text:
SB cubs: Military service gives Lewis unique perspective
Al Lesar
SOUTH BEND – Two minutes is all Daniel Lewis wants from his teammates.
Or anyone else, for that matter.
Friday night, moments before the South Bend's 3-2 victory over Bowling Green, in front of a franchise-record crowd of 7,786, Lewis stood at attention with the rest of the relievers in the Cubs bullpen while an elementary school choir sang the national anthem.
It's a time the veteran of four years in the Air Force takes quite seriously.
"I've told the guys, and they're 100 percent on board with it: 'The national anthem, depending on what version you get, is 1 minute, 40 seconds; 1 minute, 47 seconds. If you can't be quiet, respect the flag, say something to yourself and not be talking or goofing off… Then we'll have a conversation,'" said Lewis, not the least bit timid about his patriotic lean. "You should be able to (stand) there and look at the flag, and give the people before you and people in the future the respect for serving their country."
The 24-year-old Lewis, who just joined the Cubs from extended spring training last week, has walked in those boots, though he refuses to talk about his service. In a 2014 interview with Cubs.com, he was quoted as saying he spent time overseas, but wouldn't confirm that Friday night. He has chosen to keep it private.
That service, whatever it was, gives him something to think about during that special song.
"I think about where I was – not just (physically), but in life," Lewis said. "Back in 2009, '10, '11… Everything I've had to push myself through. I think about where I am now and how it wasn't the same goal of where I wanted to be at the time, but it's where I need to be now."
The 6-foot, 200-pound Lewis, who has pitched 2 2/3 innings in two games for the Cubs, is one of the unique individuals on the Cubs roster. He took a very unconventional route to professional baseball.
"(What Lewis does) on the field isn't as relevant (for teammates)," said Cubs pitching coach Brian Lawrence, who worked with Lewis last year in Boise. "Guys go to him because he's an interesting person. His personality is out there. He's full of life. He wears everything on his sleeve. He's a great guy to be around."
Lewis was an average pitcher, with a fastball in the low 80s (mph), in a good high school baseball program in North Carolina. When he graduated in 2009, there were no college opportunities. About that time, a friend who had joined the military was killed in Afghanistan.
That was the motivation for Lewis to join the Air Force.
Baseball wasn't even an afterthought during his service. He kept in shape by swimming, running, occasionally playing football, rugby or soccer – but nothing that involved a bat and a ball.
It wasn't easy, though. Lewis has the tattoos on his forearms to prove it.
On the right forearm it says, "Take This Life." On the left: "Make It Yours."
"Basically, it was a deal I made between me and God," Lewis said. "'I don't really care what happens to me. Whatever You want to happen to me, just do it.' It was just a reminder, everything we were going through, to stay focused."
It was a time he found a faith that had been missing before.
"The only reason I went to church as a kid was because my mom dragged me there," Lewis said. "It's kind of a thing I found on my own. Sometimes you have people to rely on, sometimes you don't.
"I hit a point where I needed something. That's what I needed."
During those four years in the Air Force, Lewis developed his "man strength." Somehow, he added 10 mph to his fastball, now topping out in the low 90s.
That improvement allowed him to get an opportunity to play at Pensacola State (Junior College) after he left the Air Force. After a year there, a friend of a friend of a friend, got him a temporary spot on a Cape Cod League roster. All he needed was eight games to get the attention of the Cubs, who signed him to a contract.
Lewis was assigned to the Cubs' short-season rookie team in Boise last year. He appeared in eight games, 10 1/3 innings, giving up one earned run with 13 strikeouts and six walks.
"Last year, he had a lot to learn about the game because he had been out so long," said Lawrence. "He used a lot of off-speed last year, trying to get outs, where he really needed to develop his fastball. He tries to do too much at times. Basically, he's learning how to pitch.
"He was so raw when he came to us (in Boise), I don't think he knew how to pitch. He was trying to muscle everybody. Now, he's learning that he could do a lot more with less."
After that positive experience, Lewis figured he was going to be assigned to South Bend when training camp broke in early April. Instead, he was left behind in Mesa, Ariz., in extended spring training.
"In my head I'm thinking (during spring training), 'I'm 24, I'm throwing hard, my stuff's good, I'm in the zone,'" Lewis said. "In my head, I'm breaking (spring training) with a team. It didn't happen. I was upset, not with the organization, but with myself. I expected more of myself."
That's where that saying on his forearms came in again.
"Faith kept me there (at extended spring training), big time," he said. "Getting up every morning at 5 o'clock, getting to the complex at 6:30 ready to run. Grinding out sometimes two games. Then finally heading home 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon. It's a long day when you're on the field that long.
"You keep grinding. If your stuff's good enough, if you believe in that, somebody's going to see it. Win each event that you do. Work hard. Stay at it.
"I made it here. If I'm here for one more day, or I'm here for the rest of the season, I'm very fortunate and very blessed to be here."
For two minutes before every game, he'll think about everything that has happened in the last six years.
And he won't take it for granted.
SKID ENDS
Ryan Williams tossed a one-hitter through 6 2/3 innings, Justin Marra homered and Cael Brockmeyer had a pair of doubles to lead South Bend to a 3-2 victory over Bowling Green Friday night.
The win ended the Cubs' five-game losing streak.
Williams, among the Midwest League leaders in earned run average, went a total of eight shutout innings, yielding just two hits and two baserunners.
Bowling Green 000 000 002--2 6 3
South Bend 020 100 00x--3 8 0
Enderson Franco (L, 3-3), Mike Franco (7); Ryan Williams (W, 4-1), Brad Markey (9), James Farris (9, S, 1).
2B: Cael Brockmeyer (SB) 2, Hunter Lockwood.
HR: Justin Marra (SB).
T: 2:17; Att: 7,786 (all-time franchise record); U: Richard Genera (P), Brandon Butler; Records: Bowling Green 24-18, South Bend 19-23.
WHO: Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) vs. South Bend Cubs (Cubs)
WHERE: Four Winds Field, South Bend
WHEN: Saturday, 7:05 p.m. (EDT)
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS: BG RHP Brent Honeywell (3-2, 1.66) vs. SB RHP Jake Stinnett (1-2, 6.12)
NOTES: It will be Flat Screen Saturday, a flat-screen TV will be given away in every inning... The first 750 fans through the turnstiles will be given a free T-shirt... Friday's crowd of 7,786 was an all-time franchise record.


text:
#ifndef MUXPS_INTERNAL_H
#define MUXPS_INTERNAL_H

#include "muxps.h"
#include "fitz-internal.h"

typedef unsigned char byte;

/*
 * Memory, and string functions.
 */

int xps_strcasecmp(char *a, char *b);
void xps_resolve_url(char *output, char *base_uri, char *path, int output_size);
int xps_url_is_remote(char *path);
char *xps_parse_point(char *s_in, float *x, float *y);

/*
 * Container parts.
 */

typedef struct xps_part_s xps_part;

struct xps_part_s
{
	char *name;
	int size;
	int cap;
	byte *data;
};

xps_part *xps_new_part(xps_document *doc, char *name, int size);
int xps_has_part(xps_document *doc, char *partname);
xps_part *xps_read_part(xps_document *doc, char *partname);
void xps_free_part(xps_document *doc, xps_part *part);

/*
 * Document structure.
 */

typedef struct xps_fixdoc_s xps_fixdoc;
typedef struct xps_target_s xps_target;

struct xps_fixdoc_s
{
	char *name;
	char *outline;
	xps_fixdoc *next;
};

struct xps_page_s
{
	char *name;
	int number;
	int width;
	int height;
	xml_element *root;
	int links_resolved;
	fz_link *links;
	xps_page *next;
};

struct xps_target_s
{
	char *name;
	int page;
	xps_target *next;
};

void xps_read_page_list(xps_document *doc);
void xps_print_page_list(xps_document *doc);
void xps_free_page_list(xps_document *doc);

int xps_count_pages(xps_document *doc);
xps_page *xps_load_page(xps_document *doc, int number);
fz_link *xps_load_links(xps_document *doc, xps_page *page);
fz_rect xps_bound_page(xps_document *doc, xps_page *page);
void xps_free_page(xps_document *doc, xps_page *page);

fz_outline *xps_load_outline(xps_document *doc);

int xps_lookup_link_target(xps_document *doc, char *target_uri);
void xps_add_link(xps_document *doc, fz_rect area, char *base_uri, char *target_uri);
/*
 * Images, fonts, and colorspaces.
 */

typedef struct xps_font_cache_s xps_font_cache;

struct xps_font_cache_s
{
	char *name;
	fz_font *font;
	xps_font_cache *next;
};

typedef struct xps_glyph_metrics_s xps_glyph_metrics;

struct xps_glyph_metrics_s
{
	float hadv, vadv, vorg;
};

int xps_count_font_encodings(fz_font *font);
void xps_identify_font_encoding(fz_font *font, int idx, int *pid, int *eid);
void xps_select_font_encoding(fz_font *font, int idx);
int xps_encode_font_char(fz_font *font, int key);

void xps_measure_font_glyph(xps_document *doc, fz_font *font, int gid, xps_glyph_metrics *mtx);

void xps_print_path(xps_document *doc);

void xps_parse_color(xps_document *doc, char *base_uri, char *hexstring, fz_colorspace **csp, float *samples);
void xps_set_color(xps_document *doc, fz_colorspace *colorspace, float *samples);

/*
 * Resource dictionaries.
 */

typedef struct xps_resource_s xps_resource;

struct xps_resource_s
{
	char *name;
	char *base_uri; /* only used in the head nodes */
	xml_element *base_xml; /* only used in the head nodes, to free the xml document */
	xml_element *data;
	xps_resource *next;
	xps_resource *parent; /* up to the previous dict in the stack */
};

xps_resource * xps_parse_resource_dictionary(xps_document *doc, char *base_uri, xml_element *root);
void xps_free_resource_dictionary(xps_document *doc, xps_resource *dict);
void xps_resolve_resource_reference(xps_document *doc, xps_resource *dict, char **attp, xml_element **tagp, char **urip);

void xps_print_resource_dictionary(xps_resource *dict);

/*
 * Fixed page/graphics parsing.
 */

void xps_run_page(xps_document *doc, xps_page *page, fz_device *dev, fz_matrix ctm, fz_cookie *cookie);

void xps_parse_fixed_page(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, xps_page *page);
void xps_parse_canvas(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, fz_rect area, char *base_uri, xps_resource *dict, xml_element *node);
void xps_parse_path(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, char *base_uri, xps_resource *dict, xml_element *node);
void xps_parse_glyphs(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, char *base_uri, xps_resource *dict, xml_element *node);
void xps_parse_solid_color_brush(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, char *base_uri, xps_resource *dict, xml_element *node);
void xps_parse_image_brush(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, fz_rect area, char *base_uri, xps_resource *dict, xml_element *node);
void xps_parse_visual_brush(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, fz_rect area, char *base_uri, xps_resource *dict, xml_element *node);
void xps_parse_linear_gradient_brush(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, fz_rect area, char *base_uri, xps_resource *dict, xml_element *node);
void xps_parse_radial_gradient_brush(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, fz_rect area, char *base_uri, xps_resource *dict, xml_element *node);

void xps_parse_tiling_brush(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, fz_rect area, char *base_uri, xps_resource *dict, xml_element *root, void(*func)(xps_document*, fz_matrix, fz_rect, char*, xps_resource*, xml_element*, void*), void *user);

void xps_parse_matrix_transform(xps_document *doc, xml_element *root, fz_matrix *matrix);
void xps_parse_render_transform(xps_document *doc, char *text, fz_matrix *matrix);
void xps_parse_rectangle(xps_document *doc, char *text, fz_rect *rect);

void xps_begin_opacity(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, fz_rect area, char *base_uri, xps_resource *dict, char *opacity_att, xml_element *opacity_mask_tag);
void xps_end_opacity(xps_document *doc, char *base_uri, xps_resource *dict, char *opacity_att, xml_element *opacity_mask_tag);

void xps_parse_brush(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, fz_rect area, char *base_uri, xps_resource *dict, xml_element *node);
void xps_parse_element(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, fz_rect area, char *base_uri, xps_resource *dict, xml_element *node);

void xps_clip(xps_document *doc, fz_matrix ctm, xps_resource *dict, char *clip_att, xml_element *clip_tag);

xml_element *xps_lookup_alternate_content(xml_element *node);

/*
 * The interpreter context.
 */

typedef struct xps_entry_s xps_entry;

struct xps_entry_s
{
	char *name;
	int offset;
	int csize;
	int usize;
};

struct xps_document_s
{
	fz_document super;

	fz_context *ctx;
	char *directory;
	fz_stream *file;
	int zip_count;
	xps_entry *zip_table;

	char *start_part; /* fixed document sequence */
	xps_fixdoc *first_fixdoc; /* first fixed document */
	xps_fixdoc *last_fixdoc; /* last fixed document */
	xps_page *first_page; /* first page of document */
	xps_page *last_page; /* last page of document */
	int page_count;

	xps_target *target; /* link targets */

	char *base_uri; /* base uri for parsing XML and resolving relative paths */
	char *part_uri; /* part uri for parsing metadata relations */

	/* We cache font resources */
	xps_font_cache *font_table;

	/* Opacity attribute stack */
	float opacity[64];
	int opacity_top;

	/* Current color */
	fz_colorspace *colorspace;
	float color[8];
	float alpha;

	/* Current device */
	fz_cookie *cookie;
	fz_device *dev;

	/* Current page we are loading */
	xps_page *current_page;
};

#endif

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: LINQ OrderBy or Sort does not order correctly for integer string list? I've been working on ordering of object which need to be done on the string which has integer value like "1","2". But LINQ OrderBy or SOrt inplace itself not ordering correctly :
Following code can reproduce my issue :
            var listStr = new List<string>()
            {
                "1",
                "100",
                "12"
            };

            var sortedList = listStr.OrderBy(x => x);
            var desList = listStr.OrderByDescending(x => x);

Here, SortedList is in following order : "1","100","12" and deslist is "12","100", "12"
I am confused with the way with string comparison done in ordering by C#.
I am interested in the reasoning behind not working.

A: This particular question comes up all the time and I'm pretty sure there are good duplicate questions here on Stack Overflow covering the topic. Please close the question as a proper duplicate and I'd be more than happy to delete my answer in response.
In the meantime...
The problem is us humans.
We see numbers so we think in numbers. To us, 1 is less than 12, and 12 is less than 100. No problems here.
The problem, however, is that we're asking a computer. And a computer is a bit more finicky. In particular, if we're asking a computer to do a alphabetical sort, it will invariably treat our "things" to sort as text. And this is where the problems occur. Or rather, this is where our expectations no longer match what the computer is going to do.
The computer, when asked to sort strings, sort them as any other string sort, character by character.
Let's look at the items:
1
100
12

To us, the natural sort order would be 1, 12, 100. Increasing order.
To the computer, asked to do a text sort, the natural order is different.
The reason is that it's going to compare strings one character at a time.
Broadly it is going to say "all strings that start with 1 is going to come before strings that start with 2", which means "1" and "100" is going to come before "2". This is exactly the same as saying "all words that start with the letter A comes before words that start with the letter B".
Then it's going to say "all strings that then have a 0 comes before strings that have a 1, 2, 3, etc. up to 9, including space", because this is how text sorting is done.
In other words, when you ask "Sort does not order correctly for integer string list?" the simple answer is "Well, no, because when you sort as text, the integer part is never considered".

A: *

*Fact: 12 is less than 100.

*Fact "12" is "greater" than "100".

When comparing numbers the numerical value is used to determine which number is greater.
When comparing strings the individual characters are used. Instead of thinking of a string as a whole think of it by character. So, "12" is really { '1', '2' } & "100" is { '1', '0', '0' }.
When sorting "12" and "100" the first character is compared in each - 1 & 1 - both the same so we must move on to the next character - 2 & 0 - and 2 is greater than 0 so we can immediately say "12" is greater than "100". There's no need to even look at the final 0 in "100".

A: You're performing a lexicographical sort (i.e. an alphabetical sort) since you are sorting strings, not ints.
var listStr = new List<int>()
{
        1,
        100,
        12
};

var sortedList = listStr.OrderBy(x => x);
var desList = listStr.OrderByDescending(x => x);

will do what you're looking to do.
EDIT to explain why the lexicographical sort is ordering things the way it is:
Let's pretend we have a list of B, BAA, and BC. If you sort them alphabetically you get B, BAA, and BC. The same sort logic holds true when we are dealing with lists of strings as ints. "1" will come first (since it is like "B"), "100" will be second (since it is like BAA), and "12" will be the last (since it is like "BC").

A: As mentioned in the comments, since you are storing the data as strings, it's going to sort based off the string value of the variable.
Think of it alphabetically, which is first, bc or baa. Note that a=0, b=1, c=2 in this example.
Without changing the definition of your variable, the following code should work.
var sortedList = listStr.OrderBy(x => int.Parse(x));
var desList = listStr.OrderByDescending(x => int.Parse(x));

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Suppose God, the Creator of heaven and earth, exists. Then it doesn't look good for humanity. We have arrived at a situation as during the Flood or in the time of the Tower of Babel . God, if He exists, will intervene. That will be a disaster that destroys almost all of humanity and a disintegration of all international organizations, of the European Union and of all attempts to unite countries. It is not predictable what form that disaster will take. That can range from a natural disaster, a devastating war to a worldwide epidemic.
After that disaster, the remaining part of humanity comes to mind. Two pillars will support the new era: family life and respect for nature with all its fauna and flora. The newborn human being will refrain from all the technological mess and will be content living of what nature in his environment offers him. Old landscapes will be restored by demolishing highways, airports and industrial sites. In short: the new man will raise the Garden of Eden in all its glory. He will keep far away from the Forbidden Fruit: that is all that the people with their limited knowledge have come up with and that has led to the almost total destruction of the Earth as it was created by God.
After the Flood, whatever form that disaster may have, and after the Babel chaos, the New Age of Spirituality begins. Instead of modernism with its technological developments, its materialism, the depletion of natural resources, the madness of air pollution, mass tourism, the insane bustle on the roads and in the sky, the narcissism of man, the superficiality of thought and the emptiness of social media, people will focus on what really makes sense of a human life. The meaning of life lies in the responsibility for each other and for our environment. Each action will consider whether it can be justified, whether it contributes to the well-being of fellow human beings, including future generations, and whether that action will not harm fauna, flora and nature in general. No waste ends up in the rivers, no piece of plastic is added to the ecological disaster caused by previous generations in the oceans.
Responsibility for each other means that every citizen is part of a "network of solidarity". Nobody is unemployed. All talents get a chance in those networks. From the networks of solidarity, at local, national and international level, numerous initiatives are taken to give all children the best opportunities to develop their talents; to provide the best care to the sick, the disabled and the very old; to manage biodynamic agriculture in their own region and to protect and keep the national heritage accessible.
Spirituality also means that in education the emphasis is on classical literature and on the texts that underpin our civilization. Lifelong learning means that adults have the opportunity to undergo continuous training. For those who are religious, meetings are organized in churches and synagogues to reflect on the wisdom of the Bible. The purpose of this spiritual education is to ensure that the aim of politics, the aim of the economy and the aim of education is to inspire people to take responsibility for their fellow human beings, for those close to them, people far away in developing countries and future generations that will have to live on the planet that we leave behind for them.
In the spiritual age, politics is not a struggle between opponents, but a joint project to bring peace, well-being and prosperity to the world. Economy is not meant to give all advantages to a small group, but aims to combat poverty and misery all over the world. Education does not only aim to provide the child with the appropriate education, but also has the child's first and foremost goal as a good person.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
August 6, 2014 August 2, 2014 | mlatimerridley
Again, in anticipation of the release of Unbroken Ties (Keeping Secrets, 2), we're releasing some new chapters of Legend Unleashed (Keeping Secrets, 1) every Wednesday (next release 13th Aug!)!!
Catch up from the beginning here: Legend Unleashed Prologue to Chapter 4, Legend Unleashed Chapter 5 and Legend Unleashed Chapter 6 and get the newest chapter here: Legend Unleashed Chapter 7
And look forward to the August 2014 release of Unbroken Ties!
Top 5 Villains
Latimer: Another one of the Top 5 posts! This time, dangerous villainous villains!
The series comes from the archive of the 'Top 5 Wednesday' Tag. This Tag was started by Lainey on Goodreads; here's the link if you want to check it out: Lainey!
1. The Joker by DC comics
DC's the Joker has to be a top villain. No one knows his origin story, he never tells the truth. He's absolutely crazy, but he's also incredibly intelligent. He has no loyalties and yet can somehow manipulate those around him to do anything he wants. But the Joker is completely bananas, and as interesting and mysterious as I find him, he's a villain I'd never want to meet!
2. Dracula by Bram Stoker
I couldn't stomach the original Dracula from Bram Stoker. He made me want to hit him with a shovel; the way he manipulated Mina and basically killed Lucy. It really annoys me now when I look at the screen versions of Dracula; he wasn't sexy, or a fallen hero, he was an absolute narcissistic, megalomaniac. No tears shed when he died… and now I can't really look at Dracula the same way anymore.
3. Hannibal Lector by Thomas Harris
Hannibal Lector is a strange one. I always feel like I'm on his side in a way, which it not a comforting thought. I want him to get away, escape and survive (which is bad). He's an amazing villain, I have a weird soft spot for him; I like him, but he's a cannibal and a murder, and he's scary. I'd never want to be in the same room as him. I haven't watched the TV show, but I've seen the finale of season 2; Mad's Mikkelsen is an amazing Hannibal. I'm still amazed by the vicious intelligence of the character. He worm's his way inside people's heads then destroys them.
4. Mr Wickham by Jane Austen
What an absolute arse…
I've said it before; I'm a massive Pride and Prejudice fan.
Mr Wickham is the quintessential 'arsehole villain'. He's not scary and he's not powerful, he's just such an unbelievable jackass. He's a Jane Austen villain. He's the sort of guy that if you met him you'd punch him in the nose. Of course, I wouldn't be afraid to be alone with him, because in a lot of ways, I'd love the opportunity to punch him in the nose.
5. King Joffrery Barathon the First of his Name by GRR Martin
What a little pain in the ass this guy is. Brilliantly portrayed by Jack Gleeson (he's an amazing actor, and he's Irish, by default I'm almost programmed to love him as an actor!).
Joffrery has killed too many people I loved. He's malicious, vindictive and stupid – the issue here is when a villain is stupid and has power, his acts of violence are like a bull in a china shop, it's impossible to predict who will suffer. What a fecker!
July 30, 2014 July 28, 2014 | mlatimerridley
Ah! Another Wednesday release!
Again, in anticipation of the release of Unbroken Ties (Keeping Secrets, 2), we're releasing some new chapters of Legend Unleashed (Keeping Secrets, 1) every Wednesday (next release 6th Aug!)!!
Catch up from the beginning here: Legend Unleashed Prologue to Chapter 4 and get the newest chapter release here: Legend Unleashed Chapter 6
Top 5 You'd Like to See Be Movies/TV shows
July 27, 2014 August 2, 2014 | mlatimerridley
Latimer: There are some fantastic BookTubers on YouTube.
One of them is The Readables. She does this great Tag every Wednesday, called Top 5 Wednesday. This Tag was started by Lainey on Goodreads; and it's basically a weekly prompt of 'Top 5's'. Here's the link if you want to check it out: Lainey!
And this is a complete list of everyone partaking in the Tag if you want to check them out!
I'm taking some inspiration for posts from this Tag, though I won't be doing it in any particular order (and it will be on a Sunday!). It's just for fun, because some of the prompts are quite interesting and force you to think a bit, plus maybe it will inspire me to read a bit more!
For this Tag, I also won't necessarily be using books as my main basis; I'm going to include characters and situations in graphic novels, comic series, books, TV shows and movies!
So! On to the first Top 5:
Top Books/Comics You'd Like to See Be Movies/TV shows
This is a hard one! But well, let's see how ole Latimer gets on!
1. The Sandman by Neil Gaiman – TV SERIES
To this day I have lots of mixed feeling about the series. There were things I loved and things I didn't, as with all experiences! But I do think it would make a very interesting TV Show. There does seem to be some whispers again that something might be happening with The Sandman in the future, but we'll wait and see.
Anyways, I think HBO could do amazing things with this material. The Endless as a character set would be pretty interesting to see in the flesh; the unstable Delirium; wise Destiny, who has a book called the Cosmic Log chained to his hand; bitchy Desire, who is neither man nor a woman (called Sister-Brother by the others) and lives in Threshold, a giant flesh and blood replica of itself; Despair (twin of Desire, nice touch!), who wears no clothes and is always in pain; Death a Goth girl who once a year, for one day, lives and dies as a moral; and the protagonist Dream, the Sandman.
The series spans all of space and time, there's lots of stories to tell along with the main story arc. There are plenty of crazy out-there concepts that could only come from the mind of Neil Gaiman; and they are very cinematic! It could be a great TV show.
2. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett – MOVIE
I love this book! These two writers are a perfect complement to one another – you can tell they must have had fun plotting this story out.
The story is about the coming apocalypse which is supposed to happen at the hands of Adam Young, the son of the Devil, who doesn't know who he really is and doesn't behave as the Anti-Christ should.
There are four horsepeople (Pestilence is now Pollution because Pestilence had to retire due to the discovery of penicillin; and War is a woman); the unlikely team up of an angel and demon;; and the descendant of Angus Nutter, a witch who predicted all of this happening, all racing to find the Anti-Christ.
This would be such a funny, quirky movie – they could make it in a British film style. I think it would be great.
3. Discworld series by Terry Pratchett – TV SERIES
Okay, so technically there have been a few TV specials of various different Discworld novels, but I think it would make a great ongoing TV show, with new stories; or even a totally new group of characters set in the Discworld. There could be a new/original main story arc, with the new characters interacting with various classic Discworld characters.
It could be made in the same style as Doctor Who, quirky and off-beat, serious but not serious. It would definitely need Terry Pratchett to develop the new story line though.
4. Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier – STOP-MOTION MOVIE
This would be a get stop-motion movie; made by Laika. It's the story of the 12 dancing princesses, or a take on that idea.
It's set in maybe 1600's Romania. The book follows these five sisters who every night go dancing in the fairy realm with lots of magical creatures, then return home before the gates close between the two worlds. The main character Jaina has a pet frog (more a friend) that she found in the woods; they have a telepathic link to one another.
Trouble starts when her older sister falls in love with a vampire from the fairy world. It would make an amazing stop-motion movie. I just made myself sad now because I'll never get to see it – *sigh*
5. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson – TV SERIES
This was a really amazing book. It's full of information and it was a damn struggle to read, but so worth it in the end. I actually need to re-read it, there's so much in it that you start to forget it almost straightaway.
It covers geology, physics, chemistry and biology and how all the various major discovers in each field were developed; it also has lots of stories about all the quirky and down-right strange people who made all these discoveries and how they did.
It would be an amazing TV series.
Do you guys have any thoughts on what you'd like to see as a movie or TV show?
If you want to start using this Tag, check out the link to Lainey's thread on Goodreads – anyone can use it!
In anticipation of the release of Unbroken Ties (Keeping Secrets, 2), we'll be releasing some new chapters of Legend Unleashed (Keeping Secrets, 1) every Wednesday (so check back on the 30th July!)!!
Please share if you can! And look forward to the August 2014 release of Unbroken Ties!
Latimer: What else could I call a blog post about Vietnam? It's a phrase I overused so very much while in Vietnam. I said it basically every morning, and if I forgot, I'd say it mid-way through the day.
This post is a continuation of my trip around South East Asia, as it's getting to the end of summer now; I find myself reminiscing more and more about my adventures in the past. They were so good; they make me consider what the next adventure will be!
But well, back to my South East Asian adventures! I had made it through Thailand and Laos, with lots of fond memories and exciting adventures, onward to Vietnam, a place that I was expecting to love, though I wasn't quite sure what I was expecting to love about it…
I was right about the loving part; it's a gorgeous, bustling fun place, full of amazing places to see and history to learn about, all inter-spaced with yummy food, cool art and random livestock on bikes (the motorbike is everything in Vietnam!)
Beer corner, Hanoi where local people sell beer and we all watch the crazy traffic go by, as we sit on the street and drink. Yup. I randomly met up with some of my China-travel buddies here too, so the world is a very small place guys!
Bun Cha, Vietnamese delicacy, Hanoi
Crash site of Senator John McCain's plane, shot down by the Viet Con during the Vietnam war (it is still there in Hanoi where it fell)
They are super happy about having shot down this plane, so it's very well sign posted – I think it's because Senator John McCain is a Senator now
This is the Hilton Prison, Hanoi. Hilton was a nickname placed on the prison, by the prisoners, who were American POWs
Motorbikes on the streets of Hanoi
More yummy Vietnamese food!
Uncle Ho (Ho Chi Minh) propaganda artwork for sale in Hanoi
Artwork, Hanoi
Chinese monument in Hanoi – there is a heavy Chinese influence in Vietnam, as the country was part of/occupied by the Chinese during it's history (Vietnam feels like it has more Chinese influence than, Laos, Thailand or Cambodia)
Sunset, kite-flying off the back of our boat in Halong Bay
Yes, that is a cow on the back of a motorbike… yeah
Food wraps and kawaii fingers, Hue
Vietnamese dragon and my Chinese Travelling Buddha, in the Vietnamese 'forbidden city', Hue
Just on the road in Vietnam, amazing
Blurry Buddha and me in an old American war bunker, on the road
The Mighty Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City (kinda)
Fresh coconuts on the Mekong Delta
Travelling Buddha gets around, here he's at the Cu-Chi Tunnels
Tofu, noodles and veggies, yum!
I saw a lot of amazing places, but my favourite had to be the laid-back beautiful Hoi An, I could have spent a long time there, it was a small, but very lovely town?
Beautiful wedding couple. As in Chinese tradition, red is the colour for the bride in Vietnam, not white
Laid back streets of Hoi An
Hoi An streets
A bridge across the river, Hoi An
Lanterns, beautiful Vietnamese lanterns
Sunsets on its way over Hoi An!
A cool eatery Hoi Ah, though it looks very Spanish or something!
Super fresh noodles and yummy avocado smoothie (delicious!), Hoi An
Lanterns and more lovely Lanterns, Hoi An
Hoi An has a lovely river running through it. I went on a boat ride during the sunset and cast some lanterns out on the water, sending my wishes with it!
It's where people get clothes made lots of the time, but it has some cool art shops also, and also, the best tea shop I have ever been in in my whole life. It's called Reaching Out Teahouse and it's run by deaf and mute staff, so everything is done by indicating via the menu and also these little notes where you can ask for a re-fill of water etc. It is a Fairtrade shop and it works with people with disabilities in the community to find employment and live an independent life, so it's well worth supporting. They also sell these amazing crafts in the shop – and all the tea cups and cutlery (metal and ceramic) are made by the Reaching Out artisans.
Used to communicate with staff
Iced coffee, with coffee ice… haha
Crafts from the shop
Traditional seating
The tea tasting menu (3 types) – soooo good, plus you get three interesting treats with it! Like, eg., a sweet potato swirl, or green tea biscuit
A platter of very interesting treats!
The famous Vietnamese coffee (iced) – three type tasting menu here! It was so good!
It was really serene and it was nice to sit in this traditional style teahouse and look out of the open shutters at the front at the people passing by in the street. Some Chinese tourists randomly stopped in front of the windows and took photos with us Westerns in the background, which was… well, hilarious and random, but I had noticed this happened a lot in China also, so I was kind of used to it, in a very weird way!
Vietnam was a brilliant place, I would definitely go back. Maybe one day I will, but from there it was onward to the place I had wanted to visit the most, Cambodia (and the stunning Angkor Wat… what)!
Unbroken Ties, Keeping Secrets 2
We're back! Yes it has been a while, but we're picking up lots of momentum recently and everything is back on track and progressing nicely!
So here it is, the cover for our next book, due out at the end of August – drum roll please… Unbroken Ties, Keeping Secrets 2!
Book 2 cover!!
We hope you guys like it! Please let us know what you think. The cover was designed and made my ourselves here at MLR and we're v.happy with the results!
So, yes, this is book 2 in our Keeping Secrets series (Young Adult, Urban Fantasy), continuing on from Legend Unleashed (Keeping Secrets 1). The synopsis for Unbroken Ties is…
Unbroken Ties, Keeping Secrets Book 2
Trouble is brewing and tensions are high in Carwick, where Temperance is struggling to belong.
The wizards distrust her, the werewolves despise her, and someone wants her dead.
With Halvard's duties drawing him further from her, and the surprise return of her brother, chaos grips Carwick, and Temperance soon finds her loyalty to her family tested like never before….
We hope you'll come back to Carwick with us for the next story! If you haven't already checked out Legend Unleashed, please click here to read some excerpts and see the book trailers! Or you can pop on over to Amazon!


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careerinsight
George Naylor Associates Ltd
44% 'Feel Pessimistic' About Future After Brexit
UK employees have admitted that they're concerned about what the future holds because of the EU referendum result on June 24th, with 44 per cent saying they're worried.
This is according to the latest survey from the CIPD, revealing that pessimistic sentiments are highest among public sector employees (61 per cent), those in the voluntary sector (58 per cent) and those aged between 25 and 34 (63 per cent).
However, the EU vote result may well have a surprising benefit for many employees, with 21 per cent saying that they feel they'll need to upskill after the decision was made to leave the EU. While this may not be something that they anticipated or even want to do, it can certainly never hurt to offer your employees more chances for training and professional development – especially if you don't want them to leave the company.
"In the short term there is a clear need for UK employers to do more to engage with their workforce about the likely effects of Brexit on their organisation. The survey exposes clear signs of worry among the UK workforce and, if left unchecked, could lead to associated issues such as stress and anxiety," head of public policy with the CIPD Ben Willmott said.
It's certainly no wonder that some employees are concerned that their jobs are at risk, especially if they work for international firms based in the UK. Now's the time to put their minds at ease if you can in any way.
Come and see us at Exit Insight today, for help with surveying the views of employees who are leaving your organisation.
Why Exit Surveys Matter So Much
hello@careerinsight.co.uk
Eaveswood
Mytholm Bank
HX7 6DL
19.09.18 KISS (Keep it Simple, Stupid) - A Design Principle for HR?
27.02.18 Employee Intimacy through Career Insight
21.02.18 GDPR needn't be a nightmare
© George Naylor Associates 2021 - Registered in England & Wales 5386610


Just steps away from the Bruggerhof, is quiet and surrounded by the sun our beautiful Brugger. Here you will feel immediately at home. The four-star chalets lined up inviting and homey at the small village along creek. The warm wood and traditional architecture exude Tyrolean hospitality. The Alpine charm continues in the chalets. Much bright, warm spruce kalkgeputzte walls, wood floors, cozy fabrics in beautiful colors. It is the pleasant alpine-rural ambience that lets you be at home from the first minute. Even otherwise lacks nothing: All chalets have a balcony and terrace. The garden, the river, the bridges and paths are of course do so.


The refrigerator is suitable for use as a milk cooler for coffee makers. Supply tubes for espresso and coffee makers can be fed through the holes in the sides of the appliance. The cooling device is also suitable for cooling and heating foodstuffs. There is a switch to change between heating and cooling modes. The cooling device is intended to be used in household and similar applications such as staff kitchen areas in shops, offices and other working environments, farm houses, clients in hotels, motels and other residential type environments, bed and breakfast type environments, catering and similar non-retail applications.
The refrigerator can cool products to a maximum of 30°C under ambient temperature or warm them to a maximum of 65°C. A partition can be used to separate foodstuffs, such as drinks and fruit.
For the "Cold" mode, the lowest temperature is 4°C to avoid food and drink from getting freeze.
For the extra "Max Cold" mode, the refrigerator will keep cooling to maximum of 30°C under the ambient temperature. The food and drink can be frozen depends upon the ambient temperature.


If you need to see in dark places, and record the video, the Flashlight DVR Camera kills 2 birds with 1 stone.
The Flash Light DVR camera has a hidden color CMOS camera and DVR with 2GB of built in memory inside the flashlight, what better way to capture video in the dark!
The DVR flashlight is completely self contained with an internal rechargeable battery, and is very easy to use. Once you charge the dvr flash light, just push one button to begin recording. When you are finished, you can hook it up to any computer via USB and upload your videos; it's so simple and easy.
This handy video recording flashlight has tons of uses when needing to gather evidence covertly or for record keeping such as checking Id's, security officers, Police, Private Investigators, home inspections, car engines, attics, personal property recordings, just about anything you can point this flash light at you can have video.


The One & Only Designer Sale is back at Showcase in May, with discounts from multibrand retailers and independent labels - this time including the lovely Winser London! Expect menswear, womenswear, footwear, handbags and accessories on offer.
Visit their website to ensure speedy access with a free ticket. Coats and handbags to be checked in on arrival. No pushchairs inside.


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Prohibitory orders clamped, protesters defy police
New Delhi: Hours after police evacuated demonstrators from Raisina Hills and Sonia Gandhi's residence, high drama was witnessed at India Gate today when agitators resisted police attempts to detain them for defying prohibitory orders to protest against the gangrape of a young girl.
The protesters assembled near the war memorial from 9 AM when they were asked to vacate the location by the police which said the area was under Section 144 of CrPC which bans the assembly of four or more persons.
As the protesters remained defiant, police forcibly removed them from the spot.
Some of the protesters tried to get out of the police van but were pushed back into the vehicle. Later, the protesters also punctured the tyres of the bus which was carrying them while a group of girls lay down infront of it.
Women protesters alleged that they were manhandled by male police personnel though women police were present at the spot.
"We are here to protest a heinous crime. We have the right to protest," said Pushpa, a Nepali national, who is pursuing studies here.
Earlier in the morning, the police evacuated a number of protesters from area of Raisina Hills, where Rashtrapati Bhavan and key government offices are located, and outside Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's 10, Janpath residence where they had stayed put since last night to protest against the gang-rape of the 23-year-old girl on Sunday last.
The protesters, most of them students, who spent a chilly night in the open after they fought pitched battles with the police throughout the day yesterday at Raisina Hills, were taken into a bus in an early morning operation. Outside Gandhi's residence also, protesters were taken into custody.
A large number of police men were deployed and Raisina Hills and Rajpath were barricaded. Eight Metro stations near India Gate and Raisina Hills were closed as part of police preparations to contain the agitation.
The police clamped prohibitory orders in New Delhi district and asked protesters to stage demonstrations either at Jantar Mantar or Ramlila Maidan.
A Delhi Police statement said, "Protestors may go to Ramlila Maidan or Jantar Mantar. Traffic has been diverted from Vijay Chowk and Rajpath."
It said prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC have been issued in New Delhi area except Jantar Mantar.
Anticipating more protests on the gang-rape issue, eight Delhi Metro stations near Raisina Hill and India Gate were also closed for public.
Last night, it was decided to close four stations – Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan and Race Course – but this morning it was extended to four more-Barakhamba Road, Mandi House, Khan Market and Pragati Maidan.
Though the commuters were less in the morning it being Sunday, the few who chose to take the Metro to reach these destinations were put to hardship as they unaware of the announcement made late last night by DMRC.
Delhi Metro's decision came on the directions of the Delhi Police. The stations will remain closed till further orders.
"The stations will remain closed till DMRC gets further orders from the Delhi Police. All the four stations are close to India Gate. However, interchange will be allowed at Central Secretariat station," DMRC officials said.
The police move came a day after thousands of youths clashed with the police at Raisina Hills protesting against the gang-rape and demanding speedy punishment to the accused.


John Pollock is joined by Phil Chertok to review the UFC's debut card on ESPN+ featuring Henry Cejudo defending the UFC flyweight title against T.J. Dillashaw, the promotional debut of Greg Hardy amidst plenty of criticism, Donald Cerrone's walks into the octagon for the 30th time, and they discuss the stories come out of this event.
John Pollock & Mike Bohn from USA Today and MMA Junkie chat about Golden Boy MMA's first card featuring Chuck Liddell fighting Tito Ortiz.
John Pollock is joined by Phil Chertok & Ziggy Cao with the UFC 229 POST Show as they react to the show-closing brawl following Khabib Nurmagomedov's win over Conor McGregor and a review of the entire show.
John Pollock is solo this month to review the UFC 228 pay-per-view from Dallas, Texas that was headlined by Tyron Woodley defending the UFC welterweight title against Darren Till.
John Pollock is joined by Phil Chertok & Ziggy Cao to review Saturday's UFC 227 card from Los Angeles where T.J. Dillashaw defended his title against Cody Garbrandt in successful fashion, while Henry Cejudo ended the 2,142 flyweight title reign of Demetrious Johnson. Plus, the UFC announces Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor & more.
John Pollock is joined by his friends Phil Chertok & Ziggy Cao to review UFC 226, chat about Daniel Cormier's heavyweight title win over Stipe Miocic, the return of Brock Lesnar and his challenge to Cormier, one of the worst heavyweight fights ever, and all the news from the card.


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Andrew Harness, Musician
Andrew Harness is a composer and musician living and working in southeast Michigan. His work and collaborations stretch from early music styles to electro-acoustic genres and center on the idea that music should be both enjoyable and challenging. Andrew's work includes high school vocal and band pieces, mini series theme music for Wayne State University Grad Department, film scoring for Practical Folks, short-piece dance competition film with David Gwynn, collaborations with trumpeter Andrew Smith, and various band projects. He was a finalist in the MIVOS string quartet competition and participated in the electro-acoustic composers series with Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, and Michigan State University. His songs have been placed in various short films and student projects. A self-taught musician, his formal study of theory and composition began at St. Lawrence University where he studied with Dr. In-Sil Yoo, Dr. Chris Watts, and Mr. Barry Torres. Andrew continued composition study with Dr. Matt Schoendorf and Dr. Jon Anderson at Wayne State. He is currently working on various commissions, an alternative funk-rock trio project, and a solo band project. When not making music Andrew enjoys soccer, cooking, and reading. Andrew can be contacted at andrewharness8@gmail.com.
Steve Karageanes, Photographer and Videographer
Lauren Smith, Photographer


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Athletics Do It Right With '74 Champs Celebration
By Richard Paloma
May 31, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Former Oakland Athletics pitcher Rollie Fingers prepares to throw out the first pitch prior to the game against the Los Angeles Angels at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
As a 14-year-old kid, I watched in awe as the Oakland A's won their third consecutive World Series and as a grown man, I watched again as my boys of summer were celebrated with a well-staged reunion of the 1974 A's by the current Athletic's organization.
Led by a superb pitching staff of Jim 'Catfish Hunter, Ken Holtzman, Vida Blue, and John 'Blue Moon' Odom and superb hitting of Reggie Jackson, Captain Sal Bando, Joe Rudi, and Gene Tenace, there was no telling how far this team would have gone. For me and other A's fans at the time, championships and division titles had become expected.
More from Oakland A's News
Oakland A's bring Deolis Guerra back on minor league deal
On Saturday, May 31, the current 2014 A's players met the former World Champs and escorted them to their former positions. There were many similarities to the core of the Mustache Gang to when they were coming up and establishing themselves as a force in baseball to the team now as it also develops with a bright and promising future.
Vida Blue, who made a name for himself in 1971 as a young strikeout ace, was escorted by Sonny Gray who's gotten a similar rep, getting noticed in the 2013 Playoffs and having a successful year.
The '74 A's had a power hitting outfielder with speed and a strong arm in Reggie Jackson. This year's team has a comparable outfielder in Yoenis Cespedes. Sal Bando, a sure-handed fielder and four-time all-star, who could be counted to hit the longball, led and anchored the team at third base. Josh Donaldson is showing the same potential, if not exceeding that performance.
The parallels are obviously there. Both have/had strong pitching staffs with notable control and low ERAs. The '74 A's had a speedy, game changing lead-off hitter in Center fielder Bill North who, aside from also even wearing #4, matches the mold of Coco Crisp.
Joe Rudi was a Gold Glove winning fielder, same with Josh Reddick. Gene Tenace, MVP of the '72 Series, was converted to a first baseman when he began hitting home runs. Brandon Moss, formerly an outfielder, is doing the same.
The ceremony wasn't only celebrated on the field, but in the stands. Somewhere in that sell-out crowd of 36,000, I'm hoping was a kid developing a bond with this current team that I had with the A's of the 70s.


The NCAA Division I board of directors has unanimously approved higher academic requirements for student-athletes, with the threat of postseason bans for teams that fall below a certain standard.
Come fall, the NCAA will also consider boosting academic requirements for incoming freshmen.
Under the new rule, the NCAA will use the Academic Progress Rate calculation, which takes into account the number of student-athletes who graduate, transfer, and drop out. Previously, teams that fell below an APR of 900, which represented a 40 percent graduation rate, risked a postseason ban. With the new rule, to be phased in, teams must exceed an APR of 930, averaged over four years—which represents a roughly 50 percent graduation rate—to participate in the postseason.


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It roves all over the emotional map, expressing accurately the ambivalence one feels as a great love fails.
Through Glam Rock bombast and pretensions the opening to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road gives us Elton John at his peak.
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
I am a rock 'n' rollin', country and western, rhythm and blues singin' bastard!
Stoned Soul Picnic
Nyro brings elements of Rock, Jazz, Soul, Opera, Folk and '60s Avant Garde Art pop, even Musical Theater.
Strawberry Fields Forever – Behind The Song
by The Good Doctor
We value your input so please make comments at the end of this post.
Rant about burning news of the day at Rock Populi or comment below.
Many a great Rock-N-Roll song refer to physical places dear to the heart of the songwriter. Neil Young's "Helpless" recalls North Ontario. Jagger and Richards' "Memory Motel" was inspired by a real lodging place of the same name in Montauk, Long Island.
The Beatles' offer up a bundle of place references. You can start at the end of the Fab Four's run with Abbey Road, or go back to their "middle period," with real places like Penny Lane, or the tombstone of Eleanor Rigby and her husband in a Liverpool cemetery. (They also tossed off casual references to dozens of places: the U.S.S.R., Gibraltar, Vienna, Amsterdam, the Seine River, California, Tucson, and many more.)
Listen to "Strawberry Fields Forever"
https://songmango.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/08-Strawberry-Fields-Forever.mp3
"Strawberry Fields Forever" fascinates us because of the strength of the song itself – a monument to experimental Psychedelic Rock – and its lasting significance as the name of the area in New York's Central Park that memorializes John Lennon's life and death.
But there was and is a real Strawberry Field in Woolton Village, a near-in suburb of Liverpool, close to where Lennon spent childhood days playing with children who were the wards of the Salvation Army. Those kids were called "Sallies."
The great orphans' house that Lennon would have been familiar with was close to the home of his Aunt Mimi, the woman who raised the Beatle. Until 1973 when it was demolished, there was at Strawberry Field (note the singular was changed to plural by Lennon), a large mansion with foreboding gothic features in an extensive wooded garden-park that once extended to Menlove Avenue (the title of a 1986 album by Lennon).
The yard, garden and woods provided a wonderful secret world in which to play. It is an easy leap to imagine that the young Lennon felt himself, too, an orphan, in spite of the loving home Mimi provided him. His mother had essentially abandoned him, an issue that John grappled with his whole life through.
The mansion at Strawberry Field
in Woolton/Liverpool is eerily
evocative of The Dakota apartment
building in New York where John
was murdered in 1980
Possibly it's a stretch to say that there is a direct reference to the grounds of the old children's home, but the line from "Strawberry Fields" that has the most potential is:
No one I think is in my tree
I mean it must be high or low
Read the complete lyrics here.
It is also worth noting that it was in Woolton Village that Lennon and Paul McCartney first met at a town fair in 1957. The little world on the edge of Liverpool evidently represented an enormously potent bag of magic, then, for John.
The song is dreamlike, drifting, a work that attempts to excavate the essence of the child through the eyes of the grown man, hauling up memories, impressions, yearnings. Childhood is, after all, largely an impressionistic experience, given the great flood of images and sensations that flood our brains and souls when we're young.
When you really dwell upon the song – the days playing with the Sallies, the photos of the two buildings, the proximities of the park-like settings – you realize that it wasn't all that long of a journey from Strawberry Field, Woolton, to "Strawberry Fields Forever" and the Imagine memorial across the street from The Dakota in Central Park.
John Lennon – born October 9, 1940, murdered December 8, 1980.
Get The Beatles' best, including "Strawberry Fields Forever," on vinyl or CD here.
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From Israel: "You Can Run, But You Can't Hide!!"
Arlene Kushner 06/02/2021 Comments Off on From Israel: "You Can Run, But You Can't Hide!!" 1,328 Views
I am ever mindful of the blessings that are ours, and would never, ever suggest that hope be abandoned. Jews survive on hope, on faith in a better tomorrow.
And yet, it is exceedingly important not to be naïve, not to insist on a positive perspective – because that feels more comfortable – when the realities suggest something quite different. The news I share today is enormously important. It is not just that there is much going on that is ugly and frightening: there is a pervasive sense that the world has become unhinged.
For American Jews right now there is a particular imperative to confront the realities: Antisemitism is on the rise, big-time, in the US and the current state of affairs is likely a harbinger of even worse to come.
Elina Kaplan, who sees the problem writ large, is leading an extensive fight against the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC), slated to be voted on the by California State Board of Education on March 17. This curriculum, says Kaplan, is "the greatest threat facing American Jews today."
The curriculum is particularly dangerous because California has the largest school system in the country: any program it adopts would be exported to other school systems. This is in addition to the millions of California students who would be influenced by it.
Its inevitable effect would be increased anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism across the US.
The California Legislative Jewish Caucus published a letter charging that the curriculum "effectively erases the American Jewish experience" and "denigrates Jews."
Written in response to a California law passed in 2016 mandating creation of an ethnic studies program and unsatisfactorily revised twice, it is slated to be voted on the by the California State Board of Education on March 17.
https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/california-ethnic-studies-curriculum
The curriculum, informed by radical critical race theory, has a great deal more wrong with it than its position on Jews, but here I focus specifically on this concern.
credit: JNS
"Tammi Rossman-Benjamin, director of AMCHA Initiative, which fights campus antisemitism, points out that all 13 founding members of the Critical Ethnic Studies Association (CESA) are BDS activists. CESA, the national home base for critical studies, passed a resolution to boycott all Israeli academic institutions in 2014, and the group's past four biennial meetings included multiple sessions demonizing Israel. 'There are a couple thousand academic boycotters of Israel in the country,' she said, 'and the largest percentage of them come from ethnic studies. Anti-Zionism is built into the theory and the discipline of ethnic studies, which demonizes Israel as an apartheid settler-colonialist Nazi state.'" (Emphasis added)
But antisemitism and anti-Zionism coming from the radical elements of American society are not the only problem to contend with. As Caroline Glick recently wrote, the Biden administration is "shaping up to be the most hostile U.S. administration ever."
https://www.jns.org/opinion/maher-bitar-and-israels-ideological-elections/
This is not something she would say lightly, nor is it something we can afford to ignore.
credit. Jihad Watch
Glick is basing her comment on Biden's choice of individuals who exhibit anti-Israel/antisemitic attitudes to fill key positions in his administration. There have been several problematic appointments, but when she made the above statement she was focused on Palestinian American Maher Bitar, who has been selected by Biden to serve as the senior director for Intelligence at the National Security Council.
"The position is one of the most powerful posts in the US intelligence community…As one former senior national security council member explained, 'The senior director for intelligence controls the information everyone sees. And by controlling information, he controls the conversation.'"
As a student at Georgetown University, Bitar was a leader of the antisemitic Students for Justice in Palestine, which is allied with the Muslim Brotherhood. He organized a BDS campaign on campus, and, according to Daniel Greenfield, "chaired a panel at a BDS conference where participants discussed how to indoctrinate Christians to believe that Israel has no right to exist."
When doing his Master's degree, he wrote his thesis on the "Nakba," which means "catastrophe" in Arabic and refers to Israel's founding. Subsequently he worked for UNRWA, which promotes terrorism and, by virtue of its policies, seeks to prevent resolution of the Palestinian Arab conflict with Israel.
During the Obama presidency, Bitar served on the National Security Council as the Israeli-Palestinian officer. He was also deputy to Samantha Power, who, as UN ambassador, played a key role in the passage of the blatantly anti-Israel UN Security Council Resolution 2334.
Glick focuses on Israeli choices with regard to how to deal with the Biden administration – either via direct confrontation when Israel's interests are threatened or via appeasement of Bitar and his colleagues "to maintain the appearance of business as usual," even though this would be to "risk its national interests." I have written about this, and the great need for a strong right wing government with backbone to stand against Biden when necessary. This will be a running theme going forward.
But I also wish to emphasize how important it is for American Jews to face the current situation and speak out as necessary.
Hady Amr, who was born in Beirut and grew up in Saudi Arabia, has now been chosen by Biden as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs.
He once described himself as having been inspired by the Palestinian Arab intifada, and has accused Israel of "ethnic cleansing" and "apartheid." At one point, he warned Americans, "we too shouldn't be shocked when our military assistance to Israel and our security council vetoes that keep on protecting Israel come back to haunt us."
Amr, who has advocated for a deal with Hamas, has close ties with Qatar, which is a supporter of Hamas.
Says Daniel Greenfield, Biden's appointment of Amr is a statement about "the Biden administration's hostile relationship to the Jewish State."
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/2021/02/bidens-new-asst-sec-state-worked-islamic-terror-daniel-greenfield/
And then there is Robert Malley: He played a key role in crafting the Iran deal for Obama and has now been named "Special Envoy to Iran" by Biden.
Says Sarah Stern, president of Emet: "Malley has a long record of serving on the National Security Council and an equally long record of overt hostility towards Israel." (Emphasis added)
In 2000, when the Camp David talks between Prime Minister Ehud Barak and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat fell apart…"Both President Bill Clinton and Dennis Ross wrote books about what happened at Camp David, putting the responsibility for the failure of these talks squarely on the shoulders of Yasser Arafat. Yet, Robert Malley was the one analyst who pinned the responsibility for that failure totally on Israel.
"He has continuously counselled Israel to negotiate with Hamas, and he, himself, has frequently met with Hamas officials…He firmly believes that there is no terrorist or leader of a rogue regime that cannot be charmed by him just by engaging in dialogue."
https://www.israelhayom.com/opinions/a-false-sense-of-security/
Jonathan Tobin, writing in JNS shortly before Malley was appointed, stated that bringing him on board would encourage Iran.
Tobin cited well-informed journalist Eli Lake, who had written a column arguing that "picking Malley would mean that Biden's 'first foreign-policy blunder could be on Iran.' Lake's argument was that Malley, who has been a foreign-policy player for a quarter-century with a long record of appeasing America's enemies, is exactly the wrong person for such a job. Or at least he would be if the goal of the Biden team was not to simply turn the clock back to January 2017…
"Lake argues that appointing Malley as Biden's go-to man on Iran would send a signal to the Islamist regime that, as was the case under Obama, they would be dealing with diplomats who are prepared to give them whatever they want."
https://www.jns.org/opinion/what-would-hiring-robert-malley-say-about-bidens-plans-on-iran/
And so, here we are, my friends, and this is not a pretty picture.
There are those who see the Biden administration as putting forth hopeful signs, and point to people such as Secretary of State Blinken, who are believed to be reasonable and moderate. They accept statements from the administration about caution that will be exercised with regard to Iran.
I most vigorously disagree with this hopeful perspective: I refer to the evidence above. Individuals who are anti-Israel, pro-Hamas, and soft on Iran would not have been put in key positions if this were the case.
If you listen carefully, you can hear chortling. This is not just from Iran, and from Hamas, it is from Barack Obama. Oh, how he is chortling now, as he sees – undoubtedly has engineered – the inclusion in the Biden administration of key figures from his administration, who will carry forward his anti-Israel, pro-Iran policies.
Meanwhile, over on Capitol Hill we see a bunch of vengeful Democrats more interested in going through with the impeachment trial of President Trump than with focusing on matters of national concern. The current situation exposes them for what they are – petty and spiteful.
For them, the original goal of this trial was to secure a finding of guilty in order to prevent Trump from ever running for president again. That was a dubious proposition in any event because it was questionable as to whether there was a legal basis for trying someone for impeachment when he is no longer in office.
But now it is clear that there will not be a sufficient number of Republican senators to secure a finding of guilty. The maths doesn't work: Two-thirds of the Senate is required for such a finding. Half the Senate is Republican, and of these 50, 35 have stated they don't believe this would be a constitutional action.
But on they go, anyway. Turning their backs on very genuine concerns that this undermines the Constitution. Ignoring the fact that Trump is protected by the free speech guarantees of the First Amendment. Making light of the very clear evidence that the violence at the Capitol had been planned in advance and was not incited by the president.
Hey! It doesn't matter. Get Trump. Make him look bad.
Do Americans recognize how shameful and deeply worrisome this is? How many see that the great republic of the United States is at risk now?
credit: Sydney Morning Herald
Yet Joe Biden – who sits in the White House and is titular head of the party – is silent on this. At his inauguration he spoke about how his soul is seeking the unity of America. I was inclined to gag. But people bought it. I heard about how moving this was, and what a nice, kind man Biden seems to be. In their dreams, for it was a well-crafted lie.
Had he meant it, he would be working overtime now to bring people together and get the Democrats in the Capitol to back off from their spitefulness.
He is probably enjoying every second of it, as, most certainly, is Obama.
Turning to Israel: Tonight at midnight the party lists for running in the March 23 election must be finalized. In my next posting I will be examining this in some detail.
credit: Arutz Sheva
What I will mention here is that so far negotiations between Bezalel Smotrich of Ihud Leumi (National Union) and Hagit Moshe of Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home) have not been successful, in spite of declarations that they intended to run together. Smotrich (at right), recognizing the need to join with another party to form a technical national religious bloc that can pass the threshold in the election, has signed with Itamar Ben-Gvir of Otzma Yehudit (which means Jewish Strength).
Four mandates are required to pass the threshold; a poll taken after this announcement gives the bloc five seats. Whether Bayit Yehudi – which faces a real risk of not passing the threshold if it runs alone – will join by this evening remains to be seen. There are rumors that Netanyahu is involved behind the scenes in an effort to manipulate the situation so that mandates he needs for his coalition will not be lost.
The agreement between the two parties is a "technical" bloc because it is for purposes of the election. Once in the Knesset, they may break apart.
credit: Wikipedia
In closing I want to mention an important and most encouraging statement from Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi just over a week ago.
In a live-streamed speech he delivered at the Institute for National Security Studies, Lt. Gen. Kochavi said:
"With the changing of the administration in the United States, the Iranians have said they want to return to the previous agreement. I want to state my position, the position that I give to all my colleagues when I meet them around the world: Returning to the 2015 nuclear agreement or even to an agreement that is similar but with a few improvements is a bad thing and it is not the right thing to do."
He particularly expressed concern about the sunset clause:
"If the 2015 nuclear deal were carried out, Iran would be able to get itself a weapon because the agreement did not include limits to prevent this when [the agreement] ended. As of today, Iran has increased the amount of enriched material beyond what was permitted. It enriched it to levels beyond what was permitted. It developed and manufactured centrifuges that will allow it to rush ahead and produce a weapon at a much faster rate, within months, maybe even weeks."
Right on!! This was most unusual: a chief of staff publicly lecturing another country on its policy. It signals the seriousness with which Israel regards the situation with Iran.
And he had words of warning for Iran, as well:
"Iran can decide that it wants to advance to a bomb, either covertly or in a provocative way. In light of this basic analysis, I have ordered the IDF to prepare a number of operational plans, in addition to the existing ones. We are studying these plans and we will develop them over the next year.
"The government will of course be the one to decide if they should be used. But these plans must be on the table, in existence and trained for."
This answers the question as to whether Israel will be willing to directly confront the US where our interests are concerned, at least with regard to Iran. And it puts Iran on notice that Israel has no intention of providing a free ride. What is understood now is that we stand alone.
May we stand strong, as well, on other issues of vital concern to us!
Arlene from Israel website. https://www.arlenefromisrael.info/
Tags Anti-Zionism antisemitism Barack Obama BDS Caroline Glick Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi Hady Amr Iran joe Biden Maher Bitar Robert Malley Tammi Rossman-Benjamin
Previous Sarah Wilkinson, the Holocaust denying star of anti-Israel activism
Next People of Israel, Unite Before It Is Too Late.


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{New Releases} Aug 31-Sept 6, 2020
When No One Is Watching by:Alyssa Cole
Rear Window meets Get Out in this gripping thriller from a critically acclaimed and New York Times Notable author, in which the gentrification of a Brooklyn neighborhood takes on a sinister new meaning…
Sydney Green is Brooklyn born and raised, but her beloved neighborhood seems to change every time she blinks. Condos are sprouting like weeds, FOR SALE signs are popping up overnight, and the neighbors she's known all her life are disappearing. To hold onto her community's past and present, Sydney channels her frustration into a walking tour and finds an unlikely and unwanted assistant in one of the new arrivals to the block—her neighbor Theo.
But Sydney and Theo's deep dive into history quickly becomes a dizzying descent into paranoia and fear. Their neighbors may not have moved to the suburbs after all, and the push to revitalize the community may be more deadly than advertised.
When does coincidence become conspiracy? Where do people go when gentrification pushes them out? Can Sydney and Theo trust each other—or themselves—long enough to find out before they too disappear?
Release: 9/1/20
Get the Book: (Kindle); (Audiobook); (Paperback)
I Am Every Good Thing by:Derrick Barnes
An upbeat, empowering, important picture book from the team that created the award-winning Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut.
a nonstop ball of energy.
Powerful and full of light.
I am a go-getter. A difference maker. A leader.
The confident Black narrator of this book is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He's got big plans, and no doubt he'll see them through–as he's creative, adventurous, smart, funny, and a good friend. Sometimes he falls, but he always gets back up. And other times he's afraid, because he's so often misunderstood and called what he is not. So slow down and really look and listen, when somebody tells you–and shows you–who they are. There are superheroes in our midst!
Ages: 3 to 7, Grades: P to 2
Get the Book: (Kindle); (Audiobook); (Hardcover)
Punching the Air by:Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
From award-winning, bestselling author Ibi Zoboi and prison reform activist Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five comes a powerful YA novel in verse about a boy who is wrongfully incarcerated. Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds, Walter Dean Myers, and Elizabeth Acevedo.
The story that I thought
was my life
didn't start on the day
I was born
Amal Shahid has always been an artist and a poet. But even in a diverse art school, he's seen as disruptive and unmotivated by a biased system. Then one fateful night, an altercation in a gentrifying neighborhood escalates into tragedy. "Boys just being boys" turns out to be true only when those boys are white.
The story that I think
will be my life
starts today
Suddenly, at just sixteen years old, Amal's bright future is upended: he is convicted of a crime he didn't commit and sent to prison. Despair and rage almost sink him until he turns to the refuge of his words, his art. This never should have been his story. But can he change it?
With spellbinding lyricism, award-winning author Ibi Zoboi and prison reform activist Yusef Salaam tell a moving and deeply profound story about how one boy is able to maintain his humanity and fight for the truth, in a system designed to strip him of both.
Ages: 14 And Up, Grades: 9 And Up
Who Will Be a Witness by:Drew G.I. Hart
Churches have begun awakening to social and political injustices, often carried out in the name of Christianity. But once awakened, how will we respond?
Who Will Be a Witness offers a vision for communities of faith to organize for deliverance and justice in their neighborhoods, states, and nation as an essential part of living out the call of Jesus.
Author Drew G. I. Hart provides incisive insights into Scripture and history, along with illuminating personal stories, to help us identify how the witness of the church has become mangled by Christendom, white supremacy, and religious nationalism. Hart provides a wide range of options for congregations seeking to give witness to Jesus' ethic of love for and solidarity with the vulnerable.
At a time when many feel disillusioned and distressed, Hart calls the church to action, offering a way forward that is deeply rooted in the life and witness of Jesus. Dr. Hart's testimony is powerful, personal, and profound, serving as a compass that points the church to the future and offers us a path toward meaningful social change and a more faithful witness to the way of Jesus.
Click to Read: (Kindle); (Hardcover); (Paperback)
A Girl is A Body of Water by:Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
International-award-winning author Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi's novel is a sweeping and powerful portrait of a young girl and her family: who they are, what history has taken from them, and―most importantly―how they find their way back to each other.
In her twelfth year, Kirabo, a young Ugandan girl, confronts a piercing question that has haunted her childhood: who is my mother? Kirabo has been raised by women in the small village of Nattetta―her grandmother, her best friend, and her many aunts, but the absence of her mother follows her like a shadow. Complicating these feelings of abandonment, as Kirabo comes of age she feels the emergence of a mysterious second self, a headstrong and confusing force inside her at odds with her sweet and obedient nature.
Seeking answers, Kirabo begins spending afternoons with Nsuuta, a local witch, trading stories and learning not only about this force inside her, but about the woman who birthed her, who she learns is alive but not ready to meet. Nsuuta also explains that Kirabo has a streak of the "first woman"―an independent, original state that has been all but lost to women.
Kirabo's journey to reconcile her rebellious origins, alongside her desire to reconnect with her mother and to honor her family's expectations, is rich in the folklore of Uganda and an arresting exploration of what it means to be a modern girl in a world that seems determined to silence women. Makumbi's unforgettable novel is a sweeping testament to the true and lasting connections between history, tradition, family, friends, and the promise of a different future.
Get the Book: (Kindle) or (Hardcover)
Trust Fund Fiancé (Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches Book 4) by:Naima Simone
An intriguing proposal mixes romance and finance…
His friend needs a fiancé to claim a fortune.
But they both know it's about more than money…
Ezekiel Holloway's proposition could save his friend Reagan Sinclair's inheritance and give her the freedom she craves. But when family scandals force Ezekiel to end their fake engagement, the heiress comes up with a counterproposal—and they elope to Vegas after all! Is there something more than mere convenience at stake here?
Release: 9/1/20 & 9/8/20
Get the Book: (Kindle) or (Mass Market Paperback)
The Maverick's Baby Arrangement (Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix? Book 3) by:Kathy Douglass
He'll do anything for his child's sake…
THE COWBOY TAKES A (FAKE) WIFE
Wealthy workaholic rancher Daniel Dubois has everything money can buy, but it's not enough. If he can't convince authorities he's worthy, he will soon lose custody of his orphaned baby niece. Event planner Brittany Brandt rejects Daniel's marriage of convenience until little Hailey wins her over. Soon they are a cozy family of three—and Daniel's biggest problem is guarding his heart against his make-believe bride…
A Winning Season by:Rochelle Alers
Sliding home…for a lifetime
Or a grand slam love?
Baseball ace Sutton Reed's returned home triumphant after years in the majors. When he moves next door to a troubled young man, he's determined to help—for the boy's sake and for the boy's gorgeous older sister, Zoey Allen. After sacrificing everything to keep her family together, Zoey has no time for romance…even with a hometown hero. But will this unlikely combo be the home run love story they all deserve?
Black In The Middle by:Terrion L. Willamson
Black Americans have been among the hardest hit by the rapid deindustrialization and accompanying economic decline that have become so synonymous with the Midwest. Since the 2016 election, many traditional media outlets have renewed attention on the conditions of "Middle America," but the national discourse continues to marginalize the Black people who live there. Black in the Middle brings the voices of Black Midwesterners front and center. Filled with compelling personal narratives, thought-provoking art, and searing commentaries, this anthology explores the various meanings and experiences of blackness throughout the Rust Belt, the Midwest, and the Great Plains. Bringing together people from major metropolitan centers like Detroit and Chicago as well as smaller cities and rural areas where the lives of Black residents have too often gone unacknowledged, this collection is a much-needed corrective to the narrative of the region.
Click to Read: (Kindle) or (Paperback)
Micah: The Good Girl #2 by:Ashley Woodfall
Meet the Flyy Girls. The group of girls who seem like they can get away with anything. Veteran author Ashley Woodfolk pens a gorgeous and dynamic series of four Harlem highschoolers, each facing a crossroads of friendship, family, and love.
Micah Dupree had always liked being the "good girl." She was happy painting, going to church, and acing her school projects. After all, she had a perfect older brother to live up to. But when he unexpectedly dies, Micah's world is turned upside-down. With her anxiety growing, a serious boyfriend in the picture, and new feelings emerging, Micah begins to question what being the "good girl" really means…and if it's worth it, anyway.
With simply stated text and compelling characters, Flyy Girls is a series that's perfect for readers of any level.
Ages: 12 And Up; Grades: 7 And Up
Click to Read: (Kindle); (Audiobook); (Mass Market Paperback)
Kids off the Block by:Diane Latiker
That was the question Diane Latiker asked of herself as she watched the teens in her Chicago neighborhood succumb at an alarming rate to gangs and gun violence. Her answer started small, inviting ten kids into her living room to talk about their struggles and dreams. But over the years it grew. With the help of God, her family, and many other people along the way, Diane's Kids Off the Block morphed from a personal crusade to do what she could into a nationally known program that has helped more than 3,000 at-risk Chicago teens.
In this powerful, energizing book, she tells her incredible story to men and women who are sick of sitting behind their keyboards watching the world crumble and are ready to do something to make a difference. Through doubt, financial strain, and deep grief over lives lost, Diane has never lost her faith that God called her to this life-transforming work. In these pages she'll show you that God is calling you to do something too. Maybe something that feels small . . . definitely something that will change the world.
Click to Read: (Kindle); (Audiobook); (Hardcover)
Fifty Words For Rain by: Ashe Lemmie
From debut author Asha Lemmie, a sweeping, heartrending coming-of-age novel about a young woman's quest for acceptance in post-World War II Japan.
Kyoto, Japan, 1948. "Do not question. Do not fight. Do not resist.
"Such is eight-year-old Noriko "Nori" Kamiza's first lesson. She will not question why her mother abandoned her with only these final words. She will not fight her confinement to the attic of her grandparents' imperial estate. And she will not resist the scalding chemical baths she receives daily to lighten her skin.
The child of a married Japanese aristocrat and her African American GI lover, Nori is an outsider from birth. Her grandparents take her in, only to conceal her, fearful of a stain on the royal pedigree that they are desperate to uphold in a changing Japan. Obedient to a fault, Nori accepts her solitary life, despite her natural intellect and curiosity. But when chance brings her older half-brother, Akira, to the estate that is his inheritance and destiny, Nori finds in him an unlikely ally with whom she forms a powerful bond—a bond their formidable grandparents cannot allow and that will irrevocably change the lives they were always meant to lead. Because now that Nori has glimpsed a world in which perhaps there is a place for her after all, she is ready to fight to be a part of it—a battle that just might cost her everything.
Spanning decades and continents, Fifty Words for Rain is a dazzling epic about the ties that bind, the ties that give you strength, and what it means to be free.
Pele by:Maria Isabel Sanchez Vega
In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy best-selling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Pelé, Brazil's all-time King of Soccer.
With a sock full of rags for a ball, Pelé honed his skills in a poor neighborhood in Brazil. He believed that, one day, he would lead his country to World Cup victory—and he was right! With Pelé and his super skills on the team, Brazil lifted the trophy three times. Today, he is widely regarded as the greatest soccer player who ever lived—and a hero off the pitch, too, using his voice to help the people who need it most. This inspiring book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of The King's life.
Get the Book: (Hardcover)
Nevertheless, She Wore It: 50 Iconic Fashion Moments by:Ann Shen
From the creator of the bestselling Bad Girls Throughout History!
Celebrated illustrator and author Ann Shen shares her striking study of history's most iconic styles, and the women who changed the world while wearing them.
From the revolutionary bikini to the presidential pantsuit, this book explores 50 fashions through bold paintings and insightful anecdotes that empower readers to make their own fashion statements.
• Demonstrates the power of fashion as a political and cultural tool for making change
• Brilliantly illustrated with Ann's signature art style
• Filled with radical clothing choices that defined their time
Looks include the Flapper Dress, the unofficial outfit of women's independence in the 1920s; the Afro, worn as a symbol of black beauty, power, and pride; the Cone Bra, donned by Madonna in her 1989 power anthem "Express Yourself"; and the Dissent Collar, Ruth Bader Ginsburg's famous signifier for when she disagrees with the majority.
With stunning and vibrant illustrations, this is a treasure for anyone who wants to defy style norms and rewrite the rules.
• An insightful look at the intersection of fashion statements and historical female power
• Perfect for fans of Ann Shen, as well as anyone who loves fashion, feminism, and political consciousness
• You'll love this book if you love books like Women In Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed The World by Rachel Ignotofsky; Strong Is the New Pretty: A Celebration Of Girls Being Themselves by Kate T. Parker; and Women Who Dared: 52 Stories Of Fearless Daredevils, Adventurers, And Rebels by Linda Skeers.
Biographic Prince by:Liz Flavell
Most people know that Prince (1958—2016) was an iconic singer-songwriter whose creative brilliance transformed music for more than four decades. What, perhaps, they don't know is that his real name actually was Prince; that he once simultaneously held the number one spots in the US for film, single, and album; that he has a back catalogue of more than 600 songs, many of which he wrote for other people, including Madonna and Alicia Keys; and that he performed at the wedding of Star Wars director George Lucas. Biographic Prince presents an instant impression of his life, work and legacy, with an array of irresistible facts and figures converted into infographics to reveal the musician behind the music.
Click to Read: (Hardcover)
If You See Me: My Six-Decade Journey in Rock and Roll by: Pepe Willie
From the 1960s R&B scene in New York City to the Minneapolis Sound of the 1980s, Pepé Willie has been up close and personal with some of the most explosive American-grown music and musicians of the latter half of the twentieth century. The nephew of Clarence Collins of Little Anthony and the Imperials, Pepé Willie spent his Brooklyn youth surrounded by groundbreaking R&B and soul musicians. He worked as a valet for Little Anthony and the Imperials and the many legendary acts who shared the stage with them―from Ray Charles and Patti LaBelle to the Four Tops and the Supremes. Pepé rubbed elbows with the hottest stars of the day and got an up-close look at the inner workings of the music business. The experience inspired him to pursue his own musical dreams. After meeting and marrying a Minneapolis native, Pepé moved to Minnesota in 1974. He was brought to a family gathering to see a performance by the band featuring his wife's cousin, Prince Rogers Nelson. From this first exposure to Prince and his band Grand Central, Pepé knew that this precocious teenager had extraordinary talent, and he set out to take the youngster under his wing, educating him on the ins and outs of songwriting and music publishing. In December 1975, Pepé brought his cousin-in-law into the studio for a session with Pepé band, 94 East. This first recording of Prince, the so-called Cookhouse Five sessions, was a pivotal moment in the rise of an unparalleled musician. While he continued to serve as mentor, confidante, advocate, and, briefly, manager for Prince, Pepé Willie left his own indelible mark on the burgeoning Minneapolis Sound with 94 East. (The 94 East song "If You See Me" opens the definitive compilation album, Purple Snow: Forecasting the Minneapolis Sound.) He also became a mentor to other musicians in Prince's circle, such as André Cymone, Morris Day, and more. Pepé himself was inducted into the Minnesota Black Music Hall of Fame in 1988. In this autobiography, Pepé Willie tells of his journey through the music industry and chronicles working alongside Prince, helping the rising star make his own way in the business.
Click to Read: (Paperback)
Dancing Monkeys in My Soup by: S.F. Hardy
While on vacation in Peru, Jabbar, discovers pygmy marmosets dancing in his dinner soup. The monkeys create quite an eclectic stir with their dance moves, leaving Jabbar and his family alarmed and confused. They don't know what to do to get the monkeys out of the soup! Do you?
Ages: 3 – 6; Grades: P – 1
Click to Read: (Kindle) or (Hardcover)
Here for You by:Pat Simmons
Emotional, poignant, and clean women's fiction from acclaimed inspirational romance author Pat Simmons featuring a hero and heroine who are better at taking care of other people than themselves, a dark moment that shakes their faith, and a well-earned happily ever after with a forever family.
Caregivers sometimes need a little TLC too.
Rachel Knicely's life has been on hold for six months while she takes care of her great aunt, who has Alzheimer's. Putting her aunt first was an easy decision—accepting that Aunt Tweet is nearing the end of her battle is far more difficult.
Nicholas Adams's ministry is bringing comfort to those who are sick and homebound. He responds to a request for help for an ailing woman but when he meets the Knicelys, he realizes Rachel is the one who needs support the most. Nicholas is charmed by and attracted to Rachel, but then devastating news brings both a crisis of faith and roadblocks to their budding relationship that neither could have anticipated.
Get the Book: (Kindle) or (Paperback)
Transcendent Kingdom by:Yaa Gyasi
Yaa Gyasi's stunning follow-up to her acclaimed national best seller Homegoing is a powerful, raw, intimate, deeply layered novel about a Ghanaian family in Alabama.
Gifty is a sixth-year PhD candidate in neuroscience at the Stanford University School of Medicine studying reward-seeking behavior in mice and the neural circuits of depression and addiction. Her brother, Nana, was a gifted high school athlete who died of a heroin overdose after an ankle injury left him hooked on OxyContin. Her suicidal mother is living in her bed. Gifty is determined to discover the scientific basis for the suffering she sees all around her. But even as she turns to the hard sciences to unlock the mystery of her family's loss, she finds herself hungering for her childhood faith and grappling with the evangelical church in which she was raised, whose promise of salvation remains as tantalizing as it is elusive. Transcendent Kingdom is a deeply moving portrait of a family of Ghanaian immigrants ravaged by depression and addiction and grief–a novel about faith, science, religion, love. Exquisitely written, emotionally searing, this is an exceptionally powerful follow-up to Gyasi's phenomenal debut.
What Books Are You Buying? Please comment below:
in Every Issue, New Releases
@94East, @AlyssaColeLit, @Author_DDB, @belt_publishing, @dianekob, @DruHart, @dr_yusefsalaam, @ibizoboi, @kathydouglass7, @Naima_Simone, @patsimmons, @rochellealers, @Tin_House, @Writer_SFHardy, @yaa_gyasi, A Girl is A Body of Water by:Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, A Winning Season by:Rochelle Alers, Biographic Prince by:Liz Flavell, Black In The Middle by:Terrion L. Willamson, Dancing Monkeys in My Soup by: S.F. Hardy, Fifty Words For Rain by: Ashe Lemmie, Here for You by:Pat Simmons, I Am Every Good Thing by:Derrick Barnes, If You See Me: My Six-Decade Journey in Rock and Roll by: Pepe Willie, Kids off the Block by:Diane Latiker, Micah: The Good Girl #2 by:Ashley Woodfall, Nevertheless She Wore It: 50 Iconic Fashion Moments by:Ann Shen, Pele by:Maria Isabel Sanchez Vega, Punching the Air by:Ibi Zoboi, The Maverick's Baby Arrangement (Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix? Book 3) by:Kathy Douglass, Trust Fund Fiancé (Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches Book 4) by Naima Simone, When No One Is Watching by:Alyssa Cole, Who Will Be a Witness by:Drew G.I. Hart