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The Almighty Dollar and the Currencies that Crushed it in 2016
by Wolf Richter • Jan 1, 2017 • 42 Comments • Email to a friend
A mix of deceptive calm, hair-raising craziness, and big surprises.
Much of the strength of the dollar in 2016 has been ascribed to rising interest rates in the US and minuscule tightening by the Fed – or rather "removing accommodation," as it likes to say – even as other central banks still engage in QE and negative interest rate absurdities. So the US became a destination for the hot money. By December 20, the dollar reached the highest point since December 2002 against the basket of currencies in the Dollar Index, though it has since eased off somewhat since then.
But the Dollar Index contains only six currencies: euro, yen, pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona, and Swiss franc. It doesn't even include the currencies of two of the four largest US trading partners, Mexico and China.
So how has a broader range of currencies fared against the dollar? Turns out, some soared, others plunged.
This chart shows how 25 major currencies moved against the dollar in 2016. Note how the euro and the yen, despite major gyrations during the year and efforts by their central banks to crush them, didn't end the year in a vastly different place than they'd started it, with the euro down 3.2% and the yen up 2.8%. But I circled four of the currencies that did end up in a vastly different place (more on that in moment) because they're particularly interesting:
The Brazilian Real had gotten crushed between March 2013 and January 2016, plunging in fits and starts 52% against the dollar as Brazil struggled with, among other scourges: the longest recession in decades that has morphed into an economic crisis; a corruption scandal that has engulfed the top levels of government, the construction industry, the state-owned oil giant Petrobras, and other companies; the oil price collapse that pulled the rug out from under over-indebted Petrobras; and a huge spending spree, involving corruption by politicians and construction companies, to host the soccer World Cup and the Olympics. Nearly everything that could go wrong went wrong.
But in January 2016, the Real bottomed out and began to surge. By the end of the year it was up 22% against the dollar. But it's still down about 30% from mid-2014!
The Russian ruble too got crushed, starting in mid-2014 as the oil bust began to hit oil producing countries. At the time it took about 34 rubles to buy a dollar. Russia's economy fell into a deep recession, and inflation accelerated. The sanctions didn't help. By December 31, 2015, it took 72 rubles to buy a dollar. By January 21, 2016, it took 82 rubles, a 59% plunge from mid-2014. But then the price of oil began to bounce, and so did the ruble, soaring 33% in less than 12 months, from the bottom in January to 61.5 rubles to the dollar now. For the year 2016, which eliminates the January swoon, the ruble rose 17.8%. But it's still down about 45% from mid-2014!
At the other end of the spectrum, among major currencies, the Mexican peso and the British pound got crushed – down 17% and 16% respectively in 2016, each for their own reasons.
Mexico, one of the top trading partners with the US and dependent on the US for its exports, saw its currency get hit starting in mid-2014, falling 37% over those years, from 13 pesos to the dollar to 20.7 now, despite the Bank of Mexico's feverish efforts to put a floor under it. Mexico's state-owned oil giant Pemex, which had long been used as an ATM by various governments, is buckling under its load of foreign-currency-denominated debt, the oil price bust, and massive losses, to the point where the government has started to bail it out in mini-steps.
And then Trump, whose campaign platform included a, let's say, special agenda for Mexico, was elected President. The already shaky peso plunged another 12% in the three days that followed, settling at an all-time low of 20.9 pesos to the dollar on November 14. And it has not recovered since.
The British pound got hammered by the Brexit vote in June and by the Bank of England's reaction to the Brexit vote in the months that followed. Just before the vote, it was trading at the high of the year. After the vote, it plunged 10% in two days, stabilized eventually, and then re-plunged to an even lower low.
A special word about the Nigerian naira, the biggest loser in the chart above. In response to numerous economic and financial pressures, the government removed the currency peg in June. The naira plunged 30% in one day and has weakened further since. It's down 36.9% against the dollar for the year.
But the "currency" that soared the most against the dollar? Bitcoin. "Currency" in quotes because it's not used much as a currency in the overall economic scheme of things. Rather, it's used as an online betting mechanism against the dollar and other currencies. And it's an opportunity for people in China to convert their sinking yuan into something else without running into capital controls.
The combination – the lure of gambling and getting around capital controls – has motivated the Chinese to pile into it, and over the year, bitcoin has soared 128% against the dollar, to $988. This is where it had been in November 2013 near the height of the last bitcoin craze, before it plunged over 75%.
The year of the "strong dollar" was that kind of year in currencies, with some central banks (such as the Bank of Japan and the ECB) trying to crush their own currencies, and others (such as Mexico and China) trying to slow the descent of their currencies. It was a mix of deceptive calm, hair-raising craziness, and big surprises that caught markets off-guard. Which is about normal for currencies. And that mix of deceptive calm, hair-raising craziness, and big surprises is likely to play out in 2017 as well. And it seems the much awaited and prophesied "death of the dollar" will likely have to be rescheduled for another year.
But there are big shifts underway. Read… Foreigners are Dumping US Treasurys as Never Before
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← Is the "Trump Trade" Already Unwinding?
Shrinking Oil Giant Pemex Starts 2017 on Wrong Foot →
42 comments for "The Almighty Dollar and the Currencies that Crushed it in 2016"
Tom Kauser
evaporation ?
(When you go to bitcoin its because there is a scarcity of dollars)
China to devalue in several hours 7.15 per dollar?
Everybody over 45 in the world will be out of a job circa 2018!
You might want to include one other currency whose importance appears to be continuously increasing – Bitcoin – up an astonishing 160% for 2016.
I dedicated two entire paragraphs to it (toward the bottom), though it's not part of the chart.
OutLookingIn
Report on ZH that Bitcoin in China is now trading at + $ 1,000.00 USD
economicminor
I still haven't a clue about bitcoin.. I don't mean about the system but how does a person get in or out of it? And then what? My local store won't take bitcoin for payment for food nor will the bank or credit card companies take payment in bitcoins.. So even if I figure out how to transfer some US$ into it, then what? It isn't like there are bitcoin ATMs or are there and I just live completely out of touch?
It's amusing the biggest scam sports the greatest gain. I'm not sure if it's a legitimate flight of capital phenomenon responsible, still not a currency IMO.
michael engel
There is a chart of dollar trade and it looks different from $USD.
Do you know it's symbol and where to get it, if possible.
Thanks and again Happy New Year !
Are you asking about the "trade weighted dollar?" If yes, here's the chart:
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/TWEXB
"A weighted average of the foreign exchange value of the U.S. dollar against the currencies of a broad group of major U.S. trading partners.
"Broad currency index includes the Euro Area, Canada, Japan, Mexico, China, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Brazil, Switzerland, Thailand, Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Sweden, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile and Colombia."
The A$ really didn't do much year to year although it did trade in a wide range of 1.27 to 1.46 to the US$ over the year.
Chinese that bought property in Australia saw a small appreciation in currency terms and a big jump in property prices.
Coal and iron ore prices recovered and put a base under the currency as well. If these start falling again in price, watch out below.
Pundits don't have a clue about Australian interest rates over the next year. Some are calling for cuts and others for increases (What are those calling for increases smoking??).
With all the doom and gloom, supposed US interest rate increases , a fall in coal and iron ore prices forecast, and any turmoil surrounding China, the A$ should be in for some wild swings on the way down.
The folks predicting rate increases are saying that at some point they must return to reality, which is set in a market.
You will note all the outcry about central banks in this space. Without their intervention, which is winding down, there has to be a willing lender for every borrower.
At the onset of the 2008 financial crisis, there were NO willing lenders.
Freddie and Fanny were insolvent. So the Fed stepped in.
The only problem was that the FED didn't have any money to lend so it was just printed and the Fed's balance sheet was debited.
The Fed Funds rate is currently .75 %
No one in the last 500 years has lent money for this return , and for 200 of those years, England had no inflation.
The average of Fed Funds over the last 100 years is over 5%
Your last paragraph makes a convincing case for (a) higher Aus rates or (b) a lower Aus dollar. If ALL the potential hazards you describe come to pass and Aus rates don't rise substantially, it's very hard to see the A$ above .50 US $.
Maximus Minimus
All good points calling for a gold backed currency. The current system will meet it`s inevitable demise, and we will have to start over at some point. I can see lots of pain.
The balance sheets of the ten largest central banks as of the end 3QTR 2016 totaled $21.4 trillion. Of which four of those ten accounted for 75% of the total.
1/ U.S. Fed @ $4.5 trillion
2/ Peoples Bank of China @ $5.0 trillion
3/ Bank of Japan @ $4.4 trillion
4/ E.C.B. @ $ 3.9 trillion.
The remainder of the world @ $6.7 trillion.
These are central bank (so-called) "asset" purchases.
In plain language – money printing. The USD is just the best looking horse at the glue factory.
Changing accounting rule FAS 157 and eliminating mark-to-market for banks, did not end the financial crisis. Far from it, the result being an extended topping, overvalued, overbought, over bullish, market peak of what is now the third financial bubble since 2000.
As a side note for 2016, gold is +6.39% and silver +11.71%
Edward E
Jim Cramer Talks About Iraqi Dinar
https://youtu.be/iryWYSrZHg8
What has ever happened to the IQD? Is it about to be demonetized? Or could it eventually make Cramer look smart.
http://www.freewoodpost.com/2016/05/18/trump-vows-to-put-his-own-face-on-american-currency-image/
"Tubman? I mean…who is she? She not even pretty. Why do we want her? Look, here's what's…it's going to be great, really great… as soon as I'm elected we're going to change the face. But's going to be my face. Can you imagine? I'm told it's a very handsome face. Not the twenty though. That's a loser bill. I'm going on the hundred. A great bill. I could go on the thousand. That's what I deserve but not enough people have them. The hundred is something everyone walks around with. It'll be gorgeous…so good. We don't need Franklin anymore. What did he ever do? He wasn't even president."
Are we going to be calling these 'Swamp Bucks"? Imagine the Fouke monster on the dollar bills, wow, what's stopping him from doing it now?
CNY – 6.5%
So the second largest economy in the world with a 6.5% growth rate devalued against the $.
Yet china is not manipulating its currency for trade gain, they say.
The ANZAC states have been odd this year, one has been a FX trader short target, and Euro US $ Media foil, whilst the other has gone into surplus.
They have maintained their place with the US $, and they are both big traders with china. that hasn't.
Historically chian has caused some of the biggest global trade and financially upheavals the world has ever known. Like global silver crises. Due to uncontrolled excessive chinese money printing.
They will do it again. chian is not a market economy so can kick the can much much longer than everybody else.
However it must unwind the state sponsored zombies or be killed by them, eventually..
NotSoSure
Thanks. Probably gonna start shorting the Real. Canadian Dollar up 3% against the USD? LOL. Next the Canucks will be arguing about how diversified their economy is. A bubble is a mentality, nothing else. When that bubble pops, it's going to be SUPER painful.
As of September 2008 the Surveillance Australia fleet numbers 14 aircraft:[6]
2 Bombardier DHC-8-202 Dash 8
4 de Havilland Canada DHC-8-202 Dash 8
1 de Havilland Canada DHC-8-202 Dash 8 (LADS-equipped)
3 Reims F406 Caravan II
Not sure about the last, rest are Canadian.
Ergo: it's more diversified than Oz
I wasn't asking about the Oz. This article is a comparison against the US Dollar. In what world is Canada a more "diversified" economy than the US? The Canadian dollar being up is all a matter of hot money inflow. Nothing else. I see I have attracted a person who's living in a bubble.
The name is- and Dodge is no longer Dodge Brothers.
BTW: the de Havilland Twin Otter is back in production by Viking Air, same design.
Twice in the past few years the US has had to medivac someone from its South Pole Base. There wasn't a single plane in the US that could do it. A Twin Otter was chartered in Alberta, and began heading south. For the hop from the end of South America to the Arctic, it had to break regs re: fuel, once past half way it couldn't turn back.
I assume it landed on skis.
The reply is intended for the plane buffs. The idea that hot money is flowing into the C$ is almost too absurd to merit reply.
Already one rate hike behind the US (.5 versus .75) Governor Poloz tells us he almost CUT rates in October.
The last is a Cessna made in Kansas
Exactly. Notice the name de Havilland, taken over by Borbardier ages ago. These are mostly past glory.
Bruce Adlam
If government and sick CB think they can defy nature then democracy will be broken because it's impossible in the end NATURE WILL WIN
great recap WR – as a previous blogger mentioned; the dollar
is the cleanest shirt in the dirty laundry hamper . POST 2008 after the feds monetized debt , japan followed and then the ECB i believe . i see a pattern . If all countries monetize
in a near tandem no currency prevails – status quo prevails .
Why do central banks/government think they can micro
manage the economy ?
nhz
Yes, it's just one big race to the bottom for all fiat currencies. Makes sense that the biggest winners of last year are the biggest losers of previous years, no country can significantly devalue their currency against the others without causing huge trouble.
Keeping currencies fluctuating wildly makes it more difficult for the sheeple to see what central banks are doing, and it provides cover for politicians who try to win votes by imposing trade tariffs and other punishments for their competitors in the global economy.
61.5 rubles to the $? That's new rubles. Or 61,500 old rubles. When I visited Moscow in June 1991, the going rate was about 27 old rubles to the $. A ride on the subway cost the equivalent of 4 US cents. A great ticket to the Bolshoi Theater was only 10 rubles (about 40 cents) but one had to know the cashier at the box office to get that price, or bribe her with US $. By the beginning of 1998, the old ruble had lost so much value that 3 zero's were lopped off. 6,000 old rubles were worth 6 new rubles. Not as bad as Germany 1923, but not good either for the average Russian.
When I arrived in Russia the first time (1996), the exchange rate was about 5,000 rubles to the dollar. All prices were marked in dollars and converted on the fly into rubles at the current rate. By the time I left a month later, the ruble had lost another 10% or so. Tough times for many Russians. I stayed with some former middle-class people, great folks, but impoverished. He used to be a manager in a factory. Well, he still was, but they stopped paying him, and he stopped working there because there was no work. So they took in travelers to make some extra money. But the young people I met were excited about the future.
might be prudent to go "long " the ruble for 2017.
Russia has a low debt to GDP level most of it private
debt . Putin has embarked on gold acquisition for
its reserves. (maybe to back its currency?) to prevent
ruble devaluation from sanctions ? Russia is rich in natural resources. Strong defense exports . with
things warming up between the new admin (trump)
maybe its time to buy this sleeping bear comrades !
When you measure the government's debt you need to take into account the debt owed by state-controlled companies. And they owe a lot, much of it in foreign currencies! They also pick up the tab for part of the social safety net (subsidized fuel costs, etc.).
Whitey Ford
It's disingenuous to claim Bitcoin is a currency even though it may now work to facilitate some financial transactions. It's no better than paper US dollars, and probably worse. Ideally(and we don't live in a make-believe world) it's a method to have a crypto-gold standard, but by that measure, we might as well just have a normal gold backed currency with no counterparties along with the current types of electronic payments we already enjoy. Bitcoin's appeal is relief from unbacked currency, but it holds no advantage over gold.
agree, one of these days the internet is going offline for a long time due to cyberwar, or the Bitcoin exchanges will be suspended indefinitely by the US financial authorities in order to 'fight terrorism'.
Let's see what real value of Bitcoin is then … definitely worse than paper dollars and no better than paper gold, except maybe for laundering money.
nhz I agree it seems that they are very vulnerable to government/bankster control so how is that any better than what we have now Sort of like what Aaron Russo described with chipping everyone where they can just shut off your chip if they so choose No thanks I will pass
My big box employer did nothing new for Christmas
And really down played the event this year and hence I believe China is plenty worst off than advertised.
This federal reserve has been running a tight monetary ship and has made its balance sheet available to cash the world's chits?
Its been going on three years since a last QE was attempted and without a QE 4 the fed is scrubbing everything dollar wise out of the world economy?
The fed is waiting on a big event by keeping its powder dry and buggering the world of its dollars?
I believe a Chinese devalue and an American QE is planned prior to JAN 20 or its back to stripping wallpaper!
Is the "crushed it" in the headline meant in the video gamer sense?
"The British pound got hammered by the Brexit vote in June and by the Bank of England's reaction to the Brexit vote in the months that followed."
Nope, it was the current account deficit and was a long time coming. IMO
ManAboutDallas
This is the Year of the Antipodes: Aussie and Kiwi. A quick look at any long-term chart of either reveals an impending rally of monumental proportions. When it concludes, Aussie will be at about $1.20 and Kiwi about $1.15.
$NZ generally trades in the 80 – 90 % values of $AU.
$NZ has been on the high side lately, as the $AU got an undue beating due to china and minerals.
Not unusual for $AU to go above parity with $US, very unusual for $NZ to do that.
This time, they both will do so.
P45 is going to have to do a LOT of damage to make that happen.
Kevin Beck
I believe there is one major reason why the Dollar Index will not include the Chinese Yuan.
The reason: China tries to maintain a peg to the dollar. They may not always succeed, but that is what they want with their currency. They will change their dollar holdings to try to keep this support for their own currency.
Everything's Fine Until Suddenly it Isn't: How a "Leveraged Loan" Blows Up
by Wolf Richter • Jul 16, 2019 • Email to a friend
Kudos to the private equity firm. These things don't happen overnight for companies. They happen overnight only for investors.
"Transportation Recession" Gets Uglier
US freight shipments fall for 7th month in a row. After the boom, the bust.
THE WOLF STREET REPORT: The Victims of Inflation
Beatings will continue until morale improves, or something.
My Advice to the Fed on "Low Inflation": Use a Different Index for Crying Out Loud and Tell the BLS to be Less Aggressive with "Hedonic Quality Adjustments"
The Fed could instantly claim victory and pocket the kudos.
"Where the American Dream Goes to Die": Changes in House Prices, Rents, and Incomes since 1960 by Region & Metro
How out-of-whack is the discrepancy in growth between incomes, rents, and house prices?
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
.class Lcom/samsung/android/settings/lockscreen/AdditionalInformationSettings$4;
.super Ljava/lang/Object;
.source "AdditionalInformationSettings.java"

# interfaces
.implements Landroid/view/View$OnClickListener;

# annotations
.annotation system Ldalvik/annotation/EnclosingMethod;
    value = Lcom/samsung/android/settings/lockscreen/AdditionalInformationSettings;->setSpinnerFooterView()V
.end annotation

.annotation system Ldalvik/annotation/InnerClass;
    accessFlags = 0x0
    name = null
.end annotation

# instance fields
.field final synthetic this$0:Lcom/samsung/android/settings/lockscreen/AdditionalInformationSettings;

# direct methods
.method constructor <init>(Lcom/samsung/android/settings/lockscreen/AdditionalInformationSettings;)V
    .locals 0

    iput-object p1, p0, Lcom/samsung/android/settings/lockscreen/AdditionalInformationSettings$4;->this$0:Lcom/samsung/android/settings/lockscreen/AdditionalInformationSettings;

    invoke-direct {p0}, Ljava/lang/Object;-><init>()V

    return-void
.end method

# virtual methods
.method public onClick(Landroid/view/View;)V
    .locals 1

    iget-object v0, p0, Lcom/samsung/android/settings/lockscreen/AdditionalInformationSettings$4;->this$0:Lcom/samsung/android/settings/lockscreen/AdditionalInformationSettings;

    invoke-static {v0}, Lcom/samsung/android/settings/lockscreen/AdditionalInformationSettings;->-get3(Lcom/samsung/android/settings/lockscreen/AdditionalInformationSettings;)Landroid/widget/Spinner;

    move-result-object v0

    invoke-virtual {v0}, Landroid/widget/Spinner;->performClick()Z

    return-void
.end method

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


THE RUMBLE IN THE…CONFERENCE ROOM?
I love our legal tech crowd. They're fun, bright, driven, and–unsurprisingly, given that many of them are lawyers–competitive.
That drive to compete reared its head a few months ago when a couple of my favorite legal founders, Alma Asay and Haley Altman, and I were discussing the "Legal Technology Assessment" created by our buddy Casey Flaherty and his company Procertas. Alma and Haley–who were both very successful practicing lawyers before diving into legal tech–were convinced not only that they could master the LTA, but that they could each best the other in a head-to-head showdown. And the idea was for the #LTAfaceoff was born!
Continue reading and watch the video here.


text:
Q: How to download a file using FileResult? I have a list in my view with an ActionLink button 'Download' and I want them to download a file when they click the link. The file is located in a map in my project.
View:

Your active links

    @if (lstLinks.Count == 0)
    {

You have no active links yet.

    }
    else
    {

            @foreach (var item in lstLinks)
            {

                    @Html.DisplayFor(model => item.Url)
                    @Html.ActionLink("Put inactive", "LinkInActive", new { linkid=item.LinkId }, new { onclick = "return confirm('Are you sure you want this link inactive?');" })
                    @Html.ActionLink("Download Qrcode", "DownloadQrcode", new { linkid=item.LinkId })

            }

    }

Controller:
[HttpPost]
public FileResult DownloadQrcode(int linkid)
{
    Qrcode Qrcode = DbO.getQrcodebyLinkId(linkid);
    string image = Server.MapPath("~") + "\\Qrcodes\\" + Qrcode.Image;
    string contentType = "image/jpg";

    return File(image, contentType, "Qrcode-" + Qrcode.QrcodeId);
}

The linkid comes from the selected link in the list. Then I lookup what qrcode matches the linkid in my database. From this qrcode object I get the image name. Example (qrcode-1337). Then I'am not sure what to do. I lookup the path where my project is stored and attach the map Qrcodes to it (where all the images are stored) and the image name. This returns me a link that he doesn't find.
Map location:
C:\Users\stage\Desktop\Immo-QR\Immo-QR\Immo-QR\Qrcodes
This doesn't seem to work. I am not sure how I should use FileResult. Can anyone explain this? Or show me another way?
EDIT:
A user suggested me to put the images in the App_Data file which I did under a map Qrcodes.
To save the file I use this code:
string path = Server.MapPath("~");
        System.IO.File.WriteAllBytes(path + "\\App_Data\\Qrcodes\\qrcode-" + qrcodeid + ".jpg", bytes);

If I use "~\App_Data\Qrcodes\qrcode-" instead of the above, It doesn't work either.
I still get this error: Server Error in '/' Application. The resource cannot be found.
SOLUTION:
With this code it works!
public FileStreamResult DownloadQrcode(int linkid)
{
    Qrcode Qrcode = DbO.getQrcodebyLinkId(linkid);
    string path = Server.MapPath("~");
    Stream image = new FileStream(path + "\\App_Data\\Qrcodes\\" + Qrcode.Image + ".jpg", FileMode.Open);

    return File(image, "image/jpeg");
}

A: Try changing your string image line to Stream image.
This will help understand if you can't read the file. Your return File line will take a Stream with no issues.

A: Your approach is correct.
I think the path to the file is incorrect.
If you use ~\\Qrcodes\\filename it will translate to <appRootDirectory>\\QrCodes\\filename.
Also remember that IIS runs as a separate user in most cases, which does not have a home directory like a regular user.
I would suggest you move the Qrcodes to AppData folder or AppGlobalResources folder.
If you dont want to do that, you need to provide absolute path to Qrcodes folder.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Clicks2Bricks
$5k Dream Fund Grant
eCommerce & Main Street // The Four Ps of Retail (Part 1): Sense of Place
"Our focus is on seeding small local brands and helping them gain initial traction (locally and in the age of Amazon). So, place means something entirely different."
What are The Four Ps? It's a retail (and marketing) principle, first documented over 60 years ago by Michigan State Professor of Marketing, E. Jerome McCarthy. The Four Ps include: Place, Price, Promotion, and Product (though not necessarily in that order).
The Four Ps have evolved over the years with new media and technology. Opinions vary as to which of the four are most important or relevant for the time. Essentially, they outline four perspectives. Some might say The Four Ps are also strategies (or tactics), of marketing in the broader context of retail.
For our purposes at the SBDC, and for our new local eCommerce Incubator, Clicks2Bricks (which aims to plant digital-first businesses into physical retail locations), we think the Four P's should be ordered as follows in 2021/22:
To write thoughtfully on each of the Four Ps above in a single article would be pushing it. We're not going to do that. Instead, for now, we're going to focus on Place and make this topic its own chapter in a mini-series delivered via small, digestible chunks. So please stay tuned to future newsletters from the SBDC for more on this topic.
Before we get going here, you may also be interested in our last article as a preface: eCommerce & Main Street: A Brief History & State of The Union, which will lay a strong foundation for understanding our unique position on The Four Ps.
Let's get after it...
"Place is accomplished through content, the composite personality of our service experience, and the aesthetic of our digital property."
Traditionally, "Place" refers to physical merchandising, shelf space, and presentation-- basically. Think place-ment. But what differentiates an eCommerce merchant in terms of merchandising when there are endless virtual storefronts and shelves that can be accessed within seconds? There are literally endless websites and marketplaces, and therefore an endless number of products to scroll in myriad ways on an increasing number of devices. Got a smart fridge? The context of that scrolling experience is different from others and that matters.
The following may sound like an ill-considered response to the problem of decision fatigue above. And it may sound like one that limits access to the "global market", which we're often told is the sole benefit of eCommerce. However, at Clicks2Bricks, our focus is on seeding small local brands and helping them gain initial traction (locally and in the age of Amazon). So, place means something entirely different in our case.
Instead, at least initially, we need to rely on the goodwill of the locally conscious shopper and give them what they want:
A place to identify with and local people who can provide the service we're all sorely missing.
Delivery of a quality product, in a timely manner (advantaged by the rise of local delivery and the software for small merchants to offer it).
Quick response time, empathy, and seamless returns and refunds if there's an issue.
Additionally, the brands we choose are a statement of identity. If I'm a dedicated patron of (for example) O'Neill Surf Shop, I sport their latest and greatest wetsuit, and clothing. And if I surf a Pearson Arrow as well, that is possibly telling the world… something. It might say "I'm local and support local brands". If, on the other hand, I'm wearing a custom made, $1,100 AXXE wetsuit at Capitola or Cowell's and I'm surfing the latest Firewire carbon shortboard (an expensive board, but not necessarily that well made or even functional in the wild), that tells the world another story. Likely, it says "I live and work in Silicon Valley". We are obviously generalizing here for the purposes of illustration (and to have a little fun), but you get the gist, especially if you surf in Santa Cruz.😉 Also, this is probably not news to anyone, but it is worth repeating here for context.
What all of this means, in our humble opinion here at Clicks2Bricks, is that place is accomplished through content, the composite personality of our service experience, and the aesthetic of our digital property-- ie: our website, social media accounts, and overall branding-- closely followed by the product itself.
"That first big step is to gain traction, and therefore a following that will (over time) spread beyond neighborhood, city, county, state, and regional borders. Ultimately, it will allow an eCommerce merchant to leverage the immense opportunity of the global marketplace."
A sense of place is not easy to accomplish for most burgeoning eCommerce retailers. It's an abstract design concept. But it's also a somewhat abstract concept that MUST be carried through to our service mission. And that (service), is obviously the key to success in a saturated marketplace. Ace Hardware, for example, has bottled magic beautifully in this sense: It's corporate, but still local, and of course, it's "The Helpful Place". How many times have you gone on a walkabout at The Home Depot, struggling to find the nearest associate? Ace Hardware is the alternative to that in the same way that small local merchants can be the alternative to Big Box online.
If an aspiring eCommerce Entrepreneur were to follow the typical, homespun path of setting up their own website via Wix, or Squarespace, or similar-- they're likely going to choose some generic template with no idea about how to make it their own-- to give it a sense of place. Eventually, they'll start to hone the logo they've been marinating on for years (though not very well). They'll probably use some generic product imagery from a Google image search and equally generic product information pulled from a competitor or the manufacturer. Any thought of user experience and customer experience through service and support workflows won't come until later, if at all. Assuming this eCommerce Entrepreneur actually makes their first sale, there's still nothing special there to warrant a return visit. There's no sense of place as a result of following that path.
"A critical first step: to ingrain a sense of place from conception and to outline how that sense can be executed throughout the brand, merchandising, customer service, and support."
In the example above, our Entrepreneur is missing a critical sub-step (if you will), in accomplishing the first big step. And that first big step is to gain traction, and therefore a following that will (over time) spread beyond neighborhood, city, county, state, and regional borders. Ultimately, it will allow an eCommerce merchant to leverage the immense opportunity of the global marketplace.
And this is our primary argument for the importance of an eCommerce Incubator such as Clicks2Bricks. To allow others to navigate these subtleties successfully. It's what drives our mission to spread the good word of localism as it relates to eCommerce and as a critical first step: to ingrain a sense of place from conception and to outline how that sense can be executed throughout the brand, merchandising, customer service, and support.
So, we truly hope that this concept of "Sense of Place" gets you thinking about eCommerce in a different, ironically local way. And please stay tuned for our next installment of this mini-series, which will explore the remaining three tenets of The Four Ps: Product, Price, and Promotion.
- Jake Nelson, eCommerce Advisor
Clicks2Bricks (C2B) is an eCommerce Incubator and a project of the Santa Cruz SBDC. C2B offers multiple cohorts each year. The program lasts for 3 months and aims to offer the participant an opportunity to build a viable local eCommerce business with lasting support, not only from SBDC Advisors, but also through collaboration with their peers in cohort. Successful participants, when ready, will then be guided through the process of acquiring or occupying their first physical location in Santa Cruz County. Whether that means high-traffic retail in Downtown Santa Cruz, or simply warehouse space to continue growing a digital-only business. C2B is here to help.
eCommerce & Main Street // A Brief History & State of The Union
The first conventional transaction via the Internet occurred in the early 1990s. 1994 to be exact. Dan Kohn, a young economics grad student, sold a Compact Disc for $12.48 to a friend 300 miles away by encrypting his friend's credit card information via a crude website (which required a modified internet browser to function).
What is The Value of Clicks 2 Bricks?
While Santa Cruz County has an excellent track record of support for the small business community, we are also missing one critical component: A hands-on, practical, one-on-one crash course in the Lean Startup and MVP methodologies-- one supported by academia but wholly driven by non-academic industry professionals at the top of their influence.
© 2023 Clicks2Bricks.


1.whar are the different ways to migrate my local wd projects to dc projects?
2.i've set of projects developed as local wd projs, tht time no nwdi was setup. now basis set nwdi and i need to make first move then as dc projects (all are in dev box) how may ways are there?
3.next to create track to move to quality>prods. i know ths step is later but still needed assistance as doing first time.
Please use the SDN search before posting questions.


Transcending Luxury one shoe at a time. Urban inspiration and design with an upscale flare.
Alexandere dumas is a protected design and Limited Edition product. You can only find the very limited quantities here in this shop. When purchasing one of the few available, you will receive an official Limited Edition Certificate, with the unique Limited Edition design code: #TI8404.
Tiairrea Green is the designer of this shoe concept.
Alexandere dumas is a unique limited edition shoe concept; you will not find this custom design anywhere else!


For more information about the dog park, check out our blog: https://hornerparkdogpark.org/ Follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/HornerParkDogPark/ Or on Instagram @ doggosofhornerpark Sign up for our newsletter https://hornerparkdogpark.org/newsletter/ Make a donation https://hornerparkdogpark.org/donate/ Have questions? Want to volunteer? Email us at info (at) hornerparkdogpark.org If we build it, they will run!
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Howl-O-Ween Fundraiser for the Dog Park on October 28!
Stay Dog Hotel is hosting a Howl-O-Ween party on October 28th from 10 a.m to noon. There will be a doggie costume contest and parade, prizes, vendor tables, food, fun, and then some! Cost is $20 and proceeds will benefit the Horner Park Dog Park project. Hope to see you there!
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Chicago's own Windy City Rev Ups are set to blow Ravenswood Manor park away!
Read More Comments Off on Chicago's own Windy City Rev Ups are set to blow Ravenswood Manor park away!


text:
Profile On
Pamela Nathan
Pamela Nathan is a forensic and clinical psychologist and a psychoanalytic psychotherapist in private practice in Melbourne.
She is also Director of CASSE's Aboriginal Australian Relations Program.
Pamela has worked in community mental health services, hospital inpatient units, prisons, forensic facilities and courts.
She co-wrote several publications with kwemenje Dick Lechleitner Japanangka: 'A Home Away From Home', 'Health Business' and 'Settle Down Country'. Pamela has also written papers on the NT Intervention and CASSE's work.
She worked as a sociologist with Aboriginal Health Services, and has been working with the people of the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress for over thirty years.
Articles written by Pamela Nathan (1)
13 August 2015 | How sharing stories with Aboriginal communities is healing the racial divide


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The Namibian Tribe Where Sex Is Offered To Guests
Everything You Need to Know About Hospitality
Sexual Hospitality in the Hebrew Bible?
Understanding cultural differences in hospitality
Hotel Workers: Common Victims of Sexual Hospitality
Gail Cameron March 10, 2019 May 12, 2020
My purpose in this article is to present an analysis proving that sexual hospitality constitutes a cultural template, practised in the Arabian peninsula and around the ancient Mediterranean. If it was practised, residuals could surface in some transposition or other in biblical texts.
Little discussed and little known, the custom of sexual hospitality sounds obscure and outlandish. However, since the early Middle Ages throughout 19th and 20th centuries, travellers' reports on the Middle East, North Africa and Asia have recorded a kind of tribal hospitality that includes sexual gratification as part of the hospice. This social world is divided between affiliated brothers and foes; and if a stranger is accepted he will share the privileges of brotherhood. Moreover the stranger could embody a god in disguise who would bestow blessing and fertility on the tribe. Fear of virginal hemorrhage forms another motivation for handing daughters into the strangers' arms. Frequency of occurrences of sexual hospitality show the custom to be a consistent template and not a series of isolated events. In such societies the host's honour depends on the satisfaction of the male guest, and likewise his neglect would be the host's liability, (Briffault, 1927: II, 635-640). The question to be raised cautiously is whether our anthropological evidence of tribal life can be set up as a model for ancient times, the biblical time or the Hebrew people.
In his book Sex and Family in the Bible and the Middle East, Raphael Patai offers a survey of customs and traditions regarding family values and sexuality in the Ancient Middle East and biblical time (1959:139-145). Patai first presents the conventional viewpoint that patriarchal hospitality was so highly regarded that it might override the strict considerations of women's chastity. The host would thus sacrifice the chastity of his wife, mistress or unmarried virginal daughters to safeguard his guest's honour and protection. Genesis 19 and Judges 19 present two cases in which virginal daughters and one's wife are offered to outsiders when the protection and honour of a guest are at stake. Patai, however, proposes an additional hypothesis namely that other cultural templates may have survived in these stories, materialising as their socio-cultural pre-texts. To support his hypothesis Patai provides extra-literary information from travellers' reports dating from the 12th to the 19th centuries. Templates of alternative sexual codes would re-evaluate the dichotomy of patriarchal hospitality versus female chastity competing and culminating in irreconcilable conflict. He thus claims that the custom of sexual hospitality practised in the region sheds a different light on the dichotomy of patriarchal code versus female chastity. The template allows to view these stories from a different angle: "this custom which has been reported from various Arabian tribes, throws additional light on the mores and the relative evaluation of hospitality versus female chastity which constitutes the background the sexual incidents described in Genesis 19 and Judges 19," (Patai, 1959: 139-145).
The gender aspect
The custom seems inherently male oriented as it concerns a situation of patriarchal hospitality in which female chastity is waived for the pleasure of a male guest. However, some aspects of the custom favour a woman's interests. Both the woman and the guest concerned have to comply and neither may refuse the other. The guest must sleep with the hostess, disregarding her age or appearance and vice versa (Patai, 1959, 139-145). Other aspects of the template seem favourable to the woman as well. The offspring of this hospitable union will be fully accepted by the hosting tribe and sometimes may even take a special place in the religious practise of the group. Moreover, only if the hostess finds the guest agreeable the host will discharge him with honour, and furnish him with provision for his further journey. If however, the guest fails to please the hostess, the woman will tear his garment. On coming out of the woman's tent, the tribal women and children would welcome the guest. On seeing the damage in the guest's clothing, he will be publicly shamed and chased away by the women and children (Patai, 159:140).
Bearing in mind that the ancient world bounded sex to communal and individual survival, sexuality and motherhood must have been perceived as auxiliaries of crude existence. Continuity could overrule socio-cultural restrictions on some occasions when breaching of rules would enhance it. Under conditions of coarse survival, sexual hospitality like other cults of sacred sexuality can be defined as alternative sexuality that serves its purpose. The texts Patai mentions could have survived as residuals of sexual templates practised as alternative rules of sexuality independently or on extraordinary occasions. Alternative sexuality thus conceives sexuality outside or along-side patriarchal rules. It may have complemented the coarse conditions of ancient communities falling or rising with continuity; this fact sheds an additional light on its socio-cultural character.
Can indicative traces of sexual hospitality be isolated in the Hebrew Bible?
Patai applies anthropological data to biblical texts by hypothesis and assumption. The questions to be asked are whether it is possible to set out Patai's assumptions into a thesis: can characteristics of sexual hospitality be traced in the Hebrew scriptures? Can it be applied to biblical texts? If so, do such assumed residuals point to an ancient Hebrew custom or do they constitute a (inverted) biblical transposition of the surrounding cultures? Perhaps the custom surfaces as a literary representation of a template borrowed from spatial and temporal origins, which could not be ascertained in any way. If sexual hospitality is exhibited as a literary representation, can it be proven to be more than a narrative element? Can anthropological data of tribal life around the world prove that the custom of sexual hospitality was practised among biblical Israelites?
It has already been generally accepted that cults of sacred sexuality were practised in the Ancient Near East and among the Israelites to various degrees. To this, the prophets unwittingly served as authentic reporters (Hosea 1-4, Ezekiel 16, 22, Jeremiah 3:2-3, 7:18, 44:15-20, 26). The fact that it was forbidden and vehemently opposed speaks for an early cultic history and the irresistible influence of neighbouring cultures. Sexual hospitality could have thus been practised alongside with other fecund templates in the peninsula as well as in ancient Israel. Even if sexual hospitality as such was not practised among the Israelites themselves, it could still surface in the Hebrew Bible as a literary theme representing the custom practised by neighbouring cultures in the Arabian peninsula.
In Genesis 19, Lot is a patriarchal host and insider. The function of the outsider is divided over two roles. The first protagonists who play the role of the outsider/guest are the 'strangers/angels'. They fully answer to the requirements of the role. The second type of outsiders are the Sodomites. They are outsiders in space in relation to Lot's house, which embodies the inside. As townsmen, they are disqualified as guests and outsiders proper. They demand to be satisfied by the host's male guests but the host offers his virgin daughters instead. Their demand represents a permutated residual of the custom in which the outsider and guest expects to be satisfied by the host's female family member. We find the constituents of the cultural template: outsiders and insiders and a sexual offer in which female chastity is waived by a family member. Lot the insider/ host offers his female family members, his daughters, to the outsiders. This move could contain a transposition of sexual hospitality.
The angels function as metaphysical outsiders in relation to both groups, which lends them their supernatural power exercised on both the townspeople and Lot's family. The angels save lot's family twice: they strike the inhabitants with light and save Lot's family from the mob, and they save Lot's family from the catastrophe brought upon the city by God. The angels / guests, represent the divine blessing brought upon the host by the outsider / guest who is sheltered and provided for by the hosting family.
With this analysis in mind, I review the story of Joseph and Potiphar anew. Ignoring the roles of slave and master, we could highlight some recurrent formula of sexual hospitality. Potiphar, the insider, offers lavishly privileges and supervision to Joseph, while Joseph the outsider brings divine blessing on Potiphar's house. The motive of female chastity compromised then surfaces. In the deep structure this motive may shed some light on the implausible treatment of a Hebrew slave by his Egyptian master. The relationship of insider/outsider – host/guest is camouflaged by the social and ethnic dichotomy of Egyptian master and Hebrew slave. The master/slave relationship is modified by ethnicity. Joseph the Israelite is the outsider and the insider is an Egyptian. In its Hebrew representation, the ethnic aspect allows the motive of divine blessing brought forth by the guest to surface. Joseph the outsider endows the insider's household with divine blessing. This sets off the dichotomy of the insider's supervision and protection against the divine blessing embodied in the outsider sheltered by the host. Relaxing her chastity, the host's wife exposes the structure, if we consider sexual hospitality in the story's pre-text. Sexuality however remains unconsummated, and no continuity is secured. The affiliated element of catastrophe appears indirectly. Ignoring chronology in Joseph's narrative cycle, seven years of plenty befall; however seven years of draught follow bringing hunger over the land (Genesis 41:54-57).
Wife offered to an outsider
The second related pattern shows a situation with a wife sexually offered to an outsider in a (possible) situation of hospitality, linked to the motive of fertility and continuity. Narratives of barrenness are known to solve the problem by his own wife offering a secondary woman to a man. Sarah (Genesis 16:1-4), Rachel (Genesis 30:3), and Lea (Genesis 30:9) transform their maids to surrogate mothers. The template of sexual hospitality may indicate a compensatory structure applied to the opposite sex. Perhaps the custom purports to solve the problem of a barren husband and a fertile male outside strict matrimony is called in like a surrogate woman to secure offspring. Genesis 20 indicates that all the wombs in Abimelech's clan were closed. However, with Abraham's blessing not only the wife and maids were cured – the text implies that Abraham's prayer also cured Abimelech. This may elucidate that Abimelech had been struck by barrenness (20:17). 2Kings 4, also interlinks the husband's old age with woman's barrenness which leads to the masculine addition to the family represented by in the holy prophet, endowing the family with fertility.
The belief that the gods bestow fertility mutually impends on the theology that a woman's sacred union with the divine is its accessory to human marriage. This ideology underlines the concept of sacred union with the divine bridegroom. The fertility god stands for the divine bridegroom and may be incarnated in the stranger and/or outsider as well as a sacred personage, a priest, a high lord or ruler (Briffault, 1927:203, 220, 221). A woman may form a carnal union perceived as hieros gamus, a divine marriage prior or along side her earthly marriage. In carnal appearance, the divine bestows the blessing of fertility that is a prerequisite to the human marriage and its purpose, which is continuity (Briffault, 1927: 218, 219, 226, 225,228-9). This ideology explains the fact that sacred hierodules, unmarried and married women participating in sacred festivities will join with strangers without reservations. Also on other occasions the fertile outsider interchanges with the blessed guest, mighty ruler or stranger who may conceive of a god in disguise (Briffault, 1927:221).
In the narrative cycle of Abraham and Sarah the fertile agent shifts positions. The male characters, Abraham, Abimelech and the three angels embody the fertile outsider. As a guest, Abraham plays the role of a holy person functioning as a fertile agent towards Abimelech's female family members. God Himself announces to Abimelech in his dream at night that Abraham is a prophet (Genesis 20:6). Abimelech on his part plays the role of a host and landlord thus functioning as the extra-marital outside-man towards Sarah. Abraham and Abimelech, whose names both contain "father" (av in Hebrew) and a high position above the common man, can be percieved as mutations of the divinised outsider before whom female chastity is waived, resulting in a blessed fertility. The three angels in Genesis 18 embody the recurrent metaphysical outsider announcing the blessed tidings of pregnancy. This metaphysical figure has previously appeared before Hagar to comfort her with the news of her pregnancy in the form of an angel, malach, which means both a messenger and an angel in Hebrew (Genesis 16:7); and the angel resurfaced again to save her son Ishmael, calling her this time from the distance of heaven to see the brook (Genesis 21:17). The angels reappear to lead Lot and his daughters away from the catastrophe; they also indirectly precede the birth of Lot's daughter's sons. The angel in Judges 13 proclaims the event of Manoah's wife's forthcoming pregnancy, which recalls the pattern seen in Genesis 16 and 18.
A wife or bride offered to a landlord
The following motive highlights events of tension with a landlord, juxtaposed with the relaxation of a wife's chastity. In Genesis we read a number of stories in which one's bride, newly wed bride or wife is offered to the lord of the land in a situation in which the husband is a stranger, guest, or a landless wanderer. Anthropological data valorise that notion that once the wife is lent, the landlord's offspring legitimises the right of that family to settle on his land and/or share the rights of the landlord's privileged offspring (Briffault 1927: II, 237).
Perceived in space, the stories of Sarah and Rebecca show female chastity offered from the direction of the unsafe outside entailing wandering and hunger in the direction of the safe inside of settlement and plenty. Coming back from Egypt Abraham's clan has grossly grown rich (Genesis 12). However, in Genesis 21, coming to Gerar, Abraham's family is subject to the same insecure and dire conditions. Only after Sarah's nocturnal visit to Abimelech's bedroom, does Abraham receive the privilege of settling on Abimelech's land. From that point, Abraham's status changes from the position of a landless wanderer fearing for his life, to that of a legitimate settler on the land of the same man he has dreaded. With the birth of Isaac that follows, the claim of the Abrahamic family on the land seems irrefutable. This pattern is reapplied to Isaac's family. In the cycle of Isaac and Rebecca, the same recurring elements synchronise and complement one another, which supports the thesis of a subliminal structure.
In various forms and degrees of representations, the stories involve two wives Sarah and Rebecca who are offered to outsiders, juxtaposed with events in which their chastity is waived within the context of a guest, host, outsider and/or a mighty ruler of the land. From the sexualised event with the landlord, significantly recurring twice in Abimelech as the main figure, both Abraham and Isaac are allowed to settle on the land of the Philistines. Abraham and his son Isaac establish the same settlement named Beer Sheba twice and in succession. The city is first established by Abraham, and then all over again by Isaac. In both cases the settlement was initiated by the mercy of the same Abimelech and the same Pikhol his aid (Genesis 21 and Genesis 26). The subliminal structure seems nearly identical in these fragments, though there are forty or sixty years between them.
On suggesting a subliminal template, I return to the story of Dinah. The story mentions Shechem's high status twice: ''prince of the country'' and ''more honourable than all the house of his father" (Genesis 34:2 and 20). We revisit here the recurring template of a sexualised event juxtaposed with privileges offered by a high lord of the land. Shechem offers Jacob's clan a permission to settle on their land like Abimelech before him: ''and ye shall dwell with us; and the land shall be before ye'' (Genesis 34:10). Jacob like Isaac and Abraham, his father and grandfather, wishes to cooperate with the custom that demands the waiving of female chastity of his family member, his daughter for a secure life. His sons reject it. The violent conclusion of the negotiation results in the Hebrew clan resuming wandering, exposed to danger of genocide unlike their predecessors (Genesis 35:2-5): "I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house'' (Genesis 34:30b). Remarkably, after the turmoil period of Dinah and her brothers' revolt, the Hebrew clan enters a new period. Building a new altar for the Hebrew God proper they revert into puritan cleansing of all foreign customs: ''And Jacob said unto his household and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments" (Genesis 35:2).
Alternative rules of sexual conduct attest to the biological fact that sexuality practised by women outside an exclusive partnership increases the prospect of conception, offering the highest chance of pregnancy to every woman. Such practices of sacred sexuality may even ensure better breeding by seed imported from outside the clan.
Has sexual hospitality served the patriarchal structure, or has it served the matriarchal interest? Could sexual hospitality be seen within the patriarchal society, or did it function within matriarchal society? Evidence of alternative sexuality in general speaks for the fact that sacred sexuality may not necessarily have undermined the patriarchal rules proper. I tend to believe that cultural templates of alternative sexuality, outside or side by side with patriarchal rules, may have complemented the coarse conditions of continuity unconditionally bound to survival, both on the communal or individual levels. Templates of that nature may have coexisted alongside, condoned and even blessed by the community when they enhanced the same goal ensuring the interest of both genders. These assumptions may bear witness to a richer, more pragmatic and perhaps even more tolerant communal life than we perhaps can imagine.
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When I go into a blog post with a question, I typically like to have an answer already marinating in the back of my mind. I suppose that makes sense when you consider the natural progression of things. If you ask a question, you expect an answer. It's basic instinct.
However, this post isn't being written under normal circumstances. Not only do I not have an answer to the aforementioned question, but I don't even think there is one. Not a definitive one. This is a topic that everyone has had different experiences with, and so I don't think it can be proven one way or another.
My question, as you read in the headline, is this: Is it even possible to not compare yourself to other people on the internet?
In a way, I feel as though the internet was built for comparisons. When I scroll through social media, I can't help but notice how easy it is to immediately start wondering how your own posts measure up to others (*cough* *cough* I'm looking at you, Instagram). It's like a switch has suddenly been flipped, and a million questions pop in your head. Are my photos even good? What about my theme? Why does everyone else seem to be leading more interesting lives than me? The list goes on.
What I've discovered is that it's difficult to navigate the line between using social media to keep up with people and using it to drag yourself down. An innocent scroll through Instagram can quickly turn into a flurry of self-doubt and insecurity, latching on to your deepest worries and putting them into pictures. It only takes a couple of seconds to start second-guessing everything about yourself when you're thumbing through photo after photo of people who seem more put together than you. People who are constantly going on extravagant trips and wearing fashionable outfits. People who seem to have unlocked some sort of secret code to the perfect life.
Of course, social media platforms don't paint an accurate depiction of reality. Photos, by definition, are moments captured by light. They show you one single instance rather than a full scene. They're snapshots, not film reels. And behind every perfectly positioned pose are (at least) a dozen of unflattering outtakes.
Because when it comes down to it, social media do not have to be multifaceted. People only have to show you the sides of their lives that they want to show you. They don't need to include every (or any) embarrassment, regret or misfortune. They only have to call attention to the things they want other people to see.
By no means am I the first person to point this out. Quite frankly, at this point in time, I think it might be a universal standard. But in spite of being aware of the fact that social media posts are, at times, fabricated, I still can't get away from the tendency to compare myself to other people on the internet. And I don't think I'm the only one.
This leaves me to believe that comparisons are an inevitable part of being online. That regardless of how many times you remind yourself that what you're seeing isn't totally accurate, there will always be a sliver of uncertainty that creeps in. It's human nature to be overly critical of one's self. Maybe that means when the opportunity for self-doubt arrives in easily accessible forms like it does on social media, we take it. Perhaps the real trick is learning balance.
Do you have a tendency to compare yourself to others on social media?
I think the level of comparison may depend on our own confidence in who we are. If we are happy with life and think we're doing a great job then we may not care so much about others. If we are disatisfied or uncertain then we will be hard on ourselves and think we don't measure up.
I agree! It definitely is harder not to compare yourself when you're not feeling confident!
Great post and so true!
I feel like comparing myself is the ONLY thing I do on social media!
Sometimes I feel the same way!
As you said comparisons are an inevitable part of being online ! The most important thing is to have self confidence. Everyone can show the best of their lives on Instagram but that's not always the truth!
It is interesting that you ask this question. The thing about social media is that people share what they want to share, this can include omitting the bad stuff that may happen in people's lives. I can see how people can fall into comparing other people's lives to themselves. You're definitely not the first to point this out. As for me, I know that social media isn't 100% of what people choose to share. At the same time, if someone is doing great, I support that! If their intentions of sharing content is to share what they're doing rather than look for validation, I am supportive over that. I mean, I do wish I can travel more but if people happen to travel for a living, I wouldn't really be jealous but support them.
I think that's so important for you to remember when you're online! Everything is not always as perfect as it seems!
I think it's so easy to fall into the trap of scrolling through instagram and comparing yourself to other, but I learned that people are never going to post about their failures or when they're not doing well- so I'm only comparing myself to half of the picture.
That's so true! It really is only half the picture!
I agree! It would definitely be hard to escape the comparisons if you didn't have a life outside the internet!
Thank you so much! I do the same thing sometimes! But it really is important to be happy with how you do things!
Fantastic post! ♥ I never had a social media account until a couple of years ago for my blog. After hearing about all the pitfalls, I decided to only follow accounts that are life coaching, positive memes, women business that inspire other women entrepreneurs. This way, I have a healthy outlook on what I see on a daily basis.
Thank you! And that's such a great idea! It's always best to make sure your feed is a source of positivity and inspiration!
Great post ! A few months back I had a lot of free time, so I started to be more active on social media, especially Instagram. And I noticed that I started comparing myself to other way more than what I used to do! I was focusing on what other people had and I didn't have. I like this kind of platform because it can really enhance creativity and help self expression, but now that I have basically no time at all (reason why I'm so late on reading all your posts), I don't do this anymore and I feel much better!
Life online or off-line is about confidence.
The problem is online you can hide your insecurities for as long as you want, in real life you have to face them.


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text:
Let Us Not Grow Weary
"And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Galatians 6:9
In the verses before the text, the Apostle had laid down a proposition, "What a man sows that shall he reap," verse 7. He who sows in sin—shall reap in sorrow. He who sows the seeds of grace—shall reap glory. There is the proposition.
In the text, the Apostle makes the application: "Let us not be weary in well-doing." We who have sown the good seed of repentance and a holy life, "Let us not be weary; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." There is in the text, then,
I. The exhortation: "Let us not be weary."
II. The argument: "We shall reap in due season."
I. The exhortation. "Let us not be weary."
There is something implied—that we are apt to be weary in well-doing.
There is something expressed—that we ought not to be weary in well-doing.
1. The thing implied—we are apt to be weary in well-doing. This weariness is not from the regenerate part but the fleshly part; as Peter's sinking in the water was not from faith in Christ, but from fear. This weariness in a Christian course is occasioned from four things:
(1) From the revilings of the world. Psalm 71:10, "My enemies speak against me." Innocence is no shield against reproach. But why should this make us weary of well-doing? Did not Jesus Christ undergo reproach for us, when the Jews put a crown of thorns on His head, and bowed the knee in scorn? Is it any dishonor to us to be reproached for doing that which is good? Is it any disparagement to a virgin to be reproached for her beauty and chastity? We should bind our reproaches for Christ—as a crown about our head. Now a spirit of glory rests upon us. 1 Peter 4:14, "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." He who clips our credit to make it weigh lighter—makes our crown heavier.
(2) That which is apt to occasion weariness in well-doing, is the present sufferings we are exposed to. 2 Corinthians 4:8, "We are troubled on every side." But why should this make us weary in well-doing? Is not our life a warfare? It is no more strange to meet with sufferings for Christ—than for a mariner to meet with storms, or a soldier to meet with bullets. Do we not consider upon what terms we are entered into religion? Did we not vow in baptism to fight under Christ's banner? Does our Lord not tell us that we must take up the cross and follow Him? Matthew 16:24. Is not this part of the legacy Christ has bequeathed us? John 16:33. We would like to partake of Christ's glory—but not of His sufferings. Besides, does not many a man suffer for his sins? Do not men's lusts bring them to an untimely end? Do men suffer for their sins—and do we think it too much, if we suffer for Christ? How did Paul rejoice in sufferings! 2 Corinthians 7:4. How did he glory in it! "As a woman that is proud of her jewels," said Chrysostom. Why should sufferings make us faint? Who would not be willing to tread upon a few thorns, who is going to a kingdom!
(3) That which is apt to occasion weariness in well-doing, is the deferring of the reward. We are apt to be discouraged and grow weary—if we do not immediately have what we desire. We are all for present pay. But consider, first, that our work is not yet done. We have not yet finished the faith. The servant does not receive his pay, until his work is done. Even Christ's reward was deferred until He had done His work. When He had completed our redemption and said upon the cross, "It is finished"—then He entered into glory.
Second, God defers the reward—to make heaven more welcome to us. After all our praying, weeping, and suffering—how sweet will the joys of paradise taste!
(4) That which is apt to occasion weariness in well-doing, is the greatness and difficulty of a Christian's work. But why should this make us weary? Difficulty whets a noble mind. The soldier's life has its difficulties, but they raise his spirits the more. He loves to encounter hardship and will endure at bloody fight for a golden harvest. Besides, where the least principle of grace is, it renders the way of religion easy and pleasant. When the magnet draws—it is easy for the iron to move. When God's Spirit draws—we move in the way of religion with ease and delight. Christ's service is freedom. Psalm 119:45, "I will walk at liberty." To serve God, to love God, to enjoy God—is the sweetest liberty in the world. Besides, while we serve God—we gratify ourselves. When a man who digs in a mine sweats—he gets gold; while we glorify God—we promote our own glory.
2. There is something expressed—that we ought not to be weary in well-doing. We should not grow weary in a Christian course. We should not tire in our race. "Let us not be weary in well-doing". The Greek word "to be weary" signifies to shrink back like a coward in a war. Let it not he thus with us; let us not shrink back from Christ's colors. Hebrews 4:14, "Let us hold fast our profession." We must not only hold forth our profession—but hold fast our profession. The crown is not given to him who fights—but to him who overcomes.
USE 1. Of reproof. It reproves such as are weary of well-doing. These are falling stars, 2 Timothy 4:10. Demas forsook God and, afterwards, became a priest in an idol temple. Hosea 8:3, "Israel has cast off the thing that is good." Many have thrown off Christ's livery; they have left off a holy course of life. They have turned to worldliness or wantonness. Galatians 5:7, "You did run well—who hindered you?" Why did you tire in your race? 2 Peter 2:21, "It would be better if they had never known the right way to live than to know it and then reject the holy commandments that were given to them."
USE 2. Of exhortation. Let us not be weary in well-doing. Consider:
1. The way of true religion is honorable. Shall we he weary of that which is noble? If indeed the Christian religion were a thing that would bring shame or loss as the ways of sin do—then we would have cause to desert it and grow weary of it; but it brings honor. Proverbs 4:9, "She shall give to your head an ornament of grace." Why then should we be weary of well-doing?
2. The beauty of a Christian is to hold on in piety, without being weary. Acts 21:16, "Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple." It is a beautiful sight to see silver hairs, crowned with golden virtue. The beauty of a thing is when it comes to be finished; the beauty of a picture is when it is drawn out in its full lineaments and laid in its orient colors. The beauty of a Christian is when he has finished his faith, 2 Timothy 4:7. It was the glory of the church of Thyatira that she kept her best wine until last. Revelation 2:19, "I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your last works are greater than the first."
3. Such as are weary of well-doing—it is a sign they never acted in religion from a choice, or from a principle of faith. Rather, they acted from the external spring of applause or preferment, so that, when these fail, their seeming goodness ceases.
4. God is never weary of doing us good. Therefore, we should not be weary of serving Him. A king who is continually obliging his subjects with gifts—those subjects have no cause to be weary of serving their prince.
5. If we grow weary and throw off religion, we make all we have done null and void. Ezekiel 18:24, "When the righteous turns away from his righteousness, all his righteousness that he has done shall not be mentioned." He who has been serving God and doing angel's work; if once he grows weary and desists, he unravels all his work and misses the recompense of reward. He who runs half a race, and then tires, loses the garland! Oh, what folly is it to do well awhile and, by apostasy—to undo all! As if the artist with a pencil should draw a fair picture—and then come with his sponge and wipe it out again.
6. Consider the examples of such as have continued their progress unweariedly in a Christian course. The Apostle sets before our eyes a cloud of witnesses, Hebrews 12:1, "Being compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run the race which is set before us." Let us run it with swiftness and constancy. How many noble martyrs and confessors of old have walked in the ways of God, though they have been strewn with thorns! They scorned preferments, laughed at imprisonments, and their love to Christ burned hotter than the fire! When Polycarp came before the proconsul who bade him deny Christ, he replied, "I have served Christ these eighty-six years, and He has not once hurt me. Shall I deny Him now?" Tertullian said that such was the constancy of the primitive saints, that the persecutors cried out, "What a misery is this, that we are more weary in tormenting them—than they are in enduring torment!" Let us tread in their steps who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises.
7. It will be our comfort on our deathbed, to review a well-spent life. It was Augustine's wish that he might have a quiet, easy death. If anything makes our pillow easy at death, it will be this: that you have been unwearied in God's work. This will be a deathbed cordial. Did you ever know any to repent at death, that they had been too holy? Many have repented that they have followed the world too much—but not that they have prayed too much—not that they have repented too much. What has made death sweet but that they have finished their course and kept the faith.
8. Think of the great reward we shall have if we do not give over or grow weary—and that is glory and immortality. This glory is ponderous. It is called a weight of glory, 2 Corinthians 4:17. The weight adds to the worth. The weightier a crown of gold is, the more it is worth.
This glory is satisfying. Psalm 17:15, "I shall be satisfied when I awake with Your likeness." This glory will abundantly recompense all our labors and sufferings. The joy of harvest, will make amends for all the labor in sowing. Oh, what harvest shall the saints reap! It will be always reaping time in heaven, and this reaping will be in due season. So the Apostle says in the text, "We shall reap in due season." The farmer does not desire to reap until the season. He will not reap his corn while it is green—but when it is ripe. Just so, we shall reap the reward of glory in due season. When our work is done, when our sins our purged out, when our graces are come to their full growth—then is the season of reaping. Therefore, let us not be weary of well-doing—but hold on in prayer, reading, and all the exercises of piety. We shall "reap in due season, if we faint not. "
II. The Argument. "We shall reap in due season." To keep us from fainting, know that the reward promised is very near. Roman 13:11, "Our salvation is nearer than when we believed." We are but within a few days march of the heavenly Canaan; it is but a few more prayers and tears shed—and we shall be perfect in glory! As that martyr Taylor said, "I have but one stile more to go over—and I shall be at my Father's house!" Wait but a while, Christians, and your trouble shall be over and your coronation-day shall come! Christ, who is the oracle of truth has said, "Surely I come quickly!" Revelation 22:20. Death's coming is sooner than Christ's personal coming—and then begins the saint's blessed jubilee.
QUESTION. What means shall we use that we may not wax weary in a Christian course?
ANSWER 1. Let us shake off spiritual sloth. Sloth says, "There is a lion in the way." He who is slothful will soon grow weary; he is more fit to lie on his couch—than to run a race! It is a strange sight to see a busy devil—and an idle Christian!
ANSWER 2. If we would not grow weary, let us pray for persevering grace. It was David's prayer, Psalm 119:117, "Hold me up—and I shall be safe." It was Beza's prayer, "Lord, perfect what You have begun in me." That we may hold on a Christian course, let us labor for three persevering graces: faith, hope, and love.
Faith keeps from fainting. Faith gives a substance to things not seen, and makes them to be as it were present, Hebrews 11. As a telescope makes those things which are at a distance near to the eye, so does faith. Heaven and glory seem near. A Christian will not be weary of service—who has the crown in his eye.
The second persevering grace is hope. Hope animates the spirits; it is to the soul as cork to the net—which keeps it from sinking. Hope breeds patience and patience breeds perseverance. Hope is compared to an anchor, Hebrew 6:19. The Christian never sins, but when he casts away his anchor of hope!
The third persevering grace is love. Love makes a man so that he is never weary. Love may be compared to the rod of myrtle in the traveler's hand, which refreshes him and keeps him from being weary in his journey. He who loves the world is never weary of following the world; he who loves God will never be weary of serving Him. The reason why saints and angels in heaven are never weary of praising and worshiping God, is because their love to God is perfect, and love turns service into delight. Get the love of God in your hearts—and you will run in His ways and not be weary!


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Following the recent race-related violence in the United States, Kip Moore is speaking out, calling on his fans to "be the change" and put an end to the violence and racism plaguing the U.S.
On Monday (July 11), Moore shared on his Facebook page a short video that shows young children of different races playing together in a park as Moore and friends Damien Horne (from the Farm) Tyrone Carreker (Sam Hunt's guitarist) play basketball.
The video is accompanied by a note from Moore, in which he reflects on his upbringing and how he was "taught to love, plain and simple."
"I had a mom and dad who would've kicked my a-- if I used a derogatory term to describe another person of color. As I got older, I looked around, realizing what a rare thing that was," Moore continues. "I grew up in south Georgia, where there was a lot of oppression and stereotypes. Don't get me wrong ... there were a lot of good people, but that's just the truth. There was hate from both sides. People were raised to dislike me for the color of my skin, and some of the white kids were taught to dislike others for the color of their skin."
Moore goes on to call racism "a poisonous cycle" that "may never end, but I sure pray it does."
I'm well aware that "some" officers over the years have abused their authority and caused an extreme strain of trust among certain communities, BUT I also believe that the majority of our officers (my brother included) want to protect all races and fight for what's right everyday. I know his heart, and I know he's not the only one. The media will always pit us against each other. They know race will always drive ratings ... There are many peaceful protests happening all over, but that's not what you're gonna see. You'll only see the shooting over and over ... I hope we can all look at ourselves in the mirror and end this vicious cycle. I pray we teach our kids to simply love and let the hate die with those holding onto it.


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11 of the best 4x4 trails in Southern Africa [UPDATED]
Brendon Carpenter
If you're a 4x4 enthusiast, you'll want to add these trails to your bucket list - these are 11 adventures you don't want to miss out on!
It's not hard to see why Southern Africa becomes part of your soul. With its breathtaking natural beauty, diverse wildlife and incredible people, who wouldn't want to have a road trip here at the top of their bucket list?
However, 4x4 enthusiasts have the upper hand when it comes to exploring the lesser known gems our country has to offer. With your trusty 4x4, you can enjoy some of the most isolated, untouched regions in Southern Africa. In true man-vs-nature style, these trails will take you into the heart of the African bush. You'll be able to get up close and personal with wildlife species, and some of the best views the world has to offer.
Image source: Nightjar Travel
Take a look at Our best 4x4 trails in South Africa
1. Sani Pass (The gateway to Lesotho), KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), with its unmistakable lush, green scenery, is famous for its outdoor activities. With everything from beach to berg, there's an adventure for everyone in this temperate, subtropical province.
As far as 4x4 trails are concerned, Sani Pass offers a challenging trail filled with spectacular views, at 2865 meters above sea level.
Image source: Round the World in Thirty Days (Sani Pass: gateway to the sky)
The route can become quite a serious track in cold and rainy weather, so it's wise to attempt during warmer months, however, the effort will be well worth it. This trail is rated as one of the most beautiful in the country, climbing through the rugged mountains of the Drakensberg, on the way to Lesotho.
If you're planning a family road trip, and need some destination inspiration, check out these 9 game parks off the beaten track.
2. Namaqua Eco-trail, Northern Cape
Image source: Springbok
The Namaqua 4x4 route is the longest 4x4 route in South Africa, stretching over 600km through the picturesque landscape of the Northern Cape.
With trails ranging from easy to extreme, 4x4 enthusiasts will definitely find something to suit their expertise. Some of the highlights of the route include the Southern Richtersveld, the Caracal Trail and the Road to Hell.
Image source: Coopertires (Namaqua Caracal 4x4 Trail)
The Road to Hell - turn back now, you've been warned!
This riveting detour is not for the faint of heart. Situated in an optional dead-end branch of the Namaqua Eco-trail (on the first leg of the trail, headed to the N7 North of Steinkopf), the Road to Hell should rather be attempted by experienced 4x4 drivers in convoy.
The descent will have even the toughest 4x4 drivers' hearts racing, and the climb back up can get extremely difficult.
Image source: Uli von Kapff (You've reached the point of no return - the Road to Hell, Namaqua Eco-trail)
It's a highly technical drive - but this is one for your bucket list. With a little determination (and a lot of hard work), the Road to Hell pops out in the Orange River Valley, where you can experience a little piece of paradise on Earth.
If you'd like to experience the Namaqua Eco-trail at in all its glory, then the best time of year to plan a trip is during the flower season (August/September) when you'll see carpets of bright, cheerful flowers along your journey.
3. Augrabies Falls National Park, Northern Cape
Image source: Northern Natal Courier
The Augrabies National Park 4x4 trail is just under 100km, taking you through the barren African plains (with a few water crossings). The trail is extremely easy in a 4x4, and is a great self-drive, beginner's route. However, even seasoned 4x4 enthusiasts will revel at the beauty of the Augrabies Falls, and you're likely to encounter some pretty exciting wildlife along your way.
Image source: Londolozi Blog (The world's most elusive creature: the caracal)
The Echo Corner detour is a short stretch (only about 7km long) which is not to be missed. It overlooks the Orange River, with unparallelled viewpoints, and is the perfect spot to stop for a rest (camping facilities and chalets are available) and marvel at the wonders of the South African landscape.
Image source: Visits to the Park
4. Quthing Valley 4×4 Route, Lesotho
Image source: Travel Notes
Combining both a cultural tour as well as off-roading, this trail starts at Moorosi or Mphake and ends at Ongeluksnek. The route takes in the Malekgonyane Nature Reserve, Letseng-la-Letsio Lake, Mt Moorosi Fortress, Fort Hartley, as well as two mountain passes – Manyemotsa Pass and Ongeluksnek Pass. It is a full day tour if you plan to include attractions such as pony trekking, cultural performances and viewing dinosaur footprints.
5. Day Kgalagadi – Polentswa Wilderness 4×4 Trail, Botswana side
This is a 6-day adventure route through the spectacular and beautiful Kalahari Desert and the circular route involves plenty of sand driving, including some deep sand. It begins near Nossob Camp on the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, and is a true challenge even for skilled off-road drivers. Accommodation is in campsites and the area is malaria-free. Advance booking is required since vehicle numbers are limited for each tour.
6. Namib-Naukluft 4×4 Trail, Namibia
Image source: SA 4x4
This is a serious challenge for off-roaders, taking in steep, rocky gradients and is no wonder the two-day 73 km route is regarded as one of the toughest in the world. Stretching northwards from Luderitz through the Namib Naukluft Park, the trail covers sharp rocks, steep gradients and thick sand. You need to be highly skilled in technical driving to prevent vehicle damage and/or personal injury. Wide, soft-walled sand or mud tyres are not recommended because of the many sharp rocks on the narrow, mountainous trail, and you need to have a good supply of recovery gear, spare parts, and several spare wheels as well. In addition, you must bring all your food, water, firewood, and camping gear, since the campsite on this trail is very basic, consisting of A-frame shelters fitted with bunk beds. Only 16 persons in a maximum of four vehicles are allowed on the trail at any one time and reservations to traverse this trail should be made at least eight weeks in advance.
7. Kirkhill 4×4 Trail – eSwatini, Swaziland
Image source: Tracks4Africa
Good trails for 'soft roaders' are not easy to find but Kirkhill needs only a few hours to complete and offers some truly stunning scenery. Starting about 20km from Mbabane, the route involves some scattered rocks that occur in some sections but which are easily avoided even by drivers with average driving skills. However, things can get a little trickier during, or after rain, when thick mud occurs in some sections. The trail offers accommodation in a campsite, rescue vehicles and equipment, drinking water, swimming and quad bikes are welcome. This trail is worth doing for the scenery alone, and is recommended.
8. Three Provinces 4×4 Trail, South Africa
Image source: 3 Provinces 4x4 Adventures
On Waterval farm near Volksrust, the trail is actually a fusion of three separate routes culminating in the meeting of the borders of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Free State at the top of Langkrans some 2 253 metres above sea level. The trail includes stream crossings, mountainous area, rocky terrain and muddy holes but can be driven by novice off-roaders.
9. Ferndale, Eastern Cape
Image source: Ferndale 4x4
With various 4x4 trails graded between 3 and 5 on the property, the working farm of Ferndale in the Henderson Valley near Cathcart is a firm favourite. The cattle, merino sheep and Angora goat farm also offers microlight flips, camping and caravanning, game and bird viewing, hiking to see caves and Bushman art along with four specific trails. The easy route allows time to try and spot the 130 bird species on the property, while Diff-lock Alley is 11.5 km of seriously tough driving.
10. Lekoa Lodge, Gauteng
Image source: Lekoa Lodge
Close to Johannesburg in the Southern Gauteng-Vaal region, the guest lodge offers
6 000 hectares and is popular with Quad bikers and two-wheelers as well as 4x4 enthusiasts who need to provide at least two weeks' notice. Other activities include paintball, horse riding, fishing (bring own tackle) cold-water swimming pool and mountain biking (bring own bicycles).
11. Klipbok 4x4 Adventures, Western Cape
Image source: Klipbokkop
Starting at the foot of the Langeberge this is a challenge for the 4×4 enthusiast and family. The panoramic nature 'fynbos' and view over the Tradouw Valley in Barrydale is worth the effort. On top of the Langeberge is a braai and the lapa and overnight accommodation on the mountain is also offered.
If you haven't tried your hand at your own 4x4 adventure, you'd better start planning. . . With trails like these in our backyard, South Africans have no excuse not to cross these adventures off our bucket lists.
Got any recommendations to add to our list? Let us know, we'd love to hear where your favourite 4x4 spot in South Africa is.
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Home / Bollywood / Biography Of The Best Villain of Indian Film Industry – Amrish Puri
Biography Of The Best Villain of Indian Film Industry – Amrish Puri
Baani Gupta April 28, 2017	Bollywood, Life Leave a comment
Biography of Amrish Puri
Amrish Puri was very well known Indian Actor who was mostly appeared in the negative role. He played different types of roles in Bollywood but his image of villain most appreciated by the people. His dialogue Mogambo Khush Hua was considered his best dialogue. He did movies not only in Bollywood but he did Kannada, deluge, Punjabi and Hollywood film also.
Amrish Puri was born on 22nd June 1932 in Nawanshahr, Jalandhar, Punjab in the Punjabi family. His father's name was Lala Nihal Chand Puri and mother's name was Ved Kaur. He had four siblings. Two elder brothers named Chaman Puri and Madan puri both worked for Indian cinema and an elder sister named Chandrakanta And last his younger brother named Harish Puri. Later his family moved to Shimla and he did his graduation from B.M. college Himachal Pradesh.
Amrish Puri followed the path of his two elder brothers Chaman Puri and Madan puri who were well established in Indian cinema and well known for their negative roles. Amrish Puri wanted to be the hero but his scared eyes and his striking bass voice made the cause of his failure. He fails in becoming a hero but not in his career he was selected for the villain roles in Indian cinema. He had to join LIC when he was failed in first screen test in 1954. besides this job, he continued to work in Prithvi theater and performed in a play written by SAtyadev Dubey and won the Sangeet Natak Academy award In 1979. He found his break in movies at the age of 40. He played in many movies in Bollywood, Tollywood, Telugu, Tamil, Punjabi but he was best renowned for his work in Bollywood. He was the first notice in 1980 in the super hit movie Hum Panch in which he is played as the main villain. After that, he did many super hit movies in which he played negative roles like Bhumika(1977), Nishant (1975), The churning (1976), Mashal (1984), Mr. India( 1987)etc. He did many movies with Subhash Ghai and became a popular face in those times. The two superhit movie was Vidhata and Hero which he was offered him by Subhash Ghai. Amrish puri's memorable roles were Mogambo in Mr. India, Thakur Durjan Singh in Karan Arjun, Jagavar in Vidhata, Bhujang In Tridev, Thakral in Meri Jang, Balwant Rai in Ghayal And Lawyer Chadda in Damini. In spite of those negative roles, He was appreciated for his some positive and supporting roles in many movies also. As we remembered his golden Jubilee hit movie name Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge in which he played a supporting role and Pardes in which he played as an NRI. He also played a positive role in many hit movies like Ghatak, Phool or Kante, Gardish, China gate, Virasat etc.
He was also remembered in Outside India for playing a character of Mola Ram In English movie named Indiana Jones And the Temple Doom (1984), or this movie he had to clean shaved his head. He also played as a Khan in a Hollywood movie Gandhi(1982). He also did many Punjabi movies like chan PArdesi, Sat Sriakal and Shaheed Uddham Singh. He got three times Filmfare Best supporting actor award for his movies named Ghatak, virasat, Merijung. He played in more than 400 films in his career. His last film was KAchhi sadak which was released few days after his death.
Amrish Puri Was married to Urmila Divekar on 5th January 1957, in Sri Krishna Temple In Wadala. The couple has two children named Rajeev puri and Namrata puri. His son Rajiv is a businessman and married to physiotherapist Meena. Puri had four grandchildren named Sachi, Harsh wardhan, Shantanu Bagwe and Krish Bagwe.
His hobby was to collect different types of hats. whenever he went abroad he always bought hats from there. he had a collection of 200 hats in his wardrobe. He was very religious in nature.
Death And Illness:
He was suffered from the Brain hemorrhage. he died on 12 January 2005 due to his illness in Mumbai at the age of 72.
Amrish Puri had done approx 400 films in his career. He is always remembered as the best villain In Indian cinema.
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