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Q & A with Mondo Guerra
Mondo Guerra was last year's impeccably dressed runner up on Project Runway. A master at mixing prints in an effortless way, the pompadour and bow-tied cutie won hearts over with his brave unveiling of his HIV positive status. Guerra breezed through town for a few brief hours, but managed to find some time to chit chat with me before his Macy's event over a glass of champagne. That chat turned into a novel of transcribed pages, so I give to you the Guerra interview in two parts over two weeks.
Part I:
(After introductions and getting comfy)
Eden Dawn: I want to talk about multiple things.
Mondo Guerra: Ok!
E.D: In doing research, I saw the video of your fall collection.
M.G: Oh yeah!
E.D: I hadn't seen it before…It was fantastic.
M.G: Cool thanks.
E.D: Are you selling that?
M.G: Um…No, well because I still live in Denver and production is really hard to come by, me and my two really good friends run the site so that's why I am just making things that's are accessible to people that want like a piece, but I get emails all day every time, I mean like "OK were ready for some like…
E.D: Full Mondo
M.G: …some full Mondo. And I am always like, well you have to understand not only if I was even producing it, it takes so much time now a days to design like being on the rack or for sale is like six months out, so its just insane its like ok you guys….And its frustrating for me because I do want to provide other options but, um realistically being in Denver, its just not possible…
E.D: And you want to stay in Denver?
M.G: Um no I don't…I mean I love Denver, it's a total different dynamic for me just because of my reveal of my status on the show (Mondo Shares that he is HIV positive on Project Runway), so my whole family situation is completely different. Its much more comfortable and I can be myself and not only that being on the show my family understands who I am. They knew what I did and that I liked to make clothes and stuff like that. But now they know my passion for it and know what I am capable of accomplishing. So it's a new relationship with my family. That's why I decided to stay in Denver as long as I have. It's only been a year realistically…
E.D: Yeah I know, so fast!
M.G: Today is officially one year from when we filmed the Project Runway finale.
E.D:I can't believe it's just been a year. They just turn that show out over and over…So lets talk a little bit about last season, not too much. By the way I have to tell you this, so unprofessional but my mom was like "Tell Mondo he's my favorite designer" (Laughing). And we are definitely big fans in our house too.
M.G: (laughing) Thank you!
E.D: Everybody claims it was the most controversial season of all time. How do you feel about that?
M.G: Umm…
E.D: Good, bad? Or do you not think about it?
M.G: I mean um, the funny thing is like on the plane today I wrote a memoir of a year ago today and from the point where I was finishing my collection in the work room to the point I was voted off, or judged off ya know. But I never felt like I left to tell you the truth, you know. I don't feel like I ever left . And it was a lot of pressure cause even going into it, you know, just like this season we were like 5 challenges in, but I already had an idea of who I was even though I hadn't started winning any challenges yet. I felt like I was going back already as the favorite. Because all the contestants already knew what was happening and what was coming up in the finale. SO when we were doing interviews when we came back, you know different people interviewing us they would be like "who do you think is going to win this?" They would say Mondo Mondo Mondo Mondo so it was a lot of pressure. The problem was going into it I didn't want to let anybody down.
E.D: Of course that's what everyone says! We've had so many people here from here on the show. Half of the seasons have been won by people here. Everyone's biggest thing they are always saying, well two, I don't want to let anyone down. And I don't want to get voted off first.
M.G: Right, well I didn't want to be voted off first for sure.
E.D: No one would want to go first. (laughs)
M.G: But I didn't want to let anyone down especially going into the finale but you know when I was there it was such a uh in some way a graduation for my self in a way. It was like I could see everything I had worked so hard on. It was really a dream com true you know and just getting to that point two before that I was really really really sick and had given up on any goals. So being there reminded me that I was able to accomplished a lot even under the circumstances.
E.D: Aww.
M.G: So when I got there it was actually more about me than anybody else. And that was self-rewarding.
E.D: And so many things came out of it, even the fact that you and your family are as close.
M.G: Yes that was amazing. I never knew them the way I know them now. I don't think they ever knew me the way we do now. It's just beautiful. I kind of say, its weird and cliché in some ways that Project Runway really saved my life. I had to get there to know that I was able to do things still. Like continue to =grow and accomplish. It was a really good life lesson.
E.D: That's so nice to hear. I feel like everyone I talk to like designers always talk about how hard it was and the struggles with it, but you don't always here the good.
M.G: well it was kind of like boot camp it was really hard but know every time I wanted to stop I would think, its just Go go go go. At that point it wasn't just really about myself it was about my parents, my family my sister my friends, my art teacher, you know everybody that had supported me and really told me to be an individual and celebrate life. As awkward as that comes across sometimes….but yeah it was , it definitely had to happen.
E.D: So now, transitioning, you have many things going on. Lets talk about your campaign your doing, your living positive by design.
M.G: Yeah I'm doing this campaign with fellow (Project Runway) alumni. It's called living positive by design, and it's basically a campaign that encourages people living with the disease to have a positive outlook on life. It's a really simple message.
E.D: An important message.
M.G: Yes, a very important message, and we talk about mostly about how to accomplish that is to have a really good relationship with your doctor. And it's so true because for a while a lot of people, especially in my old position, were…. I wouldn't tell anyone really except my doctor. He was the only one I could really trust. The doctors they are there to help you know. And sometimes it takes you a long time to get to that point because I know for a long time I wasn't taking responsibility for the disease. For myself I was just letting the disease define me and who I was, even though she tried so hard. But there is only so much that they can do, you really have to take on responsibility.
E.D: What do you think the changing point really was? Was it being able to announce to everyone and feeling free?
M.G: Ummm, no the changing point for that was being in the hospital with pneumonia and having my T cells down to 14. I was on my deathbed over Christmas and I knew it at a certain point. And on Christmas day when my mom came and went, and I still wasn't being honest with her, I was like what are you doing? What are you doing here? You can't do this any more like. You are going to die from this if you continue to act like this. You have to take responsibility. Start setting goals and everything that I wanted in life before I was diagnosed HIV pos. That was really the turning point and then um….and then since the show and with the campaign being in college lectures I feel like its my responsibility to continue that message since it was so visible to people being on the show and I have gotten so much mail from so many different people. And its not …I realize my story isn't just about people living with HIV but its about people living with a secret something that they are ashamed off and something they cannot talk about.
E.D: Absolutely.
M.G: And something that they have to talk about to continue to move on
E.D: and be healthy.
M.G: And be healthy and be happy and be proactive.
E.D: Wow.
(Next week we'll share what Mondo has to say about his upcoming role on Project Runway Allstars!)


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How to party when there is a climate of sadness? It was with this question in mind that I arrived at the festivities of Brazil Day, in London, on the 10th of September. What were we really celebrating in a moment when basic rights are been taken away from Brazilians by an illegitimate government? When crooks have […]Continue reading
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subset: commoncrawl


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A spectacular crash in the second heat of the women's keirin caused a delay in the Saturday morning track cycling program so that officials could repair a gouge in the wooden surface of the Olympic velodrome.
The crash occurred on the final lap of the sprinting event when French rider Virginie Cueff used her shoulder to push Dutch rider Laurine van Riessen onto the outer wall and nearly into the stands.
That caused New Zealand's Olivia Podmore and Tania Calvo Barbero of Spain to crash behind them.
All the riders eventually walked off the track under their own power. The surface was repaired with the help of duct tape — yes, duct tape — and competition resumed after a few minutes.
Copyright AP - Associated Press


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First reported by Jon Fleischman at the FlashReport on Saturday night, Fullerton Mayor Bruce Whitaker has become the first candidate to announce his entry into the race to replace Senator Josh Newman if Newman is recalled in the 29th Senate District.
The 29th Senate District recall election has centered on Senator Newman's vote for the unpopular gas tax (58% of voters in a statewide UC Berkeley poll oppose the gas tax increase, and the percentage is likely higher in SD-29, as that district is more conservative than the state as a whole). Whitaker is well-versed in recall elections and anti-tax battles, having helped lead a City Council recall and multiple efforts to repeal/defeat taxes, as his campaign biography notes:
Bruce began an intense and prolonged foray into political activism in 1992 when he became incensed at the largest federal tax increase in U.S. history during the George H.W. Bush administration, and the largest state tax increase in California's history under Governor Pete Wilson. He became active in his own city of Fullerton in 1993 when he led — as a proponent and treasurer — a successful effort to recall a majority of the City Council and repeal unnecessary utility taxes. That accomplishment has saved more than $170 million for residents and businesses of Fullerton to date.
On the heels of the Fullerton recalls, the Orange County bankruptcy erupted in December of 1994. At that time it was the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. As the chief spokesman of the Committees of Correspondence of Orange County, Bruce debated Sheriff Brad Gates, county CEO William Popejoy, Chapman University president James Doti and others and authored many guest editorials which helped to defeat Measure R, the bankruptcy sales tax. The defeat of that tax has resulted in more than $2.8 billion in taxpayer savings since 1995.
Bruce Whitaker founded the Fullerton Association of Concerned Taxpayers in 1996. He was president for eight years, following which FACT successfully brought suit against the Gray Davis administration for an unconstitutional $12.7 billion bond offering.
When Governor Davis was recalled from office, the Schwarzenegger administration and the Legislature attempted to pass a $2 billion pension obligation bond which also lacked voter approval. FACT and the Pacific Legal Foundation brought suit and won in both Sacramento Superior Court and the State Court of Appeals.
Whitaker was first elected to the Fullerton City Council in 2010 and re-elected in 2012 and 2016. In the citywide at-large vote, Whitaker came in first twice and second once in these three successful bids for council.
Whitaker also has name ID in other parts of SD-29, having been elected to the Republican Central Committee representing the old 72nd Assembly District in 1996 and re-elected in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010, before deciding not to run for re-election in 2012. He was also the top vote-getter four times. He came in second once, coming just 20 votes shy of first place in the race in which the top six places were elected.
Fleischman wrote:
Whitaker, a constitutional conservative, has been elected three times to the Fullerton City Council. Fullerton is the largest city completely within the boundaries of the 29th State Senate District.
Whitaker told me that, "Residents and taxpayers deserve respect from elected legislators. Senator Newman's voting record proves that he does not reflect the values of this District." He added, "Southern California needs strong leadership in Sacramento to protect and secure our rights, such as the right to vote on taxes. My record reflects that I've long been a passionate advocate for freedom, property rights, justice and fiscal responsibility."
I was last with Bruce a few weeks at at a gas station on Harbor Boulevard where a massive effort took place to gather signatures for the recall of Newman. Whitaker appeared on the John and Ken Show, which broadcast their show live from that location.
In addition to his name ID from being elected to the City Council and the Central Committee, Whitaker may also have benefit from voters remembering the name of OC GOP Chairman Fred Whitaker, who has also been active in the recall.
Fullerton is the second-largest city in the district, behind only the portion of Anaheim in SD-29, but historically, Fullerton has produced the most voters in primary and special elections (which the SD-29 recall would be), as the SD-29 parts Anaheim has lower-propensity voters (Anaheim is split among three Senate districts, with voter-rich Anaheim Hills sitting in SD-37, represented by Republican Senator John Moorlach of Costa Mesa; the remainder of Anaheim is in SD-34, represented by Republican Senator Janet Nguyen of Garden Grove).


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In addition to activists and volunteers, the pro-life movement needs intellectuals.
By Guest Blogger Father Joseph Tham, L.C., M.D., Ph.D.
One of the areas of pro-life work that gets scarce attention is that of the academia. Like it or not, the professors of many educational institutions today, including Catholic ones, are very hostile to the pro-life, pro-family causes. There are many reasons for this secularization of the academy. But the point in fact is that scholars are more likely than not to embrace the liberal agenda on life, family, and sexual issues.
These scholars often look down on pro-lifers as fundamentalists, extremists, and uneducated. The paucity of pro-life intellectuals is a great weakness of the pro-life cause because ideas make the world turn, and wrong ideas can have devastating results in culture. Universities have considerable influence in educating the future generations, and it will be a great loss if the pro-life position is portrayed as incoherent or naïve from an intellectual point of view.
At the recent Princeton University conference on abortion "Open Heart, Open Mind and Fair Minded Words," Peter Singer, who supports not only abortion but infanticide, was one of the speakers. He once wrote that, "Since neither the neonate nor the fish is a person, killing these beings is not morally as negative as killing a person." This influential philosopher has defended this view in many of his writing, stating that, "In modern era of liberal abortion laws, most of those not opposed to abortion have drawn a sharp line at birth. If, as I have argued that line does not mark a sudden change in the status of the fetus, then there appear to be only two possibilities: oppose abortion or allow infanticide." He stated in the conference that infanticide should be allowed up to a year after birth.
Even though this idea may appear extreme, there are many bioethicists and applied ethicists who share his conclusion. They hail from Ivy League schools like Yale, Princeton, Harvard, Oxford, Georgetown, and Rice. The challenge for pro-life scholars to stand their ground and engage their peers with a rational debate is therefore great.
Luckily, there is an influx of a younger generation of pro-lifers who do not readily accept the liberal agenda they receive in colleges and universities. The question is still pertinent: Can one be an intellectually rigorous, scientifically minded, and academically serious pro-lifer? I believe that there is a calling for those who are more gifted to enter into the intellectual battlefield to defend the pro-life cause. It is interesting to see that among the four organizers of the recent abortion conference at Princeton, the two pro-life academics were in their 30s, whereas the two pro-choice counterparts were in their 60s. This is a sign that young academic pro-lifers can engage culture and make a difference.
The School of Bioethics where I teach is also another attempt to bridge this gap by forming a new generation of pro-life academics who can engage effectively in this cultural debate. There is great hope.
Father Joseph Tham, LC, MD, PhD, is assistant professor of the School of Bioethics at Rome's Regina Apostolorum Pontifical College.
Posts from other pro-life advocates will be posted throughout Respect Life Month (October) at uscatholic.org/pro-life.
Guest blog posts express the views of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of U.S. Catholic, its editors, or the Claretians.


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Nikon Japan has issued a statement which suggests that pre-orders of the Nikon D800E are above what it was expecting.
The D800E was announced at the same time as the D800 earlier in the year, and has the anti-aliasing quality of the sensor filter removed in order to produce more detailed images in certain situations.
Costing an extra £300 (around $477), the extra detail comes at the risk of false colour and moire patterning, which Nikon claims can be easily removed in post production should it occur.
Last month, Nikon issued a very similar statement about the D800, which is currently available for sale in very limited quantities, with many customers still waiting for their orders to be fulfilled.
At the time of the launch, Nikon said it expected around 10% of the sales volume of D800 cameras to be for the D800E.
According to the statement, shipments of the D800E will start from tomorrow (April 12).
Nikon faced criticism last month by raising the prices of both the D800 and D4 by over 10% in the UK due to what it described as a "systems error."
The D800E rose to £2,899.99, but Nikon UK said that any pre-orders made before March 24th would be honour the original price.
via NikonRumors


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Although I am not a clinician, I feel comfortable saying that I have a high degree of expertise in understanding the behaviors and patterns of sociopathy, I garnered my knowledge by foolishly choosing continual suffering under sociopaths' "rule" for more than 15 years. These choices were made in all walks of life, my personal relationships, my business partnerships, and worst of all…BOTH. Surely being in such a single relationship for 15 years, and experiencing the lasting impact of such insidious behavior would give anyone wisdom and cause great despair. Yet in some ways, I look upon my experience covering multiple sociopathic relationships in that time frame with gratitude, because what I am clear on is that I was able to learn that the patterns of each of these sociopathic individuals differ very little. This awareness can be quite empowering. Knowing their calculating mind grants us, at varying levels, power over their "games" and a clearer escape route when we realize that leaving is the only correct option. This I know. I specialize in helping people out of these relationships, because it is what I know and what I must do!
Upon finally obtaining the knowledge of traits, patterns, and deviant behaviors—the many red flags—I was granted a keen clarity as I moved past that life. This awareness is what gave me the ability to steer clear of sociopaths over the last seven years…and steer clear still yet today. I spot them with relative ease…and sure it is always conceivable that I could be wrong at times in my somewhat quick assessments, but I spend little time pondering that. Rather, I choose to only surround myself in love and anything in contrast to that can be easily released. That decision to surround myself in only Love is what led to my next awakening. The awakening was to understanding the vastly different, although in some ways remotely the same, strategies of the narcissist.
I have now come to realize that I sort of grouped sociopathy and narcissism in the same category, to my huge detriment. It is when we are blind to any truth that we can be bitten by it. Now I assuredly and with conviction include narcissism in my repertoire of knowledge. It is the fact that the elements of behavior are a distinctively different modus operandi, that caused me to almost miss the reality of the trap I was poised to enter.
Any of us can conclude that engaging with those with no conscience is unbearable…yet the element of surprise in the entanglement with a narcissist might feel even more readily unrecoverable, once you are destroyed by it; as if any annihilation could be measured as "worse." This avoidable pain is why we must educate and help people see the truth and signs of all these unconscionable beings, regardless of what label might be suitable. I choose to make increasing awareness of the prevalence of these individuals part of my life purpose, thereby giving meaning to my previous suffering and reward for my past pain.
Granted, there certainly is overlap of characteristics in these dark shadow dwellers…but from my perspective the game is played quite differently between a sociopath and a narcissist, which is how I managed to be partly deceived again this last year. This time, thankfully, my past experiences made me aware and observant and allowed me to acknowledge in my mind and heart the possibility that all that was being shown to me was, well, just a lie. THIS awareness makes it much less painful, but painful nonetheless. Because of my willingness to acknowledge that someone could betray at such a depth, I was released from the debilitating destruction that I would have otherwise known. Yet encountering that experience, gave me insight into a new level of pain caused by the sudden and complete disregard that I understand now is pure narcissism.
The variance in strategy between these two harmful beings is measurable and can catch you a bit off guard if you don't consider the stark difference.
Similarities between Sociopaths and Narcissists in my experience
- The claim they have never been loved like this before.
- They often state that no one has ever understood them as you do.
- They desire to move quickly, (marriage, live together, children) and claim a once-in-a-lifetime love. Of course they must move quickly so they trap you, before you see the truth!
- They talk about Soul mates, spiritual connection, twin flames, and many lifetimes together.
- They claim they have been victimized/betrayed/crucified by those they loved and trusted. They long to find their path again, or for the first time.
- They both strive to isolate you.
- They both lie to accomplish whatever their goal is in the moment.
- There is a mystique or aura of attraction—a charisma (at least to those that are asleep, once awake, that feeling is more like nausea).
Similarities; with a subtle and critical difference
- Devoted claims of Love, a forever mentality, a honeymoon phase.
The sociopath though, loves intermittently. You get doused in it…then you see some anger and hate, then you get doused in love again, and then you see anger and hate and so on. You keep believing in the relationship because when you are doused in the love it feels so good that you keep trying to behave better so you can get that love back. Part of that behavior is not seeing and doing things that upset him. Often the most paramount thing that creates issues is the intensity of his/her jealousy so you feel forced to isolate from everyone to avoid his/her wrath.
The narcissist "loves" so amazingly, that you almost are no longer grounded in reality…at all. It is like you are in a state of Euphoria…surreal…a love beyond earthly possibilities and you never want to lose it, so you are 100% devoted and will even isolate yourself with little effort on his/her part. You want more of the beautiful, never before feeling of being loved, even though it is only an illusion.
- They are both bullies. The narcissist is more subtle in his/her bullying technique. The sociopath bullies by often diminishing and controlling you. The narcissists' bullying is often held until you question or push back on "his/her majesty." The sociopath has a better awareness of his/her deviance and cruelty. The narcissist, has awareness, but cannot accept it, because to accept it would mean he would have to acknowledge he was not the pure goodness, god-like being he chooses to believe he/she is.
- Whatever went wrong is ultimately our fault, although this is presented quite differently with a sociopath vs. a narcissist. They both blame. The sociopaths' blame is wrapped in the idea, that you are a bad person, that you have bad intentions. The narcissists' is more about insisting you failed to love them as devotedly as they love you, leaving you with the impression that you can fix this.
- They both objectify you, one for control, the other for attention/supply. Realizing this means that neither one, no matter what you may see or feel to the contrary, have the slightest consideration that you are a human, with true feelings and emotions.
For a sociopath: You are simply an object that they wish to manipulate and control.
For a narcissist: You are simply an object to provide their source of love and adoration, which is defined by stroking their ego to continually, perpetually, reinforce their god-like image. It is almost a worship, and they make themselves seem worthy of it.
- They both criticize you, one to make you small, the other to "help guide you."
A sociopath is more overt than the narcissist, they talk about the devoted love and wanting the two of you nestled in a "cocoon of love," but they are less like a god and more like a victim…"but I have been so harmed by people that were supposed to love me" and you feel you want to heal them and make them whole. You want to behave so as not to betray them. They speak of betrayal by all those before you…so you are devoted to absolute loyalty, on a tightrope to never betray them.
A narcissist is more covert: They present themselves to model the behavior they want to receive from you. They reflect a certain level of "nobility," "sacred love," a sense that they long for that dream love they have always wanted, that they have given but never received. You are set up to feel you must aspire to that level of pure Love…devoted of course to them, as they claim he/she will be to you. He/she speaks of being misunderstood, always doing good, yet crucified nonetheless, much like Christ. He/she doesn't understand why people turn on him/her, genuinely, they don't understand. They do not accept the truth about themselves.
Illustration of the Subtle Differences from My Perspective
Sociopath vs. Narcissist
Sociopath says: "It is all your fault because if you didn't do that, I would not have done this…"
You are saying to yourself, what just happened? I didn't do anything wrong. Why is he telling me I did? You are clear you didn't do anything wrong, but you feel the need to not hurt him again, betray him, so you rein in your behavior. You are focused on not harming him.
He/she says this so you will behave better next time—you will be more careful not to hurt him, make him jealous, say something wrong, you will act better, behave, so you will not hurt him, like so many before you have.
You are now being controlled.
So in essence a sociopath shames you—you are a bad person (tramp, slut, whore, liar, thief) and then you feel guilty and begin to doubt yourself. Wow, am I that? Behavior you always thought was okay, suddenly makes you feel dirty or bad, and so you change your behavior. You think, if he just needs me to rein in this so he can feel more secure, then I should. He/she will love me, once they know I would never hurt them.
So with a sociopath you are trying to get them to see you as the good person you are. You try and prove you are not the slut, tramp, liar he/she says you are.
Yet, you never will.
Narcissist: They are more subtle, a sort of, "I told you it would hurt me if you did this, and now you have done this…such pain you cause me."
You are saying, "Wow, he/she did tell me that these were things he didn't want me to do, and I guess I did kind of do that…wow I feel so bad." The narcissist is a little better at positioning things so that the guilt/shame he puts on you seems more real…like there is just enough truth in it, based on how he set things up. Like if you heed his/her guidance you will somehow be a better person. You are focused on Loving him as he describes he deserves.
He/she says things in this manner so you will love them more completely, more fully devote yourself to them…it is about getting more love from you, more strokes to his/her fragile ego—as this is not surprising since it is, of course, all about him/her.
So in essence a narcissist guilts you—presents to you the opportunity for growth. He claims that you didn't love him the way a person that loves him should. This is especially true if you question or push back on him/her. He/she will say things like "and she says she knows me" or "how could you think this of me? Big problem if you believe this of me!" As a result you feel shame and you try harder to love him more devotedly; you know, as well as he loves you. And he does love you well…it just isn't real.
So with a narcissist, you are trying to love him as he/she deserves/requires to be loved, so that you will be worthy of him/her staying with you, so you will continue to be the chosen one and therefore receive his/her devoted love.
The distinction is this:
With a sociopath: You failed to be a good person.
With a narcissist: You failed to love him/her like they deserve/require.
The Sociopath is constantly reaching out, touching base claiming they are missing you, desiring you…loving you, especially in your absence. They want to see you receive this well because then they know they can delude you. They pursue you hard and long. They are relentless.
What they are really doing is hunting you and assessing your whereabouts so they know what you are doing, who you are with—it's all about control. You feel loved by all the devoted attention, you feel you must be really important…you do not see it as stalking, you see it as loving attention.
A sociopath chooses you and then hooks you, and he knows you are hooked when he can control you…financially, spiritually, emotionally, mentally etc.
The Narcissist may frequently reach out…yet it is sometimes only at first, although this is not always the case. They want to see who will devote themselves to them…make them the center of their world, so they invite you to call, reach out. They tell you how important and happy it makes them feel when you do show them love, attention, value their work or efforts and when we comply as the devoted supporter, they tell us how beautiful we are, how they are so lucky to have found us, that we are the most important person in their life, their priority, and away we go to our destruction. They are better than any other at responding to you, and mimicking what you need, want, desire…the perfect person…whose persona is nothing more than whatever it has to be to get your devoted love, praise, adoration—Supply. They want to be pursued, admired, ideally—worshipped.
What they are really doing is seeing if you will turn all your attention on them., At an unconscious level they believe they need your air being breathed into them to survive. They experience a sense of being nothing without your supply.
A narcissist chooses you based on how you respond to them, how you love them, how much you stroke their ego and make them feel like they are bigger than life, important, talented; that is their fuel.
Very Important Distinctive Difference in Behaviors
Sociopath: The mask slips rather frequently on a sociopath. Their evil is more present, more visible and yet we excuse it away. We see their acts of cruelty, their violent/aggressive/critical words/ and actions…but they manage to control us and convince us that what they just did was just a result of their troubled childhood, they want to be better, they will be better, because we are worth it. They wouldn't have done such cruel things if we hadn't said or done whatever we did. Then they will blame, yell, scream, diminish, insult, call us names…but then they ask for our empathy, which is both our greatest strength and our greatest weakness. They will ask us to understand that their wound is so deep because of their past and so we forgive. Of course we still believe we are to blame, we will have to behave better next time, so as not to hurt and upset them so much. It is the least we can do for their poor hurting souls.
This is a huge distinction because, this is what should have been our red flag. This is where the obvious warning rests…and if we heeded it we would save ourselves. If we simply asked ourselves if we would do what we witnessed them do, we might realize and label their behavior as cruel, and begin to decide we need to get out.
Later, when we are out and awake, we can see this and say…we should have known better. Remember though both narcissists and sociopaths use their "charm" to charm us under their spell. We want to believe in them, and they want it that way.
There is an expression by Dolly Parton "The first time someone shows you their true colors, believe them." From this day forward…
Narcissist: Because they want you to pursue them, they are extraordinary at making us feel devotedly and consistently loved. They do this for one reason; so they can get their supply. Uniquely then, their mask does not slip as much as a sociopath's. They only want someone that will give them everything they need, so they present a nearly flawless, love-filled being to you. So, they don't hunt, as much as choose. They choose you, and you feel chosen, a sense of being the "lucky one." They lure you in, but then observe just how devoted to them you will be. If you don't come through, they try and spur you on, but if nothing satisfies them, then they move to the next person in waiting, without much warning to you. There are shifts, if you know what to look for, like shorter and less frequent contacts, less pouring on of love…this is their trolling phase where they ignite those in the wings to come to the center.
While you are coming through for them with your devotion to their level of expectation or beyond, wow, you will get the illusion of love, honor and support of a lifetime…for awhile anyway. Until the discard. You will see little drops in the mask, a sort of hot and cold behavior if you push back or question them. If you continue to disagree with them, you will soon be gone. Ultimately, the discard occurs because it is impossible for anyone to satisfy the unquenchable need for love, attention and adoration these empty, seemingly soulless individuals require. Imagine you are breathing into a balloon that is the size of our planet, and imagine incessantly blowing the air into it, to fill it…and when you attempt to gather your breath and strength to continue your devoted desire to give all you have…they are already gone, disgusted by your pause…it happens before you know what happened. The mask begins to slip when they are ready for the discard, and often not before, aside from glimpses if you push back or question. That sudden death, is the part that is so impossible to grasp…ON…OFF. Period. Very little warning, it is just done. This is the part that is so difficult to comprehend and causes the horrible experience of cognitive dissonance. What did I do wrong? He/she Loved me so devotedly? Suddenly, you are dead to them, as long as they have another fulfilling source; although, they will attempt to keep you in the wings….they realize they might need you, their OBJECT and source, soon. When they contact you, they expect you to be ready to restore all your love to them.
The Termination from My Perspective
The nature of the "ending" is a significant important difference.
Sociopath: This relationship is over on his/her terms. And if you ever try and end it they will try everything to stop you…everything; charm, violence, deceit, crime, set-ups, threaten their suicide, threaten your death, revealing your secrets…you name it. He/she MUST have someone to control and if you leave on your terms, then they FAILED, LOST…that cannot happen. Sociopaths are in some ways more evil…because their intention from the beginning was to harm, control, WIN. That is the part that makes sociopathy harder to grasp. How can someone be so cruel?
It is this refusal to release that is so shocking and unbearable. You want to get free and you can't. They keep finding new ways to trap you, guilt you, shame you…overpower you. No limits on what they will do to keep you. And as long as they feel in control…it is all good—for them.
The sociopath fades away when he is clear he no longer controls you. Once you take your power back, he/she is having no fun. (In the case of having children with one, it is sadly rarely if ever over, as the pawn is the child(ren) in the game that he leverages and uses to control you. Certainly there are things you can do to help manage through these difficulties, but it is a sad scenario indeed).
Narcissist: The narcissist seems less aware of just how evil he/she is. They come into every relationship just blindly looking for that fuel, love, adoration, praise…the world in their mind, revolves around them…and they see no issue or challenge with that?! They believe that they cannot live without the fuel for their ego, they can never be empty of fuel. So in essence they need a harem, or a supply that goes broad and deep. They don't see this as an issue. In their confused minds they are giving love, so what is the problem? Yet, they cannot really give love…they are simply mimicking the kind of behavior that they know they must do to get their supply. If you relinquish some of your devotion, lessen their supply or show the slightest inkling that you are questioning their superior self…you are being moved to the discard pile. Thou shall not question thy King! Then BOOM gone, UNLESS, the new chosen one fails to comply, then he will return with his/her "love" and charm…and attempt to lure you back in, and if he/she is successful, your pain will be twice as bad as you recover from yet another discard.
The search for devoted souls never ends for them, and you are always in play, unless he/she knows there is nothing for them from you anymore. The lack of evidence of evil that virtually does not appear in any meaningful way until the end is near, is what I feel makes the discard so shocking and unbearable. This is like the death of a loved one in a sudden car crash—no preparation time to prepare for the loss, all you loved is just gone and it is devastating. There were little to no signs it might end until the end was nearly upon you, whereas with sociopathy, you know there is trouble, you experience his/her hate, you just keep hoping beyond hope it will all resolve and you will get that love back you once felt. This is why I say recovery from narcissistic "love" is so difficult, because you can't go back and see the evil like we can with sociopathy, so you just feel you screwed up, somehow it was your fault, it had to be, nothing else makes sense. But hear me; it wasn't your fault.
The narcissist fades away when he/she can no longer get your attention, adoration, love—supply. As I said he/she may return, and he/she will expect his/her ample dose of supply. Whenever he/she returns, once a week, once a month, once a year, he/she expects your full cooperation and anticipates you will devote yourself completely. Once there is a full release, although devastating…it at least allows for no contact, which you need in order to recover and yet you will not want to have no contact.
Both of these relationships are addictive in that you want more of what you know you should not have. And neither of these individuals truly LOVE anything. They are incapable of love. YOU must embrace that to move forward.
Considerations and a Metaphor to Exemplify the Differences
Remember both traits can exist in one individual. Most of us have some narcissistic traits, wanting validation, attention, to be adored, loved…but it is the willingness to give that to others in true unconditional form that distinguishes us from "them." A sociopath, instead just wants control…the rest is unimportant, no matter how important they may delude you into believing anything else is, controlling you is all that matters.
Know that this psychopathy does not discriminate; perpetrator and victim can be either gender.
A dear friend of mine gave me a metaphor of a narcissist and sociopath in the water. I expounded on it and believe this metaphor depicts the experience in each type of relationship reasonably well:
Imagine being in the water…
If you are with a sociopath: He has little doubt that he can swim, but all that really matters to him is that you too are in the water. In every moment he is calculating, how can I manipulate or harm this person so I can win whatever contrived game I have conjured in my head. As a result, he will take pleasure in pretending he can't swim, at which time you will swim to rescue him, as you have so many times before. He will of course, pull you under, because he can. You decide he is just panicking, and try harder to save him. But he is not pulling you under because he is panicking, no, he is just pulling you under because he can. He does not concern himself as to whether or not you can breathe, or whether or not you are okay, he is just purely taking pleasure in manipulating you into helping him, watching how hard you are trying to save him, and in the end, if he is standing on your head and you are underwater, he won. That simple. Later, he will tell you how he was panicked, he is so sorry, how he never meant to harm you. And it will never happen again. He may even express a fleeting second of gratitude, coupled with how if you were really trying to save him you would have done a better job.
So my advice is, if you are with a sociopath, and he screams for help in the water…from a distance say "I know you can do it honey! I hope you pull this off!" And you know what? He easily will, and then he will tell the story of his/her near death experience and how you idly watched him suffer. And knowing you didn't respond to his/her performance demanding assistance, he will now know you just aren't going to be as much fun anymore. So he will raise the stakes, try harder to garner a reaction from you. Note that the less you save him, the freer you will become. Once you are empowered to not rescue him, you are positioned to find your way out. A sociopath is more aware than a narcissist of the harm he causes. A sociopath is just focused on winning, defined by controlling you in whatever way he decides.
If you are with a narcissist: He believes he cannot swim and cannot learn to swim without someone else to help him. He feels he needs someone else for his/her survival. So seeing you in the water, he will naturally start climbing up you to get to the source, air, but he is not doing this to harm you. He really isn't even paying attention to you. He is just thinking about himself, his/her survival and getting to the surface. He sees you there and says there she is, there is my means of getting my source of air! I am so grateful to be in the water with this person/object. What would I do without this person/object? Oh they are so beautiful to me right now. And we of course are happy to help him get to the surface. He is not trying to drown us, he is just taking himself to the surface in the only manner he sees that will work. The hard part about being in the water with a narcissist is given his/her mask seldom slips you can't even imagine abandoning him…so you save the love of your life. You devote every ounce of energy you have to this effort. Now you can hardly breath, you are exhausted…you have nothing left to give. You are no longer focused on him you are catching your breath to recover, so he is done with you. No supply = No value.
The narcissist is more self deluded. He doesn't get that he is evil. He can't accept that because acknowledging that would destroy him in his mind. Actually, it might begin to set him free, if only he could accept the truth of his nature.
The most important thing to remember is that either way YOU are ultimately going to drown. Don't get in the water…and if you are in the water, swim to safety without him/her.
In the end, the label means nothing. What matters, is your peace, well being and happiness.
Copyright 2014 by Diana Iannarone


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Product Features: Manufactured by Mirabelle, a private-label brand of luxury products developed for discerning showroom shoppers Fully covered under Mirabelle's 5-year limited warranty Tub constructed of the highest quality acrylic material Alcove installation: designed for niche / alcove installs A textured slip-resistant bottom takes the worry out of slipping and sliding as you move about the tub Equipped with an overflow assembly permitting the user to enjoy a deep soak without worrying about spillage Technologies and Benefits: Premium Acrylic Material: There is a reason that all luxury bathtubs from Mirabelle are constructed of premium grade acrylic materials: it retains a glossy finish, its a flexible material so it will not chip or crack over time, and it is far lighter and easier to install than rival cast iron tubs. The acrylic used is reinforced with a fiberglass composite making it one of the strongest materials on the market. Dimension Diagram: Product Specifications: Overall Height: 20" (measured from the top of tub rim to the bottom of basin) Overall Width: 32" (measured from back most to front most point on outer rim) Overall Length: 60" (measured from left most to right most point on outer rim) Basin Width: 21" (back to front measurement of bottom of basin) Basin Length: 41" (left to right measurement of bottom of basin) Basin Depth: 18-1/2" (measured from bottom of basin to tub rim) Overflow Depth: 16-1/2" (depth of water to the integrated overflow) Maximum Capacity: 48 - gallons Drain Location: Left Variations: MIRBDS6032L: This model MIRBDS6032: This model with reversible drain MIRBDS6032R: This model with right hand drain MIRBDA6032L: Air bath version of this model MIRBDT6032L: Total massage version of this model MIRBDW6032L: Whirlpool version of this model About Mirabelle: Mirabelle is a luxury private-label brand developed by North Americas largest and most-respected plumbing distributor and showroom network: Ferguson. As a showroom line, Mirabelle products must compete in an environment where every purchase is heavily considered; showroom shoppers arent the type to take shortcuts or fall for knock-offs. For this reason, quality is the cornerstone of Mirabelles design philosophy; their products live longer in one place than most people do. And because they do not have the high marketing overhead shared by the name brands, the pricing of Mirabelle products is surprisingly attractive.
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Mirabelle MIRBDS6032L Biscuit Mirabelle MIRBDS6032L Bradenton 60 X changed my view on my leisure time. Just for 695.14 it is cool companion in our household.


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Two weeks ago I threw a Retro Rumble game night for a friend of a friends bachelor party XD
11 guys competed in various retro games, starting off with Soldier Blade for PC Engine. What's really funny is that each and every new contestant beat the previous highscore XD Talk about competition!
After that we went old school and they got to compete in some Race on Philips Videopac G7200 ^_^ This was much harder for the guys, but a few of them managed to get some decent scores :)
They also got to compete in Kato-chan & Ken-chan on PC Engine, original Tetris on NES and Super Monaco GP on Sega Mega Drive :)
Meanwhile the entire retro game room was open for business, I had games on on every single TV. The guys really enjoyed Chou Aniki on Sega Saturn, such an absurd game! I just want everyone to experience it XD They also played some Neo Geo AES, some Atari 2600, Virtual Boy, Mr. Gimmick on Famicom and lots of other games and systems when they were not competing ^_^
After this it was time for the semi-finals where 4 competitors got to battle it out in a few different Super Famicom games. These games were VS Collection, Harapeko Bakka and Sugoi Hebereke ^_^
Vibben, who they threw the bachelor party for, luckily made it onto the finals as well :) Here they got to play Combat on Atari 2600, Choco Vader Contactee on arcade (really absurd japanese mini-games) and finally competing in highest score on co-op Tetris on NES, the Tengen version ^_^
And the winner was… Vibben! :D
I love throwing game nights so this was a blast ^_^


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Archive for the 'Email' Tag
The Art of the Conference Call…
I have had many conversations in the past week about how email and conference calls have become a *huge* part of the work environment. Personally, I am looking to become more effective & efficient at handling these tasks. If you have a good strategy, please share!
Since it is Friday, I thought I would share a humorous video on the topic:
Thanks to my colleague, Henry Chou, for bringing this video to my attention.


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Young designers energize Milan Fashion Week
MILAN - The Milan masters displayed their customary discipline, but it was the fresh perspectives of up-and-coming young designers that energized this round of Milan Fashion Week: Uma Wang's hauntingly fresh looks, Fausto Puglisi's vibrant edgy couture and Marco de Vincenzo's romantic optical illusions.
Milan designers - fierce defenders of their own creative independence - are finding common cause in backing newcomers: fresh energy also is good for the collective. Giorgio Armani lent his space to Italian-Haitian designer Stella Jean and Dolce&Gabbana have given retail exposure to Puglisi, who hails from their beloved Sicily.
"It's the week of youth," Milan Fashion Chamber president Mario Boselli said ahead of Wang's show Monday, the last day of Milan Fashion Week. "Youth brings a certain energy."
Milan may have made its name with body-hugging tailoring, but the main design language this round was more relaxed, about draping the body in soft materials that subtly reveal the shape.
Despite the predominance of the brassiere top, these were not vamped-up collections. It came in studded leather, ironic pop-art cartoon renderings, or luxurious python bandeaus, which were almost always veiled beneath sheer fabrics or worn beneath peek-a-boo tops that stood away from the body. A belt often defined the silhouette.
Silky chiffon and organza shimmered with metallic accents in Milan, often woven into the materials to create the effect of the summer sun reflecting off the water. The softness was also expressed through next season's palette of bleached pastels. Black, white and bold jewel tones also made appearances for contrast.
The fashion in Milan this season was very much a battle between minimalists and non-minimalists. While some designers hued to the clean lines, many employed ruffles, bustles and pleats for flair. And there was no shortage of sequins, beads or metallic studs.
And even the most feminine collections had sporty references: athletic stripes, visors, tube socks, jogging shorts, tank tops and trekking shoes. The 1950s swimsuit, ostensibly modest, left the poolside and headed for the street.
After several seasons of high-rise footwear, shoes came down to Earth. Most of the looks were sandals, and elaborately decorated trekking styles were also a favorite.
Bags - bread-and-butter items for most of these fashion houses - came in every shape and size, although the fold-over purse was a favorite.
Makeup was minimalist, maybe a shimmering eyelid, with red lipstick for the more daring looks. Hair was almost always long and straight, as if combed back after a swim.
Sicilian-born designer Fausto Puglisi's road to Milan fashion fame took him to America and back.
Puglisi has a long list of fashion patrons and inspirations: the late Gianni Versace, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Dolce&Gabbana, who put his creations in one of their boutiques and Anna Wintour, the artistic director of Vogue America who is providing important support.
For spring-summer 2014, Puglisi paired ladylike long skirts printed with California palm trees with masculine shirts, cinched at the waist by a wide leather belt. The shirt is often left open to reveal a black leather studded bra. The outfit could be captioned, "Grace Kelly checks out the dark side of the street."
The palm tree motif defines his collection throughout, showing up as dainty embroidery on a silk dress, or bold sequins on a leather biker jacket. The importance of the belt in Puglisi's collection was epitomized in skirts and jackets made entirely out of buckles and belts.
Pleats and ruffles, slits and crinolines, blacks and bright summer shades - many of his elements had an opposite as befitted his "not always a lady" theme.
Like Venus emerging from the froth, Uma Wang's fashions for next season had a dewy freshness expressed through materials that undulate across and drape the frame.
The Shanghai-based Wang presented a series of pretty, wearable dresses during her Milan runway debut that revealed without exposing.
The disciplined collection for a metaphorical progression: Deep blue fabrics represented the ocean, then the palette moved to pebble brown, granite gray and finally black as waves crashed against the shore. The fabrics also shifted, from soft sheers and silks to more sculpted cotton, linen and viscose. A sheer black dress billowing over a long black sheath gave off a haunting presence.
With the sturdier textiles, Wang created dresses that stand away from the body, almost like paper.
Gianfranco Ferre's architectural style continues to survive him.
Design team Federico Piaggi and Stefano Citron's women's styles for next summer, presented Monday on the last day of Milan Fashion Week, had a structural look that adhered closely to the design language developed by Ferre, who died in 2007.
Concentric seams gave structure to the bust, the waist and hemlines, while layered pockets, shoulders or pleats gave a depth to the looks reminiscent of an Escher print. Hemlines varied from mini to floor-length, often in the same garment, with either a short skirt under a draped overlay, or short shorts exposed beneath a wide slit.


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I'm putting together a collection of my favorite photos from 2013 for a "best photos of the year" post similar to the one I did last year about this time. It's been a tough task, especially when there are two photos that are only slightly different from each other. I've gotten through most of them, but am stuck on one pair of photos. Since I can't seem to make a decision, I've decided it might be fun to just put it to a vote.
I've put both options below. If you have a preference between the two, let me know by replying in the comments section below.
The image that gets the most votes will be part of the photo collection next week.
Thanks for your help!
Photo A: (you've seen this one before)
Photo B: (taken just a few seconds after the first)
You can click on each photo to see a larger and sharper image of it. Please vote – and thanks for your help!


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Top Items:
The Official Google Blog:
Ending our agreement with Yahoo! — In June we announced an advertising agreement with Yahoo! that gave Yahoo! the option of using Google to provide ads on its websites (and its publisher partners' sites) in the U.S. and Canada. At the same time, both companies agreed to delay implementation …
Discussion: CNET News, Coop's Corner, TechCrunch, Tech Daily Dose, InfoWorld, Download Squad, Tech Beat, L.A. Times Tech Blog, DealBook, Digital Daily, Bloomberg, ChannelWeb Complete Feed, Ars Technica, Pulse 2.0, TheNextWeb.org, Deal Journal, sfnblog, InformationWeek, Broadband Developments, Neowin.net, The Technology Liberation …, Electronista and TechFlash
Dawn Kawamoto / CNET News: How the 'Yahoogle' talks with feds fell apart
Charles Cooper / Coop's Corner: The Yahoo countdown begins
Erick Schonfeld / TechCrunch: Google Pulls The Plug On Yahoo Advertising Deal
Andrew Noyes / Tech Daily Dose: Microsoft Wins In Google-Yahoo Deal's Demise
Brad Linder / Download Squad: Google kills Yahoo! ad deal
Spencer Ante / Tech Beat: What the Failure of the Google-Yahoo Deal Means
Jim Puzzanghera / L.A. Times Tech Blog: Google pulls out of Yahoo advertising deal
Peter Edmonston / DealBook: Parsing Google: Never Mind
John Paczkowski / Digital Daily: Now What Are You Going to Do, Jerry? … Apparently Google …
Crayton Harrison / Bloomberg: Google Drops Yahoo Deal After Government Talks Fail
Jacqui Cheng / Ars Technica: No more GooHoo: Google pulls out of ad deal with Yahoo
Amit Chowdhry / Pulse 2.0: Google-Yahoo! Advertising Deal Dies
Heidi N. Moore / Deal Journal: Google: Don't Be Evil. Be Strategic.
Leah McBride Mensching / sfnblog: Google drops proposed Yahoo! ad deal
Antone Gonsalves / InformationWeek: Google Drops Yahoo Ad Deal
Bezhou Feng / Neowin.net: Google ends ad agreement with Yahoo
John Cook / TechFlash: Google calls off advertising deal with Yahoo, leaving door ajar for Microsoft
Larry Dignan / Between the Lines:
Google calls it quits on the Yahoo ad deal; Will Microsoft enter the picture? — Updated: In a move that's not terribly surprising, Google said Wednesday that it is scrapping its search advertising deal with Yahoo. Google's decision puts Yahoo's search business back in play and may bring Microsoft back into the picture.
Discussion: Epicenter, paidContent.org, Andy Beal's Marketing Pilgrim and Tech Daily Dose
Jordan McCollum / Andy Beal's Marketing Pilgrim: Decker Memo to Yahoos: It's All Good
Andrew Noyes / Tech Daily Dose: Google, Yahoo Abandon Controversial Ad Deal
Miguel Helft / Bits:
Sue Decker's Memo to the Yahoo Troops
Sue Decker's Memo to the Yahoo Troops
Discussion: Silicon Alley Insider, New York Times, Wallstrip and Tech Confidential
Nicholas Carlson / Silicon Alley Insider: Decker: Losing Google's $800 Million "Regrettable" (Memo)
Miguel Helft / New York Times: Google Won't Pursue Yahoo Ad Deal
Alain Sherter / Tech Confidential: Yahoo! shares surge, but for how long?
Yahoo! Announces Termination of Services Agreement by Google
Yahoo! Announces Termination of Services Agreement by Google
Discussion: Digital Daily, The Microsoft Blog, DealBook, AppScout, Tech Beat and WebProNews
John Paczkowski / Digital Daily: Decker Polishes Chairs on Yangtanic: The Entire Yahoogle-Is-Dead Memo
Joseph Tartakoff / The Microsoft Blog: A new opening for Microsoft to buy Yahoo?
Chloe Albanesius / AppScout: Google Kills Yahoo! Ad Deal
Chris Crum / WebProNews: Yahoo's Decker On Google Deal and Company's Future
US Department of Justice:
Yahoo! Inc. and Google Inc. Abandon Their Advertising Agreement
Yahoo! Inc. and Google Inc. Abandon Their Advertising Agreement
Discussion: Techland, Google Watch, Epicenter, L.A. Times Tech Blog and GMSV
Yi-Wyn Yen / Techland: With Google gone, will Microsoft come back to Yahoo?
Meghan Keane / Epicenter: DoJ Dances on Google/Yahoo Grave
Jessica Guynn / L.A. Times Tech Blog: Memo: Yahoo president tells the troops about scuttled Google deal
Matt Marshall / VentureBeat:
Rumor: Internal Yahoo memo suggests CEO Jerry Yang may be out — Here's a rumor (printed below) that we got and which has apparently been making the rounds. It's important to note that the NYT has since written a story saying that Yahoo has denied the rumor, and that both Yahoo and Microsoft …
Discussion: BoomTown, Digital Daily and Bloomberg
John Paczkowski / Digital Daily: Hello? Steve? It's Jerry...Jerry Yang. …
Vivek Shankar / Bloomberg: Yahoo May Embrace Microsoft Without Google's Help
Kara Swisher / BoomTown: Yahoo Rumors, Rumors All Around, But Not a Drop Correct
Yahoo's Stock Spurts on False Rumors
Yahoo's Stock Spurts on False Rumors
Discussion: Silicon Alley Insider
Nicholas Carlson / Silicon Alley Insider: Reports: Rumors False, Jerry Isn't Quitting Today (YHOO)
Darryl K. Taft / eWeek:
Microsoft Launches Effort to Spark Startups — Microsoft's new BizSpark project is an effort to spur startups and entrepreneurs to use Microsoft technology when launching new companies. Microsoft is giving away software, services and support to startups earning less than $1 million to help …
Discussion: TechCrunch, VentureBeat, Microsoft, Silicon Alley Insider, InfoWorld and bub.blicio.us
Michael Arrington / TechCrunch: Microsoft BizSpark Embraces Startups With Free Software, Services
Anthony Ha / VentureBeat: Microsoft's BizSpark initiative offers free servers and software to startups
Eric Krangel / Silicon Alley Insider: Microsoft's Smart Cloud Catch-Up Plan: Three Years Of Free Software (MSFT)
Paul Krill / InfoWorld: Microsoft launches BizSpark to boost Azure
Brian Solis / bub.blicio.us: Microsoft Helps Startups with BizSpark
Mary Jo Foley / All about Microsoft:
Microsoft offers startups software and cloud services for (almost) free
Microsoft offers startups software and cloud services for (almost) free
Discussion: Port 25, SitePoint Blogs, InformationWeek and CloudAve
Peter Galli / Port 25: Bizpark Program Targets Startups
Josh Catone / SitePoint Blogs: Microsoft Makes Pitch to Startups with Free Tools
Ben Kepes / CloudAve: BizSpark - Crack or a Crutch?
Don Dodge / Don Dodge on The Next Big Thing:
Microsoft launches BizSpark program for startups
Microsoft launches BizSpark program for startups
Discussion: Somasegar's WebLog, Agence France Presse, ZDNet.com.au, VatorNews and Startup Chatter
Somasegar / Somasegar's WebLog: BizSpark - Software for startups
Glenn Chapman / Agence France Presse: Microsoft extends helping hand to Internet startups
Ina Fried / ZDNet.com.au: Microsoft offers free software for start-ups
John Shinal / VatorNews: Microsoft reaching out to younger startups
Om Malik / GigaOM:
With Eye on Future, Microsoft Offer Startups Freebies
With Eye on Future, Microsoft Offer Startups Freebies
Discussion: OStatic blogs, The Microsoft Blog, rand($thoughts);, Microsoft and ReadWriteWeb
Joseph Tartakoff / The Microsoft Blog: Microsoft offers free services to startups
Savio Rodrigues / rand($thoughts);: Microsoft's BizSpark and open source
Frederic Lardinois / ReadWriteWeb: Microsoft Offers Free Software to Startups
John Biggs / CrunchGear:
OMG! iPhone keyboard! OMG! — This hack adds a third-party mini-keyboard to the iPhone, effectively turning Cupertino's darling into a Compaq iPaq circa 2001. Does the iPhone really need a keyboard, people? — After using the iPhone for a little over a year, I find that the onscreen keyboard is intuitive and useful.
Discussion: IntoMobile, 9 to 5 Mac, Boy Genius Report, Gizmodo, DVICE, iPhone Buzz, Gadget Lab and Startup Meme
Will Park / IntoMobile: iPhone gets external keyboard!
Cleve Nettles / 9 to 5 Mac: Video fortells future iPhone role
Joshua Karp / Boy Genius Report: iPhone hacked to support physical keyboard
Kit Eaton / Gizmodo: iPhone Unnecessarily Hacked to Add Real Keyboard
Adam Frucci / DVICE: iPhone gets ruined with an add-on physical keyboard
Shawn Brown / iPhone Buzz: iPhone gets physical keyboard in some form
Brian X. Chen / Gadget Lab: Hacker Attaches Physical Keyboard to iPhone
Saad Ali Abbasi / Startup Meme: Check this out - An iPhone keyboard!
Hackers and Spending Sprees … The computer systems of both the Obama and McCain campaigns were victims of a sophisticated cyberattack by an unknown "foreign entity," prompting a federal investigation, NEWSWEEK reports today. — At the Obama headquarters in midsummer …
Discussion: eWeek Security Watch, eWeek, Defense in Depth, Computerworld and Zero Day
Matthew Hines / eWeek Security Watch: Campaign Hacks Highlight Cyber-Espionage
Brian Prince / eWeek: Cyber-crime Reportedly Touches Obama, McCain Campaigns
Robert Vamosi / Defense in Depth: Campaign PCs of Obama, McCain cyberattacked
Jaikumar Vijayan / Computerworld: Report: Obama, McCain campaign computers were hacked by 'foreign entity'
Ryan Naraine / Zero Day: Newsweek: Obama, McCain campaigns hacked by 'foreign entity'
John Paczkowski / Digital Daily:
Apple to Pay Departing "Father of iPod" $300,000 Shut-Up Money Annually — "Advisor" to Apple CEO Steve Jobs is a killer gig-if you can swing it. Just ask Tony Fadell. The now former senior vice president of the company's iPod division will collect an annual salary of $300,000 until March 24 …
Discussion: Infinite Loop, Apple Watch, VentureBeat, Valleywag, Between the Lines and MacBlogz
Jeff Smykil / Infinite Loop: Faddell receives Apple stock options upon departure
Joe Wilcox / Apple Watch: Apple Fiscal 2008 by the Numbers
Owen Thomas / Valleywag: Apple pays off iPod daddy with $8.4 million in stock
Larry Dignan / Between the Lines: Apple to pay Fadell $300,000 as advisor; Can't solicit workers for a year if leaves
Jason Chen / Gizmodo:
How the CNN Holographic Interview System Works — CNN's holographic election coverage is fancy pantsy, but how did they manage to send 3D 360 degree footage of virtual correspondent Jessica Yellin from Chicago all the way to the station's election center in NY? As Arthur C. Clarke says, Magic.
Discussion: Portfolio, CBC News, CNET News, Engadget, Gearlog, geeksugar, mathewingram.com/work and RealityPrime
Kevin Maney / Portfolio: Coolest Technology on Election Night Goes to CNN
Peter Nowak / CBC News: CNN's holograms not really holograms — CNN made waves …
Marguerite Reardon / CNET News: CNN's human 'hologram' on election night
Joshua Topolsky / Engadget: CNN's holographic freakout begins, seems totally bizarre and unnecessary
Sascha Segan / Gearlog: CNN's "Holograms" Aren't Holograms, So Cut It Out
Benjamin J. Romano / Microsoft Pri0:
WinHEC: Sinofsky, DeVaan keynotes cover details of Windows 7 — Microsoft Windows engineering chiefs Steven Sinofsky and Jon DeVaan are set to take the stage at WinHEC in Los Angeles right now to tell hardware makers what they can expect from Windows 7. You can access their keynote speech live via Web cast here.
Discussion: InfoWorld, TechFlash, Gizmodo, AeroXperience and The Open Road
Todd Bishop / TechFlash: Microsoft: Windows 7 kicks Vista's butt
Mark Wilson / Gizmodo: Windows 7 Loading 20% Faster than Vista
Mary Jo Foley / All about Microsoft:
WinHEC: Microsoft shows off Windows 7 fundamentals
WinHEC: Microsoft shows off Windows 7 fundamentals
Discussion: Microsoft Pri0, TechFlash and InformationWeek
Benjamin J. Romano / Microsoft Pri0: WinHEC: 64-bit operating system reaching "tipping point" in U.S.
Todd Bishop / TechFlash: Microsoft shows Windows 7 on Eee PC
Mitch Wagner / InformationWeek: Microsoft Is Stealing Apple's Mojo
Dean Takahashi / VentureBeat:
Live blogging at the Web 2.0 Summit: the kickoff with Larry Brilliant of Google.org — The Web 2.0 Summit has kicked off in San Francisco and there is no sign of a downturn here. It's a full house, with maybe 900 people in the room. The crowd has a lot of international attendees …
Discussion: Webware.com, ReadWriteWeb, Between the Lines, InformationWeek, O'Reilly Radar and bub.blicio.us
Dan Farber / Webware.com: Web 2.0 Summit: Investing in the future
Richard MacManus / ReadWriteWeb: Mary Meeker at Web 2.0 Summit: There is Hope
Andrew Odewahn / O'Reilly Radar: Visualization of Interests at Web 2.0 Summit
Brian Solis / bub.blicio.us: The Spirit of Web 2.0 is Alive and Well
Andy Plesser / Beet.TV:
Obama Victory Creates Historic Global Demand for Web Content — As the world watched the U.S. campaign coverage and the Obama victory speech on computers seven hours ago, demand for news content hit a historic record, according to data from Akamai, the Cambridge, Massachusetts provider …
Discussion: GMSV, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, Digital Daily, Between the Lines, NewTeeVee, Epicenter, Xconomy, Data Center Knowledge, WebProNews, CNET News and Contentinople
John Murrell / GMSV: "Holograms" aside, a good Election Day for tech
Michael Arrington / TechCrunch: Record Traffic Day At CNN.com: 27 Million Uniques, 276 Million Page Views
John Paczkowski / Digital Daily: And We Couldn't Have Done It Without Jessica Yellin and the CNN Holodeck ...
Liz Gannes / NewTeeVee: Historic Election Day Sets Traffic Records
Chris Snyder / Epicenter: Akamai Shows Record Online News Consumption During Election
Wade Roush / Xconomy: Historic Obama Win Also Sets Web Traffic Records
Jason Lee Miller / WebProNews: Election Drove Record Internet Traffic
Jonathan Skillings / CNET News: Election spurs record traffic to news sites
Erin Barker / Contentinople: News Bits: Web Wins on Election Night
Dan Frommer / Silicon Alley Insider:
Steve Jobs Gasses Up The Gulfstream Again — Apple (AAPL) chief Steve Jobs had a busy summer: Launching the iPhone 3G, introducing it into dozens of countries, and shipping almost 7 million of them. Oh, and lots of flying around in his private jet. — Every quarter, Apple reports …
Dan Moren / MacUser: Steve Jobs is leaving on a jet plane, frequently
Philipp Lenssen / Google Blogoscoped:
Google Street View Easter Egg — Google recently hinted at a new Easter Egg part of Google Maps Street View. And it has surfaced now - it's called Street With a View. From the project description: — On May 3rd 2008, artists Robin Hewlett and Ben Kinsley invited the Google Inc. Street View team …
Discussion: Webware.com
Josh Lowensohn / Webware.com: Google Street View: The musical extravaganza
Sam Oliver / AppleInsider:
Apple delays entry MacBook Air untill after Thanksgiving — Apple is apologizing to customers this week who had placed orders for its new entry-level NVIDIA-based MacBook Airs, explaining that due to an unforeseen issue, it's unlikely to deliver those systems until shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Discussion: The Mac Observer, iPhone Savior and Gizmodo
Caroline McCarthy / Webware.com:
10 election tweets worth remembering — It was a marathon evening for media buffs as Barack Obama beat rival John McCain to become the United States' first African-American president-elect. You couldn't miss it on Twitter, as the microblogging service exploded with election updates, commentary, and speculation.
Discussion: Epicenter, CNET News, p2pnet, Podcasting News, The Register and AppScout
Chris Snyder / Epicenter: Another Election Result: Twitter Comes Through
Declan McCullagh / CNET News: An Obama presidency: Good, bad news for technology
James Lewin / Podcasting News: How Barack Obama Beat John McCain With New Media
Carolina McCatheter / The Register: 9 hilarious election tweets worth remembering
Brian Heater / AppScout: Obama Gets a Landslide of Wikipedia Edits
Dan Rayburn / The Business Of Online Video:
Netflix Giving Away 48 Hour Streaming Trials With New XBOX 360 Games — Inside the case of the new James Bond XBOX 360 game that came out today is a special insert card that allows you to trial the Netflix streaming service for 48 hours. While the trial won't officially kick off until later …
Discussion: last100, CrunchGear, Joystiq and Kotaku
Steve O'Hear / last100: New XBox 360 games carry Netflix streaming promotion
John Biggs / CrunchGear: Netflix giving 48 hour trials with new 360 games
Alexander Sliwinski / Joystiq: Netflix streaming trials bundled with some games
Mike Fahey / Kotaku: Netflix Offering Free 48-Hour Trials For Xbox 360
Apple tells Mac mini fan to hang in there — Apple appears to be taking its policing of the rumor mill to the phones, in one case dialing a customer who expressed concern over Internet reports on the Mac mini's fate to assure him the situation would be addressed in due time.
Discussion: VentureBeat and MacRumors
MG Siegler / VentureBeat: There will be Mac mini!
Jason Kincaid / TechCrunch:
LinkedIn Cuts 10% Of Staff — We've just heard from LinkedIn that the Sequoia-backed business network will be cutting 36 of 370 employees, or around 10% of the company. LinkedIn is saying that some of these employees will be reassigned to new roles (though the company won't comment on how many new roles there will be).
Dan Frommer / Silicon Alley Insider:
Cisco Quarter Solid, Guidance Terrible (CSCO) — Cisco (CSCO) was the first company to sound the alarms about the recession. So what do they have to say now? — Things aren't getting better, and CEO John Chambers says October was especially terrible — a 9% year-over-year drop in orders.
Discussion: CNET News, Tech Trader Daily and Broadband Developments
Marguerite Reardon / CNET News: Cisco feels sting of economic downturn
Nicholas Carlson / Silicon Alley Insider:
Apple Headcount Grew 48% In Fiscal 2008 (AAPL) — While tech firms like Dell (DELL), HP (HPQ), Yahoo (YHOO), and Motorola (MOT) are cutting back, Apple increased its headcount 48% in fiscal 2008, climbing from 21,600 full time employees to 32,000. Temps and contractors increased from 2,100 to 3,100.
Alex Chitu / Google Operating System:
Google Forum Search — Much like Google Video, Google Groups expanded its index from the Usenet discussion boards and the Google-hosted groups to almost all discussion boards from the web. The results show the same enhanced snippets that were added to the web search last month.
Discussion: SitePoint Blogs
Josh Catone / SitePoint Blogs: Google Launches Forum Search


text:
The BBs are my favorite poerty group so it's good to report that Bagel Bard Tino Villanueva has been included in The Norton Anthology of Latino Literature. Here's one of his poems in English, the orginal is, of course, in Spanish. The Bagel Bard Website.
I pictured a page–a blank white presence,
pure opposite of life,
since life bursts forth.
It brings on its rituals, come calm or storm,
and instantly: it's unerasable.
The page was real; I held it
in my two hands: white-page-utterly-white,
its utter whiteness unfathomable–
higher logic of a stuff that above all
demands the vital coloring of life
and of all that's been lived.
It was night; I just couldn't go on,
but still, I couldn't stop. Gazing and dazed,
I reached toward the immense ocean-wide
of the white. I scratched scant words
across the blank white-washed: mineral white.
Page white.
In the beginning there was a page;
and on the page, a memory,
and memory turned to words–
what gets forgotten, then comes back,
what's been mine, forever and without end,
what, when it ends, ends up being what I write.
Original in Spanish: "Imaginé un papel" from Primera causa / First Cause/
Merrick: Cross-Cultural Communications, 1999). ©1999 by Tino Villanueva


text:
Predictably, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam denies wrongdoing by the company he runs, Pilot Flying J, in connection with customer discounts and rebates. Even more predictably, the FBI and IRS wouldn't have descended on company headquarters on Monday without evidence to support the allegations.
The evidence seems extensive, and much of it in the form of secretly recorded conversations. Those conversations include an admission from a key employee of the company that Haslam was aware of the practice of shorting customers.
The 120-page affidavit was posted by the Cleveland Plain Dealer after being filed in court on Thursday. We've read the entire thing.
The affidavit explains at paragraph 6 that a confidential informant contacted the FBI on or about May 4, 2011 to report that another employee of Pilot Flying J had confided "that certain Pilot employees had been intentionally defrauding some of Pilot's Customers by deliberately charging these Customers a higher price than the contractually agreed upon price, and then concealing the fact and nature of this increased price from these victimized customers."
The informant recorded conversations with the other employee, who then agreed to cooperate in the investigation. The second employee, after entering into a non-prosecution agreement, provided information about the fraudulent practices — and began recording conversations with other Pilot Flying J employees.
The affidavit contains excerpts from numerous conversations and meetings. For example, at paragraph 63 of the affidavit Pilot Flying J V.P. of Sales John Freeman had this to say during an October 25, 2012 Regional Directors meeting at Freeman's lake house: "Hey this is a game. We're playin' f–kin' poker with funny money, and it's liar's poker with funny money because of all this cost-plus stuff. So, you know, I'm not, I don't want to get into a moral or ethical conversation, because I believe that if a guy's gonna butt-f–k you then we got to go to butt-f–kin' him harder. . . . Some people are tits and some people ass guys and some people want their discount managed through the system and some people like a big check. I mean, f–k, sell it to 'em the way they want to buy. And understand, the f–ker's got the ability to know what the hell you're doing to 'em. Okay?"
Freeman said later in the meeting, "F–k 'em early and f–k 'em often."
Freeman referred repeatedly to having to "buy an airplane" when Western Express, a trucking company, realized what was happening. Specifically, instead of paying Western Express $1 million to rectify the situation, Pilot Flying J bought an airplane from Western Express that was on the books for $7 million, and on which Western Express owed $1 million.
At paragraph 81 of the affidavit, a recorded conversation contains an admission from Freeman that Haslam knew about the Western Express situation. "[H]e knew all along that I was cost-plussin' this guy," Freeman said. "He knew it all along. Loved it. We were makin' $450,000 a month on him why wouldn't he love it?. . . Did it for five years, cost us a million bucks. I mean, we made $6 million on the guy, cost us a million bucks."
The recorded conversations potentially represent the tip of the evidentiary iceberg. The affidavit was submitted to justify the search warrants that the FBI and IRS executed on Monday. The company's files and computers (including email chatter) possibly will contain many more references to the alleged scheme.
In the interim, Pilot Flying J should prepare to buy more planes. While the company allegedly preyed on unsophisticated trucking companies by shorting them on discounts and rebates, those unsophisticated trucking companies are likely sophisticated enough to hire lawyers who will sue Pilot Flying J for a full refund, plus punitive damages.
Likewise, Pilot Flying J can now count on its competitors aggressively trying to convert customers by printing off the affidavit, highlighting some of the comments from Freeman, and asking those customers if they really want to continue doing business with a company like Pilot Flying J.
While these are only allegations and both the company and its employees are entitled to the presumption of innocence, the contents of the affidavit paint a picture that can get ugly for Haslam, in multiple ways. As to the biggest question — whether Haslam will face criminal liability — the most important witness of them all could end up being John Freeman.
If Freeman flips and gives persuasive testimony against Haslam, Jimmy could be going down.


text:
INDIANAPOLIS -- Sunday certainly didn't lack excitement at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine, with the offensive skill players hitting the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. I concentrated on two positions: quarterback and wide receiver. Here are three notables at each spot ...
Rising stocks
EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State: Manuel continued to ride the momentum he generated at the Senior Bowl, where he took home Most Outstanding Player honors. He ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash among the quarterbacks (4.65) and put together a consistent passing session during the field workout. Manuel struggled to repeat the same delivery and footwork on college tape, but he was much more consistent in both areas during the workout. During the fall, I didn't talk to any NFL evaluators who had him higher than the third round, but now there's talk that he will come off the board by the middle of Round 2.
Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia: This explosive playmaker was the star of the day. He didn't quite run as fast as Texas wide receiver Marquise Goodman (4.27), but his time of 4.34 created quite a buzz in the building. Additionally, I loved his combination of explosiveness and preciseness as a route runner during the field workout. Despite his lack of ideal size (5-foot-8 1/2, 174 pounds), he has shown enough to warrant a first-round selection. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a multitude of needs to fill on the defensive side of the ball, but I would think Austin has to be in the discussion for their selection at No. 17. He would be an outstanding candidate to replace Mike Wallace (should he depart via free agency).
Status quo
Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia: Smith arrived at the combine as the top quarterback in this year's draft, and nothing has changed following his performance on the field. Smith started off the day with the fastest QB 40 time (4.59) and finished it with a solid field workout. I watched a few more of his games in the last two days, and I was disappointed in his footwork. I didn't see any of those same issues during Sunday's session. It's obvious he has worked hard to correct his flaws in this area.
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: Patterson did nothing to disappoint during his time on the Lucas Oil Stadium turf. He ran a 4.42 40, despite having a slight stumble at the 10-yard mark. (He found another gear over the final 20 yards of the test.) During the field workout, Patterson didn't "wow," but he showed impressive burst, the ability to quickly get in/out of his break and reliable hands. This draft doesn't contain a surefire stud at wide receiver in the mold of A.J. Green or Julio Jones, but Patterson has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber pass catcher.
Sleeper alert!
Matt Scott, QB, Arizona: A very interesting quarterback right here. He was only a one-year, full-time starter at the University of Arizona, but he has a highly intriguing skill set. Scott showed off his arm talent during East-West Shrine Game practices and was among the most impressive passers during Sunday's workout. He has a smooth drop, quick release and plenty of velocity to make all of the throws. He's also plenty athletic enough to run the zone-read at the next level, as evidenced by his game film and workout numbers (4.69 40 time).
Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M: Swope put up impressive numbers during his college career, but he was still riding below the radar because of the number of talented players on his college squad. He did his best to step out of the shadows with an impressive performance on Sunday afternoon. Swope ran a blazing 4.34 40 and also posted a 37-inch vertical jump. He dropped a few balls during the field workout, but was an efficient route runner.


text:
Champaign School of Music
In-person and Online Lessons!
Open All Year! Call us Today!
If you are looking for music lessons, you are at the right place! The Champaign School of Music is a fun and friendly place to take lessons. We are here to help you get the most from your classes.
Something as simple as learning to play a song can change your life forever. You learn to believe that you can do anything! It doesn't matter if you are a child or an adult; the sense of accomplishment is awesome.
Since 2003 the Champaign School of Music has helped thousands of beginning - advanced students of all ages to play the music they love. We offer music lessons on all the most popular instruments: piano, guitar, voice, drums, violin, ukulele as well as a phenomenal Early Childhood Program called Music Together ® and exciting performing classes for future pop stars and rockers. Students come from all over Champaign County including: Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, Mahomet, Monticello, Rantoul, Tuscola, Bloomington, and Charleston to take lessons with us.
7 benefits of being a CSM student
1. Piano, Guitar, Voice, Singing, Keyboard, Drums, Bass, Violin, Music Together® (Early Childhood music), Music Adventures and Music Explorers in ONE location!
We are the only school in Champaign, IL that offers all of these popular instruments: Piano, Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Voice, Keyboard, Bass, Drum set, Violin, Ukulele and Percussion!
2. Large, qualified teaching faculty in Champaign-Urbana.
We have 12 music teachers, all with college training and professional performance experience. Our music teachers are dedicated to learning about your personal music goals and helping you achieve them. With at least two to three music teachers for every instrument, we are confident that we have the right teacher to meet your music lesson needs. In addition to their teaching credentials, our teachers have warm personalities, are extremely friendly and are dedicated to teaching you the style of music that you want to learn.
3. Special Awards for Music Achievement.
Daily instrumental practice can become challenging even for the most enthusiastic students and the last thing parents want to do is battle with their kids to get them to practice. That's why we provide multiple motivational ways for students to earn special awards for their musical practice and achievement. Your student can earn Trophies, Certificates and even Pizza Parties to celebrate their accomplishments. This way your students have fun, gain sense of accomplishment and are motivated to practice - all pain free for you!
4. A comfortable waiting area for our clients and their families.
With 2,000 square feet we have the most spacious school and family friendly waiting area in Champaign-Urbana. Instead of waiting in a music retail store showroom, our clients enjoy a waiting area with comfortable chairs, kids' books, Wi-Fi, magazines and a notice board that highlights our students and exciting, upcoming events. If you decide not to join your child in lessons, you are welcome to relax in our waiting area and talk with the teacher after your child's lesson.
5. Fully stocked music lesson rooms.
Our rooms are stocked with everything needed to get the most out of music lessons, including amps, stereos, full drum kits with pads, keyboards, pianos and more. All you need to bring is your portable instrument.
6. Multiple Free music recitals a year!
We are the only music school in Champaign-Urbana that offers multiple free recitals a year. Every parent wants to know how their child is doing and if they are really progressing. The best way for a parent to understand if their investment in lessons is really worth it, is to have their child participate in a recital. Our recitals are held every other month so that students have several opportunities to gain valuable performing experience, set and reach short term goals, and share what they are learning with their parents. For our students these recitals are free and, unlike many schools in Champaign-Urbana, we do not charge recitalparticipation or admission fees. This can only be found at the Champaign School of Music.
7. Month to Month lessons.
The Champaign School of Music does not require semester minimums for lessons. Every student here is on a month-to-month basis.
Start changing your life with music!
You have nothing to lose as we only want students who truly want to be here and we will not commit you to a long term contract.
It's easy to take the next step:
Lessons are first come, first serve so contact us today to arrange your first lesson!
Office Hours
By Appointment only. We value your interest and want to help you start making music as soon as possible. Please leave a message via phone or through our contact forms and we will respond as soon as we have a break from teaching.
Central Illinois Business Radio
(217) 359-0541
1712 S Duncan Rd, Champaign, IL
(Just south of County Market. Turn east on Watterson and right into our parking lot)
1712 S Duncan Rd, Champaign, IL
(Just south of County Market. Turn east on Watterson and right into our parking lot)
Families from Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, Tuscola, Mahomet, Monticello,
and beyond know that music classes at the
Champaign School of Music are fun and inspiring!
and beyond know that music classes at the
Champaign School of Music are fun and inspiring!


text:
When Catholics praise Pope Benedict, it is not surprising. But when the pope wins applause from a group of Italian Marxist academics, one has to ask what is happening.
The four – one a long-time Catholic, another a recent convert and two non-believers – in a letter to the Italian left a year ago said the current pope has provided the correct response to what they call "an unprecedented anthropological emergency."
The political left, they say, has fallen into a libertarian outlook "for which there is no right other than the right of the individual." Pope Benedict offers the correct antidote – a rejection of ethical relativism and the assertion of non-negotiable values.
Journalist Sandro Magister of the daily newspaper La Repubblica reports all this in his online column in English at http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/?eng=y.
The problem of anthropology – that is, the nature of the human person – is that the left (as well as the right, they might have added) is hamstrung by an understanding of the person as a self-enclosed, inward-focused entity.
The pope, however, describes the human person as essentially outward-looking and relational. One might add, that for the pope, the human person is related not only to other people, but most basically to God. He gets into this in some detail in his encyclical, Deus Caritas Est, but it is everywhere in his thinking.
That this should be attractive to avowed Marxists is surprising . . . and not surprising. Marxists want social change, but if you are serious about change, you need moral absolutes to ensure positive change is protected from tyranny.
The relativist, libertarian pap that "informs" many Supreme Court justices, politicians, journalists and educators in the Western world is a substitute for serious thought. It undermines morality and is thus the enemy of social justice.
The most controversial assertion of the Italian Marxist quartet was their belief in the "freedom and dignity of the human person from the moment of conception." The whole community must welcome such life, "raise it, educate it and accompany it with love and care to the end."
Any sane society would see those words as the foundation for a just order that respects both the unborn and those who are already born. That they are so controversial today is the clearest sign that society is radically off-kilter.
The four Marxists say that transforming society requires attention to the spiritual aspect of the human person. "There is a very close connection between transcendence and revolution."
This is not remotely akin to anything that has ever passed for Marxism. Nevertheless, it is a huge step forward when those who most hunger for social change find a soulmate in a supposedly conservative pope of the Catholic Church.


text:
A young Cuban can finally hug his father- unjustly imprisoned for nearly one month- and a massive hunger strike by more than 60 citizens has come to an end, yielding positive results.
The protest was initiated by members of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) in demand for the release of activist Luis Enrique Lozada Igarza. He was arrested by the political police on April 9th after they raided his home in Maffo, Contramaestre. His crime? Offering his house each Tuesday to impart courses on peaceful resistance and civil disobedience. At the moment of his arrest, Lozada started a hunger strike. Members of his family followed his protest, starting their own strikes. Among them his 17-year old son Enrique Lozada, his wife Darmis Aguedo, his brother Arnoldo Lozada, and others. In just a few days about a dozen other activists, under the lead of former political prisoner and leader of UNPACU Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, also started strikes. Eventually, more than 60 dissidents in different regions such as Palma Soriano, Holguin, San Luis and Gibara were on hunger strike.
After what seemed like countless acts of repudiation, arrests, and threats by the political police, as well as serious health complications product of more than 4 weeks on strike, the activists achieved their objective on the night of May 7th: The authorities handed a document to Enrique Lozada, explaining that his father would be released, promising that he would be back home in Contramaestre on the following morning.
Upon confirming the news, the young activist finally stopped his strike, drinking juice. Enrique moved the world after he published a video assuring that he was willing to die for his father. His health was seriously affected.
"I am giving thanks in the name of the family and in the name of the hunger strikers, thanks to the hundreds of UNPACU activists that were carrying out different actions throughout the country, thanks to activists of other organizations who joined us in solidarity, thanks to our brothers in exile who have always backed us with solidarity", expressed Jose Daniel Ferrer in one of the first audios published on the YouTube account of UNPACU.
The release of Lozada Igarza did not come easy. The same day in which the news was made public- May 7th- the regime unleashed a brutal wave of repression against various strikers and other activists showing solidarity. On that same afternoon, the political police assauled the Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital of Santiago de Cuba, where some of the strikers had been taken, forcefully removing them. Some were beat and abandoned in different parts of the province. In the case of Lady in White Ana Celia Rodriguez, police agents ripped off her IV, which caused her much bleeding, according to a report by her son, the young activist Anyer Antonio Blanco Rodriguez. The same occurred with Ernique Lozada, who even passed out after strong aggressions.
Another activist who was forcefully removed from the hospital was 60-year old Dionisio Blanco Rodriguez, while activists displaying solidarity in front of the hospital were also beat and detained, as was the case of Ovidio Martin Castellanos, among others.
In Holguin, the hunger strikers Franklin Peregrino del Toro and Pedro Leiva Gongora were denied medical assistance on various occasions, but the protests by a number of dissidents forced the local hospital to assist him. The State-sponsored violence could not impede activists from joining the strikers in support. In Pinar del Rio, more than 50 dissidents held fasts, backing the call for Lozada Igarza's freedom. Members of other pro-freedom movements like the Ladies in White, the Republican Party of Cuba and the OZT National Resistance Front carried out marches, protests, encounters and other activities in solidarity.
A campaign started by everyday citizens was created outside of Cuba, where activists used social networks to denounce the situation plaguing the strikers and in search of support. Various petitions were created with the purpose of taking the details to international human rights organizations, while in Twitter the hashtag #HuelgadeHambreUNPACU ("HungerStrikeCuba") was created. This pressure led various politicians and other public figures to make public statements in favor of Luis Enrique Lozada's release.
Luis Enrique Ferrer Garcia, representative of UNPACU in exile, started a fast alongside other activists in a display of support for those risking their lives on the island. They maintained the fast until the very moment in which Lozada's liberation was announced.
This has been another series of actions that prove that Cubans can achieve positive things in their country and it is more proof that citizens do have power. The internal opposition, through the civic protests of UNPACU and others, left the dictatorship with no other option but to release human rights activist Luis Enrique Lozada.
It is clear that the regime has sent a message of violence to the opposition with their wave of aggressions during the strike, specially on the last day, just minutes before releasing the activist. But dissidents have also responded, sending their own message to the dictatorship:
"We will keep up the struggle…we have been able to get one man out of the dungeons of the tyranny, but other political prisoners are still behind bars in inhumane conditions", said Jose Daniel Ferrer, mentioning more than 40 UNPACU activists who are imprisoned for having different ideas, "but we will continue fighting for their freedom, and for the freedom of Cuba, with much more strength, with much more dedication, and much more desire than ever".
*Congratulations to all those who risked their lives for the release of an innocent man. – (Pedazos de la Isla)