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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
On the form of Jenny Davidson's Breeding
Odd as it may seem, I want to kick off this book event not by discussing the book's argument—I'll address that on Friday—but by focusing on its form. Consider page 44:
The print's too small to read there, but you don't need to be able to read it to understand what's so unusual about Davidson's argument: the trailing paragraph from 43 consists entirely of a quotation and is followed by a block quotation. In fact, 301 of the 409 words on that page belong to Locke, which means that the "[s]tory-telling of the kind [Jenny does] in this book" (41) is largely done by other people. In allowing the subjects of her analysis to define their terms at such length, she cedes the voice of the book to her interlocutors, which makes for an odd, yet somehow familiar, reading experience.
Rarely do you finish a secondary work feeling like you read the primary sources, but that's precisely the impression created by Breeding. It took me a long while to realize why Jenny's long citations were both familiar and compelling, but I finally did: Breeding is less like a scholarly monography and more like John McPhee's Annals of the Former World. I confess that finding in an academic book qualities similar to those of one of your favorite books sounds suspiciously like discovering the germ of your dissertation in a Disney cartoon, in that you tend to see what you're looking for when you look for it. But I really believe the analogy holds. McPhee drove back and forth across the country alongside the brightest geological minds in order to tell the story of how America came to look like America, and he let the monologues of his companions dominate his book; similarly, Jenny and her interlocutors guide us through the 18th Century, and she allows voices of her companions to dominate her book. In short, both provide sharp analysis under the guise of judicious narration.
Given the premium placed on demonstrations of original thought—be it at conferences or in articles and books—her decision to use her book as a vehicle to tell other people's story seems like an unnecessary risk, but as Breeding demonstrates, it's one more of us should consider taking.
Well, I do not want to pre-empt third-person comment by premature authorial intervention - but you did not say what I thought you were about to, which is that my style in the book clearly is related to blog format! I cannot tell you what the cause and effect might be - I am partly drawn to blogging because of the way it lets one excerpt and then just offer brief commentary - but I am sure that the voice and style of quotation and commentary I developed as I started posting at Light Reading fed into the way I worked on the book…
Jenny, that thought did cross my mind, but I thought that analogy did, in fact, break down. On Light Reading, you're posting short items with long quotations, but they don't bear any necessary relation to one another except through you. So we'll get a 17th Century discussion of finches, followed by a New Yorker article on swimming, &c. What impressed me about Breeding—why I thought it fundamentally different from your blogging—was that you incorporated those long quotations into a narrative instead of a narrative of self (as on the blog).
The other analogy I thought about but didn't draw was between your evident comfort in letting other voices speak for themselves and your fiction. One of the reasons I'm a failed novelist is that I've never been able to make my characters sound like anyone other than me. (Basically, I turn into Chuck Palahniuk.) So I turned to academia, where I could discuss other characters who didn't sound like me because they aren't me, but was told that if I let other speak too much, people would think less of me as a scholar—so I stomp over other people's prose in the name of analysis, instead of doing what you've done here.
I'll have my own post up tomorrow, but in the meantime I'll note that Scott's observation seems correct: this is a work of criticism that seems very self-aware about its affiliations to literature, through quotation, allusion, metaphor, stylistic flourish, and so forth.
I have to say that, unlike Scott, I don't find the effect particularly novelistic, simply because the voices are in some way equalized by the book's historical narrative. We move from one voice to another pretty quickly.
I was going to mention the blogging . . . but instead I'll say that Jenny's style in this book displays two qualities she seems to have in abundance: confidence and a love of her material and the richly individual voices it offers. If a point is better made in the voice of one of the writers she's studying, she's confident enough to let him or her make it, rather than worrying about demonstrating her own familiarity with the material. That confidence also allows her to display her thinking self on the page when appropriate--we never imagine that this book is anything but the product of a particular mind burrowing into topics of abiding personal interest. It's a refreshing approach.
I have to say that, unlike Scott, I don't find the effect particularly novelistic, simply because the voices are in some way equalized by the book's historical narrative. We move from one voice to another pretty quickly.
Authentic heteroglossia, baby! (Can you tell I'm a recovering modernist?)
There have been a lot of discussions of blogging that have used the metaphor of the common-place book, and that would work pretty well to describe how it works here. The interesting question for me, though, is what effect those long block quotes are intended to have. Are they there to familiarize, or defamiliarize, the material they are discussing? My feeling is that they are relatively well-known literary passages whose job is to anchor the discussion of things less familiar to a lit-crit audience. So it's early modern, not modernist, as far as I'm concerned (in spite of the Sebald tribute in the Intro).
The idea that Davidson (or McPhee) "allows voices of her companions to dominate her book" is an interesting one, and my skepticism of it as a real possibility isn't meant to take away from the possible pay off of "using her book as a vehicle to tell other people's story" in their own voices. I admit I'm too embroiled in debates on this kind of question in anthropology to be able to keep my pomo skepticism in check (James Clifford's stuff, for example, at least since "On Ethnographic Authority"); there's something really valuable about using this kind of heteroglossia as a way of structuring the text by reference to its dialectical conversation with itself, but it's also important (I think) to never let ourself get too caught up in the idea that we're actually hearing the original voices of the speakers without real game changing forms of mediation.
That said, the analogy between this and blogging nicely illustrates something different about the way they each manage their heteroglossia:while a piece of block text in a book simply sits there, inert and interpellated however the author has pleased, a hyperlink allows two way access, not only opening a pathway to the other writer, but in many cases actively inviting a return conversation. Its sort of like the difference between old school anthropology, when there was never any real fear that the natives would read books about them (though they often did), and the brave world we now inhabit, where it's possible for Jared Diamond to get busted for slandering his human subjects.
My favorite history books really are the ones that use detail and extensive primary sources to recreate a world. You don't even realize that there's an argument at work, sometimes, until long afterwards. I've often told my students that the most honest and realistic historians give you enough evidence that you could disagree with them, that you could read the evidence presented and formulate different theses. But the really good ones, of course, convince you that their reading of the evidence is the best one.
If I had to compare it to something, I think it would be a work of oral history: those are the historical works most likely to be similarly generous with primary sources. You could almost rearrange this like an oral history: framing, interview, analysis; repeat as necessary.
I think a lot of this depends on the kind of history being written, and how many times those primary sources have been mined to assemble those narratives. A parliamentary history of the English Civil War will necessitate a different attitude towards its primary sources than a social history of a little fishing village in Louisiana.
Frank Ankersmit has talked about the danger of historians conflating their research with the writing process, as if writing history involved nothing more than transcription. Davidson justifiably highlights the issue of selection, and a large part of the rhetorical work of such quotation lies in finding just the right passage that would further your argument.


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According to the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB), there were 4,375 sales through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in January. This is a 1.3 per cent decrease from January 2012.
January saw an average selling price of $482,648 - which is up by 4.3 per cent from the average selling price of $462,655 reported in January 2012.
According to TREB president Ann Hannah, it is interesting to take note that sales were up for many home types in the GTA areas outside of the City of Toronto. This is due to the to the additional upfront land transfer tax.
The median price in January 2013 was $412,500.
The median price in January 2012 was $392,000.
"There will be enough competition between buyers in the marketplace to prompt continued growth in home prices in 2013. Expect annual average price growth in the three to five per cent range this year," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis.
*Market analysis based on numbers provided monthly by the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB).

subset: commoncrawl


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Well, we are finally settled into our new house, and so we figured it was time to get serious about Lydia's schedule. Her sleep routine was out of hand. Abe had started to joke that soon she'd require him to rub his tummy and pat his head while singing Old MacDonald Had a Farm in order for her to sleep. As it was, he had to hold her while hopping up and down on one foot and leaning at just the right angle, or else she absolutely refused to fall asleep. When I put her down, I often had to spend about an hour feeding, swaddling, changing, reswaddling, refeeding, and rechanging…and then I'd jiggle her all the way to her crib and put her down about six times before she's actually go to sleep. I was actually starting to develop back pain from the hour long process.
When we explained our routine to the pediatrician, she scared us witless by saying that she'd met three year olds who still require their parents to do similar routines and hold them until they fall asleep. She suggested we let Lydia cry it out so that Lydia could learn to self soothe.
And that is what we've been doing for the past couple days…and it's working! At first it was brutal to hear her cry for so long, but every time we put her down now, she cries less and less. Last night she cried for a total of FIVE short minutes, and then she slept so long I started to worry. When I realized she'd been sleeping for nine hours, I went into her room to make sure she was still alive. Lo and behold, not only was she still alive, but she was awake and playing by herself with her little pink monkey. I could not believe my eyes! Up to this point, Lydia has needed constant and direct adult stimulation every waking minute of her life, but there she was–happily playing away with Minkey (her monkey)! Wow, wow, WOW. Abe and I are thrilled.
Here's what I'm not thrilled about. I have been enduring painful exercise sessions five days a week for over a month and I can't remember the last time I ate anything sugary…and I still weigh the same as I did in APRIL! Can you believe it? I even checked out The Idiot's Guide to Weight Loss to see what I'm doing wrong. That book says to throw out the scale and judge yourself on how clothes fit, but as far as I can tell, I can't fit into any of my old clothes. I suppose there is a possibility some fat is turning to muscle since some people (namely, my mom and Abe) keep telling me I look like I'm losing weight, but at some point, doesn't the number on the scale have to go down?? It's so sad. I have had more than one dream about all of the desserts I've passed up, and I always wake up from those dreams hungry and grumpy.
Oh well. The real purpose of this whole program is so that I'm healthy for baby #2, and I really do feel a lot more energy and health. So that's good. When I get pregnant again, I am going to try to continue avoiding sugar and exercising five days a week, and maybe–just maybe!–I won't gain another 70 lbs. But to end on a positive note, I have really enjoyed not being alone in this post-baby weight loss journey. My friend Ashley and I have been emailing each other about our goals and praying for each other, and that has been immensely helpful. There have been days when I would not have reached my goals if it weren't for her support. One day I got up and really did not want to run at all, but I thought of her and felt like I'd be disappointed if she didn't reach her goals that day–so I didn't want to let her down, either! I spent my whole run praying for us both, and we both ran longer than we thought we could that day. God really does answer prayers.
Oh, and that reminds me! One more happy thing. I have really felt God answering my prayers when I pray to know how to mother Lydia. I'm not sure where my journal is, so even though this is normally material for my journal, I think I'll blog it before I forget that it happened. When we were in Moab at the hotel (before we started cry it out), I felt at a total loss for how to get Lydia to take her nap. I knew she was tired, but we were in a new place with a different bassinet, and I just felt extremely daunted by the prospect of putting her down. So I said a prayer that God would show me how to put her down, and right away thoughts came into my head about what to do next. I started to do things I don't normally do, but I just kept following the impressions I was getting. The whole time I kept thinking "There's no way this is going to work," but I followed the Spirit anyway–and fifteen minutes later, Lydia was sound asleep. It was a miracle. That's not the only time something like that has happened, but since it was the most recent event, I figured I should record it before I forgot.
Sorry for the epic blog post! Now I need to go and find my journal…


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"I was driving through the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey on a foggy morning and noticed this egret in the water, hunting," writes Howard Williams, a member of National Geographic Your Shot. "The water was so still it was like a mirror, and there was just enough light to see it."
This photo was submitted to Your Shot. Check out the new and improved website, where you can share photos, take part in assignments, lend your voice to stories, and connect with fellow photographers from around the globe.
See full article on NationalGeograhic.com


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Anti-Peach League
(These guys have been changed up abit, too, pics soonish)
cannon fodder
Shotgun guy, machinegunners, and a pulse rifle dude
sum mekaniks
sum heavies with their heavy pulse guns
A-Jaxx's second-in-command
A-Jaxx, leader of the Anti-Peach League(Hero- Guerrilla fighter cliche)
Snyper spidder bot
speeder bike
A-Jaxx and his boi in front of their PzII command vehicle
pew pew
Overwatch shot
United Peach Liberation Union (UPLU, the modern USSU)
UPLU hero, Xandair Mkahn, middle. His second/best friend, Rodak Mitry is to his left, and an elite. The elites are the UPLU equivalent of a Stormtrooper.
Xandair's saber
Covbolt Legion soldiers, Xandair's personal soldiers
The middle guy is a High Commander, the right a General, and the left a normal officer
Pilots. The guys with more stuff on their dress denotes them as flight leaders, or bomber pilots. The plain guys are fighter or nonspecialized craft
mekanics and rpg guy
Elite infantry
These are basically just starwars sets. Nothing special
big spidder bot
tank bot
mini walker
support bomber
Assault Cruiser - Front
back and size comparison (way ded fig if hes back there and the ship takes off)
I have an AT-AT too, but you know what they look like.


text: Discover Gables at Woodcliff Lake, a private enclave of townhomes in prestigious Bergen County. This community offers a variety of floor plans, including some with a first floor owner's suite, designed for everyday living. Enjoy walking distance to shops and dining at nearby Tice's Corner Marketplace, or drive 9 miles to the nearby Garden State Plaza. New York City is easily accessible by car or via train from one of the two NJ transit stations less than 3 miles from Gables at Woodcliff Lake.


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Money Slang
Find LOANS- Save MONEY - Work at HOME
Money Slang
Broke, skint or boracic?
No matter how you describe it, being overdrawn at the end of every month is no laughing matter.
Find out more about secured and unsecured loans, Personal, Business and Debt Consolidation Loans - for tenants, living with parents and members of HM Forces - then enjoy our light-hearted guide to slang terms for money.
Money, being such a necessary part of life, has always attracted a
rich and varied slang of its own.
Money Slang
How much is a:
Money, money, money...Don't have any dosh, drinking vouchers or lolly, short on the spondulicks, running out of rhino or readies, lamentably low on loot and lucre (filthy or otherwise) - want to make 'a packet'? You could soon be boracic if you're not careful with the wonga, moolah, dough or bread. The origins of this rich vocabulary are:
Dosh is thought to be a corruption of 'doss' meaning enough cash to get your head down for the night in a 'doss house' or cheap lodging.
Drinking (or beer) vouchers is a fairly recent phenomenon and is self-explanatory.
Lolly is now falling into disuse - it's origins are uncertain but maybe having plenty of lolly allows you to loll around.
Spondulicks is another term of uncertain origin.
Readies derives from cash being 'ready money'.
Lucre is practically always filthy, and originates from the Latin lucrum = gain, profit or advantage.
Boracic (brassic) is widely used and derives from cockney rhyming slang - boracic lint = skint. Boracic lint was a kind of bandage treated with boric acid to act as an antiseptic.
Skint is a derivation of skinned, i.e cleaned out, nothing left.
Dough and Bread are essentials like cash!
Quid or Knicker
|Half a ton or Nifty
|Ton or One-er
|Grand or K
|Pony or Macaroni
Money - Pink Floyd
Penny Lane - Beatles
Money, Money, Money - ABBA
Money For Nothing - Dire Straits
Mouldy Old Dough - Lieutenant Pigeon
and anything by Johnny Cash!
Money saving tips | Earn Money working From Home | Start Your own Business
Adverse Credit -AEA - AER - Allowances - Annuity - APR - Audit - Banker's Draft - Bank of England - Bankruptcy - Base rate - Bridging Loan - Cancellation Period - Capital Gains Tax -Cash flow - CCJ'S - Child Tax Credit - CGT - Cooling off period - Corporation Tax - CPI - Credit rating - Credit Reference Agency - CTC - Debt Consolidation - Debt Management - Fixed rate - Flexible Loan - Gross income - Guarantor - Hire Purchase - Home Income Plan - Inflation - Inheritance tax - Interest rate - ISA - IVA - Liabilities - Life Assurance - Liquidation - Loan - Net interest - Offset - Personal Loan - RPI - Secured Loan - Self Assessment - Student Loan - SVR - Term Assurance - Unit Trusts - Unsecured Loan - Working Tax Credit
Adverse Credit
A bad credit record, such as CCJ's , repossession orders, IVA's or arrears.
The Annual Exempt Amount is the yearly allowance for Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
The Annual Equivalent Rate is the figure that helps with comparisons of one financial product with another, and is generally quoted on interest paid on savings and investments. It shows what the rate would be if interest was paid just once a year.
These are concessions from the Inland Revenue which can be used to reduce your taxable income. Your Personal allowance is an amount of income that is tax free.
This is an insurance policy that provides a regular income in exchange for your pension fund, or a lump sum to a Life Company. It is advisable not to automatically accept the annuity offered by your existing company, as you have the legal right to take it to another Life Company who may well offer a better rate.
All lenders are required by law to tell you what their APR - Annual Percentage Rate - is before you sign an agreement. The rate quoted on loans and credit cards may be the monthly or annual rate of interest you pay, but the APR figure calculates the total amount of interest that will be paid over the whole term of the loan, so the lower it is the better for the borrower.
An official examination of accounts by a qualified accountant external to the company.
Banker's Draft
This is a cheque made out to the creditor by the debtor's bank, it is drawn on the banks funds rather than the debtor's and is considered more secure than a personal cheque as it can't usually 'bounce'. Beware, however, as the frequency of forged drafts has increased in recent years and there are many scams designed to separate the unwary from their goods/money.
Bank of England
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee sets the interest rates to achieve the Treasury's inflation target. The BOE is also responsible for the regulation of the banking industry.
This is when an individual who cannot pay their debts has been served a Bankruptcy order by a court. The petition can be filed by the individual or by his creditors.
Base rate
This is the lowest rate at which a lender will charge interest. The Bank of England's Monetary Committee sets the rate.
Bridging Loan
This is a short-term loan to cover what will eventually be covered by long-term finance. Sometimes a Bridging-loan is required by purchaser of a property who hasn't yet sold their original house.
Cancellation Period
The Consumer Credit Act provides a period of time after signing a contract during which customers are entitled to cancel their purchase of some financial products, in certain circumstances.
Capital Gains Tax
See CGT
Cash flow
The amount of cash that flows in and out of a business. The company is 'cash positive' if more money comes in, and ' cash negative' if more cash goes out.
A County Court Judgement is issued for failure to pay an outstanding debt. This will go on file and subsequently affect your credit rating. Bailiffs can be used to enforce payment of CCJs.
Capital Gains Tax is liable on gains made when you sell assets, such as shares. The tax depends on the level of your income liable to income tax.
Child Tax Credit
This is generally available to most families with children. CTC is paid to families with children regardless of whether the parents are employed.
Cooling off period
The time a new policyholder has during which they can cancel an insurance/assurance policy.
Corporation Tax
The tax payable by a company on its profits.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer now bases the UK inflation target on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Consumer Price Index differs from the RPI in that it excludes housing costs. The CPI inflation target is set at 2 per cent.
See Child Tax Credit
Credit rating
A points rating used by banks, mortgage companies and other financial institutions that offer loans. An individual or company is assessed for credit worthiness and risk. Your credit report is compiled by credit reference agencies using public records, such as: the electoral roll, court judgments and bankruptcies and also information from other lenders and financial institutions.
If you are declined credit the lender should inform you the main reason for this. If the decision was based upon a bad credit report, you should obtain the name and address of the Credit Reference Agency they used. You have the right to view the information contained in your credit report to make sure it is accurate.
Credit Reference Agency
These are the agencies that compile credit records of consumers and releases the information to companies offering credit terms, such as Equifax or Experian. You are legally entitled to a copy of your Statutory Credit Report by post for a fee of £2 : Equifax, Plc. Credit File Advice Centre PO Box 1140 Bradford BD1 5US or Experian Consumer Help Service, PO Box 8000, Nottingham NG80 7WF
Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation loans combine all your outstanding debts into one loan in order to obtain more manageable monthly payments. Consolidating can eliminate the high interest charges on credit cards debts.
Debt Management
A Debt Management Plan (DMP) enables you to make reduced repayments to your creditors over a number of years. A debt management company will negotiate the payments with your creditors on your behalf.
Fixed rate
The interest rate is fixed for a specific period.
Flexible Loan
The lender gives you a credit limit which allows you to then decide how much you need to borrow, when you want to borrow it, and how much you repay each month. You will probably pay a higher rate of interest than with a regular fixed rate loan. However, the interest with a flexible loan is calculated daily on the outstanding balance, so if you make an over-payment you will immediately reduce the overall amount you pay.
Your income before any deductions have been made, particularly tax.
A person who agrees to guarantee the debts of another. If the borrower fails to make his/her payments then the guarantor will be obliged to make those repayments.
Hire Purchase
The buyer pays an initial deposit and takes possession of the goods. After all the instalments are paid over a specified period the ownership passes to the purchaser.
Home Income Plan
This allows homeowners, especially the elderly, to release the equity that they have in their home without having to sell it. There are two types of Home Income:
Reversion - the property is sold to an insurance company, but the owner remains in residence and is paid an income. When the owner dies, the life insurance company takes over the property. Annuity - a mortgage, or re-mortgage is secured on the property. The proceeds are used to purchase an annuity to produce an income. With annuities the older you are then the higher the income you can achieve, so home income plans are more appropriate for people in their 70's.
The general rise in prices across the economy over a year.
Inheritance tax
A tax payable by your heirs on any gifts in the seven years before death, and on the value of assets when he or she dies – this is exempt between a husband and wife, or to charity.
Interest rate
The percentage rate at which interest is charged on a loan, or paid out on savings. The rate will vary according to the base rate and the type of loan or savings plan.
An individual savings account – allows UK residents over 18years old to save up to £7,000 in each tax year without paying extra income tax.
An Independant Voluntary Agreement is a formal arrangement between you and your creditors - set up by a licensed insolvency practitioner - whereby you agree to make reduced payments towards the total amount of your debt, in order to pay off a percentage of what you owe.
The debts of a person or company.
Life Assurance
This pays out a lump sum when the policyholder dies and is advised to protect large commitments, such as a house mortgage.
When a company ends - through being unable to pay its debts, or if it ceases trading.
To set one amount against another, such as a repayment against a debt. Offset mortgages set your current account balance and savings against your borrowing. This can pay your mortgage off faster and reduce your interest payments.
Personal Loan
A loan from a lender to a borower for personal use, such as the purchase of a car, holiday, home improvements, etc. A Personal Loan can be Unsecured or Secured.
The Retail price index is an index of the average price of consumer goods and services used to measure the rate of inflation. This differs from the CPI in that it includes housing costs, such as: council tax, mortgage interest payments, house depreciation, buildings insurance, etc
Secured Loan
This loan is secured on your property by the lender. This ensures the lender is minimising the risk of losing the money, and as a result is able to offer a Secured Loan at a lower APR than an Unsecured Loan. A Secured Loan may be easier to obtain even with a bad credit history, such as arrears or county court judgements.
With secured loans you should be aware that your home is at risk if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other loan secured on it.
Self assessment
All taxpayers are obliged by law to maintain records of all income and capital gains, and need to complete a self assessment if you are: self-employed, a company director, a business partner, an employee with 'complicated' tax affairs, such as capital gains or you pay the higher tax rate, etc.
The loans are repaid through the tax system known as Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) which adjusts payments to the Loans Company according to the gross income of the payee.
The Standard Variable Rate is the interest rate the lender charges which fluctuates with the changes in the base rate – this affects your interest payments accordingly.
Term Assurance
This is a life assurance policy taken out for a specified period, after which it then lapses.
Unit Trusts
Investment funds that are managed portfolios; they are usually shares, but can also include cash, bonds and gilts.
Unsecured Loan
An Unsecured Loan costs more in repayments than a Secured Loan, but does not carry the risks to your home if you unable to keep up repayments.
Working Tax Credit
A payment of in-work credits to those with low-incomes, and can include childcare costs. Families are eligible for the childcare tax credit if the parent/ parents work for at least 16 hours a week. WTC is also for non-parents as well.
|APR - Building Survey - Buy to Let - Capital and Interest mortgage - Capped Rate mortgage - Cashback mortgage - Commercial mortgage - Completion - Conveyancing Discount rate mortgage- Early Repayment Charge - Endowment mortgage - Exchange - First time buyers - Fixed rate mortgage - Flexible mortgage - Freehold - FCA - Full Structural survey - Higher Lending Fee - HIPs - Homebuyer's survey & valuation - Home Information Packs - IFA - Interest only mortgage - ISA mortgage - Joint Tenancy - Key Worker Living Programme - Land Registry - Leasehold - LTV - Mortgage - Mortgage-in-principle - Mortgage offer - Mortgage protection - Negative equity - NHBC warranty - Non status mortgage - Overpayment - Pension mortgage - Portable mortgage - Property chain - Remortgage - Repayment mortgage - Search - Second mortgage - Self Certification mortgage - Shared Ownership - Stamp Duty - Tenants in common - Tracker mortgage - Title deeds - Valuation
Mortgage Glossary of Terms
Capital and Interest Mortgage
Also known as a Repayment mortgage where the monthly payments pay both the interest on the amount borrowed and the outstanding mortgage.
Capped Rate Mortgage
A mortgage arranged for a set period which will go up and down with the variable rate, but where the interest rate charged will not rise above a maximum (Capped) interest rate.
Cashback Mortgage
The borrower receives a cash lump sum on completion, or after the first monthly payment. It can be a fixed amount or a percentage of the mortgage. This can help with the extra expenses of buying a house, such as: surveys, solicitor's fees and removal costs, and is popular with first-time buyers.
Commercial Mortgage
A mortgage on a non residential building occupied by a business.
The date that the seller receives the money from the sale of the property and legal ownership passes to the buyer.
The legal work involved in the transfer of ownership of a property or land, usually carried out by a solicitor or licensed conveyancer.
Discount Rate Mortgage
A mortgage where the rate fluctuates with the base interest rate, but at a lower discount level for a set period.
Early Repayment Charge
Some mortgage contracts contain a penalty charge if you repay the mortgage early, such as during the period of a fixed or discounted rate - also known as Early Redemption Fee
Endowment Mortgage
An interest only mortgage where the capital at the end of the mortgage term is repaid by the proceeds of an endowment assurance policy. There are risks involved as there is no guarantee that the endowment will earn enough to pay off the mortgage at the end of term.
The signed contracts from the buyer and seller are exchanged and a completion date set. The buyer pays the deposit on the property. The exchange makes a binding contract.
First time buyers
Borrowers who are purchasing a property for the first time, they are usually offered special offers – discounts, cash back and fixed rates. Mortgage lenders are most competitive with first time borrowers as they hope to interest them in subsequent mortgages.
Fixed rate Mortgage
The mortgage rate is fixed for a set period. Generally, the shorter the period is then the lower the rate.
Flexible Mortgage
A combined mortgage and current account that allows you to vary your monthly payments by overpaying, underpaying or taking a payment holiday. Any monthly savings earn the mortgage rate, which is generally a high, tax-free rate of return. There should be no early repayment penalty.
If you buy the freehold of a property you own it and the land it stands on.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is an independent non-governmental body that regulates the UK financial services industry, including: mortgage lending, mortgage advice and general insurance advice. If the required standards are not met, then the FCA can take action against firms.
Full Structural survey
An extensive property survey - known as a Building Survey – this is recommended for older buildings built before 1960, and should reveal most defects. Each visible element of the property is inspected and any necessary repairs and costs are identified.
Higher Lending Fee
Formerly known as a Mortgage Indemnity Guarantee, this is the sum required by the lender when the amount borrowed exceeds a given percentage of the value of the property. The charge is used to buy an insurance policy against you defaulting on the mortgage loan.
These controversial packs were scrapped by the new Tory/Lib Dem coalition government on 20.5.10
See Home Information Packs
Homebuyer's Survey and Valuation
This survey is more detailed than a basic Valuation and includes significant matters such as subsidence or settlement and urgent repairs for which the client should obtain quotations prior to exchange of contracts. This is usually recommended for conventional, unmodified properties and generally those built after 1960's.
Home Information Packs (HIPS)
The coalition government abolished home Information Packs on 20.5.10. They believed the packs had a negative effect on the recovery of the housing market, discouraging sellers from placing their properties up for sale.
Home Information Packs, including Energy Performance Certificates,were introduced on a phased basis from 1st August 2007. Initially only sellers of properties with four or more bedrooms in England and Wales were required to order a HIP pack although three bedroom houses were included after September 10th. The house could be placed on the market before receiving the HIP documents, as long as the seller could prove the HIPs had been ordered and would arrive within 28 days. HIPs were intended to improve the house buying and selling process. The packs were paid for by the property vendor and contained information and documents about the property, including a rating of the home's energy efficiency. They increased the cost of selling a house by around £300 to £600 and were widely viewed as an unnecessary waste of time and money.
Independent Financial Advisers are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, which ensures they only provide advice most suited to your personal requirements and your risk outlook, before helping you to choose any financial products.
Interest only mortgage
A mortgage where the monthly payments only meet the interest on the capital amount borrowed. The capital amount remains outstanding and the borrower has to make provision for repaying this amount at the end of the mortgage term. Most borrowers use the proceeds of an investment, such as a long-term savings plan, an ISA or endowment policy run alongside the mortgage to repay the debt.
ISA Mortgage
This is taking out an interest-only mortgage and running an ISA investment alongside in order to repay the capital sum borrowed. There are risks involved as with any stock market investment, but there is the advantage of tax savings in that any savings you make are free from Capital Gains and income tax. Most lenders also require life insurance to cover the amount borrowed.
Joint Tenancy
This is the owning of land or property by two or more people. The joint tenants both pay the mortgage and get an equal share when the property is sold. If one of the joint tenants dies, the ownership of the property passes to the survivor/s, in contrast to property held by 'tenants in common'.
Key Worker Living Programme
A government-led initiative helping key workers - including such professions as: nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers, social workers, prison staff, probations staff, who live in London, the South East and the East of England - to buy a home, upgrade to a larger family property or rent a home at an affordable price. The scheme offers eligible key workers interest-free loans of up to £50,000. The Housing Corporation gets back paid when you sell the property, and if you cease your job as a key worker you'll be required to pay the money back within two years. This programme is mainly aimed at first- time buyers.
Land Registry
The government body responsible for maintaining and updating the register of all properties in England and Wales – records and transfers land ownership. Since February 2005 for just a £2 fee online you can discover : who owns a specific property, how much it cost them, the name of their mortgage provider and the length of any lease on it.
This gives you the right of possession of a property, but not the ownership for an agreed period of time. Many flats in the UK are leasehold.
Loan-to-value ratio – this is the difference between the loan amount and the house's market value. A loan of £80,000 on a £100,000 home gives a loan-to-value ratio of 80%. The bigger the difference is between the loan and the value of the house, then the smaller the LTV. This difference is known as the equity.
A loan to buy a house, where the property is the security for paying back the loan. The lender has the authority to sell the property if repayments are not maintained. Mortgage repayments are usually made monthly over a long period, usually 25 years. There are many different mortgage options : repayment, flexible, tracker, capped, discount, self certification.
Lenders can agree to a mortgage in principle even before you find the right property. This is subject to further conditions being met, such as, credit checks and a property valuation.
Mortgage Offer
The document issued by the mortgage lender to the borrower following approval, setting out the conditions and terms.
Mortgage Protection
Usually taken out with a Repayment mortgage this policy provides life assurance that reduces in line with the decreasing mortgage debt. The policy pays out a lump sum in the event of death, which is used to repay the mortgage. There are no savings with a mortgage protection policy, it purely provides life insurance.
Negative Equity
This is where the amount of money owed on the property exceeds the property's market value. So, if you sold your house you would not get enough money to pay off your mortgage loan.
NHBC Warranty
if you are buying a new house you should receive a NHBC (The National House Building Council) warranty. Providing the builder is registered and the property meets standards the NHBC will issue a Buildmark Warranty. This offers insurance protection against any structural or building faults for 10 years.
Non-Status Mortgage
If you do not have a credit record or any proof of income or a mortgage history then you are termed by lenders as 'no status'. It is still possible to arrange a non status mortgage even if you have been turned down before and have a poor credit history - CCJ's, mortgage arrears, repossession, Discharged Bankruptcy. Generally the maximum loan to value is around 70% and the rates are usually higher.
This is when you pay more than the required monthly repayment to your mortgage lender. A flexible mortgage allows overpayment and underpayment. As long as there is no early repayment charge you should be able to overpay as much as you can afford and cut down your mortgage term and interest paid.
Pension mortgage
You can link your personal pension plan with your mortgage loan,so that at the end of the mortgage term part of the tax-free proceeds of the pension fund repays the outstanding mortgage loan. You receive tax relief on your pension plan contributions, but are left with less for your retirement.
Portable Mortgage
This is where a borrower can transfer their existing mortgage to a new property without incurring the penalty of early redemption fees. Most mortgages are now portable mortgages, meaning that if you decide to move you take your mortgage on the same terms and conditions to your new property. Mortgage portability can be advantageous, if for example you have secured a good fixed rate, a capped, cash back or discounted product originally and the market has since changed, leaving no comparable deals.
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Property Chain
This is when a number of property transactions are dependant on others - when a seller needs the sale of their house before they can complete the purchase of another property. The chain can break if one buyer is unable to sell their home and a link breaks. A first-time buyer has no chain which is an attractive prospect for a seller.
The arranging of a new mortgage for your property without moving. The reasons for remortgaging are usually to get a better mortgage rate or to release equity for improvements.
Repayment Mortgage
You pay the mortgage along with the interest monthly. This is the most popular mortgage plan and the safest. A Mortgage protection policy is recommended with this mortgage plan, so if the policy holder dies the debt can be paid by the heirs. Also known as a Capital and Interest mortgage
This is usually carried out by the solicitor as part of the conveyancing process on your proposed property. The search checks for any plans with the Local authorities which might affect the property, such as: new roads, proposed building developments or public rights of way. Most searches take around a fortnight, but they can take up to six weeks. It is usually possible if you need to act quickly to pay extra for a faster 'personal search'.
Second Mortgage
This additional mortgage on a mortgaged property is also known as a secured loan. The first mortgage takes legal priority, so the second mortgage is considered more of a risk for the lender, so the rates are likely to be higher.
Self Certification mortgage
This mortgage allows borrowers to certify their own earnings without having to supply documentation, such as wage slips. This option often suits the self-employed,
seasonal wage earners, or anyone with irregular earnings such as, a contract worker or commission-based employee, or those in salaried employment with a supplementary source of income, an unsalaried company director, or varying other circumstances. A specialist mortgage lender can often be more flexible than the high street lenders with Self cert mortgages. This type of mortgage is now unavailable from our lending panel.
Shared Ownership
This government scheme enables you to buy property jointly with a Housing Association, a housing society or a non-profit making housing company, who will pay between 25 and 75 per cent of the cost. This scheme was developed to help those who could not afford to buy a home outright, and allows you to buy a share of the property and pay a rent on the remaining share. Up to four people can become joint owners, but all joint applicants must individually and jointly meet the eligibility criteria. The share you purchase is funded by a mortgage. It is possible to buy further shares and eventually own the property.
Stamp Duty
This tax imposes a percentage charge on the price of a property.
Tenants in Common
This is where two or more people own a property, but if one of the owners dies their share of the property passes to their next of kin not the other owner/s, unless there is a will stipulating otherwise. The terms are defined by the percentage of the property that each person owns.
Tracker Mortgage
The interest rate reflects the changes made by the Bank of England. It can be for only a few years or for the duration of the mortgage.
Title Deeds
The legal documents for a property that detail the owner, any restrictions on the use and rights of way. In England and Wales information on deeds and land ownership is held by the Land Registry
This basic survey is carried out by the mortgage lender and assesses whether the property is good security for the proposed mortgage loan. The buyer usually pays for this and receives a copy. Some lenders do not charge. This survey is suitable for a new house, but for any other property it is recommended you commission your own survey, such as the Homebuyer's survey & valuation
Information on this site must not be construed as legal or financial advice on specific matters. All information is a public resource of general information, which is intended be accurate, complete and up to date but is not guaranteed to be so. Your use of information on the Web Site or materials linked from the Web Site is at your own risk. This site carries externally created advertisements, the content of which is beyond our control and which should not be taken as being recommended or endorsed by us. We do not use cookies or collect any personal information however external advertising and social media may. By continuing to use this site you agree to these conditions. - full terms. This site is operated by Definitive Web. All content, information copyright Definitive 2001 - 2019


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Rather remiss of me not having posted anything for a number of months here – it's not for any other reason than I've simply forgotten!
Last thing I reported was the mouse attack – well that was months ago. Since then the storage has been made as mouse-proof as possible, I invested in some new waders, cleaned up a lot of the mousey-smelling stuff (nasty little buggers) and the 15-16 season was off.Without boring you all, it was interesting – probably the worst season weather-wise for years. The rivers were mostly on their backsides with no flow at all (amazingly the salmon still ran), and then towards the end of the year we have had the floods. All in all it was pretty poor. The fly hatches were down from last year – I cannot remember any useful Sedge hatch at all last season, and the Olive hatches were sporadic to say the least. I went out many times expecting to take fish from the top, only to have to go deep – which (let's be honest) isn't as much fun at all.
All in all – it could have been a very poor season, but – I did manage to winkle 2 salmon out of the Ribble (both at the back end of the year), putting that into perspective – that was over 20 trips, I suppose a fish every 10 trips isn't too bad! Nothing out of the Eden at all – and that's something that I want to put right this year. I did (however) see many wonderful things such as red squirrels and otters – and that's one of the wonderful things about fishing. I also learnt a hell of a lot as I am still a novice when it comes to salmon fishing and it was a very instructive season. I wonder how that will affect the new 2016-17 season's catches?
Trout-wise I only hit the Wharfe 13 times last season (my worst turn out ever), primarily due to the crappy weather, work commitments and me putting the emphasis on salmon. Not a great return – only 29 trout and 5 grayling, I know that it's not a numbers game, but it's still a paltry return for the season, I actually nearly caught as many trout on the Ribble as I did on the Wharfe, most of them on salmon flies!
The trout season starts on Good Friday (a week tomorrow). The salmon season is off and running already. This weekend I will try to tie up the Spiders ready for the Wharfe, and (weather permitting) I may try to have a week of fishing Easter week. I have to say that I looking forwards to it. Here's hoping!
So – here we go for 2016. I promise to post on the blog more regularly (not necessarily fishy things), and although I appreciate that no bugger ever read sit, it's good for me to capture my thoughts as the season progresses – quite therapeutic!


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Americans are generally quite familiar with the idea of Happy Hour. It's usually a great thing – you get huge portions of good food for pennies on the dollar, as long as you buy a drink. Which, after many an American workday, is a much needed thing anyway. Happy Hour is a fantastic way to stretch your dining dollar, but until recently it's been completely unknown in Italy.
Nowadays you can find the odd bar, cafe or restaurant in Italy which has a Happy Hour menu, though they're still comparatively rare. Elizabeth writes about one place in Rome that's doing Happy Hour here, and notes that they're not just doing what we might call "bar food," but honest-to-goodness real food. She says that after 6:30 you can pay €10 and get a drink with a plate of food. It's buffet style, and you can choose from pasta, rice salads, sandwiches, shrimp, etc. Elizabeth adds that there's an important cultural difference between Italy and the United States which is honored in this Happy Hour menu – it's not called "supper" for a reason:
It's not called "supper", although that is what it is for those off to a concert, but an "aperativo", [sic] thereby circumventing the "non si fa" rule about never putting all of your food on one plate, which is ok for an aperativo [sic] but not for a meal — marketing genius.
You might remember my post about how the concept of "potluck" is a foreign one in Italy, and it's partly for this reason – Italians don't pile all their courses on one plate. As Elizabeth says, "non si fa" – meaning one just doesn't do that. So the Happy Hour folks have gotten around this aversion to mixing different foods by calling it an "aperitivo" instead of a meal. She's right, that's just genius.
At any rate, if you're going to Rome and you're looking for an inexpensive alternative to dinner out, try the Happy Hour spot Elizabeth mentions. Elsewhere in Italy, Happy Hour is certainly becoming more widely known, but don't be surprised if the guy at the front desk of your hotel looks at you blankly when you ask him where the nearest Happy Hour is.
Photo by: Ten Days in Rome – November 2014


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For return terms, see our full Returns Policy.
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By: Courtney Flesch on November 9, 2016
WOWbrary offers an exciting new way to enjoy the Kirkwood Public Library! The Library adds many new books, movies and CDs each year. We are proud to now offer you weekly email alerts showing you the newest materials added to our collection each week.
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Nick O'Neal is the Director of Technology and Online Services at the Kirkwood Public Library. He is currently watching Gotham: Season Two.
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Bezhiwa Idakula, simply known as Bez, is an explosive soul singer with a truly unique voice and playful stage presence. In addition to an amazing performance at the 2012 'Super Sun Concert' held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Soul and Rock star had an outstanding year in 2012, from being inducted into the MTV Iggy Hall of Fame and premiering 'Stupid Song' ft Praiz on BET International to being honoured at the 'Top 40 Personalities Under 40' by Applause Africa magazine, amongst others.
He begins year 2013 with his European and American tour and an upcoming album. As he prepares for the release of his second album, the Nasarawa State-born star says fans should expect a bit more of African sound in his music, shielding it with a bit of mainstream Rock while keeping the Soul genre very much present in the music.
Sitting casually in his studio, Bez talks to Allure about the beginning, his meteoric rise and fame, expectations for the second album and more.
First of all, congratulations on the success of your 'Super Sun Concert'.
Thank you.
How would you describe the experience?
It was very exciting to have my own mega-concert in Lagos. I've been doing a lot of mini-concerts around Lagos and Nigeria. It was amazing to have it. The turn up was great and we had great sound. The whole thing was just really amazing. It was the first and you know how it is with first (time out). So, it was really exciting.
What were your early musical influences?
My dad used to play the guitar. He was a politician, late Honourable Amos Idakula. He taught me how to play the guitar when I was 9. I just kept practicing because I have this love for the instrument and I love music. I grew up in a very musical home. My sister sang; my dad used to sing and record stuff with my mum and my mum will back up for him.
Yes. Just for the fun of it. They will hit the record button, sit down and create their own tape. So, it was amazing to grow up in that kind of environment. It sort of just set the path for me automatically. I did some plays and musicals in primary school. When I got to secondary school, I joined the choir and I was there for like six years; the whole (time I spent in) my secondary school.
When I got to the university, I joined the choir for one year and left because it wasn't just for me.
I think I had my own style of music by then and the choir was more like playing worship and praise songs. I started to create my own style of music and started to practice a lot more by myself. Eventually, when I left the university in 2007, I started playing somewhere named Taruwa. That was where my sister started. Taruwa is mainly for spoken word poetry, music. It's somewhere in Ikoyi, Lagos. It was a platform for people to express themselves. I played there every two weeks for years. In 2009, I was picked for Hennessey Artistry, through Cobhams Asuqwo. That was where it started really growing. So, I released some songs in 2009 and in 2011, I released an album.
At what point did you decide to do music full time?
It was when I was in my 2nd or 3rd year in the university. One of my friends, Dr Frabs, had left school and was working with KUSH. They had a gig in some church and called me to put a young band together. So, he called me and a couple of my friends in school; that we should put a band together and play for them.
It was great to have that kind of experience with KUSH because I was a huge fan. So, we played for them and Emem asked me if I was really thinking of going into music? I said I wasn't really sure and she said: "Well, I think you are in music already because I can just tell you are in it already".
I think that stirred me and I started reading a lot about purpose. I started reading a lot about why I'm here on earth; what I'm going to do career-wise. I figured that I was created to create music and then to add value to people, using music as my tool. So, it came together for me recently. But before then, I just did music for fun. I never knew I was going to flow into it professionally.
The 'Stupid Song', whose idea was it? How did you get it together with Praiz?
We were in the studio and needed to create a song that was going to resonate with people. Now, it came by mistake, totally by mistake. Somebody stepped into the studio and said he wanted to do a stupid song because Nigerians really like stupid songs (laughs). Cobhams was like: "Ha, which kind of stupid do you want to do now?"
Then, he started thinking in a more creative way and the guy said: "No, I don't want all those 'oyinbo' kind of songs. I want a proper stupid song". At that moment, the idea came to Cobhams to create a song that was a mixture of different songs that we sang back in the day. So, we got into the studio and he created music almost immediately. Then, I started giving him the different songs that we sang and so we added some things and removed some. It was amazing.
One of our friends, Omolara, came and heard it and was like "Wow. I think you should bring in somebody who has the same voice texture with you in this song; just do collaboration and create something really nice." So, we got in Praiz the next day. He was supposed to be travelling but he came really early, did his part of the song and we had it done in two days.
So, did you think it was going to be this big? Did you think it was going to be well received?
I knew it was going to be well received because of the way the Nigerian market is and how the Nigerian market relates to certain things in music. But I did not actually know it will be loved this much. I didn't know it was going to blow like it did but I knew it was going to be well received.
Your induction into the MTV Iggy Hall of fame, how does that make you feel?
MTV Iggy is all about discovering talents around the world; talents that are not mainstream at the moment. They go round the world like Asia, Africa, discovering talents. When they do that, they induct them into the hall of fame; all that is saying is watch out for these people next year and these people are really going to be huge. So, it was amazing for MTV Iggy to discover me in whatever way they did and to induct me into their hall of fame.
I think it was just more of a confirmation that we are doing the right thing and we are in the right path, so we'll just keep going and keep moving. The way MTV Iggy will discover you, that is the way a lot of us people around the world will discover you as well. So, with time, you will be really huge. I think it was really important for me.
Do you write your songs?
Yeah. I write most of my music. For my Super Sun Album, I had one song that wasn't written by me and then two or three other songs that I co-wrote with some of my friends. But I do write most of my songs. For my new album, I have been doing a lot of writing with a great artiste called Simi. It will be more like 50-50 writing for my new album. I really believe in two heads being better than one. When you have a partner in writing, you can come up with really great ideas.
Tell us about growing up. What was it like for you?
I grew up in Jos. Jos is now really different from the way it was back then. It was really nice growing up in Jos. It has very cool weather and during Harmattan, it could get really cold so, sometimes, you find us sitting outside, burning wood to keep warm. Not that you can't be warm inside, but it was fun; just like burn fire night. It was like an oyinbo town. It was really great growing up in Jos. We used to have family gathering burn fire night. We go to my sister's school and perform as a family. I would play the guitar and the rest of my family would sing. These days, if you are not so well to do, you don't have a house with a large compound. Even if you are well to do, you probably live in a flat in Lagos.
Then, in the north, you have a large compound; you have space to play and ride your bicycle in the house; you have trees to climb. It was just fun growing up as a kid in Jos. Musically, a lot of people would play music for the fun of it. You hear of a new guy in town, you go check out the guy; go back home and practice to sing like him. Sometimes, you go to a garden and some musicians are playing, and you hang out with them. With time, you find out that you are building your social circle around musicians and you are just honing your skills continuously. Eventually, you discover that you have honed perfectly and can go commercial. I think, that is one of the most important things about artistes that come from Jos.
You are from Nasarawa State. What fond memories do you have of it?
A lot of people do not know much about Nasarawa State. When I go around the world and people ask me where I'm from, I tell them I'm a Nigerian from Nasarawa State. First of all, Nasarawa State is the next-big-thing when it comes to resources. It's the next big thing after oil and the more people start focusing on solid minerals, we can have alternative means of income for the country. There are loads of things I want to do with the youth in Nasarawa State; adding more value to their lives by creating more opportunities for the youth in school and more.
If you have a word for the governor, what would that be?
The governor has been doing a lot and it's great to see somebody coming in, seeing the way things are and trying to create something amazing from it. We have a university in Nasarawa State which is really great. I think there are more things to be done and people like us, sons of the soil, can join hands with the government to create something really amazing for the state.
Let's talk about your Europe/America tour. What is it all about?
Most of the time, musicians just want to play around the world. It's great to be able to be invited for a couple of gigs. We were invited to play at the Colombia University, New York for their African Economic Forum. There is a place called the Rock Wood Music Hall. That's a great venue in New York that has booking agents coming through with a lot of booking; we will be playing there as well.
That usually turns out into more gigs. There was a time we played in South Africa. We went there for one gig and when we got in on Sunday and played that Sunday. By the time we finished, we were booked for like three or four more gigs during the week. So, it is a process; you go, you do two or three and find doors open for you to do more and you keep going.
I will also be recording my new album in New York, shooting a video and then recording with an artiste, Ambassador, who is a rapper from Ghana but lives in Brooklyn. So, there is a lot to do.
What should your fans expect from your new album?
My new album is taking a bit of departure from the sound that they know Bez for. First of all, I have evolved into another level, so it's not a complete departure. It's just a small evolution. I think I've found a stronger voice, so that will be very prominent in my music. I'm putting a more African sound in my music as well, shielding it with a bit of mainstream and Rock while keeping the Soul genre very much present in the music. So, it will be much more exciting. The album and the new music will be very exciting for my fans.
Musically, is there any musician you look up to? Who do you admire? Who would you have actually learnt from?
There are a lot of musicians that are my colleagues in the industry that I admire. For example, Tu Face, who is first of all, a really humble person; but this is somebody who knew exactly what he wanted to do from the word go and he pursued it. I'm sure he had loads and loads of setbacks but he just kept on. It's amazing to see his growth over the years and he is growing stronger and stronger.
Those are the kind of people I admire; that you can look up to them and say: 'This person was able to do it and he wasn't able to do it in just a year or two'. You could see that there is a period of paying dues; there was a period of growth and there was this period when he became a mega super star. So, those are the kind of people I look up to.
You always wear a fedora. Is that your style signature?
Apart from the fact that I think sometimes it makes me look cooler (laughs). First of all, I wear prescription lenses (medicated lenses) so, I thought if I am going to wear glasses, why not make it look really nice. I thought to use fashionable frames and then the Fedora; I used to wear face caps before. I had different types of caps but at a point, I just settled with the Fedora.
It works for me and it gives me that extra look. My style could be very laid back; sometimes, jeans with t-shirts, beads, hats with glasses. I just jazz it up to make it look interesting. To me, it's just how I feel like expressing myself. I am not so fussy about wearing too many things.
Do you have a designer that makes clothes for the red carpet for you?
In Lagos, I am very good friends with MAI so, he does a lot of stuff for me. Orange Culture does for me as well. I have a lot of people that I have worked with randomly but these are the more consistent ones I use.
You were one of those honoured at the '40 Personalities Under 40'. What was it all about?
By Applause Africa magazine; they had an edition on the 'Top 40 Personalities Under 40' making a mark in the society and I was on the cover for that edition. Once again, to be recognized in an industry as one of the leaders is amazing. That way, you know you are doing the right thing and people are noticing. They flew us over to New York for the launch and I performed as well at the show.
Apart from music, what else do you do?
Music is (not) the only thing I do. I do advocacy as well for Friends Africa. I am working with them; teaching people how to protect themselves against malaria, tuberculoses and AIDS. I am also working as a board member of Ovie Brume Foundation. Again, I have great passion for education because, when I was in secondary school, I lost my dad and somebody paid my fees throughout secondary school and also part of university (a lot of people assisted). So, I thought to myself, where would I be now if people didn't give me that opportunity to finish my education. So, I always think of working with people to give back to society and help when it comes to education. That is what I do with education.


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I'm continuing with the lace knitting- mostly prompted by a KAL at my LYS- CDA Yarn and Fiber. The owner and I are doing the Aeolian Shawl from Knitty together. It's really not a very big KAL since it's just the two of us, but it is definitely spurring me on to get some knitting done.
This marks the first time I've ever knit with beads and while I love the sparkly, I'm not loving the tediousness of adding beads in every few stitches. I'm hoping that the outcome will be worth the effort. I just finished the transition chart today. I had extra time due to having had a wisdom tooth out today. Fortunately for me, my wisdom teeth come out easily, so after a little ice I'm already eating solid food.
Oh, and, a picture of where I'm at so far.
I'm using Alpaca With a Twist Fino and size six needles.


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San Francisco Film Fest Defines Scope of Modern Cinema;
"Wilde" Leads 1998 Festival Lineup, "Box" Closes
by Carl Russo
Just 500 miles from Hollywood, but worlds apart in its concerns, the
41st San Francisco International Film Festival is set to unspool 174
films from 45 countries that define the scope of modern cinema. Organizers
have unveiled the lineup for the 1998 event.
The two-week affair, running April 23 through May 7, boasts a
prestigious list of independent film premieres, retrospectives and
guests, with special attention given to artists sharing Bay Area roots.
"We've gone for the edgy. We've gone for films that audiences may not
immediately go 'Yummy' about," cautioned Peter Scarlet, Artistic
Director and chief programmer. While that might explain the fest's
preponderance of bleak Eastern European epics over recent years, a sense
of the fantastic sets the tone on opening night. A local sound stage
will be the scene of a Salome/Parisian café-themed opening night bash
on April 23 following the North American premiere of Brian Gilbert's
Oscar Wilde bio-pic, "Wilde." Stephen Fry stars in the Sony Pictures
Classics release.
San Francisco director Wayne Wang returns to the festival that launched
his successful films "Smoke" and "Blue in the Face" to close the fest on
May 7 with his latest production, "Chinese Box." Starring Jeremy Irons,
Maggie Cheung and Gong Li, the Trimark release is a political love story
set in Hong Kong during the final days of British rule.
The glitz arrives in the form of Academy Award-winner Nicholas Cage,
this year's recipient of the Peter J. Owens Award which honors "an actor
whose work exemplifies brilliance, independence and integrity." The
onstage tribute and interview will include a screening of "Birdy," Alan
Parker's 1984 film that featured the Bay Area-raised Cage in his
breakthrough lead role.
While technically not a competitive festival, several independents from
around the world will converge on San Francisco with fingers crossed.
The Skyy Prize (sponsored by Skyy Vodka) will be awarded by a jury of
critics and industry pros to one of 13 features presently lacking a U.S.
distributor. Two of the competing films were made by well-known actors
who crossed over to helm. San Francisco-based Joan Chen cast herself as
the title character in the Mandarin-language film "Xiu Xiu." She plays
a novice horse breeder in rural Tibet during the end of the Cultural
Revolution. Veteran French thesp Michel Picolli stayed behind the camera
to direct the ensemble of "So There," which follows the misadventures of
a multigenerational French family. Other films vying for the Skyy
Prize include Sylvie Verhyde's "A Brother" (France), Christohper Nolan's
"Following" (UK), Georgi Khaindrava's "Graveyard of Dreams" (Georgia),
Lee Chang-Dong's "Green Fish" (South Korea) and Eduardo Milewicz' "Life
According to Muriel" (Argentina).
This year's Golden Gate Awards commemorate the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, signed 50 years ago in San Francisco. Documentaries
dealing with human rights were invited for submission. Of the 112
winners in 31 categories, 10 are North American premieres, including
Sonia Herman Dolz' "Black Tears" (Netherlands) and Isabella Sandri's
"Spirits of 1000 Years" (Italy). Critics Emanuel Levy and Gavin Smith
will be included on the jury to hand out the Grand Prize Awards for Best
Documentary, Best Short, Best Bay Area Documentary and Best Bay Area
Short on May 7.
Photographer/filmmaker Robert Frank will be the recipient of the second
annual Golden Gate Persistence of Vision Award, which honors "the
lifetime achievement of a director working outside the bounds of
narrative filmmaking. Frank's "Cocksucker Blues" and "Me and My
Brother" will screen, as well as a collection of his short films. This
year's Akira Kurosawa Award for lifetime achievement in film direction
will be given to the renowned Korean director Im Kwon-Taek. Audiences
will be treated to rare stateside screenings of his films "Mandala,"
"Surrogate Mother," Sopyonje," "The Taebeck Mountains," and "Ticket."
Other tributes include a ceremony honoring the groundbreaking
career of Adrienne Mancia, longtime film curator of the New York Museum
of Modern Arts; an evening with Hollwood Blacklist survivor John Berry,
a tribute to Warren Sonbert's Estate Project for Artists with Aids;
screenings of favorite past SFIFF films hand-picked by local "name"
filmmakers, and a celebration of music in film.
[For advance tickets and information, call: (415) 569-9700. The
festival's web site is at www.sfiff.org/fest98]
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Savage cuts have today been blamed for leaving public services "stretched" as new figures show hundreds of patients were taken to A&E by police in just six months.
Lancashire Police has lost more than 700 officers since 2010 – with a further 800 jobs under threat – after having its budget slashed by central Government.
This is another indication of how public services are being stretched and the Government needs to address the situation we are facing.Clive Grunshaw
Yet new figures show officers used police vehicles to take people to hospital on 382 occasions between November and April – more than twice a day.
It comes after we revealed unprecedented demand led to the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) missing waiting times targets in serious cases across the North West - and that fire crews were also being called on to ferry patients to hospital.
Ambulance chiefs say police have not raised the issue with them and claim the figures include minor cases where they were never called.
But the figures have prompted claims police are "propping up" other emergency services.
Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "This is another indication of how public services are being stretched and the Government needs to address the situation we are facing.
"One of my priorities is maintaining frontline policing and the extra demand this situation places on the police force inevitably means they are being taken away from the work they could otherwise be doing."
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show Lancashire Police only started recording the number of times its vehicles doubled as ambulances in November 2014.
Since then, its 382 trips to A&E are more than many forces notched up over three years.
Only the Met and Northumbria Police took more patients to hospital – although their figures cover the full year.
Just last month, the chairman of the national Police Federation Steve White said it "cannot be right" that police are frequently called on to take people to hospital.
He told the Federation's national conference: "Already, we've got to a point where the police service is often propping up other public services that have been cut, too. But we are the service of last resort, which means we can't say no."
A spokesman for NWAS said: "While we are aware that some patients have, on occasion, been conveyed to hospital by police due to increased demand, we don't believe that these figures are solely due to an ambulance delay.
"NWAS has not received any formal communication from Lancashire Police regarding this as a general issue and believes the figures could include occasions where an ambulance has not been called for and a police officer has offered to take a member of the public to hospital to treat a minor injury."
NWAS said it is working with police to improve the service to the public, including giving guidance on when to call for an ambulance.
The spokesman added: "During periods of high demand, for example, we have placed clinicians in police control centres to provide advice to their frontline staff."
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "There are occasions when officers have had to transport people to hospital for a variety of reasons.
"As a public service our main priority is keeping people safe, so when we need to do this we will. We are working very closely with our colleagues at the ambulance service to try to prevent this from happening."


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MSM is buzzing with fresh attacks on Rand Paul and more specifically his association with Jack Hunter. Suddenly, both Paul and Hunter are now being portrayed as racists and white supremacists and not just any old run of the mill racist but diehard neo-Confederate racists who never cease opining that the South lost the Civil War or the War of Northern Aggression as they say in the South. The race baiting is timely, especially in light of the monumental race baiting extravaganza post George Zimmerman acquittal. Jack Hunter was a significant component of Ron Paul's 2012 presidential campaign and at that time the race baiting was solely focused on demonizing Ron Paul.
The Washington Post is the most vile and disgusting newspaper in the world. It's a 'go to' tabloid for statists, peddlers of government programs, bureaucrats, fascists and totalitarian thugs of all political stripes. Centralized power may destroy liberty but it also makes a ton of insiders filthy rich and very powerful. WaPo has always been controlled by CFR Nazis and the globalist New World Order crime syndicate. WaPo consistently defends every dastardly deed of the government and has always been its primary spin machine where the truth gets laundered in a vat of feces and coal. To dub Wapo shameless and disingenuous would be a grotesquely misleading understatement as WaPo is indeed pure concentrated evil.
WaPo's Michael Gerson penned another savage attack on Rand Paul because, well, Rand Paul makes the NWO and establishment elites very nervous. Who is Michael Gerson? Besides being a WaPo propagandist, Gerson is also a former Bush speechwriter with close ties to the Bush Crime Family; Gerson is fiercely loyal to the Bush gang.
It's no secret that Jeb Bush is running for president in 2016 and its also no secret that Republican voters are so fed up with establishment elitist Republicans that they are embracing Rand Paul's message. In fact, the entire GOP establishment greatly fears the rise of Rand Paul because of his famous name as well as his advocacy for the Constitution, limited government, a non-aggressive foreign policy and opposition to NDAA and the Patriot Act. While the American people cheered Rand Paul's historical filibuster, the Republican elites and their media pals cringed. With Rand Paul's popularity continuing to rise, he poses a clear challenge to Jeb Bush and Bush Crime Family ambitions to get another Bush in the White House as Emperor of Planet Earth. Accordingly, the Bush gang is using its enormous and far reaching political and media muscle to crush Rand Paul and Bush loyalist, Michael Gerson and Lincoln worshiper, is one of its vicious and rabid attack dogs.
Rand Paul can never be a mainstream Republican by Michael Gerson
To this point, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has been the Republican flavor of the year. Events from the IRS scandal to NSA revelations to the Obamacare train wreck have corroborated libertarian suspicions of federal power. And Paul has shown serious populist skills in cultivating those fears for his political benefit. For a while, he succeeded in a difficult maneuver: accepting the inheritance of his father's movement while distancing himself from the loonier aspects of his father's ideology.
But now Paul has fallen spectacularly off the tightrope. It turns out that a senior member of his Senate staff, Jack Hunter, has a history of neo-Confederate radio rants. And Paul has come to the defense of his aide.Another WaPo statist psycho, Jennifer Rubin, has also attacked Rand Paul and Jack Hunter.
Jack Hunter and Rand Paul 'playing the game' by Jennifer Rubin
This week we learned that Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) had hired Jack Hunter, an avowed secessionist with a history of anti-minority statements. Not only does Paul continue to employ him and refuse to renounce or even to comment on Hunter's views but, according to Hunter, Paul was fully aware of his views and reputation when he first hired Hunter to co-write a book.It shouldn't surprise anybody that the Bush Crime Family OWNS the Washington Post as well as other MSM print and broadcast venues. Yet, the best the Bush family and the media can come up with is nothing but a shabbily concocted false allegation of racism. They must be channeling Al Sharpton.
Even worse for Paul was Hunter's accusation that his extremism has found a home with the senator, who has "learned to play the game," such as declaring that an attack on Israel would be an attack on the United States. With a few "rhetorical flourishes," he said, Rand Paul is more respectable than his father, Ron, and can thereby get farther in politics. That is precisely the concern that many center-right observers had in trying to decipher Rand Paul: namely, that he is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
What is interesting is the reaction of those who supported, cheered and hired Hunter for his avowed views — views from which he is now trying to distance himself.
The Bush family is not popular and many conservatives blame the George W. Bush years for abandoning conservative principles with its extravagant spending, deficits, debt, endless wars and government growth. Indeed, government did grow under George W. Bush who along with Republican Congress Critters gave us another multi-trillion dollar entitlement, Medicare Part D, and No Child Left Behind, a disastrous education bill written by Ted Kennedy. Bush and the Bush era Republicans increased the national debt by $5 trillion. These days, Republicans are blaming the gargantuan pile of debt all on Obama and the Democrats as Republicans run from their own sordid record.
As unpopular as the Bush Crime Family is, it's still a formidable force within the Republican Party, the media-industrial complex and possesses an extraordinary ability to raise big special interest money. Bush loyalists may be dwindling but the power of one of America's most enduring, evil and corrupt political families cannot be underestimated.
To be sure, Wapo isn't the only barf studded statist political and policy propaganda rag in America. The Atlantic has definitely earned a prestigious rank in the hierarchy and its quite common for such publications to affectionately slobber over each other with outpourings of praise and undying love for members of their exclusive club that is considered so sacred it's a religion. Not surprisingly, The Atlantic penned a puff piece on Michael Gerson, here.
It's not just the media elites that are attacking Rand Paul and Jack Hunter. The Republican Party is swimming with nasty neocon websites that have declared war on Rand Paul. The Washington Free Beacon is Republican neocon rag dedicated to the GOP base that gets off on wars, statism and the wholesale destruction of civil liberties. I covered this issue at LibertyCalling.net, my news website, here (Washington Free Beacon vs. Jack Hunter). As the vitriolic attacks on Rand and Jack blossomed from the left and right, Judge Andrew Napolitano and one the most respected voices in the liberty movement defended Jack Hunter in a piece titled A word about Jack Hunter…by Andrew Napolitano. Jude Nap wrote:
Yesterday you saw some hawks, whose ideology is dying and whose worldview is being discredited every day, launch an attack on Senator Rand Paul by attacking one of his brilliant aides, Jack Hunter.One thing is certain. The War on Rand Paul has been declared. There can be no question that the Bush Crime Family as well as establishment Republican elites are behind it and they will absolutely continue to escalate their war on liberty, the constitution and those who defend it. The Republican base got suckered into blessing off on John McCain in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012. If Republican voters continue to allow themselves to be influenced and even intimidated by the Republican elites as they did in 2008 and 2012, they will be rewarded with President Hillary Clinton. The GOP elites really don't care - Hillary Clinton is very much their man and she will continue the wars, the march to statist hell and the American Nazified NSA Police State. The elites win and the American people lose yet again.
Jack's sin in their eyes was having spoken favorably of states' rights, and negatively of Lincoln. They can't seem to recognize that states' rights--even secession--does not equal racism; it constitutes a brake on the feds' march to totalitarianism.


text:
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Before and Afters from the Worktable
10 comments:
- Kim said...
Yep, I like the chair!! Adorable! Not to mention I already like the telephone chair. ;-)
- September 8, 2010 at 1:14 PM
- TwoHeartsPath said...
I love both projects!! What Princess wouldn't love that chair, and I think I might be able to talk for hours sitting in that telephone chair and the Cat in the last picture just tears me up!!! Too funny...They love any cozy cubby's they can find!!
- September 8, 2010 at 6:30 PM
- Linda M. said...
The kiddy chair is fit for a princess. I do really, really, love that little fairy riding on a butterfly.
The telephone table is cute too especially since it comes with a kitty. I hope the paint was dry. lol
- September 8, 2010 at 8:09 PM
- Martha Lever said...
These pieces of furniture are SO darling, Gail. I love them! And the kitty in the little nook is so precious.
- September 8, 2010 at 9:37 PM
- slommler said...
I have a Telephone bench just like that one. I reupholstered the seat with vintage material and painted the piece white. I tiled the top! No cat in mine though...just phone books! Ha!
- September 9, 2010 at 6:04 AM
- Lori Katies Rose Cottage said...
Gail ~
Super cuteness !!
I love both projects ~
Your talent is awesome !
- September 9, 2010 at 8:54 AM
- Lynn said...
Looks like Minnie has deemed this pretty princess furniture for herself :)
Don't keep reminding me I have to get my chairs painted Gail *giggle* It could be next Spring the way I am going because I won't be doing it during the winter :)
- September 9, 2010 at 7:14 PM
Love the ruffles and black fur.
- September 9, 2010 at 8:46 PM
Am I the last one to discover this Fairy music? Have heard it several times this weekend and am loving it. (Is there an album?)
The furniture redos are wonderful but thank you for the smile Minnie brought to my face.
- September 12, 2010 at 7:58 AM
- Lorraine @ creativedaily said...
Love the transformation of these pieces! Those little paws are something too! Thanks for your kind comment on my blog.
- September 14, 2010 at 6:33 PM


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.los angeles.ca.usa.
Being in the #workforce has never been part of what I have dreamed to do. But since all circumstances had lead me here, working 9-5 has, in some ways, provided comfort; that it anchored this wild careless spirit to this #thing that if you really look at a different angle, becomes a springboard to another #dream that I can pursue til my old age. And it's called #family. Depends on which one you want to assign it to, "family" can be the "thing" or the "dream" or both.
I guess this marks, officially, the next chapter of my life. The last 13 years were spent wholeheartedly in dance. It's now time to close the book. I was apprehensive about retiring for the last 3 years. It has been long overdue. So with great gusto, I now welcome a new life ahead of me.
But of course, dance will trinkle in once in a while. You never forget your first love. 😉
* * * * * * *
So yeah I am blessed too to have this hour everyday, where I can take a break from the four walls of my stressful (but enjoyable) job and just walk around and bask in the rays of the sun. And think. Or take photos. Or do #selfie shots.
And being in the sun makes me remember where I came from. #manila #islandgirl #heliophile
1 Comment »
Ate tzyyyy >:D<
Comment by Sassy | May 30, 2013


text:
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text:
Something about the sea attracts people. I used to get really strong urges to visit the beach if I hadn't seen it for a while (like when I lived far from it). When we first moved to Santa Barbara, we went to the beach daily. Just standing there staring at it, or walking along the sand, wading, splashing, sitting and listening to the heartbeat of surf… Everything about the beach was nourishing, healing and refreshing to us.
Not so much now. We still enjoy all those things, but often just glancing at the sea while driving around town seems to instantly provide enough of all that. Occasionally we'll go out on Stearn's Wharf which of course provides all but the sandy feet, and we rarely actually visit the beach.
Maybe this sense of oceanic fulfillment is why looking at this home makes me wonder what it's like there during a major storm. How would it fare standing up to a rogue wave? If I were standing there as a tsunami approached, what would I do? OK, in case I haven't ruined it for you I also like to imagine sleeping on that balcony. 🙂
About a minute later we noticed another plane, this time going in the opposite direction but again quite a safe distance. Still, I was glad that my policy is to fly higher and further from shore where it's that extra bit safer. Past the La Piedra and just before the El Matador State Beach is an extra unusual building, presumably a home.
The curved walls appear somewhat Gaudi-esque. I wonder if it was built organically over time, with the location and orientation designed to best handle prevailing winds and weather with good sunsets while providing shade. Sea Level Drive on the outskirts of Malibu goes out to the small promontory where this imposing structure surveys the sea:
Quite a view they have of the ocean, plus much of Malibu stretching to the East from here. Sort of a guardian or observer of all that transpires in this area. Past the Malibu West Swimming Club (and the market I always thought of as downtown Malibu), some pretty amazing estates occupy the high ground.
Looking at a map though, Kanan Dume Rd. is more the center of Malibu, and this is probably my first photo of Point Dume. Somehow I didn't associate this name reminiscent of Tolkien, with the heart of Malibu.
Lots of imposing homes all along these shores of course, and this neighborhood East of Dume has an interesting collection. I like the sound of that phrase, East of Dume.
I guess the name adds a lot to property values or something, because you'll see Malibu associated with quite a long stretch of beach for miles on either side of Dume (I can't stop playing with that name). Near the Pepperdine campus is the less-populated area of Malibu Lagoon, presumably named before lots of lots were sold.
In fact, miles further East looking back at this lagoon in the distance from near Moonshadows and Las Tunas State Beach you'll still find some Malibu references before it finally yields after one last restaurant at the base of Topanga Canyon. So the area of this photo could be called East Malibu even though Pt. Dume is far out of frame beyond the lagoon in the hazy distance.
Airspace got busier from here on (flew the fun & easy "LA Special" corridor directly over LAX yet again), so I didn't snap any more pix until Long Beach. Wonder if I'll share some of those and on to San Diego, or maybe just shift to our more recent flight moving Tripp home from our Fog Stop at Santa Ynez the next evening.


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Last year in December I went to Louisiana to spend Christmas with my grandparents and I had a profound experience there. I felt that God laid out 2 distinct goals for 2009 that I have been trying to learn: 1) Patience and 2) Discipline. What I have learned is that I will actually not be able to "master" these concepts this year, but in fact it would take the rest of my life. These are themes for the rest of my life. So now it is coming time to set some new goals for 2010; rather, it is time for God to reveal some new goals for my life for 2010.
- Grow in my walk with God, deeper than ever before.
- Grow in my understanding of God's call on my life, and our life.
- Have fun with my new wife and learn how to be one flesh with her.
- Start my own business.
- Pay off as much debt as humanly possible.
- Learn to trust the Lord more than ever before.
Part of what I want to do is to help bridge the social gap between college and the rest of life. Paying for college, choosing major, deciding upon a career… These are life altering decisions that can have life long effects and consequences; both positive and potentially negative.