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#Review: A Shape on the Air by Julia Ibbotson @JuliaIbbotson @rararesources #promopush #historical #timeslip
By Anne | December 5, 2021
It's a real pleasure today to be joining the promotional push for A Shape on the Air by Julia Ibbotson: the first in the Dr DuLac series (yes, that means there will be more to follow), it's now available for kindle with its rather striking new cover via Amazon in the UK and US (and free via Kindle Unlimited). My thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the invitation and support.
I'm really delighted to see that Julia is planning a series – in fact, I see that the second, The Dragon Tree, set in medieval Madeira, is already out, published on 25th November, and I must try and add it to my reading list as soon as I can. She joined me for an interview here on Being Anne back in September 2018 (you can read that post again here), and wrote a lovely guest post on writing time-slip when A Shape on the Air was first published (you'll find that one here). And I finally read and reviewed A Shape on the Air in February 2020 and very much enjoyed it – so much so that I'd like to share my review again today. But first, let's take a closer look…
A haunting Anglo-Saxon time-slip of mystery and romance
Can echoes of the past threaten the present? They are 1500 years apart, but can they reach out to each other across the centuries? One woman faces a traumatic truth in the present day. The other is forced to marry the man she hates as the 'dark ages' unfold.
How can Dr Viv DuLac, medievalist and academic, unlock the secrets of the past? Traumatised by betrayal, she slips into 499 AD and into the body of Lady Vivianne, who is also battling treachery. Viv must uncover the mystery of the key that she unwittingly brings back with her to the present day, as echoes of the past resonate through time.
But little does Viv realise just how much both their lives across the centuries will become so intertwined. And in the end, how can they help each other across the ages without changing the course of history?
For fans of Barbara Erskine, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanna Kearsley, Christina Courtenay.
One you might enjoy? I can never resist a time-slip romance – here's my review once more…
I will admit – and I mention it only in case you find the same – that I did find it a tad difficult to engage with Viv DuLac at the book's start. I just didn't like her very much: and I did struggle with the fact that an apparently intelligent and together woman could have been so stupid not to see through her obnoxious partner Pete, while he betrayed her trust through an affair with a former friend, allowing him to put her home and future at risk.
But as she drowned her sorrows in rather too much red wine, my feelings changed – she slowly began to feel more like my kind of girl (I think the writing maybe became more fluid and comfortable at that point too). However, a night-time walk to Cooney's Mere might not have been the best idea she'd ever had. But a gentle push at the water's edge, and the book then became something very different – and just what I'd hoped it would be, as we return to 499AD and meet Lady Vivianne.
I must say that I thought the way this book was constructed was incredibly clever – the contemporary and historical stories mirror each other, the characters all having counterparts in both timelines, and "lives…intertwined" (in the book's blurb) is the quite perfect way to describe it.
Sometimes one of the most awkward things about time-slips can be the way the transitions are handled – but these are just perfect, and I particularly liked the attempts at rational explanation (goodness, Einstein-Bridge portals – who knew?), the way the triggers were made so believable, even the way the portal was used to allow present and past to interact.
Despite my faltering at the start, much of the strength of the story is in its characters. Lord Pelleas is even more of a boor than obnoxious Pete, and undoubtedly more powerful and dangerous: but he's nicely counter-balanced by Lord Roland/Rory Netherbridge, perhaps a more unusual (but wholly believable, and distinctly dishy) romantic lead in his present day incarnation as local rector. Interestingly – and in the many time-slip books I've read, I think the first time I've seen it – Rory also has an awareness of his parallel existence, and that makes the whole premise considerably more intriguing.
Another major strength is the strikingly vivid recreation of the historical setting. I never fail to be impressed when depth of knowledge and research is quite evident, but used only to add richness to a story's telling: when you read this one, do read the author's afterword about the story's historical context too, because it's quite fascinating. I also very much liked the historical back story – of Lady Vivianne's parents – drawing in some really nice touches of Arthurian myth and legend.
The story is just wonderful – gripping, with very real threat and danger, an enthralling mystery focused on hidden treasure, a wholly convincing romance, all across both timelines. It's one of those books that it's good to read in one sitting, letting the real world disappear – that's exactly what I did, and it was the loveliest way to spend an afternoon.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one – and whether you enjoy time-slip or just a really well-told story, it's most certainly one I'd recommend.
Praise for A Shape on the Air
"In the best Barbara Erskine tradition …I would highly recommend this novel" -Historical Novel Society
"Amazing …a really great book …I just couldn't put it down" – Hazel Morgan
"Well-rounded characters and a wealth of historical research make this a real page-turner" – Amazon review
"Julia does an incredible job of setting up the idea of time-shift so that it's believable and makes sense" – Amazon review
"Viv/Lady Vivianne … lovely identifiable heroine in both time periods….I love her strength and vulnerability. And Rory/Roland is simply gorgeous!" – Melissa Morgan
"gripping … a very real sense of threat and danger, an enthralling mystery … a wholly convincing romance, across both timelines" – Anne Williams (yes – that's me!)
Julia Ibbotson is fascinated by the medieval world and the concept of time. She sees her author brand as a historical fiction writer of romantic mysteries that are evocative of time and place, well-researched and uplifting page-turners. Her current series focuses on early medieval time-slip/dual-time mysteries.
Julia read English at Keele University, England, specialising in medieval language/ literature/ history, and has a PhD in socio-linguistics. After a turbulent time in Ghana, West Africa, she became a school teacher, then a university academic and researcher. Her break as an author came soon after she joined the RNA's New Writers' Scheme in 2015, with a three-book deal from Lume Books (Endeavour) for a trilogy (Drumbeats) set in Ghana in the 1960s. She has published three other books, including A Shape on the Air, an Anglo-Saxon timeslip mystery, and its two sequels The Dragon Tree and The Rune Stone.
Her work in progress is the first of a new series of Anglo-Saxon mysteries (Daughter of Mercia) where echoes of the past resonate across the centuries. Her books will appeal to fans of Barbara Erskine, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanna Kearsley, and Christina Courtenay. Her readers say: 'Julia's books captured my imagination', 'beautiful story-telling', 'evocative and well-paced storylines', 'brilliant and fascinating' and 'I just couldn't put it down'.
You can find her at:
Amazon | Author website and blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads
← #Review: Belonging by Liz Martinson @LizMartinson3 @NextChapterPB #contemporaryromance #romanticsuspense #Belonging #Review: Tempted by the Runes by Christina Courtenay @PiaCCourtenay @headlinepg @rararesources #blogtour #giveaway #Viking #histfic #romance →
One thought on "#Review: A Shape on the Air by Julia Ibbotson @JuliaIbbotson @rararesources #promopush #historical #timeslip"
juliaibbotson December 5, 2021
How lovely, Anne! Thank you so much – much appreciated! x


Suntory Old whisky is a series of especially mature whisky from Suntory, first released in 1950. The company occasionally releases new bottles of this brand, and this particular bottle was released to celebrate the Year of the Tiger. The whisky has a scent of marmalade and varnish, with somewhat faint earth and undergrowth notes. It brings soft fruits alongside notes of grain and oak. This bottle comes with no box.
A mind-blowing range of Whiskies that never disappoint and always delivered in the fastest time.


This sign in Rochester, New Hampshire is obviously being stolen because of what it says... "Patriots Way." According to our sister station in Dover, WSHK, this sign has been taken more often than any other street sign in the city of Rochester.
We would even guess that the signs are being swiped by New England football fans. It could be the same person is stealing them repeatedly, maybe with the intent of selling the signs for profit. But the more likely explanation is that more than one culprit is stealing "Patriots Way." We are in Patriots Country, after all.
WSHK reports that the city's solution was to put the sign higher up in the air and this seems to be working, so far. No thefts have been reported since this action was taken. We'll see if it continues to work.
I'm doubtful that it won't get stolen again, especially if Tom Brady and the Patriots win the Super Bowl on Sunday.


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Global Finance & Trade (11)
Safeguard & accountablility issues (3)
Amerindian Peoples' Association (APA) (1)
Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) (1)
South East Asian Human Rights and Agribusiness Conferences (1)
Statement of indigenous peoples regarding the EUFLEGT process in Guyana
This statement was presented by the indigenous representatives participating in a seminar organised by the Amerindian Peoples Association in Georgetown, February 2015.
FPP E-Newsletter February 2015
Stop evictions of Sengwer families or cancel the International Colloquium Conference until we are treated as human beings
Dear Colloquium Organizers,
The Government of Kenya and the World Bank have invited us and other traditional forest-dependent communities to sit down with them at the International Colloquium Conference at Eldoret next week.
IDB land titling project in Peruvian Amazon must be redesigned to avoid violation of indigenous peoples' rights and forest destruction
Open Letter Calls for EU to Promote Human Rights in all Climate Actions
Dear Mr Lambrinidis,
The undersigned organisations urge you to include in the updated EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy an objective for the EU to pursue a human rights based approach in all areas of its external action without exception, including climate change related activities.
Joji Cariño on Indigenous Women Working for Their Rights
Maria-Josee Artist on Indigenous Women Working for Their Rights
Indigenous Women Working for Their Rights
In February, women from 20 different countries met in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to discuss the challenges indigenous women and their communities face in relation to their land rights. The International Workshop on Indigenous Women's Rights, Lands and Resources was collaboratively held by the Asian Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) and Forest Peoples Programme (FPP).
Listen here to the voices of indigenous women reflecting on the work of their communities and peoples to protect their rights.
Sophy Tanky on Indigenous Women Working for Their Rights
Chanda Thapa on Indigenous Women Working for Their Rights
Natalia Sarapura on Indigenous Women Working for Their Rights
IDB Land Titling Project in Peruvian Amazon Must be Redesigned to Avoid violating Indigenous Rights and Increasing Deforestation
The future of an 80 million USD land titling project in Peru, financed by the Inter American Development Bank (IDB), is on a knife-edge. AIDESEP, Peru's national indigenous Amazonian peoples' organisation, argues that conflicts over land and forest destruction will be intensified as a result of the initiative. Indigenous organisations have filed a petition to the Peruvian government demanding a formal process of consultation before the project proceeds.
Securing Tenure Rights for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in DRC: Prospects and Challenges of the Recently Signed Community Forestry Decree (CFD)
There have been some significant gains in recent months in the journey towards securing community forest rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On 2nd August 2014, the long-awaited community forestry decree (CFD) was finally signed by the Congolese Prime Minister. This was seen as a notable improvement to the land tenure and forest governance regime in the DRC. Civil society organisations, and indigenous and local communities had been waiting for the decree with high hopes since the Forest Code was adopted in 2002, paving the way for a new forest governance framework.*
Whakatane Mechanism launched at the WPC in Sydney, November 2014
The previous IUCN World Parks Congress (WPC) was held in Durban, South Africa in 2003. The historic marginalisation of indigenous peoples and local communities from conservation movements and policies resulted in a difficult push for the recognition of local communities' rights, indigenous peoples' contribution to conservation and the need for rights-based conservation approaches. Indigenous peoples and local communities were outside the system pushing to get in. However their efforts were successful and helped lead to the recognition of the "new conservation paradigm".
A Deforestation Action Plan for the EU: Advocating for Legality and Respect of Rights in Commodity Supply Chains
According to research published by the European Commission last year, the European Union (EU) is the world's biggest importer of "embodied deforestation", products linked to deforestation caused by the trade and consumption of forest commodities such as soy, palm oil, biofuel, meat, leather and biomaterials from tropical countries.
Where will the World Bank Stand on Human Rights?
The World Bank is entering the final stages of reviewing its processes for assessing and managing social and environmental risk at a project level. Originally announced in 2011, consultations on the first draft close on March 1st 2015. The safeguard review process is then expected to come to an end at some point in 2015, after consultations on a second draft, and the new safeguard system to be enforced from January 2016.
Indigenous Peoples Mobilise in Lima, but Climate Change Conference Fails to Produce Commitments on Rights
Deforestation reports launched and hearing held with the presence of UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous peoples were centre stage at the Lima UNFCCC COP20 in December 2014. An international dialogue with governments took place before the beginning of the negotiations. Meanwhile initiatives and presentations were organised to underline the need to respect indigenous peoples' rights as one of the pillars for environmentally sound and socially just mitigation and adaptation.
Including Indigenous and Local Knowledge in the IPBES
The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) informs policy and decision-making on biodiversity and ecosystem services. (It is an equivalent of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) under the Climate Change Convention.) However, IPBES goes beyond just conventional scientific knowledge. IPBES recognises indigenous and local knowledge (and diverse knowledge systems) in its conceptual framework and work programme.
Venezuela: Yanomami march for health and justice, while illegal mines in Caura reach flashpoint
Yanomami from their organization, Horonami, marched through the regional capital in the Venezuelan Amazon on 20th February demanding better health-care and respect for their culture and dignity. Noting the problems they suffer from introduced diseases and lack of consistent health care, they issued a statement demanding a roundtable to address their problems.
ALDAW: CSO Letter to EU
Update from ALDAW:
The CSO letter to the EU has now been fully finalised, with 197 signatories, of which 18 are from the Philippines and amongst these 4 are from Palawan-based organisations and federations.
The final version of the letter here. There is a link to the letter and short article on FoEE's website http://www.foeeurope.org

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Home / News / Concept Cars
De Tomaso's final car is heading to auction
Sean Szymkowski August 31, 2017 Comment Now!
De Tomaso has an incredible history that was cut short much too soon.
Although plans to revive the Italian sports car marque have been carried out a couple times, nothing has helped return the brand to its former glory. For those looking for one final piece of true De Tomaso history, RM Sotheby's has the crown jewel.
This is the De Tomaso Nuova Pantera, a prototype revealed in 1999. It's the final car presented by the company's founder, Alejandro De Tomaso, and was meant to be a reinterpretation of the brand's iconic Pantera to mark 40 years of vehicle production.
Sadly, nothing ever came of the rather charming Nuova Pantera, and it eventually faded into obscurity. Five years after its reveal, De Tomaso entered liquidation following the founder's passing in 2003. The rights to the De Tomaso name would eventually end up in the hands of a Chinese consortium, after a failed Italian revival.
After De Tomaso's unfortunate end, the prototype was purchased by a collector before it was sold to its current owner, who has now offered it for sale. It's the only surviving Nuova Pantera, though its headlights and fold-in mirrors were lost over the past decade. Those areas have been filled in appropriately. The car has no mechanical parts, no interior, and does not have windows, which leaves the body work as the most important piece of this car.
A handful of original documents and Mr. De Tomaso's signature verify the prototype's authenticity, and it will cross the auction block at RM Sotheby's London auction on September 6, 2017. The final De Tomaso is expected to fetch close to $110,000.
High-Res Gallery: De Tomaso Nuova Pantera concept unveiled in 1999
Classic Cars Concept Cars De Tomaso
Designer Envisions A Modern De Tomaso Pantera
Ares Project Panther: Huracán-based, Pantera-inspired coach-built special revealed
De Tomaso Pantera Makes A Great Noise: Video
Smart is the latest automaker to unveil a self-driving pod car
Sean Szymkowski - Contributor
1967 COPO Corvette ordered by GM designer Bill Mitchell set for auction Classic Cars January 14, 2020


The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $29 million in competitive research funds for innovative public transportation projects that will help ensure safe and reliable transit service for riders of America's public transportation systems.
The grants will help transit agencies strengthen operational safety, better withstand natural disasters and other emergencies, and improve emergency response capabilities.
This is the first time funds available through the FTA's Research, Development, Demonstration and Deployment Program have been dedicated to implementing market-ready solutions specifically designed to strengthen safety and improve transit system resiliency.
Operational Safety: Projects that develop and demonstrate new or improved technologies, methods and practices that will increase the operational safety of public transportation services. Examples include electronic intrusion detection systems, remote rail monitoring and train undercarriage inspection systems.
Resiliency: Projects that increase the resilience and robustness of public transportation systems so they can better withstand natural disasters and other externally caused emergencies. Examples include increasing a system's resistance to corrosion from exposure to saltwater, mitigating the impact of flooding and severe weather, and increasing the ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
All-Hazards Emergency Response and Recovery: Projects to improve communications with emergency responders and demonstrate promising methods for restoring transit service in the wake of a major disruption. Examples include improving ways to locate and communicate with distressed passengers as well as transit workers, and using transit assets to assist with emergency response and recovery efforts.
The $29 million combines FTA research funds from Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013. FTA expects to announce projects selected for funding in 2014.


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Extraordinary Contributions
THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
FAMILY LEARNING SCHOOL SERVICES
As the biggest and best children's museum in the world, we are forever driven to bring to life extraordinary new initiatives and experiences that will transform the lives of children and families. While our efforts were recognized in 2014, we will continue to strive to exceed our own expectations as well as those of our visitors. Our success is dependent on the generous contributions of our donors and supporters. We are grateful to the individuals, corporations, organizations, and foundations that made 2014 an award-winning year and supported the museum with more than $8.4 million in contributions—a five-year high and 33% increase over 2013.
Board of Trustees and Advisors
This page lists those who served on the museum's board in 2014.
2014 Museum Donors
2014 Museum Donors The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is grateful to have the support of donors who have graciously enriched the past, made a difference in the present, and created extraordinary opportunities for future generations.
Haunted House Sponsors
The businesses, organizations, and individuals that made The Children's Museum Guild's 51st annual Haunted House possible.
The Yule Slide Challenge
The Yule Slide Challenge was a holiday season sensation!
In its second year, ADULT SWIM was once again a sold-out success.
After Dark Event Series
The museum launched a new After Dark events series for adults and brought in new audiences to enjoy China's Terra Cotta Warriors: The Emperor's Painted Army.
Future Initiatives Funded
Planning for the museum's future was an effort front and center for staff leaders, board members, and trustees in 2014.


Don't miss your chance to see the all-new CG animated installment of the hit franchise, hitting theaters nationwide one night only on August 21 with a special intro by writer and actor Casper Van Dien and behind-the-scenes interviews with the filmmakers.
Perhaps the world's biggest performance-capture celebrity shows his true face in the "Making History" featurette, which shows off his return as Caesar and the incredible VFX work that brings the movie to life. War for the Planet of the Apes hits theaters July 14.
Shield your eyes, galeophobes. Outpost VFX delivered more than 420 shots for the new thriller from Johannes Roberts, including photorealistic CG sharks, vast set extensions and underwater environments.
One of the 9 semifinalists of the MIFA Animation du Monde pitches at DISCOP Abidjan, Neil Schell's Machismo aims to be the nation's first superhero toon. One episode has been produced in Nairobi.
MoviePilot offers a detailed timeline of the iconic American studio's industry-revolutionizing Renaissance.


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Galimdzhan Khayrulin
Galimdzhan Mikhailovich Khayrulin (Галимджан Михайлович Хайрулин; last name also spelled Khayrullin in some sources; born 27 May 1974) is a Russian football manager and a former player.
Galimdzhan Mikhailovich Khayrulin
(1974-05-27) 27 May 1974 (age 45)
Yaroslavets Yaroslavl
FC Khitrye Lisy Orekhovo-Zuyevo 23 (0)
FC Spartak Kostroma 20 (0)
FC Neftyanik Yaroslavl 30 (0)
SHB Đà Nẵng F.C.
Teams managed
FC Shinnik Yaroslavl (academy)
FC Shinnik-2-Vodokanal Yaroslavl
FC Shinnik Yaroslavl (assistant)
FC Shinnik-Uglich Yaroslavl
FC Shinnik Yaroslavl (caretaker)
FC Znamya Truda Orekhovo-Zuyevo
FC Spartak Kostroma
Galimdzhan Khayrulin at FootballFacts.ru (in Russian)
This biographical article related to a Russian association football midfielder born in the 1970s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Galimdzhan_Khayrulin&oldid=925267949"


Parsippany, NJ (September 5, 2018) - Dialogic, a cloud-optimized applications and infrastructure solutions provider for service providers, enterprises, and developers, announced today that Cellcom Israel, the largest Israeli cellular provider, has chosen the Dialogic® ControlSwitch™ solution and Dialogic® I-Gate® 4000 Media Gateway for use in its international voice services.
To learn more about Dialogic's virtualized infrastructure products from our experts, see us at Mobile World Congress Americas 2018 in Los Angeles, California from September 12-14 in West Hall, Level 2, Room 515-F. For more on the event, or to book a meeting, visit: https://web.dialogic.com/mwc-americas-2018. Also visit the Dialogic website for more information on the ControlSwitch System and I-Gate 4000 Media Gateways.
Dialogic, ControlSwitch, and I-Gate are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Dialogic Corporation or a subsidiary thereof ("Dialogic"). Other trademarks mentioned and/or marked herein belong to their respective owners.
Cellcom Israel Ltd., established in 1994, is the largest Israeli cellular provider; Cellcom Israel provides its approximately 2.822 million cellular subscribers (as at March 31, 2018) with a broad range of value added services including cellular telephony, roaming services for tourists in Israel and for its subscribers abroad and additional services in the areas of music, video, mobile office etc., based on Cellcom Israel's technologically advanced infrastructure. The Company operates an LTE 4 generation network and an HSPA 3.5 Generation network enabling advanced high speed broadband multimedia services, in addition to GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks. Cellcom Israel offers Israel's broadest and largest customer service infrastructure including telephone customer service centers, retail stores, and service and sale centers, distributed nationwide. Through its broad customer service network Cellcom Israel offers technical support, account information, direct to the door parcel delivery services, internet and fax services, dedicated centers for hearing impaired, etc. Cellcom Israel further provides OTT TV services, internet infrastructure and connectivity services and international calling services, as well as landline telephone communications services in Israel, in addition to data communications services. Cellcom Israel's shares are traded both on the New York Stock Exchange (CEL) and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (CEL). For additional information please visit the Company's website http://investors.cellcom.co.il.


'Arthur Terry School named top comprehensive in Birmingham for fourth year running' The Arthur Terry School has once again been named Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield's top performing mixed comprehensive school for GCSE results – for the fourth consecutive year. The Department for Education's official school and college performance tables – which are published annually – show that an impressive 78 per cent of students achieved the "gold standard" grades A*- C in English and Maths GCSES at the Arthur Terry School Joint headteachers, Richard Gill and Neil Warner, said these results reflect the outstanding level of teaching and learning at the school. "This is a fantastic achievement yet again, which demonstrates our consistently high performance year after year. Our results are even more impressive when you consider just how many good comprehensive schools there are in Birmingham. This success is a real testament to the collective hard work, commitment and support of our students, parents, staff and governors." The Arthur Terry School is a centre of excellence. Graded as Outstanding by Ofsted in both the 11-16 and 16-19 phase. Arthur Terry is one of the first 100 teaching schools in the country and one of only two newly accredited School Based Teacher Training Providers nationally. Dates for your diary Tuesday 2nd Feb- Thursday 4th Feb- Year 10 Parents Evening Friday 5th Feb – Monday 8th Feb – French Trip Wed 10th Feb – Year 8 Options Info Eve for parents 6.30pm Friday 12th Feb – Year 8 Reports Sat 13th Feb – Tues 16th Feb – Iceland Trip Monday 15th – Friday 19th Feb HALF TERM Tues 23rd Feb – Year 8 Options Workshop Evening Wed 24th Feb – Year 8 Parents Evening Thurs 25th Feb – Sixth Form Parliamentary Debating Competition Mon 29th Feb – Year 8 Option Choices due in Wed 2nd March – Duke of Edinburgh Awards Evening Thurs 3rd March – Year 13 Parents Evening Royal Sutton Athletics Coach – 'Thursdays' – after school The PE department have been very lucky in securing a Royal Sutton athletics coach who will come into Arthur Terry School after school every Thursday. Ideally this will appeal to the over 14's and would be an ideal opportunity for our GCSE PE athletes who could use this opportunity for their assessments in the build up to their practical exams. For further information please see Miss Hospool in the PE Department. School Show – Dates for you Diary Tickets for the school show are close to release. Please put these dates in your diary and look out for further information regarding ticket sales. Opening night: Thursday 10th March 7.30pm Further Performances: Friday 11th March 7.30pm Saturday 12th March 7.30pm Wednesday 16th March 7.30pm Thursday 17th March 7.30pm Friday 18th March 7.30pm Matinee Performance: Saturday 19th March 1.15pm Last night: Saturday 19th March 7.45pm Sixth Form Parliamentary Debate Arthur Terry are hosting this years' Sutton Coldfield Schools' Sixth Form Parliamentary Debating Competition on Thursday 25th February 2016. This is always a wonderful evening with trophies being awarded to the best school and the best individual speaker. All participants will have the opportunity to visit parliament with Andrew Mitchell MP later in the year. Student leaders – February 2016 This month has been a very busy one for the Junior Leadership Group! The week beginning the 18th of January brought with it the blind tests of the Student Development questionnaire on tolerance and stereotyping. The questionnaire was sent out to all B2 tutor groups, and the feedback received from it will be acted on prior to the questionnaire being sent out to the whole school. Furthermore, the Teaching Learning Committee's marking and assessment questionnaire went out at the beginning of the new term. The questionnaire's end date is the 28th of January, and we hope to have had as many responses as possible by the closing date, as this will enable us to have a good overview of people's opinions on the marking and assessment system within school. Our first ever Student Parliament has also been scheduled for February! Here each committee will update the others on what they have been up to since the beginning of the academic year, and it will be a chance for all of the committees to receive suggestions to make their work even more focused and worthwhile. I look forward to updating you all on how it goes! The Sixth Form Committee are currently in the process of developing a list of rooms to be used during sixth form's free periods for quiet learning. These rooms should be published by the end of February. They are also looking into the best date for prom through a survey, the results of which will determine when the sixth form prom is held. Letters will be sent home to our new Events Committee members, hopefully within the next month. I would advise all students who signed up for the Events Committee to keep an eye on their emails, as this will be the main form of contact between the committee members. Thanks for reading! Lola Sherwin _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6th Form update Now that the main university application deadline (January 15th) has passed and we have processed a record 251 university applications from Year 13, we now have a bit of breathing space to report on sixth form progress. In September almost 150 of our students started their university courses. This included sixty entrants at what are sometimes referred to as the "high tariff" (e.g. Russell Group) universities- the universities that are usually looking for A-level results of at least ABB : places like Birmingham, Warwick, Nottingham, Sheffield, Loughborough, Bristol, Queen Mary London. Students opted to study a wide range of subjects from Accounting to Theology ! Students who applied for Medicine and Dentistry also were successful through their selection processes of work experience, standard attainment/aptitude tests, interviews – and finally gaining the minimum A-level grades of AAA. Indeed several students gained a mixture of A and A*grades, in four subjects! It is also very pleasing to report at least 90% of our applicants were successful in gaining a place at their First Choice universities. Those students who returned to or joined our sixth form after completing their GCSEs met or exceeded the challenging targets we set them from the beginning and we are extremely pleased that they are now set up for their next exciting stage in their lives. An increasing number of students are also gaining much sought after Apprenticeship places post 6th Form. The application and interview process for Apprenticeship places is fiercely competitive and we are pleased that 10 students were successful in gaining places in Accountancy, Business Management, Catering and Engineering We are now working hard to support our current Year 13 in applying for their "next steps" whether they are applying to University, gaining an Apprenticeship or seeking employment. Year 12 will begin the process of contemplating their futures after Easter with their initial Careers interviews, and Year 11 will also be able to discuss their futures with a member of the sixth form team or Mrs Clayton our Careers Adviser. We pride ourselves on being able to offer a range of courses to suit students' interests and aptitudes as well as ensuring all students perform to the best of their ability. To summarise as a comprehensive sixth form we : offer a wide choice of some 30 A-level subjects ensure students have the necessary qualifications to be able to successfully progress to university or advanced apprenticeship training provide a level of teaching, guidance and challenge that enables all students to achieve their potential, including at the highest level; Roger Townsend (Post 16 Admissions Tutor) Young Coach Academy Matthew Cotter, (Year 10) has been accepted into this year's Birmingham Young Coach Academy. This is an exciting opportunity for him to join other young sports leaders / coaches from across the city to take part in training and placements in sports coaching. On Wednesday 27th January Matthew attended the Youth Sport's Trust 'Step into sport' camp which is aimed at bringing young coaches from across the city from able bodied and S.E.N.D backgrounds to work together to learn about being inclusive in their approach to coaching and sports leadership. The above photo is of Matthew (on the left of the picture) with Mel Clarke – 'Great Britain Paralympian and London 2012 Paralympic Silver medallist' also pictured is William Moore from Plantsbrook school who is also part of the young leaders. The Young Coach Academy is part of a National initiative led by Youth Sport Trust to try and increase and encourage more young people into coaching and volunteering. There will be over 100 academies across the country training and developing young people to become young coaches. The main aim is to provide each student with a placement opportunity at a community sports club in the local area. The aim is that young people will experience new sports to enhance coaching knowledge and receive mentoring from experienced coaches to support development. The young coaches will undertake 'coaching philosophy, honesty and ethics' training as well as practical coaching training and opportunities to practise this during a Gifted and Talented primary schools' holiday camp as well as through their placement. Well done Matthew and we look forward to following your progress with the Young Coach Academy! 'Mum in the know Kelly McCall' Kelly McCall is currently completing her Post Graduate Certificate in Maths Education within the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership. Kelly, who is Mum to Louie, eight and Jake, five, first became aware of the option to train as a teacher within her local area after talking to other local Mums who spoke favourably about their child's education. After attending a train to teach open day at the ICC, Kelly then took part in the School's Experience programme which enabled her to gain experience within the school. The school were very flexible with times to fit in with Kelly's job at the time and her childcare commitments. From this she continued to meet with the Maths subject route leader and Teaching Schools team who were able to discuss and support Kelly's training needs. Prior to teaching, Kelly worked as an employment advisor for nine years. Kelly has now secured a job teaching Maths within Arthur Terry once she gains her qualified teaching status. However, she recognises how she would benefit from the newly launched part time route that enables people to train and gain Qualified Teaching Status through a longer more flexible route. This will enable people who are working to complete the course via a 1 – 3 days a week route over 2/3 years rather than the full time yearlong route. Kelly has recognised how as a Mum she has felt prepared for the course "It's worked extremely well training through the Arthur Terry partnership. It's local and school holidays do not affect childcare. I have been supported by placements close to my home so I can pick up children from after school club and by working with teachers who closely support my development." Kelly identified that "although the workload is intense, you can find time for your family. As a parent you get used to not having much time for yourself and giving time to someone else but we still have a day just for family time." Kelly feels that the nature of training within a schools based training environment as opposed to a traditional university placement has enabled her to develop her confidence and knowledge in understanding how to support and stretch students, so that they can progress further. After spending each Friday working with other Specialist Maths leaders and having that peer to peer support with her fellow training teachers and subject route leaders, Kelly feels she has benefitted from training via this route. "There is nothing better than planning how to teach and support students in different ways, then actually having that student that you've sat with and attempted to explain things to say "Yes Miss, I've got it." Arthur Terry is holding some taster mornings on Wednesday 3rd Friday 26th February between 9:30am – 12:00. This gives those considering training to teach the chance to see their subject being taught and meet with a subject route leader to discuss their individual situation. They are also holding an Open Evening on Thursday 11th February from 6pm till around 8pm where there is the opportunity to attend various teacher training workshops and meet with each subject route leader. After four years of training over 120 good and outstanding teachers from all subject routes, Arthur Terry Learning Partnership are now recruiting for all subject routes at both secondary and primary level. EXAMINATIONS Remember we share lots of information on the exams section of the school Website. Website:https://www.arthurterry.bham.sch.uk/exams/ In additional to seasonal information you and your son/daughter will find documents from the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) which includes all of the regulations pertaining to examinations. 6th FORM TRIAL EXAMS Year 12 – Monday 1 February to Tuesday 9 February 2016 Please click on the following link for the Trial Exam web page: Trial Exams There will be no study leave during trial exams and students will continue with their timetabled lessons throughout the trial exam series. If there is a clash of exams they will be done one after another within the same session unless students are personally notified otherwise. The exams will be conducted according to the procedures set out by the Examination Boards. This is so students are familiar with the correct procedure in the summer. A copy of the JCQ guidelines can be found on the JCQ Exam Notices page https://www.arthurterry.bham.sch.uk/exams/jcq-exam-notices/ Please ensure your child is familiar with the regulations in particular the following document, information for written exams: https://www.arthurterry.bham.sch.uk/exams/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2014/12/4.6-written-examinations.pdf Equipment should be carried in a clear pencil case. There will be no spare equipment available for students to use. Students must use a black ink or ballpoint pen for all exams (gel pens are not permitted) and under no circumstances should mobile phones be taken to the exam desks. No food, fizzy or coloured drinks are permitted in the exam room, and candidates are not expected to need to leave the exam room to use the toilet during individual exams. If necessary, water can be brought in a clear, unlabelled bottle, which should be kept under the exam desk. RE-SITS – AS/A Level – DEADLINE: TUESDAY 2 FEBRUARY2016 AS/A Level re-sits will be available in the Summer 2016 exam series; the re-sit form is available on the school website, https://www.arthurterry.bham.sch.uk/exams/2015/09/18/examination-re-sits-summer-2016/ Please note that re-sit forms will only be accepted with subject leader signature and when full payment has been made. ParentPay is the preferred method of payment and the receipt must be submitted with the re-sit form to the Exams Office. Please note cash cannot be accepted. A2 General Studies (Year 13) Students will only be entered for A2 General Studies if they achieved Grade 'D' or above at AS in 2014/2015 (Year 12). If students who received 'E' or 'U' want to enter for A2 they must complete and return a re-sit form for either or both of the units they did last year at AS Level which are £22.50 per unit. Remember NO FORM = NO ENTRY. SUMMER 2016 EXAMINATION SERIES – TIMETABLES Personalised exam timetables will be issued in March ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Arthur Terry Teaching School Calling all KS3 students (year 7,8,9) – Pop Vocal Ensemble every Wednesday!


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Review - Kristan had to grow a beard to review this game
Review by	Kristan Reed, Contributor
Whether you're a fan of the J.R.R Tolkien novels or not, there's no denying that Peter Jackson's movie adaptation was a fine achievement, and was received as rapturously by the critics as the public. Indeed, its recent DVD release broke sales records, while the forthcoming follow up, The Two Towers, is guaranteed to be another cinema blockbuster.
Strangely, Electronic Arts passed up the opportunity to rush release a Fellowship Of The Rings cash in videogame, and instead held back the game to incorporate the best bits of the first two movies. But when you're the world's biggest games company, you can afford to make these kinds of decisions - and it is perhaps a sign that EA is no longer prepared to fob off gamers with half-baked cash in releases, as it used to with monotonous regularity.
Lavish and polished
Dwarven wit in action
And if you're expecting a half baked cash in piece of 'interactive merchandise' then think again. The Two Towers has been lavished with the kind of polish and attention to detail that EA has become famous for.
Playable as three different characters; Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli (and other movie characters pop up at various points to give you a hand) and across 16 levels, the game is ostensibly an all out hack and slash action game in the tradition of Golden Axe, albeit hung convincingly onto an already lavish movie scenario. Throw in elements from modern slasher classics like Devil May Cry and Dynasty Warriors, and you'll have some idea of what kind of gameplay prospect to expect.
Early forays into the game immediately show off the quality of the game engine, the animation and the huge amount of simultaneous on screen action. Sets from the movie have been recreated with impressive results, and the dark, foggy atmosphere utilised is spot on. A roving camera system has been employed to give you the best view of the action at all times, although your freedom to explore the environment is restricted to preset boundaries, which can feel a little artificial at times, but are necessary to conform with the tightly scripted events that unfold..
And talking of scripts, each scene is bookended by film footage borrowed from the movie, which cunningly blends into FMV, although the quality of these recreated scenes isn't always as good as it could be, thanks to some less than cutting edge rendering. That said, it's still a nice way of introducing a new scene, rather than just randomly dumping the player into a battle sequence.
Controlled lunacy
Ranged combat is okay, but as we well know, Legolas is elite with the knife
While admiring the graphical polish, you'll be invited to try out the game's control system, which for the early part consists of a few key manoeuvres: X is a quick attack to dispatch unshielded foe, triangle a more forceful lunge to break through shields, square is a basic slash, while circle kicks opponents away. Shoulder buttons come into play too, with L1 enabling the bow (fire with X), L2 performs a quick retreat, while R2 stabs the sword into the ground (or floored enemy). It's all fairly basic stuff for the first four or five levels, and in fact progress can be made by mainly stabbing triangle. It's hardly a challenge - even on normal difficulty - with only the various fearsome bosses providing a serious obstacle. Sometimes the sheer amount of carnage on the screen at once is the major challenge - picking out yourself among the lunacy can be a challenge in itself, although it does add somewhat to the illusion of a massed battle going on.
One area The Two Towers gets absolutely spot on is the audio. Replete with splendid surround sound, a dramatic score, and correctly voiced samples, the developers have done a great job of heightening the atmosphere. If you've got the kit, this game really does deliver in this department.
In between each level players are awarded points for how well they have executed their manoeuvres (borrowed liberally from Devil May Cry's combat system) ranging from Perfect to Fair. If you manage to impress the game enough, you'll be able to use the points as currency to buy yourself new combat moves and combos, which go some way to making the game more than a triangle pressing marathon.
The triangle death manoeuvre
The party stops while Legalos tells another joke about dwarves
As you work your way up the experience ladder, more complicated and powerful moves will be revealed, which you'll have to use as the going gets tougher. As we mentioned, you'll happily get through just using the triangle attack for the first third of the game, especially as worrying about health isn't too much of an issue - as soon as you get close to the point of death, your thoughtful enemies will drop green health vials. This renders a lots of The Two Tower's challenge redundant, and in certain sections it's actually possible to ignore the enemy hoards and simply run onto the next area.
However, once you're expected to dispatch bosses, the challenge ups dramatically. The first is a kind of Loch Ness monster, and only chopping off its tentacles prevents a very quick death. Following that, the Cave Troll is a pretty fearsome adversary, especially once you find you've got to fire off about 50 arrows to get rid of the blighter - and all that while he's furiously whipping a chain in your direction. Sadly the camera behaviour tends to make these sequences harder than they strictly need to be, and you'll often also get caught out by odd path decisions that seem to 'snag' the player just at the crucial moment.
Short lived
It says 'keep off the grass' in elvish
Still, a careful aim and observation of a boss' attack pattern, and it's onto the next beautifully recreated section, but what you get is ultimately more of the same. The enemies do get more challenging, and time restricted levels come into play, but ultimately it's a case of hacking through a few minutes worth of endless hordes, before you get to do battle with a boss. Experienced gamers will probably finish the game within 10 hours, although there is the temptation to replay the game as one of the other two characters.
One of the more pleasing factors is the way it integrates the 'DVD extras' into the level select system. Finishing a level will more often than not result in an interview extra becoming available, or some photos, and so on, and gives a certain amount of incentive to carry on. Also, given that the game incorporates the as-yet-unreleased second movie into the footage, you also get a sneak preview of key moments - something that die hard fans will undoubtedly kill for at this point in time.
But whether you'll want to invest £40 of your hard earned cash into the game of the movie comes down to a few key factors: how much of a Lord Of The Rings nut you are, whether you like relentless Final Fight/Double Dragon style gameplay, and just how much cash you have to spare. It's fun while it lasts, but requires relatively little skill - just an iron will and determination to progress through 16 lavish, on rails, scripted levels. And once you've finished it, we doubt whether you'll be coming back for more.
Read the Eurogamer.net reviews policy
More about The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers
The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers Review
Kristan Reed
Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.
Rockstar responds to report it claimed £37.6m in UK tax relief
Accounting for 37% of all UK games industry tax relief claims.


Home > A proud moment!
My 16 year old gave me 30 dollars yesterday to deposit in savings account. Well today, he made another $30 dog sitting and $40 cleaning our neighbor's driveway (He cleared about 7 garbage cans full acorns, no exageration). So asked him what he was going to do with the $70. So he said "two of these Jacksons are going to savings and I'm giving Dad $10 for gas to fuel my ATV. I'll just keep $20." I'm constantly talking to my sons about the importance of saving for the future and I think it's working!
P.S. I put away $40 a month into his savings account. My 20 year old works part-time and is responsible for gas, his cell phone and clothing. He is currently on his last semester at our local community college.
Geesh. How can I get my kids to do that? And I sure wish I had your acorns for my squirrel feeder!
ThriftoRama, the squirrels around me are definitely prepared for hybernation (do they hibernate?)! It's incredible the amount of acorns we've picked up this year.
Wow, have you brought up a good kid with some smarts!
What a great feeling to see your kid making smart choices! The example you set must lead to that behavior, so I agree with the above... pat yourself on the back. There is never any insurance that kids will implement the things that they are taught, but when they do it is a great thing.


To do this, regardless we require the CCleaner utility, keeping in mind the end goal to clean the registry in the wake of expelling avast safezone browser (particularly in the event that you neglected to unprotect it before uninstalling it).
Opens the standard Windows utility to evacuate programs. It's anything but difficult to utilize and straightforward. That is the thing that we require.
In the open rundown, select the same avast safezone browser over the rundown of projects, tap the "Erase/Alter" catch. In the following window that opens, select "Erase" and affirm it.
Close the "Evacuate Projects" utility, open the CCleaner that you officially like, clean the registry. In the menu on the left, select "Spare", at the base tap on the catch "Scan for issues". We are pausing. Tap on "Fix".
We are sitting tight for it to complete, we proceed "Cleaning", affirm the erasure.
We restart the PC. There's nothing more to it! You can introduce another antivirus safely.
In Windows 8, not at all like different Windows working frameworks, there is no "Begin" menu in a place commonplace to everybody.
On the work area, open the correct menu, select "Choices". Select "Control Board".
In the "Projects" area, select "Evacuate Projects".
Truth be told, that's it in a nutshell. I trust you have not had any issues.
You can evacuate avast safezone browser Antivirus by standard Microsoft Windows implies or with the assistance of an extraordinary utility.
While evacuating outsider antivirus programming the standard Microsoft Windows instruments can leave organizers and records on the framework, so you need to check the "Program Documents " subsequent to restarting the PC. On the off chance that there are organizers and records from an outsider antivirus in the envelope, you should likewise evacuate them and restart the PC.
Determine the working framework. For clients working framework Windows Vista/7. For clients working Windows frameworks XP.
Double tap the program name.
On the off chance that you expel an outsider hostile to infection with standard Microsoft Windows apparatuses, a few organizers and documents may stay in the framework, so you should check the "Program Records " subsequent to restarting the PC. In the event that there are envelopes and records from an outsider antivirus in the organizer, you should likewise evacuate them and restart the PC.
In the event that you expel an outsider against infection with standard Microsoft Windows instruments, a few envelopes and records may stay in the framework, so you should check the "Program Documents " subsequent to restarting the PC. On the off chance that there are organizers and records from an outsider antivirus in the envelope, you should likewise evacuate them and restart the PC.
Indicate the working framework. For clients of the working framework Windows Vista/7. For clients of the Windows XP working framework.
WHICH COSTUME CUT TO CHOOSE ACCORDING TO ITS MORPHOLOGY?


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Watch The Trailer For Issa Rae's New HBO Series 'Insecure'
By Mike Orie of TheConsciousTip.com
You might remember Issa Rae from her online web series Awkward Black Girl. The popular Youtube show touched on a lot of things, most notably, being a Black woman and not fitting into the traditional mode. After Season 1 of the series, Issa Rae was picked up by Pharrell's media platform iamOTHER, growing her following even more. This show would lead to the development of other shows including one of my favorites, FIRST. After multiple successful releases, news broke last year of Issa Rae getting a tv show deal with HBO. Well it's finally here.
Insecure, which stars Issae Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis and Lisa Joyce takes a look at the friendship, experiences and tribulations of two black women. The eight episode series is set to premiere this Fall in 30-minute increments. The opening trailer scene shows Issa in a classroom, accused by her students for 'talking' white. She makes an awkward joke, causing her all-white staff members a slightly uncomfortable feeling. From the opening trailer, it appears to be pretty true to the work I've grown to know and love her for, but on a larger scale. Check out the trailer for Insecure below. Will you be tuning in? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Mike "Orie" Mosley is a freelance writer/photographer and cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the co-founder of music and culture website www.theconscioustip.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie.
#insecureCN CurrentCurly NikkiIssa RaeMike Orie
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Welcome > Case Studies > Green lights for Amber Care
Green lights for Amber Care
Bronia Johnson from Market Rasen in Lincolnshire was previously employed as a manager in the health service when her position was made redundant in 2013. This was the incentive she needed to set up her business.
Bronia's dreams for Amber Care were big – she saw a service that supported its clients personal and social care in their own homes, delivered by a dedicated, vetted local team 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, to a catchment of up to 15 miles around Market Rasen. She realised that whilst she had big plans she didn't know how to start to pull her new business together so she contacted NBV (part of the Nwes Group)after seeing an advert in her local paper.
After attending one of the Group's East Midland start-up seminars, Bronia met with Business Advisor, Natasha Travis who said "After Bronia was made redundant I spoke to her about a number of ways that we could support her to start her business, including the Ready for Business programme.
"She attended a number of sessions with myself where we went through her business plans. These sessions helped ensure Bronia was ready to move forward with Amber Care, a domiciliary care provider."
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessed her new business in readiness for the official launch in September 2013. "I feel the Ready for Business programme gave me the support I needed, when I needed it most." said Bronia. "I am so proud of my business, and the support that NBV gave me when I was planning and setting it up has been invaluable."
The future is bright for Bronia and Amber Care. She now employs 25 and her catchment area extends from Market Rasen across to Gainsborough, North Lincoln, and up the east coast. Bronia added "It's fantastic to have grown so much in a relatively short period of time. We're now actively recruiting for up to 6 more staff."
With continued support Bronia is ensuring that the office infrastructure is in place to support the increase in paperwork that will come with the increase in staff and in client levels.
Bronia Johnson is an NBV (part of the Nwes Group) client which supports businesses in the East Midlands.
Under the Ready for Business programme Bronia received 52 hours of support, 7 days of training, invested £5,000 into the business and has created 25 new jobs.
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Cavendish Consortium Ltd.
Leigh Court Business Centre
Abbots Leigh
Bristol BS8 3RA
Built by Accent Design Group Ltd.
Cavendish Consortium Ltd. Reg no. 7946853


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Fri, December 6, 2019, 6:30 PM EST
Rams Head On Stage
Paula Poundstone appearing at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis
To Purchase Tickets to the Recently Added 9:30pm Show Click Here!
Paula Poundstone is a humorist, author and comedian known for her clever, observational humor and spontaneous wit. When she isn't collecting hotel soaps while on tour or panel-ing on NPR's #1 show, Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!, Paula hosts the popular Maximum Fun podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone. Nobody is a comedy field guide to life complete with taste tests, cats of the weeks and leading experts in everything from beekeeping to ping pong to prosopagnosia (say that 3 times fast).
Paula's stand-up credentials are endless: Cats, Cops and Stuff; Goes to Harvard; Look What the Cat Dragged In; and numerous television appearances including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Last Call with Carson Daly and Late Show with David Letterman. Famously, Paula provided backstage commentary during the 1992 presidential election on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and was the first woman to host the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
In 2017, Paula released her second book, The Totally Unscientific Study Of The Search For Human Happiness, in which she offers herself up as a guinea pig in a series of thoroughly unscientific experiments. Kirkus Reviews called the book, "A deeply revealing memoir in which the pathos doesn't kill the humor—delivers more than it promises." The book debuted at #1 on the Amazon Bestsellers List in Humor, and the audiobook was one of the five finalists for 2018 Audio Book of the Year. The book was recognized as one of eight semi-finalists for the Thurber Prize for American Humor, the highest recognition of the art of humor writing in the United States.
Paula can be heard on the big screen as "Forgetter Paula" in Disney/Pixar's Inside Out, winner of the 2017 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. She has also starred in her own series on both HBO and ABC, is included on Comedy Central's Top 100 Comics of All Time and won an American Comedy Award for Best Female Stand-Up. In February 2019, Paula's stand-up special, Cats, Cops and Stuff was named by TIME Magazine and Tig Notaro as one of The 5 Funniest Stand-Up Specials Ever.
Paula resides in Santa Monica, CA, where you can find her cleaning the litterboxes of her 14 cats: Clue, Oreo, Luigi, Jem, Belle, Brittle, Mrs. Feziwig, Wednesday, Severus, Tonks, Theo, Sham Wow, Harrison, and Hardy.
All shows are 21+ unless otherwise specified. Any tickets suspected of being purchased for the sole purpose of reselling can be cancelled at the discretion of Rams Head/Eventbrite.
United States Events Maryland Events Things to do in Annapolis, MD Annapolis Performances Annapolis Arts Performances
Paula Poundstone at Rams Head On Stage
33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Tue, Feb 4 5:30 PM
Living Harmoniously in an Interfaith World, a Muslim Contribution
The National Churchill Library and Center (NCLC), Washington
All That 90's Party with DJ Marco
Fri, Jul 24 7:00 PM
Harrisburg High Class of 85 - 35th Year Class Reunion
Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor, Baltimore
#SchoolActivities
Tue, Jan 14 3:00 PM
Politics & Pints Capitol Hill Tour
US Capitol Building, Washington
#FoodDrink #Tour
Tue, Jan 21 11:30 AM
Tour Creative Colony on Tuesdays & Thursdays
Creative Colony, Silver Spring
#Business #Tour
Mon, Feb 3 12:00 PM
Raja Yoga Meditation Foundation Course in Maryland (M, W, F for two weeks)
Meditation Museum - (Silver Spring, MD), Silver Spring
#Health #Class
Sun, Jan 12 12:00 AM
Nebraska Week at David's Tent
Davids Tent DC, Washington
Mama's on the Half Shell Restaurant Week
Mama's on the Half Shell, Baltimore
#FoodDrink #Gala
Mon, Jan 13 5:38 AM
African American Tour & National Museum of African American History and Culture
U.S. Navy Memorial, Washington, D.C.
#TravelOutdoor #Attraction
Maryland Zoo: Skip The Line
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Baltimore
Browse Annapolis Events


The John Abraham Workout Routine is how he received bulked up for his new film Power. Males's Well being Fit: You are able to do the above whereas holding a forty five-lb bar instead of the stick. The Harvard Men's Well being Watch zeroes in on particular well being points that concern males, and spells out the entire fact…the professionals and cons of therapy — and the supporting credible research — so you can also make the best selections in your well being and medical care. Household planning clinics provide comprehensive reproductive health providers to both women and men, no matter capacity to pay.
Don't blindly consider anything you read concerning reproductive well being as that may be detrimental to your confidence. This simple accouterment not solely covers no matter follicular lack may be bothering you; it additionally enables you to take a look at the other males roaming the room, and the cap provides a degree of focus to your exercise. The message is straightforward, to stop men from dying on this province from modifiable health factors related to eating regimen, weight, blood pressure, and prostate cancer we have to encourage males to visit their doctor and get checked commonly.
With that being said, cease stop bickering with each other and do an actual exercise. Kieran now heads up company development at Movember persevering with his struggle to boost consciousness for males's health. Every month Males's Well being shall be delivered direct to their door so you already know they'll continue having fun with your reward every month! It focuses on the American version of the journal but its findings additionally apply to the UK and different international editions. A lot of the guys in the morning are just in for a exercise and out going to work.
Our at-home males's well being take a look at measures cortisol together with the opposite three hormones and can help establish how stress may be affecting your life-style. Not that he's fat or not kinda ripped, but no more than I am with my current workout. I am also engaged on a master's degree in nationwide safety and strategic studies through a distance-learning program with the Naval Warfare Faculty; and my wife and I've three children ages 5, three, and 1. I am continuously on the go, and I never know what I may discover on the opposite aspect, by way of a good workout facility, accessible time, and healthful food options.
The current purpose of the Males's Well being Program is to leverage off Calgary's Prostate Cancer Centre's get checked" program that's delivered to men via our MAN VAN. In 2014, annual growth is anticipated to be 2.three %, in accordance with an article on the three health services from The article also stories a demand for low-cost and niche" well being and health services. Proceeds from the Gloves on Gala will support hundreds of Calgary men and their households via the Women for Males's Health initiative at Calgary's Prostate Cancer Centre.


Insomnia symptoms are associated with type 2 diabetes incidence but are also associated with a range of potential time-varying covariates which may confound and/or mediate associations. We aimed to assess whether cumulative exposure to insomnia symptoms has a causal effect on type 2 diabetes incidence.
A prospective cohort study in the West of Scotland, following respondents for 20 years from age 36. 996 respondents were free of diabetes at baseline and had valid data from up to four follow-up visits. Type 2 diabetes was assessed at the final visit by self-report, taking diabetic medication, or blood-test (HbA1c ≥ 6.5% or 48 mmol/mol). Effects of cumulative insomnia exposure on type 2 diabetes incidence were estimated with traditional regression and marginal structural models, adjusting for time-dependent confounding (smoking, diet, physical inactivity, obesity, heavy drinking, psychiatric distress) as well as for gender and baseline occupational class.
Traditional regression yielded an odds ratio (OR) of 1.34 (95% CI: 1.06-1.70) for type 2 diabetes incidence for each additional survey wave in which insomnia was reported. Marginal structural models adjusted for prior covariates (assuming concurrently measured covariates were potential mediators), reduced this OR to 1.20 (95% CI: 0.98-1.46), and when concurrent covariates were also included (viewing them as potential confounders) this dropped further to 1.08 (95% CI: 0.85-1.37).
The association between cumulative experience of insomnia and type 2 diabetes incidence appeared confounded. Evidence for a residual causal effect depended on assumptions as to whether concurrently measured covariates were confounders or mediators.
Insomnia symptoms (defined here as trouble initiating or maintaining sleep) are associated with risk of type 2 diabetes [1–3]. Insomnia can be effectively treated  and may be a promising avenue for interventions to reduce type 2 diabetes incidence, as there are plausible biological mechanisms linking sleep loss to the development of type 2 diabetes via increases in insulin resistance and appetite [5, 6].
However, treatment of insomnia will only be effective at reducing risk of type 2 diabetes if the relationship between insomnia symptoms and type 2 diabetes is causal. Whilst observational studies show associations between insomnia symptoms and type 2 diabetes incidence [1–3], these may be confounded by other mechanisms. Indeed, socioeconomic position (SEP), smoking, heavy drinking, physical inactivity, poor diet and psychiatric distress are all associated with increased risk of insomnia symptoms or short sleep duration as well as type 2 diabetes [7–19]. Psychiatric distress and being overweight/obese may even have reciprocal relationships with sleeping trouble where each aggravates the other [6, 19]. This paper aims to assess whether associations between insomnia symptoms and type 2 diabetes incidence are likely to be causal by using marginal structural models (MSMs) to effectively control for time-varying confounders, and comparing results with more traditional regression models.
Consider Fig. 1a, where time-varying insomnia symptoms are both influenced by, and influence, a set of time-varying covariates (e.g. smoking, physical inactivity etc), and both insomnia and these covariates are determinants of type 2 diabetes (the subscripts 0 and 1 indicate that insomnia and the covariates are measured at two successive time-points). The time-varying covariates may both confound associations between insomnia and type 2 diabetes (e.g. insomnia1 to type 2 diabetes is confounded by covariates0 and covariates1), but may also mediate causal effects of insomnia on type 2 diabetes (i.e. insomnia0 to covariates1 to type 2 diabetes). Mediation might occur for example if poor sleep increased appetite leading to poor diet/obesity and then to type 2 diabetes.
Assuming no further unmeasured confounding of the relationship between insomnia and type 2 diabetes, traditional regression approaches which condition on time-varying covariates will give biased estimates of the causal effect of insomnia. There are two reasons for this. First, conditioning on time-varying covariates simultaneously removes both their confounding influence and their mediated effect . Confounding influences should be removed from effect estimates but mediated effects should not. Second, if some unmeasured factor confounds the association between the time-varying covariates and type 2 diabetes (as in Fig. 1b), conditioning on the time-varying covariates induces an association between that unmeasured factor and insomnia (represented by the dashed line), opening up a path from insomnia to type 2 diabetes which does not run via the time-varying covariates and is not causal, thus biasing estimates of insomnia's effect. This is known as collider bias . Both problems are still issues where insomnia and covariates are only measured at a single time-point (e.g. if only insomnia1 and covariates1 were observed) as the relevant mediating pathways may still be present, just unobserved (indeed, in this instance covariates0 could be the unmeasured confounder introducing collider bias).
MSMs avoid both of these problems by using the covariates to calculate analysis weights rather than by conditioning on them [20, 22]. The weights create a pseudo-population where at each time point those with and without insomnia will have similar covariate histories, but might differ systematically in covariates measured after that time point. This allows for mediation via covariates and does not induce the dashed association which causes collider bias in Fig. 1b. This paper compares traditional regression analysis with MSMs to explore the impact of effectively adjusting for time-varying covariates on our understanding of the causal relationship between insomnia and diabetes.
We additionally explore whether conclusions are robust to different causal assumptions. Where insomnia symptoms and time-varying covariates are measured concurrently, Fig. 1a and b show the conservative assumption that causation runs from the covariates to insomnia. Under this assumption concurrently measured covariates should be included when calculating weights for MSMs. An alternative, less conservative, assumption is depicted in Fig. 1c. In this case, concurrently measured covariates are viewed as caused by insomnia, and hence as mediators of insomnia's effect. This means concurrent covariates should not be included when calculating weights, while earlier measurements of covariates are still potential confounders and should be included. We repeat analyses with and without concurrent covariates included in the weighting to see if conclusions are sensitive to these assumptions.
Data are from the Twenty-07 Study  which followed people in three age cohorts – born around 1932, 1952, and 1972 - for 20 years. It has two samples: the regional sample, a two-stage stratified random sample of people living in an area of the West of Scotland centred on Glasgow (previously known as the Central Clydeside Conurbation), and the localities sample of people from two areas of the city of Glasgow. Baseline interviews were conducted in 1987/88 and there have been four waves of follow-up (1990/2; 1995/7; 2000/4; 2007/8). This paper focuses on the 1950s birth cohort who aged from approximately 36 to 57 years during the study period, covering the age range in which type 2 diabetes is most likely to develop. This cohort had a baseline sample size of 1444 (the response rate was 88.9%), which has been shown to be representative of the general population of the sampled area . The analysis sample for this paper was a sub-set of respondents from the 1950s cohort who participated in both the baseline and the final interview and were free of diabetes at baseline (n = 996; 73% of the living baseline sample; n = 3 excluded for baseline diabetes; n = 445 did not participate at the final interview). Implications of sample attrition are discussed below.
Type 2 diabetes was indicated by either self-reporting of the condition, self-reporting of diabetic medication (medications coded 6.1 in the British National Formulary) , or blood-test results indicating HbA1c ≥ 6.5% (48 mmol/mol). Respondents without valid blood results (n = 125) were still included and coded based on self-reported conditions and medications. Overall 68 respondents were coded as developing type 2 diabetes (28 by self-reported conditions or medications only, 10 by blood test results only, and 30 by both self-report and blood test). Baseline exclusions of existing cases were made on the basis of self-reported conditions/medications only as blood tests were not available until the final interview. A sensitivity analysis used a less conservative cut off of HbA1c ≥ 6% (42 mmol/mol; identifying a further 50 potential cases).
Gender was coded 0 for males and 1 for females. SEP was measured as baseline household occupational class, coded according to the Registrar General's 1980 classification , using the higher status occupation from couple households, with a binary indicator for manual vs non-manual occupations. This well-validated measure represents the material resources available to the household as well as their social standing .
In the first three interviews respondents were asked "How often do you have trouble getting to sleep?" and "How often are you bothered by waking earlier than you would like to, or by waking up in the middle of the night?" Both questions had six available responses ranging from never to every day. In the fourth and fifth interviews, respondents were asked, as part of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index , "During the past month how often have you had trouble sleeping because you cannot get to sleep within 30 minutes?" and "During the past month how often have you had trouble sleeping because you wake up in the middle of the night or early morning?" Both questions had four response categories ranging from not during the past month to 3 or more times a week. Responses indicating at least weekly trouble initiating or maintaining sleep were coded as insomnia symptoms (a sensitivity analysis where insomnia was defined as weekly trouble with both initiation and maintenance of sleep produced similar results).
Current smoking, physical activity, past week alcohol consumption and fruit and vegetable consumption (as an indication of diet) were self-reported at each wave. For consistency across all confounders, they were coded as binary indicators. Respondents who reported any current smoking were coded as smokers. Physical inactivity was coded as not taking part in any weekly activity "lasting more than 20 min" that made them "sweat or out of breath". Heavy drinking, based on past week alcohol consumption, was coded as >14 units for women and >21 units for men . Less than daily consumption of fruit and vegetables was coded as poor diet. Height (m) and weight (kg) were recorded by trained nurses and used to calculate body mass index (BMI) at each wave (weight/height2). A BMI of 30+ was coded as obese (similar results were obtained using a 25+ threshold to indicate being overweight). Psychiatric distress was indicated at each interview by scores of 2 or more on the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ; scored using caseness method) , a well-validated scale for assessing psychiatric morbidity. Since one of the items on this scale refers to losing sleep over worry, this item was removed from the scoring, though analyses with the full scale produced similar results.
Analyses were conducted in Mplus 7  and SPSS v21. Considering attrition, the analysis sample was weighted to the living baseline sample throughout . Within the analysis sample, rates of missing information across the five waves for insomnia symptoms and most covariates, except GHQ, were in the range 7.8-13.8% (see Table 1). There was a particularly high rate of missing information for psychiatric distress (23.9%) as a questionnaire error at wave 3 meant the GHQ could not be scored correctly for respondents in the regional sample (though this kind of missingness can be assumed to be random). Multiple imputation (25 datasets) was used throughout in addition to attrition weighting [33, 34]. Imputations employed an unrestricted two-level model of the analysis variables (repeated measurements nested within persons; gender, occupational class, type 2 diabetes and attrition weights were included at the person level; insomnia symptoms, smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, obesity, heavy drinking and psychiatric distress were included at the repeated measurement level). Multiple imputation performs efficiently for dealing with missing data in marginal structural models .
After attrition-weighting and imputation, we performed a traditional logistic regression of type 2 diabetes on a measure of cumulative insomnia exposure (i.e. the total number of study waves in which insomnia symptoms were reported, not necessarily consecutively; range 0-5), conditioning on all covariates (including measures from all waves). ORs associated with this cumulative measure of insomnia exposure represent the additional risk for type 2 diabetes associated with each additional wave where insomnia symptoms were reported, approximating a dose-response relationship. We then compared results from this traditional analysis with estimates of the effect of cumulative insomnia exposure on type 2 diabetes from MSMs, i.e. using weights to adjust for covariates, rather than conditioning on them. For both methods, p-values <0.05 were considered significant.
Weights for MSMs were calculated within each imputed data set by estimating two sets of probabilities for observed exposure levels (numerator and denominator probabilities). Probabilities from each wave were then multiplied together, and the product of the numerator probabilities was divided by that for the denominator probabilities . Probabilities for observed exposure levels were calculated from logistic regression models predicting insomnia at each time point (in SPSS v21; see Additional file 1 for more details), Numerator probabilities were estimated based on past exposure histories only, while denominator probabilities were estimated based on past exposure and covariate histories. Two sets of analysis weights were produced, one with and one without concurrent covariates included in the denominator model. Gender and social class were included in both models, thus assuming that these are confounders, rather than mediators of insomnia's effect.
Including past exposure histories in the numerator and denominator produces stabilised weights, which, in comparison to simply taking the inverse of the probability of exposure, helps to avoid excessive variability in the weights . We additionally tried truncating weights at approximately their 5 and 95 percentiles to ensure that results were not being overly driven by cases with extreme weights , but this did not affect the findings.
Before employing the weights in MSMs we checked whether the mean weight was close to one  and whether they were balancing covariate histories across those with and without insomnia. Balance in covariate histories was assessed using standardised mean differences in covariates at each time point after wave-specific weights were applied (see Additional file 2 for details). Standardised differences less than 0.1 were considered negligible . Initial assessment of covariate balance indicated that some differences in past covariates remained after weighting. This prompted some minor modification of the weighting model until satisfactory balance was achieved (e.g. adding some interactions to the denominator model; see Additional file 1 for details).
Table 1 shows descriptive statistics for the observed and the imputed data, with imputed data also weighted for attrition. Physical inactivity, poor diet and insomnia were the most common risk factors across the five surveys. Obesity and heavy drinking were the least common. Proportions with particular characteristics in the weighted and imputed data were similar to those in the observed data, with slightly more insomnia, smoking, females and manual households (suggesting respondents with these characteristics were more likely to drop out or fail to respond).
Next, we assessed the analysis weights. Means of the analysis weights with and without concurrent covariates were close to 1 at 1.026 and 1.007, respectively. Figure 2 shows standardised mean differences in covariates associated with cumulative insomnia exposure (i.e. with each additional wave where insomnia symptoms were reported; associations with insomnia at each wave using wave-specific weights are shown in Additional file 2). These are presented for attrition weighting only, and for the two sets of analysis weights with and without concurrent covariates included. Large mean differences in Fig. 2 (>0.1) suggest substantial co-variation with cumulative insomnia exposure. With attrition weighting only (grey diamonds) this co-variation may represent a mix of potential confounding and potential mediation (potential because a confounding or mediating role also depends on whether the covariate has a causal influence on type 2 diabetes). Thus, insomnia exposure shows substantial co-variation with gender, social class, smoking, baseline heavy drinking, and especially psychiatric distress. There was little co-variation with physical inactivity, obesity, later measures of drinking, or diet (though later measures of diet approached the 0.1 threshold).
With the analysis weights the potential confounding influences have been adjusted out, so any remaining co-variation is viewed as potential mediation. Covariates measured concurrently with insomnia could be potential confounders or potential mediators of insomnia exposure and the weights with and without these included respectively reflect these different causal assumptions (both sets of weights adjust for potential confounding from past measures of covariates). Thus, adjusting for confounding under the assumption that concurrent measures of covariates are potential mediators ('weighting with past covariates only'; white squares in Fig. 2), removes co-variation with gender, occupational class and smoking, but not with baseline drinking or with psychiatric distress (though co-variation with psychiatric distress is attenuated). Adjusting for confounding under the more conservative assumption that concurrent measures of covariates are potential confounders ('weighting with past and concurrent covariates'; black triangles in Fig. 2), removes associations with most covariates, though there is still a little co-variation with psychiatric distress, representing potential mediation (the association between cumulative insomnia exposure and GHQ at wave 3 is still >0.1).
Table 2 shows ORs, 95% CIs, and p-values for the association between cumulative insomnia exposure and type 2 diabetes incidence, as estimated with various methods. The basic association, weighted only for attrition, was that each additional wave of insomnia exposure was associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes. A traditional regression model, conditioned on all the covariates, also showed this association (if anything it was stronger in the conditioned regression model). The association was attenuated but remained borderline significant in a MSM weighted for past covariates only, and all but disappeared in a MSM weighted for both past and concurrent covariates. In a sensitivity analysis with a less conservative threshold for diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 6%), there was only a borderline association in models weighted for attrition only, and this was substantially attenuated in MSMs weighted for covariates (past only or with concurrent).
Insomnia symptoms were investigated as a cause of type 2 diabetes incidence in a community-based sample of non-diabetic adults followed from approximately 36 to 57 years of age. MSMs were used to adjust for time-varying confounding. While other studies have shown associations with type 2 diabetes for shorter-term measures of insomnia [1, 2], this paper shows that risk for type 2 diabetes increases as exposure to insomnia symptoms accumulates over many years. However, association between insomnia symptoms and type 2 diabetes appeared largely confounded by other factors. Insomnia symptoms were also associated with being female, being in a manual class, smoking, heavy drinking and especially with psychiatric distress. The findings were sensitive to assumptions about the direction of causation between concurrent measures of insomnia symptoms and psychiatric distress (and to a lesser extent perhaps heavy drinking). Where concurrent measures of psychiatric distress were seen as potential mediators of insomnia effects, there was still a borderline association between insomnia symptoms and type 2 diabetes, which could represent a causal relationship, assuming no further unmeasured confounding. However, if concurrent measures of psychiatric distress were viewed as confounding insomnia effects, then the association with type 2 diabetes disappeared, suggesting a non-causal association.
The findings under the more conservative assumption of concurrent confounding contrast with small scale experimental studies where restricted sleep stimulates physiological changes similar to those in the development of diabetes [38, 39]. Experimental sleep restrictions are carefully controlled, short-term and may differ considerably from the experiences of those who, in non-experimental circumstances, report insomnia symptoms over the long-term (which is what has been studied here). Perhaps the physiological effects observed in short-term experimental studies do not persist when sleep is curtailed over the long-term. Alternatively, perhaps there is a (weak) causal effect of long-term insomnia exposure, assuming mediation via psychiatric distress. In addition, a study on the Penn State cohort showed highest risk for type 2 diabetes when insomnia symptoms were combined with short sleep duration . Reporting insomnia symptoms does not necessarily equate with short sleep duration. Future studies might clarify whether long-term experience of insomnia with short sleep duration has a causal influence on type 2 diabetes.
The findings from MSMs also contrast with those from a meta-analysis of observational studies using traditional conditioned regression approaches . MSMs have two main advantages over traditional regression in that they allow for mediated effects via time-varying covariates, and avoid potential collider biases [20, 22]. Assuming covariates increase risk for type 2 diabetes, allowing for mediated effects might be expected to yield less conservative effect estimates than with traditional regression, rather than vice versa as observed here. That the MSM estimates were more conservative therefore suggests the presence of an unmeasured factor that confounds the association between one of the covariates and type 2 diabetes, introducing collider bias when estimating effects of insomnia (see Fig. 1b). This could be nothing more than prior unmeasured histories of the time-varying confounders. Non-collapsibility of ORs may also account for some minor differences between conditioned and marginal effect estimates , but this is unlikely to have been an issue here as the outcome was rare.
In comparison to more traditional approaches, marginal structural models have been known to yield results closer to those of randomised experiments , but can be sensitive to mis-specification of the exposure model . Hence, here we examined results using two sets of weights from different versions of this model, and performed further sensitivity analyses with different variable definitions. The findings were robust across these variations (if anything showing less evidence for a causal effect in some analyses), as well as to truncation of the weights to avoid extreme values dominating the analysis. However, the estimates of insomnia's effects here do assume a linear, dose-response, relationship between insomnia exposure and type 2 diabetes, independent of other variables. Future studies might explore non-linearity of effects, or interactions with other variables such as psychiatric distress. For example, we modelled insomnia exposure as cumulative with greatest risk for type 2 diabetes among those experiencing chronic insomnia over all five interviews. Future work could examine whether effects of intermittent and chronic patterns differ more than would be expected by the differences in duration of exposure.
Effects estimated from marginal structural models, as for traditional regression, only indicate causation (or lack thereof), with the important assumption of no further unmeasured confounding . Although adjustment was made for time-varying confounding within the 20-year period of study, some respondents may, for example, have had chronic patterns of insomnia symptoms that extended prior to the baseline measures, and any causal influence of earlier unmeasured insomnia symptoms on baseline covariates will have been adjusted out. Additionally, due to blood samples (for HbA1c) only being taken at the final wave of the study, we used an objective measure of type 2 diabetes from that final wave. Therefore, whilst we excluded those with baseline diabetes, based on self-report data, it is possible that early development of type 2 diabetes within the period of study (diagnosed or not) might have influenced the levels of time-varying exposures or covariates.
Our findings were sensitive to method. Traditional logistic regression showed an association between insomnia symptoms and type 2 diabetes incidence which would be quite large in magnitude if multiplied by long-term exposure. However, this method may be subject to bias from time-varying confounders. Marginal structural models, which overcome these potential biases indicated considerable attenuation in the association, the extent of which depended on assumptions about causal direction between concurrently measured insomnia symptoms and covariates, particularly psychiatric distress. The attenuated association under those methods least likely to introduce bias, suggests that associations between insomnia symptoms and type 2 diabetes are largely confounded by other factors. Whilst this study is not the equivalent of a randomised trial, such trials can be expensive and lengthy, and it might be better to focus research resources on other potential modifiable causes where there is stronger observational evidence for a causal link. Psychiatric distress might be a good candidate for further investigation since it appeared to be the strongest potential confounder of the association between insomnia and type 2 diabetes incidence. Indeed, in this regard, treatment for insomnia may still have some value as this can help reduce psychiatric distress, and the strongest evidence here of insomnia being causally related to type 2 diabetes was when concurrent measures of psychiatric distress were viewed as mediators, rather than confounders.
We are grateful to the survey participants and staff of the West of Scotland: Twenty-07 Study.
MJG and FP are supported by the UK Medical Research Council (MC_UU_12017/13) and the Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government Health Directorates (SPHSU 13). MB has support from the University of Essex and the UK Economic and Social Research Council. The Twenty-07 Study is funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MC_A540_53462).
MJG designed and performed the analysis, and drafted the manuscript. All authors participated in the design of the study, helped draft, read and approved the manuscript.
MJG, FP, TR and MB have no competing interests to declare. CAE declares that he has received payment for other work from Warnford Wellness and Little, Brown Book Group; has received grant funding from the NIH, The Wellcome Trust, the Dr. Mortimer & Theresa Sackler Foundation, the Chief Scientist Office in Scotland and Breast Cancer Research; and is a co-founder and shareholder of Big Health/ Sleepio Ltd.
Ethical approval was gained for each wave of the Twenty-07 Study from the National Health Service and/or Glasgow University Ethics Committees.


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