pimpampo | writings of a plot holder, gardener, serial hair dyer and poet.
I'm taking pride in only having one bad day so far this winter I'm sticking to my morning routine of led lamp, supplements, yoga and energy exercises and eating breakfast. Lunch has been haphazard, with the business of Christmas . There's so many people who need help, collecting with Santa's sleigh takes young people in Litherland away to camp each summer, sorting Christmas parcels at the homeless charity reminds me how privileged I am and facepainting the kids in the park while they waited to see santa was fun. Just a Christmas fair and a mince pie event to go. My other half and I have both got a week off work for the festivities, this is unusual and of course we'll end up down the plot at some point. The plots tidy enough to not feel guilty about leaving it alone for the past few weeks. Although I've been to check on the little plant nursery in the greenhouse. I had a propagation spurt in autumn so we've all sorts of perennials that kindly reseeded themselves around the garden ready for a spring plant sale.
I've caught up with a few old work colleagues lately and been asked 'how's the new job? ' It's brilliant, I love it. Some development work to get my teeth stuck into (I'm good at turning ideas into plans) and I'm outdoors 3 days a week, in an office one day, off on a Wednesday. A good balance for keeping the mental health good. I've been able to do the creative stuff that keeps me happy. I've made some slate garden signs, willow wreaths, little jar house plants and even made pom poms to decorate the local Christmas tree. I can attach a photo as I'm doing this post on my phone for the first time ever.
Summer has most definately arrived! It's been 10 weeks since we returned from Kefalonia and I started my new job. We've had some beautiful weather and it's barely rained.
I sit again on the couch planning nothing but a weekend of rest, maybe a little pottering, my heavy eyelids imply an afternoon nap may be on the cards and my sore throat needs a trip to the shop for some fresh orange juice. All other plans have taken a back seat as the exhaustion sets in. I tell myself it will ease itself, balance itself out and it is summer. Summer is a busy time for gardeners. This week I was reminded that I like meeting new people. As someone who picks up easily on the energy of others I've been making sure I'm grounded and protected through my meditations and hypnotherapy sessions that I've recorded onto my phone. I find this helps. I do get into the past cycles of trying to please others rather than listen to my intuition and do what's right for me. Then theres the perfectionist that I have to fight. Reminding myself that I dont need to put in 100% all the time, just turning up and being there is good enough.
When I have managed to get to the allotment there's been lots of harvesting. The freezer is full of green beans, mange tout, sugar snap peas, blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, whitecurrants, raspberries, gooseberries… etc! etc! I've got beetroot to boil and a drawer full of rocket, spinach, courgettes, tomatoes and salad. I think I'm overwhelmed by the need to preserve it all in some way and not waste it. Knowing how tight money has been (I've only just been paid for my second job, phew!) I'm keen not to waste anything but as Mike says, it'll go back and make compost if we dont eat it in time!
My mind has been busy with lists of resources and creative ideas for all the gardening groups that I'm juggling right now.
My main job is a lovely huge garden in the middle of an urban town. There's about 11 volunteers who all get on well together. This was confirmed at our volunteer barbecue on Thursday evening this week where the conversation flowed. It's good to see these very different people get together and enjoy this open space in different ways. Some enjoy watering, harvesting, mowing or building. It's my humble job to co-ordinate it, develop the space, help the volunteers get the skills they want, the wood, the seeds, and the confidence to take ownership and pride in the amazing community garden that theyv'e created. I love it when people drop in and ask what we're doing, wonder what's growing or tell us about their garden and it makes me smile when they tell us they voted against it because they thought the local kids would wreck it, it would be over run with rats or nothing would grow on this concrete rubble ground and they're happy that we've prooved them wrong.
Now my friday morning job is not yet at this stage. The anti-social behaviour has caused problems and things have been wrecked, the ground is an ex-bowling green, hard and compacted, prone to flooding when it does rain, things do get dumped there or sunflowers snapped. But a recent entry into #BootleInBloom showed passer-by's that we're making a difference. We've planted sunflowers, flowers, courgette plants, squash and pumpkins, potatoes and herbs. A couple of apple trees too. Last week we had 3 people ask about volunteering, two actually done a little bit of work before the heat got the better of them! Some negativity was covered with explanations about how we struggled to get the 'Friends of the Park' group up and running. Finally I feel like people want to engage rather than walk past with their dogs.
The more daunting part of my job was working with school age children again. I wonder what I was worried about!!! I fall back into that role without even thinking about it, helping in gardening after school club and I'm looking forward to the summer activity club in the park. It'll be fun!
Work aside, I've still been doing everything else and more to fill the days, helping at the plot barbecue, volunteering in drama shows, out with Layla, going through the menopause, looking for cars with Lizzie, the car breaking down in Aigburth, doing research into grants and funding, entering our flat gardens into a housing association competition, and here's me wondering why I'm so exhausted! Right, I'm off to get a bit a shopping for tea, no rest for the wicked!
Waiting for my laptop to load lately has been like waiting for spring this year, frustrating. I was busy doing other things to keep me well so not being busy down the allotment wasn't a priority. I've had sessions on understanding anxiety, being part of a wellness group, EFT (Emotional freedom technique), cognitive behaviour therapy, meetings with my unison rep, phased job return and then an interview for my new job. I've also been supporting my Mum through the process of getting Dad (later stages of Parkinson's Disease) into a nursing home. A very busy spring!
I'm trying to download a photo to add but it's making me say things like 'Are you for real?!', 'How slow can you be?', etc. Patience testing that even a buddhist would struggle with. I always joke and say I only get my new jobs cos I tick bisexual and buddhist on the equal opportunities form. Both are true, if I have to pick a religion it would be buddhism, having trust in the universe providing will come in very handy when my new wage tries to keep us going in food and electricity bills. And the bisexual bit? I was married to a woman in the past. Lets leave that there for now.
So my other half gets frustrated with my relaxed approach to the plot. I've been there an hour, so I water the greenhouse, fill the bird feeders, fill my own water bottle, find my gloves, cut flowers, plant flowers. Then he comes over and asks me if I'm going to hoe those weeds or clear up the weeds that I've removed (from the straight paths that we laid- I laid the paths and he made it straight!). I was asked by his sister if I had a lot to do, I said no, its not a one off process, like his sushi production line, it's ongoing, there's always something to do. I think the therapy process have given me this added relaxed approach. I no longer need to be perfect at everything. things dont need to be perfect or even to my own standard all the time. I have things growing. They're not growing very fast (well the mares tale is) but they are planted and growing slowly. I love the low maintenance things like asparagus, raspberry canes, strawberries and fruit trees. Loads of plums developing there. I'm still sharing last years plum jam.
This relaxed approach is spilling, flowing over in my new job. I'm the community garden co-ordinator (I like the hyphen, I think there should be one) within a charity organisation. They do all sorts of other well-being things in the centre and the garden is over the road. There seems to be some great enthusiastic volunteers, all different, and its my job to look at developing the garden. I love a good challange. Sustainability is the challenge. The charity can only inject so much money so it needs to provide us with some income eventually. I was saying, relaxed, I've got to work 20 hours, I was asked when I'd like to work them. God, I'm indecisive! But never had the chance really to pick my own working week. It's picked now, but not fixed in stone, flexible, hours in leiu available too.
The above sums up how I've felt this week. Not really with it. I can function, I have functioned well, in work, at home. This morning I was upset, sad at the thought of keeping well being so difficult. But I managed to be a bit creative yesterday and draw and write some little splodges of strategies. These little positive actions can help motivate me in the mornings to remove myself from the bed, the pit of depression, my safe space but also this is the place for my procrastinating, avoidance of life, duvet literally over my head. My phone and its games, solitaire and sudoku also take part in this distraction. It's difficult to prize myself away from the mental anguish of self depreciation.
One of my little symbols is a trophy. My trophy that I held after creating a garden for the Flower Show last year. I remind myself that I've come far, my acheivements are plenty throughout the 45 years that I have lived. I have a degree and two diplomas, I have 3 offspring who are alive, healthy and thriving. I have physical health, which is a factor in my awe at the winter paralympics happening in South Korea right now. I am loved and valued within the communities that I mix in. The lady downstairs had printed off a photograph of my snowman and sent up some biscuits last night. I was like a big kid again with the snow. I love it. Mike and I went out at 8am to be the first ones to step on the crisp soft ground down the plots. We done the responsible bits like fed the birds, then made a 4 ft snowwoman, this was on Thursday, International Womens Day afterall. We had to fix his fruit cage where the weight of the snow had torn the mesh. I love how quiet and light it is with snow. It covers the litter and the imperfections. I love it that the primulars that I planted are still poking their coloured flowers through. I planted them here outside our flat, outside the pavillion at the allotment and on my plot.
I remember that I presently have 25 tins of paint in my car boot. Granddad Mick works painting and decorating. He often has paint left over from jobs and is not officially allowed to redistribute them. I have friends in need and even if lilac isn't their colour, they'll find a use for it. News from Nowhere, vegan cafe might be turning that shade soon. I like to avoid waste and help others aquire things that they will use. It makes sense even if it makes Mike's eyes roll. He doesn't always understand my altruism. Sometimes my altruism might have an overwhwlming effect on me but I think of it as building up my Karma. There are always others who are worse off than us and if I can help I will.
Helping others can be a downfall. I am an empath. I take on the energy of others. I've recently practised imagining my protection. I have this pink 'ready brek' glow, allowing me to listen and offer my input but attempting not to absorb the emotions of others. I wouldn't describe myself as telepathic, but I often feel pains or aches and when I talk or see someone close, they tell me of the same pain. Sounds crazy, loopy, off the planet. Until I read a book by Judith Orloff, MD, The Empath's Survival Guide. It's not my imagination, and while the book is rather americanised (twee at times), it's helped to understand these things that I feel. (I'm aware I'm not doing a book review, I have no place to talk about qualified doctors or published authors, but just expressing things how I find them). Now I understand I can begin to practise strategies. I need to be more assertive when negative energies try to manipulate my efforts. I need to find ways in active listening that result in accepting rather than wanting to problem solve for everyone else.
Entranced I watch, what a treat!
I've been writing: goals, therapy charts, emails for a back to work plan and in my journal of course but not on here lately, apologies.
A bout of anxiety knocked me for six last year, and then under the radar slid in depression. Like the hidden undercurrent in the Mersey, alongside the sandbanks of crosby beach (if you've not been, then google Anthony Gormley's iron men). A friend (many have helped to listen, reply to texts, made cuppas, etc) described her depression to be like the waves upon the said beach. Some days you go and splash happily prepared in flip flops with the sun shining and breeze trying to blow my waxed hair out of shape (unsuccessfully of course). And other times the waves are tsunami-like, come from nowhere and knock you off your feet and you need rescuing on a huge scale. The mudslide pulls me down from poor sleep, too much worrying, trying to presume what others want and expect of me. Now most days I manage to dodge the surf, with little splashes touching the back edge of my heels. I'm using grounding tecniques, breathing and lots of written work to prevent me being swept in.
I discovered I was a perfectionist in work, everything had to be done, on time and completely perfect. However after winning a Gold Medal with only 75/100 in the recent flower show, (I won a large silver trophy too) I realise that just for turning up, you usually get a bronze medal. Just turning up to work, is ok, I've managed to be on time which is great! My 4 months off have gone in a blur of therapy sessions and visits to Mum, intermingled with days of being glued (you know when your welly boot squelches in that gloopy mud and you almost loose it as your foot pulls out trying desperately not to leave the boot behind?) in the quicksand that is my bed. As a master of procrastination and avoidance I have spent the last 30 years believing that I am not worthy of being loved, and that's been underpinning a heap of other negative thought patterns. So letting go of all these is a massive task.
I am now trying two days a week in work to see how I manage. Little by little the things I enjoy are creeping back into my life. I had great fun making a snowman before work last week and even managed to have a good disco boogie at a party with my other half at the weekend.
Challenging the anxiety: before christmas I decided that as I was scared just doing everyday stuff that I'd try a beginners boxing class. Something brand new. It was great. I loved it, I ached for days after each session but the no-nonsense approach that men have was refreshing. It didn't matter what I wore or how slow I was, whether I knew my left from right these were the exercises, join in. I loved the guys who would challenge me to improve and throw their full weight in punches, I managed to throw mine stright back. I'm not saying I'm any good or that I can afford the membership fee but it was a therapy in itself. I got up this morning for a jog/walk. I know exercise is vital but my interest sways between obsessive and bored. It always has.
An another part of my recovery is to engage with the things I enjoy. I used the anxiety to get back up on stage as Pim Pam Po and read out some of my poems last saturday. The pale ale calmed the nerves a bit and the relief I feel afterwards reminds me that this adrenalin has a job to do. I like it when I get inspiration from others and I'm in awe of musicians and their talents. I do like it when I inspire others to write or to have a go themselves or when they've related to one of the topics. I read demands (all about the teenagers!), the date, the disaster (internet date), lost the plot (about meeting mike down the allotment) and woodland for sale (my desires to live off grid, away from the irks of modern life). I have to read them as my memory is really poor lately. Wordfinding and remembering threads of conversations is difficult. I'm not sure if this is a mental health issue or a menopausal one! But it's very frustrating I know that. It's all part of the new relaxed, one small step at atime, forgiving myself for mistakes, me.
Anyway Cheers again for reading to the end, hopefully I will return soon with joyous tales of spring growth from the plot. Suppose I just wanted to acknowledge The Life Rooms in Walton for their courses, My GP has been a huge help in listening and acting upon what I wanted rather than just dish out the pills. I've had Cognitive Behaviour Therapy from her referral. Also Occupational Health were good at helping me plan my phased return and I cant forget my UNISON rep, who's been amazing accompanying me to work meetings, emailing and phoning me. Worth every penny of my £9 a month subs.
I'm not apologising for my lack of blogging, I'm just not committed to writing for other readers. My journal is full of ramblings, short poems and angst from my mental health episodes over the past few months. Perhaps one day I shall share it.
I will call them episodes. Mental illness. Anxiety. Perhaps peri-menopausal. Perhaps just finally my past, catching up on me, forcing me to really explore my pschological cycles. I try reiki, massage, light therapy, aromatherapy, crystals, meditation, talking to my union rep, being off work, while the doctor prescribes cognitive behaviour therapy. I go to see a counsellor. I've tried Emotional Freedom Technique this morning for the first time. I do feel lighter, relieved. The meditation where I focus on the pause in between my breaths, eases the tight chest and anxiety. The positive affirmations get stuck in my throat. I know I need to continue with them. I have to convince myself of my qualities. It doesnt come easy. I feel my battle against mental illness, this time, is one I am going to win.
The symptoms this time have been completely different, hence me feeling they are linked to hormone changes within this 45 year old body. Moods swing to and fro, changing more often than the autumn weather, chest tightens, can't breathe, throat is dry, I'm thirsty, my mind races, my temperature fluctuates, I'm laughing but I'm not sure I should be, paranoia creeps around me, I'm not really listening because I'm worrying about what I need to do next, but feeling overwhelmed. Don't ask me to make a decision, that gives me a headache, even if it's "tea or coffee?" I have a good day and realise I can't remember the last two months, can't remember the last time I felt like myself, can't remember the last time I had a conversation and actually really listened. It's when I think about driving into the on-coming traffic do I realise I'm really ill. I think that I want the pain in my head to end, to go away, and the rational, practical me has transformed into a teary blob curled in a ball down the side of my bed. It's not nice or easy to explain. Especially to ask those that I love, for help. I tell my colleagues, my unison rep, my manager. I sit next to my partner and can't find the words, they well up inside my heart and I swallow down the tears with effort. The brick wall of my illness stops me, where do I start? Why can I explain all these symptoms to a stranger in the street but not to my partner? Why would he love someone this messed up, this ill?
He does, I am lovable, I am worthy of love, I am generous, I am compassionate, I am strong, I am loyal, I am brave, I am kind, I am assertive, I am creative. I can overcome this sadness, I can forgive myself, I can begin to fill the void, open my heart and be loved, to feel loved.
I'm out of the habit of writing, out of practise. I look in my diary and it was May the last time I'd written in my plot diary, but I've written in my phone notes and my home diary. Most of it is moaning about menopausal symptoms, memory loss, back pain (after creating the above gold medal and trophy winning garden), headaches, itchy skin, I shall not go on, but I've got a long list of irritating things happening to my 45 year old body. I've written lists of things to do, to remember, a few poem like pieces, but most originate from feeling stressed and down. Its summer so I berate myself in believing that I shouldn't be feeling depressed. The sun shines, it's been a really good summer, with the past few weeks topping up the water butts with night time showers. I like waking to the rain soaked car park, heating up, turning paler as the sun rises over the neighbours fence. I like to cherish the good days, the days when I feel like myself but I'm left with the wonder of where I have been. The real me, not the one thats always busy, the one racing past people so I don't have to have eye contact with the people who know. The people, who are friends, the ones who know if they stop to ask if I'm ok then I won't be, I'll break. They know I need to work through this, they know I'm holding the outside together, they patiently wait, happy to give advice from afar (they know how stubborn I am), but assertive enough to tell me whats best for me. The ones who recognise I'm on the edge, who forgive me if I dont text back, but keep on texting to check I know they are there. Friends, bloody good friends, are priceless. They've reminded me that my family is happy and healthy. My friend's neice has a tiny, premature baby with an under-developed brain who will not be resuccitated as the doctors advised she wouldn't live. She is living, breathing, feeding, burping, bringing joy and wonder with her strength. Friends who remind me that I'm talented and beautiful in my own, blue haired, clumsy way. Colleagues who support me and have faith in my abilities join that list of bloody great friends.
Asleep, no. Sleepwalking, sleep working, sleep digging! Communicating, not really.
Not listening, not eye contacting, not absorbing.
Emotional tightrope, grasping, holding on, anger, stress, on tiptoes.
I'm at the other side. I've stepped off and looking back at the fear, the pain, standing upright in the breeze.
Looking back ready to sever the cord, cut the ropes that tie around my neck.
Tightening my shoulders, ropes that trick my chest into shallow breaths of panic.
I'm armed, with hindsight, a past mistake, the regret is the scaffold that helps me build with the strength it taught me.
Like the phoenix, dare I compare myself to the majestic creature, I rose.
From depression, unemployment, lacking in purpose or support.
I DONE THAT. I SURVIVED THAT. I AM BETTER THAN THAT.
I don't need the capital letters to tell myself, I am worth the investment in myself.
So this week I ground myself at the allotment. My shrub border starts to take shape. The plants escape from their black pots ready to spread their roots and the dark soil glistens with the recent rain. The downpours blow past while I shelter in my shed. I return to plant the pittosporum, getting it facing the right way, in the right position. Its shiny leaves reflect the sunshine, as I sit and absorb it, the orange seeps through my closed eye lids. I watch the grey clouds blow past in the wrong direction (usually they go away from the coast but today they go towards it) and the sun gleems in the blue pockets and gaps inbetween.
I know, I trust in the universe, knowing that these symptoms, feelings will pass, they will be lifted from me and things will be good. Things are good. I have my own allotment, my own veggies, flowers, my own natural space on this precious earth. My own little bit of paradise.


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Some perspectives of the Findhorn New Story Summit from Cathy Fitzgerald. New social structures; circle formations, sociocracy and The Grief Ritual as elements for eco-social change.
I explore new ideas and practices for eco-social well being by bringing art and non-art practices together in my creative practice. I also offer Ecoliteracy learning for the arts at www.haumea.site _____________________________ Through my practice and an art practice-theory PhD "The Ecological Turn", I have developed a guiding theory-method framework to articulate the context and workings of long-term eco-social art practices. These vital practices activate ecoliteracy and agency for environmental change in communities. Much of my PhD drew on my experiences and challenges, and the review of others' pioneering creative practices' that are responding to ecological concerns. My own transversal practice reflects on the transformation of the small conifer plantation that I live with, Hollywood forest, toward new-to-Ireland, Close-to-Nature forestry. I bring previous experience in biological science research and interests in environmental philosophy, policy development and ecocide-Rights of Nature law developments into the mix. _____________________________ Somehow an eco-social art practice allows me to connect and move across these various strands of interest to create a new agency for myself and the human and non-human neighbours I depend on and live with. _____________________________ Hollywood forest is the smallest Close-to-Nature forest in Ireland; its growing happily near Mt Leinster and the Blackstairs mountains in South East Ireland.


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JUDITH DURHAM, AO (1943 - 2022)
Official Media Release
It is with overwhelming sadness that Musicoast Pty. Ltd. and Universal Music Australia announce the death of international music legend Judith Durham, aged 79.
After a brief stay in the Alfred Hospital, Judith was admitted to Palliative Care on Friday 5 August, where she passed away peacefully that evening. Her death was a result of complications from a long-standing chronic lung disease.
In making the announcement, Judith's biographer and The Seekers management team member Graham Simpson said: "This is a sad day for Judith's family, her fellow Seekers, the staff of Musicoast, the music industry and fans worldwide, and all of us who have been part of Judith's life for so long."
Judith's beloved sister Beverley Sheehan spoke of the closeness they shared throughout life, including their love of music. "Judith's joy for life, her constant optimism, creativity and generosity of spirit were always an inspiration to me."
Judith's nephew Tony Sheehan – speaking for his brother Ben and sister Belinda - said, "We have been blessed to share our lives with her."
On behalf of Keith Potger AO and Bruce Woodley AO, Athol Guy AO said, "Our lives are changed forever losing our treasured lifelong friend and shining star. Her struggle was intense and heroic - never complaining of her destiny and fully accepting its conclusion. Her magnificent musical legacy Keith, Bruce and I are so blessed to share."
George Ash, President, Universal Music Australia and New Zealand said: "Great artists become part of our fabric and our extended family, and Judith Durham was no exception. She was a force of nature, constantly energised with a passion for music and life. We were all privileged to have known Judith and heard her heavenly voice. We are deeply saddened by her passing and will miss her dearly."
Cyrus Meher-Homji, OAM, Senior Vice President, Classics & Jazz at Universal Music Australia and New Zealand said: "How would a five-year-old understand the message and spirit of The Carnival Is Over? Perhaps not, but that is the age at which I first encountered Judith Durham and The Seekers, and I was entranced. In 2011, we at Universal Music Australia were lucky enough to sign Judith Durham to Decca Australia, at which time Judith wrote of her happiness, knowing that 'the Universal/Decca family now also hold on to my dream and mission to uplift and bring happiness to music fans around the world'. High above, the dawn awaits you, Judith. Your artistry will forever be enshrined in our souls."
We wish to acknowledge and thank the dedicated team of doctors and nurses at Alfred Hospital for their outstanding care and compassion.
Judith's family has asked for privacy at this time.
Photo credit Elizabeth Hawkes
NEW CD SINGLE OUT NOW
ALL IN A DAY'S WORK - JUDITH DURHAM & LANCE LAWRENCE
Visit the Merchandise page to place your order.
The Arts have brought so many people together for this unifying project. Internationally renowned singer/composer Judith Durham AO joins skilled horseman/bush poet Lance Lawrence in his autobiographical epic poem "All In A Day's Work" adapted to music by Judith in this ten minute cinematic sonic ride combining rich orchestration with a galloping boogie-woogie feel.
Though now in 2020 - back in 1966 these two young Aussies were worlds away from each other: Judith in London England; Lance in SE Arnhem Land NT Australia where Lance lives now.
They were introduced by Dora Levakis whose portrait of Lance was displayed at a famous art exhibition in 2009: this is the hair-raising yarn Lance told Judith, how he risked being killed mustering scrub-cattle.
Adding further to his long string of accomplishments, in 1992 Lance became a published poet with his anthology "Lash Laroo Rode In", and now as a spoken word recording artist in his duet with Judith.
Track List: 1. Full Version with vocals 2. Orchestral Version
Listen to a preview of the song here
CD PRE SALE DATE MONDAY AUGUST 31st, 2020
Due to be dispatched mid September. Visit the merchandise page to pre order your copy!
Judith Durham's First Studio Album In Six Years Out Now.
Released to celebrate Judith's 75th birthday on 3 July, the album So Much More is a collection of stunning songs that Judith has composed...
Judith Durham So Much More Album Trailer Released
To celebrate the release of Judith's first studio album in six years, Universal Music Australia and Decca Records are proud to release the So Much More album trailer.
So Much More Album Trailer
The Today Show celebrates The Seekers' #1 DVD
Judith is awarded the AO
© 2018 Musicoast Pty Ltd.
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Birthday honour for Mao's..
Birthday honour for Mao's Last Dancer
4BC diveLi Cunxin AOMao's Last BDay Honourmark braybrook
It's a long way from an impoverished village in China to inclusion on the Queen's Birthday Honours List, but it's just the latest chapter in Li Cunxin storied life.
The man who became known to the world as Mao's Last Dancer has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his services to the arts.
Li, the artistic director of the Queensland Ballet, tells Mark he is humbled by the honour and says he sometimes can't believe how his life has worked out.
AustraliaLifestyleLocalNewsQLD


Traditional beliefs and rituals of many communities related to the tiger need a revivial to preserve the tiger population of the North East.
Tiger is a symbol of power, strength and majesty in the overall Indian social, cultural and religious perceptions. Many traditionally look at the big cat as the protector from the evil. The Bagh Deo rituals practiced by the Gond Tribe of central India is an example of such traditional beliefs among many communities across the country.
Such rituals exist in North East India too -- a habitat of the Royal Bengal tiger. Take the Ramo tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Traditionally a hunting tribe, the Ramos avoids eating or killing tigers as they consider it their divine brother. The Mao tribe in Manipur also believes that the tiger is a god and the mankind its brother, the sons of same mother. As per their folk interpretation, 'okhe' (meaning 'tiger' representing all of the animal kingdom), 'orah' (meaning 'god' representing all of the supernatural world) and 'omei' (meaning 'mankind') are rooted in same mother.
The tribes like the Apatani and Singpho in Arunachal Pradesh also traditionally avoid killing tigers. If someone had to kill one in self defence, he/she has to under a ritual and ask for apology for it from the divine powers.
Among the Bodos of Assam, the Musahary or Mwsahary clan is connected with the Bodo word 'musa', meaning tiger. They believe that they share kinship with tigers. In parts of the state's Darang district, the clan is often referred to as Baglari. Many Musahary use the surname Baglary. The word 'Bag' or 'Bagh' is an Assamese word, meaning tiger. The reason why many Mushaharies use Baglary as the surname is probably because of the influence of the Assamese-speaking community upon some Bodos inhabiting in close proximity to them.
In some villages of Baksa district, the Musahary clan is also referred by the Bodo villagers as 'Musani Bahagi', meaning kinsfolk of the tiger. Traditionally, the Mushaharies were hunters but they were not supposed to kill the tiger. It is believed that this group was also traditionally to ensure the safety of domestic animals from the attack of tigers. Interestingly, there was a tradition in the clan that on hearing about the death of a tiger in a neighbouring village, all members of a Mushahary family should observe a day of mourning for the dead tiger, as if it belonged to their family. On the day of mourning, the floors and the walls of each house of the village were to be wiped by the womenfolk with freshly prepared compost of mud and cow-dung and the articles like cloths, utensils, etc. were to be washed on the same ground and thereafter sprinkled with holy waters.
This practice is said to be still followed in some interior Bodo villages. (Paripex – Indian Journal of Reserach, Volume: 4 | Issue: 2 | Feb 2015, p.69-70).
The Karbi community, inhabiting in the areas around the Kaziranga National Park and its contiguous forests, also have tiger rituals. The Karbis of Inglepathar particularly perform the Chinthong Arnam. They believe that the soul of a person who dies in a tiger attack is unredeemable. Chinthong is a deity of the Karbis who offers protection against the Bongkrui (tiger). Therefore, he is propitiated through the performance of the ritual Chinthong Arnam.
Some Karbis also have the Rong Arnam ritual observed during the month of Matizang (December) for the protection of the entire village from Ingnar (elephants) and Bongkrui (tigers). During this ritual, the deities are invoked not only for the protection of human beings but also for the safety of their domestic animals (The International Indigenous Policy Journal, Vol. 2, Iss. 4 , Art. 10, p.5-6).
Also, among the Dimasa community, any person killed by a tiger is considered the worst kind of death. It is traditionally believed that the person might have committed some felony and therefore was punished. The death ceremony of such a person is different from the rest.
It is noteworthy that up to around 2001-02 in the Dailungjhar village -- located on the boundary of the Manas National Park in the state's Chirang district, people belonging to Koch Rajbongshi and Bengali communities organised regular tiger rituals, locally called Bagh Puja. They also had a 'Bagh Temple', where rituals were held in the Assamese calendar month of 'Puha' (in December). Prayers were offered for the safety of their domesticated animals. The ritual gradually began to wane once the area saw a lot of insurgency-related disturbances from 2002-03 onwards. Though people have stopped visiting the temple, many still conduct the rituals at home.
There are also examples of tiger idols in the temples of the region, like in the Snyan Ghat temple and the Bagheswari Temple in Assam's Dhubri and Goalpra district respectively. The tiger motif is present in the woodcraft of different Naga tribes too.
These reflections on tiger in the religio-cultural perception of the communities of North East India signify the wide belief that the world is a coherent whole where the divine, the human beings and the animals are organically related to each other. That, all creatures, including the Supreme Being, mutually affects each other. Though the Supreme Being is understood as the creator and the one that sustains living things, they are also perceived as a part of the overall eco system. The supreme position of tiger in the cultural and folk beliefs reflects the reality in the natural system, where it is in the position of an umbrella, which also sustains the others under its coverage.
No wonder then, conservationists look at the loss of large cats such as the tigers, which are at the top of the food web, from their natural habitat as the cause of irreversible changes in the natural eco systems. The decline in the number of large predators may lead to over-abundance of herbivores, such as the deer, which, in turn, has repercussions on tree regeneration and seed dispersal. Such effects reverberate through the food chain, causing long-term changes in natural flora and fauna, eventually leading to specie losses.
Today, human activity is posing a threat to the tiger's existence. Poaching, habitat loss and fragmentation of forest are the major causes behind such threats. Out of the original nine species of tiger, three are extinct, in the last 80 years. The international conservation body, IUCN, considers four of the remaining species endangered and one in critically endangered situation. The Royal Bengal tiger found in eastern and northeastern region is also one of the endangered species.
In the North East, Manas, Namdapha, Pake, Kaziranga, Dampa, and Orrang national parks have a significant number of tigers. These reserves are not only repositories of the bio-diversity but also provide tangible and intangible ecological services to the immediate coverage area as well as to the larger area having ecological connectivity through terrestrial and aquatic eco systems. In this context, there is an urgent need to revive the traditional cultural beliefs of the people living in close proximity to these parks. It will help to develop awareness about the protection of the big cat and thereby the eco system.
There is a need to frame a programme on conservation education which is in tandem with the cultural and social beliefs and perceptions of the different ethnic communities to involve them in the long term conservation initiatives.


Voluntis, a company specializing in digital therapeutics, has reportedly announced that it has formed a collaboration with research-based global biopharmaceutical company AbbVie, in order to improve patient care coordination in immunology through innovative digital therapeutic software.
As per trusted sources, the companies will collectively leverage Voluntis' established Theraxium technology to make this novel solution available to patients and providers in the U.S. A news report by the Seeking Alpha, claims that the France-based company will leverage its Theraxium technology which allows patients to self-manage their symptoms through a smartphone application. The report further stated that Voluntis is also collaborating with Roche in hemophilia as well as AstraZeneca in Cancer.
Pierre Leurent, Chief Executive Officer of Voluntis was quoted stating that this collaboration with AbbVie exhibits Theraxium's value in powering the next generation digital therapeutics in wide-range therapeutic spectrums.
Reportedly, the digital therapeutics expert along with AstraZeneca was awarded the 2018 Prix Galien – MedStartUp Award for Best Patient Engagement Technology for eCO in New York. The award recognized outstanding partnerships amongst entities from France and North America to improve healthcare.
eCO is a companion digital therapeutic created collectively by Voluntis, AstraZeneca, and the National Cancer Institute, for female patients taking treatment for recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. Similar to Voluntis and AbbVie's Theraxium, eCO also focuses on helping patients manage symptoms associated with their treatment through a patient app, created in collaboration with its care teams, cite sources.
For the record, Voluntis develops digital therapeutics that empower people suffering from chronic health conditions to self-manage their treatment, resulting in improved real-world outcomes. Through a combination of mobile and web applications, Voluntis delivers customized recommendations to patients to simplify treatment dosage adjustment, manage side effects, and monitor symptoms, based on clinical algorithms. Having leveraged its Theraxium technology platform, the company has designed and operates several digital therapeutics including Insulia and Diabeo for diabetes, Zemy, and eCO for oncology.


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Black Cat to Marry Spidey? Is Marvel Comics Pulling our Leg?
Avi Green August 30, 2019
Are Black Cat and Spider-Man going to get married? Either way, I don't think this is going to impress Spider-fans who want Mary Jane Watson back as Peter Parker's wife, and not just his girlfriend, as is still the pseudo-status quo. This Newsarama announcement says:
"You are cordially invited to the wedding of Black Cat and Spider-Man!"
That's how the solicitation for the just-revealed Black Cat Annual #1 coming out this November begins.
While they've been on-and-off-lovers for decades, making the relationship serious has been until now left to the imagination (that and 1991's What If? #21, ""What If… Spider-Man Married the Black Cat?")
However, in recent issues of Amazing Spider-Man, Peter and Felicia became re-acquianted after some time apart.
And Mary Jane's still merely a girlfriend; the marriage of 1987 remains obliterated. Well I'm certainly not falling for this, even if it's just another marriage that'll never come to pass. I'm as big a Felicia Hardy fan as the next Spider-fan is, but if it'd work better for Peter Parker to wed a civilian, it'd be the same for Felicia. This stunt won't replace what would please the Spider-crowd far better – a rejoining of Peter and Mary Jane as husband and wife.
Bam-Smack-Pow noted what happened in more recent storylines:
Things have been rough for the Black Cat. She spent a few years trying to act as a crime-lord but has since reformed back to non-lethal thefts with occasional acts of anti-heroism. But she's since benefited from Marvel Comics' endless promotion of Spider-Man and all related spin-offs. Jed McKay (Daughters of the Dragon, Man Without Fear) has led a new ongoing series for her, which has sold exceptionally well. Even the second issue in July was a top 10 seller, edging out the immensely popular Immortal Hulk.
It will remain to be seen whether this wedding is genuine or a clever way to sell an annual. Historically, annuals tend to sell poorer than regular issues of an ongoing series — so much so that Bill Jemas, during his tenure as publisher of Marvel Comics from 2000-2004, replaced annuals with 13th issues of ongoing series each year. And this is coming off last summer's X-Men Gold No. 30, in which a wedding teased between Colossus and Shadowcat turned out to be a ruse to hitch Rogue and Gambit instead. It's probable this "wedding" will just be a ruse for one of Black Cat's heists. But readers won't know until November, will they?
It may be one thing to depict her as a thief. After all, so long as she were to rob wealthy criminals, that's what would make her stories work. But depicting her as a crime-lord or a syndicate leader is honestly unsuitable for anti-heroes, and IIRC, this happened with Gambit too, in 1999, and it was tasteless. Now didn't Felicia originally reform by the mid-80s? One more reason why these recent reversions were a disfavor to Marv Wolfman and Dave Cockrum's creation.
As for annual issue sales, that's awfully vague to say they sell badly compared with monthly, because when Marvel tried them again in 1976 (and DC later in 1982), they did considerably better than the first time in the mid-60s. It was only towards the end of the century annuals really began slipping, mainly because of how bad superhero comics were getting by then with all the crossover stunts that even clogged the annuals (DC's Eclipso: The Darkness Within and Bloodlines were truly awful). So it shouldn't be a surprise annuals were affected.
And after all the trouble Joe Quesada caused with One More Day in Spider-Man back in 2007, that's why purists, no matter how much they love Black Cat, shouldn't be taken in by this, no matter how enticing J. Scott Campbell's cover may be. The difference this has from DC's botched non-wedding between Batman and Catwoman is that here, we're dealing with a lady like Mary Jane who spent a decade suffering some of the worst injustice mainstream superhero fare could go through, and fans detested Quesada's mishandling. But, speaking of OMD, it's being revisited, astonishingly enough, according to this post about ASM #29. Which makes one wonder if they really are going to at least reverse that atrocity altogether, which will put any concerns about the Black Cat storyline to rest.
If they do, that could certainly salvage C.B. Cebulski's withering reputation, and even prove they're not seated that firmly on the anti-marriage bandwagon. Trouble is, that still doesn't guarantee good, merit-based writing is to be expected going forward. But then, what else was to be expected in an era where superhero comics are on the verge of collapse?
Originally published here.
Avi Green
Avi Green was born in Pennsylvania in 1974, and moved to Israel in 1983. He enjoyed reading comics when he was young, the first being Fantastic Four. He maintains a strong belief in the public's right to knowledge and accuracy of facts. He considers himself a conservative-style version of Clark Kent. Follow him on his blog at Four Color Media Monitor or on Twitter at @avigreen1
Ye Gods! Streaming TV Brings Back the Greco-Roman Pantheon
Reviews From the Multiverse! Venom: The End
JUST KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON
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This time we had an incredible day in Bacalar, a special place with their seven colors!
Sara Gasparotto and her amazing team from Spirituality Riviera Maya can do!
Thanks Mariana and Jimmy for your trust and lovely day!


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Q: Highscore file function for Tic Tac Toe game So I'm a C beginner and I'm writing a Tic Tac Toe game in C for class. The game works fine so far but I'm trying to include a file that keeps track of the player's stats (i.e. wins, losses, ties, etc.). I'm trying to write a loop that takes the values from the file and writes them into a global array or prints all zeros into the file if the file is empty (i.e. it's the player's first game). I've tried this loop:
    for (int i = 0; i < 7; i++) {
        if (fscanf(fptr, "%d", statistics_p1[i]) != 1) {
            fprintf(fptr, "%d ", statistics_p1[i]);
        } else {
            fscanf(fptr, "%d", statistics_p1[i]);
        }
    }

But the array always remains filled with all zeros, even if the file already contains data. What can I do?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


These Mainz misanthropes were formed in 1999 and played death metal. The group's 2002 demo leads to a contract with Spain's Xtreem. The CDR demo featured four songs and an intro. It was self-produced and had liner notes in which the band thanked itself. Soulreaver was issued in July of 2003. The band was heard on the 2004 Schwarztyrannen ('black tyrants') of Umtrunk Records with the song Restless Life. Reborn was aptly named coming four years later and through Musicaz.
In 2011, Dennis joined on bass and Mathias Piesker on drums. Sebastian was the new guitarist.
German quintet Misanthropic is an impressive band. In spite of what is perhaps a familiar moniker and a somewhat nondescript cover shot, the band delivers surprisingly mature death metal with songs like The Answers Inside Me, Fly and Living You. The five mix energizing melodic passages with the heaviness of a death metal band. Not only are the compositions good and the arrangements mature, but also the band hits all the right notes by emulating and adapting patterns previously heard in songs by Dissection, Demigod and Eucharist. The vocals, on the other hand, are occasionally reminiscent of early Morgoth. The band loves its guitar harmonies too which only adds to the stimulating impact of the songs. Misanthropic is hardly revolutionary, but that being beside the point, they deliver an exciting barrage of well-balanced metal that is worthy of a record deal. Which explains why Spain's Xtreem Music has already picked up the band with an eye for a July release. To secure the demo write to band@misanthropic.de or otherwise look out for the aforementioned debut. - Ali "The Metallian"
Part of the problem with these newcomers is how the label initiates high expectations by comparing the band to God Dethroned, Amon Amarth and Centinex. Those expectations will remain both unfulfilled and imprecise. The band's own material is, furthermore, hardly rousing. A couple of songs do hint at early Tiamat and Grotesque, but the rest of the material somehow dangles in place without breaking the enjoyment barrier. To take matters one step further, songs like Nervous Breakdown and Living You are weaker attempts at death metal and deteriorate to the point of incorporating background keyboards. The vocalist does sound heavy and brings a semblance of brutality to the band with his Sinister grunt. Elsewhere, Misanthropic has a loud bass and light drum sound which have to improve. All in all, this one is a let-down. - Ali "The Metallian"


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Le Festival de Malaga, officiellement Festival du cinéma espagnol de Malaga (en espagnol, Festival de Málaga de Cine Español, FMCE), est un festival de cinéma créé en 1998 et organisé chaque année à Malaga, en Espagne.

Pendant le festival, sont projetés les films espagnols les plus importants de l'année. Des prix récompensent les meilleurs films et des distinctions honorifiques sont également données. Le prix le plus important est le Biznaga d'or.

Histoire

Prix

Biznaga d'or
 1998 : Ma première nuit de Miguel Albaladejo
 1999 : Las huellas borradas d'Enrique Gabriel
 2000 : Sexo por compasión de Laura Mañá
 2001 : Sin vergüenza de Joaquín Oristrell
 2002 : El otro lado de la cama (Un lit pour quatre) d'Emilio Martínez-Lázaro
 2003 : Torremolinos 73 de Pablo Berger
 2004 : Héctor de Gracia Querejeta
 2005 : Tapas de José Corbacho et Juan Cruz
 2006 : Los aires difíciles de Gerardo Herrero
 2007 : Bajo las estrellas de Félix Viscarret
 2008 : Tres días de Francisco Javier Gutiérrez
 2009 : La vergüenza de David Planell
 2010 : Rabia de Sebastián Cordero
 2011 : Cinco metros cuadrados de Max Lemcke
 2012 : Els nens salvatges de Patricia Ferreira
 2013 : 15 años y un día de Gracia Querejeta
 2014 : 10.000 km de Carlos Marques-Marcet
 2015 : A cambio de nada de Daniel Guzmán
 2016 : Callback de Carles Torras
 2017 : Été 93 de Carla Simón
 2018 : Las distancias d'Elena Trapé
 2019 : Els dies que vindran de Carlos Marqués-Marcet
 2020 : Las niñas de Pilar Palomero
 2021 : El ventre del mar (El vientre del mar) d'Agustí Villaronga
 2022 : Cinco lobitos de Alauda Ruiz de Azúa

Prix de la critique

 2010 : La vida empieza hoy de Laura Mañá

Meilleur acteur

Meilleure actrice

Voir aussi

Sources

Liens externes
 Site officiel

Festival de cinéma en Espagne
Cinéma en Andalousie
Festival fondé en 1998
Culture à Malaga

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Designed to stimulate a child's imagination through a variety of colorful block patterns and letters, this rug is ideal for use in small play areas. You can be assured that these rugs are safe for your room and constructed with attention to detail and quality. Machine washable: cold water with mild detergent on gentle cycle (do not bleach). Line Dry. Rectangle carpet measures 4 x 6 feet.


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1. I will stay in touch.
You can start the networking habit with a holiday mailing. You can continue by reaching out in the new year to ask about people's holidays. You can make additional contacts throughout the year by dedicating your lunch hour to meeting up with people and getting out from behind your desk, or reconnecting with at least one person you don't see day-to-day. Even if you only do this once per week, that's 52 chances for staying in touch.
2. I will manage my professional online presence.
You probably already surf your social media platforms of choice to keep in touch personally. From a professional standpoint, you can extend your outreach to a broader network (to help with #1-staying in touch!) and you can post about topics in your industry or functional expertise. You can also update your profiles, including your picture (it needs to look like you do now, not five years ago).
3. I will preserve my focus.
One of the most common obstacles for my clients when reaching for a career goal is the fatigue factor – most are working a hectic, complex day job and feel too depleted to take on something else. Unfortunately, that something else is often what they really should be focused on – the search for a more ideal job, the pursuit of a promotion, the transition to a new career. If this sounds like you, then make 2017 the year you carve out specific time before, during and at the end of each day to take action on your "real" career aspiration, not the one you happened to be assigned to in your day job.


Jaguar produces stylish and comfortable performance cars. The Jaguar XF is the luxury car with the largest passenger space and it offers the most comfortable ride in its class as it is specifically manufactured for UK roads.
Jaguar has also been one of the few brands chosen by the Queen of England as well as the British Prime Ministers for years.
London Smart Cars offers the fully loaded new XF Model in its fleet which provides valuable business trips as well as memorable leisure occasions.


This was a busy week for Hall of Fame running back MARSHALL FAULK. First, he returned to his alma mater, Carver High School in New Orleans, La., to accept his Hometown Hall of Famer™ plaque presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate Insurance.
He then traveled to Missouri to honor one of the ten finalists for the U.S. Army – Pro Football Hall of Fame – Award for Excellence. The program, which was originally announced by Pro Football Hall of Famer SHANNON SHARPE at the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, highlights the achievements of student athletes across the country.
Marshall presented the finalist award to Drew Henbest at Cassville High School in Cassville, Mo. in front of family, classmates, friends, faculty and staff on Tuesday Oct. 16.
"Athletes and Army Strong Soldiers possess a unique and similar set of strengths," said John Myers, Director of Marketing U.S. Army Marketing and Research Group. "We are excited to partner with the Pro Football Hall of Fame and to recognize these outstanding student-athletes; athletes who excel in their area of sport and who also excel academically. The most important attribute is that they are upstanding members of their communities. We look forward to joining with the ten finalists in San Antonio in January and celebrating their achievements."
The ten finalists for the Award for Excellence will also travel to the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and participate in various activities throughout the end of the year. The winner of the Award for Excellence will be announced during the Bowl's formal Awards Dinner on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013.
Another Pro Football Hall of Fame running back, FLOYD LITTLE, released a new autobiography last month called "Promises to Keep: My Inspired Run from Syracuse to Denver to the Hall." The book is about more than just football: it's about the obstacles and challenges everyone faces in life, and how to find success despite setbacks.
"There are three kinds of people in this world: those that make things happen, those that watch things happen and those that don't know what happened," Little said. "You have to decide what you want to do with your life, and I chose to make things happen in my life."
Little's goal for success revolves around keeping a positive attitude.
"Every morning I wake up, brush my teeth and scream at the top of my lungs, 'Today is the best day of my life, and tomorrow has got to be better,'" Little said. "I start my day with a positive attitude every day, and when you have a positive attitude, it's a key to success - you make better decisions, you live better, you look better and you enjoy every day of your life."
Hall of Fame great WILLIE DAVIS also released a book in September called "Closing the Gap: Lombardi, the Packers Dynasty, and the Pursuit of Excellence." Davis joined FM KXL News 101 radio host John Canzano on Wednesday to discuss the book, talk about his football career and what it was like playing for Hall of Fame coach VINCE LOMBARDI.
"He made life so believable to me, I can remember once when he said, 'don't kid yourself. The way you act, the way you play this game is part reflection on the way you live the rest of your life.'"
Davis' success in life continued far after he left the gridiron. His book recounts how after his football career he went back to school to earn a Master's degree in business and built a reputation as a respected businessman in America. He writes about his time serving on the board of directors for Fortune 500 companies and his experiences as a minority in the business world.
"As recently as the 1980s, corporate America was still lacking in terms of minorities in upper management positions," Davis wrote. "I also found it fascinating how intrigued and sometimes even uncomfortable certain board members were in terms of dealing with a black director.
"I can say truthfully that I never once encountered any kind of blatant racism or even really any bad feelings toward me and my involvement," he continued. "Instead it was more of an uncomfortable adjustment at times for companies that had been so used to doing things a certain way. They wanted to change, they wanted to broaden their world perspectives, especially when it came to issues related to minorities, who were becoming a much larger customer base with each passing year. It was like anything else at the beginning. It was sometimes awkward as they took those first steps."


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Tag Archives: storylines
Getting to Know You: Adam Peacock
Drum roll please! May I introduce you to Adam Peacock, a member of Elementary Writers and author of 'Open Grave'.
Because Adam is a debut author, I wanted to introduce him to you as I suspect you will be reading Adam's novels for many years to come.
My thanks to Adam for taking the time to answer my questions.
Tell us about your book(s).
My novel Open Grave is a crime thriller set in the North East of England. The protagonist, DCI Jack Lambert, is different to most other detectives within the genre in that he is gay. On a personal level, this is something he is struggling with, having only recently made this admission at the beginning of the book.
The main 'crime' within the story is that of a serial killer who is murdering people in pairs, burying them and then digging them up so that they can be found. Alongside this, gang warfare is about to break out between rival criminal groups and a well-known local celebrity reports that she is being stalked. I wanted to create a sprawling world within my book with multiple threads, the idea being that nothing ever resolves neatly, with certain storylines and characters crossing over into future novels.
What inspired your novel?
I read a lot of crime and so it felt natural to write something within that genre. The inspiration for Open Grave came about from an image I had in my head of a crime scene in which a member of the public stumbles across two bodies in an open grave (strange, I know). The story unfolded from there.
I quite enjoy editing, which is a good thing as there's always plenty to do when you don't intricately plot your book before beginning! Knowing that I am whipping something up into shape is a great feeling.
The thing I dislike most about writing is just how easy it is to fall out of your routine when it comes to putting words onto the page. Like most things in life, a few days away from the computer can easily stretch into weeks and this can lead to unnecessary procrastination.
I do find the time to read. As I prefer to write in the mornings, I dedicate time to read most evenings. I'm currently reading Martina Cole's Dangerous Lady.
As a writer, I would have to say Stephen King and Jo Nesbo. I would also include Lee Child in that list. With regards to Stephen King, I read his book On Writing before I penned so much as a character profile and I use the template he gives in terms of how to go about writing. I also enjoy reading his books!
As for Jo Nesbo, I find the protagonist Harry Hole to be a wonderfully complex character. He has many of the traits that we see in crime fiction from such detectives but I find myself invested in Harry in a way that I rarely find in other books. I also like that Nesbo leaves certain threads open between books, which always leaves me wanting to read more. With Lee Child, it has to be his pacing. I find myself flying through his books and every page carries a tension with it. This is something I am hoping to refine in my own work moving forward.
Usually they just pop into my head either as an image – like happened with Open Grave – or as a question. I like the idea of concocting a problem, in the form of a question, which seemingly makes no sense initially. Within my own writing, I basically keep asking a number of questions until an answer presents itself. This helps create misdirection.
I enjoy the opening scene from Open Grave, mainly because it is the opening chapter of my first published novel. In terms of a character, it would have to be gangland boss Dorian McGuinness, my protagonist's former employer. I feel like his character has a lot of room to grow and that there are all manner of skeletons in his closet which may or may not be revealed in future…
I'm currently writing the second novel in the DCI Jack Lambert series and I'm excited to see where it will go. This novel is a little more focused around one event and, with characters having already been established in the first novel, I am keen to see how they react to the hurdles put before them.
In a non-direct sense, Stephen King's 'just get an idea and go with it' has had the biggest impact on me. Whilst this can lead to a lot of editing, it minimises the scope for procrastination and I find myself able to get on with things. I also try to stick to his mantra of completing 1,000 words a day with varying degrees of success.
I'm definitely not a plotter! Get the idea and run with it. Of course, as I work through a novel, ideas spring into my head in terms of where I want things to go, but you won't find any colour-coded charts or timelines pinned to my wall. I should point out, that's not a judgement on writers that do spend time plotting, I'm merely saying that it doesn't work for me.
Yes! Read Stephen King's On Writing, get yourself along to a writing group and don't fret about giving it a go. Most writers I meet begin by being somewhat self-conscious about their work, often talking down their ability and/or experience. I'd say just get stuck in and see what happens. If you can get into some kind of writing routine, you'll soon see huge improvements in your work.
Until recent times it would have been winning the Writers' Forum monthly magazine short story competition. However, opening the email from Bloodhound Books to find that they believed in my work and wanted to publish Open Grave has definitely topped all other writing-related moments!
You can order/download 'Open Grave' now. You can also follow Adam on Twitter and on Facebook.
Posted in Getting to Know..., Writers, Writing
Tagged book, Books, celebrity, chapter, character, characters, crime, criminal, detectives, editing, Elementary Writers, genre, idea, inspiration, murder, North East, novel, novels, page, plot, plotter, protagonist, read, reading, scene, serial killer, story, storylines, tension, thriller, words, write, writer
*Rocco and the Nightingale Blog Tour* Guest Post and Review.
Posted on November 1, 2017 | 3 comments
In July, I was lucky enough to be invited to a party hosted by DHH Literary Agency and The Dome Press at Goldsboro Books in London. While I was there, I met all manner of wonderful people, including agents, publishers, writers and bloggers. One of those people was Adrian Magson.
Adrian writes regularly for Writing Magazine, offering tips to writers on a range of problems they're likely to encounter. You can also find Adrian on Twitter, his website and his blog.
Prior to writing the Lucas Rocco series, Adrian wrote twenty-one books based around investigative reporter Riley Gavin and ex-Military Policeman Frank Palmer so his thoughts on how to keep a series fresh should prove insightful.
Thanks to Adrian for taking the time to share his expertise.
Keeping a series fresh
By Adrian Magson
It was once suggested to me by a publisher that a series has a maximum of eight books before it begins to get stale. I can't remember his exact words – I was too busy wondering if there wasn't a hidden message in there for me, as I was on book four on my first series for him and about to begin number five. I think I nodded sagely and wiped my sweaty palms on the underneath of the tablecloth, and began to think of a new series, just in case.
Anyway, true or not – and there are authors who have proved both sides of this argument – keeping a series fresh depends on coming up with new surprises and situations for the reader. Easily done if you have a ton of ideas to call on which will stretch and test the main characters each time, but mostly you have to work at it.
For me, quite apart from new situations, it's the characters who play a leading part. In 'Rocco and the Nightingale', the fifth in the Lucas Rocco series, there is a cast of regulars, some fundamental to the storylines, others more or less supporting figures. Developing the main characters' journeys is important, but having the same names and faces is not enough; introducing new secondary players, whether baddies or goodies, does a lot to bring colour to and lift a story. In this respect, the baddies can become as strong as I like because they won't always last beyond the end of the story unless I intend bringing them back in a later one.
That can be very useful because there are times when calling someone back – as I did in this book with Caspar, a former undercover cop in a previous book – had a specific and useful function to perform which Rocco could not. I also knew how Caspar would 'fit' the current story without looking as if he'd been parachuted in as a convenience.
In 'Rocco and the Nightingale' there are two main baddies who were a lot of fun to write: Nightingale, a professional assassin, and a spotter, who sets up the kills – one of them intended to be Rocco. The main story focus is, of course, on Rocco, but bringing in the occasional scene seen from Nightingale's perspective allows me to introduce information Rocco isn't aware of, and I can play with these new characters in a way that wouldn't be possible with the regular cast without making them act out of character.
And this is where a degree of freshness can come in; where you can make the baddies just that little bit wild (or even a lot wild), and hopefully readers will look forward to their scenes, because in the end they want to see them brought down… or maybe get away and live to fight another day. (And no, that's not a spoiler).
Review: 'Rocco & the Nightingale' by Adrian Magson.
'Rocco & the Nightingale' is the fifth book in the Lucas Rocco series, and I will certainly be seeking out the others. A cross between Poirot and Andrea Camilleri's Montalbano, 'Rocco & the Nightingale' contains evocative descriptions which set the tone of the novel perfectly.
It's 1964 and, in Picardie, a minor criminal is found stabbed to death on a country lane. It looks like a case for Inspector Rocco but he's tasked with protecting a Gabonese minister who's fled to France following a coup. Add into the mix the fact that a gangster with an axe to grind has put a bounty on Rocco's head and you've got yourself 'Rocco & the Nightingale'.
When I began reading this novel, it felt like a beautiful meander in the French countryside on a sunny day. However, what Magson excels at is juxtaposing beautiful scenery with brutal acts, switching the pace of the story within a single line.
I could see the action unfolding in my mind's eye. Magson manages to evoke setting very well and the imagery his descriptions provoke ensured that I imagined all of the action happening through a sepia haze. Magson's prose is pitched at the perfect level to complement this story.
Although 'Rocco & the Nightingale' is the fifth book in the Inspector Rocco series, this novel can be read as a standalone.
Having recently read 'Yellow Room' by Shelan Rodger, another novel published by The Dome Press, I have to say that this independent publisher is building an excellent reputation for publishing quality fiction.
Tagged agents, authors, bloggers, book, Books, character, characters, ideas, literary, publisher, publishers, read, reader, series, story, storylines, Twitter, words, writers, writes, writing, wrote


here (http://trackmania.com/index.php?rub=downloads) I downloaded the upper download.
Now for the lower one it says extension, does it mean that it's an upgrade for the upper download? or is it another game?
I downloaded and installed the upper one, should I now download the lower one to upgrade the first one? And if that's the case, do I keep my stats friends and ability to play with people with this version?
The lower one is an update of TrackMania United which is a different game from TrackMania Nations, the game you downloaded.
and TM United isn't free I guess?
and which of the 2 is the newest one?
United is the newest one man - but TM2 is on the way as well.


It's been over three years since I wrote about the conflict situation of San Diego's pension board. Its members were selected by the city government labor unions and by the city, and they worked for the city. When an increase in their retirement benefits was explicitly tied to their approval of a reduction in contributions to the pension plan, the pension board members acted in their personal interest and against the interest of the city's taxpayers in the responsible handling of the pension system. That is, the pension board members voted for a deal that directly benefited them. And state prosecutors brought an action against them for criminal conflict of interest.
The wheels of justice move slowly, and the matter (which has not yet been tried) has made its way to the state supreme court, which will hear the case Wednesday, November 4. The briefs can be found here (Lexin v. S.C.), at least until Wednesday.
A state court of appeals, in Lexin et al. v. Superior Court 154 Cal.App.4th 1425 (2007), rejected a motion to dismiss, concluding that 'a reasonable person could harbor a strong suspicion of [petitioners'] guilt' ... under section 1090 based upon their actions in considering, discussing, negotiating and ultimately voting to approve MP2 [the pension deal] because the increase in pension benefits was, under the evidence presented, arguably conditioned on that approval."
There are other issues involved in the case, but for our purposes this is the most important one, because it brings to life the underlying conflict of having union and city representatives on a pension board, who are themselves city employees. If the pension board members lose this case, it might affect pension boards throughout California and, possibly, across the country.
According to an article in today's San Diego Union-Tribune, seventeen state and local California public pension systems have filed briefs urging the court to dismiss the case. This says something about the biases of public pension boards. They don't want things to change, despite the horrible mess that occurred in San Diego.
Another important issue here is whether the pension board members do not have a conflict because they benefit no more than any other employee. This issue arises frequently on school boards, where teachers' spouses often vote on teacher contracts or other benefits to teachers, thereby benefiting their households. Although the law on this differs, there is always at least an appearance of impropriety when this occurs.
Yes, pension board members do not benefit more than other employees, but this is hardly a class of citizens worthy of exception from conflict rules. There has to be an exception when a board member benefits (or is harmed) along with all other citizens, as with tax decisions, or even when a large group benefits, such as senior citizens. The one group in a locality that should never be included in this exception is local government employees, because conflict of interest laws are explicitly intended to protect citizens from local government employees acting in their personal interest. They are not just any group, but one of the two principal groups covered by the ethics code.
No matter what the decision, the question should be asked by good government organizations, elected officials, and local government managers whether a pension board that determines the expenditure of large sums of public money should be any different from other boards that spend or oversee the expenditure of public money. That is, why shouldn't they too be made up of independent individuals who have no interests in conflict with their obligations to the public? Should city employee union representatives sit on councils, police officers on police commissions, finance directors on financial oversight boards, developer representatives on zoning boards and, yes, teachers or their spouses on school boards?
Many local government pension funds are in trouble. Unfunded pension benefits were high before the stock market went down, and now they are even higher. One reason is that those with a personal interest in higher benefits were the ones in charge of the decisions. Elected officials know that they can keep taxes down by promising employees higher benefits, especially if those benefits go unfunded. Employees believe that, come their retirement, the money will be found somehow.
In San Diego, political and economic self-interest trumped fiduciary obligations to create a serious mess in the present. In many other cities, the mess will occur after the politicians are gone and the employees have retired. Will even one of them stand up and say, We shouldn't have accepted anything the city was not willing to pay for at the time of the decision?


We specify the levels of all of our yoga classes to help you find what's right for you in that moment. Levels aren't a testament of how "good" you are at yoga; there's no such thing! They're simply a guide to help you know what to expect in class.
At Divinitree Santa Barbara, we determine the levels of our classes by the poses, rather than the intensity or tempo. For example, a Level 1 class will focus on foundational poses and a Level 3 class may include more arm balances and inversions. When you see "Level 1-2" or Level "2-3", we mean that the class is designed for both levels. And because our teachers are highly trained and incredibly skilled, they'll always adjust their teachings to whomever is in the room.
To get a better understanding of each class's intensity and tempo, check out the descriptions on our schedule by clicking "View Details" under the specific class you're interested in.
In Level 1 classes, thorough cues on how to enter/exit each pose and instructions on engagement, alignment, and safety within each pose are given.
Level 1 classes are suitable for those who want to strengthen the foundation of their practice or those who are just beginning yoga.
Common Level 1 Poses: Downward Facing Dog, Cobra, and Tree Pose (pictured).
In Level 2 classes, it's assumed that students know most of the basic poses and can move through Vinyasa flows smoothly with a few breaks. In these classes, some advanced poses like Crow or Bird of Paradise are taught, but options for modifications are given.
Common Level 2 Poses: Warrior 3, Cow Face Pose, Dolphin Pose, Lord of the Dance Pose (pictured).
In Level 3 classes, it's assumed that students know most of the basic and intermediate poses.
Students are expected to feel comfortable in (or working towards feeling more comfortable in) arm balances, deeper backbends and inversions.
Common 3 Poses: Handstand, Side Crow, Forearm Stand, and Bird of Paradise (pictured).
"All levels" classes are accessible for a range of students from beginners to seasoned yogis. The teacher will offer many modifications and variations to fit the specific needs of the students in class. It's encouraged that new students modify their poses with props and listen to their body carefully, and that advanced students add their own personal flare to their practice.


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With increasing competition in this domain we strive to bring in a variety of innovative products for our clients that are sturdy, reliable and provides efficient performance. Our product range includes Semi Fowler Bed, Hospital Operation Table, Hospital Food Table, OT Trolley, Hospital Revolving Stool, Wall Mounting Monitor Stand and much more. We manufacture and supply these at very reasonable prices and we also take big bulk orders.


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