - Sponsors & Supporters
5 - Things to See & Do on Iowa's Historic Route 6
6 - Contact Us
► ORDER the "River to River" DVD!
River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6


Former Scunthorpe United striker Simon Church has announced his retirement from football, on the same day that he was released by Plymouth Argyle.
The 29-year-old former Wales international, who has 38 caps for his county and scored five goals, announced his decision through his Twitter account earlier this afternoon.
Church said: "Never thought this day would come but with the medical advice I have received I am now officially hanging up my boots.
"I have been fortunate enough to have lived my dream for 11 years professionally. I have experienced moments you can only dream of when you're a child.
"I want to thank all the clubs I've been at as well as the fans, players, staff and a handful of managers. I have been lucky enough to meet some amazing people and friends on the way.
"Playing for Wales was an absolute honour. The achievements we had as a team are something I'm immensely proud of being a part of. The group of boys were the best on and off the pitch I have ever been with.
"Lastly I would like to thank my family and agent for always being supportive and there for me especially as these last 18 months have probably been the hardest of my journey.
Church came through the ranks at Reading, where he enjoyed the most successful spell of his career making over 100 league appearances and scoring 22 goals.
After spells on loan with Crewe, Yeovil, Wycombe, Leyton Orient and Huddersfield before he joined Charlton on a free in the summer of 2013, he left England to join Roda JC in Holland.
He would suffer a serious leg injury whilst in Holland and looked for a way back into English football the following season, which Scunthorpe United offered him in October.
Church made just six appearances for the Iron, failing to register a goal before leaving by mutual consent in January and subsequently joining Plymouth Argyle.
In total, Church made 248 league appearances scoring 41 goals.


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For Fruit Flies, Alcohol Really Is Mommy's Little Helper
By Nancy Shute
Alcohol: a key babyproofing product for this little mother.
Many a mom has reached for a glass of wine after a long day of tending children. But only fruit fly moms use their version of Chardonnay to guard their babies from harm.
When fly moms see marauding wasps, they seek out the alcohol in fermenting fruit, and lay their eggs there, according to new research. The alcohol is toxic to the wasps, but not to the fruit flies. They've evolved a tolerance for hooch.
No only do the fruit flies babyproof with alcohol, when given a choice they'll pick just the right proof — about 3 percent. That's considerably less than the 12 to 14 percent in a glass of wine, but evidently enough to do in those lightweight wasps.
This news comes from Todd Schlenke, an evolutionary geneticist at Emory University who is making a bit of a specialty of studying the relationship between fruit flies and booze. His study was published in the journal Science.
A year ago, he reported that fruit-fly larvae will self-medicate with alcohol if they've been attacked by a wasp. The wasps lay eggs in the flies, and the alcohol kills the wasp larvae, saving the fly's life.
But some wasps are learning how to hold their liquor, Schlenke says, and the fruit flies may need to turn to more potent drink or figure out another survival strategy.
"It's sort of an arms race, I think," Schlenke says. "The flies do something to avoid being infected, and the wasps learn how to get around it."
Anthropomorphizing can be slippery, but it's hard not to feel a certain sympathy for these lowly fruit flies, whose drinking habits seem to echo ours in so many ways. For instance, it looks like fruit flies also turn to the bottle to nurse heartache. When a male fruit fly fails to mate with a female, he'll be more likely to start slugging down ethanol than the guy who scored, according to a study last year.
So why spend so much time hanging out with these "bar" flies? Schlenke studies the tiny flies to learn about big things like memory, heredity, and evolution.
For example, the mother fruit fly's ability to spot dangerous wasps is so refined that she'll only head for liquor when they see a female parasitic wasp (the males pose no threat to the young). "They only have to see the wasp once, and they remember," Schlenke says.
And even though the fruit flies have been living in the laboratory for many, many generations, they have no problem recognizing the danger posed by a wasp the moment they see it.
Ah, science!
Schlenke's revelations on the drinking habits of fruit flies have not only landed him in prestigious journals like Science, they've earned him a hat-tip from the satirical newspaper The Onion,which quipped, "I'm sure at least some of those flies also drink because of their crippling depression."
"Honestly, I think maybe The Onion is the highlight of my career," Schlenke told The Salt.
We bet the fruit flies will drink to that.
Nancy Shute
See stories by Nancy Shute


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Fine singers, Clever Orchestration, in Handel's Alcina from Boston Opera Collaborative
by Larry Phillips
February 20, 2009 February 15, 2009 by Larry Phillips
Handel's opera Alcina received its first performance in 1735 at the new theater of Covent Garden, London. It was one of the composer's last triumphant Italian operas before he turned his attention to oratorios. Now three-year-old Boston Opera Collaborative joins Boston's embrace of this opera with a new production at the Tower Theater, Massachusetts College of Art, through February 15.
The story of Alcina, after Orlando Furioso, is one of those preposterous Baroque plots difficult to summarize or even to remember. Furthermore, it is a magical tale in which the enchantress Alcina, ruling over her island, transforms people to suit her fancy. Complicating things still further, the countertenor role of the heroic Ruggiero is often assigned, as here, to a woman. Despite this production's lively stage direction by Andrew Ryker, the best thing to do is to forget the plot and sit back and enjoy the glorious music.
This is a treble-voice show, clothed here in 1920s garb. Soprano Leah Hungerford, who sang an imperious Queen Alcina, looked at times like a vamp. Her sister Morgana, sung by soprano Emily Burr, played the part of a pixie in Act I and became a flapper as the opera progressed. Mezzo-soprano Kristina Riegle sang a regal knight betrothed to alto Brooke Larimer's Bradamante disguised as a man. All were excellent. Among the many fine arias, I would single out Alcina's anguished lament "Ah! mio cor" in Act II and Bradamante's revenge aria in the same act, as well as Ruggiero's angry aria in Act III "Sta nell'ircana." Kathryn McKellar, Christopher Aaron Smith, and Adrian Packel filled lesser roles. Each act ended with a touch of Yo-el Cassell's effective choreography for five dancers.
Conducting from the harpsichord, Music Director Paul Cienniwa's music pacing throughout was expert. Directing a reduced orchestra of period instruments, he explained in a program essay that means restrictions eliminated the double reeds, horns, flutes and piccolo. Violins replaced the aria with two flutes obbligato, while the band more than compensated in energy for the two horns not heard in Ruggiero's Act III tour de force. But we did have Audrey Cienniwa on cello, whose solo in Morgana's Act III aria produced an exquisite effect.
All ends happily at the conclusion of Act III when the soloists join the chorus and dancers and sing "every ill is changed to joy, and at the end love triumphs." Hats off to Boston Opera Collaborative for providing us with such an entertaining diversion in this Handel year.
Larry Phillips studied music at Harvard, the Montreal Conservatory, and at New England Conservatory. In 1974 he was a prizewinner at the International Harpsichord Competition in Bruges, Belgium.
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We are pleased to present to you the list of top 50 plaintiff and cross-claimant jury verdicts obtained in Texas in the year 2015. The list is comprised of various case types that were tried either in state or federal courts.
If you are the attorney who obtained one of the 50 verdicts on this list, you can display a separate, personalized badge on your bio page to showcase your victory and potentially generate more business for your firm. You can buy your personalized attorney badge here. You can also obtain a personalized plaque to display in your office.
Note: If you have made this list (Top 50 Verdicts in Texas in 2015) you have also made the list of Top 100 Verdicts in Texas in 2015.
Important: While we strive to achieve maximum accuracy and completeness of our lists, we cannot guarantee either at 100%. If you believe another verdict should be on this list, please contact us today.
Case: Smartflash LLC v. Apple Inc.
Case: Estate of Cuevas v. Critical Path Resources Inc.
Case: Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions Inc. v. Intersil Corp.
Case: Schermerhorn v. CenturyTel Inc.
Case: Lee v. Berkel & Co.
Case: Flores v. L.W. Matteson Inc.
Case: DataQuill Limited v. ZTE Corp.
Case: Gamez v. Dillon Transport Inc.
Case: Lufkin Industries Inc. v. International Business Machines Corp.
Case: Kelley v. Electrochem Solutions Inc.
Attorneys: Curtis W. Leister of Reaud, Morgan & Quinn, LLP; Charlton P. Hornsby of Charlton P. Hornsby, A Professional Corporation; Gilbert T. Adams of Law Offices of Gilbert T. Adams, P.C.
Case: Bowie v. Caterpillar Inc.
Attorneys: Brian E. Mason, Eric Policastro, G. Michael Gruber, Trey H. Crawford of Gruber Hurst Elrod Johansen Hail Shank, LLP; Nigel Redmond, Veretta L. Frazier of West & Associates, L.L.P.
Attorneys: F. Eric Fryar, Christina Richardson of Fryar Law Firm, P.C.
Case: Jo Ann Schermerhorn v. Centurylink Inc., et al.
Case: Melchior v. Hilite International Inc.
Attorneys: Andrew L. Payne, Stefanie D. Bradshaw, Todd R. Ramsey of PayneMitchell Law Group; John C. Bush of Bush Law Firm, P.C.
Case: Johnson v. Emerson Electric Co., et al.
Case: Rembrandt Wireless Techs. L.P. v. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
Case: Droplets Inc. v. eBay Inc.
Case: Freeny v. Murphy Oil Corp.
Attorneys: Jonathan A. George, Peter A. Kraus, Susannah B. Chester-Schindler of Waters, Kraus & Paul; Allen M. Stewart, Scott R. Frieling of Allen Stewart, P.C.
Case: Hood v. E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Co.
Case: ThermoTek Inc. v. Orthoflex Inc.
Case: Merrill v. Sprint Waste Servs.
Attorneys: Michelle M. Maloney, Gavin H. McInnis of Marynell Maloney Law Firm P.L.L.C.
Case: Estate of Hernandez v. Pancorvo, M.D.; Shetty, et al.
Case: Julie Rogers v. Cody Fox and Sunbelt Rentals Inc.
Case: Mejia v. FTU Inc.
Case: Gerritsen Beach Investments Ltd. v. Southwest Securities Inc., et al.
Attorneys: Ricardo A. Garcia, Lino H. Ochoa, Jody R. Mask of Garcia Ochoa & Mask L.L.P.; Omar Cura, Jr., of Omar Cura, Jr., P.C..
Case: Montoya v. Williams , et al.
Attorneys: Ileana M. Blanco, Brett D. Solberg, Christina E. Ponig of DLA Piper L.L.P.
Case: Laguna Tubular Prods. Corp. v. O.C.T.G. L.L.P.
Case: Luke Meyers v. W& T Offshore Inc.
Case: Willoughby v. Cribbs, et al.
Case: Wells v. J-M Mfg. Co.
Attorneys: F. Eric Fryar of Fryar Law Firm, P.C.
Case: Okelberry Vs. Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Co.


This room is located in the portion of the lodge used for the Stout's staff—and Mr. Stout treated his staff well. This room is attached to the Main Lodge but the entrance is near the office entrance and patio. The room is clad in pine and consist of a king bed, sitting area, and second smaller room with a full size bed. East Wing 2 is the one of ten rooms located in the Main Lodge.
NOTE: This room is located very close the kitchen and the Ice House, one of our event spaces. During late night events like weddings and dinners, this may not be the best room for those very sensitive to noise. Additionally, this room is located on the second floor up a steep set of stairs and may not be suitable for guests with mobility issues.
Point "G" on the map indicates the location of the East Wing.


Whew…2014. Where did the year go? Can't believe how fast this school year is going. Lovin' it!
I have been dealing with some shoulder pain since April last year. After a couple rounds of steroids I finally had enough and set up an appointment with a specialist. My shoulder problem isn't a shoulder problem at all. In November, I had an appointment with an Orthopedic doctor who wanted to x-rays and after seeing those, an MRI of my neck. I was a little freaked out at this point, not knowing what that meant for my interpreting career. Mid December the results were in. I have a bulging C5/C6 disc and a ruptured C6/C7 disc. My initial thoughts were not positive. I can really talk myself into being a "Debbie Downer". (Sorry to all the people named Debbie) The doctor suggested physical therapy to improve my posture. …and then he said "if that doesn't work we'll look into surgery." Why did he have to say that? Why couldn't he have waited until that point arrived in my treatment? I try to ignore that part of the conversation and focus on the physical therapy option. Also, What's wrong with my posture? I've always followed my mom's advice and "hung from a hook" on the top of my head. As a pianist I know the importance of good posture. After my initial physical therapy (PT) session, I apparently am too hunched forward. Okay…I can see that.
Fast forward to yesterday, my first day back to work after break. A fairly light day as far as interpreting. By the end of the day I was a weak, numb, tingling, mess. After work I had my eighth session with the therapists. I have made improvements as far as decreased pain, decreased numbness, and with some of my rotation angle measurements (yeah…didn't know there were such things). While I'm not 100%, I'm doing much better. The two weeks of no interpreting was helpful in my recovery. I know that it is still a long process, I have to convince myself that I can get through this. I love a challenge, even though I complain about them as it happens.
Every once in a while I forget what my job is… I get way more involved in what's going on in the classroom than I should. I'm human, it's allowed. Anyway, after those days I end up feeling lousy and have to take a day or two to get myself in check.
Thankfully, Classroom Interpreting has many reminders for me to review. I believe I have a good self-realization thing going on so that I know when I tend to cross the lines and can reign in my actions quickly.
Professionalism is important. Not only towards the teachers in the classroom but for all students as well. Without that we can be labelled a troublemaker and find ourselves without a job.
When I feel those breaking points about to boil up and out, I'm going to count quietly to myself to calm down before I let any unprofessional-ism leak out.
If you have any suggestions or comments please feel free to leave them.
Why I don't like reporting out.
I was feeling under the weather,sore throat and general malaise, and took the day off. I must have slept for 20 hours that day. I ditched the sore throat but the general blahness has persisted. I'm here at work and trying to "fake it, until I make it". We only have a four days until Winter break is upon us. Hooray for scheduled time off!
I know for me, I feel guilty if I'm not at work. I love what I do and basically don't trust anyone with my kids. Possessive, I know. When I got back to work yesterday I heard the kids did better in Science than they had all year. UGH! Was the sub-interpreter better? I am I failure as an interpreter? All these questions racing through my brain. I know I shouldn't feel that way but I think it's human. Without the daily feedback of a co-interpreter I am always doubting my ability.
Working for a school has it's benefits. One of the biggest, in my opinion, is the time off. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do. The time off though gives me a chance to really rest my working arms.
Coming back after six days off I could really feel how "out of shape" my arms were. It's not like you don't use them in regular daily life but it's finally hit me that "interpreter arms" and "everyday arms" are different.
We are coming up on a longer break. I need to remember to keep up with my craft while I'm resting.
Keeping yourself healthy can be hard while working at a school. It seems that some infection is going around all the time. It's good to know if you are experiencing a cold or the flu. You can check out the CDC's Site for some helpful hints.
Don't share my pencil or pens with students.
Carry my own Antibacterial Gel. (And if I offer it to someone else, I am the one squeezing it out of the bottle for them.
I have been lucky, injury wise. I don't know if growing up, playing the piano has built up my muscles or if I'm just lucky. I do get sore in my shoulders and take the time to rest them. Below are some links that I have found on a cursory search.
I need to incorporate these exercises to prevent future injuries – Injury Prevention.
Terp Topic is always a wealth of information.
Clutter, both physical and mental can stress you out. It's much harder to deal with mental clutter but one way is to clear the physical clutter from your life. The Federal Occupational Health site has a great article about clutter and controlling it. Check it out HERE.


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Seseli virescens är en flockblommig växtart som beskrevs av Günther von Mannagetta und Lërchenau Beck. Seseli virescens ingår i släktet säfferötter, och familjen flockblommiga växter. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Säfferötter
virescens

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia