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It's Not Easy…Being Parents
July 30, 2019 July 30, 2019 ~ millennialmatriarchs ~ Leave a comment
This piece is continuing Meena's recent angst about parenting.
Indeed, parents need counselling more than the children. In many ways it seems that children today are more the receptacles of the parents' own aspirations and, yes, peer pressures. How does the parent participate in conversations which centre around–What school does your child go to; what does she/he excel at; where did you go for your last family holiday; which are the different types of special coaching your child has… and so on. So the child has to live up to the expectations of not only the parents, but the social circles that they move in. And somewhere in all this circle of "well-meaning concern" the child begins to feel inadequate and undeserving, and there starts slow seeping of confidence, which sadly may end in extreme consequences.
At another level is the insidious guilt of the parents—for being so busy with their work and leisure; for delegating a lot of the traditional parenting tasks to external help; for not giving what they feel may be adequate time and attention; for not giving the child "the best that money can buy, after all what are we working so hard for?" This manifests in the over-concern, over indulgence and over coddling by parents; and a sense of birth right to privilege, self-centredness, and "my parents can set it right for me" on the part of the child. This too may have disastrous consequences should the well-planned map of "how we see our life" go awry.
Every generation of parents feels that the times that they live in are the most challenging, and that they require bespoke answers to child raising.
Interestingly, over 80 years ago, my grandfather Gijubhai Badheka, wrote several volumes on the challenges of parenting, with the apt title It Is Not Easy…Being Parents. Gijubhai was not trained in child psychology; but his deep concern for the welfare of the child led him to observe, reflect, and note his thoughts. He described the dilemmas faced by both parents, as well as by children, and explored possibilities of how these could be handled.
For me, these simple yet profound notings are as fundamental and relevant even today. Sharing a few excerpts, translated by me from the original in Gujarati.
The young boy strenuously clambers up two rungs of the ladder. As he raises his foot to reach the third rung, the father says, "Come down; you are too young to climb ladders. If you fall you will break your bones."
The young girl carefully wields a knife to chop vegetables or to sharpen a pencil. The mother scolds, "Put down that knife; you will cut yourself."
The daughter wants to put the pan of dal on the gas stove. Mother says, "You will get scalded."
The daughter says "Can I carry the glass of water for the guest?" Mother says, "You will spill it."
The adults are trying to solve a problem. As they discuss the child offers some suggestions. All say, "Now you don't try to act too big for your boots."
Every day in innumerable situations we react in this fashion, unknowingly squashing the confidence of our children. Every time it takes up a task, it hears echoes of its parents' cautionary warnings, and drops it forthwith, overcome by the fear that it will not be able to successfully accomplish the task. If someone asks it to climb up, carry something or use a tool, it may refuse, or if forced to do so, ends up falling or spilling or hurting itself. The child ends up even more ashamed at its own inadequacy to carry out the task.
By corroding our children's confidence, we truly do make them unable to perform. In some ways our lack of confidence and trust in our children is a reflection of our own lack of confidence.
We need to have the strength to have confidence in our children. Encouraged by that trust, our children will prove themselves more than worthy of what we have bestowed. A child is human, a human striving to grow. We must enable this growth, the blossoming of its personality.
Removed from all the outer trappings of "success," ultimately what do we, as parents, wish for our children? I think it should be "the confidence and courage to take on life!"
Parenting an Instinct? Dangerous Assumption
July 25, 2019 ~ millennialmatriarchs ~ 1 Comment
Sanjeev 15 years old. Son of good friends. Committed suicide a few days before his Std 10 Board exams.
What would lead to a situation where a 15-year old is so defeated by life, or is in such despair that he takes his life?
Madhuri and Amar are wonderful people. They loved their two children and worked hard to give them the best of everything. Madhuri would get up at five every morning to cook breakfast and lunch, before coming to work. Amar would take them to the movies every alternate Sunday. They both worked hard to earn enough to give them the advantages they never got.
But were they good parents? I am not so sure.
Madhuri and Amar had married young—defying their parents to make a runaway match. Sanjeev came along before they knew what was happening. They coped with jobs, insufficient money, newly reconciled relatives, sleepless nights, and a fairly new marriage, as best they could. They couldn't really draw upon any experienced parents, even if they wanted to.
But it was fairly obvious to many of us standing on the side and looking on, that though they were loving parents, they were not good parents.
Why do we assume that parenting comes naturally? That it is an instinct? That it requires no preparation, no conscious effort?
We have recognized the importance of telling young couples that the health of the mother and child are endangered if the mother is too young and her body too immature. But have we ever told them that the psychological and emotional well-being of the child are in danger if the parents are too immature to bring them up? Have we told the bride's parents and the groom's parents this?
We take the trouble to inform new parents what they must feed the child, what the symptoms of various illnesses are, when the infants must have their various shots, etc. But does anyone tell them how they must deal with their children? Give them a glimpse of child psychology and child behaviour?
Yes, my great-aunt had eight children, starting with her first one when she was 15. No. No one gave her lectures on child psychology. And all the children grew up quite well, thank you very much! Yes, true.
But surely the world today is a much more complex place than it was 75 years ago. Or 50 years ago. Or even 15 years ago. Were children then exposed to internet, Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and all kinds of things I am not even aware of? Did they live in a world where a percentage point in Std 12 marks made the difference between making it into medicine or not? Did they live in a world where violence and sex were daily fare? Where corruption and cynicism were the order? Where possession or non-possession of branded shoes and jeans, or Facebook pics of exotic holidays, decided whether you belonged or didn't? Where the family was two young adults who left in the morning and came back late in the evening?
The answer is obvious. We talk of education to cope with change. Then why do we not see that education for parenting is a–maybe the–most crucial part of this education? We know that data analysts need training; carpenters need training; engineers need training…. But we seem to think that we can take on the most important job in life—that of taking responsibility for another human life—without any training or education or preparation or even thought.
The increasing number of cases like Sanjeev's that one sees reference to in the media clearly indicate that we need such education. But who is provide it? Where? When? How? Indian society must answer these questions. It is no longer enough to say that our traditional structures and family values are so strong that these things will get taken care of. It is obvious that the family and social structures are not being able to cope.
Someone has to act! This kind of education or sensitization hast to reach each and every young person. Reach them at a time when it is needed. Reach them in a way that it makes a difference. Is the Public Health Centre the venue? The anganwadi? The school? The college? TV the medium? Radio? All of these?
Whatever the answer, let us at least ask ourselves the questions. Believe me, a Sanjeev you know may break your heart.
Effortlessly Antique
Raghu has a weakness for antiques and the house is a bit overboard on old bric-a-brac, carpets, furniture, etc., which he has been collecting for 30 years now. He used to scour antique shops, flea markets, craft shops, furniture shops and what not, spending enormous amounts of time. And much more money than we could afford.
But a few days ago, I looked around and wondered why he even made the effort! Just by sheer living and reaching the age of 60ish, even our most mundane belongings are antique!
My wedding saris are over 35 years old.
My own jewellery is 40 years old. But my mother and grandmother both gave me pieces of their jewellery over time. So some of it is close to 65 years old. And a few pieces close to 85 years old.
Raghu has his first watch, which was a hand-me-down from his father–easily 70 years old. Also, his father's fountain pen, probably of the same vintage.
My silver kodam (water pot), was given to my grandmother from her mother's time and is probably a century old, give or take.
The idols in the puja cabinet may again be a 100 years old, since some of them belonged to great-grandparents.
We did go out of our way to buy some old pieces of furniture, but some of the most mundane pieces like the kitchen cabinet, by growing old with us, are close to four decades old.
My ever-silver (stainless steel for the non-South Indians) vessels come down from my mother-in-law's treasured hoard, and may well be over 60 years old.
I have dessert bowls that my parents bought when they were in the UK in 1962.
I have a doll that was bought during the same visit.
Our photographs rest in albums dating back to the '50s.
So whether or not you know it, whether you want to be or not, you are an antique collector. And your house is a museum. Because life happens…
Hidden Figures, No Longer
This is the week of moon missions—past, present and future. Fifty years since the first man walked on the moon, and very soon, India's own Chandrayaan-2 will become the first space mission to make a soft landing on the South Pole of the moon. Another 'first' worth celebrating is the fact that this moon mission is being led by two women, along with a team that comprised 30 per cent women. While programme director Muthayya Vanitha has nurtured Chandrayaan-2 over the years, the journey will be navigated by mission director Ritu Karidhal. Much to be proud of indeed!
Interestingly, while today women are rightfully making the headlines in science and technology, the scene was very different just 60 years ago. The boo k titled Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race traces the true story of black female mathematicians who worked as 'computers' (then a job description of those who did calculations by hand) at NASA, during the space race. The book describes how the three mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, overcame discrimination and racial segregation, with determination and hard work, to use their brilliant mathematical minds to contribute substantially to some of America's greatest achievements in space.
The book traces the period from the 1930s through the 1960s in America, when women were still expected to be at home, and faced social, racial and gender discrimination. Through sheer tenacity, force of will, courage and intellect, these women scientists ensured their stamp on history.
Written by Margot Lee Shetterly, herself an African-American, whose father was a research scientist at NASA during that period. His accounts of the work, and of his co-workers inspired her to research and tell the story of some of these women whose contributions were hardly known, let alone recognised. Shetterly is the founder of The Human Computer Project which is an endeavour to recover the names and accomplishments of all of the women who worked as computers, mathematicians, scientists and engineers at the NACA and NASA from the 1930s through the 1980s.
Just this year, the street outside NASA's headquarters has been named "Hidden Figures Way", in belated honour of these three African-American women whose work helped pave the way for future generations at the space agency.
The book Hidden Figures has also been adapted as a film by the same name, which captures the spirit of the book, although not the details of the work environment at the NASA Langley Research Centre, and the lives and experiences of these women.
In the meanwhile we are proud to honour all the women who are, rightfully, no longer simply hidden figures. What all the women (hidden and otherwise) do have in common is the passion that drove them to achieve their dreams.
As Ritu Karidhal has said "Since my childhood, I realised that science was not just a subject for me, it was a passion. When you are passionate about something, it just keeps you going, it doesn't matter who is in front of you or what obstacles comes."
Yes, even the sky is not the limit for those who not just dream, and but also dare!
Musings on the Moon
The moon is in the news! This week marks 50 years since the first man landed on the moon, and the papers are full of it, including reminiscences of that milestone year–1969. This took me back to my own association with the moon landing. It was my final school year, and we were told by all our teachers that this was a sure bet as a topic for the essay in our English and Hindi Board papers. So we read all that we could find, and mugged up the names and the dates, and the famous quote "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"—the first words by Neil Armstrong as he stepped onto the moon (20 July 1969), and wove them into our creative writing practice.
Those were simple times. Television had still not come to our home. The whole family would avidly listen to the All India Radio news read by familiar comforting voices as they conjured up word pictures of events at home and abroad (the highlight of which was the live broadcast of the Republic Day parade on 26 January). Newspapers in black and white print, and sometimes fuzzy photographs provided the visual support to the audio coverage. We first saw a colour picture of the moon landing in the Span magazine published by the American Cultural Centre.
Being a teenager in Delhi was more about innocent pleasures, than pressures and angst. We had real friends (not virtual) with whom we spent all our time, in school and at each other's homes, plied with home-cooked food by the much-loved aunties. We had music playing on LPs—Beatles and Woodstock; and the occasional Beat Show, when one of the parents offered to pick us all up and ferry us home for a giggly night-spend together. But we also sated ourselves on the rich offering of music, theatre and art that was easily accessible in Delhi in the 1970s. Books were our BFFs, and sources varied, from the American Library to the hole-in-the-corner neighbourhood lending library.
We were one of the early (now reviled) Khan Market gangs, when 'hanging out' meant simply walking around Khan (then not so up-market), and treating ourselves to a coke! Choices were limited, and aspirations were achievable—to join the Administrative Services or become a college lecturer if you were an 'arts type', or to become a doctor or engineer. Cut-off marks in lists were in the 60s, and annual fees in the best colleges were still in three figures.
And yet we all got somewhere meaningful, in our own ways, even though by today's standards we did not "arrive in style" as it were. And we are still there, doing our best to live by our values, in a very different age. It has, after all, been quite an age–half a century–since those days. Since then science and technology have indeed made a giant leap forward, We can be proud that very soon our own moon mission Chandrayaan-2 will be up and away on its way to land on the moon.
Even as we now have the ability to probe the crevices and craters of the distant moon, wonderfully, the moon has not lost its magic for the dreamers and the poets and painters.
We need the moon more than its needs us—look up at the full moon today, and you will know why!
Calico Dome: My Introduction to the Genius of Buckminster Fuller
Born July 12, 1895. A tribute on his birth anniversary.
When I moved to Ahmedabad in 1984, one of the 'must see' places was the Calico Dome. So dutifully, I went there as part of the Old City sightseeing and shopping experience.
It took me quite a while to figure out what the big deal about the dome was.
….That the dome was more than a showroom for the Calico Mills. That it was more than a venue for a fashion show that Parveen Babi had once taken part in as a student. That it was a historic structure, the first space frame structure in India (today so common in airports, for instance). That it was a design inspired by Buckminster Fuller's geodesic domes, and designed by Gautam and Gira Sarabhai and inaugurated in 1962.
Well, so what? Nothing, except the geodesic dome is 'recognized as the strongest, lightest, and most efficient means of enclosing space yet devised by man'.
A geodesic dome is composed of a complex network of triangles. These structures are extremely strong. They can withstand high winds, earthquakes and heavy snow, making them ideal structures for any type of environment. They are also efficient and sustainable. Due to their spherical nature, dome homes provide a large amount of living space, while taking up very little surface area. And due to their lower area-to-volume ratio, they require less energy for heating and cooling.
The geodesic dome embodies all that Buckminster Fuller stood for— 'Less is More', and a constant effort towards sustainability through design. Dedicating his life 'to making the world work for all of humanity', his designs have continued to influence generations of designers, architects, scientists and artists working to create a more sustainable planet. He was the first person to use the term 'Spaceship Earth'.
He was a practical philosopher who contributed to many facets of life and has been called a 'comprehensive, anticipatory design scientist.'. Just a few examples of how his work has contributed beyond architecture and design: Molecular biologists have now established that his mathematical formula for the design of the geodesic dome applies perfectly to the structure of the protein shell that surrounds every known virus. Several leading nuclear physicists are convinced that the same formula explains the fundamental structure of the atomic nucleus, and is thus the basis of all matter.
Other paradigm shifting designs include the Dymaxion houses, cars and map.
He visited India several time, giving the Nehru Memorial lecture in 1969. During one of his visits to India, he helped build a geodesic structure on the campus of Bengal Engineering College (now, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, West Bengal)
Happy that geodesic domes were something I encountered, including on drives to the airport at Ahmedabad for 20 years, at one of the garden-chowks!
The mills and shops closed in the 1990s and the dome went into disrepair. In the 2001 earthquake, the centre of the dome collapsed and heavy rains damaged the interior of the underground shop. Later the dome collapsed completely.[3] [4]
On liquidation of Calico Mills, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) bought it as a heritage property in 2006.
Putting their novelty aside, dome homes have the potential to solve many of our most pressing environmental and societal challenges. R. Buckminster Fuller's ultimate goal in designing geodesic dome structures was to solve the housing challenges of an ever-increasing population. He set out to design human shelters that were strong, sustainable and affordable.
The geodesic design is a perfect marriage of the sturdy arch and the rigid triangle, which enables dome homes to be extremely strong. They can withstand high winds, earthquakes and heavy snow, making them ideal structures for any type of environment, especially in an increasingly volatile climate.
Along with their strength, dome homes are incredibly efficient and sustainable. Due to their spherical nature, dome homes provide a large amount of living space, while taking up very little surface area. And due to their lower area-to-volume ratio, they require less energy for heating and cooling.
Additionally, dome homes require far less building materials than traditional homes do, and can be made out of a variety of eco-friendly building materials. They're also typically less expensive to make than traditional homes, and the fact that they are much smaller than traditional single-family homes also helps keep the costs down. These factors make them ideal for people looking to build an environmentally friendly home on a budget.
While the residential application of the geodesic dome is most heralded in American culture, the original Fuller domes—as well as many since—were actually constructed for commercial use.
In fact, the first dome that was constructed after Fuller filed his patent for the structure was part of the Ford Motor Company headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., in 1953. The Ford Rotunda was originally an open-air pavilion, which the company then retrofitted with a roof to create an indoor space. However, the building could not sustain a traditional roof, which would weigh more than 160 tons. Ford turned to Fuller to design a geodesic dome that weighed just 8 tons. Although the Rotunda was destroyed in a fire in 1962, it was proof of concept for many commercial buildings to come.
After the success of the dome used for the Rotunda, other clients came calling, including the U.S. military. The government looked to the Fuller domes for two reasons. First was for how impervious they were to wind and weather, as the military needed shelter for their radar equipment that could withstand the harsh conditions at the Arctic Circle. The dome shape proved to be ideal to withstand high winds with minimal maintenance.
And second, the U.S. government explored using geodesic domes for their light weight and ease of construction. The domes were used to create "speedy but strong" housing for soldiers overseas in the 1950s, according to the Buckminster Fuller Institute. In fact, the Marines went as far as creating a 30-foot dome that could be delivered by helicopter and assembled in just over two hours—and that could withstand a day-long barrage of 120-mile-per-hour wind gusts.
MODERN DOMES AND POTENTIAL IMPACT
Since the early days of experimentation with geodesic structures, many have been built, including Epcot Center's Spaceship Earth (although it's technically a geodesic sphere, not a dome), the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Wash., the original hangar used to house the Spruce Goose, and the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station (from 1975–2003). As architecturally impressive as they are utilitarian, these domes allow their proprietors to do more with less.
This do-more-with-less mentality has also led optimistic individuals to use the geodesic dome shape to solve urban problems such as creating transitional housing in Silicon Valley. A recent proposal by the entrepreneur Greg Gopman aims to provide a small village of dome homes available to rent for just $250 per month.
After all, what the geodesic dome—and its potential—shows us is the impact that architects and builders can have when they truly think outside the box.
https://blueprint.cbre.com/the-impact-and-importance-of-the-geodesic-dome/
Buckminster Fuller was a renowned 20th century inventor and visionary born in Milton, Massachusetts on July 12, 1895. Dedicating his life to making the world work for all of humanity, Fuller operated as a practical philosopher who demonstrated his ideas as inventions that he called "artifacts." Fuller did not limit himself to one field but worked as a 'comprehensive anticipatory design scientist' to solve global problems surrounding housing, shelter, transportation, education, energy, ecological destruction, and poverty. Throughout the course of his life Fuller held 28 patents, authored 28 books, received 47 honorary degrees. And while his most well know artifact, the geodesic dome, has been produced over 300,000 times worldwide, Fuller's true impact on the world today can be found in his continued influence upon generations of designers, architects, scientists and artists working to create a more sustainable planet.
The Dymaxion Map, 1943
Not limiting himself to any one discipline, Fuller took on cartography with this invention – credited as the first two-dimensional map of the entire Earth's surface that shows it without distortions.
To create the piece, Fuller projected the world map onto the surface of a three-dimensional icosahedron, which was then unfolded and laid flat.
https://www.dezeen.com/2018/08/27/eight-forward-thinking-ideas-buckminster-fuller-exhibition-los-angeles/
he Dymaxion map or Fuller map is a projection of a world map onto the surface of an icosahedron, which can be unfolded and flattened to two dimensions. The flat map is heavily interrupted in order to preserve shapes and sizes.
The projection was invented by Buckminster Fuller. The March 1, 1943 edition of Life magazine included a photographic essay titled "Life Presents R. Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion World". The article included several examples of its use together with a pull-out section that could be assembled as a "three-dimensional approximation of a globe or laid out as a flat map, with which the world may be fitted together and rearranged to illuminate special aspects of its geography."[1] Fuller applied for a patent in the United States in February 1944, the patent application showing a projection onto a cuboctahedron. The patent was issued in January 1946.[2]
geodesic dome, which has been recognized as the strongest, lightest, and most efficient means of enclosing space yet devised by man.
Molecular biologists have now established that his mathematical formula for the design of the geodesic dome applies perfectly to the structure of the protein shell that surrounds every known virus. Several leading nuclear physicists are convinced that the same Fuller formula explains the fundamental structure of the atomic nucleus, and is thus the basis of all matter.
Gira and Gautam Sarabhai and his team designed the Calico Dome, inspired by Buckminster Fuller's geodesic domes. The dome housed the showroom and shop for Calico Mills, which opened in 1962. The first fashion show in Ahmedabad was organised in the Dome.[2] Indian actress Parveen Babi took part in shows in the 1970s when she was a student.[2]
Inaugurated in 1962, the 12-meter wide structure
It was the first space frame structure in India
July 9, 2019 ~ millennialmatriarchs ~ 1 Comment
On 20 May this year the definition of kilogram changed. The new definition fits in with the modern definitions for the units of time (second) and distance (metre).
Most of us grew up using the metric system which is an internationally recognised decimalised system of measurement used to measure everyday things such as the mass of a sack of rice, the height of a person, the speed of a car, and the volume of fuel in its tank.
It is interesting to go into the history of this system. The metric system was introduced by the French after the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century, at a time when there was a chaotic state of thousands of traditional units of measurement in use. Twelve scientists were appointed to organise a universal and accurate system of measurement. They chose 'metre' after the Greek word for measure 'metron'; and for simplicity of multiplying and dividing they decided to base it on the number 'ten.' One metre was to be one-tenth millionth of one quarter of the circumference of the Earth, measured from the Pole to the Equator.
By 1795 all metric units were derived from the metre, including the gram for weight and the litre for capacity. At first people were reluctant to accept the new measures but in 1840 they were legally enforced and there were punishments for those who refused to use the metric system.
The history of the predecessor to the Kilometre—the Mile, can be traced back to the Romans who invented a way of measuring distance in footsteps. A Mile was a thousand footsteps. The Romans marked their miles with special stones called Milestones.
Measuring land was difficult in olden days. Sometimes fields were measured according to how much land could be ploughed by a pair of oxen in one day. In an unusual way of measuring land—if someone wanted to buy land, coins were put around the edges of the piece of land with all the coins touching each other. The cost of the land was said to be the number of coins that it took to surround it.
Today the global standards for measurement are set by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures which is located in Sevres near Paris. It is this international laboratory where international standards are kept; national standard copies inspected, and metrological research is conducted. The General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), with diplomatic representatives of some 40 countries, meets every six years to consider reform. The conference selects 18 scientists who form the International Committee for Weights and Measures that governs the bureau.
As science advances so does precision, and today measurements are finely honed towards a hundred per cent accuracy. Thankfully, for most of us laymen this fine tuning does not mean too much change. News reports assured us that the 'new improved' kilogram would not impact weight watchers or grocery shoppers.
The last few weeks, my newspapers have been full of news about newly-crowned Queens. There is a Miss World, and a Miss Universe, and numerous other regal titles bestowed on young girls. So far so good.
As a passive observer peeping through the window of the pages of my newspaper, over the years I have been noticing how the run-up to such pageants is becoming more and more elaborate and ostentatious. Qualifying rounds are held in different cities, in the most luxurious hotels. Several glossy pages of the paper feature spreads of photographs of the pretty young ladies going through a variety of activities in different settings, clad to the nines in appropriate designer wear. There is an ever-growing list of event partners—dress designers, hair stylists, skin gurus, make-up magicians, tutors to (re)teach the girls how to walk and talk, and so forth. And, of course how can all this work without the sponsors? So you have sponsors for everything from the eyes to the toes–Miss Expressive Eyes, Miss Dazzling Teeth, Miss Scintillating Smile, Miss Satin Skin, Miss Shining Hair—and on till there is nothing left to miss!
Possibly thousands of girls apply for these pageants with these very visions becoming the stuff of their dreams. I suspect that even as they start the process, so much time and hard-earned money is spent in preparing the portfolios to enter the race. For those "lucky" ones who make it through the various rounds, the metamorphosis begins as they are taken through the paces. But behind the scenes? A bunch of still naive girls living in close proximity, in a fiercely competitive environment–I cannot begin to imagine what the atmosphere will be like—the anxieties, the hostilities, the petty politics, the pressures. As murky as the intrigues in the court of a royal family!
The newspapers kindly give us '"the underprivileged outsiders" glimpses into the culminating moments of the qualifying events. The full spread pictures of an array of pretty girls with similar hairstyles, smiles and dresses makes it difficult to tell the difference between them. Until voila—we have the coronation of the Queens. Usually the brouhaha ends there. This year there has been a follow up. We also had the privilege of following the Queens as they visited their "native places"—the town or village that their family hailed from. We saw pictures of cheering crowds, motor cavalcades, cameramen and interviews and family and village elders welcoming their local girl who became Queen.
And I think—Is this the role model for all the young girls in the small towns and villages? Is this what it means to have "arrived?" Is this what parents dream of for their daughters from the day that they are born? Aspirations!
It is a very worrying trend. One observes young girls (almost children) being accompanied to beauty parlours for a host of grooming and beauty treatments. Parents spend much money on consulting nutritionists and dieticians, trainers and gyms, and of course the latest fashion in clothes. "Looking good" becomes the end all and be all. Aspirations!
An even more frightening extension of this is the pushing of young children into the numerous reality shows. I am appalled at the occasional glimpse of children cavorting to Bollywood numbers dressed in vulgar outfits and plastered with make-up. A recent piece about a five-year old girl who won a dance show talked about her childhood in a slum of Kolkata, and how she has made her parents so proud. Her dream is to live in all all-pink fairy tale house. Aspirations!
How disturbing. How sad that in a country where we are still talking about Save Our Daughters, Educate Our Daughters, we seem to be building aspirations that promote superficial showmanship, branding, and objectification of our daughters.
I think 'undead' means
The dead who will not die
What then is the term
For the living who do not live?
Who have no wish to live?
Who see no point in living?
For whom there is no joy in living?
Are they called the 'unliving'?
(Obviously suffering from GOT withdrawal symptoms!)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


company_reviews VEGAS ALUMINIUM WORKS & TRADING SDN. BHD.
Fair work and fair price for their partition and ceiling. This company use really thick partition for my place instead of very thin board that I get from my previous company.
Due to the wide range of coverage i think that they are not the sole contractor, I think they are more like agent. But the price is still relatively cheap on my case.
Usually I found that most contractor in Klang wouldn't provide "after-sale-service" but they do. When I found that my door lock is damaged, I called the store manager and he is here the next day and replace a brand new lock for me.
Nothing for me to say but Good Good Good!!!!!!


Lab tests by Consumer Reports have confirmed what Wired and its readers have been telling you all along: The problem with the iPhone 4's reception has nothing to do with how the signal-strength bars are represented, and everything to do with the phone's faulty antenna design.
Consumer Reports took three separate iPhone 4s into the controlled environment of their radio frequency-insulated testing chamber. That room is insulated from all outside RF signals, so there's nothing to interfer with the tests. Once inside the chamber, the testers set each iPhone to connect with a base station emulator — a piece of testing equipment that acts like one of AT&T's cellphone towers. They then tested the iPhones' ability to connect when held various ways.
"Our engineers found that when you place your finger on the gap between the two antennas on the lower left hand side of the iPhone 4, signal strength can drop by about 20 decibels — and that's enough to drop a call," CR reported in a video posted on its site (and embedded below).
In other words, it's a design problem, not an issue with the way the iPhone 4 displays its signal strength bars, as Apple has tried to claim.
Significantly, CR's tests showed that just a light finger touch was enough to trigger the problem — no sweaty-palmed "death grip" is required, as other testers have reported.
Further, CR's tests place the blame squarely on Apple's phone, not AT&T's network. Because these tests were done in a controlled environment where no other devices were competing to connect with the base station, the reception problems can't be attributed to network congestion or to a flaw in AT&T's wireless network.
Because of those flaws, CR says it cannot recommend the iPhone 4 to consumers.
If you still want an iPhone 4, however, the magazine recommends placing a strip of duct tape over the corner of the phone — much like the electrical tape solution Wired reader Ryan Rhea recommended two weeks ago.


text:
50 Years of Kick-Ass Rock and Roll
Richie Teeter
Go Girl Crazy
Bloodbrothers
Fuck' Em If They Can't Take A Joke
Live New York New York
D.F.F.D.
Viva Dictators
Every Day Is Saturday
Faster Louder
Go Girl Crazy! 40th Anniversary
Label: ROIR A-102, LP/Danceteria (France), CD/1992/Danceteria DANCD 052 (France), Cassette/Danceteria DANMC 052 (France)
Producer: Andy Shernoff
Science Gone Too Far
Rock and Roll Made a Man Out of Me
Two Tub Man
Moon Upstairs
Search & Destroy
Borneo Jimmy
Minnesota Strip
Reissued in 1998 with extra tracks, different cover art and new liner notes by Andy as "The Dictators Live: New York New York"
This CD is not a recording from a reunion show.
The Dictators don't do reunion shows...Never did, never will...We also don't scream "Cleveland, are you ready to rock?", play drum solos, spend time in drug rehab, or cowrite with Desmond Child in a desperate attempt to manufacture hit singles. The Dictators formed as a reaction to the rock formula, and in my mind, rock and roll reunions represent every Spinal Tap music biz cliche we always hated. They are crass and lame; everything the Dictators aren't. Well, maybe we are crass, but we're not lame, damnitt!!
The point is, you can't reunite if you never broke up and The Dictators never broke up. Sure there were occasional gaps of a few years between some shows (we had lives to lead) but deep in our hearts and souls we always knew we were Dictators. We couldn't escape it even when we tried. The label ex-Dictator followed us around every turn. Ex-Dictator Ross the Boss had gold records with Manowar, ex-Dictator Scott Kempner toured the world with The Del-Lords, and every record I ever produced tagged me as an ex-Dictator. I was once arrested and I served time in detention while in high school but check out my permanent record; it says ex-Dictator with a big gold star next to it.
That's because becoming a Dictator was a life decision. It was a tattoo on my legacy. The Dictators was the first band for all of us. Before we ever rehearsed, we moved in together, just like The Beatles in "Help!" or The Monkees on TV. We never thought there was any other way to do it. Joining the band wasn't a whim, it was the light at the end of the tunnel of our lives.
When we were teenagers recording The Dictators Go Girl Crazy in 1974, we were advocating rock and roll as an all encompassing lifestyle. It was something you lived 24 hours a day. Nobody had really dressed it up like that before. Chuck Berry and The Who had suggested it, but we lived it to the hilt and then sang about it, truthfully. We combined all those disparate elements of pop culture that we loved but had never been lumped together. Television, food, sports, wrestling, alcohol and snotty sarcasm all played as important a role in our lyrics as the traditional subjects of cars and girls and teenage rebellion. And the truth is, we would have been phoneys if we wrote and sang about anything else...As phoney as if we played reunion shows.
With all the latest news, releases and events. Subscribe to get email from The Dictators
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©Dictators, Inc. All rights reserved. Website - OPK Solutions


text:
HomeFREEDOMFacebook's European data transfers under scrutiny
Facebook's European data transfers under scrutiny
December 2, 2015 This article was posted by TLB Staff FREEDOM, MEDIA 0
By Cory Bennett – 12/02/15
An influential privacy activist is pressing European Union officials to halt Facebook's data flows from Europe to the U.S.
Austrian Max Schrems on Tuesday sent a letter to the data protection agency in Ireland — where Facebook has its European headquarters — arguing that the authority should "suspend all data flows from 'Facebook Ireland Ltd' to 'Facebook Inc.'"
Schrems is the same activist that got the European courts to cancel a major U.S.-EU data transfer agreement months ago.
The European Court of Justice invalidated the long-standing "Safe Harbor" agreement — which allowed thousands of companies to legally transfer Europeans' data to the U.S. — over concerns about U.S. surveillance programs.Schrems argued that Facebook is subject to those same surveillance programs and thus should not be allowed to move European data across the Atlantic Ocean.
"There is clear evidence that leads me to believe that my personal data, controlled by 'Facebook Ireland Ltd,' and processed by 'Facebook Inc,' is at the very least 'made available' to U.S. government authorities under various known and unknown legal provisions and spy programs," he wrote.
In the wake of the court decision, companies fearing that European data protection agencies may come after them moved to house more of their customer information in EU-only data centers.
Major Silicon Valley players, such as Apple, Facebook, Google and Yahoo, had all relied on Safe Harbor to shuttle data between the two continents.
More proactive data protection authorities — such as Germany's regulators — have already said they are investigating the U.S.-EU data flows at these top companies in light of the ruling.
Schrems also sent his Facebook letter to the Belgian Privacy Commissioner and the Hamburg Data Protection Authority in the hopes of raising pressure on Ireland's office.
"We want to ensure that this very crucial judgement is also enforced in practice when it comes to the U.S. companies that are involved in US mass surveillance," Schrems said in a statement. "The court's judgement was very clear in this respect."
Other tech industry giants, including Apple, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo, could also receive the same scrutiny in the near future, Schrems added.
"We are reviewing the situation in relation to all PRISM companies right now," he said, referring to the U.S. surveillance program that collects Internet data.
Negotiators are scrambling to complete a Safe Harbor 2.0 agreement that includes enhanced privacy provisions. But digital rights advocates have argued that the new agreement would still face the same concerns over U.S. mass surveillance.
Schrems agreed, maintaining his points about Facebook would still apply even if a new Safe Harbor deal is struck.
"While a new 'Safe Harbor' may be helpful for most companies, it will not be able to overrule the findings in cases of 'mass surveillance,' which is why there is no reason to await the political process underway," he said.
See original story here
TLB recommends other stories from The Hill
'Facebook Ireland Ltd'
Belgian Privacy Commissioner
data flows
transfer agreement
The Internet Facilitates Child Abuse but Censors Natural Health
Whistleblowers Torpedo Big Tech And Big Pharma: Who's Next?
Nowhere to Hide: New Facebook App to Track Offline Users – Report


text:
Q: Error while passing value to subreport in Jaspersoft Studio I am trying to pass a long value to a subreport. It throws the following error.
net.sf.jasperreports.engine.JRException:
net.sf.jasperreports.engine.JRRuntimeException: Unknown subreport source class
java.lang.Long

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Attaching a kayak to a vehicle can be made much easier with a trailer hitch kayak rack. This type of rack is designed to attach to the trailer hitch, which is located at the rear of a vehicle and capable of towing heavy loads. The high weight capacity of trailer hitches makes them ideal for attaching kayak racks that can tow single or multiple boats. Even the largest trunks and pick-up truck beds are not big enough to fit kayaks safely, and getting a kayak rack will allow one or more boats to be hauled on top of a vehicle without causing any damage to the paint or frame.
Darby Industries 944 Extend-A-Truck – This model is particularly ideal for transporting long kayaks. The support measuring 4 feet wide gives the hitch additional stability. Height can be easily adjusted to haul a boat on the vehicle's roof. The hitch comes with a receiver hitch to simplify the process of attaching the rack. A red flag is included to make the kayak more visible to other drivers on the road. The kayak's weight is kept balanced by the hitch, which helps prevent instability issues that may cause the boat to dislodge while being hauled. When the carrier is not in use, it can be folded flat and stored behind the seat. At just 25 pounds, the rack is light enough for most people to handle without a problem.
Titan Truck Bed Extender Carrier for 2-inch Trailer Hitch Receiver Hauler – Capable of carrying up to 350 pounds, this practical bed and tailgate extension can increase both the truck bed's length and height. The extender will fit a truck bed height of 15 to 23 inches from the hitch. In addition to hauling kayaks, this hitch mount kayak carrier is suitable for carrying canoes and other types of watercraft. Little effort is needed to install the device, and no drilling or permanent hardware is required. After attaching the extender to a 2-inch trailer receiver, the truck's tailgate can be opened to fit a boat. Most trucks, including Ford, Dodge and Toyota models, that have 2-inch hitches attached will have no trouble accommodating this addition.
Thule Goal Post – This receiver hitch kayak rack scores big in terms of adjustability and convenience. A telescoping mast can be adjusted to work with different truck cab heights. The rack measures 12.5 by 58 by 73.8 inches and comes with a strap measuring 6.5 feet to give each watercraft a stronger hold. Additional hook straps and vertical load stops help provide an even securer hold in all types of conditions. A securer transport is made possible by the carrier's anti-sway design. Kayaks with Set-To-Go and Hydro-Glide saddles are compatible with this model. By attaching the hitch to any 2-inch truck hitch receiver, a kayak, boat, paddleboard or similar watercraft can be hauled the easy way.
Rhino Rack T-Loader Canoe and Kayak Rack – A great choice for single-person use, the Rhino Rack T-Loader Canoe and Kayak Rack fits all 50-millimeter tow balls. Tow ball sway is prevented by the anti-swivel plate. The trailer hitch kayak support is suitable for Rhino Aero and other heavy-duty crossbars. A boat can be placed on the rack by simply lowering the included T-Load Hitch Mount. To keep a kayak or canoe from slipping while loading or unloading, a non-slip mat has been included. A fitting kit also comes with the rack to make securing a boat to it even easier. The height of the hitch mount kayak rack can be adjusted from a minimum of 950 millimeters to a maximum of 1,540 millimeters.
Goplus Pickup Truck Bed Hitch Extender – This adjustable kayak rack for truck hitch models can extend so that long boats, canoes and other watercrafts can be hauled. By displaying the included red flag and reflective tape on the front and sides, other drivers will know to keep a greater distance from the rear of the vehicle. The hitch can fit onto 2-inch square hitch receivers or 1.25-inch receivers if a hitch adapter is used. This option is especially practical for hauling boats long distances. Up to 750 pounds of weight can be supported, and the extender can be adjusted vertically or horizontally to accommodate boats of different shapes and sizes. A stainless black-coated finish helps prevent chipping or tarnishing.
Height Adjustability – The height of the kayak hitch rack should be able to be adjusted to suit the size of the vehicle doing the hauling so that a boat can be loaded and secured adequately on the roof or from the truck's bed.
Hitch Receiver Size – Most carriers are made to fit rear vehicle hitches that are 2 inches. If the vehicle has a smaller or larger hitch, a hitch adapter may need to be purchased separately so that everything can be connected properly.
T-Bar Width – A narrow T-bar is usually acceptable for hauling watercrafts with smaller widths. However, a wider T-bar will be necessary to transport wider boats or multiple watercrafts.
Weight Capacity – The amount of weight that a rack can carry may range anywhere from 300 to 750 pounds. Even though it may be tempting to buy a carrier that has the highest weight capacity possible, it may be larger and bulkier than what is needed to haul a smaller boat.
Compactness – It is a good idea to get a trailer hitch rack carrier that can be folded flat and stored when not in use. Some carriers can even be folded and stashed behind a seat in the vehicle.
Safety Add-ons – Some models feature extra safety add-ons to make hauling boats less dangerous. A red flag is often included and can be tied to the back of the load so that drivers can see the full length of the boat and carrier with better depth perception. Reflective tape is also sometimes included and can be adhered to the boat so that it is easier for other drivers to see at night.
Having the best trailer hitch kayak carrier can make it easier to bring a kayak, canoe, paddleboard or another type of watercraft on the road and will be a much safer option than other hauling methods.


Practically every terminal blocks� manufacturer already took over the technology and produces screwless terminal blocks and connectors. Our long-term partner, Euroclamp, is not an exception. In addition to the dominant range of traditional terminal blocks and plug-in connectors with screws, they also offer a basic range of screwless terminal blocks and screwless plug-in connectors.
Screwless terminal blocks are from the MG1 series.
They are produced in four pitches - 5mm/5,08mm and 7,5mm/7,62mm and in two versions - with and without button. All models are 45�angled.
Versions with button need no screwdriver, but an unwanted push can release the wire. Versions without button need screwdriver, but there is no risk for unwanted release of wires. However, we have to admit that it is much more comfortable to push the spring with a screwdriver, especially at small pitch.
If you need to bring many signals to a small PCB, we recommend using the multilevel terminal blocks. Euroclamp produces 2-, 3- and 4-levels versions (these are, however, only in 5/5,08mm pitch and without buttons).
The maximum cross-section of wires is 1,5mm2 (max. current 16Amps) and maximum voltage is from 250V up to 750V.
The MG1 series uses technology called �Spring Cage�. You have to push the spring to open the wire input. The SHM series connectors uses the "PushWire" technology, where solid wires and stranded wires with end-sleeves can be directly pushed into connector.
Plug-in connectors are from the SHM series.
That is the part of connection where the wire is connected. The counterpart is usually soldered into PCB - that is the PV series - it is common for screwless (SHM) and screw (SH, SV) plug-in connectors.
The SHM series is available in 5 sizes - pitch 3,5/3,81mm, then 5/5,08mm and 7,62mm. All of them are available in version with flange screw (can we call them screwless then?).
Those with 3,5 and 3,81mm pitch are a bit wider than "Nr. of poles x pitch". It means you cannot put them side-by-side.
Two versions are available - F (in-line) - the wire is in-line with pin in counterpart. F versions are stock-types at SOS electronic. Second version is P (off-set). The wire is lower than pin and socket in connector. The maximum cross-section of wires is 1,5mm2 (max. current 8Amps) and maximum voltage is 160V.
Those with 5/5,08mm pitch and 7,62mm are as wide as "Nr. of poles x pitch". It means you can put them side-by-side. There is also Modular version - two or more pieces can be connected into one block.
The maximum cross-section of wires is 2,5mm2 (max. current 12Amps/15Amps) and maximum voltage is from 250V up to 500V.


He came, he saw, he conquered…and he left behind some great lessons that we can all learn from.
One thing is for sure, Steve Jobs didn't become successful overnight. It took him years of hard work, determination, and perseverance to build Apple into the company that it is today.
And thanks to his many lectures and speeches, we have a glimpse into his day-to-day work ethic and how he managed to do as much as he did. And, in order to help you reach your personal goals, we've put together 9 of his inspirational lessons. Read them, be inspired by them, and then get out there and make your dreams come true.
"Almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.
If you're tired of living your life according to someone else's dream, this is a great time to reflect inward and apply these lessons in your own life.
Have you learned any other life and leadership lessons from Steve Jobs? Share below.
And if you like this blog post please subscribe and become part of our community! 🙂 Or if you would like to take your knowledge and package it in a profitable online course click here to watch a free training!


The NanGuang Tabletop Shooting Table for still life is ideal for small product photography or videos.
Designed for tabletop use, it is 61cm wide by 70cm deep. It stands 18cm high on its frame with a total height of 54cm.


text:
Transmission Techniques for Emergent Multicast and Broadcast Systems
Rui Miguel Henriques Dias Morgado Dinis, DEE Group Author
DEE2010-A1 Telecomunicações
DEE - Departamento de Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores
Describing efficient transmission schemes for broadband wireless systems, Transmission Techniques for Emergent Multicast and Broadcast Systems proposes and examines advances in transmission techniques and receiver design capable of supporting the emergent wireless needs for multimedia broadcast and multicast service (MBMS) requirements. It summarizes the research and development taking place in wireless communications for multimedia MBMS and addresses the means to improved spectral efficiency so as to allow increased user bit rate, as well as increased capacity of the digital cellular radio network . The text highlights essential requirements for new services, providing a clear understanding of the corresponding fundamentals and theory needed to fulfill such requirements. Although the schemes and transmission and detection techniques presented are applicable to a wide range of digital communication systems, including wireless, cellular, and satellite, the text maintains a focus on multimedia services using multicast and broadcast techniques. It also: · Reports on important enhancements, including transmission techniques, receiver designs, and multi-resolution schemes for modern broadband wireless systems · Covers key aspects in the development of emergent services to support the requirements of new services · Discusses the transition from Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) to block transmission techniques · Considers advanced receivers such as iterative (turbo) equalization schemes for these techniques This complete resource includes coverage of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), hierarchical constellations, multi-resolution transmission, macro-diversity principles, and multihop relay techniques. It also proposes advances for different propagation and multi-user environments, using both WCDMA and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). The text concludes by explaining how to effectively combine these techniques and enhancements for the purpose of implementing the evolved MBMS (E-MBMS).
https://doi.org/10.1201/EBK1439815939
Dinis, R. M. H. D. M., & DEE Group Author (2010). Transmission Techniques for Emergent Multicast and Broadcast Systems. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/EBK1439815939
Dinis, Rui Miguel Henriques Dias Morgado ; DEE Group Author. / Transmission Techniques for Emergent Multicast and Broadcast Systems. CRC Press, 2010.
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10.1201/EBK1439815939
http://oa.uninova.pt/4744/


From time to time we have open roles in our organization. We are eager to invite qualified, passionate candidates to examine and apply for these roles.
This position will be directly responsible for all agronomy of approximately 6,500 acres of permanent crops and the development of future acquisitions. May hire, train, or supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the orchard health maintenance. Supervise and review irrigation scheduling, crop nutrition, cultivation, and harvest timing. Scout crops and identify pests, includes making recommendations on treatment and suggesting products or other methods to control or prevent problems to the Director of Agronomy. This position will report to both the Director of Agronomy and Operations.


text:
Hoppstylta är en stylta med en spiralfjäder och handtag, som man förflyttar sig hoppande med. Hoppstyltan används oftast som leksak.

Den moderna hoppstyltan är en tysk uppfinning från 1920 som fick namnet "pogo" efter uppfinnarna Max Pohlig och Ernst Gottschall. Hoppstyltan med dubbla handtag patenterades av George B. Hansburg 1957. Det har även tillverkats hoppstyltor baserade på pneumatik, enligt liknande princip som pneumatiska fjädringar på motorfordon.

Hoppstyltor i populärkulturen
I den tecknade TV-serien Doktor Snuggles tar sig uppfinnaren, med samma namn, ofta fram med hjälp av en hoppstylta. Det demonstreras i introt till serien.

I plattformsspelet Commander Keen är hoppstyltan en primär spelmekanik. Den används för att nå högt belägna områden samt besegra vissa fiender.

Se även
 Mekaniska sjumilastövlar

Referenser

Externa länkar
Videoklipp på Gettyimages som visar människor som hoppar på hoppsyltor i New York under 1920-talet.

Leksaker

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


"Can't they just get over it already?"
It's a sentiment I've seen flying around, in various forms, over social media as people process the the recent non-indictments of Darren Wilson and Daniel Panteleo. Two recent instances of unarmed black men dying at the hands of white police officers. Two of many instances throughout history, building to these two fateful summer days when two black men met their fate in the form of law enforcement. The initial instances sparked unrest and protests, a flame only fanned when these officers were not indicted by grand juries for their actions.
The past few months have flooded social media with public conversations on the issue of race. I've participated in very civil discussions on the matter as well as mud-slinging rodeos that attempted to call themselves "dialogues." Some people don't agree with the idea of having these discussions in arenas like Facebook or Twitter. But I've engaged these social media conversations because, if not there, then where?
I am the first to admit that my life could use more diversity. Whose couldn't? As a result, many of my circles are overwhelmingly white. And as these conversations have unfolded, I've been quite surprised by the responses and statements I've seen conveyed by my white peers. As they process the media coverage of crime scenes, of news reports, of coroner findings, of peaceful protests, of groups of people expressing their anger through rioting and looting, there is a general sense of, "I just don't get it."
"Don't they realize that hurting their own communities doesn't change anything?"
"There they go, playing the Race Card again."
"Slavery?" ::eyeroll:: "Aren't we past that?"
"By looting stores and burning buildings, they aren't helping their reputation."
"If they don't want to get shot by cops, they shouldn't keep committing crimes."
I think the thing WE fail to see as white Americans is the Bigger Picture. People aren't expressing anger over "just" Michael Brown. The water didn't start to suddenly boil over after the death of Eric Garner. It is the days upon weeks upon months upon years upon decades of discrimination and disenfranchisement that people of color have faced in this country. Discrimination and disenfranchisement that we, as white people, have never known.
I often get the eye roll when I bring up slavery. Another exasperated comment of, "Can't we just let it go and move on?"
Because as we look at the anger, frustration and fear our fellow Americans of color are feeling and expressing right now, we have to ask WHY.
And to answer that, we need to peel back the layers. We need to start at the very beginning. When Europeans came to this country, it was as explorers. It was at an advantage. They had power. They ruled. They called the shots. When Africans came to this country, it was as slaves. It was as a subservient creature that existed solely for the purpose of accommodating the needs and whims of white Americans. We all know the long, agonizing history African Americans faced in this new country. Their struggle toward Emancipation.
But abolishing slavery did not quickly mean that black Americans were on level ground with white Americans. Let us remember Jim Crow, Separate but Equal, and the battle to Desegregate. Yet even as we made these small steps of progress, it was never enough to penetrate the collective psyche regarding race in America.
- People of color make up 30% of the population, but make up 60% of the prison population.
- People of color experience housing discrimination 4 million times per year.
- Students of color are more likely to be retained in school and face disproportionate levels of discipline as compared to their white peers.
- People of color experience higher rates of arrest for selling or using illegal drugs, but are no more likely to use or sell drugs than whites.
- People of color receive sentences that are 10% longer than white offenders.
So as we watch the protests, the demonstration and, yes, the looting, we have to broaden our scope. We have to make the very important decision to step out of ourselves and put on their shoes. Then we need to walk a mile in those shoes. We need to imagine, for a moment, that the universe was reversed. And their history was our history. That this was our story. That those who experienced slavery and segregation not so long ago were members of our families. That this discrimination was our daily cross to bear. That the lives being lost were our sons, our fathers.
If this tale of discrimination was our story, we wouldn't just let it go. We couldn't just move on.
Because every time we wake in the morning, and our eyes open to sunlight, we would brace ourselves for another day of marginalization. We would wake to a country that isn't representative of us, a society where opportunities are not the same, a community where our life experience is still separate.
Perhaps one day, like a slowly-expanding balloon, we too would pop.
Is every form of frustration being expressed acceptable?
I know that you may not agree with what I am saying. And that's okay. Because I feel the important thing right now is to be talking about it. We need to stop treating the discussion of race in the public arena like the faux pas of bringing up politics and money at a dinner party.
We need to listen to the experiences of our fellow Americans of color.
We need to diversify our worldview.
We need to be open to being wrong.
We need to own the history of America and accept it's faults.
We need to be willing to change our perspective.
And above all, we need to ask why.
I've love to continue and engage this discussion - in a respectful and civil manner.


Apologies for neglecting my loyal blog readers and devoted spammers this week. I was at a blogging conference on Friday. Thursday was spent doing last minute prep work, like printing up business cards at Staples and figuring out the new bus route into the city. On Monday, I'll dish out the details and a series of posts about blogging.


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For my dinner, I invited a few of my long time friends over to meet The Baron. Everyone seemed to have a good time, ate plenty, and well, suffered from a food coma afterwards. Clearly, that's a sign the meal was a success! This definitely was one of my favorite dishes of the day because it was hearty and filling... and of course, I ate it with rice. Gumbo is traditionally served with rice but you can also eat it as is or even with some good bread.
The key to this dish is to really work on the roux from the very beginning. It will give you the rich color, nice consistency and a smoky flavor that makes gumbo even better. Getting the roux a deep reddish brown color is important so exercise some patience over medium low heat. If you work over too high of heat, you'll end up with more of a burnt flavor.
Heat oil in large dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat oil until very hot and almost smoking. Add flour and reduce heat to medium low. Stir constantly until mixture is dark reddish brown, about 20 minutes, to create the roux.
Add garlic, chopped onions, chopped bell peppers, and chopped celery and cook until onions are soft and brown, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes.
Add tomatoes with juice, clam juice, broth, sausage, and chicken; simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
Add shrimp to pot and cook shrimp until just opaque in center, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Season gumbo to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with minced parsley and serve with steamed rice.
Gumbo is a soup/stew... It doesnt have gravy in it or milk for a creamy texture.
Anonymous - you're absolutely right, which is why there is neither gravy or milk in the recipe above!
What are your ideas on freezing this recipe? Would the consistency hold up well?
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The festivities are all over for another year and you are no doubt sick to death of eating leftovers and stuffing yourself with too much food. Let's kick the new year off with some hot stuff – mustard!
I thought I'd start my recipe year off with this Peach and Tarragon Mustard which is a nice easy preserve recipe that you can use to brighten up anything from sandwiches to sausages and brings a wee dash of summer sunshine taste to dull and wintery days.
This is a really good store cupboard recipe that uses all sorts of goodies that you very often have to hand, like mustard powder, dried tarragon, apple cider vinegar and salt. The only other things you'll need are a lemon, an orange and a few peaches.
Remove the skin from the peaches by plunging them into a bowl of boiling water for approx 30 seconds then scoring a cross at the top of each fruit and gently peeling off the skin.
Chop the peaches (discard the stones) and cook them in a small pan over a gentle heat for 10 minutes so that they become tender and release their juice.
Add the mustard powder, orange zest, vinegar, salt and tarragon to the pan and pour in the water.
Simmer gently for approximately 1 hour stirring now and then until it has thickened up and is the consistency of thick yogurt.
Add the lemon juice and then blend with a stick blender till smooth.
Ladle into sterilised jars and pop on the lids.
This recipe will make 3 small jars and it will keep for up to 3 months. Store in the fridge once opened.
Here's hoping that 2015 is a great year for all of us!
Chop the peaches (disscard the stones) and cook them in a small pan over a gentle heat for 10 minutes so that they become tender and release their juice.
Simmer gently for approximately 1 hour stirring now and then until it has thickened up and is the consistancy of thick yogurt.
I'd love to try this. Have you ever canned this recipe in awater bath to make it shelf stable?
You could do water bath with it but for me I just find it gets used up pretty quickly and I keep it in the fridge once opened.


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January 21, 2020	Internet Marketing News 0 10
Each year, we have the honor of recognizing our top agency partners by awarding Sprout Partner Value Awards in five different categories. While this Read more...
This post 2019 Sprout Partner Value Awards are here! originally appeared on Sprout Social.
Trust is the linchpin of modern marketing. It plays a crucial role in every vertical, industry, or niche. But nowhere is trust a more essential crux than in health care, where the personal stakes are immense.
"We're in an industry where, you know, it's serious," says Emily Thompson in her interview for Break Free B2B. "This is about people's health and well being, and a lot of times people get very nervous — they're scared, they're sick."
As a Boston-based freelance writer and content strategist who primarily focuses on the health care sector, where she has worked with a wide variety of clients ranging from startups to enterprise, Emily acutely understands the impactful nuances of messaging. She says seeing things from the other side — as a first-time mother who frequently sought information online — helped her develop a more empathetic view.
She incorporates this into her craft, creating patient-focused copy designed to build trust and confidence, and offers valuable insight for B2B marketers everywhere. In the interview, she shares some tactics and techniques that are being used effectively in her industry to achieve this rapport, from smartphone apps to user-generated content to data-driven personalization and beyond.
[bctt tweet="Research says that 93 million Americans have searched for a health-related topic online. So If we know people are going online, we have to be there too. @BosCreativeCopy #HealthcareMarketing #BreakFreeB2B" username="toprank"]
Watch my conversation with Emily below, and let her experiences and perspectives help guide you toward building healthier relationships with your B2B customers.
Break Free B2B Interview with Emily Thompson
03:46 - The emerging focus of content marketing in health care
07:05 - Big data in health care marketing
09:42 - Responsible data usage and personalization in health care marketing
12:35 - Leveraging traditional and emerging channels in health care marketing
13:42 - Counterproductive mindsets in health care marketing
16:14 - User generated content in health care
19:55 - Challenges that span across industries
22:17 - Rising demands from patients for digital 24/7 access
Nick: Can content marketing build trust in the patient care continuum?
Emily: That's really what, to me, content marketing is all about. It's building trust with the consumer, whether that's a patient or a referring physician. And, I think that … when an organization can deliver strong content that helps inform people, it only builds that trust. And if you think about the patients that are watching, often they're frightened, they're overwhelmed, they don't know where to go. And so there's just a lot of opportunity in health care for marketers to really rely on content to help them build that trust.
When an organization can deliver strong content that helps inform people, it only builds that trust. @BosCreativeCopy #BreakFreeB2B #ContentMarketing #healthcare
Nick: Transparency is key in managing health care data. How else can marketers benefit the health care system?
Emily: I think it comes down to messaging too, and if you make sure that your content is ultimately really helpful to the consumer. So, for example, I was on these apps [after giving birth to my son], and I was being served up a toy that might work for my son in his age and developmentally where he was at. Or food — we were struggling with a type of formula or milk that would be good for him.
Ultimately, people just want information that's helpful to them. It helps calm them down whether they're nervous about their health information or they're, you know, a new mom. It's hard to be frustrated when an app is using information about myself that is ultimately benefiting me, helping me out.
Nick: Is there anything that stands out to you as a real opportunity for marketers, and specifically those who are working in the B2B space, to break free of something that might be inhibiting them?
Emily: Yeah. Break free from fear. I think that health care can be a very conservative market. And, you know, to be fair, there are reasons for that. We're in an industry where, you know, it's serious. This is about people's health and well being, and a lot of times people get very nervous — they're scared, they're sick.
But I think that isn't a reason to hold back from trying new things. I think that especially with digital, it's very easy today to try a new type of message, or a new type of way of communicating to someone. Let's say you never blogged before, why not try a blog? Let's say you never did email marketing, why not try it? Or a new type of message?
The worst that can happen is you measure it, you learn from it, and you try something new. I think that often, as health care marketers, we can get stuck in the same way of doing things. And, a lot of times it's a little too safe.
[bctt tweet="As health care marketers, we can get stuck in the same way of doing things. The worst that can happen is you measure it, you learn from it, and you try something new. @BosCreativeCopy #BreakFreeB2B #ContentMarketing #healthcare" username="toprank"]
Break Free B2B Series: Adi Bachar-Reske on Taking the Lead in the Evolution of B2B Content Marketing
If you're hungry for more insight and advice on the state of trust in marketing, check out our Trust Factors series:
Trust Factors: The (In)Credible Impact of B2B Influencer Marketing
Trust Factors: How Best Answer Content Fuels Brand Credibility
Tip of the Iceberg: A Story of Trust in Marketing as Told by Statistics
Be Like Honest Abe: How Content Marketers Can Build Trust Through Storytelling
Trust in Marketing is at Risk. These CMOs and Marketing Influencers Share How to Fix
The post Break Free B2B Series: Emily Thompson on the Power of Content Marketing in Health Care appeared first on Online Marketing Blog - TopRank®.
Do you manage social media for other businesses? Wondering how to request the assets and information you need to do your job? In this article, you'll discover a checklist for onboarding new clients so you have what you need to manage their social media marketing effectively. Why a Social Media Marketing Onboarding Process Is Important […]
The post How to Onboard Social Media Marketing Clients: A Checklist for Consultants appeared first on Social Media Marketing | Social Media Examiner.
Did Facebook suspend your Facebook ads account? Wondering how to appeal the decision and get your ads up and running again? In this article, you'll find out how to submit an appeal to get your Facebook advertising account reactivated. Facebook Ads Account Suspension: Two Red Flags You're going along your merry way, crushing your Facebook […]
The post How to Recover a Suspended Facebook Ads Account appeared first on Social Media Marketing | Social Media Examiner.
Google recently copied their mobile result layout over to desktop search results. The three big pieces which changed as part of that update were
URLs: In many cases Google will now show breadcrumbs in the search results rather than showing the full URL. The layout no longer differentiates between HTTP and HTTPS. And the URLs shifted from an easily visible green color to a much easier to miss black.
Favicons: All listings now show a favicon next to them.
Ad labeling: ad labeling is in the same spot as favicons are for organic search results, but the ad labels are a black which sort of blends in to the URL line. Over time expect the black ad label to become a lighter color in a way that parallels how Google made ad background colors lighter over time.
Last year, our search results on mobile gained a new look. That's now rolling out to desktop results this week, presenting site domain names and brand icons prominently, along with a bolded "Ad" label for ads. Here's a mockup: pic.twitter.com/aM9UAbSKtv— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) January 13, 2020
One could expect this change to boost the CTR on ads while lowering the CTR on organic search results, at least up until users get used to seeing favicons and not thinking of them as being ads.
The Verge panned the SERP layout update. Some folks on Reddit hate this new layout as it is visually distracting, the contrast on the URLs is worse, and many people think the organic results are ads.
Conspiracy Theory: The REAL reason icons are in SERPs is to encourage "banner blindness" for the "Ad" text. Once people see the icons over and over, they will learn to mentally ignore the top left. pic.twitter.com/LaXdZjNLK1— Rishi Lakhani (@rishil) January 17, 2020
I suspect a lot of phishing sites will use subdomains patterned off the brand they are arbitraging coupled with bogus favicons to try to look authentic. I wouldn't reconstruct an existing site's structure based on the current search result layout, but if I were building a brand new site I might prefer to put it at the root instead of on www so the words were that much closer to the logo.
Google provides the following guidelines for favicons
Both the favicon file and the home page must be crawlable by Google (that is, they cannot be blocked to Google).
Your favicon should be a visual representation of your website's brand, in order to help users quickly identify your site when they scan through search results.
Your favicon should be a multiple of 48px square, for example: 48x48px, 96x96px, 144x144px and so on. SVG files, of course, do not have a specific size. Any valid favicon format is supported. Google will rescale your image to 16x16px for use in search results, so make sure that it looks good at that resolution. Note: do not provide a 16x16px favicon.
The favicon URL should be stable (don't change the URL frequently).
Google will not show any favicon that it deems inappropriate, including pornography or hate symbols (for example, swastikas). If this type of imagery is discovered within a favicon, Google will replace it with a default icon.
In addition to the above, I thought it would make sense to provide a few other tips for optimizing favicons.
Keep your favicons consistent across sections of your site if you are trying to offer a consistent brand perception.
In general, less is more. 16x16 is a tiny space, so if you try to convey a lot of information inside of it, you'll likely end up creating a blob that almost nobody but you recognizes.
It can make sense to include the first letter from a site's name or a simplified logo widget as the favicon, but it is hard to include both in a single favicon without it looking overdone & cluttered.
A colored favicon on a white background generally looks better than a white icon on a colored background, as having a colored background means you are eating into some of the scarce pixel space for a border.
Using a square shape versus a circle gives you more surface area to work with.
Even if your logo has italics on it, it might make sense to avoid using italics in the favicon to make the letter look cleaner.
Here are a few favicons I like & why I like them:
Citigroup - manages to get the word Citi in there while looking memorable & distinctive without looking overly cluttered
Nerdwallet - the N makes a great use of space, the colors are sharp, and it almost feels like an arrow that is pointing right
Inc - the bold I with a period is strong.
LinkedIn - very memorable using a small part of the word from their logo & good color usage.
Some of the other memorable ones that I like include: Twitter, Amazon, eBay, Paypal, Google Play & CNBC.
Here are a few favicons I dislike & why
Wikipedia - the W is hard to read.
USAA - they included both the logo widget and the 4 letters in a tiny space.
Yahoo! - they used inconsistent favicons across their sites & use italics on them. Some of the favicons have the whole word Yahoo in them while the others are the Y! in italics.
If you do not have a favicon Google will show a dull globe next to your listing. Real Favicon Generator is a good tool for creating favicons in various sizes.
What favicons do you really like? Which big sites do you see that are doing it wrong?
Welcome to this week's edition of the Social Media Marketing Talk Show, a news show for marketers who want to stay on the leading edge of social media. On this week's Social Media Marketing Talk Show, we explore Mark Zuckerberg's latest personal challenge and what it means for marketers with special guest, Mari Smith. We'll […]
The post Mark Zuckerberg Lays Out Future Vision appeared first on Social Media Marketing | Social Media Examiner.
How to find and communicate the ideal incentive that will add bonus value to an offer
The post Unlocking the Power of Incentive: Three keys to mastering perceived value differential appeared first on MarketingExperiments.
The post Digital Marketing News: LinkedIn's Faster Than Expected Growth, Podcast Ads Booming, & Facebook Updates Audience Insights appeared first on Online Marketing Blog - TopRank®.
Wondering how to create engaging video for your business? Want to use video more creatively in your marketing? To explore how to create engaging videos that work in organic social posts or paid ads, I interview Ezra Firestone on the Social Media Marketing Podcast. Ezra is an eCommerce marketing expert and the founder of Smart […]
The post Creating Engaging Video Content That Spurs an Emotional Connection appeared first on Social Media Marketing | Social Media Examiner.


When I'm hosting a gathering, I love putting a punch together for my guests to help themselves, like this delicious Strawberry Lemonade Party Punch. Call me a lazy hostess, but I'd rather be spending time with my visitors than chasing down drinks or snacks for everyone. I always have stations of food and drinks ready for when visitors arrive.
I can't think of a more refreshing drink then lemonade. Adding fruit to the lemonade just brings it up a notch to make it even more special. The fruit also helps tint the Strawberry Lemonade Party Punch so it's a pretty pink colour. I haven't tried using blue berries, but I watched an episode of The Pioneer Woman where she used blue berries in her lemonade and it looked delicious and oh so pretty. I CAN highly recommend using strawberries or raspberries however.
If you're looking for some fun and frugal party planning ideas, you can check out how I put together a party kit that helps me every time I have company come over. My party kit includes two beverage dispensers. I pull out my party kit for Christmas Day dinners, Thanksgiving dinner or even if it's just the girls coming over for some wine and appetizers on a Friday night after work.
Mix the lemonade concentrate with the water. Let the strawberries defrost in side the bag. Once soft, squeeze the bag together so the strawberries get mashed. Or you can take them out of the bag and mash with a potato masher in a bowl.
Add the mashed strawberries and all their juices into the lemonade and stir.
Right before serving, add the ginger ale to the punch. Serve ice on the side.


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Allan Saint-Maximin return: Newcastle handed boost ahead of Wolves but must be careful
Date: 6th January 2020 at 6:30pm
Written by: Jonathan Gorrie
While life at Newcastle United looks fairly miserable right now after a run of poor results over the festive period culminated with a disappointing draw with Rochdale in the FA Cup on Saturday, some good news may well be on the horizon according to the Chronicle.
That's because, as per their recent report, Allan Saint-Maximin could be in line to return to the squad for their trip to Wolves on Saturday afternoon. Indeed, the influential Frenchman has been missing since picking up a hamstring injury against Southampton in early December.
Quoting manager Steve Bruce, the outlet suggest that the former Nice man could be joined by the likes of Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett in easing the club's recent injury crisis, which is obviously a boost. During the game away at Spotland, Emil Krafth and Isaac Hayden were forced into fairly unfamiliar roles alongside Federico Fernandez in a back-three, with neither of those players handed above a 6/10 in the newspaper's player ratings for the FA Cup clash.
"I hope Clark, Dummett, Saint-Maximin – Jesus, any more? – I am hoping that four or five are back," said Bruce.
The return of Saint-Maximin
While having players back in general is a boost, the return of Saint-Maximin is particularly important. Since losing his services on the 8th of December, the Magpies have been able to win just once and have scored just three times in six games across all competitions.
Now, the Frenchman is barely a prolific goalscorer himself but does offer an obvious threat going forward. As per WhoScored, his 4.5 dribbles on average per league game are only bettered by two players in England (Adama Traore and Wilfried Zaha) and his 1.5 shots over the same period sees him rank joint-third in that metric within the squad.
Why it's bad for Wolves
It's hard to argue against Wolves being a very good side. They sit seventh in the league while balancing European commitments, though do seem to have a weakness when facing sides below them, losing to Huddersfield twice last season as well as Cardiff. Indeed, their most recent loss came against struggling (albeit somewhat resurgent) Watford, with the Express and Star noting how defender Ryan Benett looked 'static' against quick wingers such as Ismaila Sarr and Gerard Deulofeu, so perhaps someone as direct as Saint-Maximin can take hope from that.
So, given their problems at Vicarage Road before the turn of the year, a player with the tools Saint-Maximin has does look to be someone who can hurt Wolves. Still, he has just had a hamstring layoff so rushing him back before what look like fairly winnable games against the Dale, Everton and Norwich City between now and the start of next month may not be the wisest idea.
After all, when he went down against Tottenham back in August with a similar problem, he missed almost a month of action, so caution should be advised but, if he is used, he does have the tools to hurt Wolves it seems.
Would you risk him against Wolves on Saturday? Join the discussion by commenting below…


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