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Iceland Facts
Modified: 27 May 2022
Famous for its volcanic activity, Iceland may be one of the most ironically-named countries in Europe. With its unique geology, Iceland's peaceful scenery makes it a dream getaway for many. Despite being such a small country, Iceland makes a big impact on the world with its remarkable sights and ideal living conditions. Aside from its progressive feats, there's still a lot to learn about this country. Find out more about the Land of Ice and Fire with these Iceland facts.
The country of Iceland can be found in the Northern Atlantic.
Its national anthem is called 'Lofsongur'.
Iceland has an approximate area of 103,000 km squared.
Around 89% of Iceland's population is Icelandic.
Iceland is also considered a Nordic Island country.
Iceland is considered the most sparsely populated country found in Europe.
The largest city in Iceland is also its capital called Reykjavik.
Iceland's official language is called Icelandic.
Christianity is the dominant religious practice in Iceland.
People from Iceland are called Icelandic or an Icelander.
The country is considered to be volcanically active.
Many glacial rivers in Iceland flow to the sea through the lowlands.
Iceland is mainly warmed by the Gulf Stream which has a temperate climate.
As of 2019, its total GDP is $24 billion.
The national parliament of Iceland is the Althing.
Iceland is geologically active.
As of 2020, Iceland has an estimated population of 364,000.
Icelanders drive on the right side of the road.
The calling code for Iceland is +354.
Iceland ranks high in terms of economic, equality, and social stability.
01 Iceland Facts Infographics
02 Winter in Iceland is not as cold as you think.
03 The flag of Iceland became official in the year 1915.
04 Iceland has no city with a population of over 1 million.
05 Iceland has 7 different regions.
06 Iceland uses a currency called the Icelandic Krona.
07 You can watch the Northern Lights in Iceland.
08 Iceland has numerous hot springs.
09 Iceland has a beach filled with only black sand.
10 Elephant Rock is one of the most famous rock formations found in Iceland.
11 English counts as a second language in Iceland.
12 As a country, Iceland has a 99% literacy rate as of 2018.
13 Iceland ranks high among the healthiest people in the world.
14 Iceland is also known as the land of fire and ice.
15 Around 11% of Iceland is covered in glaciers.
16 The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20 years of age.
17 More than 60% of Iceland's population resides in the capital city.
18 The national sport of Iceland is called handball.
19 Icelandic horses are the only breed of horses found in Iceland.
20 Iceland has the longest working weeks in Europe.
21 1 out of 10 Icelanders will publish a book in their lifetime.
22 Iceland was considered to be the last place on earth to be inhabited by humans.
23 Iceland only has one forest.
24 Iceland is also considered one of the most eco-friendly places on the planet.
25 In Iceland, babies are left outside to take naps.
26 The Icelandic language remains unchanged from ancient Norse.
27 Iceland has several legends and stories that involve creatures like elves and trolls.
28 Icelanders do not use any family names or surnames.
29 Until the year 1989, Iceland banned beer.
30 First names not used in Iceland must be approved by an Icelandic Naming Committee.
31 Coca-cola is considered incredibly popular in Iceland.
32 In 2010, strip clubs became banned in Iceland.
33 Icelanders watch more movies than any other nation in the world.
34 Iceland had the first openly gay Prime Minister in the world.
35 Owning pet snakes and turtles is illegal in Iceland.
36 There are no McDonald's stores found in Iceland.
37 Iceland also does not have any mosquitoes.
38 Police officers in Iceland do not carry firearms with them.
39 Around 85% of the energy in Iceland comes from renewable resources.
40 The telephone directories in Iceland list Icelanders alphabetically by their first names.
41 Iceland does not have any military forces.
42 A famous delicacy in Iceland is a raw puffin heart.
43 Iceland gained independence in 1944.
44 Iceland holds the largest glacier in Europe.
45 Iceland has no animals that are considered dangerous to humans.
46 The sun never sets on Grimsey Island during the summer solstice.
47 The Arctic Fox is Iceland's only native mammal.
48 The crime rate in Iceland is considered one of the lowest in the world.
49 Sheep's head is a common Icelandic dish.
50 In 2018, Iceland had over 2.8 million tourist visitors.
51 Hotdogs in Iceland include lamb meat.
52 Iceland is the only country in the world that has a museum dedicated to the male sex organ.
53 Around 30% of Iceland is made up of lava fields.
54 Icelanders love their coffee.
55 People from Iceland love eating ice cream.
56 Iceland has one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world.
57 Every 3-4 years, a volcano erupts in Iceland
58 Iceland has never waged any war in its history.
59 Iceland consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world.
60 There are no railway systems in Iceland.
61 In the 17th century, Icelanders would also burn witches like many other cultures.
Iceland Facts Infographics
Winter in Iceland is not as cold as you think.
While its name may suggest otherwise, Iceland isn't too cold compared to other northern territories. During the majority of the year, Iceland experiences windy, cloudy, and cold weather. However, it's cold winds mostly come from the North Pole which gives it its chilly climate.
Additionally, the ocean also tempers the country, which prevents it from being as cold as other northern territories. On average, Iceland experiences winters around 0°C to 2°C while the north pole has an average of -10°C.
The flag of Iceland became official in the year 1915.
Designed by Matthias Þórðarson, Iceland's flag mainly features the colors blue, white, and red to represent the country. The blue color of the flag represents the mountains of Iceland, while the white color represents the ice and glaciers in the country.
Additionally, the red part of the flag represents fire, symbolizing the volcanic activity that occurs every few years in the country. First shown in a parade in 1897, Iceland officially adopted its flag in June 1915. At sea, the flag has been used since December 1918.
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Iceland has no city with a population of over 1 million.
Because of Iceland's low total population, no city in the country exceeds 1 million residents. The most populated city in Iceland is its capital city while other cities in Iceland all have populations under 100 thousand residents.
The least populated city in the country is called Borgames while the most populated city is Reykjavik.
Iceland has 7 different regions.
Throughout Iceland, its regions include Westfjords, West Iceland, the Capital Area, Reykjanes, South Iceland, North Iceland, and East Iceland. Each region of Iceland differs slightly from the other in terms of culture and terrain.
Iceland uses a currency called the Icelandic Krona.
Iceland is also the second smallest country in terms of population to have a currency as well as monetary policy of its own. The currency can also be referred to as the Icelandic crown.
This currency uses both banknotes and coins and is often mentioned when discussing topics regarding the financial market. As of September 2020, 1 USD is equivalent to around 138 Icelandic Krona.
You can watch the Northern Lights in Iceland.
The Northern Lights can be seen in any part of Iceland from September until April the next year. However, this also depends on weather conditions for that day which may affect the visibility of the lights from the city.
Due to its longer and darker nights, the best time to see the Northern Lights lasts from December until January. Now there's one of the Iceland facts you'd want to see for yourself.
Iceland has numerous hot springs.
The country of Iceland has over 45 different hot springs locations that allow both locals and tourists to swim and enjoy the water all year round. Aside from hot springs, Iceland also has around 200 available public swimming pools.
These hot springs are more commonly located between the two diverging tectonic plates in Iceland. These tectonic rifts make them closely involved with volcanic activity.
Iceland has a beach filled with only black sand.
The Black Beach can be found on the South Coast of Iceland called Reynisfjara. As the name suggests, the beach features a stunning view of black sand caused by volcanic ashes from previous eruptions.
During these volcanic eruptions, the molten lava makes contact with the seawater, causing a violent reaction. The lava rapidly cools down in the seawater which immediately breaks it down, turning it into debris and sand.
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Elephant Rock is one of the most famous rock formations found in Iceland.
The Elephant Rock lies on the Westman Islands a few kilometers from the south coast of Iceland. This rock formation features a basalt rock formation in the shape of an elephant.
Many locals associate this rock formation with the legend of a mythical sea elephant petrified a long time ago. However, others believe that this rock formation comes from a volcano called Eldfell which has erupted numerous times for hundreds of years.
English counts as a second language in Iceland.
Because of this, a majority of Icelanders can speak fluent English. Some Icelanders can also speak numerous other languages such as Danish, French, German, and as well as Spanish.
Most Icelanders are also considered very open to learning other foreign languages, including sign language.
As a country, Iceland has a 99% literacy rate as of 2018.
The literacy rate refers to the percentage of the population above the age of 15 that can read and write. In 2018, Iceland's literacy rate had a 0% increase from 2015, which makes Iceland one of the top countries with the highest literacy rates in the world. Definitely one of the more admirable Iceland facts.
Iceland ranks high among the healthiest people in the world.
As of 2019, Iceland ranks 3rd as the healthiest country in the world. Additionally, the life expectancy for men and women reached an average of 82 years old.
Further research shows that this high life expectancy is due to its clean environment and eating habits. Aside from these factors, Icelanders also have easy access to clean water and air which allows them to live healthier compared to other countries.
Iceland is also known as the land of fire and ice.
Iceland is named as such due to many of its islands being formed as a result of several volcanic eruptions over millions of years ago. The Ice part of this moniker also comes from the many glaciers that can be found in the country, which makes it one of the most intriguing aspects of Iceland.
This geology is also unique to Iceland as no other countries experience the same geological phenomena that Iceland does. How's that for cool (or hot) Iceland facts?
Around 11% of Iceland is covered in glaciers.
Throughout the country, Iceland has approximately 269 named glaciers of nearly all types. These include icecaps, outlet glaciers, mountain glaciers, and as well as ice streams and cirque glaciers.
The largest ice glacier can be found in Vatnajokull, spanning an area of 8,300 square meters. These glaciers also greatly contribute to the economy of Iceland as tourist attractions.
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The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20 years of age.
In terms of drinking laws, Iceland strictly practices these policies in drinking establishments and liquor shops. To enter clubs in Iceland, you also have to be 20 years of age and show proof of identification.
However, it's important to note that some establishments don't allow those under the age of 22 to enter clubs or consume alcohol. Compared to the rest of Europe, Iceland has one of the highest legal drinking ages.
More than 60% of Iceland's population resides in the capital city.
As the northernmost capital city in the world, Reykjavik has a population of over 123,000 despite its small size. This is mainly due to the larger amount of jobs available in the capital city compared to other regions in Iceland.
There are also more services offered in the capital where the younger population lives. The majority of the elderly live outside of the capital cities in the care of doctors or their families.
The national sport of Iceland is called handball.
Iceland's national handball team has been more successful over the years compared to other sports teams in the country. There are also more Icelanders that play handball internationally than other sports.
Handball is typically played with teams of two where the players throw and pass the ball using their hands and try to score points. The ball must not touch their feet, and the team with the most points at the end of the game counts as the winner.
Icelandic horses are the only breed of horses found in Iceland.
Despite their name, Icelandic horses also have a reputation worldwide. These breeds of horses typically work in traditional sheepherding in Iceland aside from the usual leisure and racing.
Originally taken to Iceland by Norse settlers during the 9th and 10th century, these horses have since been mentioned in several historical texts and records. Compared to other breeds, these horses are known for their heavy coats and two unique gaits.
Iceland has the longest working weeks in Europe.
On average, Icelanders work around 45 hours a week, making Iceland one of the most hardworking countries in Europe. Business hours in Iceland generally range from 9 am to 5 pm, but may switch to 8 am to 4 pm during the summer months.
Because of this, Icelanders also take longer vacation periods with some lasting up to four weeks long.
1 out of 10 Icelanders will publish a book in their lifetime.
One of the coolest Iceland facts is that it produces the most writers out of any other country in the world. Around 10% of Iceland's population would publish a book during their lifetime due to how common publications are in Iceland.
There is also the Icelandic phrase 'ad Ganga med bok I magnum,' which means everyone gives birth to a book. This makes publishing in Iceland a thriving yet highly competitive industry.
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Iceland was considered to be the last place on earth to be inhabited by humans.
Geologically, Iceland is still considered to be young and was not settled by humans until 874 AD. The first settler was known as Ingólfur Arnarson who settled in the city of Reykjavik.
Additionally, many of the first settlers in Iceland were considered small lords and kings from Norway. Historians state that these royalties settled in Iceland to flee from the tyranny of Harald the Fairhaired who wished to unify Norway under his command.
Iceland only has one forest.
Despite its unique geography, Hallormsstaðaskógur is the sole forest that can be found in the country of Iceland. This forest is also considered as the country's national forest.
Since the year 1905, this landscape has been placed under a protected status due to other forests unable to grow back due to sheep grazing.
Iceland is also considered one of the most eco-friendly places on the planet.
The country of Iceland is considered the world's largest green energy producer per capita. Iceland is also the first country in the world to adopt a regional waste treatment plan and recycling system.
This, in turn, allows Iceland to keep its environment clean and free of any pollutants.
In Iceland, babies are left outside to take naps.
It may sound like a parent's nightmare, but it's a common practice in Iceland to leave babies outside to nap. More often, these babies can be found left in streets, backyards, or on balconies.
This is because Icelanders boast of their ability to handle freezing weather well and raise their children to be able to handle the same temperatures as them. This practice is also observed in other European countries such as Sweden.
The Icelandic language remains unchanged from ancient Norse.
Dating back to the 9th century, Icelandic goes back to when the first settlement of Iceland occurred. The oldest preserved text written in Icelandic dates back to the year 1100 where it is considered to be greatly similar to the language of Ancient Norse.
Since then, the language system has not changed drastically which allows many to be able to easily read Ancient texts.
Iceland has several legends and stories that involve creatures like elves and trolls.
In Iceland, it is considered common for Icelanders to believe in Elves and other similar creatures. A 1988 survey once revealed that over 54% of Icelanders believe in the existence of Elves and trolls.
Additionally, a similar result also occurred when the survey was done again in the year 2000. How's that for curious Iceland facts?
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Icelanders do not use any family names or surnames.
Instead of using a family name or a surname, Icelanders make use of a patronymic or matronymic reference to themselves. An Icelander's name will typically reflect their father or mother's name.
Additionally, this name does not refer to one's historical family lineage. This is similar to the naming system used by Vikings when they first settled in Iceland.
Until the year 1989, Iceland banned beer.
Before the year 1989, Iceland strictly prohibited beer. At the time, Iceland still fought to gain independence from Denmark. Since they associated beer with the Danish natives, Icelanders developed a distaste for the beverage.
It was only until March 1st in 1989 that Iceland legally allowed alcoholic beverages on a day now annually celebrated as Beer Day. On this day, several Icelanders would also drink non-stop, considering it the first step to becoming more civilized.
First names not used in Iceland must be approved by an Icelandic Naming Committee.
In Iceland, first names that have never been previously used in the country must be approved by the Icelandic Naming Committee for legal use. Some criteria for approval include only using letters found in the Icelandic alphabet and having only a few exceptions for this rule.
The name must also be able to fit with the Icelandic grammatical system as well. Additionally, names that are inappropriate for a certain gender were also banned until 2019 when the legislature allowed non-binary names to be used as well.
Coca-cola is considered incredibly popular in Iceland.
The country of Iceland is considered to be one of the biggest coca-cola drinking countries in the world. On average, Icelanders consume around 30 gallons of coca-cola per year and have the highest consumption rate per capita. How's that for neat Iceland facts?
In 2010, strip clubs became banned in Iceland.
Considered one of the most feminist countries in the world, Iceland banned strip clubs to avoid any fronts of human trafficking and prostitution within the country.
This has caused Iceland to lead in terms of the women's movement and recognizing women as equal citizens.
Icelanders watch more movies than any other nation in the world.
To Icelanders, the cinema plays an important role in their everyday lives compared to other Nordic nations. Iceland has more cinema seats per capita compared to other Nordic countries and also has one of the largest consumptions of Hollywood movies in the world outside of America.
In 2016, a survey analyzed the frequency of Icelanders in movie theaters and found that each Icelander watches a film around 4-6 times a week on average. More commonly, these films are also not dubbed unless they are intended for children.
Iceland had the first openly gay Prime Minister in the world.
Johanna Sigurdardottir is considered the world's first openly gay prime minister and served in office for 4 years. She was considered popular amongst the general public and had good relations with the left-green movement in Iceland.
She was also one of the first women to opt for same-sex marriage in Iceland with Jónína Leósdóttir.
Owning pet snakes and turtles is illegal in Iceland.
Since the early 1990s, Iceland has imposed a ban on exotic pets to prevent possible outbreaks of diseases and their development. This was also done to keep isolated species such as the Icelandic horse from any type of foreign infections that may be introduced by these exotic animals.
There are no McDonald's stores found in Iceland.
As of 2009, all McDonald's franchisees have closed down in Iceland due to financial difficulties with the country. Since then, no McDonald's stores could be found within the country anymore.
Iceland also does not have any mosquitoes.
Because of its weather conditions, mosquitoes are unable to survive in Iceland. However, despite this, over 1,300 other types of insects can survive the climate in Iceland with no difficulties.
Scientists state that they have yet to discover why mosquitoes are unable to breed in Iceland yet can do so in other continents such as Antarctica.
Police officers in Iceland do not carry firearms with them.
Iceland has one of the lowest crime rates in the world which allows police officers to do their jobs without the need for firearms. More commonly, the police in Iceland only carry extendable batons and pepper spray with them while on patrol.
Additionally, it is also legal for Icelanders to carry firearms with them. However, around 30 out of 100 residents will still carry firearms as a safety practice.
Around 85% of the energy in Iceland comes from renewable resources.
The majority of the energy supply in Iceland comes from renewable sources such as geothermal energy. Because of this, Iceland is considered a leader when it comes to renewable energy and continues to improve this over the years.
A large portion of the energy used by Icelanders also comes from hydro and wind energies that are stored into large generators and connected to major cities.
The telephone directories in Iceland list Icelanders alphabetically by their first names.
Due to Icelanders not having family names, their contacts are listed in the phone book according to their first names. Additionally, Iceland also has a small population under 500,000 populace which would make finding first names simpler than their patronymic names.
This is also done to reduce ambiguity when searching for a contact in a telephone directory. This listing also goes further by organizing these names according to professions in Iceland.
Iceland does not have any military forces.
The country of Iceland does not have a standing army. However, Iceland still maintains a military expeditionary peacekeeping force.
Coast guards and a police force are also established but rarely experience any kind of threat or disturbance within the country.
A famous delicacy in Iceland is a raw puffin heart.
In Iceland, there are various ways to consume this delicacy. Many recipes also call for a variety of sauces and gravies that further enhance the flavor of this bird.
The best part is considered to be the raw heart which many consider an uncommon delicacy. Many describe the taste similar to smoked pastrami or boiled liver.
Iceland gained independence in 1944.
On June 17th, 1944, Iceland officially achieved independence and assumed control over its foreign affairs. Gradually, Iceland continued to move towards their freedom from Denmark with the signing of the Act of Union.
This allowed Iceland to be recognized as an independent state under the Danish crown.
Iceland holds the largest glacier in Europe.
This glacier is named the Vatnajokull glacier and measures around 2110 meters tall. This glacier was named after a subglacial lake that is located in a volcanically active region where its center lies.
It is also considered the largest glacier found in all of Europe with an average thickness of 400 meters. This glacier also covers an area roughly measured between 8100 square kilometers to 8300 square kilometers.
Iceland has no animals that are considered dangerous to humans.
The country of Iceland is considered to be free of any large predators which would be harmful to humans. Instead, Iceland only has small domestic animals present in the country inducing minks, mice, reindeer, and wild rabbits.
Unlike colder countries such as Antarctica and Canada, Iceland also has no native bears in the country despite polar bears believed to be common in Iceland.
The sun never sets on Grimsey Island during the summer solstice.
During these seasons, this is referred to as the Midnight Sun. This is mainly due to Iceland's proximity to the Arctic Circle, which allows the country to experience longer hours of sunlight than other locations.
The peak point of the midnight sun in Iceland is generally during or around the time of the summer solstice in June. However, from December until January, Iceland only experiences around 4-5 hours of sunlight per day.
Source:Pexels
The Arctic Fox is Iceland's only native mammal.
These foxes typically live in the wild and hunt for small animals for food. The arctic fox diet primarily consists of small birds and other animals such as mice and rabbits.
While an estimated 8,000 Arctic foxes live in Iceland, they have unfortunately been hunted as a sport throughout history. Typically, these foxes do not travel in packs and are considered solitary creatures.
The crime rate in Iceland is considered one of the lowest in the world.
This is often correlated with the country's high employment rate as well as its high education levels. This means that due to the better living conditions in Iceland compared to other western countries, Icelanders do not feel the need to commit any crimes.
On average, the murder rate in Iceland also ranges from 0 to 1.5 annually. Due to these circumstances, Iceland is considered one of the safest countries in the world to live in.
Sheep's head is a common Icelandic dish.
Sheep's head is considered a traditional Icelandic dish that consists of a Sheep's head cut in half. It is commonly boiled, with its brain removed before being served.
At the time of its conceptualization, this was done to avoid wasting the parts of the animal as it is slaughtered. In turn, this avoids unnecessary waste and provides more food options for Icelanders.
In 2018, Iceland had over 2.8 million tourist visitors.
According to Iceland's tourist statistics, this is a 5.5% increase compared to previous years, which indicates the growing popularity of the country among foreign visitors. Globally, Iceland is known for its beautiful hot springs and volcanic activity.
Iceland is also considered one of the safest and friendliest places in the world where tourism accounts for 10% of the country's total economic profits.
Hotdogs in Iceland include lamb meat.
Icelandic hotdogs are considered to be quite different from the typical American variation. Instead of using pork or beef, Icelandic hotdogs make use of lamb meat with a small mixture of beef and pork.
This is mainly due to the abundance of sheep that is found in Iceland, which grants them a large food source. Sheep meat is also more commonly used as Iceland does not allow the act of importing foreign meats and animals into the country.
Iceland is the only country in the world that has a museum dedicated to the male sex organ.
The Icelandic Phallological Museum can be found in the city of Reykjavik in Iceland. This museum is famous for its sole feature of the male sex organ and its parts.
The Icelandic Phallological Museum is also considered to have the largest collection and display of penile parts and penises. The museum carries a collection of over 300 different penises from over 93 different male species found in the world.
Around 30% of Iceland is made up of lava fields.
The Eldraun Lava Field is considered one of the most beautiful moss blankets on the southern coast of Iceland. The moss grows abundantly as a special trait of Iceland's lava fields.
These lava fields are also said to be around over 9,000 years old and span for about 135 square kilometers long. This great field of moss is caused by several volcanic eruptions that have occurred in the surrounding area for centuries.
Icelanders love their coffee.
As of 2019, Iceland is ranked as the 3rd highest country in the world in terms of coffee consumption per capita. On average, an Icelander will consume about 9 kg of coffee annually.
However, despite their love for caffeine, Iceland has no famous coffee chains in the country such as Starbucks or Costa. Instead, many smaller cafes are established in most corners of the country where Icelanders can enjoy a good cup of joe to start their day.
People from Iceland love eating ice cream.
In Iceland, ice cream is enjoyed throughout the year no matter the weather. For many Icelanders, they consider this cold treat their comfort food and produce a great amount annually due to their reliance on dairy cows for the majority of their ingredients.
Additionally, ice cream is so popular in Iceland that there is even a term for going on an ice cream eating spree. The term is called ísbíltúr, which refers to the act of getting into the car for the sole purpose of getting ice cream.
Iceland has one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world.
The Dettifoss waterfall is considered the most powerful waterfall found in Europe in terms of its volume of water. The waterfall stands at 45 meters tall and spans about 100 meters wide.
Located on the Diamond Circle in Iceland, the average water flow of this waterfall also measures an average of 193 m³/s. This waterfall is also one of the most popular tourist spots in Iceland.
Every 3-4 years, a volcano erupts in Iceland
For thousands of years, Iceland has typically experienced large volcanic eruptions in 3-4 year intervals. The most fatal volcanic eruption to occur in Iceland is recorded to be the fires of Skaftá that occurred from 1783 to 1784.
The eruption occurred in the crater row of Lakagígar which is a part of a larger volcanic system along with the subglacial central volcano, Grímsvötn.
Iceland has never waged any war in its history.
In its entire history, Iceland has no recordings of ever participating in any full-scale wars or invasions. Officially, Iceland also remained neutral throughout the Second World War.
However, Iceland has also been invaded by the British on May 10th of 1940, which the country was forced to fight against in defense.
Iceland consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world.
Many factors influence this ranking, such as the country's average health status, economic stability, and the quality of its environment. Overall, Iceland is considered to have a high life expectancy and an abundance of available jobs for Icelanders and foreigners.
Iceland also has especially low crime rates, which makes the country one of the safest in the world. Education in Iceland is also accessible and produces one of the highest literacy rates in the world.
There are no railway systems in Iceland.
Iceland does not have any form of a public railway system that is used as a public transport network. This is mainly due to the small population of the country which does not require much transportation services.
Instead, the main form of transportation in Iceland is by car or bus services. Walking and biking to your destination are also common options for Icelanders and tourists.
In the 17th century, Icelanders would also burn witches like many other cultures.
Much like other cultures, Icelanders believe in the power of witchcraft and feared those who were thought to practice it. However, unlike other cultures, Icelandic witchers were more commonly men instead of women.
During the 1300s until 1720, witch hunts were considered quite common and practiced by many social groups as a form of protection for themselves. These witches would often be charged with trials regarding raising the dead and casting spells to cause storms and trouble to others.
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Despite having over eight million people, North Carolina's population being spread out over three major metropolitan areas precluded attracting any major profesional sports league teams until the late 1980s. On June 16, 2006, the Carolina Hurricanes, a National Hockey League franchise based in Raleigh, won the Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes are the first professional sports team from North Carolina to win their sport's highest championship.
The National Football League (NFL) is represented by the Carolina Panthers, who play home games in the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The NBA is represented by the Charolette Bobcats; home games are played in the Charlotte Bobcats in Charlotte.
North Carolina provides a large range of recreational activities from swimming at the beach to skiing in the mountains. North Carolina offers freshwater and saltwater fishing, hunting, birdwatching, agritourism, ATV trails, ballooning, rock climbing, biking, hiking, skiing, boating and sailing, camping, canoeing and many others. North Carolina also has theme parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, historic sites, fine dining and plenty of other recreation activities.
Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina located in Wake County. Its central location in North Carolina providing Raleigh residents with easy accessibility to all kinds of natural amenities with mountain ranges to the east and west and sandy beaches to the south. It offers a variety of housing options ranging from center city condos, penthouses, warehouses, and neighborhood bungalows. Whatever your taste or style Raleigh offers a wise selection of comfortable settlings. Many of the housing facilities are located in the densely populated neighborhoods, the comfortable and quiet suburban atmosphere, or in the rolling terrain of the exurban area. Housing is affordable in Raleigh with the median home sale price averaging around $230,000. Raleigh offers the broadest municipal services at the lowest tax rate of any major North Carolina city, and excellent public and private schools. The downtown area has trendy restaurants, shops, and new entertainment venues. It also provides its residents and visitors with performing art centers and museums. Raleigh is home to many colleges and universities such as Peace College and Meredith College.
Raleigh is continually ranked as one of the best places to live in America. Not just because the attractions Raleigh has but for the business oppertunities Raleigh has to offer as well. According to the US Census Bureau, 47.9 percent of Raleigh's population over 25 has at least a bachelor's degree. Raleigh is ranked among the top 5 most-educated cities in the Country.


After nine days full of new insights and experiences, the Global Politics Spring School (GPSS) Cambodia 2018 has come to an end. Now that we take a look back at the exciting time in Phnom Penh, we would like to thank once again our partners, lecturers and participants!
On the last day of this year´s spring school, March 28 th , the program consisted of an event at the DAAD Cambodia, where participants had the opportunity to learn more about possible ways to continue their studies abroad, as well as possibilities to pursue an academic career in Germany. The insightful lectures of Dr. Wolfgang Form on the topic "The History of Politics and Reconciliation in Comparative Perspective" were the last classes that the participants took as part of their spring school curriculum. The night of the 28 th of March also marked the end of the GPSS Cambodia 2018, when during the farewell dinner all participants received their certificated.
The Center for Global Politics thanks all partners and lecturers and hopes to return to Phnom Penh in 2019!


Attrition is a basic death match Game Mode in Titanfall. Kill a Pilot, Titan, or Minion on the enemy team to earn 1-5 Attrition Points. The team that reaches the 300 point score limit first will win the match. If neither team reaches the score limit by the end of the 10 minute time limit, the team with the highest score will win the match.
Attrition is one of the game modes to feature an epilogue at the end of the match. Once the score limit or time limit has been reached, respawning will be turned off on both teams. The losing team must reach the extraction point to evacuate and earn some bonus XP. The winning team can use this chance to eliminate the remaining players and/or destroy the evacuation ship on the losing team for some bonus XP.
Just because Spectres and Grunts give 1 Attrition Point doesn't mean you should avoid them. They are very easy to kill and are usually grouped together. This will allow you to earn several Attrition Points with little effort.
Use Team Work! This may be obvious, or even a cliche, but if there is a Titan demolishing your team, work together to take it down quickly!


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Rollover crash kills teen male, injures 2 10-year-old girls
SUMMIT (AP) -- An 18-year-old male was killed and two 10-year-old girls were injured in a one-vehicle crash north of Summit. The Highway Patrol says the 18-year-old lost control of the car he was driving on a rural Roberts County road about 9:40 p.m.
SUMMIT (AP) - An 18-year-old male was killed and two 10-year-old girls were injured in a one-vehicle crash north of Summit.
The Highway Patrol says the 18-year-old lost control of the car he was driving on a rural Roberts County road about 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, and the vehicle rolled in the ditch.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. The two girls riding in the car suffered injuries the patrol says are serious but not life-threatening.
The names of those involved were not immediately released.
Related Topics: CRASHES

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


On Saturday 16th January, 8 Cubs from 2nd Ifield and 1st Southgate along with 4 leaders attended the West Sussex Launch Event at Out of Bounds to celebrate 100 years of Cubs. During the action packed morning, they took part in numerous high rope activities including the Lightening Crack, Skyscraper, Speed Climbing, Checkerplate, Leap of Faith and Vertical Drop Slides.
After an action packed morning, they settled down to eat lunch before singing happy birthday to Cubs around a Cubs 100 cake.
Good fun was had by all kicking of this exciting year for Cubs. Crawley District have further celebrations planned for later in the year including attending the Sussex100 Camp and Crawley District Scouts 100 Birthday Party. For information about these events, please visit our Cubs 100 Event Pages.
Some additional photos of this event are available in the crawley district gallery pages.


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Consumers prefer Fingerprint Biometrics to PINs: FPC Study
Fingerprint scanning is the top biometric modality on mobile devices around the world, suggest new findings from a Fingerprint Cards-commissioned study. The results suggest that consumers prefer fingerprint scanning to passwords and PINs for mobile authentication. According to one infographic from the study, which appears to compare the availability of biometric technologies on smartphones to the proportion of consumers who use them, while fingerprint sensors are only available on 42 percent of devices, 82 percent of respondents with access to the technology said they use fingerprint authentication. Meanwhile, PIN and password authentication systems are available on 100 percent of all smartphones, but only 71 percent and 67 percent said they use these authentication methods.
The study was carried out by Kantar TNS in two phases. One looked at qualitative research, entailing two-hour focus group sessions with 48 consumers across London, Shanghai, and Delhi. The other was a quantitative survey of 4,000 consumers across the UK, China, India, and the US.
(Notably, 46 percent of those with access to mobile facial recognition technology said they use it, even though it's only available on 11 percent of devices, and 51 percent of the users who have access to iris scanning smartphones said they use that technology for authentication, despite its penetration being at only four percent – all of which suggests that there's a considerable appetite for more biometric options in general.) As for why users are so enthusiastic about fingerprint-based authentication, 46 percent said it was because of its ease of use, while 44 percent cited security and 28 percent cited its speed. Twenty-four percent thought it was cool. Of course, these attitudes could shift as major brands like Samsung and Apple continue to aggressively promote iris and facial recognition authentication systems, respectively; but what's clear enough now is that consumers want biometric options, and fingerprint scanning is at the top of the list
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Luxury automatic watch winder Steve McQueen by Swiss Kubik. The watch winder is part of the Swiss Kubik MasterBox Collection and it was released in a limited edition.
The SK01-AE001-ART7 limited edition model pays homage to the legendary American actor from the 1960s and TAG Heuer brand image – Steve McQueen. Housed within a cube frame of anodized black aluminum exterior with the Steve McQueen photo printed on metal. The Swiss made high performance motor is exclusively developed for Kubik Geneve by Portescap in Switzerland with advance winding technology that is selected and recommended by leading Swiss Watch Brands. Powered by 2 "C" cell batteries with a USB port to modify, adjust and program your watch winder to your exact specifications of rotations for your specific watch model. The open style frame can accommodate any size watch due to the adjustable watch support.
A very nice addition for any TAG Heuer Steve McQueen Monaco automatic watch owner.
No batteries included because of the airlines regulations.


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Monash researchers make fundamental advance in understanding T cell immunity
Full article issued by Monash University.
Researchers at Monash University supported by a Discovery Projects grant have provided a fundamental advance regarding how T cells become activated when encountering pathogens such as viruses.
The study was co-led by ARC Future Fellow Professor Nicole La Gruta, Australian Laureate Fellow Professor Jamie Rossjohn and former Future Fellow Professor Stephanie Gras, with first author Dr Pirooz Zareie from the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute.
The researchers have found that T Cells, which play a crucial role in the body's immune system, need to recognise pathogens such as viruses in a particular orientation in order to become activated to fight the intruder.
This activation occurs when special T cell receptors (TCR) on the surface of the T cell recognise and bind to the virus fragments (antigens) on infected cells. After recognising the antigen, the T cell activates and is able to kill the infected cell.
'The central issue is that there are millions of different T cell receptors (TCRs) in the human body, and a vast array of viruses, making it difficult to understand the rules around how T cell receptor recognition of a virus drives T cell activation. Indeed, it is a problem that has remained contentious for over 25 years,' says Professor La Gruta.
'Our study has shown that the orientation in which the T cell receptor binds is a primary factor determining whether the T cell receives an activating signal.'
'This is an advance in our fundamental understanding of how a T cell needs to 'see' pathogenic antigens in order to be activated,' she said. 'It has clarified a critical mechanism essential for effective T cell immunity. It is also relevant to the ongoing development of immunotherapies that aim to boost the activation of T cells.'
TCR-pMHC recognition – through the looking glass. The image shows a brightly coloured canonical interaction between TCR and pMHC which is conducive to signal transduction. The faded mirror image shows a reversed TCR-pMHC interaction which is unable to support signal transduction and thus T cell activation. Image created by Dr. Erica Tandori (Rossjohn lab)


Agile Operations no longer means keeping the technology lights-on, it means making the business shine brighter; working closely with Development by applying systems-style thinking to visualise and speed a constant flow of value to customers. It also means adopting automation, tools and methods to amplify the cross-functional feedback so necessary to improve quality and the customer experience. Finally, it's about future-proofing the business—managing technology at scale, yes, but never burdening the organisation with additional cost, waste and complexity.


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You are at:Home»Vietnam»Vietnam – Southeast Asia's 'Affordable Hospitality' Leader?
Vietnam – Southeast Asia's 'Affordable Hospitality' Leader?
By representasia on 22 August 2016 Vietnam
By Bruce Musick, Vanguard Hotels
They spent 10 years fighting the Americans, 100 years in a fracas with the French, and 1,000 years defending themselves from the various invasions, incursions and cultural assimilations at the hands of giant neighbour China.
Despite this, the Vietnamese are an industrious, cheerful, peace-loving and hard-working people, fiercely proud of their national identity yet quick to forgive and embrace their old enemies, with a legendary work ethic described by the French thus: "The Vietnamese plant the rice, the Cambodians watch it grow and the Lao listen to it grow."
One study reported by AFP in 2006, if it is to be taken seriously, had the Vietnamese as Asia's happiest race. If they were happy then, they will be positively beaming with bliss as 2016 unfolds, as the good times get set to roll for the nation of perpetually rolled-up sleeves.
For the Communist-ruled (but no longer centrally-planned) nation is set to enjoy GDP growth in excess of 6.5 percent this year, having weathered recent external storms and with further recovery in domestic demand expected. Robust private consumption and investment growth, strong exports, low inflation and growing confidence all contributed to Vietnam being tipped to be South East Asia's strongest performing economy, well ahead of the average growth of 4.4 percent predicted for the region.
According to the World Bank in its 2015 'Taking Stock' report, all of these factors have led to greatly improved confidence, enabling Vietnam to create strong foundations for mid-term growth.
The global bank's Country Director for Vietnam, Victoria Kwakwa, said: "This is a good time to solidify macroeconomic stability and rebuild policy buffers including through decisive efforts to rein in fiscal imbalances and tackle remaining vulnerabilities in the banking sector.
Reforms aimed at boosting foreign direct investment (FDI) and a raft of newly signed trade deals have also contributed to Vietnam's new rose tint on the ASEAN map. Other fundamentals are also favourable: total export turnover increased by 9.2 percent from the same period last year, mostly due to manufacturing of high technology products such as cell phones, electronics, and computers.
Another shot in the arm for Vietnam is the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement. Analysts at the World Bank predict that Vietnam could be the greatest beneficiary of the 13-nation deal, which accounts for a combined 40% of global GDP. The agreement could boost Vietnam's GDP by as much as 8 percent over the next two decades, while adding 17 percent to its real exports and 12 percent to its capital stock over the same period.
Add to that perfect storm of growth, the fact that Vietnam is also sitting pretty in the new ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), with ASEAN its third largest export market after the USA and Europe.
The government has also announced sweeping reforms to foreign ownership and share trading to stimulate growth and investment, reducing the sectors where foreign investment is banned from 51 to just six, along with the recent abolition of the 49% cap on foreign ownership of share trades on the stock exchange, allowing international investors to fully acquire listed companies, excluding the banking sector.
Vietjet, the country's low-cost carrier, recently announced new routes connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Tainan City (Taiwan), with more routes planned. Vietnam is poised to soar like never before and the possibilities this raises for affordable hospitality are exciting indeed.
With the economic fundamentals looking healthy, the government paving the way for investment with a fervour that puts its 'capitalist' neighbours to shame, and a new class of traveller emerging – the 'Millennials' – combined with the Vietnamese love of value, prudence and saving money, and you can see why it's possible that this is where the affordable hotel model might find its natural home in South East Asia.
I would expect affordable hotels to appeal not just to the Millennial nomad traipsing through Asia or the young entrepreneurial class who flit around the region, needing their laptop, smartphone and a good wifi connection to take care of business, but also to the rising young entrepreneurs and creative types in Vietnam too.
Our experience in Malaysia supports this directly. Vanguard Hotels and our investors are progressing positively with our commitment to introduce our mid range, affordable hospitality brand "Vivid" in George Town Penang by 2018. We believe that Penang is about to see a renaissance in terms of its offerings to the tourism industry with the creation of two strategically located convention centers which will add another dimension to the attraction of Penang, particularly for the M.I.C.E market.
This and the continued growth of the MM2H investment in the city make Penang an exciting and vibrant potential growth area for Vanguard Hotels. Currently, together with our on-going project in KL, this will amount to a US$40 million investment in Malaysia for the Vanguard Group.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has released a new unique consumer research report titled 'Stepping Out of the Crowd: Where the Next Generation of Young Asian Travellers is Heading, and How to Win a Place on Their Travel Itinerary'. The report examines the travel trends of young Asian consumers and explains how secondary destinations and attractions can benefit from the rise in outbound travel from Asian source markets.
It also suggests where the wise hotelier will deploy resources: to cater to the motivation of the Millennials to leave the crowds in popular cities to get out and discover the food, culture and lifestyles of local people. I've said it before and it bears repeating: the Millennials are the coming force, and at present they are underserved or simply ignored by many hotel brands.
I see opportunity where we feel their pain and understand their desires, making them feel the USD60-USD80 spent on an affordable hotel is a smart decision and great value, saving them money while placing them in the heart of buzzing destinations and districts and connecting them to the dining and cultural experiences they crave.
It's a revolution in the making, and Vietnam is going to figure prominently in the bold new world of affordable hospitality in Asia.
Bruce Musick is Group CEO of Vanguard Hotels Pte which designs, builds and operates affordable hotels in Southeast Asia. Based in Singapore it has its regional operating headquarters in Manila, Philippines. For more information see: www.vanguardhotels.com.
Bright – and Busy – Future for Hospitality in Vietnam
Vietnam Smashes Tourism Record With 8m Visitors in 2016
26 October 2016 0
Ho Chi Minh City Announces US$45m Startup Fund


Sometimes you meet a couple you just click with and Nicholas and I definitely felt that with Amanda and Garrett. They are some of the coolest people and their wedding was a beautiful reflection of that. From the crystal details and sequin dress (!!GLITTER DRESS!!) to their poetic vows that were at once romantic and real, these two threw an absolutely perfect party. At the reception, Garrett and his groomsmen surprised Amanda and their guests with a performance of New Slang by The Shins that melted hearts all over the room. Anyone can tell these two just fit so well together.


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By theprairiesbookreview on January 14, 2022 • ( 1 Comment )
BookView Interview with Author Joe Lyon
Recently, we interviewed Joe Lyon, the author of the deeply-immersive epic fantasy series, Aster's Blade, about his writing and his recently released, Kilmer's Ghost: Astar's Blade, the second installment in the series. (Read the review here.)
Joe Lyon was born in Springfield, Ohio, on May 13, 1965. He grew up creating monsters and characters for his stories and home-grown comic books. In is his first fictional epic fantasy series, Astar's Blade, Joe creates a world some have called "wonderfully epic with great texturing and grand scope worldbuilding." Joe has a master's degree in business administration, a former Military Intelligence School graduate, and is a US Army veteran. As a musician and prolific songwriter, he has written over 100 songs, a book of Poetry entitled Poetry is Cool, and the first book of the Astar's Blade series: The Provenance. Joe currently lives in Aiken, SC, with his family.
When I was four years old, my mother told me that my grandfather had just died of a blood clot. I thought only unlucky people died by accident. When I asked her why he had to die, she told me we all die. Those words were powerful to me. That conversation alone, so long ago, gave me a finer appreciation for life, knowing that the clock was ticking. As a result of those words, I try not to put things off and try to make progress as much as possible every given day I have. Ride hot air balloons, write books, and do other things and have other experiences while I still can. I think we all should.
I do not so much model the characters themselves after anything in real life, as they are purely fictional. But the things they experience, and express, are often based on real events in my life. For example, my father once had a seizure in front of me and it was the scariest thing I ever experienced. I put that experience in the first chapter of the first book.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
I have the third, and presumably the last, book in my first epic fantasy series, Astar's Blade. At least three books were the target of a trilogy when I began, and I have completed 2 of 3, but I will leave plenty of outs for another story, or stories, to build on the initial three if so desired. Other than that, I do have three other first drafts of other stories. Old Man Moyer, a book about luck, fortune, and untimely violent death. Simon, a book about talking to the dead and starting a new religion. And the Hunger, about cannibalism. Eventually, I want to come up with some more original ideas.
What does literary success look like to you?
Literary success to me is like a three-legged stool. I have to write Great Original Stories, people have to give the story Good Reviews, and the market gives Good Sales. Lacking any one of the three legs would not support, and be unable to hold up, my idea of literary success.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
Research differs with me, primarily because I do not write non-fiction, and I must create worlds that do not exist. So, in some ways, what I create is nearly impossible to research. But I think about my stories, my world, my character, their personalities, what makes them likeable (because everybody is likeable on some level), and what makes them unlikeable (because everybody is unlikeable at times). I go to bed and dream what is the strengths, the weaknesses, the opportunities, the magic system, the creatures, the topology. I think about how and what to fill the world with, what the characters do in their boredom, in their excitement, and what makes them tick. As a fiction writer, that is the kind of research I must do to create an entire world from scratch. That kind of research is done internally, and not research in the traditional sense of, say, what makes a clock tick?
I find writing almost a mystical experience. Sometimes I feel the story writes itself. I like having a basic outline of what I'll be writing to keep the story on track, but also flexible enough to let the characters react to events and the intensity around them. I find it so very satisfying when a character does something completely unexpected and almost out-of-character that leads the story in another way I had not planned. This happens more than I'm willing to admit but feels really good when it comes to a result that gives me that Wow! moment. When this phenomenon happens, it results in my best writing.
What's the most difficult thing about writing a novel?
There are a couple of things. The first is tension – striking the right balance of when to reveal and when to suppress – this is truly a craft and skill. The next is just the basics of the obstacles of the English language: grammar, sentence structure, pronouns, comas, semi-colons, paragraph structure – I wish I could be more natural, and I'm highly envious of editors and those who have mastered this written language. I am getting better, and it shows as I grow, but I wish I had that knack of writing in a way that is less self-aware.
How many hours a day do you write?
I did the unthinkable, which is to publish two novels within three months of each other. This was insane, and during that time, I was writing up 6-8 hours a day. Now I take long breaks, and do not write everyday. But think about writing all the time. I am focused on my third novel, I expect it to be the most exciting, the longest in length, and the book I always wanted to write. So, in the beginning of 2022 (after my second audiobook gets released in December 2021) I expect to go back to writing between 2- 4 hours a day during the weekdays, and 8-10 hours on the weekends.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Writing energizes me while I am doing it, and the hours pass very quickly. However, it exhausts me to think of writing that first word. Also, there are times when I am developing the relationship activities that rest in between larger story lines, that I find mildly exhausting. But once I get it going, it often turns out to be quite energizing.
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
The biggest trap for me, that is, what prevented me from completing my novel ten years ago, was the dreaded Data Dump. I had too much information that I had to make the reader understand before I could tell the story. I overcame this, not by ignoring it or running away from it, I double downed on it, making the data dump so detailed that it became my first novel itself, The Provenance, or the Origin of the world in my story. It just took me a few years to develop the data dump into an entertaining story. Now that the world is established in a book of its own, I can go on to tell the story I always wanted to.
Does a big ego help or hurt writers?
I can only speak for myself, but I think having a big ego helps writing both fiction and non-fiction. In the case of fiction, you must be creative enough to "give birth" to every little thing in your world. In the case of non-fiction, the author must do exhaustive research. The notion of seeing your name as the author under the title is a big deal. God knows it is not for the money. It gives me a rush to create and have my name attached to it. Afterall, if any author did not want that, they could always sign the work "Anonymous," but I have not seen that very often, if at all.
How often you read?
Ironically, I like to read non-fiction. This is mostly because no matter how creative a fiction writer is, nothing can compare to real life events. There seems to be no limit to the depths of human depravity, proofing that monster are real. But I also have a day job, technical in nature, so I read all the time, just nothing too interesting, but I am a voracious reader.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I think to be original and delivering what the readers want are so closely related, that they are one in the same. This being that the reader wants original ideas, they expect it, so they are inseparable. However, I have heard it said that all the music you have ever heard is contained in the same seven musical notes. And all the stories you will ever read are all apart of the same alphabet. I write with the same alphabet that Steven King, Agatha Christie, and Shakespeare did, So, what's a writer to do? I think it is all how you arrange it, and how you tell the story, the characters you make, and the situations you put them in, that is where the originality waits.
Do you think someone could be a writer if they don't feel emotions strongly?
I believe there is a certain amount of acting in writing fiction, and acting is a derivative of lying. I don't think it matters if the writer can feel those emotions if they can imagine them, and in the end lie about them. I remember what Jack Nicholson character, an author, said in "Something's Got to Give," when asked how he writes female character's so well. He said, "I write a female character the same way I write about male characters. I just take away all responsibility and accountability." A hilarious line, (for some) but also demonstrates that males can write about female emotions, and women can imagine male characters, dialogue, and emotion, without experiencing it internally.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Start earlier and pay more attention in English and Writing Composition classes.
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
I am not sure yet. I published two books within three months, so I was constantly writing. Now, I am taking a little break and slowing down. The experience and process has been so different between each novel, I have not had the luxury of developing a routine yet.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
Without a doubt, for the money, book formatting. I found a great one, Collen Sheehan at Ampersand Bookery. Colleen put together covers, interiors, ePubs, Kindle docs, paperbacks, hard covers, back covers, the whole works. Saved me so much work. Of course, editing was a Godsend. I have had six great editors. And I do not regret using any of them. I understand that even big name/ big time authors leverage editors heavily, so if you are on the fence about editing…do it.
I select character names the same way I write songs. I mumble. I know that sounds weird, but I until I have a solid name, or a solid lyric, I just mumble my way through it, until the right name comes bursting out of my mouth. But that is the prerequisite, it has to be agreeable to coming out of my mouth, and not too confusing. I have read books that have very strange character names, like those without a lot of vowels. Those are hard, and I feel distracting. I like names to be comfortable to say.
Do you read your book reviews? Do they please you or annoy you? Do you think you can learn a lot from reading criticism about your work?
Ah! Reviews. Those sweet Reviews. I would be lying if I say a less than stellar review does not bother me. I try not to let them upset me. Everyone has their opinion, right? But if the reason I received the review does not make sense, then it just seems mean. Like for instance, I got a one star from someone in a review full of typos, and I was like, come on! If you are going to rip my writing, at least clean up your own stuff. But I also don't like generic reviews based on previous reviews, those seem empty to me. My favorites are the ones that either like or dislike my stories based on the characters and reactions. I actually agree with less than favorable reviews sometimes, as long as they make sense.
What are your favorite books?
Into Thin Air, by Jon Krakauer. A great catharsis about the Mount Everest tragedy in March 1996. Krakauer's account of the dangers of group think mixed in with high altitude, lack of oxygen, summit fever, guided tourism, crevasses, and climbing through dizzying avalanche prone heights, is a fascinating story.
The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop / Kurt Wiese. The one brother swallows the sea to help a fisherman. But the fisherman takes too long and gets greedy, and the first brother has to blow the sea back into its basin, killing the fisherman. The first brother is found guilty to be put to death, but is allowed to say goodbye to his mother. But instead, the second brother returns. This brother is thrown out of a boat, but this brother had long legs that could stretch down to the bottom, so the brother does not drown. He is order to be beheaded, but the brother with the iron neck returns in his place. Then the next brother is thrown into the fire, but this brother is the one who cannot burn. Love that story.
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Chapter One: Finding the most interesting point to start. Whenever it is, I can work around it in time and schedule, but the reader needs to find immersive right at the start.
Who and what ultimately inspired you to become a writer?
The ideas. These kept me awake at night. At times it felt like they were stretching my brain, and only through the outlet of writing could I relieve myself of the tension.
If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
When I was in English class in high school, I would often fall asleep, and when I was awake I was a disruption to the teacher. I wish I had not done that and paid more attention. Now, I'm paying for that, and my English teacher should be making fun of me now.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
I don't think I could write 100K word novel in less than six months. It would take me at least that long.
Is writer's block real?
I am sure it is, but whenever I get blocked with what I am writing, I just move on to something else, and write something I want to write. I usually find I can use it somewhere else. My problem has historically been the opposite, I have to much to write and it all comes out too fast in the dreaded "data dump". I have to slow myself down for the beginning of anything to make sense.
What authors do you like to read? What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?
I have heard that as an author I should read a lot. That is probably true, and I do feel that reading does help my writing. But I also have very strong ideas about what and how I want to write. I do not want to write like anyone. I definitely want to carve out a style of my own. However, as a fantasy writer, of course, I have been influenced by Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, G.R.R Martin's Game of Thrones. But also, Piers Antony, Incantations of Immortality. Helter Skelter by Vicent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry. Anne Rice, Vampire Diaries.
After the writing's finished, how do you judge the quality of your work?
I am probably my harshest critic. I read the books and still I get a expectancy of excitement for the story on the page. There are some parts I have written that I just know is good, no matter what anyone says. The funny this is, what I think is good, so many others do too. So, I have that ability to judge the work as a reader, not just as the author.
How hard is it to establish and maintain a career in fiction writing?
At this point in my career, it is impossible. So far, I have consistently spent significantly more money than I have made. The good news is that a book is forever, so once the series is done, and time has passed, maybe the residuals will be better. But I'm not holding my breath in my lifetime. I think about Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time becoming a streaming series. Of course Jordan has be departed for many years now. Maybe after I am gone, Astar's Blade will take off.
Were your parents interested in literature? Did they read a lot? What books did you have in the house?
My parents read non-fiction. Books about musicians or politics. My father read manuals, that is how he was so wise about fixing things around the house, because he did not read a lot of fiction. He read 'how-to' instructions.
What in particular attracted you to this genre?
I was driven to Fantasy by the story I had in my mind. There was really no where else for me to turn. Plus I loved the Hobbit, which was my introduction to sweeping fantasy worlds, and I loved them.
What's more important: characters or plot?
I believe the characters drive the plot. If you do a good job developing the character's their own story start to form and seem like a plot.
What is the biggest challenge you've faced as a writer?
Digital Marketing. I thought all I had to do was write a book, and that would be the hard part. But it was not. I had plenty to learn about SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Domain Authority (DA) Cost Per Click, keywords, tags, and a variety of other stuff I had no idea about until I embarked on this journey.
If asked, what would your friends and family say about you?
Gosh you would have to ask them. But I would say, they would say, I am a gigantic pain in the ass, and totally obsessed with writing my book.
Would you rather read a book or watch television?
I usually write with the TV on, but sometimes I turn I can't stand TV and turn it off. Other times, I need to relax and watch TV. It is an even mix.
Tell us some more about your book.
Kilmer's Ghost is the second of the Astar's Blade series. This story builds upon the world established in the first book, The Provenance. Many of the characters from book one are explained in more detail, yet there are several new characters introduced to allow the reading of the second book independently from the first.
The story is about a curse, a ghost haunts the youngest child of the Plum family. When war ravages the village, the boy has to become a chameleon in order to survive. But by changing, he comes closer to his goal of killing the king he blames for murdering his family. Yet along the way, a demon possesses his soul. With an outbreak of a new evil, and the mysterious appearance of a new star in the heavens, his life can only be saved by his childhood friend, Kilmer's Ghost.
I wanted to write a story about a person being haunted. Usually, we hear about stories where a house, or a doll, or some object is haunted, but in this story, it is a family who is haunted.
How many rewrites did you do for this book?
Once a had the first draft, I shared it with a Developmental Editor, who straightened me out on several issues with the story development and plot holes. After re-writing and fixing those, I sent to a copy editor, who refined it even more. After I made a copy editor recovery re-write, I sent to the proofreaders, which caused another fix. Then I sent to the book formatter, in which I found a long list of things that needed to be changed. But each time the efforts of re-write became less and less through each gate of editing.
Tell us a little about how this story first came to be. Did it start with an image, a voice, a concept, a dilemma or something else?
The idea was about a man who was haunted. The ghost would help him, guide him, but left him in a sad way with despairing melancholy. I came up with the name Kilmer because it had the word "Kill" in it. Then, I was hooked on the title of Kilmer's Ghost. From there, I wrote the story around the name.
Which character was most challenging to create? Why?
Aberfell, the Supreme Historian, is a character about a man who cannot forget anything. The power would leave him as a hermit, not wanting to experience anything that he would retain in memory forever. In the end, I had to make a major character, gave him a unique personality, and know he is one of my favorites.
Which scene, character or plotline changed the most from first draft to published book?
The emergence of the Demonic and the Vampiric Demons. This storyline was going to be in the third book, but having already written it for that book, I decided to "steal it" from the third and put it in the third. This caused a significant amount of rewrite.
What do you hope readers will take away from this story?
I wanted to write a story that grabbed onto the characters, latching themselves onto the reader, and not to let them go. Like an out-of-control virus, the evil spreads from person to person, and would be worse, if the cure was not found.
How does your faith life/ethical outlook inform your writing?
The balance of the alignment of the story ultimately champions over evil. The more evil the story the more good it has to be to overcome it.
What makes this book important right now?
There are lot of current issues reading between the lines. The story is a cautionary tale of uncompromising behaviors, the dangers of group think, the temptation of evil and of utopian society.
Has this novel changed drastically as you created it?
Yes, it has changed drastically with the introduction of a variety of characters not included in the original first draft. Also, some of the existing characters deserved deeply meaning and explanations, which I added later.
How did you decide on this title?
It is funny but the title came first, and the story was wrapped around it. I just liked the name of Kilmer and I wanted him to be a haunted person. So, Kilmer's Ghost was the natural title.
The audiobook for Kilmer's Ghost comes out on Audible in December 2021. Then first of the year I will finish the third, and maybe, final book of Astar's Blade with a book called the Temple of Valor. It is going to be one of the wildest rides yet. I spend two books building, now I can start tearing things down. I expect to finish that last project in May/June timeframe of 2022, as I am currently about 15% complete already. Then I would like to write a single Horror novel. Then maybe some articles for a magazine or two. It would be great to get some kind of award or recognition.
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What is your tree topper tradition?
While some people like to hand their Christmas tree toppers down from generation to generation, others prefer to change their topper every year. Some households like to pick a theme for their tree, and then find a tree topper that matches that theme. Some people even change the topper several times during the Christmas season, alternating between the star and the angel. Tree toppers are even used as decorations over the fireplace or on a dining room table. What is your topper tradition? Share your story with us and we will post it on this site.
There are 0 days until Christmas!
What is your favorite Christmas Tree Topper?
In Germany, some traditional trees feature a real lit candle as the tree topper.
The Italian Christmas Tree is called a Ceppo, which is a wooden tiered "tree" with a nativity scene on the bottom shelf, and on top of the Ceppo is a pineapple.
In Great Britain in the late 1800's, a popular tree topper was the national flag.


George Benn, Irish historian of Belfast, is born in Tanderagee, County Armagh on January 1, 1801.
Benn's grandfather, Jonn Benn, came from Cumberland about 1760 as engineer of the Newry Canal. His father, also John Benn (1767-1853), was proprietor of a brewery in Belfast. He is educated at the Belfast Academy, under Rev. Dr. Bruce and afterwards under Sheridan Knowles, then a teacher of English at Belfast. He enters the collegiate classes of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution in 1816, being one of the original alumni, and takes gold medals in logic (1817) and moral philosophy (1818).
In 1819 the faculty prize is offered for the "best account of a parish." Benn is the successful essayist, with the parish of Belfast as his theme. He also gains in 1821 the faculty prize (The Crusades), and Dr. Tennant's gold medal (Sketch of Irish Authors in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries). His essay of 1819 attracts the attention of James M'Knight, LL.D., then editor of the Belfast News-Letter who offers to print and publish it. It is issued anonymously in an enlarged form in 1823, with three maps and sixteen engravings by J. Thomson. For so young a writer it is a work of uncommon judgment and research, exceedingly well written, with an eye for scenery and a taste for economics as well as for antiquities. It is not superseded by Benn's later labours.
Benn, with his brother Edward (1798- 1874), engages in distilling near Downpatrick. Subsequently the brothers spend the prime of their days on an estate they purchase at Glenravel, near Ballymena. Here, in an unimproved district, they plant the hillsides, plough the moors, build good houses, and collect a valuable library. They endeavour to create a new industry by an experiment in the manufacture of potato spirit, but excise regulations in place at the time frustrate their object. The cost of the experiment, and the losses from potato disease, induce the brothers to undertake a business in Liverpool for some years. Returning to Glenravel, a casual circumstance leads to a rich discovery of iron ore in the Glenravel hills. The first specimen is smelted in 1851 under Edward Benn's direction. In 1866 an agreement is made with James Fisher, of Barrow-in-Furness, to work the mineral beds. Hence comes a new and valuable addition to the commercial products of Ulster, which has since attained important proportions.
Benn returns to Belfast after his brother's death in 1874, publishing A History of the Town of Belfast in 1877. A second volume appears in 1880. This supplementary volume, though the proof-sheets are "corrected by a kind friend," the late John Carlisle, head of the English department in the Royal Academical Institution, bears evidence of the author's affecting statement: "Before I had proceeded very far, my sight entirely failed." Benn dies on January 8, 1882.
Edward and George Benn are members of the nonsubscribing presbyterian body, but wide in their sympathies and broad in their charities beyond the limits of their sect. Edward is the founder, and George the benefactor, of three hospitals in Belfast and their gifts to educational institutions are munificent.
Categories: Irish History, Literature & Poetry, Northern Ireland | Tags: Ballymena, Barrow-in-Furness, Belfast, Belfast Academy, Belfast News-Letter, County Armagh, Cumberland, Downpatrick, George Benn, Iron Ore, Liverpool, Newry Canal, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Tanderagee, Ulster, Ulster Museum | Permalink.
Artist William Conor is born on May 6, 1881 in the Old Lodge Road area of north Belfast, the son of a wrought-iron worker.
Celebrated for his warm and sympathetic portrayals of working-class life in Ulster, Conor studies at the Government School of Design in Belfast in the 1890s. His artistic talents are recognized at the early age of ten when a teacher of music, Louis Mantell, notices the merit of his chalk drawings and arranges for him to attend the College of Art.
Conor initially works as a commercial artist, before being commissioned during World War I by the British government to produce official records of soldiers and munitions workers.
Conor moves to London in 1920 and there meets and socialises with such artists as Sir John Lavery and Augustus John. He exhibits at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1921 and in Dublin at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) from 1918–1967, showing nearly 200 works.
Conor is one of the first Academicians when the Belfast Art Society becomes the Ulster Academy of Arts in 1930. He becomes an Associate RHA in 1938 and a full member in 1946. Exhibitions at the Victor Waddington Galleries are held in 1944 and 1948. In 1952 he is awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and in 1957 he is elected President of the Royal Ulster Academy, an office he holds until 1964.
Categories: Arts & Music, Irish History, Northern Ireland | Tags: Augustus John, Belfast, British Government, Commercial Artist, Dublin, London, Order of the British Empire, Royal Academy of Arts, Royal Hibernian Academy, Royal Ulster Academy, Sir John Lavery, Ulster, Ulster Museum, Victor Waddington Galleries, William Conor, World War I | Permalink.


A client (end user, not an agency) has some InDesign files that need to be translated.
I have worked on inx files before, but never directly with indd files. I have SDL Trados Studio 2009. I tried opening the files with TagEditor but I got a message saying something like there was no settings definition for the file.
Is it possible to work on indd files without actually having InDesign?
I've just had the same scenario. Studio can't process a standard InDesign file. Simply ask for an INX export. Don't forget to tell your client not to embed the graphics in the export file. This way, you won't run into memory problems.


Two Basset Hounds found together on Highway 29 between Boyd and Cadott. One male and one female, both are very sweet dogs with great personalities. They have the usual Basset appearance with a short-haired tricolor coat, long ears and big feet!


Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross has thrown his support behind Alness Highstreet to win in this year's Great British High Street Awards. With public voting open now, Jamie is encouraging all local residents to give their backing to Alness.
Winners will be named in each of the four UK nations and are eligible to win up to £15,000 to spend on their community.
"I'm delighted to hear that Alness High Street has been put forward for the Great British High Street Awards.
"As someone who uses Alness High Street on a regular basis, I can vouch for just how vital it is. The variety and standard of the High Street businesses should be the envy of other communities, and it is a real tribute to people like Councillor Carolyn Wilson and her team who put so much work in.
To vote, and support Alness all you have to do is post #GBHSAlness alongside #MYHIGHSTREET on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
The winners will be decided through a combination of judges scores and public voting, and independent judges will be visiting shortlisted high streets over the next month.
Voting will run until 31st October with winners announced at a ceremony in London in November.
For more information about the Great British High Street Awards, visit: http://thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk.


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Q: Button without using form/submit buttons and updating info new here. Currently lost at my programming. I can't seem to make use of buttons in my page. I want to update my contents once I pressed any of the two button. Here's where I'm stuck at:

var value = 1; //set default to 1
var button1 = document.getElementById("button1");
var button2 = document.getElementById("button2");

button1.onClick = function()
{
 value = 1;
}

button2.onClick = function()
{
 value = 2;
}
<button type="button" class="btn btn-default btn-md" value="1" id="button1">Store 1</button>
<button type="button" class="btn btn-success btn-md" value="2" id="button2">Store 2</button>

Do I need to do AJAX here, or JScript is good?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Friday, May 10, 2019 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Join the MSBA Immigration Law Section for their annual spring conference on Immigration 911: Putting Out the Fires on Friday, May 10, 2019, in Columbia, MD!
Get the latest from experienced practitioners on topics such as A New Attorney's Guide to Handling Matters Before the Immigration Court, Defending Cases Involving Marriage Fraud at USCIS, How to Conduct Yourself at USCIS Interviews, Updates on Business Immigration, Addressing Notices to Appear with Fake Hearing Dates and Pursuing Federal Court Litigation. The program will also include an ethics panel during the lunch hour. 7.0 CLE credits (1.0 ethics) will be offered by the surrounding MCLE states. If you cannot join us in Columbia, the program will be webcast live concurrently and available online on-demand a week after the program. Register today!


In this month's profile of the National Center's staff, we ask Chad Marchand a few questions about his background in Indian Country and role at the National Center. Chad joined the organization in October as Director of Business Development and Director of the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Program. Chad has a long history of working with tribes and tribal organizations, as well as community leadership groups, in both his professional and private lives. When he's not studying for his latest degree or volunteering in the community, he enjoys spending time with his daughter, Reagan, or playing co-ed softball. We hope you enjoy getting to know Chad – and connecting with him via Linkedin or a National Center event near you.
I have extensive experience in Indian Country, both professionally and personally. I was born and raised in Omak, Washington, and am a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. I earned my Bachelor of Arts ('05) in Political Science and History and my Master's ('14) in Public Administration (Emphasis in National Security Policy) from The University of Arizona. I also earned in my Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis ('17) from the University of Maryland, College Park. And, I am currently enrolled at Georgetown University pursuing a Master's in Professional Studies in Applied Intelligence. I anticipate graduating this Spring 2019.
I joined the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development in October as Director of Business Development and Director of the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Program.
Before joining the National Center, I was a Project Manager for The University of Arizona's Native Nations Climate Adaptation Program. I worked with tribal nations throughout the United States on climate change and environmental issues. I have also served as the Community Justice Unit Supervisor for the Pima County, Arizona Attorney's Office and was a Deputy Prosecutor with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for the Colville Confederated Tribes.
In the community, I am on The University of Arizona Native American Presidential Advisory Council, and I'm also the President of the Honors College Alumni Club and the Scholarship Chair of the Tucson CactusCats Alumni Club. Additionally, I with the City of Tucson's Urban Networks to Increase Thriving Youth (UNITY) Governing Board. I was also appointed by former Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup to the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC). In addition, I was a member of the Flinn-Brown inaugural class for the Civic Leadership Institute, which is designed to train Arizona's next leaders.
What made you interested in joining the National Center?
The National Center offered me a unique opportunity to continue working with tribal nations throughout the country, First Nations in Canada, and Indigenous populations throughout the world on issues that impact our communities' economic growth. Professionally, I have always enjoyed positions that offer challenges and allow for personal growth; the National Center's Director of Business Development and CDFI Program did just that.
Joining the National Center team also gave me the opportunity to work for a great leader, Mr. Chris James. I am at a point in my career where I am not only choosing a position, but I am choosing a leader from whom I can learn and follow. In my short time here, Chris has offered unmatched guidance and mentorship. I appreciate that I get to learn from him in this position.
What have you enjoyed about your experience at the National Center? What are you working on currently?
"The team!" We have a great new team that has hit the ground running. In just three short months at the National Center, we have hosted the 10th Anniversary of the 40 Under 40 Awards, Native Edge Institutes in Oklahoma and Alaska, and are already finalizing preparations for the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) and 50th Anniversary Celebration in Las Vegas, NV. I have personally traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia to broker a relationship with First Nations and attended the Aboriginal Business Match Summit in October. I also traveled to Washington, D.C. at the end of November to speak on a panel at the Native CDFI Network Summit. And, in December I moderated a panel at the Navajo Nation Economic Summit on Native CDFIs and how they could potentially assist small business development.
Furthermore, I have been assisting in our RES sponsorships and have been leading our efforts in the development of our CDFI which we hope to launch very soon. And, lastly, I am excited to announce that we have been able to solidify our relationship with the American Indian Business Leaders organization and will be accepting student interns this Summer at the National Center headquarters in Mesa, AZ.
What's the one piece of advice or words of encouragement you would give to a young professional who wants to get more involved in his or her tribe, or the broader American Indian and Alaska Native community?
Take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you and do not hesitate to take chances! All of us have a fear of failing and very few take risks in life because of this fear. If you want to be a part of change and be a part of leaving the world a better place than when you came into it, you must be willing to leave your comfort zone and challenge yourself to do more. Do not be afraid of pursuing that higher education degree. Do not be afraid to apply for a loan to start your own business. Do not be afraid to take a leadership position within your own tribal community.
When you're not working on attending a National Center event, where can we find you? What are your hobbies?
Right now, graduate school keeps me pretty busy, but when I am not working or going to school you can find me attending a community board meeting or at one of my daughter Reagan's school events. I also play on a co-ed softball team on Sunday nights. If you want to learn more about me, you can connect with me via LinkedIn.


Why is it dark so early!?! Typically I roll out of bed about 6:30am. My amazing wife is much better at this than I am. So she is my alarm clock as she gets out of bed, goes into our bathroom, and starts getting ready for the day. I tend to laze in bed until I hear the shower kick on and that is my queue that I better get going…..did I mention that it is currently dark outside??? Anyways, up and at-em! A fire needs to be made to warm the house and I sit in front of it reading as I monitor it's progress. Once I am satisfied it is running it's course, I lay J5's cloths over the arm of the nearby couch to warm and the day is off and running. J5 is taken to school to arrive by 8am and I am headed to work. Typically I work until 5-6pm……ok, there really isn't a "typical" end time for me. Maybe a more accurate statement would be; typically I work until I am satisfied that what needs to be done that day is done with the intention to leave around 5-6pm. Guess what!?!? It's either nearly, or already dark at this point. It's a little suffocating! We eat dinner…and then it feels like bedtime. But SURPRISE!!! bedtime isn't for another two hours! What now??!! Usually I could head outside to work on a project that needs my attention, or to just putter around the house, shop, a vehicle, or go for a walk or something. The kids would follow, run around with the dogs, find rocks in the yard, play in the water, something or anything to kill some time and burn some energy. But now we are trapped in this 600sq foot area called our dinning and living room with a two year old monkey that is fascinated by a cupboard that he has cleaned out everyday for the last month and a swinging wrecking ball of a five year old that is constantly running into the two year old, saying sorry, and doing it again. And so the frantic process begins of trying to imagine up some activity that will entertain a two year old boy who loves all things boy, and a five year old girl who loves all things girl. You feel this panic roll over you as you wring out any trace of mental energy you have left after a stress-filled day of work to create something that will eat energy, entertain, and not break anything. Well…..here's my confession; last night I gave into XBOX. But it worked! I've gotta give kudos to XBOX on this one. I have had this XBOX system for a while now. I play Forza on it, a racing game I really enjoy when I just need some lazy time. But in the past my kids were too small to play side-by-side with me, and struggled with the avatar concept. But apparently enough has changed over the last year or so. My daughter and I played Kinect Adventures and really had a great time at it. In fact, I finally had to sit down and let her carry on alone it was so involved. Between flailing your arms in an attempt to make your avatar flail his/her arms in an attempt to hit balls or plug holes in an underwater aquarium room, jumping up and down and stepping side to side on a raft as it tears down a huge river trying to collect coins, and jumping, stepping, and ducking as you roll down some insane obstacle course of a roller coaster ride; the game was entertaining, active, and just what we needed last night. And best of all, my son intently watched the screen and got waaaaaaay to excited every time a helicopter arrived to drop off a trophy won, or to lead into what the next adventure was going to be. Now I'm not going to say it wasn't without it's challenges; T2 did bring out blocks that were landmines under your feet as you jumped and side-stepped focused on the screen and not on your foot placement, and yes, he did take out J5's legs causing her to body slam him once. But all in all, it felt like a successful evening. Thank you XBOX and Kinect Adventures. You made me #BossDad for a night!
Haha! A definite dad win for sure! Thank goodness for XBOX!


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← Computer software costs: How does your business deduct them?
2023 limits for businesses that have HSAs — or want to establish them →
Should you file a joint tax return for the year of your spouse's death?
The death of a spouse is a devastating, traumatic experience. And when it happens, dealing with taxes and other financial and legal obligations are probably the last things on your mind. Unfortunately, many of these obligations can't wait and may have to be addressed in the months to follow. One important issue for the surviving spouse to consider is whether to file a joint or separate income tax return for the year of death.
Final tax return
When someone dies, his or her personal representative is responsible for filing an income tax return for the year of death (as well as any unfiled returns for previous years). For purposes of the final return, the tax year generally begins on January 1 and ends on the date of death. The return is due by April 15 of the following calendar year.
Income that's included on the final return is determined according to the deceased's usual tax accounting method. So, for example, if he or she used the cash method, the income tax return would only report income actually or constructively received before death and only deduct expenses paid before death. Income and expenses after death are reported on an estate tax return.
The surviving spouse, together with the personal representative, may file a joint return. And the surviving spouse alone can elect to file a joint return if a personal representative hasn't yet been appointed by the filing due date. (However, a court-appointed personal representative may later revoke that election.)
Pros and cons of a joint return
In the year of death, the surviving spouse is generally deemed to be married for the entire calendar year, so he or she can file a joint return with the estate's cooperation. If a joint return is filed, it'll include the deceased's income and deductions from the beginning of the tax year to the date of death, and the surviving spouse's income and deductions for the entire tax year.
Possible advantages of filing a joint tax return include:
Depending on your income and certain other factors, you may enjoy a lower tax rate.
Certain tax credits are larger on a joint return or are unavailable to married taxpayers filing separately.
IRA contribution limits, as well as the amount allowed as a deduction, may be higher for joint filers.
There may also be disadvantages to filing jointly. For example, higher adjusted gross income (AGI) may reduce the tax benefits of expenses, such as medical bills, that are deductible only to the extent that they exceed a certain percentage of AGI.
To determine the best approach, let us assess your tax liability based on both joint and separate returns. While married filing separately might be the only filing option available to you, other possibilities — depending on the facts — include qualifying widow(er) and head-of-household status.


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Michael Hardt, Sandro Mezzadra – The power of the movements facing Trump
It is much too early to say to what extent President Trump will enact his campaign promises as government policy and, indeed, how much he will actually be able to do in office. But every day since his election demonstrations have sprung up throughout the United States to express outrage, apprehension and dismay.
Moreover, there is no doubt that once in office Trump and his administration will continually do and say things that will inspire protest. For at least the next four years people in the US will rally and march against his government, regularly and in large numbers. Protesting against threats to the environment will undoubtedly be urgent, as will be the generalized atmosphere of violence against people of color, women, LGBTQ populations, migrants, Muslims, workers of various sorts, the poor — and the list goes on.
One of the potential pitfalls for social movements, however, is that activism goes no further than protest. Protest, of course, can bring a city to a halt, can block temporarily the action of the government, and can even play the crucial role of opening up spaces for political alternatives. But on its own, protest is never enough to create lasting social transformation.
2016ChicagoDonald TrumpFacebookLGBTLGBT communityPerson of colorProtestProtests of the Donald Trump presidential campaignUnited StatesUnited States presidential election