text:
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II
Beyond Divinity
Champions of Norrath
Champions: Return to Arms
Curse of the Azure Bonds
Demon Stone
Deus Ex: Invisible War
Drakensang: The Dark Eye
Drakensang: The River of Time
Dungeon Siege
Dungeons & Dragons Dragonshard
Dungeons & Dragons Heroes
Dungeons & Dragons Tactics
Eschalon: Book I
Eschalon: Book II
Eschalon: Book III
Fable: The Lost Chapters
Fallout Equipment Database
Freedom Force vs. Third Reich
GameBanshee BBS
Hellgate Global
King's Bounty: The Legend
King's Bounty: Armored Princess
Legend of Grimrock
Legend of Grimrock II
Pool of Radiance
Pools of Darkness
Secret of the Silver Blades
Shadowrun: Dragonfall
Space Siege
Star Wars: KotOR
Star Wars: KotOR II
The Incredible Adv of Van Helsing
The Incredible Adv of Van Helsing II
Vampire: tM - Bloodlines
Vampire: tM - Redemption
Neverwinter Nights 2 Interview
Publisher:Atari
Developer:Obsidian Entertainment
Release Date:2006-10-31
Isometric,Third-Person
Buy this Game: Amazon ebay
Judging by the barrage of screenshots, concept art, 3D renders, and other media we released for Neverwinter Nights 2 last weekend, Obsidian Entertainment's RPG followup looks to be shaping up to be one of the major highlights of the year. The game is still at least six months away, though, so we wanted to check in again with the guys at Obsidian to see if we could glean a little more information to hold us over.
Since the talented developers are known for the characters they've created in previous games like Fallout, Planescape: Torment, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, we thought it would only be fitting to direct our questions in such a way that we could learn more about the protagonist we'll be controlling this time around - and lead designer Ferrete Baudoin gives us the answers we were looking for:
GB: How intricate will character creation be when we fire up Neverwinter Nights 2 for the first time? In addition to the standard choices we've come to expect from Dungeons & Dragons CRPGs (gender, race, class, etc.), will there be any other optional traits or abilities that we can give to the main character?
FB: Creating a Dungeons and Dragons character has a lot of fun choices you need to make. It can be an involved process to create just the right character for you. In Neverwinter Nights 2 you make all the standard choices plus you get to select a background for your character. Backgrounds represent what you were doing before the adventure, and they have an effect on how you're perceived by other people in your home town. And if that's not enough to entice you, they are almost like a free feat so everyone should enjoy them.
If this sounds overwhelming, don't worry. We'll also have the handy recommend feature like the first game, so character creation takes as long as you want it, really.
GB: Tell us about the protagonist's background and what purpose he or she serves before the game begins. How will they find themselves becoming involved and ultimately end up being the center of the adventure?
FB: The protagonist's background is really in large part up to you. You make your own character so you pick your race, class, skills, and other things. But no matter what you're a villager of remote village of West Harbor, and have been your whole life. You wind up adventuring because you (and your village) are being threatened, and you're the one to fix it.
GB: Will the protagonist have any ties to famous Forgotten Realms characters we may know of? Or are they completely independent from any previous encounters we've experienced in the setting?
FB: The protagonist doesn't have any ties to famous Forgotten Realms characters we want to leave it open enough that people can fill in the blanks of their character background. The funny thing is a designer can tell the tightest story by nailing down more and more about a character's background. At Obsidian we're trying to stay close to our Dungeons and Dragons' roots and making it so you have a lot of control over your avatar.
GB: Do the main character's primary goals become evident early in the game? Or will these change as the game progresses?
FB: The primary goals shift over the course of the story. Initially it's a mixture of finding out what's going, saving your village, and saving your own skin (the last even a chaotic evil guy can rally behind). But as you learn more the goals get more intricate. It builds upon itself.
GB: How would you compare and contrast the protagonist from NWN2 to the likes of Fallout's Vault Dweller, Torment's Nameless One, or KotoR II's last Jedi?
FB: I think our protagonist is closest to the Vault Dweller, because there's nothing overtly special about you. What makes you special are your mission, your choices, and decisions. And maybe some stuff happens along the way that ups the ante, too.
Related Games: Neverwinter Nights 2
Latest Viewer Comments
Bait and switch. If you think this is bad, you should check out Gary Gygax jr's kickstarter. Still in development after 5 years. Yes, you read that right, 5 years. Good luck.
And since I have no idea what that is, now is the time it gets covered ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The GamesRadar interview was actually originally published in Edge Magazine back in 2018.
"We're not holding normal KS updates hostage for more funding"What normal KS updates?
Never got the obsession with cosmetic mods over content or gameplay mods.
Why spend time on a behind-the-scenes feature then?
Same.....
Hi guys, as one of the developers of this game, I can assure you it's not a scam. It has been hit with more than it's share of challenges (some of which have been personal...hence the private backer-only updates, which this article was sourced from). Nevertheless, we're still actively developing the game. With regards to asking backers to help support on-going development, the "exchange" was not for further development updates, those will continue to be posted as usual on Kickstarter - the exchange was for behind-the-scenes video updates which is something we've never done before. We're not holding normal KS updates hostage for more funding. We're just trying to give a little extra value to people who are eager to continue supporting development (this is something some of our backers have been asking for for over a year). So, not a scam, the game is still in development, we're still going to be posting updates on KS, but on-going supporters will get a little extra (similar to the Patreon model). You can email me or DM me on Twitter (@IndieLauraSDG) any time if you have questions.
This is one of the worst "updates" I've ever read, laden with implied threats at further elongated development time, more communication blackouts, and possibly even a stripped back title.... unless at LEAST 50% of all the people, who already paid over 2x the requested development fund, pledge to give another $5-10 a MONTH until completion.This is grimy beyond words, what absolutely deplorable scumbaggery by the developers.
Probably on consoles. Also, like if you want to make your character sexy...well, it's a great thing in that game, which I don't own and will never play, but I think maybe what the great sales of cosmetics and cosmetic mod downloads mean as that all us guys wish we had been able to play with dolls when we were younger.
Path of Exile 2 Interview
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The University of Waterloo and its fixation with geese are going international in ongoing collegiate eSports tournaments for Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm. Waterloo's Goose Tattoo placed among the top 16 teams in U.S. and Canada in Heroes of the Storm's Heroes of the Dorm tournament. Meanwhile, Hearthstone teams Nesting Season and Tempo Kobolds are among the top 64 in the Tespa Collegiate Series tournament, and stand a chance to go for the gold when the series resumes April 8-9.
Trevor van Leeuwen, Nesting Season team member and co-ordinator for Goose Tattoo, spoke to Imprint before the latest Heroes of the Dorm bracket March 25-26, when Goose Tattoo played their final games. The finals of Heroes of the Dorm will be held in Las Vegas April 8, with the winners earning free tuition for their college careers.
Meanwhile, $10,000 U.S. is on the line for Nesting Season and Tempo Kobolds as they prepare for the Tespa Collegiate Series' round of 64 April 8-9, followed by the championship bracket April 22-23. Whatever happens, both teams already netted $400 U.S. per player in scholarships for making it into the top 64, cut from about 850 other teams.
Van Leeuwen noted that taking part in the tournament during midterm and final exam season could prove difficult for eSports student athletes.
"It's not too bad, except around midterms. Around midterms it's very difficult to schedule stuff, because then you have games on the weekend [during] Hell Week for engineers, so it's like 'Alright, you get to play video games for a couple hours and not study,'" van Leeuwen said.
While Goose Tattoo is out of the running for this spring's tournament, van Leeuwen is anticipating recruiting more players during the fall term.


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Badaun: City of Sultans
AUTHOR Rehan Asad
Badaun in Uttar Pradesh is just another small but busy town choking on traffic. In fact, chances are you've never even heard of it. Yet there was a time when this mofussil town was second in importance only to Delhi and a centre of Islamic culture and learning.
Located on the banks of the Sot river, a tributary of the Ganga, Badaun is around 283 km south-east of Delhi, in Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh. The region was said to have been ruled by the Panchala Mahajanapada, one of the 16 great republics of ancient India, and which covers present-day Badaun, Farrukhabad, Aligarh and Bareilly districts.
Very little is known about Badaun prior to the 11th century. There are claims that there was a settlement called 'Buddhgaon' (village of Buddhists), which later became 'Badaun'. Other accounts claim that the region was ruled by kings of the Ahir community, one of whom was 'Raja Budh'. Also, there are several claims and counter-claims that Badaun was ruled by Raja Mahipal as well as several others, making the history of this period difficult to decipher.
What we do know for sure dates to the 12th century CE. In 1192, Sultan Muhammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan, the ruler of Delhi, and established the Delhi Sultanate in the subcontinent. Badaun and surrounding regions, which comprised mostly of thick forests and grasslands of the Ganga-Yamuna doab, were captured by Ghori's general, Qutb-ud-din Aibak, in 1196. Badaun's importance thus begins with the founding of the first dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, in the 12th century.
Nizamuddin's Tomb, Delhi – the Sufi saint was born in Badaun | oldindianphotos.in
The town became the headquarters of the Katehr province (today's Rohilkhand) under the Delhi Sultans. Aibak established a school that he named after his former master, Muiz ad Din Muhammad Ghori, as 'Muizzi Madarsa'. Over time, Badaun became an important centre of Islamic learning in North India, with a number of mosques, madrasas and khanqas attracting scholars, poets and mystics from across India. Few know that the famous Sufi saint, Sheikh Nizamuddin, was born in Badaun and lived here for many years.
During the Sultanante period, Badaun was also a launch pad for many adventurers who went on to play a role in the history of the subcontinent. Sultan Shams ud-Din Iltutmish, more famous as the father of Razia Sultan, was awarded iqta (governorship) of Badaun by Aibak and he continued to hold the position till the death of his master in 1210. Sultan Iltutmish built many monuments here, of which only an idgah survives. Having been 'renovated', it looks like a modern building today. It was during this time that the grand Shamsi mosque was built.
Badaun's history doesn't end with the demise of the first sultanate. Sultan Alauddin Khilji served as the Governor of Badaun in 1289 CE before he ascended the throne of Delhi. It was also here that the notorious Bakhtiyar Khilji, who went on to destroy Nalanda and Vikramshila, began his career.
Over time, Badaun lost its importance and we hear little of it with the advent of the Mughals, except for Emepror Akbar's court chronicler, Mullah Abdul Qadir Badauni, who belonged to this town. In 1657, the headquarters of the province was shifted to Bareilly. With the fall of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century, Badaun was brought under the control of the Rohillas, then Awadh and finally the British in 1801.
During the Revolt of 1857, the town was in the throes of turmoil and it slipped out of British control for almost a year. It was re-occupied by the British in 1858. Visit this mofussil town and you can relive its glorious past marked by mosques, temples, shrines, tombs, churches, reservoirs and other ruined heritage structures. Let's explore the top ten monuments of Badaun that have stood the test of time.
Suryakund
Just 3 km from the main town, on Dataganj Road, is a large water body believed to be more than 1,200 years old. Some accounts attribute its construction to the legendary Raja Mahipal in the 7th century. An Urdu historical account on Badaun titled Hast-o-Bood refers to the reservoir, stating, "The famous Surajkund of Badaun is one of the remnants from the days of Raja Mahipal. It was built by him on the suggestion of his father. On the side of this water body, he constructed beautiful monuments. Now no traces of its past have been left and the water body usually gets filled with rain water." In 2017, the Government of Uttar Pradesh erected a tablet near the reservoir. It says that this was the site where Emperor Ashoka built many Buddhist monasteries and, later, where Raja Mahipal built the 'Suryakund'.
Sagar Tal
From the dargah of Sayyad Ahmad Bukhari, you can see an encroached water body, popularly known as 'Sagar Tal'. It is located close to Nevadah, 2.8 km from the centre of Badaun town. According to Hast-o-Bood, during the 7th century, Raja Mahipal renovated the old fort of Badaun and built many structures inside its compound. These include a large water body with beautiful gardens on its banks.
Shamsi Jama Masjid
Located in the very heart of the old city, past the crooked alleys of the Maulvi Tola locality, is a grand mosque. Three beautiful gateways – the main eastern gateway, one at the northern end and another at the southern end – lead to a large courtyard with an ablution pool (huaz) in the centre. The area where prayers are said is divided into three parts – a central chamber supported by a huge dome and roofed by vaulted chambers.
Among the oldest mosques in North India, it was built by the third Sultan of the Slave dynasty, Iltutmish, in 1223. It seems that construction of the mosque was completed when Iltutmish became Sultan and his son was the governor of Badaun, who supervised its construction. The shrine also bears an imprint of Muhammad bin Tughlaq's reign, when the northern gateway was added.
In 1637, Badaun was ravaged by a massive fire, which damaged the main dome of the mosque. It was repaired by Sheikh Qutubuddin Koka, the foster brother of Emperor Jahangir and later, Governor of Katehr. It was further renovated after 1857.
Shrine Complex of Sayyad Ahmad Bukhari
Badaun was home to many Sufi saints across the centuries and has earned the moniker 'City of Saints', a term used in many Oriental historical texts for this town. One of the most legendary among them is Nizamuddin Awliya, or Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi, the famous Chishti Sufi who was born here. The compound includes a mosque and a tomb complex that houses the graves of his father (Sayyad Ahmad) and grandfather. Hazrat Nizamuddin's grandfather Sayyad Ali, had migrated from Central Asia due to the unrest created by the Mongols there. Nizamuddin's father Sayyad Ahmad served as the Qazi (chief jurist) of Badaun. The present structure was built in the mid-18th century by Rohilla Chief Hafiz Rahmat Khan.
Alauddin Alam Shah Tomb Complex
The last monarch of the Sayyid dynasty, Alauddin Alam Shah, succeeded his father to the throne of Delhi in 1445. But he was feeble and unable to control the affairs of his kingdom. He abdicated the throne and retired to Badaun in 1448, leaving the seat of power vulnerable.
Three years later, Bahlol Lodi seized control of Delhi. For the next 27 years till his death, Badaun became a principality of the abdicated king. According to the Archaeological Survey of India's list of North West Provinces (1891), many of the tombs in Badaun, dating from the 15th century, belong to the family of the abdicated king.
One among them, in the western part of the city, is a tomb complex where the graves of Makhaduman-i-Jahan (mother of the deposed Sultan), Sultan Alam Shah himself and his wife are present. It is a square tomb built from lakhori bricks and covered with a dome. Both entrances bear an inscription with Hijri dates that correspond to 1472 CE and 1477 CE. The monument features in the protected list of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Tomb of Parwar Khanum
This splendid 17th century tomb is located in a family graveyard in Sheikhupura, a historic suburb of Badaun. It is the final resting place of Parwar Khanum and was built by her husband, Nawab Farid (son of Sheikh Qutubuddin Koka, foster brother of Emperor Jahangir and Governor of Badaun). The ruined tomb is concealed by fields and the road to the monument is filled with garbage and weeds.
Parwar Khanum was the sister of Mumtaz Mahal, whose more famous mausoleum, the Taj Mahal, is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Sadly, her sister's grave awaits a devastating fate, many of its sections having already crumbled to the ground.
Tomb of Ikhlas Khan
Another magnificent monument of the late 17th century is the tomb of Ikhlas Khan, a Mughal noble and nephew of Sheikh Farid. Built on a raised plinth, the lakhori brick monument was constructed by his wife in 1690. The central chamber that houses graves is covered by a bulbous dome. All four sides are bounded by an arched verandah with kiosks and cupolas at the corners.
Naubat Rai temple at Patiali Sarai | Author
Twin Temples of Patiali Sarai
The Patiali Sarai locality is home to a beautiful temple complex, which now appears as two separate sections. With lofty, arched gateways designed in Indo-Saracenic style and towering cone-shape shikharas, it was built by a Kayastha zamindar known as Naubat Rai in the late 18th century. He was given the title of 'Nawab' by the Rohilla rulers.
Not much is known about Naubat Rai, whose name fails to appear in the colonial gazettes. City chronicler and author, Tasleem Ghauri, says his name is mentioned only in oral history. A slab of marble has been placed on the floor and, according to local lore, people who are afflicted by allergies are cured after they touch the stone.
The Civil Lines locality houses a Central Methodist Church, whose plaque bears the date, 1857. Construction of the church was started by Dr William Butler, an American who chose Rohilkhand and Awadh for his work.
Butler was in Bareilly when the Revolt of 1857 broke out and he took refuge in Nainital during those turbulent times. There, he built the Nainital Methodist Church in 1858, arguably the first Methodist church in Asia. After the mutiny, Butler moved to Bareilly and Badaun districts to build more churches.
Some accounts claim that while Butler was fleeing to Nainital, he passed by Badaun and laid the foundation of the Central Methodist Church in the town, with the help of a local Methodist Christian named Chimman Lal. The church was completed when the district was re-occupied by colonial forces after the mutiny was quelled.
The Civil Lines area has another church, a Catholic Church, located on Police Lines Road. The church is small and features colonial architectural elements. With glass-fitted windows, high ceilings, sloping tiled roof and pointed arches, this church is one of the few post-Mutiny colonial monuments in Badaun. According to the District Gazette of Badaun (1907), it was built in 1872.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Award-winning filmmaker Richard Martini explores startling new evidence of life after death via the "life between lives," where we reportedly return to find loved ones, soul mates and spiritual teachers.
The film is based on the evidence of thousands of people who claim that under deep hypnosis they saw and experienced the same basic things about the afterlife. Included are interviews with hypnotherapists from around the world trained in the method pioneered by Dr. Michael Newton, along with filmed past-life-regression sessions.


- The lessons of the past are ignored and obliterated in a contemporary antagonism known as the generation gap.
- Driving is a spectacular form of amnesia. Everything is to be discovered, everything to be obliterated.
- Every adult in the world has some sense that he or she might be obliterated at any time by these weapons that we have created.
- I'm nihilistic, antagonistic, violent, horrible - but not obliterated, yet. I just refuse to be beaten down. I think it's stubborness that keeps me going.
adult amnesia amnesia. antagonism antagonistic beaten contemporary created created. discovered down down. driving form gap. generation going going. horrible ignored keeps lessons might nihilistic obliterated obliterated. past refuse sense spectacular stub these time violent weapons world yet.


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Tieling railway station () is a railway station located in Yinzhou District, Tieling, Liaoning, China. It was built in 1901.

References

See also
 Tieling West railway station

Stations on the Beijing–Harbin Railway
Railway stations in Tieling
Railway stations in Liaoning
Railway stations in China opened in 1901

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: Where are stored (geographically) AWS RDS Backup I use AWS and have automatic backup enabled.
For one of our client, we need to know exactly where the backup data is stored.
From the AWS FAQ website, I can see that:

Q: Where are my automated backups and DB Snapshots stored and how do I manage their retention?
Amazon RDS DB snapshots and automated backups are stored in S3.

My understanding is that you can have a S3 instance located anywhere you want, so it's not clear to me where this data is.
Just to be clear, I'm interested by the physical location (is it Europe, US....)

A: According to this :
Your Amazon RDS backup storage for each region is composed of the automated backups and manual DB snapshots for that region. Your backup storage is equivalent to the sum of the database storage for all instances in that region
I think that means that it is stored in that region only and s3 stores data like this :
Amazon S3 redundantly stores data in multiple facilities and on multiple devices within each facility. To increase durability, Amazon S3 synchronously stores your data across multiple facilities before confirming that the data has been successfully stored.

A: It is stored in the same AWS region where the RDS instance is located.
When you directly store data in S3, you store it in an S3 container called a bucket (S3 doesn't use the term "instance") in the AWS region you choose, and the data always remains only in that region.
RDS snapshots and backups are not something you store directly -- RDS stores it for you, on your behalf -- so there is no option to select the bucket or region: it is always stored in an S3 bucket in the same AWS region where the RDS instance is located.  This can't be modified.
The data from RDS backups and snapshots is not visible to you from the S3 console, because it is not stored in one of your S3 buckets -- it is stored in a bucket owned and controlled by the RDS service within the region.

A: https://aws.amazon.com/rds/details/backup/
...By default, Amazon RDS creates and saves automated backups of your DB instance securely in Amazon S3 for a user-specified retention period.
...Database snapshots are user-initiated backups of your instance stored in Amazon S3 that are kept until you explicitly delete them

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Calen's Site
Welcome to Calen.ca
Author: calenhenry
I'm Calen
Written by calenhenry February 2, 2011
Infinity Blade is an Phone/iPod game developed by Chair Entertainment, a subsidiary of Epic Games. It is a touch based fighting game with RPG elements that is known for being the first iphone/ipod game to use Epic's version of the Unreal Engine for iOS. Dialogic History Infinity Blade is the first full fledged game to […]
Written by calenhenry January 20, 2011
Road Blaster
Road Blaster is a Laser Disc game from 1985 wherein the player takes on the role of a vigilante trying to take down an outlaw gang responsible for the death of his girlfriend/wife. The reviewed/analyzed version is the 2011 re-release for the iPhone/iPod Touch. Dialogic History Road Blaster is a historical relic. It was originally […]
Super Crate Box
Super Crate Box is a freeware PC game made by Vlambeer, a Dutch indie game studio. In it, you collect crates while avoiding and dispatching enemies. The objective is to collect as many crates as you can in a given level. Dialogic History Super Crate Box is an intentional throwback to old arcade games. […]
Written by calenhenry October 27, 2010
Thesis Reviews Abstract
My upcoming MA Thesis involves devising a new theoretical framework for analyzing video games. This work comes from the plethora of genres into which games are broken down. Game theorists get hung up on analyzing and breaking down and devising new genres. This is an attempt to sidestep genre and analyze games through categories that […]
Written by calenhenry October 9, 2008
New Witcher edition worthwhile
Owen Sound Sun Times (On) Thursday, October 9, 2008 Last October a little known Polish developer, CD Projekt released The Witcher. The role playing game earned quite favourable reviews and IGN named it 2007 RPG of the year, but many critics cited numerous problems with the game that, if fixed, would have made it better. […]
Written by calenhenry September 25, 2008
'Spore' an evolution in gaming
Owen Sound Sun Times (On) Thursday, September 25, 2008 After years of hype "Spore" is finally out. It has been billed as "Sim Everything" and it's by Will Wright, creator of "The Sims." The development history and the high-profile creator have made it big news ever since it was announced and I think it was […]
Strategy games a popular type
Owen Sound Sun Times (On) Thursday, September 11, 2008 Two weeks ago I ran through what makes a role-playing game. This week I'll start with another popular type of game, especially for PC gamers. STRATEGY GAMES Strategy games are video game extensions of board games like "Risk." They involve large-scale control of bases and units, […]


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Jane and the Dragon
Children's books and children's television programs are two things that I'm fairly well-versed in (it just comes with the territory when you're a mom and also teach young kids). Over the years, there have been some TV shows that I didn't mind watching along with my son or students, and some that wore on my nerves (I'd be a terrible spy; if anyone needed to make me talk, all it would take is Barney episodes set on repeat. I'd break long before anyone had the chance to say "Super-dee-duper!"). Then, there have been those shows that I secretly--and not so secretly--really enjoy. And on that not-so-long list is Jane and the Dragon.
Based on the book of the same name by Martin Baynton, Jane and the Dragon is a CGI animated series produced and distributed by Nelvana, a Canadian company. Set largely in Kippernia Castle, the show focuses on Jane, a twelve year old girl who's a knight in training, and her best friend, Dragon, who's, well…a dragon. The backstory is that Jane had been training for the traditional job a girl of her status could expect to have in the future: a lady in waiting. The TV show doesn't elaborate on it much (only through a few lines in the theme song), but Jane wasn't content with that lot in life, and became friends with Dragon after she went on a quest to "rescue" the young Prince from Dragon's lair. The King was so grateful that he allowed her to start training to become a knight, and so viewers join in at that point, and get to share in all of her adventures (and misadventures).
I'll admit right away that it wasn't a case of "love at first sight" for Jane and the Dragon and I. The animation style threw me a little bit, because the CGI was a tad too mechanical for my taste. I'm not sure if it was because it doesn't always allow for a lot of subtleties in the characters' expressions and so on, but it put me off at first. After giving it a chance though, other elements of the show drew me in, and my interest started to snowball. I started to enjoy the characters beyond just how they were animated.
And what a cast of characters it is who live inside the walls of Kippernia Castle with Jane. The King and Queen preside, of course, along with the aforementioned Prince, Cuthbert, and his sister, Princess Lavinia, who looks up to and admires Jane. Sir Ivon and Sir Theodore are the knights who train Jane, along with her "frenemy", another knight in training named Gunther. The rivalry between them is one of the things that provides some of the comedy and even the learning points of the show. While adults are a part of almost every episode, it's the rest of the children and young adults who the action usually revolves around (Pepper, the castle cook and Jane's friend; Jester, who has a secret crush on Jane; Rake, the castle gardener; and Smithy---the blacksmith, of course). Each one of them has their quirks and strengths and weaknesses, and that holds especially true for Jane. For me, there's the appeal that she's decided to define herself in ways that (in the fictional world of the show) go against what's expected: a female training to be a knight, who's friends with one of the very creatures that knights are expected to slay. This doesn't hold true with many of the other characters who have traditional female/male roles, but that's a different topic.
(L to R) Pepper, Jester, Rake, and Smithy
Like most children's shows, the conflict in every episode wraps up neatly by the end credits, and there's a segment where Dragon talks directly to the "Shortlives" watching (his name for humans), reiterating the lesson learned. The conflicts aren't always gentle or without tension though; in one episode, a lie leads to a decree that one of the characters be exiled from the castle. In another, Jane has to face down one of her fears, while also facing down a pack of wolves, no less. Still, by making mistakes but learning from them, and with guidance from the adults, Jane and the other children navigate through some universal life lessons that young viewers, and older too, can identify with.
The show's writing is witty and fun, with plenty of humor that both kids and adults can laugh at. Although my son is quick to say that it's my "favorite show", there have been plenty of episodes where he's watching and laughing right along with me. There's a dash of adventure in most of the episodes too, whether it's a mock swordfight as Jane and Gunther train, or Jane and Dragon going outside the castle walls (Dragon flies; she goes along for the ride).
The program originally aired on YTV in Canada and ABC in Australia, beginning in 2006. For those of us in the US who want to catch reruns, Jane and the Dragon plays on the Qubo channel. In the UK, it can be found on Five.
To delve into the realm of Kippernia Castle in much more detail, go to www.janeandthedragon.com. And to learn more about the voice talent and other information about the show, head over to the IMDb page here: www.imdb.com/title/tt0486069.
Charles Lloyd: A Jazz Supreme
by John Bloner, Jr.
I'd thought I had a good education in the history of jazz music. I spent many hours transfixed by the sounds of the giants of this genuinely American art form: Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis and more. Why, then, had it taken me nearly thirty years to hear of tenor saxophonist Charles Lloyd?
It wasn't that Charles Lloyd was a footnote in the encyclopedia of jazz. In the 1960s, soon-to-be jazz legends were begging to be in his band. Keith Jarrett left Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers to perform with him. Jack DeJohnette placed a 4:00 a.m. phone call. "You're going about it the wrong way," Lloyd told the drummer, but gave him the gig anyway.
Along with Cecil McBee on bass, Lloyd's band released "Forest Flower: Live at Monterey" in 1966. The record became the first jazz record to sell one million copies "There is such sheer beauty and lyricism in the music," writes John Ballon, "that thirty years later it still gives goosebumps."
In 1967, Downbeat Magazine named him "Jazzman of the Year", and the accolades kept growing. Lloyd's quartet shared stages with rock artists Jefferson Airplane, Cream, Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead and more. They toured Europe, the Far East, and the Soviet Union. His music received heavy airplay on FM radio.
Then, it was all over..or, it was a new beginning.
I was a time bomb waiting to detonate. Charles Lloyd
Charles Lloyd walked away from the spotlight, the world stage, and toward the rugged stretch of California coastline known as Big Sur. Author and former editor of Preservation Magazine, James Conaway, describes the area as "a mythic landscape of impenetrable chaparral and massive redwoods stitched to headlands plunging into an impossibly blue ocean". He adds, "Against this backdrop, ordinary concerns seemed to pale; to live here was to view the world through a unique lens of beauty and peril".
Lloyd retreated from stardom and its temptations for excess and found quiet solitude, his nearest neighbors a mile and a half away, in the majestic and sometimes unforgiving landscape of Big Sur.
"I was a time bomb waiting to detonate", he told the website All About Jazz. "Burned out, sick of the music business, out of touch with everything and heavily abusing various substances, disillusioned with life, and intensely needed to work on my character."
Lloyd wasn't idle during the 1970s. He released seven albums during that decade, many with blissful titles: Warm Waters, Waves and Weavings. Some of these records include members of the Beach Boys with whom he shared an interest in transcendental meditation. He also performed in the studio and live with California's penultimate band.
His 1979 release, Pathless Path, is an appropriate title to reflect Lloyd's journey toward wholeness. Physician and author Deepak Chopra speaks of Prince Siddharta who became the Buddha by walking the pathless path. "The pathless path isn't a straight line", Chopra writes. "The journey takes place entirely in consciousness. A mind overshadowed by fears, hopes, memories, past traumas, and old conditioning finds a way to become free."
The following video shows Charles Lloyd in Big Sur, reflecting on his music, his influences outside of jazz, including Native American culture, and on weaving. "I'm very much moved in our music by the weaving quality", he says in the video. "It's as if we make tapestries when we play, and there's this wonderful quality that the music is all a weaving."
When the teacher is ready, the student will appear.
Variation on a Buddhist Proverb
In 1981, French/Italian jazz pianist, Michel Petrucciani, visited Lloyd's California home, unaware of the saxophonist's legacy. After hearing Petrucciani's talent on the keyboards, Lloyd decided to step out of self-imposed exile in order to showcase the young piano powerhouse.
"Charles Lloyd really opened every door for Michel", writes Ron Simmonds. "It could not have been a better start for his American career."
During 1982-83, the pair performed around the world, including the Montreux Jazz Festival, released several live albums, and saw Petrucciani earn many well-deserved awards.
In 1986, a rare intestinal disorder nearly killed the saxophonist. When his doctors cleared him to play again, he began a new chapter in his life, signing in 1989 with ECM Records.
ECM, an independent European label, has released some of the finest recordings in jazz and classical music, since Manfred Eicher founded it in 1969. Among its landmark recordings are The Koln Concert by Keith Jarrett, Bright Size Life by Pat Metheny with Jaco Pastorius, Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich, and Tabula Rasa by Arvo Part.
Lloyd's first record with the label was Fish Out of Water, its title track echoing his famous tune, Forest Flower, from two decades earlier through its use of parallel major sevenths. He has since released fifteen additional records with the label.
(Photo by AP Photos/Gulnara Samoilova)
Charles Lloyd and his wife, Dorothy, were staying at a friend's home in Greenwich Village in September 2011. "We were in NYC to open at the Blue Note on 9/11", he told Graham Reid. "I was staying a few blocks from the World Trade Center and saw the second plane hit. It was a devastating time for all of us. I can still feel the pain of it today."
He shared the following with Paula Edelstein of JazzUSA. "We walked the streets of the Village where we were staying. It was an eerie place to be; no cars--just foot traffic and emergency vehicles. There was an overwhelming atmosphere of community and caring. We were all trying to make sense out of it, to understand the whole picture."
I used to fantasize about how art could save the world. Over the years, I've lost confidence in that idea, but listening to Charles Lloyd's 'Lift Every Voice' revives my hope. Richard Anderson
Lloyd and his band performed at the Blue Note several nights later. "I got pretty spun out during the second set", he said. "The next two nights we managed to dig in and lift the music to a higher plane." Over a year later, he released the two-disc CD, Lift Every Voice, containing his rendition of the song, "Lift Every Voice and Sing", otherwise known as the black national anthem, along with standards, spirituals, and his own compositions. The record includes a jazz rendition of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," whose words, written during the Vietnam War era, resonate even stronger in these years following the 9/11 attacks. "War is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate."
Bill Shoemaker, writing for JazzTimes, called the record, "an aural documentary of someone regaining his psychological and spiritual equilibrium." Thomas Conrad of Stereophile said, "This recording references issues so cataclysmic and transforming that Lloyd is moved to strip away the last protective layers of reserve and convention and let his shattered heart speak directly through his tenor saxophone."
Basically I'm a blues man trying to sing a spiritual song. Charles Lloyd
Just as he attracted the best musicians in the 1960s, Charles Lloyd continues to perform with men and women who are titans of the music world. His records on the ECM label have included pianists Brad Mehldau, Geri Allen, Bobo Stenson, and most recently, Jason Moran. His drummers have been the late Billy Higgins, Billy Hart and Eric Harland. Reuben Rogers is the latest bassist to perform with Lloyd, joining luminaries like Dave Holland and Larry Grenadier. John Abercrombie is a stalwart on guitar.
Beyond the traditional jazz ensemble, Lloyd also performs with the trio Sangam, including Harland on drums and Zakhir Hussain on tabla and percussion. Matt Cibula, writing for All About Jazz.com, commented, "For Lloyd, a man who is always on a quest, these are the ultimate wingmen."
I know the winds of grace are always blowing. I must raise my sails high enough to catch the breeze. Charles Lloyd
Through this article (and the artwork from my journal below), I have attempted to express the grace that Charles Lloyd's music has brought to my life, recognizing that words are not sufficient to share the journey that my soul has taken since first experiencing Lloyd's jazz supreme sound. "Sweet Georgia," the poet Charles Simic wrote. "I hear someone whispering, 'Without the music, Life would be a mistake'."
He can be sort of candle-glow Coltrane, all softly flickering illumination. Nate Chinen
In 2013, Charles Lloyd turns seventy-five, yet his music is outside of time. It draws upon sounds and traditions that precede his birth in Memphis, Tennessee by many years--even centuries--and it will go on through the young men and women who perform with him, listen to his voice coming through the saxophone, flute or taragato. Just like he once said of John Coltrane--"it was church whenever he played"--Lloyd's meditations through music exemplify a higher calling (without getting high-minded about it). Fred Jung, writing for All About Jazz.com, says "Each breath blown through his instrument has deep significance." Jazz writer Joao Moreira Dos Santos adds, "There is an omnipresent sparkle of Lloyd's soul whenever he plays."
Lloyd simply says, "I beg the creator to let me be an open vessel. I try to get out of the way."
Visit Charles Lloyd online. Click HERE for his website. Lloyd has recently released the record, Hagar's Song, with pianist Jason Moran. ECM Records will release five of his earliest records with ECM in 2013.
Labels: John Bloner Jr.
Hairdressers On Fire
Art is everywhere. Some mediums, such as film or highway billboards, are more apparent than others. If you look close, you can find art just about anywhere. For hairstylists like Australian-based Kerry Lush, a model's hair is the canvas. And for models like Tamisha Franz, being a living canvas requires patience and, more importantly, trust.
Model Samantha Symes, Hair by Kerry Lush
The art of hairdressing combines haircutting, coloring, and texturing techniques. More lavish styles incorporate decorative elements such as flowers, pins, ornaments, etc. It's an art form that is typically noticeable in cinematic period pieces, however, they are the unspoken heroes of weddings, model photo shoots, and on the red carpet for Hollywood events.
I had a chance to speak with both hairdresser Kerry Lush and model Tamisha Franz about one of their experiences working together within this art form. A recent photo shoot involved a black dress, a chicken, a beautiful face, and incredible hair. I found both perspectives interesting, since they're essentially looking for the same thing from each other: trust.
Kerry Lush
The hairdresser...
When did you start working with hair?
I started working with hair around fifteen years ago. After studying art at college and completing a textile degree, I decided to retrain in something creative that would pay the bills. I love working with hair, which I suppose is just textiles with people underneath. However, I dislike the industry intensely and find it driven by profit and cloaked in psuedo-science and fake artistry, where the client is king and bread and butter.
Has hairdressing become more (or less) important in the arts (movies, fashion, etc.)?
Within this corrupt enviroment amazing hair artists have emerged, and true craftspeople continue to thrive. The Vidal Sassoon lot, for instance, ZGAT Academy and others strive towards excellence. Sadly, not the general rule with hairdressers. I love avante guard work and hair for film period dramas especially.
Model Tamisha Franz
Is hairdressing taken for granted by the general public?
High end hairdressing is far removed from what the average hairdresser is expected to produce from day to day; I think the public in general appreciate a decent haircut, but it is often hard to find!
What do you look for in a model's hair and personality?
The models I use usually have long, virgin hair that is easily pliable. I choose models that have an unusual presence, far removed from the glamour look. I like my models to be confident, and happy to be directed.
Where do you get inspiration for your creations?
I draw inspiration from other photographers. Sergey P. Irons' work is amazing, with fantastic control of light, as well as his wife, Petrova Julian, who uses softer light; not as dramatic but very beautiful. Their photography is like painting. Kirsty Mitchell is a true artist and inspiration, and Tim Walker never fails to impress. I am still learning as I go with my camera.
Model Ellen Carrol, Photo by Cindi Lee
The model...
When did you first work with Kerry Lush?
I first met Kerry when I was searching for a new hairdresser after moving to the Bayside area from the Sunshine Coast. I booked in at a salon she was working at the time. While she was cutting my hair we were chatting and realised we had similar interests in photography and modeling, and organized to collaborate and do a shoot.
What did you like most about her?
She made me feel very comfortable, especially for being at a new hairdressers. She is very down to earth and friendly, and I love her sense of creativity. Oh, and above all, I love her hairdressing skills! I have had her do my hair for two photo shoots and I loved it. She went above and beyond expectations.
Tamisha Franz
What do you look for in hairdressers?
I look for someone I can feel comfortable around and someone who is, above all, honest.
How do you know when to trust what hairdressers are doing to your hair?
I never get anything too extreme done to my hair for the pure fact that I am worried I will not like what is done to it. However, after many experiences of having my hair styled for photo shoots and the style not suiting me at all, I would feel very comfortable making more changes to my hair, as Kerry's hair styling suited me perfectly! She knows how to make people look good!
What else can you say about hairdressers in general?
I am glad I chose the hairdressers I did that day; I don't believe I could have picked anyone better. I can't wait to work with Kerry again; her combination of creative hair styling and photography is beautifully unique.
As seen in some of the images here, Kerry and Tamisha's photo shoot was certainly a success. With Tamisha's delicacy and Kerry's artistry, the two make a great team. I look forward to seeing more work from these, and many other, hairdresser-model collaborations.
For more examples of Kerry Lush's work, visit her official Facebook page: Kerry Lush Images. And for more information on model Tamisha Franz visit: Tamisha Franz Portfolio
TRIVIA: In Africa, it was believed in some cultures that a person's spirit occupied his or her hair, giving hairdressers high status within these communities.
Posted by Jav Rivera at 6:00 PM
Labels: art, Jav Rivera
by Dave Gourdoux
If I were compiling a list of the most under-appreciated films in movie history, there are a few that would come immediately to mind: Ernst Lubitsch's 1940 The Shop Around the Corner (the film that essentially defined the romantic comedy genre), Preston Sturges' censor bending and outrageous 1944 comedy The Miracle of Morgan's Creek, John Huston's brilliant 1979 adaptation of the Flannery O'Connor novel Wise Blood, Jack Clayton's 1961 The Innocents, Bryan Forbes' Séance on a Wet Afternoon (1964), and John Boorman's 1987 triumph, Hope and Glory. These are all highly regarded films but are too often overlooked these days, and, in my opinion, should be considered required viewing for anybody with a passion for movies.
But the all-time number one most under-appreciated film in history has to be Carol Reed's 1947 masterpiece, Odd Man Out. Not only is it one of the greatest films I've ever seen, but I've never met anyone else who's ever seen it. It's always been difficult to find on DVD. For a while, it was on the Netflix instant queue, but it's been taken off for some time now. It's all too frequently forgotten in lists of the best films ever made, even though Reed's 1949 The Third Man is often and justifiably included. Why Odd Man Out is largely forgotten while The Third Man, made only two years later, has sustained its reputation and popularity is hard to figure. You'd think that the high regard for The Third Man would lead to a wider appreciation of Odd Man Out, just as the acclaim for Orson Welles' Citizen Kane has lead to a wider following for his The Magnificent Ambersons.
James Mason as Johnny McQueen. Note the distorted background. Is that a noose hanging from that crooked pole?
Odd Man Out tells the story of Johnny McQueen, an IRA-like leader in an unidentified Irish city who is shaking off the rust of a recent imprisonment and illness. While participating in the robbery of a mill, he is left behind, mortally wounded from a bullet fired by the same man he accidently kills. He becomes the subject of a massive man hunt by the police. The film follows him through the course of afternoon to midnight, as he seeks refuge on the way to either his death or salvation
I won't spoil things by revealing much more of the plot. Suffice to say that nobody did man hunts like Carol Reed. Those who are familiar with The Third Man will remember Joseph Cotten and Trevor Howard chasing Orson Welles through the sewers of Vienna; as great as those sequences are, imagine an entire film filled with the same tension and suspense. McQueen encounters a variety of street characters who are torn between helping and sheltering him, and their loyalty or fear of the police. Each character approaches McQueen from a different angle - some want to help, some want reward money, a priest wants his soul, an artist wants to paint him and capture the mystery of death, and finally, there is the woman who is in love with him. The woman (played by Kathleen Ryan) is the only one with the pure motives and courage to commit herself to Johnny; in the end, none of the other characters are willing to risk their lives to save McQueen's. The action then becomes a race between who will find McQueen first: the woman who loves him, the police, or death. The suspense is unrelenting and culminates in an unexpected ending that justifies the build-up.
James Mason as Johnny McQueen. Dark shadows, dark eyes, dark eybrows.
McQueen is played by one of the greatest faces in cinema history, the incomparable James Mason. Mason had a uniquely expressive face, with coal black eyes seated in deep and cavernous sockets and offset by dark and bushy eyebrows that seemed almost as expressive as his eyes. No actor ever got more from his eyes than Mason, whether expressing the all-consuming obsession of Humbert Humbert in Stanley Kubrick's Lolita, or the desperation and raw exposed soul of Johnny McQueen. It's a great performance that is sustained throughout the film, as McQueen becomes delirious with pain and begins to lose his grip on the mortal world.
F.J. McCormick as Shell, one of the street people Johnny encounters. Is that statue crying?
Visually, Odd Man Out is stunning. It was shot in black and white by the cinematographer Robert Krasker, who a couple of years later would win an academy award for his work with Reed on The Third Man. The images are bold and crisp, and hold up on television. The film is shot like film noir, with an almost expressionistic use of light and shadows and heightened angular urban landscapes. The camera conveys the senses of claustrophobia and isolation McQueen experiences. Reed and Krasker, through their images, make visual the intimate universality of a man approaching his death.
There's a lot going on in Odd Man Out. It explores questions about the price of political activism, loyalty versus self preservation, and the moral responsibility we have for each other. In one of the film's great scenes, McQueen, delirious and delusional, is "posing" for a rather psychotic painter, played by Robert Newton, who strives to capture on the canvas the moment of death, the moment when all secrets are revealed to us. As he sits there waiting for the artist to stop arguing with another man, McQueen hallucinates that the artists' other portraits come to life and form a congregation, with the priest speaking but unable to be heard above the artist's incessant arguing. He starts to ruminate how "we've never really listened to you, have we," and then remembers the passage from Corinthians that starts with "when I was a child, I spoke as a child." Then he regains enough strength to rise from the chair and loudly recite more verse from Corinthians:
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge' and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and not have charity, I am nothing."
The artist is too thick to realize that the moment he'd been looking for has arrived. McQueen sees beyond the walls of his own death, and he hears only the artist arguing, drowning everything out as if his voice were "a sounding brass," and he can see without charity, without love for his fellow man, he is nothing. The love spoken of in Corinthians is an action, not just an emotion, not just faith. The passage talks of the importance to demonstrate our love for one another through charity. McQueen's long journey through the late afternoon to midnight then becomes a search for this charity, and the film's intense suspense is focused on whether he finds it or not.
Carol Reed had a long career as a director in Britain and Hollywood, making films from 1933 to 1972. Although he won an Oscar in 1968 for the musical Oliver!, his career was really unexceptional save for the brief period in the late 40s when he made Odd Man Out, The Fallen Idol, and The Third Man. It's a bit puzzling to watch, for example, his 1965 big budget Hollywood Michelangelo biography, the plodding The Agony and the Ecstasy, knowing that it was made by the same man who made Odd Man Out. But Odd Man Out and The Third Man are both amazing films that have their own unique style and sensibility. During this time, Reed was often regarded along with Alfred Hitchcock as the reigning masters of suspense, but there is nothing in Odd Man Out or The Third Man that resembles a Hitchcock film. Reed was able, in these two films, to reveal depth and complexity of characters rarely found in any film, and he got truly great performances from his leads, Mason in Odd Man Out and Cotten and Welles in The Third Man.
The climactic scene! With Kathleen Ryan as Kathleen Sullivan.
Odd Man Out is one of the most perfect movies I've ever seen. And I'm not alone. Of Odd Man Out, Roman Polanski once said: "I still consider it as one of the best movies I've ever seen and a film which made me want to pursue this career more than anything else... I always dreamt of doing things of this sort or that style. To a certain extent I must say that I somehow perpetuate the ideas of that movie in what I do."
Now, if only we could get more people to see it ....
Posted by DJ Gourdoux at 8:00 PM
Labels: Dave Gourdoux
100,000 Interview
by Jav Rivera and Lisa Adamowicz Kless
It was the summer of 2010, and I was working for an online entertainment magazine and web TV program in Los Angeles. Among my other duties, I offered to write up an article to be featured on their website. They accepted. But I noticed something odd about my article in comparison to the other articles - mine featured an artist that reached mediocre fame back in the 90s, whereas the other articles featured younger, hipper, and more popular artists. I thought, "Maybe I should write about newer, hipper artists." But the thought left a terrible taste in my mind.
Then I had a better thought: "Why don't I just create my own site that features articles about quality artists that just so happen to lack popularity?" Now, that was like a party in my mind, and the whole world was invited. I went to my friend, Lisa Adamowicz Kless, to see what she thought and was greeted with excitement about the project. After a few weeks of constructing the layout of the site and a few more weeks of writing our initial articles, 2nd First Look went online on October 15, 2010.
Now, a little more than two years later, the site is going strong and averages about 700-1000 hits per day. Not too shabby for an unsponsored site and no paid advertising. Currently, we're still running on word-of-mouth and the use of social networking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). I like to think that the growth in our popularity is thanks to the quality of our writers and the devotion of our readers.
--Jav Rivera
When Jav had the idea of starting 2nd First Look, he was living in California; I was in Wisconsin. Long-time friends, part of the way we kept in touch was by sharing suggestions for music, films, etc. that we thought the other person might like. For me, 2FL has felt like a continuation of that. Rather than just sharing suggestions with a close friend though, we've extended it to, well, sharing with anybody with internet access. Our recommendations to each other were sometimes spot on; at other times, we had to be honest and admit that we didn't love something with the same passion that the other person did. Still, whether that thing became a new favorite or it didn't quite click, my knowledge of and experience with film, music, and myriad other types of art expanded because of it.
And, that honesty and frankness carried over into the website. My first post on 2nd First Look was fraught with indecision. I was writing about one of my most intense experiences with art, after seeing a painting by Francisco de Goya. In my opening sentence, I used the word "ass". Jav and I had just begun this new site, and we both hesitated about my use of the word. Would it offend and drive away some readers? Would it be looked upon as setting a certain tone? Finally, Jav suggested that I just go with my gut. I kept the word. It perfectly conveys the exact feeling of the moment that I was sharing, and to me, that's the spirit of the site: to reveal what sparked a love of a particular piece of art, and to encourage others to check it out for themselves, hoping that they might enjoy it too.
Thankfully, it looks like there wasn't much need to fret over my use of a "bad word", and we seem to be doing something right; those first days turned into months and then (happy day!) a year, then two. We've been fortunate enough to have fantastic writers from both the U.S. and the U.K. join us on this adventure, and we're all still writing about what captivates and intrigues us in the creative world. Not everyone may agree with our opinions or necessarily share the love of a particular topic, but that's okay. If it inspires a reader to explore the world of arts and creativity in any form, we've achieved our goal. So, a very sincere thank you to everyone who supports our site. 100,000 views and nearly two and a half years later, we simply wouldn't be here without you.
--Lisa Adamowicz Kless
Now that we've reached the 100,000 page view mark, we thought it would be a great idea to interview some of our writers on their experience with 2nd First Look thus far. We thank each of our writers and readers for making 2nd First Look as successful as it is. And now…the 100,000 Interview:
What made you decide to write for 2nd First Look?
Dave Gourdoux [DG]: I've been a fan of 2FL from the beginning. I like the freedom the writers are given to write about whatever they want, and I like the fact that the site stays positive, and doesn't do negative reviews. I like that the writers are talented and passionate about their subject matter. So when Lisa asked me if I'd like to join the staff, it was an honor and pleasure to accept.
Jenny Bootle [JB]: I've always been a fan of things a little out of the mainstream (not to say I don't enjoy a big razzmatazz blow-it-up blockbuster once in a while) so when Jav and Lisa approached me to write for 2FL, I thought the site was an excellent idea - to encourage people to take a look at something they may have missed the first time round. Also, I'm one of those annoying people who insists they were fans of anything good before everyone else discovered it... so this allows me to channel that annoyingness into something more positive!
John Bloner, Jr. [JBJr]: I needed a place where I could demonstrate my OCD tendencies--make lists and see what they look like alphabetized versus in numerical order--as well as engage in a favorite pastime: looking up stuff. I love research. Once a topic has seized my interest, I'll stuff real and virtual folders with my finds. I also love to learn new terms of speech. My recent favorite is "drone culture", i.e., our collective fascination with pilotless planes.
How did you decide which article you would write first?
DG: My first article was a no-brainer: my favorite movie of all time, "Shoot the Piano Player". It's such a great and eccentric movie; I've always felt it deserves a wider audience.
JB: I agonized for a long time over what to write my first article about. I made long lists of my favourite films, music, television and books and tried to narrow it down. Eventually I picked "Adventureland" because it was a film I had seen and loved not long beforehand and I was annoyed by the way the film's trailer and marketing misrepresented it. I wanted to bring it to peoples' attention and let them know how great it is.
JBJr: I wrote my first article on the film, "Cold Souls." I was not aware of this film's existence until the day after I received an invitation to become a writer for 2FL. I spotted it in our library's DVD bin, while I was looking for something else. So, my first article found me, rather than vice-versa.
What kinds of projects do you typically like to write about?
DG: Being one of the elder statesman of the staff, I'm probably a little more out of touch with current culture than the rest of the team. But I am older, and I'm also a true movie and music history geek. So I think it's that historical perspective I can bring to the site.
JB: I generally choose to write about films, as I regularly read reviews as a way to decide what to watch. I love music, but I find music reviews tough to write, as they're so subjective. I don't feel you have the same common ground to start from as you do when writing about a film.
JBJr: My interests evolve or change over time, sometimes over years and sometimes over only weeks. Here are a couple of them.
Puppets. In the 1970s, I first learned about the Bread and Puppet Theater, which started my interest in artistic communication through puppetry. It was like stepping through a looking glass, finding a world where puppets were much more than child's play. I'm now a puppeteer in The Puppet Underground, a newly-formed troupe in Kenosha, WI.
Comics. As I've grow older, my aging eyes need not only larger type, but images to seize my imagination. Fortunately, some of today's best storytelling is in the form of comics. Some favorites include Ben Katchor and Chris Ware.
Has there ever been a time where you thought you knew almost everything there was to know about a topic you were writing about, but you learned something new that surprised you?
DG: Yes, all the time. This is one of the fringe benefits of writing the articles. For example, this week while writing an article on Bruce Springsteen's "Tunnel of Love," I noticed the similarities between his song "Spare Parts" and his famous ballad "The River". I've listened to both songs hundreds of times over the years, but until writing about it, the similarities never occurred to me. The result was an increased admiration for "Spare Parts", a song I never gave much thought to before.
JB: I've never approached a topic believing I know everything about it (how is that possible?) but I do enjoy researching the articles - finding out what the director or writer has said about the film, how much it cost to make, little incidental facts, etc.
JBJr: I've not been surprised, but my interest in topics has been deepened in the process of researching and writing articles for 2FL. While conducting research for an article on the film "Cold Souls", I finally got around to reading Chekov's play, "Uncle Vanya". Prior to writing an article on the Art Ensemble of Chicago, I had not listened to their music in decades, since selling off my entire vinyl collection. I gained a deeper respect for the musicians while I listened, and read interviews with and articles about them.
Where would you like to see 2FL go in the coming years?
DG: I like the "out-of-the-box" (an examination of broader arts than the usual movies or music) type of articles John Bloner has been posting lately, and it'd be interesting to see more of that sort of thing (although I fear I wouldn't have much to contribute}. Otherwise, as long as it maintains the enthusiasm and passion, I'm okay with wherever it goes.
JB: I'm not sure! I would like people to continue to visit and read the site. Getting feedback about articles or readers' own opinions of what's being reviewed is always interesting to read.
JBJr: I'm excited for the future of 2FL, looking forward to the day (coming soon!) of seeing one million views of the website. I'd like for 2FL to provide its readers with an opportunity to share their comments, insights, and input on the 2FL site, as well as a chance to join a mailing list in order to receive 2FL news in the form of an e-newsletter or as a 2FL mobile app. I'd also like to see 2FL provide performing and visual artists, as well as other writers, with opportunities to provide a creative response to works of art, whether it's a classic film, a well-loved tale, or some sounds that stir their souls. A few other ideas for 2FL:
Create a 2FL channel on YouTube.
Step off the Web and into communities for discussions, performances, and interactive installations.
Offer live Twitter talks between an audience and guest artists, including authors, architects, designers, creative coders and more.
I appreciate the opportunity to serve on the 2FL staff and am thankful for its many readers and my fellow contributors.
In the years to come, we hope both our readers and writers enjoy wherever 2nd First Look may go. And we look forward to our next milestone - be it another 100,000 page views, another year's anniversary, or even just our next article. To us, each moment that we remain online is a cause for celebration. Thanks again to everyone who supports 2nd First Look.
TRIVIA: The idea to interview our writers in celebration of this milestone came from Jav's mother.
Labels: Dave Gourdoux, Jav Rivera, Jenny Bootle, John Bloner Jr., Lisa Adamowicz Kless, misc


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Dafferns Wealth
There have been a thousand-and-one articles written since the pandemic on people's changing attitude to work. Millennials and the generations that follow them – so we are told – want different things from work. Flexibility, the option of working from home and, above all, to work for a company that shares their values: that values purpose as much as profit.
It is not surprising then that we are hearing more and more from companies about ESG – their environmental, social and governance credentials. What really is ESG? And can it possibly matter as much as profits? After all, without profit you cannot pay your employees: you cannot re-invest in the business and you cannot pay dividends to your shareholders.
You could argue that companies' concerns with ESG are not new. The origins could be traced back to the 1800s when religious groups such the Quakers and Methodists ran their businesses according to socially responsible principles, and established socially responsible investment guidelines for their followers.
More recently – in 2006 – the United Nations launched a set of six investment principles which perhaps started the incorporation of ESG into mainstream investment practice. Simply put ESG criteria judge how a company meets its environmental obligations, how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers and the local community and the principles, composition and behaviour of the leadership team.
By the same token ESG investing looks to invest in companies that espouse those values. This, in some ways, brings us back to the generations mentioned above. Millennials and their successors not only want to work for companies that share their values, they want to invest in them as well. Often they want to go one step further, and make investments that have a positive and measurable social and economic impact.
"Impact investing," as it has been dubbed, is now the fastest growing area of responsible investment. The World Economic Forum estimated that $1tn (£730bn) of assets were committed to impact investing in 2020, with the sector forecast to grow at $250bn (£183bn) annually.
It is small wonder then, that companies are paying more and more attention to meeting their ESG obligations. Of course the bottom line remains important – although many of us remember Uber famously being valued in the billions despite saying that it may never make a profit – but now both investors and employees are using other criteria to judge companies. You will hear a great deal more about ESG and impact investing in the months and years to come.
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US: Michigan teen charged with murder, terrorism
Investigators are still trying to determine the motives of the shooter. Four people died and seven others were injured in the Oxford High School attack.
Oxford High School students hold a vigil after a deadly shooting
Michigan prosecutors on Wednesday charged 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley with murder and other charges related to a high school shooting on Tuesday.
The shooting occurred in the town of Oxford, Michigan, around 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of Detroit.
Three victims of the shooting died on Tuesday. On Wednesday, police announced that a 17-year-old had died from his wounds, bringing the death toll to four. A teacher and six other students were wounded in the attack.
Three students remain in hospital, including a 17-year-old girl in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the chest, the Sheriff's Office said. The four other wounded have been discharged.
What are the charges?
Crumbley is being charged as an adult, facing one count of terrorism causing death, four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, said Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald.
McDonald said charges were also being considered against the parents. "Owning a gun means securing it properly and locking it and keeping the ammunition separate," she said.
On Wednesday, a judge ordered the suspect to be transferred from a juvenile facility to county jail.
No motive was offered by county authorities on Wednesday
Motive for shooting unclear
No motive was offered by Oakland County authorities on Wednesday, but McDonald said the shooting was premeditated. This was partially based on a "mountain of digital evidence" collected by police, she said.
The suspect used a 9 mm Sig Sauer pistol that his father had bought for him on November 26, police said.
Officers confronted the shooter as he advanced down a hallway toward them with a loaded weapon, after which he put his hands over his head and surrendered, according to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
Bouchard said it was clear the shooter intended to kill people.
Bouchard said in an interview on broadcaster CNN that it was clear the shooter intended to kill people. "He was shooting people at close range, oftentimes towards the head and chest," said Bouchard.
He added that investigators were poring over some of the shooter's writings that contain "some of his thoughts."
The shooting was the deadliest in US schools this year, according to news organization Education Week.
sdi/nm (AP, AFP, Reuters)
Keywords Michigan, school shooting
Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/43iWp


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How Tattoos Changed The United States From A 1920s Navy Trend Into A Relevant Form Of Contemporary Art?
1135 Words Nov 2nd, 2015 null Page
How have tattoos grown in the United States from a 1920s Navy trend into a relevant form of contemporary art?
Tattoos have been present in many cultures across the globe for centuries. Their meanings spanning a range from symbols of high status to the marks used to categorize and identify criminals. Tattoos were brought to the United States in the 1800s by immigrants and American soldiers. Tattoos were already a respected art form in some parts of the world, like Japan, but as they made their way into the United States their respect as art was degraded to a mere trend among societies' outcasts. Tattoos became unaccepted and were seen as taboo despite having been around for centuries. They were looked down on by mainstream western society until fairly recently. Now however, tattoos have blossomed into a newly accepted art that can be seen on just about anyone from all classes of society.
Tattoo History
The beginning of tattoos in the United States can be said to have started with the establishment of the first tattoo shop in New York. "Martin Hildebrandt, considered one of the country 's first tattoo artists, opened a shop in New York City in 1870, making tattoos accessible for citizens who weren 't able to travel overseas...most tattooed Americans were soldiers inking up for good luck, emblazoning themselves with reminders of their lives back home" (Crum). The establishment of a tattoo shop in the United States initiated the spread of a trend among those who…
Essay How Fashion Trends Changed The Development
P3 describe how a fashion trend is influenced in its development Fashion and trends can be seen in all aspects of culture such as, literature, art, food, religion etc. However my report would be related specifically to clothing. Fashion trends tend to change very often, some last longer than others. This could further be divided into two terms; •	Fashionable: this is used to describe a current popular style. •	Unfashionable: this is used to describe the style that is out of date or not popular…
Book Trends in the United States Essay
Moreover, the popular kind of reading includes history, poetry, religion, politics, and text books etc. The prices of religious books are very rarely changed due to the voluntary efforts and contribution of different charity organizations to make sure its affordability to all types of income earners (Duke, 1981). Moreover, there is also a big trend of used text books that are normally be available on auctions/online and serve the requirements of students due to being cheap than the new ones (Growoll…
Tattoos and Body Piercings as and Art Form Essay
Ashley Beth Logan Manuscript Speech D. Webb Speech 106 Tattoos and Body Piercings Good evening. I would like to start by asking how many of you have a tattoo or piercing other than your ears. Did you know that in most work environments, you are usually not even considered for employment if you're tattoo or piercing is visible during the interview? I am one of the many people who believe tattoos and body piercings are a form of self expression. However, there are still that few out there who…
Essay Tattoos Are A Form Of Art
Art, as Limitless as the Design Tattoos are a form of art. Tattoos are first and foremost an expression of one's self, they always have a meaningful and deep emotional connection to the owner, also no two tattoos are the same, and they add character to a blank canvas (the body). This topic was chosen because tattoos in and of themselves are a controversial topic that many people feel very passionate about. All the forms of art are judged and have critics, however, as with any form of art, tattoos…
Essay The United State Navy And General Use Of Time
Due to the fact I showed up exactly on time and didn 't use my fifteen minutes safe zone arrival time I ordered to write 4 page essays; am writing this essay about the importance of time to the United State Navy and general use of time. To understand been on time someone have to know what it means to be in time. To be in time is been punctual and accountable responsibly. Besides that he/she asks himself/herself those questions; what is my attitude towards time? Is showing up on time important…
Essay How Art Has Changed Change
Art has changed drastically from how it was viewed in the 1500s with detailed realist imagery for example and how it was viewed during the 1900s and this mainly due to the rise of modernity and the belief that ideologies behind a piece of art should surpass the need for aesthetic beauty and continue following the Academies traditions. In the past skill and aesthetic beauty were the only factors questioned in piece and the behind its creation meaning was rarely innovative but always overlooked. Artists…
Essay The United States Navy
Over the course of the last 126 years of its 241 year history, the United States Navy has dramatically altered or outright replaced its doctrine four times due to changes in its role as an arm of the foreign policy of the United States. All four of these transformations have been provoked by a combination of political and technological factors. The first of these revisions occurred between 1890 and 1900, and was caused by a combination of new naval theories and colonial interests in Asia forcing…
Essay How Body Art Has Changed Society
Body art has been around for centuries. It has been a way to express ourselves, express our affection, or to express our social status. Whether it was permanent or temporary it has been a part of our society and has affected how society views people. The ancient Egyptians really brought tattooing to life and it has been ever blooming since then. Originally, tattoos were believed to have begun some time around 2000 B.C. In 1991, however, scientist discovered a mummy that they dated to be around…
How Technological Development Changed The United States Change The Nature Of Government
How did expansion and technological development in the United States change the nature of government? How do we see progress, is it accomplishments that pile can reach the heavens, is it bringing safety of your people, or is it gaining strength for your nation by expanding. Isn't that the expansion and technological boom in the United States was bound to happen at some point in which would have been beneficial to the government and the people as a whole and that is "progress". It is change that sharpens…
Essay Becoming An Officer For The United States Navy
I have a strong desire to become an officer in the United States Navy. To achieve this goal I wish to be accepted into Officer Candidate School where I will later graduate with a commission as an Ensign. I believe myself to be of both strong mind and body, and I accredit this to my commitment to my school, my work, and my training. I graduated top ten percent of my class in High School and Magna Cum Laude in college and I continually try to increase the diversity of my knowledge so to become a…


If you live in the Republic of Ireland simply, spend €50 or more in one transaction. Once this threshold is reached, the free shipping option will appear at the checkout. Select this option to get free delivery!
Regrettably, we are no longer able to offer free delivery to the UK or the EU.
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Q: Getting a HTTPS connection to work with a local Rails app and nginx? I have a Ruby on Rails app that I'm running locally.  I then run a nginx server locally, too.  Now, the connection works fine over HTTP, but when I try to connect over HTTPS, I get the "502 Bad Gateway" error from nginx.  I'm pretty sure the certs are working correctly, because when they weren't, I had a different error, but now something is wrong with my nginx config?  Here's the config:
http {
  access_log off;
  #include mime.types;
  default_type application/octet-stream;

  upstream mydomain.com {
    server 127.0.0.1:8080;
  }

  server {
    listen 80;
    server_name local www.local;
    location / {
      proxy_pass http://mydomain.com;
    }
    add_header Pragma "no-cache";
  }

  server {
    listen 443;
    server_name local www.local;
    ssl on;
    ssl_certificate /Users/daise/projects/mydomain/run/ssl/server.crt;
    ssl_certificate_key /Users/daise/projects/mydomain/run/ssl/server.key;
    location / {
      proxy_set_header X-FORWARDED_PROTO https;

      #proxy_pass https://mydomain.herokuapp.com;
      proxy_pass https://mydomain.com;
    }
    add_header Pragma "no-cache";
  }
}

I should also add that I spoof my /etc/hosts file to resolve to 127.0.0.1

A: Change
 proxy_pass https://mydomain.com;

to
 proxy_pass http://mydomain.com;

Your ssl is terminated in nginx. So there is no need to use https to connect to the upstream server.
[More]
Also notice a typo in your config file:
proxy_set_header X-FORWARDED_PROTO https

to
proxy_set_header X-FORWARDED-PROTO https;


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Uniting basic income initiatives
UBI service platform
Horizon aims to unite basic income initiatives worldwide. To this purpose, Horizon offers a platform where basic income services can be easily set up. This works through the so-called "Horizon Factory" that, basically, creates a copy of the Horizon basic income service at each request. This is as easy as filling in a simple form and confirming the Ethereum transaction. In the back, the Horizon smart contracts keep managing the system, but the newly created service runs independently from the main service and it is completely controlled by its creator, of course.
UBI cost & support
By using the Horizon Factory, there is no need to invest a lot of money into the development of a custom basic income service. To support the platform, a one-time fee is charged for creating a new instance of Horizon's basic income service and a wee percentage (used only to fuel Horizon's financial reserve) is kept from each deposit to this instance. In other words, the more initiatives that make use of Horizon's platform, the more people can benefit from Horizon's main basic income service. For each party involved, it is a win-win deal.
The beta version of Horizon's DApp has been deployed on the Ropsten test net, so be careful to send only test Ether!
Go to DApp
To create a new Splitter instance, provide the following data:
– name of the new basic income service
– period length of regular payouts to token holders
– address of the token used for calculating payout amounts
– the amount of Ether in Wei(*) that is paid out periodically per token
– the maximum number of tokens allowed per account
(*) 1 Ether = 1000000000000000000 Wei
Standard ERC20 tokens
As the Horizon platform works with ERC20 compatible tokens, already created tokens can also be used when deploying a new basic income service. To enable this option, it is only required to register the existing ERC20 token at the Horizon Factory.
At the same time, through the Factory, new tokens can be easily created without an additional fee. These tokens are completely owned and controlled by its creators and work exactly as Horizon's MiniMe tokens. This means that tokens created through the Horizon Factory can be used for multiple purposes, so they are absolutely not limited to a basic income service deployed on the Horizon platform.


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When will the old passenger trains of Ulaanbaatar Railway JSC "retire"?
Munkhzul.A
munkhzul@montsame.gov.mn
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. 80 percent of the total train cars currently used in Mongolia continues to use the old technology of burning coal for heating. There is no other country that is in the same state as ours as every other country is developing its electric, high-speed trains and equipping it with proper ventilation systems and air conditioning as well as vacuum. Moreover, despite the maximum 28 years of usage for passenger trains that has been set in Mongolia, some train cars that have been used for 57 years continue to be operated. Thus, MONTSAME National News Agency talked about this matter with Deputy Head in charge of repairs of the Passenger Transport Department at Ulaanbaatar Railways JSC B.Ganbaatar.
-As of today, how many passenger train cars are being used at Ulaanbaatar Railway JSC? For how long is one train car intended to be used?
-The usage period of a passenger train car is 28 years. Of the total of 276 cars being currently used, 74 percent have been used for over 28 years. The longest one has been used is 57 years.
There are 46 train cars of which usage period has gone over by 5 years, taking 16.67 percent. 57 train cars that have been used for 34-37 years take 20.65 percent. 35 train cars that have been used for 38-40 years take 12.6 percent, and 65 train cars that have been used for over 41 years take 23.55 percent of the total train cars. From this, you can see that three-quarters of the total train cars continue to be operated despite going over its intended usage period.
The aforementioned old train cars are being operated thanks to the immense work put in by repair workers of the Passenger Depot in order to extend their usage period.
-What should be done to renew them? What have been the obstacles so far?
-At least 20-30 train cars are required to be purchased each year to renew them. At that speed, a good portion would be renewed in 5-6 years. There would no longer be any train cars that have gone over its usage period, offering passengers modernity and comfort on top of our services. However, the main issue in purchasing is insufficient financing.
As of now, all repairs for bogie and brakes of passenger train cars are being done domestically. After long usage periods of train cars, their main body begins to rust. This makes it necessary to partially change the body, which is the only part where we face difficulty. Some broken-down equipment is required to be replaced. And we conduct those repairs, too. However, these types of repairs are costly. The older the train cars, the more costly it would be. As some parts need to be replaced while others are repaired, the costs for repairs continue to grow as they go.
Last year, we spent a total of MNT 8.1 billion on doing repairs for 276 train cars. Equipment and replacement gears are not manufactured domestically, so we also have to make purchases from the Russian Federation. But year after year, the prices of gear and equipment grows by 20 percent. Due to this, repair costs continue to become higher as well.
Although there is insufficient funds, we fully use our available resources in the repairs to fully ensure the proper operations of trains. The leftover funds are spent on painting the train cars and interior decoration to ensure passenger comfort.
If we had the proper funding, it is fully possible to give more emphasis on passenger comfort by upgrading train cars, such as transitioning our trains into electric heating, and installing vacuum toilets in bathrooms.
-How many of the 74 percent that needs to be renewed are being repaired by the railway company?
-In general, all of the train cars are being repaired in our full capacity. There is a necessity to step-by-step renew 74 percent of the train cars that have gone over its usage period with modern replacements. We are doing repairs and upgrades for our cars in a way that meets modern standards and ensures comfort for our passengers in the framework of available domestic resources.
For instance, 80 percent of the train cars that are being used today use the old method of burning coal as a solution for heating. In other words, this much percentage is not equipped with modern ventilation and air conditioning systems. However, due to the pressing issue of air and environmental pollution, we are faced with the necessity of transitioning our train cars into electric heating.
Today, Ulaanbaatar Railway JSC transports each passenger for MNT 30 per km. If this amount is increased to MNT 52, our railway sector will be able to operate without any deficits, and even fully renew the train cars.
Currently, the train en route Beijing-Ulaanbaatar uses electric heating. It has one diesel train car, which provides electricity for the train. The train has vacuum toilets, and its sleeper cabins are fully equipped with fridge, air conditioning, and shower. Despite the availability of this type of solutions, financing continues to be the sole issue. There is a lot for us to do in the area of ensuring passenger comfort.
The image shows an electro-diesel train that was manufactured in the People's Republic of China in 2007
The image shows the repairing process of train cars manufactured in East Germany that was provided from the former USSR. They have been operated in Mongolia for 50 years
-Were most of the currently used train cars manufactured in the former USSR?
-Train cars that were manufactured in the former USSR, and current Russia and PRC are being operated. There are some that were manufactured in East Germany as well.
-Is there any difference in their repairs? In the manufacturing standards, for example?
-Although there are certain differences with each country, the main difference lies in how long of a period it was operated for. German cars are being used for 70 years, and those of former USSR are being used for 50 years. The Chinese train cars are relatively new as they were purchased in 2007.
-There is most likely no other country that continues to operate train cars that use coal. Electric and high-speed trains continue to develop with ventilation and air conditioning as well as vacuum. What are some other solutions for upgrading the train cars?
-One way is to increase the current price for our services to meet the level that is on the markets. There is no other way as it has become impossible to continue to move forward like this. We make international trips, but we also have to ensure the comfort of passengers on domestic trips as well. Personally, I do not wish to see our railway sector behind in development for many years.
Another solution is to acquire investment from the Government, and attract investment. Ulaanbaatar Railway JSC transports one passenger for MNT 30 per km. If it is increased to MNT 52, the sector will be able to keep its balance. There will be opportunities to renew the train cars. Alongside passenger train cars, our freight trains are also in the same amount of necessity for renewal.
The image shows a passenger train fueling up for another journey.
B.Bold
Photography by N.Batbayar
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text:
Why is CEC keeping a millio...
Why is CEC keeping a million of Ukrainians hostage?
By Yuriy Hanushchak, expert of the group on decentralisation and administrative-territorial reform of the Reanimation Package of Reforms, specially for UP
What was it?
This is far not a rhetorical question that arose after the publication of the decision of the Central Election Commission No. 122 dated 9 August.
A so-called bare-faced blackmail – we will not work until you persuade us.
The most natural reaction on the part of the government would be to suspend the funding of the CEC until it gets a grip, since there is absolutely no legal basis in the CEC's decision.
So far, there has been response to this decision from the public organisations. The relevant statement was published by the Reanimation Package of Reforms. Some newly formed AHs, which have to pass through the elections procedure to get final legitimation, expressed their indignation as well.
Astonishment and anxiety about the fate of the decentralisation reform have already been expressed by Georg Milbradt, Special Envoy of the German government.
And this is the first reaction from the international community. A tougher stance is to be expected soon – too many international donors have contributed to ensuring the success of the reform, and a simple decision of the CEC cannot just banally roll up the process.
According to my information, MinRegion will most likely limit itself to correspondence with the CEC, granting it a chance to correct its mistake.
There is still no reaction of the Prime Minister, for whom decentralisation is a too dear reform.
The President has expressed no reaction so far, although he has repeatedly stated that decentralisation of power is the most successful reform and counted it as an electoral asset.
Political parties keep silent as well. And it is difficult to explain it by the off-season period – the media reason is more than vivid.
The opposition is silent as well as political parties of the new wave, not represented in the Parliament.
In general, the CEC's demarche is a maturity test for the civil society, the government and political community.
The full version of the expert column is available HERE
elections amalgamation of hromadas CEC Yu.Hanushchak column