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Chapter 282 Force Field
 Chapter 282 Force Field
Chen Xi's sudden appearance caused everyone to be stunned.
"Senior!" A trace of pleasant surprise arose in Qin Yuwei's eyes that were about to shed tears, and she seemed as if she'd found a pillar she could lean on, causing her to completely lose her sorrowful and despaired appearance.
"Luo Tong greets Senior." The tall and robust Luo Tong puckered his lips as he spoke slowly, and he felt pleasantly surprised in his heart, but more than that, he felt heartfelt gratitude.
The Qin Clan had already declined now and had long since lost its former glory and period of prosper. Just like the attendant had said, a phoenix without feathers was inferior to a chicken. No one would care about who he, Luo Tong, was, and no one would pity Qin Yu Wei who was the Eldest Young Miss of the Qin Clan. Conversely, there were many that seized this opportunity to add insult to injury.
For example, the attendant before them that ridiculed them indifferently, Sikong Hua that seized the opportunity to extort and coerce them, and the surrounding people that looked on and did nothing, all of this had vividly portrayed Luo Tong and Qin Yuwei's current situation.
On the other hand, Chen Xi was a young man they'd met by chance and had already saved their lives previously, yet he stood out once more at this moment. So how could it not cause Luo Tong to feel grateful?
Sikong Hua's expression became extremely gloomy instead as he sized up Chen Xi from top to bottom, and then he laughed coldly. "Brother, you look extremely unfamiliar, you're probably not someone from Maple Leaf City, right? I advise you not to interfere in this matter, as it wouldn't be good if you bring calamity onto yourself."
"Yeah customer, you look so young so you probably don't know the reputation of the Sikong Clan, right? Besides the Earthly Heaven Sect, the Sikong Clan is the most powerful in our Maple Leaf City, and Young Master Sikong Hua is the second young master of the Sikong Clan and possesses a status that you can only look up to. It's best if you don't bring trouble to yourself." The nearby attendant spoke out as well. He noticed that Chen Xi's attire didn't seem like that of an ordinary person, so his tone had become much milder, yet all his words still took Sikong Hua's side.
Chen Xi's expression remained unchanged as he nodded to Qin Yuwei and Luo Tong, and then looked indifferently at the attendant and said, "How is that piece of 10,000 year old soul nurturing spirit wood?"
The attendant was stunned but still answered. "It's not the slightest bit less. It's rare that it's preserved extremely well, and its quality is one of the best."
Chen Xi shook his head and sighed. "Then what're you standing here for? Could it be that you didn't hear what I said earlier? Do the attendants of your Treasure Heaven Pavilion treat customers like this?"
The attendant's expression instantly became indeterminate. As an attendant of the Treasure Heaven Pavilion, his status was naturally different when compared to servants. It couldn't be said that he possessed high status, but he was at least capable of relying on the reputation of the Treasure Heaven Pavilion to masquerade about. Never had he imagined that Chen Xi wouldn't give him the slightest face and even used the identity of being a customer to pressure him, and he was instantly angered to the point of almost exploding.
But he was unable to dispute Chen Xi's words, as after all was said and done, he was only an attendant of the Treasure Heaven Pavilion, and he was no different than a lowly servant in the eyes of some great figures and was even inferior to an ant. So he could only bully some ordinary people that possessed neither background nor strength.
"Hmph! Taking my goodwill as ill intent? You're truly courting death..." In the end, the attendant glared resentfully at Chen Xi before turning around to exchange for the Ambergis, yet he still muttered unwillingly.
"Master, do you want me to kill this bastard? A lowly attendant that actually dares to insult you like this truly deserves death!" Mu Kui's shiny jade eyes stared fixedly at the attendant, and his gaze became ruthless and icy cold.
"There's no need." Chen Xi shook his head, it was too senseless to fuss about it with an attendant that looked down upon others. Coupled with the fact that he was at the Treasure Heaven Pavilion and had obtained a great deal of benefit from Ya Qing earlier, out of consideration for Ya Qing, he couldn't be bothered to make a fuss about it with the attendant.
"Kid, you really want to interfere in the business of my Sikong Clan?" Sikong Hua's expression became extremely ominous as killing intent gushed within his heart. From the beginning until the end, Chen Xi hadn't taken a glance at him and had simply disregarded his existence. As the second young master of the Sikong Clan, when had he suffered such treatment? It was simply going too far!
"Want to fight? A tiny Golden Hall Realm cultivator like you dares to flaunt your strength before your Grandpa Mu Kui?" Mu Kui couldn't contain his anger since long ago, and he glared at Sikong Hua with murderous gaze and didn't conceal his killing intent and rage in the slightest.
"You... You dare insult me?" Sikong Hua cried out with a sharp voice. But the formidable aura emitted by Mu Kui caused him to be extremely fearful, so even though he was furious in his heart, he didn't dare make a move here, and he took a deep breath right away before laughing coldly and ominously. "Good, good, good! I'll remember both of you. So long as the both of you can leave Maple Leaf City, then I, Sikong Hua, will change my surname to yours!"
This fellow was rather intelligent and knew that it wasn't suitable to make a move in the Treasure Heaven pavilion, so he turned around and left as soon as he finished speaking.
"You want to follow my surname? Ptooey! Is there even such a shameless person in this world? What the hell!?" Mu Kui spoke with an expression of disdain.
Sikong Hua had just walked out of the Treasure Heaven Pavilion when Mu Kui's words entered clearly into his ears, causing him to be angered to the point his entire body shivered, and he almost spat out a mouthful of blood as he shouted madly in his heart. Just you wait! I'll fucking tear both of you apart and make you die a horrifying death!
"Master, you wouldn't blame me for being impetuous, right?" Mu Kui turned around, and his expression had become naïve as he scratched his head and revealed a silly smile.
Chen Xi smiled. "You didn't kill him, so it can't be considered to be impetuous."
"Senior, I've caused trouble for you. Because of me, you've offended the Sikong Clan, you... You should leave Maple Leaf City quickly, as you'll still be in time if you leave now." Qin Yuwei spoke with a worried expression as she knew how terrifying the Sikong Clan was. The clan's senior generation were all Rebirth Realm experts, and it even possessed a Nether Transformation Realm expert holding down the fort, causing its power to be monstrous and merely inferior to the Earthly Heaven Sect.
As far as she was concerned, even though Chen Xi offending Sikong Hua wouldn't draw out the senior generation of the Sikong Clan to make a move against him, yet an expert the Sikong Clan casually sent out would already be someone that Chen Xi couldn't deal with, so she couldn't help but be worried for him in her heart.
"Senior, my Young Miss isn't wrong. You should leave quickly or it'll be too late." Luo Tong advised Chen Xi to leave as well.
Chen Xi smiled yet neither approved nor disapproved.
Meanwhile, the attendant sent over the Ambergis as well. The Ambergis was a liquid that seemed like a pearl of water and was crystalline like amber. It was refined from Inkjade Bloodlotus, a piece of soul nurturing spirit wood, and another few more herbs, and it possessed the shocking effect of awakening one's memories and repairing the soul. A single drop of Ambergis could be sold for 10,000 Nascent Condensation Pill on the market, but it was something that possessed a value yet had no stock, and it couldn't be bought most of the time.
For example, the Treasure Heaven Pavilion's Ambergis was utterly not for sale, and it could only be exchanged for with Inkjade Bloodlotus or a piece of soul nurturing spirit wood.
"Senior, please wait. I have something to give you." After he passed the Ambergis to Qin Yuwei, Chen Xi brought Mu Kui along to leave. However, he was stopped by Qin Yuwei before he could walk out of the Treasure Heaven Pavilion.
This young woman in a jade dress that possessed a delicate and beautiful appearance seemed to have made an extremely great resolution as she held out something that seemed like white jade and looked like a piece of a flat snow white bone with a cautious expression.
"This is a treasure passed down from the Ancestors of my Qin Clan, yet no one was capable of seeing through its secrets until now. Presently, my Qin Clan has declined and only this thing possesses slight worth in the remaining possessions of my Qin Clan. Senior, please accept it." Qin Yuwei spoke with a resolute expression.
"Since it's something that's passed down from generation to generation in your clan, you should keep it. I didn't help you for the sake of your clan's treasures." Chen Xi shook his head.
"Senior, if you don't accept it, then I'll probably be unable to repay your life saving grace in the future. Could it be that you want me to live with an uneasy feeling for my entire life?" Qin Yuwei spoke as she shoved the thing in Chen Xi's hand before leaving swiftly.
"Senior, time is of the essence. I and the Young Miss have to return and help the Patriarch first. If I have the chance, Luo Tong will repay your favor in the future." Luo Tong cupped his hands with a solemn expression before chasing up to Qin Yuwei and leaving.
Chen Xi was stunned as he looked at their leaving figures, and he couldn't help but shake his head.
In a superior room within the inn.
Eh, this thing is slightly peculiar indeed. Chen Xi sat cross-legged on the bed as he looked at the flat bone in his hand, and a trace of surprise flashed within his eyes.
This thing was like a piece of white jade that was pure white and translucent. It felt extremely smooth and cool to the bone when stroked lightly, and it felt extremely comfortable to hold in the hand.
Most eye catching was the dense and innumerable bone markings that grew on its surface. They were dense like the starry sky and seemed as if they were talisman marking structures inscribed by Talisman Formation Masters, and they faintly seemed to emit a desolate and ancient voice that was chanting something that shook one's soul.
What sort of species would actually grow such profound bone markings on their bones? Is it an ancient Fiendgod? Or some extinct species from ancient times? Chen Xi pondered and felt rather regretful in his heart. Unfortunately, I don't know if the energy contained within the bone markings have vanished or have been sealed, but I'm unable to gain any clues from it.
Chen Xi thought for a moment before placing the pure white bone into the Buddha's Pagoda and carefully hiding it away. He faintly had a feeling in his heart that perhaps he might be able to unravel the profundities contained within it in the future.
Without wasting any more time, Chen Xi took out the Grand Obliteration Fist's jade slip and studied it concentratedly.
Presently, only two moves had appeared within the jade slip, Earthly Obliteration and Chaotic Obliteration. The third move, Infinite Obliteration, was in a blurred state, and he would be unable to pry into its profundities before his strength attained a certain level.
Chen Xi had already started comprehending the Grand Obliteration Fist while he was in Pine Mist City, and he'd already grasped some of its tricks in utilizing the energy of Dao Insights. He was already capable of utilizing the Dao Insights of Fire and Water in the move, Earthly Obliteration, but he still lacked some attainment, and he'd only grasped around 70% of its essence.
As for the second move, Chaotic Obliteration, he didn't have the slightest clue about it now. Originally, he intended to utilize the Dao Insights of Yin and Yang in the second move of the Grand Obliteration Fist, yet no matter how he deduced it, he was unable to get the gist of it, causing him to be forced to temporarily lay it aside and place his entire mind on the first move, Earthly Obliteration.
Hiss!
Chen Xi slowly clenched his fists tightly as a wisp of crimson flames and blue water swiftly appeared on the surface of his fist, the Dao Insights of Fire and Water stood at two extremes, they didn't intrude upon each other yet were also rejecting each other, and they seemed like sword foes.
Strands of milky white True Essence moved along the meridians in his arms to move according to the intentions in his heart as they carefully surged onto the surface of his fist and gushed into the Dao Insights of Fire and Water.
The True Essence was like swimming snakes that flowed and wriggled about within the flames and water.
Gradually, the two Dao Insights were filled with True Essence. Under Chen Xi's control, they revolved to form a flame vortex and water vortex, and a strand suction force was emitted from the two vortexes of elements of two extremes.
Shockingly, these two completely different suction forces actually produced a trace of a connection between them, and a force field was formed on the surface of the fist, causing the nearby space to suddenly collapse along with the appearance of the force field...
The spirit energy of the heavens and the earth in the surroundings were instantly swallowed within the force field, causing the force field to seem to suddenly become material, and it gave out an extremely heavy feeling.
This was a type of force field that was almost the same as a Dao Territory, but it was condensed from True Essence that was mixed with two completely different Dao Insights that were at two extremes.
Chen Xi's eyes shone brightly as a trace of Divine Sense carefully stuck out as he wholeheartedly concentrated on sensing the intriguing changes that were occurring within the 'force field.'
He was able to sense that because of the trace of suction force that gushed out from the vortexes, the two extreme energies of fire and water had formed a connection, and they were temporarily in a state of equilibrium.
According to his inference, the more True Essence he poured into it, the stronger the energy of the force field would be. When it arrived at a certain limit, the connection and equilibrium within this force field would be destroyed, causing water and fire to collide, and the collision of two extremes would produce an extremely terrifying explosive force!
This sort of destructive force formed from the convergence of a shapeless force field that later caused two energies of two extremes to collide with each other was where the true might of the Grand Obliteration Fist's first move, Earthly Obliteration, lay.
If this move were to be executed, it would at least not be inferior to any Dao Grade martial techniques, and it would even be stronger. I've only grasped its essence by 70%, I wonder how formidable it would be if it attains perfection... In the pitch black room, a strand of a flame vortex and a strand of a water vortex were reflected in Chen Xi's eyes, and the bright sheen of crimson red and dark blue gushed into appearance within his eyes, causing him to seem like a god that possessed insight in water and fire.


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Hons & Mems
LCWR
Vincentian Family
Charity Federation
Future of Charity
Catholic Sisters of Western PA
Charity Alive
Heritage Hall
Nazareth Villages
Nazareth Retreat Center
St. Joseph Montessori
Jean Vessels, SCN
by Spalding Hurst | Oct 31, 2019 | 1 comment
Jean Vessels, SCN, 94, (formerly Sister Jane Louise) was born in Louisville, KY. She died on October 31, 2019, at Nazareth Home, Louisville, KY. She was a professed Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 74 years.
Sister Jean served in educational ministries, teaching in several grade schools including St. Gregory in Samuels, KY; St. Monica in Bardstown, KY; Good Shepherd School in Frankfort, KY and St. Andrew in Roanoke, VA. She also served as a substitute teacher for Jefferson County Public Schools.
In 1963 Sister Jean earned a degree in math from Spalding University in Louisville. She taught math at several high schools including Owensboro Catholic High School in Owensboro, KY, Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree, MA; and years later at Providence High School in Clarksville, IN (from 1982-1993).
From 1968-1973 Sister Jean served as assistant principal at St. Mary High School in Paducah, KY. She served as principal at Presentation Academy in Louisville from 1973-1979. Sister Jean also served as an instructor at Weikel Real Estate School.
Sister Jean is survived by her extended family and by her religious community.
Visitation and Prayer Service will be held Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. at Nazareth Home Chapel.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at Nazareth Home Chapel at 11:00 a.m.
Welcoming Prayer will be held at Nazareth on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at St. Vincent de Paul Chapel at 2:00 p.m. Burial in Nazareth Cemetery immediately following the Nazareth Welcoming Prayer.
Funeral Arrangements are being handled by Ratterman Funeral Home, 3800 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY. Memorials may be sent to the SCN Office of Mission Advancement, P.O. Box 9, Nazareth, KY, 40048.
Michael A McClain on August 2, 2020 at 12:04 pm
Sister Jean was my first grade teacher at Good Shepherd School in Frankfort in 1955. I remember Sister Jane Louise as a young, vibrant sister who loved us and cared for us both in the class room and in our home environments. Sister taught me to love the Church and helped me to develop me love for the Blessed Mother which I still hold today. I continued my education at Good Shepherd through the 10th grade with a Sister as teacher in all ten grades. I loved the Sisters of Charity and I grew to love them through my interaction with Sister Jane Louise all those years ago.
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Sisters of Charity of Nazareth ©1812-2018

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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18 years or older: 7-8 hours a day.
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Coinciding with the IEEE Photonics Society's "Introduce a Girl to Photonics" Day & Manufacturing Day, the Photonics Society at UCSB encourages local women in photonics to participate this week by giving talks at local schools or leading a tour of your company.
Read some of the articles written about this week!
Women at local photonics companies gave tours of their companies/groups.
Reserve your spot at one of these tours, below.
Contact industry@ips.ece.ucsb.edu to get your company involved!
Women from local photonics companies and UCSB groups gave talks at schools.
Hands-On Photonics activity "Light-Pipes: controlling light" was run at Girls Inc., Goleta.
Run in their normally-scheduled 3/4th & 5/6th grade STEM classes.
See the CSEP page for more info.
Click Here to Reserve your spot at EventBrite.
All Tour attendees must be U.S. Persons!
Grade 6 and up. Open to the public.


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Naya Rivera Photos
Naya Rivera info
Born: 12 January, 1987
Height: 1.65 (5' 5")
Awards: 1 win & 2 nominations
Known for: Nuthin' But a Glee Thang (short) , The Master of Disguise and more.
Watch movies with Naya Rivera online
Movie Year
Naya Rivera biography
This block contains the information about Naya Rivera and provides an insight into the life of the celebrity. From here you can also learn when, how and why the profession of an actor was chosen. Some interesting facts are waiting for you here.
Naya Rivera was born in January 1987 in Valencia (which is a region in California), and the biggest part of her life she spent in Los Angeles. When she was only a few months old, she was already represented by an agent who searched young talents, to whom appealed her mother when she came to LA in order to create a carrier of a model. Naya was always singing very well, that is why by the time she was 15th she started writing her own songs. While being a little girl she performed in an advertising of "Kmart" shop, and when she was 4 in 1991 she got her first role of performing Hillary's Winston character in the comedy TV show "The Royal Family" whose producer was Eddie Murphy. The next ten years she was getting some small roles in a variety of TV shows, between which were: "The Beverly Hills Prince" in which she performed with the Will Smith, in "Smart Guy", in "Light up everything with Stevens" and in the comedy "The master of disguise" in 2002. In 2010 she was on the sixth place in the "Top Hot" according to Maxim magazine. The lesbian portal gave her the first place in the top 100 sexiest women on the Earth. In May 2011 was announced the news that she signed a contract with "Columbia Records" for the release of her first solo album.
Where Naya Rivera born?
With the help of the Google satellite map you can find the place where Naya Rivera was born. By zooming in and out you can see the place itself and the area it is situated in and nearby. Find out where Naya Rivera was born. Now you can see the place itself even not traveling.
Naya Rivera filmography
Here you can learn about the movies Naya Rivera acted in. You can see the names of the movies, their budget, years of release and the money gained from the screening of the certain movie. It is always interesting to know.
Movies & Videos Budget Year Opening weekend US box Office
The Master of Disguise - Captain America Kid $16M 2002 $12.6M $40.4M
Nuthin' But a Glee Thang (short) - Actress 2011
Halle Berry on Pregnancy: I thought I Had a Kidney Stone
Pregnant Halle Berry revealed that she went to see the doctor because she thought she had a kidney stone but instead the doctor told her she was with child. The 46-year-old actress admits she was
Liam Hemsworth's curse
After being involved in two separate car accidents while listening to the same Bon Iver song, Liam Hemsworth is convinced that the song is a curse for him. The first accident happened in
Bruce Willis and wife expecting baby
As UsMagazine.com reports, Bruce Willis and his wife Emma Heming are going to be parents for the second time. The actor and the 35-year-old model, who already have a daughter, Mabel, are expecting
Born on the same day
Ralf Moeller
Recklinghausen, Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany
Rachael Harris
Worthington, Ohio, USA
Vanessa Johansson
Simon Russell Beale
Andrew Lawrence
Rate celebrities
Hey, what do you think of Anne Hathaway?


126 work ready for border crossing.
126 work ready for border crossing. It's great when the museum sends a truck and driver. My show is at Maine's Modern and Contemporary Art Museum this September 14th.
For those who pack delicate ceramics. We know this task.


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Ana Pacheco and Jambo Cafe Kick Off Restaurant Week in Santa Fe
by Pat Wetzel | Feb 23, 2018 | Food, Foodie Forays, Road Trip, The Story | 0 comments
From talks by local historians such as Ana Pacheco to tequila tastings at the elegant Inn of the Anasazi, to African flavors at Jambo Cafe, there is something for everyone in Santa Fe's Restaurant Week.
One can perfect one's margarita; sample fabulous French food followed by an equally fabulous organic green chili burger oozing with a bit of spice and melted cheese; or learn to make mozzarella.
You can dine in a strip mall or in the elegance of a four star resort.
It's an experiential week of creativity and spirit; of food and flavors; and of a bit of the past as the stories of history translate into the ways of today.
All set against the beautiful, artful town of Santa Fe.
Click here to visit a gallery of Santa Fe pictures!
Restaurant Week in Santa Fe, aka "The City Different", is part of of a three week celebration of Northern New Mexico food:
Santa Fe's celebration runs from February 18-25;
Taos Restaurant Week is February 25- March 4; and
Albuquerque celebrates its culinary talent March 4-11.
Nearly sixty restaurants are participating in Santa Fe alone. Each offers a 3 course lunch and/or dinner at a fixed price, usually well under $50. (Most lunches are $20-35 and dinners around $45). There are many top calibre restaurants on the list (such as the Four Seasons just north of the city in Tesuque, where the horse picture above was oversees their dining room), as well as many fun places for every day dining.
The next several posts will focus on my explorations during Santa Fe Restaurant Week. (This post covers days one and two.) My only regret is that the event only lasts a week, and I can only eat so much in a day!
Nevertheless, here, dear reader, are my best efforts!
Santa Fe Restaurant Week
"Only in Santa Fe" by Ana Pacheco
Caffe Greco
233 Canyon Road
This photo from my iPhone (a bit pixelated due to the low light) captures Ana Pacheco as she prepares to give her talk.
Have you ever wondered about the roots of a town? Why things are done a certain way? Why certain attitudes prevail? When it comes to Santa Fe, look no further than Restaurant Week's featured talk by the city's former historian, author and speaker, Ana Pacheco.
Ana Pacheco's presentation, "Only in Santa Fe", looks at a series of unique events sprinkled throughout Santa Fe's history to provide some insight into this "City Different" as Santa Fe is called.
Santa Fe is a melting pot of many cultures. Founded by the Anasazi and later the Indians in the surrounding Pueblos, Santa Fe, the city, had 19 founding families, 11 of which were Jewish.
The city itself has been under four flags: Spanish, Mexican, Confederate and American. And while the original adobe style buildings–mud huts– were an inexpensive form of housing, today (as Ana says, chuckling)
"only the rich can afford to live in mud houses."
Adobe houses around Palace Avenue just outside the Santa Fe Plaza
If you're not familiar with Santa Fe, the east side is noted for its historic adobe architecture and expensive homes. Although the street view may sometimes seem plain or, on occasion, bordering on run-down, this is prime real estate. The location in the foothills and mountains immediately surrounding town is precious, and priced accordingly.
Ana Pacheco traces her roots to ancestors that settled in Santa Fe in 1694. Her mother, Natalie Ortiz, was a descendant of Diego de Vargas who led the resettlement of Santa Fe after the Pueblo Revolt in 1692.
Don Gaspar Avenue (an upscale and main street linking adobe residences with the downtown) is named after Ana Pacheco's mothers great grandfather, Don Gaspar Ortiz.
On the Pacheco side, the family moved from Santa Cruz to Sant Fe in the late 1800s. Pacheco Street is named after Ana's great-great grandfather Jose de la Cruz Pacheco.
The entire lecture, "Only in Santa Fe" is fun and engaging as Ana Pacheco weaves people and history into a unique blend that could only happen in this quirky town. It gave me insights that I'd otherwise have missed such as the story of the late Jewish Rabbi Helman, which is really a story of people and personality set against a palette of eccentric multiculturalism. Here's the tale:
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe
The Rabbi was well liked in Santa Fe. His outreach touched nearly everyone and his sense of community knew no bounds. When he passed, the services were held in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, i.e., the Catholic Church.
Say Again???
Yes, the Rabbi had services in the Catholic church. Take a moment, if needed, to get your head around this because this is the perfect example of the quirky, generally get along attitude of this arty town.
The decision was partly personal–Rabbi Helman was best friends with his Catholic counterpart–and partly practical. The Basilica was the only religious entity large enough to house the crowds.
From his obituary in the Albuquerque Journal:
Helman was a man of paradoxes: a devout, observant Jew who believed in ecumenism. He attended Christmas Eve Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi every Dec. 24 for 30 years and led those attending pianist John Gooch's memorial services in a rousing chorus of "Amazing Grace" a few years ago.
Helman's funeral, at his directive, will be at the Cathedral Basilica at 11 a.m. Monday. A good friend, former Cathedral rector Monsignor Jerome Martinez y Alire, will give the welcome and Rabbi Levy will conduct a traditional Reform Jewish ceremony.
So it was that the town's popular Rabbi's final services were held in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
Throughout Ana's talk, two trends jumped out at me:
Santa Fe is–and always has been–almost a mecca for the eclectic in both religion and art.
The landscapes of Santa Fe are breathtaking, facing west, facing east, facing north or south.
The beautiful and spiritual landscape originally attracted the Anasazi and their Pueblo Indian descendants. Then in the 1600s, the Spanish arrived and christened the city the City of Holy Faith. Over the next several hundred years, other faiths including New Thought and New Age practitioners in the twentieth century, Sikhism (the 5th largest religion in the world) and Buddhism found its way into this small town. It is astonishing that four major lineages of Tibetan buddhism can be found in this town of less 70,000 people (total population is only 140,000 in the entire county).
On an artistic and historic front, the town is a blend of histories, characters, newcomers and old timers. People ranging from Billy the Kid (before he became the well known outlaw) to world class artists and authors have all based themselves in this small town.
How can such a small town in a relatively out of the way location (post Santa Fe Trail) achieve all this? From the founding of a world class opera in the mid fifties (at a time when the city population was only 35,ooo people!), to stays by Willa Cather, Huxley and D.H. Lawrence, not to mention the well known and often difficult Georgia O'Keefe, the depth of culture, history and creativity in Santa Fe is simply astounding.
Speaking of Ms. O'Keefe, did you know that the Georgia O'Keefe Museum in downtown Santa Fe is the only museum named after a woman?
As Ana Pacheco would say:
"Only in Santa Fe"!
Charcuterie at Caffe Greco
The Caffe Greco hosted Ana Pacheco's talk, and served a beautiful charcuterie board and a glass of wine for $25. The food was wonderful, but I must admit it was the characters of the town, brought alive by Ana, that dominated the evening.
More Reading From Ana Pacheco on Santa Fe:
Ana Pacheco has numerous books about Santa Fe, available through her website and Amazon. One of the most popular is her in depth look at the eclectic spiritual history of this town nested between the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
And a wonderful picture compilation, taken mostly from various archives: Early Santa Fe
While we're on the topic of the quirky and eclectic, another book I'd like to pass along (which I just started reading) is American Nations: A History the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America. It looks at the settlement and migration trends of North America and how, even today, they influence our varying outlooks and attitudes. It's a fascinating read that smashes many of the binary cultural paradigms surrounding our current society. If you pick this up, let me know your thoughts!
Lunch at Jambo Cafe
2010 Cerrillos Road at the St. Michael's Drive intersection,
In between Petco and Hobby Lobby
So many restaurant choices! How does one decide?
Darts?
Desire?
Alphabetical order?
Thankfully, there are fewer lunch choices since many restaurants open only for dinner. This day, I decided upon Jambo Cafe, which from the outside appears to be a fairly non-descript restaurant in a shopping center. But what the storefront doesn't show is the easy going, heart warming, thoughtfully crafted food that resides inside.
The food is eclectic African/Caribbean. Spices and flavors beckon.
The Restaurant Week offerings from Jambo Cafe:
Jambo Cafe Menu
Restaurant Week, Santa Fe
Lunch: $25 Per Person
Goat Cheese & Pistachios With Organic Greens — drizzled with dried apricot tarragon vinaigrette
Curried Roasted Garlic & Coconut Cream Bisque (Vegan) — Winner of the 2018 Souper Bowl's Cream Soup category
Coconut Seafood Stew — with mussels, calamari, shrimp and mahi mahi in a red wine caper tomato sauce served with curry and green onion roti
Marinated Moroccan Spiced Lamb Kebabs — with pomegranate cucumber yogurt sauce over saffron mashed potatoes and garlic roasted Brussels sprouts
Ethiopian Lentil Stew (Vegan) — with eggplant and mixed vegetables slow-cooked in a spiced coconut sauce over basmati rice
Date Coconut Flourless Chocolate Cake (with fresh whipped cream)
Jamaican Rum Pecan Pie
Mango Cobbler
Banana Coconut Cream Pie
Pumpkin Coconut Flan
Almond Brownie Sundae
Almond Crust Key Lime Pie
Award winning Curried Roasted Garlic & Coconut Cream Bisque, Jambo Cafe
I opted for the Curried Roasted Garlic & Coconut Cream Bisque and the Lentil Stew. I may have to go back to try the Coconut Seafood Stew as well.
The soup was guiltless and fabulous. It needed a touch of seasoning–salt and pepper– but the subtle curry flavor and spice lingered just enough to tease another spoonful into your mouth. The garlic was rich and subtle, showing a deft hand in the kitchen. This sensibility was evident in all the dishes.
Vegetarian Lentil stew that rocks! With Basmati Rice on the side.
The Lentil Stew was fragrant, fun and warm. Fragrant with…I'm not sure what. But the light taste of the basmati rice was perfect with the rich stew. The flavors of celery, carrot, eggplant, tomato and spices simmered long and slow, building just a bit of heat, but never too much. A total winner. And a healthy choice as well.
Normally I'm not much of a dessert eater, but I decided to try the Date Coconut Flourless Chocolate Cake (with fresh whipped cream) just to see how the chef's skills from lunch translated into dessert.
And did they! The cake was rich and dense, but never heavy. The soft puddles of hand whipped cream were perfect with the dark chocolate. It was not too sweet, which suited my taste just perfectly.
The Date Cocount Flourless Chocolate Cake with hand whipped cream from Jambo Cafe
Jambo Cafe has an extensive menu including a few future must-tries:
Savory Stuffed Phyllo
(Phyllo pastries filled with spinach, Moroccan black olives, organic feta, roasted red peppers, chickpeas, over organic field greens, drizzled with pomegranate sauce);
Spiced Rubbed Salmon Salad
(Grilled salmon with baby greens, capers, shaved red onion, crispy sweet potatoes and a mango-mustard dressing);
Banana Leaf Wrapped Island Spiced Maki Mahi
(Over wild black rice, with garlic sautéed baby boy choy, topped with a mango tamarind coconut sauce);
Spiced New Mexico Lamb Burger
(With tomato chutney and feta cheese)
Not to mention the Jambo Cafe Caribbean Goat Stew, the Sandwiches and Wraps, and an assortment of intriguing starters.
Santa Fe has many restaurants and I'd venture to guess the ones that stay, stay for a reason. I can see why Jambo Cafe is a popular spot, with others, and now with me.
From the New Mexican Restaurant Week website on Jambo Cafe:
"Jambo Café and Chef Ahmed are winners: "Best International Cuisine" for 6 years running and "Best Chef" in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 in the Santa Fe Reporter's "Best of Santa Fe." …Pasatiempo reviewer, Nouf Al-Qasimi said, "Obo's food is spirited, and at its best, it strikes a superb balance between vibrant and subtle, making it better than most of what's being served locally at many times the price."
Chef Ahmed's Cookbook, available through his website
Chef Obo's cookbook is available through his website www.jamboimports.com as are his spice mixes and curries. The book is part memoir and part recipes. Chef Ahmed Obo also runs an African import business, a food truck and recently opened another Jambo Cafe location in Albuquerque, JamboCafeABQ.
And to think it's only Monday!
Santa Fe Restaurant Week ho!
More Reading on Santa Fe and Santa Fe Restaurant Week:
Warming Up to Restaurant Week in Santa Fe
Santa Fe via Las Vegas, N.M.
Photo Mission: Cold
Photo Mission: Winter at Taos Pueblo
The Art, Culture and Beauty of Santa Fe, N.M.
Santa Fe Tequila Tasting at the Inn of the Anasazi
If you're interested in learning more about cooking (or photography or film or any number of topics) check out Masterclass for on-line excellence:


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Waymo showed how robomobile "see" the world around us
auto/
In order to robomobile become an integral part of our daily lives, they not only need to work on. You must make sure that the people learned to trust them. With the conventional machine is more or less clear: at the wheel sits the driver, which a few months was taught to steer, press the pedals and navigate the city on road signs. And until he started to do it perfectly, nobody will be allowed to drive around the city. But in the machines Waymo no drivers. Cars drive themselves, which is very alarming. To acquaint people with how unmanned vehicles «see» the world, the company Waymo involved in the development of unmanned technology Autonomous cars, has shared a new video that demonstrates the principle of operation of the autopilot.
Panoramic video published on YouTube by the developers, allows us to consider in detail the many nuances: to see how the lidar, radar and camera car, collecting the necessary information to the autopilot. Main «hero» videos — one of the hybrid minivans, where developers Waymo test their drone technology. The company invites the audience «ride» along with Pacifica Hybrid to look at the world of his own «eyes».
Waymo is developing automated driving technologies for more than five years. During this time, the autopilot, developed by specialists of the company, in total, traveled over eight million miles and continue to train daily driving as real miles on the roads of different cities, and «reeling» huge distances on a special simulator, learning safe driving on public roads. Apparently, now the developers are confident enough in themselves and their offspring, just decided to show his work inside.
Discuss the news of high technologies it is now possible in our new . Join us!
AutoSoftwareUnmanned vehiclesFutureVideoUSA
The autopilot feature the Tesla will be available by subscription
very few people surprised by the fact that the company offers to the world something new and breakthrough. First it was electric cars in General. Of course, they existed before, including some of the first self-propelled wagon in history was an elect...
New development, Tesla will make electric cars almost eternal
we All know and love the company of Tesla. Sometimes it saddens us their news, but which often pleases interesting developments, new technologies and outstanding design. As the company is engaged in development and sale of electric vehicles, the main...
10 most expensive production cars in the world
For some, a machine for two million rubles seems to be an accomplishment, but for someone sports car for two million dollars seems to be something not serious and he wants something more. With the first all is clear. It's a big part of the world's po...
Enthusiast has equipped Honda Accord electric Tesla
Jim Belosic owns a small company ShortStack, which is developing software. In his spare time Jim loves to build something in your garage or poking around in cars. His latest experiment is called Teslonda — Honda Accord 1981,...
Drones VOLT could be very useful on the road
Despite the fact that electric vehicles are becoming more public charging stations for them are still lacking. This moment stops many people conceived was of buying a brand new electric vehicle. Indeed, what if you got up in the m...
Airbus has posted a video testing flying taxi
the Prototype flying taxi, developed by Airbus, tested at the beginning of this month, but the report about the flight of an unmanned prototype consisted only of a skimpy press release, is equipped with multiple pictures. A video ...


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TUBERS•TABLETS•TURFS•TAILS
john zotos January 24, 2016
ArtDallas/Ft Worth
Sharon Kopriva, Cathedral Green (Detail), 2012.
Oil and mixed media on photo board.
81 x 186 x 3 inches.
Sharon Kopriva, Study of Cerberus 1, 2015 Mixed Media on paper 29 x 22 inches
Sharon Kopriva at Kirk Hopper Fine Art
Mysterious, gothic, spiritual, and timeless are the words that come to mind when considering the art of Sharon Kopriva, a Houston native, who has exhibited in Texas and internationally for more than 30 years. This exhibition represents her first solo show with Kirk Hopper Fine Art in Dallas, and was co-organized in conjunction with Deborah Colton Gallery in Houston. Thirty works of art reside on the walls and floors, and even hang from the ceiling of the gallery, forming one large mixed media installation. A resounding sense of texture informs the work, divided by the artist into four thematic categories referenced in the title of the exhibition.
Her Tubers are rooted in rope sculpture; she recalls, "In the mid-1970s I took a rope sculpture course…it consisted of building undulating abstract forms from a method of connecting coiled rope." Recently she brought this technique to the service of creating Earth Mother, a freestanding sculpture, and Lena Tuber, a sculpture suspended from the ceiling. For Earth Mother Kopriva wove the material into a compelling life-size female form that also operates within an abstract register. Earthen in hue with the lower portion resembling soil and roots, the figure also has similarities with fertility symbols like the Venus of Willendorf (2500 BC), shapely and feminine.
The Tails series are inspired by her three Peruvian hairless dogs, and mainly consist of two dimensional drawings and prints. In the Studies for Cerberus I, II, and III, 2012, the rectilinear profiles of the austere canines are the source for these mixed media depictions of Greek mythology's guardian to Hades. The heads rest atop a single emaciated humanlike body of skin and bone. Each body, shown recto and verso, contrasts with the profiles and takes center stage in a composition punctuated by an eerie light source illuminating the darkness of the underworld. In Dusk (2015), the monotype process provides an alternative way to picture the Cerberus myth. Here, the heads interact with a canine body dead center of the composition, but still in profile. Kopriva renders incredible texture and abstract shapes and forms through the printing process that give the figures volume. The volume then adds to the figure/ground dichotomy by individuating the figures in what seems like a true space, with foreground and background. An evident dependence on line brings silhouettes to mind as the three backlit heads stare into the darkness. As an art-historical reference, the movement known as Symbolism seems apt, as do the media prints and paintings by the Mexican master Francisco Toledo.
Sharon Kopriva, Matrimony, 2012 Mixed media construction 74 x 48 x 48 inches.
Kopriva completed her first set of Tablets in 1992, a set of fourteen Stations of the Cross, and has continued to make them through an investigation of various themes appropriate to the format. Essentially, a tablet is a small work of art made on tin roofing units that attracted Kopriva with their "arched gothic shape" when she first saw them at the Canton Flea Market. To these tin supports she adds various surreal found objects, sometimes books, and slowly builds a surface. Nine tablets fill a wall as an installation of two rows mounted horizontally, at least two of them include a book opened to reveal the text and combined with roses, small boats, a preserved fish, a heart, and other objects that enter the realm of the uncanny in Kopriva's hands. They all have a darker hue, with black, dark blue, ochre, and red as the dominant colors, they are a never-ending source of mystery and fascination to anyone who sees them.
Kopriva's art looks best during the fall and winter months, so the gallery chose the perfect time to mount this exhibition. The scale of the pieces, many life-size and larger, is addressed well in a layout that never comes off as crowded or busy. For fans of the inexplicable and mysterious, where new worlds are forged, this show should not be missed.
—JOHN ZOTOS
John Zotos is an art critic and essayist. In addition to A+C Texas, his articles and reviews have appeared in ArtLies, ArtNexus, Art ltd, NY Arts Magazine and many others.


text:
Q: Cast a specific object to another I'm trying to cast one object to another, that are the same(same attributes) but I keep getting that I can't do this cast.
I have these two objects, and one adapter that uses PatientFile as the main object but I want to use i for DoctorFile too because is the same object, but when I try to cast it, it just keep showing the cast cannot be succeded.
So my question is how can I cast the object DoctorFile to PatientFile that are the same object and use it in my adapter as a list. And if you ask I can't create only one object because these 2 are received from a petition from retrofit.
Object 1:
 data class DoctorFiles(
   val file: String,
   val id: String,
   val name: String
): Serializable

Object 2:
 data class PatientFiles(
   val file: String,
   val id: String,
   val name: String
): Serializable

Adapter:
class ConsultationDocumentsAdapter(private val onDownload: (PatientFilesId)->Unit):RecyclerView.Adapter<ConsultationDocumentsHolder>() {
private var list: List<PatientFilesId> = listOf()

override fun onCreateViewHolder(parent: ViewGroup, viewType: Int): ConsultationDocumentsHolder {
    val inflater = LayoutInflater.from(parent.context)
    return ConsultationDocumentsHolder(inflater, parent, onDownload)
}

override fun onBindViewHolder(holder: ConsultationDocumentsHolder, position: Int) {
    holder.bind(list[position])
}

override fun getItemCount(): Int = list.size

fun loadItems(documents: List<PatientFilesId>) {
    list = documents
    notifyDataSetChanged()
}

}

class ConsultationDocumentsHolder(
  inflater: LayoutInflater,
 parent: ViewGroup,
 private val onDownload: (PatientFilesId) -> Unit
 ) :
   RecyclerView.ViewHolder(inflater.inflate(R.layout.cell_consultation_documents,
parent, false)) {

private lateinit var documentName: TeladocTextView
private lateinit var documentSize: TeladocTextView
private lateinit var documentDownload: AppCompatImageView

fun bind(document: PatientFilesId) {
    setupUi()
    loadConsultationDocumentData(document)
}

private fun setupUi() {
    documentName = itemView.findViewById(R.id.consultation_document_name)
    documentSize = itemView.findViewById(R.id.consultation_document_size)
    documentDownload = itemView.findViewById(R.id.consultation_document_download)
}

private fun loadConsultationDocumentData(document: PatientFilesId) {
    documentName.text = document.name
    val size = "" + TeladocUtils.sizeOfFile(document.file) / 1024
    documentSize.text = size + "Mb"

    documentDownload.setOnClickListener{
        onDownload(document)
    }
}

}

A: You can't cast them I'm afraid. Even if they have the same properties, a DoctorFile isn't a PatientFile.
What would be sensible is to set up an inheritance structure, so both PatientFile and DoctorFile inherit from a File with the relevant properties, or simply copy the properties into a new object.

A: You cannot cast different types unless these classes inherit from a same super-class.
I would recommend an abstract non-data base-class:
abstract class CommonFile: Serializable {
    abstract val file: String
    abstract val id: String
    abstract val name: String
}

And inherit data classes from super-class.
data class DoctorFiles (
   override val file: String,
   override val id: String,
   override val name: String
): CommonFile()

data class PatientFiles (
   override val file: String,
   override val id: String,
   override val name: String
): CommonFile()

Usage:
val doctorsFile = DoctorFiles("1", "1", "Jane Doe")

// cast to super-class
val commonFile = doctorsFile as CommonFile

// Check which data class
when (commonFile) {
    is DoctorFiles -> print("This is a DoctorFiles")
    is PatientFiles -> print("This is a PatientFiles")
}

// Cast multiple data classes
val doctorsFile = DoctorFiles("1", "1", "Jane Doe")
val patientsFile = PatientsFile("2", "2", "Joe Blow")

val list = listOf<CommonFile>(doctorsFile, patientsFile)

A: If you want to convert (you can't cast here) DoctorFile to PatientFile, you can create a simple extension function for that.
fun DoctorFile.toPatientFile() = PatientFile(file, id, name)

A: You can try
list.map {it->PatientFiles(it.file,it.id,it.name)}

A:
This is one method I know you can use to cast to objects in koltin

val patientFiles = PatientFiles()
val doctorFiles = DoctorFiles()

patientFiles.file = doctorFiled.file
doctoreFiles.name = patientFiles.name

A: YOu can try Extension function for this. But if you want another way to do this then this is what i found.
data class DataX(
    val Rating: String?,
    val auther_name: String?,
    val author_id: Int?,
    val category: List<Category>?,
    val created_at: String?,
    val description: String?,
    val epublink: String?,
    val id: Int?,
    val image: String?,
    val is_publish: Int?,
    val lang: String?,
    val listing_text: String?,
    val pages: String?,
    val parent_id: Int?,
    val price: String?,
    val publisher_name: String?,
    val slug: Any?,
    val start_date: String?,
    val title: String?,
    val type: String?,
    val updated_at: String?,
    val url: String?
):Serializable

data class Book(
    val Rating: String,
    val auther_name: String,
    val author_id: Int,
    val category: List<Category>,
    val created_at: String,
    val description: String,
    val epublink: String,
    val id: Int,
    val image: String,
    val is_publish: Int,
    val lang: String,
    val listing_text: String,
    val pages: String,
    val parent_id: Int,
    val price: String,
    val publisher_name: String,
    val slug: Any,
    val start_date: String,
    val title: String,
    val type: String,
    val updated_at: String,
    val url: String
) : Serializable

These are my two data classes.
I Converted book of type Book to json string by using
val book= Gson().toJson(book)

and the converted bake to object of DataX class by using
book = Gson().fromJson(args.book, DataX::class.java)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Tags: Biocode, Film Production, Petites Aventures de Cosette, When The Willow Weeps
Film Production Update – One Short, Two Features
As our third short film, "The Haunting at Danford Cabin" garners praise at several film festivals, we are prepping for our next few projects. What was to be our first feature film, "Biocode" has been pushed back as this movie is becoming much bigger than we had initially anticipated; requiring a much bigger budget than we first planned. Biocode will be shooting with a budget of $10,000,000 and production slated to start spring of 2016.
Petites Aventures de Cosette – Official Poster
In the mean time, we are in pre-production of our fourth short film entitled "Petites Aventures de Cosette" (Cosette's Little Adventures) which will be a fun and quirky Mise-en-scène style film, which we are shooting as a pilot for possible consideration as a series to HBO Digital shorts and Amazon's new Original TV Series programming.
And in development of what has now become our first feature film, "When The Willow Weeps"; a mystery thriller about three young girls who stumble upon something they should have never seen… When one of the girls go missing, her two friends hide the facts of what happen. 30 years later, the mystery begins to unravel with devastating consequences!
Check back for further updates…
Tags: Best Animation, Best Overall Film, Craig Anthony Perkins, Debora Jo Myers, Genshi Media Group, Grand Prize, iPhone Film Festival, The Haunting at Danford Cabin
Winner Of Best Animation and Grand Prize Best Overall Film at iFF3
The Haunting at Danford Cabin
Winner Best Animation and Winner Grand Prize Best Overall Film
at the Third iPhone Film Festival
Los Angeles, Ca – May 25th, 2012 – Genshi Media Group would like to congratulate Director Craig Anthony Perkins and Producer Debora Jo Myers for their win at the third iPhone Film Festival. Their stop-motion horror short "The Haunting at Danford Cabin" won Best Animation and took the Grand Prize for Best Overall Film at this year's iPhone Film Festival. This year, the festival was judged by a jury of 10 filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world.
$3500 worth of prizes are being award to the Grand Prize winners, including $2000 worth of studio services at Filmlook post-production house, the Mobislyder, a Steadicam® Smoothee and the Fostex AR-4i Audio Interface along with a shipment of other prizes.
This is the third short film with Craig in the Director's chair and the first shot as a stop-motion animation. In addition to Writing, Directing, Editing and Scoring the film, Craig along with Producer and Voice Actress Debora, acted as Puppeteers for their first time. "It was definitely a learning process and we found out the hard way what not to do the next time we attempt something like this…" said Craig when asked about the filming process of a stop-motion movie, "We did everything the old school way, shooting 24 single still shots [on the iPhone 4S] for every one second of footage that you see on the screen. All told we had about 4000 still shots that I then had to animate together." Craig also spent a lot of time on the sound design, performing actual foley work, explaining "Every single sound you hear in the movie was recorded by me using the Zoom H4N hand-held recorder; the footsteps, the ticking clock, door creaks… every sound, just like they use to (and occasionally still) do in Hollywood. I even got Debora to make the chicken sounds when we tried (and failed) to record real chickens!"
"The Haunting at Danford Cabin" is also an Official Selection at the Canadian Film Centre's Shorts Nonstop Film Festival and will be included in a couple of other festivals later this year.
About Craig Anthony Perkins:
Award winning Filmmaker, Composer, Photographer and Designer Craig Anthony Perkins began as a musician at the age of four and became interested in filmmaking at a very early age as well. In the past Craig has worked in both a creative and technical capacity within the entertainment industry for companies such as Philips Media, Universal Interactive Studios and AVID, doing everything from video game design and film post production, to sound design, composing and technical writing.
Under his own company Genshi Media Group, he has released several albums on the iTunes Music Store, has had his photography published in magazines and exhibited in galleries, and has designed indie art toys including the much sought-after Broken Heart Robot which has led to talks with two TV networks for consideration as an animated series based on his toy character.
Now, Craig is delving full time into filmmaking as a Director, utilizing his various skills and experience from the past.
About Debora Jo Myers:
Writer, Producer, Actress and Artist Debora Jo Myers is working as the Co-Writer, Producer, Actress and Costume Designer for recent Genshi Media Group films. She is also the co-founder, editor and multi-genre writer for the webzine Ladyfire.com. In the past she has also worked as a strong civil-rights activist and in her spare time is a collage artist and singer.
About Genshi Media Group:
Founded in 1995, Genshi Media Group specializes in film production, music and sound production as well as music consulting services for the film and tv industry. In addition, Genshi Media Group's design division has enjoyed success in the areas of Web & Graphic design as well as Product/Toy design.
Genshi Media Group was founded by Craig Anthony Perkins as a vehicle for exploring his love of music, design and film production.
With his background as a composer, musician and producer as well as his experience in photography, web & graphic design and programming, Craig has been able to combine these elements into a working "production house" that has formed partnerships with other filmmakers, designers, musicians, programmers and artists as well as strong working relationships with major companies.
In 2011, Genshi Media Group refocused it's entire company exclusively to Film Production, opening a film production office in the burgeoning film industry of Portland Oregon.
Scene from "The Haunting at Danford Cabin"
Tags: Film Production, Ghost Story, Sci-Fi
In Development – Stop-Motion Short & Sci-Fi Feature (UPDATED)
Lighting test of miniature set for stop-motion short film.
Due to the recent success of our previous short film "Isobel & The Witch Queen", we have been quite busy with our film production efforts. We currently have several projects in various stages of development; we are finishing up pre-production and about to go into immediate production of our first short, stop-motion animation film entitled "The Haunting at Danford Cabin" which will be an experimental ghost story.
Now in pre-production is our first feature length sci-fi thrill entitled "Biocode". We've locked down the leading actor and actress, have some of the crew in place (including a great Cinematographer) and are currently designing props, sets and "products" that will be featured in this movie as well as performing camera/lighting tests. We are still casting for several other roles and still seek a Visual FX Artist and Production Designer.
We will also be seeking further funding through various, strategic campaigns in order to give this movie the production value it needs for the subject matter. Please check back for updates and further details shortly…
UPDATE: We are now in full production of our first stop-motion animation film, "The Haunting at Danford Cabin" and so far the dailies have been looking pretty good! We already have a couple of shorts film festivals interested in including this piece once it is finished.
This particular short is being filmed completely with the  iPhone 4S using the iMotion HD app along with the iMotion Remote app for the iPad 2. Below is a behind-the-scenes still of Director Craig Anthony Perkins filming on the miniature set using the iPhone 4S mounted onto a Pico Dolly.
Director Craig Anthony Perkins on the set of the stop-motion short "The Haunting at Danford Cabin"
And a sneak-peek scene from the film…
Production Still - "The Haunting at Danford Cabin"
Tags: Development, Feature Film, Film Crew, Film Production, Filmmaking, Genshi Media Group, Scripts
In Development – Film Production
Due to the recent success of our first short film and our past experience in various capacities within the film industry, Genshi Media Group is now re-focusing our company towards Film Production. We will develop and produce our own films and currently have several projects in various stages of development. With scripts in-hand and experienced crews ready to go, we will be seeking Executive Producers to help fund our Feature Films and look forward to sharing in the success this venture will provide to us all!
For additional information or questions, please contact us at info@genshi.com
Tags: 35mm Adapter, Almost DSLR, Craig Anthony Perkins, Genshi Media Group, Ghost Story, iPhone 4, iPhone Film Festival, OWLE Bubo, Remembrance, Short Film, Vid-Atlantic
Remembrance (a ghost story) – Short Film (UPDATED)
Our first short film shot entirely on the iPhone 4 is now an official entry into the first annual iPhone Film Festival. This film was shot on location at the infamous abandoned and [supposedly] haunted Linda Vista Community Hospital. The short was Directed by Genshi Media Group's own Craig Anthony Perkins who was also responsible for the Cinematography, Editing, Sound Design and Music Score (yes, this was a self-made, no budget film!)
A big thank you to actress Hanna Hedin Hillberg for her excellent work on the film, and to Stylist/Hair & Makeup artist extraordinaire Pauline Noriega for going above and beyond the call of duty (she was also the "behind the scenes" ghost in the movie!) And a special thank you to Alex K. Cheng for finding the perfect location for us to shoot at!
UPDATE: The official announcements have been made and our film took Second Place Grand Prize for Best Film Overall at the first annual 2011 iPhone Film Festival. The overall consideration was for Directing, Cinematography, Editing, Story, Technical Difficulty and Creativity. Considering the amount of excellent entries in this film festival and our own very limited resources, we are very pleased with the outcome!
Here is some of the feedback we are getting on this short film:
"It's difficult portraying a "scary" short film within a few minutes. You must bring the audience into the scene, make them part of the film and instill fear within a matter of minutes. This film does that exactly. We initially felt the main character was not dressed properly for the part, but within a few seconds the director shoots chills immediately up your spine. And the actress does such a good job that she makes sure you go back and watch it a few times." – iPhone Film Festival Judge Miguel Johnson
"[Craig Anthony Perkins' Remembrance] again showed what an iPhone is capable of in the right hands. The atmospheric mini horror featured sublime editing and overall quality production." – Tony @ iphone-productions.com
"The sound design and editing are masterful and make excellent co-conspirators to the superb visual composition." – shAmii @ iPhone Film Festival
"… the video was pretty terrific even if I hadn't known it was shot on an iPhone. I've seen people with camera gear costing 10 or more times as much that couldn't touch the work you did." – musique @ Macrumors Forum
(Best when listened to on good headphones or speakers as there are low frequency rumblings and ghostly voices which cannot be heard on computer speakers. Best when watched with the lights out… if you dare!)
Film Credits:
Remembrance (a ghost story)
A short, experimental film shot and processed on the iPhone 4. Edited with iMovie.
Written & Directed by: Craig Anthony Perkins
Starring: Hanna Hedin Hillberg
Cinematography, Editing, Music & Sound Design: Craig Anthony Perkins
Styling, Hair & Makeup: Pauline Noriega
Thank you to the following:
Alex K. Cheng
Francis Kortekaas
Linda Vista Community Hospital
OWLE Bubo
Vid-Atlantic
CowboyStudio
And a special thank you to Visnja Zelenika for her continued support.
Shot on location at the haunted and abandoned Linda Vista Community Hospital.
NO DISEMBODIED SPIRITS, GHOSTS OR OTHERWORLDLY ENTITIES
WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS MOTION PICTURE.
Tags: Advanced Photoshop Magazine, Craig Anthony Perkins, GENSHI:TOY, Interview, Kidrobot, Magazine Article
Advanced Photoshop Magazine Interview
Issue 67 of Advanced Photoshop magazine is now out and features a career-guide article entitled So You Want To Be A Vinyl Toy Designer featuring Genshi Media Group founder and toy designer Craig Anthony Perkins. Craig answers questions and gives insight on the industry, the tools and his own experience as an indie toy designer with his toy label GENSHI:TOY. The article also features prolific lowbrow artist Ron English and Kidrobot founder Paul Budnitz.
Check your local newsstand for this issue of Advanced Photoshop – The magazine for Adobe® Photoshop professionals.
So You Want To Be A Vinyl Toy Designer...


text:
China has 'a lot of spies' in Ireland, activists claim
CHINESE POLITICAL ACTIVISTS LIVING IN IRELAND CLAIM THAT OTHER CHINESE PEOPLE HERE ARE 'KEEPING AN EYE ON EVERYONE' FOR SIGNS OF DISLOYALTY TO THE COMMUNIST PARTY
It's not often that prospective interviewees turn up at The Irish Times wearing face masks and reflector sunglasses, with black baseball hats pulled low over their foreheads. But that's what happened when three supporters of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong agreed to be interviewed. All living in Dublin, two are from Hong Kong and the other from the Chinese mainland.
"They are killing people," a woman from Hong Kong says soon after the interview began. "That is what is happening now. The Hong Kong government, and the police, they are really killing people."
The Chinese government is believed to have incarcerated a million or more Uighur and other Turkic Muslims as part of a massive campaign of repression
Each of the interviewees is concerned about the potential consequences should it become known that they had spoken with the Irish media. One has already had the experience of losing her job with a Chinese employer in Dublin after her image attending a protest here was posted on Chinese social media.
Over the past fortnight, The Irish Times has been speaking with people from the Tibetan and Hong Kong communities about living in Ireland while being careful not to come to the attention of the Beijing authorities. No one from the small Irish community of Uighur Turkic Muslims, from the northwestern province of Xinjiang, would agree to be interviewed.
The Chinese government is believed to have incarcerated a million or more Uighur and other Turkic Muslims in re-education camps in Xinjiang, as part of a massive campaign of repression.
"The high level of persecution spreads fear to the extent that Muslims living abroad are reluctant to talk about it lest members of their family at home should face serious repercussions," said Dr Ali Selim, of the Islamic Cultural Centre, in Clonskeagh, where some the Uighurs attend the mosque.
For people who have family back in China, being identified as expressing views Beijing does not approve of can have significant consequences, these activists claim. People who live here can find it hard to get visas to visit family, they say. Family members back in China can be punished for what a family member has said here in Ireland, they claim. And people here temporarily fear the consequences for themselves once they return home.
This week, leaked Chinese Communist Party (CCP) documents – the China Cables – gave new insight into what is happening in Xinjiang.
The classified documents were given to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which shared them with a number of its media partners, including The Irish Times.
Among other matters, the documents show how the Chinese government uses its international diplomatic network as part of the campaign in Xinjiang.
People from Xinjiang living abroad who have dealings with China's embassy and consulate network are flagged for attention by a computerised surveillance system, the leaks show. The very fact that these people are abroad is sufficient reason for them or their families to be treated with suspicion, and become candidates for detention.
The Chinese Communist Party has killed more Chinese people than the Japanese did during the second World War, the activists say
The Chinese man from the mainland, who supports the protesters in Hong Kong, believes the wider Chinese community in Ireland is also part of a monitoring network. "They have a lot of spies," he says. Some spy because they are asked to, he says. Others do it because they love China and CCP. "They don't see a difference between China and the party, but the party is very evil. It is a dictatorship."
All three pro-democracy protesters say they fear that people who are being arrested in Hong Kong might end up in re-education camps similar to those in Xinjiang. "We do not know what will happen in the future." An interviewee who grew up in Hong Kong says that, even going to school there during the period of British rule, people didn't learn the truth about Chinese history. "The CCP has killed more Chinese people than the Japanese did during the second World War," the activists say. "No one knows this."
Even educated Chinese people living here try not to learn the truth. "They are afraid to speak freely, even when they are here, in Ireland. They are brainwashed."
In a cafe in south Dublin, two men who were born in Tibet but who now live in Ireland agree to talk as long as they are not identified. Both have family in Tibet.
Night images reveal multiple new detention sites in China's Xinjiang region
Ireland has moral duty to help end Uighurs' persecution
Michael McDowell: Ireland silent on Uighurs' plight
Tibet lies below Xinjiang in western China. Like Xinjiang, Tibet has experienced extensive settlement by the majority Han Chinese in recent decades. It is also, like Xinjiang, the subject of a campaign of mass surveillance and repression by a Beijing government that fears separatist sentiment and loyalty to the Dalai Lama.
"They started in Xinjiang recently, but it's been going on for a long, long time in Tibet. I am here for . . . years and I have family in Tibet, but I never dare talk to them."
The situation eased a decade or more ago, but since the rise to the top of the CCP by the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, in 2013, the situation has changed for the worse.
"Phone calls were always listened to, but now you have United Front propaganda teams going into every village, asking questions. Where is your son? They reward good behaviour [and punish bad behaviour]. Even though you are living in Ireland and not politically active, just attending to the Dalai Lama's teaching can be dangerous for your family in Tibet. They warn your family."
One of the protesters who spoke to The Irish Times. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Getting visas to go back for family visits can be difficult. Family members have to sign letters saying the visitor will not "destabilise the motherland and disturb the social harmony. They have to guarantee it."
"I never went back. It's hard for me to contact them. I am in the free world, but they are not."
The men have friends in Ireland from mainland China.
"They believe [China is] lifting Tibet out of poverty. They see themselves as the saviours of Tibet. They have no idea how many cultural sites were destroyed [in Tibet] during the Cultural Revolution, are still being destroyed now. They say that is American propaganda. That we are dogs of imperialism."
The Chinese authorities use local Chinese-Irish associations and student groups, the activists claim. Such organisations have people from the CCP in them who keep an eye on everyone, they say. "That is how they manipulate people when they are outside China. It is not obvious. It's sneaky."
Not all cross-cultural groups are invovled in this practice, of course, but one organisation about which there has been extensive controversy – and which has Irish branches – is the international network of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA). Local CSSAs provide useful support to Chinese students and scholars studying and working outside China, but are also used by the CCP to promote and monitor loyalty, according to a report last year by the Washington DC-based US-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
CSSAs "receive guidance from the CCP through Chinese embassies and consulates—governmental ties CSSAs frequently attempt to conceal—and are active in carrying out overseas Chinese work consistent with Beijing's United Front strategy," the report says.
Authoritarian Advance, a report published last year by the Global Public Policy Institute in Berlin, gave details as to the European network of CSSAs. "The CSSAs report to Chinese embassies on Chinese students who take part in activities that are considered sensitive by the Chinese government", the report says. "These students and their families at home can face retaliation in the form of threats from Chinese officials."
There are CSSA branches in UCD, NUI Galway, and DCU, and the Waterford Institute of Technology. The Irish website of the organisation is listed on the website of the Chinese embassy in Dublin. Efforts to contact the Irish association by email (its website lists no phone numbers) had received no response at the time of going to press.
The embassy says they are suffering from persecutory delusion or trying to gain sympathy in an attempt to discredit or smear the majority of Chinese in Ireland
The Berlin think-tank makes the point that it is important not to conflate the Chinese party-state with overseas Chinese communities, something the CCP itself is keen on doing, the report says, so it can present the party's interests as being the same as those of all ethnic Chinese.
A statement from the Chinese embassy in Dublin in response to the points raised in this article reads as follows: "We respect the legal right of expression of all Chinese, no matter where they are or which part of China they are from.
It continues: "Regarding those Chinese who told you that their freedom of expression is threatened by other Chinese, I am afraid they are either suffering from persecutory delusion or trying to gain sympathy in an attempt to discredit or smear the majority of Chinese in Ireland with opinions different from them."
"Kate", who is from Hong Kong, has lived in Ireland for a number of years, and has family in Hong Kong. She is, she says, not just pro-democracy but pro-independence. "So I am quite scared of the Chinese people finding out about me."
For her, China is not a country but an empire made up of 56 countries, including Tibet. She refers to Xinjiang – the word means New Territory – as "East Turkistan", a name she believes is more appropriate. "It is quite dangerous to have Chinese friends. I think of them as Chinese agents." Most Chinese people see those in favour of an independent Hong Kong as traitors, she says.
"I think the Chinese in Ireland embrace the CCP. They love the CCP. They think that without the CCP, they would be still living in poverty. They are against the independence movements of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet. They stand with the CCP."
Chinese people, she says, fear that if the CCP collapsed, China would collapse, and this would be bad for them. They want the CCP to remain in power.
"Leftists say they are anti-imperialists, but they turn a blind eye to Chinese imperialism. I see people talking about Palestine, Catalonia, the Kurds, but they never seem to support the Uighurs. So I wonder do they just not know about it, or do they just pretend nothing is happening?"
"I am not saying it is a competition between who deserves the most pity. A death in East Turkistan is the same as a death in Palestine."
She wonders if it is because China is ruled by the CCP. "The Soviet Union has collapsed. Maybe if China collapsed, then leftist ideology would no longer stand. Maybe. But it is a kind of hypocrisy."
Chinese people are taken aback by the negative news reported in the media every day in the West
The Oireachtas website shows that the word Uighur has been mentioned four times this year in the Dáil and Seanad. Other searches show: Xinjiang (0); Kurd (25); Catalonia (12) and Palestine (109).
For a lot of Chinese people, coming to the West and being exposed to western media and political debate makes them view China more rather than less positively, according to Isabella Jackson, an assistant professor in Chinese history in Trinity College Dublin.
"Chinese people are used to a relentlessly positive approach to news and current affairs in the media at home and are taken aback by the negative news reported in the media every day in the West. It shows them all the things that are wrong with society here, reinforcing a sense that the Chinese government broadly has things right. It can be a relief to get back to the familiarity of Chinese culture."
She says it often takes time for Chinese students to get to grips with the idea of multiple interpretations of political and historical issues, as against a single, dogmatic, state-sponsored viewpoint.
"On issues like the treatment of minorities in Xinjiang, Chinese people's initial assumption is often that news that contrasts with the Chinese government's line is a result of western propaganda.
"While some start to question the Communist state narrative, others end up trusting no news source, unable to discern what might be true between conflicting Chinese and western stories."
Colm Keena is an Irish Times journalist. He was previously the Legal Affairs Correspondent and the Public Affairs Correspondent
China Cables
Ali Selim
Isabella Jackson
China accused of 'egregious' human rights abuses against Uighurs
Ireland has an important role to play in challenging Chinese abuses
Sat, Jul 18, 2020
The Irish Times view on repression in Xinjiang: the value of speaking up
China Cables: 'The largest incarceration of a minority since the Holocaust'
Sun, Nov 24, 2019
China Cables: More than a million people detained against their will in Chinese province
Government 'deeply concerned' following publication of China Cable reports
Mon, Nov 25, 2019
Xinjiang policy 'about fighting terrorism and separatism', insists envoy
The cables lift the lid on re-education camps run by the Chinese government where more than a million people from Uighur and other ethnic minority groups are being held


text:
"The 'I Have A Dream' Foundation inspired me to keep working to achieve academic success and to go on to higher education. It motivated me to keep working hard and helped me maintain good grades."
-Vicky M., Dreamer Scholar
"The Dreamers program has helped me a lot. It's helped me in school over the past five years, and also on a personal level. This program gives you a lot of opportunities that some people wish they had. If you are a Dreamer Scholar, take those opportunities that they give you, and be thankful."
-Valentin G., Dreamer Scholar


Au Naturale: THANK YOU... TO ALL OF YOU !!!!!!!
THANK YOU... TO ALL OF YOU !!!!!!!
I've missed you ladies, Although it's been quite a while since I did a post. I continued to check in from time to time and visit some of my favorite blogs. My time away from AuNaturale has been well needed , I was and continue to spend and direct more attention to a few very important area's in my life. My worship, My Family and self improvement. And to be quite honest, I really enjoyed my time away from blogging don't get me wrong I loooooove AuNaturale and all that it has brought me...... I have meant some the most fantastic women here at AuNaturale. Who has inspired me in more ways than you ladies can imagine. It truly has been an honor and a joy!!!
But, somethings come in seasons and AuNaturale happened to be a season for me , I know when my time is up and when its time to move onward and upward. And my time has come to let AuNaturale go. Blogging comes with just as many demands ( for me anyway, because when I go... I go hard) as many other things in my life. Coupled with being a full time wife , home school mom, and most importantly dedicating more time to my worship, as well as not forgetting about....me and what I need and deserve.... it can become a bit much.
I intend to keep AuNaturale up for as long as blogger allows. In hopes that it will continue to help and inspire fabulous naturals and upcoming fabulous naturals. I will continue to stop by AuNaturale and support all of the natural hair blogs out in the blogging world when time allows. You can find my email in the upper corner, feel free to contact me, I will continue to lend a hand in natural hair care whenever needed.
P.S. No more Cesar cut for me , I've decided to go against that. And allow my hair to continue to grow, naturally , healthy and to its fullest capacity.... just as I intend to do (god willing) ( smiles).
We'll miss you! I always enjoyed reading your posts and interacting with you. All the best and I hope you continue to drop by my site. Keep in touch!
I am going to miss you. I kind of feel like a sister left the family. But I understand where u are coming from. Keep being the fabulous you and please continue to keep in touch!!
Sweetie, I understand. It has been a blessing, joy and true education reading you're blog and connecting with you. You are certainly an inspiration.
@Theaccidentalnatural: I forgot to add big hugs to my response to your lovely comment. As Always smiles and big hugs to you as well for all your great support ! take care.
Oh, wow, you're leaving us for good? :-( Well, instead of being sad I'm going to appreciate finding you at all.
You're the first blogger I ever personally contacted. You did a great job with Au Naturale and I've learned a lot.
I hope you continue to grow in your spiritual and family life. You'll be missed!
I am just now reading this and I am sad to see you go! I remember stumbling across your blog and searching high and low to visit your site again and follow it. You had a wealth of knowledge that I still go to when I need information. Thanks and I totally understand the need to get away. I've thought about it myself and I haven't been around as long... We'll see... Best wishes on your future endeavors!
Thank you for the Support Zainab1. I'll miss your blog with all the beautiful pictures. Wish you all the best.
@Younikness. Awww! Thanks Fabiola for your kind words. It is Appreciated. When I run across ladies looking for fabulous earrings, etc I'll be sure to them your way, Thanks for stopping by. Take care.
Due to unhealthy food and dirty water the problem of hair thinning has been increased in a short span in the younger people too having the ages from twenty to twenty five which also arises as a source of embarrassment in such young people who got this problem.
I'll miss your writing, but I understand. Thanks for all of the information and entertainment your blog has provided. I appreciate it all.
@NaturalReview...Thanks, I miss you guys!:))...take care.


text:
CrimeFest 2022: Truth And Reality: Research And Resources.
The Panel are: Sue Lawrence, Imran Mahmood,
Linda Stratmann, Catriona Ward,
and the participating Moderator is Janet Laurence
Sue Lawrence studied French at university before going on to become a journalist at DC Thomson in Dundee. She won BBC Masterchef in 1991, and a career in food writing followed, with 19 cookbooks published. She was regular cookery columnist for The Sunday Times and Scotland on Sunday. Sue is a regular panellist on BBC Radio 4's The Kitchen Cabinet. She began writing fiction 10 years ago; The Green Lady is her fifth novel.
Imran Mahmood was born in Liverpool in 1969. He is a barrister, novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of You Don't Know Me, which was longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger and made into a hugely successful BBC1 series in 2021; and I Know What I Saw, which reached #2 on the Audible charts. He now lives in South East London with his wife and is currently plotting a second novel
Linda Stratmann was born in Leicester in 1948 and first started scribbling stories and poems at the age of six. She became interested in true crime when watching Edgar Lustgarten on TV in the 1950s. Linda attended Wyggeston Girls Grammar School, trained to be a chemist's dispenser, and later studied at Newcastle University where she obtained a first in Psychology. She then spent 27 years in the civil service before leaving to devote her time to writing. Linda loves spending time in libraries and archives and really enjoys giving talks on her subject. Her most recent book is Sherlock Holmes and the Explorers' Club.
www.lindastratmann.com
Catriona Ward is the bestselling author of Sundial, The Last House on Needless Street, Little Eve (winner of the Shirley Jackson and the August Derleth Awards), and Rawblood, which also won the August Derleth, making her the only woman to win the prize twice. She was born in Washington, DC and grew up in the United States, Kenya, Madagascar, Yemen, and Morocco. She now lives in London and Devon. Follow her on Twitter @CatrionaWard
Janet Laurence is a British author and cookery writer. She is the author of two Ursula Grandison Edwardian mysteries. Laurence's first crime novel, A Deepe Coffyn, was published in 1989, the first of ten Darina Lisle culinary mysteries and three in the Canaletto series, all available from Amazon. She is also the author of Writing Crime Fiction – Making Crime Pay, published by Aber. Laurence was the 1998/1999 Chair of the Crime Writers Association. She is on the judging panel for the CWA Historical Crime Dagger.


The Super Bowl is one of the very few times in the calendar year when marketers are guaranteed to have consumers' attention. Not many other events gather hundreds of millions of viewers in front of their TVs, eager to watch not only the game itself but the big ads, which have come to gather an almost cult-like following.
To make the most of their spot in the Big Game, each of these ads have been visually perfected to the last pixel. But how many have given similar thought to the other side of the sensory coin: sound?
From an audio branding perspective, we will deep-dive into the various branding strategies at play during this year's commercial breaks and reveal the other winners (besides the Patriots) who have done an exceptional job in showcasing their products and services through sound. Furthermore, they provide you tips for scoring touchdowns in your future campaigns with the right use of sound.
Only 12.5 percent of this year's Super Bowl spots featured an audio logo, which is very low. It is quite startling that so many brands chose to overlook such a vital branding asset when there's a multi-million audience to address. Every yard of branding bandwidth can make the difference when it comes to an advert's recall and, ultimately, its success.
An audio logo is the defensive cornerstone of the brand's audio identity. The audio logo is the Tom Brady, the attention-grabber, the game winner. The audio logo is a means of conveying your brand's values, meaning and personality in a short, simple and efficient format.
Product sounds can communicate a lot about the brand experience. From an audiophile's perspective, Michelob Ultra provided one of the most interesting Super Bowl ads in that regard. The clever use of ASMR techniques plays to our sense of hearing and turns mundane sounds like a bottle clinking and beer pouring into a sensual listening experience. This also heralds ASMR's debut in the marketers' playbook, moving out of the shadows of niche internet culture to pop phenomenon.
Audio branding goes further than the repetition of a single audio logo or a catchy brand song. An effective audio brand creates a musical vocabulary, which can be applied consistently to any circumstance through different compositions and interpretations. The different versions of the brand theme can even be played during the same advert. This is what Avocados From Mexico did excellently in their spot.
The ad consists of two integrated audio logos as fanfares and concludes with their catchy audio logo. In the minute it takes for the ad to play, this palette introduces and teaches the company's audio identity very effectively. Moreover, Kristin Chenoweth's distinct voice helps the brand differentiate itself in the voice category.
Efficient audio branding is not based on repeating the same jingle, slogan or audio logo. Instead, it's a system of musical guidelines that carry the brand's identity into each touchpoint. Just because you have a game-winning play—in this case, an excellent audio logo—does not mean you should repeat the same play each and every game without tweaks and changes to make it fit each scenario.
Acoustic instrumentation and genres are great for showcasing softer values like customer-centrism, sustainability, care and relatability. Budweiser's selection of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" was used to highlight their shift to wind-powered production. There is an interesting phenomenon taking place in the use of acoustic and electronic music, which is clearly visible in this year's advert.
It was reported last year that the sales of acoustic guitars have started to outsell electric guitars. Could this be an indication of a larger pop culture phenomenon where simpler, acoustic-based music like Ed Sheeran is gaining more mass appeal than their electronic and rock focused contemporaries? Data seems to show this paradigm shift.
Overall, the sound types in this year's spots were highly polarized. The majority (55 percent) of the ads used solely acoustic soundscapes, while electronic sounds covered 23 percent and a mixture of both accounted for 22 percent. Compare this to last year where acoustic music accounted for only 28 percent of Super Bowl ads.
The dominance of acoustic sounds can also be attributed to the high amount of classical music that was used in ads. These spots aimed for a cinematic appeal, such as Bud Light did with their various spots. With so many brands using acoustic and classical music, Budweiser could have differentiated their adverts from the competition by perhaps introducing some electronic elements into their classical music usage.
Toyota's spot for their new electric car Supra provides us with a perfect example of audience targeting with a design approach to both product sounds and the ad's storyline. Electric cars make very few, if any, sounds. All the engine sounds, acceleration and gear changing have to be designed by an audio branding specialist. Toyota's ad highlights this extreme focus on product sound design by making them a key feature of the ad.
Secondly, The Who's "Pinball Wizard," which complemented the underlying visual theme of the spot, goes the distance in targeting customers who were teens in the '70s. Toyota is using the iconic pop culture token to appeal to today's middle-aged generation. Their aim is to hard sell the idea of an electric car, which has poor performing sales figures amongst this demographic. Knowing that the first Supra was introduced in 1978, the ad helps the newly electrified model create a strong link between the modern and vintage eras.
By using a strong product sound as a branding position (a classic move in the automotive industry) along with a timeless hit, they hope to expand their appeal to one of the industry's weakest performing target groups. Conversely, Pringles, who have built a strong product sound brand presence, have done away with their trademark can-opening "pop" in this year's TV spot.
Brands who take a design approach on audio in their spots tend to see more return on investment. When you pay a premium for global visual advertising space, why leave half of the experience as an afterthought?
The effects of a strong audio brand reach beyond short-lived annual events like the Super Bowl. This year's adverts showed a large increase in the amount of licensed music, which is an intangible brand asset. Once your license runs up, you either pay to use the song again, which can become costly, or you let it go and lose all the brand efforts you put into it. We see a general shift away from library music as more brands realize this and instead invest in custom-made or licensed music.
Now that the biggest names in the marketing industry have started to root for the importance of sound for brands, as Ogilvy did in their latest trend report, advertisers will have to introduce audio strategies to elevate this often neglected marketing channel to match the importance afforded to the brands' visual channels.
When a brand's audio and visual identities work together in harmony, they form an unstoppable, winning team. They might not win you the Vince Lombardi Trophy, but you will see better engagement, recall and ultimately return on investment from your campaigns.


Every wonder what goes on at a small town city council meeting? In Hendricks, Doc can't get his bill paid by the Sheriff, somebody keeps parking their car in somebody else's parking place and, oh yeah, they're looking for a murderer. Set up as a genuine meeting, this easy-to-produce show is chock full of small town characters and mannerisms. And, as an added treat, the play also incorporates a re-enacted scene of the crime your audience members can examine during intermission.


The idea for the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge began as a way to train for bigger adventures. I used it as a part of a training regimen for a through-hike of the John Muir Trail. Since then, others have joined the challenge to help them prepare for Mt Whitney or other big adventures. Many more find the challenge an adventure in itself!
Completing the challenge in a single season is a feat that few can claim. You'll explore mountains and areas that you might not have otherwise visited. And you'll gain great trail cred!
We currently have challenges in Southern California, Northern California, Oregon, Colorado, and New England, with more in the works. You can learn more and register for one of our challenges at sixpackofpeaks.com.
Learn more about the peaks in each challenge.
Each challenge has three registration levels. The Starter level gives you access to log and track your hikes, earn virtual badges for your profile and entry in our monthly gear giveaways. The Explorer level includes a welcome packet with a challenge patch, stickers, and Leave No Trace reference card. And the Trailblazer level adds a t-shirt.
No matter which level you select, a portion of the proceeds supports the good work of Big City Mountaineers, a non-profit that helps give under-served youth a chance to experience the wilderness first hand. So you'll be doing good while you flex your adventure muscles.