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Bike-O-Vision: David Koepp on Premium Rush and Jack Ryan
by Fred Topel Aug 23rd, 2012
The highest concept movie of the summer is the one you probably haven't heard of. Premium Rush is about a bike messenger (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who must deliver a package in 90 minutes. It's not based on a comic book, it's not a remake but it's pure action. Michael Shannon also plays a mega villain after the same package. Writer/Director David Koepp spoke with us on the phone this week as he geared up for opening weekend. He's written major films like Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible, and Spider-Man and directed Secret Window, Stir of Echoes and Ghost Town.
CraveOnline: In a summer full of sequels and remakes as usual, how does it feel to have an original?
David Koepp: It feels good as long as people go. Sequels and remakes, they tend to go because they've heard of it so getting them to go to an original can be a little trickier, but it's definitely more fun because you get to throw yourself into a new idea that hasn't been done or hasn't been done for a long time. That's what we liked about it.
It has a very playful tone. Was that tone important to making an action movie about bike messengers?
I think so. It's a movie that you can't get too ominous about. It's guys on bikes chasing each other through the city. It should be fun and also, we wanted to make something, this sounds kind of fatuous, but it was an important goal: we wanted to make something that was short and fast because that's what it called for. He didn't have much time to get there and he had to get there quickly so the movie should have the same goals.
Are action movies getting too serious these days?
Sometimes, yeah. It all depends on the subject matter. Everything should flow from the idea. If the idea is a serious idea, if a great number of lives are at stake then the movie should take it seriously. In our case, while it's an important goal to Nima, it's not the fate of the world that hangs in the balance. So the movie's tone should match that.
Well, there were a lot of lives at stake in Die Hard but it was still fun.
That's true.
I wonder what it says about the audience that to get people to go to an action movie, they have to make sure it's ultra-serious like the Bourne movies.
Well, you want the movie to take itself seriously. You don't want too jokey, well unless you do. I don't know. I think the tone of the Bourne movies is right for those movies. I think it just depends on the story.
You have those great what if scenarios where you get to explore something more outrageous and violent than ends up happening in the film.
Yeah, that was fun. We called it Bike-o-Vision in the script and prep stage. The idea was to find a way, since this is a movie, to make cinematic the process of decision-making. I guess sort of like the first Terminator movie when his options would come up in his view-screen of what he could say to people. It seemed like a cool visual way to show those split second decisions that you make when you're in a situation like that. Then, since it was fantasy world, we were able to play out those scenarios in increasingly horrible ways and have some fun with it.
Cell phones can be the bane of screenwriters. Did cell phones actually help you with Premium Rush?
Yeah, they helped in the sense that we decided to make any kind of scene that would usually be two people in a room talking, we decided to make it two people moving in different areas of the city through traffic. Which sounds simple enough but made it all into a nightmare, because it just makes everything so much harder to shoot, but it looks good. Also because those people would have those conversations while moving through different parts of the city, so we wanted to take advantage of that. But you're right, cell phones kind of ruin everything in terms of writing. People used to show up, they'd have something important to say so they would go see someone at work or surprise them at home and you'd have a great scene. Now they text them and there's just absolutely nothing cinematic about a text.
In an age where CGI is used so often, how did you manage an old school controlled traffic vehicle stunt movie?
It was a nightmare, man. It was really hard. We got a huge level of cooperation from the city which was great. Cops [were] incredibly cooperative but still it was such a mess because New York City is this giant organism that just doesn't respond to people trying to control it. There's just a level of chaos here that is the way it goes and there's nothing anybody can do to change it. So even though we'd have situations where we'd have both sides of Broadway for 10 blocks closed in both directions for four hours, which is an incredible amount of control, but it starts to erode. We'd start at 6AM on a Sunday morning, nobody's out, it's great, everything's going your way. By eight o'clock, the chorus of horns and angry people at the edges of the lockout has grown to a kind of alarming level. Then by 9, they're ready to kill you. They're ready to kill you. We had one outraged pedestrian head butt one of our PAs and break his nose, sent him to the hospital because the guy couldn't cross the street when he wanted to because he would've gotten hit by our cars, which to me seems a disproportionate reaction. I know we're in your way, but if someone was building a building on a corner and asked you to please cross the street so you don't get hit by a crane, you wouldn't be angry with them. You would cross the street. So it was intensely difficult, but like a difficult actor, New York looks great on film and does a great job. So you hate it while you're working with it, and then when you see it in the editing room, you say, "Oh wow, yeah. That actor or that city, they're great."
How many cars would you have driving in a scene where Wilee has to weave through traffic?
It depends on the scene but I think at most times we'd have 25 or 30 cars of our own and then outside our group of cars is the city, so they've given you free extras. Our thing was our cars were stunt cars driven by stunt drivers at all times, and the rule was they couldn't change lanes. They could go faster or slower but they couldn't change lanes. Only the guy on the bike can change lanes, so he would have a measure of control in that he would know the white SUV is going to go faster or slower but I can cut around him and not worry about getting cut off so then that lets the actor know that they can create their own weave pattern and be okay.
You're PG-13, so you decided to give your one F word to the villain?
We did. Yeah, you really pick and choose. [Laughs] Sometimes you can get away with two F-words but not in an action movie. They might let you have two in a comedy. You think long and hard about where does it sound best, where is it going to have the most impact. "I'm the guy you don't f*** with" seemed to perfectly sum up his character.
Could you have reigned in Michael Shannon had you wanted to?
Sure. Yeah, he's a talented actor with enormous numbers of levels at which he can play this stuff. I found the level he went at great. We would do stuff that was more controlled or less controlled, but I was thrilled with the level he went at. I mean, he'll come back after a take and say, "That was like a 4. You want a 6?" He's minutely controlled.
So did he come to you with the level of let's just make this guy totally outrageous?
Well, it's in the script. His behavior is really excessive. The guy's out of control. He's obviously got a gambling problem that he can't control. He's got a violent temper that he can't control. He has impulse control issues so a certain amount of bigness is required.
Was the name Forrest J. Ackerman an intentional homage?
Yes. Absolutely. We also liked the notion that he kept changing Forrest J. Ackerman's profession. We thought that was funny.
If guns bother people right now, is this an action movie with no shooting for them?
You know, you set these arbitrary rules for yourself sometimes when you're working on a story. One of ours was it's only going to take place over 90 minutes. It's going to go from A to B and the other one was we get one shot. Let's try to do an action film where there is one gunshot. So it's at the end and it's hopefully understated and yet has devastating effect, the way gunshots do.
I wanted to ask you as the writer of the original Spider-Man movie, what did you think of The Amazing Spider-Man?
I loved it. I thought they did a great job. I was really impressed. It's hard. I mean, I wouldn't want to go back and try to make something new off of material that people have seen recently and liked. So the degree of difficulty was really high but I thought they found a look and a feel for it that was completely its own. I mean, I thought the relationship with Andrew and Emma was great and lively and full of sparks. I thought it was terrific.
For a movie that claimed to be the untold story, were you impressed how much they kept from your version?
I don't know if I was impressed. I feel like they're getting to the untold story. I feel like they've certainly implied heavily a bunch of stuff that I'm eager to see in the next one where that comes out. I thought they found an interesting way of doing the origin story without doing the exact same thing.
I was going to ask you for a scoop on the Snow White and the Huntsman sequel but now I have to ask you are you still writing it?
No, I'm not. I'm not involved in that one anymore.
Was there no option for you to rewrite it as the Huntsman spinoff they decided to do?
Yeah, I just felt like I didn't have that one in me. I had some pretty clear ideas about how to do it a certain way and we worked through those ideas, and then they decided they wanted to go in a different direction with it and I didn't feel the same sort of creative energy about that. If you don't have great ideas, you should probably take your pen and go home.
Did that all happen in the last week when we heard about it?
Over the last couple weeks.
Are you still working on the Jack Ryan movie?
Yes, I was just in London for a week on that. We start shooting in less than two weeks, like a week and a half. Oh my God, no. Nine days.
You said "We start shooting," are you going to be involved on the set too?
Well, I feel like we're all part of a big Jack Ryan family.
Were you writing for Chris Pine in mind, or would you have written for Jack Ryan, whoever they might've cast?
I think Jack Ryan, because he's a well established character who's been the basis of several novels and movies, I knew Chris was going to play him so I was certainly talking to Chris and he had a great deal of input into the script, some really great ideas. But you're trying to be true to a character that's already been created and successful.
Was there any Tom Clancy book you were basing on?
No, this one is not based on a Clancy book. We made it up.
How hard is that to make up a Tom Clancy story, because he's so specific and technical?
It's hard. It's very hard. This stuff is really difficult and it's a very particular talent. A writer named Adam Cozad had come up with a very good idea for an international thriller which formed the basis of what this movie became. Then I continued to work with that.
What are your favorite movies?
Rosemary's Baby is my favorite movie. Then the usual, nothing really surprising, the Godfather movies, Tootsie, Raiders of the Lost Ark.
All three Godfathers?
I think I'd lean more toward the first two.
Action movie-wise, you said Raiders.
Also Duel which was an inspiration for this movie in terms of an action movie, those were both big.
You wrote one of my favorite Die Hard in a Someplace Else movie, Toy Soldiers. Do you miss the Die Hard in a _____ genre?
I think they are coming back with it. Aren't there a couple Die Hards in the White House coming? It was a fun easy way to pitch for about 20 years. Think how good that initial premise was. You can also do it with "in space." Just add that, pick a classic for example. Pick any classic.
Rosemary's Baby?
No, I mean a novel.
Gone with the Wind?
Okay, that's a tough one. What about Moby Dick.
Okay, let's do Moby Dick.
In space. You add in space, it's immediately pitchable. Die Hard in Space, holy sh*t, look what you've just done. Oh no, that's actually Alien. Oh well.
I hope you like this for Premium Rush. It's Speed on a bike.
I like that, yeah. I'll take that.
It's a little bit meta because the original one-liner for Speed was "Die Hard on a bus." So now by the transitive property, it's Die Hard on a Bus on a Bike, but it's not quite Die Hard so I thought it was more Speed.
That's good, and it's also the first time I've heard transitive property used in an interview.
action moviesDavid KoeppJack RyanPremium RushSnow White and the Huntsman 2The Amazing Spider-Man


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Posts tagged 'animals'
Breathing Adventure: Lost In Hong Kong (Day 3)
Let kids be kids but don't let adults be adults. Our Hong Kong experience would never be complete without unleashing the kid in us. But that cheeky side does not stay in Disneyland forever because it continued to live on when we visited Ocean Park.
From left: Rachel, Em, Lans, and yours truly.
We opted to visit Ocean Park despite having its counterpart in Manila. I heard it is a recommended tourist site and I already had the impression it is more hi-tech and impressive than Manila's Ocean Adventure. By the size of the place itself, I had the impression Ocean Park is more than what I had expected.
The Marine World At the Summit
Filipinos like our OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) friend, Em, would suggest to start at the far end section of the theme park, The Marine World. One could get there by express train or by cable park, whicb was a good choice because it gives a view of the Hong Kong scenery.
We started the tour by visiting aquariums like the Sea Jelly Spectacular and Shark Mystique. What I like most here were the state-of-the-art interactive modules that give interesting trivia about these sea creatures.
Inside the Sea Jelly Spectacular.
At the Shark Mystique.
The dolphin and sea lion show is held at The Marine World and the first one starts at 12nn. Encountering these animals would require another fee so we're just happy to see them flip and wave at us.
What surprised me was that Ocean Park has loads of thrill rides…and mind you, some of them are not for scardy cats. Of course, I had dared myself to take The Abyss. But I ended up as the only passenger screaming after the ride was seemingly dropped from the air.
Darn, my friends left me here alone…
We would have tried the other rides like the roller coaster and the ferris wheel but they were closed for scheduled maintenance when we got there. I admire the staff for taking extra precaution by doing so. Too bad, we were not able to return to those rides when they had opened because we wanted to maximize our whole-day visit by not wasting our time through waiting.
The Ocean Park Tower was the most relaxing ride we tried. All we did was just sigh (while taking pictures) because it gave us a breathtaking, 360-degree view of Hong Kong and of the whole Ocean Park.
Part of the view was the top of the Thrill Mountain, which I'd talk about if you bear with me.
The Thrill Mountain
The most memorable ride for me would be the Hair Raiser. If you could see the twisting, yellow line from the picture above, that's what I'm talking about. It's almost located at the edge of the mountain but don't worry about it because it is safe…except that it will give some of you goosebumps.
Since no loose items like bags or cameras were allowed, just imagine the screams were made when our carriage began to twist, turn and go upside down in less than a minute.
My favorite part of the tour. Since we don't get to see sea lions, pandas and koalas everyday, we did not miss the chance seeing them. Guess what's the story behind these two sea lions at Marine World.
Insert sea lion story caption. 😃
A real, live walrus at Polar Adventure!
If only I can dive with the seals.
Most of the furry animals are located at the lower part of the theme park like the Amazing Asian Animals and Aqua City. I never ever get to see a real panda, especially a red panda, in any zoo in the Philippines! Some of my friends said we were lucky to see them both hanging around. Although the red panda quickly scuttled into the bushes when people started to flock in. Who would have thought I'd get to see Master Shifu and Po entertaining guests at their lovely abode?
Kung Fu Panda fans would immedietely recognize Master Shifu.
At last, I have seen the Legend of Awesomeness.
Guests entering these places, including the Adventures in Australia, are required to be quiet and are banned from using any cameras with flash. Too bad, koalas are not meant for hugging here (looks like I need to go to Queensland to hug one). Signs around the place warn koalas are nocturnal animals sensitive to light and sound. We don't want to stress out our sleepy, cuddly mate so we just said a quiet hello as we passed by.
Animal mascots are also everywhere. We don't want to leave without taking a picture with them, of course.
I find Ocean Park bigger than Disneyland. Looks like one day is not enough to visit all attractions there. Maybe I have to return to Hong Kong next year to tour the whole place and visit the ones we have missed. There's more in our itinerary but we only have one day left to check everything in our bucket list.
childhood dream
Breathing Adventure: Swimming With The Whales (Lost in Cebu Part 3)
The roar of the sea waves was like a bewitching song entertaining us as we dined on crunchy danggit (salted, dried fish), fried rice and fried eggs. It was our breakfast on our first day, rather night, at Oslob. We had arrived at the southern tip of Cebu after a long ride from the city, a trek from the mountain and a wandering search for our guest house while riding a tricycle. Locals seem wary of foreign visitors who curiously poke their noses into their laid-back, rural lifestyle while children were the first to jump in to guide oblivious tourists like us. Just like any other barrio (little town), eateries would close as early as 8pm expect for Paul and Madz which served a satisfactory meal paired with orange juice and hot chocolate.
A meal of danggit with friend eggs and rice, paired with hot chocolate and orange juice.
The roaring sea waves made me more thrilled to see whale sharks or the butanding the next day. These gentle giants have made Oslob a popular tourist destination as tourists are allowed to see them up close and personal (but no touching is allowed). I love animals and the butanding itself is a fascination to me. However, the weather, gloomy as ever, was threatening to cut operations early. The caretaker of our guesthouse has told us the Coast Guard has called off the whale watching operations by 9am that day due to dangerously strong currents. Supposedly, operations end by 12nn.
We were hopeful, still. After a strong downpour during the early hours of the morning, we headed to the whale watching station before operations start at 6am. Foreign tourists outnumber local tourists in jam-packed queues which was beginning to grow longer because cashier windows were not opening yet. An operator told us the Coast Guard was still checking if it's safe to hold operations today because the winds and the waves were strong. By that time, I was already assuring myself there's always a next time to go back to Cebu.
Boats gathered at the whale watching site.
It was past 6am when operations were allowed to begin. Before I'd forget, whale watching costs about Php300 while swimming with the whales is at Php500. That's for the local rate. Foreign rates are more expensive. You can go for the first option if you're seasick (which one of us did not realize until we were at the sea). The second option will provide you not only a close encounter with the butanding but with other sights hidden in the sea. We thought we'd miss the opportunity of capturing moments with the butanding because we do not own a GoPro camera. We were able to rent one at the whale watching station at Php550.
Me, along with my friends, swimming with the whales.
I'm not a good swimmer, but I would love to take a dive into the sea. I admit I was scared of diving especially when the boatmen told us to remove our life vests so we can sink into the waters. Non-swimmers are advised to hold unto the rafter so we would not sink. But these guys are ready to save you before you float away into the sea.
A fisherman feeding the butanding which was swimming beside his boat.
The fishermen were feeding the butanding with a breakfast of alamang (krill) when we came into the sea. I was fascinated by how its huge mouth was slurping the waters and munching its food as it moved towards us. There were about five six boats with us and some of the tourists were already taking pictures in a short distance away from the whale (because as I've said, touching is not allowed). I guess there were two or three butandings that were swimming among us. Thirty minutes were the only time allowed for each group so we had to jump into the waters to meet the whale!
The butanding ignoring me as I wave behind its back.
When I peeked into the sea, I was marvelled at the size of the whale which was about 5 to 6 meters long. The boatmen told us it was just a baby whale and the mother whale has not visited the area for a long time (hmmm…she might have flipped our boats by then). More fascinating were the fishes called alumahan (a type of mackarel) that were following the whale wherever it swims. The waters would have been clearer if the sun was shining by that time. But we were fortunate to see the whale that day despite the low pressure area that was threatening Cebu for a week. Besides, we were not burned by the heat of the sun. The wearing of sunblock or sunscreen is not allowed because these might become toxic to whales.
The alumahan swimming with the butanding.
By the time we left the waters, the rains outpoured again. I believe the Lord has favored us by letting the rains stop for a while so we could see the whale. We were thinking of a plan B because this does not seem to be the right time to visit a nearby falls.
Yours truly posing at one of the restaurants by the sea.
Another breakfast of danggit.
The view of the sea at the restaurant.
I was languishing myself on a breakfast of danggit and mango juice because we only had a few hours left in Oslob. Check out time at our guest house, Chateau de Tan-awan, should be at 12nn. Even a night of staying in this place was memorable because it's clean, quiet and peaceful. As it stood beside, the sound of the waves had lulled me to sleep.
The lounge area at the guest house.
The little souvenir shop at the guest house.
So we had to travel again to find another tourist spot. We barely had two days left in Cebu so we were not leaving without seeing much of the island. We got options though. We're willing to risk for these options for the sake of collating beautiful memories.
butanding
Chateau de Tan-awan
Living out Christ in Christmas
If you could come and visit our house hours before Christmas, you might think of it first as pathetic: no Christmas tree, no nativity scene, not even Santa and his reindeer or a lone snowman adored the house. All we had were a few bells paired with a few shiny garlands that we did not remove from last year.
Unlike most families today, we did not cook much. With the house filled with only two souls, my mom and I, we wouldn't do much for ourselves.
And yet the holiday music brightens the whole space.
Turning to facebook friends, I tried to greet the world one by one, and hoping I have brought a holiday cheer to those I've greeted (and an ounce of remembrance to this little soul).
And yet, I felt satisfied. No decor, no gift, no lavish feast did it. It's the very love that brought a Savior to this earth. The epitome of heaven's glory sent down to die in our places. The King who thought of nothing but you and me.
Christmas should never be brought up because of tradition. It was never there from the beginning of earth. But the very reason for its celebration has always celebrated the very existence we are.
I remembered the Christmas parties the past few days. There were a lot of laughter and noise, gifts and raffles, dance and song numbers that made them livelier. And as I now sit quietly in my room, I realized it's so much different. None of these things were in our house now…but that's not the reason to moan and covet for a grander party.
Should we be brought back to the moment the Savior was born, it was very dire…even more pathetic than our almost decor-less house. Instead of dining with family and good wine, Jesus came into this earth surrounded with animals. It sure was an unlikely state of being born, but none of them whined. His birth was a joy in itself to his parents and to the world.
The parties are just temporary and sadly are a cover up to the real joy made for us. I'm not against them, but on the moment we depend on them to be our source of celebrating. Taking Christ away from Christmas is never Christmas at all. The material things that we garner from these parties will fade away. But the Lord and His love for us is steadfast and new forever.
And so I'm glad for the very reason for Christmas. This is one reason we feel joy…Jesus is the joy of the world itself. His coming is an indication of His love for us. And we should always remember how He loved us, though we can never measure it out.
I wouldn't worry with having no visitors at this point in time. His presence alone is the One Thing we've always wanted to be with. It's more than having ten kings visiting your home to dine at our noche buena. As I wait for my mom to cook our little dinner, I am thankful and hopeful. Christmas never changed. Most of all, Christ never changed. He fills us up. He draws us near to His heart. He shows His love and grace to the two humble souls of this little house.
Christian, Outbursts and Meditation

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Stephen Before the Sanhedrin | The Voice 10.2: January 12, 2020
Apologies in Acts: Stephen Before the Sanhedrin
In the world, those who cannot defeat you with argumentation will generally attempt to defeat you through violence. Jewish opponents of the Way pursued this path with Stephen. They got what they wanted, but not the way they wanted it.
The Gospel was flourishing in Jerusalem despite official resistance from the Sanhedrin, a group of Jewish leaders. Many among the Jewish people believed in the Lord Jesus, both among those who primarily spoke Aramaic ("Hebraic" Jews) and those who primarily spoke Greek ("Hellenistic" Jews). When concerns were raised regarding the treatment of the widows among the Jewish people who spoke Greek, the Apostles encouraged the Christians to select seven men among the Hellenists to assist in serving the widows (Acts 6:1-4). Stephen was mentioned and selected first and foremost, uniquely identified among the seven as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5-7). Stephen not only served in this capacity, but also performed great signs and wonders among the people, being full of grace and power in the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:8). Jewish people from the diaspora in modern day Egypt, Libya, and Turkey from the Freedmen's Synagogue in Jerusalem disputed with him regarding the Christ, yet could not resist the wisdom and the Holy Spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:9-10). And so they conspired to have witnesses testify before the Sanhedrin how Stephen blasphemed against Moses and the Law, declaring how Jesus would destroy Jerusalem and change the customs of Moses (Acts 6:11-14). Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin; all saw his face shine like an angel (Acts 6:15). He then set forth his defense before the Sanhedrin (Act 7:2-53).
Stephen's defense featured a rehearsal of Israelite history; such was a prominent means by which the psalmist and the prophets would attempt to exemplify lessons for Israel, and one which the Apostle Paul would later use to proclaim the Gospel to the Jewish people of Antioch of Pisidia (e.g. 1 Samuel 1:1-2 Kings 25:30, Psalms 105:1-45, 106:1-48, Ezekiel 20:1-44, Acts 13:15-42). Stephen was expecting general agreement from his audience regarding the historical details he mentioned; the experiences of Israel in the past were not in question. Stephen did not seek to emphasize new flourishes or to challenge received orthodoxy regarding specific details; instead, he drew from Israel's own history to exemplify the patterns and trends which explained Israel's behavior toward their Christ.
Stephen began with the story of Abraham's call and sojourn, emphasizing God's prediction of the Egyptian sojourn and deliverance (Acts 7:2-8; cf. Genesis 11:27-22:19). Stephen quickly moved on to Joseph, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, yet who provided deliverance for his people in Egypt (Acts 7:9-16; cf. Genesis 37:1-50:26). Stephen then related the story of the Exodus, emphasizing Moses' story, particularly how after the Israelites had rejected Moses, God sent him back to Israel as precisely that which they had rejected: their ruler and deliverer (Acts 7:17-35; cf. Exodus 1:1-Numbers 36:13). The same Moses promised God would raise up a prophet like him (Acts 7:36-38; cf. Deuteronomy 18:15-19); yet the Israelites proved unwilling to obey Moses, and desired to return back to Egypt and serve the host of heaven and not YHWH (Acts 7:39-43; cf. Exodus 32:1-35, Numbers 13:1-17:13, Amos 5:25-26). Stephen then spoke of the Tabernacle which Israel made according to the plans given them, possessing it until the days of David and Solomon, the latter of which would build a house for God, and yet the prophet made it clear the Most High did not live in a house made with hands (Acts 7:44-50; cf. Exodus 25:1-1 Kings 9:9, Isaiah 66:1-2).
Stephen brought his rehearsal of Israelite history home for his audience, indicting them as stubborn, of uncircumcised hearts and ears, resisting the Holy Spirit as their fathers had done (Acts 7:51). Their fathers had persecuted every prophet; the prophets had testified of the Righteous One who was to come, whom the audience betrayed and murdered (Acts 7:52). They received the law from angels, but did not obey it (Acts 7:53).
Stephen did strive to defend himself and his teaching in his defense, even if it can be challenging to perceive. Stephen did not deny the charge of declaring that Jesus would destroy the Temple; instead, he pointed out that God did not live in temples made with hands. Stephen pointed out how all Israel did not fully obey the law and customs Moses had given to them; thus, why is he being held liable?
Nevertheless, Stephen's main purpose was not to defend himself; instead, he spoke boldly so as to cause a bystander to wonder whether it was really Stephen putting the Sanhedrin on trial rather than the other way around. Stephen had set forth an unflattering picture of Israelite history: a group of rebellious people who resisted God's purposes for them at every turn, rejecting the rulers and statutes He would give them, only to discern too late how God had exalted what they held in low esteem, and rejected what they had valued. Members of the Sanhedrin prided themselves on proving more faithful to God than their ancestors (e.g. Matthew 23:29-30); Stephen destroyed this pretension, and indicted them as even worse than their ancestors, for they had betrayed and murdered the One whom the prophets had spoken (cf. Matthew 23:31-32). Thus, yes, Jesus would destroy the temple, and good riddance; yes, the customs of Moses would have to be altered, for the Israelites never fully observed them anyway, and they kept resisting the Holy Spirit and the work of God manifest among them.
The members of the Sanhedrin would not countenance such blasphemy in their sight. They clenched their teeth at him in anger (Acts 7:54). Stephen then saw a vision of Jesus as the Son of Man at the right hand of God, evoking the Danielic "one like a son of man" in Daniel 7:13-14 (Acts 7:55-56). Enraged ever more at such presumption, the members of the Sanhedrin rushed at Stephen and stoned him until he died (Acts 7:58, 60). Stephen did not respond with self-defense or malice; instead, he prayed for the Lord Jesus to not hold this sin against them and to receive his spirit (Acts 7:59-60).
Luke very deliberately intended for us to see Stephen as the embodiment of what Jesus expected for His followers to endure from the Jewish authorities, and as the prototypical marturos, witness/martyr. Jesus stood before the Sanhedrin; He promised the Son of Man would be seated at the right hand of God; they condemned Him to death; in His death He asked the Father to forgive them (Luke 22:66-71, 23:34). Likewise, Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin; he saw the Son of Man at the right hand of God; they condemned him to death; in his death he asked Jesus to forgive them (Acts 6:15, 7:55-60). Stephen followed the Way of Jesus, and obtained the promise in Jesus.
Stephen was not cowed in shame by the Sanhedrin; he was not willing to play the power games which led to his trial. He turned the tables on them and bore witness to their rebelliousness and transgressions. He paid the ultimate cost, yet was not defeated. In his death he displayed the compassionate love of Jesus; his example has inspired generations to stand firm for the Lord Jesus. On account of the persecution stirred up in the wake of Stephen's trial and death the Gospel of Jesus spread far beyond Jerusalem, throughout all Judea, Samaria, Galilee, and eventually among diaspora Jewish communities throughout the Levant (Acts 8:1-3, 11:19). Diaspora Jews of the Freedmen's Synagogue hauled Stephen up before the Sanhedrin to suppress the Gospel of Jesus; as a result of their actions, it spread beyond the walls of Jerusalem into the very lands from which they hailed. May we take strength from Stephen and his example, finding salvation through suffering in the name of Jesus, confident in the Gospel and its truth!
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Biome Shifts and Niche Evolution in Plants
Biome Shifts and Niche Evolution in Plants Donoghue, Michael J.; Edwards, Erika J. 2014-11-23 00:00:00 What factors influence whether a lineage can successfully transition into a new biome, and why have some biome shifts been more frequent than others? To orient this line of research we develop a conceptual framework in which the likelihood of a biome shift is a function of ( a ) exposure to contrasting environments over time, ( b ) the evolutionary accessibility of relevant adaptations, and ( c ) changing biotic interactions. We evaluate the literature on biome shifts in plants in relation to a set of hypotheses on the size, connectedness, and absolute age of biomes, as well as on the adaptability of particular lineages and ecological interactions over time. We also critique the phylogenetic inference of past biomes and a "global" model-based approach to biome evolution. More robust generalizations about biome shifts will require detailed studies of well-sampled and well-resolved clades, accounting for changes in the relevant abiotic and biotic factors through time. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics Annual Reviews http://www.deepdyve.com/lp/annual-reviews/biome-shifts-and-niche-evolution-in-plants-5iZQWY54vp
Donoghue, Michael J.; Edwards, Erika J.
Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics
, Volume 45 – Nov 23, 2014
/lp/annual-reviews/biome-shifts-and-niche-evolution-in-plants-5iZQWY54vp
Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and... /
Volume 45: November
Copyright © 2014 by Annual Reviews. All rights reserved
10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-120213-091905
What factors influence whether a lineage can successfully transition into a new biome, and why have some biome shifts been more frequent than others? To orient this line of research we develop a conceptual framework in which the likelihood of a biome shift is a function of ( a ) exposure to contrasting environments over time, ( b ) the evolutionary accessibility of relevant adaptations, and ( c ) changing biotic interactions. We evaluate the literature on biome shifts in plants in relation to a set of hypotheses on the size, connectedness, and absolute age of biomes, as well as on the adaptability of particular lineages and ecological interactions over time. We also critique the phylogenetic inference of past biomes and a "global" model-based approach to biome evolution. More robust generalizations about biome shifts will require detailed studies of well-sampled and well-resolved clades, accounting for changes in the relevant abiotic and biotic factors through time.
Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics – Annual Reviews
There are no references for this article.
Donoghue, M., & Edwards, E. (2014). Biome Shifts and Niche Evolution in Plants. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 45, 547-572.
Donoghue, Michael J., and Erika J. Edwards. "Biome Shifts and Niche Evolution in Plants." Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 45 (2014): 547-572.


When Amy graduated from high school, she was eager to continue her education and go to university. Always leading an active life, Amy was good at balancing school, spending time with her close-knit group of friends, and attending programs at the Movement Centre. But graduating from high school didn't open any new doors for her – in fact, she lost her access to services that made it possible for her to pursue all the activities she enjoyed. Amy even lost access to medical services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapists as well as specialized equipment.
This sudden loss of services and independence is a common story for individuals with physical disabilities in Manitoba. It looks different for everyone, but it always involves getting shut out of services that had been available before turning 18 or graduating from high school. For Amy, it meant that she lost the ability to go to school and has had to reduce her time with friends.
These changes have shut Amy out of her social life and her dreams of attending university. They've had an impact on her family, too. Amy's mother used to work when Amy was in school, but now she is her daily caregiver. Amy's parents are aging and are worried about what will happen to her in the future. They are very worried about where Amy will live and who will care for her when they are no longer able to take care of her in their home. Amy and her family are fighting for continued access to the services and supports she used to have, so that she can go back to living her active lifestyle and pursuing her dreams.
Locked out of Life is a joint initiative from the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba and the Public Interest Law Centre, supported by the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba.


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1852 Scott 4 3p red "Beaver'
I've been waiting patiently for Canada, and finally it is here!
As the reader knows, I've been redoing the earlier country posts which did not have much illustration of the stamps themselves.
Canada, with essentially all of the stamps engraved during the classical era, and wonderful designs, is going to be a pleasure!
Naturally, Canada will require more than one post - in fact, three.
This post will look at the 19th century issues. The next two posts will illustrate the larger format commemorative pictorials prevalent between 1908-1939.
Original Canada blog post and BB Checklist
100 Cents = 1 Dollar (1859)
Canada Province 1865
Used by general permission of Gerben Van Gelder
The United Province of Canada existed between 1841-1867, and was a British North American colony (Colony of Canada). It consisted of Canada East (formerly mostly French speaking Lower Canada) and Canada West (formerly mostly English speaking Upper Canada). They became the provinces of Quebec and Ontario respectively after Confederation in 1867.
Stamps were issued for the Province of Canada beginning April 23, 1851.
The first design issued for the Province of Canada was the iconic "American Beaver" by Sir Sanford Fleming. This stamp, and the next seven stamps shown following in this blog post (through 1859) were engraved by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson, New York. This is the same firm that had the contract for U.S. postage stamps from 1847-1851 (producing the iconic U.S. 5c Franklin and 10c Washington). Of interest, in 1858, the firm consolidated into the American Bank Note Company.
Sir Sanford Fleming
Sir Sanford Fleming (1827-1915) was a most interesting man. This Scottish Canadian immigrant, besides designing the first postage stamp (Threepenny Beaver) for Canada, was the chief surveying engineer for the Canadian Pacific Railway, the inventor of worldwide standard time, and a founding member of the Royal Society of Canada.
The Threepenny Beaver is the most iconic stamp (in my view) for Canada.
The 1851 production stamp (Scott 1) was on laid paper, and the CV is a high $1000. The paper used was switched to handmade wove (1852-56) and machine made wove (1857). Scott lists the wove CV @ $200+.
1851 Scott 3 12p black "Victoria"
Scan from Internet (not mine!)
CV $135,000-$175,000!
I should mention, for understandable reasons, a stamp I do not have: the laid paper June 14, 1851 twelve penny black.
This is one of the all time great philatelic rarities.
It was intended for prepayment of letter rate to Newfoundland, Bermuda, and the West Indies, but its use was very limited. Only 1,450 stamps were sold. The remainder stamps (51,000 printed) were destroyed.
1859 Scott 14 1c rose "Queen Victoria"
Imperforate stamps were issued between 1851-1859 (six designs, nine Scott numbers) in Pence/Shilling denominations. Except for the Threepenny Beaver (CV $225), and the 1857 one half penny rose (CV $700), all the other imperforate stamps are in the CV $thousands, and out of reach for most WW collectors. In addition, there were three "pence" denomination stamps issued with perforation 12 in 1858-59. All are CV $thousands.
But in 1859, the denomination was changed to Cents/Dollar. The July 1, 1859 six stamp issue has perforation 12, and used a similar design (now in cents denomination) as the 1851-59 pence issues. These engraved stamps were produced by the American Bank Note Company.
The one cent rose (shown above) is CV $90, while the deep rose shade (minor number) is 50% CV more.
1859 Scott 15 5c vermilion "Beaver"
The 1859 perforated 5c vermilion "Beaver" is CV $30+, and is the least expensive of the 1851-1868 era stamps. If one wanted to do a study using one stamp, this would be a good choice.
For instance, although the nominal perforation is 12, in fact....
11 3/4 X 11 3/4 : mid-July 1859-mid-July 1863
12 X 12 : May-October, 1862 ( For many sheets of 5c)
12 X 11 3/4 : March 1863-mid 1865
12 X 12 : April 1865 - 1868
1859 Scott 17a 10c violet "Prince Albert'
The ten cents "Prince Albert" is listed in the Stanley Gibbons catalogue with seven color shades (black-brown, deep red-purple, purple (shades), brownish purple, brown (to pale), dull violet, bright red purple), and in Scott with five color shades (two major, three minor numbers). In fact, SG says the 10c has a remarkable number of shades, and the color designations actually represent groupings of shades.
1859 Scott 17b 10c brown "Albert"
Clearly, the shades differ wildly. And it can make a large CV difference. Scott lists the "black-brown" (perf 11 3/4) with its own major number (Scott 16) with CV of $6,500, while the "brown" shade (Scott 17b) is CV $140.
1859 Scott 18 12 1/2c yellow green "Victoria"
If you need a "Chalon Head" portrait of Queen Victoria on a Canada stamp, the 12 1/2c yellow green might be a good and economic choice (CV $130). The other "Chalon Head" stamps (12p black, 7 1/2p green) go for $135,000 and $3,500 respectively. !!
1859 Scott 19 17c blue "Jacques Cartier"
The influence of French historical explorations and language/culture is important for Canada as a "British colony". A good number of its citizens are French speaking.
The first "Jacques Cartier" stamp was issued as an imperforate and in "pence" denomination in 1855. This 1859 stamp (CV $200) is very similar in design, save for being perforated, and in "cents".
The "Dauphin" Map of Canada, 1543, Showing Cartier's Discoveries
Cartier found the Gulf entrance to the St. Lawrence River on his first voyage (1534). On his second voyage (1535-36), he sailed up the St. Lawrence River, and discovered the Iroquoian capital of Stadacona, and then Hochelga (present day Montreal). He named the lands "The Country of the Canadas", an Iroquoian reference.
Provinces of Canada (Dominion of Canada) 1867-1870
We are now entering the Dominion of Canada with confederation occurring on July 1, 1867. The British colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united, and the former "Canada" was divided into the provinces of Quebec and Ontario.
The change was enabled by the British North American Acts (1867-75), which was enacted by both the United Kingdom and Canada Parliaments.
Canada, though, was not fully independent, as the United Kingdom retained full control over foreign policy and retained legislative control over Canada. Canada's first foreign embassy was established in Washington, D.C. in 1931. Until 1949, any changes in the British North American Act could only be made by the British Parliament. Full control by Canada over the Canadian Constitution was not achieved until 1982.
Subsequent expansion of Canada included the addition of Manitoba (1870- part of Rupert's Land), Northwest Territories (1870- Rest of Rupert's Land and the North West Territory), British Columbia (1871), Prince Edward Island (1873), Yukon Territory (1898- part of Northwest Territories), Saskatchewan (1905 - part of Northwest Territories), Alberta (1905 - part of Northwest Territories), and Newfoundland (1949).
1868 Scott 27 6c dark brown "Queen Victoria"
Dominion of Canada: "Large Queens"
With the advent of the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867, a new engraved issue, the so-called "Large Queens" (Because of large format) was printed.
"Large Queen" 1868-76 Issue in Deep Blue
The "Large Queen" issue of ten stamps was released between April 1, 1868 and 1876, according to the Scott catalogue. CV ranges from $40 to $225 for used major number specimens.
All are on wove paper, except for some 1868 issue 1c, 2c, and 3c stamps on laid paper (CV$thousands!!).
The stamps - the Large Queens and the Small Queens issues (1867-1893) - were produced by the British American Bank Note Company.
Now the fun begins. Canadian specialists and the SG catalogue distinguishes between the Ottawa printings (Perf 12, with thin rather transparent crisp paper or medium to stout wove paper) and the Montreal printings (Perf 11 1/2 X 12 or 12 X 11 1/2, medium to stout wove paper). SG has a helpful note that the papers usually can be distinguished if they are laid face downwards. The thin hard paper is much more transparent, while the thicker paper is softer and more opaque. I should mention that there is also an Ottawa printing of the 15c slate-violet that can be found on thin paper of poor quality with a gray or yellowish tone.
1889 Scott 36d 2c blue green "Victoria"
"Small Queens" Issue
Scott divides the "Small Queens" (smaller format) issues into the 1870-89 Montreal and First Ottawa printings (All Perf 12, and additionally 1870 Perf 12 1/2 (3c copper red-Ottawa) and 1873-79 Perf 11 1/2 X 12 (1c-10c)) and the 1888-97 Second Ottawa printings (All Perf 12).
The good news for WW collectors, using the Scott catalogue approach, is the 1870-89 Montreal and First Ottawa printings can be fairly easily distinguished from the 1888-97 Second Ottawa printings in Scott by a change of color or a new denomination.
Lets take a look..
1873 Scott 37 3c orange red; 1888 Scott 41 3c bright vermilion
1870-89 Montreal and First Ottawa printings; 1888-97 Second Ottawa printing
Note the orange red color of the 1873 Scott 37, while the 1888 Scott 41(Second Ottawa printing) is bright vermilion.
1877 Scott 40 10c dull rose lilac "Victoria"
This is a lilac color, placing it in the 1870-89 Montreal and First Ottawa grouping.
1897 Scott 45 10c brown red "Victoria"
Second Ottawa printing
This appears to be a brown red color,: then a Second Ottawa printing.
CV is $65 used/$725 unused.
1893 Scott 46 20c vermilion "Victoria"
In 1893, a 20c and a 50c denomination with the older queen (Second Ottawa printing) was introduced. CV of the 20c vermilion is $125.
I'm not saying much of how SG covers these Small Queen issues because it is difficult to reconcile with the simpler approach of Scott, which is presented here. Suffice to say, for the specialist, SG pays more attention to shades, perforation, and especially paper.
1897 Scott 58 15c steel blue
Queen Victoria '"1837" and "1897"
Beginning with the 1897 "Diamond Jubilee" issue, the stamps of Canada were now printed by the American Bank Note Company, Ottawa.
American Bank Note Company, Ottawa, with Banners celebrating the Diamond Jubilee
ABNC, used this building in Ottawa from 1897-1911
Designed by L. Pereira and F. Brownell, the sixteen stamp engraved issue, commemorating the 60th year of Queen Victoria's reign, has the same iconic philatelic status for Canada as the 1893 Columbian Exposition Issue has for the USA.
1907 "Jubilee Issue" in Deep Blue
CV for the 1/2c - 50c denomination (shown here) "Diamond Jubilee" issue ranges from $2+ to $190.
But, like the USA 1893 Columbian Exposition Issue with their high denomination stamps up to $5 (CV used $1,200/unused $2,400), the Jubilee Issue also had their high denomination stamps up to $5 (CV used $1,100/unused $!,500).
And both issues were produced by the American Bank Note Company. Coincidence?
Both issues were loved/hated then, and loved/hated now. I think indeed both issues represented an inflection point for philately: There was the realization by postal authorities that much money could be made from stamp lovers/collectors!
Even today, a quick way to evaluate a USA/Canada collection is look at the quantity/quality of the Columbian Exposition/Jubilee holdings.
1897 Scott 71 6c brown "Victoria"
Between 1897-98, a definitive issue of eight stamps showing the 1897 queen was released.
Note this issue is also called the "Maple leaf issue", as each corner has a maple leaf.
CV ranges from <$1 to $100.
SG has a note that these stamps used a photograph of Queen Victoria taken by William Downey of London , and used for her official 1897 Diamond Jubilee portrait. Apparently, the photograph was actually taken in 1893.
1900 Scott 84 20c olive green "Victoria"
A second set of "Victoria" stamps were issued between 1898-1902, changing the frame, but keeping the portrait.These are known as the "Numeral Issue", with the lower corner maple leaves from the previous issue replaced by numerals.
CV is <$1-$110.
1898 Scott 86 2c black, blue & carmine
"Map of British Empire on Mercator Projection"
Imperial Penny Postage Issue
Is this the first Christmas stamp? Note the "XMAS 1898".
Not exactly. Actually, there is an even more interesting reason (according to legend).
The design for the Imperial Penny Postage stamp of 1898 was shown to Queen Victoria for her approval. (Why for approval? Remember, Canada was linked heavily to the United Kingdom.) The comment was made that the stamp would be issued on the Prince's birthday (For the Prince of Wales Albert Edward whose birthday was November 9th, and would later be crowned Edward VII in 1902).
The Queen replied coldly "And what prince would that be?
(The Queen was continuously appalled with the irresponsible, frivolous, indiscreet and playboy ways of Prince Edward, and blamed him for the early death of her husband, Albert. For instance, she had written to her eldest daughter about Edward::"I never can, or shall, look at him without a shudder." )
The quick thinking reply was "Why, the Prince of Peace, of course".
Thus, the addition of "XMAS 1898" to the design of the stamp. It was released December 7, 1898.
1868 Scott 28 12 1/2c blue "Queen Victoria"
Dominion of Canada: "Large Queens'
Incredible stamps commemorating an incredible country (arguably, the most successful in the British Commonwealth).
Note: Gerben Van Gelder's maps are used here (in a non commercial fashion), having received the general permission of Gerben. I hope his web site comes back up. Until then, his maps deserve to be seen - He would want that. The other maps, portraits, and pics appear to be in the public domain, and are used here for educational purposes.
Inhambane - Bud's Big Blue
Indo-China - Bud's Big Blue
India - Bud's Big Blue


This fortnight we went back over to our Training Academy to catch up with Functional Skills Tutor, Dan Hatton!
Dan has been with us for just over a year now. He spends his time supporting work-based learners in Chesterfield and Sheffield through their maths and English qualifications. His specialist area is Mathematics, which is something that has interested him since primary school, which resulted in him studying it at university.
And finally, if Dan were to give one piece of advice to someone looking to work in the industry it would be: "Always keep an open mind, there is always something new to be learned or a new way of thinking about ideas even when you are teaching them to others."


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Blanche Simple Site
A century of Invention – The first Computer
There's been cited as calling in the computing world when discussing what was the initial computer invented.
For years, the accepted pioneer of your digital age was the ENIAC, short for Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer, How to get a patent on an Idea perhaps because tale became media frenzy associated with improvement was one worthy for tabloids and tv.
As World War II was coming to a close, the Army had run in need of mathematicians and were willing to recruit women. Six women were accepted to function on "Project PX" at the University of Pennsylvania's Moore School of Electrical Engineering, under John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert. The women's job were to program firing tables and ballistic trajectories using ENIAC. Their work laid the groundwork for selection. The completed machine was unveiled on Feb. 14, 1946 at the University of Pennsylvania. Within the armed forces had funded the price tag of almost $500,000. It occupied about 1,800 square feet and used about 18,000 vacuum tubes, weighing almost 50 a good deal. It is widely considered to emerge as the first computer invented, considering its highly functional status while using late 1950s.
However, its "first" status was challenged in court when Rand Corp. bought the ENIAC patent and started charging royalties. Honeywell Incorporated. refused to pay and challenged the patent in 1967. It was learned that Mauchly, one of the many leaders of the Project PX at the University of Pennsylvania, had seen an early prototype of a product being built at the Iowa State College called the Atanasoff-Berry Computer.
In 1973, Ough.S. Federal Judge Earl R. Larson released his decision how the ENIAC patent by Mauchly and Eckert was invalid as well as the ABC was actually the first computer manufactured. However, the ABC was never fully functional, patent an invention so the favorite opinion to this day has the ENIAC as the first electronic computing device. The Smithsonian Institute's Museum of American History in Washington displays most of what remains of the ENIAC, alongside parts of the ABC.
However, there's another twist to this tale. The easiest computer is an electronic device designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations and www.reinventing-yourself.info display the results. Germany's Konrad Zuse created what was essentially the first programmable calculator in the mid-1930s in his parent's living room. Zuse's Z1 had 64-word memory and a clock speed of 1 Hz. Programming the the Z1 required the user to insert tape towards a punch tape reader and then receive his results any punch tape dispenser – making it possibly the first computer invented.
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Coach hopes 67's loss to Petes is a reality check
Don Campbell
Updated: September 23, 2018 6:41 PM EDT
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Petes 7, 67's 3
Andre Tourigny thinks his players have been hearing too much about how good they will be in 2018-19.
So the Ottawa 67's head coach hopes it's just a reality check.
It might even be best that the 67's get the message early on after the Peterborough Petes scored four short-handed goals and dumped the 67's 7-3 Sunday afternoon before a crowd of 3,479 in the Arena at TD Place to leave the 67's 1-1 off the opening weekend of the new season.
"Everybody is telling them how good they are," said Tourigny. "They read it in the papers. They hear it from their parents. They hear it from their billets. Everyone is talking about what high expectations we have.
"It's kind of like a kid you tell not to touch the stove because it's too hot. Well sometimes they have to touch it to find out really how hot it is. I hope this (loss) hurts enough.
"First of all, we have to work. When we work to the maximum level we will be alright. So it's a topic we have to address. I cannot name one player I can say worked to the max."
The 67's were out of this one early after the Petes scored back-to-back short-handed goals 54 seconds apart just past the midway point of the opening period.
Kingston native Christopher Paquette scored his first of three of the afternoon at 10:33 and Nick Isaacson made it 2-0 at 11:27. Paquette made it 3-0 four minutes later.
Austen Keating, the overtime hero from Friday night, got the 67's on the board before the period ended but Peterborough scored three unanswered goals in the middle frame to make it a rout.
Paquette notched his second short-handed goal at 4:31, Liam Kirk made it 5-1 at 6:27 and Brady Hinz scored the Petes' fourth goal while down a main at 15:08 and that was all she wrote.
The Kirk goal spelled the end of No. 1 goalie Cedrick Andree's afternoon and allowed rookie, and No. 2 pick, Will Cranley to make his OHL debut against the team he grew up dreaming of playing for in his hometown.
A defenceless Andree surrendered five goals on just 12 shots but he had little help.
In fairness to the 67's with 10 players away at NHL camps, at best, they have managed two full practices, one Thursday and another Saturday. So special teams figure to take some time to gel.
"There's nothing wrong with out special teams," said Tourigny. "There's nothing wrong with our power-play. It's our (lack of) intensity.
"Things will happen. But you still have to work.
"Ceddy was great in the pre-season. But you can't blame him when everything is a breakaway or a 2-on-1. There's no one player to blame for this. Then, it turned out to be a great opportunity for Will to break the ice."
Ottawa rookie Matthew Maggio, the 5th round pick in 2018 and maybe the surprise of training camp, scored his first OHL goal 4:55 into the third before Pete Cameron Butler and 67 sophomore Graeme Clarke rounded out the scoring with Clarke netting his second in two games.
And now the 67's hit the road for a gruelling three-game road trip beginning Friday night in Kitchener and continuing Saturday and Sunday in Owen Sound and Hamilton.
Ottawa GM James Boyd was in attendance for the Petes contest and will be scouting in Buffalo to begin his week.
"James just told us he watched Kitchener and they looked like the hardest working team he has ever seen," said Tourigny. "Three games in three days won't give us much time to bond but we better raise our level of competitiveness."


Emer has been employed at GJCRM since 2014, having worked as an archaeological consultant in Western Australia since 2012. Emer has contributed to a number of Aboriginal cultural heritage surveys in the Pilbara and the Goldfields and her roles have involved liaising with traditional indigenous land owners and proponent clients as well as identifying and recording archaeological material. In addition to her experience in carrying out surveys, Emer has also undertaken excavations in the Pilbara and in the Perth Metropolitan area. She has also authored, co-authored and edited multiple site avoidance, section 16, section 18 and salvage level heritage reports.
Emer has worked as an archaeological supervisor and professional archaeological consultant since 2003 throughout Ireland and Western Australia. She has extensive experience in all aspects of archaeological consultancy including terrestrial survey and excavation, project management, report writing and post-excavation analysis. Projects completed during these years saw Emer supervise large teams of up to 30 people.


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Deus Ex Machina and the Invention of "SARS-CoV-2"
Deus Ex Machina and the…
A German mathematician working with Dr Stefan Lanka has just published a report titled, "Structural analysis of sequence data in virology – An elementary approach using SARS-CoV-2 as an example." It provides even more evidence that the virologists are caught up in a world of computer simulations – simulations that are unreliable even on their own terms, not to mention being disconnected from reality. The analysis is an important contribution exposing another element of the anti-science being used to sustain this fake pandemic. Further, it is a technical dismantling of how all "viruses" are being invented and then "found," in an ongoing game of deception.
The paper is very technical and requires some understanding of how the virologists create a "genome," starting with a crude sample from an alleged infected "COVID-19" patient. To make it easier, I've produced a summary of the main findings as outlined below:
None of the genetic sequences used in producing the "SARS-CoV-2" genomes were shown to come from inside any viruses. It is unclear where the genetic fragments originated from.
The original de novo "SARS-CoV-2" computer-constructed sequence published by Fan Wu, et al could not be reproduced by the methodology described in their paper, raising questions about how they produced it and announced the new "virus" to the world.
The PCR protocols are calibrated to sequences of unconfirmed origin that are clearly found in many humans and apparently other things as well. The PCR process was not shown to detect a "virus," let alone diagnose an invented illness called "COVID-19".
The virologists are fooling themselves by running amplifications at 35 to 45 cycles, as it can result in "detecting" sequences that are not even present in the sample. In effect, the methodology can result in "detecting" whatever sequences they are hoping to find.
Fan Wu, et al could have found better matches for "HIV" and "Hepatitis D virus" than "a new coronavirus" in their 41-year-old man from Wuhan, who presented with pneumonia as one of the first claimed "COVID-19" cases. If they want to find a "virus", it all depends on what they ask the computer to look for.
Of course, it makes much more sense when you get to the root of the problem: "SARS-CoV-2" is nothing more than a computer simulation and there was never a virus to start with – the entire thing is a global fraud. Virology seems to be unaware that it is sinking further into an epistemological crisis and no more so than in the area of genomics, as outlined in this article by Mike Stone. In Stone's article, I noticed in the comments section that Dr Valendar Turner of The Perth Group pointed out that the late Sir John Maddox, former editor of Nature, had issued a pertinent warning in 1988. It seems that those who become immersed in the world of indirect molecular detection techniques risk no longer seeing the wood for the trees as he presciently stated:
"Is there a danger, in molecular biology, that the accumulation of data will get so far ahead of its assimilation into a conceptual framework that the data will eventually prove an encumbrance? Part of the trouble is that excitement of the chase leaves little time for reflection. And there are grants for producing data, but hardly any for standing back in contemplation".
Maddox, J. Nature 335, 11 (1998)
We will endeavour to keep exposing these anti-scientific methodologies and encourage others to ask themselves if the multi-billion dollar virology industry and the associated bogus "treatments" coming from the behemoth pharmaceutical complex are actually helping anyone with their health. For those of us that can see there is no sound basis to any of it, there is no way we would heed any advice from the doctors and scientists who promote these sick models. And perhaps more importantly, we know not to take any of the fraudulent and increasingly perverse pharmaceuticals that are products of this pseudoscience, and used as vehicles to deliver nefarious and undeclared constituents. Once again, you can avoid all of these problems by pointing out:
Where is the virus*?
*A tiny particle that is an obligate intracellular parasite (i.e. replication competent and transmissible) containing a genome surrounded by a protective, virus-coded protein coat.
Mark Bailey, MB ChB PGDipMSM MHealSc is a microbiology, medical industry and health researcher who worked in medical practice, including clinical trials, for two decades.
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Why Nobody "Had, Caught or Got" COVID-19
A Farewell To Virology (Expert Edition)
COVID Vaccines: a Curious Discovery on the Graphene Oxide Question
Categories: Covid-19, Viral ExistenceBy Dr. Mark Bailey 06/02/2022
Tags: invention of sarscov2
Author: Dr. Mark Bailey
https://drsambailey.com/about-dr-mark-bailey/
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How often do you find yourself mobile phone or tablet in hand trawling the web for a restaurant, holiday spot, cold remedy, the sports results or that essential new purchase?
The way we are using the Internet is changing. Increasingly we are using devices whilst on the go, to access information, to book and to buy. For the first time in 2015, it is predicted that web usage on mobile devices will exceed that on desktop computers. This means that everyone should ensure that their websites are super mobile friendly.
But not all websites are built alike and they can vary massively in their mobile friendliness. Most developers and even Google agree that best approach to take is to develop what's known as 'responsive' websites.
The term refers to a method of website building that incorporates 'break points' in the code. This allows the website content to respond to different devices, whether it be a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop or a desktop. A responsive website adjusts and restacks the website content to suit the device, providing a great viewing experience.
Conversely fixed or fluid websites do not view well on mobile devices. A fixed website has a set width that is cropped on smaller mobile devices, whilst a fluid website scales down with the size of the browser window offering a micro viewing experience that even the most eagle eyed find frustrating.
Just in case you are not already convinced, here is our guide to 5 reasons you should go responsive with your website.
A responsive website makes viewing your website on any device or computer a dream. As well as looking great on conventional computers, it optimises your customer's mobile user experience (UX) and reduces the need for your viewers to resize, pan, scroll, squint and swear!
UX is a big consideration in website design. In real life we move through spaces and interact with the elements around us. If something doesn't work well we become frustrated, annoyed or walk away. We react similarly on a website as we move through and interact with website functionality. If the experience is not a positive one we are not happy campers.
You may have heard the mantra 'content is king' but what use are great words, images, products and other content if your customer can't easily access it when and where they need to? A responsive site allows your customers to visit your website on their device of choice.
This broadens your customer reach, for example a surveyor out and about wanting information, a friend buying a last minute gift on their phone or a commuter browsing the internet on their tablet. Have you ever considered when and where customers might want to access your website?
An easy to access site and a great viewing experience means a lower bounce rate and happy website visitors who stick around for longer. For you, this all means more sales, more leads and better business exposure.
Search engines like Google now include responsive design as a factor in their search algorithms. This means that a responsive site improves your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), allowing your site to gain a higher natural search ranking so that potential visitors can find you on Google and other search engines. Google even recommends responsive website configuration as best practice. And with 70% of the search market share, when Google talks, digital marketers listen!
In addition, having one single site as opposed to a separate mobile and fixed site means traffic is consolidated. Traffic is one of the biggest factors in determining your SEO, meaning your website ranks higher in search engine listings and you can be found easier.
Maybe have two websites, one for desktop and one for mobile? Well this can cause a lot of problems and can cost much more maintenance time and money. Having two websites will double your site build and maintenance costs. Not only that, it also means two sets of analytical data to consolidate and more tracking between the sites. One responsive site avoids all of this.
A responsive site also works much better for social media sharing. If you have two separate sites and you share a link on Facebook using your mobile, your friend opening the link on their laptop would be directed to the mobile site. Not a good look.
Have you noticed that fixed layout websites are already looking tired and dated?. A responsive site usually features a stacking or scrolling layout, which instantly presents your company as modern and forward thinking.
A responsive website ensures you are ahead of the curve. With new more innovative devices being introduced to market all the time, mobile web usage and mobile viewing expectations are only going to increase. Your responsive site will be at the forefront of technology, future proofing your site for years to come and allowing your company to be visible on emerging technology.


In the mood for something super simple today? How about a really easy painted succulent planter?
I know what you're thinking. That you don't have one of these wood boxes laying around your house because you aren't a hoarder collector. Bleh! You could do this with a wooden salad bowl from a thrift store or a place like HomeGoods. Or if you are handy and have some left over wood you could nail one together really quick. No excuses. This can be done.
I happened to have this wooden box laying around my house from my friends wedding a few years ago. I almost threw it away so many times, but it was a great place to store our remotes until I realized how dusty it had become. Dusting rough wood doesn't work very well.
So when I realized that my outdoor dining table needed a centerpiece, I went in and grabbed it and did a 5 minute spruce up that gave it a whole new life and turned it into a pretty stinkin' cool succulent planter.
I didn't even bother getting all of the dust out of the corners of the inside, I just cut part of a thick garbage bag and placed it inside securing it with staples so that it would not rot when I watered my succulents.
Then I taped 2 sides on an uneven diagonal and gave it a few coats of my favorite turquoise outdoor craft paint by Martha Stewart.
On the other 2 sides I used my handy dandy polka dot makers (aka pouncers) and made some polka-dots just like I did on my outdoor drink station.
After it was dry, I added my succulents. Remember that succulents need a lot of drainage so I did a layer of gravel, then the dirt with the succulents, and added some moss on top.
Now I have this fun centerpiece for my outdoor table and the colors tie in perfectly with my outdoor living room!
As someone mutually obsessed with rustic wood AND polka dots, I feel like maybe you made this just for me. Self-centered much, Lauren? Probably. But I just heart this soooooo much! 😉 Pinning STAT.
Thanks Lauren! I was thinking about you while polka-dotting! Hahaha. I love rustic wood with bright paint too. Have you seen the light wood with white paint trend starting to happen? So pretty!
This is so cute, I'm so glad you didn't toss it out!
I just love how this turned out!! I totally noticed it during your big reveal!
Hey Corey…I'm in Southern California too! Stumbled you from the DIY Stumble group. Love your succulent planter so I pinned it too! Have a great week.
LOVE the planter Corey!! Turned out fabulous!