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For the record... a phone jack won't handle a data cable. The cable fitting is too big. In reverse, a phone jack is too small for the data cable. They look almost identical for someone who really isn't versed. If you can plug a phone in nicely, it's a phone jack. If a data cable fits properly, it's a data jack. Not sure how many people notice, but on the back of a computer for example, it's not like you can get a cable mixed up with another in terms of plugging them in. Each thing has only one jack or inlet where it will fit. The phone cable for a fax won't work in the data jack. It's all the same premise. :) P
The RJ45 socket is designed to accept an RJ11 plug so there can be some confusion there.
In 568A a phone cable should work if it's routed to phone.... this isn't really an issue anymore due to VoIP but back in the early 2000s with landlines and such it was.
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The seizures took over my senses for the third time that day and I was a foggy mess for the rest of the trip back to York, PA. My dear wife, Stephanie, drove us back to our house. What a day it had been. We buried my dad.
Dad was an enigmatic figure in my life, full of anger and sarcasm, and opinions. Other times he was tender, understanding and loving. You just never knew which dad would show up. He gave all of us embarrassing nick-names and would make fun of us for minor infractions of the family “rules.” The rules I remember the best had to do with table manners. One of the inviolate rules was NO ELBOWS on the table. If we were within reach, he would grab our forearms and slam our elbows on the kitchen table. It made the China and silverware rattle and it hurt, our pride was more damaged than anything. It didn’t take us long to get with the program. Other times he wanted to hear explicit details about our day, making us feel important for that air time in our big family.
I have become a prolific photographer in the past few years and I got that bug from Dad. He always had his Leica camera handy for a color photo of flowers, birds, vistas, or the kids. I would love for my photos to compare favorably to his. My brothers and sisters think I take bird pictures better than Dad, because I am more patient, which is true.
Over the years there have been a few sides of Dad that few others in the family knew or saw. One night, when I was a teenager, Dad heard noises and came into my room. He found me on the floor shaking violently and lay me on my side, my head on a pillow. He dragged my body away from the bed and side-table. A roommate of his at Kent School in Connecticut had been an epileptic and Dad had been instructed on how to handle things to protect his roommates from injury during a seizure. I never knew he had those important soft skills.
The next day he made an appointment for me with a neurologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
After a brief admission office interview, the nurses took me to a clinic where I got a complete MRI, (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and EEG, (Electroencephalogram). When the results were reviewed by the medical staff, it was like a convention of doctors surrounding my MRI and EEG! They were debating what to do. What they had noticed was that I had what they believed was a congenital arachnoid cyst in my brain. The cyst was located on the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere of my brain. They also discovered an agenesis of the corpus callosum on my right hemisphere.
The doctors were not sure what to do. After a vigorous consultation among the medical team, my neurologist came over to my dad and me. He said that he believed I was having “nocturnal episodes,” perhaps triggered by emotional trauma.
Over the next nine years, I was prescribed various anti-seizure concoctions, none of which worked very well. My mom died and the episodes started again in increasing frequency. I was able to work and drive and lived a near normal day-time life. The nights, however, remained either calm or torturous.
Taking matters into my own hands
Finally at the age of 31, I made an appointment to see another neurologist. I wanted to consult with someone who specialized in epilepsy. After the new doctor gathered data for a baseline, we had a follow-up meeting. The doctor next took me off my seizure medications and scheduled for me to have a week-long stay in the hospital! For seven days I had wires and tape all over my head and body. I was under constant observation, night and day. My brain was having a V-EEG, (video EEG). During the nights I had a series of petit-mal seizures and several gran-mals. With each seizure I was asked to ring the bell for the nurse on duty.
The nursing records pointed the doctor to the specific parts of the V-EEG where I felt the most impactful seizures. The doctor looked closely at the recordings during these severe episodes. At the end of my hospital stay, the neurologist officially reclassified my nocturnal episodes as “Epilepsy.”
Twice more in next few years the doctors put me through the V-EEG. The next time was to determine if I were eligible for surgery. The neurosurgeons wanted to see if the could safely remove the portion of my brain that was causing the seizures. After weighing the options the doctors decided that the position of the arachnoid cyst was too close to a knot of blood vessels, the resulting brain trauma from surgery might do more harm than good. The other V-EEG testing was scheduled to provide more data. My seizures were increasing in frequency and severity and none of the medicines were working. I wanted to know why.
Over the last 30 years, I have had numerous MRI’s. These periodic tests were to detect any changes to my cyst. From the baseline test, not much has changed. Lots of “IF’s” come to mind for me. If I had had episodes at a younger age, the doctors might have used the MRI sooner. And if the MRI were more acceptable in my youth, it seems possible that I could have had a shunt in my brain, draining it of harmful fluids. Without the cyst impeding its growth, my brain could have formed normally. However, I was 22 at the time of my first MRI. In my case it was too late for anything to be done. My cyst had grown to the point where blood vessels and my brain had formed around it. It was more dangerous to operate than to leave the cyst alone.
I was treated poorly by my dad those early years. He really did want to accept a child who was less than exceptional. I felt unwanted. All things considered, though, I am proud of my relative success in school and in life.
When Dad came with me to Johns Hopkins to talk with the doctors, they showed him the MRI images and the depression below my skull. They noted the extraordinary size of the cyst in my brain. He was shocked and ashamed of his former behavior. I will never forget the look of sadness and remorse in his face. It were as if he wanted to take back all of those nick-names he had conjured, and all of those insults he had hurled, and whippings he had forced upon me over the years. Now he had a deeper unawareness of my condition. He seemed to slowly understanding what I had been going through. I wasn’t a bad kid, I just needed help.
Forgiving him for his bad treatment of me was not easy, but I knew I had to make the first move. With the black and white images in front of him, his heart seemed to reach out and touch mine.
Right then and there I forgave Dad and things have been so much better ever since.
I made it down to Florida to see him in January, 2016 and what a blessing it was for both of us. He was in the hospital with another bad turn with congestive heart failure and I wanted to see him one last time. When I came into his hospital room, Dad’s eyes squinted in pleasure and joy as we hugged. He was truly glad to see me, as I was to see him. We had a good few days together, with the help of my sister, Nancy and nephew, Joe Caplan.
I was seizure free for the most part and that was a blessing. I even had the courage to speak up to him and scold him for some anger he showed to his wife. An aunt of ours had died and we had elected to keep the news from Dad, while he was in the hospital.
My dad’s ashes were split into two piles: one for his widow and one for his grave in Baltimore. At his celebration of life ceremony, many of us had stories — most of them complimentary of Dad’s accomplishments. It was a long hard day for me; one I’ve been thinking about for the past few years. I am glad I saw him a month before he died. It made the final goodbye on my terms.
As most of us did, I had the typical father/son relationship growing up. But he taught me so many valuable lessons. That has stuck with me throughout my life. I always cherished every chance we got to have those father and son times together. Our relationship blossomed shortly after Mom died. Oddly enough, that is when I began having seizures. He came into my room one night, while having a seizure and he performed CPR on me. He later told me that he was familiar with this type of CPR from a former roommate, who had epilepsy at Kent School. Shortly thereafter, went to Johns Hopkins Hospital so I could be examined by their Neurologist. After my examination, a number of Neurologists talked with both of us about the results of what they found. Not only was I shocked by the images they showed us, but when I looked over at Dad, I could see from the expression on his face that he was upset and hurt. From that very moment on, our relationship truly bonded as a father and son should. He finally understood my struggles and from then on he was always my “Rock.” His words of encouragement gave me the strength to keep going.
After Steph and I got married, Dad said that I married ‘wonder women’ and how proud he was of us. Steph, told me a couple of times that Dad always made her feel like one of his daughters, instead of being just an In-Law! He had that ability with every family member. But, just seeing when they spoke with each other, via phone or in person how he made Steph feel, I know he had changed for the better.
When Nancy, Joey and I went to be with him in Sarasota this past January, I walked into room and saw that big surprised smile on his face. It truly meant the world to me. Due to my disability, it had been over two years since I last visited him. Most of my brothers and sisters feel the same way I do: through it all I am blessed to have had him as my dad.
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Iraq Body Count urgently needs your support to keep track of casualties - help us with a donation now
Iraq Body Count
Beyond statistics
Page 1 of 1
The Week in Iraq is a weekly assessment of significant incidents and trends in Iraqi civilian casualties by IBC's news collector and Recent Events editor Lily Hamourtziadou.
The analyses and opinions presented in these commentaries are personal to the author.
Recent weeks
Healing the wounds of the past
31 Dec 2008
21 Dec 2008
14 Dec 2008
Regrets –he’s had a few…
7 Dec 2008
The Week in Iraq
We are ‘fighting terrorism’ in Iraq, that is why we are there, said Tony Blair this week. This story has changed so many times: first we were removing the WMD threat, then we were removing a dictator, then we were bringing democracy and free elections, and now we are fighting terrorism. ‘It is a worthy cause,’ echoed Dick Cheney.
Well, it is not strictly true that we are in Iraq to fight terrorism. We may be fighting terrorism there now, but it is terrorism we have brought to the country. We, outside Iraq, have brought terror to Iraqi homes, streets and cities. We have brought terror to their schools, markets and mosques, to their old and young, to their men and women. To their poor children.
Terror claimed another 500 civilians lives this week, at least 21 of them children.
On Monday 9 April 45 lose their lives. Tens of thousands of peaceful protesters waving Iraqi flags and calling for US forces to leave Iraq march into Najaf, marking the fourth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad. Torching American flags, Shiites and Sunnis voice their anger and frustration over the US government’s record in Iraq since it led the invasion in 2003. The march comes as a response to a call by Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has demanded that US forces leave the country.
Sadr’s statement to the crowds read: ‘So far 48 months of anxiety, oppression and occupational tyranny have passed, four years which have only brought us more death, destruction and humiliation…Every day tens are martyred, tens are crippled, and every day we see and hear US interference in every aspect of our lives, which means that we are not sovereign, not independent and therefore not free. This is what Iraq has harvested from the US invasion’ (Los Angeles Times, April 10 2007). The speech, delivered by cleric Abdelhadi al-Mohammadawi, was interrupted by chants of ‘Leave, leave occupier’ and ‘No, no, to the occupation.’
On Tuesday 10 April 85 civilians are reported dead, 19 of them police recruits blown up by a suicide bomber at a police station in Muqdadiya. A shocking 34 are reported dead in a US/Iraqi raid in Baghdad, while 16 are found bound, tortured and executed in Baghdad, Falluja, Mahaweel and Kirkuk.
On the most peaceful day of the week, 42 die on Wednesday 11 April. The dead include 5 policemen, a mother and her son killed in Mosul, a teacher shot dead in Baghdad, a radio journalist and her husband. Over 30 more bodies are found, while 18 unidentified bodies are buried in Kut.
Over 50 are killed on Thursday 12 April. A suicide truck bomber kills 11 and blows up al-Sarafiya bridge in Baghdad. Up to 8 are reported killed when a bomb explodes in the Iraqi Parliament, inside the Green Zone. Among the dead on Thursday, 3 people killed during a US raid in Haditha and 13 bodies discovered in Baghdad and Kut.
Around 70 more are killed on Friday 13 April. Among the dead, an imam killed with his brother on their way to the mosque in Mosul, a woman and her child blown up by a roadside bomb in Baghdad, 2 interpreters killed in an attack on US soldiers, and over 20 bodies found in Baghdad and Mosul.
Saturday 14 April is the worst day of the week, when around 110 die. A suicide bomber blows up a car at a busy bus station in Karbala, killing 47 civilians, 16 of them children. A further 4 are killed in clashes with the police after the bombing. Another car bomb kills 10 at Jadriya bridge in Baghdad, while police find 28 bodies in Baghdad, Kirkuk, Kut and Mosul.
The week ends with nearly 100 victims of violence on Sunday 15 April, 80 of them in Baghdad. Among the victims 3 children, blown up by car bombs that kill 18 in the Shurta al-Rabia area of Baghdad.
In a statement to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Moqtada al-Sadr has criticised him for refusing to set a timetable for the withdrawal of the occupation forces. ‘Your statements have nothing to do with the millions who flocked to Najaf,’ his statement reads. ‘Can you not hear their voices urging the pullout of the occupier or setting a timetable for its withdrawal? Where do you stand vis-à-vis the people who made you assume this post? ’ (Al-Sharqiya 12 April 2007).
Following his statement, al-Sadr announced that he would be withdrawing from the Iraqi government, due to Baghdad’s close ties to Washington and its ‘policy of appeasement for the occupation.’ Sadr’s movement holds a quarter of parliamentary seats in Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s Shiite Alliance.
Meanwhile, the threat of a Turkish invasion seems to be moving closer to Kurdish-dominated northern Iraq. The head of Turkey’s armed forces said publicly on Thursday that he was prepared to conduct operations to crush Kurdish rebels hiding there. ‘Should there be an operation into northern Iraq?’ asked Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, Turkey’s chief of staff. ‘If I look at it from an exclusively military point of view, yes, there should be. Would it be profitable? Yes, it would.’ (New York Times, April 13 2007)
This is a very sensitive issue, as the Kurds remain the United States’ strongest allies in Iraq. Yet the United States is also an ally of Turkey, an unhappy ally, as the Turkish government is growing increasingly frustrated that it cannot use its leverage in a country occupied by fellow NATO members. When entering northern Iraq today ‘you are met by Kurdish flags, not Iraqi ones,’ complained Gen. Buyukanit, surely the fault of the US. Not many would disagree with him.
It seems Iraq is facing a variety of threats, internal and external, as well as an indefinite period of occupation. The International Red Cross has declared the situation for civilians in Iraq ‘ever worsening.’
Letters sent by the US military to Iraqi families, to notify denial of a compensation claim, conclude ‘I wish you well in a Free Iraq.’
Page 1 of 1
© Iraq Body Count 2003-2022. Administered by Conflict Casualties Monitor, a Company Limited by Guarantee (No. 6594314) registered in England and Wales.
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Investing in education can be one of the best career moves you ever make. Shopping for the best school can be a very time-consuming process, especially considering transportation, tuition cost, and quality of education. One term used often by trade schools, but rarely understood is Accreditation. Accreditation means whether or not a school can give students college credits. The importance of Accreditation is completely different when comparing a trade or vocational school with a community college or university.
Accreditation In Colleges & How College Credits Work
College Offer Degrees
Making sure that you are enrolled in an accredited program at an accredited college is very important if you are seeking a career that requires a college degree. Accreditated schools give college credits for each class taken by a student. Some classes may be worth 1 or 3 credits while classes may be worth 4 or more. These credits are important in order to earn a degree. For example:
Associates Degree: Requires 60 college credits
Bachelors Degree: Requires 120 college credits ( In total: Including Associates)
Maters Degrees: Typically require anywhere from 150 - 175 college credits (In total: Including Bachelors and Associates)
PH-D ( Doctor of Philosophy): Usually requires 200 - 210 college credits (In total: including Masters, Bachelors, and Associates)
Associates' degrees usually take about 2 to 3 years to earn. Once you have an Associates's degree you go to a university and earn a bachelor's degree which may take an additional 2 - 3 years of schooling. After you complete a bachelor's degree, you can choose to further your education and earn a master's and Phd these programs may last 3-5 years each.
Accreditation In Trade School & How Certifications Work
Trade Schools Offer Certifications NOT degrees
If you enroll in a vocational or trade school odds are that the field or career you wish to enter requires that you have a certification. This means you are certified in a particular skill.
If the trade school you wish to attend is accredited that means that they can offer classes that students can receive college credits for. However, those college credits you earn at a trade school cannot really be used towards a degree. The purpose of attending a Trade school is to receive a certification in something to certify you have the ability to perform the given task or skill. For example:
Phlebotomy Technicians in new jersey are usually required to be certified in order to work in a hospital or healthcare facility. To be certified as a Phlebotomy Technician (Phlebotomist) you will have to complete a training program.
In this program, you will learn all the important information and skills needed for national certification exams.
NOWHERE IS WHERE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACCREDITED AND NON-ACCREDITED (Private) TRADE SCHOOL's COME IN. Phlebotomy training can last around 5 - 6 weeks. If you attend an accredited program you may be enrolled for 6 months to 1 year and be required to take additional college-level classes like A&P, Biology, Microbiology, and Pharmacological. At an Un-accredited trade school, your program may last 5-6 weeks and once your training is completed you can apply for jobs and enter the workforce directly.
Some colleges offer Phlebotomy training programs and will require you take additional classes along with your training. These additional will come at a cost and take longer to complete. For example, some accredited programs for Phlebotomy training cost $15,000 and take a year to complete, while some non-accredited trade schools cost $950 and take about 2 months to complete.
Accredited trade schools or colleges are not a bad schooling route however they are just very expensive and require a long time commitment. It is also important to remember that a lot of trade school programs such as phlebotomy technician, EKG technician, Patient Care Technician, and Medical Assistant does not have a degree requirement. In fact, there are no degree options for these programs because they simply do not exist. Receiving college credits in your training at a trade school will not be the determining factor as to whether or not you land a job.
When selecting your school of choice there are a few very important questions you should ask your potential school to ensure that you make the best decision possible. Here is a list of questions you should ask:
1. Is the program approved by the State Department of Education
Is the program approved by the department of labor and workforce development
What certification body will award me my certification?
How long are my certifications valid for?
What is the renewal process like and How often will I have to renew my certification?
Is this school an approved testing site for my national exam or will I have to go somewhere else and pay a fee?
How long will it take for me to receive my certification?
What to do with this information
Knowing the difference between accredited and non-accredited schools can save you a lot of money and time. When the trade schools first started offering education one of the selling points of this route was that you will only focus on the skill you need to know for a job. This option was appealing to people who did not want to spend years in college paying for classes for information they would not use once they entered the workforce. Some trade schools have fallen away from the intended idea. Being informed on what accreditation means, can enable you to make the best decision for your future. Here's a list of our Top 10 most popular trade school programs.
At Americation Career and Training School (ACTS) We Take Education Seriously. Here's our story and what we have to offer
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At successful completion of the program you will receive a Certification of Completion with your name on it from JFK Institute of Healthcare (JFKIH). A certificate of completion displays that you have successfully completed the course work required in the program. It sets a benchmark that others may or may not have achieved.
How can i get started?
Simply visit the program page of your choice and register.
Enter your information requested below to receive information on this program.
By submitting any form on this website, you give us the authorization to contact you for information on the requested information.
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Goals of the Code of Ethics & Values: To make our District a better District, built on mutual respect and trust. To promote and maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct among all involved in District government, District staff, volunteers and members of the District's Board. This policy applies to all elected officials, officers, employees, members of advisory committees, explorers and volunteers of the District, herein called officials for the purposes of this policy.
The proper operation of democratic government requires that decision-makers be independent, impartial and accountable to the people they serve. The District has adopted this Code of Ethics & Values to promote and maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct in the District's government.
All elected and appointed officials, District employees, volunteers and others who participate in the District's government are required to subscribe to this Code, understand how it applies to their specific responsibilities and practice its eight core values in their work. Because we seek public confidence in the District's services and public trust of its decision-makers, our decisions and our work must meet the most demanding ethical standards and demonstrate the highest levels of achievement in following this Code.
As participatory officials in the District's government, we subscribe to the following Core Values:
As a Representative of the District, I will be ethical. In practice, this value looks like:
I am trustworthy, acting with the utmost integrity and moral courage.
I am truthful. I do what I say I will do. I am dependable.
I make impartial decisions, free of bribes, unlawful gifts, narrow political interests, financial and other personal interests that impair my independence of judgment or action.
I am fair, distributing benefits and burdens according to consistent and equitable criteria.
I extend equal opportunities and due process to all parties in matters under consideration. If I engage in unilateral meetings and discussions, I do so without making voting decisions.
I show respect for persons, confidences and information designated as "confidential."
I use my title(s) only when conducting official District business, for information purposes or as an indication of background and expertise, carefully considering whether I am exceeding or appearing to exceed my authority.
I will avoid actions that might cause the public or others to question my independent judgment.
As a Representative of the District, I will be professional. In practice, this value looks like:
I apply my knowledge and expertise to my assigned activities and to the interpersonal relationships that are part of my job in a consistent, confident, competent and productive manner.
I approach my job and work-related relationships with a positive, collaborative attitude.
I keep my professional education, knowledge and skills current and growing.
As a Representative of the District, I will be service-oriented. In practice, this value looks like:
I provide friendly, receptive, courteous service to everyone.
I attune to and care about the needs and issues of citizens, public officials and District workers.
In my interactions with constituents, I am interested, engaged and responsive.
As a Representative of the District, I will be fiscally responsible. In practice, this value looks like:
I make decisions after prudent consideration of their financial impact, taking into account the long-term financial needs of the District, especially its financial stability.
I demonstrate concern for the proper use of District assets (e.g., personnel, time, property, equipment, funds) and follow established procedures.
I make good financial decisions that seek to preserve programs and services for District residents.
I have knowledge of and adhere to the District’s Purchasing and Contracting and Allocation of Funds Policies.
As a Representative of the District, I will be organized. In practice, this value looks like:
I act in an efficient manner, making decisions and recommendations based upon research and facts, taking into consideration short and long term goals.
I follow through in a responsible way, keeping others informed and responding in a timely fashion.
I am respectful of established District processes and guidelines.
As a Representative of the District, I will be communicative. In practice, this value looks like:
I positively convey the District's care for and commitment to its citizens.
I communicate in various ways that I am approachable, open-minded and willing to participate in dialog.
I engage in effective two-way communication, by listening carefully, asking questions and determining an appropriate response which adds value to conversations.
As a Representative of the District, I will be collaborative. In practice, this value looks like:
I act in a cooperative manner with groups and other individuals, working together in a spirit of tolerance and understanding.
I work towards consensus building and gain value from diverse opinions.
I accomplish the goals and responsibilities of my individual position, while respecting my role as a member of a team.
I consider the broader regional and statewide implications of the District's decisions and issues.
As a Representative of the District, I will be progressive. In practice, this value looks like:
I exhibit a proactive, innovative approach to setting goals and conducting the District's business.
I display a style that maintains consistent standards, but is also sensitive to the need for compromise, "thinking outside the box" and improving existing paradigms when necessary.
I promote intelligent and thoughtful innovation in order to forward the District's policy agenda and District services.
Enforcement:
Any official found to be in violation of this Code of Ethics and Values may be subject to Censure by the District Board. Any member of any advisory Committee found in violation may be subject to dismissal from the Committee. In the case of an employee, appropriate action shall be taken by the General Manager or by an authorized designee.
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In 1972, a kids program called "The Most Important Person" gave 3-minute self-esteem lessons about respecting yourself, learning from mistakes, and protecting yourself in the face of various meanies. The theme song began with the following lyric:
The most important person in the whole wide world is you and you hardly even know you.
Almost 40 years after hearing that song for the first time, I often find myself repeating the lyric in my head. Wouldn't it be great if that program was redone for adults? What if someone made a "love yourself" cartoon for people with bipolar?
When I'm Bad I'm Bad. When I'm Good I'm Medicated.
Being able to love yourself when you have bipolar disorder, or another mental illness, isn't an easy task a lot of the time. Mostly because we don't feel lovable all of the time. But recovery requires honesty and self-investigation which, if done right, involves admitting some of your negative attributes to correct them.
It's often difficult to maintain a level of self-love when, like me, you're admitting to your ex-boyfriend that you've started thinking of him as an asshole to save yourself some grief but, you know, it was the mania that caused me to wake you up at 2AM and curse you out. Nope, I'm not proud of that admission, and it doesn't make me feel lovable. In fact, it may indeed have precipitated a dearth of love in my life because I used passive-aggressive behavior and sarcasm to drive men away. But I'm awesome!
I love myself when I am laughing, and then again when I am looking mean and impressive - Zora Neale Hurston
Maybe love means forgiveness, like you have to forgive the people you love for their wrongdoings or something like that. But what about when we're doing wrong to ourselves? We say things to ourselves, whether consciously or unconsciously, that we'd never say to our friends. Negative self-talk like "nobody will ever love you" are very real when you have a mental illness. The disease makes you feel less-than-normal and, therefore, undeserving of love and consideration, even from yourself.
How many of us treat ourselves badly without even thinking? We don't do the things necessary for recovery, even though they're good for us. Recently, I ignored a psychiatrist appointment, ran out of Effexor. If you've taken the drug, you know how dreadful the withdrawal is. Actually, my mood is still great, but the brain shocks and flu symptoms are pretty unbearable, even though I accepted them. I have no reason for making myself suffer SSRI detox, other than I just didn't feel like going to the doctor and thought I could handle it. But the fact that I didn't think anything of making myself suffer physically probably means that, on some level, my mood isn't as good as I think it is. And blogging coherently when your brain is in a fog? I wouldn't recommend it.
But I would recommend practicing self-love on a daily basis, whether it's going to bed at a decent hour or giving yourself credit for the awesomeness that it takes just to get out of bed sometimes. No matter what, we only get one self.
Find Tracey on Twitter, Facebook, and her personal blog.
Tags: loving yourself self-acceptance and mental illness
Lloyd, T. (2012, January 6). Loving Yourself When You Have a Mental Illness, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2022, November 29 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/relationshipsandmentalillness/2012/01/loving-yourself-when-you-have-a-mental-illness
Author: Tracey Lloyd
New Year's Relationship Resolutions for People With Mental Illness
Fear, Anxiety and Healthy Relationships
September, 29 2014 at 3:01 pm
Yea!!! I was able to check off some tasks on my goals list for the day. Didn't get everything, but I am proud of me! I remember the days of just being able to get out of the bed, to go right back. But hey, that was a good day.
What if you were diagnosed with BP II and yet you really don't believe it. So you stop taking meds and all it feels like is bad depression and you just ignore the symptoms and move on and don't show noone what is going on in your head. Can you actually control the mood swings and live without meds?
January, 7 2012 at 9:41 pm
One from among prerequisite to mental welfare is the affinity to love oneself by both self acceptance and self respecting behave through daily functioning. This statement is most necessary, when are in question bipolar patient, whose emotional fluctuation is very unbridled. Indeed, the feeling of genuine self love implies a satisfying social state in which everyone should to realize numerous life needs. In consequently, it goes without saying to respect the role and the place of others in social network when respective person live and work. Without this life style of interpersonal relationship, we would be condemn to live in hostile environment. So, it should to balance individual desires with others interest and deeds, in order to be acceptable in community as useful and successful person. One excluded person from respective social network couldn't be happy and with healthy emotional statement even posses the sense of self-esteem.
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VNA & Blue Water Hospice leadership honors staff quarterly through the ‘Shining Star’ program, recognizing the extras they do for each other, their patients, and the community.
What do you do at VNA & BWH?
As a Home Health Physical Therapist, I provide evaluation and treatment of homebound patients related to neurological, orthopedic, and cardio thoracic conditions. My main role is to assess patients in their home setting and give recommendations for home environment modification to prevent fall, teach energy conservation techniques, provide strengthening program, balance training, and gait activities to restore function. I play as a team member and coordinate among skilled nurses, OT, SLP, and physicians to establish proper treatment to achieve complete rehabilitation.
Why did you choose this type of work?
I am a people person! I always want to help others to make changes in their life.
Why do you choose to work at VNA & BWH?
VNA is a good workplace, always maintain high professionalism, ethics, and values to deliver honest service to the community. VNA has respect for our professional opinion and values and provides all the resources to deliver highest standard of care.
What is a favorite memory you have of work?
I had treated some COVID patients and from hospice care. After the complete treatment from different disciplines, I have seen patients return to their normal life and they were very thankful to the VNA team for their dedicated work.
Maurene recognized Muthu as a Shining Star!
I received a phone call from a patient that wanted to share her appreciation of her physical therapist, Muthu. She could not say enough good about the therapy she received from him. She has not walked in four years and now is able to walk some with a walker because of the education and therapy that Muthu has provided her. She was happy and laughing on the phone and said he has made such a difference in her life and that she wanted us to know that what a valued employee we have. She went on to say that he had his hands full because she is no spring chicken and that she is 95 years old! What an amazing woman! Thank you, Muthu, for being such a great physical therapist and for caring about people like you do. Our agency and our community are very lucky to have you!
If you would like to thank a staff member, volunteer, or physician at VNA & Blue Water Hospice, go to https://www.vnabwh.org/thankyou/.
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The JV softball team placed first in league and became Almont League champions with a 10-0 record. Varsity softball placed second and had a 7-3 record. They qualified for CIF, but were eliminated in the first round.
“I think we did well in league; however, the outcome wasn’t ideal. In CIF, we underestimated the enemy and didn’t play our best, so that’s where we messed up,” said Christa Martinez, varsity senior. “To continue improving, the team just has to keep the same heart and enthusiasm for the sport that they had since season started.”
The varsity boys swim team placed third in league, with a 4-2 record and 147 points, while the varsity girls placed second in league, with a 5-1 record and 258 points. The JV boys swim team placed third with a record of 4-2 and 182 points total, while the JV girls tied for first with the Mark Keppel Aztecs, with a 6-0 record and 317 points.
The varsity mittmen finished league in second, with a record of 12-3, and were eliminated in the first round of CIF. The JV team placed second, with a 8-2-1 record and the frosh/soph team closed out league in third place with a 3-6 record.
The varsity boys tennis team finished league in second place, with a 6-2 record, and made it to the second round of CIF before getting eliminated. The JV boys team became Almont League champions with a 7-1 record.
“I think we did pretty good this year. Unfortunately, we came up short at CIF. But overall I think we had a great season, and I’m looking forward to next year’s season. I’m hoping we can improve as a team and become league champions,” said Surya Ram, varsity sophomore.
The varsity boys tracksters became Almont League champions, with a 5-0 record, and senior Abraxaz Sanchez made it to the second round of CIF. The varsity girls tied for second, with a 3-2 record but they lost in the first round of CIF. The frosh/soph boys tied for third, with a record of 2-3, while the frosh/soph girls placed second, with a 4-1 record.
“I think season overall was really good, as I placed first at most of my races. However, towards the end of the season, I feel didn’t do my best,” said Abraxaz Sanchez, varsity senior. “To be one of the first distance runners to make it to the second round of CIF, it feels good. Looking back, I think I did well considering I couldn’t run junior year due to injuries, and sophomore year was my first year of track.”
Golf ended its season with a record of 9-4 and placed fifth in league.
The varsity boys spikers tied for second in league, with a 6-4 record, and lost in the first round of CIF. The JV boys placed second in league with a 8-2 record.
“This season for JV, we only have four returners, which means we had about eight guys who had little to no experience with the sport. The change from the beginning of the season to the end was great, as we began to really play as a team, and that’s what the sport is all about,” said Justin Tashima, JV sophomore.
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tagged with Anthony Ngov, Baseball, Softball, Spring Sports, Swim, Tennis, Track and Field, volleyball
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SPARTAN TALENT will be featured in AVID’s annual Schurr’s Got Talent. First place winner will receive $150. Information available on Instagram and in the bio of @SchurrAvid.
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Polkadot’s cryptocurrency DOT has come from nowhere to gain a coveted slot on the leaderboard. What’s its secret sauce?
Polkadot made a sudden entry into the top ten cryptocurrencies in August. (Image: Shutterstock)
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Polkadot’s token DOT has risen from nowhere to number seven cryptocurrency by market cap.
DOT saw its circulating supply inflated by 10 times last month, in a process called "redenomination".
Redenomination isn't the only factor behind DOT's meteoric rise, according to experts.
Blockchain interoperability project Polkadot wasn’t even in the top 100 cryptocurrency rankings three weeks ago; now it sits at number seven, with a market capitalization of over $3.7 billion. It’s a meteoric rise, and it’s at least partly down to something called “redenomination.”
On August 21, after a community vote, DOT was redenominated—meaning that the circulating supply of the token was inflated by 100 times. The process is similar to a stock split, which can see the value of a stock rise substantially after the event, as small investors perceive it as becoming more affordable.
In the cryptocurrency space, however, it's unheard of. Essentially, Polkadot’s redenomination saw one old DOT divided into 100 new ones. Consequently, the total supply increased from 10 million tokens at Genesis to 1 billion.
The split doesn’t change the value of investors' total holdings in the protocol. However, it has led to speculation that the event was at least partly responsible for the rise in the token's fortunes.
Token splits are the new stock splits
The primary motive of a stock split is to make shares seem more affordable to small investors, increasing liquidity in the stock. And the Polkadot community’s reasoning for redenomination has followed similar lines.
The decision to devalue DOT was taken to make the token easier to calculate and therefore buy—“more ergonomic,” in the words of the platform’s creator Gavin Wood. In addition, the early decision limiting Polkadot’s initial supply at 10 million was ostensibly an arbitrary one.
The process required a community referendum, which took place in July, with 86% of the community in agreement.
The Polkadot community was given a choice of four redomination options. (Image: Polkadot)
The team chose an auspicious date to redenominate its token. Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla performed a stock split on the same day and saw its share price rally 12% when trading resumed 10 days later.
DOT saw even more dramatic gains. The token rose from $2.92 prior to the redenomination, to a recent high of $6.84 on September 1. It currently stands at $4.37—having taken a pounding along with the rest of the crypto market in recent days.
CoinMarketCap and other price aggregators have explained the redenomination to their users. (Image: CoinMarketCap)
But analysts told Decrypt that devaluation isn’t the only factor behind DOT’s rapid rise.
Thomas Kuhn, a Macro Analyst at research consultancy Quantum Economics, gave three reasons: the project has a decent war chest to start with, so they could fund a strong team; Polkadot is a fairly recent project—compared to Ethereum, for example, which is faced with upgrading a legacy platform, and, in addition, DOT is a relatively new asset.
“Holders have not been holding for years waiting to abandon ship on the first increase in price,” he explained.
Polkadot’s three-year journey
DOT isn’t exactly a new token, though. The project launched in 2017 and has been in development for over three years. In recent months, as well as the redenomination, there have been several major changes, not least the launch of the Polkadot mainet in May.
In fact, arguably, the most pivotal event in the project’s history was another community vote to allow holders to transfer their tokens. Prior to that, transferring tokens had been very difficult, and was only possible via so-called “over-the-counter” exchanges, and IOUs.
The transferability vote finally enabled exchanges to list DOT. Binance and Kraken swiftly did so—in fact, they acted a little too swiftly and were accused by the Polkadot community of jumping the gun, listing the token on August 18, three days before the agreed-upon date.
As forewarned, some unscrupulous exchanges listed today rather than Friday - the Denomination Day agreed upon by the @Polkadot community.
While we can't control these CEXs, we can urge them to stop.
Their actions are putting our community at risk.
With transferability enabled, DOT’s market capitalization leaped, catapulting it into the top ten cryptocurrencies even prior to its redenomination. After redenomination, it reached the top five, before falling back to its current position in the seventh spot.
The market capitalization of a token is determined by multiplying its price with the circulating supply. But while redenomination increases the circulating supply of a token, its market capitalization remains unchanged. Thus, a DOT investor who previously had only one token will now have 100. But while the number of their outstanding shares will have increased, the total value will be the same.
Notably, DOTs traded volumes also surged in recent weeks, topping $1.4 billion on August 27.
It’s fair to say that transformability and redenomination have caused quite a bit of confusion. But most importantly, it hasn’t dampened enthusiasm in the project.
“It’s a reflection of the superb job the Foundation has done community building around the globe,” said Corey Miller, who heads up growth at dYdX exchange and is a partner at Genesis Block Capital. “The results of that have led to increased developer awareness and adoption.”
The Polkadot community’s ambition to build an ecosystem to rival Ethereum is now firmly in the frame. Will they settle for seventh place?
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With this episode, the interlude from the battle scenarios ends, but that shouldn’t be any surprise; even if it wasn’t written into the characters, the story was not going to stray away from one of its core elements for long. At least nothing felt forced about the return of the 86s to the battlefield; they have almost literally grown up on the battlefields, so it is what they know and what they are comfortable with. Most of them also do not have any conception of what life after the war might be, which is what Ernst was almost desperately trying to instill in them over the past two episodes. (This is the very long game in the novels, though, so any sense of resolution on this point should not be expected by the end of the season.) So a return to the battlefield is the only logical path for the story.
One of the interesting aspects of this is how the 86s still face some prejudice, but for utterly different reasons than before. This time around they are not regarded dubiously because of race, but rather because their experience and attitude make them different. Despite their youth, they are hardened veterans around new trainees, ones capable of feats that seem almost unearthly, and Shin’s normal disposition certainly does not help. Other recruits not wanting to keep their distance would have been more unnatural, which is why Eugene making at least somewhat of a connection to Shin is so important. He is the bridge to normal relationships for Shin in the absence of Lena. . . which is, of course, why he has to die.
Eugene’s death is important to the story, since it signals Shin’s return to his old role as mercy-killer and Undertaker but also is the first death not of his own cadre or family to shake him up. It is also the most harrowing and graphic scene in the series to date, and fully retains that despite being toned down from the original novel. (In the novel, it was the lower part of his body that got blown off rather than one of his hands.) Although statements had been made before in the episode about the losses that the Federation was taking, and how the battle overall was not going well despite the Federation having gained back some territory since the 86s’ arrival, that scene drives home the severity of the situation. The blood from Shin’s mercy-killing splattering specifically onto a daisy is also an interesting symbolic choice; since the white daisy typically represents innocence and purity, the blood staining can be taken to mean the brutal shattering of that innocence. Shin stepping into shadows as the red-haired soldier complained about Shin not saving Eugene packs some obvious specific symbolism as well.
Though much of the episode sets up for Eugene’s death and the fallout from it, the episode has other important things going on as well. What Frederica’s role is going to be is firmly-established: she is literally her unit’s “mascot,” which in Giad is a long-established position firmly entrenched in psychological manipulation. A young girl is assigned to live with a unit with the intent of fostering a familial connection. Soldiers who feel they have a younger sister or daughter immediately at hand to protect are going to be more likely to fight to protect her and less likely to desert. In other words, Frederica is gaming the system by taking advantage of an odious custom to be out near the battlefield, and thus furthering her quest for her previous knight. It is a slick storytelling gimmick for keeping her involved, but an effective one.
Frederica is also, in some respects, filling the role of the absent Lena. Nearly all of what little humor the first half had was associated with Lena’s reactions to eating things, and now we have Frederica’s comical struggle with eating mushrooms. Fido got most of the rest of the levity, and now he’s back in a new body to resume that role. Combined with the memorial made to the fallen Juggernauts, the chest of name plates, and Shin’s handgun being returned to him, it makes for both a touching sequence and a further acknowledgement by the Federation of the importance of what the 86s accomplished. (Interesting, though, that the 86s react more strongly to Fido and Shin getting his gun back than the memorial, isn’t it?) Sadly, that gun being returned to Shin was also one of Eugene’s earlier death flags.
The other important thing which happens in this busy, packed episode is the formal introduction of Lt. Colonel Grethe Wenzel, who looks exactly like she was described in the novel. She has made some cameos over the previous couple of episode but will now be the 86s’ direct commander for the rest of this season, so expect to see a lot more of her if you’re an anime-only viewer. This episode also features the formal debut of the Reginleifs, the upgraded replacements for the Juggernauts the 86s used to use, and the return of the slick CG-animated battle scenes.
In terms of the adaptation, this episode is jumping all around in the second novel, but that’s not a problem because the second novel was not linearly ordered in the first place. Several small details are being skipped over, but the adaptation is, on the whole, still doing an excellent job, in this case covering a lot of ground while still mostly maintaining its quality standards. Given current pacing, I suspect that the adaptation of the relatively short second novel may conclude with next episode.
Other Series That I Am Following:
Thanks to a trip followed immediately by multiple visitors at home, I am somewhat behind on recent episodes. Hence I will save commenting on other recent episodes until I get caught up.
I am also taking suggestions for which title to make my second to cover for the season. The most likely candidates are Mushoku Tensei, Irina the Vampire Cosmonaut, the new Yuki Yuna installment, or The Faraway Paladin. If you have a preference for what you’d like to see from among these, respond to this post within the next couple of days, as I will make my choice before the end of the week.
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Posted bytheronm4 October 17, 2021 Posted inUncategorizedTags:86, 86 episode review
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On Reviews for The Fall 2021 Season
8 thoughts on “86 episode 14”
October 17, 2021 at 9:54 pm
Not one of the choices, and I don’t know if you’ll stick with it weekly in your personal queue, but I would be interested to know eventually how Muv-Luv Alternative lands with you, since you covered Schwarzesmarken back in the day, but you’re not coming in with knowledge of the visual novel. Whether this franchise has a future may depend on whether the anime spawns a new fanbase, since the VNs are so old at this point, and few people play/read VNs anymore.
October 17, 2021 at 10:45 pm
I do intend to watch out Muv-Luv, though whether I’ll be watching it week-to-week or “when I have time” remains to be seen. (Its second episode is part of the trip-related backlog I was referring to.)
Half Life says:
October 17, 2021 at 10:12 pm
I’m watching both The Faraway Paladin and Mushoku Tensei, so either of those would be welcome for me.
October 17, 2021 at 11:53 pm
I’d personally like to see you continue covering Mushoku Tensei. However, if you were to do a different series, I’d like to hear your take on Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut. It seems to me that that’s a series that would be right up your alley.
Laz says:
October 18, 2021 at 6:43 pm
OK, this is not an honest recommendation since I dropped it after the required 3rd Ep, but it would be nice if somebody followed Mieruko-chan.
I did not find enough suspense in the horror and the long form “jokes” (about 2 per ep.) just didn’t land well enough to make up for the set up time (the molester was the only to bring much of a chuckle). Also the fan-service was rather annoying, endless thigh and undergarments (with or without clothing) shots belong more in a “wacky” humor or action series. Here they just get boring real quick.
Wow, I really sold this series … well I did say it was not an honest recommendation, I would just like somebody to sacrifice their time and follow it to see if it goes somewhere worth going back for.
October 18, 2021 at 11:28 pm
I’d love to see you take on The Faraway Paladin for your 2nd show!
October 19, 2021 at 12:01 am
October 20, 2021 at 12:48 pm
I would love your take on Faraway Paladin and also would like some small thoughts on Ranking of Kings and the various mecha shows this season other than 86
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Have an old bike? Donate your old bikes and bring them to the Brunskill School gym on Friday May 26, 2017, 3:30 – 8:00 pm
Come to the Used Bike Sale in Brunskill School gym on Saturday, May 27, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Bikes sold as is. Popcorn for sale too!
Get a tax receipt for your purchase of a bike! Cash, cheque and credit card (Visa, MasterCard) accepted. All proceeds from the sale will go directly to the Brunskill School Playground fundraiser. (Any unsold bikes at the end of the sale will be donated to Bridge City Bicycle Co-op)
Additional donations to the School Playground can be made at the bike sale or on-line at Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation
June 21, 2016 VVCA News & Eventsbikes, day, workVVCA
You are invited to participate in Bike To Work Day Saskatoon
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
The Bridge City Bicycle Co-op is pleased to present Saskatoon’s fourth annual Bike To Work Day #yxeBTWD
The mission of Bike To Work Day (BTWD) Saskatoon is to attract new cyclists to commuting while celebrating the efforts of those that already use their bikes to get to and from work.
We aim to have a network of Commuter Stations in locations around the city from 7 – 9am. Local businesses and organizations in Saskatoon are invited to participate in BTWD by hosting a Commuter Station – a place for commuters to stop for grab-and-go refreshments, information, and a little fun on their way to work.
Benefits of Cycling to Work
Cycling is a healthy, convenient, low-cost and socially responsible form of transportation that improves our community by decreasing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution. We hope this event inspires more people to use their bicycles for regular, active transportation and experience the benefits of increased mental and physical health upon arriving at work.
If your business or organization is interested in hosting a Commuter Station, please read through the details on our website (www.biketoworksaskatoon.com) and submit a Commuter Station Request Form by July 29th. Please note that filling out a form implies agreement to adhere to the commitments and responsibilities as outlined in the Station Manager’s Guide on the BTWD website. If you would like to support a station or the event with a donation of some kind, please be in touch using the contact information below.
If you have any questions, please email us at cyclingevetsyxe@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Bike to Work Day! June 24, 2015
April 21, 2015 VVCA News & Eventsbikes, event, traffic, transportation, VVCAVVCA
Commuters! Choose to Bike To Work on June 24th and enjoy some fun and grab-n-go refreshments provided by local businesses and organizations! Check out the stations at our website and stop by a commuter station (or two or three) around the city on your way to work between 7 and 9 AM!
Mission:
The mission of Bike To Work Day (BTWD) Saskatoon is to attract new cyclists to community while celebrating the efforts of those who already use their bikes to get to and from work and other commitments.
What to Expect:
Commuter stations will be set up at various locations around the city from 7-9 AM on Wednesday, June 24th, 2015. They will be hosted by participating local businesses and organizations and the public can enjoy grab-and-go refreshments, information, and some fun on their way to work! Check out the map for an updated list of stations and plan your route to stop by one or more of them!
Why Bike to Work?
Cycling is a healthy, convenient, and low-cost form of everyday transportation that improves our community by decreasing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution. We hope this event inspires more people to think of cycling as a regular means of transportation and to experience the benefits of arriving at work feeling refreshed, energized, and alert.
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Brunskill rink update: There is ice, but it is very thin in places! Rink crew still needs to put the whitening and lines down and flood a couple or three more times. Volunteers to assist with rink maintenance, flooding and clearing would be greatly appreciated. ... See MoreSee Less
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I’m sitting in the Warner Bros. screening room trying to arrange my 3D glasses comfortably while I wait to see the eighth and final Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. The room is packed, a few journalists even sitting on the theater’s steps. Everyone was afforded the perk of bringing one guest and it appears as if that was taken full advantage of. The air hums with excitement, a thoroughly uncommon phenomenon at such events, where thinly disguised cynicism is usually the norm. “I’m doing Smurfs after this,” one journalist says with a groan, “and last week I did Zookeeper.” He shakes his head; the experience was clearly memorable for all the wrong reasons. “But this,” he says as his eyes light up with a twinkle, “this I’m looking forward to.” As the lights dim and the lightning-edged Harry Potter title treatment comes up on screen for what will be the last time, you can practically taste the anticipation in the room.
The following day that same electric anticipation bounces off the wall at the press conference while we wait for the filmmakers and stars that brought Harry Potter to life to appear. One journalist has even brought her 10-year-old son with her. He proudly wears a LEGO Harry Potter t-shirt and grips a well-loved copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that he’s hoping to have signed by the cast and crew. “It’s pretty cool,” he says, an obvious understatement. Another journalist, giddy over the chance to talk with Emma Watson, tells me that she’s a beauty editor for US Weekly. “I’m a HUGE nerd,” she says in response to the quizzical expression on my face, “and really wanted to come for this.” The line between professionalism and fandom wavers back and forth and, other than physical size, it’s difficult to tell the wide-eyed children apart from the professional entertainment writers.
That magical appeal which has transfixed hundreds of millions regardless of age is why the Harry Potter series has become such a history-making worldwide phenomenon: 450 million copies of the books in 67 different languages; 11 million copies of the final book sold in the first 24 hours; over $2 billion in domestic box-office alone, making it the most commercially successful film franchise of all time. “One of the things I love about the books, and hopefully the films, is that they didn’t patronize,” says producer David Heyman, who discovered the first manuscript, almost by accident, before it was even published. “They were books that parents could share with their children but could enjoy too, and I think therein lies one of their great pleasures.” Criticized at times for the increasingly dark tone that the latter books developed, author J.K. Rowling’s decision to “grow the books up” as her young fanbase aged undoubtedly contributed to their widespread appeal. “It comes down to one simple thing,” director Chris Columbus (who helmed the first two films) said in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, “Seven brilliantly written books.”
“I never wanted any of you to die for me,” says Harry to his friends, his face caked with dirt and rubble from the devastated Hogwarts castle. The final film hits the ground running, starting where Part 1 left off, and it doesn’t let up for a second. With treasure heists at Gringotts bank, fire breathing dragons, more horcruxes than you can shake an Elder Wand at, and screen shattering good-versus-evil duels, there is enough spectacle to sate even the most demanding summer moviegoer. But director David Yates has wisely chosen to spend most of his attention on the tender moments of romance and moving displays of sacrifice that have made Harry Potter such an inspiring tale. Unlikely hero Neville Longbottom’s stirring battlefield speech at the end of the film, in the face of almost certain destruction, is a perfect example of this. In spite of the achy feeling behind my ears from wearing the 3D glasses, I’m transfixed, lost in the magic of a good story, well told.
At the press conference the next day Matthew Lewis, who stars as Neville, is telling us about that scene and what it was like to act opposite Ralph Fiennes, who plays Lord Voldemort with a chilling viciousness that is breathtaking. “Ralph is a very, very frightening man, especially when he looks like that” Lewis says as he glances over his shoulder at an enormous cardboard stand featuring Voldemort. Fiennes, head bald with snake-like slits where his nose should be, looks like evil incarnate. “[During rehearsal], Ralph had hair and a nose and yet he was still terrifying. And he did this thing – to this day I have no idea whether he did it on purpose, whether he’s even aware of it – but he just stared at me. The whole time. Even when other people were speaking his eyes never left my face. And I just went to pieces. I suddenly felt like I was in the hardest exam of my entire life. And it was frightening.” The scene in question is one of the highlights of film; it elicited cheers from the press during the screening. “I loved every single minute of it, and being able to work one on one with Ralph, despite the pressure, despite the nerves, was one of the greatest experiences of my life and I will never forget it.”
Unlike many actors and actresses on most other films, you can tell that Lewis and his fellow cast and crewmates are genuinely in awe of what they’ve been a part of. There is a palpable respect that is accorded the material; it’s obvious that they love Harry Potter as much as we do. “I was able to use a lot of my own genuine emotion that I felt about loss and all of it coming to an end,” says Emma Watson, the young actress who has brought life to Hermione Granger, one of Harry’s closest friends. She is, inarguably, the most adorable, charming human being on the face of the planet; she has the entire press core in the palm of her hand and doesn’t even realize it. “[During] the scene where we stand on the bridge after the battle, and before we flash forward, I remember just feeling exactly how I guess Hermione would be feeling: Wow, this is all coming to an end. Look at everything we’ve achieved.” As Watson leaves the stage, Alex, the young autograph hound, tentatively asks her to sign his book. When the glowing actress leans over to scrawl on the cover page, an audible “Awwwwwww” escapes from the journalists. The moment is adorable, certainly, but there is also a note of longing: we wish we were the ones having Emma Watson autograph our dearly loved books. Everyone wants one last chance to experience the magic of Harry Potter.
Harry and Voldemort, enemies by fate, face one another on the ramparts of Hogwarts castle. Everything has led to this, both for Rowling’s characters and for us, her audience. It’s the moment we’ve been anticipating for over a decade: the Boy Who Lived against He Who Must Not Be Named. “Come on, Tom, let’s finish the way we started,” Harry says as he grasps Voldemort around the neck, “…together!” Harry flings himself into the chasm, pulling a screaming Voldemort down with him. The confrontation that we’ve waited for is as epic and moving and satisfying as we could have hoped. J. K. Rowling did not disappoint when she penned the finale to her amazing story, and the filmmakers entrusted with this cherished franchise do not disappoint in bringing it to life on the big screen.
“I’ve had such an amazing time on Potter,” said Daniel Radcliffe in a recent interview with Larry King (he was unfortunately unable to attend the press conference due to existing obligations with How to Succeed In Business, the Broadway show he is currently starring in). “It’s been such an extraordinary experience to work with, essentially, the same group of people for 10 years.” After wrapping, Radcliffe confessed that he “wept like a child.” Nor was he the only one. At the final cast and crew barbecue dinner, complete with ice cream served from Rupert “Ron Weasley” Grint’s own ice cream truck, a compilation video was shown of everyone from the lowliest runner to the megawatt stars to J.K. Rowling herself waving goodbye. The video (after which there “wasn’t a dry eye in the house” according to producer David Barron) concluded with director David Yates bidding farewell, getting into his car, and driving off. “We went to Chicago and tested the picture and we got these little cards that everyone fills out,” Yates says, trying to sum up his experiences directing the final four Potter films. “And this young girl gave one note. She didn’t criticize anything, she just wrote ‘Goodbye childhood.’”
Alex McCully, the one actual child in attendance at the conference, holds his treasured copy of Deathly Hallows afterwards, the signatures of Hermione and Ron and Draco and Neville hidden underneath the cover. “I’m a bit sad,” he says of the series’ completion, but doesn’t really look it. “I really really really want to be in the film industry now,” he quickly continues, his eyes lighting up. He knew he wanted to be a director after watching the climactic confrontation between Lucius Malfoy (played by Jason Isaacs) and Harry at the close of the second film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. “It was so stunning and so believable that I said, ‘Oh I really want to make something like this!’” For Alex, Harry Potter doesn’t mark the end of an era as it does for the rest of us, but the beginning of a journey. He’s not really saying goodbye to Harry at all.
I’m thinking about that as I tuck my four-year old daughter and three-year old son into bed later that evening. She asks me for a story, so I tell them about a boy named Harry Potter who didn’t have a mommy and daddy and was forced by his mean uncle and aunt to live in a cupboard under the stairs. He was very sad and didn’t have any friends.
“But then, one day,” I continue as I lower my voice for dramatic effect, “Harry got a special letter.” “What was in the letter?” my daughter asks, breathlessly. Both their tiny pairs of eyes are large; they can tell this is a special story. “It told him that he was really a wizard,” I say – they both gasp – “and that he would be going to a special school to learn about magic, and he would make lots of very good friends and he would go on lots of exciting adventures.” She wants to hear more but I tell her that I don’t think she’s quite old enough to read the books yet. “Maybe when I’m five?” she bargains, always the negotiator. “Yes, sweetheart, maybe when you’re five,” I say. She rolls over, squeezing her teddy bear tight, content in the knowledge that one day she’ll get to hear more about the magical boy named Harry Potter.
So, goodbye for now, Harry. But I’ll see you again, real soon.
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re:Invent 2017 – AWS Brings its Digital Assistant to Work With Alexa for Business. Amazon Web Services (AWS), this week launched “Alexa for Business” for office conference environments in an effort to increase the reach of its Alexa voice activated AI. During Thursday’s AWS reInvent conference keynote, Werner Vogels, Amazon.com’s Chief Technology Officer, introduced Alexa for Business. Vogels stressed the importance of natural voice interfaces during his presentation, especially as deep learning and AI technologies become more commonplace. Vogels stated that voice is the first disruption to be caused by deep learning tools. AWS plans to bring its AI platform’s natural language capabilities into workplaces using Alexa for Business, which is now available. Vogels described Alexa for Business “a fully managed service for having multiple Alexa devices at work.” Alexa for Business can be used for both shared Alexa-enabled devices (such as those in conference rooms or break rooms) and for employees’ Alexa devices that are registered in their company’s account. Alexa for Business can be used by companies to start meetings in conference rooms. Vogels says it integrates with conferencing systems such as Polycom and Cisco. He said that you don’t need to enter a conference ID. “All you have to do is say “Alexa, start the conference.” It can also be integrated with “smart rooms” systems to allow conference leaders voice control of things like temperature and blinds. Employees can link their Alexa device to their company account to gain access to productivity apps such as their Outlook Calendar and contacts. They can also use it for conference calls or hands-free messaging. IT can configure Alexa for Business using custom skills and distribute them on certain shared and personal devices. They can also distinguish between public and private skills and create skill groups. The Alexa for Business console allows for the provisioning and management of shared devices. Individual users can also be invited to join the Alexa for Business account. This FAQ provides information on supported devices, and pricing information can be found here. More information from AWS reInvent 2017: – Venice Hotels | Cheap Hotels in Italy | Hotels in Venice
Venice Hotels | Cheap Hotels in Italy | Hotels in Venice
re:Invent 2017 – AWS Brings its Digital Assistant to Work With Alexa for Business. Amazon Web Services (AWS), this week launched “Alexa for Business” for office conference environments in an effort to increase the reach of its Alexa voice activated AI. During Thursday’s AWS reInvent conference keynote, Werner Vogels, Amazon.com’s Chief Technology Officer, introduced Alexa for Business. Vogels stressed the importance of natural voice interfaces during his presentation, especially as deep learning and AI technologies become more commonplace. Vogels stated that voice is the first disruption to be caused by deep learning tools. AWS plans to bring its AI platform’s natural language capabilities into workplaces using Alexa for Business, which is now available. Vogels described Alexa for Business “a fully managed service for having multiple Alexa devices at work.” Alexa for Business can be used for both shared Alexa-enabled devices (such as those in conference rooms or break rooms) and for employees’ Alexa devices that are registered in their company’s account. Alexa for Business can be used by companies to start meetings in conference rooms. Vogels says it integrates with conferencing systems such as Polycom and Cisco. He said that you don’t need to enter a conference ID. “All you have to do is say “Alexa, start the conference.” It can also be integrated with “smart rooms” systems to allow conference leaders voice control of things like temperature and blinds. Employees can link their Alexa device to their company account to gain access to productivity apps such as their Outlook Calendar and contacts. They can also use it for conference calls or hands-free messaging. IT can configure Alexa for Business using custom skills and distribute them on certain shared and personal devices. They can also distinguish between public and private skills and create skill groups. The Alexa for Business console allows for the provisioning and management of shared devices. Individual users can also be invited to join the Alexa for Business account. This FAQ provides information on supported devices, and pricing information can be found here. More information from AWS reInvent 2017:
re:Invent 2017 – AWS Brings its Digital Assistant to Work With Alexa for Business. Amazon Web Services (AWS), this week launched “Alexa for Business” for office conference environments in an effort to increase the reach of its Alexa voice activated AI. During Thursday’s AWS reInvent conference keynote, Werner Vogels, Amazon.com’s Chief Technology Officer, introduced Alexa for Business. Vogels stressed the importance of natural voice interfaces during his presentation, especially as deep learning and AI technologies become more commonplace. Vogels stated that voice is the first disruption to be caused by deep learning tools. AWS plans to bring its AI platform’s natural language capabilities into workplaces using Alexa for Business, which is now available. Vogels described Alexa for Business “a fully managed service for having multiple Alexa devices at work.” Alexa for Business can be used for both shared Alexa-enabled devices (such as those in conference rooms or break rooms) and for employees’ Alexa devices that are registered in their company’s account. Alexa for Business can be used by companies to start meetings in conference rooms. Vogels says it integrates with conferencing systems such as Polycom and Cisco. He said that you don’t need to enter a conference ID. “All you have to do is say “Alexa, start the conference.” It can also be integrated with “smart rooms” systems to allow conference leaders voice control of things like temperature and blinds. Employees can link their Alexa device to their company account to gain access to productivity apps such as their Outlook Calendar and contacts. They can also use it for conference calls or hands-free messaging. IT can configure Alexa for Business using custom skills and distribute them on certain shared and personal devices. They can also distinguish between public and private skills and create skill groups. The Alexa for Business console allows for the provisioning and management of shared devices. Individual users can also be invited to join the Alexa for Business account. This FAQ provides information on supported devices, and pricing information can be found here. More information from AWS reInvent 2017:
re:Invent 2017 – AWS Brings its Digital Assistant to Work With Alexa for Business. Amazon Web Services (AWS), this week launched “Alexa for Business” for office conference environments in an effort to increase the reach of its Alexa voice activated AI. During Thursday’s AWS reInvent conference keynote, Werner Vogels, Amazon.com’s Chief Technology Officer, introduced Alexa for Business. Vogels stressed the importance of natural voice interfaces during his presentation, especially as deep learning and AI technologies become more commonplace. Vogels stated that voice is the first disruption to be caused by deep learning tools. AWS plans to bring its AI platform’s natural language capabilities into workplaces using Alexa for Business, which is now available. Vogels described Alexa for Business “a fully managed service for having multiple Alexa devices at work.” Alexa for Business can be used for both shared Alexa-enabled devices (such as those in conference rooms or break rooms) and for employees’ Alexa devices that are registered in their company’s account. Alexa for Business can be used by companies to start meetings in conference rooms. Vogels says it integrates with conferencing systems such as Polycom and Cisco. He said that you don’t need to enter a conference ID. “All you have to do is say “Alexa, start the conference.” It can also be integrated with “smart rooms” systems to allow conference leaders voice control of things like temperature and blinds. Employees can link their Alexa device to their company account to gain access to productivity apps such as their Outlook Calendar and contacts. They can also use it for conference calls or hands-free messaging. IT can configure Alexa for Business using custom skills and distribute them on certain shared and personal devices. They can also distinguish between public and private skills and create skill groups. The Alexa for Business console allows for the provisioning and management of shared devices. Individual users can also be invited to join the Alexa for Business account. This FAQ provides information on supported devices, and pricing information can be found here. More information from AWS reInvent 2017:
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re:Invent 2016 – AWS Gives Developers In-Depth Debugging With X-Ray Amazon Web Services (AWS), this week revealed a preview of a new service that provides developers with a detailed map to their applications’ internals, allowing them to better troubleshoot. Amazon.com’s Chief Technology Officer Werner Vogels unveiled AWS X-Ray at his re-Invent keynote in Las Vegas. He called it “one the coolest releases I could think of.” X-Ray provides developers with a visual interface that allows them to debug and analyze distributed applications. Developers can perform request-by-request analysis of their applications. Data is compiled into a visual “service diagram” that allows them to easily see the connections between their components and identify any errors. Vogels says it provides a deeper look into an application’s process than traditional metrics. X-Ray allows developers to “dive into the application to see how the components are working together,” he explained. “You can visualize call graphs and see where performance bottlenecks are. You can also pinpoint specific services that might be causing you problems.” Amazon’s CTO Werner Vogels announced the AWS X-Ray service during re:Invent on Wednesday. AWS evangelist Jeff Barr explained that X-Ray captures trace data from code running in EC2 instances (including ECS container), AWS Elastic Beanstalk and Amazon API Gateway. It implements follow the thread tracing by adding an HTTP Header (including a unique ID), to requests that don’t already have one. The header is then passed along to additional request handler tiers. Each point’s data is stored as a chunk in JSON data. Segments are units of work. They include request and response timings, as well as optional sub-segments which represent smaller work units (down down to lines of code, if the appropriate instrumentation is used). A statistically meaningful portion of the segments is routed to XRay (a daemon process that handles this on EC2 instances, inside of containers), where it is assembled into traces (groups or segments that share a common ID). The segments are then processed to create service graphs which visually show the relationship between services. X-Ray previews are available for those who wish to try it. More information from reInvent 2016.
re:Invent 2017 – AWS Launches a Bare-Metal ECC2 Hypervisor with a New I3 Instance Amazon Web Services has officially launched its new bare metal hypervisor. During the Tuesday night keynote at the 2017 re-Invent conference in Las Vegas, Peter DeSantis (Vice President of AWS Global Infrastructure) announced the EC2 Bare Metal Instances. The EC2 bare metal technology is now available for public preview, as well as the new i3.metal instance. This technology is the result of many years of work at AWS under the “Nitro” effort. DeSantis stated that the goal of that effort was to make the EC2 instance “indistinguishable” from bare metal. According to DeSantis, the C3 was the first EC2 instance that was created under Nitro. The C3 was launched at the 2013 re-Invent conference. It offloaded the network processing part to the Nitro system hardware. The C4 was next and offloaded storage. The C5 instance, which was released this month, was the first to offload the entire EC2 stack, from networking and storage to management and security to monitoring, onto dedicated hardware. The C5 was developed using technology AWS acquired when it bought Annapurna Labs in 2015. It marked the debut of the “new EC2 Hypervisor”, DeSantis stated. The new hypervisor technology is also used in the VMware Cloud on AWS hybrid offering. It was launched in August and updated this week. AWS evangelist Jeff Barr explained that VMware wanted to run its virtualization stack directly on the AWS Cloud. This would allow their customers to access the reliability, security, and reliability that AWS offers. AWS now makes its bare-metal technology available to all its customers. Barr says that the new i3.metal instance is available for public preview starting Tuesday. It uses EC2 bare metal technology to “allow the operating system to directly run on the underlying hardware while still giving access to all the benefits of cloud computing.” The i3.metal instance is powered by two Intel Xeon E5-2686 v4 processors. It has 512GiB memory and 15.2TB storage. To preview the i3.metal in-progress instance, sign up here. More information from AWS Re:Invent 2017:
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It is with immense sorrow that we note the passing of our dear friend and manager, Barbra Crain, alias Music Mama, on April 14th, 2011. Many will remember that on stage Barbra was our link with the audience, tossing tambourines to people and getting kids to come up and dance with us. At rehearsal she helped with lyrics, tempos, and ideas for how to end a song. As our manager she always took care of business with cheerful efficiency and with attention to every detail, right down to whether Lady Keys' single earing was on the side facing the audience.
We will miss her and treasure her memory always.
Here's a line from the song we wrote for her birthday, "Music Mama":
"a syncopated lady, with dancing feet,
she can't keep still and she'll never miss a beat!"
We will be planning a sparkling party in Music Mama's honor, for all who loved her. If you would like to send your memories, or receive information about the party, or just get on our mailing list, please send a message at our new email address stardrumsladykeys@gmail.com
Music Mama sparkling at a gig, pictured with Lady Keys (on left), February, 2011
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Since Les's Fabulous 80th Birthday Bash in July 2018 we have been working on TWO new CDs!! "The Voyage" will b...
If you would like to receive occasional emails about upcoming gigs or be informed about special events please join our mailing list by sending us a message, either using our Contact link, or our address stardrumsladykeys@gmail.com.
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By following this simple-to-use, cash-based planning process, you can increase your profit, whilst improving quality of life and land health and productivity. There will be much that applies to your situation, no matter what your business or occupation.
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Do a Gross Profit Analysis of each of your enterprises, in order to bring in the most money for the least additional cost.
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A few days back I read a book “The Last Lecture.” I had the book for a couple of months, but read it only last week. The book is about the final lecture given by a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)—Randy Pausch. The CMU has the practice of asking its professors to give talks titled “The Last Lecture,” where the professors are asked to think about their death and tell the audience about the lessons they learned and pass on their wisdom.
In the case of Randy Pausch, it really was his last lecture. He was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in August, 2007 and had about 2–5 months of good healthy life left. On September 18, 2007, Randy stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at CMU and delivered his last lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” It was a one-of-a-kind last lecture that made the world stop and pay attention. It became an Internet sensation and was viewed by billions of people from all parts of the world.
The last lecture delivered by a man who had just months to live was surprisingly not about death. It was not about coping with cancer either. It was about the importance of having dreams, overcoming obstacles, achieving one’s dreams, helping and enabling others to achieve their dreams, seizing every moment in life, etc. It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living and having fun.
While each point in the lecture is great advice, I was more impressed with Randy’s positive attitude and outlook towards life. One of his philosophies, which I also strongly believe in, is “we cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” Life is not a bed of roses. There will be difficulties, hardships, challenges, and failures. You cannot control that. But you can decide how you react to these. You can sulk and wallow in self-pity or you can fight back. You can fight back with the resources that you are left with. According to Randy, when odds are against you, you should stop whining and work harder. That is great advice.
In March, 2008, Diane Sawyer of ABC News interviewed him. There is one section which I really thought was profound.
RP: I think it is unlucky. It is unfortunate. But I don’t think it is unfair. Because I have children and I always tell them, you know, if you flip a coin and if it comes up tails and if you had called heads that is not unfair. That is just the way world works.
The thing I liked most about his attitude is that he holds no grudge. There are no ‘why me?’, ‘why now?’ questions. He accepts the fact that fate has dealt a bad card and makes every effort to live the remaining time he has to the fullest.
I think that is that attitude that we should take when we pass through bad phases in our lives. Some people are lucky and some are not. That is how ‘the world works.’ So, if you happen to be among those who are unlucky, you still can make life work for you, have fun, help others, most importantly inspire others.
Randy Pausch was a teacher and must have inspired and motivated thousands of students during his teaching career. But through a 75-minute lecture and a book based on that, he has inspired and is still inspiring millions of people worldwide. That is the power of the courage and positive attitude. That is why it is worth taking the blows and still keep fighting. That is why love and compassion for others matter.
I request all of you to watch the last lecture and read the book. You will definitely gain a great deal of wisdom.
PS: Randy died on July 25, 2008 at his family’s home in Chesapeake, Virginia at the age of 47. He is survived by his wife and three children.
S said,
October 26, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Very inspiring read…..would like to add that along with love and compassion; a forgiving heart goes a long way in helping one deal with the many unfortunate things that befall us. Having said that, it is also the most difficult thing to do!
Paresh said,
October 27, 2010 at 12:50 am
Don’t think I am fit enough to make any comment here. So, just saying Thank you.
TME said,
October 27, 2010 at 7:32 am
Facing adversities gracefully is real tough.That was a real motivating post for me.Thanks a lot for sharing it.It made my day.
Bindu said,
October 28, 2010 at 7:27 am
The book was gifted to me by a friend when I was going through a bad phase and it really really helped. As you rightly said, the way he handled the bad card he was dealt with is really amazing ans inspiring.
Bindu said,
October 28, 2010 at 7:37 am
Reproduction in animals was hilarious. While I was carrying Naomi, my son used to ask me lots of these questions and I answered in the best and discrete possible way I could. Had forgotten what all I had told him until last month when he asked his father,”Achacha, my birthday is in November, so amma must have got pregnant in February right? Did she pregnant on her birthday?”
Father almost fell off his chair
Alexis Leon said,
October 28, 2010 at 12:21 pm
S: Thank you for the comments.
Paresh: I don’t agree with your first sentence
Bindu: Hi Bindu, long time no see. Hope all is well and all are fine at home. I can imagine Manoj’s reaction
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1. A gospel made up of only forgiveness of sins and heaven when you die will inevitably result in Jesus being a consolation prize when things don’t go your way in your life here on earth.
2. “Love your Karens.” – Jesus
3. It is not as Americans we take comfort in any promises made to Israel. It is as citizens of the Kingdom of God. America is no more a territory of that kingdom than China because American Christians are no more citizens of the Kingdom of God than Chinese Christians.
4. Followers of Jesus are the light of the world…a city set on a hill…a lamp so that others may glorify God, unless you’re a really cool band of Christians, and then you can just sing about a vague spirituality of love which cannot be distinguished from any other positive way of thinking.
5. If as followers of Jesus, we love his kingdom more than any country, then we will be more comfortable praying for those on the other side in politics than in talking bad about them.
6. If I was doing youth ministry again, I would talk a lot more about discipleship than I did.
7. I absolutely understand why some would not put a lot of hope for change in the overturning of Roe v. Wade. And I understand not looking to the government for change. But those who point this out need to remember this is also true for gun control, climate issues, and a host of other things you think are worthy of the church’s attention.
8. When I was falling in love with Bethany, I loved to say her name and have her name rolling around in my head. The name of Jesus is altogether more beautiful.
9. They are killing babies and they know it.
10. A life and culture of gospel presentations that do not include “the kingdom of God/heaven” will inevitably lead to many looking to politicians and politics for good news.
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Anna L July 9, 2022 / 1:49 pm
I’m a long time “lurker” on your blog (I think I discovered it at my very mundane job around 2010 when I was looking for encouragement in the mundane – and lo, and behold! — you had written a book about that). Thank you for continuing to publish your thoughts. It has been a balm, encouragement, and motivator to continue in my walk with Christ all these years.
Just wanted to say thanks, because I’m sure when one publishes something like this, it feels a bit like you are sending it out into the void.
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No one likes to talk about their bathroom routine, but with four boys in the house, trust me, it is an important topic in my home. So how do you make sure that everyone stays fresh and clean with a minimum amount of waste? The Cottonelle Care Routine couples an ultra soft and thick toilet paper with a moist flushable wipe for the ultimate clean routine. We were recently given the chance to review this care routine and I have to say we were pleasantly surprised.
Let me explain something about having four boys. I never thought we would go through too much toilet paper since they were boys not girls, but boy was I wrong. Sometimes I would catch them using almost a whole roll. I was really excited to introduce the flushable wipes to the boys, because I figured it would cut down on the need for so much paper. First I had to overcome their feelings about wipes though, since my youngest promptly told me "But mom, wipes are for babies." Once we discussed that these type were for people of any age, they begrudgingly agreed to try them.
The result, they loved how clean the wipes made them feel and I loved the fact that they used a lot less paper. The Cottonelle Ultra Comfort Care Toilet Paper is really thick, quilted and it only takes a little to go a long way. I won't lie, the wipes take a little getting used to. It isn't something we are used to as adults anymore, but they really do clean better than just paper itself for an unbelievably clean feeling.
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Kathleen is a homeschooling mom of four boys with a serious case of the Wanderlust bug. Her love of travel extends to her children, and has resulted in the family visiting 48 states to date, and traveling nearly a third of the year. She is the owner of LifeWith4Boys.com where you will find information on Family Travel, recipes, reviews, lifestyle and more.
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Relationships matter so much. Over the last few years I’ve grown rather tired of “culture” and “tradition” when they describe thoughts and actions that lead towards the exclusion of someone different than “the norm.” I see it frequently at work, Church and elsewhere. We all think we’re right and that we’re doing the right thing… Continue reading Relationships Matter →
Posted in SocializingTagged Church, Diversity, Love, Thoughts
June 29, 2018 June 29, 2018 KevinLeave a comment
What my philosophy was — and I still think it is an issue today — is that diversity is not about numbers, it’s about getting the best and brightest from all walks of life, to help leaders solve the very complex issues that face us today. Don’t surround yourself with only people that think or… Continue reading Ann Dunwoody on Diversity →
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Hi, I'm Angela, wedding photographer based in Austin, Texas. I'm wife to a Northern Irish cutie, mom to two little girls, and fur mom to pup Willow and cat Poppy. I also love light, lace, and alllll the pretty wedding things! Feel free to browse recent weddings, engagement sessions, and a little bit about me! To find out more about me, please drop me a line!
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October 24, 2016
Alyssa and David were both from Austin, but it took a study abroad program in college for them to find one another and fall in love in…Spain! As they took trips to different countries, the pair found themselves on the same journeys. When Alyssa’s friend came to visit with her boyfriend, it felt natural for Alyssa and David to join them on a double date for dinner.
Upon returning to the States, Alyssa and Dave continued their relationship until they formed the ultimate power couple as real estate agents together in Westlake. In July of 2016, the couple went on a trip with Alyssa’s family to the British Virgin Islands. David took Alyssa to stunning cave in the water where he asked her to be his wife. The only problem was that they were now swimming in a cave with a brand new diamond ring! Before they headed to the cave, the guide actually told them not to wear any jewelry, and now Alyssa found herself with a gorgeous new ring on her finger. She turned the ring so the diamond faced the inside of her hand, and put all nerves aside as they carefully swam out with it to go celebrate with her family.
As real estate agents, the two celebrated their love of location with an engagement session in Austin hot spots. We hit up South Congress and then headed to the Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk. They were fun and sweet and energetic! Alyssa and David, it is a joy to know you, and I can’t wait to capture your wedding next May!
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YA Author of The Boy and Girl Who Broke the World, Our Stories, Our Voices, The Nowhere Girls and other books.
Hello, goodbye, and other writerly thoughts
March 4, 2010 By AmyReed 4 Comments
Hello blog. It’s been awhile. My excuse is I’ve been writing, which is a pretty good excuse if you ask me. Since, like, I’m supposed to be a writer, and, like, my next book’s due to my editor May 1, and, like, I have approximately ten pages left to write. This is when things start getting weird. I’m excited that she’s almost done, but I’m also feeling a little protective, like I want to grab her and hold her tight and not let her go. (Yes, apparently my book has a gender. I told you it’s getting weird.) She’s been my baby for about a year, and we’ve grown extra close these last few months, getting cozy in the big cushy chairs of my favorite coffee shop, scribbling madly on the train, stealing moments to jot down dialogue when I’m supposed to be working at my day job. Now she’s almost grown up, ready to send off to my editor in big, scary New York. And then what? Empty nest syndrome? Mourning her loss? Moving onto the next story and cast of characters like nothing happened?
I still miss Beautiful. Of course I have some copies at home and I get to talk about the book all the time, but it’s not the same as being inside it, living and breathing that world and those beautiful, broken characters. I miss Cassie and Sarah. Oh, how I miss Sarah. I still get a lump in my chest whenever I think about her. Sometimes I wonder what Cassie’s doing now, if she’s enjoying her new school, if she found the loving friendships and peace she so desperately needed. I wonder if she was able to stay off drugs, if she was able to learn to stop running from herself and her pain. Maybe her parents started paying a little more attention. Maybe they all started spending time together as a family. Maybe Cassie learned to love herself just a little bit, enough to give her the strength to say No when she needs to, enough to make her hope for something better.
But they’re not real, are they? Their lives are contained in thin 6×9″ pages. There is a beginning and an end to their story, a front a back cover. But why doesn’t it feel that way? Why do I feel like they’re somewhere close, just around the corner? Why do I miss them like family?
I don’t feel ready to say goodbye to these new characters. But I guess I have to. I will reluctantly let them go. Because if I don’t, you will never get to meet them.
Comments
stefaniewithanf says
March 15, 2010 at 6:57 pm
I know exactly what you mean. That’s the only thing that will probably get me back in front of Wyrd, is that I miss those guys. I worked on it Sunday for the first time in months, and it was great to hang out with those cool characters again.
Doyle says
March 18, 2010 at 9:48 pm
I just loved your book Beautiful, so right after I finished the book I went on the internet to stalk the author O: jk.
Sarah’s death had to be the saddest thing ever. I don’t know why she killed herself… I mean, if she knew she was going to live with Cassie why did she kill herself?
I also hope Cassie is doing fine. I understood why she was so unhappy, which is why I loved the book. What I didn’t understand was that she had no idea how easy she had it… No curfew, dad picks you up late at night after parties, being able to smoke pot in your bedroom and no one gives a shit and having a boyfriend who loves you.
Something tells me she won’t stay off drugs, but she’ll use them less. However in the book she didn’t seem to think drugs was a wrong thing nor did she have any intentions to stop taking them, so I’m guessing probally not.
Good luck with your next book, I’ll be the first to read it.
Mitchie says
April 8, 2010 at 6:40 pm
I thought I was the only one that asked myself that stuff about my characters. O.o
Kelsey says
April 13, 2010 at 6:32 pm
That’s how I totally feel about the characters I write xDD
Loved the book though and looked online to see if you had any other books, but reading the post, a new one should be coming shortly Can’t wait and good luck with every book you write.
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Lately I’ve been figuring out my focus for the next year. When we rang in 2010 I was focused on giving birth to a healthy son in April, profiting as a new business owner, succeeding in a 50k grant for Fitness without Borders, planning a meaningful wedding and getting in the best shape of my life at 30 years old.
In 2011 I am creating a new list of professional, personal and physical goals. However, I’ve been giving them a lot of thought as there have been several opportunities lurking at my side profile. These last few weeks I’ve been thinking about living and working internationally, growing Fitness without Borders, investing in another home and expanding our family. Sounds crazy I know. As I enter into my thirties, I am meticulously attempting to plan a timeline of goals for this decade. In my head I question, Do I want this first or that? Can this wait, or will I miss out on this…
Ten years ago, I fondly remember the many hopes and dreams I aspired to achieve in my twenties. It was definitely a great point in my life when I not only laid my life foundation, but I also found my passion and chose with courage to follow that passion. I will always look back and remember working then achieving working then achieving WORKING then ACHIEVING exactly in that order.
As I was training in the gym early this morning I was reading financial tips while performing cardio. It talked about the qualities one needs to possess in order to have financial security. Discipline, patience, sacrifice and a strong work ethic were just some of those traits. These were not surprising as they were all common qualities you needed to possess in any life ambition. All that I’ve achieved was dependent upon careful planning, consistent follow thru, unending patience, extreme focus and a resilient work ethic. In my early fitness writings online I wrote often about the universal principles found in fitness and in life.
It seems many people think they can get something for doing nothing. They think they can create something without generating any work. The truth is that work precedes achievement. Whatever you invest your time in today will be cultivated tomorrow. So as I trained with intensity and focus at the gym this morning, I reminded myself exactly that….if you want to achieve an incredible physique, you need to work hard – harder than any woman (or man in this gym. As I continued to goal set I told myself, “Maria, if you want to own a beautiful home, have a successful company and build a bigger family then get ready to work. Get ready to strategize and get ready to fail – then get up, re-strategize and work again.” For work precedes achievement – Work WILL most always precede achievement.
Realizing the importance of investment in time and work ethic is why I’ve been thinking so heavily about my goals for 2011. I detest wasting my life doing anything that promotes a sedentary mind and stationary lifestyle. Life is to be lived a field in which you are a player, not just a bystander watching on the sidelines.
Have a safe, healthy and happy New Year everyone. God Bless.
Journal Pictures: December 28, 2010
Our staff Christmas party was awesome. We have over 25
employees – it was a wonderful celebration.
At “Sky High” for my niece’s birthday party. Last time I
was here (for a field trip) I couldn’t jump around as I was
very pregnant. This time, I got a great workout!!
She is the first grandchild and the most precious little girl.
My little princess. LOL
Christmas Eve with my familia! Me, my mom, my sister Angel
and Christine.
He’s at the stage where he loves opening presents.
He will be 2 in two weeks! I can’t believe how much time flies.
Our first Christmas as husband and wife.
out our wedding pictures here.
get insulted when I get fitness gifts. I love them!!!
who are in town for the Holidays. Check out my little guy. He’s got such a big head!
with her MBA next year. So proud of her.
A Mom on a Mission
Maria Kang is a wife, mother, author, speaker, business owner, nonprofit founder, fitness philanthropist, and social entrepreneur. She is a widely known as “Fit Mom” whose No Excuse campaign to get people active, has reached millions of people around the world
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Simple open ended productivity tool to help you visualize your projects, processes, workflows, life. Your imagination is your only limit.
(c) Copyright 2010, John A. Reder, all rights reserved.
This program is for all of the people out there who simply want a computer to help them manage their life, job, project, tasks, to do list, pins in a map or whatever you can think of. Heck this tool is so open ended you can probably make your own board games with it!
Talk about Visual Plot Table here
Note Vista Users may need to set 'Visual Plot Table.exe' to run as administrator for proper file save and snapshot functionality.
How it works:
This program allows you to create these things called Plot tables. Plot Tables were large planning tables that people used before modern computer graphics and digital displays. They were great for visualizing resource movements such as Navy fleet/Ship configurations. You might remember them from old military war room movie footage. They were the large tables where commanders moved little objects that represented their armies, troops, ships or aircraft around over large maps representing the battle theater.
If you like to visualize your progress when you organize your work; for example, if you are managing a project and youd like to keep track of who is working on each task and how far theyve gotten on their work, or if you like to manage the daily to do items that carry over from day to day until you either complete them, or decide to give up. then this tool should help!
Lets face it, there are tons of expensive and complex tools out there that help you manage every specialized need you can think of, they often come loaded with hundreds of features and they try to include everything that one might think of using. But most users quickly find themselves knee deep in manuals, books, classes and asking friends and coworkers to help figure it out. The big problem other than being overwhelmed, is that you usually imagine using the tool in a way that just didnt fit into the designers plan. If they didn't think of it, and you looked through hundreds of configuration screens and manuals it's still possible to come up with nothing, you conclude that you are out of luck and generally resort back to a simpler program (if you can find one hopefully this one will help) or you end up doing it In your head or worse on paper! Many great fully thought out tools still sit unused on users book shelves or lost in file cabinets long forgotten. In any case, they are expensive experiments and massive time wasters that expect you to dedicate your life to mastering them. If you do get to a point where you can feel comfortable using them, you are usually one or two versions behind everyone else that uses them and when you finally save some money to upgrade it's possible you'll find that you are back at square one because the new version has changed so much...
This is a great source of frustration with many users who have creative minds, who are perfectly fine with organizing things to run in a very efficient way even if it means inventing their own solutions. Many find a paper and pen work great but paper gets lost and notes get messy. This tool may be your answer. It allows you to be creative in how you organize your work and management. It's open enough to stay out of your way and let you decide how things should be controlled. It doesnt force you into someone elses idea of how things should be done!
You simply think visually...
First you have to ask yourself
What type background image would I need to keep track of things I need to keep track of?
What would that look like? Would it be a map or a grid with categories? Could I manage it with a process diagram or flow chart?
Get the background image from anywhere...
You're smart, be resourceful! Use any computer drawing tool that lets you create BMP, GIF or JPG images, or look for an image that you'd like to use for your 'Plotting Table' background (once again; this is the map, schematic, floor plan, project flow chart, process path, grease board or whatever you want it to be) be creative, search for images on the web or use a digital photo of a flow chart you draw on your whiteboard or scan in a diagram or blueprint from piece of paper...
What do you do with a plot table? Well you play like those military generals and you place your objects/markers (referred to as Icons) onto the table that represent your items that you want to track like employees, project tasks, workstations needing upgrades, to do items, ships, tanks... whatever. You can also think of them like pins you'd stick on a bulletin board or game pieces you move on the surface of a board game. They are simply there so you can track them by moving them around to various parts of your background image, for example locations or phases in a process or rooms in a building. This is how you follow their progress and manage them through the desired path that you typically end up doing in your head.
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If you eat at Orient Express (the old Andy’s Diner on Fourth Avenue South) on Thursday, February 12, the restaurant will donate 20% of your food bill to the Maple Elementary School PTSA. The money will be used to help fund fourth and fifth grade camp next fall.
We reviewed the Orient Express in November, and found the food to be excellent. With the economy the way it is now, this probably isn’t the easiest time to be opening a new restaurant, so by visiting the Express on February 12, you can both help a Beacon Hill elementary school and contribute to a new local restaurant’s success.
The Orient Express is located at 2963 4th Ave South in Sodo, and they serve Chinese and Thai food in vintage rail cars, including one once used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Food and Drink
The Orient Express has arrived
November 22, 2008 Wendi Dunlap
Andy's Diner neon may be gone, but the trains "roll" on as Orient Express. Photo by Buster McLeod.
Andy’s Diner, on Fourth Avenue down in Sodo, was one of those places that always seemed like it would be really great. How could it not be, with the colorful, kitschy railroad cars, the old-time steak-and-martini house vibe, and the rumored ghosts? But when we did try the place out, the diner food was edible, not all that impressive, and a little pricey for what it was, so we never got around to going back. When Andy’s closed suddenly early this year, we were sad at losing another piece of Old Seattle atmosphere, but, truthfully, did not miss the food.
So it was good news to see that, rather than the teardown or removal to the suburbs that we thought would be in the old railcars’ future, that a new restaurant has moved in — an Asian restaurant called (of course) Orient Express. We checked out the Express recently, expecting possibly OK food, and fearing that the charm of the interior might have been remodeled away.
The place has been spruced up a bit. The cars’ exteriors have been repainted and the interior now sports a mechanical maneki neko with a beckoning paw, and a huge fish tank. The dining cars have booths with tall, dark seat backs, giving the seating a bit more of a Thirteen Coins vibe. The train pictures on the wall, however, are still there, and it’s not really fundamentally different in appearance from Andy’s. (The restroom could still use a major upgrade.)
The food, however, is a different thing entirely. The menu is both Thai and Chinese; not as huge a menu as some, but there are plenty of options to choose from. In our first visit with a group of four, we started the meal with Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce and Crab Cheese Wontons. The rolls were delightful, with fresh vegetables. The peanut sauce was overly mild for my taste, but the flavor was otherwise good. The wontons were quite tasty.
We continued the meal with a huge bowl of Hot and Sour Soup. Normally this comes with seafood, but one of the guests in our group asked if it could be made without it. This was not a problem, and the soup turned out to be the star attraction of the evening — spicy, but not too much so, and with flavor to spare.
We followed this with Orange Chicken, Honey Walnut Prawns, Phad See Yew (with tofu) and Pineapple Fried Rice. I don’t eat chicken, but the poultry eaters at the table reported that the chicken had a wonderful orange flavor, not too garish, but nicely citrusy. The Phad See Yew and Pineapple Fried Rice were excellent, and the Honey Walnut Prawns were a sweetish contrast to the rest of the meal with honey sauce and candied walnuts: delicious.
Our group loved the food, and we stuffed ourselves silly. The portions were generous, so we had quite a bit left to take home.
On our second visit as a group of two, we started with Tom Ka soup with tofu (five stars of spiciness, out of five). As in our earlier visit, the soup was once again excellent. It was brightly flavorful and very rich — almost buttery rich — and although we had asked for five stars, the spiciness in no way overwhelmed the flavor. The “two-person” bowl was large enough to fill more than four soup bowls. We followed the soup with General Tso’s Chicken which my chicken-eating spouse enjoyed (not garish orange in color as in so many restaurants, it actually looked like real food instead of food coloring), Yellow Curry with tofu which was rich and flavorful, and Pad Priking, which struck the only off-note of the evening, and that only slightly: the beans and spices were good, but the beef was a little bit tough. Despite that minor flaw, the meal was excellent and we will be back. One other small flaw: Diet Cokes there have that awful watery “bar coke” flavor. Avoid them and try the Thai Iced Tea, which is sweet and good.
The waitstaff are very friendly and helpful. The prices are quite reasonable, and the restaurant is open relatively late. The menu has photographs of the dishes, and proudly proclaims “No MSG.” Need more info? The restaurant’s website includes menus, photographs, and the history of the restaurant, including the background of Andy’s Diner before the trains became the Orient Express.
2963 Fourth Avenue South
Bar open until midnight, but 2:00 am on Friday and Saturday
Happy Hour: 3:00 – 7:00 pm Monday-Friday, 10:30 am – 5:00 pm weekends: 15% off.
Beacon Bits: Diner rebirth, streetlights, and stories
October 24, 2008 Wendi Dunlap
Downtown streetlight. Photo by iluvrhinestones.
Beacon Bits are collections of useful or interesting links or other tidbits that we’ll post periodically.
This time, it’s the Bus Bitch giving his take on the proposed SE Seattle bus changes, with clear explanations of what each option will mean to you — Rainier Valley Post
Andy’s Diner re-Oriented: Clark Humphrey brings some good news: Andy’s Diner on Fourth Avenue South is reopening as the Orient Express! Permit data here. — via Blogging Georgetown
Now that the days are getting shorter, the broken streetlights in our neighborhood are becoming more noticeable. Here’s how to report a broken streetlight in your neighborhood. Hint: lights that go on and off are broken; report them! — Central District News
The UW Daily has a morbid — and probably entirely made-up — tale of ghoulish deeds and tragedy at the Georgetown Morgue. It’s not entirely false, though. There really was an earthquake in April, 1965 — via Blogging Georgetown
Super Saturday at Seward Park is tomorrow, October 25, with fun family activities including pumpkin carving, storytelling, a bat-themed nature walk, and more! — Rainier Valley Post
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Rising above it all in SE Seattle since 2008
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Whether a trade dispute or a new Cold War, Australia and China are engaged in a battle with no clear winners.
by Liberty Nation
May 11, 2021
in Foreign Affairs, News and Opinions
Are China and Australia engaging in a new trade dispute or a new Cold War? The two sides may have to pick their poison. The world has been busy these last few months, grappling with a global health crisis and an economic recovery that is proving to be inflationary. But Beijing and Canberra have been tussling among themselves for the last year, following Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s request for a worldwide inquiry into COVID-19’s origins. The move perturbed China, triggering a war of words that quickly metastasized into economic mayhem, impacting multiple parties: businesses, consumers, exporters, and importers. Beijing is now discussing giving its trading partner the silent treatment, but high iron ore prices might keep them together.
Article by Andrew Moran from Liberty Nation.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China’s chief economic planner, recently issued a short statement that confirmed it had “indefinitely suspended” all activities under a seven-year-old bilateral economic strategy agreement to enable greater cooperation. Officials accused the Commonwealth of initiating “a series of measures to disrupt normal exchanges and cooperation” that is born out of a “Cold War mindset and ideological discrimination.”
Speaking to reporters, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson noted that the move was a critical response to Australia’s “abuse,” adding that the Land Down Under “must bear full responsibility.”
Australian Federal Trade Minister Dan Tehan called the diplomatic attack “disappointing.” But the government confirmed that it would keep its Ministerial doors open for fresh talks and engagement.
Although relations were strained in 2018 when Australia became the first nation to publicly prohibit Chinese technology juggernaut Huawei from its 5G network, tensions escalated when the prime minister demanded an independent probe into the origins of the coronavirus. This forced China’s government to publish a warning against people visiting Australia over racism and discrimination of Asian ethnicities. But the Australians posted a reprisal, telling citizens to be cautious about arbitrary detentions.
The Morrisson government has been more bellicose in recent weeks, with several senior officials discussing the possibility of war with China over the country’s intention to reclaim Taiwan. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has described the events as “unfortunate” and “regrettable,” urging the leadership to maintain dialogue with Beijing.
The quarreling and the NDRC statement led to a currency selloff as the Australian dollar declined sharply by 0.6% against the greenback. However, the Australian Securities Index 200 has endured the mess, rallying 7.5% year-to-date. Perhaps markets are confident that relations will, once again, be as strong as iron.
Despite the diplomatic tensions, Australia still exported $115 billion worth of goods to China in the 12 months to March. Iron ore represented a bulk of these shipments, thanks to Beijing’s insatiable appetite for the mineral substance. China imports 60% of its iron ore needs from Australia, making it the world’s largest steel consumer.
Iron ore prices recently topped $200 per ton, making it a lucrative component for the commodity-rich Australian economy. Australia is currently the globe’s biggest iron ore producer, mining close to one billion metric tons, doubling Brazil’s output. Since China is moving ahead with a $500 billion infrastructure spending plan, it needs steel to proceed. Beijing has been looking elsewhere to import iron ore, including Rio De Janeiro, but no other market can satisfy its demand like Australia can.
“We believe the iron ore trading relationship between Australia and China will remain ring-fenced in relation to current political tensions between the two nations,” Atilla Widnell, the managing director at Singapore-based Navigate Commodities Ptd Ltd, told Reuters. “This is a co-dependent relationship whereby either party cannot survive without the other.”
But while this commodity is the primary factor, there could be other economic consequences that might widen the gap in Australia-China relations. Last year, Chinese investment in Australia cratered 62%. The government also slapped exorbitant duties and restrictions on various products, including timber, lobsters, sugar, copper, wine, and barley.
In the end, Australia may have the upper hand as it can always sell its basket of commodities to other economies. Conversely, China needs the Aussies for the enormous iron ore inventories.
How much longer will each government play this tit-for-tat game? Neither side is willing to concede an inch, which is rather unfortunate for the marketplace, especially during these uncertain times. So far, reports suggest that it has been all quiet on the commerce front, with Rio Tinto confirming that business has largely been unimpacted by the geopolitical strife. But anything can happen at this point, even, supposedly, military conflict. At this point, perhaps it is best for the countries to call it quits, an amicable breakup that only requires the bare bones of any relationship in the form of importing and exporting iron ore. Or maybe Australia is enjoying the deteriorating relations since it has elevated iron prices to all-time highs. Controversy ostensibly creates cash, but there is always a price to pay for these gambles.
Read more from Andrew Moran.
YouTube, Spotify, and other Big Tech platforms are taking Freedom First Network down
It’s no secret we speak our minds and bring on guests who do the same. That’s one of the biggest reasons we put together the Freedom First Network in the first place. There are far too many news outlets, including so-called “conservative” media companies, who are so beholden to Big Tech that they temper their perspectives at best and outright coverup the truth at worst. Many, as you all know, will blatantly lie in order to maintain the narrative that supports the radical agenda taking over much of the United States.
We have had our YouTube channel taken down. Many of our shows have been suppressed or removed by Facebook and Twitter. Spotify banned one of our shows completely from their platform. Google hates us. We’ve even been censored by some of the smaller players like Medium, Transistor, and Captivate. But we stand behind our reporting and perspectives and we refuse to bow down to Big Tech tyranny for the sake of pageviews or video plays.
This isn’t the easiest road to travel, especially for a media company that is so new. We launched Freedom First Network in 2020 to fight against the very censorship that we’re seeing so widespread today. We have found great homes for our content on freer speech platforms like Rumble and we’re putting our best efforts forward into building our presence on Locals. Nevertheless, we cannot do it alone. We need help.
One of the things cofounders Jeff Dornik and JD Rucker agreed to from the start was to never be the pawns of companies that do not embrace our worldview. Finding advertisers and affiliates is easy; we receive requests by companies wanting to be pushed on our shows every day. But it’s important to us that we’re promoting companies, services, and products that are beneficial to maintaining a Freedom First stance in America. As a result, we do not take on sponsors easily. We would rather rely on our own products like Freedom First Coffee and the support of our wonderful viewers, listeners, and readers.
Those who want to support us and help keep the fight for America’s future moving forward can do so by donating through our Locals page. There, you can donate monthly or one-time. Some have told us to use Patreon or GoFundMe, but both of those platforms have demonstrated a hatred for free speech. Locals does not. They embrace it. We encourage everyone to join us on Locals, but donations are greatly appreciated as well. We do not have day jobs. Our fight for freedom is a full-time gig.
Please feel free to reach out to us through our contact form. It goes directly to our founders, so if you’re interested in getting involved, investing, sponsoring, or even bringing a show to our network, let us know. May God Bless the United States of America!
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The Canadian Prime Minister is, generally speaking, a rather silly character on the international stage and his position on Ukraine is without a doubt both simplistic and naïve. It has obviously been cooked up for domestic consumption. That said, even a broke clock is right twice a day. In this case only partially right but none the less the Canadian PM is correct to be raising the alarm about Ukraine. His motivations might be selfish, he may have hit upon the issue almost by accident while trying to find ways to help himself, and his conception of events may be off the mark considerably but Prime Minister Harper is right in stressing the importance of events in Ukraine to the global community, even if he is unsure as to just why that might be.
One reason that this conflict has been relegated to the back pages is the unwillingness of the international community to step up and face the cold hard fact that they are in a stand off against a massive, if antiquated, military power intent on drastically redrawing the lines of the international order. This awareness of Russian intent must first be acknowledged and come to terms with if the West wishes to even understand and discuss the situation never mind address it.
Some have been willing to downplay Putin’s ambitions and suggest he is unlikely to push harder than he already has. This is rooted in a belief that NATO’s rather weak response coupled with sanctions is doing its job. However John Herbst, former US ambassador to Ukraine, is one of a growing number who suggests otherwise. Instead Herbst, now director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, has been critical of NATO’s response. He has begun raising alarms that a lack of a strong coherent response, coupled with Russia’s increasing domestic issues may encourage Putin to step even further.
Another motivator, which might push Putin further, is the complexity inherent in conflicts of this kind, approached as they have been in a dangerous and unstable way by the Kremlin. Dangerous and unstable because this covert war fighting on the sly requires working with loosely aligned groups. This means dancing with the devil and the devil gets to lead. Things could rapidly move outside of Putin’s control and draw him into position previously unforeseen and which may demand rapid and even radical responses.
Dancing with the Devil
On both sides of the conflict relationships with extra-governmental forces on the ground are problematic. Both sides have rather distasteful elements, which have begun to breed extremists. Increasingly they are adopting ever more appalling approaches to waging an ever more desperate conflict that has, according to the UN, already claimed over 6,000 lives.
Oleh Odnoroshenko with Azov volunteers
On the Russo-Rebel side, rebels within the Donbass have begun a program of youth indoctrination through para-military youth groups that, it must be said, share startling similarities with the Hitlerjugend. This is however only one of many issues that range across both sides of the conflict. On the Ukrainian side, their desperation to recruit fighters has led them to incorporate the notorious fascist Azov Regiment under the directorate of the Ukrainian National Guard. The Azov Regiment, if their neo-Nazi ideology was not distasteful enough, have sickeningly posted videos of their members proudly torturing, crucifying and burning alive a captured uniformed enemy combatant.
Both sides are guilty of some pretty disgusting acts that leave the conflict all that more distasteful and difficult for Western powers to address. The West has largely tried to avoid or ignore these issues. Most of what we know about them seems to come from outside the halls of mainstream media. The attempt to skirt these inconvenient truths has created holes in an already difficult to navigate, overly simplified “Ukraine good – Russia bad” narrative. Through their avoidance to address these challenges in real terms outside of the increasingly tired “Ukraine good – Russia bad” narrative the issue has fallen to the back pages. This is the detriment of the entire world, most especially the Ukrainians on both sides of the conflict who are suffering a massive humanitarian crisis. This crisis has been relegated to the sidelines of international diplomacy as the Ukrainians themselves become, yet again in their long and difficult history, cogs in great power politics – or perhaps in this case the lack of great power politics.
The damage being caused has been compounded by the effect the position of leaderships around the globe have taken on the issue and the implications this has held on international media. Most of the discussion being had in the media today is incredibly simplistic and usually not just one-sided but partisan to boot.
Even the very best have been drawn into this issue along partisan lines. On the left, anti-interventionists and doves alike have correctly raised concerns over the issue of supporting the Ukrainian Government in the face of evidence that government sponsored agents have committed war crimes. In doing so they have correctly served to ask the public to question and think more deeply about foreign policy concerning Ukraine.
Many journalists and even defence insiders have pointed to the groups that have risen inside the power vacuums created by the West’s interventions in places like Libya and Syria as a warning. It is a reminder we are now fighting forces of our own creation and that the West need proceed with caution. However assessments that draw this parallel are open ended and more concerned with criticising political targets.
In the case of Canada’s Prime Minister Harper, who is an easy target for ridicule within Canadian political discourse by this point especially concerning foreign policy, has been particularly challenged in articulating a clear message to Canadians concerning Ukraine that is not seen as hawkish rhetoric.
Furthermore these are incorrect parallels. What is occurring is not a civil war or the breakdown of a country’s authoritarian government. Ukraine is an entirely different affair. It started similarly enough as the Ukrainian people attempted to remove a corrupt government deeply indentured to Moscow from power has now degraded to a state-to-state conflict disguised as otherwise It is a foreign invasion by the use of subversive means and the co-opting of Quislings. The lack of attention this receives as well as the lack of alternative presented by critiques of current policy is deeply unsettling.
There is a failure within the discourse aimed, quite rightly, at criticising issues within the West’s response to Ukraine, to acknowledge that regardless of the troubling issues within Ukrainian militias the humanitarian crises is going nowhere without action. Likewise Putin is still an aggressor that has no intention of going away willingly. There seems to be a lack of awareness that these groups, sponsored as they may be by the Ukrainian Government, and as horrendous as their acts most certainly are, only exist in a situation created by Putin. Russia’s destabilization efforts, regardless of the intentions that lay behind them, are a root cause if not the root cause of this.
Speaking on the issue of Russian motivations we should be paying keen attention to Putin’s refusal to directly incorporate the Donbass. There are those that argue it is a sign that Putin is wavering but this is simply wrong. Putin does not wish to inherit Ukraine’s rust belt and its problems and in doing so have this conflict disappear. Putin wants a frozen conflict as a means to further advance his agenda regarding the West. Putin is willingly creating a humanitarian crisis, destabilizing a country and allowing thousands to die to advance a political agenda on an international stage. This is nothing short of disgusting. Putin’s response to this charge would likely be to argue the Americans do likewise and that the criticism is hypocritical. He may be correct but it does not serve as justification.
Some critics of Western involvement in Ukraine have gone so far as to imply we have no reason to be upset in the West suggesting things are better off. Some point out “Even a poll conducted by the Canadian government revealed that an overwhelming majority of Crimean residents are still happy with their chosen change of nationality.” To be fair there have been several surveys (see here and here) which covey these results.
However, one must also consider the motivators behind why this might be. No one can be certain of what this sentiment is rooted in. Is it Russian money flowing into the region and the insulation Russian occupation has provided from growing instability further north? Or perhaps it might be fear of the FSB, this was a ‘ballot by bayonet’ after-all. Perhaps it is as simple as nationalist idolatry. Regardless of the motivator or how accurate these surveys may very well be, citing them misses the underlying point. Russian methodology concerning the annexation of the Crimea is still a totally unacceptable and dangerous precedent to set in international affairs. The ends do not justify the means regardless of how happy Crimeans find themselves under Russian rule.
This is part of a special three part series. Tomorrow, part three will be published. If you missed yesterday’s, you can find it here.
DefenceReport’s weekly recap is a multi-format blog that features opinions and insights from DefRep editorial staff and writers. The opinions expressed here are the author’s own and are separate from DefRep reports, which are based on independent and objective reporting.
Chris is the Assistant Editor at DefenceReport and Senior Analyst. He is also PhD student at King's College London, Department of Defence Studies. He holds both a BA in Anthropology and an HBA in History from Lakehead University, as well as an MA in War Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada. He specializes in irregular conflicts, asymmetrical warfare, insurgency, revolution, guerrilla warfare, resistance movements, and rebel forces. His primary area of focus is the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and the Balkans. Chris is an Associate Member of the of The Corbett Centre for Maritime Policy Studies at King's College London, a Member of the Second World War Research Group at King’s College London, as well as an Associate of King’s College London. Chris has formally served as an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, as well as a defence and foreign policy advisor in the Canadian House of Commons to the office of a Member of Parliament. cmurray@defencereport.com
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Workmen's Compensation Act, Injuries to which act applies, Appeal. Agency, Scope of employment. Evidence, Presumptions and burden of proof.
Where, in proceedings under the workmen's compensation act, it appeared that the employee, while returning from a toilet room through a corridor in his employer's place of business, went, to get a newspaper, into a locker room in which he did not keep any of his belongings and was not called by his employment to be, and there slipped and was injured, a finding was not warranted that the injury arose out of and in the course of his employment: in going into the locker room he departed from the sphere of his employment and was doing something in his own behalf.
The employee in the case above described had the burden of proving that the injury arose out of and in the course of his employment, and it was open to the insurer to contend in this court, on appeal from a decree entered in the Superior Court, that the employee had departed from the sphere of his employment at the time of his injury, although the insurer had not raised the point specifically at the hearings before the Industrial Accident Board.
CERTIFICATION to the Superior Court under the provisions of the workmen's compensation act of a decision by the Industrial Accident Board awarding compensation. Testimony by the employee at the hearing by a single member of the board is stated in the opinion. The single member found that the employee "slipped on something on the floor and as a result fell and fractured" his leg; and that the injury arose out of and in the course of his employment. The findings were affirmed and adopted on review by the board. By order of F. T. Hammond, J., in the Superior Court, a decree was entered in accordance
with the board's decision. The insurer appealed. In his brief at the argument in this court, one of the employee's contentions was that the defence, that he had departed from his employment at the time of his injury, was not open to the insurer because it had not been raised specifically at the hearings before the Industrial Accident Board. The case was submitted on briefs.
CARROLL, J. The employee operated a dish washing machine at a hotel in Boston. He was walking in the corridor, returning from the toilet room. As he was about to pass a small room known as the bell boys' locker room, he saw a paper in this room on a bench ten or fifteen feet from the corridor. The employee testified that he was going into this locker room "to get a newspaper"; that "None of his belongings were in that room"; that "The place [where] he slipped was in the locker room, just across the threshold." He fell in this locker room and suffered an injury for which compensation was awarded under the workmen's compensation act. There was no evidence that the plaintiff's employment called upon him to be in this room, nor was there evidence that it was incidental to his employment to enter this room. The insurer appealed from the decision of the Superior Court in favor of the employee.
It is not questioned that the employee could recover if injured in the corridor while returning from a toilet. Sundine's Case, 218 Mass. 1. Von Ette's Case, 223 Mass. 56. But the principle of these cases is not applicable when the employee leaves the sphere of his employment for some purpose of his own, not incidental to his employment. This well settled rule has been followed in many decisions. Ross v. John Hancock Mutual Life Ins. Co. 222 Mass. 560. O'Toole's Case, 229 Mass. 165, 167. Rochford's Case, 234 Mass. 93. Babineau's Case, 254 Mass. 214. The employee was injured in the locker room. In going into this room he departed from the sphere of his employment. There was no causal connection between his employment and the injury. It was not incidental to his employment to enter the
locker room. In going there he was engaged in doing something for himself, not connected with his employment nor incidental to it. O'Toole's Case, 229 Mass. 165. Rochford's Case, 234 Mass. 93. Babineau's Case, 254 Mass. 214.
It is argued by the employee that this point is not open. We do not agree with this contention. The employee was bound to prove that his injury arose out of and in the course of his employment. He has not done this. His injury was not caused by his employment.
The decree is reversed and a decree is to be entered for the insurer.
Table of Cases by Citation
Table of Cases by Name
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Trial Court Law Libraries. Questions about legal information? Contact Reference Librarians.
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I offer the following lessons with the assumption that: a) sharing our experiences with each other is valuable; b) my lessons are specific and provisional, especially since I haven’t completed the dissertation; and c) what works for me may be counterproductive for you.
I. Don’t mistake time spent for productivity. This is not a 9-5 job. Taking up space in an office somewhere doesn’t get you closer to your goal. I have found that if I’m doing intensive writing, thinking, or outlining, the first two hours are my most productive. Hours 3 and 4 are moderately productive. Most days, hours beyond 4 are not suitable for intensive work.
Though I would often like to work more than I do, for a whole lot of reasons it is extremely rare for me to put in an 8-hour day of dissertation work. A 4-hour day is completely normal for me. And that’s fine! Don’t let arbitrary norms of what constitutes “hard work” guide your practices.
II. Be brutally honest with yourself. What doesn’t work in your first draft? What is the hang-up that has you scared to open up chapter 3 for weeks at a time? Facing these questions and resolving them may take intellectual creativity, but they require at least as much emotional courage. The thing you’ve worked hardest at in all the world is full of errors, problems, and just plain not-very-good writing.
III. Listen to your body. Some days a pen feels heavy in my fingers. Some days it feels like lifting weights to press down the keys on my laptop. Step away. Sleep. Exercise. Don’t drink too much! Take a walk in the sun. The little voice inside saying you don’t have time take a break from the dissertation and go do something healthy is a lie. An hour of work when you’re mentally and emotionally sharp is worth more than 10 hours of foggy work.
IV. If you live by your work you’ll die by your work. Here’s the thing: when you finish your dissertation you won’t be even a little bit more valuable than when you started it. You won’t be more important in any way that finally matters. If your work is your calling you are blessed, but your work is not you. You are loved, and lovable, right now. Everyone needs to know that. This, by the way, is one of the things Christianity does for me.
V. Set Realistic Goals and Let People Help You Meet Them. At a certain point, you do have to, you know, finish this monstrosity. I don’t have any secret sauce here other than trial and error. Too-ambitious goals can leave you feeling discouraged. No goals at all can let you fritter away whole months. So tell your advisor or a writing group that you’re going to give them such and such on day x. And do it, even if you know it’s a crappy draft. And then when the feedback comes and you want to cry, remember points II and IV.
June 19, 2018 June 19, 2018 ~ Jesse Curtis ~ Leave a comment
A clever cover design draws the eyes’ attention to the “lie” in “believe”
A lot of us remember the sense of shock we felt the night of November 8, 2016. For white evangelicals who opposed Trump, the sense of horror and disorientation were compounded by the actions of our fellow white evangelicals. When we woke up Tuesday morning, we already knew that most of them would vote for Trump that day. But we didn’t know that they would do so in possibly record numbers, or that they would actually succeed in electing their new king.
“I should have seen this coming,” writes John Fea in his new book, Believe Me. The toxic mixture of fear, nostalgia, and desire for power so vividly on display in 2016 was not an aberration, Fea tells us. Instead, it’s part of a long white evangelical tradition. The alliance with Trump may have come as a shock to some, but the roots of this strange embrace run deep into the white evangelical past.
These deep roots are best seen in the most effective chapter of the book, a “short history of evangelical fear.” Fea describes Puritan narratives of moral decline and social decay–narratives begun almost before there was time for decline to occur!–as perhaps “the first American evangelical fear.” As for the Puritans, so for contemporary white evangelicals: fear of national decline is not an evidence-based conclusion; it is a constant presence, part of the basic script by which they understand the world around them.
While historians are often reluctant to draw close comparisons between past and present, many readers are likely to be astonished and impressed by the thick resonance between historic events and contemporary white evangelicalism. It is hard to read Fea’s account of evangelical anti-Catholicism and not draw a parallel to fears of Islam today.
In contrast to Michael Gerson’s recent cover story in the Atlantic that described a nineteenth century evangelical golden age, Fea shows that white evangelicals’ commendable zeal to reform society was inseparable from their anxieties about what was happening to their “Christian nation” and their fears of Catholic foreigners. Also in contrast to Gerson, he does not ignore the fact that the predominant form of white evangelicalism in the South was a white supremacist heresy. For many white evangelicals, Trump’s racial demagoguery was not offensive. It spoke to their longstanding fears.
If white evangelicals, even at the height of their power, have often been afraid, what happens when their worst fears are realized? What happens when they seem to have lost their Christian nation? Hope for the future curdles into an easily manipulable nostalgia, and fear metastasizes into a desperate final grasp for power.
I guess that brings us to the Christian Right. Fea is perceptive in his understanding of it. He describes a decades-old “playbook” of trying to restore America to its supposedly Christian roots by electing the right people to political office. Specifically, it means electing conservative Republicans who will appoint judges to overturn Roe and other decisions held responsible for American decline. This playbook is often judged a failure because Roe is still the law of the land and the gay rights movement has transformed American culture. But Fea astutely notes that there is more than one way to measure the success of this playbook. It has been much more successful in granting a measure of power to a small cadre of white evangelical political activists. As far as they are concerned, this is no small thing.
More important, for millions of ordinary white evangelicals the Christian Right’s playbook has set the agenda for what political engagement looks like and is imagined to be. Fea wants readers to realize that there are healthier ways to think about the relationship between church and state and Christian political responsibilities, but the Christian Right has succeeded in crowding out these alternatives. For many white evangelicals, there is no plan B. When a transparently evil candidate came along, departing from the playbook was not an option.
Make America Great Again was not simply a catchy campaign slogan. It spoke directly to white evangelicals’ nostalgia and offered a salve for their fears. As Fea notes, these impulses are basically selfish. Seeking a return to a time when America was great for them, they overlook the struggles of other groups in American history.
This book is an excellent starting point for white evangelicals who have the courage to become students of their own tradition. Neither dismissing white evangelicalism nor sugarcoating it, Fea writes as a critical insider, one who knows of what he speaks through both personal experience and academic study.
Fea has dedicated the book “To the 19 percent” of white evangelicals who did not vote for Trump. It will be a useful resource for people in that camp. It may help them to better understand where they’ve come from and engage in dialogue with the 81%. It is less a criticism of the book than a sad commentary on our times that Fea’s analysis seems unlikely to move many who are part of the 81%.
There is Still Hope for Evangelicalism
September 27, 2017 ~ Jesse Curtis ~ Leave a comment
My imagined self in my study: the Christian scholar at work.
John Fea has been reporting on his experiences at last week’s “State of the Evangelical Mind” conference. The gathering took as its theme a revisiting of Mark Noll’s classic book The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind (the scandal is that there is no such thing as an evangelical mind). In a post yesterday titled “Evangelicalism as a Mission Field for Evangelical Scholars,” Fea reports that Calvin College philosopher James K.A. Smith really brought the heat in the final plenary session:
Very early in his talk Smith announced that “everything going on in this conference has no connection whatsoever to evangelical churches.” He was right.
Smith began by addressing the “elephant in room.” Up until this point all of the speakers danced around the links between the the so-called “scandal of the evangelical mind” and Donald J. Trump. Smith called out the 81% of American evangelicals who voted for the current POTUS and even gave a shout-out to my work on the “court evangelicals.”
Smith was not optimistic about the state of the evangelical mind. The “evangelical mind,” he lamented, is a “minority report at best.” If such an evangelical mind does exist, it is found almost entirely in “confessional groups.” In other words, it is not thriving, or perhaps even existing, in non-denominational churches. These congregations have grown from 194,000 in 1990 to eight million today. According to Smith, those concerned about the evangelical mind should be devoted to closing the gap between the scholarly world and these churches. Evangelicalism, he argued, is a “mission field for evangelical scholars.”
Following Smith’s call will require boldness on the part of Christian scholars. Smith urged us to consider a “scholarship for the masses,” a “scholarship without condescension,” an “outreach scholarship, and a “translation scholarship.” Our work with the church should be something akin to the work we do in undergraduate classroom teaching. Smith imagined bringing our general education programs into the churches
Smith calls Christian scholars to critique American evangelicalism while at the same time working for reform. The Christian Right, he said, is “invested in the anti-intellectualism of evangelical churches.” They rely on non-thinking Christians in order to advance their political agendas. The fulfillment of Smith’s vision will require evangelical scholars to stay in their churches and engage in a “come alongside scholarship.” He reminded us that “you can’t be a prophet on your way out the door.” Such work will require scholars dedicated to the church, Christian colleges and universities willing to provide time to faculty who want to pursue this work, and patrons willing to fund such an effort.
This really resonates with me, but I’m not optimistic in the near term. It often seems that the space has all but closed for evangelical scholars to do work that is both appealing to ordinary evangelicals and committed to intellectual integrity. We want to serve a constituency that doesn’t want to be served. We want to serve God with our minds, and many of our co-religionists find the very idea absurd.
This is also an intellectual problem for my dissertation because part of what I’m exploring is evangelical colleges. At the outset of my work, I just assumed that they mattered, that they have real influence in evangelicalism. But I’ve become increasingly skeptical of claims of broad influence. It seems that most evangelical colleges are either largely impotent in their attempts to reach the evangelical mainstream and they’re actually training students for roles outside evangelicalism, or they are not actually fostering the intellectual and social environment they imagine themselves to be creating. Maybe it’s a little of both.
There is still hope for evangelicalism. The movement that has transformed into an anti-intellectual crusade of hatred and fear is—broadly speaking—the movement that contributed to America’s religious disestablishment in the 18th century and paved the way to abolition in the 19th century. And beyond its often positive social and political effects, evangelicalism has always captured something essential about the Christian life. It has scorned respectable religion and insisted that an encounter with Jesus radiates outward through the whole life, engaging the heart, the mind, and every dimension of our being.
We are witnessing the splintering and shrinking of evangelicalism, but what is being lost is dead weight, worse than useless for the Kingdom of God. And as any good evangelical should know, nothing is reborn until it dies.
July 19, 2017 ~ Jesse Curtis ~ Leave a comment
Oregon Klan Meeting, 1920s. Oregon Historical Society
A fellow Christian recently asked me what my dissertation is about. After giving a brief account of my research on white evangelicals she responded, “That must be hard on your faith.” This was an unusual and perceptive response. It is hard.
The difficulty is layered. The outer layer is common to many people of faith in a variety of academic disciplines. The habits of mind that we learn in our work—the questioning, the skepticism of easy answers, the careful construction and deconstruction of meaning—are extremely productive. They help advance the boundaries of human knowledge and can even make us more humble. But if not embedded in a broader theology, ethic of service, and system of social support, they can breed cynicism that is corrosive to Christian eschatological hope. It’s hard.
The inner layer of difficulty is more specific to my particular subject and biography. I am a white evangelical studying white evangelicals. Even more pointedly, I’m studying the whiteness of my theological tradition. That means I spend a lot of time learning and thinking about exclusion and dehumanization practiced in the name of Christ, my savior. It’s hard.
Many people have traveled this path and have put up some road signs to help us along. But it’s a bit of a solitary path for each of us. I’m not here to offer proven strategies to a successful destination. I’m simply saying there’s a real spiritual and emotional challenge at the core of this academic project, and working that out will in some ways determine whether the project succeeds on the academic side.
You might think this shouldn’t be such a challenge. It’s not as if I’m studying the Holocaust or something. (I think doing so has left Timothy Snyder a bit overwrought. For that I don’t blame him.) And it’s not as if Christian theology doesn’t have something to say about the evil found in history. But it’s another thing to encounter the specificity of evil in the archives in the form of people claiming to follow Jesus.
I’m left wondering how and why it could be that so many people in so many times and places could claim Christ’s name to such little effect. Or, indeed, to use him to sanction their pathetic fears and hatreds. And then I see myself standing in that same tradition, with the same selfish bent, so that finally “Jesus Saves” reads as an indulgence of hatred instead of a claim of liberation.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not all bleak. I enjoy my job. I have a fun love/hate relationship with writing (some of us don’t like to write but like to have written). It’s fascinating to encounter complex human beings in the past and get to know them. I love to teach. But make no mistake: it’s all hard!
January 19, 2017 ~ Jesse Curtis ~ Leave a comment
A Scholar in his Study. Thomas Wyck
In this awful time, as barbarism is accepted at the highest levels of national leadership and heresy becomes routine in the church, what must the Christian scholar do? Scott Culpepper, a professor of history at Dordt College, has a guest post at the Anxious Bench that deserves to be widely read. He writes:
Christian scholars across the spectrum of theological traditions share a common commitment to fostering intellectual and spiritual maturity, rationality, integrity, and humility in our students, the church and in our cultures. The Trump presidential campaign and transition phase descended to the level of rejecting in both words and very public deeds each of these fundamental ideals. Careful consideration of facts, disciplined analysis of sources, and respectful treatment of other human beings assumed the position of secondary considerations as people rushed to express their angst over the perceived failures of the amorphous “establishment” by elevating a man to power who cares for none of these things. Those of us who invest our lives daily in advocating the alternative stand at best as an inconvenience and at worse as an impediment that must be undermined or removed…
Christian scholars are indeed a subversive influence. Critics are right in labeling us a subversive influence if what they mean is that we subvert the subordination of facts to falsehoods calculated to sway popular opinion, the substitution of shallow shibboleths for deeper reflection, and the sacrifice of principle on the profane altar of political expediency. And there will be a greater need for us to keep on subverting these things with all the energy we can muster in the age of Trump.
The times call for renewed conviction, creativity and courage on the part of Christian scholars. The masses may not know they need us, but they need us. The endorsement of popular influence as a virtue in the framing of our American republic was predicated on the hope that education and character formation would equip people to exercise their rights intelligently. No one is better prepared than Christian scholars and the institutions they serve to provide this kind of education infused with serious attention to character formation.
Read the whole thing. And let there be no mistake: fulfilling our calling in this time may mean that we will become exiles from our own communities. Our very existence as people who are both Christians and scholars is a threat to the white nationalist church.
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This is a Reach-approved, cosmetic grade and modified by Vink specifically for the application of sanitiser with ethanol water system.
It is HPMC, rather than CMC, so displays better stability and very good transparency in solution.
Product is in 25 K bags with PE layer inside and 600 K per pallet.
Available in a range of low, medium or high viscosities, the Kimicell Hydroxyethyl Cellulose is used as a thickener for water-based paints and coatings. They are also used as admixture performance enhancers.
They also offer bio-stable grades, offering better resistance than most other soluble gums and polymers and this resistance to enzymatic and chemical degradation elicits a more stable viscosity.
It increases the paint/coating in can viscosity, sag resistance and enhancing coverage.
Provides good water-retention, rheology and colloid protection, especially when used in those solutions where a non-ionic material is desired.
Reduces sedimentation of the pigments and fillers and can also contribute to the dispersion of pigments by improving the flow during grinding, helping to stabilize the pigment from flocculation.
In admixtures they can also be used to improve the properties of mortars such as water-retention, workability & open time.
Normal dosage is 0.4-0.8% w/w. Paint made from the lower molecular weight grades are more resistant to spatter during roller application for example.
The information shown on this page(s) is intended as a product guide only; specification and properties of products are subject to change by the manufacturer and no guarantees or warranties are implied or inferred by the information provided here. It is the responsibility of the user to request the most current information and determine the suitability of any product in the user’s application.
*in line with our commitment to Responsible Care®, a pre-delivery safety inspection will generally be required prior to the first bulk delivery of a hazardous liquid.
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Capital markets lawyers feel all the highs and lows of market forces more than any other practitioner, and when the Great Recession hit the practice took a hit too. The vast sums exchanged and the technicality of the transactions mean that it will always remain an important area for BigLaw firms. Essentially, the world's capital markets are trading floors (either real or virtual) on which cash-hungry businesses obtain funding by selling a share of their business (equity) or receiving a loan (debt) from lenders.
These 'markets' are used by companies with unique financing needs which traditional bank loans cannot satisfy. They offer more freedom to companies than obtaining cash via bank loans which tie both parties into the term of the loan. Capital markets allow for companies to obtain massive sums with more flexibility; they also offer up limitless investment opportunities. Large financial institutions offer customized services to companies seeking funding on the capital markets. These services include advice on debt and equity offerings, on securitization and on the creation of derivatives. Debt (bonds), equity (stocks) and derivatives are all types of security, and capital markets law is sometimes referred to as 'securities law'.
“The range of capital raising companies pursue is almost endless, and is limited only by human creativity.”
Attorneys advise companies ('issuers') and investment banks ('underwriters') on these complex capital markets transactions. Issuer and underwriter will both engage a separate law firm. The issuer's attorneys will sometimes help their client analyze which type of security to issue. This decision depends on the nature of the company, the desired duration of the loan, who the buyers are likely to be, and market demand. If an issuer is new to the market, they may begin by seeking their lawyers' advice on the processes involved, before approaching an underwriter.
Within equity, there are initial public offerings (IPOs) and follow-on offerings of common and preferred stock. An IPO is a transformational event for a company. “The IPO is the ‘ne plus ultra’ of capital markets work,” says Josh Bonnie, co-managing partner of the DC office at Simpson Thacher. “The decision of whether or not to become a public company is incredibly commercial and requires a great deal of strategy. It’s unlikely the client will have IPO experience, so they will be reliant on their attorneys.” The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are the major exchanges in the US and most American public companies will be listed on one of them. Companies can list on multiple exchanges around the world.
This covers many types of debt instrument, but generally speaking it deals with a borrower raising capital by selling tradable bonds to investors, who expect the full amount lent to be paid back to them with interest. Bonds (also called 'notes') come in all shapes and sizes, from investment grade to high-yield ('junk') bonds. The terms of the bond – including the interest rate (or 'coupon') and maturity date – are decided by the underwriter and issuer.
Why would a company issue bonds rather than take out a bank loan? As mentioned above, the terms of a bank loan can be restrictive to both parties: bank debt can prevent companies from making equity or debt issuances or from acquiring other companies until the loan is paid off. The terms of a bilateral loan tie both parties in, so a bank can't transfer risk or sell this debt with the same flexibility that the bonds market allows. Bonds are tradable; risk and its rewards can be sold on and spread across numerous lenders (bondholders), meaning that a company can raise much larger sums that can only be matched by arranging a syndicated loan (a group of banks chipping in on the principal), but without the same bank loan obligations that syndications entail. Plus, bondholders can be anyone, not just a bank.
Structured finance and securitization
This can get gloriously complex, but its aims are simple: to increase liquidity and structure risk, which in turn offers up extra funding for borrowers. Securitization is the core of the process, which takes a lowly untradeable piece of debt, such as a mortgage, vehicle loan or a credit card receivable, bundles it together with debt of the same class, and sells the bundle of debt on to investors, such as pension funds, hungry for the cash flows that come with the debt.
To securitize debt a bank will first set up a special-purpose entity (SPE) to isolate the debt risk from the bank's main operations, and separate the legal rights to the debt, enabling it to be transferred to new holders. Within the SPE are the bundled loans which enable the SPE to issue bonds, where the interest on the bundled debt forms the cash flows or bond yields. Mortgage securities like residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) are among the most common in the market, but “the range of capital raising companies pursue is almost endless, and is limited only by human creativity,” says Josh Bonnie. Collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) are a unique structure in that they group a variety of types of debt and credit risk, where different classes are called 'tranches'. The higher the tranche's risk, the greater the yield.
Securitization shouldered much of the blame for the credit crunch and the ensuing global economic havoc. Complicated structures led to a murky tangle of debt obligations, grouping different debt classes and exploiting credit enhancement. All was rosy until the housing bubble burst, mortgages defaulted and the ugly truth emerged. Don't let this put you off; there still is and will be demand for structured finance lawyers, but the order of the day is caution. For a leisurely introduction to the topic, watch 'docudrama' The Big Short.
Derivatives
At its most basic, a derivative is a financial instrument used by banks and businesses to hedge risks to which they are exposed due to factors outside of their control. They can also be used for speculative purposes by betting on the fluctuation of just about anything, from currency exchange rates to the number of sunny days in a particular region. The value of a derivative at any given time is derived from the value of an underlying asset, security or index. Futures, forwards, options and swaps are the most common types of derivatives. Forwards are agreements between two parties that one will buy a certain product from the other for a fixed price at a fixed date in the future. Hedging against future price risks and speculation over the price movement of the underlying assets are the big attractions. Futures are standardized forwards, which can be traded on the futures market. Options are optional futures, where a buyer has the right but not the obligation to purchase or sell a product at a certain date in the future for a certain price. Swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange assets at a fixed rate, for example to protect against fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
What lawyers do
IPO or other equity offering
Work with the client and its accounting firm to prepare and file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Do due diligence on the issuer company and draft a prospectus (as part of the registration statement) that provides a welter of information about the company and its finances, as well as past financial statements.
Help the accountants draft a comfort letter, assuring the financial soundness of the issuer.
File with the SEC and wait 30 days before getting initial comments from them.
Undergo multiple rounds of commentary back and forth with the SEC. This can take one or two months.
Negotiate approval of a listing on the stock exchange. This involves the submission of documentation, certifications and letters that prove the client satisfies the listing requirements.
Finalize the underwriting agreement and other documentation.
Debt offering
Plan out the deal with issuer and underwriter. A timeline is drawn up and tasks are allocated between the different parties.
Conduct due diligence on the issuer to examine its creditworthiness, make the disclosure accurate and highlight any associated risks.
Deliver to the underwriters at closing a legal opinion and a disclosure letter on the offering based on due diligence.
Draft the purchase (or 'underwriting') agreement.
Securitization
Work with the underwriter and issuer to draw up the structure of a security, and help the parties negotiate the terms of that structure. “We will literally sit down with all the parties and draw boxes, charts and arrows on a whiteboard in order to come up with new ideas,” explains John Arnholz, structured finance transactions partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.
Draft the disclosure document and the prospectus or private placement memorandum. “It is a descriptive piece – almost like a magazine article,” says Arnholz. “It covers all the risks and other characteristics of owning a security.”
Draft the purchase agreement documenting the transaction. “This involves a lot of negotiation back and forth between issuer, underwriter, trustees, service providers and insurers,” Arnholz tells us.
Derivatives
Be approached by a financial institution client (e.g. a hedge fund) with an idea to create a new derivatives product.
Communicate back and forth with the client discussing legal issues and risks related to various possible structures for the product.
Home in on a specific structure for the product.
Prepare a memo explaining the problems, issues and legal risks associated with the derivative's agreed-upon structure, as well as suggesting ways to resolve or mitigate those problems and issues.
If all has gone well, and if the new structure has sufficient prospects for legal and commercial success, lawyers will draft new documentation describing the make-up of the derivative.
Realities of the job
Notwithstanding the differences mentioned in the descriptions above, there are big similarities between the work of lawyers on debt, equity and other securities transactions.
The nature of lawyers' involvement in a capital markets transaction depends on its novelty. “If someone is doing a securitization or designing a derivatives product they must address those issues which are novel,” says Josh Cohn, former head of US derivatives and structured products at Mayer Brown. “If you are working on a product based on a preexisting structure, you may be asked to look at certain details like new swaps arrangements.”
Junior lawyers usually practice in all areas of capital markets law, sometimes combining this with other corporate work too. Some top firms have specialist departments for each capital markets subgroup. Partners often specialize in debt, equity, securitization or derivatives work, but they may continue to dabble in other areas too. “I would advise junior associates to get involved with as many different types of transactions as possible,” says Robert Gross, former capital markets partner at Clifford Chance. “You'll end up getting more to do that way, and it will be more burdensome, but you will get a ton of experience.”
•Clients in the world of finance are incredibly demanding and attorneys usually work very long hours. On the plus side, clients are also smart, sophisticated and dynamic. Large law firms usually have strong and close relationships with investment bank clients, meaning that juniors can get frequent client contact. “I love working with companies' management teams and with bankers,” says Arthur Robinson, head of the capital markets practice at Simpson Thacher. “On each deal I do I 'meet' a new company and learn about the business from the inside from the CEO and CFO. It may sound odd, but companies do have their own personality, so it's akin to meeting a new person each time.”
The content and organization of prospectuses tends to be fairly standard, but lawyers consider working on them a rewarding exercise because a good deal of creative writing is required to communicate a company’s narrative.
The purchase agreement is a lengthy contract in which the underwriter agrees to buy the securities and resell them to investors.
As soon as a company undergoes an IPO, it will be subject to all the rules and requirements of a public company, so the necessary organizational structure must be in place before the IPO.
Follow-on offerings of common equity are much simpler than an IPO because most of the basic disclosure has already been drafted and will only need to be updated.
Underwriter’s counsel drafts most documents related to a bond issue. An issuer's lawyers will comment on them and negotiate changes.
Due diligence is conducted by both underwriter's and issuer's counsel, but is most important to the underwriter. A due diligence investigation may help in establishing a 'due diligence defense' in any future investor lawsuits claiming a violation of securities laws.
A debt offering can be registered with the SEC or unregistered under Rule 144A of the 1933 Securities Act. In the latter case bonds can only be bought by certain large registered institutional buyers.
Issuer's and underwriter's counsel work together with a team of bankers, accountants, insurers and an issuer's management to get securities issued. “There is a very collaborative atmosphere,” says Bill Whelan, corporate partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore. “The team has the common goal of getting the deal done. There are moments when we have disagreements, but rarely does it get acrimonious.” If teams get on particularly well, deals may end with a closing dinner or drinks event.
The bond market is huge and influential. It is generally considered to have a large influence on the health of the US and global economy.
Market conditions are very important to the success of capital market deals – more important even than the willingness of the parties to get the deal done. “The one negative in this area of practice is that the markets are always unpredictable,” says Whelan. “You can invest a lot of time in getting a deal organized, but market conditions can mean it falls through.”
Practitioners recommend that those interested in the field should take law school classes in securities regulation, corporate finance and the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Knowledge of bankruptcy, property and tax law is useful too, as is gaining an understanding of the basic principles of accounting. Reading the financial press – starting with The Wall Street Journal – is a must.
Current issues
June 2021
In an effort to combat adverse effects of the coronavirus on the global economy, in March 2020, the US Federal Reserve slashed interest rates to a range of 1% to 1.25% - a move unprecedented since the financial crash in '08. Rates changes can have a ripple effect on capital markets, as borrowing money becomes more expensive.
While the pandemic continues to disrupt many sectors of the economy, in the world of capital markets, things are booming. 2020 was one of the best years on record for global IPO activity, with $331 billion raised across 1,591 listings.
Research from EY shows that a total of 1,322 companies went public in 2020 - 15 percent more than in 2019. The total issue volume of global IPOs also rose by 26 percent to USD 263 billion – the highest amount since 2010.
2021 looks set to maintain this momentum. For example, the London market had its busiest January in 15 years, raising $33.1 billion from 126 floats worldwide.
As it does in the worlds of M&A and private equity, the tech sector continues to dominate the scene, making up 35% of global IPO proceeds last year. This is followed by the health sector, which made up 15% of the total transactions according to research by EY.
Snowflake and Airbnb both went public in 2020. Each raised around $3.5 billion, positioning them among the two largest tech IPOs recorded over the past decade. However, they remain dwarfed by Facebook’s IPO, which raised $16 billion when it went public in 2012.
"Securities law is changing dramatically,” John Arnholz comments. “In the old days, rules about securities weren't written down. They were based on lore. Many regulations in the industry are new. That means old hands like me have a smaller advantage over new people entering the field than we used to. Industrious young associates can learn about new regulations and outsmart the partners!”
According to a report by PwC, London and New York remain the world’s two epicenters of capital market activity, accounting for nearly 45% of activity. However, 76% of surveyed capital markets executives also expected a rival center to emerge in the Asia-Pacific region in the years through 2020. Hong Kong was flagged as the most likely destination, followed by Shanghai and Tokyo.
According to a report by SIMFA (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association), the US equity markets account for roughly 40% of the $97 trillion in the global equity market – that’s nearly four times the amount recorded by China, the next biggest market.
AI continues to disrupt the market, as companies increasingly harness technology to optimize trade processes and reduce operating costs.
A big development in Europe, meanwhile, is the European Commission's proposed 'Capital Markets Union' (CMU) – which aims to remove barriers to investment in Europe. The UK's Brexit has put a spanner in the works somewhat, although the CMU appears to be moving forward regardless.
The popularity of using the SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) framework as an alternative to traditional IPOs continues to rise. The number of SPACs as a share of IPOs rose from 3% in 2014 to 30% in 2019; the total issue volume of SPACs increased from $13.7 billion in 2019 to $75.8 billion in 2020.
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A few months after he left his gig as a Fox News television host to pursue the Republican nomination for president in 2016, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was back on Fox News Sunday, and to put it mildly, things did not go well.
While Fox has a reputation for being friendly, sometimes overly so, toward the GOP, Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace is usually an equal opportunity interrogator, and he didn’t hesitate to ask his former colleague to explain some of his more controversial claims.
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Huckabee, for instance, is an advocate of the “FairTax” plan, which would eliminate the income tax and replace it with a consumption tax of about 30 percent while remaining revenue-neutral. Tax experts have repeatedly exposed the FairTax plan as highly regressive – meaning that lower-income individuals would pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than the wealthy.
It was a point Wallace asked Huckabee to address, quoting an analysis by the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center which found that “the average rate of the lowest income group would exceed 33 percent, while the average for the top group would fall to less than 16 percent.”
“They have it exactly wrong,” Huckabee said. “In fact, it’s the bottom third of the economy who benefit the most from the FairTax, and the people at the top third who benefit the least Everybody benefits some. That tax study is one that has been discredited by the people who spent over $20 million, very thoughtful economic study developing the FairTax. It’s not just some political idea….“
Wallace interrupted, “Doesn’t it just stand to reason that if I make $5,000, I’m going to spend a higher percentage of my income just for necessities, and if I make $1 million, I’m not going to spend as much of a percentage of my income?”
Huckabee launched into an explanation of what FairTax advocates call a “prebate.” Under the proposal, the government would send a check every month to every taxpayer equivalent to what someone living at the poverty level would pay in taxes for “necessities.” He claimed that the prebates mean low-income earners do better under the system than they do currently.
“The FairTax empowers the consumer,” Huckabee said. “That’s power to the people.”
As it turns out, though, the folks at the Tax Policy Center don’t take kindly to having their analyses described as “discredited” on national television.
Asked to respond to Huckabee, William Gale, co-director of the Center, delivered a withering email takedown of Huckabee’s claims and the FairTax proposal in general.
“He has the distributional benefits backwards,” wrote Gale, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a former senior economist for President George H.W. Bush’s Council of Economic Advisers. “The notion that a tax on consumption will help the poor and hurt the rich is contrary to just about everything that is known about rich/poor spending and income habits, not just our model.”
In a swipe at the FairTax program, he added: “The ‘people who spent over $20 million on this' did not understand for a decade how the tax actually worked, and it took two papers by me as well as other work – for example, the Bush tax reform panel – to convince these people that they had vastly misstated the tax base because they made 20-25 percent of government disappear.”
Len Burman, the director of the Tax Policy Center, joined the fray as well. Also by email, he said that the idea that the poor would do better under the FairTax plan is simply wrong.
“This issue doesn't involve complicated economic analysis,” wrote Burman, who among other things served as a deputy assistant secretary for tax analysis in the Clinton Treasury Department. “It's simple math, and the FairTax advocates have repeatedly and willfully flubbed the math.”
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“The distributional effects are pretty straightforward,” he wrote. “High-income people spend only a fraction of their income, so they effectively benefit from a giant tax exemption compared with an income tax.”
In the Fox interview, Wallace eventually let Huckabee wriggle away from the tax issue, but moved on to some other interesting claims the former governor has recently made – including a suggestion that presidents and lawmakers don’t necessarily need to abide by the rulings of the Supreme Court.
Huckabee claimed that the United States has fallen victim to what he called “judicial supremacy,” in which the Supreme Court has set itself above the other branches of the government.
“The Supreme Court isn’t the Supreme branch, and for God’s sake, it isn’t the Supreme Being,” he said. Wallace, who had not suggested that the Supreme Court was in any way God-like, had no answer for that one, and Huckabee was off, dropping straw man arguments as he went.
Related: Will and Overcrowded Field Ruin GOP Chance in 2016?
“It’s a matter of balance of power,” he said. “If the Supreme Court could just make a ruling and everybody has to bow down and fall on their faces and worship that law – it isn’t a law because it hasn’t been yet passed.”
“What if the Supreme Court ruled that they were going to make the decision as to who is going to be the next president and save the taxpayers and the voters from all the expense and trouble of voting and they’ll just pick a president? Well we would say that they can’t do that. Why can’t they do it? They can’t do it because it’s not in the law,” Huckabee continued.
“We are sworn to uphold the Constitution and the law and it has to be agreed on by three branches of government. One can’t overrule the other two,” He said “That’s all I’m saying. We learned that in 9th grade civics, but I’m convinced a lot of Ivy League law schools must have forgotten that simple, basic civics lesson along the way.”
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Okay, enough.
That’s just not true. A bill passed by Congress and signed into law by the president can be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. That’s pretty much the definition of one branch overruling the other two.
Sometimes it’s a little difficult to tell if Huckabee is actually mounting a presidential campaign or just an extended book tour for his latest tome, God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy. On Sunday, it felt a lot like the latter.
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A longtime reporter on the intersection of the federal government and the private sector, Rob Garver served as a National Correspondent, based in Washington, D.C., for four years. He has written for ProPublica, The New York Times and other publications.
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That's what a chorus of prominent libertarian, conservative and Catholic voices have been saying for some time. They argue that there's no good reason for the state to regulate marriage and predict that making marriage a purely private affair will bring a blissful end to the same-sex marriage debate.
If the state isn't defining marriage, it can't redefine it either, they reason.
That sounds good to some, but privatizing marriage would make matters worse, say experts in law and family policy. Marriage is a fundamental public institution that demands a state role, they say, warning that private marriage would jeopardize children and give marriage the same status as alternatives like polygamy.
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Still, as homosexual marriage advances, the drumbeat for privatization grows louder:
David Boaz, a vice president at the libertarian Cato Institute, opened the debate in 1997 when he asked, "Why should the government be in the business of decreeing who can and cannot be married?" He contended that ending government's role in marriage would "solve the gay-marriage problem."
Conservative talk host Larry Elder told WND readers in 2004 that marriage licenses made as much sense as licensing barbers or taxi-cab drivers. The state should "leave marriage to non-governmental institutions like churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship or private institutions."
Doug Kmiec, a pro-life law professor who urged fellow Catholics to vote for Obama in 2008, said in 2009, "If the state got out of the marriage business. . . . then the question of who can and cannot be married would be entirely determined in your voluntarily chosen faith community."
Former GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul announced in 2012 that he "would like the state to stay out of marriage. ... A voluntary association shouldn't be interfered with by the state, so I'd just as soon that the state not issue licenses or define marriage." Paul wants to "let the individual, let two people define marriage," arguing it "would get rid of this whole debate and we wouldn't be arguing over the definition of marriage."
Tea party favorite Glenn Beck told entertainer Penn Jillette in late 2012 that same-sex marriage does not "pick my pocket nor break my leg," and he didn't think the government had a role in regulating marriage. "The question is not whether gay people should be married or not, the question is why is the government involved in our marriage."
Currently, government is heavily involved in marriage. Changing that would require a wrenching overhaul of American law. For example, until recent changes adopted following the U.S. Supreme Court's skewering of the Defense of Marriage Act, federal law treated married couples differently than single individuals in 1,138 ways, according to a 2003 GAO report. Marital status matters when it comes to taxation, federal civilian and military benefits, Veterans and Social Security benefits, private employer benefits, immigration and more.
Uprooting this body of law would launch a social revolution in which marriage is treated no differently than those who prefer the same sex, multiple wives or any other imaginable intimate arrangement.
"It absolutely would be an upheaval in a very good way," said libertarian economist Ryan McMacken, a proponent of privatizing marriage.
Such a change would "greatly diminish the power of the state," he predicted, and "greatly increase the power of private society at the expense of the state."
Many marriage and family advocates disagree. Deleting marriage from the law, they contend, will harm children, society and liberty. And it won't provide peace from the same-sex marriage conflict, either, they insist.
Jennifer Morse, president of the Ruth Institute, which supports traditional marriage, says privatizing marriage "doesn't really resolve the gay marriage issue, it capitulates on the key point, which is what is the public purpose of marriage, and whether the state has any role in protecting the interests of children."
"This is a rhetorical tactic for trying to make it go away. I don't think it works."
Peter Sprigg, senior fellow for policy studies at the Family Research Council, said marriage deserves a privileged place in the law because it brings benefits "that are important to the well-being of society as a whole and not just a couple."
Chief among those benefits is the bearing of children "for the continuance of the human race." Marriage is "the only type of relationship that results in the [natural generation of children] and provides children with both a mother and father," he said.
"Marriage can exist without the state and in fact the institution predates the state," said Sprigg. Even so, "there is value in having the state recognize marriage, because without that recognition it would be much more difficult to protect the rights and obligations of spouses and to distribute the benefits that the state gives."
"If it's going to do that, it's going to have to have some way of defining it [marriage]," he said.
Sprigg, a leading defender of traditional marriage, sayid he's "fine with privatizing homosexual relationships" but rejects privatizing true marriage because of its special status.
"Society gives benefits to marriage because marriage gives benefits to society. Therefore the burden of proof is on the advocates of alternatives to marriage to prove that their relationships benefit society. I think that's a burden of proof that same-sex marriage cannot meet."
Morse said the libertarian idea that two or more people can make up their own "marital" contract any way they wish collides with the needs of children.
Crafting intimate arrangements without guidance from God, culture or the state "just doesn't work when you have a child," she said. "The modern world does not know quite what to do with these helpless creatures.
"Marriage is designed to protect the legitimate interests that children have," she said. It's an "institution that takes care of infants in the least minimum government fashion."
Marriage also protects against tyranny because it is the "only institution that keeps government out of the family."
Libertarian writer Ryan McMacken takes issue with claims about the social value of marriage and that children are best protected within marriage.
He agrees that "strong marriages are essential in a free society," but rejects "the assertion that it's a public good," since, he says, marriage does not meet the standard of what constitutes a public good in economic theory.
"When [marriage supporters] say it's a public good, all they're really saying is that they think the state should regulate it."
He agrees children need to be protected, but he said family law, especially no-fault divorce, has failed to advance children's interests.
"I don't think the track record of the civil government is very good, there," he said.
Herbert W. Titus, former dean of the Regent University School of Law and Government, agrees that state and federal laws, especially no-fault divorce, have fostered social chaos but says a return to marriage laws that conform to biblical norms is the solution, not privatization.
Marriage licenses serve a useful purpose, Titus said, because they determine "if you're entitled to a marriage certificate" and "screen out those people who were violating the rules the Bible laid down as to who could be married and who could not be married."
He cited Leviticus 18, which forbids sexual relations between close relations, family members and individuals of the same sex.
But once the law allows same-sex marriage, Titus said, "then it's very difficult to see that there are any ... barriers to marriage," and that opens the door to sodomy and polygamy.
"The very purpose of civil government was to protect and foster the family as the primary economic institution of society," said Titus, who was the Constitution Party's vice-presidential candidate in 1996.
And families also benefit society because they protect freedom.
"If the family is strong," Titus said, "the civil government can't intrude into family governance."
He noted that states have traditionally been uninvolved in the details of family life, not forcing, for example, parents to pay children minimum wage laws for doing chores.
"That's unthinkable in the historic understanding of marriage. But once you break down marriage and anyone can get married, why shouldn't there be total [state] jurisdiction with regard to the labor system?"
Conservative Protestant minister Matt Trewhella, founder of Missionaries to the Preborn, is sometimes lumped in with the advocates of marriage privatization because he tells Christians not to get marriage licenses and refuses to marry couples who do.
Trewhella regards marriage licenses as a grant of authority to marry from the state.
"The state cannot grant the right to marry. It is a God-given right."
Despite that view, Trewhella wants the state to ban same-sex marriage.
"I think the whole idea of privatizing marriage is absurd because the state should uphold and affirm the law word and created order of God regarding marriage as revealed in Scripture."
He believes the solution to same-sex marriage is not privatization but the re-criminalization of sodomy.
"That’s what makes the whole homosexual marriage debate go away," he said.
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A screen shot from the Smoked Agave Facebook group from a discussion about this topic a while back. All screen shots in this article are from this discussion.
No, tequila is just mezcal’s mellow cousin. Joke! As surprising as it may sound, that question keeps cropping up and recent developments in the tequila and mezcal worlds make for a renewed conversation.
You’re asking the wrong question
It may be trite but we always say tequila is a type of mezcal because it has the merit of being true. The term “mezcal” means anything distilled from agave, tequila is distilled from agave ergo it’s a mezcal. Simple right? Sure, as far as it goes with exact taxonomies it is true but if we’re honest with ourselves it’s also clear that tequila is a truly distinct type of mezcal.
The metaphor I always use is wine because anything fermented from grapes is wine. That’s generally accepted, right? In that metaphor tequila is like a chardonnay made in Burgundy called Chablis whereas a Michoacan tequiliana mezcal is like a Meursault, a chardonnay made in a sub-region of Burgundy.
In Europe wines with unique histories get different names based on where they’re made or something distinct from their past. We accept that everywhere else in life, why not with agave spirits? The root of that argument is in all those ‘tequila’s smoky cousin’ comparisons. People hate diminutives, especially when they’re fans of something so mezcal people developed a chip on their shoulder and still haven’t managed to completely get rid of it. It’s high time we all did because the stories of mezcals across Mexico are just too interesting and revealing to be fought over like political footballs.
A quick look at tequila
Take tequila, it seems like it developed from a confluence of demand for spirits in the mining industry just as large land holdings called haciendas figured out the supply problem. This all happened in Western Mexico sometime after the Spanish crown banned local Mexican spirit production in the 17th Century. That ban destroyed most of the other local spirits like the coconut distillate made in Colima which may have been the original Mexican distillate.
But some of the big mezcal producers carved out an exception for themselves. It’s not exactly clear what happened but they cut a deal with the Spanish crown and started the road towards tequila whether it was called that at the time or not. These spirits were made from agaves of mixed varieties and, at least to start, were roasted underground. Many of these producers were focused on technological innovations, they brought in trains to get their products to market faster, and applied the same attitude to their distillates with things like steam cooking and by exerting more control over the distillation process.
The question of how these production changes altered the flavor of the local mezcal is difficult to pin down. What we do know is that these producers with surnames like Cuervo called their innovative spirits “Vino de mezcal de Tequila” which means “mezcal wine from the town of Tequila,” mostly because wine was the easiest and most colloquial way of describing what they were up to. (see, there really is nothing new under the sun!). When they broke through with the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago it certainly seems like tequila was well on the way to a distinct flavor which was only increasingly more well defined through the 20th Century.
Meanwhile people continued to roast agave hearts underground and distill them in tiny stills made from whatever was handy or in their tradition. The vast underground world of mezcal was defined by the shadow of tequila and remained that way until relatively recently. All the great discoveries of Raicillas, Tuxcas, Tepes, and the many other distilling traditions in Jalisco – in many cases just an hour from major tequila producing areas – testify to the amazingly active, inventive, and persistent distilling traditions in Mexico. If producers like those for Venenosa Raicilla and Balancan’s Tuxca, to mention just two being imported into the US, can produce such amazing spirits in the shadow of tequila, then just imagine what else was happening across Mexico.
As time passed many things about mezcal remained trapped in amber providing an incredible picture of the way things used to be done. Since no one cared it wasn’t worth much money and didn’t receive any investment except for bursts of demand during Prohibition and WWII.
Tequila really is its own thing – but what, exactly?
So, tequila really is quite distinct. It started down that path two hundred years ago, give or take, and has just kept right on going. But a funny thing is happening now, the highly evolved world of tequila seems to be exploding just as it reached the apotheosis of its critical flavors. The major branding and production definition sealed into law and then pursued aggressively by the CRT in the ensuing decades put the idea of 100% blue agave forward as the main definition of the spirit. It’s easy to remember for consumers and leaves producers wide latitude for how and where they produce let alone what the final product tastes like.
Tequila today means equally, high end bottles of pure agave, mid range bottles of pure agave, cocktail fodder, pure agave produced by diffusers, and all those mixtos. It’s made from Western Mexico all they way across the country to Tamaulipas on the Gulf of Mexico. And it’s incredibly valuable. It’s the spirit in the United State’s – if not the world’s – favorite cocktail and racks up billions in sales annually. You don’t get to be that big without some compromises.
So, the question may actually be, ‘what is tequila?’ especially since we’re starting to see a profusion of agave spirits that are changing the tradition and asking that exact question. There are bottles like Dos Volcanes and Luna’s Tequilana that are made just like tequilas but outside of the appellation. Then there are certified tequilas like Fortaleza, Calle 23’s Criollo, and the Siembra line that all tweak the classic production formulas. Hell, when Patron feels compelled to release Roca Patron, you know something is afoot. And then there’s Caballito Cerrero which is made just like traditional tequilas but doesn’t want the name.
This profusion of experiments is fantastic for all of us drinkers but despite all the nuances, one thing remains constant, they all taste like tequilas. Simply put, tequila people love one set of flavors, mezcal people another. It’s not completely different but the gap is far enough apart that we should take it more seriously.
It’s simple, really, and you know the answer already. The taste of mezcal is different from tequila. It’s open to be redefined by agave, region, or production type whereas tequila really has cranked that down to steam cooking blue agaves which give you a pretty narrow flavor set. Really, I think it’s that simple. I’m happy to debate it. Happy to learn more. Have at it!
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About the Author
Max co-founded Mezcalistas with Susan way back in 2012. Before that he was a journalist at Salon.com and The San Francisco Chronicle.
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Comments
RALPH JIMENEZ says
December 12, 2019 at 1:13 pm
Why of all the great authentically made tequilas and mezcals would you put Clooney’s Casamigos picture for this article?
Max Garrone says
December 17, 2019 at 10:41 am
Hi Ralph, Thanks for the comment. I chose that photo for this article because it speaks to the position that tequila has taken as an industry. I will definitely be writing more about other distinctive brands and personalities in the industry so look out for those articles in the near future.
Joe says
December 22, 2019 at 2:31 am
Eloquently put! Thank you for the great read and new information. Many questions have also popped up and Hopefully you can help me answer them. Will email you soon. Thank you very much
Max Garrone says
January 6, 2020 at 3:25 pm
Thanks for the compliment. I’m glad that you enjoyed the article and will answer your questions as best I can.
Leon Ortega says
December 25, 2019 at 3:50 pm
Not sure you make an argument at all that tequila isn’t mezcal. They all come from agave, sure there are varying methods of production and use of various agaves. It’s like saying bourbon isn’t whiskey, or Scotch isn’t whiskey, they both use grains though and are aged in wood barrels. Yes, we are getting deviations with all the gimmick whiskeys that are are aged at sea, or compressed with air in barrels to age faster, but they are still whiskeys just as tequila is still a mezcal. Try again.
Max Garrone says
January 6, 2020 at 3:26 pm
I’m pretty sure that we’re talking past each other because I wrote “we always say tequila is a type of mezcal because it has the merit of being true. The term “mezcal” means anything distilled from agave, tequila is distilled from agave ergo it’s a mezcal. Simple right? Sure, as far as it goes with exact taxonomies it is true but if we’re honest with ourselves it’s also clear that tequila is a truly distinct type of mezcal.” which is pretty much the opposite of what you’re saying, right?
Joe says
December 26, 2019 at 11:03 am
I had to comeback to this article because it was very interesting and sparked new questions. I’ve been trying to find out information of how the “modern” tequila became to be. With technological advances and inventions. I’ve scoured through the internet with no leads. If there is any publications or website that would help understand the history more, it would be much appreciated. Salud! Feliz Navidad
Max Garrone says
January 6, 2020 at 3:24 pm
Thanks for the note. Ian Chadwick published some interesting research on tequila’s history here http://www.ianchadwick.com/tequila/ and there are a few other sources. Your best bet is to search for specific terms and dig through as many Google pages as possible to get to what’s out there. I’ve heard that a new book will be coming out in the future that should shed much light on this topic. We’ll definitely report on that when it happens so stay tuned.
We believe it is imperative to more deeply and widely cover the world of mezcal. Only by keeping consumers informed about what they are drinking can we pay the necessary respect to this incredible elixir. This costs money, and in order to keep our website as ad-free as possible, while keeping our content free, we need your help!
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I started this blog to share some of the thoughts I have along the journey of life. I love to travel and spend time with my family and friends. A good meal, breaking bread with those I love, gives my life meaning. So does travel. I adore dreaming of sites to visit, not just to check them off on a list. Rather, I consider myself a student of life, traveling as an explorer, to open my mind to all the possibilities the world holds in store for me and for others. I love to travel to discover how different the world is in terms of climate, cultures, politics, terrain, economy, etc. but also to discover how SIMILAR the people are. Despite language barriers, much can be communicated with a smile or gestures. Language is simply a means to communicate, yet there are so very many other ways to communicate. Once when I was in French-speaking Canada, I realized that my 7th grade French class didn’t teach me the word for “straw”. However, when I thought about it, I was able to communicate to the very French-speaking waiter in a very French-speaking restaurant about my need for a “cylinder through which to drink” in my limited French vocabulary. Travel challenges the mind and soul, stretching us to problem solve and form conclusions about all that we experience. THAT is the type of travel I enjoy best. “All’s well that ends well”, as they say………….”Life is Good” as well.
I recently met a couple on the White Salmon River in Washington. When I asked them what brought them there to the whitewater rafting experience that day, they told a tale about when they simply said they said to themselves “when was the last time you did something for the first time?” I guess that’s what I love about travel, in part. It is often the people we meet that provide us with food for thought or give us pause with something inspiring. Another rafter in our group was an English orthopedic surgeon who always had wanted to live in America for a while, so he sought out and found a fellowship in Oregon for pediatric hand surgery.
My friend and I went to the White Snake River for a half day whitewater rafting experience with River Drifters, because we were in the area, and I had never gone white water rafting before but had always wanted to do so. When my daughter asks me what time it is, my standard reply is often “it is NOW; the time is NOW,” as I am often conscious of how quickly time passes and of the need to do what we want sooner than later while we still have the moment do do with along with the opportunity.
My friend and I chose the White Salmon River because it is one of the more challenging rivers in the area with the class IV and V rapids and a 10-14 foot waterfall, depending on the time of year.
We started out at the White Salmon outpost where our river guide, Jeremy, provided an explanation of what we would do that day and gave us the gear we needed. Mid-October is usually the end of the rafting season in Washington due to the weather, as the water temperature is about 45 degrees Fahrenheit and feels colder with the colder weather. We were instructed to wear our bathing suits, and they provided us with a wet suit, a rain coat, a helmet, neoprene booties, and a fleece pullover, and we were instructed not to wear any cotton as it feels too cold against the skin when it gets wet.
“There is no rushing a river. When you go there, you go at the pace of the water and that pace ties you into a flow that is older than life on this planet. Acceptance of that pace, even for a day, changes us, reminds us of other rhythms beyond the sound of our own heartbeats.”
We took a shuttle to where the rafts were set up and were given a safety briefing, which included what to do if we fell out of the boat. The river was beautiful and was very scenic with the volcanic rocks along the banks. Because the river flows from the slopes of Mount Adams, the water is clear, colorful, and fresh as it contains melted glacial waters from the mountain. We saw hawks and other birds along the way.
After riding along the river for some period of time near the beginning of the trip, we were speechless when we saw some rafters from the second raft on our trip drift down the river without a boat. Evidently their boat turned over on one of the rapids, and we were instructed to stick our oars out for them to grab on so we could pull them into our boat. One of the younger children aboard the raft grabbed onto my oar, and I felt humbled and grateful to be able to help these rafters. I could only imagine what the mother aboard the trip felt while we took a head count. There were supposed to be SIX rafters, and for a brief moment I saw only FIVE. Evidently the sixth rafter was on the other side of the raft out of my sight for a brief and scary instant. Once we all took a breath after the “rescue”, their boat was flipped back upright, they got into their boat, and the trip went forward.
“The first river you paddle runs through the rest of your life. It bubbles up in pools and eddies to remind you who you are.”
When we came to the final waterfall, Jeremy beached our raft on the shore and asked us to get out of the raft to observe the waterfall before we decided whether or not we wanted to do it. He said it would be okay if all refused, all agreed, or some refused. He would make provisions to accommodate all choices respectfully. He told us those with back or neck problems, knee issues, or other medical conditions might wish to opt out, as the boat often tumbles or gets completely submerged.
My friend and I, along with all others aboard our raft, opted to go down the waterfall. The journey down lasted only about a minute, and at one point our entire raft was fully submerged under the water. One of the rafters almost fell out, and I sustained an injury where his helmet hit my head when we landed. I ended up with a black eye in the aftermath but nothing else. Everyone else in the boat was fine, and it was an experience of a life time. Surely something that changed me in some way profoundly, and it is an experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
I go walking in my sleep
We all end in the ocean
We all start in the streams
We're all carried along
By the river of dreams"
-from the River of Dreams by Billy Joel
When IS the last time you did something for the first time? Life is good; Carpe Diem, friends…
carpediemcaye #travel, #wanderlust, adventure awaits, adventure travel, life is good, travel, whitewater rafting in Washington Leave a comment October 19, 2022 October 19, 2022 4 Minutes
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Having been raised on classical music, there are lots of composers whose work I like. But there aren’t many I can relate to. I mean it’s hard to feel much in common with someone like Mozart, a genius who wrote his first symphony at the age of eight and his first opera at twelve; or JS Bach, who, in addition to writing what many consider the greatest single piece of music in the western canon (Mass in B Minor), composed so much that his collected work comprises sixty volumes. These men seemed to operate on a whole different level than ordinary mortals.
But I can relate to Anton Bruckner, a humble Christian composer from Vienna. Never heard of him? Blame his more illustrious peers for taking all the limelight. The other famous Vienna composers included Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, and Mahler. It’s not easy to stand out in a crowd like that.
Bruckner was a bit of a late bloomer. He wrote nine symphonies in all, all composed between the ages of forty-two and seventy-two.
The man had his share of struggles. At the premier of his Third Symphony, which he conducted at the Vienna Conservatory, the audience was not impressed. First they laughed. Then they began filing out. When Bruckner finished and turned to take his bows, he was shocked and humiliated to find only an empty room. I like to remind myself of this story whenever I feel like my work isn’t appreciated.
Though I may be a late bloomer, and though I have had my share of bitter disappointments (who hasn’t?), and though I’m surrounded by deservedly more famous writers, none of these things are the main reason I feel a kind of kinship with Brother Anton. It’s more about a shared conviction. Bruckner was a devout man who wrote a choral work called Te Deum (“Thee, God”). He is reported to have said, “When God calls me to Him and asks me: ‘Where is the talent which I have given you?” Then I shall hold out the rolled-up manuscript of my Te Deum and I know that He will be a compassionate judge.”* That quote really resonates with me, especially considering the searing memory he must have had of his less-than-compassionate audience for the Third Symphony.
Fighting Back is finished. I poured heart and soul into it. I think it’s good, but I can’t really know what other people will think of it. That’s a little scary. Will I turn around to face enthusiastic applause, or the humiliating echoes of an empty house? Whatever happens, I am willing to put it in the Lord’s hands, and I know that He will be a compassionate judge.
Classical Music: The 50 Greatest Composers and Their 1,000 Greatest Works by Phil G. Goulding. p 357
I've been a musician, a business owner, a minister, and an author. I'm still heavily involved in three of those four pursuits, and miss my music a lot. My books are about the trials and tribulations of deeply flawed people, becasue I know no other kind.
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December 9, 2016 at 4:46 pm
Amazing bit of history, and on-target application. Thanks, friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
JHarrison says:
December 9, 2016 at 10:34 pm
I have always loved reading deeply into the bios of accomplished people. Once you get past the “he or she did thus-and-so in such and such a year,” you discover that famous people have many of the same trials, tribulations hopes, fears, and dreams as the rest of us. If I had my druthers (and a lot more shelf space) I’d have 200 biographies on my bookshelves!
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When I first started watching Parks and Recreation, I didn’t like it all that much. Leslie annoyed me a little. I thought Andy was weird. Did April have to be that negative? But I stuck with the show nonetheless and I am really glad I did. In the last 6 years, Parks and Rec has become one of my favorite shows and I have come to love the same characters that turned me off at first. Episode 12 worked in a series of flash forwards, which start when Leslie hugs the person (is Leslie magic?). These flash forwards show what the characters ended up doing with their lives couple of years down the road (more for some characters). I watched this episode at work so I had to try and keep the sobbing to a minimum but I thought it was a great episode to wrap up a great show.
Since they are all moving on to different places and/or careers, the gang is at the Parks and Rec office for a “walk down memory lane” – to celebrate everything they have done together as a group. When Leslie says everything, she means EVERYTHING. She’s going down a list of their accomplishments, complete with a musical number performed by Leslie and Garry. The rest of them really just want to shake hands and be done with it but Leslie ain’t having that. At that time, a man walks in and complains about a swing that has been broken for 3 years. Leslie is like “YASS – lets go fix this shit one last time!” Garry walks in ill-timed for the musical piece (“Come on Garry, you’re mayor now. Have some dignity.” – Tom) – but he earns 5 points for Hufflepuff (always love a Harry Potter reference) for remembering the Parks & Rec procedure for fixing something.
Donna: With her real estate business booming (coffee and marijuana has people buying quickly and irrationally), she has been using her commission pay for adventures in far flung places with her husband (3 week trip to the Amazon sounds amazing). When she hears Joe complain about the lack of funding in schools (they just don’t teach math anymore!), she decides to put her money to better use. With the help of April, she sets up a non-profit called, wait for it, Teach Yo’ Self! AHHHH How amazing is that name?? I would definitely donate $1 million to that organization….good think its fake because I don’t have $1 million. Later, when Tom finds out about Donna doing non-profit work, he’s so let down until he sees that she still got that BLING!
Craig: Craig is a singer at Tom’s bistro, where he meets and later marries Typhoon! And, who is Typhoon’s best man?? OMG ITS RON SWANSON! I forgot I was at work and definitely shrieked at this moment. I knew they hit it off at the salon. I can just imagine Ron and Typhoon hanging out. It is best. Typhoon and Craig grow old together and its the sweetest. Also, have you all seen Conan and Billy Eichner join Grindr because its amazing and you should – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh-mZPtTdpc.
April and Andy: First of all, Andy is going to miss all the food places in Pawnee. You know, Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut (is Parks & Rec sponsored by the Yum Brands? Probably). He is also going to miss Leslie. What will he do in DC without all of these things?? In the flash forward, we see that Andy really really really wants kids (I wanna put a babe in you babe), probably because he is a big kid himself but April is not so excited about this. She feels like her life is perfect already and having kids will just mess it up. And kids usually are the opposite of parents, so since Andy and April are cool already, their kids are going to be dull and terrible. Leslie tells April that no one has a perfect life and “you have kids because Andy and you are a team and you want to have some more team members.” This talk must have worked because APRIL IS HAVING A BABY Y’ALL. In full Halloween makeup. In Pawnee. They go through a couple of names before settling on Jack. And later we find out that April is preggo again! I really want them to do a spin-off show of Andy and April as parents. I would watch that shiz. Also, Andy has a new character: Sergeant Thunderfist, M.D.
Jean Ralphio: I was like “well I am not surprised Jean Ralphio is dead.” But really he’s not really dead and him and his sister are trying to pull an insurance scam. But they get noticed and try to run away to Tajikistan. Solid plan.
Tom: Tom is expanding Tom’s Bistro into a line of 20 restaurants across American (but he still won’t heed Ben’s advice about adding calzones to his menu. Come on Tom.) The economy tanks (who could have predicted that the country would run out of beef?) and he loses EVERYTHING (probably because he didn’t add calzones). He is swaggerless. He had to sell his pocket square collection. He is basically a caveman now. Lucy tells him that he will find a way to climb his way back up to the top, and he does with his best selling book – Failure: An American Success Story. In the book, he lists 7 types of successful people: the Andys, the Aprils, the Leslies, the Toms, the Rons, the Bens, and the Donnas. But the ONE type of person who do not want to be like is the Garrys. Later, Ben mentions that he took the quiz in the book that tells you what kind of successful person you and that he got a Tom – Tom’s world crumbles and tells Ben to take the quiz again. He leaves to calibrate the quiz because Ben CANNOT be a Tom. NOPE. He also has a new book – Failing 2.0: Failing to Fail.
Gary (or Jerry, Garry, Terry): After his time as the interim mayor is over, Gary is actually officially elected as the Mayor of Pawnee. Then he is reelected for the 4th consecutive term. Then he is reelected for the 10th consecutive term. Pawnee loves Gary. They have a party for his 100th birthday, where is surround by Gail (who looks fantastic), his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. He dies on his 100th birthday and he is awarded the Indiana Notary Association’s highest honor – a 20 stamp salute. Oh and they spelled his name wrong on the tombstone. Classic Gary. Oh and also, Brandi Maxxx is the President of the City Council.
Ron: He is going through a personal crisis. He says that he is at a personal crossroad. Even through the financial turmoil, Very Good Building is flourishing – so he quits as chairman (not before telling his Von to stop being so emotional). Taking Ben’s advise, he has sold his gold and diversified – by buying 50% of Lagavulin Distillery (guys, its a real place on the island of Islay in Scotland…I want to go to there). Now he doesn’t know what to do with his life because he feels like he has done everything he wanted to, and so he has come to Leslie for advise. This moment is testament to the progression of their relationship and how far their friendship has come. Ron used to be the “I only need me. Anything I need, I can handle myself” person but now he has come to realize that asking for advise/help is not a terrible thing. Leslie tells him that she will think about it and get back to him. When she does call him for a meeting, it is at the national park she helped establish in Pawnee. She tells him that she moved some people around and now the Superintendent position of this park was his for the taking. When he starts to protest about working for the federal government, she tells him that he with this job he will “walk around the land along, live in the same town, work outside, and talk to bears.” Ummm…can I have this job? And when he questions his qualifications for this job, she tells him that his qualifications is that he is Ron Swanson. Yup. DONE.
Leslie and Ann: Ann comes back to Pawnee for a reunion and Ben puts together. Everyone is at the Parks & Rec office, just what Leslie was wishing for. Ann and Chris are moving back to Indiana, trading the Wolverines for the Hoosiers (but everyone knows that the Louisville Cardinals are the best – Go Cards!). And Leslie and Ann are hoping that their kids will fall in love but in order to do that, they have to act like they are against it. They know the rules of a rom-com.
Leslie and Ben: Ben is a Congressman and JOE BIDEN IS PRESIDENT. And they all play charades together! OH LAWD! My kinda party. I wonder if Joe creepily whispered into Leslie’s ear. During an event at the White House, a lady tells Leslie that the DNC is interested in running her for the Governor of Indiana. At the same event, Jen tells Ben that she wants Ben to run for the same damn office. CONFLICT. At home, Ben and Leslie make a pros and cons list about each of them running for Governor – only its the same list for both of them. Leslie wants to ask the gang about their opinion on it and lamenting the fact that they are scattered everywhere, when Ben surprises her with a reunion. What a sweet hat! They are busy socializing and don’t have the time to ask people for their opinion so Leslie suggests just tossing a coin. When they go to announce that they will be tossing the coin, Ben instead announces that Leslie will be running for the Governor of Indiana because she is the perfect candidate and also because she wrote that she wanted to be Governor in her kindergarten dream journal. Ben is going to run her campaign – with his tight compact little body like an Italian sports car. She later gives the commencement address at Indiana University and we learn that she served two terms as the Governor and IU renames their library after her. She also leaves the students with wise words: Work hard for work worth doing.
Now this show that I loved has ended. I am really happy that they ended the series with such a great episode. I’ll miss you Leslie Knope.
To drown out your sobs, please watch this song sung by the cast on the Seth Myers Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZQQfkJ7hZY.
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2 comments
J
on February 28, 2015 at 4:41 pm
I felt like they really went the wrong way with the finally.
I understand the show leans more toward feel-good as opposed to a seinfeld style sitcom, but the finale was mind numbing ‘everyone gets their dream’ fest, 10lbs of shit in a 5lb bag or however that goes.
I really enjoyed parks and rec with the exception of the last few episodes.
I have to add, and I like to think this is not coming from a mean-spirited place, this recap is bad. It misses the few laughs and emphasizes minutae and jokes that do not land at all.
on March 4, 2015 at 4:57 pm
I truly enjoyed the finale as well, and I agree with the writer-much tears, much sad. For a show that began as an Office spin-off, it really distinguished itself by being a show about relationships. It would’ve been a shame had they not ended it by highlighting those relationships-how they’ve grown and how they continued to grow.
Well said, and great finale Parks and Rec.
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November 23, 2022
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Loving the filler! I mean not really but it could be worse! We love the Ostrich! Also, we didn’t take traditional notes so we zip through them-ish. On today’s episode we get into Episode 177 through Episode 182. Please consider joining our Patreon! Our discord is already hopping and I know you want to hear …
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The biggest online spenders are also highly involved in social activities, especially those that include creating content and participating in dialogues. Retailers should take notice of this as they build strategies. They should use online brand monitoring to track the messages big spenders are seeing, energize those customers with ratings and reviews, and add RSS to online retail sites to make it easier for their customers to track what's on sale.
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(WBRE/WYOU-TV) Longtime Loyalsock Boys Head Basketball Coach Ron Insinger is about to reach yet another milestone.
After 44 years on the hardwood, Coach Insinger, or C-I “See Eye” for short… is about to reach one thousand career victories. Eyewitness Sports Reporter JoeGarrison has more on the milestone.
the young men on his team play hard, game after game, like this one in Lewisburg, for Coach Insinger.
The man they call C-I.
Talk of a thousand career victories for Loyalsock Boys Basketball Coach Ron Insinger has his players swelling with Lancer Pride.
“Honestly, it’s crazy. I don’t know if it’s been done before, but a thousand wins is absolutely insane” Said Anthony Pastore, Senior Guard..
“Oh, it is something special. He is one of the best coaches ever. To be part of the team that gets his thousand is something special” added Gerald Ross, Senior Guard..
Nats, team huddle: “To make it work you have to believe in it”
“He’s awesome, he is like a Father Figure to us. He talks a lot about old time, and the new times. He has adapted and stuff like that. It has been awesome”.added Connor Watkins, Senior Forward.
And even with all of this attention, CI remains humble. Those who know him best will tell you he will be quick to grab all of this credit, but then turn around and hand it right back to his players.
“Exactly, I did not win a darn game. The players have won 999 games. I have been blessed. I’ve been blessed with assistant coaches, blessed with unbelievably great players” Said Ron Insinger, Loyalsock Head Coach.
After 44 years of coaching, a thousand wins… and a few losses, one question remains.
“When are you going to retire? And I say when basketball becomes a job, when coaching becomes a chore, then I will walk away,” said Insinger.
The Lancers will host the Hughesville Spartans Saturday afternoon at one-thirty.
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The title of this blog is that fundamental question: how much is enough? Much of the thinking around FIRE boils down to answering this question.
And as with so many good questions, the answer depends on perspective. And perspective itself depends, among other things, on height. And I think height is a useful metaphor for explaining how much is enough for me.
I remember my scorn about twenty years ago for my friend W, who was my most earnings-focused mate, when he told me that “I couldn’t live on a salary less than £100k”. At that point I earnt less than half that and very much saw £100k as a ceiling, not a floor.
In any case, these days I’m afraid I would now regard £100k p.a. as definitely a floor. And I mean £100k post tax, of actual money that I could spend. It would fund my ‘needs’: groceries, utilities, transport, medical bills, household cleaning and maintenance, and such like. It would also pay for my investment expenses, though obviously there is a ‘circular reference’ here (as the more that is ‘enough’, the higher the expenses that ‘enough’ needs to fund!).
My ‘needs’ are based on relatively low housing costs. I don’t have a mortgage on my home. I am also ignoring my house as an asset – so it is not part of the ‘enough’ calculation either.
Based on a 4% Safe Withdrawal Rate (a.k.a. the 25x rule), £100k p.a. needs a pot of £2.5m. Tax would complicate that somewhat, but assuming I remain married, and that the current allowances remain in place, I am prepared to ignore tax, for the moment. Certainly I know people earning almost £90k who have <10% tax, and I think as a couple we could make the tax at £100k p.a. relatively minimal.
Or perhaps one should think of the tax liability as roughly equivalent to the state pension/benefits which, in other respects, I am ignoring for the purposes of ‘enough’ calculations.
In actual fact, whether £2.5m turns out to be enough depends on two key questions:
What return does the portfolio deliver in the long term, and
In what order (or sequence) – i.e. if it alternates 15% and -5% every year, you do much better if you begin with a +15 and not a -5.
I’m using the Flexible Retirement Planner to see how confident I can be that £2.5m is ‘enough’. I am assuming £100k of spending, starting ‘from now, with a £2.5m windfall’. This assumes the £2.5m windfall is fully unsheltered. I also assume that henceforth we will plough £40k per year into tax sheltered savings (i.e. maxxing the UK’s ISA allowance as a married couple), which will slowly improve the after-tax returns and income. We are investing with ‘above average risk’ (roughly 65% equities).
My annualised returns have been 11% per year over 7 years. Let’s call that about 8% per year above inflation. The Planner’s stats tell me that there is a 98.9% probability of having ‘enough’ – this box is a bright green. On the heatmap, green signifies over 90% probability that there is ‘enough’. Red signifies only a 50% probability.
Probability that £2.5m is ‘enough’, for a £100k annual spending over 50 years
But my 11% figure is only 7 years’ track record, and it doesn’t include a market bust; over the last 20 years my returns are, I think, closer to around 7%, or only 4-5% above inflation. The highlighted amber box shows the scenario where returns average 4.9% (above inflation, say), and my income remains (inflation adjusted) at £100k for 50 years. In that case I have only a 87% probability of having enough – or a one in seven chance of running out of money. The ‘Safe’ Withdrawal Rate is, rightly, not called the ‘Bulletproof’ Withdrawal Rate.
Climbing off the floor
While £100k would more than cover my ‘needs‘, but it would not cover very many of my ‘wants’. I’d have to eat out less, travel less, and be less charitable.
In point of fact the majority of my spending is on ‘wants’, not ‘needs’. I want to eat out, regularly, and check out some of London’s better restaurants. I want to travel, carbon taxes permitting, using London’s excellent airport/rail links. And I want to ‘pay it forward and back’, and continue to support philanthrophic causes. And of course with a bigger pot I will have bigger investment expenses; at least £10k if I spent only 40bps, in total, on a £2.5m pot.
I haven’t mentioned medical / care expenses but I want to be able to handle those too – though I suspect that the moment I have hefty health-related costs my eating out / travel / etc costs would drop in mitigation.
I think my annual income, that would leave me comfortably able to afford more than enough ‘wants’, would need to be around £200k p.a. This is twice the height of the ‘floor’. This sounds like a vast amount relative to the UK national average of around £30k per household. On the other hand I have written before about gilded Londoners who believe £500k of (gross) income a year is the minimum required to live properly.
And at £200k of annual income, the question of tax is unavoidable. Assuming I (Buffett style!) sold assets and paid Capital Gains Tax (at 20%), instead of taking dividends and paying Income Tax (at almost 40%), this suggests I’d need £250k of pre-tax income, and the pot is actually just over £6m.
My bar is however higher still. I want to be funding spending (and taxes) from investment income, without any need to sell ‘capital’. And my income yield is somewhat lower than the 4% SWR I’d used above; it’s closer in fact to 3.5%. This also pushes my tax rates up, to about 30%. So now my £200k spending money needs almost £300k of gross income, which requires a pot of £8.5m (at 3.5% yield) to deliver.
Two more storeys to climb
Psychologically I have two more storeys to climb.
First of all, I want my lifestyle to be relatively unaffected even by a severe market drop. How severely can the market drop? I reckon on a blended fall of about 25% – taking into account my diversified asset allocation. In effect, therefore, my pot of £8.5m needs to be ‘post crash’ – suggesting I only really have ‘enough’ once the pot reaches £11m. At that point I can cope with a market crash, and still have enough to live a very ‘wanty’ life, and pay my taxes, without touching my nest egg, and on an indefinite basis.
I’m close to the top of my ‘enough’ definition at this point. But in fact I aim for one layer higher still. Arguably the most toppy layer of all – perhaps the penthouse floor? And this layer exists because I want to maximise my ISA/SIPP tax incentives.
To maximise my ISA/SIPP tax incentives, I need to ‘max out’ my contributions. My SIPP is already on track to hit the Lifetime Allowance, so this doesn’t really alter my calculations so far. But ISAs have a £20k annual contribution allowance, on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis. So for me and Mrs FvL to maximise this, I need to move £40k a year from unsheltered funds into an ISA.
But aiming to maximise my ISA benefits also has a further implication. To maximise the benefits, no money must be withdrawn. Any withdrawal represents opportunity lost; £1000 withdrawn in 2020, could have been left in to compound up tax-free for, touch wood, 50 years. If I sustain 7% returns in the ISA, in 50 years that £1000 would miss five ‘doubles’. In 50 years time the ISA would be £64k smaller.
Aiming to maximise my ISAs means effectively ignoring the ISA pots from all these calculations. I’m really redefining the question as ‘how much is enough, ignoring (but contributing to) a fully-maxed out ISA’?
If I/Mrs FvL worked to earn that £40k ISA allowance, we’d need to earn over £70k per tax to fund it. In practice I don’t think of these funds coming from income, but rather being unwrapped assets that I sell to fund the ISA topup. Conceptually, I need to ‘ringfence’ a pot of unwrapped assets, just to fund the annual ISA allowance. How much ‘ringfence’ is required? At a 4% yield, I’d have to ringfence £1m. At my 7 year annualised return of 11%, and assuming 20% capital gains tax, I’d only need to ringfence just over £400k. Let’s take the mid point – about £750k of assets are required to fund the ISA topup without disrupting the ‘nest egg’ or my spending profile.
So, that leaves my ideal ‘enough’ figure as over £12m, excluding the ISA and excluding my home. That includes a £750k ‘funding the ISA’ pot, a cushion to allow for a nasty (but not the worst possible) market drop, enough to allow me to take dividends, and pay my taxes.
£12m certainly seems like a lot of money. I do not have an absurdly opulent lifestyle; I only have one home, I don’t have to pay for school fees / nannies, nor do I have armies of staff or very expensive hobbies. How can I possibly need so much money to have enough to calmly embrace financial independence at my current spending level?
Of course a pot of £5m, less than half my ideal figure, would certainly be a fine thing to have – particularly if it is in addition to my home. I could live a decent life, in London. I could probably do so indefinitely. I’d be able to build my ISA for some time yet. But there is a >5% chance I’d have to cut back; allowing for inflation, there could be as much as a 30% chance of running out of money. I’m young enough not to like those ‘in extremis’ scenarios much.
Probability (green is 90%+, red is 50%) that £5m is enough for £200k spending (£250k gross income) for 50 years
And it is those ‘extremis’ scenarios that are bumping my pot up so much. Let’s just doublecheck how my Flexible Retirement Planner models my penthouse-floor pot of £12m. I’m going to come down a storey, because my approach has built in a buffer to allow for a 25% market fall – something which, in effect, the statistical modelling of the Flexible Retirement Planner does for me. So if my £12m took a 25% bath right at the outset, leaving me with £9.0m, here’s the heatmap:
Probability that £9m would be enough for £200k spending for 50 years
I’m not quite 100% guaranteed that £12m is enough. The key risk is, effectively, taxes going up – which would make me seek higher gross income to maintain my lifestyle. The equivalent risk is my spending levels increasing, something that is certainly possible. But these risks only prove serious if portfolio returns are below 4% on average. Assuming my analysis is all after inflation, that is a real possibility (apologies for obscure economist pun!). But the chances of low returns, just after the 25% bath, as well as taxes going up, is a chance I will take. For me, a pot of £12m (excluding housing and ISAs) would definitely be enough.
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56 thoughts on “How much is enough?”
This is a great article. I admire your forthright writing. I have a soft target of $15m which is pretty much exactly the same. I do think you can’t use anything like 4% though. I know you’re kind of not. But you kind of are.
Have you seen my post about the SWR and annuity rates? You should probably be using something closer to 2%
https://www.finumus.com/blog/low-interest-rates-and-the-safe-withdrawal-rate-swr
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Thanks to you too! I love your blog too, as it happens, but no I hadn’t caught your article.
As you say, I am kind of using 4% (well, 3.5%), and kind of not.
I have a lot of layers of safety built into my approach – not least the flexibility to dial down my ‘wanty’ spending – so in effect maybe that covers some of the gap between 1.6% and 3.5%?!
Yeab. I think the dynamic spending with a low SWR covering essentials and any excess returns covering nice-to-haves is actually the way forward.
My other mental trick, cheating? Is to just categorise some things that might be considered expenses to some, as debt. School fees is the text book case. They are a one-off, I don’t need to pay them forever so my natural yield doesn’t need to cover them. I just subtract the total remaining outlay from capital.
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I agree re ‘projects of finite life’ – better to ringfence a pot and ignore it in the calcs, than stress about the outgoings.
I’d be curious to know more about your £100k minimum expenses. What do your expenses look like? How has life changed as you’ve gone from £50k pa to £100k?
As you can imagine, those on lower earnings might be curious what your life looks like, and how it’s substantially better, than theirs. What can you do that others can’t?
Well, I am budgeting on £30k+ on household (cleaning, gardening, repairs, capital projects – a roof job beckons); this is £2.5m pot, £10k of investment expenses are easy too – even if they are ‘hidden’. That makes £40k. I am ignoring tax, but you could well include it.
Groceries (Ocado, not aldi; fancy pet food), Utilities (fast broadband, naturally), medical (>£10k last year) and public transport are over £25k p.a.
That’s £65k p.a. This doesn’t include any clothing, Amazon/etc shopping, ATM cash, at all.
Now add any dining out, booze, foreign travel, car, taxis, clothing, shopping, ATM cash, and I quickly approach £100k.
I bet most readers of this blog spend more than me on at least one of the above categories, even if their total spending is lower.
On top of this, I eat out and travel a lot. I fly business class, out of my own pocket, at least once a year. I donate to charity. These latter points are all new since my spending has gone from £50k to >£100k p.a. I could live happily without much this, but my objective is to be financially independent without spending ‘constraints’, if I can. If I have to be constrained, I will be cope, and won’t expect much sympathy.
£25k on public transport costs?
That either is a type or a complete rip-off!!! Maybe that’s for everyone but it’s mightily expensive.
I have looked at getting a season ticket for my commute which is about 1h20m by train and it would be about £4,797 a year. That’s a lot in my eyes – and I know that commuting in London is bad but £25k!!!
No. Groceries, medical, utilities, transport all together.
ah – I misread.
Any advice on increasing my income?
I’m 31 and currently earn circa £47k, however I recently started dating a girl a couple of years younger who is on circa £80k likely to rise north of £100k next year.
We don’t live in London but do live in a HOCL area (starter home circa £325k in ok part of town).
Since we’ve been together I’ve noticed my spending has edged up, higher than ever before with monthly trips and expensive hobbies we both share.
I intend to purchase a house in the next year and whilst I could cut right down (as I have in the past), I’ve discovered it’s a lot more enjoyable to increase my income.
I have circa £100k in assets so am ready to go now but girlfriend doesn’t have any savings and wants to contribute (used to be bad with money, unsure on her actual spending one bank account, no budget).
Any advice?
Interesting scenario; you have savings, but ‘low’ income; she has ‘high’ income but no savings. Not sure how to handle that, in the context of a house purchase. Ideally you can teach her the savings habit….
No particular advice on increasing your income. You are in a more stable line of work than her, so on a ten year view you may earn more. In the meantime, build skills, look for more responsibility, etc. And keep saving!
Two immediate thoughts. Both of your occupations are in industries likely to face major disruption from cognitive technology and intelligent automation. There is a risk that both could go the way of the high street travel agent, and become a historical legacy. To make big bucks, you both need to retrain into something involved in cognitive technologies.
Some short term “hits” to raise income:
My feeling is the numbers that constitute enough will vary massively across people with an interest in figuring out those numbers, probably by at least an order of magnitude.
As an aside, could I ask what an average working week constitutes, in terms of hours (including any commuting)?
@Rhino – right now my working week is long – 45-50 hours or so – but this is by my own choice and probably won’t last too long. I think my comfortable steady state would be 30-40 hours a week.
My hours are also currently about 50 (inc. commute time) and at that level it starts to get increasingly tricky to fit everything else in around the edges of work. Something I need to rectify going forward. Looks like my annual expenses this (tax) year will be just under 40k or thereabouts for a family of four, but it does jump around a lot year on year.
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I have always loved your blog but given that the UK average family spending is around £29k – what are you spending the other £71k on?
Sure, London is expensive but an £8,000 spend a month must include a large number of highly discretionary items like monthly holidays, new cars every year, a drug habit or even maybe could stretch to private nursery fees for two kids.
A side question could be what are you missing out on by not having £200k a year to live off?
If the question is “how much is enough?” maybe you could start with what you need first and what you’d like next before fixating on £XX.Xm to fund that lifestyle.
I am not sure after a certain point all that money spending is worth it especially since it must be earned in the first place. But I’m happy to have you think otherwise.
Just like to jump to FvL’s defense here – I don’t even live in London and our family (of 4) expenditure is about £80k p.a. and that’s not including mortgage interest, which is ~0 or school fees (which we don’t count as an income expense). This is easily covered by investment income, but I’m considered quite frugal by my friends, most of whom certainly look like they spend a lot more than we do.
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I suppose that we’re heading the same way. We have swung from around £2k a month when the kids were born (and not travel for us) up to £6k+ now including nursery fees) – that’ll come down I’m sure (for example we are looking at £10k on one-off (I hope) house repairs/improvements this year)
But £80k a year is a lot of discretionary spend – which is fine if you are earning £120k after tax but it’s not in keeping with the idea of reducing and controlling spending to make you more financially stable.
I’d also like to see an expense break-down from both of you – not because you NEED to reduce it – as is the FIRE mantra – but mainly due to curiosity. As I’ve never spent much more than £10k per year, it’s just alien to me.
I mean, surely the extra must be going on things like expensive hotel holidays (instead of Airbnb) and £100 bottles of champagne (instead of £5 Aldi Prosecco)? Or maybe Range Rovers? Those things are ridiculously expensive
I can’t fathom anything else that would eat that much spending when you’re NOT including housing costs!
Here’s my 10k breakdown from a few years ago (from an old Reddit post) before I moved to London – https://thesavingninja.com/how-to-live-off-10k-per-year/
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We are a family in the north of England and spend between £65k and £80k per year. There are four adult size members of the family. Big discretionary costs are holidays and house improvements. We have no mortgage, no school fees and one seven year old car. However we spend freely on things we want to do.
I anticipate that when our kids are off our hands our expenses will probably halve. £50-60k will be enough to live in clover.
But I do think £200k is kind of hard to achieve. I’d have to really work at my spending to get anywhere close. Maybe I could buy a Tesla. (Every year?)
We are a family of 4, and we are averaging £80k pa. However, about £24k is on rent (we choose to rent) and £18k on nursery fees. Curious to see your expense breakdown
Spending £100k a year on day to day living can be easily done – I do that but I would be the first to admit that if I was not time poor I could do it on far less and be far more efficient in that expenditure and probably appreciate more modest things more
I spend £1k recently on a meal for 4 in a Michelin 2 star restaurant and week later spent £75 for 2 on a middday meal in a restaurant hoping they would soon be awarded a Michelin star – I thought the later meal was marginally better and was far far more of an efficient purchase
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I think your approach is too optimistic. The SWR you are using is too high.
I probably sound like a broken record, but your assumption is what for the deflator? It seems that you are just assuming CPI. The issue is that that only adjusts for average cost of living and not for standards of living. A £100k+ lifestyle puts you in the top few percent (or possibly 1%) in terms of standards of living. You cannot simply assume that the deflator for the top few percent = average deflator. It simply isn’t the case. In fact inflation levels for the top few percent are running at least 1-2% above average levels. That will turn an SWR of 3.5% into 2% instantly.
I don’t think SWRs scale well for those looking at “fatFIRE”. Those looking at “leanFIRE” can use 3-4% and then, if the actual SWR turns out to be 2% or less, fall back on things like the state pension or a job stacking shelves to make up the necessary £5-10k/annum. We can’t. It doesn’t turn the dial. The fact is that long-dated real yields are negative: that’s a bad signal. Your returns were given a huge tailwind in recent years from those long-dated real yields going negative. It may not repeat.
I notice you are using the Flexible Retirement Planner but you are putting in 0% for inflation and 0% for inflation volatility. Surely you need to use something like 2-3% for both? You earn returns nominal and pay tax on those. Not on the real return. When I stick in 3% for both the success rate drops to 81%.
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@Zx48k very good points, as usual.
I am using rpi/cpi assumptions on inflation/deflator, ie about 2-3pc pa.
You are doubtless right that at my level of spending inflation is probably higher than average. Though I don’t have school fees to pay, which are (I perceive) a big contributor to that inflation.
As far as modelling is concerned I leave the inflation setting at 0, but treat my numbers as ‘before adjusting for inflation’. Ie treating 10pc return as actually 7pc after inflation. Is that not about right? It obviously implies that isa allowances up rate with inflation, which they probably won’t, but as I’m ignoring isas anyway I don’t think that matters.
In FRP you want to put in an explicit level for inflation and inflation volatility. Zero for both will underestimate your SoR risk plus it messes up the tax calculation. So use 10% with 3% inflation, rather than 7% with 0% inflation. It won’t change the numbers radically but it could move them by 5% or so.
I think your return assumptions are punchy. If your portfolio has sources of return (your angel investing say) that can justify this then fine. But to assume these asset returns whilst also assuming that the cost of living for the top 1% (who will be benefitting from those great asset returns), will just rise at CPI flat, well I think the joint probability of that scenario is low.
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Gentlemen, I offer you my father’s Advice to a Young Man.
“However much you love your daughter never buy her a horse.” I took it as both a literal and metaphorical instruction.
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Multiplying the needs by 25 or whatever I do not feel is accurate in that ones needs in later years are more likely to be healthcare which of course could be very substantial indeed.
Mitigating that time some extent is that in ones older years foreign travel designer clothes etc will have lost their appeal and I would suggest aside from health care needs ones needs will tend to be less
My model is £100k per annum plus a home outright and a rainy day fund of £1m assuming a home of say £1.5m this would mean self sufficiency at circa £5m – assuming the home is in good order at the date of retirement
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one problem with accumulating £5m’s worth of assets is that there are not many people who can do it and if you are on the way to £5m you need to pass £1m, £2m, £3m and £4m to get there.
It’s more of a get rich plan than the old early retirement idea but maybe you are ok with that.
RIT thought £1m was enough, but had one more year and surged past it, retired, hated it and went back to work. No amount was enough for him.
I ran my models at £45k expenditure, but still can’t imagine how I’ll ever spend that much, more than £100 a day. I certainly couldn’t imagine spending £700 a day. Most days I spend nothing as I read books and do conservation work. But then I’ve been retired for 3 years, and you are still working. I was contacted about lucrative contract work last week, but rejected it immediately, I truly have enough.
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My household is pretty frugal and we are both decent earners and savers but we do have a 5 year old child to plan for. School fees probably won’t be an issue as we bought a house in the catchment of one very good and one outstanding school. I’m pretty certain we’d have a decent very early retirement with a household net worth of £3 million which we should hit by the end of the year. We are both mid 40’s so we have the scope to keep working but I’d prefer to go sooner or later. However, I have known several people who left the workforce early and then returned again soon after. However, having a decent net worth at least will make that choice optional. If the £3 million gave us a drawdown of 80k to 100k then I think I’d also struggle to spend to that level.
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Finumus, I loved your SWR=annuity rate article but as FvL says, safe doesn’t mean bulletproof. He’s modelled 65% equities so presumably expects a risk premium over the annuity rates. Plus annuity fees are 1-2% per year, so a low cost portfolio should outperform by say 1%.
You should read the ERN ultimate guide to SWR. It’s a beast – about 30 dense posts from memory, but well worth a read. There are so many variables with all of this, and it’s ultimately a VERY personal thing – e.g. you have your red lines about not reducing expenses during a bear market (that might never happen :)), whereas someone else might prefer to take that risk on their books and cut expenditure or increase income at that point if the dreaded 50% bear emerges from hibernation. Working all those extra years to fill a pot to insure against a very low probability scenario is in and of itself a risk – what if you drop dead just as you fill the pot? Not taking a step back now is a risk as far as I’m concerned too. It doesn’t need to be a binary thing.
I try not to stress about all this stuff too much these days… after a few years of kicking about doing nothing I actually got bored and now just work remotely, but on my terms, and from Bali where I pay 0.5% tax with a cost of living that is ridiculously low for a very high quality of life. I have so many job offers it’s astonishing – I thought it would be hard to find remote work, but apparently it’s not the case.
My strategy has been to cover a baseline living allowance with relatively “stable” income streams (rental properties in London and Australia), bond-like instruments, etc. Then the volatility in my equity portfolio is less of a concern to me. If I’m having a few good years I can scrape some cream off the top, if not, I just leave it alone.
For a while I tore myself apart thinking about all these edge cases with SWRs, but at some point I think you just have to go with the flow and adapt to the circumstances as things evolve. I don’t think spending inordinate amounts of time thinking about (and working to insure against) cases in the 99th percentile is a great use of time. I look at the 95th percentile to be aware of it, but generally, I just focus on the 80th percentile and the other side, in the knowledge that if it all hits the fan, I’ll either need to pull my belt in a bit, or get out and do some work. But hey, it might never happen, or I might already be dead, so I’ll worry about it if and when it happens.
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Nice post. There aren’t many certainties in life and trying to forecast / model every potential outcome can be exhausting. My household has a couple of rental properties so we have additional income streams that can support our basic lifestyles if we choose to take very early retirement. Other investments ISA’s / pension funds can remain untouched fro at least the next 15 years. Hopefully we’ll be earning pretty much the same in retirement as we did in our working lives – without the related commuting and child care costs.
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So you need 12 million to generate 200k, a “personal SWR” of 200/1200=1.67%. That’s very close to the 1.7% that Finumus reasons is the value of the “market SWR” based on current annuity rates. Or have I got it wrong?
Ridiculous waste of an article. £12m would allow you to put your money in an account making 2% (inflation) and take inflation adjusted £200k out for 60 years before your funds were depleted. Fancy modelling and over conservative assumptions have led to a nonsense outcome that tells you very little.
actually 12,000,000 / 200,000 = 60 years So no need to even risk being in anything but cash.
You state… at £200k spending the question of tax is unavoidable.
I would disagree with this – I am a PAYE worker making just over that level and have not paid a single penny’s tax in the last five years (other than NI)
Easy to achieve through the use of VCTs and EISs… and the beauty of my VCTs, in particular, is they also yield a semi-decent 4% tax free annual income
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Ok fair enough. Though you are still cash flow down, I presume, from the new vct/eis investments?
Yes fair enough. Tho making enough VCT/EIS investments to eliminate income tax / cgt, you will still be cashflow negative – so the net result is still that £200k gross is not £200k of spendable cash.
How does that work? I thought VCT investments are made from net income so aren’t you still hitting the higher and additional rate tax bands? VCTs only recoup 30% tax, not the full 40 and 45% that a portion of your income falls under.
Very interested in understanding your approach.
Late back to this conversation. But all you’re really doing here is paying VCT fund managers and the management of dodgy start-ups your money instead of the tax man. I don’t really see how it helps?
And that VCT dividend income, for the most part, is not really income. It’s mostly return of capital dressed up as income.
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First post was slightly corrupted….
Firstly great post. Anything, which gets those amount of comments has the interest of the reader. Probably because how much is enough is the great imponderable.
FWIW – I am comfortably in top 1% of earners in the UK but our annual expenditure (ex. School fees) for a family of four is in line with national average. Accordingly we are saving / investing a high portion of net income because who knows what the future holds. Again the less spoken truth of FIRE is a high income or a low expense is necessary.
I only say that because I feel that you could substantially cut your annual expenditure and overall levels of happiness would not adjust. Hedonic adaptation and all that. So I struggle to understand a £200k year expenditure beyond the overall understanding that spending any amount of money is clearly possible (e.g. Johnny Depp has spent apparently $650m and he doesn’t appear very happy). We have a happy and imo high quality standard of living on the national average. Hey we’re not by any means always happy but that’s not to do with money.
If you are shooting for £200k a year then I don’t think a £12m pot is enough assuming you want (a) a 50 year timeframe (b) to see through any prolonged market drawdown – 50% seems quite possible over a ten year period (c) want your capital to be untouched in real terms over the long term (d) want your spending power to be in line with your peers (e.g. earnings growth) not inflation growth. I honestly think somewhere nearer £20m (unscientific guess) is probably needed, which sounds heretical.
I feel that’s also because of two additional factors (a) political risk and (b) the unknown unknown.
With respect to (a) the govt is coming for your money and indeed anyone who is above average wealth. That’s because the population is ageing and people haven’t saved enough as we know. Witness budget rumours on pension and FIC’s – and that’s a conservative govt. How long before there’s a wealth tax, removal of CGT allowances, tax on ISA’s, annual charge on any balances in banks accounts, wealth tax, 25% tax free sum is removed, removal of state pension or any combination of the above. As we become cashless this will become easier and easier to implement. If the answer is they’d never do it, people won’t save well the government doesn’t really want people to save beyond being off the state and I feel confident these policies will be super popular if the monies go towards paying state pensions and if you are moderately wealthy where are you going to go? If we start seeing some productive deflationary growth (free energy, greater use of robotics) then I agree this may not happen.
I must admit if you have say £12m you’ve probably got enough to pull the plug and move to a tax free location and largely solve that problem. £1 – roughly £5m you are firmly in the cross hairs. 50 years of compounding….if you get my point? Fair play if so. If I model my future options one scenario is to keep working fairly hard in my job (circa 60 hours a week) to 60, invest as I continue to do and with some decent growth rate I could theoretically get to that figure. Not entirely sure of the point though given the melting of the ice block i.e. your days left alive. It is my great imponderable. Happy to take advice.
So to sum it up, I’m shooting for a position somewhere between zero and your figure due to lower expenses but the unknown unknowns is a major question if your time span is 50+ years at which point SWR rates seem a bit meaningless. I would probably shoot for a lower figure, spend a little below the natural yield so build in a buffer, accept the market volatility in the portfolio and the unknown unknowns. And have a bug out plan if the political environment became unacceptable.
Using the available natural yield of about 5% from equity income investment trusts, as of this morning, would suggest only £4 million is needed to produce £200,000 per year. Some studies on happiness suggest that about £50,000 is an optimum amount, with more money beyond that not leading to much more happiness. That, would suggest only £1 million is needed.
I think that would cover most people, or most FIRE seekers, but I think you are not most people!
I love that the natural yield on equities has gone up by more than 10% literally while we’ve been having this conversation!
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haha – its been a rough old week!
[…] Firevlondon provokes a lot of discussion when he shares his financial goals (51) […]
I am (i) either misunderstanding or; (ii) there are some fundamentals missing; or (iii) I am not grasping this. This is what I understand / am yet to understand from your post…
1. You are 45 now with a pot of £2.5m and plan to retire with £12m and start drawing income from your assets at 46 at a rate of £200k/annum for 50 years…?
2. How do you get from your actual to wanted position investing with only £40K / annum ISA investment and returns from existing portfolio and how long does this take?
3. If £12m is your wanted position why such emphasis on SWR? You could comfortably take £200k capital from your portfolio each year and still have assets have left over when you expire. Surely the alternative to not running down your portfolio is a very large inheritance tax burden although it is not clear to who this will fall as you do not mention dependants. Also, if SWR is just a modelling exercise, once you are doing it in real life and your assumed % SWR starts encroaching on your capital, surely you simply adjust it…?
4. This is anecdotal but without exception, those who aspire or already have the lifestyle and spending that you seek are not retired and see no end in sight to using their human capital rather than financial assets to secure an income – perhaps I’m mixing in the wrong circles.
5. You do not elucidate the maintenance requirements on your home, detailed travel requirements, etc. but experience suggests your estimates are very high.
6. You are prepared to work 45-50 hours per week to hit your target. Have you considered the opportunity cost of what you will not have the resources in terms of time or energy to do in order to meet this financial goal and associated lifestyle?
In short, this article whilst interesting seems to be paying a lot of attention to the cobweb in the corner of the room rather than the room itself…the fundamentals do not quite add up. I see the next post is fighting complexity which I would definitely recommend!
Lots of discussion above about how people spend their money, my own personal spending (early 30s married couple no kids) is (no mortgage) is around £120k pa, I track most expenditure and it’s split like this. This gives us a highly excessive lifestyle of regular meals out, designer clothes, regular weekends away and 1-2 business class long haul holidays, though I don’t own a car.
Supermarket £5k
Domestic Help £3k
Transport (mainly taxis) £5k
Dinners/Drinks £20k
Holidays £35k
Big ticket items (wedding, engagement ring, kitchen refurb, new roof, something always comes up) £40k
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I started my FI journey thinking that a paid off 4 bed house in nice area and 4% SWR £48k a year for family of 4 would be good enough. I’ve arrived. I feel much more secure in that e.g losing my job does not worry me especially.
However, although I don’t love my job, I do love the income! I took the family + mother in law on a luxury (to us) 1.5 week winter sun holiday. I hardly noticed the £5-6k cost other than the reduced savings for 2 months. I think that’s the difference of a higher retirement income. You can have the occasional discretionary splurge, and not have to worry!
I’m currently debating with myself the merits of sticking with my low 6 figure job in legal and getting to £60k on 4%SWR, vs throwing myself into the random world of work. In other words networking to find people I want to work with who have a problem I can help solve. And then trying to make it pay a little. Probably an ownership stake. I live in Cambridge, so I am hopeful such opportunities exist. But I’ve been too busy in the office to really look.
Personally, I think £5k a month for a family of 4 is comfortable. But who knows how I will feel when I reach that. Maybe I’ll be here in 6 years writing that £100k is the minimum.
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£100k annual, that is.
[…] Is £12 million enough to retire on? – Fire Vs London […]
Wonderful post FvL! I am a fellow Londoner (South London) and have just come out in the FatFIRE community.
I think I agree with you. I’m trying to hit a £100k SWR 4% with £2.5M (but might reduce that with Property to around £1.5M).
The thing that has bugged/intrigued me up until now with the FIRE community is that it has missed out expense inflation from the equation. I may be missing the point but, if your current expenses cannot be a the same in 10-20 years time because inflation is a real problem.
When I raised this in MMM and Reddit they gave me the narrative of:
– Its factored into the SWR (only on the withdrawal rate post FIRE not the pre-FIRE expense target)
– You will pay less tax when you are FIRE (No I won’t, I will still be higher rate CGT and Income)
– You will get more and more frugal as years go by. When the price of eggs go up you will turn vegan (And its healthier so win-win)!
I may be missing something but would love an opinion on that.
I started on FIRE long before I knew that such a movement existed. I had a FatFIRE flavour already modelled out in Excel. And the key thing I did was calculate my expenses and adjust them for inflation. This made the calculation harder as it was a moving target. SO I engineered my spreadsheet to work out the linear equation to work out how much I would be saving + the time taken + the SWR.
So although my expenses are £84k now, they are predicted to grow to £112k in 10 years time. I have therefore decided to stick to £100k because I know we are not going the full FatFIRE route but a softer FatFIOR route as we will have side hustles and I will likely do the odd IT Contract (I’m a Technologist working in Big Banking).
I’ve been a long time reader of MMM, however, being an SW London resident with two children in private school not all of his views work for my life style. I’ve been grappling with this question for a while, I think I ‘need’ £3 to £4M overall including property equity (though love the margin finance on your property, MMM looks to have embraced this too) to feel financially ‘secure’ though I am fortunate that I run my own company and can dip in and out of employment if required. I’m about a third of the way to this goal though I am able to save £200k a year going forward enabling me to reach this target by late forties If I stay the course! So not that early but a good deal earlier than most.
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[…] each of us has a different ‘number’ to hit, and mine is almost certainly higher than most, my invested portfolio has been larger than I might reasonably need for some time now. It would […]
New here! I say go for it. 12 million pounds should feel pretty good, especially if you have a family to take care of in London.
I live in San Francisco and $5 million is barely enough. Need $10+ million here and our cities are similarly expensive.
The crazy thing is, once you hit $10 million, getting to $15-$20 million comes quick!
I think the answer is:-
1) You own the home you like live in and is adequate for your needs now and in the future outright and is in good order
2) 25 X your annual expenditure ( less if over 57 – I would suggest )
PROVIDED you have learnt and can control that driver which draws us towards consumerism and being competitive
| 45,136 |
DALLAS–Stephen Baldwin had just told a packed auditorium of students gathered at The Criswell College for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Youth Evangelism Conference (YEC) about his conversion to Christ following the 9/11 attacks.
In the hallway adjacent to the stage, a purple-haired teen, probably 12 or 13 with eyes full of tears, bent Baldwin’s ears for several minutes before the veteran actor whisked him downstairs to the hospitality room to do more serious spiritual business.
After a 15-20 minute conversation, Baldwin gathered several others around and prayed with the student
“Good luck, man,” the teen told Baldwin as he stood to leave.
“I don’t need luck, dude,” Baldwin said grinning. “I’ve got Jesus.”
That Baldwin has Jesus is curious to some.
He’s the youngest of the Baldwin acting clan–with Alec, Billy and Daniel–and a veteran of more than 60 movies (“The Usual Suspects,” “8 Seconds,”) and television shows “The Young Riders” (1989-92), ‘Celebrity Mole” and “Fear Factor.”
His conversion and his work in producing an “extreme sports” DVD to reach kids in the skateboarding and biking culture has been reported in places like USA Today, the New York Times, salon.com, Fox News Channel and CNN. Lately he’s been a regular at Christian rock festivals and similar evangelical events–even advocating that Christians turn out for the November elections.
Baldwin said he’s not concerned with potential negative consequences of being a vocal Christian in the entertainment business.
“In my position, I just don’t think I’m supposed to keep my faith to myself,” Baldwin told the TEXAN.
“I’m just doing what the Lord’s telling me to do. You know, if the Lord’s not telling anybody else (in Hollywood) to (talk publicly about their faith), well, then God bless ’em. But I don’t think that’s the case. I think there are a lot of people who don’t put their faith before everything else, you know. And that’s a big problem. I’m just doing what the Lord’s calling me to do. Period.”
Baldwin told the 2,000 YEC students and sponsors how he came to Christ through the witness of his wife, Kennya, a believer of 10 years, and the 9/11 tragedy, which he called an “impossible” event.
” ‘If the impossible is now possible,’ ” he recalled thinking, ” ‘anything’s possible. And if anything’s possible–my wife’s a born-again Christian, I’ve been reading the Bible and I’ve been praying to the Lord to like, tell me what this is all about–then Jesus could come back tomorrow.’ That’s what I thought. ‘Well if Jesus could come back tomorrow, I’ve got a lot of work to do, because I ain’t the guy that I want to be when Jesus comes back.’ “
Baldwin said he made a covenant with God and was baptized at the evangelical church he and his wife attend in upstate New York.
His YEC appearance included a plug for the DVD he co-produced with the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association, which he directed and hosts–aimed at the extreme or “core” sports culture of skateboarding and BMX biking, an $8 billion a year consumer segment with its own counterculture music and often hard-edged lifestyle.
The “Livin’ It” DVD was released this spring, the brainchild of Baldwin and Luis Palau’s son, Kevin; they conceived the idea last year after Baldwin attended a Palau organization event in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., featuring leading skateboarders who shared their Christian beliefs with youth attracted to the “core sports” subculture.
The 40-minute documentary (www.livinit.org) features extreme sports action, footage of engaging street outreach and stories from 11 top “core sports” athletes.
The Palau organization planned 10,000 copies for a 24-month distribution; in five months 40,000 DVDs have sold, Baldwin said.
A Long Island, N.Y., native, Baldwin, 38, told the YEC students the nanny he and his wife hired for their first child was Brazilian–like his wife–and was a devout Christian. She told the couple she believed God sent her to them to help lead them to Jesus; she even predicted they would become Christians and have a ministry, Baldwin said.
After Baldwin moved his family to upstate New York, Kennya began attending Bible studies and became a Christian. By September 2001, her faithful witness had moved Baldwin close to conversion, he said.
Baldwin told the TEXAN he sees how God, years earlier, was orchestrating his conversion. Raised a nominal Roman Catholic who didn’t attend church much after about age 10, Baldwin said his experience in his mid-20s in a 12-step recovery program awakened his senses to God, but it took no concrete form.
“In reality, there’s just no comparison to the experience I’m having now,” he said.
Baldwin said Jesus Christ has given him peace and has helped him be a better father and husband. “And I couldn’t do that unless I had some understanding of what God’s will was for me. And again, I only have that understanding because I know what it’s based on, which is the Bible, and I read it every day.”
Baldwin said since his conversion he’s had numerous discussions with his brothers about his experience. Baldwin’s brother Alec made news in 2000 after he said he’d leave the country if George W. Bush, a professed Christian, won the election.
“The Lord, very early in my walk, was very clear and just said, ‘I’ll deal with them.’ He said, ‘I need Stephen to focus on Stephen’s relationship with Jesus Christ.’ So I’ve just been walking my walk and I’ve been really busy with everything the Lord’s had me doing.”
Baldwin said Alec, for instance, has questioned him lately about his speaking schedule, which includes many Christian venues. They talk frequently and their kids play together, he said.
“Now with this election coming up, you know, people know that I’m a Christian, so people he interacts with are like, ‘Oh, so, what’s your brother doing?’ And what he explained to me most recently is—probably two to three times a week he walks down the street in New York and probably folks who are visiting New York City from the South and this and that … will go, “Oh, my, Alec Baldwin.’ And he’ll go, ‘Oh, how are you. Nice to meet you.’ And they’ll go, ‘Please tell your brother Stephen, God bless him for everything he’s doing for Jesus.’”
“He said he can’t get away from it,” Baldwin said, laughing.
“I just talk to people and I let them know that I act on what I believe, and that belief is based on the Bible. And I’ll tell anybody, ‘If you’re reading the Bible every day, and you share in that same understanding, then we can talk. And if you don’t agree with me, then you’re not agreeing with me based on your understanding.’ That’s what I like to tell people.”
During his YEC appearance, Baldwin lamented the number of Christians who didn’t vote in the 2000 presidential election and said the upcoming vote might be the most important in the nation’s history.
He stopped short of an endorsement, but said he would vote “for the guy who I think has the most faith.”
Baldwin said plans are being made to organize a “Livin’ It” bus tour for 2005 that would bring some of the top Christian “core sports” athletes to malls in cities across the country.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The North American Mission Board (NAMB) has, in recent years, developed Send Network agreements with state conventions across North America to enhance partnership and church planting within the SBC. So far, 23 state …
By Brandon Elrod By Baptist Press
SBDR volunteers near 500,000 meals prepared, provide relief for hundreds of homeowners
Baptist pastor and wife kidnapped in Ukraine
Pastor retires from Texas church where gunman killed 26 people in 2017
Stay informed on the news that matters most.
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| 7,959 |
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| 1,063 |
think about who was supposed to walk me down the aisle next week. I'll have to ignore the lump in my throat. I mustn't think about how proud he'd be, and when I dance with my mother I can't think about how we would have danced to "My Girl." We never said that would be our song, but I know it would have been. I mustn't think about it though. If I do, I'll surely lose it. I'll have to ignore how much his brothers do and do not resemble him and the fact that there is a seat missing at their table. I'll not stare too long at the pictures in the slide show or the memory table that will have his happy face in a frame along side Raphael's mother's.
It's supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life after all and the memory of my father will already be making most of the traditions bitter sweet. So, I'm trying to get out all of these thoughts out now, in fact, I've already cried about it and again right now. I just don't want to feel sorry for myself on the day of. I'll continue to repeat Scarlett O'Hara's mantra, "I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow."
At least I'll have my mother there, who in many ways acted a father's role, so I'll take pride and courage in that.
Posted by TaraMetBlog
15 comments
Zarina September 9, 2008 at 12:25 AM
The memory table is such a nice way to honor your father.
And if you do cry on your big day, I don't think it's a bad thing at all. There is no shame in crying (I told my husband that he needed to pack a whole bunch of kleenex in his tuxedo jacket since I wouldn't have a place to put any).
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Stacy September 9, 2008 at 6:44 AM
You can cry if you want to. It's your day. And you know he would have been there. It will be hard for you, but your day will still be happy b/c you'll look next to you and there will be Raphael. {{Hugs}}
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Nathan Pralle September 9, 2008 at 9:11 AM
I cannot think of a greater gift to your father's legacy than to have a daughter as awesome as yourself. I have no doubt he is truly proud and I like to think he'll be there on the day, cheering you on.
Don't fear about shedding a tear for him -- I think that's wonderful. I hope someone sheds a tear for me some day in remembrance, too, because then I will have touched someone in this life, and I consider that successful.
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Zhen September 9, 2008 at 11:28 AM
It's ok to cry on your day, and if you then I'll (we'll) cry with you. You'll be surrounded by people who love you. =)
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Miss H. September 9, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Awwww.... It is definitely okay to cry now and even on the day of your wedding. It is the greatest things about love and sharing love. The happy times mixed with sad times just reminds you what pure joy is.
I hope that you have the wedding of your dreams next week.
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it is totally okay to cry tara. and just know that he'll be looking over you and wishing you the absolute best :)
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Anonymous September 9, 2008 at 9:24 PM
As my bridesmaid duty, I will make sure I have tissue on hand just in case. ((HUGS))
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Anonymous September 9, 2008 at 10:40 PM
My heart goes out to you. My sister got married a few years after our father died and it was really hard for both of us.
Just remember it's okay to cry and it will be a happy day even if you do.
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Anonymous September 10, 2008 at 4:07 PM
He will surely be looking down on you as a proud father that day!
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Anonymous September 10, 2008 at 6:57 PM
What makes you so sure he would be happy with this guy you are marrying?
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Anonymous September 10, 2008 at 7:05 PM
I understand. There is no shame in crying.
Your dad would be so proud of the woman you have turned out to be and of the choice you have made in a man.
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Jen September 11, 2008 at 8:16 AM
Tara, this is a very touching post. I will have a similarly difficult time when I get married next year, thinking about my stepdad.
Do what you need to do to get through it. I'm sure your dad would be so incredibly proud of all that you have accomplished and of the beautiful bride you will be.
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Anonymous September 11, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Tara, just think, that Dad will be watching you through my eyes. I am very proud to be walking you down the aisle and Dad will be there in spirit!
I love you. Mom
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Anonymous September 11, 2008 at 1:49 PM
look who is on this site, the most technically challenged person you probably know. I just had to respond to this.You musn't be sad, your life has turned out exactly the way your dad would have wanted it to be and he's not waiting, he's already celebrating, he will be there!!! so proud to know you, bert
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Anonymous September 12, 2008 at 12:25 PM
My brother got married last week, and the bride's mother passed away in May 2008. She was definitely in our thoughts. Your dad will be there with you in spirit, and being really happy for your and Raphael. And on your wedding day, you are allowed to cry as much as you want! Just bring lots of tissues and make sure everyone has some just in case.I forgot to give them out to them!
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Choices in Recovery - Foundation House is a private rehab located in Vista,California. Choices in Recovery - Foundation House specializes in the treatment ofalcoholism, opioid addiction, substance abuse, mental health and substance abuse,
Choices in Recovery – Foundation House
Insurance/Finance
Accrediations/Licenses
Alcoholism:The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.Mental Health and Substance Abuse:A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.
Insurance/Finance
Medically Assisted Detox:Drug and alcohol addiction often takes a heavy toll on one\'s body. Over time, a physical dependence can develop, meaning the body physiologically needs the substance to function. Detox is the process of removing drugs and/or alcohol from the body, a process that can be lethal if mismanaged. Medical detox is done by licensed medical professionals who monitor vital signs and keep you safe, healthy, and as comfortable as possible as you go through detox and withdrawal.Inpatient:Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient\'s individual requirements.Aftercare Support:Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn\'t spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one\'s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient\'s own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.Couples Therapy:Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person\'s life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.Dialectical Behavior Therapy:Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.Family Therapy:Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.Group Therapy:Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.Individual Therapy:In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.Life Skills:Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.Motivational Interviewing:Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.
SAMHSA:The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA\'s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American\'s communities.SAMHSA Listed: YesState License:State Licenses are permits issued by government agencies that allow rehab organizations to conduct business legally within a certain geographical area. Typically, the kind of program a rehab facility offers, along with its physical location, determines which licenses are required to operate legally.State License: CaliforniaLicense Number: 370039IN
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We all know that everyone wants to use their Twitter account to make push it to the next level. Either they become a verified Twitter owner or encounter various twitter influencer accounts to get their brand in a high position.
So, have you ever felt a celebrity on social media? One could really get that feeling when they admire someone who can reshare the post or tweet of them on their wall. Social media have the power to make you famous with a single post.
Trust us, and you could be in the spotlight now or then with a single step. Well, having a blue badge or tick aside of your Twitter username is somewhat a real step to get that feeling. You can easily apply to Twitter to get a verified badge for your account.
In order to get a verified badge, you just simply update your current information and verify email and phone number and fill the form, considering you a verified user. This real kicker can give you an immense feeling of celebrity move of having a badge near your username.
How can you grab the spotlight on Twitter?
What is a verified Twitter account, and why you should buy some?
Benefits of buying verified Twitter accounts
How can you grab the spotlight on Twitter?
Every social media has its own uniqueness, just like Twitter. This amazing social platform is used to appraise tweets, witty posts, and retweets. Being a verified Twitter account holder, you can easily help yourself in a great way. It boosts your brand with numerous advantages once you become famous.
If you want to become a fashion icon on Twitter, then you must put yourself ahead of your customers. You can either add keywords or key phrases in your tweet that must express your desire for the thing you provide.
Let us explain you with an example. For instance, you run a fashion store, and then you probably search something like “I need new fashion wear,” then you will get across various posts in which people have been commenting on Twitter regarding their fashion needs.
So, you can make the use of their comments. This is because everyone out of these people would be your potential customers, plus the persons who interacted with these types of comments will also be considered as your potential customers.
Once you create your Twitter account, get it verified, then you can create irresistible offers or discounts on several apparels and reach out to them. This would be a great way to increase your brand awareness and land sales to your website or store. This similar way could also help you get positive reviews and gain traction for your new business.
Therefore, Twitter is considered to be a powerful tool, only just when you know the way to use it effectively.
Twitter is a comprehensive tool to fuel up your business needs. There could be specific techniques you can follow in order to fuel your business growth.
What is a verified Twitter account, and why you should buy some?
If you have ever encountered any blue tick or badge around any Twitter account, then these accounts come under the category of verified accounts. We know that you must encounter these type of ticks on several celebrities or influencers account.
This badge is a symbol of verification and would probably provide significance to your Twitter account. This would also list that your Twitter account is VIP. Here is a step by step guide on how you can gain this verified badge or blue tick on your Twitter account.
Firstly, you need to fill in your Twitter account information correctly and fully. This means, from adding a profile picture to your website or bio, all information should be up to date.
After adding all sorts of information to your Twitter account, you need to add a verified number and confirm your email address as well.
Once you confirm these two details, you need to add your birth date and set your tweet as “public.” This means anyone can view your tweets and retweets that you share or post on your Twitter account.
Once you are done with these steps, you need to fill the verification form on Twitter, and you can wait for them to authenticate your information.
After two or three days, if the twitter team will verify your information, then you will get a blue tick or badge aside from your Twitter account.
Now the question arises that what is the need to buy Twitter accounts? The answer to this question is that buying verified and authenticated Twitter accounts with authentic followers will add value and enhance your marketing campaigns for your brand in various ways.
When you tweet with the account that you bought, then your tweets may get viral and get shared and retweeted so that your business may get desired insights. People will start looking at the services and products you offer and notice your brand and head your purchase. There are several benefits of buying verified Twitter accounts.
Benefits of buying verified Twitter accounts
We have listed various benefits of buying Twitter accounts that are verified or authenticated. The benefits are:
When you buy these authenticated accounts with a blue tick aside of their profile, then the marketing campaigns you will create runs with a new direction that would result in your brand noticed and remarked by the various audience.
It will help your brand to get more awareness from people. Your potential customers will able to notice your services and products with ease. In this way, you can easily promote in a different way on Twitter.
You can impress more people with a verified account from your services and products.
Reaching more followers isn’t a big task for you when you buy verified accounts.
Buying verified accounts will provide you an unparalleled advantage to you and your customers with your products or services.
In this guide, we have given you extensive information about having a verified Twitter account. You could become an influencer with ease just by having a verified account. You can purchase several verified accounts to showcase your products and services.
We have listed various benefits you will get with buying or having verified accounts. Hope this article gives you enough information. Just remember to use Twitter in the best way to get more brand awareness.
How can you pump a basketball without a needle?
6 Reasons Why You Should Start Taking Protein Supplements to Improve Your Training Results
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One of the things that jumped on the bus with me back to Chicago from the Michigan Fiber Fest a couple of weekends ago was not a giant Magic Eraser (good one, Paula!) nor a delicious cake form (yum, Frank) or a humungous Altoid (ha, Jill) but a new Foam Hat Mold.
I’d seen this set several times before (from the Mielke Farm folk) but all of a sudden, after one small phone call from explorer Nancy Q. in Bldg. A to me on the Sheep Midway, it just seemed right. [Notice that it is large enough to make a man’s wide brimmed hat.]
I’d like to call this music video I shot about the new toy “Ode to Felting.”
It is just a small narcissistic knitting equivalent of one of those bum-shakin’ videos that are so so prevelent on ya Tube, but here instead of a booty call, you get some wet felt in the face ;p
And yet, even though it exhibits and celebrates all the characteristics of Tube: grainy video shot with a micro-camera, slightly annoying soundtrack, (not as annoying as that Popeye’s ad, people) and that wonderful Utube shabby playback quailty from their funk Flash compressor, you can see this is no tender grasping moment, but a real hands-on push-me-pull-me time of wool on a frame. Almost like working bread dough…
Thursday, August 30, 2007
…how could I live without this?
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
self-portrait Tuesday
August 2007 in Chicago was a challenge, to be sure. Over and over, we were hit by tremendous thunderstorms, the likes not witnessed by any in memory, recent or otherwise.
Rain, rain, and more. Rain was the order of the day, day after day.
Last Thursday appeared a storm so huge, so volatile, that even though the NWS didn’t call it a tornado, it was everything but the funnel. Several hundred thousands were without power for days; only yesterday had restoration begun to be widespread. I worked at my *day job* endlessly recording the damage and woe. Everywhere I went, it looked as though a giant had walked the land, crushing 100 year oak trees like pencils, splitting power lines like twigs, lifting and crashing boats upon the shore.
Once home, I had not the heart to go farther than my deck after it all calmed down. There I found things thrown around, but no real damage. Praise.
Today I went into the yard and found: Blessing.
As if to meet the challenge of the rain, wind and lightning, everything grew like mad, as if getting bigger would might just shake a fist at the storms. I dare you to uproot me; I will twist and hold onto stem and rock and anchor myself against you!
Things had doubled, tripled, quadrupled in size, none getting larger in proportion than the Lamb’s Ear I planted by a huge stepping stone. This started as a tiny cutting my Mother brought me from her garden a few weeks ago. I had given a small cutting to her over 10 years ago and now it had come home, and circled the place where the children like to stand.
When we were digging, at first, we unearthed a huge piece of worn cement — possibly a piece of the foundation of the house that burned down on this site many years ago. Every time the grownups were working, the children would take turns standing on this rock, overseeing us, being as tall as we. I planted the Lamb’s Ear for them too — I have never met a child that did not like to pet it :)
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Every morning, we arise and consider what we must wear to flourish in the day which awaits us. Perhaps a laid back tee and jeans suits your style, complimented by a few accessories. Regardless of your style, the items we wear express and communicate details about ourselves without uttering a word. Each of us want to feel chic, comfortable and prepared for the adventures which lie ahead.
I needed an outfit for a formal wedding, & he had so many lovely things.
Had a wonderful experience! Both staff were very attentive and helpful, taking time to really help me find just the right look.
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Imagine a world where you managed to achieve your heart's desire. Would you be questioning the nature of the universe around you? Or would you be so complacent that you'd be blinded to what's actually going on until cracks started to form in the seemingly perfect veneer of your existence?
It's the latter that has given the Lost-X (or "sideways" timeline) some of its heft this season on Lost as several of the characters have begun to feel an eerie sense of deja vu or a biting sense of frisson in which they seemed to realize, if only for a split-second, that something was "off" with the world and their place in it.
This week's magnificent episode of Lost ("Happily Ever After"), written by Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse and directed by Jack Bender, offered the biggest clues yet to the real function of the Lost-X timeline as Desmond was forcibly returned to the island to participate in Widmore's test, a test that would have serious consequences for every single living person in the world should he fail.
A lot of speculation has been made about just what the Lost-X timeline actually is, with many critics and viewers jumping on the bandwagon that is the epilogue for the entire series. I've never been one of those who believed in this theory and last night's episode went a long way to disproving it all together.
So what did I think of last night's episode? Grab yourself a glass of MacCutcheon, make your way to baggage carousel four, buckle your seatbelt, and let's discuss "Happily Ever After."
Personally, I thought that "Happily Ever After" was hands down the best episode of the season, even if it didn't feature many of the main cast members (other than Hurley, Jin, and Sayid, all very briefly). But what it offered was a new prism through which to see the sixth and final season and it placed a significant weight on just what was unfolding within the Lost-X timeline, pushing it and the main timeline closer together while making each of them vitally important.
The Lost-X timeline isn't the ending for Lost, nor is it just a way of revisiting relationships and characters we haven't seen in a while. It's the very crux of the entire season, the outcome of Jack and Co.'s efforts to detonate Jughead, and it's resulted in each of the characters having their consciousness split between these two realities.
The alternate timeline established when Juliet detonated the hydrogen bomb at the future site of the Swan is just as "real" as the mainstream one but it's a divergent timeline that I believe will require--as I've said several times before in the past--the passengers of Oceanic Flight 815 to raise the island from the ocean floor and recork the bottle. This is a world where each of them has received their heart's desire but it's made them unable to see what's truly happening around them, making them little more than sleepwalkers in an eternal battle that they're blind to.
In other words: someone needs to wake them up.
While watching "Happily Ever After," I turned to my wife and said, "Des is Layla Miller?!?" with a chuckle. For those not in the know, Layla Miller is a comic book character introduced during Marvel Comics' "House of M" storyline a few years back. Without getting too sidetracked, here's the gist of the storyline: the Scarlet Witch, once one of Earth's mightiest heroes and a mutant wielding the power to warp reality, succumbed to madness and killed several of her teammates before disappearing with her father, the evil mutant Magneto.
The heroes banded together to deal with her but suddenly the world went white and they found themselves living in another world, where each of them had--aha!--been granted their heart's desire and where mutants ruled the world under the House of Magnus. But not everyone was happy in this seemingly idyllic paradise and eventually--thanks to young mutant Layla Miller--many of the heroes were "awakened" and realized that the world around them was fake, created by the Scarlet Witch to trap them and keep them docile. Layla had ripped through the veil separating their consciousness from the truth about the world and then set out to overthrow the House of M and return the world to the way it was meant to be. Of course, there was a price to be paid...
The sixth season of Lost would seem to owe a debt to "House of M," whose themes and narrative devices Lost has cribbed from a bit this year, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Desmond would seem to be cast in the role of Layla Miller, someone whose main purpose is to remove the heroes' blinders and grant them the ability to recognize that their world is inherently wrong and not meant to be. Each of them has already experienced moments where they realized this on a subconscious level but there's a difference between a second of realization and full-blown recognition. That's where Desmond comes in.
Desmond, after all, had survived--as Charles Widmore puts it--a cataclysmic electromagnetic incident that rendered him able to shift his consciousness to other timelines. We saw evidence of this in "Flashes Before Your Eyes," where Desmond visited an alternate reality and attempted to change his fate, before Eloise Hawking intervened and pushed the timeline back into place. Given that he's already been charged with subatomic particles, he's the ideal candidate to deliver a message to the other timeline.
This supposes several things. One, that Widmore has known all along that Desmond activated the failsafe in the Swan Station and experienced an electromagnetic incident. (Check.) Two, that Widmore also knows about the existence of the alternate timeline and that the Incident split time into two streams, one of which is the current mainstream reality and the other in which the island doesn't exist. Three, that recreating the incident could transfer Desmond's consciousness into the other timeline or give him a multi-dimensional awareness (much like Juliet possibly experienced at the bottom of the Swan shaft). Four, that it's possible to bring these divergent timelines back together again somehow or that there's a way to safeguard their own reality by tweaking things in the Lost-X world.
Invisible threads of fate bind each of the Oceanic Flight 815 passengers together and their paths continue to cross as they are forced back together in an act of course correction. While their flight never crashed on the island, these individuals are still of vital significance to the island, which hasn't finished with them yet. (Or started, one could argue.) Everyone who set foot on the island in the mainstream reality--from Daniel Faraday to Charles Widmore and Eloise Hawking--will need to band together to change the world, to cast off the illusion that this world is the right one, and sacrifice their own happiness in order to put things right. The cracks are growing bigger...
Desmond. Given the importance of Desmond in the overarching mythology of the series, it was only fitting that his first episode back would been entirely Desmond-centric. Returning to the island by way of Charles Widmore's, er, undersea hospitality, Desmond is the subject of a crucial test ordered by Widmore to test his resilience in the face of an enormous electromagnetic energy wave that would fire any lesser man. (Though I do wonder if they should have attempted to test it first on the bunny Angstrom, named for the physicist whose moniker is used to to measure "lengths on a scale of the wavelength of light or interatomic spacings in condensed matter.") Instead, Widmore orders Zoe and Seamus to conduct the test on Desmond straightaway.
But that's not before Desmond attacks Widmore. I mean, if your supposedly evil and estranged father-in-law kidnapped you, tearing you away from your wife and son, and brought you back to a place of unspeakable torment from which you had only fairly recently escaped, you'd be pretty angry too. But if we see Widmore not as pure evil but rather a man for whom the ends justify the means, much of his actions throughout the series can be perceived as acting to protect the island, particularly if he knew that Ben would be the one to kill Jacob and therefore allow the Man in Black to potentially escape his prison via a loophole.
Widmore tells Desmond that he'll have to make a sacrifice in order to save the entire world, a fact that Desmond finds ironic as Widmore has never had to sacrifice anything in his entire life. But not so: he willingly gave up his relationship with his daughter Penny, allowed his son (Daniel Faraday) to die on the island, and has never even met grandson Charlie. Everything he's done has been in service to the island.
The Mission. Desmond, of course, does survive the solenoid dosing (though does experience burns over his body, indicating that he doesn't quite come through the test unscathed) and now understands his mission on the island. His sudden docile nature and willingness to work together is vastly at odds with his behavior before the test (given the fact that he attempted to bludgeon Widmore with an IV stand). Just what does he "understand"? His actions inside the solenoid chamber would seem to point toward the fact that he is aware of the other timeline (his hand is raised here, just as it was in the Lost-X timeline) and knows that he must do something involving the two divergent realities. But what?
While he's ready to get to work with Widmore and his team, Desmond is also all too willing to along with Sayid when the assassin shows up, kills his escorts, and demands that Desmond comes with him. But why exactly? Was that his mission all along? To make his way to the Man in Black? The way that Desmond just says "Of course, lead the way," either points to that fact or to Desmond having some knowledge of what's to come in the days ahead.
But perhaps it doesn't physically matter where "our" Desmond is because half of the mission has already been started: Lost-X Desmond will begin to gather the passengers of Oceanic Flight 815 and wake them from their slumber. Things are already in motion.
Lost-X Desmond. While some might wonder just why--if Desmond got what he always wanted (or thought he always wanted)--that he's been split up from Penny, that's not really his heart's desire. What Des has always longed for is the approval of the one man who would never give it: Charles Widmore. In this reality, Desmond is an unattached single man whose entire life revolves around his career and his job working for Widmore, here happily ensconced in an office in Los Angeles with a stash of MacCutcheon whiskey and a provocative painting of scales (symbol alert!); he's also married to Eloise and his son, Daniel, is a classical pianist. Eloise is hosting an event and Desmond is sent on a mission to ensure that Charlie Pace, about to be released from jail after his suicide attempt, is at the concert to perform with Daniel.
And that's when things start to go wrong, or right depending on your point of view. Charlie, in the moments before death, experienced a shift of consciousness that displayed another reality, one in which he was in love with Claire Littleton. (In fact, it would seem that the main thrust of the entire series is love, actually.) He wants to show Desmond something, proof that their lives are wrong and that their world is a lie. He seizes control of Desmond's car and drives it into the ocean (in fact, right near the dock where Desmond had been living with Penny and Charlie). Under the water, Desmond attempts to save Charlie (echoes of Season Three) and has a vision of a similar incident in which Charlie pressed his hand against the glass of the Looking Glass Station (another instance of a looking glass, in fact!) and Desmond read the words, "Not Penny's Boat."
While Desmond was unable to save Charlie in the mainstream reality, here he successfully rescues him from drowning and the incident forces a switch to be flipped inside his brain, a switch that's all the more potently felt when Desmond undergoes his own test in this reality, an MRI at the hospital. An MRI, after all, is an example of magnetic resonance imaging, in which a "powerful magnetic field [is used] to align the nuclear magnetization of (usually) hydrogen atoms in water in the body." Or succinctly: more magnets, which allows Desmond's consciousness to connect to the other reality and send back images of Penny. Unable to withstand the mental onslaught, he pushes the button (dun-dun-dun) and demands to see Charlie... who is attempting to flee the hospital.
Charlie does give Desmond an important piece of information, telling him that none of this is real and that he has to find Penny. His first clue comes when he goes to tell Eloise that Charlie won't be appearing at the event. But she's eerily calm about it, despite George Minkowski--here Desmond's driver in this reality--warning him about her temper. But Eloise just shrugs it off, offering yet another example of that old Lost adage, "whatever happened, happened." Which made me wonder: did Eloise already know that Charlie wouldn't be turning up? And how much is she aware of the chasm between the realities?
The answer to the second question would appear to be answered somewhat by the heated exchange between Eloise and Desmond when he asks to see the guest list after hearing the name Penny Milton. (Why does Penny have a different last name than Charles despite being his daughter? Because he is still married to Eloise and never married Penny's mother. And, yes, Milton would clearly seem to be a reference to "Paradise Lost" author John Milton, a title that seems to offer a sharp foreboding about what's to come in the Lost-X world.) Whereas Charlie spurred Desmond on to find Penny, Eloise seems to be against it, saying that it is a "violation" and that he's "not ready yet." Hmmm...
Lost-X Eloise. It's interesting that the more Eloise protests, the more Desmond believes in the righteousness of his mission. But whereas Eloise offered a course-correction previously, here her hands seem to be tied and the use of the world "violation" seems particularly meaningful. Why is Desmond not ready to be enlightened about the truth of their world? If Eloise is once again aware of the divergent realities, why does she seek to prevent Desmond from seeing Penny? Or is it just that Eloise knows that Desmond will eventually meet Penny--that he has to in this universe as well--but that things are now unfolding not in the proper sequence or timeframe? Curious. I would have thought that this Eloise would have wanted things to course-correct, even if it means losing Daniel all over again...
Lost-X Daniel. Loved that we got a glimpse of Daniel Faraday, much missed this season. Here, Daniel too has achieved his heart's desire as he got to follow his chosen path to become a concert pianist rather than a physicist. Though he's plagued by a sense of deja vu, experiencing an otherworldly attraction to Charlotte Staples Lewis when he spies her in the museum, and an inexplicable talent at advanced quantum mechanics, something he couldn't have done had he not studied physics for years. Nice callback with the notebook, where this Daniel made a chart that included an axis that read real space, imaginary time. He believes that they changed things and that somehow, somewhere, he had detonated a nuclear device and altered reality. He tells Desmond that Penny is his half-sister and enables him to find her. Despite Eloise's efforts to keep the two apart, it's her own son that pushes Desmond and Penny together. Could it be that the universe is course-correcting, even without Eloise's influence? (Also loved the reflection of Daniel in Desmond's car window, another example of a looking glass.)
Lost-X Desmond and Penny. Desmond, of course, does come face to face with Penny, as she is runs up and down the stairs at the stadium, the same one where in the mainstream reality Desmond met Jack for the first time. Penny herself has a moment of deja vu upon meeting Desmond but his consciousness flashes over to the island when they actually touch, a moment of profound connection that bridges the chasm between the two realities. (We see this as Desmond wakes up, still apparently shaking Penny's hand.) The incident spurs Desmond to ask Minkowski to track down the passenger manifest for Oceanic Flight 815. Why? Because Desmond will begin to track down each of them and "awaken" their true consciousness, granting each of them the ability to become aware of the other world.
Which would put them on the path of putting the world right again--bringing the island back to the surface--in order to recork the bottle and get the genie (the Man in Black) back in his prison. But to do so, they'll have to sacrifice everything they hold dear in this world in order to chose a world that's more flawed--if proper--than their own. Yes, each of them will be faced with the choice to leave Eden behind in order to do the noble thing and each will be judged accordingly.
Would you give up a chance at love to put the world right again? If you got your heart's desire, could you turn your back on it? Is ignorance bliss or just blindness? With only five episodes remaining before the series finale of Lost, I think we're about to see things get increasingly dark as lives will be lost, alliances broken, and sacrifices made. If last night's episode is any indication of the road ahead, I dare say that we're in for quite a ride.
What did you think of this week's episode? Agree or disagree with the above theories? Were you struck by the similarities to "House of M"? Got predictions on just what will happen next? Head to the comments to discuss.
Next week on Lost ("Everybody Loves Hugo"), Hurley agonizes over what the group should do next, while Locke is curious about the new arrival to his camp.
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Doesn't The Matrix predate "House of M" -- a fake world where people get the life they want, in order to keep them docile? Neo has to be "awakened" to see the real world.
I'm not convinced it's a fake world -- Juliet's comment ("It worked") seems to me she could at least see an alt-world where they are happy (and with the bottle uncorked in the alt-world, I don't see any dark evil cloud turning humanity to dust either) -- unless I've missed something. If their universes are truly separate, I don't see any problem in one universe where things are hunky-dori and another where things have gone to the dogs.
Yes, The Matrix predates House of M but the Matrix didn't posit the warping of reality in order to ensure that people got what they wanted. It was a virtual reality (rather than a "real" one) that was definitely less real than the actual world.
Here, as in House of M, both worlds are "real," just one of them has been seemingly altered. The dead are once again alive, old enmities healed, new alliances formed, loves regained.
Neo had to be awakened but it was from an actual dream. Here, they're being forced to reckon with two very real worlds, one that's "right" and one that's "wrong."
And I believe that things are far from fine in the Lost-X world even without Smokey visibly flitting about...
A great review. I agree with most of the theory and where we are headed. I'm not sure that Charles knows about the ATL though. He may have kidnapped Des just to try to beat MIB, however Des clearly now has knowledge of the ATL in the Island one and vice versa due to the EM Box and the MRI.
Des clearly is on a mission to prevent the ATL that I now think Eloise may be behind.
Anonymous said…
I completely agree with your theory!!
Great episode! I'm glad you brought up the House of M/Layla Miller stuff because I kept thinking this ep reminded me of something but couldn't figure out what. I think EH is a major player in both worlds. Wonder why we haven't seen her back on the island since the 70s.
This was definitely my favorite episode of the season so far. Lots of drama and mystery but some questions answered too (and I always love the Des storylines). It was great to see Eloise (especially with that bouffant hair) and Faraday too.
That scene in the Lost-X world between Charlie and Desmond that paralleled the scene where Charlie drowned on the island was heartbreaking.
Anonymous said…
Why waste time (which, with only 7 episodes left, we probably don't have) tracking down everyone when Desmond in the Lost-X universe can just go to either the hospital where Jack works or the police station where Sawyer works and find all the important people?
Anonymous said…
"The alternate timeline established when Juliet detonated the hydrogen bomb at the future site of the Swan is just as "real" as the mainstream one but it's a divergent timeline that I believe will require--as I've said several times before in the past"
As opposed to what you've said before in the future? Or your flash sideways? ;)
Not too sure, but I couldn't see Faraday's reflection in the car window, which could be an indication that in the MTL he has died quite some time ago.
Great post, Jace! I always come to your site the morning after.
Not only do I think Eloise knows about the other timeline, but some of her reactions last night made me wonder if she may have been complicit in creating it. Perhaps she decided that she didn't want to sacrifice her son, and wanted a world where that was no longer required. There are signs that she dotes on him in the Lost X timeline - allowing him to follow his desired path of becoming a musician, indulging his crazy rock/classical request for the charity event. Of course, this could simply be out of gratitude for getting what she most wanted, her son alive, as opposed to being required to sacrifice him, but I can't help but wonder if there is something more intentional going on. If this is the case, I wouldn't be surprised to see a connection between her and the Man in Black in this timeline.
I enjoyed the allusion to the end of Heaven Can Wait when Penny and Desmond meet at the stadium and make plans for coffee. A classic romance that gets me every time. Who doesn't want a second/third/fourth chance at love?
rockauteur said…
The interesting thing that technically two versions of Faraday could have been present in this timeline. If we assume that regular Faraday was shot and killed by Eloise in both timelines in 1977 island life, that would mean that Eloise/Widmore have met both Lost-X Faraday and alternative version of Faraday in the Lost-X timeline. Interesting. Wouldn't be surprised if Eloise still goes to the Los Angeles Dharma Station for some course correcting fun!
Another question though - who is Penny's mom? To me, she always seemed older than Faraday, which begs the question if her mother is an Other, or was someone just in the regular world. Could she be related to any other castaways?
Loved seeing Charlie and Faraday back in it, especially to see his drawings again from his notebook. Love that he is totally aware of the other timeline from a physics standpoint, and can't wait to see what Desmond's mission is in both timelines... And I'm going to predict that Eloise is in the island as well, having been aboard Widmore's sub as well, unless she needs to be at the LA Dharma Station for some reason. I think she is aware of all timelines, just like she helped guide Desmond after he time-shifted the first time.
Sayid can't be all bad if he was willing to let Tina Fay live, so his heart hasn't been all corrupted yet.
Great episode. I also had a weird theory that maybe Desmond actually died in Widmore's test, and is now embodied by Jacob, who used the test as a loophole to find human form again. I don't think its right but something to float anyway.
Yet another ace analysis and, agree, best episode yet.
But, if I may posit... I think last night changed the game completely. It's no longer about Smokey v Jacob - that thread is contained within the Island Timeline.
The bigger plot is now Widmore's 'war' - which is a War for the Timeline, not 'good' v 'evil.'
Widmore wants to kill the LAX Timeline - he hates his life there. Eloise wants to kill the Island Timeline and keep Daniel and her life of leisure.
There seems to be an as yet unrevealed 'rule' that says, at some point, only one Timeline can exist. The other must 'cease to exist' as Widmore keeps saying.
Now, Widmore's plan appears to be to send Des back to stop The Incident and, hence, the splintering of the 'mirror' Timeline, his 'sacrifice' being that he'll be stuck in 1977?
Des knows this. Des knows he now has the power to choose which life EVERYONE gets to have. That's why he so willingly went with Sayid - because he's already made his choice, and it doesn't matter which 'side' he's on in order to accomplish his 'mission.'
LAX Des, however, needs to show the Oceanic Six+ something - either the submerged Island, or... the Church basement, where maybe he/Eloise will be able to predict exactly when the Island will rise again? So that they may return and give that wheel a spin...?
"Live together, die alone." LAX Des needs/wants everyone to realize that one Timeline must die and the choice must be unanimous?
Which means each Candidate+ must choose - their 'bad' Island lives, or their 'good' LAX lives...
Ready? Season finale: CC and DL never reveal which Timeline is killed and which continues on, only that the Choice was made...
I found the eeriest part of this episode to be Charlie's actions, walking unconcerned through moderately heavy traffic and driving the car off the wharf... which strongly suggested that Charlie knew he was "really" dead and therefore could not be harmed. What would it be like to become aware of two realities, and to know that in the "real" one you no longer exist?
Rustle,
One could argue that, because Charlie's sense of the other world stemmed from a near-death experience (choking on the sack of heroin aboard the plane), he had a bit of a death wish... in an effort to recreate the sensation and "see" something again.
Loved this episode. I got chills when Charlie's hand said "Not Penny's Boat". Great recap - your theories make so much sense and help to clarify the show for me. Thanks!
Anonymous said…
Excellent analysis, but why was Desmond wearing a wedding band on the plane?
has everyone forgotten the base mythology of this series? "lost" doesnt just refer to the fact that these people are stranded on an unknown island. i believe that "lost" is actually meant to mean that these people are all people that have pushed everybody away from them. they were all emotionally and spiritually "lost" long before they ever got on that plane in sydney. look at the parallels between the 2 "realities". when jack fixed his relationship between he and his son,on the island he finally for the 1st time truly accepted his role in the wider scheme of things. he IS a new jack.unfortunately my memory is failing me but for those of u that know this story like the backs of your hands think about when a character "fixed" something(or in sayid's case "broke" something)in the other reality. the character "fixed" something in the mainstream reality as well. this is 1st and foremost a story of redemption, or the pursuit and/or denial of it.having said all that, i think the other reality may also point to the way things were actually meant to be before these people became "lost". in fact i will go so far as to say that maybe the island's reality is actually the true divergent reality.after all, that nuke wasnt the only bomb dropped in the last six years. one man's opinion
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Amos is from a small town in Western Massachusetts. He lucked into his first carpentry job just after graduating from Colorado College and has been in the industry off and on for 5 years. When Amos was a kid, someone gifted his family a copy of Treehouses of the World by Pete Nelson. He remembers getting lost in it repeatedly, leafing through it with friends, picking their favorite treehouses, dreaming of what it would be like to live in them. Fast forward in time and he is thriving living the treehouse building life for Nelson Treehouse.
Robert has lived in Washington his whole life and wouldn’t live anywhere else! He currently lives in Hobart where he bought his parents old home and remodeled it for his wife,Tammy and their pack of 7 beloved dogs! Robert worked as an Assistant Racehorse Trainer for 30 years before he retired and decided to try his hand at something new, working for Nelson Treehouse. In his spare time, Robert enjoys spending time with his wife and dogs at Ocean Shores where he is currently building a cozy cabin to unplug and connect with nature. One day he hopes to have a horse of his own to add to his sweet family!
Frank grew up in a small town in Connecticut gaining an appreciation for craftsmanship & nature at an early age. After attending a technical highschool for carpentry, he went on to receive an associates degree in Building Construction & Cabinetmaking at NEIT in Rhode Island. After several years honing his skills in cabinetry & high end millwork shops, his desire to travel finally got the best of him & he purchased an RV, filled it with tools, & began traveling the country visiting National Parks & building as he went. Filled with inspiration, he quickly began implementing more artistry into his builds which eventually led him to begin building unique structures, as well as art installations at music festivals around the country & Burning Man. Frank recently joined the Nelson crew to grow his skillset & build alongside other skilled carpenters who take pride in their trade & have fun while creating something beautiful. When he's not building, you can find him in the woods appreciating various textures, playing his drum kit, or in the kitchen baking.
Born and raised in Tacoma, WA
Snowboards, mountain bikes, camps, outdoor adventures in the free time
Has a doggo named Jake (sorry Rouches)
Beautiful wife Leah - fun fact, Emily sat next to her in elementary school
Worked carpenters jobs on both coasts and in-between
Loves taking on any project and not finishing his own kitchen.
Andrew grown up in Virginia and developed a love for old buildings and tinkering on anything mechanical. For several years he worked as a carpenter throughout Greenland, Alaska and Antarctica where he met previous NTS employees that introduced him to the creative word of treehouses. When Andrew is not traveling for work he enjoys surfing, biking and the company of good friends. Andrew lives in Portland, Oregon.
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A cynical experienced homicide detective based in Marseilles, France is crippled in the line of duty and depends on a wheelchair to get around. He is accompanied by a young ,vivacious female detective who's been forced on him to train as a condition of his ability to continue to work as a field detective.
Currently Cain is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: The Roku Channel, Hoopla
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Basic Income Guarantee gains popularity across the political spectrum
Written by Kitty S Jones
Basic income (which is sometimes called “citizen’s income” or “universal income”) is the idea that absolute poverty can be alleviated by providing every member of a society with an unconditional subsistence income. Supporters of basic income argue that it would alleviate absolute poverty and would also motivate people to work because they would always better off, as work-related income would be additional to their subsistence income.
Earlier this year I wrote about the Labour Party’s consideration of the universal basic income as a part of its new policy, during their talk at the London School of Economics. John McDonnell said: “It’s an idea we want to look at. Child benefit was a form of basic income so it’s not something that I would rule out.”
At the very least, this indicates the idea of universal provision has regained some credence in the face of a longstanding and seemingly unchallengeable political norm of increasing means-testing and welfare conditionality, established by the Thatcher adminstration, and radically extended by the current government.
Although basic income is a feature in many proposed models of market socialism, and has been particularly popular with the Green Party, support for basic income has also been expressed by several people associated with right-wing political views. While adherents of such views generally favour minimization or abolition of the public provision of welfare services, some have cited basic income as a viable strategy to reduce the amount of bureaucratic administration that is prevalent in many contemporary welfare systems. Others have contended that it could also act as a form of compensation for fiat currency inflation.
Though the details vary, the basic income model has been advocated by Right-wing thinkers such as Charles Murray, Milton Friedman and the Adam Smith Institute, amongst others. Libertarians who object to income redistribution in principle usually concede that a Negative Income Tax is the least controversial form of welfare, because it is administratively simple and “perverts incentives” less than most welfare schemes. It is particularly appealing to many liberals and libertarians because it is unpaternalistic – it’s highly compatible with laissez faire and neoliberal economic models. However, the current government are libertarian paternalists, blending a small state ideology with a psychocratic approach to governing, using behavioural change techniques (Nudge) to fulfil ideologically-driven policy outcomes.
Last year, the Citizen’s Income Trust (CIT), which has given advice to the Green Party and often cited by the Greens, has modelled the party’s scheme and discovered a major design flaw. It was revealed that that 35.15% of households would lose money, with many of the biggest losers among the poorest households. At the time, Malcolm Torry, director of the CIT, which is a small charitable research body, said: “I am not sure the Green party has yet taken on our new research or the need to retain a means-tested element. We have only just published the new work.”
The criticisms of the scheme, as well as doubts about costings, led the Greens to make a temporary tactical retreat on the issue, with the party’s leader, Natalie Bennett, saying detailed costings for the policy would not be available in the manifesto last March. The Greens had proposed a citizen’s income of around £72 to every adult in Britain regardless of wealth and existing income, which would cost the Treasury around £280bn.
One longstanding criticism of basic income is that it would provide payments to citizens that are already very wealthy, perpetuating social inequality, and wasting resources. Another is that it does not take into account the long-term impacts and provide adequate support for those who cannot work, such as those who are ill and disabled. Such detail matters very much, and we must not allow basic income to be used as an excuse for dismantling essential welfare support for social groups that need long-term aid to survive.
The CIT added that if the policy was applied without a means-tested component, then poorer households would end up receiving far less in state benefits than they would under the existing system.
However, one of the strongest arguments for basic income is that people would no longer be compelled to work in order to meet their basic needs. This means that employers would find it difficult to exploit workers, and would be pushed to offer decent wages, good terms and employment conditions in order to attract workers. People would have greater freedom to pursue meaningful, suitable and appropriate employment rather than having to take any job to avoid poverty and destitution. De-commodifying labor by decoupling work from income liberates people from the “tyranny of wage slavery” and leaves a space for innovation, creativitity and rebalances power relationships between wealthy, profit-motivated employers and employees.
It seems that the idea of basic income is gaining support. Reform Scotland, an independent non-party think tank, also propose in their recent report – The Basic Income Guarantee – that the current work-related benefits system is replaced with a new Basic Income Guarantee (BIG).
However, despite claims that the think tank is independent of political parties, Reform Scotland is a public policy institute which works to promote increased economic prosperity and more effective public services based on the libertarian paternalist notions and Conservative principles of limited government and personal responsibility. Reform Scotland is funded by donations from private individuals, charitable trusts and corporate organisations.
The calculations used in the report imply that a Basic Income Guarantee would cost more initially to implement, but the think tank argue that there are strong arguments (which are couched in Conservative terms) to suggest that it would lead to “changed behaviour” and “a bigger workforce.” The think tank proposes that there remains a “disincentive” to work (the so-called “welfare trap”) which is caused by the high level of marginal taxes faced by those moving into work or increasing their hours. In their report, Reform Scotland say: “Our conclusion is that the benefits system should protect the unemployed and under-employed but at the same time must reduce – and ideally remove – any disincentives to take work, particularly part-time work. The manifest failing of the present system is the cash penalty many face when they take a job.”
Reform Scotland is proposing a Basic Income Guarantee which is paid to all working-age adults and children, whether in or out of work. All earnings would be taxed, but the basic income would never be withdrawn, meaning that “work would always pay.”
The think tank argues that radical reform of the current welfare system is required and that a Basic Income Guarantee is the best way forward. This would give every working-age person a basic income from the state of £5,200 per year, and every child £2,600. The income would be a right of citizenship and would be the same regardless of income or gender. It would be non-means tested and would not increase or decrease as someone’s income changes, thereby removing the need for the associated bureaucracy.
The Basic Income Guarantee would replace a number of means-tested work related benefits, as well as child benefit, and would be a new way of providing a social safety net.
Welfare spending on working-age people has decreased since 2010, and the report highlights a context of the rising costs of pensions, and of £207.6 billion spent on welfare in 2014/15, £114 billion was in relation to pensioners. Of this, about £93 billion is made up by the state pension and pensioner credit. The Reform Scotland proposals therefore relate to the remaining £93.6 billion, spent on working-age adults and children.
The report, written by former Scottish Green Party Head of Media, James Mackenzie, and former Scottish Liberal Democrat Policy Convener, Siobhan Mathers, in conjunction with Geoff Mawdsley and Alison Payne of Reform Scotland, seeks to promote informed debate of this idea by examining what the level of the basic income might be and how much implementing it would cost.
Reform Scotland’s report also calls for a single department to be responsible for welfare payments, ending the current split between HMRC and the DWP.
Commenting on the report, author James Mackenzie, former Scottish Green Party Head of Media, said: “Basic income is one of those ideas that should appeal right across the political spectrum. When I was unemployed I remember having to think hard about whether to accept part time or short-term work because of the impact on my income. We should be making it easier for people to work who can and who want to, not penalising them. Basic income does just that, as well as helping those who have caring responsibilities, or who want to volunteer or study.
“There’s a resurgence of interest in the idea around the world, especially in Europe, with proposals being considered in Switzerland, Holland, France and elsewhere. The principle is the same everywhere, but policy makers need to know more about the practicalities. Now, for the first time, we are providing some detailed information about how it could work in Scotland, either after independence or after the devolution of the necessary powers.”
Co-author Siobhan Mathers, Reform Scotland advisory board member and former Scottish Liberal Democrat Policy Convener said: “There is a great opportunity for Scotland to design a welfare system that best suits its needs in the 21st Century. We could leave behind the unnecessary complexity of the UK system and provide a fair Basic Income Guarantee for all. This would make any transitions in and out of work more manageable and provide a clear, fair safety net for all.”
We have seen an unprecedented increase in a dark, unaccountable bureacracy this past five years, with private companies such as Atos, Maximus, and the likes of A4E and other private welfare-for-work providers marking the increased conditionality of welfare support – for both out of work support, and soon, for support paid to those in low paid and part-time work.
Conservative inclination has been towards substantially raising the (increasingly privatised and for profit) administrative costs of welfare, whilst at the same time radically reducing the lifeline benefits for people needing support for meeting basic needs.
Conservatives may well raise the “something for nothing” objection to basic income, which is founded on the absurd idea that the only way people may contribute to society is through paid labor.
Yet non-remunerated activities such as bringing up children, caring for elderly or sick and disabled relatives, supporting vulnerable neighbours, community work, volunteering for charities or investing time and effort in other voluntary endeavours such as contributions to the arts, sharing knowledge, education, writing, are all clearly valuable contributions to society. But these skills and activities have been steadily devalued, whilst providing an increasingly disposable (“flexible”) labor force is seen by the Conservatives as somehow fulfilling the best of our potential.
Reform Scotland has previously argued, when putting forward its Devolution Plus proposals, that there is plenty of logic behind bringing together the policy areas associated with alleviating poverty that are currently devolved, such as social inclusion and housing, with benefit provision, which remains reserved. This would help to provide a more coherent approach to tackling poverty and inequality.
The debate on this issue will, no doubt, continue in the years to come.
—
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17 thoughts on “Basic Income Guarantee gains popularity across the political spectrum”
joanna says:
May 7, 2016 at 4:55 am
Ok so you could live £100 without a job? That is not living in the real world, what about rent, council tax and bedroom tax, if it is still around. With the benefits I get at the moment (ESA support group) I would be worse off. There would have to be some provision for sick and disabled people as well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
May 7, 2016 at 1:52 pm
Same here. Some models account for this and compensate, others don’t. The detail matters to me, though, and without account for those who cannot work, then BIG would be useless and nothing more than a flimsy excuse for dismantling welfare.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Matt says:
August 13, 2016 at 9:36 pm
The DWP spends £389 million to pay out £17 million to the unemployed, that is a colossal waste of money – BIG would save so much and allow people access to real training rather than meaningless work placements which are essentially slave labour paid at £2.67 an hour, which is actually the money you paid in in the first place you are just drawing on.
If we used the 14 billion we are going to save from not paying the EU we could really invest in this country’s future.
August 13, 2016 at 9:44 pm
The 1 alleged billion will never be spent on investing in this country’s future. We have a tory government that is only interested in protecting the interests of a 1% social group and corporate profits
August 13, 2016 at 9:46 pm
I do agree that private companies skim of millions of our budget for welfare, and that is deliberate. My point though, is that BIG under the tories in a neoliberal context would only ever be used as a front to dismantle welfare completely and reduce spending on social support mechanisms.
Mathew says:
May 7, 2016 at 11:50 am
Just as a matter of journalistic accuracy because I happen to remember the controversy and details of the story regarding the Green Party’s position on basic income:
There wasn’t a flaw in the Green Party’s proposal. The Guardian article that claimed there was mistook (carelessly if not deliberately) research published by the Citizen’s Income Trust about one of their own proposals for an analysis of the Green Party’s. It was later clarified by Dr Malcolm Torry of the Citizen’s Income Trust that the analysis was not based upon the Green Party’s proposals, which at that point hadn’t been published, in a policypress blog post[1].
The Green Party also never made any sort of retreat on the policy. The impression that they had was a combination of media spin and confusion about the fact that it was always long term policy, not intended to be implemented within a single parliament. As such only a commitment to the eventual policy was to be published in the manifesto, however a detailed and costed proposal, without the flaws that had been claimed, had already been developed and was published alongside the manifesto.[2]
[1]https://policypress.wordpress.com/2015/02/23/would-a-citizens-income-make-some-people-poorer-than-they-are-today/
LikeLiked by 2 people
May 7, 2016 at 4:12 pm
Cheers Mathew, will have a read through this. I’m still ambivalent about the BIG, there are many positives, but to be effective, any model must compensate those who cannot work, such as sick and disabled people, adequately for the long-term impact of their loss of earnings and the consequences of accumulative deprivation and poverty
LikeLiked by 1 person
joanna says:
May 7, 2016 at 10:26 pm
There also has to be some measure of means testing, in that if a household is earning between £50k and £100k a year, then they are not eligible for it, therefore it would free up that money to be given to those who cannot work.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Mathew says:
May 8, 2016 at 12:24 pm
No means testing is necessary because tax is already deducted at source (or through tax returns) as a percentage of earnings, so higher earners will already be paying significantly more in tax than they get back as a basic income.
Further, one of the things that a Basic Income would replace is the Personal Allowance which is currently £11000 of tax free earnings. For someone earning £50k who is being taxed at 40% the PA gives them a benefit of £4400, someone earning £20k taxed at 20% gets £2200 and for someone who only earns £5000 in a year they’ll only be getting a tax break of £1000. A Basic Income on the other hand makes sure everyone gets the same minimum amount regardless of how much or how little they earn.
If you suddenly lose your job, there’s no need to apply for the benefit because you’re already getting it, and there’s no risk of sanctions or cock-ups with the bureaucracy to delay you claim. It’s a much better system.
May 8, 2016 at 9:44 pm
But it won’t adequately support people who cannot work, unless that is taken into account in the details. Poverty tends to be cumulative for these people, too
LikeLiked by 1 person
joanna says:
May 13, 2016 at 7:14 am
If someone is earning enough to be paying high taxes, why would they need a basic income guarantee, it would be like handing them back their taxes, what would they be paying for? Also giving them the “BIG” would be making them richer, Why take taxes with one hand, and give the taxes back with the other? What contribution would high earners actually be making then?
mohandeer says:
May 11, 2016 at 10:09 pm
LikeLiked by 1 person
joanna says:
May 13, 2016 at 6:55 am
Further to means testing the very rich, there should be a high rise building that supplies housing for MP’s whilst they in London for parliamentary business. That should cut out the need for expensive second homes that the tax payer has to pay for.
MP’s should not be getting the BIG unless they can show that they are in need of it, and expenses should be cut to the bare minimum, that would also free a lot more money.
The WCA should immediately bey be switched back to PCA and adequate allowances made for people who can’t work. Further to this businesses should be helped to be able to employ disabled people who can and Want to work, also workers rights should also be available to Every worker full or part time!!!
joanna says:
May 13, 2016 at 7:04 am
Oh and zero hours contracts should be made illegal and rents should be at an appropriate level and highly regulated and policed!
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Different roles played by individuals and their place in society is central to the Can-Do Wisdom Framework.
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.
A few years back I got into a bad habit of not always putting my seatbelt on when driving just locally on nearby back streets. It’s so quiet in my neighbourhood that it’s rare to see a police car and there’s not a lot of traffic anyway.
One day I took my Golden Retriever to the local vet for a checkup and out of habit I forgot to put on my seatbelt. On the way home I passed a police car parked in a side street. In 40 years of driving along this street at various times I have never seen a police car before this occasion nor since. Anyway we spotted each other at the same moment and although I managed to put my seat belt on by the time he pulled me over I couldn’t deny that I had not been wearing the belt when he first saw me.[1]
The patrolman got his knowledge that I wasn’t wearing a seat belt through his observation of me—that’s a ‘learn’ for him in his I Can quadrant and that’s part of his job. Nelson Highroads Dictionary shows “learn: to get knowledge; to gain skill; to make better or to make progress”.
As a policeman he is an agent of the law enforcement system (institute) so he is also part of the collective social systems in the We Do quadrant. Based on his training (learn) and his oath to administer the law, he is given the authority in his I Can quadrant to follow through (live) with his observation of an offence being committed and so of course his action in his I Do quadrant was to issue me with an on-the-spot-ticket for the fine (lead).
Thus he is at the same time a member of the collective as part of the law enforcement institution in the We Do quadrant as well as being an individual dealing with a member of the public.
On my part I did learn a lesson from the experience. There’s also a warning sound which I hear (learn) in my car until I buckle up and I drive with the seat belt on (live) and others can see my correct behavior (lead).
Seatbelts were one of the car industry’s first major safety devices but wearing them wasn’t always compulsory and still isn’t in some states of the USA.
Vehicle seat belts started appearing in cars in the 1950s as options in some makes or as a standard feature in others. Actually seat belts in one form or another goes back to the 1800s, prior to the motor car.
Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin designed the modern three-point seatbelt system in 1959. In place of the lap belt he wanted a safety restraint that could be operated easily with one hand which would stop people being violently thrown out of cars or smashed into steering columns in an impact.
During the 1960s Victoria’s roads were among the most dangerous in the world. Each Monday morning the daily newspapers would announce the “lottery” results: the list of names and ages of the 18 or 20 road death victims over the weekend. It was mayhem but most people just thought “it can’t happen to me!”
There was clear evidence to show that those people who wore seat belts had a greater chance of survival in a crash. But surveys showed few bothered to wear existing seatbelts.
One person with a long-time commitment to the mandatory wearing of seatbelts was the late Peter Joubert, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Melbourne. In World War Two he had firsthand experience of being saved from becoming a paraplegic or worse by wearing a seatbelt. This was during his initial training to be a Royal Australian Air Force fighter pilot when he was involved in a crash landing. The Tiger Moth aircraft ended up-side-down with Joubert still safely strapped in his seat. He later went on to fly with No. 76 Squadron RAAF in New Guinea.
In 1968 Joubert was an expert witness for Victorian Parliamentary Committee on Road Safety which resulted in a recommendation for the Government to introduce legislation for the compulsory wearing of seatbelts.
It was a radical proposal. No other government anywhere in the world had attempted to force car users to wear seatbelts. The opposition was widespread with claims such as:
Such a law is a breach of civil liberties.
Seatbelts will encourage even more reckless driving.
A car occupant trapped in water or fire would not release himself in time.
Seatbelts are a danger for pregnant women.
A belt presses on the stomach and worsens an occupant’s stomach ailment.
On a hot day, it presses sticky clothes uncomfortably against the sweating body, or crushes a fashionable dress.
Initiatives were required on two fronts: a change to a culture that accepted road deaths were a fact of life—the current worldview—and the need for political will to introduce new laws.
A campaign instigated by Harry Gordon, editor of Melbourne’s Sun News Pictorial in November 1970 was called “Let’s Declare War on 1034.” It’s aim was to create awareness of the scale of road deaths and keep the figure below the number of deaths from the previous year. While the number of road deaths in 1970 ultimately reached 1061 the campaign went on for several years and did make an impact.
Blocking the legislation were two powerful politicians—the Premier, Sir Henry Bolte and the chief secretary of the Legislative Council Sir Arthur Rylah—who personally disliked wearing seatbelts. It took a visit by Rylah to the spinal unit at the Austin Hospital to become aware that the quadriplegics in the wards wouldn’t be there if they had been wearing seatbelts. He was finally convinced of the need for the legislation and in December 1970 Victoria became the first government in the world to introduce a law requiring the use of seatbelts in cars.
In the first year the death toll was down by 13 percent—a remarkable reduction. Other Australian states followed soon after and by January 1, 1972 the wearing of belts was compulsory throughout Australia. Other countries also introduced similar laws.
Today, Victoria is one of the safest places in the world for road users with many advances besides seatbelts contributing to the safer environment. In 2015 the number of drivers and passengers killed was 179 with most deaths being on country roads. The long-term goal is zero.
We owe a lot to Peter Joubert and others for their scholarship, commitment and leadership for change – examples of operating in all four quadrants of the Can-Do Wisdom Relational Domain.
——–
[1] Of the thousands of drivers who are picked up by police in Australia for not wearing a seatbelt many say they don’t need one because they are only travelling a short distance. But statistics show that almost half of accidents that cause serious injury or fatalities happen within five kilometres of home.
Posted in Change, Decision-making, Wisdom Concepts and tagged change management, culture change, leadership, Peter Joubert, seatbelts.
August 16, 2016 at 3:45 pm Reply
Hi Adrian. I enjoyed reading your trip down memory lane re the introduction of seat belts. I liked the way you put your own (honest) experience into the change/leadership scenario. Your referral to instances involving the quadrant was also useful
Many thanks for the opportunity to read your work. I am finding it very interesting and will delve further into writings. Best regards, Geoff
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The most frequent questions we get asked here at 2 Aussie Travellers are about the Japan Rail Pass. We’re asked whether you need it, is it good value, which one to get, how to use it and even where to go now that you’ve ordered it.
You’ll see a lot of questions in the comments section below. The JR Pass can be confusing so don’t be shy about asking if something isn’t clear after you’ve read through the explanation. With the introduction of even more regional variations recently it’s become increasingly complex but well worth understanding before you spend your travel dollars, or decide not to.
We’ve been booking the Japan Rail Pass regularly for over 13 years now and are happy to share our experience and what we’ve learned along the way so please ask any questions you have in the comments section at the bottom. Things change and your questions help us understand what information is needed and enable us to update the post to keep it as relevant as possible for anyone planning a trip to Japan now.
We refer to the Japan Rail pass often in our articles so this post will put our experience and information about it in one place. It’s a fundamental part of our Japan travel planning and one of our top tips for anyone planning a visit.
We suggest you consider whether you will use the JR Pass early in the trip planning process as it might impact the timing and sequence of the places you visit. That will have a flow-on effect on booking your accommodation and other activities.
Too often we hear from people disappointed because they didn’t know about the JR Pass in time or they’ve been sold one that they really didn’t need. We find the JR Pass to be one of the best travel deals around but we’ll be pointing out a number of situations below where you will want to save your money and just use individual tickets or a different pass.
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What is the Japan Rail Pass?
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
Is there a benchmark for deciding if you should buy the JR Pass over individual tickets?
What is the price of the Japan Rail Pass?
Are there situations where the pass isn’t good value?
Are there other advantages or disadvantages to using the pass?
Types of Japan Rail Pass
Which Pass
How long do you want to use the pass for
How to use the Japan Rail Pass?
The main terms and conditions
Purchase, exchange and activation date for the JR Pass
Best price for Japan Rail Pass
Our summary of the Japan Rail Pass
What is the Japan Rail Pass?
The passes are a deal offered by Japan Rail (JR) on their railway and ferry network exclusively for foreign visitors to Japan. To use one, you must be in Japan on a tourist visa (under 90 days).
Japan Rail has been trialling the sale of passes at a limited number of stations within Japan but if you want to use one we believe it’s still best to have it arranged in advance. Not only will it be cheaper if you buy it before you arrive in Japan but the whole process is going to go a lot smoother.
We did the price comparison and it was a 13% premium for purchasing the pass once you arrive in Japan. It’s easy to book ahead in your local currency and have it delivered to your door so why would you pay more than you have to? Even if you aren’t on a tight budget there are so many better things to do with your travel funds in Japan.
When you purchase the pass you will be sent a voucher from the travel agent or online distributor. When you arrive in Japan you exchange that voucher at a railway station office for the actual JR Pass. We’ll cover more on the conditions of purchase and the mechanics of activating your pass later.
While we (and most people) refer to THE Japan Rail pass there are actually a series of passes. Some such as the JR East and West passes cover only sections of the country and will be useful for very specific trips, or segments of your trip if you’re planning to travel for longer.
The most useful pass for most visitors and the one you will hear talked about as “THE Japan Rail Pass” is the one you can use nationwide. You can use it on all Japan Rail services including the shinkansen (bullet train), limited express trains, airport and local trains. There are even a few other specific services it can be used for including the ferry across to Miyajima Island in Hiroshima and some JR buses.
Japan Rail is the national railway, it is the largest network by far and you can travel to all prefectures and cities on its trains but not on every train line or to every station. There are many other companies in Japan that also operate train and subway services in different areas. This pass is only for Japan Rail services and can’t be used on private railways, subways or inner-city buses.
Check current prices for the Japan Rail Pass with our preferred supplier
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
We’ve purchased the JR Pass for most of our trips BUT only after planning what we wanted to do with it and calculating the value. In most situations, the pass has given significantly more value than the dollars we spent. We’ve used both the 7 and 14-day options and it’s averaged out that we get around twice the value that we paid, or looking at it another way we get half-priced travel, plus the convenience the pass brings. This has worked out the same whether we have used the standard or first-class (green) option.
Your style of travel, where you are going and over what time frame will determine if the pass is worthwhile for you. Our travel style is to select a couple of base cities and explore both locally and by day trips from there. Japan’s train system, especially the shinkansen (bullet train) and limited express trains are phenomenal making it easy to travel this way without moving your hotel and luggage every other day.
Have you considered these great side trips from Kyoto or Tokyo?
The Japan Rail pass also works well for those whose travel style is the complete opposite of ours. Those who travel light and want to cover a lot of towns and cities in a fairly short period only stopping a night or two in each new place will also get great value.
Although the pass can be an absolute bargain, if you’re on a very tight budget it may not be the best option for you. There are cheaper ways to get around Japan than trains, the trade-off will be time, convenience and potentially comfort so it comes down to what your priorities are.
As an example to take the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto will cost around Y13,850 for a single ticket but the overnight Willer Express bus can be as low as Y5,000 PLUS you will save a night’s accommodation as it literally travels all night. If you don’t need much sleep or you can sleep well sitting up it could be an option for you. While we’ve talked to several people who’ve used and recommended the bus as a budget option we haven’t used it ourselves and I’m just putting it out there as an alternative for comparison.
Is there a benchmark for deciding if you should buy the JR Pass over individual tickets?
This is where it gets a bit tricky and understanding how the pass works and some rough calculations can help.
You will probably hear people saying it’s only worth getting the pass if you’re going to travel by the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto return in 7 days. Like most simplified statements there’s some truth in it but it doesn’t tell the whole story.
The 7-day pass is just slightly more than a return ticket on that route and it’s likely you’ll do at least one or two other trips in that week so almost certainly you’ll get equal or better value from the pass. This two-city itinerary is also the most common travel plan for first-time visitors to Japan which is another reason why it’s a good starting point for deciding whether or not you will buy it.
What is the price of the Japan Rail Pass?
The first thing you need to know is the price of the Japan Rail Pass. It’s a service provided in Japan so the base price is always in Japanese Yen (JPY) and the price is fixed, you won’t see it go on sale. Using the price in JPY makes it easy to compare it to the individual ticket prices and decide whether you want to buy one.
7-day pass Y 29,650 Y 39,600
21-day pass Y 60,450 Y 813,390
Updated for 2022 prices
If you are planning a different route, even if you only plan to use the train one way and fly back out of a different city it may still be cost-effective. There are so many options and variables that it is almost impossible to give a generic answer. I’d suggest listing out your key routes and then costing them using Hyperdia (very happy to see its return with Japan’s border’s reopening!)
If you prefer to use your phone consider a tool like the free Japan Transit app. That link is for Apple devices, if you use Android you’ll need this one.
Japan Transit is the best free alternative to Hyperdia I have found as it is user-friendly and you can add in the settings that you are using a JR pass and it will then eliminate trains you can’t use from the search results.
Select your preferences in the settings, that Japan Rail Pass option at the top is why this tool is so good.
On the main screen choose the departure and arrival station and when you are planning to go. That last train option has been useful for us on long day trips.
Have a play and see if you get on with it, I still prefer Hyperdia in web mode, its app versions haven’t been great, but I’ve been using it for around 12 years now and it is just what I am used to. One of them will be one of your key tools both in the planning stage and once you’re in Japan. It will help you work out all the information including travel time, any transfers and for this particular purpose the cost. Make sure you take the total price from the top of the screen for the route you choose.
I have circled the cost at the top to use in your calculation
We have found this resource to be both useful and accurate but it can be a little overwhelming initially so have a look, let me know if I need to add more information or a comparison of why I chose this one over the alternatives.
I then jot down the dates and against them any major trips we will be doing that day. Don’t worry about the around-town trips at this stage, that might be a bonus saving but it’s not what is going to help decide if you need the pass or not. Plug those details into the app remembering to include the return fare if it’s a day trip.
Now I look for any 7-day grouping (or 14/21-day if that is applicable) and compare it to the price of the pass. If my dates are still flexible I might move things around so that they work better at this stage.
Are there situations where the pass isn’t good value?
Absolutely! If you’re spending your visit mostly exploring Tokyo with a few days in nearby towns such as Hakone, Nikko, Kamakura or Enoshima the pass will almost certainly not be worth the cost.
You are far more likely to use the subway most of the time within the city and there are passes or private railway options that can be better value for those other trips. Check out our posts on transport tips for first-time visitors to Japan and mastering the Tokyo subway system to get some handy hints if Tokyo is where you will spend a good portion of your time.
The same principle applies to a single base in most Japanese cities where you don’t plan on doing many intercity day trips. The difference in most of those cities is that Japan Rail is generally used on trips anywhere outside the city centre so you may use it more depending on what you want to see and do. If you plan to do a number of long-distance trips (for ideas see 10 top day trips out of Kyoto or Osaka) the Japan Rail Pass may still be a good deal.
Again I’d recommend using an app like the Japan Transit Planner to plug in your key routes and get an idea of the costs involved if you were to buy single tickets.
Are there other advantages or disadvantages to using the pass?
The main advantage other than the cost-saving is the convenience. You simply show the pass and move through the gates at the station very fast.
You can also make bookings for seats on the shinkansen and other long-distance trains such as limited express. There are two advantages to having bookings, firstly if you want particular seats, like sitting on the right-hand side out of Tokyo to see Mt Fuji you can request that.
More importantly during peak times or seasons, or if you want to take the last train back, it is also worth booking in advance. If you want a very early train one morning or you book a number of your side trips at once it can be a time saver too. You then only need to be at the platform at the required time and will know which carriage you want.
With the Japan Rail Pass, you can make as many bookings as you want, normally this is an additional cost but it’s an included service with the pass.
One thing some people don’t like about the pass is that you are required to carry your passport with you when using it. I can’t recall being asked for it at any gate or on any train but it is something you agree to in the terms and conditions. As a tourist in Japan, you are supposed to have your passport on you at all times for identification anyway.
The main disadvantage or risk I see people experience is getting caught up in maximising the value by trying to squeeze too much into a too short period of time. It can become stressful or you might end up not doing what you really wanted to do.
Finally the most annoying thing, and what I hope I can help prevent here, is anyone buying the pass and finding they didn’t really need it.
With a little bit of planning these risks can be avoided.
Types of Japan Rail Pass
If at this point you’ve decided it makes sense to use the Japan Rail pass you next need to make 4 choices:
Which Pass
The Whole Japan rail pass can be used right across the country, this is by far the most common version and the one you will need if you are including a trip from Tokyo to Kyoto for example.
There are many other passes issued by Japan Rail for extensive travel in very specific regions and these isolated areas are less common choices for tourists. With a few exceptions, when I’ve considered these in the past for sections of our trips I’ve usually found it more cost-effective and flexible to buy individual tickets or use a stored value card in that situation.
I do like the tool on this booking site over many of the other options. They offer a long list of JR Passes but when you select one from the summary screen it shows a map to the left with the covered area highlighted. I like this double-check that you are getting what you intended. They also list the 7-day national pass at the bottom of the regional list and on its own page.
How long do you want to use the pass for
The Japan Rail Pass comes in a 7, 14 and 21-day option. It makes sense to group your longer and more expensive trips during the duration of the pass and continue to explore within your base city outside of that.
Even if you’re staying 2-3 weeks in Japan you may only need the pass for the week when you do your long-distance trips and then buy individual tickets outside of that. The incremental cost of the pass does get cheaper for each additional week though so it’s worth pricing it out both ways.
The Japan Rail pass is ideal for a touring holiday such as our 14-day Japan itinerary to see the best of cherry blossoms that stops off in 10 cities between Tokyo and Hiroshima.
Japan Rail has ordinary cars and green cars on the shinkansen and other long-distance trains. These aren’t ‘green’ as in environmentally friendly it is their equivalent of first-class. The seats are larger and grouped in 2 not 3 on each side of the carriage. You usually have a bit more legroom, more comfortable foot and leg rests and sometimes additional facilities like charging points for electronic devices.
We have used both green and standard passes over the years and even when you have a green pass, not every train has that car option. The ordinary car is very comfortable too. When travelling as a couple, it is nice to have that extra space and have the row to ourselves. Generally, the green car is less busy overall and we’ve never had a problem finding space at the back of our carriage to stow our suitcase. I don’t consider it a necessity but yes the upgrade is nice.
The final variable is whether the passenger is an adult or a child. That’s fairly self-explanatory, under the terms of the pass a child is aged 6-11, and if they have turned 12 they require an adult pass. Infants aged 0-5 years won’t require their own pass BUT they are also not entitled to a seat. If you take this option, they must travel on your lap.
How to use the Japan Rail Pass?
The main terms and conditions
For the full terms and conditions at your date of purchase be sure to read them on the provider’s website or discuss them with the travel agent before you make your payment. The general rules are:
Purchase the pass before travelling to Japan (after April 2017 this is a price and convenience consideration only)
You must be able to produce the pass and the corresponding passport on request
The pass may only be used by the person named on it.
It must only be used within the dates shown on the pass
It’s for JR (Japan Rail) transport only but that includes certain JR buses and ferries
The pass can’t be reissued in the event that it is lost or stolen so be sure to keep it safe.
Purchase, exchange and activation date for the JR Pass
There are three dates to be aware of if you decide to use the pass.
Purchase date: For best value and convenience this needs to be before you leave home, or at least before you arrive in Japan if you are on a longer travel plan.
You can buy the pass up to 90 days ahead of when you plan to use it. If you think exchange rates are likely to move up a lot you might do it early but otherwise, I’d suggest looking into it a month before you fly giving you time to look into all the options. They usually only take a couple of days to arrive but allowing a bit more time gives a comfort margin if there are delays with the delivery. What you receive at this stage is a voucher for a Japan Rail Pass, not the pass itself.
Where to purchase: Most of our passes have been purchased online which has been a very quick and smooth process. One of the first ones we ever bought was through a large local travel agent chain in Australia and it was a comedy of errors.
It ranged from staff who we are told ‘unexpected quit’ after 4 days leaving phone messages for them, then the vouchers were sent back and forward between the branch and head office 3 times for no obvious reason and then we were told they had dropped between folders in the filing system and sat unseen on the bottom for another week. The end result was a lot of unnecessary stress and it took almost 3 weeks to finally get the pass – hence my commitment to planning ahead whenever I can. I also now always use an online specialist rail pass booking service.
Exchange date: Once in Japan you can exchange the voucher for a pass at a JR station office whenever you want, this is simply receiving the pass and it doesn’t activate on this date unless you want it to of course. You will usually be given a very simple form to fill out with your name, dates and a few details in English, you present it with the voucher and passport and they write up your pass and hand it to you. Before you leave the counter check your name is written correctly (it must match your passport) and that the dates are correct.
Activation date: The activation date is the day you want to first use the pass. It can be the date you exchange your voucher and pick up the pass or any date after that as long as it will be used within the 90-day purchase window. The pass works on calendar days, not a 24-hour period.
Best price for Japan Rail Pass
Because the wholesale price of the pass is fixed there is only a small variation in price between providers that results from the difference in their profit margin, exchange rates used and who absorbs the delivery fee.
Buying the pass is a sizable outlay of cash so we want to purchase from a company that offers a good price, who we trust, can offer prompt delivery and is easy to deal with.
We have used JRPass for a number of years now. They have been competitively priced, had quick delivery and we have had no issues dealing with them.
Check prices and order the Japan Rail Pass
There are a few things we have noticed when travelling inter-city on Japanese trains. These tips might be useful if you are going to be spending a bit of time travelling on them:
If you have a booking and are in a carriage with allocated seating, you must sit in that seat and only that seat. Don’t move to ‘spare’ seats with a better view as people will board at all stops along that route and they will reasonably expect to sit in the seat they booked.
Place small to medium baggage in the racks above the seats, if you have large luggage there is a section at the back of each carriage to place it in. We’ve not had any issue with getting luggage space when moving between cities with our suitcases as locals mostly travel with small cases. If you have larger suitcases you need to book your seat, this is free with the pass and will avoid incurring a surcharge for luggage storage if space is unavailable.
It’s perfectly OK to eat and drink on long-distance trains. You can bring food with you or purchase it from the trolley that goes past periodically. You’re expected to take the rubbish off the train at the end of your trip and out of courtesy not to bring overly fragrant food onboard.
It is normal practice in Japan to keep your voice low when chatting on public transport. Talking loudly or being on the phone is generally considered impolite.
If travelling with children it will help to have activities to keep them quietly entertained. There is some tolerance for children being children but not running around the train, standing on seats or shouting.
Be waiting at the marked area of the platform for your carriage before the train is due to arrive. Allow any exiting passengers off first then board promptly. Trains, especially the shinkansen run to a very tight timetable and they won’t hold the train for you as you race down the platform.
Our summary of the Japan Rail Pass
We have consistently found the Japan Rail Pass to be easy to use and to represent excellent value on our travels. That said, everyone’s circumstances and travel style will differ. Invest a little time before you book to ensure you get the right pass for your needs.
This article turned out longer than I intended but I hope it has answered your questions. The terms, conditions and prices for the Japan Rail Pass do change over time and I will update this article regularly to ensure it is as current as possible.
Before purchasing you should always read the agents website details carefully or ask them to clarify anything you are unsure of. If you have any queries in the planning stage that I haven’t answered here please leave them in the comments section below, I will answer you directly and also update additional information in the article for others.
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By Author Toni Broome
Posted on Last updated: November 11, 2022
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Lisa Remeeus
Tuesday 6th of December 2022
To add to my previous message. I would stay 4 nights in Tokyo so I was wondering if it’s worth it to get the 7 day rail pass?
Lisa Remeeus
Tuesday 6th of December 2022
I have been reading your article and it has a lot of helpful information in it. I still wanted to ask though. I arrive in Fukuoka the 2/01 and am planning on travelling > Hiroshima > Osaka > Kyoto > (some place on the lake near Mount Fuji) > Tokyo and flying out of Tokyo the 14/01. Would you recommend the jr pass? Thank you!
Thursday 1st of December 2022
Good afternoon, What are you thoughts on purchasing a JR pass for the following itinerary: - 11 days in Japan - Arrive Narita airport, travel to Tokyo for 3 nights (mostly stay in the city, possible day trip to the Amusement park in Fujiyoshida. - Travel to Hakuba for 7 nights (skiing in Hakuba Village, one day trip to snow monkeys) - Travel to Narita airport from Hakuba Village Thank you : )
Friday 2nd of December 2022
Hi Krisite. I wouldn't use the JR pass for this one as with 7 nights in Hakuba you will only get to use it on one of the trips from Tokyo and the snow monkeys day trip. Hakuba to Narita Airport and return to the snow monkeys is just under Y25000 so doesn't justify the price of the ticket and from Habuka, while you can definitely get to the snow monkeys by train and a 5-minute bus trip from Yudanaka station, it does require a few changes between local trains and takes a long time. I would probably choose one of the tours that depart from Hakuba which take around 2 hours to get to the entrance of the snow monkey park track.
Saturday 12th of November 2022
Hi, I am planning a trip to Japan in May 2023. I am still very confused about how to price my trip to the JR pass.
I Arrive at Fukuoka Airport on 9 May From Fukuoka to Hiroshima on 11 May From Hiroshima to Kyoto on 13 May From Kyoto to Osaka + a day to Nara on 16 May From Osaka to Hakone for 2 nights on 21 May From Hakone to Tokyo on 24 May which will stay until 29 May.
I am debating between using the 21-Day JR pass from 9 May to 24 May but after shinkansen calculations, its only about 40k yen. What would you suggest between the JR pass or just purchasing the tickets for the shinkansen and using a Suica card?
Thank you for reading.
Saturday 12th of November 2022
Hi Linus, based on the itinerary you have listed here you would not come close to recovering the cost of the 21-day JR pass on this trip. I'd stick with individual tickets and for convenience an IC card like Suica that you can now add to your Apple Wallet if that is convenient for you.
Tuesday 25th of October 2022
Hi, my partner and I are planning to go to Japan in March 2023 - arriving in Osaka, travelling to Hiroshima for a few days, then back to Osaka, Nara, Kyoto and then Tokyo; with possibly visiting some other places on day trips. So we think this pass will be useful, but I am always hesitant to book travel/rail passes myself rather than a travel agent. Do you still use the website in your article to book your railpass? And if so it is easy to use/redeem when you arrive in Japan? I can see that there are many website you can book the passes from, so I want to make sure that I use a legit website and not be scammed Thank you for taking time to read and respond to my enquiry.
Tuesday 25th of October 2022
Hi Kim. Yes, I totally understand, do it whichever way makes you the most comfortable. I have purchased the JR passes many times over the years but not since the reopening this month. I included that site based on my own experience with them in the past, I prefer to stick with sites I know but I don't work for them or have any information that isn't publicly available. The exchange process of the voucher at the other end should not be any different regardless of whether you buy it face-to-face with an agent or online.
For myself, the only time I've had issues with a JR pass purchase was my very first one when I purchased through a well known local travel agent so I now prefer the control of booking it myself online. An agent does the online ordering for you, which can be a more comfortable for anyone that doesn't often purchase online, it is an expensive item so do what feels right. Enjoy your trip and the planning process.
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Hi. I’m Toni, and together with my husband Drew, we travel the Asia Pacific region. Drawn by the incredible local food, diverse cultures and great outdoors, we share our travel inspiration, information and images here to help you plan your own fabulous adventures. Find out more.
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I feel like it has been forever since I wrote anything here and that is because all of my posts last week were written early since I was in New Jersey and Pennsylvania last week. Let me just say, wow, New Jersey has a TON of tolls. I plan on doing a little recap of my week later this week, but for now, I am going to talk about my little weekend. I am saying little weekend because storms in Denver caused me to have a 3 hour diversion into Scottsbluff, Nebraska and a missed connection in Denver. I didn't get home until after 2 pm on Saturday. Exhausted.
Once I got home, I just couldn't wait to take a shower and get into clean clothes. This was after greeting my family. The girls helped me unpack and once I was clean and settled in, we played and caught up. Then we had an early dinner since I was starving and ate little over the last 24 hours.
We went to dinner and then tried to take the girls around the mall to burn off some energy and calories from dinner. The girls had mega tantrums and it was embarrassing. I haven't seen a tantrum like this ever. It was epic. Screams, kicking and lots of tears all because we wanted to go into a store that the girls didn't want to go in. Once the tantrums ensued, we grabbed the girls and headed out. They screamed the entire time. Awful. Once we were in the car, we tried to tell them why we left, why it isn't ok to have a tantrum like that and to chill out. Avery did, but Sutton wasn't having it. They were so upset. Ugh. We drove home, got them ready for bed and just chilled out. Not the way I wanted to end my long day.
Sunday morning we thought about going to the lake, but after not having all the supplies needed, we decided to go to breakfast and then head to Graeagle for the first part of the day. The girls love it there as do I.
We went to the pond first and walked around it. It is about half mile to three quarters of a mile. We threw rocks into the pond and tried to spot the frogs we kept hearing.
Avery didn't want her picture taken all day.
After the pond, we headed over to the ice cream shop. Rory and I each got a scoop (which was massive) and we shared with the girls in the park across the way. The girls loved the ice cream minus the almonds in it. We played in the park for a bit before heading to the Brewing Lair, a local brewery that we love.
Once we got to the Brewing Lair, we noticed that it was getting crowded and they were having an even there later in the afternoon, Pints for Pups. It was in support of the humane society. So cute. They were setting up a food truck, a band, lawn games and more. We watched things get set up, had some beers, let the girls run around and play with the lawn games and just relaxed. It was very hot there, but so amazing.
After having a beer, we headed to a food truck for some lunch. The girls and I had grilled cheese and fries while Rory had a tuna sandwich. Everything was tasty. We headed home after and the girls fell asleep in the car.
We got home around 2 pm and bathed the girls and then bathed Walter since he was so stinky. Then the girls and I did chores around the house while Rory mowed the lawn. I headed out to the grocery store around 5 pm and grabbed stuff for the week. By the time I got home, it was already 6 pm. The day had flown by.
I prepped dinner, did some laundry, played with the girls and then swept and moped the kitchen and bathroom floors. It is amazing how dirty they get with the girls being at home everyday right now.
We put the girls down close to 8 pm and Rory fired up the grill to cook tri tip while I finished dinner inside. We had dinner, watched some tv shows and then went to bed early.
How was your weekend?
I am linking up with Biana from B Loved Boston.
Posted by Sparkles and Lattes at 7:55:00 AM
Kate at Green Fashionista July 24, 2017 at 9:41 AM
NJ will suck every last penny out of you, and the tolls are no joke! Glad you made it home safely albeit delayed, and yay for Walter baths! Too cute <3
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Melissa July 24, 2017 at 10:37 AM
Oh NJ. Sigh. I grew up there and don't miss it a bit. The tolls are just a part of why I hated it lol
Also, mama, I feel you on the tantrums. They're so exhausting and so embarrassing for all parties. Spencer has thrown a couple thus far in public (not many), but oh my goodness, I feel so shamed when I have to drag him out of there - especially since my husband is deployed, and it's all on me. I promise you, it does get easier the more they understand though! <3
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Lindsay's Sweet World July 24, 2017 at 11:23 AM
I still can't believe all of that trouble that you had getting home. I know you were so relieved to finally be reunited with your family. You really should be able to take some extra time off this week to make up for it!
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Andrea Nine July 24, 2017 at 11:29 AM
LOVE your pineapple top!!!! You look So pretty and with the pink shoes...CUTE!!! Tantrums are the worst, especially in public. Dang NJ!! I have a feeling this week will be waaaay better for you, I hope sweet lady!!
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Brandi Jo Little, Author July 24, 2017 at 11:35 AM
All of the photos just scream summer!!! <3 So sorry you had so much trouble with tantrums :( they are so so rough!! Hope you have a lovely week!
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Jen July 24, 2017 at 1:00 PM
I love the photos! I've heard about the excessive amount of tolls in New Jersey, does not sound enjoyable to me.
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BLovedBoston July 24, 2017 at 4:39 PM
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Lynn | Motherhood in Motion July 24, 2017 at 6:37 PM
I have that shirt too! and wow the girls are getting so big! Looks like a fun weekend.
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Jessica Kessler July 25, 2017 at 4:50 AM
Yay for a day in one of your happy places. Looks like you guys had a blast. I hear you on tantrums. Emmys had some epic ones lately. Ugh! Glad you are home with your fam.
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Lizzie @ This Happy Life July 25, 2017 at 4:52 AM
Gotta love those crazy tantrums said NO ONE EVER!! I hate when that happens especially when there's things I want/need to do. That pic of you and the girls is so cute!! We have so many tolls here in Chicago too but sounds like NJ might have us beat!
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Hena Tayeb July 25, 2017 at 6:04 AM
Oh those tantrums.. I remember D once threw a tantrum when he spotted a book he had in the store and was convinced this book was his book and wanted to take it home with him.
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Missy July 25, 2017 at 7:33 AM
Sorry about the tantrums, that age is hard! That brewery sounds great! Sorry you had so much trouble getting home, glad you made it safe and had a nice weekend!
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Dara @ Not In Jersey July 25, 2017 at 10:31 AM
I thought you were going to say NJ had a lot of traffic! Yeah, it has tolls too. Too bad you got delayed coming home!
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Jenuine Happiness July 26, 2017 at 7:40 AM
I was thinking of you while you were stuck on the plane. That is just awful. Glad you made it home, but wish you had gotten more of your weekend. And, I soooooooo feel you on the tantrums right now. It's our life, ha.
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The Rantings of a Drama Queen's Mum July 31, 2017 at 1:01 PM
We went to NJ in June & yes my hubby complained lots about the tolls. I love it there though. It was an 8 hour ride for us. So long. I love the pineapple shirt that you have on in that pic. Where did you get it?
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Hi! I'm Danielle, the girl behind Sparkles and Lattes! Wife to Rory, mommy to identical twin girls, Sutton and Avery and the cutest chiweenie pup, Walter. I'm a coffee lover, wine drinker, outdoors explorer, shopping extraordinaire, world traveler, music lover and adventure seeker. Follow my family as we navigate life in the beautiful Tahoe area.
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Here are three stories I’ve read and enjoyed recently: Selkie Stories Are for Losers, by Sofia Samatar: a gorgeous contemporary take on selkies. The Flying Woman, by Meghan McCarron: a delightful atmosphere, an aching and haunting story. And Their Lips Rang with the Sun, by Amal El-Mohtar: a lovely, poetic piece, strange in a good […]
Published on 20th January 2013 by Sara Norja
Some links for this cold Sunday! Story rec: * Go and read Carmen Maria Machado’s amazing story Inventory at Strange Horizons. Note: it’s somewhat sexually explicit, just in case you want to read it at work or something. But a wonderful, gripping story. Stuff I’ve been meaning to link for the past age: * […]
Published on 15th January 2013 by Sara Norja
Lately I’ve been remembering my dreams quite vividly. They’ve been strange and powerful dreams, too, some of them. Those often tend to turn into poetry or inspire stories, if they’re adventure dreams. My latest dreams have been poetry inspiration. I’ll have to see if I can get the very latest (today’s) into a good enough […]
Published on 2nd January 2013 by Sara Norja
Am on sick leave today because the wretched remnants of illness still lingered this morning. My New Year’s Eve was spent with a fever; I was so out of it that I was extremely content to be alone, and toasted the new year with a cup of peppermint tea. I’ve been under the weather ever […]
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Mrs Derrick (SENDco) and Mrs Spicer (Deputy Head Teacher) will be hosting our POP cafe on the following dates.
Wednesday 2nd November 2022 8:55am- 9:55am
Wednesday 22nd February 2023 8:55am- 9:55am
Wednesday 7th June 2023 8:55am- 9:55am
Our POP cafe is a time to have a talk to us about any school issue as well as meet and chat to other parents/carers over a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. There is no need to RSVP, just turn up on the day! We look forward to seeing you!
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The Western New York Service Learning Coalition is a collaboration of colleges, universities and community organizations. We are committed to sharing resources, knowledge and practices related to service learning in an effort to strengthen campus-community partnerships & promote student engagement in the community.
WNYSLC
About WNYSLC
Faculty Fellows
Become a Member
WNYSLC Members-Only
About WNYSLC
The Western New York Service-Learning Coalition (WNYSLC) is a collaboration of colleges, universities and community organizations. We are committed to sharing resources, knowledge, and practices related to service-learning and community engagement in an effort to strengthen reciprocal campus-community partnerships to promote student civic responsibility.
The goals of the WNYSLC are:
To educate faculty, staff, and not-for-profit professionals to work effectively to develop mutually-beneficial service-learning and community-engagement experiences to impact college/university student learning and the WNY community
To openly engage all higher education institutions and organizations that are interested in service-learning and community engagement in sharing ideas, resources and practices.
To serve as a national model of an effective collaboration between and among higher education institutions and community organizations.
To accomplish these goals the WNYSLC undertakes the following strategies:
Share resources to the mutual benefit of all stakeholders- College and university service-learning administrators and faculty members, students participating in service-learning, and community organizations that understand the benefit of collaboration.
Create valuable service-learning and community engagement experiences for students that meet academic goals and local, regional, and/or global community-identified needs.
Support active citizenship by engaging college students in the life of our region through partnerships with community organizations that provide students with awareness of social issues and promote action towards social justice.
The WNYSLC primary activities include:
Service Learning Faculty Fellows: a biennial intensive two-day training program facilitated by nationally recognized experts that provides support for the process of converting an existing course or creating a new course which incorporates service-learning.
Service Learning Conference: one-day conference held every two years. The conference provides learning and presentation opportunities for faculty, community partners and students through workshops, round-table discussions and dialogues on service learning and community engagement best practices for effectively managing campus-community-student relationships to promote successful results for all stakeholders.
Community Partner Programming: one to two professional development opportunities per year for community partners.
Networking Events: one to two casual, social networking for higher education faculty, service learning administrators and community organizations offered per year.
Electronic Newsletter: to engage members throughout the academic year on service-learning events and opportunities for collaboration. The newsletter is delivered monthly to faculty, service learning administrators and community organizations.
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In Part 1 (click here to read), I discussed the importance of turning this negative situation into a positive example. It can be done with the right tone, strategic messaging and utilization of the S.T.A.R.L. (Situation. Task. Actions. Results. Learnings.) method to structure your answer in the most effective way.
Today, we continue the conversation by focusing on the answer itself. Below are some key points to remember and examples of how you should be responding to this tricky question.
First, start by restating the question with a positive spin. Focus on the opportunity and resolution of this experience more than the disagreement itself.
“Sue, great question. You’d like me to tell you about a time I had an opportunity to share a differing perspective with my boss?”
This sets the tone right from the start. From here, you can dive into your S.T.A.R.L. Method.
“The situation occurred late in 2017 when I was a Program Manager focused on supply chain at Google. We had been working with a difficult vendor that supplied CPU components for our Nest devices. My boss, Jane, who was Director of Program Management, asked me to step in and renegotiate our contract for 2018. Specifically, she wanted me to ask this difficult client for a 10% reduction across the board in cost, which added up to approximately $2 million. She wanted this price deduction to happen over a 12-month period of time.
“This direction happened during a meeting with a critical stakeholder, so I just took it all in, listened, and asked some follow-up questions. However, I didn’t outwardly disagree with Jane in that forum because it wasn’t appropriate.”
“My task was clear. I needed to renegotiate with this vendor.”
“The first action I needed to take was to schedule a follow-up meeting with Jane. I had always experienced Jane to be really open to my ideas, and she was an expert in vendor management. I knew that if I went to her and told her my main objective was to understand the reasoning behind this decision, she would be open to my feedback.
“I created a list of questions, specifically asking about the reasoning and where the directive was coming from. I wanted to understand if she was open to alternative solutions. At the end of the meeting, I asked Jane for three days to come up with an action plan for her. While Jane was friendly in her response, she was pretty stern that this was the direction the company needed to take.
“I stood my ground calmly and politely, and she granted me the three days I asked for.”
“The second action was getting to work. That started with data gathering. I mentioned this was a difficult client and there is a little bit of additional context to provide. The interactions to this point had been pretty poor, and they had missed three critical shipments during 2017. With those two items to focus on, I went and found Bob. He was the former stakeholder and Program Manager dealing with this vendor for three years.
“Bob confirmed that they were difficult to work with and had missed several shipments during his time on the account. Secondly, I went to our customer success team to ask if I could get some documentation. Within that data, I was able to find some additional negative interactions with this vendor.
“Third, I researched competitors. I identified three specific CPU competitors that might be able to offer us alternatives. Fourth, I wanted to stack rank. Part of that research was reaching out to former colleagues and friends at some of Google’s competitors to figure out if this was a good move and see if they had any experience with any of these vendors. This allowed me to stack rank these companies.
“Lastly, I had to reach out to these companies and set up meetings as quickly as possible. I brought others into these meetings, including a person from sales, a technical expert and the customer success person I talked to before.”
“I needed to compile all the data into two formats: a Google spreadsheet and a Google slide presentation. Ultimately, what I wanted to identify for Jane was the customer focus of these three alternative organizations, their price points and their perceived ability to ship and deliver on time.”
“I had the second meeting with Jane and presented my findings. I made recommendations based on the data I gathered. I also highlighted the benefits and challenges of switching vendors, especially this late in the year. Lastly, I presented an anticipated timeline for how we could make the change. My final recommendation was that I could either present this to leadership or Jane could present it herself.”
Results
“Ultimately, the results were that Jane and the executive team agreed with my number one choice for an alternative vendor, AMD, and we moved forward with them. The cost reduction of using AMD was not 10%. It was 5%. Their price point came in a little higher, but we were still able to save $1 million a year. In addition, we had no delays with them during the time I was in this role. All deliveries were on-time or ahead of schedule.
“The kudos I received was a promotion. This project was a big part of it, as it was highlighted at the top of my promotion packet. Lastly, was the documentation piece. I documented the way I conducted research with the vendor. This was actually shared with our marketing team. They took the same approach and switched to another vendor that saved them $300,000 in 2018. It was a huge win for the organization to replace two bad vendors.”
“What I learned from this experience was the importance of listening and asking questions before challenging leadership. In addition, research and data are obviously critical to success when you have a disagreement or an opportunity to share your perspective with your boss.
Watch the full video below on this topic for additional context and tips:
Jeff has interviewed over 1000 people in his career and previously spent five years working at Google headquarters in Silicon Valley. You likely found Jeff through YouTube and you will find the same level of dedication in his one on one practice interview sessions.
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My friend looked at me with a smile and beamed about her business’s results for the past 6 months. “Look at the turnaround,” she said. “We are well into the black for the first time all year thanks to cost controls and our hard work to collect from our customers.” She had every right to be proud…she had turned her business around by focusing on disciplined execution of her business plan. But then I asked the question that changed her mood: “How’s your cash?” She frowned, and admitted that “We don’t have much left, even after all that hard work.”
It’s one of those “Elephants in the Room” that plagues many businesses. We define an “Elephant in the Room” as a tough business problem that a leadership team would rather not admit exists, or has a very hard time facing head on. We see it all the time with companies we know. They make tremendous progress in improving their business results by growing revenue, controlling costs, and bringing the business to profitability, but they still have little cash left to invest in growth – cash they would love to use for the development of new products or services, for marketing to attract new customers, and to reward their people for great work.
How does it happen? Sometimes business owners don’t focus on their cash position with the same intensity that they bring to sales and product, or service, delivery. Sometimes they choose to spend more than they should on a new initiative – one that they really cannot afford. Often, they don’t stop to forecast the cash their business will need to pay their employees and their regular bills. Simply put, they take their eye off cash and ignore the looming “Elephant” – a coming cash crunch that can starve their business.
What can you do if this is a problem for you? Make cash your number one metric in the business. Measure it every week, forecast your cash needs monthly—using a rolling 3-6 month forecast, and admit it when you really don’t have the cash you need to take on a new project, or hire a new member of your team. When you are ready to spend some cash to grow, force yourself to make a conservative evaluation of the return that cash investment will bring. Then, cut that anticipated return in half. If it still looks like an attractive investment, spend the money. If it does not, don’t.
Focusing on cash every day is an essential tool in improving your execution as a business leader. Doing so will help you herd that “Elephant in the Room”—The Cash Crunch—out of your business.
Posted in Leadership-Executive Coaching Makarios
November 2022
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The toughest of elephants — change at the top
Simplify and Clarify to Improve your Execution
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Greenlights are an affirmation of our way, things that give us permission to proceed, make a decision or pursue a given path. They’re approvals, support, praise, accelerants and gifts that set you up for success.
Less impressed, more involved. You live a more present and meaningful life when you’re less impressed with yourself and your accomplishments, and more involved with your relationships with other people and your community. Being less impressed and more involved enables you to live according to timeless principles, live your values and chase your dreams.
The art of living is to be alright with life no matter how it plays out. Focus only on what you can control. And however it plays out, you are responsible for your decisions, choices, and outcomes. It’s your hands on the steering wheel, no one else. And it’s up to you to engineer your own greenlights.
“I believe everything we do in life is part of a plan. Sometimes the plan goes as intended, and sometimes it doesn’t. That’s part of the plan. Realizing this is a greenlight in itself. …It’s a matter of how we see the challenge in front of us and how we engage with it.”
“The arrow doesn’t seek the target, the target draws the arrow….sometimes we don’t need to make things happen.” Sometimes, we don’t have to actively search for something or make things happen. Sometimes, we will attract what we need at the right time. Things will happen at the right time, and sometimes good things happen when you stop actively looking for them. Be patient, and put yourself in a position to receive it.
Put yourself in a position to be lucky or successful. You can engineer your own greenlights. It is important to own your choices, and make yourself responsible for your own actions, rather than placing sole responsibility on God, or fate or luck. You need to work hard, be patient, and make no excuses for your actions.
I didn’t as much cease believing in God as much as I doubled down on self-reliance and the responsibility of my free will. I was done with the excuses that fate allows, I was ready to be the boss of me, the one to blame and acquit, I needed to own that it was my hands on the steering wheel.
You must sacrifice and persevere in order to achieve or acquire something that is really important to you. You must be disciplined and patient enough to forego something you want for another thing that is even more important to you. To be successful, you must be willing to forgo immediate pleasures for things that are even more important to you, things that are more meaningful and valuable. And when you decide to do something, “don’t half-ass it.” Give it your all; your best shot. Put your whole self into it. Do your best and make sure you engineer enough greenlights to succeed. And even if you do fail, it won’t have been because of lack of trying or persistence. The real failure is never trying.
Live your life in such a way that you can look back fondly upon it. You can do that by making goals and beginning with the end in mind. Envision what you want to achieve, and work backwards from that north star to achieve it. “Relatively, we are livin. Life is our résumé. It is our story to tell, and the choices we make write the chapters. Can we live in a way where we look forward to looking back?”
By being “less impressed, more involved”, you more vividly live your best life and chase your dreams. Paradoxically, by being less impressed with your accomplishments and achievements, and more involved with your life and your relationships, you will be more satisfied with your life. The chase is pleasurable, and important, but even more important are the people and relationships you make along the way.
I believe everything we do in life is part of a plan. Sometimes the plan goes as intended, and sometimes it doesn’t. That’s part of the plan. Realizing this is a greenlight in itself. …It’s a matter of how we see the challenge in front of us and how we engage with it. Persist, pivot, or concede. It’s up to us, our choice every time.
We cannot fully appreciate the light without the shadows. We have to be thrown off balance to find our footing. It’s better to jump than fall.
We have to prepare to have freedom. We have to do the work to then do the job. We have to prepare for the job so we can be free to do the work.
As I’ve navigated the weather in my own life, getting relative with the inevitable has been a key to my success.
When you can design your own weather, blow in the breeze. When you’re stuck in the storm, pray for luck and make the best of it. We all have scars, we’ll get more. So rather than struggle against time and waste it, let’s dance with time and redeem it, because we don’t live longer when we try not to die, we live longer when we’re too busy livin.
Greenlights is a memoir by Oscar-winning actor, Matthew McConaughey. It’s about the first fifty years of his life; the experiences and lessons learned, and the philosophy that animates and guides his actions throughout his life and career.
At age 50, McConaughey has been keeping diaries for the past thirty years, and “Greenlights” is the culmination of those notes, with the lessons and philosophies derived from those diaries processed through the filter of time. As he puts it, “I never wrote things down to remember; I always wrote things down so I could forget.” (5)
It’s not a book of advice, as McConaughey himself notes.
This is an approach book. I am here to share stories, insights, and philosophies that can be objectively understood, and if you choose, subjectively adopted, by either changing your reality, or changing how you see it. (5)
This is a book about how to catch more yeses in a world of nos and how to recognize when a no might actually be a yes. This is a book about catching greenlights and realizing that the yellows and reds eventually turn green. (13)
McConaughey tosses off concepts and ideas for living in his own lighthearted way. He has had a charmed life and career, with probably more greenlights than most people. But his upbringing in small-town Texas instilled a strong emphasis on family, religion, duty, and responsibility.
I’d recommend this book to people who want to learn some useful life lessons from a Hollywood celebrity told in a refreshing and charming way. McConaughey is a born storyteller, and his stories keep you interested and entertained.
Greenlights mean go – advance, carry on, continue. [Greenlights] are an affirmation of our way.
Catching greenlights is about skill: intent, context, consideration, endurance, anticipation, resilience, speed, and discipline.
We can catch more greenlights by simply identifying where the red lights are in our life, and then change course to hit fewer of them.
We can also earn greenlights, engineer and design for them….We can create more and schedule them in our future – a path of least resistance – through force of will, hard work, and the choices we make. We can be responsible for greenlights.
Catching greenlights is also about timing. The world’s timing, and ours. When we are in the zone, on the frequency, and with the flow. We can catch greenlights by sheer luck, because we are in the right place at the right time.
Yellow and Red Lights
Red and Yellow lights are “a caution, a detour, a thoughtful pause, an interruption, a disagreement, indigestion, sickness, and pain”
Greenlights can also be disguised as yellow and red lights….We don’t like yellow and red lights. They slow us down or stop our flow. They’re hard. They’re a shoeless winter. They say no, but sometimes give us what we need.
This is about McConaughey’s family and early childhood in Texas. McConaughey’s parents married each other three times (they divorced each other twice). McConaughey is the youngest of three brothers. He has two older brothers, Michael, and Patrick (who is adopted). Despite the turbulence and violence in his parent’s marriage, there was also shared love and humanity, and his small-town upbringing provided him with an appreciation for traditional values, hard work, discipline and responsibility.
My parents taught me that I was named my name for a reason. They taught me not to hate. To never say I can’t. To never lie.
My parents didn’t hope we would follow their rules, they expected us to. A denied expectation hurts more than a denied hope, while a fulfilled hope makes us happier than a fulfilled expectation.
I come from a family that might penalize you for breaking the rules, but definitely punished you for getting caught. Slightly calloused on the surface, we know that what tickles us often bruises others—because we deal with or deny it, we’re the last to cry uncle to bad luck.
It’s a philosophy that has made me a hustler in both senses of the word. I work hard and I like to grift. It’s a philosophy that’s also led to some great stories.
This is about his experiences in high school, and a difficult year spent abroad as a foreign exchange student in Australia.
Only later did I come to realize that the suffering and loneliness I experienced would be one of the most important sacrifices of my life.
Before my trip to Australia I was never an introspective man. On that trip I was forced to look inside myself for the first time to make sense of what was going on around me….Forced to look inside myself because I didn’t have anyone else. I didn’t have anything else. I’d lost my crutches.
It was a year that shaped who I am today. A year when I found myself because I was forced to…A year that also planted the seeds of a notion that continues to guide me: Life’s hard. Shit happens to us. We make shit happen.
And while I was going crazy, I kept telling myself that there was a lesson I was put there to learn, that there was a silver lining in all of it, that I needed to go through hell to get to the other side, and I did. We cannot fully appreciate the light without the shadows. We have to be thrown off balance to find our footing. It’s better to jump than fall.
While attending University of Texas-Austin (UT Texas-Austin), McConaughey comes across “The Greatest Salesman in the World”, a book written by Og Mandino. After reading the book and absorbing its message of persistence and positivity, he realizes attending law school is no longer what he wants. Instead, he decides to attend film school. His 3.82 GPA gets him into the film school Honors Program at UT-Austin.
While attending film school, he meets Don Philips, a casting director, in a chance meeting at a hotel bar. Philips gives McConaughey his film debut as “Wooderson” in “Dazed and Confused” directed by Richard Linklater. The film is a hit and launches McConaughey’s career.
McConaughey also talks about how his father’s death spurs him to become “less impressed, more involved”. It teaches him that we need to become less impressed with ourselves and our accomplishments, and more involved with our actual lives and with our relationships.
“Well…Don’t half-ass it.” [remark from his father upon hearing his decision to drop law school for film school]
Good looks don’t cook the dinner, but they’ll get you a seat at the table, and I was determined to take advantage of any seat I could get.
We are not here to tolerate our differences, we are here to accept them. We are not here to celebrate our sameness, we are here to salute our distinctions….As individuals, we unite in our values. Celebrate that.
McConaughey talks about finding almost instant success in Hollywood, and the opportunities and challenges that fame and success can bring. Fame brings wealth, but it also strains his relationship with his mother (who is overeager about celebrity), and makes it difficult for McConaughey to find peace and focus amidst the chaos.
We have to prepare to have freedom. We have to do the work to then do the job. We have to prepare for the job so we can be free to do the work.
Sometimes we don’t need advice. Sometimes we just need to hear we’re not the only one.
One of my strengths has always been that I can find an angle on anything, but now, with the ability to do almost anything, that strength was a weakness. Every project looked possible to me. …I needed some starvation.
I had crossed a truth. Did I find it? I don’t know, I think it found me. Why? Because I put myself in a place to be found. I put myself in a place to receive it.
I believe the truth is all around us all the time. The anonymous angels, the butterflies, the answers, are always right there, but we don’t always identify, grasp, hear, see, or access them — because we’re not in the right place to. We have to make a plan.
McConaughey talks about indulging in the seedier side of fame (although he is very discreet in the retelling). He recounts the infamous naked bongo incident. He talks about the succession of rom-coms that he is cast in, his growing professional restlessness and a desire for more serious acting roles. He visits Mali on a search for meaning and wrestles with one of their local champions, who later becomes a lifelong friend.
Nobody gets in trouble for what they do, they only get into trouble when they get caught. The art is in gettin away with it. The outlaw don’t live on the edges, he lives in the center, cruisin through the slipstream.
You know how it is, when you’re up to nothin no good’s usually next…. I took a lot of showers in the daylight hours, rarely alone. I partook.
I didn’t as much cease believing in God as much as I doubled down on self-reliance and the responsibility of my free will. I was done with the excuses that fate allows, I was ready to be the boss of me, the one to blame and acquit, I needed to own that it was my hands on the steering wheel.
I practiced being less impressed, more involved once again.
McConaughey talks about finding his partner, Camila Alves, and becoming a father, a lifelong dream of his. His first child is born in 2008. He describes his continuing desire for more challenging acting roles that provide professional growth and satisfaction. No longer content with rom-com roles, McConaughey desires for his acting career to reflect the vibrant personal life he is leading as a husband, father, and philanthropist.
It was a spiritual sign, a message to surrender, to quit trying so intentionally to find the perfect woman for me, and rather, concede to the natural selection process of finding her, her finding me, or not. …So I quit looking for her. Then, she came.
Commitments
I had five things on my proverbial desk to tend to daily: family, foundation, acting, a production company, and a music label. I felt like I was making B’s in all five. By shutting down the production company and the music label, I eliminated two of my five commitments with plans to make A’s in the other three.
I told my lawyer that I wanted to take care of my family, my foundation, and be an actor for hire. Simplify, focus, conserve to liberate. Alright, alright, alright.
Death, family crisis, and newborns—the end of a life, trying to keep a life, and welcoming in a new one—these are three things that will shake your floor, give you clarity, remind you of your mortality, and hence, give you courage to live harder, stronger, and truer.
We find the belief that our choices matter, that it’s not all for nothing, it’s all for everything.
My life was full. Wild. Dangerous. Essential. Consequential. Lively…I wanted to be in stories that at least challenged the vibrancy of the life I was livin, and play characters that at least challenged the liveliness of the man I was.
McConaughey’s second child is born in 2010. He vows to not take any more rom-com or comedic roles. After two years of abstaining from acting (due to no interest in rom-coms), he starts to be offered dramatic acting roles.
Recognize the problem
Organize the response
I’ve always needed work for my own sense of self-significance…My need for immediate personal accomplishment had me fighting against the temptation to do what I had always felt privileged to be able to do in the first place, while fighting for the necessity to have my art, my work, more resemble myself and my life.
Voluntary obligations … are faith-based responsibilities that we make on our own, the ones that define our constitution and character. They are secrets with our self, personal protocols, private counsel in the court of our own conscience, and while nobody will give us a medal or throw us a party when we abide by them, no one will apprehend us when we don’t, because no one will know, except us.
McConaughey marries his long-time partner Camila Alves. They have a third child in 2012. He wins the Best Actor Oscar in 2014 for playing HIV-positive AIDS activist Ron Woodroof in Dallas Buyers Club. He starts thinking about legacy, and decides to write his memoirs.
Afraid no more and in pursuit of a new mystery, I committed to the commitment, and for the first time in my life felt I could tumble and not fall.
I was finding inspiration everywhere, but now in truths, not ideas. Unimpressed with my success, I was involved in it, wanting what I needed and needing what I wanted. The more successful I became, the more sober I got; I liked my company so much I didn’t want to interrupt it.
I won the Oscar for Best Actor. I was extremely honored to receive this award representing the pinnacle of excellence in my profession. It was also validation that my choices as an actor were translating as a highly competent craft. I was not half-assin it.
There’s a difference between art and self-expression. All art is self-expression. All self-expression is not art.
Decision to Write A Memoir
Time to get rid of the filters. Make my life my favorite movie. Live my favorite character. Write my own script. Direct my own story. Be my biography. Make my own documentary, on me. Nonfiction. Live, not recorded. Time to catch that hero I’ve been chasing, see if the sun will melt the wax that holds my wings or if the heat is just a mirage. Live my legacy now. Quit acting like me. Be me.
I wrote this book so I could have a written record to hold myself accountable to. I wrote this book so you can hold me to task and remind me of what I forget. I circled back to prior times; lessons learned, repeated, and revisited. I noticed that the realizations arrived quickly, the learning took time, and the livin was the hardest part. I found myself right where I left me.
Lessons Learned in his 20s
In his 20s, he “learned the value of values”.
Through discipline and deep affection, I learned respect, accountability, creativity, courage, perseverance, fairness, service, good humor, and a spirit of adventure in ways that some people might consider abusive, but I remember as tough love, and I wouldn’t give back one ass whupping I ever got for the value of the values my parents impressed upon me.
Lessons Learned in his 20s and 30s
His 20s and 30s were “contradictory decades”, where he “eliminated conditions and truths that went against my grain.”
I was often more concerned with not running red lights than I was with investing in the greenlights. I did what I wanted, I learned to live. I survived.
Lessons Learned in his 40s
My forties were a much more affirming decade, years when I started to play offense with truths I had learned and put them into action. An era where I doubled down on what fed me.
It was a time when I not only cruised through more greenlights because I had eliminated more red and yellow ones, but a time when I created more greenlights to travel through. A time when past reds and yellows finally turned green, as old hardships revealed themselves as good fortune, a time when the greenlights beamed brighter because I gave them more power to shine. I did what I needed, I lived to learn. I thrived.
Rather than cover their eyes from ugly truths, I want to cover their eyes from fictional fantasies that will handicap their ability to negotiate tomorrow’s reality. I believe they can handle it.
When we have kids, there is no intellectual discussion or philosophy as to how or how much to love, protect, and guide them, it’s an instinctual commitment, an immediate, infinite, and ever-growing responsibility. A privilege. A greenlight.
Bipartisan and nondenominational, values are not only guiding principles we can all agree on, they are the fundamental ethics that bring people together. When we are competent at our values and place more value on competence, we create a more valuable society—and that means more return on our investment, us.
Inevitably, we are going to die. Our eulogy, our story, will be told by others and forever introduce us when we are gone….The Soul Objective. Begin with the end in mind. What’s your story? This is mine so far.
Goals
McConaughey wrote these goals in his diary on September 1, 1992. He hadn’t looked at them since, and found these notes while writing this book, published in 2020.
Notice the date. Two days after finishing my first-ever acting role as “Wooderson” in Dazed and Confused. Fourteen days after my dad moved on. (Like I said, I guess I remembered more than I forgot.)
10 Goals in Life
Become a father
Find and keep the woman for me
Keep my relationship with God
Take more risks
Stay close to mom and family
Win an Oscar for best actor
Look back and enjoy the view
Just keep livin
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| 23,106 |
Berkley Heat titles by Joey W. Hill The Vampire Queen's Servant The Mark of the Vampire Queen A Vampire's Claim Beloved Vampire
Vampire Instinct Bound by the Vampire Queen Taken by a Vampire Unrestrained
Berkley Sensation titles by Joey W. Hill A Mermaid's Kiss A Witch's Beauty A Mermaid's Ransom Something About Witches In the Company of Witches Anthologies Laced with Desire (with Jaci Burton, Jasmine Haynes, and Denise Rossetti) Unlaced
(with Jaci Burton, Jasmine Haynes, and Denise Rossetti) Specials
Part III: Bound to Please
Bound to Please
Published by the Penguin Group
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
An InterMix Book / published by arrangement with the author PUBLISHING HISTORY
InterMix eBook edition / June 2014
Copyright (c) 2014 by Joey W. Hill.
Excerpt from Naughty Bits: The Highest Bid copyright (c) 2014 by Joey W. Hill.
Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.
Cover design by George Long.
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InterMix Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group and New American Library, divisions of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
INTERMIX(r) and the "IM" design are registered trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) LLC
Berkley Heat titles by Joey W. Hill
About the Author
In our previous two installments, Madison has inherited her sister's erotica shop and met the hardware store owner next door, Logan Scott. Logan is a sexual Dominant, and Madison can't resist exploring her own submissive urges with him. With every step they take together, she's gaining confidence as the proprietress of women's fantasies. She's also finding it harder to resist going even deeper into the things Logan can teach her about her own desires. Now he wants to teach her about the pleasures that can be found in pain . . .
"How sweet it is . . . to be loved by you . . ."
Madison belted out lyrics, doing the stroll across the front of the store. As she twirled around her current customer, putting a lot of loose hip action into the movement, the heat from the front window slid across her shoulders, as if the sun was a partner in the dance.
"You just gotta dance when Marvin Gaye sings that one," she said as the music died away. "It's a requirement."
"I'm doing this instead of my step class from now on," Helen Christian said, coming to a laughing, breathless stop. "Wow. That was fun."
When she entered the store, Helen had looked like she needed some fun in her life. She'd been a bit stiff and unsure, until Marvin Gaye came to the rescue and Madison pulled her into an impromptu booty-shaking session.
Madison propped her arms on a rounder of lacy bras and arched a brow. "Okay, now that you're loose, let's try that first question again. Have you talked to your boyfriend about his fantasies?"
Helen grimaced. "Not in a while. I mean, he hates his job. Most of the time when he gets home, he wants to eat dinner and go straight to his gaming."
"What does he play?"
Helen described a computer game that involved warriors, dragons and a lot of maiming and explosions, using swords and spells. Serving the will of the Wrath Queen or the Grey Queen, depending on the character he chose, was the driving force of the game.
As Helen looked through more lingerie choices, Madison gave her a frank and critical look. Helen was a strong-boned, handsome woman, inspiring Madison to make a subtle shift to the role-playing rack and consider the choices there.
She was extra careful not to let her current BDSM explorations direct her customers' desires. Not everyone was interested in Domination and submission fantasies. Just this morning, she'd spent a very enjoyable couple hours helping customers enhance and spice up their relationships with the right type of lingerie, warming oils, body paints, vibrators. Neither restraints nor floggers had been necessary or appropriate to meet their needs. But when Helen explained the game, some inner intuition tingled, and Madison decided to trust it. What the hell.
Plucking a Xena-warrior-princess-type outfit off the rack, she gestured at Helen with it. "This would look incredible on you. Imagine if the Wrath Queen showed up in your bedroom and told your husband she was very disappointed by how he'd been neglecting his duties, but Her Majesty had several ideas on how he could gain back her royal favor."
Helen laughed, then realized Madison was serious. While she was intrigued enough to come over and touch the breast plate, her fingers curled into an uncertain ball. "Oh, I don't know. It would be right out of the blue. He'd probably start laughing and I'd be mortified back into neck-high flannel in the middle of summer."
"It's amazing how the right visual can direct the male mind. The fun part--well, the fun part before the really fun part-- is the setup and presentation. First you need to talk to him about his fantasies, see if he's ever imagined a woman taking charge. You know him better than anyone, so you'll know how to ease it into the conversation."
She saw that sink in; the reminder that, if everything was as it should be, Helen was the most important person in her husband's life. The one whose needs and opinions mattered most to him, and meshed with his own. Enough that they'd said 'til death do us part' to one another. Madison cleared her throat, thinking of warm brown eyes and Logan's touch on her body. Don't confuse your desires with hers. But they could overlap, couldn't they?
"Get him thinking about it, and telegraph your own interest. That will get him speculating on what you might be planning. Then, when you do dress up like this, it will be a special surprise, but it won't come out of the blue. Timing's everything."
"I don't know. I'm not sure I'm the dominatrix t
"It's just a role, not an identity change. Like playing dress-up when we're small. We all have a bit of the warrior queen or harem-girl slave in us, and a lot of versions in between. It's just a way to have fun with the person we love. Show him you're willing to explore different adventures with him. The most critical question is do you like the idea? Because as important as it is to figure out if it's one of his fantasies, seeing if it can intertwine with your own is equally important. Then you can tailor it, make it unique to your own relationship."
Since she could see Helen mulling it over, Madison tucked her tongue into her cheek. "Imagine him kneeling before you. You order him to remove his shirt, because you want to trail your fingers over those scars he's gotten in your service, scratch them a bit with your nails. You order him into your bed, commanding him to pleasure you . . . and the rest is all about the two of you getting lost in it."
Helen had a pleasant face, her blond hair pulled back so it emphasized the impact of her direct green eyes. In addition to the strong bones, she was a buxom thirty-something with generous breasts and hips. As she absorbed the words, tried them out in her own head, Madison had the satisfaction of watching her body language shift. The back straightened, the chin tilting, a sharper look coming to her gaze. All things the woman was probably oblivious to doing, but envisioning the fantasy enough to change her stance was a good sign.
"Yeah," she said slowly. "I kind of like the idea. When I was in college, I had a boyfriend who liked being tied up. I passed it off as a Houdini thing, him trying to get out of restraints, but when I was tying him, I remember the way he watched me, like . . ." She shrugged, gave Madison a smile. "I enjoyed it."
"So there's potential there."
"Maybe." Her gaze slid over Madison's outfit. "You make it look like so much fun. I know wearing your outfits is probably a great way to sell your merchandise, but you look like you get into it."
Today, Madison had chosen the severe librarian look, a crisp but formfitting white shirt tucked into a tailored skirt that hugged her curves. She wore sensible black pumps, and a pair of black-framed glasses perched on her nose. She'd worked her unruly hair into a prim bun and stuck a couple writing pens in it, just to augment the librarian image. To add the sexy, she wore a lacy white bra under the shirt, unbuttoned enough to catch a glimpse of cleavage, enhanced by a gold necklace with "#1 Librarian" scrolled on the locket pendant.
Madison struck a pose, staring down her nose through the glasses. "Nothing like a book applied to a bare backside to catch someone's attention," she said. "No gaming until you have fully satisfied my needs, young man."
Helen grinned. "Maybe I'll start with something like that and work up to Xena."
"Always good to go in stages," Madison approved. "But first things first. Remember to talk to him, get the wheels turning. It's the hardest part, but it will be good for both of you. It's like fantasy foreplay."
She sent Helen on her way with a bra-and-panty purchase and a head full of ideas. As the woman crossed the street to her car, she stopped, her attention caught by something out of view. Madison suspected she'd gotten a whiff of the pastry place a few stores down. More than once, when she was resolved to do an extra workout, she herself snagged a giant cinnamon bun from them. It was worth every sweaty minute.
She smiled as she saw Helen leave the car and head that way. Indulging herself.
Returning to her cash register, Madison caught her reflection in one of the mirror panels. Helen's observation had surprised her, but she had to admit she did look at home in the persona she'd chosen for today.
From the moment she'd decided to honor her sister's dying wish that she take over Naughty Bits, her transformation, inside and out, had hit snags, but now it was a smooth evolution, gaining more ground every day. Especially since the grand opening, several weeks ago. Though Madison had opened the doors of Naughty Bits again well before that, the event had been her official kick off.
It had gone well, and she'd had the opportunity to draw back more of the loyal customer base Alice had harvested. Many might have attended the grand opening out of sentiment, but that wasn't what had them coming back now.
As her mind traveled back to that day, she knew she was revisiting it not so much because of the event itself, but what had happened after. Another indication of how her confidence, her trust in herself, was improving. As well as her belief that there might just be someone in the world she could trust to catch her when she fell . . .
As the attendees volunteered their stories of how Alice had guided them in their sexual adventures and deepened their emotional bonds with their partners, she listened with a smile on her lips. She laughed when they talked about her sister's quirky and wise insights, her friendship and generosity.
"What a pleasure it was just being around her" . . . "Madison, you look so much like her . . . " . . . "I wish you every success . . . " "I'm so happy I can tell my friends the doors are open again . . . "
Alice hadn't wanted a funeral. She'd told Madison to host a celebration of life whenever it felt like a good time. Unwittingly, the grand opening had become that service. Since she'd placed a picture of Alice on the counter for the event, she saw plenty of people go by, touch her sister's face.
After it was all over, the final person--a tall woman in a multi-hued gauzy dress that smelled of fragrant sage, a scent Alice had loved--gave Madison one last hug and another genuine wish for all good things. Madison nodded, smiled again. Then, once that patron was across the street, Madison took a breath and locked the door, turning over the closed sign.
Clean up was fairly quick, though collecting the things she needed to take home took extra time. Some of them had brought little gifts, surprisingly. A tribute to her sister, to what she had meant to them.
Madison put the items into one of her store bags and shouldered her purse. As she moved through the storeroom and put her hand on the back door latch, she was struck suddenly by how numb she was, almost as if nothing around her was real, substantial. Then a cramp hit her stomach, a tightness squeezing her chest, taking away her breath.
Dropping her purse, she sank to her knees on the concrete floor, staring sightlessly at the door.
Alice was gone. Truly gone. And she wasn't coming back. No matter how successful Madison made Naughty Bits, no matter how much she talked aloud to her, Alice wasn't here. The sister who'd loved her, helped raise her, who'd always been there. Her family.
Her mind turned to Logan and Troy, and the desperate wish that they were here. They were the closest thing to a family she had now. Given how short a time she'd known them, that thought should be absurd, but given their connection to Alice, and the intense things they'd shared in that short time, it didn't seem absurd at all.
They'd come to the opening earlier, but hadn't stayed for the whole thing since they had the hardware store next door to run. She understood that. Yet some part of her wanted to get up, run through that connecting backroom door and find them. Fortunately, her weak knees and that terrible pain in her middle kept her from embarrassing herself.
She rocked herself, keening. She expected it to ease off, a few hard waves followed by an ebbing that would allow her to breathe, but it didn't happen. It got worse. She couldn't stop crying.
Even though she wasn't expecting any company, somehow she wasn't surprised when a hand touched her shoulder. "I can't . . . stop . . . " she managed, gasping.
Maybe Troy had come into their storage room and heard her, no matter that she was trying to strangle back the sounds. But it didn't matter how he'd gotten here. The important thing was that he was. Sliding down the wall to take a seat next to her, he folded her in his arms. Her own went around him, clinging as she sobbed. Barely a minute later, her heart broke open all the way, because Logan joined them as well.
When he knelt by her other side, she released Troy to turn toward him, pressing her face into his chest. She was suddenly quite certain she'd be ripped in two if he wasn't the
re to hold her. As Logan's arms went all the way around her, she let out a sound she expected she'd make if he caught her before she fell over a cliff. Troy stayed at her back, rubbing it until she could breathe again.
Logan wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and Troy found her tissues to blow her nose. They didn't ask her to talk. But she still managed to stammer out the words. "It was wonderful . . . and so hard. So hard."
Logan nodded against her temple, holding her tighter. Troy put his lips to her shoulder, leaned against her back. They surrounded her, and she didn't have to explain. They understood.
Revisiting her sister's memory with those who loved her had been wonderful, yet she still stood apart, alone. Her bond to Alice was singular, a blood connection. And Alice was gone, that connection severed, casting Madison adrift. Yet here they were, holding her, keeping her anchored. Somehow, knowing she wasn't alone made it seem that Alice was still present, the tether to her still there.
The first day Madison had met Logan, he'd said Alice had given her to him. At the time, she'd reacted the way she expected anyone would react to such an astounding statement from a stranger. Now she was both paralyzed and suffused with hope that her sister had known what she was doing.
Coming back to the present, Madison remembered how Logan had taken her home, tucked her into her bed with a cup of tea. He'd stayed with her until morning, leaving her with a vague awareness of his lips brushing her brow before she was lost again to a dreamless, exhausted slumber.
In her more or less lucid moments, depending on her mood, she found it unsettling, how easily she let him past any emotional shielding or barrier she had. She wanted to believe it was evidence of positive growth in their relationship, rather than her following the same track she always had, trusting too much of herself, too soon, opening herself to being shattered.
Stop it. Trying to distract herself now, she picked up a wooden paddle and slapped it against her hand, giving herself a suitably disapproving look in the mirror. She was finding she could really get into the different ideas she created for her clients, but when it came to punishment, she was still playing around the edges. Logan had given her a brief taste with that one smack on her ass at her house during movie night, but she didn't have a firsthand understanding of the connection between pleasure and pain.
| 18,251 |
Kevin Roose was a junior at the Ivy League’s Brown University when he convinced his parents and his college dean to let him take his semester “abroad” at Liberty University, the conservative Christian school founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell. His book about the experience, “Unlikely Disciple,” is as remarkable for Roose’s acute observations about extreme evangelical culture as it is for his utter innocence about religion, at least when he stepped on the Liberty campus. I talked to Roose last week about his stunt, how it woke him up to other’s faith, and his own.
At the end of the book you seem to be cruising on the spiritual high you experienced at Liberty. Is that still happening?
Oh, absolutely. Before I went to Liberty, I was not an atheist, and I wasn’t Christopher Hitchens. I wasn’t a believer, either. I was just sort of God-ambivalent. I had no idea how powerful a faith community could be. Now I think about faith all the time. I try to pray every morning. It’s not that I have this cosmic expectation about the effectiveness of prayer, but it helps me get through the day. I’m still not to the point where that’s a perfectly natural thing. It still feels a little like I’m play-acting, but I’m going to keep at it for as long as it remains a positive force in my life.
You go back and forth in the book between an anthropological idea of faith, as something driven by intense community experiences, and something that lives inside of us. As you look back, where would you locate faith, especially the faith experience you had at Liberty?
I think it’s both. I think religion can’t exist in a vacuum. Religion thrives in community because you need constant reinforcement. You need people to question and push you forward. You need people to celebrate with. That group euphoria is not just a side benefit of faith. It’s a core reason that people are faithful. It’s going to be much harder for me to progress spiritually, in the Liberty sense at least, when I’m not surrounded by a community of believers. And I hope that in time I can find a faith community I’m comfortable with and that will kick start that process again.
Has anyone from a Christian group at Brown gotten in touch with you?
Actually they have. I met a young lady last night who is part of the–they call it College Hill for Christ, because Brown is located in [an area of Providence called] College Hill. They have reached out with gratitude that someone is finally acknowledging that, just as Liberty is not this monolith where all people think and believe the same thing, neither is Brown.
You point out that 51 percent of Americans say they don’t know any evangelical Christians, and yet you also throw this stat out that a third of teenagers consider themselves born again. How do you account for the fact that these evangelical kids you’ve met are such strangers to the rest of us?
It’s a great question. A lot of us, especially people like me, we’ve barricaded ourselves in these communities where everyone agrees with us. It’s much more comfortable to be surrounded by people who believe the things that you do. It is, after all, why students go to Liberty–to be around people who have the same political, for the most part, and the the same theological beliefs for the most part. So, I think both sides are guilty of this sort of sequestering, and we need to do a better job of reaching across these lines.
Some people have pointed out, among them a Liberty professor, that in your portrait of the evangelical students you focus on things, like racism, that is not Christianity, but part of Southern culture, or Falwell’s particular politics. How do you respond to that?
Well, I tried really hard to keep those things separate, but it’s not always easy. Even evangelicals have a hard time separating the two strands. To a large extent, they’re the ones who conflated Southern culture and the evangelical faith, and given theological support to cultural ideas. I tried to say, “Okay, this is Southern culture, this is Jerry Falwell’s cult of personality,” but it’s hard even for evangelicals to do. I didn’t go to Liberty to get a macrocosmic view of all of evangelical Christianity. The point was to go to one specific community, and a very influential community.
A lot of time is spent talking about homosexuality in the book. Why do you think homosexuality is such a big deal?
I think it has a lot to do with the Moral Majority’s evangelical trinity of abortion, gay marriage, and school prayer. Homosexuality was not something that I necessarily wanted to focus on, but there was just so much talk about it, more than places where gay people exist in the open. In rendering my semester faithfully and to scale, I had to include some of that stuff. It was just all over.
But did you ever get a sense of why?
Well, a lot of Christian kids are also asking themselves, why–why is this considered the biggest threat? Why is it more important than helping the poor or living a life of service? I never found a satisfactory answer. I think some of it is genuine belief that this is what the Bible says about a man and a woman being the only acceptable form of romantic union. And I think that’s totally valid. I don’t think that all people who are opposed to gay marriage are blazing homophobes. People who make a good faith attempt to understand this stuff still come out on the side that the Bible forbids homosexuality. What was interesting is that [at Liberty] it’s okay to believe that gay marriage is wrong and that homosexuality is a sin, but if you start dwelling on it, people start to wonder what your problem is.
At the end of the book, you say the younger Falwell may be taking Liberty in a less rigorous direction. In what sense?
I don’t think that Jerry Falwell, Jr., is any less conservative than his father. But he belongs to a different generation of evangelicals, and the differences between those generations are pretty stark. I’ve had only limited contact with Jerry Falwell, Jr., but in my experience, he’s not a reactionary. He’s not a demagogue. He has no interest in being a political force. He wants to run his university and have his students growing in their education and in their spiritual lives. But when I go back to campus now, there’s just a new energy. They’re doing a lot more community service now. They’re taking their faith to places in the culture where it’s needed.
You have a lot of fun with your creation studies class in the book. Did you get the sense that your classmates were rolling their eyes as well?
I think some of them actually thought it was sort of embarrassing. It’s something that I think discredits a lot of what the institution does in the public’s eye. But, I do think that a lot of them believe it some, not because it’s easy, but because they’ve been told that it’s sort of a foundational part of their Christian faith. If they start questioning Creationism, then that will lead them down the slippery slope, and they will soon become like Richard Dawkins. They’ll be just this heathen. There a lot of questioning, especially late at night in the dorms about whether evolution was true and what would it mean if it were. But if you ask them at the end of the day to check off a box, about which creation story they believe, I think they would all check the young earth creations box.
In your book tour, have you visited any other Christian colleges?
No. I would love to. I’ve actually heard from a couple graduates of more moderate Christian colleges who say, “This isn’t what my college experience was like, and I wish you’d come out and spend a semester here and get a different picture.” And I think if my parents wouldn’t kill me, I would think about it.
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| 10,119 |
Going a step further than the recent wave of TV featuring nuanced portrayals of mental illness, Maria Bamford’s new Netflix show takes control of the story rather than settling for mere visibility.
Related Books
July 27, 2016
Jake Pitre is a freelance writer and critic. He writes regularly for Vague Visages and...
Sometimes, I fall into a hole. Not a literal hole, in the soil, but in my head; not only in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep, though it does happen then, too. I will think about one negative thing—it might have to do with something going on in my life, or it might have nothing to do with me at all. Then I’ll think about another negative thing, usually somehow related to the first one, but maybe not. The pattern continues, piling up on top of me, higher and higher. I can usually identify the pattern once it begins, but am powerless to stop it. I have no choice but to sit back and let my mind do its thing until it exhausts itself—until I’m crushed under its weight inside this hole of my own making, buried beneath steadily accumulating and overwhelming dread. And then I think about all of it at once—the things that have an impact on me, the things I can change and the things I can’t, the things completely outside of me—and I want nothing more than for it to stop, for good. This hole can open up at any point in the day, regardless of what I’m doing. I am always at its edge, I have been for as long as I can remember, and it’s my responsibility to keep filling it back up. So far, that is what I’ve done.
I’m not saying this is the same experience Maria Bamford has with her mental illness, which is different from my own. What I’m saying is that Maria Bamford helps me find the soil I need to fill in the hole when everything around me has given way. Or, to dispense with the metaphor, she helps me find reasons to do so, to talk about it, to understand it and find ways of living with and enduring it—my illness, I mean. She has always, with frankness and honesty, done this in her comedy. But with her new Netflix series, Lady Dynamite (co-created by Pam Brady and Mitch Hurwitz), she gives us a clearer and more powerful claim over her own story, and her illness. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever seen.
Bamford plays a fictionalized version of herself, a comedian trying to figure out her career and dealing with her bipolar disorder. We routinely check in on her in the present, trying to rebuild her career; on her recent past when she was institutionalized and in recovery for her mental illness; and to the further past when she was barreling toward a breakdown. Each episode ends with a choir singing, “I don’t know what I’m doing more than half of the time.” But Bamford is in complete control. You know the old adage about using laughter to cure disease and misfortune? Bamford knows it isn’t that easy. Disease is ugly. And you can find humour within that ugliness. At one point, her character, also named Maria Bamford (the series is extremely meta and often breaks the fourth wall), steals jokes from another comic for a comedy show for kids because she’s told her own comedy is not funny or appropriate. The stolen jokes kill, but she stops. It’s not right. She needs to be true to herself, risk failure, and do her own material, no matter what the kids think.
“Is anyone thinking of suicide?” she asks. “Don’t do it, it’s not the season for it.
“Late fall,” she instructs, knowingly.
No one laughs. Well, I did.
Lady Dynamite chooses to avoid drowning in darkness, creating a uniquely uncomfortable space for both its characters and its audience—one that is more familiar for those of us with mental illnesses, where ugliness and absurdity have no choice but to coexist.
Lady Dynamite is the latest in a recent run of TV comedies that confront mental illness with rare nuance and gravity. Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, especially in its second season, has dealt with Kimmy’s (Ellie Kemper) post-traumatic stress disorder after fifteen years as the hostage of a doomsday cult. In the second season of FXX’s You’re the Worst, Gretchen (Aya Cash) was revealed to be suffering from clinical depression, and the entire season examined the effect such conditions can have on modern relationships. One of the most honest and brutal portrayals of depression of late arrived with Netflix’s BoJack Horseman, a raunchy animated series about a sad-sack former star trying to figure out how to be happy, and realizing that maybe he can’t be. The CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, from its pilot onward, has engaged with Rebecca’s (Rachel Bloom) depression and anxiety, often through song. Even Ilana on Comedy Central’s Broad City has mentioned offhand her medication for depression and anxiety, refusing to let it define her character (like most of these characters do, or at least try to).
There are also the dramas: Mr. Robot’s Elliot (Rami Malek) deals with several mental health issues; Rachel (Shiri Appleby) on UnREAL receives mental health treatment, whether she wants it or not, from her therapist mother, and seems to delve deeper into her cruelties and denial; and HBO’s adaptation of The Leftovers is commonly understood as a grand metaphor for depression and loss. If often seems, though, as if the comedies are able to be somehow more honest about the realities of their illnesses, following or subverting moments of pain and trauma with jokes—not that the jokes need be free of pain or trauma themselves. When Maria on Lady Dynamite mentions to Karen, her life coach (played by Jenny Slate, god bless), that she only has two friends, Karen is not surprised: “Yeah, because you’re bipolar! You’re incredibly hard to stay friends with—I mean, people are really just gonna fall by the wayside.” On The Leftovers, such a moment might have led to a severe music cue and a burst of violence; on Mr. Robot, Elliot’s precarious state might have prevented him from even picking up the meaning behind the message. But Lady Dynamite chooses to avoid drowning in darkness, creating a uniquely uncomfortable space for both its characters and its audience—one that is more familiar for those of us with mental illnesses, where ugliness and absurdity have no choice but to coexist.
It’s been greatly encouraging to see so many examples of showrunners and writers trying earnestly to portray mental illness seriously and thoughtfully. I regularly think of the image of Gretchen in You’re the Worst, lying on the floor wrapped in a blanket, in tears, thanking Jimmy (Chris Geere) for staying with her despite her downward spiral. There is nothing glamorous about mental illness, but increasingly diverse TV writers’ rooms seem to be finding ways to reveal and portray the many ways in which it can manifest and be managed—or not.
Much of this is an extension of a wider cultural shift toward acceptance and the lifting of stigmas concerning those of us with mental illnesses. Still, I remain wary that, amidst the burgeoning mainstream attention paid to mental illness, the logical result is mere visibility or representation. Mental health advocates have tangible desires: If the point is to challenge systemic and hegemonic understandings of these issues, then what is simply being visible, absent any sort of control, really worth?
My desire to understand my illness as part of my identity does not just mean wanting more TV shows to watch and things to buy; often enough, these forces proceed so that they can celebrate their own enlightenment and generosity, allowing the whims of the majority to dictate the terms of mental health advocacy. My desires have nothing to do with the granting of favours—or even concessions—by a “healthy” majority. Several times in Lady Dynamite, in such a way that Bamford again reveals her acute self-awareness, the script makes fun of how she has come to be known as “the comic who works to destigmatize mental illness.” Various characters call Bamford “brave” for doing so, using soundbite-friendly language to turn the act of talking about mental illness into a sellable product, expertly parodying this sloganized method of remaining at a distance from making true, measurable differences. Lady Dynamite’s strength has been in having Bamford build on her existing comedic persona and comment on something that has been historically difficult to articulate: that mental illness is not something that must be confessed, and how disarmingly easy it can be to fall into a loop of meaning well while simultaneously taking a step backward, patronizing and further stigmatizing people, even inadvertently, along the way.
She talks about her illness because she wants to, not because she’s beholden to the capitalistic whims of others.
Consider the ongoing, aggressive commodification and institutionalizing of feminism and LGBT issues—Pride parades being proudly sponsored by private companies with anti-LGBT practices, oblivious brands trying to cash in on the “trendiness” of feminist ideals. It doesn’t mean these movements have been defeated, just that they have been somewhat corrupted—increasingly defined by easy-to-digest but meaningless consumption. A visible movement is one susceptible to the forces of opportunistic capitalism finding a particular aesthetic attractive; suddenly, the normalization of mental health is an issue that can be advertised and appropriated. Even well-meaning folks are morphing our intentions in a destructive manner, or at least in ways that maintain the status quo, uphold existing structures, breed complacency. Tweet a hashtag and wash your hands of the issue; watch as gatekeepers take up familiar coded language as if it is a radical and righteous act, slowly but surely wresting mental health advocacy away from those of us who should be in control.
When I am deep within my hole, buried under depression and anxiety, what I feel is a powerful lack of control. Over myself, over my mind, my body, my position. I am not thinking about good-intentioned engagement with supposed allies. I am thinking about my own desire to write the story of mental illness; I am thinking about how important control becomes when you are so accustomed to being out of it. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about having a mental illness is how often you don’t feel like the captain of your own body and mind. You are beholden to the whims of your disease, and people’s purported good intentions don’t really matter. They cannot help put you back in control. To have the option of finding some kind of authority over one’s self and one’s narrative is an indispensable opportunity.
Fundamentally, we control our own narrative up to a point, so it’s our responsibility to offer alternatives. Maria Bamford, and the creators and writers of Lady Dynamite, are embodying that fight. For all its silliness, the series is acutely aware of how its representation of mental illness differs even from those on other TV comedies. It is selling itself—by design, it’s bingeable and consumable—but it points significantly to different paths for us to take with our illnesses, purposefully disrupting the forces attempting to take away the narrative and make it universal. Bamford’s character is always coming up against the notion of selling out, or taking on commercial work because she needs the money, and her illness stops her more than once, but she also learns to stop herself. She talks about her illness because she wants to, not because she’s beholden to the capitalistic whims of others. She avoids the predetermined narrative of mental illness and shows us a way through. They’re not the ones who are going to help us climb out of the holes we dig for ourselves.
In a flashback in the season finale, Maria battles Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath in a Power Rangers-style fight. McGrath represents Checklist, the company for which she is the mascot, and capitalism in general. “You want me. You can’t live without me. I’m everything you fear and desire,” McGrath growls.
“I can live without you,” Maria responds. “You’re a false god!”
It turns out she was heavily delusional and was subsequently institutionalized. But in the present, she uses this as a lesson to “not let mental illness stop her now.” In a suitably tragicomic way, she takes control of herself and her narrative. She owns it.
Jake Pitre is a freelance writer and critic. He writes regularly for Vague Visages and Slutever, and has written for Movie Mezzanine, Ottawa Magazine and elsewhere. He is a Master’s candidate in Film Studies at Carleton University.
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The author of Invisible Dead on why writing about Vancouver is liberating and the psychic cost of the truth.
| 13,049 |
Sometime in the past, people would grow their crops in their own gardens, where natural sunlight could help them grow into the beautiful, tasty fruits and veggies that we all so love.
Sadly, however, there are more apartment buildings on this planet than there are houses now. Not all of us have the benefit of farmlands, and we have to make do with what we have. And if this means sticking our crops into a corner of our apartment, then so be it.
Still, most plants need sunlight to grow – which is rather difficult, considering that you live in an apartment. This is where indoor grow lights for indoor plants come in. There are several different types that you could choose from, including plasma, fluorescent, HID (High-Intensity Discharge), and LED.
Out of all the above-mentioned types, LED is worthy of your attention, and here’s why:
Plants only know one thing: they need sunlight to grow. If they had the sun for the entire day, they would probably keep growing. Unfortunately for them, however, the sun sets at some point – which means that for a good couple of hours, they also stop growing.
With LED lights, however, the “sun” will not be setting – and the plants won’t even know it. They will only know that they have the light necessary to grow, and they will keep growing in their lit grow room even when it’s pitch dark outside.
One of the reasons why LED lights are increasing more in popularity is that they have a longer lifespan than the average light bulb. Â Because they have lower operating temperatures, a LED grow light system can run for as long as 50,000 hours – which is way more than the traditional lighting system.
Plus, thanks to this, you will no longer have to replace the light bulbs so often. Not only will you be able to save money on new sets, but you’ll be able to grow crops for years – without the hassle of maintenance.
Saving Energy
Most of our electricity bill is caused by heat emission and the “burn” needed to produce the light. However, considering that LED grow lights do not actually burn anything in order to produce the lights, it can greatly lower our electricity bill. You get the same amount of light and save money while you are at it as well.
When you use traditional lights on plants, the burning effect will bounce off the plant, causing it to dry up if the temperature is not up to its liking. Everything that emits harmful UV lights can cause damage to the plants, causing them to need a lot more energy and water to survive.
LED grow lights, on the other hand, are not as harsh on the plant. Considering that the energy is deeply limited, the plant will not feel as if it is overworking itself. This way, you will also save money on energy and water, simply because LED lights won’t be as harsh on the plant as traditional lights.
Environmentally Friendly
While in the past we did not care much about environmentally-friendly objects, now everyone is starting to see their use. In a time where the air around us becomes more and more difficult to breathe, we begin to realize that further burning the air and creating waste will only make things worse.
LED grow lights, however, can be fully recycled, making them an eco-friendly alternative to HID lights. Those lights contain fairly high amounts of mercury, which can be very harsh on the environment – especially when it’s burned.
LED grow lights, on the other hand, do not contain these harmful substances, which means the air around you and your lights will not be compromised. You’ll be saving yourself and saving the environment, all in one shot.
LED grow lights might have taken some time until they gained popularity – but people eventually started to appreciate their use. They are not as harsh on the environment, they are less harsh on the energy bill – and they also offer your indoor plants all the light they need to grow up healthy.
Granted, the best LED grow lights for indoor plants can be slightly more expensive than traditional lighting systems – but in the long run, they are also more durable. It’s definitely a purchase worth making.
The above article was sponsored by Best For Your Home. The information contained in this article may contain ads or advertorial opinions.
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This article was last updated on 03/22/22
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Comment added July 8, 2021Reply
It was interesting to learn all of the different benefits of LED grow lights that you explained. I like how you said that LED lights can lower your electricity bill greatly because of how energy efficient they are. I think it would be smart to get the lights from a company that has a long history of reliable products to ensure that they are of high quality. http://www.fohse.com/
Comment added July 8, 2021Reply
This is an excellent article that rightly describes the benefits of LED Grow Lights for our hydroponic indoor garden at home. After reading this, it's evident that anyone can grow plants no matter whether they have space inside the house or outside.
Comment added August 14, 2020Reply
Comment added May 2, 2020Reply
Thanks for your post about benefits of led grow I was looking for some idea about having led grow I have found I just need thanks
frankly speaking I kind of inspired from you and I just opened a blog https://naturallightings.com/ hope you give me some idea about to improve it
Comment added February 22, 2020Reply
Just read your full blog. I was finding a useful blog post about the benefits of LED grow lights to know details about it. Thanks a lot for your awesome post.
I also run a small lighting blog site. Here is the URL: https://lightingcoast.com/
Ritesh Vashishtha
Comment added January 16, 2020Reply
I agree with you, dear, you have written an excellent article on LED lights that are beneficial for all. Thanks for sharing these benefits.
Comment added December 7, 2019Reply
I just started indoor gardenings few months back and after reading information about some of the top rated LED grow lights I considered taking viparspectra V600 and I'm using it since beginning. SO far I'm happy with my plant's growth using this LED grow light.
Comment added September 30, 2019Reply
I am new grower and used LED grow lights so this post is very useful for me. Nice concept and informative too.
I refer this site, https://420expertadviser.com
Comment added August 1, 2019Reply
I like how the article explains that LED grow lights can help your plants to be healthier as they are not harsh on the plants. We are wanting to help make our indoor plants healthier. We will look into getting LED grow lights. https://www.morsenled.com/collections/all-grow-lights
Comment added March 27, 2019Reply
I've been growing cannabis under LED grow lights for several years now with great results. LED provides the spectrums and power needed to really make your grow explode.
You really want to be looking at the newest generation of LED's which are wide-band. These light provide the spectrums needed to make plants thrive, not just grow.
| 7,911 |
There are many instances and occasions in our day-to-day life when there is a need to gather a large number of people together in a comfortable congenial atmosphere, befitting your position and standing in society.
This is the reason why we have convention centres. These are large civic buildings that can hold at least a thousand numbers of people under one roof, people with a common interest who have come to attend a convention, a conference an industrial meet or even a social event like a wedding, engagement or what-have-you!
Most conventional centres come attached to graceful hotels or resorts with elegant restaurants so that long-distance guests can have a comfortable stay while they attend events. With society becoming more discerning these days, you will find increasingly sophisticated conventions centres that use the best in latest technology with great audio-visual systems that provide excellent views to each and every guest.
Kollam is a beautiful green and clean city in coastal Kerala that’s located on the banks of the scenic Ashtamudi Lake. Being a tourist centre by virtue of the numerous golden beaches as well as the famous backwaters off the Astamudi Lake as well as the Needakara estuary which has been the inspiration for many a romantic poet, Kollam is a tourist haven. This makes it the perfect place to host a business or social gathering as it holds numerous places of interest for visitors too, a place to create delightful memories.
Early morning walks by the lake or a majestic ride in the traditional houseboats over the placid lake waters is a balm to the mind and a great way to rejuvenate from the vagaries of day-to-day life.
While there are many convention centres to be had in Kollam, one of the best that you can check out is the Raviz Convention Center which boasts of a total area of about 8,000 sq ft with an elegant height of 21 feet. It’s designed to accommodate 1,200 people in a theatre-style seating, so everyone can have a good view of the magnificent stage that spans the length of the entire hall.
This makes it a great setting for conferences as well as elaborate Indian weddings and other social events. Being fully air-conditioned and with elegant washrooms and restrooms, its style reflects the great taste of the hosts. And with ample parking spaces and multi-cuisine restaurants to back up this convention centre, you couldn’t have chosen a better place to hold your important event!
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| 2,826 |
A lot of great things happen by accident. But so do a lot of weird things (and this is one of those.) I was joking around to some friends about using Vim for all the things, and someone mentioned using it as a shell (likely as a stab). One thing lead to another and I thought "why not?" This is my story on why not!
If anything, Vim is crazy flexible. It also happens to be my favourite text editor. At OkCupid, we run traditional headless Debian Linux boxes. Most of my day-to-day is realistically spent in either shell or Vim anyway, so combining them both makes sense, right?
The naive way to set this up would be editing your default shell in /etc/passwd to run Vim. This will get Vim up and running, sure, but there are several subtleties along the way.
How is this going to work?
My first priority was figuring out what I need to actually do. That can be generalized fairly easily:
Change working directories
Run commands
SSH to various machines
With my list enumerated, I could start to realize how each bulleted item is going to behave in this model.
Editing files is easy. That's literally what Vim is made for, so we get to cross that off the list for free.
It is also simple to tackle directory listings. A lesser known feature of Vim is Netrw, which actually happens to be a neat file-explorer. Most installs of Vim should have it. At it's most basic level, you can open a directory with Netrw and view the listing of its contents.
Keeping with the theme of simplicity, you can use two techniques to work with Netrw. First, just specify a directory as Vim's target. For example:
Alternately, you can use the :Explore command to open Netrw from within Vim. Either way will give you a curses-based interface for browsing your file system. You can use your standard Vim navigation to highlight different listing items, and use return to select them. This pretty much continues until you select a file (not a directory) on the filesystem.
Conveniently, Netrw will let you delete and rename files, create new directories, mark and tag files, and a whole bunch of other things. There's a fairly comprehensive help built-in, so just open Netrw and hit F1 if you want to learn more.
Change working directories
Changing working directories is going to feel pretty familiar. You can change directories by using the :cd command in Vim, and print the working directory by using the :pwd command. If you want to get a little advanced, you can even use :cd - to return to the previous directory.
Run commands
Here's where things get a little tricky. Executing external commands is provided by Vim through the bang command (:!). For example, if we wanted to run whoami:
The caveat here is, unlike a more traditional shell (such as bash) Vim does not execute the process directly. Instead, it's actually calling the binary specified by your $SHELL variable, and passing your command as as parameter to the -c flag. So in reality, when you run :!whoami it's really executing /bin/bash -c whoami (assuming your shell is Bash.)
Of course, the problem now is that we have just set our shell to Vim so it's trying to execute Vim -c whoami. This fails spectacularly.
I decided to cheat a little bit here (at least it feels that way to me.) In .Vimrc, I set SHELL to be Bash (this way executing commands will actually behave somewhat like they are supposed to.)
Perhaps I can improve the process later, but for now I decided to move on. With command execution working, I wanted to know how much of shell basics were going to be available.
Globbing works as expected when shelling out commands, but also when referencing files. So for example, :e Make* opened up Makefile in my current directory.
Output redirection is actually kind of fun. You can use the :read command to append the output of your shelled out commands to the current buffer. For example:
You can also use the contents of the current buffer as the file target of a command. For example, let's say you had the following in your current buffer:
cow
You could grep against the contents, and overwrite the current buffer with the output:
Now you would be left with the following:
Of course, you can always just use redirection when shelling out:
Since I still had SHELL set to Bash, I feel like that was cheating more than I wanted, so I avoided this approach.
Looping was kept pretty simple. Of course, you can shell out loops to Bash in the normal way, but I again tried to avoid this. Instead, I just used command repetition in Vim. [email protected]: Where x is an integer (or implied 1 if missing.)
To repeat the date command, I could run:
Alternatively, I could repeat it five times:
SSH to various machines
Finally, we come to moving between machines. With SSH keys and agent forwarding enabled, it's easy to move between SSH jump-box and second tier infrastructure just executing SSH as we would expect.
With Vim now as my default shell, I will get a new instance of Vim on the remote machine. Quitting Vim is sufficient to return to the previous machine in our chain (the jump-box, in my environment.)
So all of this is fine in theory, but how does it hold up to real-life work? I'll be honest, I used this for about three weeks to really give it a try. It's definitely doable but I wouldn't necessarily call it usable. I generally use Bash as my primary shell because I enjoy the many built-in workflow improvements it has to offer. From simple things like command history to more interesting features like syntax and command expansion, all of these great features are more-or-less lost using Vim. And again, when you spend that much time inside a shell, not being able to do things like this can often hurt:
A major consideration when attempting to use Vim as a shell is SSH remote command execution breaks because it relies on the user's shell which (when set to Vim) is now trying to open filenames rather than execute commands. At OkCupid, we have a critical utility called colodo which assists in executing statements across multiple nodes throughout the infrastructure. This utility relies on SSH remote command execution to work, and outright fails in this model. That probably became my biggest pain point. Running commands individually across 100 or more nodes is bad enough, but try doing that through a text editor.
I love Vim, and this little experiment hasn't changed that at all (though I do have a stronger appreciation for Bourne shells now.) In the end, I reverted my shell back to Bash so I could get real work done.
To make this a bit more practical, I think I would have to have a third mode mode in Vim for "process execution". Preferably, it would not shell out process execution, It would need command history, and it would have at least some basic syntax expansion. I think I would also need to find a better means of executing remote commands in bulk. Maybe someone wants to put in a PR for Vim 9.
@
unix-ninja : "Team Hashcat + defender of the realm + artist. CISSP, OSCP, OSCE, etc. Hack the planet. Break all the things. Thoughts are my own. Passwords are my jam."
| 7,420 |
“Ewww, Mom, that’s disgusting,” he said as he glimpsed a sliver of the wrinkly, stretched skin of my stomach.
The moment had started sweetly. Miracle of miracles, the kids were ready to go to school early which of course, never happens. So my two youngest boys and I were enjoying a few minutes of snuggling before the rush of the day began. It was then that my 3-year-old spontaneously grabbed my shirt, lifted it slightly and playfully announced, “I see your belly button!” My 7-year-old, reacting honestly with the resources a young child has, made the fatal pronouncement: Disgusting. The familiar hot rush of shame threatened to overtake my face.
My war with my body extends much further into the past than the years that I’ve been a mom. But in so many ways, my post-baby stomach has become the crux, the metaphor, for the battle that rages. This is true for most of the women that I know, whether they have carried a child within their abdomen or not. The home of our hunger, the part that contains the power to either hold or withhold life, and the part that connected our bodies to our mothers’ bodies, no matter who we are. It’s the home of our intuition (go with your gut) and our anxiety (butterflies in my stomach). It’s the source of our defense system against a world that would threaten to overtake us (our immunity). To diminish the role of my abdomen would be to deny the truth that I am human.
There is another story about my stomach (I could tell so many). This one is of vulnerability and the healing that happens when, as women, we bless each other’s bodies. It was my second year of motherhood, when the physical and emotional upheaval of a brutal pregnancy and labor were still so fresh. The turmoil of my sense of myself circled around the questions of “Am I still beautiful?” and “Am I the only one?” Because in truth, the physical scars I carry tend toward the extreme. And yet they are hidden to most. I am not blind to the fact that many women look at me and say, “You are so lucky. You don’t know what it’s like because you are thin.” Yes, the pounds of pregnancy came off my body with relative ease. It can be so easy to hide. But I longed to share my pain with other women and to know that I wasn’t alone.
It was for this reason that I told a dear friend one day that I wanted to show her my stomach, and I asked her what she thought. She said I didn’t need to, but that she’d be willing to do this with me-what she knew was weighty. So I lifted my shirt and she didn’t just look from afar: she got down on her knees to take a closer look. She didn’t stop there. She put her hands gently on my stomach and examined it for just long enough. This is a brave woman. Then she stood up and met my eyes and embraced me. She let her tears flow for me, and I was able to join her with my own.
I’d like to say it was a magic cure, but of course, it wasn’t. That’s why, in the moment that my son verbalized my deep fear- that my body was disgusting- I was transported into my shame with lightening speed. But this time, shame had competition; it was the memory of being held with such great care by another woman that became the source of my ability to hold a blessing for my own body – just long enough to bless my son. Because I have gone to war for my story- to understand, grieve, and dance with it, I was able to hold the complexity of the moment and make a conscious choice for how to proceed in love. Because, in my shame, I have been seen and loved by another, my shame has lost some of its potency. If those hidden and afraid parts of me had not been tended to previously, they would have been lurking in the dark, waiting for such a moment as this to strike and inflict a wound in my son or in me.
That’s what happens with unaddressed shame- it is hurled at others who come too close, or it is used to carve deeper scars in ourselves.
But that day, I played ‘chicken’ with my shame- and I won. So I said to him that yes, it must be strange and confusing to see my stomach. We don’t see many mommies’ stomachs in pictures or out and about, so mine looks unusual to you. And he agreed, and then we remembered that there were teeth to be brushed still and homework to be checked and we went on our way with hearts full of reality and of love.
Who knows how far that type of blessing will extend?
Annie DeWaal lives in Edmonds, Washington, where she makes her home with her husband, 3 sons, and a wild beast of a dog. This is ironic, considering she feels most like herself in quiet solitude where her creativity and hopefulness come to life. When she gets a moment alone, Annie loves to get lost listening to music or writing songs on her guitar. Annie also works as a Mental Health Counselor in private practice, where she finds purpose by helping others to fully engage their messy, beautiful lives.
Here is My Body, Take and Eat
6 replies to Belly Dance
July 13, 2018 at 11:01 am
Thank you for sharing Annie. Your writing is insightful and moving! I appreciate your vulnerability as you name the insidious nature of shame. A great reminder that shame, unaddressed, is indeed “hurled at others” or ourselves. Your wisdom reminds me of Richard Rohr who said something similar- “if we do not transform our pain, we will most assuredly transmit it.”
July 13, 2018 at 11:47 am
Oh yes, yes, yes, thank you for articulating this ambivalence about our mother-bodies. I too have struggled to love and care for my body, such a source of miracle, and yet still so judged not just by 7yr olds in this culture. Bless you and may the healing power of acceptance, forgiveness and love wash over you and your beautiful body each and every day.
Katy says:
July 13, 2018 at 2:58 pm
Thank you so much for sharing such a brave and embodied post. It was a deeply moving and hopeful experience to read. With love and blessing, Katy
July 14, 2018 at 11:40 am
The moment of a curious witness on her knees gently touching your shame… wow… holy, beautiful, so brave of both of you. Such a stunning moment. Thank you for sharing. I hope you continue to contribute here!
July 14, 2018 at 5:17 pm
Annie, what a beautiful story! I had tears just reading it myself – such a gift from your friend to enter into your shame, take her time with such kindness and weep with you. And it wouldn’t have happened without your courageous invitation. I am with you in how difficult and yet very important it is for us to bless our own and each other’s bodies. Thank you!
July 22, 2018 at 10:56 pm
As a midwife, I find your words bold and intentional. The risk you took in asking to be seen, and then the courage to receive blessing…wow.
| 7,021 |
“ Putting your time in at the office; dutifully spawning your two point five; smiling politely at your retirement party; then chewing on your bedsheet and choking on your canned peaches at the nursing home. It was better never to have been born-never to have wanted anything, never to have hoped for anything. ”
Famous quotes of Donna Tartt from the classy quote
Because I don’t care what anyone says or how often or winningly they say it: no one will ever, ever be able to persuade me that life is some awesome, rewarding treat. Because, here’s the truth: life is a catastrophe. The basic fact of existence – of walking around trying to feed ourselves and find friends and whatever else we do – is a catastrophe. Forget all this ridiculous ‘Our Town’ nonsense everyone talks: the miracle of a newborn babe, the joy of one simple blossom, Life You Are Too Wonderful To Grasp, &c. For me – and I’ll keep repeating it doggedly till I die, till I fall over on my ungrateful nihilistic face and am too weak to say it: better never born, than born into this cesspool. Sinkhole of hospital beds, coffins, and broken hearts. No release, no appeal, no “do-overs” to employ a favored phrase of Xandra’s, no way forward but age and loss, and no way out but death.
Whenever you see flies or insects in a still life—a wilted petal, a black spot on the apple—the painter is giving you a secret message. He’s telling you that living things don’t last—it’s all temporary. Death in life. That’s why they’re called natures mortes. Maybe you don’t see it at first with all the beauty and bloom, the little speck of rot. But if you look closer—there it is.
What are the dead, anyway, but waves and energy? Light shining from a dead star?That, by the way, is a phrase of Julian's. I remember it from a lecture of his on the Iliad, when Patroklos appears to Achilles in a dream. There is a very moving passage where Achilles overjoyed at the sight of the apparition – tries to throw his arms around the ghost of his old friend, and it vanishes. The dead appear to us in dreams, said Julian, because that's the only way they can make us see them; what we see is only a projection, beamed from a great distance, light shining at us from a dead star…Which reminds me, by the way, of a dream I had a couple of weeks ago.I found myself in a strange deserted city – an old city, like London – underpopulated by war or disease. It was night; the streets were dark, bombed-out, abandoned. For a long time, I wandered aimlessly – past ruined parks, blasted statuary, vacant lots overgrown with weeds and collapsed apartment houses with rusted girders poking out of their sides like ribs. But here and there, interspersed among the desolate shells of the heavy old public buildings, I began to see new buildings, too, which were connected by futuristic walkways lit from beneath. Long, cool perspectives of modern architecture, rising phosphorescent and eerie from the rubble.I went inside one of these new buildings. It was like a laboratory, maybe, or a museum. My footsteps echoed on the tile floors.There was a cluster of men, all smoking pipes, gathered around an exhibit in a glass case that gleamed in the dim light and lit their faces ghoulishly from below.I drew nearer. In the case was a machine revolving slowly on a turntable, a machine with metal parts that slid in and out and collapsed in upon themselves to form new images. An Inca temple… click click click… the Pyramids… the Parthenon.History passing beneath my very eyes, changing every moment.'I thought I'd find you here,' said a voice at my elbow.It was Henry. His gaze was steady and impassive in the dim light. Above his ear, beneath the wire stem of his spectacles, I could just make out the powder burn and the dark hole in his right temple.I was glad to see him, though not exactly surprised. 'You know,' I said to him, 'everybody is saying that you're dead.'He stared down at the machine. The Colosseum… click click click… the Pantheon. 'I'm not dead,' he said. 'I'm only having a bit of trouble with my passport.''What?'He cleared his throat. 'My movements are restricted,' he said.'I no longer have the ability to travel as freely as I would like.'Hagia Sophia. St. Mark's, in Venice. 'What is this place?' I asked him.'That information is classified, I'm afraid.'1 looked around curiously. It seemed that I was the only visitor.'Is it open to the public?' I said.'Not generally, no.'I looked at him. There was so much I wanted to ask him, so much I wanted to say; but somehow I knew there wasn't time and even if there was, that it was all, somehow, beside the point.'Are you happy here?' I said at last.He considered this for a moment. 'Not particularly,' he said.'But you're not very happy where you are, either.'St. Basil's, in Moscow. Chartres. Salisbury and Amiens. He glanced at his watch.'I hope you'll excuse me,' he said, 'but I'm late for an appointment.'He turned from me and walked away. I watched his back receding down the long, gleaming hall.
And in the midst of our dying, as we rise from the organic and sink back ignominiously into the organic, it is a glory and a privilege to love what Death doesn’t touch. For if disaster and oblivion have followed this painting down through time — so too has love. Insofar as it is immortal (and it is) I have a small, bright, immutable part in that immortality. It exists; and it keeps on existing. And I add my own love to the history of people who have loved beautiful things, and looked out for them, and pulled them from the fire, and sought them when they were lost, and tried to preserve them and save them while passing them along literally from hand to hand, singing out brilliantly from the wreck of time to the next generation of lovers, and the next.
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Hi ya all, this is my first story on this site, but firstly I must say thank you to all those of you who have written and given me the encouragement to do mine. Anyway here goes. My name is Jay I’m 29 yrs old and live in London, UK. I have lived here all my life. Over the last few years I have decided to go into the property market and thank god it has done well. One of the properties that I own is a two bedroom flat that I was looking for tenants for. A Swedish girl by the name of Dani applied, she was 22 and new to England. She was studying medicine at a local university. She was very interested in the flat and took it. Everything went fine for about 6 months; she paid her rent on time. I would go round every now and then to see her; she was very pretty, blonde hair, sexy fit body as she spent a lot of time at the gym. She was always happy to see me as she was new to UK.
Anyway, around six months I went to collect my rent. Dani was very sorry as she could not pay the rent; she was having a few financial problems and was waiting for money from her father. She knew this was breaking the contract and she was very upset as she thought she was going to get thrown out. I said it was ok and id collect next month. Next month there was still no rent, and this time I was not happy. Any way whilst I was talking to her about this she got very upset and started to cry, I gave her a hug. As I was hugging her she held me closer to her and said that I was very sexy. I fancied her from day one. She was in a slim, small top which showed her stomach, shoulders, and arms, I could see down the top and see her sexy cleavage. Her body felt so nice close to mine. Her ass was small and firm, the type you could fuck for ours and feel like it’s the first time you’re fucking it.
I looked at her and she started stroking my back saying that maybe we could settle this another way. I was quite shocked yet getting very excited, I could feel my cock growing in my pants and she could as well. She knew that I was going to agree to do this now. Her hands moved across my back to my ass and she kissed me. I wanted to rip her clothes of and fuck her crazy, but I thought let me hold on and let her lead. As we kissed her tongue massaged mine, and she started rubbing her body against mine. She put her hand on my cock in my pants and started rubbing it, oh that felt nice. She asked if I had ever had a Swedish massage, I said no. She asked if I would like one and I said of course. She still had her hands on my cock, and I was desperately trying to not touch her yet so that she could lead. She kissed me again and then took of her top, her beautiful tits where only hidden by that sexy bra and I could no longer resist, I took her tits in my hand and started to caress them, they were so soft and the perfect size, fitting into my palm perfectly. As I caressed them her nipples started growing and she was letting of small moans of pleasure. I took her nipple into my mouth and started sucking on it, my hands now wandering all over her body. I undone her jeans and pulled them down revealing her so sexy legs, ass and pussy to me. My fingers parted her thong and gained access to her pussy, I stoked gently up and down, her nipple still in my mouth and getting so erect to felt like a sweet. I rubbed her clit slowly up and down and felt her juices building up. Dani was going crazy now moaning “oh yesssss, that’s soooo good…..”
I kissed down Dani’s flat gorgeous stomach until I reached her sweet heavenly spot, she was shaved and her pussy smelt so good, I just lingered taking in the smell. My tongue gently licked her clit, just flicking it softly whilst my finger played with her hole. She arched her back, aching for my tongue to fuck her, but I wanted more, I wanted to take her somewhere more pleasurable then she had had. I continued liking her clit, nibbling on it and taking long stokes right from her asshole to her clit, each time applying a little more pressure. She was screaming right now! Her pussy was so wet and tasted so sweet! I then started to fuck her with my tongue, getting it right inside her hole; those pink pussy lips were so tasty. I slid my finger into her whole and they soaked up her juices, I took my fingers and started to play with her asshole, using the moisture from her pussy to help ease my finger into her ass. I fucked her pussy harder with my tongue until I felt her orgasm building, my finger worked her ass hole hard and then she cramped up, her stomach became real tight and she let her orgasm over take her, she was shaking like she was having a fit, but I carried on with my tongue, not letting her take a breath! Her body shuddered with her massive orgasm. She pushed me off so that she could relieve the pleasure that was taking her way to far.
She recovered and looked at me and said that she was supposed to be paying me and ordered me to lie down. My cock was rock hard now and the slightest touch made me feel like I was going to cover her in my cum. She took my cock in her hand and stroked it, my pre cum was dripping now and she used he tongue to lick it all out of my piss hole. She then took the head of my cock in her mouth and looked up at me; this was her Swedish massage that was about t happen. She put the head of my cock in her mouth and started to swirl her tongue round it, building the saliva in her mouth to make a mini pool. The warm saliva felt so good around my cock head. When she had a mouthful of saliva she opened her mouth and it all ran down my cock, that was the most amazing feeling I have experienced whilst getting a blow job, she the started sucking on it licking up all her saliva again. Her head bounced up and down on my cock, her hands stroking my balls and fingering my ass hole. I couldn’t hold anymore and shot my load right into her mouth, she didn’t stop sucking! Every drop! I collapsed onto the bed thinking that was definitely the best blow job I had ever had!
Dani still sucked on my cock and before long I was hard again, ready fore more. She parted her legs and climbed on to me, taking my cock in her hand she guided it towards her pussy. She rubbed it against her clit first and then I felt her hole on the tip of my cock. She slid down onto it and the heat of her pussy nearly made me erupt again. There she was, this slim sexy Swedish girl riding my cock. Her gorgeous tits bouncing with her every movement. I grabbed her little tight ass and squeezing it, pushing her into my cock real hard, Dani was bout to have her next orgasm. She started going faster and harder on my cock, and her movements were those that you see in porn movies! Her orgasm and I felt her juices dripping down my thigh, she looked at me and smiled, leaning forward to kiss me and then whispering in my ear that her ass was ready. I pulled her off me, and bent her over doggy style.
I ran my cock along her pussy and her ass hole, trying to get more moisture in her ass. I put my hard brown big cock at her ass hole and pushed it slowly, feeling it go through her ass ring. She screamed as a penetrated deeper. Once I had got my whole cock inside I started to stroke her in and out, opening up her ass and helping her to relax, as she relaxed her ass more my cocked slid in with more ease, it was so tight and so amazing! I fucked her ass for about 5 minutes and the started to alternate between her ass and pussy in the doggy position! I could feel my balls swelling up now and was about to cum. I shoved my cock deep into her ass and exploded, shooting my hot creamy cum deep inside her ass. As I withdrew my cock I could see my cum dribbling out. Dani turned round and started cuking up the cum on my cock and cleaning it with her tongue. We both lied down and she looked at me.
“I guess that’s the rent paid” she said. If you lie what you read then please score this I will write more soon. Ladies you can contact me on [email protected], or also if you would like to see my spicy kebab check me out on hi5 using that email address. Ladies in UK, I’m up for a meet if you are!
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Fun, fitness, and education; the three main drives for Pontypridd based Top Tots Netball may seem simple, but they form the heart of this successful netball session.
One of the earliest class members is Iestyn, the son of Head Coach and proud mother, Laura Rees. Other than getting to hang out with his mum he’s made a lot of friends and has learnt a great deal from his netball classes.
Iestyn is a wonderful example of the positive impact sport can have on the lives of children. He was born prematurely and struggled physically in his early years. But through his own strength, the support of his family and getting involved in netball he is now running, playing and socialising with his new friends at Top Tots.
The skills that children learn through playing sport transfer naturally into the outside world. Learning new skills help build confidence, being involved in team activities enhances a child’s communication and social skills and their co-ordination, agility and overall fitness is improved. These are, as Julie Rees and grandmother says, ‘the all-important parts of what we learn through sport, that you actually take out…into everyday life.’ Most importantly, though, the children at Top Tots get to learn these things while having fun.
The club was started in June of 2016 with just a few taster sessions and now they have full classes every week running all morning. Top Tots story is an inspirational one, showing the difference all grass roots sports, not just netball, can have; helping children grow and become more confident, healthy, and happy people.
A big thank you to Laura and mums like her, who have gone above and beyond for their children, and who have recognised how netball can change their lives. Happy Mother’s Day.
November 24, 2022
National Academy Squad Announcement
We are excited to reveal the athletes that have been selected for our 2022/23 U21/U19 and U17 National Academy Squads. The athletes that have been selected are as follows: U21/U19 National Academy Squad Led by Jo Ricketts (Head Coach), Jen Barett (Assistant Coach) and Cerys Rees (Team Manager). A. Heath-Drury F. Collier A. Lillie G. […]
November 4, 2022
Sara Moore’s role evolves to full-time Head of Elite
Sara Moore first joined Wales Netball in 2018 as an Assistant Coach to the Welsh Feathers Squad. She became a full-time member of staff in September 2021 in a hybrid role that was split into two key functions: Welsh Feathers Head Coach, and Head of Elite. This saw Sara lead on the strategic aspects of […]
October 28, 2022
Wales Netball is delighted to announce its completion of the Assurance Framework, which National Governing Bodies (NGBs) must fulfil to certify to UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) that they are meeting their anti-doping responsibilities. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published the updated 2021 UK National Anti-Doping Policy (Policy) in April 2021, which all […]
October 25, 2022
Welsh Feathers Book their Place in the 2023 Netball World Cup
Over a week has passed since the European World Cup Qualifiers and what a tournament it was for the Welsh Feathers. The Welsh Feathers secured their place in the 2023 Netball World Cup in style by being the only unbeaten team in the competition. Match 1 – WAL vs IOM The Feathers campaign started on […]
October 7, 2022
Today Head Coach Sara Moore has announced her Welsh Feathers Squad that will compete in the World Cup Qualifiers in Glasgow. The event will take place at the Emirates Arena from 12th – 16th October 2022. The Welsh Feathers will contest in a five-day, round robin tournament to secure a place at the 2023 Netball […]
October 4, 2022
Welsh Feathers vs Ugandan She Cranes Test Series Report
With the European World Cup Qualifiers fast approaching, it was great to host Uganda for two test series at House of Sport. It was the first time seeing the venue full of spectators, and it was amazing to see such a buzzing and electric atmosphere! In the first test match, we saw the Welsh Feathers […]
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Allison is a soon-to-be graduate of the University of Wyoming where she has studied vocal performance and pedagogy under the direction of Dr. Katrina Zook and obtained a certificate in
audio technology under the direction of Will Flagg.
She has participated in many University ensembles including the Collegiate Chorale and Contemporary Singers Ensemble. Allison enjoys participating in Opera workshops where she has performed roles such as Cherubino from Mozart’s the Marriage of Figaro and Queen Dido from Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.
Before University, She attended Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas where she served
as president of the choir department. Her music education there, led by Wes Davis, holds a
special place in her heart and fueled her interest in Music Theory.
She specializes in classical voice and Opera, but is experienced in
many genres including Musical Theatre and Contemporary Pop.
Allison has been teaching for 4 years and implements elements of vocal anatomy, diction, technique, and performance practice in her coachings. More than anything, she wants to give her students a safe place to have fun and to foster their love for music.
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Like people, laws can change. Often, in fact. More than 250 new laws took effect in Illinois in January of 2020. Some of those laws might spell out good news for people unhappy with the current state of divorce or family law. But it’s a lot to keep up with, especially if you’re already busy sorting out the details of your divorce.
Below are some recent changes that could impact you or the outcome of your divorce.
More Rights for People in Civil Unions
Good news for anyone in a civil union: As of 2020, people in a civil union have the same rights as married people due to the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. In addition to being entitled to the same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections, and benefits as a married couple, those rights continue after the death of one of the partners.
Previously, partners in a civil union lacked the rights to visit their significant others in hospitals make emergency health care decisions for them, or make funeral arrangements for their partners.
There are also implications for stepparents in a civil union. Before the passing of this law, stepparents in a civil union could lose all contact with a child they had developed a close bond with after the death of their partner. A new spouse could prevent the former stepparent from having any contact with the child. The extent of your rights in a specific case may still be decided by a court.
Pet Custody in Illinois
Did you know Illinois is one of the more progressive states when it comes to the well-being of your pets? This could add another complication to your divorce proceedings, as the living arrangements of pets are now among the many items that can be negotiated.
According to a law effective in 2018, the court can consider the well-being of family pets in a divorce. Previously, a cat or dog would automatically go with the perceived owner. Today, Illinois is among a minority of states in which ownership, parenting time, custody, and the division of expenses related to pets are up for debate. The courts can prioritize how pets will be divided and take into consideration which person is a more appropriate owner moving forward.
Newer definitions of child removal law are much more restrictive. This gives more rights – and potentially more control – to parents who have less parenting time. Until relatively recently, a parent with most of the parenting time could move a child away from their current residence to one anywhere in Illinois without approval from either a court or the other parent. Now, a parent’s ability to relocate with their child (without approval) is much more limited:
If you’re in DuPage, Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane, or Will Counties, you may move with your child to a new residence in Illinois up to 25 miles away;
If you live outside of those counties, the new Illinois residence can be up to 50 miles away from your former home; and
If you live near the Illinois border, you may move with the child to a different state, as long as it is within 25 miles of your previous home.
Spousal Maintenance
Spousal maintenance rules have undergone many iterations over the years. If you want to calculate how much money you may owe your ex, or how much you can expect to receive, some recent changes will affect the formula. The law was modified to rebalance the maintenance amounts based on new tax liabilities. Before 2019, the maintenance payment was considered gross income and therefore was taxable to the person receiving it; now net income is used.
In addition, the formula for determining maintenance has changed. Effective 2020, the guideline for maintenance payments is determined by taking 33.33% of the payor’s net income and subtracting 25% of the net income of the recipient. (The amount can’t exceed 40% of the combined income of the parties).
Child Support Formula
The way child support is calculated in Illinois has also changed. In 2017, a new child support law required that the calculation be based on the combined net income of both parents. This adjustment could remove an unfair disadvantage in some situations. The old law calculated child support using flat percentages based on the number of children in the family.
To find out how any federal or state laws could impact you in a divorce, call the award-winning Law Office of David A. King, P.C. at (630) 504-7210. Our DuPage County family law and child custody attorneys can work with you to make sure you’re accessing your rights as a parent.
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When we feel love and kindness toward others it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.— Dalai Lama
Are we happy when we get what we want?
It depends.
This year the keynote speaker at the American Psychological Association convention was Dr. Dan Gilbert of Harvard. His book Stumbling on Happiness is an international bestseller and his talk was about affective forecasting: Do we know what will make us happy?
He pointed out that we are hardwired from birth to be happy when we get salt, fat, sweet things and sex. Beyond that our culture provides us cues about what will make us happy. That was when he showed us a photo of his mother.
He explained that his mother was the cultural agent informing him of what will make him happy: Marry a nice girl, find a job you like, and have some children.
He took his mother to task with these things. Today we’ll talk about the first. Love and marriage will surely make us happy, yes?
Well, yes and no.
Ask pretty much anyone who has been married a long time and he or she will tell you that the early part of the relationship was better than the latter. This seems to be confirmed by research. Also true is that married people live longer, have more sex, and are happier than single people.
But is this cause and effect? It may be that happier people are more likely to get married, and happy single people simply may not feel the need to get hitched. Joyful folks seem to draw happy people toward them. Or, as Dr. Gilbert noted, “Who wants to marry Eeyore when you could marry Piglet?”
Alternately, if your marriage is unhappy and you divorce, you become happier afterward. Staying married won’t bring you bliss if the relationship has gone bust.
This brings us to what we know from reams of data about happiness and relationships: It is the goodness of social relationships that truly makes us happy. Good relationships are the foundations for almost every measure of well being. Our immune system, our incidental sense of peace and joy, and our optimism for the future is better when we feel good about our daily social relationships. The better we feel in the social network of others in our life, the happier we are. With poor or nonexistent relationships we cannot flourish.
Understanding what it means to have a good social network is the stuff of literature and science. Malcolm Gladwell’s best-selling book Outliers begins with the tale of a culture, the Rosetans of Roseto, Penn., that seemed immune to the diseases and failings of surrounding neighborhoods. When they were studied to find the reason for their joyous and robust life nothing panned out. What made them so healthy? It wasn’t what they ate, or how much they exercised, or their net worth. It was the quality of their social network. They talked to people on their way to the bank or butcher or grocery. Their social network had goodness, regularity and quality. That made the difference. They had better lives because they took the time to talk to people they liked.
But the science of studying human choice in interactions goes back to the 1920s and crystallizes with the publication of a book, Who Shall Survive, by Jacob Levy Moreno. He is usually credited as the first person to notice and research social network analysis and that the goodness of social relationships is important for survival. In fact, the complete title informs us of what he was offering: Who Shall Survive? A New Approach to the Problem of Human Interrelations. It was published in 1934, more than 75 years ago.
Moreno coined the term ‘group therapy’ and pioneered the group therapy movement with the formation of psychodrama. A psychiatrist and younger contemporary of Freud’s in Vienna, Moreno, in his autobiography, tells of their meeting in 1912.
I attended one of Freud’s lectures. He had just finished an analysis of a telepathic dream. As the students filed out, he singled me out from the crowd and asked me what I was doing. I responded, ‘Well, Dr. Freud, I start where you leave off. You meet people in the artificial setting of your office. I meet them on the street and in their homes, in their natural surroundings. You analyze their dreams. I give them the courage to dream again. You analyze and tear them apart. I let them act out their conflicting roles and help them to put the parts back together again.
Moreno was no wallflower.
Choosing who we talk to, spend time with and respond to — and who we don’t — is the stuff of what Moreno called sociometry. He found that people who were able to choose their compatriots did better and survived longer. Consider this quote from the forward to the original edition by a then-prominent psychiatrist, Dr. William Alanson White.
If … the individual can be sufficiently understood on the basis of his needs of expressions, and the qualities of other(s) .. needed to supplement him … he would … blossom and grow and be not only socially acceptable and useful, but a relatively happy person.
Choosing who we want to be with, and talk to, and spend time with sounds like a no-brainer. But the truth is most people simply don’t do it. We feel obligations and play politics, and in doing so lessen the time we spend with people who make us happy. More than this, consider those with little or no choice — those placed in foster homes, prisons, institutions, group homes, rehabs, hospitals, and yes, even college dorms. Why are there so many interpersonal problems in these settings? Moreno would argue that the lack of sociometric choice is the culprit.
Years ago I was hired to consult for an agency that was having problems with several new group homes. The people moving into these homes were from institutions and the community, and they struggled with intellectual, psychiatric and in some cases physical disabilities. There was random violence, noncompliance, and staffing issues. The agency was encouraged to allow the residents to choose their roommates. The staff chose their coworkers and the homes to which they were assigned. Within three months of the change the problems dissolved. The organization has long since altered how roommate and staffing assignments are made.
What made the difference? Perhaps Hubert H. Humphrey, former vice president of the United States, summarized it best: “The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.” Choosing the people we want to be with is the foundation for both personal and collective wellbeing.
Some people make us feel good when we are around them. I encourage you to foster, nourish and cultivate these relationships. Spend more time with those who make you feel good, and less with those who don’t. If you are responsible for assigning people, and it is possible to let them choose who to be with or where to go, do it.
So: Can other people make us happy? Yes, they can. But only if they are the right ones.
Last medically reviewed on September 13, 2010
Medically reviewed by Scientific Advisory Board — By Daniel Tomasulo, Ph.D. on September 13, 2010
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Every month the U.S. Treasury releases data on the federal budget, including the current deficit. The following contains budget data for June 2019, which was the ninth month of fiscal year 2019.
Federal Budget Deficit for June 2019: $8 billion
Federal Budget Deficit for June 2018: $75 billion
The deficit for June 2019 was $66 billion smaller than recorded in June 2018. However, shifts in the timing of certain federal payments decreased outlays in June 2019 and increased outlays in June 2018. Without those shifts, the June 2019 deficit would have been $28 billion larger than it was a year ago.
Cumulative FY19 Deficit through June 2019: $747 billion
The cumulative deficit through the first nine months of FY19 was $140 billion larger than it was through the first nine months of FY18. That reflects a $208 billion increase in outlays, partially offset by a $68 billion increase in receipts.
Debt Held by the Public through June 2019: $16.2 trillion
Debt Held by the Public through June 2018: $15.5 trillion
While the deficit varies from month-to-month, and may even decline some months — for example, in April when taxpayers are submitting their personal income taxes — debt and deficits are on an unsustainable upward trajectory. The CBO projects that national debt could rise to about 140 percent of gross domestic product by 2049. That level of debt would far exceed the 50-year historical average of approximately 40% of GDP.
Why are such high levels of debt so concerning? There are many reasons that Americans should be concerned about the rising national debt — particularly if you are concerned about economic growth, investments in our nation’s future, and preservation of our social safety net.
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My first favorite skater and a huge influence on my skating and Adored. Going fast and blasting big ollies! It is clear to see the impact his skating had on me! He is one of the raddest skaters ever!
Only 50 of these are made and they look hot!
this is the original shape of Jeremy's World board
This shape is designed by Jeremy Klein skateboard. You know it is proper for fat ollies and noseblunt slides!
Eat candy, cook a burger, talk some shit, play video games, buy this deck, play some Cocteau Twins, and do more rad stuff!
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Last week, on Good Friday, the $SPX futures dropped hard and I was worried that we will get a gap down on Monday. Clearly the markets fooled everyone and Monday was a very strong day for $SPX. This week brought welcome relief to the stock market bulls. $SPX bounced off the support from early and mid-March and continued higher. $SPX is up 1.7% for the week. The NASDAQ 100 ETF – QQQ followed suit with a 2.5% surge.
Charts for SPX and QQQ here
As early as March 26, our trading system flashed a warning sign and we went on a “preliminary sell” signal for $SPX and QQQ. I was waiting for a conclusive break below support from early March, but it never came. We did cut our exposure to the stock market at a breakeven point, but we still have a majority of our position that we opened on March 16th open.
A breadth thrust occurred on both SPX and QQQ this week. This means that the stock market has changed direction for the bullish and not yet overbought – another welcome sign for the bulls. We could retest the February highs shortly.
I thought that TLT would gap up on Monday following last Friday’s jobs report. But exactly the opposite happened and TLT closed in the red on Monday.
Bonds of all sorts were under pressure entire week. TLT lost 0.85% and almost retraced its entire breakout. TLT did not yet give us a sell signal, but we did lock in profits and moved the stop to entry. TLT charts at bottom of page here
Unsurprisingly, weakness in bonds translated into weakness in the interest-sensitive sectors – Utilities and the Real Estate. XLU was basically flat for the week, but IYR dropped over 2%. We exited positions in both after taking profits earlier.
I highlighted weakness in the Utilities sector in a couple of my previous posts. A bearish divergence of sorts is taking shape on the graph of XLU. The underlying AD lines are making lower lows, while XLU itself is making higher lows. Also the price of XLU was rejected at the 50-day exponential moving average (EMA) for 5 times! XLU is still bullish long-term, but should bonds drop more, Utilities may follow suit. Anyway, there are stronger sectors out there to invest in. XLU and IYR charts at bottom of page here
Gold is pushing higher with its rebound that started in mid-March. Long-term gold is bearish, so I am viewing this rebound as a bear-market rally and will short it once the opportunity presents itself. For now, there was no shorting opportunity, unless you are trading on 10-minute charts, which I don’t normally do.
GDX – the gold miners ETF is following gold as well, but in a more volatile fashion. There was a couple of decent shorting opportunities in mid-March and again in mid-April, but they were both very short-lived and not confirmed by gold itself. For now GDX is in a short-term uptrend that could take it to around $21 where the 200-day EMA currently resides. If at that point our timing charts trigger a short signal, I would be more inclined to play GDX on the downside (provided gold confirms).
Another thing going for GDX is a bearish divergence between GDX and its underlying AD Lines. I wrote a post about this recently. Since then the divergence has gotten worse. GDX is making higher lows, while its AD Lines are making lower lows. Did I mention GDX is bearish long-term, so a bearish resolution of this rebound would be more likely?
Gold and gold miners charts are located here
West Texas Intermediate Oil ($WTIC) rallied to resistance from a bear trap in mid-March and stalled. Again, $WTIC is in a long-term downtrend, so once the short signal is given by our market timing charts, I may re-enter the inverse oil ETF trade (SCO, DWTI)
Commodities charts located here
Finally, I wanted to highlight Natural Gas ($NATGAS). $NATGAS had a textbook example of a pennant breakdown on March 26th. It then followed lower the last two weeks. This Friday it closed at another 52-week low. Clearly the bigger trend took precedence over any counter-trend rebounds. This is precisely why I avoid going against the major trends and don’t even bother picking tops or bottoms.
Commodities charts located here
That’s it for this week’s market recap,
Best Regards and have another great trading week!
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Open positions: SPY, LULU, TLT (took profits)
Closed position: ERY (stopped out), IYR (took profits then closed), XLU (took profits then closed)
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Recap: Andy excitedly bursts into the living room to tell Beverly Ann that his favorite heavy metal band, The Walking Dead, is going to be in New York next week and he really really wants to go. Beverly Ann says, "Sure" and that she'll happily get them a couple of tickets, and Andy makes a face and says he'd much prefer to go without her, given that none of his friends are going to be supervised at the concert by their moms. A few seconds later, Tootie and Natalie enter the room...and when Andy tries to get them to help make the case as to why he should be able to see The Walking Dead without adult supervision, Tootie contorts her face in disgust and says that at a recent concert, the lead singer took off his pants and ate them, while Natalie recalls that another band member recently set fire to a bunch of shit.
Jo gabbles excitedly about her dad coming to Peekskill for a visit this episode, and Blair says she's really looking forward to seeing "the sweet guy". Beverly Ann asks what he's like, and Jo kind of shrugs and says he's just a regular guy...and that she's mostly looking forward to meeting his new gal, Marlene. A few seconds later, Charlie arrives, warmly greets all the Facts gals, and is introduced for the first time to Beverly Ann. Jo asks about Marlene's whereabouts, and he breezily says she couldn't make it, then heads over to the nearest bathroom to wash up. Once he's out of earshot, Blair clucks sympathetically and says it's written all over Charlie's face that he's just been dumped, and Jo's all, "Wuh? Nah.." Blair urges her to be a comfort to her fragile pa, but Jo insists that her dad is resilient, if indeed he has just been dumped, and is going to be just fine.
When Charlie re-enters the room, Blair tells him, "Be strong" and heads off to the store...and when a tentative Jo asks him how everything in his life is going, he correctly assumes that she figured out the truth about Marlene giving him the heave-ho. Jo says that instead of staying in a motel by himself all weekend, he's welcome to bunk in their living room, and he's like, "Great!" and rushes out to the car to get his suitcase.
"So...how's everything in your life?"
"Is it that obvious I've been dumped?"
Later in the communal bedroom, Blair tells Jo that Charlie is clearly depressed about the dumping, and that the best way to get over a broken relationship is to start a new one. When she offers to set him up with someone, Jo emphatically barks, "No!" and hastily exits the room. Blair then picks up the phone and calls her friend Cynthia and invites both her and her mom to a museum outing.
Andy snarks at Natalie and Tootie for kiboshing his chance to attend The Walking Dead concert and tries to guilt them into getting Beverly Ann to change her mind - but the most they're willing to do is advise him to be thoughtful, do stuff around the house, and kiss up to his adoptive ma at every opportunity. Andy mulls that over and decides 'yep, I can do that'.
Beverly Ann returns home with a bag of groceries, and Andy rushes over to her, takes the bag and offers to put the items away. When Charlie witnesses the good deed and asks her if he's always this helpful, she explains that the kid is only sucking up to her so that she'll let him go to a concert. Charlie advises her to give in and passes along the sage advice: "sometimes you have to let go to hold kids closer".
Cynthia and her mom (Maggie) arrive, and Blair promptly introduces the two to Charlie as Jo stares daggers at her. Blair then announces that she, Cynthia, and Maggie are off to the museum and invites Charlie along, and he says he's game...then wryly agrees with Maggie that this definitely feels like a non-subtle set-up. Blair excitedly assures Jo that Charlie and Maggie are perfect for each other, then happily dashes off.
"Hello handsome."
"The young one's over eighteen, right?"
Later, Blair tells Jo that the museum outing worked out great, and that Charlie had an awesome time with Maggie and her daughter. A few seconds later, Charlie returns home looking visibly perky and gaily tells Jo he had a super fun time. He then starts putting on a tie and announces that he's off to a French restaurant for a romantic evening...and when Blair smugly tells Jo, "I told you so", Jo is forced to admit that she did a good thing by setting Charlie up with her friend's mom.
That evening, the doorbell rings, and it's Cynthia (!) who steps inside to see what's keeping her date. Charlie grimaces and reminds her that he told her to wait in the car...and she reacts by looking completely TV trope-ishly oblivious of the awkwardness of being stared at in speechless horror by Jo and Blair. When she and Charlie head off on their date, a sheepish looking Blair nervously giggles before she and Jo race up the stairs.
"You can call me mom if you want."
"I'd much prefer lassie."
A startled Blair tells Jo that she definitely didn't see this coming - just as Tootie and Natalie enter the bedroom to ask whassup. Jo snarlingly informs them that stupid Blair stuck her nose where it didn't belong, and as a result her dad is dating someone thirty years his junior. Natalie breezily says it's only one date, while Tootie points out that every marriage starts with one date. Jo's all, "Ack!" and shakes her head while lamenting the embarrassment of having to watch her middle-aged, divorced dad hitting the town with an extremely young woman.
Later, Jo is reclining on the couch, pretending to read a magazine, when Charlie returns home from his date. He asks Jo whaddup with her strange behavior and urges her to come right out and tell him what's on her mind...so she's like, "Uh, OK" and tells him how much she haaaaates him dating Cynthia, and that he looks like a ridiculous old fool, hooking up with a woman who's literally young enough to be his daughter. Charlie angrily snaps, "How dare you talk to me like that!" and says that Cynthia makes him feel special, and that he hoped his own daughter would be happy for him. Jo falls silent and hangs her head shamefully and promises to try, and he thanks her and gives her a fatherly cheek kiss.
"Your mid-life crisis is an embarrassment."
"Yeah, I was afraid of that."
Andy is wearing headphones that are blasting the weird punk/heavy metal drudgery of The Walking Dead into his ears when Beverly Ann wanders over and asks him if she can have a quick listen...but after a few seconds of the noise, she contorts her face in horror and hastily gives him the headphones back. She tells him she's decided to allow him to attend the concert, regardless of how grisly the band seems, and Andy happily hugs her and scampers off to give his friends the good news.
Charlie arrives home with Cynthia after a tennis match and tells Jo and his new girlfriend to get to know each other for a minutes while he goes upstairs to change. Cynthia smugly tells Jo that she and "Chuck" are going into New York City tonight - but adds that, as far as she's concerned, they're only casually dating. Jo looks alarmed and says it's clear that her dad is serious about their budding romance, but Cynthia just shrugs and says she can't be responsible for how the old goat feels, and that since she's only twenty-three, she has plans to hook up with a lot of different guys for the foreseeable future. As Jo mulls over that troubling over-share, Charlie re-enters the room, and he and his gal pal leave.
Beverly Ann tells Jo that she let Andy go to The Walking Dead concert...but arranged for Tootie, Natalie, and Blair to go incognito and keep an eye on him.
Later, Andy returns home with his hair gelled and dyed with multiple colors and a tiny skeleton hanging off one ear. He raves about what a great time he had at the concert - just as a shell-shocked Tootie, Natalie, and Blair return home and stiffly say that "the movie" they went to see was extremely loud and psychologically disturbing. Andy chuckles and tells Beverly Ann it doesn't look like they enjoyed The Walking Dead's performance much...and when she stares back at him in shocked sheepishness, he makes it clear that he doesn't mind having been secretly chaperoned by three Facts gals.
Charlie returns home from his date and informs Jo that he finally came to his senses and broke things off with Cynthia, and now knows that if he wants to hang with someone thirty years younger, he can spend time with his actual daughter. He adds that he came to the realization that he'd much prefer to date "an old broad" who's at more of a similar stage of life as he is, and Jo chuckles and assures him that he's still the hippest guy in town...and when he mutters something incoherent about Cynthia and a skeleton earring, the episode comes to an odd, abrupt end.
Thanks for reading! If you are enjoying TVofYore's recaps, consider thanking me by buying me a "coffee"!
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Cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) is a broad category that includes many common diseases that affect the soft tissues of the body. CTD in itself is not a disease. Doctors use the concept to understand and explain what may have caused, or contributed to, certain conditions. Examples of the conditions that may be caused or aggravated by cumulative trauma include carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and low back pain.
Other terms are often used to describe the concept of CTD. These include repetitive stress injury (RSI), overuse strain (OS), and occupational overuse syndrome (OOS). This document will refer to these categories generally as CTD.
what factors may contribute to CTD
how doctors diagnose conditions related to CTD
what treatment options are available
how to prevent CTD
Causes
What causes CTD?
Opinions abound as to what may cause CTD, but there is very little agreement. Some of the theories about how CTD starts are described below. The theories include:
contributing factors
Using muscles and joints after they have become fatigued, or overly tired, increases the likelihood of injury. Overloaded muscles and soft tissues without proper rest have no chance to recover fully. This problem often hampers athletes who have to throw, jump, or run repeatedly. It can also affect people who work in jobs where they keep doing the same action again and again, such as typing, gripping, and lifting.
All body tissues are in a constant state of change. Minor damage occurs continuously, which the body must repair in the normal course of a day. But the damage can occur faster than the repair mechanisms can keep up with it. When this happens, the tissues become weaker. They may begin to hurt. The weaker the tissues become, the more likely they will suffer even more damage. A cycle begins that looks like a spiral--constantly downward.
Some doctors think muscle tension causes CTD. To function, or work properly, the body and each of its parts needs a steady supply of blood, rich in oxygen and nutrients. Nutrients are the body's fuel--glucose, for example. Cutting off or slowing the blood supply harms the tissues of the body.
Tense muscles are believed by some to actually squeeze off their own flow of energy and fuel. Muscles can get energy without oxygen, but the process produces a chemical called lactic acid. This chemical can be a potent pain-causing chemical. Lactic acid is a chemical that can produce a burning feeling when muscles are overexercised. Some physicians believe that lactic acid produced by tense muscles may cause some of the symptoms of CTD.
As pain develops, muscles tighten even further because they attempt to guard the surrounding area. Guarding is a term that is used to describe a reflex that all muscles in the body share. When pain occurs anywhere in the body, muscles around the painful area go into spasm (they tighten uncontrollably) to try to limit the movement in the area. As a result, blood flow is slowed down even more. The muscles begin to ache more. The nerves that have their blood supply reduced and squeezed by muscles begin to tingle or go numb.
This theory suggests that nerves become extra sensitive when they've become shortened and irritable. It is thought that poor postures used over long periods causes muscles to bulk up and interfere with blood flow. The nerves that course through the body then become shortened and may begin to stick to the nearby tissues. Moving the arm or leg puts tension on the nerve and can cause pain to radiate along the limb. The problem is thought to get worse from stress because the muscles and nerves tense up and become even tighter. Also, when the same activities are done over and over again, the tight nerve is pulled and strained to the point that it can't heal and eventually becomes a chronic source of symptoms.
Problems with CTD tend to be more common among people who suffer from boredom, who have poor working relations, who aren't satisfied with their jobs, and who have unhappy social circumstances. Reasons why this is so are unclear. The number of CTD cases reported may also be influenced by state worker's compensation rules. States where claims are processed quickly and with greater benefits tend to have higher volumes of CTD cases. Both of these findings suggest that many cases of CTD may be highly influenced by the patient's perception of the overall situation. Some patients may subconsciously, or consciously, rationalize their symptoms due to many factors that are not medical but have to do with their overall job and social situation.
A newer theory suggests that there isn't really an injury going on in the soft tissues where symptoms are felt. Instead, the problem is said to be coming from influences within the mind. It is theorized that the brain starts producing pain signals as a cover-up for deep-rooted feelings of past emotional pain or problems. Though the idea sounds hard to believe, practitioners using this approach claim they have had success rates as high as 95 percent. Their patients are reported to have gotten swift relief from treatments aimed at the underlying and unconscious emotional triggers.
The way people do their tasks can put them at risk for CTD. Some risk factors include:
poor tool and equipment design
repetition
One of these risk factors alone may not cause a problem. But doing a task where several factors are present may pose a greater risk. And the longer a person is exposed to one or more risks, the greater the possibility of developing CTD. Many different symptoms can arise from the accumulation of small injuries or stresses to the body. CTD is not so much a disease as it is a response to excessive demands these factors can place on our bodies without giving them adequate time to recover between.
What does CTD feel like?
The symptoms of CTD usually start gradually. Patients usually don't recall a single event that started their symptoms. They may report feelings of muscle tightness and fatigue at first. People commonly report feeling numbness, tingling, and vague pain. Others say they feel a sensation of swelling in the sore limb. Some patients with arm symptoms sense a loss of strength and may drop items because of problems with coordination. Symptoms often worsen with activity and ease with rest.
When you visit Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic, our physiotherapist will begin the evaluation by taking a history of your problem. We’ll probably ask questions about your job, such as the type of work you do and how you perform your job tasks. Answers to other questions will give us information about your work conditions, such as the postures you use, the weights you have to lift or push, and whether you have to do repetitive tasks. We may also ask about how you like your job and whether you get along with your supervisors and coworkers.
Our physiotherapist will then do a thorough physical examination. Your description of the symptoms and the physical examination are the most important parts in the diagnosis of CTD. We will first try to determine what conditions are affecting you. For example you may have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow that need to be treated. Second, our physiotherapist will try and determine if cumulative trauma is playing a role in your condition. If so, part of the treatment will be to try and eliminate the source of the cumulative trauma.
There are no specific tests that can diagnose CTD. There are many different tests that may be ordered as we look for specific conditions.
Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic provides physiotherapist services in Richmond.
Prevention
How can I help prevent problems of CTD?
The best medicine for treating CTD is to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place. Key items to consider when attempting to prevent problems with CTD are listed below.
Use healthy work postures and body alignment. Posture can have a significant role in CTD. Faulty alignment of the spine or limbs can be a source of symptoms. Using healthy posture and body alignment in all activities decreases the possibility that CTD will strike. Incorrect posture may lead to muscle imbalances or nerve and soft tissue pressure, leading to pain or other symptoms. Most people spend many hours at their work place, and using unhealthy posture during these long hours increases the likelihood that CTD will develop.
Assessing where and how a person does work is called ergonomics. Even subtle changes in the way a work station is designed or how a job is done can lead to pain or injury.
Rest and relaxation (R and R) have recently become front-line defenses in the prevention of CTD. Methods can be as simple as deep breathing, walking, napping, or exercising.
This strategy is useful during work and off hours. Whether at home or work, our bodies need time to recover, which simply means giving them a chance to heal. Rest and relaxation allow the body to recover and provide a way of repairing these injured tissues along the way, keeping them healthy.
The following ideas may be used to foster rest and relaxation at work:
Be relaxed. Try to work with your muscles relaxed by pacing your work schedule, staying well ahead of deadlines, and taking frequent breaks.
Stop to exercise. Gentle exercise performed routinely through the day helps keep soft tissues flexible and can ease tension.
Change positions. Plan ways to change positions during work tasks. This could include using a chair rather than standing or simply readjusting your approach to your job activity.
Rotate jobs or share work duties. This can be fun by offering a new work setting, and it allows the body to recover from the demands of the previous job task.
Avoid caffeine and tobacco. These can heighten stress, reduce blood flow, and elevate your perception of pain.
What can I expect with treatment?
Getting treated right away for symptoms of CTD can shorten the time it takes to heal. Symptoms can sometimes go away within two to four weeks when steps are taken quickly to address the factors that may be causing your symptoms. However, people who keep doing activities when they have symptoms and don't seek help right away may be headed for a long and frustrating recovery time, perhaps as long as a year.
At Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic many nonsurgical treatment approaches are used by our physiotherapy and occupational therapists to reduce the symptoms of CTD-related conditions. Our physiotherapist will want to gather more information and will further evaluate your condition. The answers you give along with the results of the examination will guide us in tailoring a treatment program that is right for you.
Our physiotherapists often begin by teaching patients relaxation techniques which may include helping you learn to breathe deeply by using your diaphragm muscle. Taking the time to relax and breathe deeply eases tense muscles and speeds nutrients and oxygen to sore tissues.
We may suggest that you wear a splint initially to protect and rest the sore area. Anti-inflammatory drugs, suggested by your doctor, are often used together with therapy treatments, which may include heat, ice, ultrasound, or gentle hands-on stretching to reduce pain or other symptoms. Our physiotherapist may use muscle stretching to restore muscle balance and to improve your posture and alignment. We sometimes apply stretches that are designed to help nerves glide where they course from the spine to the arms or legs. Strengthening exercises are also used to restore muscle balance and to improve your ability to use healthy postures throughout the day.
Our physiotherapist will pay close attention to your posture and movement patterns. You may receive verbal instruction and hands-on guidance to improve your alignment and movement habits. Helping you see and feel normal alignment improves your awareness about healthy postures and movements, allowing you to release tension and perform your activities with greater ease.
We will spend time helping you understand more about CTD and why you are experiencing symptoms. Our physiotherapist may provide tips on how to combat symptoms at work using rest and relaxation. You may also be given specific stretches and exercises to do at work. Our physiotherapist may visit your work place to analyze your job site and to watch how you do your job tasks. Afterward, we can recommend changes to help you do your job with less strain and less chance of injury. These changes are usually inexpensive and can make a big difference in helping you be more productive with less risk of pain or injury.
At Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic, our goal is to help you understand your condition, to look for and change factors that may be causing your symptoms, and to help you learn how to avoid future problems. When your recovery is well underway, regular visits to our office will end. Although we will continue to be a resource, you will be in charge of practicing the strategies and exercises you've learned as part of an ongoing home program.
Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic provides services for physiotherapy in Richmond.
Surgery is rarely indicated for CTD. Specific conditions that can occur as a result of CTD may require surgery. Unless the doctor is quite sure there is a structural problem, such as a pinched nerve or severely inflamed tendon, then surgery is not usually suggested.
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New York Yankees' Gleyber Torres (center) is congratulated by teammates after they beat the Washington Nationals in a May 8 game. Torres is one of eight members of the organization who were fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and tested positive for the coronavirus this week. Bill Kostroun/AP
Eight members of the New York Yankees organization who were fully vaccinated against Covid-19 tested positive for the coronavirus this week. And that news has led to a lot of people saying, wait, what?
Below, STAT outlines what we know about the cases and some of the factors that might have contributed to the cluster.
What do we know so far?
On Sunday, third base coach Phil Nevin reported feeling some symptoms and tested positive for Covid-19. (He had recovered as of Thursday, General Manager Brian Cashman said.)
The team quarantined people who’d had close contact with Nevin and expanded its testing program, which turned up another seven asymptomatic cases by Thursday, when shortstop Gleyber Torres became the eighth person — and first player (the other seven were coaches and support staff) — to test positive.
All eight people had received the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine and were considered fully vaccinated.
What does this mean about breakthrough infections and vaccines?
The Covid-19 vaccines have been shown to be overall highly effective at preventing illness, and even more so at staving off the worst outcomes, like serious disease and death. But even the best vaccines can’t block all infections, and those that still occur after immunization are called breakthroughs.
A roundup of STAT's top stories of the day.
The clinical trials that led to the authorization of the different Covid-19 vaccines generally measured how effective they were at preventing symptomatic cases, and in its trial, the one-dose J&J shot proved to be 66% efficacious at blocking moderate and severe Covid-19. And while studies have shown the vaccines also prevent asymptomatic infections in many cases, researchers don’t have firm conclusions at just how effectively they do so. The assumption is that many asymptomatic cases go unreported in the absence of broad and frequent testing.
Which brings us to the Yankees. Eight breakthrough infections seem like a lot, and something odd could be at play here. But it’s notable that only Nevin had some symptoms. It’s possible that at least some, if not all, of the other seven other infections would have been missed if they didn’t occur on a team that’s undergoing regular testing.
Related: Amazon established a foothold in diagnostics during Covid-19. Now it’s doubling down
And while it can’t be known for sure, it’s possible that without vaccines, this cluster could have been worse, both in terms of the number of infections and how sick certain people got. The Yankees travel with some 50 people.
Overall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received reports of 9,245 breakthrough cases, a tiny fraction of which resulted in hospitalization or death. More than 118 million people in the United States have been fully vaccinated. The low number of breakthrough infections has been touted as a testament to the power of vaccines, which are providing both protection for individuals and helping drive down transmission.
But experts also point out two caveats with the number of breakthrough infections. For one, some large number of the people who’ve been fully vaccinated haven’t since been exposed to the coronavirus, so it’s not known how many infections there would have been without that vaccine coverage. The tally of breakthroughs is also certainly an undercount because many asymptomatic cases go undetected — unless, of course, they occur in a setting with widespread and frequent testing, like on a professional sports team.
Support STAT: If you value our coronavirus coverage, please consider making a one-time contribution to support our journalism.
Two extra points: Starting Friday, the CDC will only report breakthrough infections that lead to hospitalization or death because those have the “greatest clinical and public health importance.” The Yankees cases, of course, didn’t rise to that level.
And Torres, the shortstop, had Covid-19 last year, indicating that his case is both a breakthrough infection and a reinfection. Scientists think reinfections remain rare, though given that second infections are generally thought to be mild or asymptomatic (akin to breakthrough infections), experts similarly don’t have great estimates for how often they occur. But considering Torres was asymptomatic, his case fit with what experts expect from most reinfections.
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How did this happen?
The team has said it’s conducting contact tracing, and officials from both the New York state health department and CDC are in touch with the team. So far, it’s not clear how this transmission occurred.
Two of the most pressing questions we can think of:
Where did the spread initiate?
Essentially, was this a superspreading event during which someone — likely an unvaccinated person — passed the virus to the eight people? That is one probable explanation. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is particularly adept at transmitting in crowded, indoor settings, so perhaps someone who was shedding lots of virus came into contact with the team, and that’s how this outbreak occurred. The Yankees have surpassed the threshold of 85% players and personnel vaccinated that allowed them under league and union rules to relax some distancing and masking requirements.
It’s also possible that some of the transmission occurred among the eight people who’ve tested positive, though that would seem to be a rarer event. Even if a vaccinated person contracts the coronavirus, it seems they’re generally less infectious to others than an unvaccinated person with Covid-19 — especially if they’re asymptomatic. That might be because the vaccine reduces the amount of virus these people can shed, and also shrinks the window during which they’re contagious.
Related: ‘It’s not over yet’: Uncertain protection from Covid vaccines leaves cancer patients in limbo
Was there a variant involved?
Certain coronavirus variants — most notably B.1.351, which first emerged in South Africa but has circulated at low levels in the United States — cause breakthrough infections at higher rates than other forms of the pathogen. The vaccines still prevent many cases, and retain their overall protection against severe illness and death. But the shots do seem to lose some of their potency in staving off mild or asymptomatic infections, and may not be as powerful at preventing people who have breakthrough infections from passing on the virus.
Major League Baseball is working with a Salt Lake City lab for its testing and sequencing efforts, so we could eventually get more information about this question. The sequencing data could also provide insights into whether the eight people were infected during the same event or independently of each other.
Related: Most Americans believe Biden is correct to support an IP waiver for Covid-19 vaccines
Does this mean the CDC was shortsighted in its recommendation Thursday that fully vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks in most settings?
Depending on the type of mask, face coverings have generally been more about protecting others than yourselves, meaning they’re more of a tool to stop you from spewing virus out into the world than blocking virus headed your way.
There was also some nuance in the CDC’s updated recommendations. The data indicate that the chances of an asymptomatically infected person who’s been vaccinated spreading the virus are extremely low. But CDC Director Rochelle Walensky noted Thursday that if someone starts feeling sick, they should start wearing a mask again and get tested.
Still, critics of the CDC decision could point to the Yankees cluster as a sign that prudence is merited. While many experts celebrated the CDC announcement, others argued that the agency was premature or that it should have tied the guidance to hitting thresholds like a further reduction in new cases per capita or reaching a certain level of vaccination coverage. (Given the variability of infection and vaccination rates around the country, some places have achieved these milestones.) The concern is that with transmission still at the rate it is, and with vaccination rates as low as they still are, people who are unvaccinated or who haven’t mounted a strong immune response to vaccines (like some people with cancer are experiencing) will be more vulnerable to contracting the coronavirus than if the CDC had just waited a few more weeks.
Related: My ‘postmortem’ folder and the intensely personal nature of the latest Covid-19 surge
Not every member of the Yankees organization who tested positive this week was vaccinated at the same time, so the outbreak can’t be attributed to one bad batch of vaccine or an error in keeping the shots at the proper temperature. Still, in a pandemic in which hundreds of millions of people have been infected and amid a global vaccine campaign, there are going to be some weird outlier situations. Simply put, perhaps something bizarre happened with the Yankees.
It underscores how important it is to avoid drawing conclusions from one case involving fewer than a dozen people. The clinical trials that established the vaccines’ efficacy involved tens of thousands of people, and real-world data that have backed up what the clinical trials concluded: the vaccines are immensely powerful against Covid-19.
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Andrew covers a range of topics, from addiction to public health to genetics.
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Comment by David C Boyd on May 17, 2021 at 10:48 am
None of these ads for vaccination address the significant segment of the population that possesses either natural immunity or acquired immunity via prior infection to the original virus and its current variants. As others have commented here, the focus should now shift to testing for relative strength of antibodies and the development of therapeutics.
Andrew P says:
Comment by Andrew P on May 17, 2021 at 7:06 am
Vaccination works – to prevent vaccinated people from getting sick. It does not stop infections, and can’t. Lots of people catch other coronavirus infections that cause colds, and flu infections as well without getting sick – but nobody is testing for these. These 8 baseball players were not sick, and only one had any symptoms at all. Baseball needs to stop testing. Just make sure all the players are vaccinated, and get rid of the tests already.
Comment by Peter Stuart B on May 16, 2021 at 7:04 pm
What nauseating over-hyping of break-throughs in this thrill-seeking rubbish article. It is this simple: JNJ vaccine is 72% effective against the Wuhan original, and only 52% effective against the South-African variant. Those percentages are from when people were wearing masks etc, so in reality they are likely lower. And it means that the other percentages still get sick. Those with immunity can always still be Covid carriers / spreaders – they just won’t get very sick (or die) themselves (that’s why everyone ought to get vaccinated). Immunity seems to also wane over time (hints towards future booster shots). All this has been very well known for quite a while. Due to their sharing and big-crowd life-style trying to find the source with the Yankees so late is ludicrous. This article is totally missing THE essential denominator : Testing For Antibodies. Replace the TA in STAT with HI – that is my judgement on this article.
Lisa says:
Comment by Lisa on May 16, 2021 at 1:40 pm
Thanks for this article. What makes me wonder if the Yankees have been spreading the virus among themselves (infecting each other) is that they did not all test positive at the same time. Indeed since you wrote this article, another one of them has tested positive. Even taking into account that people’s immune responses might differ, doesn’t the time elapsed between case #1 and case #9 suggest they were not infected at the same time/by the same unvaccinated source? The fact that vaccinees don’t shed as much virus – or for as long a period – certainly suggests they’d be less likely to infect others, but do we really have enough data to conclude they can’t transmit? If not, seems like the vaccinated should stay masked to protect the unvaccinated – till more people are vaxed/case numbers are negligible.
Comment by Angelina Maffeo on May 16, 2021 at 12:32 pm
Thank You. This is the most honest and informative article I’ve read since January 2020. You presented the facts for thinking people to consider for themselves. A rare thing these days.
Comment by Richard J Engelhardt on May 16, 2021 at 10:25 am
I could tell by your comments who you voted for or otherwise support. People who would have at 1 time been called journalists should be noted for who they work for and who owns that organization. They have no scruples.
Joe D says:
Comment by Joe D on May 16, 2021 at 5:54 am
As a Yankees fan I am writing in the Interest of Full disclosure. It should be pointed out Stat is owned by the Boston Globe which is owned by John Henry. The Same John Henry who owns the Boston Red Sox; our arch rivals. This should have been acknowledge at the beginning of the piece so that readers could be made aware of any potential biases that the publication may have had.
Comment by New Englander on May 15, 2021 at 10:47 pm
Nothing blizzardy here. Most likely a variant for which the Jensen vaccine is weak, likely P.1-related or the British variant –seems a bit too soon for B.1.617.
The breakthroughs, their count an important data point regardless of hospitalization (outside of politics unclear why the CDC would not publish it), suggest that gene sequencing should have been carried out. Especially because infections in a group w/ an 85% immunity further sheds worries about whether “herd immunity” will ever be possible.
These cases are not a fluke, but a harbinger of things that might come and an opportunity to learn which seems wasted…
Comment by Erika Baxter on May 15, 2021 at 9:21 pm
This thing is here to stay, get used to it people. Vaccinated or not, you WILL get this thing at some point. Let’s just move on, focus on early treatments and stop segregating people based on their health choices.
Eileen says:
Comment by Eileen on May 16, 2021 at 10:46 am
I agree with you. We will not be able to vaccinate our way out of this. Emphasis should have and still should be on therapeutics. Of note Pfizer has 2 in the works right now. The CDC is further compromising its integrity with pronouncements meant to encourage more people to vaccinate and not based upon data. The science people quote supporting the CDC decisions is marginal at best. The CDC decision not to look at all breakthrough infections looks like a misrepresentation, bias and manipulation of data. I hope their decision is based on being overwhelmed and understaffed because that is fixable where politicization is not.
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Largest Lava Lamp – In case that you should use the lamp for 5 hours per day, you may need to alter the halogen bulb roughly each calendar year, while the LED would last almost 30 decades! If you’ve ever touched a lamp if it’s turned on, you’ll have noticed they are able to get very hot. Just how much you choose to spend should also be contingent on how many times you plan on using the lamp. Desk lamps often arrive at a variety of styles and finishes. In Arcadian Home, deciding upon the suitable desk lamp could be fun as you opt for the size and style that is most suitable for you.
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Holding people accountable is an ugly process – especially in politics. It’s never fun to have to deal with the negative realities and consequences of bad behavior and bad policy. Nowhere is the political process more distasteful than in the public school system.
For those who are supporters of the large and growing school reform movement in the United States, local school board meetings can be a sight to behold. In my experience the boards are dominated by allies of the status quo that owe their election to teacher union and other pay-to-play donors.
The meetings I’ve attended are attended mostly by individuals who are hostile to any hint of change – employees of the system or those who contract with it. For the most part they consider their job and their generous benefits or business relationship as guaranteed entitlements and could care less whether the taxpayers can afford them or not.
When it comes to curriculum issues, the more you learn, the worse it gets. When Laurie Higgins publicly raises concerns about the schools being used as propaganda centers for leftwing ideologies, she’s viciously attacked. The way she’s attacked brings to front and center the character of many of the individuals that are paid well to educate children.
Health care legislation right now is getting a lot of attention, but concerned citizens need to realize that there are several policy fronts that need to be fought on as well. And as with health care, education will be affected by those we elect. If you want ObamaCare, you vote for Democrats. If you want a consumer driven health care system, you vote for – who? The answer is for competent Republicans.
The same competent Republicans are needed to honestly deal with the mess that is the public school system.
Exposing the problem is only one part of the task, of course, and that job could be made easier if the news media practiced real journalism. The major newspapers are managed by people whose worldviews keeps them from reporting too much about the failures of big government and big government schools.
For what’s really going on in the schools you’re going to have to turn to other sources, and to Laurie Higgins’ work at the Illinois Family Institute’s Division of School Advocacy. Her latest article is:
Stevenson High School Students’ Ironic Effort to Promote Tolerance
Americans have the government we have because of a gigantic personnel problem. There is too little professionalism or genuine accountability. We’re never going to see improvement unless people muster the will – and the fight – and take on the messy work of calling for real reform.
Articles by John Biver
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Happy Tuesday, friends! It took me long enough but I FINALLY got myself a copy of the latest issue of The Knot Florida magazine. Our couple, Becca + Johnny, had their fabulous wedding featured in it- the spread turned out so pretty so be sure to pick up a copy for yourself.
I also had a bunch of messages about my top, which is so fun! I just got it from Sophie & Trey, a cute little shop in Lake Mary that I love. You can also shop on their website and they run big sales all the time. Right now this $25 stripe tank is 20% off!
These wooden platform sandals are SO comfy! I got them in a taupe/grey color but they also come in white + tan. They were $36 at Statements, which is an affiliate of Sophie & Trey.
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Luscious Greenery Wedding at The Garden Villa in Winter Park, Florida | Kelly + Jake
We just loved this wedding design- totally unique + the touches of nature just made it so very special! Katie + Sara had such a fun time setting up their decor- from the lantern aisle pieces which were these gorgeous potted plants brought in by Greenery Productions to the handmade timeline placecards. After ceremony, guests mingled at the outside patio while the ceremony room was being transformed into reception space. The pops of green + yellow were so fun to see throughout the entire day at The Garden Villa + brightened up the space so much! What do you think about this nature based wedding, do you love it as much as we do?
Such a fabulous day at Paradise Cove for Amber + James! Love was definitely in the air that day + it was so fun to be a part of this special wedding! Jen + Sara arrived right away to help manage vendor tasks while Amber + James were putting the final touched on their looks for the upcoming nuptials! The ceremony started promptly at 5:30pm with one of the biggest bridal parties we've ever seen (20 bridesmaids + groomsmen to be exact!). Sensational Ceremonies delivered a heartfelt ceremony + there wasn't a dry eye in the house! Furry Ventures helped manage Casey (their sweet pup!) to make a grand entrance + then after some of the cutest vows we have ever heard, these two were officially married! They had such fun details at their wedding! From a phone guestbook to their pup Casey even making an appearance on the cake- everything was thought through so well! Sipping cocktails with edible glitter + reminicing on sweet times with those featured on the memory wall displayed
From kicking off the start of the day with photos of the girls getting ready by Erika Grace while the guys hung out at an AirBnb, Hailey + Erick had such a relaxing morning before the craziness of their wedding began! After everyone was dressed in their fanciest attire, they arrived at Museum of Arts + Sciences in Daytona pumped up + ready to watch the two lovebirds tie the knot. Jen + Sara got guests settled in their seats + when it was time for Hailey to make her way down the aisle, Erick had the sweetest reaction seeing his bride-to-be making her way towards him! The reception to follow kicked off with guests showcasing their best dance moves while munching on a variety of desserts including key lime pie cups, lemon cookies and vanilla coconut cake. Friends + family enjoyed taking photos all night long in front of the better together neon sign supplied by At Last Weddings rental inventory which looked absolutely stunning displayed alongside the orange filled floral Dream Desig
Popular Photo Spots at Bella Collina near Orlando, FL | At Last Weddings
Ahh, Bella Collina ...one of our most favorite wedding venues! So many of our couples choose to tie the knot here + besides it being such a stunning place to say "I Do", there are so many wonderful spots to take advantage of to get gorgeous photos! Come along with us as we show you some of our favorite photo ops throughout the property. Love what you see? Be sure to pin it for your upcoming wedding! Concept Photography
A Soft Pink April Wedding at Bella Collina near Orlando, Florida | Sydnie + Josh
What a great day to show off some of the wedding details from Sydnie + Josh's wedding this past April! Choosing Bella Collina as their dream wedding venue to tie the knot, these two had such a wonderful day from beginning to end! Kicking the day off with getting ready pictures by Alexis Kline Photography , Sydnie + her 7 closest girlfriends had such a fun morning getting their hair + makeup ceremony ready. After a heartfelt first look with her hubby-to-be, Sydnie got ready to walk down the aisle as Sasha + Jen made sure the bridal party was lined up in the proper order. Throwing flower petals after the bride + groom said "I Do", the guests made their way to cocktail hour to sign the guestbook + sip cocktails in anticipation to party all night long. Reception was filled with the most fabulous details, from the copper arch provided by In Bloom to the gold rim chargers rented from At Last Weddings + Event Design rentals . The entire day was beautiful but a definite gues
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“She killed her sister, butchered her elder brothers, murdered the ruler, poisoned her mother,” the chronicles say. But is the empress unfairly maligned?
August 10, 2012
A 17th-century Chinese depiction of Wu, from Empress Wu of the Zhou, published c.1690. No contemporary image of the empress exists.
Most nations of note have had at least one great female leader. Not the United States, of course, but one thinks readily enough of Hatshepsut of ancient Egypt, Russia’s astonishing Catherine the Great, or Trung Trac of Vietnam.
These women were rarely chosen by their people. They came to power, mostly, by default or stealth; a king had no sons, or an intelligent queen usurped the powers of her useless husband. However they rose, though, it has always been harder for a woman to rule effectively than it was for a man–more so in the earlier periods of history, when monarchs were first and foremost military leaders, and power was often seized by force.
So queens and empresses regnant were forced to rule like men, and yet roundly criticized when they did so. Sweden’s fascinating Queen Christina was nearly as infamous for eschewing her sidesaddle and riding in breeches as she was for the more momentous decision that she took to convert to Catholicism–while mustering her troops in 1588 as the Spanish Armada sailed up the Channel, even Elizabeth I felt constrained to begin a morale-boosting address with a denial of her sex: “I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and a king of England too.”
Of all these female rulers, though, none has aroused so much controversy, or wielded such great power, as a monarch whose real achievements and character remain obscured behind layers of obloquy. Her name was Wu Zetian, and in the seventh century A.D. she became the only woman in more than 3,000 years of Chinese history to rule in her own right.
The Tang emperor Taizong was the first to promote Wu, whom he gave the nickname “Fair Flatterer”–a reference not to her personal qualities but to the lyrics of a popular song of the day.
Wu (she is always known by her surname) has every claim to be considered a great empress. She held power, in one guise or another, for more than half a century, first as consort of the ineffectual Gaozong Emperor, then as the power behind the throne held by her youngest son, and finally (from 690 until shortly before her death in 705) as monarch. Ruthless and decisive, she stabilized and consolidated the Tang dynasty at a time when it appeared to be crumbling–a significant achievement, since the Tang period is reckoned the golden age of Chinese civilization. T.H. Barrett’s recent book even suggests (on no firm evidence) that the empress was the most important early promoter of printing in the world.
Yet Wu has had a pretty bad press. For centuries she was excoriated by Chinese historians as an offender against a way of life. She was painted as a usurper who was both physically cruel and erotically wanton; she first came to prominence, it was hinted, because she was willing to gratify certain of the Taizong emperor‘s more unusual sexual appetites. “With a heart like a serpent and a nature like that of a wolf,” one contemporary summed up, “she favored evil sycophants and destroyed good and loyal officials.” A small sampling of the empress’s other crimes followed: “She killed her sister, butchered her elder brothers, murdered the ruler, poisoned her mother. She is hated by gods and men alike.”
Just how accurate this picture of Wu is remains a matter of debate. One reason, as we have already had cause to note in this blog, is the official nature and lack of diversity among the sources that survive for early Chinese history; another is that imperial history was written to provide lessons for future rulers, and as such tended to be weighted heavily against usurpers (which Wu was) and anyone who offended the Confucian sensibilities of the scholars who labored over them (which Wu did simply by being a woman). A third problem is that the empress, who was well aware of both these biases, was not averse to tampering with the record herself; a fourth is that some other accounts of her reign were written by relatives who had good cause to loathe her. It is a challenge to recover real people from this morass of bias.
The most serious charges against Wu are handily summarized in Mary Anderson’s collection of imperial scuttlebutt, Hidden Power, which reports that she “wiped out twelve collateral branches of the Tang clan” and had the heads of two rebellious princes hacked off and brought to her in her palace. Among a raft of other allegations are the suggestions that she ordered the suicides of a grandson and granddaughter who had dared to criticize her and later poisoned her husband, who–very unusually for a Chinese emperor–died unobserved and alone, even though tradition held that the entire family should assemble around the imperial death bed to attest to any last words.
Wu–played here by Li Lihua–was depicted as powerful and sexually assertive in the Shaw Brothers’ 1963 Hong Kong movie Empress Wu Tse-Tien.
Even today, Wu remains infamous for the spectacularly ruthless way in which she supposedly disposed of Gaozong’s first wife, the empress Wang, and a senior and more favored consort known as the Pure Concubine. According to the histories of the period, Wu smothered her own week-old daughter by Gaozong and blamed the baby’s death on Wang, who was the last person to have held her. The emperor believed her story, and Wang was demoted and imprisoned in a distant part of the palace, soon to be joined by the Pure Concubine. Having risen to be empress in Wang’s stead, Wu ordered that both women’s hands and feet be lopped off and had their mutilated bodies tossed into a vat of wine, leaving them to drown with the comment: “Now these two witches can get drunk to their bones.”
As if infanticide, torture and murder were not scandalous enough, Wu was also believed to have ended her reign by enjoying a succession of erotic encounters which the historians of the day portrayed as all the more shocking for being the indulgences of a woman of advanced age. According to Anderson, servants
provided her with a string of virile lovers such as one lusty, big-limbed lout of a peddler, whom she allowed to frequent her private apartments…. In her seventies, Wu showered special favor on two smooth-cheeked brothers, the Zhang brothers, former boy singers, the nature of whose private relationship with their imperial mistress has never been precisely determined. One of the brothers, she declared, had “a face as beautiful as a lotus flower,” while it is said she valued the other for his talents in the bedchamber…. the empress, greatly weakened by infirmity and old age, would allow no one but the Zhang brothers by her side.
Determining the truth about this welter of innuendo is all but impossible, and matters are complicated by the fact that little is known of Wu’s earliest years. She was the daughter of a minor general called Duke Ding of Ying, and came to the palace as a concubine in about 636–an honor that suggests that she was very beautiful, since, as Jonathan Clements remarks, “admission to the ranks of palace concubines was equivalent to winning a beauty contest of the most gorgeous women in the medieval world.” But mere beauty was not sufficient to elevate the poorly connected teenage Wu past the fifth rank of palace women, a menial position whose duties were those of a maid, not a temptress.
Palace ladies of the Tang dynasty, from a contemporary wall painting in an imperial tomb in Shaanxi.
The odds that a girl of this low rank would ever come to an emperor’s attention were slim. True, Taizong–an old warrior-ruler so conscientious that he had official documents pasted onto his bedroom walls so that he would have something to work on if he woke in the night–had lost his empress shortly before Wu entered the palace. But 28 other consorts still stood between her and the throne.
Though Wu was unusually well-read and self-willed for a mere concubine, she had only one real advantage over her higher-ranked rivals: Her duties included changing the imperial sheets, which potentially gave her bedroom access to Taizong. Even if she took full advantage, however, she must have possessed not only looks but remarkable intelligence and determination to emerge, as she did two decades later, as empress.
Attaining that position first required Wu to engineer her escape from a nunnery after Taizong’s death–the concubines of all deceased emperors customarily had their heads shaved and were immured in convents for the rest of their lives, since it would have been an insult to the dead ruler had any other man sullied them–and to return to the palace under Gaozong’s protection before entrancing the new emperor, removing empress Wang and the Pure Concubine, promoting members of her own family to positions of power, and eventually establishing herself as fully her husband’s equal. By 666, the annals state, Wu was permitted to make offerings to the gods beside Gaozong and even to sit in audience with him–behind a screen, admittedly, but on a throne that was equal in elevation to his own.
The poet Luo Binwang–one of the “Four Greats of Early Tang” and best known for his “Ode to the Goose”–launched a virulent attack on the empress. Wu, characteristically, admired the virtuosity of Luo’s style and suggested he would be better employed at the imperial court.
Wu’s later life was one long illustration of the exceptional influence she had come to wield. After Gaozong’s death, in 683, she remained the power behind the throne as dowager empress, manipulating a succession of her sons before, in 690, ordering the last of them to abdicate and taking power herself. Not until 705, when she was more than 80 years old, was Wu finally overthrown by yet another son–one whom she had banished years before. Her one mistake had been to marry this boy to a concubine nearly as ruthless and ambitious as herself. Throughout 15 dismal years in exile, her son’s consort had talked him out of committing suicide and kept him ready to return to power.
So much for the supposed facts; what about the interpretation? How did a woman with such limited expectations as Wu emerge triumphant in the cutthroat world of the Tang court? How did she hold on to power? And does she deserve the harsh verdict that history has passed on her?
One explanation for Wu’s success is that she listened. She installed a series of copper boxes in the capital in which citizens could post anonymous denunciations of one another, and passed legislation, R.W.L. Guisso says, that “empowered informers of any social class to travel at public expense.” She also maintained an efficient secret police and instituted a reign of terror among the imperial bureaucracy. A history known as the Comprehensive Mirror records that, during the 690s, 36 senior bureaucrats were executed or forced to commit suicide, and a thousand members of their families enslaved.
Yet contemporaries thought that there was more to her than this. One critic, the poet Luo Binwang, portrayed Wu as little short of an enchantress–”All fell before her moth brows. She whispered slander from behind her sleeves, and swayed her master with vixen flirting”– and insisted that she was the arch manipulator of an unprecedented series of scandals that, over two reigns and many years, cleared her path to the throne.
Most historians believe Wu became intimate with the future Gaozong emperor before his father’s death–a scandalous breach of etiquette that could have cost her her head, but which in fact saved her from life in a Buddhist nunnery.
What role, if any, the undeniably ambitious concubine played in the events of the early Tang period remains a matter of controversy. It is not likely Wu was involved in the disgrace of Taizong’s unpleasant eldest son, Cheng-qian, whose teenage rebellion against his father had taken the form of the ostentatious embrace of life as lived by Mongol nomads. (“He would camp out in the palace grounds,” Clements notes, “barbecuing sheep.”) Cheng-qian was banished for attempted revolt, while a dissolute brother who had agreed to take part in the rebellion–”so long,” Clements adds, “as he was permitted sexual access to every musician and dancer in the palace, male or female”–was invited to commit suicide, and another of Taizong’s sons was disgraced for his involvement in a different plot. Yet it was this series of events that cleared the way for Gaozong’s, and hence Wu’s, accession.
It is easier to take seriously the suggestion that Wu arranged a series of murders within her own family. These began in 666 with the death by poison of a teenage niece who had attracted Gaozong’s admiring gaze, and continued in 674 with the suspicious demise of Wu’s able eldest son, crown prince Li Hong, and the discovery of several hundred suits of armor in the stables of a second son, who was promptly demoted to the rank of commoner on suspicion of treason. Historians remain divided as to how far Wu benefited from the removal of these potential obstacles; what can be said is that her third son, who succeeded his father as Emperor Zhongzong in 684, lasted less than two months before being banished, at his mother’s instigation, in favor of the more tractable fourth, Ruizong. It is also generally accepted that Ruizong’s wife, Empress Liu, and chief consort, Dou, were executed at Wu’s behest in 693 on trumped-up charges of witchcraft.
Wu’s memorial tablet, which stands near her tomb, was erected during her years as empress in the expectation that her successors would compose a magnificent epitaph for it. Instead, it was left without any inscription–the only such example in more than 2,000 years of Chinese history.
There are abundant signs that Wu was viewed with deep suspicion by later generations of Chinese. Her giant stone memorial, placed at one side of the spirit road leading to her tomb, remains blank. It is the only known uncarved memorial tablet in more than 2,000 years of imperial history, its muteness chillingly reminiscent of the attempts made by Hatshepsut’s successors to obliterate her name from the stone records of pharaonic Egypt. And while China’s imperial chronicles were too rigidly run and too highly developed for Wu’s name to be simply wiped from their pages, the stern disapproval of the Confucian mandarins who compiled the records can still be read 1,500 years later.
How to evaluate such an unprecedented figure today? It may be helpful to consider that there were in effect two empresses–the one who maintained a reign of terror over the innermost circle of government, and the one who ruled more benignly over 50 million Chinese commoners. Seen from this perspective, Wu did in fact fulfill the fundamental duties of a ruler of imperial China; Confucian philosophy held that, while an emperor should not be condemned for acts that would be crimes in a subject, he could be judged harshly for allowing the state to fall into anarchy. C.P. Fitzgerald–who reminds us that Tang China emerged from 400 years of discord and civil war–writes, “Without Wu there would have been no long enduring Tang dynasty and perhaps no lasting unity of China,” while in a generally favorable portrayal, Guisso argues that Wu was not so different from most emperors: “The empress was a woman of her times. Her social, economic and judicial views could hardly be termed advanced, and her politics differed from those of her predecessors chiefly in their greater pragmatism and ruthlessness.” Even the “terror” of the 680s, in this view, was a logical response to entrenched bureaucratic opposition to Wu’s rule. This opposition was formidable; the annals of the period contain numerous examples of criticisms leveled by civil servants mortified by the empress’s innovations. At one point, to the horror of her generals, Wu proposed raising a military corps from among China’s numerous eunuchs. (It was common for poor Chinese boys to voluntarily undergo emasculation in the hope of obtaining a prestigious and well-remunerated post in the imperial service). She was also the most important early supporter of the alien religion of Buddhism, which during her rule surpassed the native Confucian and Daoist faiths in influence within the Tang realm.
The Tang empire in 700, at the end of Wu’s reign. Her 50-year rule was marked by a successful foreign policy that saw only a few, victorious, wars but the considerable expansion of the influence of the Chinese state. Map: Wikicommons.
All in all, Wu’s policies seem less scandalous to us than they did to contemporaries, and her reputation has improved considerably in recent decades. Her reign was peaceful and prosperous; she introduced the meritocratic system of entrance examinations for the imperial bureaucracy that survived into the 20th century, avoided wars and welcomed ambassadors from as far away as the Byzantine Empire. Moreover, Wu exhibited one important characteristic that suggests that, whatever her faults, she was no despot: She acknowledged and often acted on the criticisms of loyal ministers, one of whom dared to suggest, in 701, that it was time for her to abdicate. The empress even promoted what might loosely be termed women’s rights, publishing (albeit as part of her own legitimation campaign) Biographies of Famous Women and requiring children to mourn both parents, rather than merely their father, as had been the practice hitherto. The critical Anderson concedes that, under Wu, “military expenses were reduced, taxes cut, salaries of deserving officials raised, retirees given a viable pension, and vast royal lands near the capital turned over to husbandry.”
Explaining why the empress was so reviled, then, means acknowledging the double standard that existed–and still exists–when it comes to assessing male and female rulers. Wu probably did dispose of several members of her own family, and she ordered the deaths of a number of probably innocent ministers and bureaucrats. She also dealt ruthlessly with a succession of rivals, promoted members of her own family to high office, succumbed repeatedly to favoritism, and, in her old age, maintained what amounted to a harem of virile young men. None of these actions, though, would have attracted criticism had she been a man. Every Chinese emperor had concubines, and most had favorites; few came to power, or stayed there, without the use of violence. Taizong forced the abdication of his own father and disposed of two older brothers in hand-to-hand combat before seizing the throne.
Empress Lu Zhi (241-180 B.C.) is held up in Chinese histories as the prototype of all that is wicked in a female ruler. Cold, ruthless, and ambitious, the Han dynasty dowager murdered her rival, the beautiful concubine Lady Qi, by amputating all her limbs, turning her into a “human swine” and leaving her to die in a cesspit.
There must also be some doubt as to whether Wu really was guilty of some of the most monstrous crimes that history has charged her with. The horrible deaths of empress Wang and the Pure Concubine, for example, are nowhere mentioned in Luo Binwang’s fearless contemporary denunciation, which suggests that Wu was not blamed for them during her lifetime. Her supposed method, moreover–amputating her victims’ hands and feet and leaving them to drown–suspiciously resembles that adopted by her most notorious predecessor, the Han-era empress Lu Zhi–a woman portrayed by Chinese historians as the epitome of all that was evil. It was Lu Zhi who, in 194 B.C., wreaked revenge on a rival by gouging out her eyes, amputating her arms and legs, and forcing her to drink acid that destroyed her vocal chords. The mute and limbless concubine was then tossed into a cesspit in the palace with the swine. It seems possible that the fate ascribed to Wang and the Pure Concubine was a chronicler’s invention, intended to link Wu to the worst monster in China’s history.
The “spirit road” causeway to Wu’s still-unopened tomb lies between two low rises, tipped by watchtowers, known as the “nipple hills.”
In death, as in life, then, Wu remains controversial. Even her gravesite is remarkable. When she died, she was laid to rest in an elaborate tomb in the countryside about 50 miles north of the then capital, Xi’an. It was approached via a mile-long causeway running between two low hills topped with watchtowers, known today as the “nipple hills” because Chinese tradition holds that the spot was selected because the hills reminded Gaozong of the young Wu’s breasts.
At the end of this “spirit road,” the tomb itself lies in a remarkably inaccessible spot, set into a mountain at the end of a winding forest path. No-one knows what secrets it holds, for like many of the tombs of the most celebrated Chinese rulers, including that of the First Emperor himself, it has never been plundered or opened by archaeologists.
Mike Dash is a contributing writer in history for Smithsonian.com. Before Smithsonian.com, Dash authored the award-winning blog A Blast From the Past.
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Joshua Stone, 21, whose father and brother are already in custody, surrenders in Michigan. He is one of nine 'warriors' of the anti-government group charged in an alleged plot against police.
Federal officials in Michigan have arrested a ninth member of the Hutaree, the Christian anti-government militia charged with plotting to use "weapons of mass destruction" in an attack on police.
The suspect, Joshua Matthew Stone of Clayton, Mich., surrendered to federal agents in nearby Hillsdale County, in the southern part of the state, Gina Balaya, a spokeswoman with the U.S. attorney's office in Detroit, said Tuesday.
Other members of Stone's family were already in custody -- brother David Brian Stone Jr., 19; father David Brian Stone, 45; and Tina Mae Stone, 44, David Sr.'s wife.
FBI Special Agent Sandra Berchtold, a spokeswoman in the Detroit field office, said agents surrounded a rural residence where Joshua Stone, 21, was staying with five other adults and a child.
Berchtold said they waited several hours for Stone to come out, occasionally playing recordings made by friends and family that urged him not to take a violent stand.
Stone emerged late Monday with the others in the house, who were questioned and released.
Similar encounters with fringe groups have famously ended in tragedy for the FBI. The violent siege at Ruby Ridge, Idaho, in 1992, and the deadly standoff at a Waco, Texas, religious compound in 1993 are considered egregious abuses of government power in some quarters. Both incidents helped spark the rise of the militia movement in the 1990s.
"We didn't want this to turn into, you know . . . anything," Berchtold said. "We wanted everybody safely on our side to go home. And we wanted Josh Stone to be safely taken to jail."
Members of the Hutaree, according to the group's website, consider themselves "Christian warriors," and were preparing for armed self-defense and the arrival of the Antichrist.
According to a federal indictment, the suspects considered local, state and federal police to be an enemy "brotherhood." Federal officials allege the suspects had been plotting to kill a local law enforcement officer, and then attack with homemade bombs the officers who came to the funeral.
All nine are facing charges of seditious conspiracy, attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, teaching the use of explosives and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
The Stones and four other suspects are being detained in Detroit; a ninth suspect, Thomas Piatek, 46, of Whiting, Ind., is in custody in that state. All are expected to enter pleas at court hearings Wednesday, Balaya said.
The high-profile arrests over the weekend come as part of what the Southern Poverty Law Center, a group that tracks such groups, has called "an explosion of new extremist groups and activism across the nation" after the election of President Obama.
In militia circles, news of the Hutaree arrests has been met with varying responses.
Michael Vanderboegh, an Alabama blogger and former militia member, said on his website that the government went after the Hutaree as a means of smearing the reputation of a "revitalized constitutional militia movement" that, although skeptical and critical of government, is not extremist.
Lee Miracle, a coordinator for the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia, said he wasn't worried about the reputation of his group, which on its website prominently denounces "subversive or quasi-subversive" groups acting against the government.
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Stretching from Xining in Qinghai Province, cutting across the barren grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau and mounting the foreboding winter fairyland of the Kunlun Mountains before arriving in Lhasa, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is more than just a train from point A to Point B. It’s a journey of literal and figurative transportation, filled with untouched, achingly beautiful vistas.
Only about a day in length (ca. 22 hours and 1.956 km), you’d be hard-pressed to find a moment worth falling asleep for, as tempting as it is to nod off to the gentle rocking and click-clack of the train. However, if you do still plan on getting some shut-eye, here are some stretches that are more than worth looking out the window for: Chaerhan Salt Lake, Kunlun Pass, Hoh Xil, Tanggula Pass and Qiangtang Grassland.
When not gazing in awe out the windows, riders on the train are able to experience some pretty impressive features, all provided to make the journey as comfortable and safe as possible. Like most trains in China’s network, travelers have access to hot water dispensers, a restaurant car and both squat and sit-down toilets. Each car is also pressurised (much like the cabin of an aircraft) and equipped with an oxygen supply system to help prevent any travelers from feeling sick or light-headed. Cabins come with private oxygen-dispensing outlets, and each train has an on-site doctor just in case.
(Top image source: CGTN)
Stretching from Xining in Qinghai Province, cutting across the barren grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau and mounting the foreboding winter fairyland of the Kunlun Mountains before arriving in Lhasa, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is more than just a train from point A to Point B. It’s a journey of literal and figurative transportation, filled with untouched, achingly beautiful vistas.
Only about a day in length (ca. 22 hours and 1.956 km), you’d be hard-pressed to find a moment worth falling asleep for, as tempting as it is to nod off to the gentle rocking and click-clack of the train. However, if you do still plan on getting some shut-eye, here are some stretches that are more than worth looking out the window for: Chaerhan Salt Lake, Kunlun Pass, Hoh Xil, Tanggula Pass and Qiangtang Grassland.
When not gazing in awe out the windows, riders on the train are able to experience some pretty impressive features, all provided to make the journey as comfortable and safe as possible. Like most trains in China’s network, travelers have access to hot water dispensers, a restaurant car and both squat and sit-down toilets. Each car is also pressurised (much like the cabin of an aircraft) and equipped with an oxygen supply system to help prevent any travelers from feeling sick or light-headed. Cabins come with private oxygen-dispensing outlets, and each train has an on-site doctor just in case.
(Top image source: CGTN)
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This is Key Life. We are here to communicate the freeing truth that God’s not mad at his children. Steve invited our friend Pete Alwinson to teach us all this week. Pete is a former pastor, founder of ForgeTruth.com and the author of Like Father, Like Son.
Thank you Matthew. And again, this is Pete Alwinson sitting in for Steve Brown. We’re giving him just a little bit of a rest and so thankful for Steve and his ministry. You know, he’s been my mentor for years and years and years, and what a privilege to be able to sit in his chair today and talk to you. We’re in James chapter one. So, if you have your Bibles, you might want to open them up. We’re talking about the subject of trials. We started yesterday diving deeply into the reality of what trials are like. And we said, from James chapter one verses one and following, that trials are defined for us in two different ways. Trials are defined as those things that hit us from outside, those negative events that hit us from outside ourselves, but they can also be temptations that arise from within. So, that’s the definition of trials. Trials are those things that happen to us either from without or from within, that are not all that exciting. And then we saw that trials are absolutely inevitable. James says.
Consider it all joy my brothers, when you encounter various trials.
Not if, trials are inevitable, we live in a broken world and there are personal trials, that happen to us because people attacked us. Or there are impersonal trials that happen to us, as well just by living in a broken world. Let me expand on that one more step and say also that there are self caused trials. There are trials that we bring into our own lives. And while it’s true, as one psychologist said, broken people do broken things to others, broken people do broken things to themselves. In fact, in my ministry is mostly to men, men’s groups right now. But man, I hear story after story, they come to me and say, Pete, you won’t believe what I did. And I say, no, I believe it. And, the reality is, is that a lot of times we bring things to ourselves. We bring trials on ourselves. Like my good friend who just got a DUI. I love him. Jesus loves him, but he’s been fighting alcohol for a very long time. And so, he’s brought the loss of his license upon himself and the stresses that it’s put on his family. The young businessman asked the older businessman to mentor him. And he, he said at the first meeting, Hey, listen, how did you become such a great success? And the businessman said, good decisions. And, and the man said, well, then how did you learn to make good decisions? And the businessman said, bad decisions. So often, that’s what happens in our life. What grace can do for us in a powerful way, if we understand that trials come from without and from within, and that they’re inevitable and that they are incredibly diverse. They come at us from so many different angles, from other people, from just living in a broken world and from ourselves. If we understand that, then we can grow. Grace gives us the ability and I love this, to look at ourselves and say, God’s not angry at me. I’m not a failure. I’m God’s beloved son. I’m God’s daughter. But, you know, the definition of insanity is a real thing, doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. And so we have to, we have to take our trials and allow the grace to remind us that even though they come from without, and they come from within, that they’re inevitable, and they come at us from all quarters. The reality is grace can enable us to grow and succeed and to become better people. And that’s where we see the functionality of trials. That’s the fourth point that I want to bring up in verses three and four. Here it is.
James says
that the testing of your faith produces endurance and let endurance have its perfect result so that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.
You know, when I first came to faith in Christ, I wanted to grow and I came across Philippians 1:6, where God said.
That he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
And I thought, you know, this is good. I want to grow. I want to be like Jesus. And I don’t want to be good and I don’t want to be like Jesus, so that God will accept me. I mean, I want to grow because he has accepted me. And that’s what grace does. And I think that’s, what’s behind James emphasis here, is that grace is the energizing power of sanctification. Grace is the energizing force because we are so deeply loved, we want to grow. And how does God do it? Well, one of the main functional means that God uses is trials. To help us grow, he’s got to put us through some pain. Now, nobody wants pain. If you really like pain, then we need to talk. You probably need some counseling, but, but the gospel gives us the ability to look at trials way differently than anybody else. There’s a clear function for trials. He’s leveraging them in our lives. God is not a child abuser. He uses trials, that take this bad and broken world and begin to build us into great people. But he’s got to give us endurance. He’s got to give us the ability to carry on and to move on and to learn in the midst of suffering. When I was a runner, I realized it was endurance, was so crucial so that I could do more. The stronger I got the further I went meant that the more I could go. And in the same way, with a spiritual trial, with a trial that comes into our life, what God is trying to do, is to give us the ability to see that this is not the end, that this is a means to the end. And that he has a plan to make us grace strong versus grace soft. That’s something that I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, in how grace enables us to develop the endurance, in the midst of trials. God wants us to say, alright, this doesn’t define me. And I’ve got to carry on in the midst of this and grow through it. God is never overcome by evil. And I love that, he always harnesses that the bad things in our life, to take us in a good direction. Some of you guys have gone through so much that I don’t even know. Some of you have lost jobs. Some of you have gone through sickness. Some of you had a bad round of COVID and you’re on the other side of it now. And it’s all good. Some of you, some of you, have felt shame by a trial that you went through and what he wants shoot to do. What the father wants you to see, is that your trial, your failure is not your name. It’s not who you are. It doesn’t define you anymore. And he wants us to get some endurance so that we can keep preaching the gospel to ourselves and understand that even in the midst of trials, God’s for us, a hundred percent, for us. I really like reading Erwin McManus. He tells in one of his books about an interaction with his son Aaron. And his son came to him and said, dad, would you purposefully put us in danger? Yes, I answered, of course. Without blinking an eye, his response was simply, that’s what I thought, I was just checking. And I liked that. And it almost seems as though it’s counter-intuitive to our life. That if you love somebody, you would actually put them in danger. But, but if God is trying to build us as strong people, grace strong people who endure trials in a broken world and share his message with people that oppose us and try to live in a way that’s often opposed to the culture. Then, then we have to have endurance and we have to learn, that we can carry on because he’s really, really not angry at us. He’s trying to teach us. Well, trials are important in our lives, but they are conquerable. I love what James says in verse five.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Well, we’re going to talk a little bit more about this tomorrow, but it’s important to keep in mind that we need to understand that trials are conquerable. There’s a functionality to them. God is using them. He’s not trying to hammer us over the head. He’s not angry at us. He’s trying to develop us. He loves us as we are, but he loves us so much, he doesn’t want to leave us the way we are. He develops us. And so, every one of the trials that you face, every one of the let downs that you face, is an opportunity to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Ah, trials are conquerable. They’re inevitable, they’re diverse, but there’s a functionality to them and they are conquerable, by the grace of God. And that’s why James says. If any of you lacks wisdom, wisdom about what? Of course, I lack wisdom, lack wisdom about the trials. And so, this is the function of our prayer. Lord, why am I going through this? What do you want me to learn? How do you want me to learn it? Where can I grow? What a great prayer that is. Don’t ever forget who you are, preach the gospel to yourself. And take it to heart. Amen.
How do we thrive in the midst of chaos? That is such a relevant question. And hey, surprise, surprise. We find the answer to that question in God’s word. Thank you Pete, for bringing us this wisdom from the book of James. As I’ve mentioned, Pete is with us all this week. And if you’ve missed any of his episodes, you could find them for free right now on keylife.org. And not just Pete’s, but all episodes of Key Life. And you will also find the transcripts for this radio program. And that’s a great feature. If you or someone you know, is hard of hearing, or if you just want to kind of dig into the teaching further. Also at keylife.org, you’ll find our brand new digital magazine, there’s sermons, video versions of Steve Brown Etc, there’s Key Life Connection, even a link to our brand new Key Life app, which is awesome by the way. And all of it is still free, thanks to the generous support of listeners, just like you. If you’d like to donate, just call 1-800-KEY-LIFE. That’s 1-800-539-5433. Or you can mail your donation to
Or e-mail [email protected] You can charge a gift on your credit card or include a gift in your envelope. Or of course, now you can just text to give. Just text Key Life to 28950 on your smartphone, and then follow the instructions. Key life is a member of ECFA in the States and CCCC in Canada. Both of those organizations assure financial accountability. And we are a listener supported production of Key Life Network.
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“Do you want to marry God?” she asked, not five minutes into our acquaintance. It seemed less a question than an invitation.
I had picked up a young nun on the side of the road, deducing from her all-black attire that we were headed to the same place: Radovašnica monastery, at the foot of Cer (pronounced “tsair”) mountain in Western Serbia. She was from Bosnia, making her way across the former Yugoslavia from one Serbian Orthodox sanctuary to another, final destination unknown. I was from Washington, DC, driving the rural roads of Mačva in a glossy black Fiat Panda I’d picked up a few days earlier from Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla airport. Our conversation had taken an intimate turn remarkably quickly.
“No,” I answered bluntly, hoping to cut the evangelizing short. “I only came to light an anniversary candle”—shorthand, in the regional idiom, for the end of a one-year period of mourning. Though I was telling the truth about the candles, traditional beeswax tapers bought for that purpose in one of the nearby villages, it’s also the case that I was in a hurry and Radovašnica was just the first stop on a day trip back in time.
“For Health”
Local lore has it that the monastery’s land was endowed by King Stefan Dragutin of the Nemanjić dynasty in the late 13th century, making it among the oldest in the “Pocerina” region on the north side of the mountain. Both Serbia and the still-disputed territory of Kosovo are dotted with Orthodox monasteries, many far grander in size or set in more dramatic landscape than this one. But Radovašnica, like the others, helps tell the story of Serbia from medieval to modern times. It’s also a gateway between the fields and orchards of the area’s small family farms and the mountain. “Fertile Mačva has always attracted occupiers,” narrates a tv documentary about the monastery, the main church of which was destroyed repeatedly during several hundred years of Ottoman rule, late 18th-century conflicts between Turks and Habsburgs, 19th-century Serbian uprisings, and in two world wars. Sadly, it’s not the only thing around here that’s been “demolished, burned, and plundered.”
Although Cer—named for Quercus cerris, the species of oak that covers the terrain—certainly offers plenty of hiking and other outdoor activity for tourists and locals alike, it’s best known for an August 1914 battle in which the undermanned Serbian army defeated invading Austro-Hungarian forces, resulting in the first Allied victory of World War I. It is to the memory of the fallen from that campaign that the newest Orthodox church in the vicinity, Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco, is dedicated. Baptized six years ago on the battle’s centenary, the church also serves as a sort of rest stop for travelers who brave the cobblestone track that traverses the mountaintop. (Google maps will instruct you to get from one end of the mountain to the other by roads at its base for a reason, as I learned when my rental car got stuck in mud created by the combination of spring rains and dirt roads.) When I was last there, both the church and the nearby “Linden Waters” lodge were deserted, though someone had been by recently enough to leave a full bottle of Montenegrin wine on a picnic table out front. A mural behind the church proclaims “Cer’s heroes, holy warriors,” putting a spiritual gloss on what was a decidedly secular event and hinting at the contemporary church’s role in keeping Serbian nationalism alive.
About five miles to the south of the mountain’s peak is a modest museum and monument: an ossuary in the form of natural rock, embellished with the phrase, “Your deeds are immortal.” The Battle of Cer also lives on in a WWI-era song, “March on the Drina,” played at national-team sporting events, and a 1964 film by the same name. Despite this cultural legacy, it’s the case that Cer doesn’t call attention to itself. Unless you know what you’re looking for, you might think the mountain and its surroundings are what an urbanite from Belgrade, a two hours’ drive away, would call a “vukojebina” (literally, “a place where wolves fuck”). The Serbian government, however, is determined not to let the mountain or the military conquest that took place there be forgotten. In late 2018, they announced a plan to construct a memorial complex with a massive glass tower “symbolizing victory,” featuring 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside, and designed to “be visible from large parts of Serbia.” My advice: get there while the wolves still outnumber the tourists.
While you’re there: try honey made by the bee-keeping nuns of nearby Petkovica monastery, ajvar (the roasted red pepper spread made each fall), gibanica (a pie made with alternating layers of filo dough and cheese filling), and the ubiquitous šljivovica (plum brandy, the national drink).
Posted in culture, history, Serbia, Uncategorized | Tagged Cer, Mačva, Serbia, travel
Posted on 21 January 2022 by amitric
Note: this is an excerpt from a work in progress.
“Would you like to try some?” he asked, offering up a brown paper package he’d just retrieved from a stuffed gym bag. I must have looked dubious, as he added, “It’s good, actually.” But I was hesitant not because I feared how his gluten-free snack would taste but because I was unsure of the propriety of a writer’s sharing food with her subject.
In that moment, though, I wasn’t operating as a journalist. And Novak Djoković was less a world-famous athlete than one of a small group of Serbs hanging around after a press conference, commiserating over a painful loss. Despite our differences in status, it felt like we were in this together.
I cupped my hands and watched as he poured a mix of oats and carob chunks into them. He was right: it wasn’t bad. We both munched as we resumed our conversation—by that point, we’d shifted from tennis and sports journalism to the most apt Serbian translation for “drama queen” to recent films about Nikola Tesla.
We’d started talking some 15 minutes earlier, after Djoković stretched out on the dais near one of his Davis Cup teammates, with whom I was chatting. In front of the podium, the other Serbian players were taking turns doing their final domestic tv interviews of the week. In an unusual move, Djoković was waiting for everyone to finish up so they could leave the media center as a team. Even the players too young to have been there from the beginning knew what this day had become: it was the end of an era.
Photo taken from a distance by Argentine photographer JP
Whether the era in question began in 2001, when Jelena Janković and Janko Tipsarević foreshadowed the success to come by winning the juniors singles titles at the Australian Open, or in 2004, when Nenad Zimonjić lifted the mixed doubles trophy in Melbourne, beating defending champions Martina Navratilova and Leander Paes with his Russian partner, or even in 2007, when Ana Ivanović and Novak Djoković made their first major finals (at the French Open and US Open, respectively) and ended the year ranked among the top 4 players in the world—it hardly matters. In fact, one could argue that the era started in 1995, when rump Yugoslavia returned to international tennis competition, in both the men’s Davis Cup and women’s Federation Cup, after several years in the wilderness due to UN sanctions. Zimonjić, the only Serb whose career had spanned this entire quarter century, was now 43 and playing on artificial hips.
In November 2019, the Serbian men approached the Spanish capital for the national team tournament with two goals: to finish the decade as they’d started it, by winning the Davis Cup, and to give their outspoken, bespectacled teammate Janko Tipsarević a proper sendoff into retirement. (A group vacation in the Maldives was to follow.) Tipsarević had already competed at his final ATP event a month prior, making the quarterfinals at the Stockholm Open. He was selected for the national team despite having played only intermittently—not just during his last season but over the previous five years—due to a series of injuries which had derailed his career after two seasons ranked in the top ten. In Madrid, he and Viktor Troicki, who had performed the hero’s role in their 2010 Davis Cup victory, played two doubles matches in the round-robin group stage, winning one and losing the other to one of the very best doubles teams in the world: Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut of France, who had gone undefeated at the ATP’s year-end championship the previous week. In the quarterfinal tie against Russia, with the teams poised at one match apiece, the Serbs had opted to substitute Djoković in to partner Troicki in the deciding doubles contest. The childhood friends, who had won their first titles together as juniors, suffered a devastating loss in a third-set tiebreaker, having failed to capitalize on several match points.
The six-member team entered the interview room in silence and sat behind their microphones and tented name-cards with bowed heads, at least a few sporting red eyes and Djoković hiding his face under the bill of a baseball cap. The players’ answers were emotional from the start, with Djoković admitting the loss “hurts us really badly” and Troicki adding, “I probably feel the worst ever [after a loss]. I never experienced such a moment in my career, in my life. And I let my team down, and I apologize to them.” It likely wasn’t until Zimonjić, in the captain’s chair, choked up that the majority of the assembled press understood what was at stake for the Serbs in this Davis Cup campaign.
“Sorry,” he began haltingly. “It’s not [about] winning or losing, just for you to understand.” Through tears, he explained: “It’s that the four players sitting here. . . I would say they are the golden generation of our tennis. And I see it as an end because it’s Janko’s last match. . . . You dream, maybe, to go all the way—to celebrate, you know, with a victory. But sometimes it doesn’t happen, what you wanted to happen.”
Grab the tissues, this is an emotional one to watch
Hear from @nenadzim after Serbia's loss, describing his team as "The Golden Generation"
— Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals (@DavisCupFinals) November 22, 2019
Even though, two years later, Djoković remains on the top of the game, Zimonjić was right: the loss in Madrid marked the end of something significant. Ana Ivanović, the youngest of the “golden” group, had preceded all of them into retirement, opting to stop playing at age 29, after injury cut short her 2016 season. Though Jelena Janković hasn’t officially hung up her racquets, she also hasn’t competed professionally since undergoing back surgery after the 2017 US Open. Viktor Troicki, who rebounded from that worst-ever feeling by helping Serbia win the inaugural ATP Cup trophy at the start of 2020, spent the last year transitioning from active player to Davis Cup captain.
Though I didn’t know it at the time, this was a summer that would change my life.
I spent a chunk of it, including my birthday, in the village of my father’s birth, 100km west of Belgrade. There was nothing unusual about this, as I’d been visiting my grandmother’s farm since infancy; nor was it a rare occurrence for me to celebrate at least part of my birthday inside, watching tv. When my grandmother first got a black and white television in the early ‘80s, my siblings and I would rush from the back yard where we spent most of our day into the living room to catch the cartoons that came on before the nightly news—most often, Looney Tunes reels dubbed into what was then called “Serbo-Croatian.” But as I got older, I watched more sports coverage, especially of my favorite event, Wimbledon, which (like my birthday) takes place in early July.
In 2010, I got a double-dose of tennis. Though Novak Djoković had lost in the semifinals at the All England Club, the Davis Cup quarterfinals were scheduled for the weekend following Wimbledon’s conclusion—and Serbia was playing in them for the first time as an independent nation. This was a huge occasion, in part because it had taken the Serbian team 15 years to climb from the lowest tier of regional zone competition to the “World Group”: the 16 best tennis nations. For the previous three seasons, they’d been knocking at the door of the tennis elite but unable to gain full entry, repeatedly losing in the first round and having to win September playoffs to get another chance the next year. Perhaps a bigger deal in the Balkans: Serbia was facing neighbors, former compatriots, and relatively recent co-belligerents in Croatia for a spot in the semifinals. As this was the first international meeting between the two men’s teams, members of which had all been born in Yugoslavia before the wars, there was some concern about what kind of welcome the Serbs would get from their hosts in Split. But apart from some hecklers in the crowd, it was uneventful off court. On court, the Serbs triumphed by a 4-1 margin, with all their wins coming in straight sets.
This victory—as well as those that followed, culminating in a championship tie played in front on twenty-thousand spectators packed into Belgrade Arena—marked a turning point not only for several members of the Davis Cup team but also for me.
Initiated into playing tennis by both parents and into being a tennis fan by my father, I’d been casually involved with the sport since childhood. Trips to the neighborhood court brought all manner of lessons, not merely in groundstroke technique but in sportsmanship as well. To this day, I can’t step on a tennis court without hearing my dad’s voice—at one moment, admonishing me for not returning balls directly to my opponent when it was his or her turn to serve; at another, expressing pleasant surprise at how well I hit a backhand. In the late ‘70s and ‘80s, the later rounds of majors were broadcast on network tv and I was allowed to stare at the screen for longer than usual. One of the first philosophical disagreements I recall having with my father concerned the on-court antics of John McEnroe: while we both admired Bjorn Borg and disliked Jimmy Conners, we were divided over the American who had earned his nickname “SuperBrat.” The introductory music NBC chose for their “Breakfast at Wimbledon” program still transports me back to our shared time in front of the tv—not quite as powerful or as sentimental as Proust’s madeleine, perhaps, but something like it. Though I rooted for Martina Navratilova and enjoyed seeing other WTA players in action, my early fandom reached its peak when Boris Becker—like me, a teenager—smashed his serve and threw his body around the grass courts at Wimbledon in the mid-‘80s.
In 1986, the year “Boom Boom” Becker won Wimbledon for a second time, another player in the men’s draw caught my eye. Though it’s the case that he was the stereotypical “tall, dark, and handsome” type of romance novels, I was attracted less by his features or physique than by his name—one bound to tie the tongues of Anglophone commentators. Because he shared my father’s first name, Slobodan (a name which would become infamous within a few years for reasons having nothing to do with tennis), I knew that meant he also shared his homeland. Growing up as an “ethnic” American, I was accustomed to people using Yugoslavia as a punchline: the long name, obscure location, and ambiguous geopolitical position, never mind the compact car, were the source of much teasing in the waning days of the Cold War. (One coach affectionately called me “half-breed,” something unimaginable today.) But Yugoslav passion for and prowess in sports were no joke. For one thing, Sarajevo had hosted the winter Olympics in 1984, while I was in high school. For another, the country had been collecting medals in team sports for decades: football, handball, volleyball, water polo, and (above all for an American) basketball. So, I had already experienced both collective exhilaration and cultural pride as a spectator of European championships and Summer Olympics. But since “Bobo” Živojinović was the first Yugoslav tennis player of whom I was aware, seeing him advance to the singles semifinal at Wimbledon—and, later that summer, win the men’s doubles trophy at the US Open—ignited a new feeling in me.
My favorite sport being played by people with names like mine, speaking the language I’d learned by communicating with my grandmother? That was something special. The rise and dominance of Monica Seles a few years later—she first won the French Open as a 16-year-old in 1990—was even more significant. Before she was stabbed by an unstable fan of one of her rivals, Seles had won eight grand slam titles playing under the Yugoslav flag.
Of course, all of this happened before the violent breakup of Yugoslavia—and before my ethnic identity became a source of shame rather than pride. As a child, I heard countless stories about both the traumatic events and heroic exploits of the two World Wars in which Serbs had fought alongside the Allies. In the center of our village, there was a monument bearing the names of both my grandfather and great-grandfather; their portraits, in uniform, hung in our living room. During our summer trips, I felt just as comfortable on Croatia’s Adriatic coast as in rural Serbia. At home in the DC suburbs, my parents hosted an annual “slava” celebrating our patron, Saint Nicholas, at which ex-pats from all over Yugoslavia outnumbered the Americans. Serbo-Croatian, spoken abroad, was like a secret language that only a select few could understand. And even though I’d had to correct the pronunciation of my name the first time the teacher called roll in every class for my entire school life, having such strong ties to another culture and what felt like a permanent home in a different country—as opposed to the various apartments, duplexes, and houses where we’d lived in California, Ohio, and Maryland—had always grounded me.
When the Serbian team became Davis Cup champions in December 2010, I felt something unfamiliar: pride in the part of myself that I’d tried to keep at a distance for nearly two decades. In retrospect, it seems unsurprising that when Novak Djoković began the 2011 season not just by winning the Australian Open but by going unbeaten for weeks, then months, totaling 41 matches and 7 titles in a row, I was hooked. No longer dependent on network or even cable tv, I watched every one of his matches during the first part of the season on my desktop monitor thanks to digital streams. At least weekly, I would call my father with updates or send him links to online coverage of the winning streak. Then, just a few days before my birthday, Djoković won Wimbledon, beating Rafael Nadal for the fifth time that year, and took over the top spot. Within the month, I had put my job search on hold and written my first piece about tennis. Within two months, I had booked a flight to Belgrade and talked my way into media credentials for the Davis Cup semifinal against Argentina.
In an interview during that September week in Serbia, Djoković recalled his twelfth birthday in 1999, during which NATO bombs dropped on his hometown, observing: “The war made me a better person because I learned to appreciate things and to take nothing for granted. The war also made me a better tennis player because I swore to myself that I’d prove to the world that there are good Serbs, too.” It didn’t require twenty major titles and countless other records for Djoković to prove that there are good Serbian tennis players. Indeed, that had likely been established as a fact long before he made the promise to himself. But the burden of representing a twenty-first century Serbia to the world is one that he and, to a lesser degree, the other members of the golden generation still carry. It’s why tennis, for them, is more than a game.
Posted in biography, Serbia, tennis | Tagged Davis Cup, Novak Djoković, Serbia, tennis
Posted on 27 May 2021 by amitric
In the lead up to the busiest part of the tennis season, I had the pleasure of joining BBC radio host Steve Crossman and tennis correspondent Russell Fuller on a 5 Live Sports special program discussing what makes the ATP #1 tick.
You can listen here and read excerpts from Fuller’s interviews with former players and Djoković coaches Niki Pilić, Boris Becker, and Goran Ivanišević here.
Posted in culture, tennis | Tagged coaching, coverage, Novak Djoković, Serbia
Troicki: “I was always a fighter”
Posted on 22 December 2015 by amitric
At the World Tour Finals in London, I had a chance to ask Novak Djoković for his thoughts on what Viktor Troicki has achieved this season. “Well,” started the ATP #1, “I think he managed something that not many have in the history of tennis: to return, practically from nothing, to where he belongs—in the world’s top 25.” Showing that he’d been following his teammate’s results closely, he added: Viktor “had a bit of difficulty in the last few months lining up successes and maintaining the continuity that he had in the first 5-6 months of the year. But, all things considered and taking into account where he was 15 months ago and where he is now, I think he really should be acknowledged and congratulated, because psychologically that is extremely difficult and a big challenge and he managed to overcome it. So, as his friend, I am extremely pleased that he succeeded in doing it.”
What does Troicki think of his own accomplishments? Earlier this year, I sat down with the Serbian player and his Australian coach for two wide-ranging conversations about their first year back on tour after a year-long suspension. With both Troicki and Reader, we talked a lot about the past: that fateful day in Monte Carlo and its aftermath. Even though it’s been two years since the CAS tribunal decided his case, the emotions of both men are still strong. (Those needing a refresher on Troicki’s case, which led to his being sanctioned for violating the ITF’s anti-doping rules, can read this overview from 2013.) Here, though, we’ll focus mostly on the positives: Viktor’s comeback and what he’s learned about himself and the man who travels with him for much of the year. Read my exchange with Jack Reader here; the Serbian version of this interview was published by B92.
AM: The week you returned, you were ranked 847 in the world and now you’re in the top 25. But those are merely numbers. What are you most proud of in terms of the last year?
VT: Well, it was hard. Before starting, it was hard mentally—not knowing what was going to happen. There was a lot of pressure, from everyone, and I wasn’t sure myself how it was going to be, whether I was going to return at all. Who knows, if I’d lost the first five matches, how I would have felt or whether I’d play again?
Even though a lot of people were doubting if I’d ever come back, I’m a very stubborn person—you know, Serbian inat. So, I wanted to prove, first of all to myself but also to others, that I could do it and that I could be even better. Of course, if I get into position to say out loud to the whole organization of the ITF that they were wrong in trying to end my career…
AM: But you know it wasn’t personal, right? I don’t mean for you—simply that the ITF would have gone after anyone in that position.
VT: Afterwards, I felt it was. Everything they said in public, they made it personal.
AM: Well, they have to maintain their position.
VT: Sure, sure. But, afterwards, whatever I felt before from the ITF, it’s not the same. For example, I asked for a wildcard for the US Open last year—just for qualies—and there was no response. I didn’t expect to get the wildcard, but it’s proof that they don’t care about me.
AM: To return to the good stuff, what else are you feeling after this year? Although you may not be at your career-high ranking now (he spent three weeks at #12 in 2011), have there been other high points?
VT: Definitely, winning the Sydney title was huge to start the year. I’ve had some good results, on grass especially. But I had a lot of good matches, good wins, and feel my game is improving, which is the most pleasing thing to see. I don’t want to stop here.
Altogether, I’m still hungry for more results and for being better than I am. It’s nice to see where I am after just one year, but I still want to improve. That’s my goal and that’s why I’m working hard.
I have to say, though, that sometimes I’m disappointed that I’m not getting much credit. You know, when a player comes back from an injury or a long break, they write about it and it’s a big thing: “He came back; he made it!” A lot of players use their protected ranking; they get wildcards. It hurt me that I didn’t have any of those. It doesn’t even matter about last year—just for being where I am, right now… It seems like [the media] are almost forbidden to say anything about me because of what happened.
AM: From my perspective, it may be that doping is such a serious issue in sports that there’s a risk in criticizing the ITF and WADA or even appearing sympathetic toward a player like you, returning from suspension. Certainly, it’s been suggested that I’m naive for believing your version of events or that I don’t understand the bigger issues at stake. Sports journalists may be afraid to do or say anything that could make them look “soft” on doping.
What about sponsors? I know Babolat stuck with you—anybody else?
VT: Lotto, the clothing company, stepped up right away. They wanted me to wear their stuff as soon as I came back. But apart from that, no, nothing. Ok, being Serbian, it’s already tough. But having this situation, it’s even tougher.
AM: What was it like returning to the Challenger tour after all these years?
VT: It was definitely weird, you know, being on the tour for however many years and being used to it and then coming back to the qualies of Challengers. It was different.
AM: Did you talk to any of the young players?
VT: Yeah, they helped me because I felt they were sometimes scared of me. They knew who I was, obviously, and my ranking in the past.
AM: There was an intimidation factor?
VT: Yeah, but on the other hand, they all wanted to beat me because they knew I was a good player. So, they were kind of scared but also had more motivation to go for it.
It was kind of weird, being on the Challenger tour, meeting some of the guys I’ve never seen and some kids that are coming up and probably going to be great players.
AM: How was the road trip with your team?
VT: It was fun—we were all excited about it, even though it was the Challengers and I had to play qualies. I felt like I was 19 or 20 again. When I finished juniors, that’s how I felt—I wanted it so bad, I was running for every ball and fighting for every point. It was definitely a great experience.
I was always a fighter—I would never give up. That’s why, I think, I made it—both times. When I was first coming up, trying to build my ranking, I believed in myself. Even though, when I was a junior, they told me I couldn’t have a career because I wasn’t talented enough.
AM: As juniors, Janko [Tipsarević] was always considered the more talented one.
VT: He was older than me by two years. I never even got to hit with him before I was about 18—he was way ahead of me, already playing professional tournaments at a young age. Novak was one year younger, but he used to play with the older guys. So, a lot of people never thought I could be any good or make it as a professional. I was never the best of my generation—there were a lot of kids who were ahead of me.
But I started playing better and better when I was 18. And that helped me a lot [last year], remembering these old times. I was fighting even then, working harder than the others, just to prove to people that I could make it. I had no sponsors, no help from anyone. Actually, a friend sent me an article recently from when I was young, saying that I shouldn’t get monthly support from the Federation because I had no future in tennis. It was funny to see that.
All these things help now. Just like when I was young, I want to do it because I believe in myself and that I can be where I want to be.
AM: When you came back, one of your first big goals was to make it into the top 100. What kind of goals do you have now?
VT: A definite goal is the top 10. As I’ve said, I’m hungry and I want more and the top 10 is the next step. It’s not easy: there are a lot of great players who want to be there, but I feel I have a chance. I believe in myself—that’s one of the main things you’ve got to have, other than quality and hard work. But if you don’t believe, you’re never going to be there.
AM: Even if this whole ITF case hadn’t happened, you weren’t doing too well in 2012. Weren’t you already in a bit of a slump before you started working with Jack Reader?
VT: I got settled into this kind of position—being in the top 30, 40, 50—and nothing major was happening. I got pretty used to this feeling of going to tournaments, playing matches, and not really enjoying it. When I was a kid, I always wanted to be here; but then, I wasn’t feeling the excitement.
When we started working together, even though I was top 50 in the world, my game was really bad. I wasn’t feeling confident at all and I was struggling with my game—it was falling apart. Jack came right in the moment when the new season was starting. Of course, it didn’t start great immediately, but we were going step by step and by working on specific things, I felt improvement. Everything was going better and better—already by the French Open I reached the fourth round, which was a good thing. At Wimbledon, I made the third round, beating Janko and playing other good matches. So, I felt like my game was back… Then it all stopped.
Such a coach, he could have gone with anyone. I know he had offers. When I got sanctioned, when we knew it would be a year, Jack took it hard. During the first call, he felt sorry; he was also very shocked and down. But then he called me back right away and said, “Ok, we’re going to do this. We’re going to come back. We’re going to prove that we belong there and be better than before.” He was pumped right away—it was crazy to see, but he was.
AM: That must have been especially helpful since you were so down at the time. I remember seeing you on the front page of a Serbian tabloid, with a headline like “I don’t know what to do with my life,” and being worried for you.
VT: Well, I was shocked more than anything. It was all over the news—all the attention was on me and nobody knew what really went on. All of a sudden, it was happening and it was a big thing, you know?
I’ve got to thank the Serbian media. They were all really supportive and I never expected that. My personal feeling is that they were behind me. First of all, they were trying to understand what had happened; but after that, they were trying to encourage me to come back. That helped me.
AM: What have you learned about your coach in the past two years?
VT: That he is a really great person, first of all. That he is genuine and honest—a true friend. It’s not just a professional relationship. He was never after any money or anything like that. He would always help you out.
It’s incredible how many friends he has around the world. I’ve met many of them and they all say the exact same thing—that he’s a great person and he cares about his friends. With me, he’s been really caring a lot and it’s unbelievable to have such a person next to you. He’s not just in it for business—it’s also to have a nice relationship outside the court. People love him on the tour: they know he’s funny, very relaxed, and always positive.
He also made me more happy on the court and helped me enjoy tennis more. There are a lot of things he’s taught me and a lot of things I’ve seen from him. It’s great to have him with me.
Talking with Newsmen about Novak II
Posted on 23 October 2015 by amitric
For the second installment, I spoke to two sports journalists who present quite a contrast: one American, one Brit; one 40-year veteran of tennis writing, one who got his start covering tennis just as Djoković made his push to the very top of the ATP rankings; one who now writes mostly for online sports publications, one who works for a daily newspaper. The interviews with Peter Bodo and Simon Briggs were conducted primarily with a Serbian audience in mind and published by B92. Read my earlier exchanges with Brian Phillips and Steve Tignor here.
Simon Briggs became The Telegraph’s tennis correspondent in 2011 after writing about England’s national sport, cricket, for fifteen years. He played both sports in his youth, but opted for cricket “properly”—on a competitive level—and tennis only “socially,” as the two sports’ seasons overlap. Briggs began dabbling in tennis journalism while in Australia covering the start of the cricket season, being asked to send reports home when Andy Murray did especially well down under (the Scot made his first of four Aussie Open finals to date in 2010). This spring, Briggs got to meet with Djoković one on one for a Telegraph magazine cover story, an interview during which he got to know the “real Novak.”
AM: During Wimbledon, Grantland’s Louisa Thomas quoted a British journalist saying, “I’m not a tennis correspondent; I’m an Andy Murray correspondent.” I’m curious if you think that accurately describes your job?
Briggs: I have said that in the past… Yeah, that’s because of the lack of depth that we’ve had. So, when we have the Konta story or something, it’s a nice break from covering Andy. He keeps us going as journalists, because if there wasn’t Andy—I don’t know how many of us there are, maybe 10-12, in that alley—we certainly wouldn’t exist in the numbers that we do. There wouldn’t be anything else to write about.
AM: Since tennis has such a long history in Britain, why don’t the big British newspapers cover the sport as whole?
Briggs: I think it’s unfair to say we don’t—it’s a slight exaggeration. The tabloids do sometimes withdraw from events when Andy goes out, so that is proper “Andy Murray correspondent,” whereas The Telegraph, The Times, and The Guardian never do that because they take the other guys seriously. But, if Andy’s playing on a given day, then he’s the story. Unless one of the “Big Three” goes out—and he has a routine victory—that’s the only situation in which he wouldn’t be the story.
AM: To what degree do you think the focus on Murray shapes, for instance, coverage of Djoković?
Briggs: Yes, a little bit. But I think people just don’t “get” Novak the way they got Roger and Rafa. I wrote in that Telegraph magazine story that he’s in a unique position in the history of the sport to have become the guy who inherits the mantle of “top man” from two such charismatic players—they’re both phenomenons whose game style and physical appearance and marketing created a perfect storm. They’re just absolute freak events, those two. So, I think it’s tough for him to come behind them.
There’s a big problem with his game style, for one thing, in a sport which is very aesthetic. His game style isn’t pretty. He’s not a “looker” as a player; he’s a player you admire, for sure. Anyone who doesn’t admire him is not a true tennis fan—you can’t not admire and respect that guy. But it’s very tough for him in that sense.
Then, in the UK, the viewing figures (that Sky Sports record for their matches), which is the best indication, put him at fourth out of the Big Four by quite a long way. So, even though he’s been the best player in the world since I started doing this, he still isn’t anywhere near the others in terms of popularity.
AM: I’ve seen Federer referred to as an “honorary Brit.” Do you think that’s mostly because of his success at Wimbledon or also because the way he carries himself—with gentlemanly restraint, and so on—is sympathetic to the British public?
Briggs: I wouldn’t have thought that the Roger-Rafa split is so different in Britain compared to everywhere else, but maybe the Wimbledon factor means that it is. But when you’re a nation of introverts, you sometimes admire people who are out there with their emotions because that’s what most introverts really want to express.
AM: With reference to Novak’s unique position historically, do you think a player with a different style or personality might have been received more warmly by fans or media? Or would anyone face similar challenges?
Briggs: Any player who doesn’t have an absolute lorry-load of charisma. Let’s say that Kyrgios had come up behind Roger and Rafa and been the third wheel, then he would be huge because he’s just got that marketability, the “X factor” which those two have. Andy’s got a bit more weirdness about him that doesn’t apply to Novak. His game style’s quirkier and he’s more unhinged—more likely to melt down. Whereas with Novak, his very grindingness may make people take him for granted a little bit.
AM: What do you think of the Murray-Djoković rivalry? It’s been fairly lopsided recently— until Andy’s win in Montreal, Novak had won eight matches in a row.
Briggs: I think we always painted it, maybe unfairly, as an “even-Steven” business until the moment when Andy went into his back-surgery recession (after September 2013). Maybe I’m biased… In 2011, he got stuffed by Novak in Australia—that was the moment we thought, “Oooh, crickey! There seems to be a gap emerging.” Before that, it hadn’t been that big. I mean, Novak had won his first major and Andy hadn’t, right? But we all said, “Well, Andy’s always had to play Roger [in finals] and Novak got to play Tsonga.” So, there was a little bit of a sense that we could make excuses for him on that front. After that, Novak didn’t win any more majors; though he won Davis Cup, that’s not a massive deal in the UK when we’re not involved.
I think Andy always felt he had Novak’s number in juniors—he was generally ahead of him, wasn’t he, when they were growing up. So, 2011 was a bit of a shock. Then, through the Lendl years, you felt that Andy had pulled it back, beating him in two finals (even though he still lost to him in Australia).
AM: But then it was another two years…
Briggs: Yes, it was after the Wimbledon final in 2013 that it completely switched into annihilation. So, it may be British bias, but our coverage always painted them as rivals on a pretty equal level with the exception of that one big blowout in Australia. That probably was the result that drove Andy, in the long run, to get Lendl into his camp and led to a couple of years of great tennis.
AM: This year, they played the Australian Open final and French Open semi-final. Then, in the lead-up to Wimbledon, I remember seeing Andy described in the British press as the biggest threat to Novak’s title defense. There was a lot of attention at the time to Novak’s medical time-outs, courtside coaching, the ball-kid incident. What do you think of that? Is some of that the tabloid influence?
Briggs: That was the Daily Mail that really took him on about the ball-girl. I think that is maybe influenced by the Murray-Djoković rivalry and by the aftermath of the play-acting row in Australia.
AM: Do you think there was “play-acting” or did that get blown out of proportion?
Briggs: In a way, we didn’t have to make that decision, because Andy said it… I was quite careful in the immediate report—there may have been one sentence trying to explain what was going on overall, but I tried to put as much of it as possible in Andy’s words and not editorialize because it’s so difficult to know what’s going on in players’ bodies. But, sure, I think the British media would have taken Andy’s side on that.
AM: But even Andy later said that it had been blown out of proportion and that he had no issue with Novak.
Briggs: Yeah, inevitably.
AM: In some February interviews, he talked about how he had allowed himself…
AM: Well, not necessarily to be sucked in but to lose focus—because to say “sucked in” suggests that Novak was doing something deliberate, which I don’t think is a fact. In any case, Andy seemed to back away from that position pretty significantly.
Briggs: I think our view is that there had been some gamesmanship going on, but that Andy was as culpable for not handling it. The key quote in that whole interview after the final was something like: “I’ve experienced it before, but maybe not in the final of a Grand Slam.” You could see that what he was thinking was, “I can’t believe he’s doing this to me in a Grand Slam.” My strong interpretation of that was that he was talking about behavior—because we all know that juniors, in particular, do a lot of limping around…
We disagreed on this matter of interpretation, so perhaps it’s best to leave readers with the transcript of Murray’s comments so they can read between the lines on their own.
AM: What I found odd about some of the British coverage of the match is that it gave the impression Murray was leading, when in reality the match was tied at a set-all and Murray had a single break and hold in the third before Novak came back. Do you think there’s some wishful thinking there?
Briggs: Some thought the distraction had lost him the match, whereas I didn’t think he would have won anyway. We all know how hard it is to put Novak away. There’s also just looking for a bit of drama.
AM: But not everybody wrote it up that way, which makes me wonder: how much of that drama-seeking is because they’re writing for a British audience?
Briggs: What you’ve got to remember is that tennis is a sport that is slightly odd and unique—a sport without boundaries. It sees itself as a land in which fans follow heroes who aren’t necessarily from their country. It’s not tribal in the same way as football or other team sports. So, we maybe bring a bit more of that nationalism to our coverage, possibly because we’re competing for readers with the Premier League. Whereas the Americans take an Olympian perspective, viewing the sport from a distance, we may focus more on the “blood and guts,” since tennis—lacking the physical contact of football—can seem antiseptic otherwise.
“Different Strokes” (2015)
Peter Bodo has been writing about tennis for nearly forty years, beginning as a newspaper reporter during the “tennis boom” of the 1970s. He is the author of numerous books on the sport, including A Champion’s Mind, which he co-authored with Pete Sampras, and his latest, about Arthur Ashe’s historic 1975 Wimbledon win. Additionally, he’s an outdoor enthusiast who has written about hunting and fishing in both fictional and non-fictional formats. Many readers will be familiar with his writing for Tennis Magazine and its associated website, where he worked for over two decades. Currently, his columns are featured on ESPN.
AM: Do you remember when Novak first appeared on your radar?
Bodo: I remember the early controversies—the breathing issue, I think, at the French Open. But I wasn’t there that year (2005), so I really zoned in on him the year I wrote a story called “The Perfect Player.” This was at Indian Wells early on (2007) and it raises the question of the theoretically perfect player. I sat down and interviewed him for that piece. It’s kind of funny: to this day, if I write something where I criticize Djoković or not even criticize him but praise his opponent, Serbs will come out of the woodwork and attack me. Some will remind me, “You once wrote a piece…”
AM: So, your early impression was that he was a complete player?
Bodo: He was on his way. I loved the fact that he was so clean and how much rotation he had. I loved how flat his back-take was—stuff like that. He was just very economical and I thought he had all the upside in the world.
AM: What about his personality? In 2007, when he first made the final at the US Open, he was getting a lot of press for the “Djoker” side of him, the showman.
Bodo: Like most of the Eastern Europeans, he tried too hard. I’m from there, too, so I know. [Bodo’s parents were ethnic Hungarians who emigrated from Austria to the US in 1953, when he was four years old.] They try too hard, they get shat on, and they never get the respect they either deserve or feel they deserve. There’s a fair amount of snobbery toward them. They try to impress the West and are looked down upon by the West and dominated by the East (Russia). That whole region is caught in that crunch.
Of course, I’m speaking in broad generalities, but you often see the symptoms of this kind of thing. They really try to impress, they work extra hard, they try to show how smart they are: “We’re not just peasants from the middle of Europe. We can do this.”
So, you know, there was a touch of that with Novak—there still is. I always get a kick out of the way he talks like a bureaucrat—he kind of gives speeches.
AM: I noticed that his press conference answers have been getting longer and longer.
Bodo: Yes. He never says, “I don’t think that’s true, period.” There’s always a preface to his answers, a middle part, and a conclusion. On the whole, though, I think he’s been a real asset. He really wants to do the right thing. He wants to be a good citizen, a good representative of his country, and a force for good in the sport and the world.
AM: Looking back to somebody like Lendl, it seems to me that he was not only from Eastern Europe but also a particular kind of player and personality. That lent itself, in a way, to certain stereotypes. I’ve seen a number of comparisons between the two, especially regarding fans’ response to them. But I’m not sure I buy it—for one thing, because I’m skeptical of using “machine” metaphors to describe Novak.
Bodo: Right. They’re different. Lendl came from a very different and harsher situation. When Lendl got off the plane here and saw the headline “John Lennon was shot,” he asked, “Who is John Lennon?” Novak went to Germany when he was fairly young and was exposed to Western culture. He grew up in a whole different time. Their personalities are different, too. I got to know Lendl pretty well over the years. He’s got a good sense of humor, and I quite like him, but he’s a cold guy. If you were drowning, I’m not sure Lendl’s the guy you’d want passing by in a boat.
AM: You probably remember the Roddick incident from 2008. To what extent do you think something like that changes how people feel about a player or how a player acts in public? Do you attribute how much more circumspect he is now to maturity or something more strategic?
Bodo: I think it’s all of the above. He was a young guy who had a sobering experience. I’m not sure what he took away from it, but he probably got back to the locker-room and said, “I don’t want to get in these situations.” I don’t think it mattered one bit to people. It didn’t matter to me. Even somebody who booed him at that moment, I don’t think they came back the following year and thought, “There’s that Djoković who did this last year and I booed him.”
AM: Do you think it’s inevitable that any player coming after Federer and Nadal would find media and fans slow to warm to him or could you imagine his being welcomed with open arms?
Bodo: Well, there’s not that much room at the top, for one thing. So, I think it would have taken an exceptional amount of a) charisma, b) results, and c) marketability—a last name like Federer, Nadal, Johnson, or Roddick would have helped, too. It would have taken a perfect storm of user-friendly features to make that happen, which weren’t necessarily there.
AM: When you talk about marketability, you mean mainly in the West?
Bodo: Yes, of course.
AM: So, the fact that Serbia’s a tiny market is relevant. Do you think its recent history matters as much to Novak’s reception?
Bodo: Nobody here knows Serbia’s history, trust me. (Laughing.) No, I don’t think it’s that he’s from Serbia—it’s because he’s from “Where the **** is that?” That’s what it is for these people. Nobody knows.
He’s exotic. His name’s hard to pronounce, he’s got the funny hair—all that stuff sort of plays into it, even his accent, though that’s changed a lot. It never gets to the level of, you know, “He’s from that place that did this or has this history.”
AM: You don’t think there’s an anti-Serb bias to it?
Bodo: No. It’s definitely not anti-Serb—it’s anti-otherness. Anyone who believes that must think all these people read about the UN and Serbia and what NATO did. No: 99.2% of Americans have no idea about that stuff.
AM: Especially after he won Wimbledon for the third time this summer, reaching nine major titles, there seemed to be a critical mass of articles saying Novak should be more appreciated. Have you seen any shifts in terms of the coverage he’s gotten over the years?
Bodo: Yes, he’s won people over. You know, I’m tempted to say it shows how fickle the media is, but that would take credit away from what he’s done, which is significant. And I don’t think it’s been calculated—I don’t think he’s this skeevy guy who decided that it’s going to serve his best interests to be nice all of a sudden. I think he’s just a guy who’s gone through a very appealing and heart-warming evolution into who he is today, which is a wonderful citizen of the world and tennis ambassador. He’s matured beautifully.
Still, I love the fact that he’s retained a lot of his original passion and he still cares about his country—he’s not one of these guys who doesn’t want to have anything to do with his roots. Some players in the past have wanted to escape all that—and they had good reason to in the past, given what they left behind.
It’s really a testament to what he’s done. He earned a renewed respect—he transformed the opinion people had of him through hard work and attitude and actions and success.
AM: How much do you think the coverage of Novak depends on the nationality of the writer or, more to the point, who he’s playing—say, the Brits and Murray? Even if you don’t read around, you must notice the kinds of questions Novak gets from them in press?
Bodo: I don’t read a lot; I do notice their questions. They’re fixated on Murray, just as the French are fixated on the Frenchmen. I think most of them are pretty fair, but they know where their business is. You don’t get as many of the antagonisms that you once did—there used to be that against German players. I remember (British writer) Rex Bellamy’s line about Becker, “It’s curious the Germans would take such a deep interest in a Centre Court that not so many decades ago they had chosen to bomb”—stuff like that. I guess he was trying to be clever, but it was definitely a dig. You don’t see too much of that any more. I think they’re generally pretty fair, but they’re looking out for their own guys and whatever rooting interest they have tends to be for their own people.
AM: They seem to play up the rivalry which, until Murray beat Djoković in Montreal, was pretty lopsided of late.
Bodo: None of that is, I don’t think, negative toward Djoković—they’re all just trying to whip up some kind of storyline and interest. We talked about this the other day: he knows that type of game is played.
AM: He even used the word “storyline” in responding to you, which I thought was interesting. Djoković has been asked, Becker’s been asked these kinds of questions: “Do you feel you get enough respect or appreciation?”
Bodo: See, that’s a storyline in and of itself now. That’s the next one. Sometimes it really helps to try to quantify these things. You know what? He’s appreciated in direct proportion to how much he’s won. He’s number three on the list—you can’t get around that—and he gets number-three appreciation. That’s pretty self-evident, I think.
People are awed by Federer—they’re “ga-ga” over him. He’s unique that way. Even Nadal doesn’t get that. Now that he’s down, you see that he never had the same aura. It’s not like they’ve abandoned him, but it’s awfully quiet out there in Nadal-land.
AM: It sounds to me that your perspective on Novak has been pretty consistent—is that the way you see it? Has there been a major turning point in your thinking about him?
Bodo: No, I don’t think there has. I’m kind of proud of the fact that I’ve always been accused by one camp or the other of being the other guy’s guy. You pick me up on Monday, and I’ve got a man-crush on Federer because I wrote that his hair was “lustrous” in a final. Then, you pick me up on Wednesday, and I’m ga-ga for Nadal; then, on Friday, I’m suddenly on the Djoković band-wagon and isn’t that unfair! I don’t like to shift intentionally, I try to catch myself and not to get too sucked into any of the narratives, and I like to look through different eyes sometimes. Frankly, if I look at my own work over time… I’ve taken my shots at all of them.
AM: Is there anything you find particularly interesting or challenging in writing about Novak?
Bodo: Frustrating? No, nothing actually. I love the stories about him when he was a little kid. I like this idea, this picture of him diligently packing his bag and waiting with his lunch—how earnest and sincere he must have been. I really, really like that.
You know, this isn’t just a Novak thing, but I regret in a way that the game has gone so far… When I started out, you really got to know these guys. They only occasionally became bosom buddies, but you could get fairly close to them if you covered them a lot. Not any more. So, I don’t really know these guys in the same way. I had one-on-one interviews with almost all of them when they were young, but not lengthy ones since then. And if I went now and made an effort, I could get an interview with this new kid coming up, Borna Ćorić. At the front end of my career, I would have known them much better as people.
Views from Elsewhere: Talking with Newsmen about Novak
Posted on 24 September 2015 by amitric
During the US Open, I had conversations with a number of tennis writers about Novak Djoković and coverage of him in anglophone media. For this first installment, I spoke to two Americans who aren’t, strictly speaking, sports “reporters.” While Tignor travels to tournaments much more often than does Phillips, you won’t find either of them asking questions from the front row of press conferences or posting updates on the tennis controversy du jour. Both tend to focus on one match at a time and their articles are generally stylish essays with an emphasis on analysis, not news. Our exchanges were originally published in Serbian by B92. To follow: my discussions with ESPN’s Peter Bodo and The Telegraph’s Simon Briggs.
Brian Phillips has been writing for pop culture website Grantland since its 2011 inception. After college, he got his start as an Assistant Literary Editor at The New Republic—and his work is still as likely to be a book review as a sports story. Most recently, the literary and sports worlds collided for Phillips in a piece about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s detective fiction. Asked if he considers himself a journalist, he responded “definitely not… I’m not sure exactly where the line falls, but I feel too devoted to subjectivity” for that label to fit. As for what drew him to tennis, Phillips recalls it was heartbreak: “my high-school girlfriend broke up with me in January 1996, and since I couldn’t sleep for a couple of weeks, I stayed up watching Monica Seles win the Australian Open. After that, I was hooked.”
Stephen Tignor is the author of High Strung, a history of men’s tennis in the “golden age” of the 1970s and ‘80s. He has worked for Tennis Magazine for almost twenty years and written a regular column on their website for a decade. He played tennis competitively as a child as well as for his alma mater, Swarthmore College. After that, he moved to New York and tried his hand at music journalism, becoming a bigger fan of the sport when he wasn’t playing as often. “But writing about tennis became a natural fit,” he says, “because I knew how to play the game.”
AM: What were your early impressions of Djoković?
Phillips: “My first impression of him was very much filtered through the ‘Djoker’ persona—I particularly remember his impersonations of other players and thinking that here was a brilliant tennis talent with a perhaps debilitating need to be liked.”
Tignor: “My first Djoković sighting is very vivid in my mind, because it was a real discovery, with no warning. At the US Open in 2005, a fellow writer and I went out to a side court to see Gael Monfils, an up-and-comer at the time. Then both of us found ourselves watching the guy across the net instead… I remember seeing Djoković hit a series of forehands that looked like Top 5 material.
Then, in the fifth set, he began to hyperventilate after a long point. He walked over to the sideline and sat down. That was it; no word to the chair umpire. Finally, after what seemed like 10 minutes, a trainer came out, and Novak eventually got up, came back, and won the match. I was left with a very favorable impression of him as a player, but I didn’t like the way he handled the ‘timeout’ situation… By the time my friend and I got back to the press room, though, there was already a buzz about him.”
“That’s the way it continued for me. I loved to watch Djoković play, and was excited that a another full-blown Hall-of-Famer was suddenly in our midst. I wrote a short profile on him for Tennis Magazine that I titled “The Player’s Player”; there was a purity to his game that I liked, and which I felt was especially evident to anyone who played tennis. But I still didn’t like how he pulled the plug in matches when things weren’t going his way: the French Open in 2006 against Nadal, Wimbledon in 2007 against Nadal. Djoković retired in part, I thought, because he couldn’t face defeat. For the most part, though, I was a fan.”
AM: How, to your eyes, has Novak changed since then?
Phillips: “I think his consciousness of the crowd has remained a vulnerable point for him through the years—I am thinking of his 2013 US Open match against Wawrinka, when at one key moment he parodied Stan’s arms-raised ‘applaud-me’ gesture. But one of the ways in which he has changed over the years is that he’s developed a fascinating ability to compartmentalize what could be seen as weaknesses; he hasn’t exorcised his uncertainties, but he has figured out how to keep them to one side of his tennis. You could call that ‘maturity.’ He certainly seems to have grown and changed more—and to have become more comfortably an adult—than many tennis players do during their careers.”
Tignor: “I think that right away Djoković wanted to be something more than just a tennis player. He also wanted to take his place with Federer and Nadal, who were the kings of the tour at the time. Those were the days when Novak said he was going to be the next No. 1, as if it were only a matter of time. And he did shoot right up behind Federer and Nadal; Rafa said he knew from the start that Djoković was going to challenge him very quickly. But he couldn’t pass them. It was during that period of stagnation that he lashed out at Roddick, and took a contrite beating from Federer two days later.”
(By his post-match press conference, Novak was already expressing regret.)
“But I think that changed when he helped win the Davis Cup, and then really did pass Rafa and Roger in 2011. He didn’t need to prove himself as a personality anymore, and I think he has taken the ‘job’ of being No. 1 and presenting himself as a representative of the sport and his country seriously, and done it well.”
AM: Would almost any player rising to the top right after Federer and Nadal face resistance from both fans and media?
Phillips: “Yes, I think it’s inevitable. But it’s also easy to imagine cases where the resistance would be less than the resistance to Djoković; an American player would have had an easier time winning American fans, for example. I think there’s also a psychological dimension to the resistance to Djoković. I always think of a line from a poem by James Merrill when I think of him: ‘What least thing our self-love longs for most / others instinctively withhold.’ I think he wants the kind of love that Federer and Nadal receive, and the crowd in New York or London senses that desire and turns ever so slightly away. In a strange way, he might be more popular if he held the crowd in more contempt.”
Tignor: “Yes, I think it is inevitable. Federer and Nadal aren’t just one-of-a-kind tennis players, they’re one-of-a-kind sportsmen. Federer is the most popular player since Bjorn Borg retired 35 years ago, and Nadal has brought an electricity to the sport that didn’t exist before him. Just as important, they became linked in the public eye, first through the 2008 Wimbledon final, and then the 2009 Australian Open final. The most famous image of them isn’t of a handshake at the net; it’s the shot of Nadal with his arm over Federer’s shoulder during the trophy ceremony in Melbourne in ‘09. Between them, they also embody so many opposing traits—elegance vs. passion, effortlessness vs. effort-fulness, lordliness vs. stoicism—that it’s hard to know how any other player could find something to represent to fans. They’re the Beatles of the Golden Era, the originals.
The tennis writer Joel Drucker wrote something similar about the ‘70s generation. Borg was the Beatles and McEnroe was the Stones; that made Ivan Lendl, the man who vanquished them, Led Zeppelin—brutal, awe-inspiring at times, and hard to love. Djoković is nothing like Lendl in many ways: he doesn’t rule by intimidation, he doesn’t play a brutal style of tennis, and he does go out of his way to connect with fans and entertain them. But he’s portrayed at times in a somewhat similar light—he’s ‘efficient’ instead of ‘elegant,’ ‘clinical’ rather than ‘artistic.’ It’s like he’s taken the fun out of the sport. It’s interesting that Djoković and Lendl are two of the only Eastern European men to reach No. 1. I do think it’s a barrier for U.S. fans.
But I also think Djoković is winning people over, first and foremost with his sustained excellence. These days I hear from more people who call themselves Djoković fans than I once did; his name is universally known now, which isn’t easy for a tennis player in the States. But I do think he could have made life easier for himself along the way. There were the early retirements; there were the shirt-ripping celebrations; there was his bellicose father; there was the brazen challenge to the beloved Federer. Fairly or not, I don’t think any of those things endeared him to people in the US, and it’s obviously hard to shake a first impression.”
AM: How much does Novak’s being from Serbia impact the Western response to him?
Phillips: “As the only male world #1 from a country that’s been bombed by NATO, Djoković may simply seem complicated to fans in Western Europe and the US, in a way that a player from somewhere else might not. My sense is that most fans don’t think consciously—or much—about that complicatedness. He simply offers a kind of felt, unexamined friction that doesn’t point to hostility or malice, necessarily, but just to a difference that no one is coming to tennis to deal with.”
Tignor: “I do think there’s a barrier with Eastern Europeans among US tennis fans, but I think Djoković has made strides in crossing it. In my mind, being No. 1 in an international sport kind of raises him above other divisions.
From my own experience of Americans and our collective lack of interest in, and knowledge of, the world outside our borders, I don’t feel like there’s a widespread recognition of Serbia, for example, as the home of war criminals. I think people here have trouble telling, or remembering, which country did what in the Balkan Wars. I followed the wars in the papers at the time and had a hard time keeping track even then. I also never associated, in any way, the Serbian tennis players of the last decade with the country’s leaders or its past—it never entered my mind. I could be wrong, but I think this is true for the majority of tennis fans here.”
AM: Has English-language coverage of Djoković shifted over the years?
Tignor: “The coverage has changed as he has changed. You read and hear little about his parents now. Physically, he’s now considered invulnerable rather than vulnerable. As a figure in the sport, he’s no longer an apprentice to Federer and Nadal. I think the coverage of his childhood in Serbia has brought some depth to his image. And I think there was sympathy for him after the French Open this year. There’s also no longer a sense that, when he beats Federer, that some cosmic injustice has been done, the way there was when Rafa first started to beat Roger. For the most part, I think the tennis public has the utmost respect for Djoković. If Federer loses to him now, I feel like the reaction from Roger and his fans will be, ‘Well, at least he lost to the best.’
The one negative I’ve seen since Djoković’s rise to the top is that there are attempts to undermine his credibility. Some say he’s faking his injuries, he’s over-dramatic on court, he takes suspicious bathroom breaks, he’s getting an unfair edge somehow. Or, like Lendl, he’s making tennis robotic. It’s all nonsense, and I don’t think the general tennis public in this country thinks of him that way. I think the sense is that, right now, like it or not, he’s just better than everyone else.”
AM: How has your view of Novak changed since he became the top men’s player in 2011?
Phillips: “That’s hard to answer, because I really only started covering Djoković when he was in the middle of conquering the world. My early Djoković pieces are mostly about being worried about him—worried that his psyche might be too normal or too fragile to stand up to the insane demands of elite tennis. That fear turned out to be spectacularly unfounded, but the basic tension it enclosed—the tension between the dominant, consistent, tennis star and the vulnerable human being—is still the lens through which I tend to view him. It’s a much more interesting tension in his case, I think, than in the case of Federer or Nadal.”
Tignor: “My own perspective has only changed only a little. I was always sympathetic to him, but I’ve grown to like and respect him more as he’s matured. His game is still great to watch, he’s a good loser, and he’s a good sport about his duties off the court. From what I see of him, I think he has remarkable patience with people, and does his best to handle every public encounter the right way. I’ll never forget him losing the French Open final this year and still walking over to talk to John McEnroe for NBC TV about it.”
AM: What do you enjoy or find challenging in writing about Novak?
Phillips: “I love writing about Djoković because he’s both one of the most complicated and one of the most talented figures in sports—he’s an extraordinary character, which is exactly what I’m drawn to as a writer. Players who offer easy answers are boring!
Any hugely popular athlete whom you write about for a reasonably large audience will have fans who feel you weren’t adulatory enough, and I certainly hear from angry Djoković fans who aren’t comfortable seeing him treated ironically or with much nuance. I mostly don’t find that kind of criticism very compelling and I mostly tune it out. Although my pieces on him are not hagiographic, they are sympathetic in the sense of earnestly trying to understand Djoković. Ultimately, I’m trying to share my own perspective, not write the piece that every Serbian will love or every American will love or every Djoković fan will love.”
Tignor: “As a player, I find Djoković’s ability to overcome his own anxieties and frustrations interesting. Unlike Federer and Nadal, he can pull the ripcord mentally when things aren’t going his way. But he’s one of the few players who can then gather himself, settle down, and win anyway (Serena is another). He’s as elastic mentally as he is physically, and that’s not something that was always true. I see a lot of my own on-court anxieties in him, so I feel like I have an idea of how hard it is to do what he does. For a guy who is supposed to be a machine, he’s very human. His screams and fist-pumps may not make him beloved by tennis fans, but I like that he’s himself out there. He wants to be loved, yes, but he can’t help acting the way he acts even if it doesn’t get him that love.
Off court, I’ve found his maturation process interesting, especially his ability to be such a professional and carry a lot of responsibility on his back. I also like his sense of humor—it’s broad, rather than cutting. And it’s great that tennis has a No. 1 male player who can dance.
Putting myself in his skin is a challenge. As an American, I sense the difference in the Serbian mentality, history, and way of life. I’m not so well-versed in that history that I feel like I know where he’s coming from, culturally, all the time. But reading about his life has been a good window into Serbia for me.”
AM: Any lasting impressions of Novak from the US Open?
Tignor: “The thing that struck me about him in the Open final is how bouncy and quick and spry he was. I’ve never seen Federer look slow, but Djoković came close to making him look that way. He’s really in his prime physically.
Unfortunately, it’s a trait that translates better live than it does on TV. You can obviously be impressed by his speed and athleticism on TV, but it’s not quite the same as seeing Federer’s shot-making and flair with a racquet. Live, up close, when you see and hear him move, Djoković is an equally exciting athlete.”
Recommended Reading
Phillips: “The Problem with Novak Djokovic” (2011) “describes what I see as his genuineness in terms of the perils presented to it by major sports stardom. All things considered, I’d say he’s done amazingly well at dealing with the issues I described back then.”
“Tomorrow in the Valley of Ashes” (2015 US Open)
Kiki: “Sport is in our blood”
Posted on 10 September 2015 by amitric
Before her breakout run to the US Open quarterfinals, Kristina Mladenović was kind enough to talk to me in the players garden behind Arthur Ashe stadium. Our conversation was published in Serbian by B92; an extended English version is posted at Tennis Translations. Her wins in New York will earn the Franco-Serbian player a new career-high singles ranking of #28.
Photos by Christopher Levy.
Posted in culture, tennis | Tagged doubles, Fed Cup, France, Kristina Mladenović, Serbia, US Open, WTA
Rohan Bopanna on Bangalore, Davis Cup, and Tennis in India
Posted on 11 September 2014 by amitric
Somdev Devvarman & Rohan Bopanna at the pre-draw press conference in Banglaore. Photo by Srdjan Stevanović
This weekend in Bangalore, India will host Serbia in an intriguing Davis Cup World Group play-off. Under different circumstances, 2013 finalists Serbia would be hands-down favorites for staying in the elite sixteen-nation group at the top of men’s tennis. But a Serbian side without three of its top players is vulnerable, as seen this past February when the “B” team—composed of Ilija Bozoljac, Filip Krajinović, Dušan Lajović, and Nenad Zimonjić—lost in Novi Sad. Serbia’s second city also happens to be where these two nations first met to contest a Davis Cup tie, a 4-1 win for the Serbs in 2011.
India’s team for this meeting will feature three of the same players: relative youngster Yuki Bhambri and veteran Somdev Devvarman alongside doubles specialist Rohan Bopanna, who together with Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi makes up the ATP tour’s “Indo-Pak Express.” Though he and partner Katarina Srebotnik were still in the US Open mixed-doubles draw, Bopanna was kind enough to sit down for a conversation about the city he calls home, Indian tennis, and the growth of the sport in Asia. (An edited Serbian version of this interview was published by B92.)
When we talked, the final rosters for both teams were uncertain. Bopanna thought he’d be paired with Saketh Myneni, with whom he’d played—and won—doubles rubbers during India’s previous two ties, and the status of the ATP #1 was up in the air. While the rest of the Serbian team was preparing to compete without their singles star, Novak Djoković spoke about both what it means to him to participate in Davis Cup and the decision he was weighing: “Of course playing for the country is something that awakens a real passion in me and a sense of. . . belonging and really positive emotion and drive. But [on] the other hand, I also have a very important stage of my life. I’m about to become a father, so that’s something that is a priority now.” Given the “wait and see” situation, I started by asking Bopanna an obvious question.
AM: You said in an interview for the Davis Cup website that you think it’d be good for tennis if Novak comes to India, regardless of the outcome. But in the interest of your team winning, wouldn’t it be better if he didn’t come?
RB: You can’t think like that. At the end of the day, he’s been such a great player for his country and won the Davis Cup title with them. Not only that: if you look at it that way, we wouldn’t want any of the top players competing. Davis Cup is such a format that the rankings never matter—I mean, on one given day there can be many upsets. If you saw the last one, Wawrinka was playing Golubev in Switzerland and that was a big upset.
So, I think it’d be great for Indian tennis—not only if Novak’s playing, but even if he’s just there as part of the team. Tennis needs encouragement in our country and having a such a great player like him come and participate in an event like this would be wonderful, no matter what. Of course, it’ll be much tougher, no doubt: their team goes up from 10 to 20 with Novak on it. But we have to be ready for the best team to come to India and play. The thing is that before Thursday, they can still change the nominations.
AM: It’ll partly depend on what happens here, of course.
RB: Exactly. And Novak isn’t thinking of Davis Cup right now, because this is such a big event.
AM: There’s the US Open on this end and his baby’s due-date on the other.
RB: Yeah, he has a lot of things going on.
Since then, Leander Paes was called in to play his fifty-first tie for India and Djoković, after a disappointing semifinal loss to Kei Nishikori in New York, opted to skip the play-off to recuperate for the final stretch of the season and spend time with his expectant wife, Jelena. Luckily, Bopanna and I discussed more than how the two teams match up.
The Garden City was named for its numerous green spaces, including Cubbon Park (where this tie will take place) and the Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens.
AM: Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be able to attend the tie, though I’d love to see India. But I’m still curious: what would you tell Serbs visiting Bangalore (or Bengaluru, as the locals call it) for the first time?
RB: I live in the city! The first thing is that language is not a problem, because everyone speaks English; so, that’s a big bonus when you’re going to a new place. I know a lot of people do speak English in Serbia, as I’ve been there. Of course, there are a lot of great restaurants around the city, many different cuisines to sample. Bengaluru is known for its breweries as well, so people who like to drink beer will enjoy that.
Though it’s called the Garden City of India, do expect a lot of people on the road, a lot of traffic and honking. That’s normal—it doesn’t matter which city in India you go to. We are used to it, of course, living there; but if you come from a country that doesn’t have all that it can be a bit overwhelming. There are various different categories of hotels and the hospitality in India is always very good—the service is good, so that’s a good thing to expect. People in Bengaluru love tennis, so I think there will be a great crowd, too, to come watch the tie.
Tipsarević gets a lift from Paes after finishing his second final at the 2012 Chennai Open. © AFP/Getty Images
There are a number of connections between members of the Indian and Serbian squads. Most notably, Nenad Zimonjić has partnered Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, collecting trophies with both men. Two other Serbs, Janko Tipsarević and Bozoljac, have also had success with Indian partners, winning titles with Paes and Devvarman, respectively. While Tipsy kicked off both the 2012 and ‘13 seasons with quality runs in Chennai, this year was Bozo’s turn for a hot streak in India: he made the semifinals in New Delhi and won the Kolkata Challenger. Not least, the two nations have this in common: they’ve both produced remarkable results in tennis despite not having the world-class infrastructure of some of their Davis Cup rivals.
AM: Obviously, it’s a big deal to have Davis Cup at home, and I know you have the ATP 250 event in Chennai, as well as the series of Challenger tournaments in February. You have had so many top players in the past couple of decades, and a long tennis tradition as well, rooted in the British influence. How would you assess the current state of Indian tennis?
RB: I think there’s still a long, long way to go because our system is not really good. So, that is slowly picking up. [To give an example,] I have a physio from South Africa, Shayamal, traveling with me for a while and he’s now opened his own clinic in Mumbai, trying to help and get physios involved in tennis. Especially for an athlete, after training, you need a physio. So, even the awareness of that—plus fitness, along with coaching, and building a few more academies—makes for more progressive tennis. It’s going to take a while, I think, to really come up. There’s also good corporations coming out and helping a lot of these academies and teams, which raises awareness and gives everyone hope.
You know, in India it’s still the fact that people think, “Ok, so you’re playing tennis, but what else are you doing?” In India, the [professional] priorities are such that everybody needs to be either a doctor or an engineer—studying is such a big thing. A lot of people don’t realize that tennis could also be a living. And they don’t realize that it’s a full-time, committed career. . . It’s not a hobby.
Also, we have cricket in India—and it’s grown so much in recent years. Now, there are corporations trying to invest in other sports as well and trying to get recognition for them. So, tennis is still very much at the grass-roots level and needs a lot more building. Luckily, we have many more athletes coming up. . . . The fans are looking for new, different sports as well, which is nice.
AM: Speaking of other sports: in the US, there’s been some excitement about an Indian basketball player who’s going to be in the NBA, playing for the Sacramento Kings. Have you heard of him?
RB: That’s right, Sim Bhullar—I know because actually he’s the nephew of one of my friends. He was telling me when we were into Toronto [for the Rogers Cup] and they actually came to the tennis courts. My trainer took a picture with them and he’s about 5’8” and these guys are 7’5”!
AM: India, given its size, has a huge pool of potential talent that hasn’t necessarily been tapped. Will his being in the NBA make a big difference for basketball in India, like Yao Ming did in China?
RB: Definitely. I think it’s great. Hopefully, we have more of those 7-foot athletes—that’s not there in India so much. Even when I go back, at 6’3”, I’m considered above average, which I’m not when I’m traveling on the tennis tour! In tennis, I think 6’2” is the average. Especially for the NBA, you need the height.
AM: Among people in the former Yugoslavia—and not only tennis players—there’s certainly interest in forging ties with the East as well as the West. For instance, even before his Uniqlo sponsorship, Novak was quite attuned to the Asian market for tennis. Do you think the IPTL (promoted by former partner Bhupathi) is also going to help the growth of tennis in India and other parts of Asia?
RB: I think it’s going to be really good for Asia to have all these top athletes coming and playing night matches. And for us, as players, it’ll also be fun to be a part of it and playing on these different teams.
In June, Bhupathi hosted a London reception for players committed to the new International Premier Tennis League.
Three of Serbia’s biggest names have already signed on to play in the IPTL later this year: Djoković and Zimonjić (along with Croatian legend Goran Ivanišević) were selected by the UAE team, while Ana Ivanović is on the India team along with Bopanna, Sania Mirza, and Rafa Nadal. The league runs for two weeks, starting in late November.
Postscript: The day after this interview was published, the ITF announced that Rohan Bopanna will be one of the players honored with the Davis Cup Commitment Award this weekend.
Posted on 10 July 2014 by amitric
What follows are two interviews in one. The first half contains excerpts from a conversation I had with Viktor Troicki at the 2012 Cincinnati Masters. The second half is a recent interview conducted by Nebojša Mandrapa, the tennis reporter for Serbian newspaper Večernje Novosti, who has kindly permitted me to post a translation. Troicki, considered a hero of Serbian tennis ever since he scored the clinching point in Serbia’s Davis Cup victory over France in 2010, was suspended from professional activity last July. (Those needing a refresher on his case, which led to his being sanctioned for violating the ITF’s anti-doping rules, can read my overview and other players’ reactions here.) He’ll return to action in just over a week, in all likelihood playing on the Gstaad clay for the first time in his career.
Teammates hold Viktor Troicki aloft to be cheered by Belgrade fans after he delivers the decisive rubber against France. © Paul Zimmer
As fans of men’s tennis will recall, Troicki rode the wave of his team’s triumph all the way to a career-high ATP ranking of #12 in June 2011. Although he broke into the top 100 as a 22-year-old in 2008, and finished both 2009 and ‘10 within the top 30, it wasn’t until his first singles title in October 2010 and the Davis Cup win six weeks later that Troicki’s career really took off. In fact, many in Serbian tennis circles were surprised at just how fast and how high he rose, given that he had long played second fiddle to not only Novak Djoković but also Janko Tipsarević, who was a more talented junior player. Although Troicki’s time among the men’s tennis elite—thirty-four weeks in the top 20—was relatively brief compared to the elder Tipsy’s, it was Viktor who made more efficient progress up the ranks as a young pro and he who earned an individual title first.
1. “I just hope it happens again.”
© Getty Images Viktor Troicki dismissed Lleyton Hewitt for the loss of two games.
When we sat down in what is technically Mason, Ohio, Troicki was feeling good after demolishing former #1 Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets. Knocking off top players wasn’t a new experience for Viktor (for instance, he beat Andy Roddick in the Washington quarterfinals back in 2008, when the American was #9), but he’d been having a difficult year. Though his recent struggles became our focus fairly quickly (even before I’d asked about them), we began by looking back to 2010.
AM: Can you compare winning the Davis Cup with winning your first ATP title about a month earlier? Together, they mark a key turning point in your career. (Troicki was ranked #54 before a semifinal run in Tokyo, #43 before the Kremlin Cup in mid-October, and #30 at the end of the regular season.) So, do you think of them together, as a sort of unit, or separately?
VT: Yes, definitely different things—totally different things. It also felt different. Of course, my first title gave me a lot of confidence. I played great that week in Moscow, beat some big names, and I think I played my best tennis at the end of that year.
Then, the Davis Cup finals came and, for sure, knowing that I had a title already and that I was playing very well, I was more confident than usual. I think that’s why I played very well in Davis Cup also. Winning Davis Cup was the biggest moment of my life—it was just a great experience. It felt unbelievable on the court, winning that last [rubber]. I just hope it happens again.* I mean, it’s the moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life—just an unbelievable experience.
AM: How was the first half of 2011 different from the previous few years—coming off of Davis Cup and rising to your career-high? (One thing that struck me here is how quickly Vik turned to the second half of the year—that is, to negative stuff. Even at the outset of his answer, it sounds like he’s brought down by what he knows is coming.)
VT: Well, I started 2011 great, continuing to play very well. I came to #12 in the world playing really good tennis. And then I had some matches where I. . . (sigh) had the chance to win, where I was very close to winning, for example against Murray at the French—I had a chance to go to the quarters, I was serving for it—and also in Montreal against Monfils, I had match points which I didn’t use.
So, all these. . . those two matches, like, [set] me back. I lost a bit of confidence and then I started to play less [well] than I was playing before; my ranking was dropping and I was losing some matches that I shouldn’t lose and I was unhappy. . . I would say 2011 was a year with ups and downs. Luckily, I hope, that’s over and I think I’m going to rise again in the rankings and get back to the top 20 and then, hopefully, go for the top 10.
AM: You talked about the effect of those two losses on your confidence, but is there anything else you want to add about why it’s been hard to maintain a high level consistently. I mean. . . people are going to say that you’re in a slump, right? But I don’t know if you think of it that way or not. When I look at your playing activity, there are actually only a few losses that jump out at me as unexpected—like Bucharest. Something like losses to Rosol no longer look weird after what he did at Wimbledon.
VT: It happens to every athlete—it happens that he has good days and bad days. (Sigh.) We all have ups and downs. I guess it’s normal for every tennis player also. I mean, the thing is to get out of it as quickly as you can, try not to think about it, and try to improve from those things—what you did wrong. So, I hope I’ve learned some things from those matches. I work hard every day to improve my game, so I hope these things won’t happen again.
AM: How much do you work on mental aspects of the game—not so much strategies or tactics, but things like positive thinking?
VT: Yeah, I had a person this year, during the tournaments in Europe, who I was talking to. We were doing some sessions—mental sessions, psychological treatments. He helped me a lot, I think. We did a good job and I still use those things.
AM: Did you guys actually identify, say, types of negative thinking?
VT: We talked about not just tennis, but how to make life a nice place—to enjoy life, to be happy on the court. Sometimes when I was on the court and I was losing, I was really not happy. When it was not going my way, I was pretty unhappy—those were the things that were maybe not helping me. So, we tried to improve that and to start thinking positive on the court, even if it’s not going well. Hopefully, I’ll still improve on that point.
AM: What do you consider your best or most satisfying performance of the year? Dusseldorf strikes me, since it was several wins in a row. . .
VT: Well, I played Wimbledon fourth round, which was my best Wimbledon so far. I reached the fourth round (lost to Novak), which was a good result for me. Beating Juan Monaco, I also played a good match there. Maybe [today] was the best win, against Hewitt: to beat him 6-2, 6-0 was pretty surprising, even for me, and I think I played very well. But my best tournament, I would say, was Wimbledon.
AM: You won a couple five-set matches in a row—arguably, it’s especially important to get through those.
VT: Definitely, definitely. Actually, I made a record in Grand Slams for most consecutive five-setters. So, it’s definitely a good thing when you’re winning those important matches, when it’s really tight—it means a lot and gets your confidence back.
* “I just hope it happens again.” This line is especially poignant in light of the fact that a requisite part of “it”—Serbia making another Davis Cup final—did happen again (in 2013), only not for Viktor. Due to his suspension, he was able neither to play nor even to cheer on his teammates from inside the Belgrade Arena. Watching the final two rounds on tv from home was, understandably, an emotional experience for Troicki: “When Janko dedicated the [semifinal] tie to me and Novak took the microphone and got the stadium to shout ‘Viktor,’ I had a breakdown and started crying like never before in my life.”
It wasn’t only Troicki who suffered through those ties, however. Due to his and the injured Tipsarević’s absences, Team Serbia was significantly undermanned when they faced Czech Republic in the final.
Speaking with Mandrapa in Belgrade last week, Troicki was both bursting with motivation to return to the top ranks of the ATP and anticipating mixed emotions when he steps on court at his comeback tournament.
Troicki practices with Nikola Milojević in Belgrade. © N. Skenderija
Q: What will you be feeling when you return to action?
VT: From the wish to show that they were wrong to suspend me, to the hope of proving to myself that I can do even better than before— above all, a desire to make up for lost time… All of these emotions and much more will be present. To be honest, I don’t know myself how it’ll be on court in the beginning, until I get used to it. At the same time, all my points will be gone by July 21 and I’ll be starting from scratch, completely from scratch. However, I often remember a very good saying, “Once a doctor, always a doctor.” That’s why I haven’t given up on tennis: because it’s who I am.
Q: This period, from July 2013 until today, did it feel like an eternity?
VT: Too long, I’d say. It was hard for me without tournaments, very hard. But, I have to admit, some moments were nice and interesting, too. I had time for everything. Now, I’m completely recovered mentally, and not so nervous and burdened with all of this like at the beginning. When [the CAS tribunal] made their decision to uphold my suspension, it was a huge shock. But since then, I thought about it all in peace—about the future, not so much about everything that happened.
“If you run into the [Doping Control Officer from last year] at a tournament, what would you say to her?”
“It’s better that you don’t know. They [presumably, the ATP] will see that this doesn’t happen; but the woman continued to do her job, even though she’s a total amateur (not to say something harsher). I think it’s too bad that she continued to work without any consequences, even though the [CAS] judgment stated that she also bears some blame, because of poor instructions and irresponsibility. I don’t know what would happen—I just hope that I’ll never meet her again in my life.”
Q: Have you had any psychological help to overcome all these difficulties?
VT: I tried, but I didn’t like it too much. I realized that it was all up to me. If I sort out the dice in my head, then that’s that—and I don’t need someone else’s help. If I manage to straighten myself out, that’s enough.
Q: You mentioned that the year was, at times, interesting. What did you have in mind?
VT: I went skiing four times last winter—more days skiing than ever before in my life. I wanted to catch up on things I love and haven’t had much chance to do. Often, I’d play football with the guys—we had an indoor league. And I went on a couple of trips with Nole, including my first time in South America, which was interesting. Then, when I started to train, I also accompanied Djoković to a few tournaments he played, so I’ve practiced with him a lot.
Q: Was it difficult for you to find sparring partners, players with whom to practice?
A: Exactly; that’s exactly right. But Novak helped me there, too. Mostly, I worked with him—in Monte Carlo, or during tournaments in Dubai and Miami. I also sparred with our younger players: Lajović, Krajinović, Milojević in Belgrade.
Q: What were you working on, looking to improve?
VT: For the last four months, I’ve really practiced a lot. Luckily, both members of my team—coach [Jack] Reader and [fitness trainer/ physiotherapist Miloš] Jelisavčić—are still with me. In some areas, I feel progress, but I’m lacking competitive play: points and other match situations. That’ll come eventually, after a couple of tournaments. I can’t claim that it’ll all be in place by the first tournament (at that point, everything will probably still be totally strange), but I hope it’ll be sorted out as soon as possible.
Q: Due to the loss of ranking points, you won’t have direct entry to the biggest tournaments at first?
VT: Some tournament organizers have kindly offered me a wild card. I won’t play at the major events. Right now, we’re waiting for confirmation from Gstaad, and I’ll definitely participate in the Italian Challengers, four or five tournaments which coincide with the US hard-court season. Novak will try to help me with securing wild cards for the Asian swing. If he succeeds, that would be great.
Q: Serbia’s Davis Cup team heads to India in mid-September for a World Group playoff. Will it be with or without you?
VT: I honestly don’t know what to say. It doesn’t fit into my schedule at all. At that point in the season, I plan to play on clay, and I don’t feel like going to India. I’d be losing two weeks, not just one; I can’t play on the main tour if I don’t get wild cards and, just then, I’m planning to play some bigger tournaments. I hope the younger players will help and that they’ll be able to win the tie. We’ll see who’ll even be in a position to play. Maybe Tipsarević will manage to recover by then, but I think we’re the favorites no matter who plays.
In a New Year’s statement, however, Viktor had a slightly different perspective on whether a return to the tour or the opportunity to rejoin the Davis Cup team is more important to his comeback.
“Both things go hand in hand. If I’m able to win on the ATP tour level, then I’ll be a help to our team. Of course, coming back and playing Davis Cup in front of my home crowd will mean the real end of this chapter. Then I’ll be able to say that it’s behind me.”
Q: Are you fulfilled on a personal level—because that can have an impact on your results?
VT: Everything’s in the best possible order. My mother and father have been the biggest support my whole life. They always believed in me. There were also a few other people, like Neša Trifunović, who’ve been a lot of help. From them, I got valuable advice. They told me that a year is short period in life and that it’ll pass—that I have to survive mentally, to be even stronger and even better. I appreciate that. My parents are very excited that I’m returning to the court, although I won’t see them as much as in the past year.
Q: Do you believe you can do better than the #12 spot you once occupied?
VT: I don’t know, but I’ll try to prove I can. We’ll see how well I’ll succeed in that. Certainly, I’ll give my best—more than I gave before. My goal is to fight to the last point, and to get into the top 100 by the end of 2014. It won’t be easy; but if I start well, I think I have a chance. In the end, it’s all up to me.
Posted in tennis | Tagged ATP, Davis Cup, ITF, Serbia, Viktor Troicki
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We all know that interruptions compromise our ability to be productive, make it extremely hard to think, and undermine our motivation to get things done.
And interruptions are everywhere!
So how can we deal with them?
We start by looking at the neuroscience. After all these years studying the brain, I have come to respect and appreciate that most of the time, my brain is just doing what it was wired to do. And if I tackle my challenges from a perspective of working with my brain’s natural tendencies instead of fighting them, I have less frustration and far greater results.
When conversations are happening around us, our concentration is broken because like it or not, our brain wants to hear what’s being said. It doesn’t want to miss anything important! This is because of a deeply-rooted survival mechanism that is all about keeping us alive and safe. The brain is actually doing its job – and here’s the key thing to remember about this tendency: We can’t turn it off.
When we are interrupted by other people, sometimes the effect is negative and sometimes, believe it or not, the effect is actually positive. Gloria Mark, a professor of Informatics at UC Irvine did a study of people in the workplace timing (to the second) when they changed activities. Here’s what the study revealed:
If someone interrupts with a message/question that is related to the topic at hand, that kind of interruption can have a positive effect. This is because all our brain’s neurons are firing about the same information.
Inconsequential interruptions that don’t require any brain power have an insignificant effect. So if someone interrupts to say: “I’m going to get coffee” or “The meeting has been cancelled”, it’s generally no big deal.
Interruptions that have the greatest negative effect are the ones about an unrelated topic. Dr. Mark’s study showed that not only do these cause the greatest stress, it took an average of 23 minutes for the person to get back in the original task. This is because we’ve made our brains disengage from one set of engaged neurons and move to a completely different set.
Here is another shocking fact that she discovered:
Half the interruptions we experience are self-inflicted
“What are you talking about? I don’t interrupt myself!”
Well, maybe. But if you’re like me, it happens all the time. Think of:
Hearing a notification on the phone.
Seeing a flash news alert (who doesn’t want to know what Meghan Markle is doing?)
Jumping to another task because you remembered something super critical that really needs to be handled asap…
And if I’m honest, those 10-second checks on my phone really are more like a 15 minute diversion. Argh!
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Finding Particles, Firing Misogynists, and Following Climate Change Research Developments | Vol. 4 / No. 42 | This Week In Tomorrow
Who We Are
Finding Particles, Firing Misogynists, and Following Climate Change Research Developments | Vol. 4 / No. 42
August 13, 2017 RFB
This week we’ve got stories on finding proof of an elusive particle, Google firing at least one misogynist (for a change) and a climate change report that we all get to see before the White House tries to ignore and/or bury it. It’s the news roundup for August 12, 2017!
It’s fairly well known at this point in time that every particle of matter also has an antimatter version of itself, and that when the two meet, they annihilate (and give off energy in doing so). But for that past eighty years, particle physicists have been trying to find evidence of something stranger: a particle that is its own antiparticle. First theorized by physicist Ettore Majorana in the first half of the 20th century, evidence for these self-opposing particles—Majorana fermions—has just been found by a team of researchers at Stanford. Honestly, I can’t even pretend to understand exactly what they did, and unless you’re well-versed in particle physics, you might have trouble, too. But like all the best particle physics, they created a model, predicted an outcome, and found that the outcome robustly met the predictions. The press release from Stanford does a good job of explaining their processes, so I’m going to suggest you go check it out instead of having me to try to summarize it here. But the neat thing is that it does seem to show that particles can be their own antiparticles, and if we could harness those in a quantum computer, we could make really robust qubits (where right now the energy equivalent of a mouse sneezing in Denmark could probably upset our systems). The scientist behind the discovery has offered the term “Angel Particles” for the specific type they’ve found (called chiral Majorana fermions), but that may or may not stick. And if you’re feeling incredibly ambitious, here’s the paper published last month in the journal Science. Let me know in the comments if you can explain this better than I can.
In news that came as a surprise to basically no one, Google fired the author of a 10-page memo that used pseudoscience to claim that the reason for the male-female disparity in tech jobs is biology. The claims arise in a field of psychology so contested that the crticisms of it get their own whole Wikipedia page, and of course also fail to take note of history (e.g. Ada Lovelace wrote the first computer program) or sociology (e.g. literally hundreds of studies showing the social reasons for the gender imbalance). Coming to the support of the now-unemployed writer were many people with frogs and flags and the word “cuck” in their Twitter handles, surprising, again, literally nobody. The writer has filed a lawsuit about the firing, claiming that it was in retaliation against him for going to the labour board, but given that the company had not yet been made aware that he had gone to the labour board, and that he had seriously damaged Google’s brand in an at-will employment state, nobody really thinks it’ll stick. Honestly, the whole thing is so mind-boggling that it’s hard to believe it happened, but “but mah free speechez” has become such a rallying cry for the sad voices of the now slightly-less-hegemonic in America that I suppose it’s theoretically possible he didn’t think he’d be fired? Maybe? I don’t know. Anyway, here: read this ladysplaining as a palate cleanser.
This week the New York Times published a copy of a section of the 2018 National Climate Assessment, ahead of the August 18 deadline for thirteen US agencies to approve it. Those agencies include the EPA, headed by a climate change denier, and the White House, headed by a petulant liar who once claimed global warming was a Chinese hoax. So before anyone gets a chance to hide it under a rug and talk about climate change as “weather extremes,” here’s the rundown:
Climate change is indisputably real.
“There are no alternative explanations” for it other than human activity.
The projected global temperature rise is up two degrees by the end of the century.
We can attribute a lot of extreme weather to climate change.
That last one’s important, and is the result of advances in something called “attribution science,” which is able to more and more reliably link dangerous weather events like droughts, floods, heat waves, and so on to the rise in global temperatures. So now we’ll all sit back and watch what happens to this draft as it hits various climate change deniers along the way. You can read more about it at the NYT, and Gizmodo.
Best of the Rest
And as usual there’s so much to get to that I didn’t have the time for, so here it is, your weekly linkspam:
SpaceX helped Tesla out with a manufacturing problem
NASA saw the sun stamp out its own erupting filament
Intel showed off the specs of its new 18-core (O_o) desktop processor
Goldman Sachs started telling its high-end clients about Bitcoin, and
Bill Burr, the guy who came up with those stupid upper-case-lower-case-special-character-number rules for your password has said he’s sorry and that he knows they aren’t safer. So there’s that.
Anyway, that’s all for today. Have a great week.
Thanks again for reading. Except for the very *very* occasional tip, we only get paid in my own (and your) enthusiasm, so please like This Week In Tomorrow on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @TWITomorrow, and tell your friends about the site!
If you like our posts and want to support our site, please share it with others, on Facebook, Twitter, Reddit — anywhere you think people might want to read what we’ve written. If there’s something you think we’ve missed or a story you’d like to see covered, drop us a line! Thanks so much for reading, and have a great week.
Richard Ford Burley is a human, writer, and doctoral candidate at Boston College, as well as Deputy Managing Editor at Ledger, the first academic journal devoted to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In his spare time he writes about science, skepticism, feminism, and futurism here at This Week In Tomorrow.
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Whether you’re looking for a rarely seen mirror of yourself or a window into those around you, these books will give you a sample of the many identities and experiences that make up L G B T Q I rainbow. Some are books about the process of self-discovery. Others are about the struggle to live as who you already know you are. Many are set in the present, some in a dystopian future, and some in a time much like today but with a little memorable twist. Read the rainbow!
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by Jennie Wood
Born a girl, Peyton Honeycutt meets Tara Parks in the eighth grade bathroom shortly after he gets his first period. Determined to impress Tara, Peyton sets out to win her love by mastering the drums and basketball. He takes on Tara’s small-minded mother, the bully at school, and the prejudices within his conservative hometown. In the end, Peyton must accept and stand up for who he is or lose the woman he loves.
I'll Give You the Sun
by Jandy Nelson
The story of twin teenagers whose close relationship at thirteen comes apart over the next three years.
by Pat Schmatz
Fifteen-year-old bender Kivali has had a rough time in a gender-rigid culture. Abandoned as a baby and raised by Sheila, an ardent nonconformist, Kivali has always been surrounded by uncertainty. Where did she come from? What is she? Boy/girl? Human/lizard? Both/neither? Now she’s in CropCamp, with all of its schedules and regs, and the first real friends she’s ever had. Strange occurrences and complicated relationships raise questions Kivali has never before had to consider.
by Emily M. Danforth
In the early 1990s, when gay teenager Cameron Post rebels against her conservative Montana ranch town and her family decides she needs to change her ways, she is sent to a gay conversion therapy center.
by Adam Silvera
After enduring his father’s suicide, his own suicide attempt, broken friendships and more in the Bronx projects, Aaron Soto, sixteen, is already considering the Leteo Institute’s memory-alteration procedure when his new friendship with Thomas turns to unrequited love. You can also check out this title as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.
None of the Above
by I.W. Gregorio
A groundbreaking story about a teenage girl who discovers she’s intersex, and what happens when her secret is revealed to the entire school.
by Hannah Moskowitz
Auditioning for a New York City performing arts high school could help Etta escape from her Nebraska all-girl school, where she’s not gay enough for her former friends, not sick enough for her eating disorders group, and not thin enough for ballet.
by Becky Albertalli
Sixteen-year-old, not-so-openly-gay Simon Spier is blackmailed into playing wingman for his classmate or else his sexual identity–and that of his pen pal–will be revealed.
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