The film continues to shine as a debate-spurring examination of the dynamic between male and female "friends." The central question of whether or not truly platonic friendships can exist between adult men and women is one that must be faced by everyone, sooner or later. And the answer must be arrived at independently. But thanks to sharp writing and directing—not to mention indelible lead performances by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan—When Harry Met Sally offers help with the issue—and tons of entertainment value to go with it.
Perhaps a less-talked about legacy left by this classic is that it launched the career of singer and musician Harry Connick Jr. His iconic reading of "It Had to Be You" is included as as bonus. Connick won a Grammy for the soundtrack album, which went onto sell some two million-plus copies. His interpretations of Great American Songbook classics are sprinkled in strategically, complemented by vintage recordings by greats such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ray Charles.
Connick's trio-based instrumentals ("Stompin' at the Savoy," "Our Love is Here to Stay") give the film a very Woody Allen-esque feel. In a strange way, the spectacular success Connick achieved was the best and worst thing that could happen to his career. The best thing, for obvious reasons (he became the international poster boy for a neo-crooner revival; the high visibility led to an acting career as well). But why the worst? It cemented the image of Connick as a kind of faux-Sinatra, something that sells his enormous talents far short. But ultimately it's hard to imagine this "problem" outweighing the benefits provided by the film and soundtrack's success.
That's little off the rails, I suppose, as far as a strict discussion of When Harry Met Sally goes—but there's little left to say about the film. If you haven't seen it, now is the time (if you're under 40, you're forgiven—as long as you hop to post haste!). Thirty years hardly matters, this is a rare rom-com that takes the time to actually be about something. Ephron's Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay was well deserved. In fact, if we're talking Oscars, the film itself was more deserving of Best Picture recognition than the one that actually took home the prize (Driving Miss Daisy, a gentle crowd-pleaser but hardly Best Picture-worthy).
Again, Shout Select's When Harry Met Sally new Blu-ray edition looks better than ever. And there are hours of features, led by the brand-new retrospective discussion between director Rob Reiner and male lead Billy Crystal.


The news manager did not appear to play along nicley with the slider so it had to go unfortunatly. To be fair it was kind of awkard. Because it was outside of the "post" section of the page, I had to have a seperate template page just for the home page. This ment, to edit part of theme, both the home page template and the rest of the site template had to change, which kind of does away with the point of having a template on a 3 page site.


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Home > Global
SEC Orders Global To Restate 'Swaps'
Global Financial Statements. The Securities and Exchange Commission has ordered Global Crossing Ltd. to subtract the revenue from a series of controversial deals from its financial statements, a change that is expected to reduce its earnings for the first nine months of 2001 by $13 million. Global Crossing, which filed for … [Read more...]
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Ex-Global CEO Wants More
Ex-Global CEO Is Pressing The Company. A former chief executive officer who served just seven months at the helm of Global Crossing Ltd. is pressing the company to cough up back rent on a Park Avenue apartment and salary payments he says are owed to him. The $822,000 request from Leo J. Hindery Jr., who served as Global Crossing's … [Read more...]
Tagged With: Ex-CEO, Global
Lawmakers Probe Global Crossing's Ties
Global Crossing Tied To A Controversial Analyst. A congressional investigation of bankrupt telecom firm Global Crossing Ltd. is probing the company's ties to a controversial financial analyst and its sale to two Asian companies. The House Financial Services Committee is demanding information from Global Crossing about its … [Read more...]

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Story: "KUT Responds To Allegations Of 'Serious Issues' In Newsroom" Has Been Removed
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From Texas Standard: You may have heard that term 'heat advisory' quite a bit during this latest heat wave. It's a notice the National Weather Service…
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From Texas Standard.Under federal law, anyone who reaches a U.S. port of entry may make a claim for asylum. But now it appears U.S. Customs and Border…
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Firefighters gain ground on Oregon wildfire that threatened homes in Columbia River Gorge
This Aug. 2, 2014 satellite image provided by NASA shows a view from space of several fires burning in northern California and southern Oregon. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Terra satellite captured the image. Red outlines show where high surface temperatures are associated with active burning. Authorities said Friday, Aug. 8, 2014, the wildfire burning in Oregon's wind-swept Columbia River Gorge has destroyed a home, damaged two others and is threatening 740 more. All graphic material is in the original image from the source. The horizontal line in the upper third of the photo is the Oregon-California border. (AP Photo/NASA) (The Associated Press)
This Aug. 2, 2014 satellite image provided by NASA shows a view from space of several fires burning in northern California and southern Oregon. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Terra satellite captured the image. Red outlines show where high surface temperatures are associated with active burning. Many areas of active burning are seen as smoke plumes blossomed into towering pyrocumulus clouds. The change was most dramatic over the Beaver Complex fire along the border of California and Oregon. Pyrocumulus clouds - sometimes called "fire clouds" are similar to cumulus clouds. But the heat that forces the air to rise - which leads to cooling and condensation of water vapor) - comes from fire instead of sun-warmed ground. (AP Photo/NASA) (The Associated Press)
PORTLAND, Ore. – Fire officials were upbeat Friday about their progress in fighting a wildfire in Oregon's wind-swept Columbia River Gorge that destroyed one home, damaged two others and threatened more than 700 residences.
Crews focused on burnout operations to deprive the fire of fuel and improve containment lines. Firefighters also worked to create more defensible space around homes in the small town of Rowena.
"We turned the corner today, and things are looking much better," Oregon Forestry Department Incident Commander John Buckman said.
Even the winds, which have gusted to 30 mph, were expected to die down.
The fire has burned across about 5 square miles since it started Tuesday. It's about 35 percent contained. The cause is still under investigation.
Residents of more than 140 homes were earlier told to evacuate, and nearly 600 households have been put on alert in the community near The Dalles. Many people were allowed to return home on Thursday.
The basalt walls of the gorge east of Portland funnel winds that draw windsurfers from afar, but what's good for recreation gives firefighters fits.
"You look in one direction, and there's a fire," fire spokesman Mike Waite said. "You look the other way, and there are people out there windsurfing."
Ken Wright, who helped his daughter, son-in-law and their baby and pets evacuate Wednesday, said the fire surrounded his daughter's house and four other homes. The family lives about half a mile from where the fire started and was one of the first seven homes evacuated.
"It was scary to watch your house almost burn up. It was pretty crazy," said Wright, who watched — from a safe distance — fire engines battling the blaze around his daughter's house. "It's amazing how those firefighters kept the houses from burning, with the fire going around them."
The family has been told not to return yet because the fire may go back through the area, Wright said.
At a briefing in The Dalles on Friday, Gov. John Kitzhaber issued a warning to Oregon residents.
"This is a very explosive fire season," he said. "We're having enough trouble with lightning-caused fires, so people should really be very intentional about using good fire-safety practices when they're in the woods recreating or using power tools."
Elsewhere in the West, three firefighters have been injured battling a wildfire burning on the Idaho side of the Snake River across from Oregon and Washington.
One firefighter received a gash on his leg from a chain saw and required stiches, fire spokeswoman Jill Cobb said. Another firefighter suffered heat-related problems, and a third sustained a scratched cornea.
The fire on Friday grew to 76 square miles and destroyed a sixth structure.
In central Washington state, firefighters late Friday used explosives to build a fire break on an inaccessible section of a fast-growing wildfire near Ellensburg that has grown to cover nearly 14 square miles. The lightning-caused fire is being fought by more than 700 people.
And a wildfire burning 10 miles north of Keller in northeast Washington was threatening nearly 150 homes and other structures. About 40 homes closest to the fire have been evacuated and others have been told to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.
Associated Press writers Donna Blankinship in Seattle and Keith Ridler in Boise, Idaho, contributed to this report.


ST23NW SPAXTON CP CHARLYNCH HILL (East side) CHARLYNCH 2/140 Church of St. Mary (Formerly listed in Charlynch Civil Parish) 29.3.63 GV I Anglican Parish Church; now deconsecrated. C11, C13, C15; tower probably of 1867; restored 1887. Rubble, coped verges, slate roofs. Nave with south porch and transeptal south chapel, chancel with vestry and organ chamber, west tower. Three stage tower with octagonal stair turret, diagonal buttresses, crenellated parapet, bell-chamber windows. Nave with late Norman south doorway, gabled porch; a 2-light square-headed Decorated window to left and projecting transept chapel with 3-light square-headed window to right. The chancel also has a 2-light Decorated window on south side and a reticulated east window. Interior plastered; C15 moulded plaster ceiling; Norman responds to C13 chancel arch; traces of rood stair; C15 stained glass in east window of transept; Norman font; transept railings Laudian and previously the altar rails. Numerous marble memorials of C17-C19. (Pevsner N, Buildings of England, South and West Somerset, 1958).


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Just Be-Cause: Cause Marketing is Making A Difference
By: Kerry Pipes | 6,017 Reads | 14 Shares
Featured in: Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine: Issue 1, 2015
Doing good is a longtime pursuit in America. You might even say it's a part of the culture. Americans love a good cause and like to help when they can. Whenever needs arise, there always seem to be businesses, organizations, and private citizens ready to come forward to lend a hand. And in the past couple of decades, businesses, especially franchises, have been getting more and more involved in supporting charitable causes.
It makes sense, both personally and for business. Franchises are local operations, most run by people who are part of the community. As a result, many franchise brands and tens of thousands of franchisees have become involved with good causes. Sometimes those causes are global, national or regional, but more often they are local and franchisees and franchisors alike are there to step in.
"Cause marketing" is a popular term used to describe these efforts. Boiled down to its essence, it's simply doing something good for those in need. However, say those who active in cause marketing, it should never be done with anything other than altruistic motives in mind. Done well, cause marketing unites franchisees and their employees with their communities and conveys a positive brand image, boosting their local profile. And while it can lead to an improved bottom line, say the four franchises we spoke with, "done right" means doing good with no bottom-line expectations.
Molly Maid: Give to give
"The cause must predominate, not the mutually beneficial profit. Creating awareness of the brand is a by-product," says Molly Maid President Meg Roberts, who has been actively involved the brand's cause marketing initiatives.
The brand's Ms. Molly Foundation was formed to help communities stop the cycle of domestic violence and give victims a second chance in life. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month, and Molly Maid employees, franchisees, and customers join forces to provide greater awareness of the problem and support for those who suffer from domestic violence. Since its inception in 1996, the foundation has raised more than $1.9 million for local domestic violence shelters and agencies across the country.
Roberts says the only way to get involved with cause marketing is if you sincerely care about the cause. "If you're thinking that Millennials or Baby Boomers are more likely to purchase your service because you participate in philanthropy, then don't even do it," she says.
Molly Maid looks for franchisees who are motivated by service, says Roberts. "If they also have a sense of service for their community, then our Ms. Molly Foundation may have something others don't offer," she says. "We encourage our owners to participate and have created a turnkey way to contribute both financially and emotionally by hosting fundraising events their teams and customers can join as well."
Michael Silva-Nash is a 22-year-old Molly Maid franchisee in North Little Rock, Ark., known in his community for making regular TV appearances to provide cleaning tips for viewers, and for regularly raising funds for local women's shelters through the Ms. Molly Foundation. He's has raised thousands of dollars for Women & Children First and the Dorcas House, a domestic violence shelter in Little Rock. He also accepts non-financial donations from customers, such as clothing and other items that can be used at the Dorcas House.
"Domestic violence occurs more than people realize, and we all know someone who has been abused, either emotionally or physically," he says. "A majority of our customer base and employees are women, and we feel that we owe so much to the people who hire us and the people we hire," he says about how he chose this cause.
Since 2005, he has raised nearly $30,000 through organizing two 5K runs, hosting events, asking for customer contributions, and donating a portion of every home cleaning. In February 2014 he was asked to join the board of the Ms. Molly Foundation and says he has enjoyed every second of working with very talented and passionate people to help others make a difference.
Silva-Nash credits his franchise brand with providing great support for his efforts in Little Rock. "The Ms. Molly Foundation makes it easy for anyone to be involved," he says. The foundation allows franchisees to donate a portion of every service fee for a month, a year, or any other term they choose. The foundation also provides other opportunities and levels of participation.
The foundation makes it easy for franchisees to participate. "They create the graphics and work out agreements with printers. As a franchisee, I order the material, implement the programs they have, and write the check. The little work we as franchisees do makes a huge difference."
The ultimate goal is simple, says Silva-Nash. "Pick a cause that you, your customers, and employees care about. You can make a positive impact. No matter how big or how small, everyone can make a difference."
Jersey Mike's: Making a difference
"Giving... make a difference in someone's life." That's a philosophy Jersey Mike's Subs founder and CEO Peter Cancro has emphasized from the beginning with every franchisee: support the community that supports you. And it's working: since 2010, Jersey Mike's locations across the country have raised nearly $10 million for local charities and have distributed more than 750,000 free sub sandwiches to help numerous causes, says Rich Hope, the brand's chief marketing officer.
"This fervor for helping others has become a 'must have' personality trait for prospective franchisees. Our franchisees share the belief that the more you give, the more you get," he says. "They are genuinely engaged in caring about their local causes and committed to taking action and making a difference."
Hope says there are many sound business reasons for developing a cause-related marketing program, and that the effects of a well-run program run deeper than brand awareness and increased revenue. "It creates a company that people are proud to work for, it becomes a franchise that people want to be part of, and it creates important intangibles that are difficult to place a value on."
Greg McMenaman is Jersey Mike's area director for Southeast Florida. He teamed up with Quantum House, a hospital hospitality house that helps lessen the burdens of families whose children are receiving treatment for serious medical conditions in Palm Beach County.
"I got involved with them because my wife had volunteered a few times and took me there to see for myself what they did," says McMenaman. "Since they are located on the campus of St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, it was an easy trip to make. When I walked through the door that day and met the families, staff, and volunteers, one thought came through my mind in an instant: How can I make a difference?"
McMenaman set out to use his Jersey Mike's stores to help spread the word about Quantum House, and over the past two years those stores raised nearly $120,000 for the organization. "There is a customer-driven donation number that we collect in-store at the register. We've use bounce-back coupons with various incentives to get customers to donate. For example, if a customer donated $1 they would receive a $1-off coupon for their next visit. On our annual Day of Giving, customers are amazed that we donate 100 percent of our sales that day to Quantum House, and they want to be part of the process."
Keeping the cause simple and focused helps both employees and customers understand what he's doing and why the cause is important. As an area director, he got his franchisees on board by having them visit Quantum House and witness firsthand the families, the purpose of the organization, and the difference it is making.
It also helped that Quantum House promoted the effort, provided in-store volunteers, and made sure the Jersey Mike's brand and efforts were broadcast through their own social media and communications and available to all of their supporters. "This relationship is truly a partnership, and Jersey Mike's is a part of the Quantum House family," says McMenaman.
"Yes, doing good is also good for business," he says, "and that means we can raise even more money for our cause."
Hungry Howie's: Love, Hope & Pizza
Hungry Howie's Pizza, which took up the cause of defeating breast cancer some years ago, encourages and supports franchisees who help raise money to combat the disease. Beginning in 2009, the brand turns its pizza boxes pink every October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in its "Love, Hope & Pizza" campaign. To date, the brand and its franchisees have raised more than $1 million for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
"For every pizza sold, every story shared, and every new Facebook fan added during the month of October, we make a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation," said Jeff Rinke, Hungry Howie's vice president of marketing, during a panel discussion of cause marketing at the 2014 Franchise Consumer Marketing Conference. The brand also is involved in supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (blood cancer) and Common Ground (affordable housing and homelessness).
Kevin Dittrich, a Hungry Howie's franchisee in mid-Michigan, operates nine stores surrounding the Capitol area in Lansing. He's been involved in the brand's Love, Hope & Pizza campaigns, but has an additional story to tell. His most recent cause marketing effort was to benefit a local family facing an all-too-familiar foe.
Tom Sims, head of maintenance for the school district in Perry, Mich., had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. "We had a three-day event at our Perry store to benefit the Sims family," says Dittrich. "We gave 50 percent of the proceeds from all of our sales for those three days and raised over $8,000."
Dittrich says Sims had mounting bills from two different hospitals and was facing lengthy and costly radiation and chemotherapy treatment. "We thought it was the least we could do for such a well-known and well-liked local figure and friend," he says.
He says it's important to identify a valid cause that will pull in community support. From there, it's necessary to line up proper staffing during the fundraiser and engage the community, and family members when applicable. "You need to look at the food needed to order, staffing the store, advertising in local papers, and yard signs. If we help out a family and go through the work, we want to be able to give back a sizable amount," he says. "We want to be known as a local restaurant that not only makes money, but that also supports local causes within the community where we do business."
If you are going to get involved in cause marketing, he says, "You need to have a genuine spirit of helping. It can't be used as a gimmick, the public is way too smart for that. Associate yourself only with causes near and dear to your heart that you really want to help. Talk to your employees and make sure you get their buy-in. This will go a long way toward being successful."
Massage Envy: Brand alignment
Massage Envy Spa is another brand that takes charitable causes seriously. Through its national partnership with the Arthritis Foundation, the brand has raised more than $2 million in support of the foundation's Walk to Cure Arthritis events across the country. It also hosts Healing Hands for Arthritis, a one-day nationwide in-clinic event.
Eugenia Tzoannopoulos is Massage Envy's regional developer for the Connecticut region, which includes Connecticut, Rhode Island, Westchester County in New York, and Bristol County in Massachusetts. She has been involved in cause marketing because, she says, "It has always been in our DNA as individuals, but it's even more important when you are a local business that is taking the time to support the community, charities, and at times, tragedy."
She has been a part of many local causes and has assisted in various ways, sponsoring many local walks and runs, and has been actively involved in the brand's partnership with the Arthritis Foundation.
"On our annual one-day Healing Hands for Arthritis event, $10 from every massage or facial is donated to the Massage Envy Spa," she says. "Additionally, we raise monies through various initiatives in each clinic, such as raffles, spin the wheel, bake sales, and free chair massages." The organization has raised more than $1 million from its single-day events.
Tzoannopoulos says she has a wonderful relationship with the local Arthritis Foundation chapter in Connecticut. "This past September, we had an employee outing for all of our team members. We raised money by securing support from businesses and sponsors we work with."
She says goals are set from a national level, then passed down to each of the regions and local levels. "As regional developers, we then work with the clinics in our region to set goals and discuss best ideas on how to be successful for each of the planned events. Every year we aim to go a bit higher than the last. Over the last few years, we have raised several million dollars for the Arthritis Foundation."
Tzoannopoulos says it's easy to get her employees involved. "Massage therapists are naturally healers and love to be a part of cause marketing like Healing Hands for Arthritis," she says. Their customers--and even other local businesses--have also been eager participants.
She says her business benefits from the marketing value. but more important, so does the cause. "This is a win-win, but ultimately we like to do it because it really does feel good."
These are just a few examples of how franchise brands are supporting great causes. So many others, too numerous to mention here, are doing it today and have been for years. But a great cause marketing effort is nothing without dedicated franchisees carrying out the mission in their local communities. When franchisees, in concert with their franchisors, dedicate themselves and their resources to a cause, embrace assistance and guidance from their brand, and work closely with local organizations, good things happen--for everyone. Along with proper planning, organized implementation, and local action, sincere motives and passionate hearts are the perfect combination to make a difference in the world.
Cause Marketing Stats
• Cause sponsorship is predicted to reach $1.84 billion in 2014, a projected increase of 3.4% over 2013. (IEG Sponsorship Report) • Nearly all U.S. consumers (93%) say that when a company supports a cause, they have a more positive image of that company, up from 85% in 2010 and 84% in 1993. • Americans say they are more likely to trust (90%) and would be more loyal (90%) to companies that back causes. • Whether, and to what extent, a company supports an issue influences a variety of personal decisions as well, including where to shop or what to buy (82%) and which products and services to recommend to others (82%). (2013 Cone Communications Social Impact Study)
Published: May 29th, 2015
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Argument: America the Mediocre America the Mediocre...
An expert's point of view on a current event.
America the Mediocre
Americans think they're No. 1. They're wrong in so many ways.
By Paul Musgrave, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Passengers wait to board delayed Amtrak trains at New York Penn Station on June 19. Drew Angerer/Getty Images
For many Americans, the proposition that they live in the most powerful, richest, and most advanced society on Earth is something close to a statement of faith.
A 2017 Pew Research Center poll found that most Americans disagree only whether the United States is the best country in the world (29 percent) or one of the best (56 percent). Only 14 percent of Americans agree instead that there are other, better countries.
Elites agree, too. Forget the current president's flag-humping rhetoric—even the cool and cerebral Barack Obama said it was "objectively" true that the United States holds "the best cards of any country on Earth."
That might be the case in a game of geopolitical Risk, where the cards that count are military strength and overall GDP. But in ordinary life, it's harder to make the case for America as No. 1. The rest of the world is developing and adopting policies that can make everyday life in the United States, outside of a few coastal oases, seem … old. Even backward. And the U.S. reluctance, or inability, to learn from other countries is making life worse for its citizens than it has to be—not just in the big ways, such as the disasters of American health care and student debt, but in the little, everyday ones, too.
By many measures, the United States looks like a decidedly middle-of-the pack country or even one at the bottom of the set of rich countries. Consider the classic three American goals: "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." On measures indicating the quality of life, the United States often ranks poorly. The U.N. Human Development Index, which counts not just economic performance but life expectancy and schooling, ranks the United States at 13th, lagging other industrialized democracies like Australia, Germany, and Canada. The United States ranks 45th in infant mortality, 46th in maternal mortality, and 36th in life expectancy.
What about liberty? Reporters Without Borders places the United States at 48th for protecting press freedom. Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index ranks the United States as only the 22nd least corrupt country in the world, behind Canada, Germany, and France. Freedom House's experts score the United States 33rd for political freedom, while the Varieties of Democracy project puts the quality of U.S. democracy higher—at 27th.
As for happiness: The World Happiness Report places America at 19th, just below Belgium. Belgium!
Less formal impressions reinforce the conclusion that Americans' view of their own exceptional accomplishments aren't shared quite as widely as they believe. On Twitter, I asked people who have spent time in both the United States and other countries to tell me about everyday ways in which they found the United States to be less advanced than other countries.
I received more than 2,000 replies in a day.
The overwhelming tone of the responses was bemusement and surprise at just how poorly so many parts of American life worked. To be sure, some responses reflected preferences, not policy. Europeans think American bread is too sweet, I learned, and others think Americans dress too informally. But most users narrowed in on real failings of U.S. public policy.
One Twitter user, former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, summed up common complaints well: bad roads; maternity and paternity leave; K-12 education; most Americans' stubborn monolingualism; and, unsurprisingly from the former president of a country sometimes nicknamed "E-stonia," "digitization of virtually all public services." And many of the commenters brought up the everyday failings of American life, such as its dismal transportation infrastructure ("seems on the verge of falling apart"), lack of sidewalks, anemic public transportation systems, and lack of public toilets.
This is admittedly an unscientific sample, but the litany and consistency of the complaints suggest that outsiders—and Americans who've spent time abroad—see a lot of room for improvement in the United States.
OK, so Americans have an inflated view of their country's greatness. What's the harm?
One danger is that this myopic belief makes it harder to adopt other countries' successful policies that could help fix some of the problems that statistics show America faces. The management scholars David Antons and Frank Piller, for instance, argue that organizations may reject a good idea that comes from outside the organization because it's "not invented here" and adopting it may challenge the organization's self-image.
That might explain one reason why the United States proves so resistant to learning from other countries. Using terms that officials since have echoed repeatedly, then-U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright described the United States and its role by saying, "We are America. We are the indispensable nation. We stand tall, and we see further than other countries into the future."
The statistics, of course, suggest that there's much the tall-standing, further-seeing nation could learn from others. And at times Americans do make these comparisons. As R. Daniel Kelemen, a Rutgers University professor of political science and law, put it in an interview, two major debates in the United States routinely employ international comparisons of policy: health care and gun control.
But these comparisons often get sidetracked by Americans' domestic divisions, Kelemen observed. "For conservatives, the success of social democratic countries and their political-economic model is profoundly threatening to the core of their ideology," he said, which helps explain why they are unwilling to learn from those models.
Even on the left, where "the discussion is a bit more informed," Kelemen said, "there is a bit of a tendency to have rose-tinted glasses," with left-leaning Americans harboring "a tendency or desire to view some of these countries as kind of social democratic utopias—'If only we could be like Sweden!'"—while ignoring "the problematic sides of these models."
Wholehearted rejection on the right and cherry-picking on the left may explain why international comparisons have had so little influence in shifting policymaking on those two hot-button issues—in addition, of course, to the major obstacles any policy changes in those domains would face. Still, Kelemen, who teaches a course on what Americans can learn from other countries' public policies, thinks that there is immense benefit in learning from other countries.
One advantage Kelemen highlights is that the exercise can demonstrate that what seem to be "ingrained traits of a country's culture" turn out to be "the product of very conscious shifts in public policy." Looking for policy lessons from other countries could therefore help break the mindset that attributes U.S. policy failures to nebulous concepts like "culture." And when it comes to learning how to make the United States a better place to live, there's a lot of low-hanging fruit.
One concrete and immediate way that Americans' lives could be better is in paying for things. Foreigners visiting the United States look aghast at the country's primitive payments infrastructure. One respondent to my Twitter question mentioned that the United States seems less advanced in "[s]wiping a credit card," "[s]igning a receipt," and "[l]iterally everything to do with banking."
The poster child for American backwardness is the paper check. The Bank for International Settlements—the central bankers' central bank—writes that "in most advanced countries, cheques have disappeared or are dying a slow death." In the United States, checks remain common for large transactions and are disappearing only slowly.
But other parts of American commerce have long seemed backward, too. Throughout Europe and Canada, the adoption of chip-and-pin cards, coupled with mobile processing units, has allowed for easier and more secure customer transactions for decades. The United States has only recently adopted similar, less secure chip-and-signature cards, even as much of the rest of the world has already begun to move past chip-and-pin cards toward universal acceptance of contactless, tap-and-go payment as the standard.
In places like Sweden, the move away from cash is so far advanced that many businesses won't accept it, freeing businesses—and consumers—from the burden of carrying, counting, and keeping cash secure. Canada hasn't gone that far, but it did at least take another step the United States has long resisted: abolishing the penny, just as Australia and New Zealand did.
Despite being the birthplace of the internet, the United States also lags its peers in internet access speed and penetration. Data by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) shows that the United States ranks only 20th in its population share of fixed broadband subscriptions, behind not just easily wired city-states like Monaco and Andorra but also France, Germany, and Canada. It falls to 29th in the percentage of residents using the internet, at 87 percent. ITU data also shows that U.S. consumers pay nearly twice as much for their broadband access as other developed countries on average. And American mobile broadband speeds place at 37th in the internet firm Speedtest's rankings, two-and-a-half times slower than the global leader, South Korea.
Kelemen argues that these sorts of examples can help establish that "we can learn from other countries that big change in policy is possible." In Lessons From Europe?: What Americans Can Learn From European Public Policies, which Kelemen edited, policy experts establish several concrete ways that Americans could benefit from the good (and bad) lessons of public policy at the national and local level in Europe.
One chapter concerns how Germany transformed its transit sector to encourage more public transit relative to car travel. With high levels of car ownership, a substantial land area, and a complex federal system, Germany is in many ways similar to the United States. Despite these similarities over the past several decades, Germany's approach to transit differs dramatically. The country has used policy choices to shift significant volumes of trips to public and other non-car forms of transit.
As natural as Germany's green shift seems now, it wasn't the result of a deep-seated German commitment to public transportation. In the 1960s, the home of the autobahn looked to be committed to a car-centric approach. Germany's example suggests that U.S. policymakers have ample scope to move the United States away from its car culture (perhaps by raising its gasoline taxes, which ranked 39th of 42 countries surveyed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).
Many other examples exist. The United States could do away with the annual ritual of tax preparation for most of its citizens by adopting the globally widespread practice of having prefilled tax returns. Even where the United States performs well, such as food safety, it could still improve in important ways (by taking a more transparent approach to food traceability).
None of this is to minimize the challenges any policy changes in the United States would face, from political polarization to the influence of special interest groups to anti-democratic institutions like the electoral college and the U.S. Senate.
But politics ultimately rests on ideas. A discourse that normalized the practice of learning from other countries would go a long way toward puncturing the myth that everything the United States does is the best. Saying it might be sacrilege, but making America better will probably mean making it more like everybody else.
Paul Musgrave is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Tag: United States
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America Ignored
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Demonstrators find themselves at odds with key U.N. and U.S. mediators.
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The I-95 backup shows how easily highways can become traps.
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Advocacy organizations can't protect human rights without challenging U.S. military support for tyrants and the corrupt influence of the defense industry and foreign governments.
The Problem With Sanctions
From the White House to Turtle Bay, sanctions have never been more popular. But why are they so hard to make work?
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Lee Drutman, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Yascha Mounk, Eduardo Porter, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Josh Rudolph, Marietje Schaake, Anne-Marie Slaughter, Fareed Zakaria, Shoshana Zuboff, Stefan Theil
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FACT: This contest is NOT about who can put together the best edit. The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series is all about your freeskiing talent. But, we thought a little help with graphics and audio tracks could spice up your entry. That's why we've provided 20 licensed audio tracks for you to use with your video.
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Recently, I've had to say goodbye to one of my favorite pair of running sneakers due to wear and tear. I was upset. But I was even more upset in the fact that I had only owned the beauty for 6 months! And, at the time since I was less educated about this topic, I felt rather… cheated. What was my thought? Because although running is definitely one of the least expensive ways of being active in your fitness journey, and an awesome way to get your tan on in the warmer days (even though my shorts tan is funny looking now…) the shoes on the other hand are not so cheap and nice for your wallet. Running shoes can cost around $100 a pair. So I felt that it should have served me longer.
Boy oh boy was my mindset wrong.
This thought process and frustration is what I shared with the store associate when I went shopping for a new pair of running shoes. The store associate had kindly acknowledged my frustrations, and then dropped his knowledge on me. KABOOM!
I was totally wrong about the life expectancy of my shoes. And it was due to so many factors! This blew my mind and was so interesting to me, so I decided to explore it a little more. Here's what I've learned!
Why do we need to replace our baes ?
Most running shoes incorporate lightweight materials that cushion the foot from the trauma of running. The material often used is the EVA foam – a lightweight material injected with air cells designed to absorb impact.
With each foot strike the cushioning system compresses and rebounds. Overtime with use, the foam eventually loses its pizazz. Research has shown that this can happen between 300-500 miles from the first wear. Shoes will wear and tear, but this is the wear that most affects the biomechanics, and can lead to injury.
As the foam loses its effect, the body begins to absorb more of the impact force during your activity, which can put additional wear and tear on the joints, ligaments and tendons of our bodies. While some overuse injuries (like shin splints) are minor, others (like tendinitis) might require more serious treatment and serious time off from your training. Totally not what we want! Especially in the mist of training for something – in my case, my first 10k run!!
So when is it time to say goodbye then?
Warning: no specific answer coming your way… Sorry?
Standard recommendations by shoe companies and running stores state that running shoes should be replaced after 400-500 miles to avoid injury. So if someone is tracking about 10 miles per week, from walking, running and what not, then 6 months is time – or rather overtime – to replace the shoes.
(1) running on a soft surface such as a trail or treadmill will be easier on your shoes than if you were running on hard surfaces such as roads or sidewalks.
(2) If you wear your shoes for exercise only they will last a lot longer. But if you where your shoes to exercise, and walking for everyday errands – 7 days a week – then your shoes lifespan is decreased.
(3) And, those who are like angels and are light on their feet can wear those shoes longer than those who are like The Incredible Hulk that pound the ground.
Try to switch around between two pairs of shoes. Shoe rotation gives midsoles time to decompress and time for the entire shoe to dry out. The EVA has more time to recover or bounce back from being compressed when they are rotated. Research has shown that you can get a 50% improvement on the wear of that mid-sole section.
This is definitely a habit I am working that is hard to break! I'm so guilty of using the opposite foot to push down on the back of the heel and yank my shoes off. Laces still on and all. But it is best to unlace each one and use your hands to slip it off your feet individually. Be gentle and treat your baby with care.
Keep in mind that miles are miles. When you wear your running shoes to do other activities such as walking for everyday errands, all the additionally activity will prematurely wear your shoes down. The main purpose of my shoe is for running, but I need to remember that miles from wearing them casually also count. So if you have a favorite pair of running sneakers, it's probably best to keep them for running days and only for running days.
Exposing the shoe to extreme temperatures can cause serious trauma on the shoes, especially the heat. In general, try to store your shoes in a cool, dry place. Treat your running shoes well, give them a good home, and they won't throw a tantrum but will instead treat you well right back.
I've never considered this, ever. But it makes sense. Buying straight from the store can be a big plus, besides just being able to try on the sizing in person. Retail stores work hard to keep a constant flow of fresh shoes in store. I'm always happy to snag a pair of sneakers online at a discount. But the shoes could have been sitting in a warehouse for years. Time also wears on the shoe life. And (going back to the previous point) could have been in a not so great environment. Sometimes buying a discounted shoe online may seem like a great idea for your wallet at the time, but not so cost effective long-term since its life term is effected already.
And finally, the way you run can affect both your body and the shoe. So run wisely. Good form above all. If you train wisely and run effectively and efficiently, you can run stronger during the entire run and hold your form. If you push beyond and slack in your attention to form, then you will find yourself trotting along in bad form. Bad form will take a toll on your body and your shoes due to the greater impact forces on both parties.
Well I hope you guys & gals found this as interesting as I did.
Until next time - chat soon!


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Home › Our Services › Roofing & Cladding Services
Though there has been considerable progress in the last decade, the rate of change cannot be said to be dramatic. The advent of metal, fiberglass and asphalt roofing has forever changed the roofing industry, which was previously restricted to conventional RCC roofs or at best, GI or asbestos-cement sheet roofing. The quality of fasteners, clip-on systems, hardware fixings and trimmings has increased considerably, allowing structures to look attractive and neat. Further, these systems allow quick installation with the least on-site time. These new technologies have also made possible long-span roofs, roofs with interesting shapes, roofs that incorporate FRP skylights, and many other variations. Tiles and shingles are also available, making metal and fiberglass roofs a part of the residential scenario as well. This aspect is now being pushed by manufacturers in India.
Cladding, from a barely known industry, is now growing in the consciousness of the consumer. In keeping with international trends, façade design has become a basic part and parcel of the design concept and identity of a building, whether commercial, retail, residential or industrial.
Metal panels are becoming de rigueur, superseding conventional stone and tile cladding because of their neat application and durability. Glass façades that double up as the building skin are gaining ground for commercial construction and increasingly sophisticated technologies for designing and managing glass façades are in the market today. Plus, façade design is looking at various aspects like energy conservation, efficiency, strength, resistance to high speed winds and vibrations, and many other factors critical to the building structure and safety.
Clearly, these trends follow a normal growth curve that desperately needs to be catapulted into a sharper curve. This is not merely to help roofing and cladding manufacturers push their products in the country. More importantly, both roofing and cladding are critical elements of the building envelope. They protect the building from external elements, play an important role in climate control and hazard mitigation, and they define the aesthetic character of a building. For all these reasons and for the basic safety and security of the people using a structure, it is critical to keep pace with the latest trends and technologies in roofing and cladding.
Indian usage may be more or less conventional today, but with new technologies entering the market everyday, the scenario will change in the coming five years. Foreign investment and the increasingly global nature of Indian companies are factors that will speed up the change towards better technology.


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Susanne Rita Salisbury
Age 85, of Holly, passed away on January 14, 2023. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 12:00 pm, Friday, January 20, 2023, at St John Catholic Church, 404 N. Dayton St., Davison. Father Andrew Czajkowski will officiate. The family will receive visitors at the church on Friday, from 11:00 am until the funeral mass at 12:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be considered to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Paralyzed Veterans of America. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family on Susanne's Tribute Wall at detroitcremationsociety.com.
Susanne Rita Salisbury was born on January 25, 1937, in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry and Teresa (Levasseur) Seymour. Susanne married the love of her life, Keith Salisbury, on May 12, 1978, and he preceded her in death on November 10, 2008. Susie loved lake life, gardening, reading, and playing cards. She devoted her later years to the Ministries of Emmaus House in Harlem, New York, Saint Francis Neighborhood Center in Baltimore, Maryland, Saint Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and Misericordia in Chicago, Illinois.
Susanne is survived by five children; Cheri (John) Martin of Grand Blanc, Mark (Ann) Burnash of St. Johns, Camille (John) Kowalczyk of Lincoln Park, Joseph (Virginia) Burnash of Dothan AL, and Matthew (Kathy) Burnash of White Lake, stepchildren; Stephen (Vicky) Salisbury of Alma, Martin (Andrea) Salisbury of Mt. Pleasant, David (Dawn) Salisbury of Mt. Pleasant, Amy (Don) Martin of Shepherd, Christopher (Elyse) Salisbury of Midland, 30 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Eleanor Noe, Ardelle Seymour, Ellise Caron, and Karen Allen.
Susanne is preceded in death by her parents, infant son; John Agustine Burnash, son; Timothy Burnash, the father of her children; Milton Burnash, brothers; Gerald, Earl, Urban, Cletus, Daniel, and Marshall, sisters; Dolorosa Seymour and Mary Lou Eisenbeis.
The Seebeck's on January 17, 2023 at 8:37 pm
Love, Sympathy & Prayers🙏❣She will be missed❤
Diane Root on January 18, 2023 at 5:00 pm
I am so sorry Cheri on the death of your mother, Susanne. I know how difficult this will be.
Karen Hirst- DePaola on January 18, 2023 at 8:17 pm
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Aunt Susie.. We had many wonderful years visiting her and Uncle Keith in Arizona .. So many laughs and memories.. May God rest their beautiful souls 🙏🙏🙏 My sincere condolences to all the family.. Love you Aunt Susie ❤
Susie Kenkel on January 18, 2023 at 8:51 pm
Thinking of you Cheri as you travel this process this difficult loss. May you and your families find comfort knowing she is at peace and in God's arms. Her smile radiates sunshine and happiness!
Sending hugs and prayers!❤🙏❤
Bev & Rick Warbanski on January 19, 2023 at 12:04 pm
Our most sincere sympathy to you all. Susie was truly an earth angel. We met this wonderful lady in Mesa and have many good memories of our time there. We had many fun times with her & Ardelle. She will be missed.
Marianne Baumgarten on January 20, 2023 at 9:04 pm
Susie was a school mate of mine and I always enjoyed her friendship. Her oldest brother married my Aunt and we were all graduates of St. Mary's Mt. Morris Mi. She and I were pen pals at one time also. Although I've lived in Minnesota many years we thought of each other often.
Sandy Crawford Wentz on January 25, 2023 at 8:47 am
Remember Mrs. Burnash and a herkids while working at Ashcraft's in Gladwin. I am sorry to hear of her passing. I will be praying for the family during and after this sorrowful time. Rest in Peace.
Aggie Edgar-Mackie on January 25, 2023 at 10:07 am
I remember hanging out at her house when we were in high school with Cheri. Susanne was a wonderful person. She was such a blessing at the Sacred Heart Mission. She loved helping others.
Hugs and prayers to her family. Aggie Edgar-Mackie


At 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, the conference will begin with a series of presentations by six ECU faculty who will discuss Marx and his legacy from the perspective of the humanities, philosophy, history, legal studies, economics and Russian studies.
At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, the conference will conclude with a screening of the new comedy "Young Marx," recorded live at the new Bridge Theatre in London.
All conference events will be held in the Raymond J. Estep Multimedia Center of the Bill S. Cole University Center. Faculty presentations will be free and open to the public. General admission tickets to "Young Marx" are $10. Admission is free for ECU students.
The first conference session, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, will feature Dr. Joshua Grasso and Dr. Jennifer McMahon, professors in the Department of English and Languages and Dr. Greg Sutton, assistant professor in the Department of History and Native Studies.
The second conference session, beginning at 11 a.m., will feature Dr. Preston Draper, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and Legal Studies; Dr. Michael Scott, professor in the Department of Business Administration; and Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya, professor in the Department of English and Languages and Director of Russian Studies and ECU's Global Studies Program.
Both sessions will include time for questions.
Before the screening on Wednesday, ECU students who have submitted essays and works of art relevant to the conference's theme will be on hand to answer questions about their work.
In the interval between the first and second acts of "Young Marx," awards for outstanding student submissions to the conference will be announced and free ice cream will be offered to all audience members.
Starring Rory Kinnear as Marx and Oliver Chris as his best friend, Friedrich Engels, "Young Marx" spins into action in 1850, when Europe's most feared terrorist is hiding in Dean Street, Soho. Broke, restless and mischievous, the 32-year-old leftist revolutionary is a frothing combination of intellectual brilliance, invective, satiric wit, and child-like emotional illiteracy. Creditors, spies, rival revolutionary factions and prospective seducers of his beautiful wife all circle like vultures. With hiis writing blocked, his marriage dying, his friend Engels in despair at his wasted genius, his only hope is a job on the railway.
But there's still no one in London who can show you a better night on the town than Karl Heinrich Marx.
Running time for "Young Marx" is 160 minutes, and it is rated "R" due to strong language.
"Young Marx" is presented by ECU SCREENS, whose mission is to bring memorable cinematic experiences to ECU, Ada, and the surrounding communities. ECU SCREENS is supported by the ECU Foundation, the Cultural Activities Committee, and the Department of English and Languages, and it relies on work provided by student volunteers from Sigma Tau Delta (ECU's English Honors Society) and ECU's Honors Student Association.


text:
Q: Segmentation fault when using DB (define byte) inside a function I'm trying to define a byte in Assembly language inside my .text section. I know data should go to the .data section but I was wondering why it gives me a segmentation fault when I do it. If I define the byte inside .data, it doesn't give me any errors, unlike .text. I am using a Linux machine running Mint 19.1 and using NASM + LD to compile and link the executable.
This runs without segmentation faults:
global _start
section .data
db 0x41
section .text
_start:
    mov rax, 60    ; Exit(0) syscall
    xor rdi, rdi
    syscall

This gives me a segfault:
global _start
section .text
_start:
    db 0x41
    mov rax, 60     ; Exit(0) syscall
    xor rdi, rdi
    syscall

I'm using the following script to compile and link it:
nasm -felf64 main.s -o main.o
ld main.o -o main

I expect the program to work without any segmentation faults, but it doesn't when I use DB inside .text.
I suspect that .text is readonly and that may be the reason of this problem, am I correct? Can someone explain to me why my second code example segfaults?

A: If you tell the assembler to assemble arbitrary bytes somewhere, it will.  db is a pseudo-instruction that emits bytes, so mov eax, 60 and db 0xb8, 0x3c, 0, 0, 0 are exactly equivalent as far as NASM is concerned.  Either one will emit those 5 bytes into the output at the current position.
If you don't want your data decoded as (part of) instructions, don't put it where it will be reached by execution.

Since you're using NASM1, it optimizes mov rax,60 into mov eax,60, so the instruction doesn't have the REX prefix you'd expect from the source.
Your manually-encoded REX prefix for mov changes it into a mov to R8D instead of EAX:
41 b8 3c 00 00 00       mov    r8d,0x3c
(I checked with objdump -drwC -Mintel instead of looking up which bit is which in the REX prefix.  I only remember that REX.W is 0x48.  But 0x41 is a REX.B prefix in x86-64).
So instead of making a sys_exit system call, your code runs syscall with EAX=0, which is __NR_read.  (The Linux kernel zeros all the registers other than RSP before process startup, and in a statically-linked executable, _start is the true entry point with no dynamic linker code running first.  So RAX is still zero).
$ strace ./rex
execve("./rex", ["./rex"], 0x7fffbbadad60 /* 54 vars */) = 0
read(0, NULL, 0)                        = 0
--- SIGSEGV {si_signo=SIGSEGV, si_code=SEGV_MAPERR, si_addr=NULL} ---
+++ killed by SIGSEGV (core dumped) +++

And then execution falls through into whatever is after syscall, which in this case is 00 00 bytes that decode as add [rax], al, and thus segfault.  You would have seen this if you'd run your code inside GDB.

Footnote 1: If you'd used YASM which doesn't optimize to 32-bit operand size:
Intel's manuals say that it's illegal to have 2 REX prefixes on one instruction.  I expected an illegal-instruction fault (#UD machine exception -> kernel delivers SIGILL), but my Skylake CPU ignores the first REX prefix and decodes it as mov rax, sign_extended_imm32.
Single-stepping, it's treated as one long instructions, so I guess Skylake chooses to handle it like other cases of multiple prefixes, where only the last one of a type has an effect.  (But remember this is not future-proof, other x86 CPUs could handle it differently.)

Related / same bug in other situations:

*

*Assembly (x86): <label> db 'string',0 does not get executed unless there's a jump instruction  in a BIOS MBR boot sector

*Unknown opcode skipped: 66, not 8086 instruction - not supported yet in EMU8086

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


I went with a very specific request about pensions but Dennis went into the bigger life picture; he explored my consultancy business, how successful that would be, and also my other chalet business, and where would be the most useful place to spend my time. Nothing was in it for them, but it was a massive value add. I feel my finances are more solid and well thought out. I have a coherent plan, with my finances and financial thinking in order. They work on the bigger picture down to the little things. They're totally professional in following through, picking up on the little things. For all those reasons I absolutely trust them. And I don't do that easily!
Dennis seeks to focus on the whole person and not just the immediate problem. As a result his advice is much more holistic. He never attempts to "sell" product. Instead he focusses on ensuring the right asset allocation and then attempts to secure this in the most advantageous manner. He tries very hard to get the fullest understanding of his client's true needs and will then carefully consider the appropriate solution. There are no quick fixes. His attention to detail is exemplary and he is supported by a small but extremely efficient team who share his values. I believe he also offers very good value.
The relationship with Dennis has been extremely open and positive; he has always given the impression of understanding exactly what we want to achieve and our scepticism of some financial advice. Quality is only marked down to three stars, as we are only a couple of years into the relationship. If it works as I expect, this mark will become 5.
The best way to do this is to give an example of our most recent interaction. Dennis's approach to a very stressful period of important financial decisions for me showed him at his best. He swiftly analysed and clarified my complicated position under a tight deadline while using his understanding of my character and individual needs in terms of long term planning. His advice helped me reach a decision that I made with peace of mind and full confidence in his professional knowledge and personal integrity.
As well as ensuring he has a full understanding of a client's financial situation, Dennis also puts great emphasis on establishing risk appetite and broader lifetime goals, and factors those into the overall planning process. He and his team quickly respond to questions or issues that may come up, and you get a comfortable feeling that he is aware of you as an individual, and tailors solutions to meet your needs.
We had a 'pension pot' to invest that was most likely at the smaller end of investment sums that Dennis handles. That was not apparent from the service provided by him and his team, in fact we always left meetings feeling that we were the most important clients on his books. Naive questions were answered with patience and an appropriate level of detail, perhaps most important at no time did we feel we were being 'sold to', rather that all the information was being supplied and then it was up to us to go away and decide if and how to proceed.
Keeps in contact with me, answering my many and frequent ignorant questions, without ever making me feel that I should be more aware of my finances. He and his staff are excellent in reassuring me that my money is in safe hands and I trust him that he is doing the best for me.
Dennis provides clear and comprehensive advice. The regular review meetings give us a long term financial perspective and a valuable action list of opportunities to consider. He and his team are very responsive and are always eager to help.
Excellent knowledge of the client coupled to practical and efficient advice. Interested in getting the level of service right and offering a range of sound ideas.
Dennis always provides a clear and understandable plan of our financial position at our annual meeting. We know where we are now, and we know where we want to end up in the future. He has a great understanding of our risk appetite and always advises with an eye to our long term objectives.
Dennis is easy to talk to, does not baffle you with jargon and fills you with confidence. In short, he is everything you could want from someone who is helping to shape your financial future.


It's refreshing to know that even now, with everything I've read and absorbed to this point in my life, or that as hyper-aware as I am now of tropes, I can still be surprised by a story, in a way that feels genuine and not forced as some kind of shock value. Tigra, by R.J. Leahy, gave me a pleasant surprise.
I'm going to go really light on synopsis and spoilers, as this is a recent release, and I think this is one of those sci-fi tales with enough unique flair of its own to warrant an unspoiled read. What I will say is that Leahy has a clear grasp on how to write visceral scenes, and at evoking terrific imagery in the reader's head. I had a pristine picture of the fictional world, Ararat, in my mind, and the chapter where our protagonist first breathes in this new place will be a moment I'll cherish as I look back on this in the future.
The lead character, Jeena, is a spitfire, tough-as-armor soldier who became a POW in a dreadful, future civil war in space, and is forced to survive on Ararat after narrowly escaping. How she does so is interesting and vividly told. Almost like being along for the ride with Survivorman, we go with Jeena through her tribulations as she adjusts to the alien world, and slowly unravels the truth behind the forgotten civilizations there. The author cleverly intersperses myth and science fiction as the story unfolds, and a few things get turned on their heads in ways that I found fascinating.
So we have a vivid setting, overall great characters, plenty of believable conflict and intrigue, and a compelling plot, that was paced well aside from perhaps moving things along too fast toward the very end (this may have only been my perception, as I contrast the end of the story against the more deliberate beginning). As of this post, with the version I read, there were unfortunately some editing errors that marred the manuscript. They mostly weren't egregious enough to stop me from enjoying the story, but a few of them slowed down my comprehension of certain scenes, so I do feel obligated to mention them.
Despite a few hiccups, I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading Tigra, and was surprised and engaged by its twists, turns, characters, and vivacious scenes. I definitely recommend that science fiction fans give this a chance, especially those intrigued by stories set against the backdrops of galactic war and mythologies cast to the stars in upheaval.
Check it out on Amazon, link is below, for your convenience.


text:
Enemy Elite Friday: Władysław E. Sikorski (Poland)
Władysław Eugeniusz Sikorski
"During the Second World War, Sikorski became Prime Minister of the Polish government-in-exile, Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces, and a vigorous advocate of the Polish cause in the diplomatic sphere. He supported the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Poland and the Soviet Union, which had been severed after the Soviet pact with Germany and the 1939 invasion of Poland—however, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin broke off Soviet-Polish diplomatic relations in April 1943 following Sikorski's request that the International Red Cross investigate the Katyń Forest massacre. In July 1943, a plane carrying Sikorski plunged into the sea immediately after takeoff from Gibraltar, killing all on board except the pilot. The exact circumstances of Sikorski's death have been disputed and have given rise to a number of different theories surrounding the crash and his death. Sikorski had been the most prestigious leader of the Polish exiles, and his death was a severe setback for the Polish cause."
Another honored ally,


text:
The Poetry Connection
~by Amanda Smith
I have always had a gut feeling that writing poetry is a precursor to writing well. Only recently, while preparing a poetry workshop for middle school students, did I realize how strongly I believe in the poetry connection.
During my kids' baby and toddler years, I didn't have the strength, time, or mental capacity (Mommy brain, anyone?) to write long pieces. I pushed writing to the very outer circle of my priorities, but somewhere in my youngest's second year the need to write wiggled its way right into the center of my being. I jotted down ideas, struggles, joys, and observations in free verse. As I played with words, clapped rhythms, and rearranged sentences, within me, something awoke again. And it grew. It grew into picture books, and early readers, and novels.
Even all these years and manuscripts later, the poetry that called me from my writer's slumber is still relevant. Because what we learn in writing and studying poetry, translates to every kind of writing.
What do we gain when we write poetry?
The style and length parameters of poetry compel us to promptly find the heart of who we are in the moment, and what we want to express. The ability to dig for heart is essential in plotting and character development.
Economic language use
Writing within the limits of poetry, we learn that every word counts, so we'd better pick the right ones. Writing poetry hones our ability to recognize the right word.
Self-expression
Writing poetry is an excuse to feel all the feels. Remember those angsty teenage poems in the back of your high school notebooks? (I refuse to believe I was the only one.) Pouring emotions onto a page in poetic form, allows writers to play with expression. What is too melodramatic? How and when do I turn the volume down? What happens to the impact of a piece when I turn the emotional volume down? Different characters express emotions on different levels. Have you written poetry from your characters' point of view? It might help you narrow down their voice, or you might discover something about their emotional state.
Unlocking imagination
Even though poetry is constraining in form, thematically, anything goes. Writing down silliness or sometimes lyrical nonsense accesses a playfulness in the brain – that part that asks "What if?"
Sensory awareness
Because poetry leans heavily on sensory perception, when we write poetry we pay more attention with all our senses. We learn to think beyond sight and hearing. We learn to link emotion and atmosphere to senses.
And since there is also no room to tell, we learn to show.
Lyrical language
Poetic devices translate to lyrical writing in prose.
I spent a big part of Monday writing limericks. I can't remember when last I had so much fun. The silliness of it all, within the seriousness of the form. The absolute thrill of finding just the right rhyming words to deliver that guffaw in the last line. Playfulness unlocking imagination and humor. Play, play, play.
South African poet Carina Stander challenged herself in high school to write a new poem every second Sunday. She still does that. Ame Dyckman regularly tweets haiku-like observations. Kate DiCamillo often posts lyrical reflections on social media. Jane Yolen starts every work day by writing a poem. Considering their careers, I have to believe they're onto something. We need to shake this pressure that everything we write has to be for the book, or go in the book.
Will you explore the poetry connection with me? I'm challenging myself to produce a poem a week. Come join me. Our play has purpose.
COME PLAY A LITTLE
~ by Amanda Smith
Encore is a yearly event where some speakers from the NESCBWI Spring conference are invited to present their workshops. Two Encore events are offered to provide opportunity for more writers to learn from these excellent teachers. This year's Encore II was held at Devens on Saturday, October 21. Because of the nature of Encore, the event is not themed, yet, somehow, every year, in the subtext of what the presenters are saying, a theme emerges. This year the common thread was PLAY.
Dana Meachan Rau, author of over 300 books, including Robot, Go Bot! and books in the Who Was? series, presented a workshop about injecting emotion in characters to encourage empathy from readers. She led us through writing exercises where we played around with writing a character's emotion through a setting or an object. When we play to explore emotions, we connect deeper with our character's emotion. "First we feel, then they [the readers] feel," she said.
Molly Burnham, author of the Teddy Mars series and 2016 Sid Fleishman Humor Award winner, talked to us about humor and writing funny. She implored us to play for a minute, to horse around with ideas, to do seemingly silly three-minute writing exercises, like matching different animals with human actions, and finding the funny in it. Sometimes we get so bogged down in the work of it all. The deadlines, the goals, the next chapter. Playing is freeing for the exact reason that it is not a work in progress. And yet, playing accesses a different part of our brains, which sometimes leads to breakthroughs in our current work. She said, "It's great just to play, we are artists after all."
Under the direction of sticky-note queen and author AC Gaughen (Scarlet, Lady Thief, and Lion Heart) we played around with character traits. We scribbled pieces of identity on sticky notes. She then urged us to discarding the go-to traits, the comfort zone, and go with the unexpected, which leads to the development of more interesting characters. AC also had us play around with our character's central traits. Through play we discovered how changing what is central to our character changes the conflict.
Chris Tebbetts, whose books include the Middle School series and Public School Superhero with James Patterson, as well as the Stranded series with Jeff Probst, presented on Improv and Play. He reminded us that "purpose should not be more important than play" and encouraged us to sometimes throw out the rules and just write. Write without thinking, don't get logical, and see where it leads. "Improv helps limber up one's creativity." He also challenged us to sometimes "play with a limited set of tools." Setting our own rules and staying within those rules help us think outside the box. Play off-screen, with visual techniques such as story-boarding and maps.
Erin Dionne (Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies, Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking, Ollie and Science of Treasure Hunting and more) rounded the day off with quirky revision techniques. Revision lends itself to play, as not one technique works for every project. The revising writer needs to play around with a variety of hands-on techniques including story-boarding, spiderwebs, grids, calendars and maps, until they find what works for that particular project. "Problem solving is an act of creativity," she said.
The presenters reminded us that every activity connected to our characters and story is considered work. So even when you are playing, you are still working. Playing is just more fun! We are writing for children after all.
Throwing a lifeline and building empathy: An interview with Kate Messner
Kate Messner is passionately curious and writes books that encourage kids to wonder, too. Her titles include award-winning picture books like Over and Under the Snow, Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, and How to Read a Story; novels like Capture the Flag, Wake up Missing, All the Answers, and The Seventh Wish; and Scholastic's popular Ranger in Time chapter book series about a time-traveling search and rescue dog. Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her family and is trying to summit all 46 Adirondack High Peaks in between book deadlines. Follow her on Twitter @KateMessner and check out her website, www.katemessner.com.
We asked Kate about her new novel, THE SEVENTH WISH (Bloomsbury, 2016), her writing process, and her goals.
Charlie, the protagonist in THE SEVENTH WISH, is a well-rounded, fully developed character. Can you give us some insight into how you develop characters? What techniques do you use?
As human beings, we all play lots of different roles in the world. I'm Kate the writer, Kate the family member, Kate the hiker, Kate the child of two educators, Kate the traveler, and I could go on and on. All those elements meld together with all the people who have passed through my life and all the things that have happened in my life history (and the ways in which I've reacted to those things) to make me who I am. People are made of lots of complicated bits, and characters – good ones, at least – should be the same. Knowing a character means exploring all the different parts of that character's life, so I spent time thinking not only about Charlie's hobbies, her family, and her backstory, but also the things she wished for herself and for the world, and the things she feared.
I often use a character-building activity where I design my character's bedroom, going into more and more detail. So what starts with a simple floor plan evolves into a description of every little detail. What color is the bedspread, and when was it purchased? Does she still like it? What's displayed proudly on the bulletin board? What's hidden under the bed or shoved in a box in the back of the closet, and who gets to see those things? You can learn a lot about a character that way.
I love how you have certain threads that run through the book, such as the word game, the ice, and the serenity prayer. I am always curious about a writer's process. Were these threads mapped out from the beginning and or were they organic?
Mostly, those kinds of threads appear as I'm writing, and then I go back to strengthen them during the revision process.
What prompted you to write a MG novel that includes heroin addiction?
This element of the story was sparked by a personal experience. I was floored a few years ago when a neighborhood friend told me that her beautiful, smart, joyful daughter was hooked on heroin. My neighbor's daughter got help and survived, and she's doing well now, but I still struggle to understand how it could have happened. When I struggle – when something really scares me – I write. That's where this theme in THE SEVENTH WISH came from.
What did you wish to accomplish with this book?
Before anything else, my goal is always to write a great story that kids will love and to create characters who feel real to them. But beyond that, I hope Charlie will be a particular comfort to families in situations similar to hers. Kids who have family members struggling with cancer or heart disease or diabetes get all kinds of support, but addiction is something many families still keep secret. We haven't overcome that stigma yet, and as a result, the thousands of families affected by opioid addiction are often left feeling alone. They're not, though, and I hope knowing Charlie helps kids to understand that.
Exactly. This novel is so timely. Substance abuse affects families on all levels and many young children carry hidden anger and shame because of a family member's addiction. You addressed those feelings spot-on in Charlie. How did you conduct your research for such a sensitive subject?
I spent a lot of time talking with my neighbor's daughter after she got clean. I was nervous to ask her for help at first. I didn't know if she'd be open to talking about her experiences, but when I approached her, she said, "I'd LOVE to talk with you. We all need to talk more about this to help end the stigma." And she told me everything – how it started, how she slipped further into addiction, how she lied to her family, and how she eventually told her mom the truth and asked for help. It was a sobering conversation for me, particularly when I asked her how she could have made that choice, knowing all that she must have learned about heroin addiction in health class at school. "All my friends were doing it," she told me. "I know that sounds like a cliché, but it's true. They were all doing it, and they were fine." Until they weren't. And then it was too late.
I also spoke with an admissions counselor at a drug treatment center in Vermont. She talked me through the process of checking in to a rehab center and explained what that kind of help looks like for both the addict and the addict's family. We talked about what might happen when a younger sibling came to visit, what questions kids often had about loved ones in recovery, and that was tremendously helpful as I wrote Charlie's story.
The problem of substance abuse is a hard reality, and yet you included a fantasy aspect to the novel with the wishing fish. What was your motivation for the fantasy element?
Sometimes, I think fantasy gives us the distance we need to look at things that might be too scary or controversial without that lens of magic as a bit of a filter. We see this a lot in the Harry Potter series, which addresses all kinds of issues – from violence and hate in our world, to the persecution of groups of people based on their heritage. I feel like magical stories often give us a way in to explore those tougher issues in our real world – and a way to talk about them more openly.
Even as you deal with sensitive subjects, the information you share is age appropriate. I recognize an educator's hand and heart in your novels. How did your background as a teacher influence your writing?
This was something my editor and I talked about a lot as I revised THE SEVENTH WISH. I wanted to tell this story in a way that was honest and true, without sugar coating the realities of opioid addiction, but also in a way that was age appropriate for readers aged 9-13. I think my roles as educator and parent both played into that. Kids can often handle so much more than we think. We knew that kids who had been through similar experiences might find a lifeline in this book, as it reflected back their emotions, but we also knew that the book would probably be a window for many other readers, giving them a glimpse at a family experiencing a crisis that might not be familiar. This is how we build empathy, how we think about what it might like to be someone else, and also how we might react if we were in a similar situation some day. Given all of that, my editor and I had to work hard to make sure the depiction of drug use wasn't over-the-top scary. All of the heroin use, for example, takes place out of Charlie's sight, and therefore, out of the reader's sight as well. So the story really ends up being about the experience of a family member who loves and worries about an addict and has to deal with her own emotions swirling around the family crisis as well.
You use a traditional fairy tale device with the wishing fish. It works in this modern setting because, unlike old-time fairy tales, Charlie realizes the absurdity of it. She even refers to her English classes about wishing stories, and the difficulty in wishing right. If you should ever catch a wishing fish, what would your wish be?
I'd think long and hard before making any wishes. The temptation, of course, would be to find just the right words to wish for world peace, but like Charlie, I've read enough wishes-gone-wrong stories to know that even the most kind-hearted wishes can backfire.
At 24 Carrot Writing we are big on goal setting. Do you set detailed writing goals, broad yearly goals or do you fly by the seat of your pants?
I keep a bullet journal, so I have pretty detailed lists of my monthly writing goals as well as daily to-do lists. Also, I am geeky enough that I love talking & writing about how I organize my writing life, so if you're interested, I have a whole blog post about my bullet journal here: http://www.katemessner.com/bullet-journaling-childrens-author-version/
You are such a prolific writer, yet you do school visits and many other public appearances as well. How do you structure your writing time? Do you write on specific days or do you write every day?
Hahahhaha!!!! Oh, sorry…. You've asked this question about balance on a day when I haven't been home in three weeks and I'm staring down a full in-box as well as two manuscripts that need revising, and all of that is buried under two suitcases full of laundry. I hope you'll forgive my maniacal laughter.
In a perfect world, I do try to keep some balance. Typically, I try not to travel more than a few days a month, and on the days that I'm home, I do write every weekday, usually from around 8am to noon. Then I take a break to work out and have lunch, and I'll either deal with email and business things after that or get another hour or two in after lunch, before my daughter gets home from school. On my travel days, the writing is more sporadic and tends to come in quick bursts, over dinner at the airport, on the plane, or scribbled in a notebook in the car.
Right now I'm working on a novel called BREAKOUT, about what happens in a small town when two inmates break out of the maximum security prison, launching a massive, two-week manhunt that changes life for everyone. It's a thriller in some ways, but it's also written in all different documents that show how everybody in town sees the situation a little differently. And I'm also working on the seventh book in my Ranger in Time chapter book series, about a time traveling search and rescue dog. This time, he's going to Normandy during the D Day Invasion.
Thank you, Kate for giving us a peek into your fabulous writer's mind, and for being brave enough to write a book that provides support for children with family members caught in addiction.
For a review of THE SEVENTH WISH, click HERE or visit our Book Picks page.
Refining Character
by Francine Puckly
Much has been written on development of characters when setting out to write a novel, a short story, or even a picture book manuscript. Advice to complete character interviews, profiles and arcs abound. I've used them all to delineate the early aspects of my characters and note the differences between characters. Despite the use of all of these techniques and tools, I still came up short in a review of my latest novel.
In last month's manuscript critique with Delacorte's Kate Sullivan, we discussed the need to put the final polish and finesse on my characters, one in particular. Because I have alternating narrators, two distinct stories are being told. And while the stories intertwine, they must stand alone in detail and distinction. One protagonist is a quiet, introspective teen who picks up on a wealth of detail, while the other is a "quit-your-whining-and-get-on-with-it" personality. Each protagonist must be equally complex to the reader, even if the core of the character appears to be outwardly simple. And just as plots and subplots need to be tightened and mined for nuggets of gold, so must our characters. Everything our characters do must be deliberate and refined. I returned home after the critique, high on motivation and energy to make these changes. I quickly realized that my self-taught world of novel writing did not provide guidance to finesse and tweak a character in the final stages of revision. But I discovered two methods that have been invaluable.
Beyond-the-Questionnaire Questions
Picking up what I had once believed to be my last draft, I combed through the manuscript scene by scene and made notes in the margins as to what each of my narrators might observe in that particular moment. This setting-specific questioning brought my characters into focus with what made them tick in very specific circumstances. What the character feels, says, and observes will differ from scene to scene. A character might be driven by odors and temperatures in one scene, and sights and feelings in another. Does tension get ratcheted up because the character is self-conscious about an outfit or sees a nemesis in the corner of the room? And what happened that day to drive the behavior in the character? This level of understanding my characters rarely came through in those beginning character profiles and explorations. Just as humans might react differently in any given situation on any given day (lack of sleep, hunger, fights with loved ones or the threat of a layoff at work will drive different behaviors than if we're rested, fed and in our happy place), our characters will behave erratically at times as well. Each scene (and the details the narrator presents to the reader) must be thoughtful to that particular moment.
The second technique I've used is creating photo collages of the landscape, houses, schools, cars, clothing, décor, and character images. I had already completed this exercise for earlier drafts of the manuscript, but this time I faced off with my protagonists. I studied the collage through each of my narrator's eyes and wrote down what each would see. My introspective narrator extracts entirely different details than my get-'er-done protagonist. And it is in these unique observations that the manuscript comes to life. By mining these rich nuggets of description, I have refined the voice of the story. And it is in the subtle detail of voice that we hook the reader.
So the next time you're stuck trying to make the last draft or two of your manuscript pop into life, tackle a new photo collage and plow through your scenes with specific detail in mind. If you listen closely, your characters will show you what's important at that moment in time.
Using the Note Card Plotting Technique for Revision
~ by Amanda Smith
Last week we focused on using basic plotting techniques to help organize scenes that were random and unconnected, like a hand full of beads. If you missed last week's post, you can find it here. What if you're done drafting, though? Does that mean you have no more use for plotting techniques?
Writers often use note cards to block out scenes. For me the note card technique worked well after I finished my second draft. I combined the information from a mapping workshop, taught by Katie L. Caroll (Elixer Bound) and a workshop on non-sequential writing by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. (One for the Murphys, Fish in a Tree) to come up with a note card that served my purpose for revision.
Use one card per scene. Give a scene heading and a temporary number.
If you have multiple narrators, write down the POV.
Note the setting of the scene.
Jot down the main moment/ event/ quote from that scene.
What is the purpose of this scene. Does it develop plot or character?
What kind of scene is it? Action, back story, mood, flashback, character development, inciting incident, tension building, climatic scenes? What is the emotional intensity of this scene?
Which characters are present in the scene? I color code my characters so it is easy to track them.
The number at the top is added much later once you are happy with the final order of your scenes.
These note cards against my wall helped me see the entire novel at one glance. I was able to check the balance and switch-off between narrators. Imagine my joy when I realized my main characters narrate exactly the same amount of scenes! These cards showcased the rising action, emotional arc, and the function of each scene. I could see where to change the order of scenes to build tension or give a breather. They showed where to add a scene or when a character fell out of the story. As I studied these cards, I was able to make subtle changes to strengthen the plot. I added bits of dialogue or "what ifs" on sticky notes. When I went back to my manuscript I could try out these new takes to see if they worked better. The note cards served as a place for ideas and thoughts to land when I couldn't get to my manuscript right that moment.
Revision time is also a good stage to implement character interviews, another plotting technique. There are multiple character interviews online that you can tweak to meet your needs. After filling out interview questions, add descriptors and specifics to enhance characters, and check for character consistency. I found it very enlightening to also interview all secondary characters. Going back and adding the smallest of details can enrich secondary characters and make them feel like real people.
Many authors have a treasure trove of plot development strategies on their websites. Don't feel overwhelmed by them. Take these plotting devices and adapt them to work for you and your process. And it is a process! Use some before you start, some during drafting, and some during revisions until all your scenes are perfectly placed like beads on a string.
Cutting Off Your Character
I've been reminded recently (today, as a matter of fact) that I cut off people when they're telling me stories. My active, fiction-writing mind, eager to fashion the ending of the tale, jumps ahead to guess what happened next. And my mouth goes right along with my brain. It is an incredibly annoying (and rude) habit, and it's ruined many a good story.
My habit is worse for some people than it is for others. If I cut off my husband (and inevitably craft the wrong ending), he merely says, "No," and continues the story. But for my teenage daughter, the interruption stops her in her tracks. No amount of encouragement will restart her tale, and it's a double-lose for me. I feel badly I've cut her off, and I am robbed of hearing a good story.
This habit has played itself out in my writing as well, most notably a year ago as I wrote the conclusion of my novel. I knew what the outcome would be. I plodded along toward the manufactured ending no matter how much one of my characters nagged that he had a different one in mind. After weeks of his hounding, I finally surrendered. "Fine!" I thought. "I'll write your stupid ending. And then I'm going to burn it, because that's not what happens!"
I wrote his story. Clouds parted. Light blinded me. Angels began to sing. And I was forced to concede it was a far better conclusion than the one I had been planning for months.
Since then, I've practiced a couple techniques that have helped leave room for my characters to dictate their stories to me, rather than forcing my ideas upon them.
1. Visit more often.
The longer I am away from my work, the stronger the urge to control it. That's one of the many reasons I write a minimum of 20 minutes a day, no matter what. Holidays and weekends included. When I write every day, it feels less like work and more like listening and recording. It's a comforting ritual, and there's no need to panic about getting a certain amount done or dictating the direction.
2. Take a physical break.
Pausing to get moving physically helps separate the left side of my brain (and the preconceived outline) from the story and allows the right side to mull over the plot twists while I walk, stack wood, vacuum the floor, or weed my garden. The character's voice shines through when I'm not over-thinking the next move.
I've had great success with a 22-minutes on, 8-minutes off writing and resting cycle. Twenty-two minutes of timed writing followed by an eight-minute timed break in which I run around the house at warp speed trying to squeeze in the maximum amount of shoveling, vacuuming, stretching or paperwork I can before the timer dings and I must return to my desk. The story simmers in the background during these sprint-breaks because I'm more focused on ticking off a task rather than plotting the next move. But every time I return to my desk after these active breaks, the next phase floods out.
3. Close your eyes and listen.
I can't assume to know someone else's experience, including my character's, and I can't force my expectations into a situation the character is trying to explain. It must be the character's story, and the best way to allow the character in is to sit and listen. I close my eyes and wait. I push my thoughts back and connect with the emotions the character is feeling.
I'm still learning to bite my tongue, and hold the pen steady, so that I don't cut off my loved ones and my characters. It's hard work to resist the urge to construct the outcome of a story or blurt out the answers to "what if" before anyone else gets the chance. I'm a work-in-progress, as are my stories and characters. But may I always remember to sit and listen, both in writing and in my relationships!
- Francine
"It was as if the novel was already written, floating in the air on a network of electrons. I could hear it talking to itself. I sensed that if I would but sit and listen, it would come through, all ready." - A. S. Byatt