text:
Movie Masterclass
Teaching editing
Tag Archives: Movies
by Rakondite | February 9, 2018 · 3:31 pm
LEY MACHUCA – THE MACHUCA LAW
Image from 'Machuca' dir. Andres Wood 2004
In Chile a piece of legislation is progressing through parliament, the Ley Machuca, the Machuca Law, which will make it mandatory for every school, public and/or private, to make a percentage of places available to girls and boys from the shanty towns and slums.
Why Machuca? At the centre of Andres Wood's vastly successful Machuca is a friendship between a middle-class boy, Gonzalo, and Pedro Machuca, from a shanty town, who meet in Gonzalo's Catholic private school following Allende's policy of sending kids from the slums to private schools. Of course, after Pinochet's coup, Machuca and kids like him were thrown out.
Andres Wood.
Machuca is one of Chile's most successful films. In just over a decade since its release it has become a classic and is on the syllabus of most schools, colleges and universities in Chile. It is even included in the UK's A-level Spanish syllabus. But the Machuca Law is something different. At a time when Politics and Media have become the same thing, Machuca has escaped beyond the media. It promises to influence the lives of thousands of children and their prospects thereafter.
Related blog posts:
Don't miss Spanish language 'Machuca' at National Film Theatre, Southbank, London, September 1
Congratulations to Andrés Wood: Machuca listed as top 20 Latin American film
Tagged as Andres Wood, Machuca, Mamoun, Mamoun Hassan, Movies
by Rakondite | September 24, 2017 · 1:50 pm
Movie Masterclass Revisited – Stray Dog
On June 13 2013, we posted an introduction to Kurosawa's STRAY DOG at the National Film & Television School.
At the time the question of the use of clips was not clear and we chose not to risk infringing copyright.
We now include clips under the conditions of 'Fair Dealing' in the UK, or 'Fair Use' in the US.
So we are here with the first, 'Revisit' to Movie Masterclass introductions.
Filed under Lecturing, News - Masterclasses
Tagged as Akira Kurosawa, Arts, Arts and Entertainment, Fumio Hayazaka, Mamoun, Mamoun Hassan, Movie, Movie Masterclass, Movies, National Film and Television School
by Rakondite | August 28, 2017 · 11:19 pm
A few views of 'A Closer Look – The Apu Trilogy'
Although it has been a while since the release of the magnificent Criterion box set of 'The World of Apu Trilogy', it is worth reflecting on some of the the responses to the 'extra' Mamoun contributed to the set.
The Criterion forum Chris Galloway wrote: 'We next get a piece on the trilogy, featuring the former head of the BFI, Mamoun Hassan. Entitled The Apu Trilogy: A Closer Look, it features Hassan offering a rather thorough examination of the trilogy as a whole, giving detailed analysis of Ray's framing, how he introduces characters, the flow of editing, and how the visual language of the films can be broken down into "sentences and paragraphs." He goes through each film, talking about particular scenes and sequences. It's lengthy at 43-minutes but found it a very strong scholarly supplement that does make up somewhat for the lack of commentaries, an item that I'm surprised is missing from the set.'
Brian Tallerico on RogerEbert.com : ""This is Ray's first film, and it is amazing." So says Mamoun Hassan in a fantastic, detailed examination of "The Apu Trilogy" included in the amazing array of special features on the Criterion release. Hassan, the former head of the British Film Institute, breaks down the movies beat by beat, with such attention to detail that you further appreciate the filmmaking in new ways."
Peggy Earle of HamptonRoads.com cited Mamoun's extra as the 'best extra' in the collection. "Mamoun Hassan, former head of the British Film Institute, gives a fine overview of the trilogy, Ray's directorial style, and the significance of the three films. He points to Ray's ability to show emotions with no dialogue, and urges viewers to "give themselves up" to the films. "Ray had ambiguity. And that's why we participate in his films. He's given us room to interpret.""
Jake Cole for Slant magazine – "For a deeper dive into the films themselves, a 43-minute analysis from filmmaker Mamoun Hassan is so minutely observed that even actors' body language and orientation to the camera is fodder for discussion."
It is always nice to be appreciated, and we must acknowledge the work of Abbey Lustgarten of Criterion, who worked with Mamoun on the extra with amazing focus, crafting it into the final product.
Filed under News, News - Masterclasses
Tagged as Criterion, Mamoun, Mamoun Hassan, Movie, Movie Masterclass, Movies, Pather Panchali, Satyajit Ray, World cinema
by Rakondite | May 8, 2017 · 11:37 am
In Conversation – Lindsay Anderson and Mamoun Hassan
In May 1973, just after the release of Lindsay Anderson's O Lucky Man, London University Audio Visual (LUAV) filmed a conversation/interview with Lindsay Anderson and me. O Lucky Man was the focus of the interview, which was part of an LUAV planned series of interviews with leading figures of the time. The results would be kept in a kind of time capsule and would not be released until fifty or a hundred years later. The project was abandoned early on.
Filed under Archive articles, New articles, Production
Tagged as british cinema, british film, British New Wave, Lindsay Anderson, Mamoun, Mamoun Hassan, Movies, o lucky man, University of London
by Rakondite | June 17, 2016 · 10:50 am
Movie Masterclass – Ozu's 'Tokyo Story' at the European Film College
We are pleased to share Mamoun's masterclass on Ozu's masterpiece, Tokyo Story. Mamoun has revisited this film several times, but this most recent visit at the European Film College in Ebeltoft allowed him to discuss the film with the students in detail.
Tagged as Akira Kurosawa, Arts, Arts and Entertainment, European Film College, Film School, Japanese cinema, Kurosawa, Mamoun, Mamoun Hassan, Movie Masterclass, Movies, Ozu, tokyo story, World cinema, Yasujiro Ozu
by Rakondite | March 3, 2016 · 11:53 pm
Babylon – a Conversation at Theatre Utopia with Lee Fairweather
We are pleased to be able to share the conversation about Babylon from the event at Theatre Utopia in December 3rd 2015.
Despite the loud live music that was being played in the same building, the conversation was lively, and covered not just the film but also the issue of positive discrimination and the politics of race in cinema and society.
Tagged as affirmative action, afro-caribbean, babylon, black cinema, brinsley ford, British Film Institute, lee fairweather, Mamoun, Mamoun Hassan, Movie, Movies, National Film Finance Corporation, positive discrimination, theatre utopia
by Rakondite | October 28, 2015 · 2:20 pm
Passport to Cinema: The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974) by Werner Herzog
Mamoun would like to thank Dominic Power of the NFTS for inviting him to introduce Werner Herzog's landmark movie, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser on Monday 2nd November at the BFI Southbank in NFT2.
Mamoun has this to say about the New German Cinema:
It is a mystery how and why a country suddenly finds a distinct cinematic voice and creates a 'new' cinema. Political, social and economic factors provide only partial insights. In Europe, the 'new' cinema moved from Italy to France, to the UK (culturally colonised by Hollywood, we preferred 'free' over 'new') to Poland to Czechoslovakia and, in the 70s, to Germany, or, more significantly, West Germany.
The creators of the New German Cinema – Werner Herzog, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Margarethe von Trotta, Volker Schlöndorff , Werner Schröter and Wim Wenders, had diverse styles but collectively they were all radical-left/anarchist. At one end, Fassbinder was hostile to all institutions – and individuals as part of institutions – past and present; at the other end, Herzog focused on individuals whose obsessions, delusions, dreams, fantasies, aspirations made them impossible to assimilate – and led them to destruction.
The question that is rarely addressed is how the filmmakers were supported and financed: public funding from the Länder, the federal government and private sector support from television, film distributors and exhibitors ensured the flowering of the talents of the New German Cinema.
Herzog has to date written and directed 18 features, including epics shot in the Amazon. Fassbinder made 41 films, intimate in scale, in 14 years – 41 'personal' films, while Lindsay Anderson, Tony Richardson and Karel Reisz together made only some 30 feature films in their entire careers. But then our investors didn't like politics (still don't) – they followed Sam Goldwyn, who said: 'If you want to send a message use Western Union'. Commercial viability was (and is) their only criterion. And we know how certain that is…
Tagged as BFI Southbank, British Film Institute, Bruno Schleinstein, Dominic Power, Herzog, Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle, Kaspar Hauser, Mamoun, Mamoun Hassan, Movie, Movies, National Film and Television School, National Film Theatre, New German Cinema, Passport to Cinema, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser, Werner Herzog, World cinema
by Rakondite | September 2, 2015 · 12:16 pm
Mamoun returns to the European Film College – 23rd and 24th September
I Bambini Ci Guardano 1944 (The Children are Watching us)
Mamoun is looking forward to his yearly visit to the European Film College to give two masterclasses on De Sica's Bicycle Thieves and Ozu's Tokyo Story However there will be a twist. His discussion will also refer to De Sica's pre-neorealist film The Children are watching Us (1944). He will explore how De Sica's craft developed but also how certain inspirations persisted.
Under principal Nadia Kloverdahl Reich the College is developing physically and educationally – with a new building and a new faculty amongst many changes. A happy combination of the old and the new. Mamoun looks forward to working with Micah Magee, the new Directing Fiction teacher.
Filed under Lecturing, News, News - Masterclasses
Tagged as Bicycle thieves, De Sica, European Film College, Film School, Mamoun, Mamoun Hassan, Movie, Movie Masterclass, Movies, Ozu, tokyo story, World cinema, Yasujiro Ozu
by Rakondite | May 11, 2015 · 1:56 pm
Introductions to Neo Realism and Pather Panchali at the European Film College
During Mamoun's last visit to the European Film College in March, he led two Masterclasses after viewing Bicycle Thieves and Pather Panchali. We are happy to be able to share the introductions that Mamoun gave prior to the screenings. The first is more an introduction to Neo Realist cinema. The second is a welcome return to Sayajit Ray's Pather Panchali.
Many thanks to Nadia Kløvedal Reich, principal of EFC, and the staff and students at the European Film College.
Tagged as Bicycle thieves, European Film College, Mamoun, Mamoun Hassan, Movie, Movies, Neo Realism, Satyajit Ray, World cinema, World of apu
by Gemstone | October 2, 2013 · 8:57 pm
Introduction to Bergman's 'Persona' at the NFT
Bibi Andersson and Live Ullman in 'Persona'
This week I was asked by Dominic Power, Head of Screen Arts at National Film and Television School (NFTS) to introduce a screening of Bergman's Persona at the National Film Theatre Southbank, London.
It's taking a liberty telling an audience how to view a film minutes before seeing it.
I prefer to give them a perspective, often by referring to the director's other work. I talk primarily about form and style, sometimes about subjects that recur. I try to keep it simple. The film's the thing.
Here is a recording of the event, montaged with a few slides:
The film was shown as part of the NFTS 'Passport to Cinema' season – a continuous and comprehensive overview of every facet of cinema, from its beginnings to the present day.
Tagged as Bergman, BFI, Dominic Power, Film, Ingmar Bergman, London, Movies, National Film Television School, National Film Theatre, NFT, Persona, Southbank London
Babylon Premieres in Calgary – with an introduction from Mamoun Hassan
Babylon at 40 – Restored and Reborn in the USA
Landmark British films at the BFI Southbank – 19 July 2019
Introduction to 'The Lady with the Dog' at the BFI Southbank
The Lady with the Dog – at BFI Southbank 13th May 2019
M on Babylon – a Conversation at Theatre Utopia with Lee Fairweather
Babylon (Film) - A Conversation with Mamoun Hassan in Croydon on Babylon – a Conversation at Theatre Utopia with Lee Fairweather
Gemstone on Congratulations to Andrés Wood: 'Machuca' listed as top 20 Latin American film
Bill Douglas: Childhood Trilogy in Le Monde: Justified Sinner | Movie Masterclass on Bill Douglas – His ain man
Movie Masterclass: Pather Panchali - First Edition Books on Movie Masterclass: Pather Panchali
News – Masterclasses
Movie Masterclass · Official website of Mamoun Hassan


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Хамдуши — фамилия.
 Хамдуши, Адина-Мария (род. 1979) — французская шахматистка, гроссмейстер (2003) среди женщин. Тренер.
 Хамдуши, Хишам (род. 1972) — марокканский и французский шахматист, гроссмейстер (1994).

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
> Motorola Solutions Introduces Secure Mobile Solution that Provides Federal Agencies with Wireless Access to Critical Information
Motorola Solutions Introduces Secure Mobile Solution that Provides Federal Agencies with Wireless Access to Critical Information
AME 2000 features a commercially available Android™-based smartphone for encrypted voice and data communications from wherever duty calls
WASHINGTON – Feb 12, 2013 – Federal agencies that need secure voice and data communications on a wireless network now have a powerful new weapon in their arsenal: the AME 2000 Secure Mobile Solution from Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MSI), a leading provider of mission-critical communications solutions and services for enterprise and government customers. It is based on Motorola's Assured Mobile Environment (AME) solution, which combines a commercial-off-the shelf (COTS) device with hardware and software to provide end-to-end encrypted voice and data communications through private or public wireless networks to support the missions of federal agencies. The AME 2000 features a smartphone with an Android™-based operating system.
Using a COTS smartphone with an Android-based operating system, the AME 2000 provides a familiar, user-friendly experience.
End-to-end AES 256/NSA Suite B encrypted voice services and messaging are capable between AME-equipped devices.
A Suite B IPSec Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides secure data-in-transit between a mobile device and a customer enterprise through private and public broadband networks, including GSM, 3G, 4G LTE and Wi-Fi.
The AME 2000 supports the use of customer-installed applications, such as graphic information system mapping and video and remote medical monitoring. It also includes a browser and applications for email, text messaging and contacts.
The AME 2000 implements government-sponsored security recommendations from Security Enhanced Android (SEAndroid) to provide enhanced security policy controls through assured pipelines so processes cannot be bypassed or hijacked by flawed or malicious applications.
The Motorola CRYPTR micro, a hardware security module in a microSD™ form factor that meets FIPS 140-2 Level 3 and Suite B standards, provides the AME 2000 with tamper protection for keys, tokens and certificates, and performs high-assurance cryptographic operations.
Integrated mobile device management allows over-the-air (OTA) installation and updating of applications as well as device integrity verification. For additional protection, encryption keys can be erased remotely on devices that are lost or compromised.
Android-based software powers hundreds of millions of mobile devices in more than 190 countries around the world. It is the largest installed base of any mobile operating system.
Brenda Herold, corporate vice president, Global ASTRO® Products and Solutions, Motorola Solutions, Inc.
"It's critical that commercial devices used by the federal government are augmented with solutions to ensure security and confidentiality. The AME 2000 addresses the different vulnerabilities of commercial technology by enabling users to communicate and access sensitive data securely from wherever their duties take them."
Paul Mueller, vice president, U.S. Federal Government Markets Division, Motorola Solutions, Inc.
"Secure mobility is among the U.S. government's top technology priorities. The AME 2000 features a familiar Android-based OS experience with layered security, device management and applications that comply with federal guidelines. It's an affordable mobile solution for civilian and defense agencies to better execute their missions that serve and protect our nation."
Website: Assured Mobile Environment
Website: AME 2000 Secure Mobile Solution
Blog: Fresh Ideas in Public Safety
Twitter: @MotoSolutions
Industry Analyst Relations Contact:
Steve Gorecki
steve.gorecki@motorolasolutions.com
MOTOROLA, MOTO, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. Android is a trademark of Google, Inc. microSD is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2013 Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
Motorola Solutions Introduces New Mobile Computer for Field-Based Knowledge Workers 01/29/2013
Global, Solutions Launches, Mobility
Zebra Technologies Announces Financial Results for the 2012 Fourth Quarter and Full Year 02/12/2013

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Doris L. Ashton, 98, of Chatham passed away at St. John's Hospital, Friday, May 18, 2018, 20 days before her 99th birthday.
She was born June 7, 1919 northwest of Auburn, the daughter of Charles and Beatrix Adams Lanham.
She married Russell Ashton on Feb. 1, 1958 and he preceded her in death on May 14, 1983. Also, preceded in death by a son, Mark Ashton and a sister, Dorothy Fischer.
Doris did secretarial work in Springfield including WTAX radio during WWII and later for various insurance companies.
She was a very proud member of the Daughters of Union Veterans as her own actual grandfather fought in the Civil War. She was member of the Chatham Presbyterian Church.
Doris delighted in observing nature.
Surviving are her daughter, Lynette (Phil Fahs) Ashton; granddaughter, Sarah (Joe) Helt; three great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be form 10 a.m. till time of services at 11 a.m., Friday, May 25, 2018 at Bramley Funeral Home, Auburn with Rev. Dr. James A. Reitz officiating. Burial will be in Chatham Memorial Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Chatham Fire Protection District.


text:
<?php

defined('JPATH_PLATFORM') or die;

/**
 * Helper for standard content style extensions.
 * This class mainly simplifies static helper methods often repeated in individual components
 *
 * @since  3.1
 */
class JHelperContent
{
	/**
	 * Configure the Linkbar. Must be implemented by each extension.
	 *
	 * @param   string  $vName  The name of the active view.
	 *
	 * @return  void
	 *
	 * @since   3.1
	 */
	public static function addSubmenu($vName)
	{
	}

	/**
	 * Gets a list of the actions that can be performed.
	 *
	 * @param   integer  $categoryId  The category ID.
	 * @param   integer  $id          The item ID.
	 * @param   string   $assetName   The asset name
	 *
	 * @return  JObject
	 *
	 * @since   3.1
	 * @deprecated  3.2  Use JHelperContent::getActions() instead
	 */
	public static function _getActions($categoryId = 0, $id = 0, $assetName = '')
	{
		// Log usage of deprecated function
		JLog::add(__METHOD__ . '() is deprecated, use JHelperContent::getActions() with new arguments order instead.', JLog::WARNING, 'deprecated');

		// Reverted a change for version 2.5.6
		$user   = JFactory::getUser();
		$result = new JObject;

		$path = JPATH_ADMINISTRATOR . '/components/' . $assetName . '/access.xml';

		if (empty($id) && empty($categoryId))
		{
			$section = 'component';
		}
		elseif (empty($id))
		{
			$section = 'category';
			$assetName .= '.category.' . (int) $categoryId;
		}
		else
		{
			// Used only in com_content
			$section = 'article';
			$assetName .= '.article.' . (int) $id;
		}

		$actions = JAccess::getActionsFromFile($path, "/access/section[@name='" . $section . "']/");

		foreach ($actions as $action)
		{
			$result->set($action->name, $user->authorise($action->name, $assetName));
		}

		return $result;
	}

	/**
	 * Gets a list of the actions that can be performed.
	 *
	 * @param   string   $component  The component name.
	 * @param   string   $section    The access section name.
	 * @param   integer  $id         The item ID.
	 *
	 * @return  JObject
	 *
	 * @since   3.2
	 */
	public static function getActions($component = '', $section = '', $id = 0)
	{
		// Check for deprecated arguments order
		if (is_int($component) || $component === null)
		{
			$result = self::_getActions($component, $section, $id);

			return $result;
		}

		$assetName = $component;

		if ($section && $id)
		{
			$assetName .=  '.' . $section . '.' . (int) $id;
		}

		$result = new JObject;

		$user = JFactory::getUser();

		$actions = JAccess::getActionsFromFile(
			JPATH_ADMINISTRATOR . '/components/' . $component . '/access.xml', '/access/section[@name="component"]/'
		);

		if ($actions === false)
		{
			JLog::add(
				JText::sprintf('JLIB_ERROR_COMPONENTS_ACL_CONFIGURATION_FILE_MISSING_OR_IMPROPERLY_STRUCTURED', $component), JLog::ERROR, 'jerror'
			);

			return $result;
		}

		foreach ($actions as $action)
		{
			$result->set($action->name, $user->authorise($action->name, $assetName));
		}

		return $result;
	}

	/**
	 * Gets the current language
	 *
	 * @param   boolean  $detectBrowser  Flag indicating whether to use the browser language as a fallback.
	 *
	 * @return  string  The language string
	 *
	 * @since   3.1
	 * @note    JHelper::getCurrentLanguage is the preferred method
	 */
	public static function getCurrentLanguage($detectBrowser = true)
	{
		$app = JFactory::getApplication();
		$langCode = $app->input->cookie->getString(JApplicationHelper::getHash('language'));

		// No cookie - let's try to detect browser language or use site default
		if (!$langCode)
		{
			if ($detectBrowser)
			{
				$langCode = JLanguageHelper::detectLanguage();
			}
			else
			{
				$langCode = JComponentHelper::getParams('com_languages')->get('site', 'en-GB');
			}
		}

		return $langCode;
	}

	/**
	 * Gets the associated language ID
	 *
	 * @param   string  $langCode  The language code to look up
	 *
	 * @return  integer  The language ID
	 *
	 * @since   3.1
	 * @note    JHelper::getLanguage() is the preferred method.
	 */
	public static function getLanguageId($langCode)
	{
		$db    = JFactory::getDbo();
		$query = $db->getQuery(true)
			->select('lang_id')
			->from('#__languages')
			->where($db->quoteName('lang_code') . ' = ' . $db->quote($langCode));
		$db->setQuery($query);

		return $db->loadResult();
	}

	/**
	 * Gets a row of data from a table
	 *
	 * @param   JTable  $table  JTable instance for a row.
	 *
	 * @return  array  Associative array of all columns and values for a row in a table.
	 *
	 * @since   3.1
	 */
	public function getRowData(JTable $table)
	{
		$data = new JHelper;

		return $data->getRowData($table);
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
By Alex Kinsella Canadian Startup News, Event Recaps November 27, 2015
Cell collection, mental health, & sweat stains: #VelocityFund Finals tackles big problems
Thursday was a banner day for the team at University of Waterloo's Velocity program. First, it announced an expansion into some of the former Google space at the Tannery Building in downtown Kitchener. Google has moved into their swanky new office a few streets down and that has opened up the opportunity for the Velocity Garage to expand to 36,000 sq feet. The additional room will allow the now separate software, hardware, and life sciences programs to move into one space. What followed was Velocity's quarterly Fund Finals pitch competition.
As usual, the day began with ten pitches in the Velocity Fund $5K competition. Best Pitch went to Finuvo, while Most Innovative was awarded to BioFlex Implant, and finally, Hash walked won the hearts of the crowd with the People's Choice prize.
This edition of the Velocity Fund Finals saw four companies walk away with $25,000 to help drive their visions forward. Judges this time around were Ameet Shah (Partner, Golden Venture Partners), Dan Park (Vice President, Azure Capital Partners), Janet Bannister (General Partner, Real Ventures) and Ted Livingston (Founder & CEO, Kik).
Check that off the bucket list. @uwvelocity
A photo posted by Alex Kinsella (@kinsellaalex) on Nov 19, 2015 at 12:48pm PST
Once upon a time, the rich and famous sought to preserve themselves for advances in medicine by cryogenically freezing their heads after death. Acorn Cryotech wants to make it easier for the rest of us (and without the whole dying thing), providing on home kits to allow you to collect cell samples at home and then have them stored for future use. The company walked away with $25,000 for its pitch.
We've all had to angle our phones in the sun to find the right angle to read. THALO is pushing forward with a new reflective display technology that tells the sun to take a walk. In addition to a $25,000 prize, THALO also took home the $10,000 hardware prize.
Gillette may have coined the slogan "Never let them see you sweat," but it's Sweat Free Clothing who is making it a reality. The company is creating undershirts that block sweat stains from appearing, which earned them a $25,000 prize. Now, if only someone could figure out a way for us not to get deodorant on the outsides of our shirts.
Public awareness of mental health issues is rising. HealthIM has designed a system to help public safety and law enforcement officers connect with mental health professionals. The goal is to make sure police have the right information to help them assess and support in the best way possible; the company now has $25,000 to help make it happen.
The next Velocity Fund Finals will be in March 2016 – check out the Velocity site for more info.
Feature image courtesy Velocity.
eventsfundingKitchener-Waterloo
Alex Kinsella
Alex Kinsella is a contributor to BetaKit. He's worked for tech companies of every stage in customer service, consulting, development, product management, PR and social media roles. He's currently the Digital Marketing Manager at Communitech in Waterloo Region, Ontario.
W|W: The Wearable Weekly – Wearable Frenzy
#ProductHuntTO closes year with real estate focus
Deputy Premier Deb Matthews to be Ontario's first Minister Responsible for Digital Government
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced a reshuffling of her cabinet, including the creation of a Minister position meant to make Ontario's government a more…


Golden Eagles pull away for a 31-19 win over the Indians.
Arkansas State, making its first bowl appearance, evens it at 17-17 with Nick Noce's 2-yard TD toss to Manuel Burton w/ 8:51 left in the 3rd quarter. But Dustin Almond throws a pair of TD passes as Southern Miss takes control.
Almond goes 17-of-32 for 253 yards and 2 TDs, with Shawn Nelson catching 6 for 121 yards and both TDs. Cody Hull runs for 161 yards and 1 TD.
Noce hits 10-of-19 for 213 yards and 1 TD, and runs for 55 yards and 1 TD.


text:
Babar Azam & Virat Kohli- Who Is The Better Batsman?
February 14, 2019 January 16, 2020 mobitech
Everyone agrees with this that Indian team consists of best players like Virat Kohli, which is a modern-day legend. Indian team relies heavily on a captain, no matter what is the format.
Pakistani team has Babar Azam which also the finest and best player of a Pakistani cricket team. His scores are clearly shown his efforts at this young age. He is the best player when he is on a song.
The stats of Babar in limited formats is unbelievably good while he settles as the longest format of the game.
Babar Azam has played 59 ODI matches, his scores about 2462 runs at an average of 51.29. let us compare this number with Virat Kohli.
The numbers for both player after 59 ODIs.
Both of the players have impressive scores at the end of 59 one day matches for their respective countries. Babar Azam scores are slightly better than Kohli scores. It remains to be seen if he continues his efforts to stay ahead of Indian captain.
Kohli didn't start his career with good scores and efforts, however, his scores improve after the 2 year of joining cricket team, which was the good change in his career field.
While the world compares Babar with Kohli on their performance bases than there is a slight difference between their performances. The batsman from Pakistan believes that there is a long way to go for their comparisons.
People compare Babar with Kohli but he is a very big player. He said that I don't think that I am the player of Kohli competitor, I just started out career and want to achieve a lot. According to him, if my performance is best and at a high level then you can compare your own but still I said that there is no comparison.
List Of Prominent Local Players Not Picked By Any Franchise
Murad Saeed earned Rs. 9.54 billion Revenue for Pakistan
India is trying To Ban Foreign PSL Players From IPL
Qalandars File Complaint Against Wasim Akram, Imad Wasim & Muhammad Amir


text:
Q: If A is nilpotent, and B is an invertible matrix of the same order as A and AB =BA, then B- A is invertible. proof
I am quite sure that my proof is wrong, because I did not use the fact that AB= BA in the proof, is there a way to prove that B-A is singular without using determinant?

A: First notice that $C=AB^{-1}$ is nilpotent (here you use the fact that matrices commute). Then $(I-C)(1+C+C^2+...)=I$. So $(I -AB^{-1}) $ is invertible. Multiply it by invertible $B$ and get that $B-A$ is invertible.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- One man is dead following an officer-involved shooting that occurred near the intersection of Terrell and Lem Turner roads on the Northside on Thursday evening.
Three Jacksonville Sheriff's Office SWAT officers were training near the Jacksonville International Airport, according to JSO Chief of Detectives Tom Hackney.
While the officers were en-route to take a dinner break, they saw a pick-up truck run a car off the road, after hitting the car three times.
The officers made contact with the woman in the car, Sandra Day, and she told them, "that's my ex-husband, he's trying to kill me."
The officers then made contact with the man in the pick-up, Clifton Joel Day, which was on its side, and he was compliant at first, Hackney said.
Officers responding were attempting to pull Clifton out his truck when they noticed Clifton allegedly had a 32-caliber handgun in the truck, according to Hackney. Officers acknowledged the gun out loud to Clifton and asked him not to touch it. According to Hackney, Clifton had been cooperative up until that moment and Clifton allegedly reached for the gun.
Deputy Jared Reston fired six shots from his AR-16 SWAT riffle, striking Clifton multiple times in the upper body and killing him.
Deputy Jared Reston has been with JSO for 10 years and this is his fourth officer-involved shooting. He has been placed on administrative leave.
Reston received the Medal of Valor from Vice President Joe Biden in 2010 for shooting and killing a teenage burglary suspect in 2008 who had pulled a gun and shot Reston seven times near Regency Mall.
Reston was also one of the officers involved in shooting and killing double-murder suspect Christopher Kilgore in 2010.
According to police, the Day's marriage was stormy, claiming that the Jacksonville Police Department had been called out to the couple's home numerous times in recent years.
The couple was married for 31-years until they divorced last year. There was a restraining order against the husband, Clifton, Hackney said.
JSO records show that Clifton Day had a criminal history including arrests in 2012 for Violation Of Probation/Parole, Driving Under The Influence With Damage, Post-Arrest Criminal Refusal, and several charges of Violation Of Injunction For Protection Against Domestic Violence.
The couple was allegedly in the process of selling a house, which may have contributed to the incident. Hackney said, Sandra was fortunate officers were in the area otherwise this case could have been a domestic murder.


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What do they tell you about God?
In the bleak mid-winter, Long ago."
Picture with me trees -- heavy with snow and ice-- with no fruit. Icicles -- long and sharp -- hanging in the bitter cold.
There was once a couple who played a game. No score was kept. There was only one rule: One would name an object and the other person, interpreting the object, had to explain what aspect of God's "being" was shown: Anything! A moss-swaddled stump of cedar, or voluminous cloud formations, or forbidding granite mountains. Call it a "Divine Game."
This couple had read Romans 1:20, "Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- His eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what he has made!" So, they made up this game.
Playing it will open our eyes to see, not God in our stories, but our stories in God's story!
Here goes! What aspect of God's being is shown in Icicles? Icicles are made as water drips off trees or roofs, and freezes in space. They grow long when warm light beams strike it. The icicle starts to melt getting longer and longer. Darkness comes and it freezes solid. The sun rises and it weeps, drop after drop. The next day it weeps even more as the sun beams down on it. It becomes longer and sharper. When enough light comes into it, its form totally changes. It breaks. Frozen tears melt into a running stream. Bleak winter yields to spring!
God was "frozen" in our time for 33 years and 9 months, in a human form. But his heart melted. It wept. It became a river of Life. Our Lord told the Samaritan woman at the well that if she drank His kind of water she would never thirst again! All her life she had eaten fruit from the tree of good and evil. Eternal Life had hung on another tree that reached all the way to Heaven, frozen in earth's space and time with bitterness and cold. Love blazed Light and all of hell could not hold it back. "Drink slowly. Drink deeply," the River sings. He holds your cup. And out of it will flow rivers of living water to someone you touch with your warm love.


Our Kitchen and Bath Designer, Paul Thompson, CMKBD, is an award winning professional who has been designing beautiful kitchens and bathrooms (as well as other rooms) since 1987.
Paul holds several National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) certifications, including the coveted Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD), Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and Certifed Bath Designer (CBD).
As a professional kitchen and bath designer, Paul is highly skilled in space planning and product selection. Paul's designs and drawings are prepared with the upmost care to both achieve the homeowners' objectives and be easily interpreted by our carpenters, electricians and plumbers.
Paul has worked with us since 2010 and joined the McClurg Team in 2013. He has been a professional kitchen and bath designer since 1987.
Paul is a graduate of Colorado State University and holds several NKBA certifications including CMKBD, CKD and CBD.
Paul is President of the NKBA's Central New York Chapter and previously served as chapter representative and Vice President of Professional Development.
Paul resides in Tully, NY where he is the Scoutmaster for Troop 62 of the Boy Scouts of America.


As I look back on photos from our big day, I remember the day even more clearly. People say its a blur and they are right. You're filled with a rollercoaster of emotions from happiness, joy, laughter to sadness. I've spent the last few days looking through our photos to pick out our favourite ones, so I thought I'd give you the sneak peek of what's to come in our wedding album.
We found a gem of a venue in Essex with the most picture perfect view of the British countryside, at the Manor of Groves Hotel. I had quite a list of wedding industry experts and sought after suppliers, including priest Kamal Pandey accompained by Shiv Gopal music. Our special moments were captured by the renowned and award winning photographer Apresh Chavda and Studio Motions Cinematography. The caterers were Annapurna and the dream team was complete with Wed In Style decor. My makeup artist Arpita Karania did wonders to make me look and and feel like a princess. My bridal henna was by Dina Jeshani who is an incredibly talented mehndi artist. I spent four weeks in India looking for my dream outfit, which I finally managed to find in Roopkala in Mumbai. Last but not least, I had the opportunity to design and wear my own Bridal kundan jewellery from Style Savita.
Know a couple getting married this year? Share this post to give them ideas for their big day or ask us about our bespoke bridal consultation service for jewellery by emailing hello@stylesavita.com.


Again, through comparing the songs of Edward Hyde from this musical and the broadway musical, you can see the differences between the two, and why one achieved fame and one did not. The Broadway Musical's song for Hyde was dark and passionate and dramatic, piercing to the heart of the character. This song isn't bad, per se, but like the other songs in this movie it's silly, and it may be sort of fun but it isn't really gripping.
This song also contains several words and phrases which sap any drama it might have had out completely and utterly - Bo Peep, Peach-Pelting, and Jam and Molasses. Don't these things just make you think Jekyll and Hyde?
Rules, rules: damn the Rules!
were made to be broken.
down with little Bo Peep!
were meant to be lived by.
are all that we've got.


Concepts provide us with ideas and understandings that can be used to describe the invisible forces within our environments. Used as forms of questioning before becoming accepted standards, concepts are developed, tested, and established by humans to make sense of abstract topics. The following collections of broad conceptual topics were put together to introduce the many important subjects related to the properties of things including physical dimensions such concepts of lengths, sizes, weight, and volume to environmental variables regarding sound, temperature, comfort, vision and scale. As we continue to expand our content across many categories, new guides will be created to cover conceptual topics that emerge from existence.


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Pakistani Christian Association Protests Kidnapping of Teenage Girl
By Paula Katinas
Members of the Pakistani Christian Association of USA charged that Pakistan's government isn't doing enough to stop persecution against Catholics and Christians in that country. (Photo: Paula Katinas)
MANHATTAN — The plight of a 13-year-old kidnap victim in Pakistan is being felt here in the U.S., according to protesters who staged a demonstration on Nov. 2 to demand her immediate release.
Arzoo Raja, a Christian teenager, was kidnaped from her home in Karachi, Pakistan on Oct. 13, forced to marry her 44-year-old Muslim captor, and then forced to convert to Islam, according to leaders of the Pakistani Christian Association (PCA).
PCA members gathered with representatives of other groups on Fifth Avenue, half a block from the Consulate of Pakistan, on a chilly, windy morning to call on the government of Pakistan to enforce its law against kidnappings, find Arzoo, and reunite her with her family.
It was learned just hours after the New York protest that the kidnapped girl had been rescued.
Arzoo was found on Nov. 2 and was placed in protective custody, where she will remain for the time being, by the government. Her alleged kidnaper was arrested.
Protesters said they feel the girl's tragedy personally.
"We will keep pushing for justice until this girl is home again with her parents," Pakistani Christian Association Chairman William Shahzad told The Tablet. "This is a 13-year-old girl. She should not be married."
"We want the government of Pakistan to stop allowing persecution of Catholics and Christians," added Shazaad, who is a parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Kensington.
Arzoo's case has also been taken up by humanitarian organizations, like the International Christian Concern, advocating for her release.
PCA Secretary-General James Cyprian charged that what happened to Arzoo has happened to hundreds of underage Catholics and Christians in Pakistan.
"They kidnap them, force them to convert, and marry them off to their abductors," Cyprian told The Tablet. "The courts do not help and the police do not help."
"Some of these girls become pregnant. This is a tragedy. They are children having children," he added.
Protesters William Shahzad, Pervaiz Oqbal, and James Cyprian (left to right) called on Pakistan's government to stop the kidnappings of young girls. (Photo: Paula Katinas)
Pakistani law prohibits minors from marrying. However, the demonstrators charge that the courts often ignore the law and issue rulings permitting such marriages.
The organization Movement for Solidarity and Peace Pakistan estimated that 1,000 Christian and Hindu women are abducted, forced into marrying their captors, and to convert to Islam each year.
In Arzoo's case, her parents reported her missing but local authorities informed them that she married of her own free will and there was nothing they could do.
"The parents filed a police report, but nobody is listening to them," said Hubert George, president of the group Hope for Persecuted Christians.
A Pakistani court ruled on Oct. 27 that the marriage was valid — a decision that sparked outrage in Pakistani Christian circles.
On Nov. 2, just hours before the Manhattan demonstration, a different court ordered the girl to be released and taken to a shelter. But it's not clear if that is going to happen, protesters said.
For the protesters, the Arzoo Raja case illustrates the ongoing problem of persecution of Catholics and Christians in Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim country.
"Christians are suffering so much over there," George said.
Editor's Note: The office of the Pakistan Consulate did not return messages from The Tablet.
Tags: Arzoo Raja, Christian persecution, Pakistani Christian Association
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Hope you are doing good. I am MURALI from GEMINI. We have the following exciting opportunity open with one of our clients. Here is the job description for your review. If you are interested in this, Please send me your updated resume along with availability.
This position will provide subject matter expertise and direction on complex projects/initiatives for his/her assigned area(s) of responsibility to ensure Scrum theory, practices, and rules are understood and enacted. The Scrum Master will support two or three scrum teams within a fast-paced application development environment while adhering to Scrum principles. S/he will lead complex large scale and/or enterprise-wide Agile programs and coordinate with various program support teams.
* Maintains knowledge on current and emerging developments/trends for assigned area(s) of responsibility, assess the impact, and collaborates with senior management to incorporate new trends and developments in current and future solutions.
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* Identifies and directs the implementation of process improvements that significantly improve quality across the team, department and/or business unit for his/her assigned area(s) of responsibility.
* Provides subject matter expertise to team members and applicable internal/external stakeholders on complex assignments/projects for his/her assigned area(s) of responsibility.
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* Contributes to the software development process improvement initiatives and associated documentation, and provides valuable guidance to peers based on process/product knowledge and scrum experience.
* Ensures clear communication and organization of the team(s), along with maintaining the core scrum artifacts and facilitating the core scrum ceremonies.
* Carries out duties in compliance with all state and federal regulations and guidelines. Complies with all company and site policies and procedures.
* Remains current in profession and industry trends.
* Ability to read, analyze and interpret both internal and external documents such as general media/publications, professional journals, technical procedures, governmental regulations, policies, proposals, and standard operating procedures.
* Confident, comfortable communicator with strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Strong presentation skills with demonstrated ability to influence at all levels of management through clear, informed and logical discussions/presentations.
* Apply concepts such as probability, statistics, modeling, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical solutions.
* Works with mathematical concepts such as averages and/or variances.
* Ability to analyze complex information and to evaluate the implications of a course of action or solution.
* Ability to analyze information and to evaluate the implications of a course of action or solution.
* Ability to interpret and apply common sense understanding to carry out a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
* Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
* Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
* Evaluate trends in data or information.
* Ability to work with others in a team environment.
* Demonstrated ability to identify and recommend processes improvements.
* Demonstrated strong relationship management skills with internal clients (e.g. senior management, peers and colleagues); proven ability to develop creative and collaborative approaches.
* Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative style.
* Demonstrates strong project management leadership skills including, critical ability to coordinate and balance multiple projects in a time-sensitive environment, under pressure, and meeting deadlines.
* Finds common ground and can gain collaboration among senior/executive management, colleagues and peers; can influence outcomes without directing or commanding.
* Successfully completes regulatory and job training requirements.
* Thorough understanding of multiple SDLC methodologies with an emphasis on Agile.
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* Strong experience in managing custom software development projects/programs.


a year later I am found.
but that I will always persevere.
After so long I'm not only at peace, but I am free.
I'm glad you found yourself, no one else can. Welcome back!
I'm sorry for not seeing this before, but this is just beautiful. So many wake up and don't live, just going with the motions and its our job to never do that. Life is beautiful, there is beauty in everything. Thank you for the amazing words I really appreciate it.


As many of you already know we've been working on changes designed to improve various aspects of leveling for those making their way to level 60. These improvements, available in patch 2.3 will come in many forms and should significantly contribute to a more fluid and enjoyable leveling experience .
The first notable change was to simply reduce the amount of experience needed each level by approximately 15% between levels 20 and 60. Please note that when the patch is released, characters affected by this change will remain at their current level percentage. For example, if a character had exactly 50% of the current level's total experience before this change went into effect, the character would still have exactly 50% of the current level's total experience; only now fewer points would be needed to level.
Questing plays a very large role in World of Warcraft, especially while leveling and we felt that improvements to this front were necessary as well. Experience gained for completing quests (on average) between levels 30 and 60 is being increased. The increase becomes more substantial as you make your way towards 60. Additionally, many outdoor elite mobs will become non-elites, making many quests which were previously too difficult or required a group much easier and offer the same rewards (in some cases better!). A good example of this change would be Stromgarde Keep in Arathi Highlands, which will become a solo friendly environment when patch 2.3 goes live.
We've also added approximately 60 new quests in Dustwallow Marsh. This should help players who find themselves lacking quests in the 30-40 range. The Steamwheedle Cartel is building the new town of Mudsprocket in south-west Dustwallow Marsh, so you'll have to wait until construction is complete to learn more about these changes.
We're making other improvements to pre-bc leveling dungeons that players will likely find most agreeable. The level range for most every dungeon is being adjusted so that there is a much smaller range between the level of mobs found early in the dungeon to those found towards the end. For example, Shadowfang Keep is currently designed for levels 18-25 which means that right now, players who are towards the bottom of that range (18 ) will find it nearly impossible to complete the dungeon, while players towards the top of the range (25) will find most of the dungeon trivial. Using our new model (similar to what you'll notice with Burning Crusade leveling dungeons), Shadowfang Keep is being retuned for levels 18-21.
As you can see there is much in-store for the next major content patch, particularly a number of changes designed to benefit players who are leveling a character. Though we've given you a few examples of the things to come, we think everyone will pleasantly surprised when they see the full extent of the changes discussed above.
Interesting changes but I personally never had a problem in the 30 - 40 range, problems started around 51 where questing starts to grow thinner and itemization becomes a huge problem until outlands valhalla of xp and items start opening up at 58.
51+ is a drag untill 58 speeds things up again. Its either too tough (starter AD quest in PL anyone ?) or way too simple.


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Heterochelus indigens är en skalbaggsart som beskrevs av Louis Albert Péringuey 1902. Heterochelus indigens ingår i släktet Heterochelus och familjen Melolonthidae. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Skalbaggar
indigens


(NORTH BAY, ONT.) -- Last Friday marked the 4th Annual President's Club Dinner at Canadore College.
Canadore College President George Burton and Canadore Alumni President Mike Monaghan welcomed 150 community leaders in the college's 100 Elements dining room for a dinner prepared by culinary arts students.
At the end of the evening, $47,600 was collected for the Presidents' Million Dollar Campaign aimed at raising money for student scholarships. To date, a total of $186,600 has been raised towards this goal.
The growing scholarship fund is administered by the Canadore College Foundation. For more information about the President's Club Million Dollar Fund, please contact Brad Gavan at 705.474.7600, ext. 5124 or presidentsclub@canadorecollege.ca.


Amish Barns is located at 2805 US Highway 70 at the corner of Angier Avenue 1 mile west of Wake County at the edge of Durham County N.C. This is the same road in Raleigh known as Glenwood Ave. Take I 540 to exit 4B and drive 4 miles west and you will see a lot full of the best crafted storage buildings, gazebos and quality metal structures. Call 919-596-5406. Open M-F 10-5 Sat 10-2.
There is an old Amish saying "Beware of the English".
Our competitors have thrown out all the stops which include a lot to the east and a lot to the west. For over forty years we have served our community with top quality buildings built by the Amish community in Pennsyvania. Before we could only serve the well to do customers that wanted the best quality storage building but now just about anyone can obtain one by our rent to own program from Amish Barns. We appreciate the thousands that supported our businesss.
Amish Barns has the best quality buildings at the best prices. Ben Franklin said the best (in the long run) is the cheapest and that still is true today. Our buildings and gazebos can stand the test of time.
WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER YOU OUR FAMOUS PENNSYLVANIA AMISH CRAFTSMANSHIP COMBINED WITH THE BEST BUILDING MATERIALS TO CREATE THESE AFFORDABLE BARNS AND GAZEBOS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THE TEST OF TIME. THE AMISH ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR WOODWORKING SKILLS AND HELPING NEIGHBORS WITH BARNS RAISIN'. FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS THE AMISH COMMUNITY EXTENDS THEIR CRAFTMANSHIP SERVICES TO THEIR SOUTHEASTERN NEIGHBORS WITH AMISH BARNS.
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Linda B. just received her Amish Barn storage building and is now able to clean her garage out for her car. Linda thanked us for installing her storage building. And we thank Linda for her purchase.


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The Underground Railroad – Colson Whitehead
Monday 11th September 2017 ~ liwella	~ Leave a comment
Colson Whitehead's novel The Underground Railroad (review copy from Little, Brown) has achieved an interesting double: winning the Pulitzer and the Arthur C Clarke Award in 2017. It's also shortlisted for the Booker Prize. The Pulitzer, the Clarke and the Booker are unlikely bedfellows, but they show the impact this book has had. Whitehead has written a magical realism novel about slavery in America, following escaped slave Cora on her journey to freedom.
Whitehead literalises the underground railroad of the book's title, using it as the engine that drives Cora from state to state on her escape, experiencing different aspects of the slave experience. Whitehead moves Cora through time as well as space, enabling him to fictionalise real events that took place over American history. This is an analogue of Pilgrim's Progress, or the copy of Gulliver's Travels Cora finds in the library: a journey that is enabled and hindered by people she encounters, and tempting her to end her travelling and settle at various points on her way.
Cora's journey is one from a closeted, pastoral existence to increasing social and political awareness, and growing personal agency. Each step on her journey broadens her understanding of the world and increases her dissatisfaction, showing a different aspect of the discrimination and exploitation suffered by black people, both enslaved and free. Some of that is obvious: the cruel plantation owners or the weekly lynchings of escaped slaves. But some of it is much more subtle and insidious, including the benevolent white people seeking to instil their own values and practices, a thin veneer of tolerance concealing medical experimentation and other forms of control.
Most of all, The Underground Railroad shows how people are active and complicit in perpetuating systems of oppression. The system sets people against each other, even those that might appear at first blush to be natural allies. Poor Irish immigrants like the maid Rose are keen to separate themselves from those at the bottom of the heap; others find it an outlet for their saviour complexes; still others live in fear of setting themselves against their neighbours by standing up against poor treatment.
Ultimately, Cora's choice is one to pursue and shape her own destiny, rather than to fall into the choices and structures of others. Freedom comes in many forms, but that is the only one that truly counts.
Goodreads rating: 4*
Arthur C Clarke Award Shortlist 2016
Friday 29th April 2016 ~ liwella	~ 4 Comments
On Wednesday night I was lucky enough to be at the announcement of the shortlist for the 2016 Arthur C Clarke Award. The announcement took place at the launch even for the Sci-Fi London Film Festival, at Stratford Picturehouse. There were canapes and I had a badge that entitled me to free wine. If only it worked for more than just that night.
Award Director Tom Hunter announcing the shortlist
The Clarke Award is in its 30th year. As a juried award it will always carry a certain cachet The announcement of the shortlist just 24 hours after the Hugo shortlist was inevitably going to show up the differences. The Hugos have always been a bit of a popularity contest, even before their recent Puppy-infested controversy. By contrast, the Clarke Award is a juried award, and it often ends up reflecting a uniquely British take on genre fiction. I frequently disagree with the judges' choice of winner, but the shortlist is always an interesting snapshot of the state of genre fiction in the UK that year, and every book is an interesting read.
This year's shortlist is no different. The six books announced on the night were:
The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet – Becky Chambers (Hodder & Stoughton)
Europe at Midnight – Dave Hutchinson (Solaris)
The Book of Phoenix – Nnedi Okorafor (Hodder & Stoughton)
Arcadia – Iain Pears (Faber & Faber)
Way Down Dark – J.P. Smythe (Hodder & Stoughton)
Children of Time – Adrian Tchaikovsky (Tor)
It's a really interesting list and I have a huge amount of respect for the team of judges who have managed to whittle a submissions list of 113 books down to a shortlist of just six. As Award Director Tom Hunter said, "This is a quintessentially Clarke Award kind of a shortlist. Look once and I'm sure everyone will see a choice they agree with. Look twice, and you'll likely see a new book you want to read next. Look a third time though, and I hope you'll see how well all of these six books sit together, and how they represent a particular special moment in time for UK science fiction. In other words, like all great books, this is a shortlist that rewards the more you read into it."
I've read two of them already. I really enjoyed the Becky Chambers, but it feels a bit lightweight to me for the Clarke. I'd pegged it more as the kind of book that would be a Hugo contender (though it didn't make the shortlist). And even though I found the Tchaikovsky interesting and engaging, I preferred Kim Stanley Robinson's Aurora as a colony ship story. Even if it lacked Tchaikovsky's super-evolved spiders.
Of the others, I already had Way Down Dark by J P Smythe on the TBR pile. Much as I love Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie, I thought his novel The Machine was far the stronger and more interesting book of that shortlist. David Hutchinson made the shortlist last year with Europe in Autumn (to which Europe at Midnight is the sequel). I haven't yet read it (part of my failed bid to read the Clarke shortlist last year) but I'll move that one up the list pretty sharpish.
Of the other two, I'm probably most excited by Arcadia. I really loved An Instance of the Fingerpost by the same author, when I read it several years ago, so I'll be interested to see how he's evolved as a writer. There's quite the buzz about Arcadia at the moment. I haven't yet read any of Nnedi Okorafor's writing, but I'm looking forward to The Book of Phoenix. She is gathering a real head of critical praise as a writer.
If you're interested in sampling the shortlist, by the way, all three of Hodder's shortlisted books are on offer on Kindle at the moment. I'm intending to read as many of them as I can between now and the announcement of the winner later this year.
In the meantime, I'll leave you with these pictures of some of the awesome cosplay on show on Wednesday night.
The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet – Becky Chambers
Sunday 13th March 2016 Sunday 8th May 2016 ~ liwella	~ 2 Comments
My Welsh sister-in-law taught me a wonderful Welsh word: cwtch. It's a hug, but not just any hug. It's the kind of warm, comforting hug that one gets from a close friend or family member, full of love and reassurance and the knowledge that there is always a safe space full of unconditional love. The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers is a cwtch in book form.
Cross Farscape with Firefly and add in a hefty dollop of life-affirming goodness and you have The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. A multi-species crew travel across the galaxy under contract to build a new tunnel connecting the centre of the galaxy and the Galactic Commons, a collection of planets that have formed a loose alliance.
This novel is a love-song to the human condition, and our relationships with one another. As the crew of the Wayfarer travel across the galaxy to the start point for their tunneling operation, we learn about them and their relationships with one another. Everyone has secrets, but these are ones that expose their essential humanity – stories of love and loss that have shaped them as individuals. Rosemary is coming to terms with her father's arms dealing, Ashby with his love for an alien woman in a dangerous profession, Dr Chef wrestling with the self-destructive urges of his species and Ohan with the beliefs of their people that propel them on a course towards self-destruction. And then there's Corbin, the annoying flatmate we've all had to deal with at some point or another.
Although this isn't the deepest or most complex of books (it's a little too on-the-rails, with little sense of real peril at times), it's one of those rare and special books that left me in tears. Jenks's love for Lovey, the ship's AI, is real and intensely moving, and there are moments of real connection for all of the characters. The visit to Sissix's homeworld, in particular, reveals all that she has given up to travel with the crew of the Wayfarer.
The story of the novel itself is equally life-affirming: Chambers found herself out of work and short of money. The generosity of strangers through a Kickstarter campaign enabled her to complete the book and self-publish it. The success of the novel meant it was picked up by Hodder, a mainstream publisher.
Ultimately, what The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet teaches us is that we are all made of stardust. All essentially the same, and capable of profound connections with one another, regardless of how different we may seem. We are enriched by our diversity if we are open-minded enough to appreciate it and let it blossom. And I, for one, want to spend more time with the crew of the Wayfarer.
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August – Claire North
Friday 30th October 2015 ~ liwella	~ 2 Comments
What would you do if you could live your life over again, with the knowledge and experience you've gained in this one? That's the question posed by Claire North in her Arthur C Clarke Award-nominated novel The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August. Those known as kalachakra or ouroborans face an eternal Groundhog Day, born to the same parents and living through the same events over and over again.
But Harry August isn't just fated to be reborn over and over again. He is a 'mnemonic', someone with perfect recall of everything he's learned and experienced throughout all of his many lives. Over the first few he comes to terms with his existence, cycling through mental health problems, spirituality and science in a search for an explanation for his condition.
Harry connects with generations of other kalachakra through a loose, global organisation called the Cronus Club. Each chooses to spend their multiple existences in different ways, but all obeying the convention that no-one should seek to alter the course of history. But that comfortable existence changes for Harry when he learns that someone is changing the future and accelerating the end of the world. What follows is the story of Harry unravelling the mystery and saving the future.
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August gives us a fascinating insight into how we grow and change and how our experiences shape us as individuals. That knowledge and experience cannot help but influence our actions and the approach we take to the issues in our lives. For the ourobourans, death and injury hold no fears (beyond the inconvenience of having to relive childhood and puberty), leading to a low appetite for risk and a potential longer term strategic view that eludes those of us consigned to a single life. Harry is content to spend several of his lives preventing the premature end of the world, far in the future. But for many, the endless cycle of repeated existence leads only to endless rounds of fruitless hedonism.
Where the novel excels for me is in the portrayal of Harry's relationship with Vincent. The friendship between them is profound and fully-realised, despite the dark turn that it takes. There are no pantomime villains in this novel, just competing visions of what the role of individuals in society should be. Is our role to promote human development, or to live a good life helping others?
But that strong portrayal of male friendship comes at a price. Where the novel falls down for me is in its portrayal of women. They are largely absent, falling into the category of prizes/rewards (Harry's wife Jenny), helpmeets/henchpeople (Virginia and Charity) or are used simply to illustrate the implications of the ultimately constrained life of the ourobouran (Akinleye). It's a disappointment, given how well North's more recent novel Touch deals with questions of gender and identity.
Ancillary Sword – Ann Leckie
Saturday 27th June 2015 Saturday 27th June 2015 ~ liwella	~ 1 Comment
Ann Leckie's first novel, Ancillary Justice, was a huge success, achieving the near-unprecedented triple of the Arthur C Clarke, Hugo and Nebula awards. It was a refreshing take on good, old-fashioned space opera: spaceships and laser guns set in an empire loosely based on Ancient Rome. That civilisation had had an absolute ruler and complex relationships of power and patronage that had created a wealthy aristocratic elite.
What set Ancillary Justice apart was how those familiar tropes had been updated. The story was told through the eyes of one of those spaceships, Justice of Toren. Like the Lord of the Radch herself, Justice of Toren's AI consciousness was distributed among a number of bodies known as ancillaries. But unlike Anander Mianaai, Justice of Toren's ancillaries were captured human bodies, implanted with technology, rather than clones. There was a wonderful commentary on contemporary gender issues: the Radch is a culture with no gendered pronouns (all characters are described as 'she') and where bisexuality is the norm. And the treatment of colonialism was subtle and highly relevant.
Ancillary Sword is the second novel in the series. Not only do middle novels in a trilogy have to pull off the trick of continuing and maintaining the story, albeit without being able to provide a final resolution, it was always going to be difficult to follow up the success of the first book. Ann Leckie manages a barnstorming second novel, and does it with great style.
We follow Breq, the last of Justice of Toren's ancillaries, now (ironically) made the captain of the of the Mercy of Kalr, a ship crewed by humans. Breq has been posted to the remote system of Athoek, to protect it while Anander Mianaai's war with herself plays out.
This is a novel with a much smaller focus than the first, but the issues it deals with are no less significant than those in the first novel. Primarily the novel explores issues of class and poverty, and the abuse of power by those in privileged positions. There is also a sensitively written subplot about domestic violence. We also get to see some of the complex network of relationships and ritual that underpin Radchaii civilisation (the subtle insult that can be delivered by serving a guest tea on the everyday china is particularly delicious). All of this plays out in a way that reveals more about the overarching story, setting up the final volume in the trilogy.
Breq herself remains utterly compelling. She remains driven by her guilt and grief about the death of one of her former officers, Lieutenant Awn, and continues to struggle to life as an individual rather than as part of a larger whole. She is a tough and uncompromising captain, but one who is capable of great compassion towards others. Her friendshitp with Seivarden continues to deepen, albeit that Seivarden's attachment to her is not returned in the same terms.
Once again, Leckie has proved that the genre can be used to explore complex and highly contemporary themes and issues with great sensitivity. And while telling a bloody good story.
Station Eleven – Emily St John Mandel
Sunday 7th June 2015 Sunday 7th February 2016 ~ liwella	~ 2 Comments
The cover of Station Eleven (this year's Arthur C Clarke Award winner) suffers from a bad case of adjective blight. The blurbs on the cover and first few pages of the novel variously describe it as "stunning", "atmospheric", "disturbing, inventive and exciting", "captivating", "haunting", "spellbinding" and many more. Having now finished the novel I can see why those reviewing and blurbing it have resorted to quite so many adjectives. It is a beautiful book, but a slippery one to get hold of.
Prosaically, Station Eleven charts the interconnected stories of the survivors of Georgia Flu, a particularly virulent flu virus that has wiped out 99.9% of the population of the Earth, leading to the devastation of civilisation. Survivors huddle together in small settlements surrounded by the wreckage of the 21st Century, living as subsistence farmers and consumed with nostalgia for the artefacts of a past that their children cannot conceive of.
Post-flu, the world is a dangerous place, full of brigands and messianic cults. But the Travelling Symphony – a touring group of actors and musicians – aims to keep the crowning artistic creations of civilisation alive. One of their number, Kirsten, is the primary focus of the novel as she seeks to find links to a defining incident in her childhood – the collapse and death of a noted actor onstage in a production of King Lear where she was a child actress, the very night that Georgia Flu hit the city in which she was performing.
Station Eleven illustrates, with great delicacy and restraint, the fragility of 21st Century human civilisation. For all that we live disconnected from one another, often misunderstanding each other or struggling to get along, we are interconnected and dependent on each other at a fundamental level. That civilisation is a house of cards that could very easily collapse, and is difficult to put back together.
But the novel also carries threads of hope. In amongst the brutality lie friendships and aspiration for a better future, and the hope of redemption.
Children of Time – Adrian Tchaikovsky
Thursday 4th June 2015 Sunday 8th May 2016 ~ liwella	~ 3 Comments
Adrian Tchaikovsky is best known for his fantasy series, Shadows of the Apt. In his new novel, Children of Time, (published today by Macmillan, advance copy courtesy of NetGalley) he takes a different direction, writing hard SF.
Children of Time follows two parallel story arcs. In the first, the inhabitants of an ark ship called the Gilgamesh are fleeing a polluted and dying Earth. They are seeking a new home for humanity. They spend most of their time in cryogenic stasis, waking occasionally to deal with crises and examine potential new home planets. The story is told mainly from the perspective of a classicist who is an expert in the 'Old Empire' civilisation that wiped itself out in a global war. The ensuing ice age returned the survivors to a more primitive way of life, with society struggling to piece together enough technology to escape and find a new home.
The second story arc follows the evolution and development of a society of super-evolved spiders on an experimental world terraformed by the Old Empire at its height. Although the experiment had originally been intended for primates, none survived to reach the surface of the planet and the nano-virus designed to hasten evolution and embed certain traits has taken hold in the invertebrate population of the planet instead. We follow a spider called Portia and her descendants as they build complex societies, create new technology and come into conflict.
The vast time scale over which the story plays out makes this a truly epic novel. It's placed firmly at the harder end of the SF spectrum, with nods to prominent figures in the genre: a spacestation orbiting the terraformed world is called the Brin Sentry Pod, for example. This means that its focus is very much on the underlying ideas about how humanity would cope with a civilisation-ending disaster, rather than looking at the human impact.
The novel forces you to make interesting comparisons between a conflict-ridden human society and a spider culture genetically engineered to avoid conflict and work together as far as possible. It poses questions about whether history is determinative, and what rights we have to steer the fate of other cultures and civilsations.
At the time of writing, I've not yet finished reading the novel, but it's a very interesting piece and should be enjoyed by lovers of hard SF.


Tiscali is not just a name of the Nuragic Village as you might think, Monte Tiscali actually is the name of the mountain where the village is situated. In the same mountain there is also a chasm, in italian "Il Voragine di Tiscali".
Ofcourse the loyal Land Rover Defender brings us close to the Canyon where the entrance is situated, and after about 30 minutes walking through a shady forest we reach the entrance.
In the right time of year, between may and september a ray of sunlight comes in through the ceiling and illumintes the wall in front of us.
This spectacular event lasts just over an hour, and as the sun moves, the beam moves over a natural bridge and eventually before the beam moves out of the cave it illuminates the stalagmites and stalagtites on the wall.
Through a 70 meter long tunnel we reach a large spacious room under Monte Tiscali, about a hundred meters above our heads there is a small opening where some daylight comes in.
The walk to the entrance of the cave is an easy walk and also the visit to the cave itself is all easy going. A perfect and exciting experience for the whole family. Inside the cave it's nice and cool, and once outside there is an excellent place in the shade to enjoy lunch.


The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its fleet will be deployed to the Gulf to support operations against the Islamic State group, a military news site reported on Tuesday.
"The Charles de Gaulle will be available to participate, if necessary, in all operational missions", the Elysee spokesman said.
The navy and army did not respond to requests for confirmation.
France currently has nine Rafale and six Mirage fighters engaged in the campaign -- based in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan -- as part of Operation Chammal launched in September, along with a C135 supply plane, E-3F surveillance and control plane and an Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft.
Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in early December that French planes had carried out "120 to 130 missions" -- primarily intelligence-gathering operations.
Ah, another addition to the military hardware accumulating in the Middle-East. When will the Russians get into the act? Like send one of their aircraft carriers into the region? That would be interesting.
Thank you for the information. Now what kind of Russian ships are in port there at the moment? Any idea if any aircraft carriers are around? Well, not necessary aircraft carriers. Just any ship which can carry aircraft. Any idea?


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Michener Center for Writers
Our MFA
MCW Alum Greg Marshall Awarded 2020 NEA Fellowship for Prose
Congratulations to Greg Marshall (Fiction, MFA 2013) who was named recipient of a 2020 National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship. "The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support our nation's writers, including Greg, and the artistry, creativity, and dedication that go into their work," said Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the …
MCW Alums Lara Prescott & Maya Perez Interviewed by Alcalde
Novelist Lara Prescott and Screenwriter, Editor, and Producer Maya Perez sat down with Alcalde to talk about creative life after their time at the Michener Center. Read the interview here.
MCW Playwright Selected for 2020 Austin Latinx New Play Festival
Congratulations to MCW Playwright Jaymes Sanchez, whose play, The Cucuy Will Find You, was selected for the 2020 Austin Latinx New Play Festival at Teatro Vivo. More details here.
MCW Alum Donika Kelly Published in The New Yorker
MCW alum Donika Kelly's poem, "From the Catalogue of Cruelty," was published in The New Yorker. Read and listen to a recording of the poem here.
MCW Alum Alix Ohlin's Novel Shortlisted for Scotiabank Giller Prize
Michener Center alum Alix Ohlin (MFA, 2001) was shortlisted for the 2019 Scotiabank Giller Prize for her novel Dual Citizens. Read more about the prize here. Congratulations, Alix!
Poetry Reading: Tracy K. Smith
7PM Thursday, November 7, 2019 Harry Ransom Center Tell us you're coming on Facebook Join us for an evening with Tracy K. Smith, 22nd Poet Laureate of the United States from 2017 to 2019. She is the winner of numerous awards, including the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for her collection, Life on Mars. Her memoir Ordinary …
MCW Poet Annelyse Gelman Published in The New Yorker
Michener Fellow and poet Annelyse Gelman's poem, "The Climate," was published in The New Yorker. Read and listen to a recording of the poem here. (Photo by Dirk Skiba.)
MCW Alum Farid Matuk Receives Holloway Poetry Residency
Michener Center alumnus and poet Farid Matuk (MFA 2004) was recently named Holloway Lecturer in the Practice of Poetry, an invitation-only visiting writer appointment at the University of California, Berkeley. Read more about the Holloway here. Congratulations, Farid!
MCW Alum Sarah Matthes Wins 2019 Gutow Poetry Prize
Sarah Matthes (MFA 2019) was named Graduate Prizewinner of the 2019 Andrew Julius Gutow Poetry Prize for her poem 613 Mitzvot. Read the poem here.
Event: An Evening with Lauren Groff
6PM Thursday, October 10, 2019 Harry Ransom Center Tell us you're coming on Facebook We are thrilled to have Lauren Groff for a reading at the Ransom Center on October 10th. She is the author of numerous books including Fates and Furies, which was a finalist for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle …
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Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Chairperson promotes gender equality on visits to South Africa, Iceland and the UK
The newly elected Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Chairperson, Hon. Shandana Gulzar Khan, MNA (Pakistan) has been promoting gender equality and the CWP's activities and initiatives on a series of visits that has taken her to three different countries.
The CWP Chairperson first visited Western Cape in South Africa to participate in a programme of events convened to re-establish their Parliament's commitment to the values of the CWP. The events were held over the course of four days from 11 to 14 November 2019.
The CWP Chairperson met with the Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, Hon. Masizole Mnqasela, MPP and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Beverley Ann Schäfer, MPP to discuss their commitment to increase gender equality. In Cape Town, the CWP Chairperson also visited a women's community projects in the constituency of the Deputy Speaker. The CWP Chairperson said: "I am delighted to have been invited to attend the re-establishment of the CWP Chapter in Western Cape. To take the decision to re-energise CWP activities is one that I find admirable and very crucial, and I hope that fellow CWP Branches across the Commonwealth may be inspired by this. I would like to thank the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Beverley Ann Schäfer and her team for their warm reception and incredible hospitality and no doubt, I will leave feeling very optimistic about the future of CWP in Western Cape and this part of Southern Africa."
The CWP Chairperson then travelled to attend the Global Forum for Women Leaders in Reykjavik, Iceland from 18 to 20 November 2019. This international forum brings together the world's most inspiring and committed leaders to share ideas and solutions on how to promote the number of women in leadership positions, how to further advance society and how to make the most of the possibilities that these opportunities offer.
The CWP Chairperson spoke in the session titled 'How can "#girlsgetequal": Gender Transformative Power and Representation' and took the opportunity to express that "when looking at official development assistance (ODA), the focus needs to shift to women's economic empowerment initiatives, particularly when this education, skill set or initiative provides substantive access to a livelihood, and if so, ODA will show results for girls and women."
The theme of women's economic empowerment continued throughout the week, notably during a panel discussion on 'Is Digital a Yellow Click Road to a New Business Oz' where the CWP Chairperson expressed her desire to see "the implementation of digital financial inclusion as a common policy to support women entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth." To view this panel discussion please see video below:
The CWP Chairperson was also invited to attend the second High Level Roundtable 'Power Together: Reykjavík Summit 2019' which was held in line with the Women Leaders: Power Together Declaration 2018 and the imminent 20th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in 2020. The Landmark Resolution acknowledged the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls and was unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council on 31 October 2000.
The Roundtable was held at Höfði House and saw attendees discuss opportunities for claiming a seat for women at the negotiation table for peace and security, closing the data gap and securing the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security National Action Plans. Notable women leaders attending the Roundtable included: Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius; Catherine Gotani Hara, President of the Parliament of Malawi; Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia; Laura Liswood, Secretary-General of the Council of Women World Leaders; Paula Cox, former Premier of Bermuda; Shireen Mehrunnisa Mazari, Minister of Human Rights (Pakistan); and Silvana Koch-Mehrin, President and Founder WPL.
The CWP Chairperson gave her reflections on the Global Forum Women Leaders Forum in Reykjavík, Iceland – to see the video please click here or see below:
Following the forum in Iceland, the CWP Chairperson visited the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat in London, United Kingdom where she met with the Acting CPA Secretary-General, Mr Jarvis Matiya to discuss future CWP activities and her role as Chairperson of the CWP network.
Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (Monday 25 November) the CWP Chairperson met with the Head of the Gender Unit at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Amelia Kinahoi Siamomua to discuss issues of mutual cooperation and promoting gender equality in the Commonwealth. The CWP Chairperson also heard about the Commonwealth Secretariat's new campaign in partnership with No More, 'Commonwealth Says No More', a sixteen day effort to eliminate abuse against women due to start on 25 November.
The CWP Chairperson sent a message to the launch of 'Commonwealth Says No More' in which she described all violence as 'abhorrent' and further stated that "in this regard, I'm proud to state that the CWP has played an active role in raising international awareness on gender-based violence, in particular in the political process. This was also discussed as an issue recently in Arusha at the CWP Africa Regional Workshop as well as at the 64th CPC in Uganda. The CWP continues to highlight this critical issue that impacts the lives and well-being of half of the world's population."
Reflecting on her recent visits as CWP Chairperson thus far, Hon. Shandana Gulzar Khan said: "The CWP is here to give women Parliamentarians of the Commonwealth a voice. There is no guarantee it will be heard until the leadership in our individual countries listen and act. We need to become those leaders."
Updated 2 December 2019/CPAHQ.
The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) was founded in 1989 to increase the number of female elected representatives in Parliaments and legislatures across the Commonwealth and to ensure that women's issues are brought to the fore in parliamentary debate and legislation. The network campaigns for gender equality in all spheres.
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Grant Randall teaches trombone, trumpet, other brass instruments, and piano at the Center. He holds degrees in performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.
Grant got his first teaching job in middle school and has been working as an educator ever since. He has taught trombone, trumpet, lower brass, piano, and academic music classes for the Community Music Center of Boston, Marrowstone Music Festival, Brookline Schools, Longy School, and the Dedham School of Music, in addition to the John Payne Music Center. He began teaching at South Shore Conservatory in 2011.
Grant also teaches trumpet, euphonium, tuba, and piano students just as frequently as trombone. He began studying music on piano in childhood, enjoyed lessons with renowned soloists and jazz musicians alike, and continues to perform on piano now. As is often repeated by musicians the world over, at some point the musician plays all the instruments. A resistant student is more a challenge to the teacher's creativity than a problem. Let's work on this challenge together.
Art music is fun but it is important to remember that it is built of the music we all know. Everyday, I take this thought to my horn.
My first love is ensemble music because I love living in the middle of beautiful harmonies. I vividly remember the first rehearsal I had in an orchestra: the first notes the string section played were like a light switching on in my ears. Growing up, I was fortunate to play and tour all over America, Europe, and Scandinavia. Sound and the people who make it was it. Having been schooled by the rich history of Jazz in Boston and New York, I learned its sonorous colors. First in timbre and then in melody and rhythm, I still slowly chip away at this other great American tradition.
When I got my first job as swim instructor my grandmother told me teaching was the only thing she knew I was good at. True today as it was then, I am happy when I unlock the natural energy of a student with progressive successes. This is not a musical goal: my teaching is first about developing the person using the objective mirror of music. Growing up, I found my worst moments came when fear of failure eclipsed lessons the humanities had taught me; I find much in the world beyond music to inform my teaching of each student's unique intellect.
I teach the brass tacks of controlling the emotive sound of a brass instrument because I myself have found no greater reward in music. I've spent years studying so I can pass on skills from which I've drawn so much inspiration. Horns are the new black and I will show you how they work.
Grant's principal performance instrument is trombone. He enjoys playing and teaching classical music, jazz, and the avant garde.
Grant has performed with the Boston Philharmonic, New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, Masterworks Chorale Orchestra, Symphony-by-the-Sea, Boston Early Music Festival, and many other ensembles and theater companies in New England. He is an award winning soloist. He also serves as tenor vocal soloist at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Providence, RI.
As an improviser and bass trombonist, he plays with the Berklee Faculty Jazz Composers Ensemble, Omar Thomas Large Ensemble, the Beantown Swing Orchestra, Fat City Blues Band, Hot Tamales Brass Band, and many other creative bands.
He especially enjoys avant garde music having performed music by Frank Martin, Helmut Lachenmann, Aaron Jay Kernis, Ingraham Marshall, Fisher Tull, Stockhausen, and Davide Ianni as a soloist.
Grant is a year round outdoorsman, avid reader, and record collector. He is originally from Seattle, WA and currently resides with his wife and son in Jamaica Plain, Boston.
Call 617-277-3438 now (or email info@jpmc.us) to schedule a lesson with Grant! No registration fees.


"We are excited to announce on March 26th we'll be releasing Kittie: Live At The London Music Hall! This is the long awaited concert video of our 20th anniversary reunion show! Pre-order now here."
Kittie: Live at the London Music Hall from RobMcCallumFilms on Vimeo.
On October 27th, 2017 Kittie celebrated the premiere of their career-spanning documentary Kittie: Origins/Evolutions by bringing a One Night Only unprecedented afterparty concert event like no other to Rum Runners in their home town of London, Ontario.
The show was an anthology set featuring past and present band members: I've Failed You / In The Black era, the Oracle / Until The End era, and the Spit era. Fan-filmed video and the band's Facebook livestream is available below.