text:
Npower restructuring will cost 4,500 jobs - union
Updated / Friday, 29 Nov 2019 08:41
German energy group E.ON set to restructure its struggling UK division
German energy group E.ON has announced a restructuring plan for its struggling British division, which includes Npower, in a move it said would incur costs of £500m.
The plan includes closing parts of Npower and additional job cuts at the unit, one of Britain's 'Big Six' energy providers, which has been hurt by struggling competition and internal billing problems.
The restructuring of Npower will result in 4,500 job cuts, union UNISON said in a press release today.
"This is a cruel blow for Npower employees. They've been worried about their jobs for months. Now their worst fears have been realised, less than a month before Christmas," UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said.
"The UK market is currently particularly challenging. We've emphasised repeatedly that we'll take all necessary action to return our business there to consistent profitability," E.ON's CEO Johannes Teyssen said.
He said talks with British unions about the plans - which include a carve-out of Npower's industrial and commercial customers - had already started, not giving a number for potential job losses.
E.ON said Npower's residential and small and medium-size enterprise customers would migrate to E.ON's local business, while the remaining parts of Npower would be restructured or shut down.
E.ON said it expects its combined British business to achieve at least £100m of earnings before interest and tax and positive free cash flow after smart meter investments from 2022 onwards.


text:
Q: Can AWS Rekognition detect whether a face is real or a spoofed with no video analysis? I'm developing a facial recognition API with AWS Rekognition, and I need to check if the faces in the images uploaded by the user are real or fake. For instance, they could hold a phone with another person's face or a printed photo. I'd like to know if pure image analysis (no video) with Rekognition can provide me that answer.
I know there are other options like OpenCV, but I'd prefer to keep all the analysis in Rekognition if that's possible.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
package org.jetbrains.plugins.groovy.intentions.control;

import com.intellij.openapi.editor.Editor;
import com.intellij.openapi.project.Project;
import com.intellij.psi.PsiElement;
import com.intellij.util.IncorrectOperationException;
import org.jetbrains.annotations.NonNls;
import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
import org.jetbrains.plugins.groovy.intentions.base.Intention;
import org.jetbrains.plugins.groovy.intentions.base.PsiElementPredicate;
import org.jetbrains.plugins.groovy.lang.psi.impl.PsiImplUtil;
import org.jetbrains.plugins.groovy.lang.psi.impl.utils.ConditionalUtils;
import org.jetbrains.plugins.groovy.lang.psi.impl.utils.ParenthesesUtils;
import org.jetbrains.plugins.groovy.lang.psi.api.statements.GrIfStatement;
import org.jetbrains.plugins.groovy.lang.psi.api.statements.GrStatement;
import org.jetbrains.plugins.groovy.lang.psi.api.statements.expressions.GrExpression;

public class MergeIfAndIntention extends Intention {

  @Override
  @NotNull
  public PsiElementPredicate getElementPredicate() {
    return new MergeIfAndPredicate();
  }

  @Override
  public void processIntention(@NotNull PsiElement element, Project project, Editor editor)
      throws IncorrectOperationException {
    final GrIfStatement parentStatement =
        (GrIfStatement) element;
    final GrStatement parentThenBranch = parentStatement.getThenBranch();
    final GrIfStatement childStatement =
        (GrIfStatement) ConditionalUtils.stripBraces(parentThenBranch);

    final GrExpression childCondition = childStatement.getCondition();
    final String childConditionText;
    if (ParenthesesUtils.getPrecedence(childCondition)
        > ParenthesesUtils.AND_PRECEDENCE) {
      childConditionText = '(' + childCondition.getText() + ')';
    } else {
      childConditionText = childCondition.getText();
    }

    final GrExpression parentCondition = parentStatement.getCondition();
    final String parentConditionText;
    if (ParenthesesUtils.getPrecedence(parentCondition)
        > ParenthesesUtils.AND_PRECEDENCE) {
      parentConditionText = '(' + parentCondition.getText() + ')';
    } else {
      parentConditionText = parentCondition.getText();
    }

    final GrStatement childThenBranch = childStatement.getThenBranch();
    @NonNls final String statement =
        "if(" + parentConditionText + "&&" + childConditionText + ')' +
            childThenBranch.getText();
    PsiImplUtil.replaceStatement(statement, parentStatement);
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Sam Ward » The New Review's debut self-titled album now available on Itunes, Spotify, you name it!
The New Review's debut self-titled album now available on Itunes, Spotify, you name it!
On March 13, the New Review released their debut, self titled album with a slamming show at Wonderbar in Allston, MA; opening for Kevin Kinsella of John Brown's Body and 10 Foot Ganja Plant. The album is now available on Itunes, Spotify, Bandcamp, and a host of other places on the internet!
Posted on May 8th, 2015 by Sam Ward.


Q. My son is 17 yes age according to his wish he is admitted in CBSE commerce. In tenth also we were making to sit for study. In spite of giving private tuition his performance is very poor not interested to study he is too much mobile savvy. If we touch the mobile or ask him not to use mobile or to study or studies he uses slang languages and even he pushes us from the room showing eyes. Worried about him-please suggest.
Ans. He is caught up in mobile addiction it seems and also may be de-motivated to study due to other reasons. It is necessary to know what aims and objectives he has for his future career and in what direction his mind is working. If he is not interested in academics he might opt for a vocational course and get to practical work. Not all students are interested in higher education and many of them may be inclined towards practical and hands-on work. Alternately he may have learning disorders that hamper his educational performance but may be otherwise bright and intelligent. The third explanation is the development of bad habits such a mobile addiction, too many friends, chatting on social media and wasting time in useless activities. First identify the cause and then deal with it appropriately. A session of counselling can help identify the causes of the problem.
Q. I am a 13 year old boy. I am simple and like to have friends, but I get neglected by my friends. I feel so lonely. My classmates blame me, I also feel targeted by my teachers. I am so kind and good in studies too, I try to ignore this behaviour. Still, these things de-motivate me. I feel bad. What should I do for this? What kind of attitude should I have to stop this? Please help. By the way, I love to read your columns and articles. I use your tips in my daily life. Your articles and essays are my source of inspiration.
Ans. Perhaps you need to develop and learn a few simple social skills in action. If you get neglected by your friends and get blamed too for things, you will have to change your policy of dealing with your friends. It is good to be kind and simple but it is also necessary to assert yourself to make them respect you and take you seriously. If you don't maintain your dignity with your friends they are likely to take you for granted. Try the give and take approach and try to maintain an equal relationship with them. Don't overdue your share and then feel neglected. Also be pleasant and have social skills for then people desire your company. If you are boring and servile people will treat you as such. We can help you develop good social skills in short time.
Q. I am in MBBS 3rd year. I have interest in psychology. I don't understand if I should take psychiatry as my specialty because I have heard that psychiatrists & psychologists are more prone to mental illness & the field is mentally exhausting. Is this true? Should I do BA psychology now side by side from open University to enhance my knowledge? Is it possible to study for two degrees simultaneously? Could you suggest any other course or book?
Ans. Psychology is a wonderful science and art and has tremendous scope in the betterment of the human mind. Psychiatry is the medical branch of psychology and the approach is very different from psychology. It deals with the biochemical changes in the brain leading to mental illness and disorders and prescribes medicines for the same. You have a choice of either opting for psychiatry after graduation. As far as psychology is concerned I cannot suggest a suitable course for you right now unless I know exactly what you have in mind as your interest areas. Psychology is huge options and one must choose carefully the course one wants to pursue. We need to know which branch of psychology you are interested in –it not only has clinical psychology which is close to psychiatry but also has other branches which have nothing to do with psychiatry.


When running or debugging a Java EE or Web application, you can modify the source code and, almost immediately, see the result of your changes.
Specify the necessary application update options in your server run/debug configuration, see Specifying application update options.
After making changes to the source code, update your application, see Updating an application.
On 'Update' action. The Update action refers to clicking in the Run or the Debug tool window (alternatively, Ctrl+F10 or Run | Update '<app name>' application).
Use the list to select the default update option. See Application update options.
Show dialog. If this checkbox is not selected, the default update option is used. Otherwise, a dialog is shown that displays all the available update options, and you'll be able to select the necessary option prior to actually updating your application.
On frame deactivation. Frame deactivation means switching from IntelliJ IDEA to a different application (e.g. a Web browser). Use the list to specify what IntelliJ IDEA should do in such cases.
Click on the toolbar of the tool window.
Select Run | Update '<app name>' application.
If the necessary update option is associated with frame deactivation, your application is updated automatically when you switch from IntelliJ IDEA to a different application (e.g. a Web browser).
Note that you can turn the Update Resources on Frame Deactivation option on and off right in the Run or the Debug tool window. To do that, click .
You can also update your application in the Application Servers tool window by redeploying your application artifact ( ).
Update classes and resources Changed resources are updated; changed Java classes (EJBs, servlets, etc.) are recompiled.


1998-12-17 Assigned to PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NORTH AMERICA CORPORATION reassignment PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NORTH AMERICA CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TIMMS, ALLAN ROGER, EVES, DAVID ANTHONY, PEARCE, SIMON, TURNER, ADRIAN J.
A server system maintains a user profile of a particular end-user of consumer electronics network-enabled equipment and a data base of new technical features for this type of equipment. If there is a match between the user-profile and a new technical feature, and the user indicates to receive information about updates or sales offers, the user gets notified via the network of the option to obtain the feature.
For completeness, reference is made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/785,459(Attorney Docket PHA 23,217) filed Jan. 17, 1997 for "A METHOD FOR PERSONALIZING HOSPITAL INTRANET WEB SITES" describing a method of personalizing communication via the intranet based on declared interest, user environment and and technical constraints of the receiving equipment. in aforesaid application, it is the data content or service that is adapted to the user profile. In the current invention, it is the upgrading or modifying of a technical functionality of the equipment under user-profile control.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing system  100 of the invention. System 100 comprises multiple CE devices of an end-user, such as a set-top box 102 (e.g., the WebTV of Philips Electronics), a TV receiver 104, a home entertainment sub-system 106 (e.g., the DVX8000 of Philips Electronics), and a PDA 108 (e.g., the Nino of Philips Electronics that has a wireless transceiver). Set-top box 102 comprises a device that enables television set 104 to become a user interface to the Internet. Set-top box 102 contains a Web browser (i.e., a Hypertext Transfer Protocol client) and the Internet's main program, TCP/IP. Set-top box 102 is connected to a service 110, e.g., through a telephone line as, for example, with WebTV. TV receiver 104 is connected to a data and video delivery service 112 such as contemplated by, e.g., the company TiVo. This start-up company has developed a data and video delivery service for a VCR that allows digital recording from TV scan for programs based on user preferences and enables customized ad delivery. The DVX8000 sub-system 106 is connected to an ISP or ISDN network 114. PDA 108 communicates via a wireless network 116 with other PDA's (not shown), with laptops (not shown), etc. Each of devices 102-108 is enabled to communicate via the Internet 118.
System  100 further comprises as a back-end architecture a registration server 120, a user-profile data base 122, a feature data base 124 and a feature management server 126. Server 120 registers user preferences of devices 102-108. Preferences may be explicitly supplied by the end-user in order to be registered at server 120 and/or implicitly derived from, e.g., a user-profile gradually built-up through relations with the hardware and/or service provider. User-preferences relate to, for example, context of use (e.g., profession, hobbies, home, office, hotel, school, college, airport, shopping mall), device characteristics, user-needs. Registration server 120 passes on to user-profile data base 122 the information about each particular end-user registered. Feature data base 124 contains information about new features, services and devices and is being kept up-to-date by the service provider, e.g., the manufacturer(s) of devices 102-108. For each particular end-user registered, feature management server 126 associates the user-profile as stored in data base 122 with features, devices and services, information about which is made available through feature data base 124 in order to notify the end-user of new features, devices or services, items on-sale, etc., that are likely to be of interest to the end-user given his/her profile. For example, server 126 notifies the end-user of new releases of software included in one of more of devices 102-108 in order to have these devices upgraded if and when desired and via, e.g., the Internet. The information about end-user's equipment 102-108 and their configuration is available through user-profile data base 122. As another example, server 126 notifies the end-user of new functionalities in terms of software applications and/or hardware components that can be added to one or more of devices 102-108 by way of upgrade. For example, assume that a new voice recognition software program and a voice input/output module have become available for one or more of devices 102-108. Since this end-user has been registered as owning devices 102-108, server 126 notifies this end-user of the possibility to have his/her equipment upgraded. The user may order the software and hardware modules through the Internet. He/she gets the software downloaded automatically if and when desired via the Internet. The hardware module is being shipped to the end-user together with clear instructions how to add this module to his/her equipment 102-108. Alternatively, or subsidiarily, server 126 also provides an online help desk for assisting the end-user with installing the new components. In this manner, an end-user's device has become a flexible repository into which the consumer/end-user can place new and exciting features over time. Since the notification is user-profile controlled, the end-user is enabled to customize his/her equipment in a guided manner. As another example, the end-user has specified a certain log-in shield when turning on a particular device or service, e.g., PDA 108. See for example, U.S. application Ser. No. 09/151,578 (Attorney docket PHA 23,496) "CONTEXT SENSITIVE LOG-IN SHIELD" of Bart de Greef, filed Sept. 11, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference. This reference relates to a login shield that controls access to a computer, a network system or another information processing system. The login shield provides for the selection of context and application options. At login, the user has the option to identify a context, from which the login shield identifies an initial workspace or set of workspaces. The login shield prompts the user for identification information and compares the identification information to a set of authorized users. If a match is found, the login shield establishes the initial workspace and launches the selected applications. The user is also provided a means to create and define alternative contexts for selection at login. By allowing the user to define and select among alternative contexts at the start of the login process, the overhead associated with the login process can be minimized to that required for each particular user context. Once this login shield has been specified for device 108, the user can specify that other devices 104-106 be set via server 126 to also provide a similar login shield. Thus, and in general, user-preferences can be transferred to other network-enabled devices of the end-user, and to future network-enabled devices when the user has connected them to the network.
Preferably, devices  102-108 enable the user to contact the back-end architecture (servers 120 and 126) through a consistent UI, e.g., a standardized GUI on a display of one or more devices 102-108 or on a remote control, e.g., the programmable universal remote controller "Pronto" of Philips Electronics, which has an LCD with a resolution high enough for this purpose. Preferably, the UI provides a standardized single key to start with a single touch communication with the back-end architecture in order to simplify user-interaction and to motivate users to enquire about what is new and available to them. If there is more than one user for equipment 102-108 further information processing may be necessary for selective personalization.
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram  200 illustrating various aspects of the method according to the invention. In step 202, the user-profile, or its update as the case may be, is registered with registration server 120. For example, registration is done explicitly by the user by providing information about context of use, device characteristics, personal interests, etc. Alternatively, or subsidiarily, the registration is accomplished automatically upon the user connecting the equipment to network 118 for the first time or since a particular time interval has elapsed. In the latter case, registration is limited to device characteristics and possibly the site through a device identifier and site identifier. In step 204, server 120 stores the profile or its update in data base 122. In step 206, feature server 126 queries feature data base 124 in order to determine if the user as registered should be notified of a new feature that fits in with his/her registered equipment given his/her profile. Upon finding such a match in step 208, feature server 126 notifies the user of this feature in step 212 when the user has logged in on server system 120-126, e.g., through a specific one-button action at his/her equipment 102-108 in step 210. If the user decides in step 214 not to take advantage of this offer, the process returns to step 202 to update the user's profile in data base 122 with the information that this specific user is not interested in the feature found. If the user decides in step 214 to take advantage of the offer he/she gets, in step 216, the feature downloaded via network 118 if the feature is a software-controlled functionality or gets a notification that the feature will be shipped in case it comprises hardware. The process returns to step 202 for updating this user's profile with the information that he/she is interested in the feature found.
notifying the end-user via the network of the option to select the feature for being added to the equipment.
providing the feature for the first and second apparatus via the network upon the user having selected the feature.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the feature comprises a software module downloadable via the network.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the feature comprises a hardware module.


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Boston loves to party, Boston also loves beer. Since Boston loves beer so much it's popped up some of the best breweries in New England, here are a few of the local's favorites – book a brewery tour with Go Boston Shuttle to ensure that you see all of the must see and taste breweries on your trip!
Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall – Located at 306 Northern Avenue in Boston, MA it was founded in 1986 by three friends that enjoyed beer. Since then, Harpoon has become a local favorite. Harpoon has a laundry list of different beers from IPA's, ciders, and seasonal to Golden Ales. The brewery brews up a beer for everyone and they also have some pretty tasty pretzels. Hire a Go Boston Shuttle for the evening!
Turtle Swamp Brewing – Albeit the funny name Turtle Swamp Brewing is brewing up some of the best beer in Massachusetts. Settled into Jamaica Plain at 3377 Washington Street. The brewery offers an array of beer and have everything from Bitters to IPA's and Porters. Turtle swamp offers an indoor taproom as well as an outdoor patio so you can enjoy their craft inside or outside.
Samuel Adams – Jim Koch brewed Sam Adams Boston Lager from his kitchen in 1984, since then it's become one of the most well-known breweries in Boston and one of the best tasting. Samuel Adams is infamous for their Cold Snap which is a white Ale that's spicy but very refreshing at the same time. You can find Sam Adams at 30 Germania Street, Boston MA.
Trillium Brewing – Located at 369 Congress Street in Boston, MA Trillium is a rather new brewery that currently has half a million beers aging! Trillium opened up in March 2013. The brewery was opened by a couple who had a dream of making beer, and they made it happen. If you stop by make sure to try their Fort Point pale ale which is a direct reflection of Fort Point itself.
Downeast Cider House – Although not a brewery, this cider house is a local favorite. Located at 256 Marginal St. bldg. 32 in East Boston. The cider house is serving up fruity brews all the time, their classic original blend is always on tap and is a local favorite. They also have newer ciders on tap like the Roasted Joe which is a coffee and bourbon infused cider perfect for the coffee enthusiast in your life. If you like something a little sourer they have a hopped grapefruit cider on tap as well.


text:
Why can't today's mainstream media deal with anti-establishment politicians? by Ali Reza Naraghi
Why can't today's mainstream media deal with anti-establishment politicians?
by Ali Reza Naraghi
In case you missed it, Britain has a new leader of the opposition, even if the news media doesn't yet know quite what to make of him. Consider this: when Jeremy Corbyn threw his hat into the ring for the Labour leadership, even the most liberal media outlets initially wrote him off as a fringe anti-establishment candidate, out of touch with the political mainstream.
In the US, another candidate largely dismissed by the media for being too liberal, Bernie Sanders, continues to draw huge crowds to his rallies. It seems leftist anti-corporate movements that have plenty in common with Corbyn and Sanders are bursting onto the scene everywhere, not because of, but despite their treatment by mainstream news media.
'They just don't get it.'
It's not really surprising that the British news media failed to predict Jeremy Corbyn's victory. Even Corbyn himself said he did not expect to become the leader of the opposition. In the immediate aftermath of his victory, Corbyn said that much of the media were out of touch with most voters' daily lives. "They simply do not understand what's going on out there," he noted. "They just don't get it."
The best example of the UK media's short-sightedness can be found in its blatant manoeuvering around the critical issues facing the average British voter. The attention given to the likes of Ukip's Nigel Farage, who thrives by injecting little real applicable policy into his divisive narrative of fear, fits perfectly into the template of shallow buzz-inducing headlines.
Today's media coverage often focuses on negative cosmetics that have no practical effect on the lives of average people, and this effectively circumvents any informative analysis of anyone's actual platform. The sparse coverage of such issues as the housing crisis, the deep problems in education or the slicing and dicing of the NHS by the Conservative government, confirms mainstream journalism's lack of appetite when it comes to dealing with meaningful public concerns.
Is the best strategy no strategy?
Corbyn's success comes about in part because of his slightly antagonistic relationship with the media. He has no observable media strategy at all and appears to be utterly disinterested in talking to the press. By treating them so carelessly, he manages to expose their irrelevance to substantive reporting.
Perhaps this comes down to plain old political ideology. The people who support Corbyn are the same people who are distrustful of both the media agenda and the prevailing political culture in the UK. The fact that he did not try to placate the media right from the start built a certain level of respect for his platform in the eyes of the many people who already distrust these institutions. Let's not forget that 70% of all newspapers sold in the UK are considered right wing, and their influence goes well beyond newsstands.
This isn't your father's newspaper.
Many young voters are saying the media is obsessed with delivering the news in the old way: focusing only on the binary opposition between left and right without any consideration for the issues they really care about. This attitude is rendering the old-fashioned media out of their list of news options. In the larger picture of journalistic ethics, candidates like Corbyn and Sanders with their seemingly disarming approach are stripping the credibility from mainstream news organizations by ridiculing the robotic formalities that serve their shallow analyses of the issues. They are forcing journalists to accept that some of the rules they assumed were an indispensable part of the game are no longer applicable.
American candidates are out-Trumping each other.
Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator trying to win the Democrats' nomination for the White House, has a hill to climb, media-wise. His speeches are laden with socialist policies designed to bridge the expanding gap between the rich and poor in America. From the outset, despite attracting the largest crowds of all the other candidates, Sanders could not attract a proportionate amount of media attention.
He is not just running against Hillary Clinton's grandiose brand, he is also competing for media coverage against the Donald Trump campaign on the Republican side. Sanders constantly complains of the media obsession with, and addiction to, conflict and entertainment instead of the real policy issues the country faces. How does Sanders compare? Even with healthy polling numbers, he has had a total of about eight minutes of coverage on network news (about 1.5 % of all the candidates' coverage).
President Trump? Really?
On the other hand, the US media is infatuated with Donald Trump. The always-quotable billionaire is all over American airwaves and he is showing well in the polls, which might not be a coincidence given the disproportionate coverage he has received. Frankly, there is no journalistic justification for the amount of attention the US media is giving 'The Donald' other than reality TV entertainment. Trump is the poster boy for the relationship between the mainstream media and the entertainment culture, which rewards intellectual laziness and erodes political awareness.
The one positive aspect about Trump's candidacy is that with his outrageous language and views (and his accordingly over-proportionate coverage), he has made clear how much today's journalistic culture has lost its engagement, integrity and ability to meaningfully dissect the monumental issues and policy challenges confronting the US. As Bernie Sanders points out, the media today is sacrificing serious journalism for reporting that is "simple and stupid."
Reality politicians or real politicians?
Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn have much in common. Both are relatively old-school socialists whose policies are being filtered through the lenses of media outlets more accustomed to the bombastic, theatrical brand of politics that a candidate like Donald Trump or Nigel Farage delivers.
We know why news works like this: ratings, viewership and profit margins dictate that priority be given to topics which generate more buzz. Controversial candidates get more attention simply because they are damn good entertainment, if little more. This is why alternative sources of news media and other platforms are becoming much more important to an electorate that urgently needs not just to be entertained, but to be informed.
Photo: James Grundy/Flickr

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
market disruption, disruptive innovation, job-to-be-done
Starbucks: Ripe for Disruption, or Already Disrupted?
I suspect most people have heard by now of the kerfuffle about an internal memo, leaked through a popular Starbucks fan blogsite and ultimately covered by BusinessWeek, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CNN, etc., which was penned by the founder and chairman of Starbucks, Howard Schultz. Certainly the blogosphere is a-buzz with the come-to-Jesus nature of Schultz's personal revelation that Starbucks may have lost its mystique. I counted hundreds of blog postings - right up there with Britney Spears haircut and Anna Nicole Smith in popularity.
The memo itself was an interesting document that raises eyebrows and questions: although addressed to the president and other senior execs, was it always intended to be leaked via social media, into the mainstream press and back to the blogosphere? It has certainly created a lot of passionate commentary and free advertising for Starbucks.
Was it really intended to tell the public that Starbucks knows that people are complaining and that the competitive sands are shifting? Was it a message to investors that the company needs to slow growth and fix the experience to save the brand and that it's going to cost a bundle?
Or was it just the confessions of a founder and Chairman, purging feelings of guilt about a loss of soul, and a plea to executives for salvation? (Which, incidentally made Starbucks look good while rallying those who are still passionate about the brand experience to Starbucks' defense?)
No matter which of these it was, it was a brilliant document, but it may be too little too late.
Too Little, Too Latte? Starbucks is the World's Pre-eminent Coffee Brand: How Can it Be So?
It really depends on whether the executives realize that disruption is afoot, and that there's much more going on here than the diminution of brand experience. To properly address this question, and explain why disruption is the real problem, it helps to go back to the beginning, and define the innovation that led to Starbucks becoming a household name approaching 15,000 stores around the world.
What problem did Starbucks solve for its customers?
Anyone who travelled in Europe BS (Before Starbucks) would have marvelled at the quality and variety of coffee, and the cafe culture there. Especially in places like Italy and France.
The coffees were strong, but fresh, well-prepared and a perfect complement to a day of sitting on a sidewalk under an umbrella people-watching, or to end a perfect meal, or a delightful jolt to start the day with a pain chocolat or even just toast and eggs. You would have wondered how everywhere you went, coffee could taste so strong, yet be so delicious and universally good.
On this side of the pond (outside of your favorite Little Italy restaurant), it was almost impossible to get a decent cup of coffee, and especially to get a strong cup that was drinkable. I remember wondering after every trip why it was that good coffee on our side of the pond was an oxymoron whilst on their side, it was impossible to get a bad one.
It wasn't just that most (North) American coffees were made from Robusta versus the superior Arabica beans. It also had to do with poor roasting, poor quality control, and the fact that we got used to crappy coffee during the second world war when everything was rationed and/or watered down.
By the 50s, everything was about speed and automation, and so we made matters worse by going from percolated to instant to freeze dried to Coffee-Mate powdered creamer (another oxymoron). We drank it by the gallon, rotting our stomachs, taste buds and brains in the process.
It was purely about the caffeine and the speed. (Wonder why we never distilled out the caffeine and dispensed it straight via injection?). Yes, in a few big cities, you could find that rare place that would serve a great European-style coffee, and sometimes even with a bit of the ambiance, but that was so small a percentage of consumption that it barely qualified as an exception to the rule.
The story is apocryphal, and published on Starbucks website, and in Schultz's book, about how Schultz felt exactly this way on visits to Milano, and decided that it was time Americans got to upgrade their coffee experience. And, not just create a better cup of coffee, but the same smell and feel and cultured experience and ambiance that you felt in a great Italian coffee bar. That was the beginning of Starbucks as we know it.
We'd been upgrading the experience for ourselves, as much as we could with drip coffee becoming more the norm in the 70s and 80s versus instant, but the vast majority of Americans had never had a quality cup of coffee nor enjoyed the sensuality of the European coffee culture. So, when Starbucks hit Seattle, we were ready for something different.
So What About Disruption?
Disruption theory says that products or services evolve incrementally to better meet the needs of the most demanding customers, but eventually overshoot the needs of most consumers. In this process, the incumbents that dominate the existing market build processes and operational efficiencies that enable them to maximize profitability and continually introduce new "sustaining innovations".
In the short term, these series of decisions that improve processes and efficiency are seen as good management, delivering better profits. In the long term, however, they create the opportunity for a disruptive innovator to enter the scene.
At the time when Starbucks began, the big coffee suppliers had enormously overshot the needs of their customers for a cheap, fast cup of coffee. Yet, each "innovation" they introduced kept on making the product either cheaper or faster to prepare, stripping the product of the original reasons we became addicted to it - its flavor first and foremost, but also its ability to facilitate social interaction, savor a great meal, sit and relax, etc.
So Starbucks was a disruptive innovator. It brought flavor, a friendly social setting (the "third place"), quality, plus the consistency that only a chain can do. They brought back the smells, the sensuality, and introduced to Americans a "European experience" -- and, what Schultz has described as the sense of theater.
But isn't disruptive innovation "low-end"? How does a $5 cuppa disrupt?
But, you might be saying, Starbucks introduced a high-end innovation -- disruptive innovations typically are aimed at the low-end markets and low-end needs. Well, you'd be right, usually, but the question is: what needs were low-end, or more accurately underserved?
The characteristic that initially made Starbucks a small niche disruption was the speed. The big producers were optimized for speed above all else, not flavor and certainly not the organic pleasure of a gathering place with great smells where you hang out with your friends.
The characteristic of Starbucks' innovation that was just good enough for the original niche of coffee culture appreciators was the speed. They were happy to sacrifice the speed of picking up a pot of coffee off the Bunn burner (ironic that they called these things burners, because that's what they did/do to most pots left longer than 5 minutes) and pouring it straight to the cup and from there to the lips, in order to drink something they truly enjoyed, and to experience the coffee bar ambiance.
Initially, potential competitors to Starbucks ignored them because the market wasn't big enough for Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds to care about. To them, Starbucks coffee drinkers were aficionados -- a tiny specialized segment that had nothing to do with the mainstream, who they perceived still mostly wanted speed.
This ignorance is typical (and logical) to mainstream vendors who aim to maximize profit by serving the largest market as efficiently as possible. It also allowed Starbucks to "fly under the radar" for a long time -- over 20 years of strong growth -- allowing them to build their market unimpeded by real competition.
Yes, there are smaller chain coffee brands, like Caribou and Peets, etc., but their presence serves to expand the market for all specialty coffee vendors, and benefits the leader, i.e. Starbucks, disproportionately. But, Starbuck has become mainstream, and they can no longer hide -- they are officially perceived as a real threat to the foodservice business of other big companies.
But Starbucks is the leader and still growing. Are you seriously saying they might be "disrupted"? By who, and how?
As noted, disruption can take a long time to play out, and the seeds are sown long before the heavy damage is done.
As Starbucks has grown, they have focused on operational efficiencies to grow faster and more profitably. Efficiencies such as automatic espresso machines, flavor-sealed packaging (which eliminates the great smell of a real coffee shop), and expanding merchandise options ("would you like some fries with that doppio mocha latte half-caf with low fat milk?") to extract every last penny of same-store sales growth.
In the process, they have incrementally sacrificed seemingly small parts of the experience -- the smell, the theater, the ambiance (who wants a line snaking around the tables while you're trying to relax or have a conversation over a cuppa?), the service quality (rapid growth almost always comes with higher turnover and poorer training -- by now, we've all experienced the surly baristas who won't go the extra mile, but still make too many mistakes), etc.
The endgame: they've reduced themselves to serving a pretty-good-but-not-outstanding cup of coffee, too slowly and at too high a price. And, more importantly, they've overshot the needs of their customers, and are ripe for disruption.
To speed up coffee service in order to sell everything else too, they installed automatic machines. Automatic machines can be more consistent, especially for inexperienced operators, but they also reduce the flavor and the authenticity of the experience, and show competitors how they too can produce a cup just as good as Starbucks (i.e. open themselves to commoditization). This was an unnecessary and ill-advised "innovation".
Customers didn't ask for it, would probably agree that they didn't need it, and in general would feel that they are getting less for their money. Do I really need a bacon and egg (McMuffin) breakfast with my espresso?
Again, the more I overlap with my competition, the more I illustrate to them how to compete with me. And now I smell eggs cooking, not coffee beans and fresh espresso. Not wise.
Most fanatical customers who still are, were more fanatical 10 years ago, so what have these innovations added?
In becoming ubiquitous, the mystique is demystified, the coffee which was the central feature has become a means to sell myriad other food items and irrelevant merchandise (t-shirts anyone?), and the taste and smell and comfort have all been diminished. Yet, the high price remains. And, therein lie the seeds for potential disruption.
Because now, wanting a good cup of coffee has become mainstream, and Starbucks has become focused on speed (but not really), and efficiency, and foodservice, and add-on sales and rapid growth, they now face a new reality.
It's easy to add a pretty good cup of coffee to the menu. Especially for companies like McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts who already served coffee. All they have to do is add middle-of-the-road or better automatic machines to their operation, and they're almost as good.
But, they excel at real speed and efficiency, and are optimized to process customers in seconds or at most a minute or two, whereas Starbucks will never get that fast without redesigning every store and adding a lot more baristas. Moreover, they are value-oriented -- i.e. cheap. For McDonalds, $1.25 for coffee is an improvement in margin, but for Starbucks, it's impossible to go that low.
So, if I can get something almost as good for 1/3 the price, is that 'good enough'? Heck, even the the local QuikTrip service stations can create a relatively decent cup of coffee or espresso now.
And, more than commoditization, Starbucks' real problem now is that the competition is 'good enough' to be disruptive and undermine their business. But here's the real conundrum Starbucks faces. It will be almost impossible to go back.
Replacing the automatic machines with better quality semi-automatic or manual, and fresh ground and hand-tamped shots means throwing out a lot of expensive machines. It means they will go a bit slower for each coffee, which also means they'll need more people and more space for brewing. And, they'll need to increase their training expense enormously.
It will be hard to explain to investors why all the superfluous merchandise needs to come out of the stores, and why same-store sales will likely decrease. It will be even harder to recognize that for the mainstream coffee consumer, a $1.25 cup of coffee is good enough, even if I can't quite bring myself to visit McDonalds, and so there will be increasing downward pressure on price.
And, if they don't want to compete on price, then they probably already have too many stores, because the average consumer won't continue to spend a premium price for a commodity that is only marginally better than the competition.
Coffee Customization at Its Finest
Coffee art from danyrolux on Vimeo.
To Schultz's credit, he recognizes that all is not well. And, he's recognizing it at a time of apparent strength. Starbucks just announced another record year where revenue grew 23%, 1177 new stores were added, and same-store sales increased 6% over the previous year (although the rate of increase is slowing, these are still impressive numbers for a $6.7B company.
If he can convince his executives and board and investors that a strategic overhaul is required to address the looming disruption, then he may well be able to avert it, but it isn't as simple now as returning to the good old days of better quality machines, better service, less merchandise, whole beans scooped out of bins rather than prepackaged in flavor-sealed bags, more uniqueness in each store, etc. They will need a plan designed specifically to address the disruption Starbucks faces from new competitors, or else the disruptor will become the disruptee.
Acknowledging that the market has changed irrevocably, and is now attracting disruptive 'good enough' solutions for quality coffee, but at a lower price and faster pace, what would you do to re-energize Starbucks and fend off a loss of leadership position in the coming years?
Links for coffee fans
Koffee Korner - coffee history and culture
CoffeeResearch.org - the science of coffee
Wikipedia - coffee history
Wikipedia (2) - all about coffee
Starbucks Gossip - blog that broke the story
There is a follow up article to this post here: Has Starbucks gone far enough?
Tagged: Starbucks, coffee, incumbent vs challenger, competition


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Red Magic 8 Pro Launch globally on 16 Jan Confirmed
It has up to 256GB of internal storage and up to 12GB of RAM.
in Mobile, Tech
The Red Magic 8 Pro series of high-end gaming cellphones were introduced in China last month. The Red Magic 8 Pro and Red Magic 8 Pro+ are the two devices in the series. The Red Magic 8 Pro has now been introduced to the world market, according to the firm.
The device's official teaser says that 65W fast charging will be available on the Red Magic 8 Pro worldwide model. Recall that the same smartphone supports 80W fast charging in its Chinese version. The battery's capacity will remain at 6,000mAh, however. We'll have to wait and see whether the company decided to adjust any additional characteristics for the international market.
Red Magic 8 Pro specifications
Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU, the Red Magic 8 Pro is already available in China. It has up to 256GB of internal storage and up to 12GB of RAM.
WhatsApp is releasing New Camera & Photo Editing Features; Coming Soon!
Poco X5 Pro Price in Pakistan & Check all features
It has a 6.8-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2480 x 1116 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. The smartphones also come with ultra-linear twin stereo speakers that handle 96 kHz lossless audio, 48 ms low latency, and Snapdragon sound.
The device's triple camera arrangement on the rear consists of a 50-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle lens, and a megapixel macro sensor. The front of the device has a 16-megapixel selfie camera hidden behind the display.
The large 6,000mAh battery pack within the Red Magic 8 Pro enables 80W quick charging and, according to the manufacturer, may last for an impressive 47 hours. Red Magic OS 6.0, a custom skin based on Android 13 OS, is pre-installed on the device.
For the latest Business & Tech news, follow us on Facebook, and Google News. For the latest news on business & technology
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Price in Dubai & Specs
Apple iPhone 15 to Include Wi-Fi 6E, Just Like the New iPad Pro and Macs
Xiaomi Note 10 Pro Price in Pakistan 2023 & Specifications
OPPO Reno 8T Price in Pakistan 2023 & Specifications


I am so incredibly excited to share that 2 of my images were selected for the Fearless Photographers Awards October 2013 collection! I found out over 13,000 images were entered from photographers around the world and just 356 were selected!
Every 2 months, a curated competition is open for submissions from our members. Of these submissions, less than 1 in 10 images – the top 3-5 percent – are selected by a panel of curators as "Fearless Awards" – photographs that excel in redefining wedding photography. These awards are added to the photographers' portfolio pages and are used to determine their rankings.


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Actress Reiko Takashima announces divorce from ex-actor Noboru Takachi, citing his 'betrayal'
Aug. 3, 2016 06:29 am JST Aug. 3, 2016 | 06:47 am JST
Actress Reiko Takashima, 52, has announced her divorce from former actor Noboru Takachi, 51, who was arrested in June on suspicion of possessing stimulants and marijuana.
Takashima's agency informed the press in a fax that she had filed for divorce after 17 years of marriage from Takachi whose real name is Joji Osaki. The fax read, "We hope you can understand her decision and continue to warmly watch over her," Sankei Shimbun reported Tuesday.
One month has elapsed since the press conference at which Takashima tearfully apologized for Takachi's arrest. She said her decision to divorce him was swayed by his "double betrayal" of drug use and having an affair. Takachi was arrested for possession of four grams of stimulants and two grams of marijuana at a Yokohama love hotel, while he was with Atsuko Isokawa, 33, an acquaintance and bar hostess, media reported.
Takashima has just finished filming the TV Asahi police drama "Onnatachi no Tokusou Saizensen" (broadcast Thursdays at 8 p.m.) and returned to Tokyo on July 30, the day after Takachi was released on bail. When he posted bail, Takachi told media that he hoped to reconcile with Takashima.
During the public apology press conference in June, Takashima said: "Hereafter, I have to make a decision based on my husband's future behavior."
Howver, she never once mentioned the word "divorce" throughout the press conference. Sources close to the actress are wary that Takachi will once again "break her heart" and are vigilantly watching over her, tabloid media reported.
sensei258
Aug. 3, 2016 07:04 am JST
Can't blame her. I hope she finds her happiness.
Why is she an "actress" and he's a "former actor"? Did he retire?
Takachi was arrested for possession of four grams of stimulants and two grams of marijuana at a Yokohama love hotel, while he was with Atsuko Isokawa, 33, an acquaintance and bar hostess, media reported.
Wow...outing the other woman, and one who is not a celebrity either. Interested to see what she does about this. 51 year old guy with a 33 year old woman......Hmmmm
Sources close to the actress are wary that Takachi will once again "break her heart" and are vigilantly watching over her, tabloid media reported.
Melodrama....she's a grown woman, and an actress to boot, not some fragile naive child.
Puerile.
I haven't used a fax machine for at least 10 years. Don't these people have access to e-mail?
Long time readers of JT know that the fax is the 'official delivery medium' for informing the press and readers of news in the world of 'tarento', sports and celebrities.
garfield1275
Does this mean than other celebrities are clean? I seriously doubt.
Or this guy was just foolish enough to get caught in the act.
Check the balance in his bank account. Thats the real reason for the actress to divorce him. Stop selling this crap in the name of betrayal and affair. They look good only in movies, not in a society where everything is evaluated and weighed in monetary terms.
Wakarimasen
Poor thing. Forced into public humiliation by fax.
Simon Foston
"... continue to warmly watch over her,"
That must be some twee Japanese expression that doesn't translate well into English.
dharmadan
"We hope you can understand her decision and continue to warmly watch over her,"
What the hell does this even mean? 2. Why is this request delivered to the media?
Peter Payne
She is one of the most beautiful women in Japan. And back on the market, hmm....
Educator60
Aug. 3, 2016 12:18 pm JST
Nessie at Aug. 03, 2016 - 07:10AM JST "Why is she an "actress" and he's a "former actor"? Did he retire?"
Yes, he retired last year and was engaged in an esthetic salon business.
Yubaru, "Wow...outing the other woman, and one who is not a celebrity either"
She was already "outed" and her name made public when she was arrested with him. And before that she was all over Facebook or whatever by her own hand.
Scrote at Aug. 03, 2016 - 08:57AM JST "I haven't used a fax machine for at least 10 years. Don't these people have access to e-mail?"
Handwriting is still valued in Japan, sometimes such a media announcement fax will have a handwritten signature, sometimes the entire message. Sometimes they are displayed on TV shows or in magazines. You don't want to use a fax, fine. But you don't need to berate others for their choice. Some celebrities here announce things on a blog, Twitter, Line of whatever. But some prefer the fax, what's it to you?
theeastisred
She is one of the most beautiful women in Japan.
I agree. I saw her once in Ikea, Honmoku. It was difficult not to stare. Anyway I hope she gets over it with everyone warmly watching over her.
dharmadan at Aug. 03, 2016 - 11:56AM JST ""We hope you can understand her decision and continue to warmly watch over her,"
What the hell does this even mean? 2. Why is this request delivered to the media?"
If you've ever read any US celebrity news you might have noticed that the go to cliche is "WX and YZ ask that their family's privacy be respected at this sad/difficult time." They also often add something like "Thry would be grateful if you would keep them in your thoughts and prayers." This is just the very similar Japanese equivalent asking fans and others to think warm and supportive thoughts and let her get on with life without a major fuss.
I belatedly noticed the headline says Takashima "cited" the betrayal as her reason for divorcing but is that accurate? All the Japanesd accounts I've seen just said her management agency announced that they'd been notified that she had filed the divorce papers. (Which earlier reports said Takachi had sent to her with his side completed before he was bailed out.)
@PeterPayne,@theeastisred: High mainetenance cost. I imagine, any guy as her husband would be stressed beyond limits.Guys will keep hitting on her anyways. I am sure she is well aware of this. So she better stay single. Gorgeous women usually don't make good housewives, just my perception.
Thanks, Educator. Good stuff.
It seems the fax of the case have been revealed.
presto345
Takachi was not acting when arrested? He was already 'former' I guess. This jerk is cheap - and dumb.
You're very welcome, Nessie
Reckless, Time has passed and details getting fuzzy but wasn't it that they had spotted them (of one of them) making a drug buy and waited outside the hotel to give them time to use it? They may have had their eye on one or both of them from before. I don't think there was any suggestion of spying into their hotel room.
Garfield1275, Why do you say Takashima is high maintenance? My impression of her is rather the opposite. In any case they were married since 1999 and seemed to be quite happy for much of that time. Anyway, so what if she (did or) didn't make a "good housewife"? She has a good, busy career as an actress (his career was less stellar than hers but not too shabby) and I'm pretty sure if they needed help around the house they could have afforded to pay for it.
Sparky Santos
I hope both can find happiness.
zurcronium
Yakuza Wives: Burning Desire
One of her many films.
karlrb
Scrote: The Japanese continued use of 'fax machines' is quite impressive. Being that anything that can be faxed can be emailed/faxed via a computer, you have to be 'impressed' by their continued use of 20th century technology. I haven't used a fax for over 20 years and if I had to send a fax to someone here in Japan (often) I'd just subscribe to a fax service for around 1000 yen a month and then use my computer as if it was a fax.
who divorced who? Photos?
Tywan Jacob
Apr. 6, 2020 06:53 am JST
Man, this is rather TRAGIC! She is definitely not a bad looking woman, yet she made the mistake of marrying this jerk-off of a guy! If he was more attentive to her, perhaps they would have children by now. If I were in his position, I know I would!!


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If you are facing a claim on the basis of advice you have given or work you have performed for a client, you need to be able to prove exactly what you agreed to do. Unambiguous written letters of engagement will help your case.
As I put the finishing touches to another settlement of a litigated claim against a professional adviser, it occurred to me how common these claims are – and how difficult they are to defend – when, at the heart of the dispute, is the question of the scope of the professional's retainer.
Many times I have rolled up my sleeves ready to tackle the big issues in the defence of a new claim, seeking to determine if the work performed or advice given was careless, only to be confronted by a more simple issue: the professional says they were not engaged to do the work at the heart of the complaint, but the client says otherwise. For accountants, tax advisers, building professionals, lawyers or financial advisers, the complaint is frustratingly common.
The retainer is a shorthand way of describing what the professional agreed to do for the client. Usually, but not always, the terms of the retainer are set out in an engagement letter that the client signs, or at least acknowledges. The letter generally sets out the contractual terms and conditions by which the professional agrees to act.
A formal letter of engagement is not necessary to establish a contractual relationship between a professional and client – an invoice, a note or the facts alone may establish a contractual relationship. The professional may owe a duty to exercise reasonable care to the client in any event, absent any clear contractual relationship.
When things go wrong and losses are suffered, recourse to the professional adviser is common. What is important is that when this occurs, the professional adviser must be clear about what they agreed to do. Unambiguous written engagement letters will assist.
Such clarity may not eliminate the claim, but will take out one element of ambiguity in the litigation, and some headaches for your defence team. The more ambiguity there is in what a professional did, or agreed to do, (imprecise engagement terms, poor documentation and file maintenance), the greater the pressure points the claimant has against that professional in litigation. How can you explain to a court what you did, or agreed to do, if you cannot show this by clear documentation, and when the client says otherwise?
When sued, the professional dusts off the file (sometimes archived years ago), digs down to extract the engagement letter, and assuming one exists (not an assumption that always proves correct), the letter often describes in the most general sense what services are to be provided. Then we get into nasty disputes about who agreed to do what.
It is common for claims against professionals to be commenced many years after the services complained of were provided. Hence, you need to make it clear from the beginning what services were agreed on, before memories fade and documents are lost.
A professional will always say they were clear about what work was to be performed, and they are now astounded the client would say otherwise. Yet, where there is imprecise language in an engagement letter, the courts are inclined to give the client the benefit of the doubt, often taking the view that it was the professional's obligation to be clear about the retainer.
To avoid litigation and to adopt good risk management procedures, before you shoot off your standard form engagement letter for your next assignment, warmed by the inner glow of securing a new matter or client, pause for a moment and take some time to think about what services you are to provide, and why.
Here some simple points on the need to be clear about your engagement and some suggestions to avoid that nasty dispute.
It sounds obvious, but put the terms of any engagement in writing from the beginning. You would be surprised how many professionals overlook this basic step.
Understand clearly what your client wants in the way of services: is it a specific task or matter, or a more general, all-encompassing engagement? The latter case requires more attention to describing in your engagement what you will or will not do.
Too often engagement letters are long on detail, with standard terms and conditions regarding billing and costs, but short on an accurate description of what services are to be provided. The description of the services to be provided is usually a short one-liner, inserted by the word processor among the detail of the pro forma terms and conditions.
Use simple but precise language in setting out your engagement. It does not have to be detailed if the task is clear. But be as specific as possible. Language incorporating general expressions is open to different interpretations.
It is impossible to foresee the future, but think about where the engagement might go, based on your experience of similar matters or clients. Will it bring other work, different assignments and different projects? If so, remind yourself to review the engagement letter to ensure you update the engagement to describe these new assignments carefully, and what you have agreed to do.
For example, you might initially start to do a client's annual tax return, but did you agree and understand you were advising generally on the client's overall tax affairs, including some specific and somewhat complex tax issues? The client might say you did, or thought you were. Continuing to update you engagement letter as the work changes is important.
Revising your retainer letter may be a cumbersome process in some circumstances. So make a mental note simply to write a short letter to the client when the occasion arises, and when you find you are doing work not contemplated by the original retainer, to confirm you are not advising them on certain issues, and they must either retain you specifically to do so, or if it is not within your expertise, they must retain someone else.
Lawyers commonly get sued by a client when acting in commercial transactions, with the client thinking they assumed a duty to advise on the financial or commercial aspects of the matter generally. When the complaint is made the lawyer is usually stunned to think they would, or could, provide such services, but a poorly expressed retainer leaves the whole matter open for dispute.
If part of the assignment is not within your expertise, or you do not have the time or resources to do it, say so. It is best be upfront with your client early, rather than face an ugly misunderstanding later.
When a project involves the coordination of multiple advisers or consultants, think about what your specific role might be, and who should be doing what. Does the client fully understand your role and its limitations? Describe it clearly in writing.
My experience is that in co-ordinated projects, advisors often take a narrow view of their duties (sometimes driven by the client's, or their own, cost/fee considerations), and some matters are overlooked. Such assumptions can be terribly wrong.
Co-ordinated projects often end with some nasty losses when an important, but sometimes seemingly insignificant matter, is overlooked by all on the project. The law may impose a duty on you to do things that you thought should be done by others. Better communication may have avoided the problem.
Is there a chance you may be acting for more than one person or entity with different interests? Will their interests conflict? Should they be encouraged to get independent and separate advice? Say so in writing, or state who you will not act for.
The trouble with conflicts is that they are usually not seen at the beginning of a client relationship, but have a habit of rearing their ugly heads in the middle of the assignment, when it is too late to reverse course. It sometimes takes considerable foresight to identify potential conflicts that may arise in an assignment, so be cautious from the start.
The suing of professional advisors when losses are sustained is part of the modern business landscape. Litigation is generally an unpleasant and unhappy experience. Money is spent, management time is wasted, relationships are soured. My suggestions will not bulletproof you from all claims, but may eliminate one point of contention and strengthen your defence on other grounds.
This article was first published by Charter magazine in March 2013.


Substantial pole arms, curved canes and feature criss-cross panels demonstrate some beautiful open workmanship. Finished with feature leather binding and sumptuous high-backed cushions. We've shown here how you can add a contemporary fabric and give a traditional range some wow!


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L'ex Monastero di San Remigio è un antico insediamento abbaziale, sulla riva destra del torrente Albedosa si trova a Parodi Ligure, in provincia di Alessandria.

Storia
La sua storia inizia il 10 giugno 1033 quando il Marchese Adalberto, di stirpe obertenga, e sua moglie Adelaide conferiscono ai monaci di Santa Maria di Castiglione (o Castione) (PR) questa zona, insieme a molte altre terre. L'area era in uno stato di povertà e di abbandono, causato forse anche dalle incursioni saracene, succedutesi nei secoli X e XI, che gravi danni causarono anche alla vicina città di Genova.
I monaci fecero un buon lavoro: bonificarono la paludosa valle dell'Albedosa e costruirono il Monastero, la cui esistenza è attestata in due bolle papali il 13 aprile 1143 (papa Innocenzo II) e il 10 maggio 1144 (papa Lucio II).

Nel 1188 San Remigio e la vicina chiesa di Santo Stefano, da esso dipendente, ha già attratto numerosi insediamenti di famiglie dedite all'agricoltura.

La crescente importanza del Monastero causa dispute tra Santa Maria di Castione, la Diocesi di Tortona e la Diocesi di Genova che se ne contendono l'appartenenza.

Verso la fine del secolo XIV i rapporti con Genova diventano più solidi e si allentano quelli con la casa madre parmense.

Nel 1387 la chiesa è già diventata Parrocchia, compresa nel Vicariato di Gavi e, stando agli "imponibili" fissati dalla Curia genovese, la sua importanza economica è pari alla parrocchiale di Gavi.

La storia prosegue con influenti famiglie genovesi (Isola, Doria ecc.) che se ne contendono il priorato. Nel XVIII secolo tra gli abati figura anche il poeta Carlo Innocenzo Frugoni, nato a Genova, che peraltro rinunciò alla carica nel 1756.

All'inizio del XIX secolo, per l'aumentare della popolazione parrocchiale, la chiesa viene ampliata con l'aggiunta di due navate laterali. Quasi contemporaneamente inizia però anche il declino. Da tempo la popolazione di Parodi lamenta la scomodità della frequenza alle funzioni (il ritorno in paese è un'erta difficile soprattutto per i fedeli più anziani e l'attraversamento del torrente Albedosa non è sempre agevole).

E così nel 1845 i parodesi ottengono l'innalzamento a parrocchia della loro cappella di San Rocco, sita in paese, e San Remigio rimane tale per l'abitato a Est (Cadepiaggio e nuclei limitrofi) ancora per un secolo circa. Nel 1959 una nuova chiesa costruita nel borgo soppianta definitivamente San Remigio.

Da quel momento il declino, anche strutturale, è molto rapido. La Diocesi genovese non ritiene di fare investimenti conservativi e l'edificio, già diroccato, rischia il crollo totale.

Attualità
Ad oggi i beni circostanti la chiesa, fabbricati e terreni, sono frammentati in proprietà private. L'edificio religioso, ormai sconsacrato, venne donato nel 1984 al Comune di Parodi Ligure che seppe trovare i mezzi e il modo per impostare un adeguato restauro. Il lavoro non è stato breve, ma dal 2010 l'ex Monastero è fruibile per attività culturali di vario genere. Durante la stagione estiva ospita concerti, mostre d'arte, spettacoli teatrali.

Bibliografia
 Emilio Podestà, Il monastero di San Remigio di Parodi, in Novinostra n. 2, giugno 1986
Quinto Marini, Carlo Innocenzo Frugoni "non abate di vacuo nome, ma abate di S. Remigio", in La parrocchiale dei Santi Rocco e Sebastiano di Parodi Ligure .© Associazione Amici Biblioteca Franzoniana 1995

Altri progetti

Parodi Ligure
Monasteri del Piemonte
Architetture religiose della provincia di Alessandria

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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The average American spends 5.9 hours a day consuming digital media via cell phones, computers, and streaming services. The internet is a blessing! It connects people in a way that we've never before been connected and it democratizes information by making it widely accessible. That being said, the internet is also a curse. Humans aren't built to be connected to each other in such a constant way. It can also distract us from our immediate worlds and in the year of 2018 you don't need me to tell you it can also spread false ideas and tribalist mentalities. Every sword is doubled-edged, after all.
Sometimes, you just need to unplug. Maybe you need time in nature, away from technology. Maybe you don't care about nature, you just want a relaxing vacation where people can't contact you. Maybe you want to spend more time with your family in a place that requires everyone to be present. It's harder than you think in today's hyper-connected world. The internet and cell phone coverage stretches far and wide across the US, but there are still a few pockets without it. Take a look at these 5 vacation destinations in the US (and one in Mexico that picks you up in the US!) where you can truly get off the grid.
In the mountains close to the eastern border of West Virginia sits a town called Green Bank, where nearly every kind of wireless connectivity is prohibited. That's right, not only is there no wifi, you're also not allowed to have cell phones, cordless phones, garage door openers or remote controlled cars. Green Bank is located inside of the National Radio Quiet Zone, which was created in the 1950's to protect telescopes from the interference of electromagnetic waves. Today, Green Bank is home to the world's largest steerable radio telescope, and "scientists from around the globe use the telescope to explore the universe, searching for signs of extraterrestrial life." Green Bank is the perfect town to visit if you want a true escape from electromagnetic fields, and the technological devices that spread them, of all kinds.
The National Park Service maintains over 84 million acres of land across the United States, so it's no wonder cell phone service doesn't cover all of them. Of course there's poor cell phone service at the bottom of Badwater Basin in Death Valley, at the base of the Grand Canyon, or on the backcountry trails of Yosemite. Still, the lodges and tourist centers at these parks typically have cell phone service and wifi. However, that is not the case at the Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park. There's no cell phone coverage there and while there is limited wifi, they do mean limited. You can access the internet in a common area only and the bandwidth doesn't allow for downloading or streaming. If you're not up for camping but still want the disconnectivity of it all, check out Wuksachi Lodge.
Located about 1.5 hours north of Santa Fe and 1.5 hours south of the Colorado border is Ghost Ranch, a 21,000 acre ranch, education and retreat center. Ghost Ranch's greatest claim to fame is as a muse for Georgia O'Keeffe, the famous American painter who lived on the ranch's property and painted its landscape more than she painted anything else. The ranch is also a paleontological hotbed with many active fossil dig sites in its borders. While two buildings on the ranch have wifi—the cafeteria and the library—it's otherwise a wireless deadzone with no cell phone coverage and one payphone. As long as you avoid logging online at the library or cafeteria, you'll be completely unplugged at Ghost Ranch. Plus, while you're hiking O'Keeffe's famous Chimney Rock, riding horses through the high desert terrain, or walking one of Ghost Ranch's labyrinths, you'll forget to miss the outside world.
Acoustic ecologist and professional sound recordist Gordon Hempton wrote a book called One Square Inch of Silence in which he searches for a place free of human noise. It sounds easier than it is. Hempton specifically defined his goal as finding a place with "no audible human noise intrusions of any kind for a minimum of 15 minutes." He drives across the country looking for such a place that fits his criteria, and in the end he only finds one—the Hoh Rainforest inside Olympic National Park. If you're looking to disconnect not only from technology, but also from humanity, a camping trip in the Hoh Rainforest may be for you.
The Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited National Park in America. It spans both Tennessee and North Carolina, with the majority of tourists visiting the Tennessee side. The North Carolina side, with its Welcome center based in Cherokee, has just as much to offer in terms of natural beauty but there are far less people. Like all National Parks, the cell phone coverage is spotty once you're inside, so if it's a total break from the world you're looking for, make sure to visit the less-populated North Carolina side instead of the Tennessee side.
If you have an American phone plan, once you go outside the bounds of the country it's much easier to find places to unplug simply because your cell phone provider probably doesn't extend that far or because you don't want to pay the exorbitant international fees. Still, if even you're not plugged in while traveling, you're probably surrounded by people who are. Not at Rancho Los Baños along the Sierra Madre mountain range in Sonora, Mexico, which is a working dude ranch. All electricity at Rancho Los Baños is provided by solar power, and there is no cell phone service, wifi or internet. There's also transportation to the ranch from Phoenix, Arizona, making is an easy-to-get-to out of country experience.


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How to Submit a FOIA Request
How to Check on the Status of Your FOIA Request
How to Submit a Privacy Act Request
The Privacy Act (PA)
Executive Order 13526 (EO)
-> Fees & Waivers
-> Classification Categories
-> How to Appeal
-> Requesting Declassification or Historical Access
Other FOIA Programs
Appeal of Declassification Determinations
The CIA will withhold records (or any portion of them) if they are exempt from disclosure under the provisions of EO 13526. If your request is denied, in whole or in part, we must advise you in writing of the reasons (see Classification Categories under the EO) and inform you of your right to appeal to a higher decision-making level within the Agency. EO 13526 permits requesters disagreeing with an Agency decision to file an administrative appeal to the Agency Release Panel (ARP) in care of the Information and Privacy Coordinator, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, D.C. 20505, within 45 days of the date the Agency mailed its initial decision. The ARP consists of senior Agency officials, and one of them--usually the member(s) with subject matter interest--will handle your appeal request and bring it before the entire Panel for a final review.
Your appeal, either directly or through NARA or a Presidential library, must identify specific documents; however, your letter does not need to specify the factual or legal basis of your appeal, although this would be helpful. After the Panel renders its decision, the Agency Coordinator will notify you, NARA, or the particular Presidential library within 10 working days of the decision. This notification will inform you of your right to appeal to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) at the following address: Executive Secretary, Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel, Attn: Mandatory Review Appeals, c/o Information Security Oversight Office, National Archives and Records Administration, 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 5W, Washington, D.C. 20408. ISCAP decisions are final.
Once the administrative appeal process has been exhausted, the EO does not provide for a right of judicial review.
Appeal of Historical Access Determinations
The EO provides no appeal provision following an ARP decision on a request for access by a historical researcher or former Presidential appointee. Requests for historical access, if accepted after meeting the definitional requirement, are generally tasked by the Information and Privacy Coordinator to the appropriate components for review. The Coordinator then prepares a memorandum for the ARP outlining the request and the findings of the tasked components, and then the ARP meets to decide the issue.
On divided votes, any member of the ARP can authorize referral of the request to the CIA Historical Records Policy Board. The HRPB is chaired by the Executive Director of CIA, and the Board members consist of the Deputy Directors of the four directorates and several other senior Agency officials. The decision of the Board is final.
The EO does not provide for a right of judicial review of the Agency's determination.


Cindy grew up in Sauk Centre and raised her three children here. She has five grandchildren. Married to Mike since 2010, she keeps busy with gardening and outdoor activities.
Mike grew up in Sauk Centre but spent 30 years in the Twin Cities metro area. For years, his desire was to transition back to the Sauk Centre area. It finally happened back in 2010 when he and Cindy were married.
Janeen shares and oversees all client scheduling. She also handles many of our free in-home assessments. From an early age, Janeen enjoyed taking care of others. Her work experience includes employment as a nanny, housekeeper, and many years as an Assistant Teacher in a child care center. After having her children, Janeen developed a desire to care for the elderly. She began working at Alternative Senior Care as a personal assistant in 2006 and soon after began working in the office. "I love being able to help families and the caregivers. "In her spare time she enjoys painting, decorating, cooking, baking, and most of all spending quality time with her "greatest blessings" – her two children.
Paula began working at Alternative Senior Care in 2014 as a personal assistant. She started working in the office in January of 2016. Her duties include scheduling and helping with the phones. Paula enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, going for walks and runs photography business in her spare time. She is a wife and mother of three busy girls.
Lisa Dreger is married and lives outside Alexandria, with 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Our family enjoys MN outdoors thru generational camping & lake activities, 4 wheeling, gardening and crafts. My desire to be a caregiver sparked years ago while inpatient and having pivotal caregiver influences mentor me. While they demonstrated the powerful way that caregivers impact lives of others, they "planted a seed" and I knew I wanted to be part of this time honored profession. My initial training was in acute care setting for over a decade. Though that learning experience was amazing, I soon realized my ability to truly help others was limited by time constraints. I then found my niche in Home Care for the next decade, working both in Assisted Living setting and individual homes before coming to ASC. Growing up in a small rural community, my parents taught me the value sharing our talents with others and the realization that we are all on the same journey from "cradle to grave." In their final years, months and days on earth, my mom and dad both renewed my appreciation for our geriatric population, my calling to support our elders' efforts to "age in place" with dignity and the importance as caregivers to provide palliative care with respect.
Michele began working at Alternative Senior Care in 2018 as a personal assistant. She gained deep appreciation for the role in-home care can play in the lives of patients and their caregivers when she lost her father to pancreatic cancer in 2015. Michele enjoys caring for clients and helping them navigate the complex health care system. "I personally experienced the challenge of care-giving when my father was sick. My family greatly benefited from the support of in-home care, and I love being able to offer that to others." These life experiences bring empathy and understanding to her current role as Scheduling Assistant.
Michele extends that care-giving mentality to her personal time as owner of her own massage business. She previously spent nearly 20 years in the banking industry.
Michele and her husband live in Long Prairie. They have two sons and 3 grandchildren.


Introducing the new iGEM Ambassadors!
Safety and Security - are you checking in?
Spotlight on Meetups: Find a Meetup Near You!
June marked the first important deadlines for iGEM teams. 272 teams signed up for the InterLab Study - that's 80% of all teams! If your team is participating in the InterLab Study, don't forget to submit your data by July 27.
There were also several successful Meetups organized by teams around the world, with many more to come in July and August.
There are exciting announcements in this edition - learn more below!
Welcome New 2018 iGEM Ambassadors!
The After iGEM Ambassador Program is proud to announce the newly appointed Ambassadors for 2018! Most of the Ambassadors were able to visit iGEM Headquarters this month for their inaugural kick-off meeting.
Ambassadors will be representing iGEM in their appointed regions, identifying ways to improve the iGEM experience for teams all around the world. Organizing After iGEM events, attending team Meetups, and meeting with iGEM teams are just a few of the activities they will be involved with this year.
Read about what they've been up to in their newest post on the After iGEM platform. Learn more about our Ambassadors or contact them to arrange a meeting today!
After iGEM is an initiative for the 30,000 iGEMers who have been a part of the competition since its inception in 2004. The After iGEM Program is a unique effort to support iGEMers as they build on what they learned through the competition to lead the field of synthetic biology. Learn more about After iGEM through our website, after.igem.org.
Did you know that the Safety Form is open for editing throughout the season?
With the Preliminary Safety Form deadline at the end of last month, you might be tempted to forget about Safety. However, you should keep it up-to-date as your project changes until the final deadline in September, making sure to include information in your Check-In and Animal Use Forms.
Check-In Forms should be filled out any time your team is considering using organisms that are NOT on the White List of pre-approved organisms and parts. In addition to this, the *NEW* Animal Use Form has been created for teams wishing to use ANY vertebrates OR higher-order invertebrates.
All teams should be safe in iGEM. Click below to learn more about Safety and Security in iGEM, and contact the safety committee at any time if you have any doubts or questions: Safety [AT] igem [DOT] org.
We are proud to announce that SGI-DNA will once again be a gold sponsor to the iGEM Competition. iGEM believes that safety and security is everyone's responsibility. SGI has been providing safety screening services for the Registry of Standard Biological Parts since 2013. This invaluable service ensures that the thousands of contributions to the Registry can be processed safely, and used responsibly by teams in their projects.
Promega is hosting their second LIVE Q&A Webinar in August. Promega's experts will be taking questions about advanced techniques that you may be interested in using, including CRISPR! Register and submit your questions by July 20 to be featured in the seminar.
IDT has been helping iGEM teams push the boundaries of synthetic biology for six years. Take a look at what some teams were able to achieve during iGEM 2017 thanks to IDT!
Register to attend the Giant Jamboree! Make sure to register at least one team member by August 31 to secure your poster and presentation slot.


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Iskra życia – powieść niemieckiego pisarza Ericha Marii Remarque'a z 1952 r., tytuł oryginalny – Der Funke Leben. Tłumaczenie polskie – Wojnakowski Ryszard, REBIS, Poznań 2010 r.

Ogólna charakterystyka
Wiosną 1945 roku więźniowie obozu koncentracyjnego w Mellern doczekali się wyzwolenia. Wśród ocalałych znaleźli się Bucher i jego ukochana Ruth Holland.

Powieść E.M. Remarque'a to przejmujące studium obozowego życia: okrucieństwa, specyficznych hierarchii i bezwzględnych zasad, na których tle tym wyraźniej ujawnia się zarówno człowieczeństwo, jak i wszelka nieludzkość.

Remarque z wielką znajomością ludzkiej psychiki zarysowuje charaktery i postawy bohaterów zza jednej i drugiej strony drutów, pokazując też, jak łatwo prześladowani mogą stać się prześladującymi.

Postacie
 509/Fredrich Koller – główny bohater, więziony od 12 lat
 Bucher – bliski przyjaciel 509, więzień
 Ruth Holland – ukochana Buchera, więźniarka damskiej części obozu
 Efraim Berger – sztubowy w bloku, przyjaciel 509, lekarz
 Karel – najmłodszy więzień małego obozu, zaradny chłopiec, wychowany przez więźniów w obozie
 Lebenthal – handlarz obozowy, przyjaciel 509
 Handke – zawistny i brutalny blokowy
 Goldstein – Więzień dużego obozu
 Lewińsky – Polak, więzień dużego obozu
 Weber – oficer SS w obozie, brutalny
 Steinbrenner – esesowiec, postrach więźniów
 Bruno Neubauer – SS-obersturmbannfuhrer, komendant obozu
 Dietz – SS-gruppenfuhrer

Powieści z 1952
Powieści Ericha Marii Remarque'a


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Adam Barraclough
The Lords of Salem Blu-ray Review
DVD/Blu-ray, Movies, Reviews
I am an unabashed fan of Rob Zombie's sophomore film, The Devil's Rejects. I felt House of 1,000 Corpses was a bit too amateurish and Zombie's take on Halloween never really thrilled me, but there was some real magic in the sprawling grit, gore and grime of The Devil's Rejects. Maybe you feel the same, and maybe you'll forgive me for wanting very much to find a spark of that magic rekindled in his latest offering The Lords of Salem.
The Lords of Salem has a solid foundation of influence, firmly rooted in 60's and 70's witchsploitation. And the set-up is simple; a coven of witches violently put to death during the Salem trials levels one last curse upon the town and those that condemned them, and many years later that curse begins to unfold. The opening scenes and several moments throughout the film showcase some of the most pagan images ever committed to mainstream celluloid. It is blasphemous in the extreme and spares nothing in an attempt to shock and to defile religious convention. Simply put, this film is Satanic as fuck. Unfortunately, it is also about as subtle, lacking in depth and intellectually bankrupt as that slogan.
Many have criticized the film for choosing style over substance, but I find that read lacking. I've enjoyed many shallow stylized films, and a lot of them happen to be horror. It's not a lack of substance that makes Lords of Salem ineffective, it's the fact that it's quite simply over-styled in some respects and under-styled in others. There is so much affectation layered onto every character and so much artifice onto every surface of the film that one wonders if perhaps Zombie hasn't been obsessing over Wes Anderson as of late.
At least with Anderson there is some organization to his curio cabinet, some insight into character granted by the meticulously presented garment and styling choices, the endless collections of knick-knacks and gimcracks. Anderson's miscellania also offer a visual punch and often a whiff of nostalgia. In Zombie's case it all amounts to only so much clutter and chaos. Every character has at least two more accessories and/or affectations than they need, nearly every set is crammed so full of junk that it distracts completely from the events playing out on-screen. The vibe flits from "filthy junkie bedroom" to "baroque hoarder" to "book fetishist" as we move from locale to locale, yet sometimes there is so little visual distinction between the various apartments/homes that it isn't immediately certain where the scene is set or what we are even supposed to be looking at.
I'll give you an example: There is a moment in when the main character (Heidi Hawthorne, played by Sheri Moon Zombie) enters her darkened apartment and flips on a light in her kitchen. The sudden musical cues indicate that something scary is happening, but it simply isn't apparent what that is supposed to be. I back it up and watch again. It appears we have the classic "character turns on a light in a darkened room and is unaware of a spooky figure standing in the corner staring at her" cliché going on here.
Except that the shot is so wide, and Heidi's apartment so crammed full of spooky goth-rock trappings that the shadowy witch figure in the corner blends in as effectively as if it were a toaster or blender in a sane person's kitchen. And given her choice in "Halloween-is-everyday" décor, a life-size witch figure wouldn't even be out of place. Hell, there's already a creepy mannequin head in the kitchen for some reason. This effect (creepy witch character appears motionless in the background) is used multiple times throughout the film and never once did it inspire even the tiniest jump-scare.
It's one of several moments in the film that are more likely to inspire confusion or laughter as opposed to the shock and fear intended. Another involves Heidi having a breakdown in her bathroom in front of a 10-foot-by-5-foot black-and-white painting of several giant masked figures. The figures, already strangely comic in appearance as they somewhat resemble luchadores, begin gushing blood from their mouths as again we are presented with a musical cue letting us know that scary shit is going down.
First, WHO THE FUCK HAS A 10-FOOT-BY-5-FOOT BLACK-AND-WHITE PAINTING OF GIANT MASKED FIGURES IN THEIR FUCKING BATHROOM? And what's worse is that Heidi never even notices this. It wasn't presented to scare her, nor are the motionless witches or countless other things that creep up out of the darkness behind her. It's as if Rob Zombie forgot that one of the reasons scenes like this are effective is because we're waiting for the character on-screen to discover them, because of the proximity of the scary thing to the character, because of what we as an audience know that the character does not yet know.
When Heidi does become aware of the strange beings around her, she reacts to them with a kind of stoned indifference. It's difficult to tell if this is the direction she was being given or if Sheri Moon Zombie is simply a terrible actress. There's ample evidence to support either argument. As what's happening to Heidi seems to be placing her in an ever-deepening trance-like state, and as she attempts to combat these visions by falling back into a heavy drug habit, perhaps we're meant to empathize or sympathize with her disconnected apathy. Alas, I found myself unable to.
I think this is yet another moment in which Rob Zombie sold himself and his material short, as the audience is never really inclined to give much of a shit about Heidi or any of the other characters. Zombie allows surface cool to stand in for anything endearing: Heidi is covered in tattoos, has long blonde dreadlocks, loves her dog, wears bellbottoms and a coat with a ridiculous over-sized fur collar and her favorite band is Rush. This is as much character development as we encounter. She's deeply connected to all the witchy shit that's going down, but by the time you find out how and why, it's likely that you won't even care. And as I said before, all that would be okay, all the shallowness of this character could be swallowed, if the rest of the film delivered.
Because it could have delivered. The few moments of the film that work are flashback and dream sequences, some recreating the moment that the coven who enacted the curse were put to death. There is a raw and filthy carnality to these scenes, an orgiastic exultation to Satan the likes of which we haven't seen in mainstream cinema in decades. As the film advances, Heidi seems to enter a dream world where she interacts with the dark forces the coven has allied itself with. At first, these moments are grandiose and vile, truly horrifying, eventually Heidi assumes the corpse-paint visage we see in the film's poster and things seem to finally be coming to a head. Then it's all dashed to pieces.
We're introduced to a pig-like dwarf demon that is unintentionally comic in a scene that literally caused me to laugh out loud. A subsequent sequence involves Heidi in an awful mini-skirted stripper costume gyrating against a goat and lapdancing on a guy straight out of bad black metal video casting all while terrible computer generated graphics of melting faces and brightly-colored Satanic imagery morph all over the screen. A trio of papishly attired masked and robed figures sit at thrones, stroking translucent red dildos springing forth from their laps. It's a metal-head's PCP-induced notebook sketch come to life; Kenneth Anger via Hot Topic. It is ludicrous and far from frightening.
Yet I have to wonder if the entire film had been so outrageous and over-the-top, if there had been no attempt to string in the everyday life of Heidi and her friends and her fall into darkness, if it had all been non-stop lunacy and highly stylized abstract visuals, perhaps I would have loved this film.
The only extra presented is a commentary by Rob Zombie. It's not listed as a Special Feature, as there is not even a menu tab for Special Features. It's buried in the Set-Up menu, under audio, and I took this as a sign that I wasn't meant to listen to Zombie's defense of the film.
Adam BarracloughBlu-rayLords of SalemRob Zombiewitches
The Blacklist 1.02 "The Freelancer"
31 Days of Halloween: Day 04 – The Collection
Gentleman of Sin / Guiding Light
Adam Barraclough is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Hi-Fructose magazine as well as at crowndozen.com One of his earliest movie memories is going to the drive-in with his parents when he was seven and staying awake in the back seat for the second feature to see The Road Warrior. When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he replied "Godzilla". This still remains his life-goal. Obsessions include sci-fi, horror, toy culture and lowbrow art. He can be found tweeting acerbically @GentlemanSin


The Super Rugby season kicks off for 2019 on February 15, and the competition will be fierce. Every Australian team looks stronger on paper than they did in 2018, and with spots in the World Cup squad on the line every player will be working their guts out to get a seat on the plane to Japan. With that said, how does your team look?
The Waratahs were the best Australian side last year, reaching the semi-finals before just slipping away on the South African Highveld. They will look to carry their form into 2019, with an absolutely lethal backline given some extra starch in defence with the signings of Adam Ashley-Cooper and Karmichael Hunt.
The return of Jack Dempsey from injury will help the Waratahs in tight, and they will have the flexibility with him in the side to play Ned Hannigan in the back row to help the line-out, or use Will Miller in a dual open-side role with Michel Hooper. Star playmakers Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley will also be hoping to put a forgettable international season behind them and regain their flair in the sky blue.
The Waratahs play their first game at Brookvale Oval on February 16 against the Hurricanes.
The Rebels just missed out on the finals in 2018, coming 9th on the ladder. They have, however, added to their stocks considerably with the signing of Quade Cooper and, later in the season, Matt Toomua. This should help shore up their weak point last year – poor linking between the backs and forwards.
With Cooper and Toomua, the Rebels will (like the Tahs) have the ability to field an all-Wallaby backline should they feel the need. Their forward pack is also formidable, and they will be serious contenders this year.
The Rebels first game is in Canberra at GIO Stadium against the Brumbies on February 15.
The Brumbies looked like the form Australian side at the end of the Super Rugby competition round robin last year, and they will most likely go back to what worked for them. Their side will be largely unchanged, with the only major addition being Wallabies prop James Slipper.
The Brumbies will have a very tough and physical forward pack, but there are question marks over whether or not their backline will be able to take advantage. They lack the flair, speed and killer instinct of the Waratah and Rebels inside backs, although they will be dangerous when they spread the ball wide.
The Brumbies first game is at home against the Rebels on February 15.
The Reds side will also be largely unchanged for 2019, although they have picked up a useful utility back in Bryce Hegarty. Without injury clouds over skipper Samu Kerevi they will have gained a lot from a disappointing 2018, and will look for a few more wins this year.