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The Future Hijinks of Inside Study Abroad
Quick Note: I'm absolutely overwhelmed with all the virtual and real love you guys have shown me since my big announcement on Tuesday. Seriously. You all rock and make this little experiment of mine seem a little less crazy and a lot more achievable. So thank you, thank you for all the support! I couldn't do this without you. For realz.
So now that I'm charging out on my own and starting my own company, I'm making plans and making moves to grow this little slice of the internet into something that's helpful, informative, collaborative, and dare I say, fun for education abroad professionals. Of course, there's going to be a few posts aimed at students (I'll always be an advisor at heart), but the majority of this site is aimed at the pros who have made study abroad administration their career. (Shhhhh…don't tell anyone about the fun part.)
Since I wrote the first post back in February 2009, InsideSA has been a mishmash of random posts that I would write one night and throw up on the web the next day. And some of the most popular posts to date have been relatively off the cuff - getting a job without a master's, top grad programs, and the ever ridiculous "what my friends think I do" meme. Moving forward, this blog will have a lot more structure and focus on a few key topics (with some randomness thrown in for good measure).
- Going Pro: Getting a Job and Building a Career in Study Abroad - If I've learned anything over the years it's that when your audience repeatedly tells you what they want, give it to them. From the countless emails, tweets, private messages, texts, and carrier pigeons I receive every week from people who stumbled upon my blog and want/need/beg for advice on getting a job and building a career in this field, I know that this is a topic that is near and dear to a lot of people's hearts. And I plan to deliver. I'll be keeping the job board up as well and featuring those positions across the social media-sphere.
- Study Abroad Hacker: Advice for Students - Hold on. Before you roll your eyes and think "Great, another site with generic advice on picking a program," let me explain. This advice is going to be a bit different than the boiler plate advice we've all seen. The internet has plenty of articles out there with the "roses and sunshine" articles about study abroad. This advice is going to get at the underbelly of hacking the study abroad experience. This advice may also rub some people in our field the wrong way. Good. I think we all need our feathers ruffled every once in awhile - it helps us start a dialogue and *hopefully* evolve into better professionals who build better programs.
- Buzzzzz: Hot Topics in Education Abroad - These articles are aimed at education abroad professionals and will focus on the news and issues of the day. One week I might breakdown the anatomy of program fees, another week I might write about mergers and acquisitions and what it means for the field, the next week might be a who's who, mover and shaker post. The goal of these posts is to ignite discussion and get us all thinking hard about the status quo and considering a new normal.
- Study Abroad Admin 101 - These articles will cover the basics of study abroad administration, but I want to go beyond "how to" guides (there are plenty of those!). Each 101 article will feature examples of people and offices who are doing it and doing it well. Why recreate something at your institution when the university down the street or around the world is doing it better? It's time to get back to basics and showcase some innovation in program design, delivery, and administration. And if you're anything like me, you don't want to wait for a conference to happen in order to learn what great things others are doing.
- In the Trenches - With these posts, I'm pulling back the curtain on the amazing people, offices, universities, and program providers who are grinding it out every day to make study abroad available. More video interviews with big players, day-in-the-life breakdowns of those in the trenches, and even some on-the-ground office crashing videos/pics. After all, this blog is called Inside Study Abroad. Get ready to go way backstage and see what all the fuss is about.
- Fun Stuff - I said I'd bring the fun and I don't plan to let you down. So prepare for some cheeky posts with study abroad randomness. And it all starts Monday. Stay tuned.
Boom! And that's just the blog topics I'm planning to cover. It gets better. I have a few big projects I'm scheming that will happen "off the blog" including a digital magazine, online community, and professional coaching. More details to come as I get these things off the ground and things start poppin'!
Of course, I'm only one person and my thoughts/ideas/opinions on just about everything may not be shared by the masses. That's okay. I like it when people disagree. So I'm excited, eager, desperate for other study abroad pros to guest post on any and every topic above. And as much as I like to call myself a one-woman-study-abroad-show, it would be nice to have some help. So next week I'll be putting out a call for some rock star interns.
As with any idea or new venture, this blog and slice of the internet is still evolving. What it is today could be completely different in 3 months, 9 months, a year, etc. It's exciting and I can't tell you how grateful I am to have you all along for the ride. This blog isn't just my soap box for rants (though that will happen occasionally) - it's a place for all of us to learn, debate, and get better.
So… to get this dialogue going, please, oh please, leave a comment with your thoughts on the evolution of Inside Study Abroad. Anything sound terrible and you want to beg me NOT to cover? Anything that sounds awesome and will keep you coming back for more? Anything I'm missing that you wish I'd include? Let me know!


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This H. Upmann is priced very reasonably for the smoke you will get from it. Mild floral notes on a 'herby' type tobacco. Second half of the cigar picks up a bit with more woodiness coming in to amply the overall impression.
The Tubos packaging makes this cigar perfect to take outdoors.
Initial phase may seem a bit empty. It does take time for the aromas to come alive.
Mid-range finish, which leaves you with a very relaxed impression. Ideal for pre-lunch smoke.
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subset: commoncrawl


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It's very nearly half term and there's lots of news from Hilltop, our marathon runners and the PTFA too!
Enjoy our Brooke Report (Issue 31) and have a lovely break. We'll look forward to seeing you refreshed and ready for the remainder of the summer term on Monday 2nd June.


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Hello again. How are you? I'm quite tired.
I'm trying to post something every day on this here place. I guess when I've nothing brand new, I'll post something old that maybe hasn't been seen by too many people. Here we go:
This is a kinda test idea thing I did for a comic I was thinking about. I never got much further than this, but it's still something I'd like to follow up. I reckon seeing the owls and mice duke it out would make a good silent comic. Kinda like in Monkey vs Robot by James Kochalka. I'd probably focus a lot on their wee cultures though, because it's really damn hard to work out how the mice would kill the owls. Maybe other animals could get involved.


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Making Over The Bathroom Of Doom
So I have this bathroom in my new house. That's a good start, right? All houses should have a bathroom, I think. Call me crazy! Anyway, despite what I have rather dramatically suggested above, this bathroom isn't quite the bathroom of doom, but it sure ain't particularly pretty either.
It's very small, for a start. It is, on the upside, very tall---thanks to a skylight, although when we moved in the skylight had these weird streaks of brown on it (bird poo? God, let's hope so) and now we can't figure out how to clean it---but in terms of room for maneuvering, there's pretty much just enough space for a bath, a loo, and a sink. And I mean just.
That's not the issue, though. The issue is.....well, the issue is beige. The lovely white cast iron tub has been painted beige. The weird speckled tile that surrounds every inch of wall space is beige and a slightly darker beige, with---I swear to god---beige-colored grout in between. The floor is beige. The sink, toilet, and walls are all white, which is a nice reprieve, but all the fixtures (the towel rail, the toilet paper holder, the hand towel hoop, and so on) are also beige. And I'm not talking a good beige, like a calm wheat or a neutral khaki or something. I mean, like, putty-colored beige. I don't think anything in your home should be capable of being described as "putty" but maybe that's just me. Oh, me and my wacky ideas.
Yeah, even worse than you were thinking, right?
So here's the thing: what am I supposed to do with it? And how can I do it quickly and cheaply? My ideas, thus far, are to invest in a white waffle-weave shower curtain for the tub---thus covering both the weird beige paint job and a good 60% of the speckled tile---and maybe also.....nah, actually that's it. Those are all my ideas. I'm out.
I mean, eventually, we want to rip out the speckled tile and put in lovely clean white subway tile for a backsplash, get the tub painted back to white---is that a thing? Can you do that? Do you just find a tub painter on Yelp or something?---and lay some black and white vintagey-looking tile on the floor, but with 34873897 home improvement projects lined up in front of us at first (like, get blinds being one of them; I'm tired of flashing the neighbors), these things will just have to wait. So any ideas for what can I do in the meantime? Apart from close my eyes every time I'm in there, I mean?


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A ghostwriter's lament
Listen to this NPR story on the woes of ghostwriting. Really hits home - especially if you've ever ghostwritten anything! (I was the ghostwriter of a few short stories a little while back. I haven't ever seen them in print, but regardless, I know how it feels.)


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works well with fresh blueberries
- Yield
- 8 slices
- 125g Butter
- 125g Raw sugar
- 2drops vanilla essence
- 3 eggs
- 125g SR Wholemeal Flour
- 250g fresh or frozen berries
- Sauce:
- 250g of berries
- 100ml of orange juice
- Cream sugar + butter + vanilla Add eggs, one at a time Fold in flour Pour mix into prepared flan tin Spread berries evenly over mix Bake in hot oven 180C for 50 minutes Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve with fresh berries and double cream or icecream. A quick sauce can be made using 250g of berries with 100ml of orange juice.
Related Video
Nutritional Info
- Calories290
- Carbohydrates37 g(12%)
- Fat15 g(23%)
- Protein5 g(10%)
- Saturated Fat9 g(43%)
- Sodium26 mg(1%)
- Polyunsaturated Fat1 g
- Fiber3 g(13%)
- Monounsaturated Fat4 g
- Cholesterol94 mg(31%)


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The Snugpak® Ranger Windtop is ideal for individuals where the main environmental considerations are wind, when a single layer is sufficient to protect against the elements when wearing additional heavy equipment, such as Body Armour:
• HM Forces
• Reserve Forces
• Combined Cadet Forces
• Range Training Days
• Deployed Military Operations
• Park Rangers, Game Keepers, and Fishing
The Snugpak® Ranger Windtop is designed to provide excellent protection against winds, as well as sunshine and light rain showers. The Ranger Windtop is much lighter than a normal jacket, using small YKK zips, packing down to the size of an apple, ideal for when size and weight need to be kept to a minimum. It is ideally worn with a long sleeve base layer, such as the Snugpak 2nd Skinz Coolmax base layer to move moisture away from the skin, keeping you dry and regulating core temperature.
The Snugpak® Ranger Windtop is a single layer garment and uses Paratex Micro. The single-layer windtop is ideal for summer months, and is light enough to be unnoticeable and worn all day; becoming a stalwart item of clothing. The quick drying, Paratex Micro 100% nylon material has a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. Water repellency can be maintained with a cool tumble dry after washing and periodic re-treatment with suitable after care products, such as Nikwax and Grangers. The Ranger Windtop will keep you dry in a short, light shower, giving you time to find a safe place to stop and put on more effective (hardshell) waterproof layers, if required. The Ranger Windtop can also be worn over waterproof [PTFE] membrane hard shells in severe weather, allowing easy access to your essential equipment.
In dry, cooler conditions, the cut of the Ranger Windtop enables you to layer effectively with additional thinner insulation, or warmer fleece layers worn underneath so that core temperature can be effectively managed. In warmer months, it is light and cool enough to be worn to protect against UV rays, especially when static for long periods on ranges, etc. The Ranger Windtop can also be layered with the Softie® SV3 Vest, SJ3 and SJ6 Jackets for colder conditions or when core insulation needs to be maintained.
The Ranger Windtop allows essential equipment to be carried centrally, with easy access when wearing a day sack, Bergen and/or climbing harness and maintains its core functionality with other operational equipment, such as body armour and plate carriers/webbing.
Colors: Olive, Multicam
Sizing: XS-XXL
Weight: 200 grams
The single layer Ranger Windtop Smock incorporates a unique design, for the storage and use of essential equipment, such as a map and compass, orders books, range equipment, weapon cleaning essentials and is compatible for tactical reloads, as well as more modern devices such as smartphones and tablets, when completing activities from a Digital Battlespace or iSeries Navigation™ perspective:
• Made in the UK. Support UK manufacturing and enjoy superior British quality.
• Unisex Design
• Low-visibility Olive Green Design or Crye Precision Multicam®
• Extremely Lightweight & durable, perfect for when weight and space need to be considered
• Windproof: The Paratex Micro fabric protects you from wind chill
• Breathable: The Paratex Micro high moisture-vapour transmission rate helps to keep you dry when you're active
• Can be packed down and stored in its own chest pouch
• APALS® Soft Hook & Loop Patches
• Unit/Name Badge Soft Hook & Loop Patches
• Large Map Chest Pocket, with Internal D-Rings
• Large & Small External Pouches
• External D-Ring for LED Torches etc.
• Thumb Loops
• Hem & Neck adjuster for a better fit, helping trap warm air and aid insulation
• 1/4 Length YKK Zip, to help trap warm air, or ventilate
• Soft Armour Panel (SAP) and Hard Armour Plate Carrier (PC) Compatible
• Customise with effective layering for colder weather
• Hood
For the entire Snugpak® Venture Range, the hood has been removed, allowing greater compatibility with other items of clothing, but the storage space remains. This allows you to roll up items such as a neck scarf, Buff®, fleece liner gloves or skull cap and store them close to hand.
• Central Pocket
The Venture Range includes a central map case pocket in the chest area, for the storage of a full size (Large) map case, such as the SILVA® Carry Dry Map Case (265x480mm), or an iPad® mini™ within a waterproof eCase® (185x238mm). The main pocket also incorporates two D-rings to secure essential items, such as a compass or whistle, to prevent accidental loss, as well as tethering other waterproof cases so that they do not need to be carried in an unsafe position around the neck.
A large Outer-Pocket on the front of the central chest pocket, with a hook & loop security tab and a functional D-ring. This pocket can accommodate an A6 folded map, or a notebook and pen/pencil, or smartphones in a waterproof case, such as the iPhone 5S in the waterproof eCase® (105x175mm) as well as small digital cameras. In front of this is a smaller outer-pocket with hook & loop security tab, ideal for keeping your compass close to hand, or used for securing smaller energy gels, pens, pencils etc. when on the move.
The large outer pocket is compatible with an issue Magpul® Dynamics 30Rd eMag and the smaller outer pocket can accommodate a Glock® double-stacked 9mm magazine for fast and efficient tactical reloads, when additional equipment and plate carriers are not to hand. The larger chest velcro patch can also be used for securing shotgun shells and other accessories for game keepers, wardens, etc.
• Hook & Loop Patches
Throughout the Venture Range designs, there are various Hook & Loop Patches, designed to accommodate APALS® Personal Identification (PID) LEDs, or 3M Scotchlite™ Reflective Tabs to make you more visible in low-light conditions. Small APALS® patches are located on the back of the collar, as well as the left sleeve. There is also a larger soft Hook & Loop patch on the Right arm, for ID's, Morale Patches as well as Group and Organisation Patches, allowing you to personalise your Venture Smock. Soft Hook & Loop is also available on the front of the small outer-pouch, for either an APALS® LED or reflective marker.


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Performance Sailing 2
The J80 – known for its speed, grace and simplicity – was built for 3 things: leisurely cruising with friends, performance racing, and good old fashioned fun on the water. Our Performance Sailing clinics are designed to give sailors a taste of all three.
In the second part of the Performance Sailing series, we provide an in-depth introduction to the spinnaker, and more opportunities to practice the advanced boat handling and sail trim topics covered in Performance Sailing 1. Conditions permitting, we typically head to the outer harbor to practice hoists, take-downs, and jibes. We review and practice how all of the various roles on the boat work together to make maneuvers possible (and safe). We also aim to review racing maneuvers like mark roundings and roll tacks–which help to build great boat handling skills, whether you're a racer at heart or just aiming to be the most confident sailor you can be.
Performance 2 curriculum includes:
- Review of J80 boat handling, sail trim and crew positions.
- Rigging and packing an asymmetrical spinnaker.
- Safely setting, flying, jibing, and dousing an asymmetrical spinnaker.
- Learn to Sail (or similar experience)
- Yellow flag certification
- Meet the J80
Performance 2 is a one-day clinic that runs on a Saturday from 10:00AM – 4:30PM with a 30-minute lunch break.
Recommended next steps:
- Join us for a Wednesday night racing on the J80s starting in May
- Performance Sailing 1
- J80 Membership
Things to note:
Performance Sailing 2 is a 1-day, 6-hour, clinic. It does not guarantee participants a spinnaker endorsement on the J80, which typically takes more time and practice than a 6-hour clinic can provide. More experienced students demonstrating a very strong command of spinnaker-handling may be granted endorsements on a case by case basis – but an additional check-out outside of the course is more typically required. Participants may find it helpful to take the clinic more than once. A J80 membership is not required but would be necessary to reserve and skipper a J80 outside of class.


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Subscribe To Mad Max: Fury Road 2 Is Already Making A Change Updates
I've already subscribed
Though it eventually wound up making a tidy sum, it took a while, and there was some doubt about Mad Max: Fury Road getting a sequel. Franchise mastermind George Miller has been talking about more adventures in post-apocalyptic wonderland since even before the movie came out, and though they are indeed moving forward, it's with a different title than we thought.
Reports making the rounds indicated that he sequel was going to be titled Mad Max: Wasteland, though in an interview with Deadline, Miller revealed that's no longer the case. He said:
The best thing I can say is that we're definitely in discussion about making more of these, but the timing of it, I'm really not sure. [It] probably won't be called Wasteland. I can say that. It was just the working title we gave it.
Movies often have a working title during the various stages of production, something that serves as a placeholder while a better title is decided upon, or even to mask the true nature of a project the studios are trying to keep secret. (For example, Return of the Jedi operated under the working title Blue Harvest.) Mad Max: Wasteland obviously isn't hiding anything, but it doesn't sound like that was ever really going to be the finished title.
And I'm okay with that. Naming your movie Wasteland when it's actually about a post-apocalyptic wasteland is a bit too on the nose and not particularly interesting or informative. You just know that there has to be something other element in the script or story or setting that they could pluck out that would be a better fit. We don't know what it will be, but let's hope that it doesn't take us another 30 years (the time that elapsed between Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome in 1985 and Mad Max: Fury Road this year) to find out.
Fury Road was one of the best reviewed movies of the year, action, comedy, drama, or otherwise—it currently has an astonishing 97% Fresh rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Financial success for the Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron-fronted post-apocalyptic adventure, however, proved to be a tougher nut to crack. With a budget of $150 million just on the production side, that doesn't take into account an expansive and expensive marketing campaign, even though it wound up earning north of $374 million worldwide, it's not as profitable as it sounds.
Still, the fans are clamoring for more, and George Miller has said that he has at least a couple of other ideas for future installments kicking around, though it doesn't sound like Charlize Theron's one-armed badass Furiosa will be back to play in this particular sandbox again. Bummer. But the idea of a nearly mute Tom Hardy blasting around the scorched earth in a post-apocalyptic battlewagon sounds like fun to us, and sounds like it's going to get done. Just don't expect it to be called Mad Max: Wasteland.


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MULTI-GOAL SYNDROMEnoun An Affliction commonly found amongst actors, artists, and creative professionals. Symptoms include frustration, burnout, and applying to law school. May be contagious.
Let's talk Multi-Goal Syndrome. I know, it sounds like some kind of chronic disease and, in a way, it is, because it can certainly be fatal to your career. Multi-Goal Syndrome refers to having a ton of different interests and goals without having a tangible, organized plan for how to achieve any of them. This is such a common issue, especially in the arts, where creativity tends to outpace practicality, and people aspire to become multi-hyphenates.
I think it's great to have different interests and skills, and it's important to have a sense of ambition, a desire to conquer the world. But the reality is this: you can do anything, but you can't do everything at once. What ends up happening is that you spread yourself too thin across so many different areas, and you never see enough real progress towards any of your goals. It's a quick trip to frustration.
How do you know if you have Multi-Goal Syndrome? The most obvious symptom is feeling stuck, because you have a lot of goals that all feel equally important, and you can't decide where to focus your attention. The solution to this issue is that you have to force yourself to prioritize, which can feel like an impossibility, I know. But you could narrow it down if you had to, and — trust me — if you want to make some progress, you have to.
I'm not saying that you have to take fifteen different focuses and choose only one. I'm talking about getting it down to five or, better yet, three. Remember, the purpose of goal setting is to help you focus, not overwhelm you, so you want to give yourself the time and space to explore one goal at a time. The thought of doing this, however, can trigger another symptom of Multi-Goal Syndrome: the fear of commitment. This is something that rears its head in the coaching room on a constant basis, a fear that, by committing to only one goal, all of your other goals will vanish forever. There's a false sense of limiting yourself and your potential when, in reality, you're actually giving yourself the freedom to realize your potential rather than being buried under the weight of too many options. When you're throwing yourself in every possible direction, just hoping that something — anything — will work out, everything becomes more difficult. Networking is hard, marketing is hard, balancing your life and career is hard. The entire business becomes hard, because you don't know what to do with your time and energy in order to make even the slightest amount of progress.
If all of this sounds good to you in theory, but the thought of focusing on one goal still makes your stomach clench, then think about it this way: you will be setting hundreds, maybe even thousands, of goals throughout your life. When you focus on one, it won't be the end-all-be-all goal in your life. But you have to start somewhere in order to get to the rest of those goals.
So, what's the most important goal to you right now? One thing I've learned over the years from growing my own business is that we accomplish ten times as much when we focus on one goal at a time, rather than trying to cover too many bases at once. By prioritizing our goals, we ground ourselves, making it less of a possibility that we'll lose sight of what we're working towards and, of course, creating a greater likelihood of success.
If you suffer from Multi-Goal Syndrome, I challenge you to focus your attention on one goal over the course of this next week. No matter how impossible it seems, just give it your best shot — I think you'll be pleasantly surprised do discover what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it!


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"My Year Without Sex" is kind of a love story about a family dealing with all the big questions and even more of the small ones. Set over one messy year, Ross and Natalie and their two kids, Louis and Ruby, navigate nits, faith, Christmas, job insecurity, footy practice, more nits, and whether they will ever have sex again
1hr 36mins long
M Contains offensive language and sexual references.
Travis Cotton
Sonya Suares
Sean Rees-Wemyss
Sarah Watt
Sacha Horler
Roy Davies
Portia Bradley
Petru Gheorghiu
Jonathan Segat
Fred Whitlock
Eddie Baroo
Catherine Hill


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EVENT: Cox Providence Rhode Races 2012
EVENT DATE: May 06, 2012
Mileage Tracker: 13
Unfortunately I lost my mother 3/1/2010 to Pancreatic Cancer. It is a very nasty cancer. I hope to raise awareness to this particular cancer because it is not only a horrible disease, it is difficult to detect early on. I truly hope to raise this money in my precious mothers name so futher information can be out there and further research dollars can be put towards finding a cure. My hope is that someone else will not have to say goodbye to one of their loved ones because of this horrible disease, like I had to do with my mom. Please support my efforts in raising funds and I promise to make it to the finish line of this race. My first 13.1 miles and my mom will be with me through the whole thing. I love you mom....this is all for you. Thank you everyone!
The Team: $365 TOTAL RAISED SO FAR
Donor Comments
Joe Dannemann
8 years ago
Betty Doak,Elizabeth Fox
I memory of our Daughter & Sister who we miss dearly; 8 years ago


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San Francisco 49ers
49ers' Eric Reid will kneel, but perhaps not for much longer
Eric Reid said Wednesday he will continue to kneel during the national anthem but that he was optimistic the NFL soon will provide alternative platforms that will allay his and other players' need to protest.
Reid spoke one day after he and other players met with Commissioner Roger Goodell and a handful of owners, including the 49ers' Jed York, over what has become such a polarizing issue in the country. Television ratings for NFL games are down again this year and the protests, which began in 2016 with then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, are believed to be one of the reasons.
Everyone involved in Wednesday's meeting seemed optimistic the NFL could provide players with a suitable platform for the racial and social issues – including police brutality – that are behind the protests.
"It doesn't change our plans just yet," Reid said. "Like I said, it's a great starting point. Nothing's set in stone yet. So nothing's going to change from my point of view moving forward until we get a more concrete plan and I feel like I don't need to protest anymore because the NFL is providing a better platform."
Reid said the ratings decreases were discussed.
"The players brought it up," he said. "We knew that this was affecting their business. One owner, in particular, mentioned sponsorships that he had lost. But at the same time, we really felt like the owners that were at that meeting had a concern about the issues. … It was encouraging."
Reid said that while in New York he met with Kaepernick, who lives there but who was leery of attending the meeting and upstaging the event. He said some of the ideas he and the quarterback discussed last year in terms of the NFL using its high profile to address minority issues were discussed with owners.
Last year one of the questions about Kaepernick, who was recovering from multiple surgeries while on a vegan diet, was whether he could attain his previous playing weight. That's no longer a concern, Reid said.
"He was joking with me because his arms got big," Reid said. "Said I've got to get my curl game up. … He looked good."
Matt Barrows: @mattbarrows, read more about the team at sacbee.com/sf49ers.


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We're super excited to unveil the new Northamptonshire Growth Hub website this morning after meeting the tightest deadline we've ever been set by a client.
Awarded the contract on 11th July, Jump was tasked with designing, building, testing, snagging and taking the new Growth Hub site live by 31st July.
Following a kick-offf meeting on 13th, we presented our completed site to the Growth Hub on 25th July, complete with previous content having been transferred. A couple of days of tweaks later, we completed a soft launch yesterday before unveiling the new look today, inside three weeks of winning the pitch process.
Our new design is bright, bold, welcoming and reflects the exciting and diverse nature of business in the county. The site has been put together to put ease of navigation at the forefront of user experience, with 'Start-Up', 'Grow' and 'Finance' options at the heart of the new front page.
Take a look for yourself, here.
Jump has also been retained to help content manage the site over the next 12 months – for details of the compelling content we create, watch this space!


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Healthcare is about decision-making. You can't look at patients, their health, or the services they've received piecemeal. That's where CareWeb comes in. With over 130 participating entities and 9 billion pieces of clinical information, CareWeb improves speed and accessibility of information from our network to support providers. It combines all the chapters of a patient's care into one view, regardless of where they sought care.
CareWeb is an integral part of IHIE's commitment to support an environment where information is organized around patients and where they seek care. Whether it's within the state, or across our borders, CareWeb supports the best care for patients.
As the use of CareWeb continues to grow, we continually work with our network to address the 'hard stuff' in data exchange: what to do with the data and what is acceptable, practical, and necessary. And how these decisions affect patients and patient care.
Here are a few ways CareWeb is used by our customers:
- Through Single Sign On capability, integrating CareWeb within EHRs to enhance usability.
- The CareWeb Search function can find discrete data (i.e. test results and radiology reports) and specific words within free text and PDFs.
- Users can trend lab data from the entire community to understand the full story of the patient.
- Accountable Care Organizations can use CareWeb in tandem with our care coordination services to help manage populations.
- CareWeb allows community organizations that care for at-risk and special needs patients to advocate and coordinate services on their behalf.
Check out our Experiences section to find out more about how CareWeb helps our customers operate more efficiently, eliminate uncertainties, and make better decisions.
Wait a second...
What is CareWeb and what is the Indiana Network for Patient Care (affectionately called the INPC)? I've heard both terms. Are they different?
Here's the deal: CareWeb and the INPC are often used interchangeably, but they are not. CareWeb is the application that allows our customers to access data from our robust network of participants. It is one of our core service offerings.
The INPC is behind the scenes, providing a common framework, agreement and oversight of the data that feeds into CareWeb. This separation allows us to be a good steward of the data by ensuring that it is only accessible where and when it needs to be used to support the health of patients and the community.


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The concept of this shoot was denim and burlap. This is an interesting one, and definitely not something you see everyday, but I love the originality. Here is an styled shoot located in the dead of the woods with a little bit of tea, sweets and some yummy details.
Event Planner: Savoy The Socialite Event Designer: Hayden /Savoy Lifestyle Living Photography: Kacie Lynch Model: Jessica Reams Wreath: Chick a dee Shop Etsy
See the whole gallery of images on our Facebook page.


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Robert Stone is an independent film producer with 10+ years' experience producing short and feature-length films covering several genres, including drama, comedy, horror, and non-fiction documentaries. Currently producing films in the greater New York Metropolitan Area, working with casts/crews and locations in the Tri-state area, and managing film shoots in downtown Manhattan.
Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Robert is currently based in New Haven, Connecticut, where he has partnered with local filmmakers as well as artists and students from Yale University in a number of projects within various genres. His current projects include documentaries, hyperlapse photography and short films.
Robert is actively recruiting cast and crew, specifically actors, cinematographers and audio technicians to become involved in two ongoing projects; a science fiction short film and a dark comedy short film. His newest project, partnering with his wife at Yale's School of Forestry and Environmental Science, is a documentary following efforts of academics and professionals involved in communicating science and facilitating dialogue between scientists, policy makers, business executives and the general public. Robert also served on the programming committee for Yale's Environmental Film Festival.
Robert has experience and training in a wide range of genres and filmmaking software; starting with broadcasting school in Maryland, he has since acquired training in programs such as Avid, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, Audition, After Effects, Photoshop and Encore. As is evident by his current projects list, he is actively involved in diverse genres that involve a very large and diverse set of styles and expertise and is always seeking to expand his professional portfolio.
Film Reel:
Film Portfolio:
Idealist Productions (Producer, Director, Editor)
- Killing Time [Dark Comedy]
- The Man From Everywhere [Emotional Drama]
- Common Ground [Documentary]
Inner Circle Films (Writer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor)
- Invasion From Beyond [Sci-Fi]
- Evergreen Park [Horror]
- Calling Mr. Roach [Comedy]
- Yeast Infected Bastards [Horror]
- Bang Bang You're Dead [Horror]
- What is Scary [Horror]
- 3 [Horror]
- Road Trap [Horror]
Keith Chester Films (Additional Videography, Assistant Cameraman)
- But I Brought Cake [Comedy]
- Liquid State [Music Video]
Post-production software skills:
- Adobe Premier Pro CC
- Adobe After Effects CC
- Adobe Soundbooth
- Adobe Photoshop CC
- Avid Media Composer
- Final Cut X
- DVD Studio Pro
- Sony Vegas


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In stock
Foam Practice Boken
Sparring Swords are the perfect way to practice full contact martial arts weapon exercises or imaginary swordplay. This foam boken allows for full speed, full contact training and activity without damaging your equipment or your training partner.
- Length: 36 inches.
- Weight: 1 lb 9 oz.
(Dimensions are approximate.)
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Consider, for example, how a facility manager must manage an outsourced districtwide cleaning vendor. What is the best way to provide access to cleaning crews? Locks and keys are the conventional answer. But what happens when the cleaning supervisor holding a key quits and another supervisor comes on board? The facility manager must rekey or change the locks in every affected school and issue new keys to everyone authorized to enter each of those schools. Turnover within the outsourcing service company may give rise to this expense once or twice a year.
The same principle applies to teachers and administrators who need after-hours and weekend access to school facilities. When someone loses a key, the locks must change again.
Access control technology eliminates the need to replace locks and keys in response to every event that might compromise building security. The facility manager can simply cancel the authorization of the access-control card in question and issue new cards when necessary. Still, access control technology carries a capital expense that may be difficult to build into a budget.
In the last few years, another argument favoring access control has begun to emerge: the integration of various automated building systems. Today, it is possible for a teacher to arrive at school on a Saturday, swipe a card at the access-controlled front door that provides security and, at the same time, activate the heat or air-conditioning in his or her room. When the teacher leaves, another card swipe will tell the building control system to ratchet down the HVAC system. The building systems need not be turned on and off by a member of the maintenance staff working overtime.
"As security becomes of more concern to K-12 facility managers, we're hearing more questions about this kind of integration," says Joe Zeigler, marketing communications manager with Honeywell in Minneapolis.
Zeigler also notes that school districts can spread the cost of access-control technology in other ways. For example, a basic access control system records who goes into a locked building after hours. Questions about equipment discovered to be missing can be directed to the appropriate people.
"It's also possible to tag computers with infrared and radio frequency devices that will activate readers throughout a building," Zeigler says. "The principal can fold up his or her laptop and take it out of the building. But no one else can remove the laptop without an alarm going off. We've done this kind of thing in hospitals with good results."
Some school districts have begun to install card access control systems in alternative schools, facilities reserved for difficult-to-manage students. "Administrators view security as more critical in these facilities," says Roger Schenck, owner of Technical Solutions and Services (TSS), a Morton, Ill.-based network integrator. "They install card access technology to help protect teachers and administrators working after hours."
In 1998, TSS added access control and other security technology to a school being renovated to house an alternative program for the Springfield School District in Springfield, Ill. It was a simple access control system with a single reader at the front door. The building remains locked down all day, except for a half hour each school day morning when the facility's 200 students arrive. Before and after, anyone who wants to enter the school must swipe an authorized card.
Wayne Mendenhall, who served as director of facilities for the district and has since retired, also equipped the school with an automated energy management system. Mendenhall could control the system by computer from virtually any location offering an Internet connection. "I could diagnose and fix problems from home," Mendenhall says.
One night, for example, Mendenhall received a call from the company monitoring the system's alarms. A boiler had suffered a flame failure. The temperature that night had fallen below freezing, and a boiler failure could allow water pipes to freeze. From home, Mendenhall used his laptop to shut off the failed boiler and to turn on the backup. "Then I went to bed," he says.
The system also allowed Mendenhall or someone on the facility management staff to adjust temperatures in the building when teachers or administrators wanted to work in the evening or during a weekend.
According to Mendenhall, the district is currently considering the installation of technology capable of integrating both building control systems: access control and heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC). "We looked at this kind of integration when we installed the original system, but decided it was too new," he says.
Today, five years later, building system networks have begun to prove themselves. Honeywell, for example, offers a product called the enterprise building integrator, which can automate and integrate a building's HVAC, lighting, access control and fire-safety systems. "We have just introduced energy management to this suite," says Zeigler. "Now the system can also monitor energy use and look for ways to flatten the peaks and valleys."
To make the integration work, Honeywell uses a building system networking product developed by Echelon Corporation, of San Jose, Calif. Called LonWorks, the product includes a system of cables, sensors and microprocessors that can connect virtually any kind of building system, from HVAC and lighting to fire and security. "Our idea is to allow different devices to talk and to leverage each others data," says Steve Nguyen, director of corporate marketing with Echelon. "For example, the lighting sensor in the Honeywell system uses data from the HVAC system and vice versa."
A building system networked with LonWorks or some other open networking technology enables building systems to cooperate with each other. An access control card swipe at the front door will not only open the door, it will also activate other building systems. A teacher's card can be set to turn on the heat or air conditioning and lights in a particular room. When the teacher leaves, another card swipe will shut the systems down.
At the same time, the teacher need not fear being alone, since the access control system will only admit those with authorized cards.
Neither Echelon nor Honeywell can point to a school that has actually installed such an advanced system. But executives from both companies believe the concept is an emerging trend.
Jeff Stroh, regional sales manager in the Baltimore offices of NetVersant Solutions Chesapeake, agrees but suggests waiting for a while. According to Stroh, integrating building systems is a definite trend, but NetVersant has not combined access control and other security technology with building systems yet. Stroh cautions that the technological connection between security and other building systems may need further seasoning. "I know that owners are doing this in commercial buildings," Stroh says. "I've seen it in specifications. Too often though, a design tries to shoehorn security into the building control system. For now, I think it is better to keep these systems separate."
Nevertheless, it does appear that networking companies such as Echelon and others will soon make it possible to connect and control building systems from HVAC to access control on a single interoperable network. Stay tuned.
MICHAEL FICKES -- Fickes is a freelance writer from Baltimore, with education experience.
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Richarlison: Watford sign Brazil Under-20 forward on five-year deal
- From the section Football
Watford have confirmed the signing of Brazil Under-20 international Richarlison after he was granted a work permit.
The 20-year-old forward has joined on a five-year contract from Fluminense for about £11m.
Richarlison was signed by Brazilian top division side Fluminense from second-tier side America Mineiro in 2016.
He made 67 appearances for Fluminense and scored 19 goals, while he has two goals in eight Brazil U20 outings.
Watford start their Premier League campaign at home against Liverpool on Saturday in a 12:30 BST kick-off.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.


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Keep-Tube is another site that is very similar to KeepVid and lets you download YouTube videos straight from its website (i.e., there is no additional software you need to install). The website does run on Java, however, so you will need to have that installed to be able to download videos. Simply copy and paste …
Tag: YouTube
Apr 26
Permanent link to this article: http://egarc.dept.ku.edu/blog/web-based-tools-and-applications/704/
Jun 21
Universal Subtitles
Universal Subtitles (or Amara) is a free online tool that allows you to subtitle exiting video sources (you can enter the URL of an Ogg, WebM, flv, mp4, Youtube, Vimeo or Dailymotion video) in many different languages. If you have ever tried to construct a .srt file from hand, you know how difficult and time …
Permanent link to this article: http://egarc.dept.ku.edu/blog/web-2-0/universal-subtitles/
Mar 16
KeepVid is a website that allows you to download videos from YouTube, Vimeo and other popular streaming video sites. Simply type in the URL of the video in the blue box and click on the Download button (also in the blue box). You can also optionally search for a keyword and then click on the …
Permanent link to this article: http://egarc.dept.ku.edu/blog/web-2-0/keepvid/
Mar 09
Vodburner is a free* Windows-based program that allows you to record Skype video calls. The program features a built-in video editor that allows you to choose which video is displayed ("your side," "their side," or both sides) during playback and optionally add text, images and sound files to the video as well. *The free version lasts for …
Permanent link to this article: http://egarc.dept.ku.edu/blog/software/vodburner/
Nov 18
EGARC's YouTube Channel
One of the great things about EGARC is its collection of approximately 12,000 audio and video items in over 60 languages; many of these items are full-length feature films on DVD. All KU faculty, staff and students are welcome to check out DVDs in our collection for free. Simply browse our online catalog, and come …
Permanent link to this article: http://egarc.dept.ku.edu/blog/films/egarcs-youtube-channel/
May 06
Мосфильм (Mosfilm) on YouTube
Мосфильм (Mosfilm), a Russian film studio, has started publishing some of its films for free on its YouTube channel. According to Mosfilm's website, http://www.mosfilm.ru/, Mosfilm will upload five new movies each week and by the end of 2011, the number of uploaded films should reach 200. Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/mosfilm
Permanent link to this article: http://egarc.dept.ku.edu/blog/films/mosfilm-on-youtube/
Apr 22
Ever wanted to show a YouTube video without any of the comments, suggestions or related videos that show up on the YouTube page? ViewPure lets you do just that. Simply paste in the URL of the YouTube video you want to show, press the "create" button, and ViewPure creates a new page with just your …
Permanent link to this article: http://egarc.dept.ku.edu/blog/web-2-0/viewpure/
Mar 18
Permanent link to this article: http://egarc.dept.ku.edu/blog/web-2-0/embedplus/
Mar 04
Permanent link to this article: http://egarc.dept.ku.edu/blog/web-2-0/dragontape/
Feb 25
Ever want to show only a selected segment of a YouTube video? TubeChop allows you do just that. Simply enter the YouTube video's URL (or enter a keyword to search for a YouTube video), select the portion of the clip you want to "chop," and then press the "chop it" button. You can then share …
Permanent link to this article: http://egarc.dept.ku.edu/blog/web-2-0/tubechop/


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The New Jerusalem
The New Jerusalem
Easter 6C
Revelation 21:10-14, 22, 23; John 14:23-29
A picture of the bride of Christ, his Church, built upon the prophets and apostles with the Lamb as it's temple.
All digital packages include 4 x 6, 5 x 3, and 4 x 3.75 sizes as shown in the gallery below. Actual sizes in pixels for large and small JPGs, PNGs, and TIFs: 1200 x 1800, 1500 x 900, 1200 x 1125, and 600 x 900, 750 x 450, and 600 x 563.
After purchasing the artwork, an email will be sent to you with a link that allows you to download the art onto your computer.


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Carelink is an Emmanuel Christian Centre community service which aims to demonstrate love through practical means. This is mainly by the provision of meals and practical help in the running of a home. It is the hope and passion of the Carelink team that users of the service may discover how valued they are, and that real Christianity involves service and care.
The four main areas of provision which are currently in service are:
1) Community meals which recently replaced the 'meals on wheels' scheme run by the local council. Freshly prepared lunches are delivered piping hot directly to a customer's home for a nominal fee. This is a vital service, especially for the vulnerable and alone, which not only provides food but is also delivered by a friendly face.
2) Free meal service which is offered to anyone in our community experiencing a short term crisis such as an illness or financial hardship. We don't have a set criteria or means testing and we endeavour to serve anyone who may benefit from this service.
3) Cooking courses in association with the Barrow in Furness Foodbank. These courses are designed to introduce basic cooking principles and nutritious recipes for those new to cooking or those on a budget.
4) Foodbank voucher scheme which provides a 3 day emergency food supply for those in crisis.
For further information please contact the Carelink Coordinator, Lynne Matthews, on 01229 584562.


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Remember Me
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.
We partner with our customers and communities to manage and reduce waste from collection to disposal while recovering valuable resources and creating clean, renewable energy
No. 23, Bengkel Double Volume, Jalan Keluli 5Pasir Gudang Johor 81700 MalaysiaEmail: email@example.com Phone: 607-2555400/401
Hakcipta terpelihara Fajar Sidiq Sdn Bhd. Powered by Malaysia Web Design


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Security Door Exit Device combines delayed egress, latch retraction.
Press Release Summary:
Suited for healthcare, law enforcement, or airport facilities, Delayed Egress/Latch Retraction device withstands high-traffic area use and streamlines entry/exit. There are no external magnets, electric strikes, or electric trims; everything is contained in rim device. Latch retraction operates with access control system for authorized personnel, bypassing delayed egress to allow exit/entry without sounding alarm. Unauthorized entry triggers 100 dB alarm and keeps door locked for 15 sec.
Original Press Release:
Advancement in Door Security Combines Delayed Egress and Latch Retraction in One Panic Hardward Device
New Braunfels, Texas - Detex Corporation, an industry leader in life safety and security door hardware for commercial properties, is introducing an exclusive advancement in exit devices. Designed for applications such as health care facilities, where security is a high priority for protection of patients and employees, the patented Detex Delayed Egress/Latch Retraction device integrates both functions for more efficient operation.
Health care staff find the practical Delayed Egress/Latch Retraction design well-suited to department routines - for example, controlling access to surgical suites from holding areas, or restricting entry to nursery areas or pharmacy facilities. They also appreciate the smooth pushpad, which doesn't snag on clothing or equipment.
The Delayed Egress/Latch Retraction device has no external magnets, electric strikes or electric trims. Everything is contained in the rim device, so there are fewer components to install, and fewer to malfunction and affect performance. Operation is simple: for authorized personnel, the latch retraction operates with the access control system, bypassing delayed egress to allow exit and entry without sounding the alarm. But unauthorized entry triggers a 100dB alarm and keeps the door locked for 15 seconds, allowing time for staff to respond. A fire alarm input provides life safety override for immediate exit during a fire emergency.
"Detex is the first and only manufacturer with this combination of functions in one device," said Ken Kuehler, Detex Corporation National Accounts Manager. "It's a very practical solution for health care or law enforcement or airport facilities because it streamlines the entry/exit process. And it's built to stand up to heavy use and abuse in high traffic areas."
For more than a century, Detex has earned the trust of architects and owners who rely on Detex products for the safety and security of people and property. A USA company,
Detex designs, manufactures, markets and ships products around the world from New Braunfels, Texas. Detex is known internationally for life safety and security door hardware, loss prevention and architectural hardware, integrated door security systems, and guard tour verification. For more information about the Delayed Egress/Latch Retraction device, visit Detex.com/EEXER or email email@example.com.


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Killing Patton: The Strange Death of World War II's Most Audacious General
Audio Other(Other)
This item is available online through Marketplace sellers.
Readers around the world have been enthralled by Killing England, Killing the Rising Sun, and Killing Reaganriveting works of nonfiction that journey into the heart of the most famous murders in history. In Killing Patton: The Strange Death of World War II's Most Audacious General, New York Times bestselling authors Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard recount the dramatic final months of the war in Europe, and General George S. Patton Jr.'s invaluable contributions to the Allied victory.
General Patton died under mysterious circumstances in the months following the end of World War II. For almost seventy years, there has been suspicion that his death was not an accidentand may very well have been an act of assassination. Killing Patton takes readers inside the final year of the war and recounts the events surrounding Patton's tragic demise, naming the many powerful people who wanted him dead.
Product Details
|MacMillan Audio
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|5.40(w) x 7.30(h) x 1.00(d)
About the Author
Bill O'Reilly is a trailblazing TV journalist who has experienced unprecedented success on cable news and in writing more than fifteen national number-one bestselling nonfiction books. There are currently more than 17 million books in the Killing series in print. He lives on Long Island.
Martin Dugard is the New York Times bestselling author of several books of history. He and his wife live in Southern California with their three sons. With Bill O'Reilly, Martin is the coauthor of the Killing series books, including Killing Lincoln, Killing Kennedy, and Killing Jesus.
Read an Excerpt
Killing Patton
The Strange Death of World War II's Most Audacious General
By Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard
Henry Holt and CompanyCopyright © 2014 Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
All rights reserved.
The Hills above Metz, France
October 3, 1944
Private First Class Robert W. Holmlund is scared. He believes his life may be over at age twenty-one. The American assault is just two minutes old—two minutes that feel like twenty. The private serves as an explosives expert in the Third Army, Company B, Eleventh Infantry Regiment, Fifth Infantry Division. Holmlund is a student from the American heartland who left trade school to join the war. His senior commander is the most ferocious general on the Allied side, George S. Patton Jr. But unlike Patton, who now oversees his vast army from the safety of his headquarters twenty-five miles behind the front, Holmlund and the men of Baker Company are in grave danger as they sprint toward the heavily defended German fort known as Driant.
German machine-gun bullets whiz past Holmlund's helmet at twice the speed of sound. Heads and torsos shatter all around him. U.S. artillery thunders in the distance behind them, laying down cover fire. The forest air smells of gunpowder, rain, and the sharp tang of cordite. The ground is nothing but mud and a thick carpet of wet leaves. Here and there a bramble vine reaches out to snag his uniform and trip his feet. Over his broad shoulders, Holmlund wears a block of TNT known as a satchel charge. Grenades dangle from his cartridge belt like grapes on a vine. And in his arms, rather than carrying it by the wooden handle atop the stock, Holmlund cradles his fifteen-pound, four-foot-long Browning Automatic Rifle, or BAR, as he would an infant. Only, this baby is a killing machine, capable of firing 650 three-inch bullets per minute.
Though he doesn't show it, Robert W. Holmlund is scared, despite all that firepower, just like every single man in this lethal forest.
But there is no time to indulge his fear right now. No time for homesickness or doubt. Fort Driant looms four hundred yards distant. Everything about the fortress is a mystery, from the location of its big 150 mm howitzers to the maze of tunnels deep underground where its Wehrmacht inhabitants eat, sleep, pray, clean their rifles, plan their battles, and then suddenly poke their heads out of secret openings to kill.
Patton has ordered Baker Company to get inside Driant. The best way to do that is to climb on the roof, which is concealed by mounds of earth. From there, it's a matter of finding a doorway or some other hidden opening that will allow Baker to descend and wage war in the tunnels.
Baker is part of a two-pronged assault. On the opposite side of the fort, the men of Easy Company are also on the attack. But they do so warily, for Driant has already bloodied them once.
It happened six days ago. Skies were clear. P-47 fighter-bombers screamed in low on the morning of the assault, dropping napalm and thousand-pound bombs. American artillery then pounded Driant, shelling the Germans with deadly accuracy.
Easy Company launched their attack alongside the men of George Company at 1415 hours under a heavy smoke screen. They had no way of knowing that the aerial bombing and ground artillery had no effect on the Wehrmacht fighters, nor that the enemy was snug and secure within Driant's fifteen-foot-thick walls and in hidden forest pillboxes.
Step by step, thinking themselves unseen, the U.S. soldiers advanced. Fingers were on triggers as the men scanned the forest, waiting for the muzzle flashes that would expose the enemy. But the Germans did not shoot. Not yet. So Easy and George crept closer to Driant. With each passing moment, they became more convinced that the smoke screen had completely concealed them. They marched closer and closer, and still no German gunshots. Soon a thick tangle of barbwire loomed before the Americans, marking the outer perimeter of Driant's defenses. There was no way through the razor-sharp coils. The advance ground to a halt.
The Germans opened fire.
The autumn afternoon was rent by a terrifying sound the Americans knew all too well. Their slang for the high-speed ripping sound of a German MG-42 machine gun is "Hitler's Zipper." To the Wehrmacht, this killing tone is simply the "Bone Saw." MG-42s opened up from every direction. Bullets tore through the woods at twelve hundred rounds per minute, capable of killing a man from more than a half mile away.
But the machine guns were just the beginning. Soon mortars, rifles, and even heavy artillery pounded the Americans from every direction. And just like that, the American attack was over. Soldiers hugged the ground for four long hours as German gunners pinpointed their positions and took slow, deliberate aim. It was only after darkness fell that the men of Company E and Company G crawled back to the safety of the American lines.
September 27 was a bad day for the men of Easy. By the end of the fight, eighteen soldiers had been either killed or wounded.
Today will be even worse.
* * *
Private Holmlund can go no farther. Nor can the rest of Baker Company. The mountain of barbwire surrounding Driant blocks their path. Thirty feet tall and just as thick, the impenetrable tangle waits to trap any man unlucky enough to snag his uniform or his body within its tendrils. Clipping at it with hand cutters will take days—which is why Holmlund's company commander, Capt. Harry Anderson, has given the order: blow the wire to hell.
Behind him, Holmlund hears the low rumble of a Continental R-975 air-cooled engine. The telltale crunch of steel treads soon follows, announcing the arrival of an M-4 Sherman tank. Even as the German machine gunners continue to fire on Baker, the Sherman weaves through the trees and takes aim. Its 75 mm gun belches smoke as it fires a round of M-48 high explosive into the wire. A direct hit is soon followed by another, and then another. Within moments, the barbwire parts just enough for Baker Company to sprint through.
Captain Anderson splits the soldiers into three groups. Holmlund's squad continues toward Driant in a straight line, while the other two squads flank to the right. The landscape is pocked with shell craters, like a man-made lunar surface. Trees and shrubs grow randomly, offering just the slightest bit of camouflage from the German defenders.
The private is in the first wave of American attackers. He dives into a shell crater, presses himself flat against the lip, then pokes his head over the top and fires his BAR at the enemy. Holmlund then sprints forward to a row of small elm trees, where he once again takes cover and seeks out a target. The ground is cool and damp, moisture seeping through his uniform. He fires and moves forward, always forward, never taking his focus off the flat roof of Driant. Despite the cool October temperature, Holmlund is now drenched in sweat. His face and hands are flecked with mud. He hurls himself into another shell crater and hugs the earth. This close to the ground, he is eye level with the fungus and bright green mold sprouting up through the fallen leaves. Bullets whiz low over his head. He reloads and listens, waiting for the chance to fire.
The sounds of the battlefield are familiar: the chatter of machine guns, the screams of the mortally wounded, the concussive thud of hand grenades, orders barked in short, terse sentences. Screams for "Medic" fill the air.
Holmlund fires a burst from his rifle and then runs forward. He races past fallen comrades. He knows them all. They did push-ups side by side during basic training in Alabama. They sailed together for Europe in the hold of a troopship. They sat in an English pasture just hours before D-day, listening to General Patton deliver the greatest speech any of them had ever heard. And then, after D-day, Holmlund and Baker fought their way across France, rejoicing as they captured one small village after another, following Patton's order that they kill Germans in brutal and relentless fashion—lest they themselves be killed first.
Now many of Holmlund's buddies lie dead or dying. And so ends the sound of their laughter, their rage, their boasts, their tales about that special girl back home, and all that talk about what they're going to do with their lives once the war ends.
Holmlund doesn't even give them a second glance.
And he doesn't stop moving forward. To stop is to become a target. Holmlund's fighting squad dwindles from twelve men down to six. The squad leader is hit, and Holmlund takes command without thinking twice about it. Slowly, in a form of progress that is measured in feet and inches instead of yards, Baker Company moves closer and closer to the German fortress.
Two hours into the battle, PFC Robert W. Holmlund of Delavan City, Wisconsin, finds himself standing atop Fort Driant.
* * *
"The real hero," Holmlund heard George S. Patton say just four months ago, "is the man who fights even though he's scared. Some men get over their fright in a minute under fire. For some, it takes days. But a real man will never let his fear of death overwhelm his honor, his sense of duty to his country, and his innate manhood."
As Holmlund watched, General Patton drew himself up to his full six-foot-two-inch height. His shoulders were broad and his face ruddy, with a strong chin and an aquiline nose. His uniform was a marvel, with four rows of ribbons, four shiny brass buttons, a polished helmet bearing his three general's stars, tan riding pants, and knee-high cavalry boots. Most vividly, a Colt .45-caliber pistol with an ivory grip was holstered on his hip, sending a strong signal that Patton is no bureaucrat. He's a warrior, and everybody had better know it.
Patton continued: "Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best, and it removes all that is base. Americans pride themselves on being He Men—and they are He Men. Remember that the enemy is just as frightened as you are, and that they are not supermen."
George Patton delivered "the Speech" in the British countryside, to the men of his Third Army, on June 5, 1944. Some of the soldiers watching were combat veterans. Most, like Holmlund, were brand new to the war. They found hope in Patton's words. They found a belief in their own courage. And most of all, each man sitting in that pasture under a glorious blue English sky found strength in the knowledge that he was being commanded by the most audacious, forthright, and brilliant general on either side of the war.
Until that day, Holmlund had never seen Patton in the flesh, and had only heard stories about the legendary general—the man who'd never lost a battle, hero of North Africa and Sicily, but who was temporarily relieved of his command for slapping two privates convalescing in a military hospital whom he considered cowardly.
Neither Holmlund nor any of the thousands of other soldiers seated in this pasture had any idea that their feelings for the general would come to vacillate between love and hate. In fact, Patton's nickname is "Old Blood and Guts," with the understanding that the guts of Patton rode on the blood of his soldiers.
"You are not all going to die," Patton reassured the men whom he would soon lead into combat. His voice was high instead of gruff, which came as a surprise to Holmlund. "Only two percent of you right here today will die in a major battle. Death must not be feared. Death, in time, comes to all men."
* * *
One half mile north of where Private Holmlund and the men of Company B are making their stand atop Fort Driant, death, as predicted, is coming to their fellow soldiers in Easy Company. The hope of Patton's speech is long forgotten.
Unlike their first attack on Driant six days ago, Company E made it through the barbwire this time. But the Germans turned that into a fatal accomplishment, for once inside Easy was pinned down with precision mortar fire. Going forward has become impossible. Even worse, enemy shells are exploding to their rear, meaning that retreating back through the wire is also out of the question. Easy Company tries to solve the problem by calling in an artillery strike on their position, but this "Danger Close" barrage does nothing to stop the dug-in German gunners. Instead, friendly fire kills one of their own in a most gruesome fashion: the soldier's head is sliced cleanly from his body by a piece of flying explosive.
Easy Company digs in. They have no choice. Two-foot-long portable shovels scrape troughs in the earth as German machine gunners continue to rake Easy's position. It is every man for himself.
The terror continues. The Germans of Kampfgruppe Petersen take aim with 8 cm Granatwerfer 34 mortar fire and MG-42 machine guns. The Americans are defenseless. Killing them is as easy as finding the target and patiently squeezing the trigger. The Germans are in no hurry. The Americans are going nowhere. One after another, the young men who comprise Easy Company are cut down in the prime of their life. The company medics race from foxhole to foxhole to tend the wounded. But soon, one after another, they die, too.
Hours pass. Rain drizzles down. The nightmare chatter of the Maschinengewehr accompanies the sounds of Company E digging their trenches deeper and deeper. Each man squats as low as possible, careful not to lift his head above ground level. Doing so would be an act of suicide. Easy's foxholes become filled with water, mud, blood, and each man's personal filth. Trench foot, from prolonged exposure to cold and wet, has become so common since the autumn rains arrived that it makes standing in yet another puddle a time of agony. But the men are beyond caring about the stench and squalor of their fighting holes.
All they want to do is stay alive.
* * *
"Americans despise cowards," Patton continued all those months ago, putting his own spin on U.S. history. "Americans play to win all the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost nor will ever lose a war; for the very idea of losing is hateful to an American.
"All through your Army careers, you men have bitched about what you call 'chickenshit drilling.' That, like everything else in this Army, has a definite purpose. That purpose is alertness. Alertness must be bred into every soldier. I don't give a f-ck for a man who's not always on his toes. You men are veterans or you wouldn't be here. You are ready for what's to come. A man must be alert at all times if he expects to stay alive. If you're not alert, sometime, a German son-of-an-asshole-bitch is going to sneak up behind you and beat you to death with a sock full of shit!"
A handful of the senior officers listening to the speech disapproved of Patton's coarse language. Patton could not care less. He believes that profanity is the language of the soldier, and that to speak to soldiers one must use words that will have the most impact.
Few can deny that George Patton is entitled to this belief, nor that he is the consummate soldier. He is descended from a Civil War Confederate colonel, and has himself been in the military since graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1909. Soon after, he fought in Mexico against Pancho Villa. He then fought in the First World War at Saint-Mihiel, the legendary battlefield west of Metz where he walks now. Patton was the very first officer ever assigned to the U.S. Army tank corps, and is renowned for his tactical brilliance on the battlefield. He lives by the words of the great French general Napoléon, "L'audace, l'audace, toujours l'audace"—"Audacity, audacity, always audacity"—a motto that works well on the field of battle, but not so well in diplomatic situations. Patton has damaged his career again and again by saying and doing the sort of impulsive things that would see a lesser man relieved of his command for good.
"An Army is a team," he continues; "it lives, sleeps, eats, and fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is pure horse shit. The bilious bastards who write that kind of stuff for the Saturday Evening Post don't know anything more about real fighting under fire than they know about f-cking!"
Patton was forced to pause, as he knew he would be. The waves of laughter rolling toward the stage were deafening.
Excerpted from Killing Patton by Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard. Copyright © 2014 Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. Excerpted by permission of Henry Holt and Company.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
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I am a 40 year student on the study of Patton and, having read every piece I can find on the subject, find most every one written with a bias or agenda pro or con of the man. Most of the 'cons' seem to show remarkable insecurity and tend to ignore 'results'. O'Reilly and his coauthor, in my estimation, probably have done the most objective job yet, rotten spots along with the good. I look forward to their next disection. Note: I paid for this book.
Excellent! Highly recommended. This history book is gripping. Since my dad was a POW during WWII, I appreciated the inclusion of the facts, battles, and famous figures. The book is written in a short and very readable style for the every one to understand. I stopped several times to research, on the web quickly, some of the famous people. The authors included information that was fascinating for both men and women. Another great book is the novel, The Partisan, by Willian Jarvis. It just won an Indie Medalian Award. The setting is also during WWII and the plot is based on actual events. It has strong male and female characters. Both books deserve A+++++++++
The book tells a very complicated story in a way that is easy to read and follow.
Very readable and informative. I would recommend it to everyone.
If you enjoy history, you will enjoy this book.
This was one of thoes books you do not want to put down,As a history buff I was facinated by the "inside his head" narative bill o'reilly so carefully researched and shared with us.A bit of a anticlimactic ending ,but a very good read,nevertheless.
Disappointing. Little on the mystery surrounding the details of the death. But good background of war.
A good read; interesting theory.
I wish the author would have included information about Patton's childhood and life prior to the military so I could have a better picture of Patton.
A history book without citations contradicting the actual facts of events. Sensationalism and fluff. Example: The book claims that the battle of Falaise pocket was lost by Bradley halting Patton short of encirclement when its known the reason for the failure lies in the slow advance of the Canadian armies directed by Monty. If you introduce a new theory on events you must produce proof of your research and conclusions. You just can't make crap up! Reading is torture as the book randomly jumps time frames, locations, people and events. Not a serious attempt at anything but making money for the author(s).
Let me state from the outset this reviewer has absolutely no interest in examining this book for political purposes! Instead, this reviewer's father served in the U. S. Army under General Patton and had tremendous respect for his person and leadership. Thus, this reviewer's fascination grew to desire to know more about this man who was loved and hated by so many in military and civilian circles! While other books have been read about Patton, this is not a comparison or contrast review; rather it's a stand-alone objective review of a book about a truly great man whose actions changed the course of WWII in Europe. O'Reilly and Dugard pose the theory that General Patton was killed because he was too outspoken and considered dangerous to others vying for power and vying to create a European order after WWII that would favor certain countries over other countries. There is actually very little evidence for this so-called murder other than the accounts of those present at the time and reports that mysteriously seem to have disappeared or gone missing, with very little response from those who should have known about those documents. Whatever happened, the story of this anti-Patton plot makes for fascinating reading! Some background is given to the backgrounds of Patton, Churchill, Roosevelt, Lenin, Stalin and other world leaders who were pivotal during the coming Second World War! The authors examine these characters with what they know will fascinate readers – just enough personal and political information to whet the appetite for more – some of it unnecessary but which builds the "story" being presented. The authors tell the story of WWII battles led by Patton and that is also mesmerizing reading because it is also an intimate look at the political and military leaders making the decisions about the war. We read about how Patton arrived in France and moved through that country into Southern Germany. There a huge competitive campaign emerged in which Patton desired to be the first to reach Bastogne and later Berlin, a competition with Britain's Montgomery that grew fierce indeed! Patton's verbal gaffes were amusing, inflammatory, truthful, lies, and totally destructive to policy, depending on who was the target of those comments and who was fitting them into or rejecting them into American military and political goals. In many ways, this book reads like a novel. One has to remind one's self that this is the account of a real General whose life was almost larger than life for those who served under him or with him and whom one could accurately call a "shaper of history." Some have decried this account for leaving out certain facts about Patton's attitudes toward Jews and political predictions or attitudes. The reader must judge those accusers after examining what they know and don't know about Patton and differing written accounts – fiction or non-fiction. The best? The worst? Somewhere in between? That's for others to argue. This reviewer highly recommends Killing Patton as a great read about the man, the war, the assassination theory and one account of a pivotal period in world history!
I thoroughly enjoyed the facts of the events that were brought out. I had misconceived on some of them, and also the fact that Gen. Patton was so hounded by assassins. It never dawned on me that it could have been a premeditated event! It book needs reading, as the real info is presented, and a new light is opened on the tragic event. The fact that it was soo covered up and dismissed, and vital documents destroyed is very concerning. Jon C Illinois
This is the third "Killing" book I've read by Bill and Martin. Great read, fast paced and entertaining. Wish all my history text books were as entertaining reads as this one.
An excellent review of the last year of WWII in Europe, the real Churchill/Roosevelt/Stalin relationship, and the background context surrounding General George S Patton's death.
Bill O'Reilly retells the last years of World War Two with clear points and interesting facts. Patton, of course, is the center of the book, but he, also, took us into the mind of Stalin, Churchill, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and others. Hitler's final year and those with him. The political choices that would shape our world, even today, are brought out for tha reader to understand. I thought I knew the history well, but this book gave me more. Give yourself a treat! Read, "Killing Patton", it is so much more than I expected! Enjoy!!q
I have enjoyed all of O'Reilly's "Killing" books. This latest one on Patton is my favorite so far. I learned so much more history than I had known before. Everyone should read O'Reilly's Killing books to pick up historical facts.
This is an excellent bio of Gen. Patton's exploits during WWII. Filled with material that most people have never heard of. I got the opinion from the book that he was assassinated, something the government has tried to cover up since the end of WWII. Good read. Really got me to thinking.
No doubt that Patton had an enormous ego, but he could back up that ego with results. He seems to be one of the few people that knew what the Russians were up to and that they could not be trusted. Was the U.S. willing to take on the Red Army and suffer massive casualties necessary to defeat them? Would the U.S. been willing to use the atomic bomb in Europe? Because of spies in the development of the A Bomb, Stalin was aware that the A Bomb existed.
Typical read of the books by Bill O'Reilly in the "Killing" series. Gleaned interesting facts about General Patton and even more so about the politics of war. I enjoy these books as they are an easy read and leave you wondering if there is more to the story than we were lead to believe.
Even if you are not big into History this is a good book to read as a reminder of impacts of WWII on our current times. Also, makes one wondered why The Greatest Generation was called the greatest!
The one star reviews by people who have not read this book are evidence of what the liberals epitomize, intolerance and bullying. Like every other socialist group we've seen before, their first goal is to eliminate any other voices thus eliminating democracy.
Excellent fact filled history book. A lot of the facts were buried in footnotes. With a large quantity of footnotes it was tough to read with an E-reader. The footnote highlight took you to the beginning of the footnotes pages in the back of the book but not to the location of the actual footnote you wanted to read. It took too much time to find the footnote you wanted and then go back to the book section you were reading. It hurt the continuity of reading the book. There was a note stating the difficulty on using the footnotes on an E-reader but it was buried in the back of the book. Had it been in the ads about the book, I would have bought the paper copy.
Bought this audio for a gift for my husband he enjoys history I just started to buy audio for him we have been lucky but this one he was very disappointed whoever reading the book read it too fast I should of bought the book
Succint,Captive, Informative and Well Written. Regretably, it affirms our belief that the US Government in Not Truthworhy about Facts as they are - They do not believe as citizens we are capble of correctly handling the TRUTH! This test makes the point vividly! Thanks Bill Tom Dawson
O'Reilly continues the tradition- The Trilogy got better & better and now PATTON- Meticulously researched ,expertly crafted- Patton is a damned good read- and I was alive during the actual events and followed them closely-A great story , told greatly


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How to Defragment a Hard Drive on a Windows 7 PC
Defragmenting is commonly called defragging. No matter what you call it, defragging or defragmenting your hard drive will speed up disk performance. If you haven't defragmented your PC's hard drive in a while (or ever), you're in for a treat. A freshly defragmented hard drive makes your computer seem brand new.
Your PC's main hard drive is automatically defragmented on a regular schedule when you use Windows 7. Even so, you can manually defragment your hard drive or removable storage media.
In Windows 7, follow these steps to pull a manual defrag of the PC's main hard drive:
Open the Computer window.
Right-click the media you want to defragment, such as the main hard drive, C.
In the drive's Properties dialog box, click the Tools tab.
Click the Defragment Now button.
The Disk Defragmenter window appears. Rather than plow ahead and potentially waste time defragmenting a drive that doesn't need it, check the media's current fragmentation.
Click the Analyze Disk button.
Wait while Windows checks the defragmentation on the media.
Check the Percent Fragmented value by the disk in the Disk Defragmenter window. If it's zero, there's no point in continuing: Skip to Step 8.
Even when the drive shows 0 percent fragmented files, you can still proceed with defragmentation. No media can be fully defragmented, so the Windows Defragmenter will always find something to do.
Click the Defragment Disk button.
Windows defragments the media. Sit back and watch, or do something else, though you shouldn't do anything on your computer while the media is being defragmented.
Click the Close button, and close up any other windows you opened.
You may not notice any drastic improvement in disk performance, especially when the hard drive is frequently defragmented. But if you just defragmented your PC's hard drive for the first time, prepare to be stunned.
You cannot defragment a network drive.
Do not defragment a media card or flash drive. These drives have a limited number of "writes" available to them. That is, the media can support data being written to it a finite number of times. This number can be huge, but it's a real number; after reaching the number, the media becomes useless. By not defragmenting a media card or flash drive, you avoid accelerating the deadline.
Optical drives cannot be defragmented.
Even after running the Defragmentation utility, file fragments remain on the hard drive. That's just the nature of disk storage. Please don't obsess and run the defragmentation utilities over and over, trying to get a perfectly defragmented hard drive.