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FanFiction | unleash your imagination
Stories: New
Stories: Updated
Crossovers: New
Crossovers: Updated
MoviesBrokeback Mountain
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A Love Born From Steel
By: MaineWriter
When Jack came to see Ennis after his divorce, Ennis said, See ya in a month. This story is my take on their experience, beginning with that fishing trip. Warning: mature themes and language. Comments welcome.
Rated: Fiction M - English - Romance/Drama - Chapters: 23 - Words: 127,426 - Reviews: 331 - Favs: 218 - Follows: 70 - Updated: 6/25/2006 - Published: 3/20/2006 - Status: Complete - id: 2853224
+ - Full 3/4 1/2 Expand Tighten
1. Chapter 12. Chapter 23. Chapter 34. Chapter 45. Chapter 56. Chapter 67. Chapter 78. An Interlude of Correspondence9. Chapter 810. Chapter 911. Chapter 1012. Chapter 1113. Chapter 1214. Chapter 1315. Chapter 1416. Chapter 1517. Chapter 1618. Chapter 1719. Chapter 1820. Chapter 1921. Chapter 2022. Epilogue 200623. Five Drabbles
Three weeks, fifteen gallons of paint, five gallons of primer, forty sheets of sandpaper, three dozen dust masks, one case of caulk, five paintbrushes, and six skinned knuckles later, they finished painting the house. With the last swipe of the brush, Jack and Ennis stood back and admired their handiwork, Ennis wiping the sweat off his brow with the back of his arm. Jack had bought an Instamatic camera at the drugstore on the day he ordered the paint at the hardware store. He had been taking pictures all along, starting when the house was completely scraped clean. Now he pulled it out of his pocket and snapped a few more shots of the finished product. "I can't wait t'get these developed t'show Hal," he said. "I think the house looks great. I'm sure he will, too."
"It better look great," said Ennis. "Those fuckin' window panes and the trim nearly killed me."
Jack smiled at Ennis. "Go stand on the porch, cowboy," he said. "I want t'get a picture of you in front of yer masterpiece."
"I'm wearing shorts, Jack," said Ennis. "Besides, I don't like havin' my picture taken."
"Go on, get over there," said Jack, not taking no for an answer. "This is for me. D'ya realize, we've never had a picture of each other? Nothin' t'ever look at? C'mon."
Ennis gave him a smile. "Okay, but only if I can take a picture of you, too," he said as he walked towards the porch. Jack held up the camera and snapped a few shots of Ennis, loving the way he looked, happy, smiling, and relaxed, and yes, wearing shorts.
They traded places and Ennis held the camera up to his eye. As he did so, he started walking closer to Jack. "Whatchya doin'?" said Jack. "Ya won't be able to see the house."
"I don't want a picture of the house," said Ennis, with a smile. "I want a picture of you. Say cheese."
Jack smiled, a big grin from ear to ear, and Ennis pushed the button. Jack walked over and took the camera back. "If we're gonna have close-ups, then I want one of you, too," he said, framing Ennis in the viewfinder. When he was finished, he looked at the camera in his hand. "What I'd really like is a picture of the two of us together," he said.
Ennis nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that." He looked at Jack. "Actually, I'd like a picture of us kissin'."
Jack looked at him, surprised. "Really? You'd want a picture of that?"
Ennis nodded. "Yup. Not t'show anybody or anythin', but just t'have."
Jack looked at Ennis, thinking about what he had just said. In many ways, Jack felt that he had witnessed a remarkable emotional maturation in Ennis over the past three weeks. It had started after the confrontation with Roger Grindell. For Ennis, it was as if the thing he had feared throughout his life—the faceless 'tire-iron guy'—suddenly had a face, and he wasn't all that scary. It seemed as if Ennis had realized that the fear he had been harboring all these years had grown, in his imagination, out of proportion to what existed in reality. Once Ennis had set some of that baggage aside, he was able to accept another piece of who he really was.
Jack also felt that the past three weeks had been remarkable, too, in that they had been so ordinary. He was surprised at just how easily they had adapted to day-to-day life, both with each other and in their work on the farm. Jack remembered the first weeks living with Lureen after they had been married. She was always nagging at him about this or that. With Ennis, none of that seemed to matter. When Jack left the cap off the toothpaste, Ennis just screwed it on without saying a word. If Ennis left a towel on the floor, Jack just hung it on the rack. And neither of them cared about leaving the toilet seat up.
Without any discussion, Jack had fallen into the role of cook, but Ennis was always at his side helping with the clean-up, usually drying the dishes as Jack washed. Jack had found an old Joy of Cooking on the bookshelf in the living room and began to experiment with a few different recipes. Most came out well, but a few, such as "Crab Mongol" turned out to be dismal failures. When he served this particular concoction, Ennis took a few bites, then, trying to be polite, pushed his food around on his plate. Finally, he looked at Jack. "Don't make this one again, willya?" he asked.
"Don't worry, En," said Jack. "I think I'll rip the whole page out of the book." Ennis smiled at him gratefully.
Ennis, who had never even touched a broom in the years he was married to Alma, discovered he enjoyed—well, maybe not enjoyed, but didn't mind—cleaning. In fact, Jack was surprised at just how much cleaning Ennis was doing. It started with the knick-knacks in the living room. Ennis had said to Jack, "I don't like all this crap around, collectin' dust. D'ya think Tom or Hal would mind if I put them away?"
Jack shook his head. "I don't think anyone gives a shit, includin' me."
Ennis laughed. Once the tchotchkes were packed away, he started in on the dusting, but realized a stronger attack was needed. He scrubbed the baseboards and window sills and washed all the windows, inside and out. He vacuumed the entire house within an inch of its life, pulling the furniture out from the walls and discovering dust bunnies that had laid dormant for years.
Laundry seemed to be the one point on which neither of them had much experience or knowledge. The hamper in the bathroom was overflowing and the sheets on the bed were due for a change when Ennis looked at Jack and said, "I guess we gotta figger this out." Jack replied, "Yup, I guess we do."
They had no concept of sorting light and dark, but it made sense to them to wash all their jeans and shorts together, and then their shirts, and then a final load of anything that was left, mostly socks. They did make the washer overflow when they stuffed it too full of sheets and towels and as they mopped up the basement floor together, Jack commented, "Well, I guess we learned that lesson."
Ennis nodded. "Yup, we did. Don't wait 'til every damn towel in the house is dirty before we decide t'wash 'em."
Bringing his thoughts back to the present, Jack looked at the house, thinking it was 'pretty as a rose,' corny as that might be. "So, En, we've finished the paintin', what's next?"
"What's next?" Ennis, replied. "Besides fixin' the fences, takin' care of the field, cleanin' the barn, disinfectin' the stable, and mebbe even paintin' the barn?"
"Yeah," said Jack, laughing, "all that and what's next?"
"Well, actually," said Ennis, "I was thinkin' we could start on the inside."
"Whaddya mean, the inside?" said Jack, puzzled.
"The inside of the house," said Ennis, pointing. "We can strip the wallpaper and start painting the walls."
Jack looked at him, surprised. "Strip the wallpaper? When d'ya get this bright idea?"
"The other day, when I was washin' the baseboards," Ennis replied. "If ya look at it close, the wallpaper is all dingy and stained. No way t'really get it clean. Besides," he continued, "the whole point is t'clean this place up so Tom can sell it. I think painted walls would look better than the way that old wallpaper looks."
"Well, if we're gonna do that, I s'pose we should talk t'Tom," said Jack.
"As a matter of fact," said Ennis, "I actually talked to Hal 'bout it. He liked the idea."
Jack smiled to himself. He wasn't surprised to hear this. Ennis had gotten into the habit of visiting Hal everyday. Jack went along three or four times a week, but Ennis was faithful to a daily visit. "Poor old guy," he'd say, "always complainin' 'bout bein' lonely. It's the least I can do."
Jack knew that it was more than just a matter of keeping Hal company. He could see that Hal and Ennis were becoming good friends. This pleased Jack—he knew Ennis basically had no friends, except for himself. For Ennis to find comfortable companionship, even if it was an older man in a nursing home, made Jack happy.
"So what did Hal hafta say on the subject?" asked Jack.
"Well, like everythin' else, the wallpaper got put up at the same time as the electricity and plumbing," he said. "Hal remembers the house when he was little—it had plain white walls but the trim was cream. Same color as the trim on the outside of the house."
"Sounds nice," said Jack. "And I bet it would be brighter." Ennis nodded in agreement. "So, what's involved in stripping wallpaper?" he asked, accepting the fact that this was obviously going to be the next big project on their horizon.
"Come inside and let me show ya," said Ennis. "I actually think it'll be pretty easy. I've already found places where it has started to peel."
It turned out that painting the inside of the house—the first floor, at least—was much easier and faster than the outside, and they were finished within a week. They had taken down all the curtains intending to wash and iron them, but they were all so old they had basically disintegrated in the wash. Ennis pulled them out of the machine, looking at the shreds of fabric. He showed them to Jack. "What d'we do know?" he said.
"Buy new curtains, I guess," said Jack. He thought for a minute, then said, "I have that appointment in two days with Lureen and the lawyers. There's a department store in Childress, bigger than anythin' here in Quanah. Why don't ya come with me and we can pick somethin' out there."
Which is exactly what they did. Ennis had about an hour alone in the curtain department while Jack was at his appointment. He realized he knew absolutely nothing about buying curtains, but a helpful saleslady was more than happy to offer advice and her opinion. He showed her the paper with the measurements and explained the layout of the house. "There are four windows in the livin' room," he said, "three in the dinin' room and four in the kitchen, along the back of the house. Upstairs, two in the big bedroom, and one in each of the other rooms—two bedrooms and the bathroom."
She nodded, "Okay, and the walls?"
"The walls are gonna be white, with cream trim," he said, "at least downstairs. We haven't figgered out what t'do upstairs yet."
"Well let's start with the livin' room," she said, moving over to a display of window length country curtains.
She was so nice and helpful that Ennis actually discovered he enjoyed browsing through the displays. By the time Jack arrived, they had made tentative selections for every room in the house. Jack liked everything but quibbled a bit about the valances that Ennis had picked for the kitchen. "I like green better'n blue," he said.
"I picked the blue 'cause of the colors in the countertops," Ennis countered. "Those little flecks are blue."
"I wouldn't pick these just for that," said Jack. "Think about it, cowboy—the way yer redecoratin', you'll be replacin' the countertops next."
Ennis laughed. "Yer prob'ly right. Let's go with the green, since you like 'em better."
The saleslady laughed with them, enjoying their obvious comraderie. Jack looked at her, sensing that she was another person who was "figgerin' them out." He nodded at Ennis, who nodded back, realizing what Jack was thinking. For his part, Ennis had discovered it really didn't matter if people they met knew or suspected about their relationship—no one, with the exception of Roger Grindell—seemed to care.
As the saleslady piled up their selections she asked, "What about curtain rods?"
"Curtain rods?" said Ennis. "Never thought of that."
"You said you were paintin'?" Ennis and Jack nodded. "Well then," she said, "I would suggest you just start fresh with all new hardware. Take down the old stuff before you paint, caulk the nail holes and put the new rods up after you're done."
"Caulk," said Ennis laughing. "We know about caulk. Went through a case o'the stuff while we were paintin' the outside of the house."
She rang up the order and Jack pulled out a check from his wallet to pay for it. The saleslady looked at the check as she put it in the cash register, then stopped. "Jack Twist? You're Jack?"
Jack nodded, a little wary. He didn't recognize her, but then, Lureen had a lot of friends he didn't know.
She continued. "You must be Bobby's dad, then. My nephew plays baseball with Bobby. I was watching the game the other day with my sister."
"Oh, really?" he said. "I haven't been t'many of the games the past few weeks. Lureen and I are gettin' divorced and I'm livin' down in Quanah."
"I heard that," she said. "I'm sorry." Jack shrugged. "But, actually, I'm glad I've run into you. Bobby was talkin' t'my nephew the other day. I guess he's started takin' ridin' lessons?"
"That's right," said Jack. "My buddy Ennis, here, he's teachin' him."
Ennis smiled. "Somethin' I like t'do, help kids like horses."
"My nephew is interested, but my sister didn't know how t'find you. Are you takin' on other kids for lessons?"
"I hadn't really thought about it," said Ennis. "But I s'pose it's possible. I taught a bunch of kids back home in Riverton."
Jack motioned to the counter. "D'ya have a piece of paper? I'll write down our phone number—ya can give it t'yer sister, have her give Ennis a call."
"That would be great," she said. "My name's Lucy, by the way, and my sister is Phyllis."
They picked up the bags with he curtains and the rods and thanked her one last time. "Tell yer sister t'call," Jack reminded her again.
As they walked out to the truck, Jack looked at Ennis. "Is that they way it happened in Riverton? People just ask ya 'bout ridin' lessons and ya get a new student?"
"More or less," said Ennis. "It's funny, Jack, when ya think 'bout it. Back in the old days, no one took lessons, ya just learned to ride. Shit, I don't even remember the first time I was on a horse—must've been two or somethin'. Nowadays, kids need lessons."
"Well," Jack said, "as they say, don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Ya said ya made extra money in Riverton. Mebbe we can do the same thing here."
"Fine with me," said Ennis, agreeing. "It's easy work and I enjoy doin' it. Plus, I get the kids t'groom the horses. I can just sit back and smoke cigarettes."
"Ya look like ya work hard," said Jack, laughing, "but yer really a lazy sonofabitch at heart."
"Speak for yerself, cowboy," said Ennis, with a wink. "Let's get home. We got ourselves a livin' room t'paint."
A few days later they were hanging the curtains in the living room when the phone rang. Jack went into the kitchen to answer it. "Lazy L, this is Jack," he said.
"Jack, this is Tom," came a voice over the wire. "How are you?"
"Great, Tom, how 'bout yerself?"
"I'm great." They chatted about this and that for a few minutes. Tom had gotten into the habit of calling every few days, so he was up-to-date on the progress of the painting, both inside and out. Jack filled him in on the purchase of the curtains and the new rods.
"Save the receipt," said Tom. "I'll reimburse you."
"Ya sure?" said Jack. "It's our fault the old ones fell apart. I think the water was too hot or somethin'."
"They fell apart because they were probably thirty years old," said Tom, "and probably hadn't been washed in ten years. Of course I'll pay you back." He continued, "Listen, I'm thinking of coming up this weekend. That okay with you?"
"Of course, Tom," said Jack. "Y'know we like t'see ya, and Hal is always missin' ya. Ya gonna stay for the weekend this time or just rush back to Austin?" This last comment was in reference to Tom's visit two weeks earlier. He had planned on spending one night, but ended up making the roundtrip in one day. He had managed to visit Hal for a few hours, but had only spent about half an hour at the farm.
"I'm planning on spending the night," he said. "That was a hell of a lot of driving in one day. 700 miles roundtrip."
Jack smiled to himself as Tom said this. For nine years, he had routinely driven 917 miles one way just to see Ennis and never gave it a second thought. Now he realized just how long a drive it really was.
"When d'ya think you'll get here?" said Jack.
"I'm planning on leaving on Saturday after lunch," said Tom. "I should be there in the early evening. It's about a seven hour drive."
"Sounds good t'me," said Jack. "We'll wait up for ya." They chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up.
Jack walked back into the living room. "That was Tom," he said. "He's comin' up on Saturday."
Ennis looked at Jack. "We gonna tell him?"
Jack shrugged. "We planned on it last time," he said. "I don't think anything's changed, d'you?"
Ennis shook his head. "Nope—'cept if he flies in and out of here like a racehorse again, mebbe we won't have the time this time, either."
"Well," said Jack, "he said he's spendin' the night."
They had actually talked about this quite a bit before Tom's last visit and decided that if he didn't bring it up early in the conversation, they would tell him about their relationship. "I feel dishonest, En," Jack had said. "He's trusting us t'do all this work, be here in the house. I feel like we're keepin' somethin' from him."
"I know what ya mean," replied Ennis. "It's just that I ain't told anybody before. It's kinda hard. And what if he like, I dunno, gets mad or somethin'? Starts callin' us fuckin' queers?"
Jack had said, "Well, what's the worst that can happen? He throws us out." Jack considered for a minute. "Somehow, though, I don't think that's what Tom is like." He paused, then continued. "Y'know, En, think 'bout Hal. I think we have an ally in him. He likes us, and he knows about us. If Tom went to him and said he fired us 'cause we're gay, I think Hal would say somethin' 'bout it. Mebbe he'd even tell Tom 'bout himself."
Ennis nodded at this. "Mebbe I could even ask Hal 'bout this, see if he has any opinions on Tom's feelings on th'matter."
Ennis did bring it up to Hal during on of their visits, and Hal concurred with their assessment. "He's never mentioned it t'me," said Hal. "But I think he's a pretty open minded guy, bein' a college professor and all. But ya never know…" Ennis had not found this last comment particularly reassuring.
Jack stepped back and looked at the curtains. The walls gleamed under their coat of fresh paint and the windows shone from Ennis's washing. "This place looks pretty damn good," said Jack. "Let's just hope that even if Tom does hate fuckin' queers, he's gonna love the job we're doin' and keep us on."
Ennis laughed. "Fuck, Jack, you are the most optimistic sonofabitch I have ever met in my life."
"That's why ya love me, ain't it cowboy?" said Jack, with a smile.
"Damn straight," said Ennis, putting his arm around Jack's shoulders. "Damn straight."
Of course, as with so many things in life, their telling Tom did not go according to plan.
It was Saturday evening, and Jack and Ennis were lying on the couch, legs twisted together, engaged in a good old fashioned necking session. They hadn't planned on this but somehow it just…happened. They figured that Tom would arrive around 8 pm, so at 8, the flipped on the little TV. Nothing was on (as usual. Ennis was beginning to wonder why the TV was even in the house.) so they tried to amuse themselves with a few hands of poker. That didn't prove successful either, so they ended up just sitting on the couch, Jack flipping through an old book, but not really reading. Ennis had reached over and the next thing they knew, they were prone, making out like they hadn't seen each other in months.
The clock slipped past 9. "Where the hell is Tom?" said Jack, as Ennis pulled him in for another kiss.
"I dunno. Lost, I s'pose," said Ennis.
"Listen En, we can keep at this, but no screwin'," said Jack, trying vainly to set some ground rules for their fun. "Tom may show up at any minute."
Ennis nodded, realizing the wisdom of this, but he was finding it increasingly difficult with each successive to kiss to keep his pants zipped. At one point, Ennis pulled back and said, "Oh, God, I feel like I felt when I was datin' Alma."
"Whaddya mean?"
"Y'know, I want it so bad but I can't," he said, pulling into Jack for another kiss.
When that one finished, Jack asked, "You dated Alma?"
""Course I dated her," said Ennis. "Whaddya think, we got married without knowin' each other, like they do in India?"
Jack laughed, "I s'pose yer right. Just never thought of ya datin' her. She ever put out?"
"That's what I was just sayin' 'bout the feelin'…no, nothin' 'til we got married. Her parents were strict Methodists. I was lucky t'even get a kiss. I was a virgin on my weddin' night."
Jack pulled back and looked at Ennis in absolute amazement. "Ennis, what the fuck are ya sayin'? You weren't no virgin on yer weddin' night."
Ennis looked back at Jack, feeling a little confused. In his mind, he had always thought of himself as a virgin but realized that discounted a summer of screwing Jack on Brokeback Mountain. "I'm not sure what t'say, bud," he said. "Mebbe I meant that I was a virgin with women. T'be honest, I'm pretty much a virgin with anybody. You 'n Alma, that's it in my life."
"Don't discount yerself, cowboy. Yer a mighty fine lover, even if ya ain't been 'round the block two dozen times."
"Ummm," said Ennis, pulling Jack towards him for another kiss. When they came up for air, Ennis looked at Jack, "What 'bout you?" he said.
"I told ya, it's you and Alma for me. How many others in yer life?"
"Why ya bringin' that up, Ennis?" said Jack. "It's not important."
"'Cause I'm curious," he replied, not picking at all up on the tentative anxiety in Jack's voice.
"Okay," he sighed, "since we agreed to be truthful….Lureen and two guys."
Ennis looked totally surprised and wondered if this was a path he should go down. But since the conversation was started, he asked, "Two guys? Does that count Mexico? You said somethin' 'bout that up at Don Wroe's."
"Oh, Ennis, why are ya bringin' that up? I don't want t'get into a fight."
Ennis didn't say anything, just waited.
Jack paused, then continued, "Three guys, countin' Mexico, which was the biggest fuckin' mistake of my entire goddamn life."
Like Jack, Ennis wasn't in the mood for a fight, and in fact, found the whole subject wasn't making him particularly angry. He felt detached, as if it was a chapter that was over and done, but he was curious about what had actually happened. "Guess it wasn't much fun then, huh?"
"That's an understatement," said Jack. "You saw what I was like back in May…I think I must've been havin' some sort of nervous breakdown or somethin'. Went down there, totally on impulse, got smashed, picked up some guy in the street. No, Ennis, it was not fun at all."
"Okay, then, I forgive ya, bud," said Ennis, giving Jack a hug. "I won't bring that up again." Jack smiled at him, his face full of thanks. "But," Ennis continued, "tell me 'bout the other guys. I'm curious, really."
"Well," Jack said, "it was a long time ago. Before I was married, but after Brokeback. A guy picked me up in a bar. It was just a one night stand, we had a good time, but I never saw him again." He paused and took a breath, "The second guy…he was more regular. We got together for about six months."
"Who was he?" said Ennis.
"Guy I met rodeoin', he was doin' the rodeo circuit with me. His name was Ray."
"So, what happened?" asked Ennis.
Jack tweaked Ennis's chin and gave him a little smile, "Well, see, I had this little problem…spelled E-N-N-I-S…tough to fall in love with someone else, when I knew I was in love with you." Ennis smiled as Jack said this, then Jack continued. "I think Ray was a little more into me, than I was into him. I felt bad, wasn't bein' fair, so I broke it off. I met Lureen a few weeks after that. Remember when you asked up at Don Wroe's cabin, why did I marry Lureen?" Ennis nodded. "Comin' on the heels of Ray, knowin' I was in love with you…I guess I thought I could fix it all by doin' the 'right' thing, which, once I did it, I realized pretty quickly was the wrong thing."
"I have t'say, Jack," said Ennis, "it sounds more complicated for you than it was for me."
"Like I said before, Ennis, I was tryin' to figure it out. I was married mebbe six or seven months when I knew it was a mistake…but Lureen was pregnant by then, I didn't feel like I could ask her for a divorce. So I stuck with it, but that was when I started lookin' for you."
"I've wondered 'bout that, Jack. How did ya find me?"
Jack smiled. "The phone book. Ain't too many Del Mars in Wyoming, fortunately, so it was pretty easy to figger out which one was you."
"They have Wyoming phone books in Childress?"
"No," said Jack, laughing, "but they do have 'em in the Dallas Public Library. L.D. sent me off to Dallas on some fuckin' errand for the business, so I decided to take some time while I was there and go t'the library. Looked you up, found out you were in Riverton, sent the card. The rest is history."
Ennis thought back to that day, remembering when the postcard arrived. "Y'know somebody named Jack?" Alma had asked. Ennis had grabbed the card and rushed to the post office to send his two word reply: You Bet.
Jack traced his fingers across Ennis's forehead, down his cheek and across his jaw. "Cowboy, I love you so much," he said, his heart full of emotion.
Ennis smiled. He could see on Jack's face the same feeling that he had inside. "I love you too, rodeo," he said. He pulled Jack's face towards his for a long and serious kiss.
Tom pulled up outside the house. He was glad to see the lights shining from the windows, which meant that Jack and Ennis had waited up for him. He had gotten a late start from Austin and then the drive seemed long and slow—traffic was heavy and there was a major back-up where a tractor trailer had broken down.
He was looking forward to seeing "the boys" as he thought of them. Talking to them on the phone, and their brief visit two weeks before, he had gotten to know them better and he realized how much he enjoyed them. Jack was funny with a good sense of humor; Ennis was quiet and thoughtful and seemed to have a lot of insight about Uncle Hal.
Tom was also pleased with their work on the farm. He thought things were going great. The exterior house painting was done and on their own they had decided to tackle the inside, too. The field next to the stable appeared to be in much better shape. He knew that they had plans for the barn, stable, and fences but had made the house the priority for the moment.
Tom walked up to the house and was about to open the front door when something made him stop. He turned and peered into the front window and the sight he saw couldn't have surprised him more. There were Jack and Ennis lying on the couch, their long legs twisted together, Ennis on the bottom, Jack on top. The two of them were making out—seriously making out. Ennis's hands were massaging Jack's ass, while Jack was holding Ennis's face. Jack was pressing on him and it looked as if he was trying to push his tongue all the way down into Ennis's trachea.
Tom knew he should stop looking, but he couldn't. He felt riveted to the spot as he watched them. He had never seen anything so…sexy. That's the word he wanted, he realized. This was the hottest thing he had ever seen. At this point, they pulled apart. Tom could see them smiling and whispering. It was pretty obvious they saying were saying "I love you" to each other, or at least words to that effect.
Jack leaned in again for another kiss and finally, Tom managed to turn away. He felt like a peeping Tom ("How appropriate is my name?" he thought) but any shame he felt came from within—for intruding on their privacy and observing their truly profound and deeply shared love.
"How can I be so dense?" Tom thought to himself. "Why didn't I figure this out sooner?" He remembered the first evening he talked to Ennis, when Ennis had used "we" in a particularly personal way. Tom had thought about them as a couple then, but dismissed the possibility of them being gay, and never revisited the idea again.
Tom thought about what to do. He didn't want to intrude on them but at the same time, he was here and needed to get in the house. He decided to "arrive again"—he got in his car, backed out the drive and then drove in again, this time honking the horn to announce his arrival. He made sure to slam the car door really hard and stomped up the steps of the front porch. As he stood in front of the door, he again peered in the window. His plan had worked. Jack and Ennis were now sitting on the couch. Of course, they still looked like a pair of horny teenagers—Jack's hair sticking up all over his head and Ennis's shirt partially unbuttoned—but at least he wouldn't embarrass them by catching them necking.
He opened the door, saying, "Hi guys!" Both Jack and Ennis stood up to greet him, Jack with a hug and Ennis with a handshake. He put his bag down at the foot of the stairs. "You guys got some beers in the fridge?" he asked. "I'm parched."
"'Course we do," said Ennis, heading towards the kitchen. "Jack, ya want one too?"
"Sure," said Jack. "Bring it on."
The three of them sat facing each other in the living room, drinking their beers. Ennis offered Tom a cigarette, which Tom accepted. "Still ain't quit, I see," said Ennis.
Tom shook his head, a rueful smile on his face. "Well, Ennis, you are not the best influence, offering them to me every chance you get." They all laughed together.
The three of them sat there, drinking their beers and looking at each other. Tom felt awkward and uncomfortable, but he noticed that Jack and Ennis also appeared to have a degree of discomfiture. For himself, Tom knew what the problem was—the proverbial gorilla in the corner. He wanted to talk about what he had just seen, but introducing the subject was proving harder than he expected.
Tom thought to himself, "Why am I struggling with this? I'm a grown man with a PhD, married with a son…I certainly should be able to talk to other adults about their sexuality, even if the other adults happen to be two men." He took a deep breath. "Uh, guys…as I was walking up to the house, I, uh, uh…" he stammered, then blurted out, "I saw you on the couch. Making out."
Ennis looked down, his face flaming red. Jack looked at Tom, trying to gauge his reaction. "Is that a problem?" Jack asked.
"No," Tom said, "no, not at all. In fact, I'm embarrassed that I intruded on your privacy, which is why I am bringing it up."
Jack continued to look at Tom with a level gaze, while Ennis's eyes were locked on the floor. Tom said, "I want to apologize, because I stared at you for a few minutes, and that was rude."
Jack felt anger starting to build in his chest. "You were starin' at us?" he said, keeping his voice even.
"Yes," Tom said, "I didn't mean to, but…," he stammered again, then blurted out, "ah, shit, let me just put it out there. I couldn't stop looking because it was as sexy as hell and watching you was giving me a hard-on." Jack and Ennis both blinked and their jaws dropped. This was not the answer they were expecting. "Besides, watching you, it was pretty obvious that you two are head over heels in love with each other, and seeing that made me feel good—feel good for you, I mean,"
"Well," Jack said, "we were gonna tell ya, but obviously we don't need to, now. Since ya know, is this okay? I mean, can we assume that this means yer not gonna kick us out?"
Tom looked at him in amazement. "Why on earth would you think that?"
"Well, there are plenty of people in the world who think that two guys lovin' each other is a crime and sinful and we should be dead. If you felt that way, you might not want us livin' in yer uncle's house."
Tom rolled his eyes. "Please. I'm a college professor. Being at least a little bit liberal and open-minded comes with the job description. What you decide to do in the privacy of your own lives really is no business of mine, now is it?"
"That's a mighty fine attitude to have," said Jack, "but unfortunately, there are a lot of people in the world who don't share your view."
"I know," said Tom. "I live next door to one of them, and believe me, if it were he sitting here, not me, he'd probably be after you with a two by four. But, since he's in Austin and you're in Quanah, I guess you're probably safe." He smiled as he said this.
The three of them sat and look at each other, an awkward silence between them, then Jack said, "We were gonna tell ya…I'm glad we've got this out between us. It was makin' me 'n Ennis uncomfortable, we were feelin' like ya needed t'know."
Tom said, "I feel really stupid that I didn't figure it out."
"Why d'ya say that? We're livin' here so I guess that makes a diff'rence, but really, why is it important t'you t'figure it out?" Jack said. " Like you said, what we do in private is really nobody else's business."
"Yes," said Tom, "you are absolutely right. My point is that it is my problem, not yours. I was buying into the whole gay stereotype thing—limp wrists and all that. You certainly don't fit that, do you? And so, by lumping all people of a certain group into one box, I excluded you from being in that box. I guess I never realized I was so categorical, that's all."
Ennis looked up and gave him a tiny smile. "Are you startin' in on one of yer tangents, Tom?" he asked.
Tom laughed. "I probably am, aren't I?" He looked at his beer bottle, which was empty. "Another round, guys?" They all nodded. Why not? Tom retrieved three more beers from the kitchen and passed them around.
"Ya want another cigarette?" asked Ennis, offering him the pack. Tom accepted without a second thought. "Ya know, Tom, I think yer quittin' plan is to only bum smokes from other folks."
"That's exactly my plan," he replied, "and it falls to pieces when I'm around you." They all laughed. Tom stood up, "I'm going to take my bag upstairs and go to the bathroom. I'll be right back."
While they waited for Tom, Ennis and Jack looked at each other. They weren't quite sure what to say about the whole conversation, so decided to say nothing at all. They could talk later, when they were alone.
Tom came back in the room, sat down, and picked up his beer. "Okay, since we're having all sorts of awkward conversations, let's get another one out of the way, shall we?"
Jack and Ennis looked at him, thinking in unison, now what the hell is on his mind?
"Beds. I am assuming your comment about flipping a coin for beds was a joke?"
They both nodded, and smiled. Jack said, "We're sleepin' in the big bed, Tom, but it is yer house so if ya want t'be there…"
Tom shook his head. "That's my point…don't be ridiculous. I'm the guest here, really. I'll take one of the twin beds in the guest room."
Jack smiled. "Thank you for that. We appreciate it." He paused, then continued. "Y'know, Tom, we're still learnin' our way, too. We've been in love for a long time but we've only been together—really together—since May. This is new territory for us."
"In love for a long time…how long, may I ask, if I'm not prying?"
"Since the summer when we met—'63. I knew it then, it took Ennis a while longer to figger it out." Jack said this with a smile towards Ennis.
"And how did you finally get together?"
"Oh, that was easy. Ennis got divorced, and I had a nervous breakdown."
They all laughed and Tom said, "Seriously?"
Jack shrugged, "I dunno. I had a really rough month, spent a lot of time drunk. When Ennis and I got together in May, we talked, figgered out what was important for both of us, decided to do this—be together, I mean."
"Well, I have to give you guys a lot of credit. You certainly didn't pick the easy path."
"Tell ya what, Tom," said Ennis, speaking up, "when yer with the person ya love, any path is easier than when yer apart."
"So true, Ennis," said Tom. "You have such a great way of putting things." He looked at his watch. "Well, it's late for me and I'm tired from the drive. I'm heading up."
"You go first, use the bathroom," said Jack. "We'll close up down here."
Tom headed up the stairs, while Ennis and Jack gathered up the empty beer bottles and dirty ashtrays, and put everything away in the kitchen. They turned out the lights, and decided to have one last cigarette, sitting on the porch.
Jack turned to Ennis. "That whole conversation...Tom figgerin' it out...that wasn't quite the way I expected it t'go," he said.
"No," said Ennis, with a laugh. "That's a fuckin' understatement."
"Ennis," said Jack, turning towards him with a funny grin that Ennis could see in the shadow. "Ya know the funniest part?"
"No, what?" said Ennis.
"He doesn't think we're fuckin' queers, he thinks we're fuckin' hot."
"Damn straight, cowboy," said Ennis. "'Cause we are."
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Hon. Mike Duffy Senator, Cavendish PEI
After a long and distinguished career in journalism, in 2009, Mike left his position as host of CTV's Mike Duffy Live, to embark on a career in public service as a member of the Senate of Canada.
Mike proudly sits as a non-partisan Independent Senator, working to help his province, PEI and to build a better Canada.
Mike was born and raised in Charlottetown. In 1964, he started in journalism at The Charlottetown Guardian. He left the Island for other journalism opportunities, moving to Ottawa in 1971.
He began covering news from Parliament Hill for the CHUM Group of radio stations. In 1974, he joined CBC Radio News, switched to CBC TV's "The National" in 1978 and made the move to CTV in 1988.
At the peak of his journalism career, "Duff`" was seen by millions of Canadians each week, and was considered to be the most authoritative broadcaster commenting on the political life of Canada. For a decade he was voted the most popular pundit on Parliament Hill.
He is a member of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and is the recipient of an ACTRA award for live TV reporting. Mike is a former Visiting Fellow at Duke University; and is the recipient of honorary degrees from the University of Prince Edward Island; from Niagara University in Niagara Falls, NY; and from Wilfrid Laurier University, in Waterloo, ON.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Tag Archives: Department of Justice
Texas Man Using Online Name Generator Latest to Be Charged with PPP Loan Fraud
In the past two weeks, the federal government has charged several individuals in Paycheck Protection Program loan fraud schemes. The allegations have ranged from applying for loans for non-operating businesses to using loan funds to buy cars and jewelry. Charges announced this week showed a whole new level of creativity. A Texas man, Samuel Yates, allegedly used an online name generator to make up the names of hundreds of employees in an effort to obtain a $5 million loan. … More
DOJ Reportedly Issues PPP-Related Subpoenas to Banks
In yet another sign that the federal government is following through on its warnings about PPP loan fraud, the Department of Justice, according to reports from Reuters, has issued grand jury subpoenas to several Wall Street banks related to an investigation into PPP loans. The subpoenas were reportedly issued by the DOJ's Fraud Section. The issuance of the subpoenas does not necessarily indicate wrongdoing by the banks. … More
Purchasing a Rolls-Royce Is Not a Permissible Use of PPP Funds
Federal prosecutors continued to quickly respond to PPP loan fraud, bringing two additional cases that allege clear misuse of the funds intended for small businesses. In one case, prosecutors in Georgia charged reality TV personality Maurice Fayne, aka "Arkansas Mo" of "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" fame, with bank fraud for allegedly using $1.5 million of a $2 million PPP loan to maintain his luxury lifestyle. … More
DOJ Brings First Payroll Protection Program-Related Criminal Case
On Tuesday, May 5, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed charges in the federal District Court of Rhode Island against David A. Staveley and David Butziger for conspiracy to make a false statement and conspiracy to commit bank fraud in connection with loan applications made under the federal government's Payroll Protection Program (PPP). The Complaint alleges that Staveley of Andover, Massachusetts, and Butziger of Warwick, Rhode Island,… More
Federal Prosecutors Ask Massachusetts Hospitals to Help Root Out Fraud Related To COVID-19
The United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts is proactively seeking to find, investigate, and prosecute unlawful attempts to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic and is asking hospitals to assist. U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling sent a letter to leaders of Massachusetts hospitals asking them to report any "individuals and companies that may have acquired vital medical supplies in excess of what they would reasonably use, or for the purpose of charging exorbitant prices." The Secretary of Health and Human Services has designated 15 categories of supplies as "scarce," thereby enabling prosecutors to seek certain civil and criminal enforcement remedies against anyone accused of hoarding or gouging prices for those supplies. … More
Insider Trading, Congress and COVID-19: A Renewed Focus on the STOCK Act
The recently-reported sales of stock by several U.S. Senators following private briefings on the COVID-19 pandemic, apparently allowing them to avoid significant losses before the markets plummeted, have focused attention on the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act. The Act, which President Obama signed into law in 2012, followed the public outcry resulting from a "60 Minutes" report on lucrative trades by members of Congress during the debate over the Affordable Care Act and prior to the 2008 financial crisis. … More
White Collar Year in Preview: False Claims Act Trends in 2020
Editors' Note: This is the fourth in our start-of-year series examining important trends in white collar law and investigations in the coming year. Our previous entry discussed anti-corruption trends in 2020. Up next: a look at State Attorney General trends. Look for additional posts throughout the month of January.
More than halfway into the Donald Trump administration,… More
White Collar Year in Preview: Healthcare Fraud Trends in 2020
Editors' Note: This is the second in our start-of-year series examining important trends in white collar law and investigations in the coming year. Our previous entry discussed SEC enforcement in 2020. Up next: a look at trends in anti-corruption and under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Look for additional posts throughout the month of January.
2019 saw ongoing action in the healthcare space.… More
DOJ Issues New Policy Regarding Voluntary Disclosures of Export Controls and Sanctions Violations
In December, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the release of a new policy for business organizations regarding voluntary self-disclosures of export control and sanctions violations. The new Policy makes explicit that when a company (1) voluntarily self-discloses export control or sanctions violations to the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES) of DOJ's National Security Division (NSD), (2) fully cooperates, and (3) timely and appropriately remediates its conduct, there is now a presumption that,… More
Lessons from a Recent (and Rare) DOJ FCA Lawsuit Against a Private Equity Firm and Its Portfolio Pharmacy Company
Recently, a Florida federal judge dismissed the Department of Justice's (DOJ) False Claims Act (FCA) allegations against a compounding drug pharmacy and the pharmacy's private equity (PE) owner. For two reasons, the case may be illustrative of the DOJ's increasingly aggressive pursuit of what it perceives as fraud within the healthcare industry.
First, it is noteworthy that DOJ suffered a dismissal of its FCA claims. … More


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Team Nissan hosts THANDI children
By Caroline Malan
In April 2017, the Team Nissan Show Jumping team replaced their sixth rider with an equestrian development program which they named 'THANDI'- meaning 'loved one' or 'beloved' – an acronym for The Heritage and Nissan Development Initiative. All 7 of the THANDI beginners are from Footprints and are aged between 7-15. Members from the Team Nissan Show Jumping team will visit the kids throughout the year as they have their weekly lesson with the highly accomplished instructor and rider Tamar Gliksman at Farnham Riding School in Kyalami. In addition to this the 7 children joined Team Nissan at a local show at Kyalami Equestrian Park as they witnessed the team in action. Here's what went down on that Saturday morning in June.
"It was amazing seeing their interest in the horses: from seeing the horses in the truck to the warm up arena and just generally being with and around the horses," says four time SA Derby winner Barry Taylor.
"I think the part that they enjoyed most was going inside the team Nissan truck with the horses and seeing a totally different aspect of how our horses live. The one thing that I would love for Team Nissan to teach these kids is the 'feeling for the horse ' – understand what he needs to perform at his happiest. The day was all about giving them a lovely day out with beautiful animals and hopefully one child might develop a love of our sport."
Yolanda Zafi has raised these children since birth, and her vision for each one is to help create opportunities and to encourage them to be successful, self-sufficient young adults in the future. 'Mother' to the children, she says that it was the first time that the children had watched a show as spectators,
"They thoroughly enjoyed it, and especially when they saw horses playing up (with the riders staying on of course!) I think that the part of the day that they enjoyed the most was being part of Team Nissan itself. It was a highlight for them as they felt that they were a part of the team of these excellent riders…they called them "our team." They saw a rider fall off, who was doing very well on the course, yet this encouraged them, rather than discouraged as they felt that if the pros fell off… and got back on, then so could they! In terms of what they learnt from the day, I hope that they learned the hard work, dedication and commitment that the sport demands; that it is their choice to grab the opportunity given to them by Nissan, which we could never afford; and to have grateful hearts, winning attitudes and a greater sense of identity. The children are now getting to know the Team Nissan riders. Barry and Lor have been amazing with the kids and always make them feel very loved and welcomed. Sometimes I think that they are a bit overwhelmed by this world which they have not previously been aware of, but they are living a dream, and loving it. I have seen such a change in each child, such a new sense of confidence. My passion and gifting is to build and cultivate people's identity and self-esteem, and I've seen this happen with every one of these children. THANDI development program should be seen as more than simply teaching children to ride horses. I coach children and people, and when they are given opportunities like this, and they are committed…. their characters, their identities and personalities are developed along with the sport. I am so grateful for the opportunity and investment that Nissan is awarding to these children. Our organisations name, which is registered, is Footprints P.L.A.Y. P.L.A.Y is an acronym for, 'Participating in the Lives of Africa's Youth'. This is our mission statement, and Nissan has become a partner in our vision. Thank you to all who play a part in this."
Yolanda went on to say that on the way home, the kids were full of plans and suggestions, "From each getting their own horses, to Daniel and Lebo saving up and then renting their horses out to the others. Kagiso suggested that he would help groom if he could ride for free. Tebogo, Lebo and Jeanette loved the idea of a horse to practice vaulting on, and Nkosi simply wanted to ride every single day when the others are sleeping. I love these little people!"
Team Nissan rider Cheyenne de Beer says that the THANDI kids are an absolutely lovely bunch. She said "They were interested and they were always up to learning something new. I think they enjoyed the day thoroughly and got to experience the true atmosphere of show day. They came with me and helped me untack my horse after my class and gave my horse some carrots. I explained my course to them a bit and spoke about strides and the order of jumps. They also asked me a couple questions about the horses themselves, like how old they are and how much they weigh. I think they enjoyed this because they got to be a part of the show and they got to assist with the horses. They also enjoyed watching the big classes. The bigger grades are always exciting classes to watch as well as compete in and I think it caught their attention as much as it does mine. They definitely got a good idea of what happens on show day, learned a little bit about walking courses and what goes into working a horse on show day."
PreviousBarry Taylor and his new horse Dicardo
Next2018 SA Derby Course Designer: Ryan Sander


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Join EFGAMP
What is EFGAMP
The mission of EFGAMP
Our statute
Our Statement on EU Copyright
What is digital preservation?
The importance of preserving
Computerspielemuseum (DE)
MO5.COM (FR)
Museum of SovietArcade Machines (RU)
The Finnish Museum of Games (FI)
The National Library (SE)
The National VideoGame Arcade (UK)
RetroCollect (UK)
The Royal Library (DK)
Softpres/KryoFluxP&S Ltd (UK)
Sound and Vision (NL)
SUBOTRON (AT)
VIGAMUS Foundation (IT)
LVLup! (EE)
EFGAMP Publications
Gaming Heritage
Nexon Computer Museum (KR)
Bolo Museum (CH)
games:net (GER)
Slovak Design Museum (SK)
Home The Royal Library (DK)
The Royal Library of Denmark has a double function as the largest university library in Denmark and as the Danish national library which holds and maintains the Danish national collections of published material. The collections are primarily based on legal deposit, a practice that has existed in Denmark since 1697.
In 1998 the Danish Legal Deposit Act was changed to include digital materials, including computer games and interactive software on physical media. The library has a computer game collection of about 1.500 games for a variety of platforms on physical media, not including online games. The library is presently engaged in a process of migrating computer game data from original data media to more sustainable long-term preservation platforms. Additionally the national collection of periodicals contains a number of cover discs from various video game magazines.
Since 1998 the library has collected online publications, and from 2005 onwards we have been engaged in full-scale web harvesting of Danish web sites to the national web archive, netarchive.dk, in collaboration with The State and University Library in Aarhus. The web archive presently comprises some 245 Tb. In 2011 the library began a systematical process of identifying harvested computer games in the web archive. An effort has been made to ensure that as much game data as possible is harvested, however this process is not always adequate, thus an effort is also made to identify and harvest material and web sites related to the games, i.e. community forums, videos, online reviews, blogs, etc.
The game data harvested comprises the most common file types for this kind of material: Flash, Java, and – more recently – Unity3d. With the exception of Unity3d these materials are heavily represented in the web archive, not only in relation to games, but as part of the web archive in general.
Presently the Library is focusing on extending the computer game collection in two directions: First through the development of a coordinated video game documentation practices in order to ensure the relevance of our collection of games related materials. Secondly we are working on clarifying the technical issues involved with the collection and preservation of apps for portable media, primarily iOS and Android. The library expects to be able to include a number of apps in its collections within the first half of 2012.
The Royal Library was a founding member of IIPC in 2003 and has remained in the steering committee since.
The library was a PLANETS partner (2006-2010) and an OPF founder and member since 2010.
www.kb.dk
Japanese Game Preservation Society takes it seriously
Digital archeology showcase: preserving magnetic and optical media
The National Videogame Museum unveils collection of British gaming history
The Art of Coding applications in Finland and Germany submitted
Rare recovered Mega CD game and the challenges of preservation


Well Dr. Marley, it's nice of you to open your doors up to all your blogging pals too. We have some oomans here who are out of sorts too. Maybe you could make a house call?
Dr. Marley, Zack has a problem in that his humans pulled out all his hair on Easter Sunday!!!! He is anxious now there is going to be another snow storm!!!
Dr Marley,I have trouble sleeping at night and recently tried counting squirrels,this has worsened my insomnia as I visualise myself getting right up the trees to catch them.Last night I caught 250 of the varmits.Do I need therapy?


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Premier League Betting Statistics
There are a lot of bettors who choose to place their bets on the Premier League. Novice bettors have several questions in mind. How does the Premier League's goal averages compare with other leagues? How often do Premier League matches end without a goal scored? What is a home-field advantage worth in the Premier League? You should consider statistics as part of your preliminary analysis only. You should also use it as a comparative guide to the Premier League and other European leagues. Never place your bets on Judi Bola based on this data alone. There are other factors you should consider.
Statistical analysis is not that easy. Considering the value of the home-field advantage is an ideal place to start. In recent seasons, the Premier League has a winning percentage of 44.5%. It puts home-clubs below the ten league average of 45.3%. The average Premier League home club earned 1.59 points per home match the last five seasons. The ten league average is at 1.61. The Premier League's average goal advantage for home clubs is +0.35 goals over the previous five seasons, which is the same mark as the German Bundesliga across the same period. This +0.35 goal advantage is equal to 0.70 goal swing between an average Premier League club playing at home and an average playing away.
Frequency of Premier League matches being a draw at halftime
An average of 42.3% of Premier League matches is a draw at halftime. It is only above a bit higher than the ten league average of 41.5%. Premier League home-clubs led at halftime with 34.9% while the ten league average is at 34%. Away-clubs have an average of 23.7% matches won during the halftime http://103.9.100.47/.
Frequency of Premier League home-clubs leading halftime/full time
Based on results for the past seasons, the Premier League is in the neighbourhood of league averages. The home team wins an average of 27.2% of the matches both at halftime and full time. It is almost equal to the ten league average. There is only a small average of 17.1% matches won by the away-team during both the halftime and full time. Again, almost the same as the ten league average. A low 15.6% of the games have a draw result in halftime and full time, also practically equal to the ten league average.
Based on the past seasons, the Premier League is in the range of ten league averages. There is only a bit higher occurrence rate of away-clubs winning when the match becomes a draw at halftime. The Premier League has an average of 15.9% of games ending with a margin of at least three goals. It is very close to the ten league average, which is at 16%.
Over 51% of all matches exceeded the 2.5 goals mark across the ten leagues. 52.5% of all games eclipse the 2.5 goals.
Exceptional details about casino gambling
1xbet eSports review
Information related to online betting


Beta readers are one of the biggest issues beginning writers have. Either they don't have any, or they have too many. Having too many beta readers swamps the new writer with advice, and that isn't always helpful. Too often the new writer will become trapped in an endless loop of rewriting by trying to incorporate every piece of advice. In this process, the writer loses her own voice and ends up with a bland mess. While getting some feedback is a crucial part of revisions, don't let your novel get stuck in this phase.
Endless revision loop- While it may seem like revisions take forever, there is a point where they need to end. If you have been revising for a year or more, then you may need to reevaluate your process.
Eventually, you will reach a point of diminishing returns. If the novel still isn't working after several rewrites, then you may need to scrap the idea.
Conflicting advice– The problem with beta advice is that it is just advice. I always tell clients that half of what I say will be helpful and half will not. It's up to you, the writer, to decide which pieces of advice will help you reach your story's goals. Everyone has their own preferences. Can you think of a novel that everyone else loved, but you were just so-so? Because preferences vary, you will get conflicting advice. This does not mean that one is right and one is wrong. It is simply subjective.
Lack of interest– This is a symptom that you are getting frustrated with your process. If the prospect of getting feedback from a new beta is more dreadful than exciting, then you may need to move on. Once you begin to lose interest in a project, this is your warning that it may be time to either put this project on hold or abandon it.
The problem with this scenario isn't because the author didn't follow my advice, but because she didn't follow her own. The author created the original version the way she liked it. There was nothing actually wrong, but the moment someone else criticized it, she gave in just to please a beta. Surrendering your story to beta readers will not get you a story that you love.
Correct advice is anything that fixes a mistake. Plot holes, consistency errors, POV errors, etc. These are things that can objectively be considered wrong.
Subjective advice is anything that falls under personal taste: pacing, levels of description, overall narrative distance, likability of a character, etc.
When you get feedback from a beta, you need to decide what advice to use in your revision. Yes, you can (and should) ignore some advice. Not all advice is good.
Question 1: Who is giving the advice?
Even if your beta is a published writer, that does not mean she is qualified to give you writing advice. Imagine a horror writer giving you feedback on your middle-grade feel-good adventure. Or an erotica writer giving advice on a Janette Oak-style Christian romance? All writers will have preconceived ideas about what makes a good novel based on their preferences. So try to get feedback from writers who read what you write.
Secondly, try to get feedback from another writer over a family member or friend. The average reader will be able to say whether they liked something, but won't be able to articulate specific issues as well as another writer.
The writer: The pacing in this scene begins to drag. There is too much backstory that isn't relevant to the character's current conflict. Also, the stakes aren't clear. Tighten up the sentences by eliminating extra description to increase the tension.
Which feedback would you prefer?
Question 2: Does the feedback match your vision?
Your beta says the main character should be nicer so she's more likable, but you were planning a redemption arc. Following this advice would weaken your character arc and take your further from your story's goal. When you decide which advice to implement, make sure you keep your personal vision of the story as your goal. If the advice is counter to that goal, it won't help your story.
Question 3: Does the feedback improve the story?
Too often writers change things and the results are no better than the original. Before you make a change, decide if the new is actually better than the old. Positive changes are those that increase tension, clarify characterization, clarify motivation, increase the stakes, fix mistakes, etc. Switching the setting from the football field to the soccer field does nothing. Make sure you can identify a reason for the change.
Question 4: Am I chasing trends?
Nothing will date your story faster than writing to trends. So if you are making a change because something is more popular, think twice. There are certain exceptions. Genres like romance and urban fantasy have conventions that readers have been trained to expect. For example, many romance lines are written in 3rd person point-of-view, while urban fantasy is almost exclusively written in 1st person deep. There are exceptions, but if you are expecting to write for a specific publisher's line, you will have to follow the conventions of that line.
How is it improving the story?
Do I like this version better?
If you can't answer these questions, then reconsider whether you really need to make the change. Change for the sake of change isn't progress.
Writing is subjective. No two people will agree on what makes it great. Don't let beta feedback trap you in an endless editing loop. Learn to evaluate writing advice and take back control of your story.
If you liked the article, please share it with other writers on social media. Thanks!
Introducing your readers to your magic system takes careful consideration. Don't blindside them with the supernatural. Prepare them properly and they will be ready to believe anything.


"Throwback Thursday" has been getting some serious play on social media. Figured we take this opportunity to post a throwback picture to our last Central event, while presenting new info on our next little event, which will be Sunday September 7th at the Haas Pavilion when the San Francisco Fire play the Boston Iron. The game is at 5pm. The plan is to head up there a couple hours early and do a little tailgate/picnic (not allowed to have open flames tailgating on Berkeley campus) before the game. Please let Gary know by email (glhirthler@gmail) or phone (212-1474) if you'd like to join so he can get some carpools together, or if you have any questions. Should be fun (the game also), hope you can join, all are welcome!


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package backup.namenode.ipc;

import java.io.DataInput;
import java.io.DataOutput;
import java.io.IOException;

import org.apache.hadoop.io.Writable;

import com.fasterxml.jackson.annotation.JsonProperty;

import backup.api.Stats;
import backup.datanode.ipc.BackupStats;
import backup.datanode.ipc.RestoreStats;

public class StatsWritable implements Writable, Stats {

  @JsonProperty
  private int backupsInProgressCount;
  @JsonProperty
  private double backupBytesPerSecond;
  @JsonProperty
  private int restoreBlocks;
  @JsonProperty
  private int restoresInProgressCount;
  @JsonProperty
  private double restoreBytesPerSecond;

  @Override
  public void write(DataOutput out) throws IOException {
    out.writeInt(backupsInProgressCount);
    out.writeDouble(backupBytesPerSecond);
    out.writeInt(restoreBlocks);
    out.writeInt(restoresInProgressCount);
    out.writeDouble(restoreBytesPerSecond);
  }

  @Override
  public void readFields(DataInput in) throws IOException {
    backupsInProgressCount = in.readInt();
    backupBytesPerSecond = in.readDouble();
    restoreBlocks = in.readInt();
    restoresInProgressCount = in.readInt();
    restoreBytesPerSecond = in.readDouble();
  }

  public void add(BackupStats backupStats) {
    backupsInProgressCount += backupStats.getBackupsInProgressCount();
    backupBytesPerSecond += backupStats.getBackupBytesPerSecond();
  }

  public void add(RestoreStats restoreStats) {
    restoreBlocks += restoreStats.getRestoreBlocks();
    restoresInProgressCount += restoreStats.getRestoresInProgressCount();
    restoreBytesPerSecond += restoreStats.getRestoreBytesPerSecond();
  }

  @Override
  public int getBackupsInProgressCount() {
    return backupsInProgressCount;
  }

  public void setBackupsInProgressCount(int backupsInProgressCount) {
    this.backupsInProgressCount = backupsInProgressCount;
  }

  @Override
  public int getRestoreBlocks() {
    return restoreBlocks;
  }

  public void setRestoreBlocks(int restoreBlocks) {
    this.restoreBlocks = restoreBlocks;
  }

  @Override
  public int getRestoresInProgressCount() {
    return restoresInProgressCount;
  }

  public void setRestoresInProgressCount(int restoresInProgressCount) {
    this.restoresInProgressCount = restoresInProgressCount;
  }

  @Override
  public double getBackupBytesPerSecond() {
    return backupBytesPerSecond;
  }

  public void setBackupBytesPerSecond(double backupBytesPerSecond) {
    this.backupBytesPerSecond = backupBytesPerSecond;
  }

  @Override
  public double getRestoreBytesPerSecond() {
    return restoreBytesPerSecond;
  }

  public void setRestoreBytesPerSecond(double restoreBytesPerSecond) {
    this.restoreBytesPerSecond = restoreBytesPerSecond;
  }

  @Override
  public String toString() {
    return "StatsWritable [backupsInProgressCount=" + backupsInProgressCount + ", backupBytesPerSecond="
        + backupBytesPerSecond + ", restoreBlocks=" + restoreBlocks + ", restoresInProgressCount="
        + restoresInProgressCount + ", restoreBytesPerSecond=" + restoreBytesPerSecond + "]";
  }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/vaccine-shortage-sparks-fights-over-who-should-get-first-shots-11612521001
Covid-19 Vaccine Shortage Sparks Fights Over Who Should Get First Shots
Most countries are giving priority to health-care workers and the elderly, but calls are growing from other groups to be put first
A patient waits to be called at a vaccination center in Ludwigsburg, southern Germany. thomas kienzle/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
By Ruth Bender
Updated Feb. 5, 2021 7:20 am ET
As a shortage of Covid-19 shots slows vaccination efforts in the West, groups that haven't been given high priority are increasingly jostling for the right to get immunized first.
In most countries that are currently deploying vaccines, those most at risk of dying or getting seriously ill from the virus—nursing home residents and those caring for them, medical workers and the elderly—have been at the front of the queue.


This combination class allows dancers to explore the basic steps required for tap as well as jazz. The musicality involved in tap provides a necessary foundation for dancers to seamlessly integrate with the jazz style. Class is designed for beginning and first time dancers.
Jazz is an American style of dance with roots tracing back to European and African movements. It focuses on body isolations and rhythmic patterns. In this class, dancers will continue with fundamentals of jazz technique while improving upon strength, flexibility and style.


text:
license: Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
         or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
         distributed with this work for additional information
         regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
         to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
         "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
         with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at

           http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0

         Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
         software distributed under the License is distributed on an
         "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
         KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
         specific language governing permissions and limitations
         under the License.
---

ContactOrganization
===================

Contains organization properties of a `Contact` object.

Properties
----------

- __name:__ The name of the organization. _(DOMString)_
- __department:__ The department the contract works for. _(DOMString)_
- __title:__ The contacts title at the organization. _(DOMString)_

Details
-------

The `ContactOrganization` object stores a contact's organization properties.  A `Contact` object stores one or more `ContactOrganization` objects in an array.

Supported Platforms
-------------------

- Android
- BlackBerry WebWorks (OS 5.0 and higher)
- iOS

Quick Example
-------------

    function onSuccess(contacts) {
		for (var i=0; i<contacts.length; i++) {
			for (var j=0; j<contacts[i].organizations.length; j++) {
				alert("Name: " + contacts[i].organizations[j].name + "\n" +
						"Department: "  + contacts[i].organizations[j].department + "\n" +
						"Title: "  + contacts[i].organizations[j].title);
			}
		}
    };

    function onError() {
        alert('onError!');
    };

    var options = new ContactFindOptions();
	options.filter="";
	filter = ["displayName","organizations"];
    navigator.service.contacts.find(filter, onSuccess, onError, options);

Full Example
------------

    <!DOCTYPE html>

        <title>Contact Example</title>

Example

Find Contacts

Android 1.X Quirks
------------------

- __title:__ This property is not support by Android 1.X devices, and will always be returned as `null`.

BlackBerry WebWorks (OS 5.0 and higher) Quirks
--------------------------------------------

- __name:__ Partially supported.  The first organization name will be stored in the BlackBerry __company__ field.
- __department:__ This property is not supported, and will always be returned as `null`.
- __title:__ Partially supported.  The first organization title will be stored in the BlackBerry __jobTitle__ field.

iOS Quirks
-----------
- __name:__ Partially supported.  The first organization name will be stored in the iOS __kABPersonOrganizationProperty__ field.
- __department__: Partially supported.  The first department name will be stored in the iOS __kABPersonDepartmentProperty__ field.
- __title__: Partially supported.  The first title will be stored in the iOS __kABPersonJobTitleProperty__ field.


PRAIRIECROCUS's SparkPage - Let's keep active! PRAIRIECROCUS's SparkPage - Let's keep active!
PRAIRIECROCUS is a SparkPeople Motivator!
Torch Relay Challenge, where I was adding my walking and swimming distances to the cumulative group total. It was a lot of fun.
I will continue these activities, since they seem to agree with me !
and pork from my diet.
colored fruits and vegetables !
I also eat chicken and fish.
I have another webpage .
I joined SparkPeople April 9, 2009. Since then, I have become more active, focusing on swimming and walking. I have enjoyed the friendship of many SparkPeople ! I enjoyed participating in the Olympic Torch Relay Challenge, where I was adding my walking and swimming distances to the cumulative group total. It was a lot of fun. I will continue these activities, since they seem to agree with me ! Especially now that I have my new goggles and chlorine-resistant bathing suit !
My goal is to lose weight, down to 140 pounds.
I swim 1 Kilometer, 3x per week. I also walk, at least 20 minutes a day. I've eliminated most beef and pork from my diet. I've adopted the Rainbow Diet, with the rainbow- colored fruits and vegetables ! I also eat chicken and fish.
So keep it POSITIVE, tell yourself everyday you are WORTH it & BELIEVE in yourself !


In the restaurant business, planning to open or operate one, looking to open another one or several more? Grab pen and paper you'll want take notes from my next guest. If you live or work in Pittsburgh you've dined at one of his restaurants, Atria's, Juniper Grill or Ditka's.
Have you ever thought of what it means to live a life of greatness, influence & legacy? And if you're a teacher or educator, you impact the lives of future generations in immeasurable ways.


text:
package com.thesett.aima.logic.fol;

import java.util.Iterator;
import java.util.LinkedList;
import java.util.List;

import junit.framework.TestCase;

import com.thesett.aima.search.QueueBasedSearchMethod;
import com.thesett.aima.search.util.Searches;
import com.thesett.aima.search.util.uninformed.BreadthFirstSearch;
import com.thesett.aima.search.util.uninformed.DepthFirstSearch;
import com.thesett.aima.search.util.uninformed.PostFixSearch;
import com.thesett.common.util.Comparisons;
import com.thesett.common.util.Function;

/**
 * TermTest provides test for {@link Term} and its sub-classes defined in the fol package.
 *
 *

CRC Card

 *
 Responsibilities  Collaborations
 *
 Check that abstract syntax tree can be walked over correctly using search methods.
 *

 *
 * @author Rupert Smith
 */
public class TermTest extends TestCase
{
    /** Used for debugging. */
    java.util.logging.Logger log = java.util.logging.Logger.getLogger(TermTest.class.getName());

    public TermTest(String name)
    {
        super(name);
    }

    /** Check that abstract syntax tree can be walked correctly using depth first search methods. */
    public void testSyntaxTreeDepthWalkOk()
    {
        String errorMessage = "";

        // Build a term to walk over. (f(g(x),y))
        Variable x = new Variable(1, null, false);
        Variable y = new Variable(2, null, false);
        Functor g = new Functor(3, new Term[] { x });
        Functor f = new Functor(4, new Term[] { g, y });

        // Build up the expected iteration order.
        List<Term> expectedOrder = new LinkedList<Term>();
        expectedOrder.add(f);
        expectedOrder.add(g);
        expectedOrder.add(x);
        expectedOrder.add(y);

        Iterator<Term> expectedIterator = expectedOrder.iterator();

        // Create a depth first search to walk over the term.
        QueueBasedSearchMethod<Term, Term> search = new DepthFirstSearch<Term, Term>();

        // Check the ordering matches the expected order.
        errorMessage += checkOrderUnderSearch(f, search, expectedIterator);

        // Fail on any errors.
        assertTrue(errorMessage, "".equals(errorMessage));
    }

    /** Check that abstract syntax tree can be walked correctly using breadth first search methods. */
    public void testSyntaxTreeBreadthWalkOk()
    {
        String errorMessage = "";

        // Build a term to walk over. (f(g(x),y))
        Variable x = new Variable(1, null, false);
        Variable y = new Variable(2, null, false);
        Functor g = new Functor(3, new Term[] { x });
        Functor f = new Functor(4, new Term[] { g, y });

        // Build up the expected iteration order.
        List<Term> expectedOrder = new LinkedList<Term>();
        expectedOrder.add(f);
        expectedOrder.add(g);
        expectedOrder.add(y);
        expectedOrder.add(x);

        Iterator<Term> expectedIterator = expectedOrder.iterator();

        // Create a depth first search to walk over the term.
        QueueBasedSearchMethod<Term, Term> search = new BreadthFirstSearch<Term, Term>();

        // Check the ordering matches the expected order.
        errorMessage += checkOrderUnderSearch(f, search, expectedIterator);

        // Fail on any errors.
        assertTrue(errorMessage, "".equals(errorMessage));
    }

    /** Check that abstract syntax tree can be walked correctly using postfix ordered search methods. */
    public void testSyntaxTreePostfixWalkOk()
    {
        String errorMessage = "";

        // Build a term to walk over. (f(g(x),y))
        Variable x = new Variable(1, null, false);
        Variable y = new Variable(2, null, false);
        Functor g = new Functor(3, new Term[] { x });
        Functor f = new Functor(4, new Term[] { g, y });

        // Build up the expected iteration order.
        List<Term> expectedOrder = new LinkedList<Term>();
        expectedOrder.add(x);
        expectedOrder.add(g);
        expectedOrder.add(y);
        expectedOrder.add(f);

        Iterator<Term> expectedIterator = expectedOrder.iterator();

        // Create a depth first search to walk over the term.
        QueueBasedSearchMethod<Term, Term> search = new PostFixSearch<Term, Term>();

        // Check the ordering matches the expected order.
        errorMessage += checkOrderUnderSearch(f, search, expectedIterator);

        // Fail on any errors.
        assertTrue(errorMessage, "".equals(errorMessage));
    }

    /**
     * Checks that a search method, starting from a particular start state, produces an expected ordering.
     *
     * @param  startState       The startState to being the search from.
     * @param  search           The search method to walk over it with.
     * @param  expectedIterator The expected order of the search.
     *
     * @return The empty string if there are no errors, or error messages if there are.
     */
    private String checkOrderUnderSearch(Term startState, QueueBasedSearchMethod<Term, Term> search,
        Iterator<Term> expectedIterator)
    {
        search.reset();
        search.addStartState(startState);

        // Check that it is correctly navigated by the search ordering.
        Iterator<Term> treeWalker = Searches.allSolutions(search);

        // Compare the iterators for the search and the expected ordering.
        return Comparisons.compareIterators(treeWalker, expectedIterator, new Function<Term, Term>()
            {
                public Term apply(Term term)
                {
                    return term;
                }
            });
    }
}


text:
Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel-What are People Saying?
korenpublishers / April 7, 2019
The Passsover Haggadah Graphic Novel is a hit among fans and critics alike! Check out some of the recent reviews.
Below are excerpts from Steve Lipman's article in the New York Jewish Week.
"On Passover, which commemorates an ancient story of liberation, a popular cartoonist has freed the narrative in a thoroughly modern way."
"In a sign of the visual and attention-challenged times, Jordan Gorfinkel, whose "Everything's Relative" strip appears in this publication, has combined the epic Passover story and indelible images into a Haggadah that seems tailor-made for millennials,"
"The Exodus story, Gorfinkel told The Jewish Week, has "everything you want: larger-than-life characters and conflicts, sweeping settings, mammoth action sequences, memorable personal moments." And, of course, "a happy ending … especially if you don't mind sand in your shoes," he quipped."
"As the title suggests, the 170-page book, three years in the making, is two books in one. It contains the traditional Hebrew text of the Haggadah (transliterated into English letters), in easy-to-read fonts, and a modern English-language translation by David Olivestone, former director of communications at the Orthodox Union, as well as "how-to" instructional cartons that lead the reader through each step of the seder. And it is also an exquisite full-color graphic novel drawn by Israeli artist Erez Zadok, a Bezalel Academy of Art graduate, that features the unnamed goat family going through each step of the seder. The illustrations, which incorporate modern cityscapes and mythic biblical scenes, carry the story forward as it moves from the exodus from Egypt to Jewish life and history through the ages."
"'The story boards are really clever and engaging,' said Daniel Levine, the longtime owner of J. Levine Books & Judaica in midtown, who added that he has 'never seen a Haggadah like this'— one rendered as a full-length graphic novel. 'In my 40 years [at the firm] this is the most captivating and creative one I have seen.'"
"Gorfinkel's Haggadah is the new face of the Passover text."
"A Haggadah in graphic novel form is a perfect adaptation for the millennial generation that was raised in an atmosphere of individualized iTunes playlists, said Rabbi Elly Krimsky, program director of NJOP (formerly the National Jewish Outreach Program). Today, he said, people can find Haggadahs that reflects their way of thinking, that speak their language. 'Instead of just reading a text,' Rabbi Krimsky said, 'they want to see how the text provides meaning for them.'" High praise from such an esteemed journalist! Still not convinced? Check out the following excerpts from Rochel Sylvestsky's article in Artuz Sheva:
"They (the younger generation) are a visual generation and are more interested in seeing than hearing. In answer to that, Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd., has given us the world's first Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel, guaranteed to have them glued to the story – if you can agree to let it out of your own hands, that is."
"The reader-friendly English is the result of intensive linguistic research and enhances the dramatic sequential graphic progress of the novel, with visual art that manages to be dramatic when necessary, and sophisticated and light-hearted at the same time."
"The 'how-to' instructional cartoons for every step of the Seder and its preparation are just perfect, interesting, instructive and fun to read. The dramatic parts are just that and will keep young participants involved while enriching their identification with the Exodus of their forefathers from Egypt and later Jewish history – just as the Talmud instructs us to do."
Get in on the Passover Hagggadah Graphic Novel craze! Order now from korenpub.com
and be sure to check out our full English Haggadah selection.
April 7, 2019 in Jewish Holidays, Koren, New Release, Newsworthy.
Passover Haggadot at Koren Publishers
Refusenik History in the Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel
10 Titles You Don't Want to Miss at the YU Seforim Sale
← Learning the Koren Talmud Bavli with Andrew
Refusenik History in the Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel →


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Subaru was busy at this year's New York International Auto Show, delivering both a new Impreza and an updated look for their Tribeca crossover SUV. The new Impreza will go on sale in fall 2007, continuing with a five-door and a four-door and, of course, the highly coveted WRX model. We'll have to wait until next year to get hold of the coveted STi.
Subaru revealed a more conservatively styled Impreza in New York, as they also did with the updated Tribeca. Impreza, particularly disappointing for the WRX models, lost much of its front-end character, gained side surfacing reminiscent of BMW, and the five-door traded in its Subaru edges for a more rounded form. The new look takes as much adjusting to as the 2006 model year facelift did when it brought us the wing-form grille from the Tribeca, but this time it makes you miss the Subaru feel.
By time the Impreza goes on sale in fall, buyers may well be used to the new face and less disappointed. If the new look brings in new buyers without losing the old, the change could be worth suffering initial criticism. In New York, Subaru had the sedan in WRX trim and the five-door in 2.5i trim on display, and both models looked better in person than in photographs. While the new five-door isn't as quirky as the outgoing car, it is also less clumsy. Its shape is more elegant, though it doesn't look like a Subaru from the rear.
EDITOR's Note: Subaru aficionados appear to be initially turned off by the look of the new Impreza. Chat rooms are full of negative buzz about the styling. Maybe the performance will offset some of the criticism.
Here in the States, Subaru will continue to offer four- and five-door bodystyles for 2008MY (in 2.5i and WRX form), but the four-door sedan will be available only here. All-wheel drive continues as standard equipment for the States, with Subaru's Vehicle Dynamics Control optional on Impreza for the first time. The airbag system has been updated to deploy driver and front passenger airbags in stages depending on passenger sensors. The driver's seat has a sensor in the seat track to allow deployment based on seating position, while the front passenger's side senses the weight of the passenger. Side-impact airbags are standard as well.


text:
Allyson Johnson is an actress and singer who began performing in her hometown of Chicago at age twelve as co-anchor of Bubble Gum Digest, a weekly children's TV news program, for which she won an Emmy Award. After earning a degree in psychology from Brown University, she moved to New York where she worked as a social worker before shifting to a career in television and radio. As a professional voice-over actress for more than twelve years, she has recorded countless commercials, promos, audiobooks, narrations, and animation series.
Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments: Intimate Histories of Social Upheaval
By Saidiya Hartman
In Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments, Saidiya Hartman examines the revolution of black intimate life that unfolded in Philadelphia and New York at the beginning of the twentieth century. Free love, common-law and transient marriages, queer relations, a...[SEE MORE]
$2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America
By H. Luke Shaefer
The Life of the Author: Maya Angelou
By Linda Wagner-Martin
Black Women Writers at Work
By Claudia Tate
Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy
By Annette Gordon-Reed
Julius Caesar (No Fear Shakespeare)
By Sparknotes
The New York Times Book of the Dead: Obituaries of Extraordinary People
By William McDonald
Let the Circle Be Unbroken
By Mildred D. Taylor
Until Justice Be Done: America's First Civil Rights Movement from the Revolution to Reconstruction
By Kate Masur
How Beautiful We Were: A Novel
By Imbolo Mbue
The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation
By Natalie Y. Moore
Social Studies for a Better World: An Anti-Oppressive Approach for Elementary Educators
By Katy Swalwell
They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South
By Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers
Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia
By Sabrina Strings
Medical Bondage: Race, Gender, and the Origins of American Gynecology
By Deirdre Cooper Owens
Song of the Trees
Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender, and Parenting in America
By Nefertiti Austin
The Road to Memphis
Lose Your Mother: A Journey Along the Atlantic Slave Route
The Wait: A Powerful Practice for Finding the Love of Your Life and the Life You Love
By Meagan Good


text:
Der KunstSalon ist eine Kölner Initiative zur Förderung von Kunst und Kultur, die 1994 durch Peter Bach gegründet würde. Die Arbeit des gemeinnützigen Vereins wird ausschließlich privat finanziert. Der Verein vergibt mehrere Kulturpreise und fördert spartenübergreifend diverse Projekte. Der Sitz des KunstSalon befindet sich in einem Industriegebäude in der Brühler Straße in Köln, das um 1900 als Kupferschmiede errichtet wurde. Im Jahr 1996 erfolgte der Umbau zum heutigen Kulturzentrum.

Zielsetzung
Anliegen des KunstSalon ist es, Kunst und Kultur finanziell und ideell zu unterstützen, die Notwendigkeit ihrer Förderung zu vermitteln und Zugänge für interessierte Bürgerinnen und Bürger zu schaffen. Bürgerschaftliches Engagement bildet die Basis für seine Tätigkeiten.

Förderung
Die Einzigartigkeit des KunstSalon liegt in seiner spartenübergreifenden Ausrichtung. Mit Förderprojekten aus den Bereichen Bildende Kunst, Schauspiel, Literatur, Musik, Tanz und Film wird die Kulturszene unterstützt.

Dazu gehören:
 Stipendien: Villa-Aurora-Stipendium, Atelierstipendium, Stipendium CROSSOVER, Step Up (Strukturförderung Tanz)

 Förderpreise: KunstSalon-Choreografie-Preis, Theater-Autorenpreis 2010–2012 und KunstSalon-Theaterpreis

 Förderprojekte: KunstSalon-Orchester, Zwirnerschule – Musikförderung für Alle, Culturelink – Projekte für und mit Geflüchteten
 Festivals: Literatur in den Häusern der Stadt, Musik in den Häusern der Stadt

Die Freunde des KunstSalon, die Schauspielfreunde und die Mitglieder der tanz- und filmsociety unterstützen die Förderprojekte und die Kulturszene mit ihrem Engagement.

Im Rahmen des Projektes Musik in den Häusern der Stadt laden kulturinteressierte Gastgeber in ihre privaten Räumlichkeiten in Köln ein. Diese Initiative konnte in der Folgezeit auf Berlin, Hamburg und seit 2010 im Rahmen der RUHR.2010 – Kulturhauptstadt Europas auch auf das Ruhrgebiet ausgeweitet werden. Es bietet vor allem Nachwuchsmusikern eine Bühne. Nach dem gleichen Konzept richtet der KunstSalon auch das Festival Literatur in den Häusern der Stadt aus.

Ein KunstSalon-Orchester unter Leitung von Klaus dem Geiger spielt ein Repertoire aus Klezmer, Tango, Klassik, Salonmusik und Improvisationen.

KunstSalon-Stiftung
2001 wurde die KunstSalon-Stiftung gegründet, in die der Unternehmer Andreas Schmitz einen Lottogewinn in Höhe von 1 Million Mark einbrachte und die um weitere  Zustiftungen wirbt. Die praktische Durchführung und Begleitung der Fördermaßnahmen überträgt die Stiftung dem KunstSalon e. V. Wichtigstes Stiftungsziel ist die Förderung des modernen Tanzes. Zuspender können eigene Prioritäten setzen.

Einzelnachweise

Weblinks
 Internetauftritt des KunstSalon Köln

Koln
Kunstmuseum in Köln
Verein (Köln)
Gegründet 1994

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


– Take the Metro from the airport. It's got to be the simplest public transport I've got from an airport to a city so far – totally not worth getting a taxi at all!
– Speaking of the Metro, it's worth getting a 3 zone ticket when you buy any during your trip. The system can be a little confusing and they're pretty hot on fines. None of the stations are manned so it's better to be safe than sorry – it's not expensive and worth doing!
– If you're looking for the hipster area of town, you'll want the area called Vesterbro. It's not far from Frederiksberg where we were staying and has a definite cool vibe.
– If you're into your homeware, you might know about Royal Copenhagen Porcelain. Pretty but pricey, so there's an outlet in Frederiksberg which is worth knowing about!
– Try the scones! You can only get them in a place called Reinh Van Hauen but it's a chain so you can find them anywhere.
– If you're looking for dinner inspo, the chain of Madklubben restaturants are a good choice – all different, and all over the city, they're not too expensive with amazing food.
– If you're into your beauty, try Matas. It's the Danish Boots with lots of well known brands, as well as some more unique Danish products.
– Something worth knowing is how to convert the currency to pounds as Denmark aren't in the euro. It's super simple – just add a decimel! If something is 299krone, that's £29.90.
– I didn't go myself, but my Dad and the other 'boys' on the trip thoroughly enjoyed drinking their way around the Carlsberg Brewery tour.
– A tip my sister learnt the hard way is that in Copenhagen, they're very hot on road crossing. If a crossing is present, you can't walk at all unless the green man is showing – regardless of the traffic. Fines can be had if you don't obey, and you'll notice just how obedient all the Danish pedestrians and cyclists are!
– Copenhagen isn't huge, so walking is really one of the best ways to get about, much like we found in Rome. It's incredibly flat, so it's not a hard slog and you see so much more. Or if you're feeling brave, hire a bike! The city is totally decked out for cyclists and is so safe, you can leave your bike all over the place.
I'm already plotting my next trip back to Copenhagen, I'd love to see it in the warmer months when I can cycle around the city and eat my way through all the Scandi-chic cafes! I'm sure there's plenty I've missed as it was such a whirlwind trip, but it's definitely a place I'll be exploring more.


Dr. Aimée Surprenant is being recognized for her outstanding leadership.
In July, the professor of psychology and dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Memorial will receive the 2018 Richard Tees Distinguished Leadership Award from the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science (CSBBCS) at their annual meeting.
The award recognizes extraordinary leadership to the CSBBC community and other factors, such as contributions to the training of students and technical staff, advancement of research and scholarship, and contributions to Canadian journals of psychology.
An outstanding researcher, Dr. Surprenant was selected for her important contributions to our understanding of human memory and for her exemplary service to the CSBBCS.
Her citation notes that she has been a highly effective co-organizer of two major annual meetings for the society: the 2009 meeting in York, U.K., and the 2018 meeting in St. John's N.L.
Dr. Surprenant is also considered an outstanding supervisor, having mentored dozens of highly successful graduate and undergraduate thesis students in her laboratory.
As dean of graduate studies, she plays an important role in the success of hundreds of graduate students. In 2012 she was honoured with the Memorial University Outstanding Contribution to Student Life Award. The award recognizes faculty and staff members who go above and beyond the call of duty in helping their students achieve both inside and outside the classroom.
She has also played key roles at important funding agencies and professional and scientific organizations. From 2011-14, she served as a member of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Life Sciences (1502) Grants Adjudication committee. From 2009-14, she held the seat on the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) board of directors and, since 2016, she has been chair of the CPA's Brain and Cognitive Science Section.