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ninety days a memoir of recovery
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The GQ Eye: GQ on Style
The GQ+A: Bill Clegg on the Music Behind His Recovery
New York literary agent Bill Clegg had it all: a growing business, a trusting and loving partner, a solid reputation among his roster of writers, and a beautiful Fifth Avenue apartment. He also had... read more
Wednesday, 6/6/2012 at 11:00AM
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- Your Daily Eye Queue: Scott Sternberg on His Canceled Show, An Instagram Evolution, and More...
- 4 Quick Fixes for President Obama's Sad Khaki Suit
- 4 Counterpoints to "5 Truths Fast Fashion Doesn't Want You To Know"
- What in the Hell is "The Normcore Body?"
- Tomorrowland is Available in the U.S., Today
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- David Chang's Kitchen: Don't Get All "Fresh" with Me
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- Chart: The Family Tree of Bourbon Whiskey
- Recipe: Semi-Summer Salad - Chef Jeff Taibe of Oak + Almond
- The Great Franco-Italian Pasta Experiment
- How to Pick from an Overpriced Restaurant Wine List


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As we prepare for another Academy Awards ceremony (and one in which a black-and-white silent movie might win Best Picture for the first time in decades), take a look back at some Oscar winners of yesteryear. We would like to thank the Academy' and Netflix for the instant streaming.
Jackie Chan takes on a serious role for his 100th film in this historical drama based on the founding of the Republic of China when nationalist forces led by Sun Yat-sen overthrew the Qing Dynasty.
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- China Greece, China sign $4.6 bn in deals as Chinese premier visits Jun 20, 2014|1:34
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Premier-in-waiting Li Keqiang meets Aids activists
Posted Nov 28th 2012, 12:00am by Raymond Li
... Premier-in-waiting Li Keqiang held an unusual meeting with Aids activists from across the nation, the latest indication that the new leadership aims to project a more proactive ... with ministry party chief Zhang Mao and Health Minister Chen Zhu. Li Keqiang vowed to fight public-sector discrimination towards patients with HIV/Aids and called an inter-ministerial meeting that same ...http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1092519/premier-waiting-li-keqiang-meets-aids-activists
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Li Keqiang's meeting with NGOs injects new life into HIV/Aids fight
Posted Dec 02nd 2012, 12:00am by Raymond Li
... Li Keqiang's ground-breaking meeting with specialist NGOs signals a new stance by leaders in efforts to stem the spread of the disease In the week leading up to yesterday's World Aids Day, the mainland's NGO community was abuzz over a meeting that premier-in-waiting Li Keqiang called with representatives from grass-roots HIV/Aids prevention groups. It rekindled ...http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1095245/li-keqiangs-meeting-ngos-injects-new-life-hivaids-fight
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Li Keqiang wants tax breaks for NGOs specialising in Aids/HIV work
Posted Nov 29th 2012, 12:00am by Raymond Li
... The next premier takes the lead to promote reform, stressing the importance of NGOs in the battle to prevent the disease from spreading Premier-in-waiting Li Keqiang has asked the Ministry ... of society should confront the disease head-on. Li Keqiang, who is expected to become premier in March after being elevated to the No 2 position on the Communist Party's Politburo Standing ...http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1093457/li-keqiang-wants-tax-breaks-ngos-specialising-aidshiv-work
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Premier Li Keqiang warns North Korea: Halt 'provocations'
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... Premier calls for calm as US Secretary of State John Kerry meets President Xi to reaffirm joint effort to rid Korean Peninsula of nuclear arms Premier Li Keqiang warned Pyongyang to stop ... and stability, and bear the consequences," Li told Kerry. "Provocations on the Korean Peninsula will harm the interests of all sides and it is the same as picking up a rock to drop ...http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1214146/premier-li-keqiang-warns-north-korea-halt-provocations
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Li Keqiang urges peaceful development of seas, says conflict leads to 'disaster'
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... Reuters in Shanghai Li urges peaceful ocean development China wants to promote peaceful development of the oceans, Premier Li Keqiang has said. At the same time, he warned that conflicts ... of hegemony in maritime affairs," Li told a maritime summit in Greece, according to the foreign ministry's website. "Developing the oceans through cooperation has helped many nations ...http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1537561/li-keqiang-urges-peaceful-development-seas-says-conflict-leads-disaster
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Premier Li Keqiang urges Scotland to remain part of the UK
Posted Jun 18th 2014, 10:53am
... AFP in London China 'wants a strong, prosperous and united Britain, but will respect Scotland's choice' Premier Li Keqiang has said he wants to see a "united" Britain, as Scotland prepares to vote on independence. Asked about the September 18 referendum on whether Scotland should remain in the UK, Li said he wanted a "strong, prosperous and united United Kingdom". ...http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1535431/premier-li-keqiang-backs-scotland-stay-uk
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'China has eclipsed Britain as superpower', party mouthpiece declares amid Li Keqiang visit
Posted Jun 18th 2014, 12:30pm by AFP
... power, a state-run newspaper argued scornfully today, after Premier Li Keqiang oversaw the signing of trade deals that will see Chinese invest in British high-speed trains and nuclear power. ... relaxed in dealing with Sino-UK ties, while the British could not be pettier," it added as Li began the third and final day of his British trip. The newspaper, which is close to China's ...http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1535473/china-has-eclipsed-britain-superpower-party-mouthpiece-declares-amid-li
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Royal start for Li Keqiang's UK trip as China, Britain seal trade deals worth HK$184b
Posted Jun 17th 2014, 08:28pm by WU NAN, Toh Han Shih, AGENCIES
... Agencies in London, Wu Nan and Toh Han Shih Strictly business for Cameron and Li, with politics kept off the table China and UK sign HK$184b deals China and Britain signed trade deals worth over £14 billion (HK$184 billion) during a visit by Premier Li Keqiang in London, British Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday. Both sides are seeking to mend ties that were ...http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1534920/britains-queen-elizabeth-ii-meets-chinese-premier
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Chinese premier Li Keqiang 'had Taiwan in mind' over UK unity remark
Posted Jun 18th 2014, 10:22pm by Cary Huang
... Cary Huang firstname.lastname@example.com Li 'had Taiwan in mind' over UK unity remark When China's premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday that he favoured the United Kingdom staying together, Chengxin Pan, a professor of international relations at Deakin University in Australia, said at first blush it sounded rather undiplomatic. After all, Li was wading into a domestic matter ...http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1535741/chinese-premier-li-keqiang-had-taiwan-mind-over-uk-unity-remark
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Greece welcomes Li Keqiang visit in effort to aid economic recovery
Posted Jun 19th 2014, 03:02am by AFP
... Agence France-Presse in Athens Greece seeks Chinese investment to aid recovery Greece rolls out the red carpet today for Premier Li Keqiang as the cash-strapped euro-zone nation looks for Chinese investment to put wind in the sails of its recovery. Li's visit comes just a month after his Greek counterpart, Antonis Samaras, travelled to China to tout his troubled but improving ...http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1535740/greece-welcomes-keqiang-visit-effort-aid-economic-recovery
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Cameron's other budget speech lie
The big news of the day for econo-geeks is the letter from the Head of the Office of Budget Responsibility to Cameron, rebuking him for his false assertions over the impact of austerity on growth.
In the longer term, though, I don't think will be the most signficant lie in Cameron's speech. I think this will be:
This deficit didn't suddenly appear purely as a result of the global financial crisis. It was driven by persistent, reckless and completely unaffordable government spending and borrowing over many years. By 2008, we already had a structural deficit of more than 7 per cent – the biggest in the G7.
No source is given for this 7% assertion, but as far as I can tell* it comes from the 2012 IFS Green Budget which says:
Our estimates, based on the OBR's latest official forecasts, suggest that the apparent 'hole' in the UK's public finances that has opened up since the March 2008 Budget – that is, the additional structural borrowing that is now forecast to persist in the medium term, over and above what was forecast in the March 2008 Budget – equates to 7.5% of national income (or £114 billion in today's terms) (p.51).
This does not, of course, say what Cameron appears to be claiming. In fact, we get the actual estimated structural deficit figures for 2007/08 further down the same page:
In 2007–08, total PSNB stood at 2.4% of national income. Since, at the time, the Treasury thought that the UK economy was operating slightly above its productive potential, underlying structural borrowing was estimated to be a slightly higher 2.6% of national income. The larger output gap** now estimated by the OBR implies that structural borrowing in 2007–08 in fact stood at around 3.5% of national income [my emphasis].
The reason I think this apparent lie is more important than the one about the austerity effect is that it looks like it's going to be the main one used to beat Labour with. As the next election approaches the Conservatives will realise they are unable to defend their own record on the economy, and will need to rely on the "mess Labour left us in" narrative which served them well early on.
The general 'worst in the G7′ structural deficit accusation is not entirely new – it dates back at least to the 'emergency budget' in 2010 ( see p.8, although no figure is given there, just a reference to an OECD report, in which I've been unable to find the assertion backed up). However, it has not been used again until recently, and this firming up of a (false) figure appears to be a conscious attempt to resurrect it. Further, the 7% figure is important because it allows the Conervatives to claim it is the highest since the war, whereas in fact the IFS report makes clear that it was higher twice under the Major government:
A structural deficit of 3.5% of national income in 2007–08 would have been the highest level since 1995–96 (when it stood at 3.8% of national income) but still far below its previous peak of 5.5% of national income in 1992–93.
In any event, I expect to see the 7% structural deficit line to be trotted out regularly by the Tories, including by Cameron at PMQs, over the coming months. I hope Labour will be alert enough to call them out on the spot, referring to the actual figures set out in the IFS report.
* I suspect the 7% figure comes from here because it was trailed at the weekend (possibly by mistake) in a tweet from the Conservatives' press office:
Terrible banking was cause of banking crisis. Before that happened, the UK under Labour, was running deficit of over 5% of GDP.
When challenged on this statement, which is clearly untrue, the following clarification was given:
@citizenandreas check the Most recent IFS report on structural deficit when banking crisis hit.
** It's also worth pointing out that measuring the output gap is a very unexact science. The figures used in the IFS report are based on OBR work, which in turn depends on a wide variety of source information to try to calculate "the difference between the current level of activity in the economy and the potential level it could sustain while keeping inflation stable in the long term". These sources include , for example, British Chamber of Commerce surveys of recruitment difficulties in firms. While the OBR report says that the historical analyses "appear to give a plausible representation of UK business cycle history and remain close to the range of alternative estimates", it also notes that "[a]ny output gap estimate remains uncertain, even when it relates to the past. Similarly the estimates presented in this paper are subject to significant uncertainty and remain work-in-progress." With these caveats, the OBR report finds that a structural deficit of 3.5% in 2008, pre-crisis, compared with the 2.6% on which the Treasury was basing its projections.
Could Cameron land us with two referenda by mistake?
In my main post on Cameron's EU debacle earlier, I noted how the European Union Act 2011, pushed through by Cameron as a way of deflecting attention from his failure to live up to his "cast iron" guarantee on a referendum, is likely to come back to haunt him.
It occurs to me that one part of his speech illustrates this cock-up perfectly. Cameron asks:
And I would ask: when the competitiveness of the single market is so important, why is there an environment council, a transport council, an education council but not a single market council?
So Cameron apparently wants an addiitional institution within the EU to coordinate single market policy. I'm not sure why, but let's take him at his word.
Now, the function of the transport council, which he refers to by way of comparison, is set out at Articles 90 to 96 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Similarly, if a single market were to be established as a result Cameron's negotiating brilliance, it would also require inclusion within a revised TFEU if it were to have legitimacy
But the European Union Act 2011 makes ot very clear that a change to TFEU which entails "the extension of the competence of the EU in relation to cooridnation of economic and employment policies" (sec 4 (f) will require a referendum for its ratification.
So if Cameron were successful in negotiating a new Single Market coordination function, AND if legislation were introduced for an in/out referendum, we'd be stuck, by law, with two referenda, potentially weeks apart.
Is this the next stage of the NHS privatisation plan?
The online social enterprise community – of which I may now well be an honorary member – has had some debate about the importance or otherwise of the Secretary of State for Health's recent definition, for the first time in English law, of what it is to be a social enterprise, which I covered here, and originally here.
David at Beanbags and Bullshit gives links and a good overview of the debate, which boils down to different views on whether the definition set out in the new Healthwatch regulations will come to act as precedent, replicated in other legislation and in broader NHS (and other departmental) policy, or whether it's strictly focused on the very narrow, and relatively unimportant issue (given their lack of real power) of who will get to run Local Healthwatches.
To date, my own position on this has been simply "I don't know". On the one hand, it has been difficult to work out how exactly this new definition might be used as a lever for privatisation of NHS services. On the other, it's a puzzle as to why the Department of Health would go to so much trouble expanding the usual conception of social enterprise to include private firms as long as they don't take out more than 50% from profits in any one financial year, unless there was some kind of plan to expand its use beyond the financially unimportant Healthwatch scheme.
However, the news emerging about Monitor's Fair playing Field recommendation, that private health firms should become exempt from corporation tax on their NHS profits, has me leaning a little towards the latter interpretation, namely that the Healthwatch regulations form part of some devilishly clever scheme.
I find it difficult to believe that Osborne will find it politically feasible to stand up at the next budget and announce this new tax break in the face of a popular swell against tax avoidance, however much it might be sold on the grounds that Any Qualified Provider private firms currently suffer from unfavourable cost terms when compared with the NHS itself. That would surely be too risky as a confirmation of whose side the Tories are on.
But if the tax break is dressed up as an incentive for social enterprise, tapping into the government fairly well developed narrative on the virtues of mutualism and pointing to existing ex-NHS staff mutuals as an example, but conveniently leaving out the detail of how social enteprises are legally defined nowadays, Osborne, Hunt and the private health lobbyists may well feel its worth a go as part of the pre-election scorched earth strategy.
Or maybe that's a conspiracy theory too far. I still don't know.
If I'm right, you heard it here first. If I'm not, then it's simply the usual omnishambles, ok?
ps. I 'm thinking of doing a Freedom of Information request on the consultation responses and meetings which fed into the Healthwatch regulations, to try to ascertain to what extent the private health lobbyists were at work. Has anyone else reading this done one, or are they interested in doing so?
How new is the new nastiness?
How new is the Tories' new nastiness? Quite new, it would appear:
Geroge Osborne, 2011 Autumn Statement:
I also want to protect those who are not able to work because of their disabilities and those, who through no fault of their own, have lost jobs and are trying to find work.
Tory attack ad, Dec 2012:
Who do you think this goverment should be giving more support to? Hardworking families……Or people who won't work?
The privatisation of democratic scrutiny: the strange case of Lancashire Healthwatch
The Lancashire Evening Telegraph reports (i.e. copies and pastes a press release) :
A NEW organisation to improve health and social services in Lancashire has been unveiled.
Lancashire County Council has joined forces with Parkwood Healthcare to form a new health watchdog called HealthWatch Lancashire.
Parkwood specialises in providing staff, including nurses, care assistants and project workers, to the NHS, private and voluntary organisations.
From April 2013, the new organisation will replace the current Lancashire Local Involvement Network (LINk) as an independent watchdog, listening to local people's concerns and ensuring the best services for them.
In dryer terms, Parkwood Healthcare has won the contract from the County Council to run Lancashire Healthwatch (see No.5 in May 2012 Cabinet minutes), pursuant to the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
Clause 183, para 2.2 of that Act requires the following in respect of such a contract:
The arrangements must be made with a body corporate which—
(a) is a social enterprise, and
(b) satisfies such criteria as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State
This makes the award of the contract look very odd. I have checked out Parkwood Healthcare on the Companies House site and it is a Private Company Limited by Shares. As such, it is surely outwith the normal definition of a social enterprise.
So have the County Council acted illegally in awarding the Healthwatch contract to Parkwood Healthcare?
Well, maybe, or maybe not. The Health and Social Care Act, courtesy of a late amendment in the Lords (unchallenged by any member of any party), provides a definition of what itmeans by 'social enterprise' (Clause 183 para 7):
For the purposes of this section, a body is a social enterprise if—
(a) a person might reasonably consider that it acts for the benefit of the community in England, and
(b) it satisfies such criteria as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.
Now, I'm a pretty good at 'reasoning', even if I say so myself, but I don't consider that Parkwood Healthcare 'acts for the benefit of the community in England', precisely because the organisation's legal status is not one normally associated with social enterpise.
Further, we don't know what criteria may be prescribed in the secondary regulations, because those regulations are still a matter for consultation; indeed those consultations appear to have a particular focus on what 'social enterprise' is to be taken to mean (see Issue 1 in these slides).
So in summary, we have a (Conservative) County Council apparently offering a 'social enterprise-only' contract to what is clearly a private firm, but which might just arguably be considered a social enterprise under Andrew Lansley's new regulations. Except that they haven't been issued yet.
Further, the contract has been awarded to a Lancashire-registered firm which, at least judging by the website section on the nursing agency part of its business, may have a financial interest in delivering some of the services that it is now being contracted to scrutinise*.
At the very least, I think Lancashire County Council needs to be asked a few questions about this**, including whether it has made provision in the contract with Parkwood Healthcare for its termination/withdrawal, in the event that the secondary legislation makes such a contract unlawful.
* We should be clear that this is not entirely new. According to its accounts, Parkwood Healthcare already has contracts to "act as the host for voluntary organisations to meet and influence service provision" in Lewisham, Harrow and Greenwich, while also offering nursing agency services in the London area.
These contracts come under the previous government's Local Involvement Networks (LINk) legislation, but the difference is that in these cases their 'hosting' services have been subject to a degree of accountability from those members that make up the Local Involvement Network itself (cf. the Lancashire LINk board structure, for example). Under the new Healthwatch provisions there appear to be no such safeguards, with LINks simply abolished in favour of Local Healthwatch arrangements.
** I should stress, not least so as to avoid any risk of legal action, that I am in no way suggesting that Parkwood Healthcare has acted improperly in tendering for the Lancashire Healthwatch contract. It is the Council's actions that I question.
Victory for TCF as Michael Gove forced to lie slightly less than before
Gove's statement to parliament on the 'O level' leak contained this justification:
The sad truth is that, if we look at the objective measure of how we have done over the past 15 years, we find that on international league tables our schools fell in reading from 523 to 494 points, in maths from 529 to 492 and in science from 528 to 514.
Gove is referring to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study, and the data he provides is correct.
This is interesting for two reasons.
1) This time around Gove relies on the raw score changes rather than on the international league tables which have been the focus of misinformation, dating right back to 2010, since when he and his department have relied heavily this false data to set out their case for education 'reform'.
The dodgy league table data has been used repeatedly in the last week by Tories and their supporters, including Liz Truss MP, Toby Young (repeatedly on telly, I understand), Phillip Blond and Stephen Robinson so it is a surprise to see a sudden change of tack by Gove himself.
The change suggests strongly that he and his DfE team, complicit in the lies that have been so consistently peddled, have recognised that the game is up, and that they can no longer get away with it. This amounts to a victory for TCF and for others who have sought to bring the DfE's disgraceful manipulations to public attention.
2) Nevertheless, Gove can't bring himself to stop the lying completely. While it's good that he's abandoned the totally invalid claims about slippage in comparison to other countries, he continues to suggest a downward trend on UK scores which simply does not stand up to serious analysis.
As I've noted several times, no proper trend analysis between 2000 and 2009 is possible because the 2000 sample was not large enough to be statistically robust.
Moreover, the 2000 and 2003 tests were conducted some months earlier in school year 11 (Nov/Dec) than the 2006/2009 (March-May) as an exception in the international study (because they get in the way of GCSE preparations). As John Jerrim of the Institute of Education has noted, this makes a pretty obvious difference:
[I]t is important to understand that between November/December and March‐May of year 11 is likely to be a period when children add substantially to their knowledge of the PISA subjects as it is when pupils are working towards important national exams. Consequently, one should expect the year 11 pupils in the PISA 2000/2003 cohort to out‐perform their peer taking the test in 2006/2009 due to the extra five months they have had at school….. This would in turn suggest an overestimation of the decline in PISA maths scores over time.
Look at it the other way round. If scores in 2006/2009 had not been lower in 2009 than they were in 2000, a valid question might have been what the hell teachers and students learn during most of year 11.
So bizarrely, we're left with a situation where Gove has been forced to lie a little bit less than he has done so far, but where he's so dependent on the use of the PISA tables to defend his crackpot scheme that he's still forced to mislead the House of Commons.
How Labour should respond to the Gove Terror
The benchmark for excellence in response to the leaked 'O' Level/CSE plans has been set by Christopher Cook at the FT, with his convincing use of the National Pupil Database to show that the poorest children will be hit hardest:
The most significant issues around this idea are related to social mobility: the CSE will tend to be an exam for poorer children. Consider who would take the CSE if schools could select the quarter of pupils with the lowest average grades with perfect foresight.
Every child from the 29th to 48th percentile gets an average grade of "D". If that were not hard enough, children are moving targets – particularly in the early teenage years. There is a lot of movement between standardised tests. One third of the bottom quarter of children at the age of 11 break out of that grouping by the age of 16.
If we win in 2015, we won't put the futures of 70% of children at risk. We'll give everyone the opportunity to make the best of themselves. We're the party of legitimate aspiration. We commit to stopping the two-tier exam system, and returning to policy based on respect for professionals and honesty with data.
Now the FT joins the literacy illiteracy
Stephen Robinson, an 'author and political commentator' writing for the Financial Times today, is clearly a Michael Gove fan:
Michael Gove is surely on to something with his announcement this week of a long overdue shake-up of the curriculum. As successive secretaries of state have, year after year, hailed ever more implausible "improvements" in exam grades, Britain over the past decade has plummeted in the international rankings: from 4th to 16th in science; 7th to 25th in literacy; and 8th to 28th in maths.
Stephen Robinson, 'author and political commentator', is also utterly wrong, as is the sub-editor of a respectable newspaper for allowing this bilge through.
The UK has simply not "plummeted in the international rankings". Like 'author and commentator' Phillip Blond a couple of days ago, Robinson is quoting figures he's picked up elsewhere, and clearly hasn't bothered to look at the original OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) report, or at the National Foundation for Educational Research (NfER) summary of the OECD findings as they apply to England.
So once more with gusto……
The UK has NOT fallen from 7th to 25th in reading standards. To say so is a lie.
The notion that UK is 25th is the result of deliberate disinformation campaign by the Department for Education, subsequently repeated maliciously by the Head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, and picked up with jubilation by a popular press desperate to do down education and educators.
It is a lie because the DfE fails to tell you that:
1) Chinese Tapei and Denmark are placed above the UK in the international 'league table' in question because they start with an earlier letter in the alphabet. They have exactly the same score (495). This would put the UK joint 23rd.
2) Some 12 other countries, nominally above England in the 2009 tables, have statistically insignificant higher scores; statistically, the UK is not 23rd, but equal 13th, on this basis. NfER makes this point explictly:
Because of the areas of uncertainty described above, interpretations of very small differences between two sets of results are often meaningless. Were they to be measured again, it could well be that the results would turn out the other way round (p.8)
3) Shanghai and Signapore are above the UK in the 2009 tables but didn't take part in the 2006 survey, so the UK can't be said to have 'fallen' below them; in comparison with 2006, the UK might be said to be 11th.
4) In any event, the OECD's warned explicitly (para 2) against comparing earlier PISA results with earlier data, because the very low response rate for earlier years created big concerns about sample validity.
In keeping with this more sensible analysis, the NfER report in December 2010 said that:
England's performance in 2009 does not differ greatly from that in the last PISA survey in 2006 (p.37).
This is decidedly not "plummeted in the international rankings:.
Space does not provide for a fuller review, but the picture is similar for maths and science.
In science, the UK continues to do significantly better than the OECD PISA average, and it is simply wrong to say the UK is in 28th place in maths, given the statistical insignificance and the introduction of new countries. Of maths, NfER says:
England's performance in 2009 does not differ greatly from that in the last PISA survey, apart from a slight drop in the number of high-achieving pupils and a slight increase in the gender difference in favour of boys (p.30).
I hope both Robinson and Blond will be forced to apologise for their blatant peddling of the DfE's lies (Blond has so far not replied to the evidence I presented to him), but the buck has to stop with Gove.
The deliberate use of misleading data for political gain – another 'back to basics' campaign as cover for government failure – should be a resignation matter.
I do wonder why Labour's education team has not picked up on this.
The simple alternatives to Osborne's cretinous Plan C
This was my less-than-measured immediate twitter-response to Osborne's Mansion House announcements last night:
Osborne plan: start economic recovery via support for High Street bank lending? Utter fucking cretin. Does he not know the word 'collateral'?I suppose neither he nor his coterie have ever had much problem with collateral.
Final piece in the jigsaw of evidence that Osborne simply doesn't grasp how the real economy works, how investment decisions are taken.
Peston comes to a fairly similar, though somewhat more polite, conclusion this morning, when he says of this £60bn Funding for Lending scheme (combined with the 'Extended Collateral Term Repo' guarantee)
Bankers give me two reasons for their doubts about how far the schemes will revive our anaemic economy.
First, they say creditworthy businesses and households are reluctant to increase their debts in these uncertain times. Second, many of the companies and individuals desperate to borrow are those in some financial difficulties, so the banks don't actually want to lend to them.
Here is the nub of the matter: the Treasury and Bank of England want the risks of lending to stay with the banks; but if that remains the case, the new credit almost certainly won't get to those who most need it.
Precisely. Well nearly precisely.
While Peston gets businesses' and households' reluctance to borrow as the key obstacle, he doesn't quite get why this reluctance comes about. The reluctance often stems not from amassing debt per se – people know e.g. from the Glasers' purchase of Manchester United that having massive debts can be a pretty good way to get very rich – but from lack of collateral.
Osborne's a cretin, tinkering at the margins with a Plan C that might end up being even worse than Plan A, not least because of its propensity to create inflationary bubbles in the parts of the economy where people will and can still borrow e.g. property in the South East, asset stripping firms.
The real tragedy is that there are simple alternatives which would work.
First and foremost, of course there's taking the £140bn Osborne's hoping to keep of balance sheet in a ridiculous bid to balance his books, and stick it in the real economy through public works schemes, both capital and revenue (e.g. developing that universal childcare scheme, which I'll be blogging more on later).
That's called Plan B, of course, and doesn't need complicated deals with Pension Funds to make it happen.
Second, if he still wants to go down the private lending line, there's ordering taxpayer-owned banks to reduce their collateral demands when lending. Of course this increases the default risk, but few ordinary people go bankrupt on purpose, and on balance it's worth it for the overall growth you get. Just ask Grameen Bank, which have been providing collateral-free loans for 30-odd years with very low default rates.
Third, and related to the second, massively expand the finance available to mutuals, social enterprises, trades councils and other non-profit structures (inluding local authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups), either by demanding that these same taxpayer-owned banks lend to them on the basis of a) their constitutional and legal commitments to their identified social good; b) simplified 'Social Impact Bond'-style monitoring requirements, minus the investment return complexities which are making these vehicles so hard to get off the ground at anything like a game-changing scale.
If the banks aren't up to this – and it is likely that they won't be – the loans should be fed through alternative financial intermediaries like Charity Bank and the Social Investment Business. They've been managing these 'social impact' processes for years now.
None of this is rocket science. It just needs a Chancellor who understands how the rest of us live. Ah, right……..


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Posted by Jim Burklo at 03:17 PM | Permalink
(Progressive Christian music for worship and devotion: see this excellent new resource at ProgressiveChristianity.org . Also see my New Words to Old Hymns.... )
Thunder lags behind lightning beyond an outcrop of stone slabs framed by clusters of Joshua trees with spikes shivering in the wind. A dark gauzy curtain descends from a boiling mass of cloud. Scattered spits of rain puff dust out of tiny craters they form on impact in the fine dirt. The cooling air fills with the overwhelming scent of wet creosote. Jackrabbits dance among the cholla cactus in their search for cover. Pale dirt turns dark, then bright with sheets of water shining steel grey in reflection of the storming sky. Dirt puddles into mud forming rivulets flowing into each other and down to wet the drywash. Grey-brown water churns around swirls of sand, rattles rounded rocks, cuts curves, disorganizes and re-organizes rocks and twigs, grinds coarse to fine. Flash-Boom!_____________(I will be leading an interfaith spiritual reflection at this hike and event on Sept 6 in Joshua Tree NM - come along!)DESERT APPRECIATION HIKE Nature Watch & Spiritual Fellowship JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARKSaturday, September 6, 2014 8:00 to 12:00 noonMeeting Location: Black Rock Canyon - 8:30 a.m. Hike, 10 a.m. Education with Park Staff, 11 a.m. Spiritual ReflectionDESERT STEWARDSHIP PROJECT - firstname.lastname@example.com -- Phone: (909) 936-6210Desert Stewardship
Posted by Jim Burklo at 08:42 PM | Permalink
Posted by Jim Burklo at 10:59 AM | Permalink
"Bread for me is a material question. Bread for my neighbor is a spiritual one," wrote Nikolai Berdyaev, a 19th-20th c. Russian philosopher and theologian. Is there a more important spiritual question than this one? Today may be a particularly good time to ask it in America.
Posted by Jim Burklo at 09:45 AM | Permalink
I just added these to "Jim Burklo's Book of Common Prayer", my ongoing online collection of prayers, litanies, and other elements for worship. A companion to it is my "New Words for Old Hymns". Use freely, with attribution.....
Call to Celebration
Hungry for meaning?
Welcome home.
Thirsty for purpose?
Yearning for comfort?
Burning for challenge?
Ready for learning?
Eager for serving?
And welcome to worship!
Prayer of Dedication – Offering
Oh Dear One, may these scraps of paper and bits of metal serve as symbols of our deep desire for your Love to transform our time, effort, and substance into works of creative compassion for each other, for our wider community, and for the world beyond, through this church. So may it be, Amen.
Posted by Jim Burklo at 04:38 PM | Permalink
Posted by Jim Burklo at 09:18 AM | Permalink
Posted by Jim Burklo at 11:10 AM | Permalink
(This and other "new words to old hymns" I've written can be seen here - use freely with attribution.)
JIM BURKLOWebsite: JIMBURKLO.COM Weblog: MUSINGS Follow me on twitter: @jtburkloSee a video interview about my new novel, SOULJOURNSee the GUIDE to my articles and booksAssociate Dean of Religious Life, University of Southern California
Posted by Jim Burklo at 04:32 PM | Permalink
"To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour…." (William Blake, "Auguries of Innocence")
To hold a bloom of California buckwheat in the palm of your hand is to admire an infinity of heavens. Each little round flower is a mass of tinier flowers, their delicate pink stamens pointing out in every direction of the universe. The tough stems of the plant, with their little spiky leaves, stay green even now during one of the worst droughts in memory. Hiking on the flanks of Boney Mountain in the Santa Monica range a week ago, in an area ravaged by wildfire, I stopped to gaze at a buckwheat bush and congratulate it on its survival.
Buckwheat is but one of the species of plants that together are called "chaparral", the brush that covers coastal California's hillsides in areas lacking forest cover. These natives feed a very wide variety of bees and butterflies and bugs that pollinate not only the chaparral, but also the non-native species planted by humans.
If you're looking for heaven in California, a walk through chaparral will deliver you to the throne of God at least as swiftly as will worship in a church… especially one that landscapes its property with native plants.
Lisa Novick is on a mission to do just that. She's the Director of Outreach and K-12 Education for the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants in Sun Valley, CA. An Episcopal layperson, she sees her work as a spiritual calling. And that led her to help the Throop Unitarian Universalist congregation in Pasadena and St Paul's Lutheran church in Alhambra to convert their yards to native plantings. Throop wanted to plant fruit trees that could feed people in need. Lisa recommended a mix of California native plants that now host lots of different native pollinating insects that benefit the fruit trees. The native plants need much less water and maintenance than grass or other typical landscaping. They enhance the ecological balance of the neighborhood around the church, as well.
Lisa hopes that if a church converts, its members will catch the spirit and convert their own yards, too. "Native and edible landscaping is a way to care for one's community and the miracle of life. It is a way to counter the food desert that large parts of our urban and suburban areas have become, both for people and wildlife. It is a way to model the mindfulness, respect and right action needed to help heal our beautiful struggling biosphere. It is a way to practice the deeply spiritual understanding that all of life is connected. It's also a way to rebel against the conceit that we can kill life on Earth while preserving our own souls," she writes. (See more in her recent Huffington Post article)
In the rest of the U.S., there are many congregations making the conversion. The monks of St John's Abbey in Minnesota have stewarded its big property for many years with native trees and grasses. Trinity Covenant Church in Livonia, Michigan, has turned its yard into a gorgeous native prairie, saving $5,000 a year in lawn mowing and maintenance costs.
If you want buckwheat salvation for your church in Southern California, contact Lisa at email@example.com . Join the native plant revival!
Posted by Jim Burklo at 01:42 PM | Permalink
Hindu tradition shifts the center of life from the ego to the Higher Self. The sacred mantra "Tat tvam asi" in Sanskrit means "I am that" in English. I am not my personality, not my bundle of roles and identities in society. I am That – the sacred Other beyond and within my personality and all others.
Becoming Other-oriented leads to personal and global transformation. That's what Allan Hunter believed. He was an activist for peace and justice in Los Angeles and in the world. For him, that activism depended on meditation practice. "It is when the moment for drastic action arises that we are shown what to do, if we are in tune," he wrote. Are we in tune with our selfish selves, or with the Divine Universal Self whose love is limitless? Are we aimed at the Holy Wholly Other? If we are, we'll be oriented toward compassionate service and action for progressive social change.
Posted by Jim Burklo at 02:54 PM | Permalink


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The ever-changing skin care segment is the cosmetics industry's largest, and with break-neck growth in emerging markets, alongside continuing demand for natural and anti-aging products in developed markets, there are big rewards for those who can capture the imagination of these consumers.
Although continuous innovation is key to staying on top, this is increasingly challenging in a category that prides itself on being the most technologically advanced and fastest moving in the beauty industry.
With research so vast and in-depth, tackling the challenges of sustainability, regulatory compliance, and formulation in finished products are all vital for future success.
In this, the fourth successive Cosmetics Design online event, we bring you the latest consumer and market insights, scientific developments and technical innovations in the Skin Care Ingredients space.
Snow Algae Powder activates longevity genes - by Mibelle Biochemistry
Dr. Daniel Schmid - Mibelle Biochemistry, Dr. Fred Zülli - Mibelle Biochemistry
Snow Algae Powder is a novel active based on an extremophile algae living on glaciers....
Protection of skin's natural defense system - by Merck KGaA
Alexander Kielbassa - Merck KGaA, Dr. Dagmar Kleefeld - Merck KGaA
This webinar opens up new opportunities for innovative sun protection by supporting skin's own defense...
Under the Skin - by SCHOTT AG
Maren Sowa-Gueuble - SCHOTT France
Cosmetic counseling as a point-of-sale and marketing service is a unique opportunity for direct, value...
Enhancing Performance by Formulating Robust and Efficient LCE Skin Care and Sun Care Systems - by Lubrizol
Laurent Blasco - Lubrizol Advanced Materials Europe BVBA, Lee Roberts - Lubrizol Advanced Materials Inc.
Liquid Crystal O/W Emulsions (LCE) mimic the organization of lipids in human skin. Such emulsions...
Revitalizing the Skin with Molecular Oxygen - by Air Products PLC
Arnoldo Fonseca - Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Joaquin Perez Sanchez - Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Upper layers of the skin rely on and are largely supplied by atmospheric oxygen. This...
Skin care continues to be the most innovative category in the cosmetics and personal care industry and in 2010 the global market was valued at $80 bn. While it has traditionally been dominated by the European markets, it is now the turn for the emerging markets to shine, and big rewards await those who can capture these consumers.
Skin Care Ingredients 2011 will focus on the defining trends shaping this sector, including targeting emerging markets, the ever growing appetite for anti-ageing products and how the green trend will affect formulation.
Market overview - New technologies and opportunities in global markets
Vivienne Rudd - Mintel, Simon Pitman - CosmeticsDesign Europe
This keynote presentation will focus on how skin care ingredients are increasingly driven by sophisticated...
The role of pre- and probiotics in skin care of the future
Stephen Daniells - NutraIngredients-USA.com and FoodNavigator-USA.com, Farage Al-Ghazzewi - Glycologic, Richard Tester - Glycologic
Prebiotics and probiotics are mostly associated with gut health, but the beneficial bacteria are now...
The growing importance of green chemistry in formulation
Katie Bird - CosmeticsDesign USA, Stephanie Clendennen - Eastman Chemical Company
Consumer demand for sustainable products continues to grow; but few are willing to accept performance...
Core Opportunities for Skincare in the BRIC Markets
Simon Pitman - CosmeticsDesign Europe, Virginia Lee - LycoRed, Martin Rudolph - Beiersdorf
The Brazil, Russia, India and China markets have helped many of the world's leading cosmetic...
Antioxidants: The New Frontier in Skin Protection, Anti-aging and Beauty - by William Reed Business Media
Clinical evidence has proven that just one day of unprotected sun exposure can cause irreversible...
Delivering superior moisturising efficacy - by Croda
Graham Pennick - Croda
Discover an innovative approach to effective moisturisation through Croda's new moisturising complex DuraQuench IQ. Its...
Innovative Hyaluronic Acid & Peptide Solutions for a good look - by Evonik Personal Care
Geraldine Strutz - Evonik Goldschmidt, Jennifer Lange - Evonik Goldschmidt
If one was talking some years ago about anti-aging the general understanding was that an...
Formulating Towards Fairer Skin - by Lubrizol
Bryan Moran - Lubrizol's Noveon® Consumer Specialties
With many options for formulators to deliver skin whitening systems that delight consumers, and encourage...
Bangkok / Conference and exhibition


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There are park alerts in effect.hide Alerts »
Longleaf Campground Closure Sept. 2-3
The Longleaf Campground will be closed from 10:00 am Tuesday, September 2 - 10:00 am Wednesday, September 3. The closure will allow for exotic plant removal.
Trail Conditions
A trail marking project is underway to identify trails with numbers instead of colored blazes. All hikers should use a compass and map when hiking in the park. More »
Contact Us
Did You Know?
Congaree National Park hosts the Old-Growth Bottomland Forest Research and Education Center. Research Learning Centers function as scientific laboratories and research libraries that enhance learning opportunities within our National Parks.


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Bloomingdale's Interview Questions & Reviews
Interview Experience
Interview Experience
Getting an Interview
Getting an Interview
Interview Difficulty
Candidate Interview ReviewsSort: Popular Date Difficulty
- Application Details
I interviewed online - interviewed at Bloomingdale's in August 2014.Interview Details
I started online with the company's quiz and I got an Interview for 3 days later.
We started with a group interview with general questions, mostly about good or bad costumer services experiences and talk about weakness and strength.
next, you get to be interviewed by yourself but with me, she just asked about my school, schedule and if I prefer pt or ft position.
another interview with the department manager - clothing. this one was a bit harder, she asked a lot of questions about costumer service as well, if I did anything out of my way to help a client, if I have a clientele myself, where do I shop, how is my style, second languages, work experiences, explain my resume, explain my own life projects, if I know this brand or that brand... it was a long interview, but it was more like a chat. She made me very comfortable and was very polite and nice! explained to me about commission and about the company.
the last interview was with the department supervisor and it was just a 'closing the deal'.Interview Questions
Reasons for Declining
- how do I make costumers to become a client. Answer Question
because I did not feel comfortable on working with the brand that they had the position for. Maybe next time!Declined OfferPositive ExperienceEasy Interview
- Interview Details
I applied online, and got an e-mail the next week asking me to sign up for an interview time. I did and when I got to the store I had an interview with HR. They asked me a bunch of behavioural questions.Interview Questions
No Offer
- Describe a time at work where you did not like the outcome. Answer Question
- Application Details
I interviewed online. The process took 4+ weeks - interviewed at Bloomingdale's.Interview Details
Interviewed with HR manager after a group interview, interviewed with the store manager and interviewed with the cosmetics manager. The whole process took over a month. I applied for a seasonal position which was all they had available even though I had 11 years of experience in the field. It happened to get me noticed and got me an elevated interview. It was over a month before I was hired though.Interview Questions
Negotiation DetailsI did not get to negotiate and it came in under what I had asked for but Higher than industry starting pay.Accepted OfferPositive ExperienceAverage Interview
- Tell me how you would handle a top producing employee that has areas of need for improvement? Answer Question
- Application Details
I interviewed online. The process took 2 days - interviewed at Bloomingdale's in April 2011.Interview Details
great interview. made me feel comfortable and at home. basic questions on experience, customer service and expectations. Once i qualified to meet the department manager that interview went smoothly and i felt great energy and vibeNegotiation Detailsi got a great offer so no negotiationAccepted OfferPositive ExperienceEasy Interview
2 people found this helpfulApplication Details
I interviewed online. The process took 2 weeks - interviewed at Bloomingdale's in August 2012.Interview Details
I was called in for an interview after doing the application on-line The interview process took about an hour to complete including watching a few short videos related to customer service. After speaking with one of the ladies in the HR department I was offered a position and told I would be called for orientation. I was called back for my orientation a week later. There where about six people in the orientation including me when we went through the employee handbook, and given a tour. I started the next dayInterview Questions
No OfferPositive ExperienceEasy Interview
- All the questions asked where questions that you expect to be asked on an interview Answer Question
- Application Details
I interviewed online - interviewed at Bloomingdale's in August 2014.Interview Details
Interviewed with the Store Manager who hired me on the spot.
Typical interview questions except to ask me how comfortable I am to approach random customers to convince them to buy a Bloomingdale's Credit CardInterview Questions
Negotiation DetailsNo negotiation. It was their way or the highway. I should of taken the higway. I could of been working in a much more healthy environment and been paid much more. My bad.Accepted OfferNegative ExperienceEasy Interview
- "How comfortable are you to approach random customers to convince them to sign up for a Bloomingdale s Credit Card. View Answer
- Application Details
I interviewed through college or university - interviewed at Bloomingdale's.Interview Details
The interviewing process was very quick - they were very friendly and easy to talk to! They were very helpful and willing to answer all of my questions that I had, and made the experience great.Accepted Offer
- Interview Details
We had a group interview then an individual interview. So they didn't take you to other hiring managers after the first one, then they probably won't take you. Easy questions.No OfferEasy Interview
- Application Details
I interviewed online - interviewed at Bloomingdale's in July 2014.Interview Details
I was contacted after filing out online application to make an appointment online. It allows you to choose an upcoming time slot to come in for interview. I made an appointment for the following week. Arriving early is good (to calm yourself & collect your thoughts).
I was met by two recruiters who asked a few questions. Then they informed me that, if invited back, that I would only get show my portfolio in the next stage (they were NOT the Bloomingdales managers I needed to see).
The next day I was asked by that recruiter to email him some of my portfolio, which I did. He did confrim receipt and that he'd pass it along.
I am still awaiting word.Interview Questions
No OfferNeutral ExperienceAverage Interview
- "Tell us about a time when you had a disagreement with your coworker?' Answer Question
- Application Details
I interviewed in-person - interviewed at Bloomingdale's in June 2014.Interview Details
It's a group panel process. Bunch of people were sitting in a cold room with two HR people. One is responsible for asking related questions and the other one sends out the background check chart. After the group panel, the HR person asked people come to her office one by one according to your information.Interview Questions
Reasons for Declining
- Maybe perhaps I didn't have related sales experiences, so it's kind of hard to talk about how to deal with your directors and your coworkers. Answer Question
It doesn't fit my schedule.Declined OfferNeutral ExperienceEasy Interview
Interviews for Top Jobs at Bloomingdale's
- Sales Associate (58)
- Sales Professional (15)
- Merchant Assistant (9)
- Sales Specialist (8)
- Sales Manager In Training (6)
- Assistant Buyer (5)
- Sales Manager (5)
- Merchandiser (4)
- Department Manager (4)
- Executive Development Program (4)
- Seasonal Sales Professional (3)
- Loss Prevention Detective (3)
- Sales (3)
- Sales Support Associate (3)
- Visual Merchandiser (3)
- Visual Stylist (3)
- Luxury Linens Sales Associate (3)
- Bloomingdales Sales Professional (3)
- Store Manager (2)
- Cosmetics Sales (2)
- Merchandising (2)
- Customer Service Associate (2)
- Recovery (2)
- Loss Prevention Manager (2)
- Cosmetics Business Manager (2)
- Commissioned Sales Associate (2)
- Sales Manager Trainee (Stage I) (2)
- EDP Program (1)
- Evening/Weekends Sales Associate (1)
- Contemporary Designers Sales (1)


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Georgia News
News on Georgia continually updated from thousands of sources around the net.
2 hrs ago | RTE.ie
Russia shuts McDonald's outlets over food safety
Russia has ordered the temporary closure of four McDonald's restaurants in Moscow, a decision it said was over sanitary violations but which comes against a backdrop of worsening US-Russian ties over Ukraine.
6 hrs ago | Weekday Magazine
Abkhazia Braces For Tumultuous Presidential Vote
One of the leaders of the Abkhaz opposition, Raul Khajimba , looks the most likely victor, especially after receiving the backing of actingPresident Valery Bganba .
10 hrs ago | The Day
"Germany wakes up, better late than never"
German chancellor Angela Merkel will visit Ukraine for the first time since 2008 on Saturday, August 23. It is interesting that the intrigue about the visit lasted until August 18. Let us remind that it was first announced by the president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko last Saturday after a phone conversation with the head of the German government.
Saakashvili could be deprived of his assets
Tbilisi Mayor, David Narmania is not ruling out the possible seizure of Georgian ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili's property.
Yerevan Reacts To Azeri-Turkish-Georgian Defense Talks
Azerbaijan - Defense Ministers Irakli Alasania of Georgia, Zakir Hasanov of Azerbaijan and Ismet Yilmaz of Turkey address the press after talks in Nakhichevan, 19Aug2014.
A DISTORTED MEDIA MIRROR Mirror Spactator Editorial 8-23 By Edmond Y. Azadian When Armenian attained independence, many Diasporan-Armenian organizations and experienced journalists moved to Yerevan to "liberate" the bland Soviet-style news media and restore its original mission.
a Saakashvili returns suits purchased with taxpayers' money amid graft probe
Former Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has returned seven suits and a Cashmere coat he purchased with taxpayers' money while in office.
The President of Georgia proposes to...
The President of Georgia proposes to expand the composition of the National Security Council.
Georgian rescuers start working in enhanced mode in Tbilisi due to hot weather
Due to the hot weather, Georgian Emergency and Urgent Situations Management Agency has started working in an enhanced mode, the agency head Temur Giorgadze told reporters Aug. 19. Because of the heat many people go to the Turtle Lake and Tbilisi Sea , and in connection with this the Tbilisi city hall has increased the number of rescue groups.
Georgian, Latvian presidents discuss upcoming NATO summit
Tbilisi, Georgia, Aug. 19 By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend: Presidents of Georgia and Latvia - Giorgi Margvelashvili and Andris Berzins had a phone conversation on Aug. 18. Georgian presidential administration told Trend that the parties mulled the issues to be addressed at the upcoming NATO summit.
Armenia Has Been Caught In Turkic Trap
ARMENIA HAS BEEN CAUGHT IN TURKIC TRAP Hakob Badalyan, Political Commentator Comments - 18 August 2014, 15:54 Georgia has proposed Azerbaijan to benefit from its association with the European Union.
Batumi to host Georgian-U.S. coast guard exercises
The Georgian-US exercises underscore the United States' efforts to deepen relations with NATO allies and partners, such as Georgia, as well as to help address common challenges, strengthen peace and stability in the Black Sea region, according to the U.S. embassy.
Georgia's hydropower potential superior to similar opportunities of Canada, Norway, EBRD s
Tbilisi, Georgia, Aug. 18 By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend: Georgia has hydropower potential that is one of the highest in the world, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development said in its strategy on Georgia.
Azerbaijani oil prices for Aug.11-15
The average price on AZERI LT, exported from Azerbaijan via the Ceyhan, Batumi and Supsa ports to Italian Augusta port, was $104.21 per barrel Aug.11-15, which is $1.73 less compared to the previous week.
Georgians Might Face Threat In Occupied Abkhazia
GEORGIANS MIGHT FACE THREAT IN OCCUPIED ABKHAZIA The Messenger, Georgia Aug 15 2014 By Messenger Staff Friday, August 15 Russia is continuing its imperialistic policy in occupied Abkhazia.
Abkhazia to Russians: Our Eyes Hurt, Please Cover Up
First, Russians are told that they will have to alter their eating habits thanks to a non-importation ukaz issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin covering Western food products.
Georgian prosecutor's office follows approved procedure in placing...
TBILISI. Aug 15 - Former Georgian Prime Minister Mikheil Saakashvili is very concerned about the fact that he has been placed on a wanted list in Georgia, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told reporters on Friday.
Georgia Puts Saakashvili On Wanted List
Georgian authorities have put former President Mikheil Saakashvili on a wanted list and will detain him if he returns to the country he led for nearly a decade.
Batumi to host Congress of European Economic Senate international forum
"The Congress of the European Economic Senate" international forum will be held at the initiative of the European Economic Senate in Batumi hotel Sheraton on Aug. 15. The European Economic Senate is the coordinating center-organization of European business.
Batumi to host World Chess Olympiad-2018
A decision to hold the Olympiad in Batumi was made at the General Assembly of the International Chess Federation in Tromso , Georgian Minister of Sport and Youth Levan Kipiani told media Aug. 14. "Georgia will adequately hold the World Chess Olympiad," the minister said.
LAPD Cop: If You Don't Want To Get Shot, Don't Challenge Me
Watch A Tortoise Chase Down A Remote-Controlled Truck With ALL ITS MIGHT
Watch The Moment A Caterpillar Transforms Itself Into A Chrysalis. This Is Awesome.
Should the U.S. Capitol Have a POW/MIA Memorial?
This Is The Craziest, Most Acrobatic Motorcycle Accident You'll Ever See
Meet Peach The Puppy
Which Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Character Are You?
Updated: Thu Aug 21, 2014 11:11 am
Copyright © 2014 Topix LLC


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Review: Kinivo USB Wi-Fi Adapter Adds Range
This low-cost Wi-Fi adapter might reach out and touch more access points when a laptop's built-in Wi-Fi doesn't.
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Are Paper Wedding Flowers Better?
Posted January 15, 2014 | 39 Comments
Paper flowers are in… and they're radder than ever. We've been asked why brides would pick paper wedding flowers instead of the real deal, and our answer is always the same: why not? We love fragrant flowers like the next person, but there's something special about keeping your bouquet long after the wedding is over. Read on to find out whether paper wedding flowers are better PLUS toss your name in the hat for a chance to win a gorgeous, totally-custom-made paper bouquet by The Little Red Button. In your colors. For FREE. Don't miss it!
Are Paper Wedding Flowers Better?
We can't make the decision for you, but we think paper wedding flowers boast some serious benefits over fresh flowers. Here's why:
1. Longevity
Let's face it: paper flowers last forever. The lifespan of fresh flowers is much shorter, with some bouquets lasting only a few days past the wedding. Paper wedding flowers, since they're made of paper, require no care and last for eternity. You can use them as home decor after the big day.
2. Cost
Paper flowers can range in cost, but even the most expensive paper wedding flowers will save you money. Instead of using them for a day, you'll be enjoying them forever. No money thrown away here!
3. Color selection
Have you picked your color palette, but you're not crazy about the flowers within those shades? Are your dream flowers out of season? Paper wedding flowers are always in season. You can pick any color under the sun. Any style bud is always in bloom.
4. Customization
A paper wedding bouquet is handmade and custom-made, just for you. Make it big and bold, or keep it small and simple. Size, design, and personalization is entirely up to you.
5. Sustainability
And, last but not least, paper flowers can weather even the most humid summer afternoon. No need to keep your blooms cold until it's go-time: paper wedding flowers are ready when you are. No wilting. No incessant sneezing. No bees attracted to the scent. No heavy bouquet to carry. Just a lightweight, beautiful blooming bouquet that's made just for you.
So… are paper wedding flowers really better? We think so, at least for your bouquet! But that's really up to you. We love us some fragrant blooms, but you can always put those to good use in other areas of your wedding (centerpieces, floral arrangements, and aisle decor, just to name a few).
Not convinced? You will be once you see 'em! Here are some of our hand-picked favorites by The Little Red Button to inspire you, beginning with our Editor's Pick:
Aqua + Lime Green*
*Emmaline Bride Editor's Pick
Navy Blue, Black + White
Purple + Green
Deep Purple (+ Crystal)
Hot Pink + Green
Win a Paper Flower Bouquet!
Now that you've seen some of our favorite paper wedding flowers, it's time to win a bouquet of your very own! One lucky winner will receive a custom paper flower bouquet by The Little Red Button valued up to $200! The bouquet will be made custom for the bride in her choice of colors. Free shipping included anywhere! Winner must claim bouquet within one year. Enter between 1/15-1/21/14 (11:59pm EST) for your chance to win. Use entry form below. Winner will be randomly selected and announced on this post on 1/22. Winner will be contacted via email and must respond within 72 hours (or a new winner will be selected). No cash value. No purchase necessary. Good luck!
Pick your favorite color combination or have your custom bouquet made in YOUR wedding colors!
Happy Planning!
What do you think? Do you like paper wedding flowers?
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About the Author
Emma Arendoski
Latest posts by Emma Arendoski (see all)
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(+ Giveaway) - September 2, 2014
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Category: 2014-giveaway, flowers
Tags: bouquet > flowers > paper > the little red button
Like this post? Not your style? Tell us either way!
39 Responses to "Are Paper Wedding Flowers Better?"
Tammie Treibley
January 15th, 2014 @ 3:16 pm
I love paper bouquets. I would love to make one, or win one for my bridesmaid!
January 15th, 2014 @ 3:25 pm
The wedding blue, ivory, silver, paper rose bouquet is stunning!!
January 15th, 2014 @ 3:52 pm
I love both – flowers and paper flowers. But this Bouquets are beautiful.
Morgan Worsfold
January 15th, 2014 @ 4:02 pm
So hard to pick a favourite! Either the deep purple.. or the blue, black and white.
January 15th, 2014 @ 4:26 pm
The boutonnieres are soo cute!
Casey Barreto
January 15th, 2014 @ 4:29 pm
I have been dying for an origami/paper bouquet for the longest time! I've got all my fingers and toes crossed on this one.
I love how romantic the red and white paper roses look together.
Casey Barreto
January 16th, 2014 @ 8:39 am
Also loving this blue/green combo!
Justyne M
January 16th, 2014 @ 10:28 am
i like the Wedding, Yellow, Grey, Kusudama, Paper Rose Bouquet
Kerry Donovan
January 16th, 2014 @ 1:53 pm
I adore the, Red & White Rose Bouquet w/ the Chrystal Trinity Decorations <3 <3 <3
Jen Razz
January 16th, 2014 @ 7:57 pm
The blue ivory and silver go well together
rebecca greeno
January 16th, 2014 @ 8:02 pm
Paper Flower Bouquet, Wedding, Blue, Ivory, Silver, Paper Rose would be perfect for my Tahoe wedding.
Elsie May Wedding Stationery
January 17th, 2014 @ 6:37 am
There are some really lovely designs but I think you can't beat a beautiful bouquet of real flowers!
Justyne M
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:03 pm
I like the Wedding, White, Fuschia, Blue, Vintage Map, Kusudama, Paper Rose Bouquet
Kia Tinsley
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:27 pm
I like the Navy Blue, Black + White bouquet
Jen Razz
January 17th, 2014 @ 1:41 pm
I also like the maroon and teal together
Tawndra Neal
January 17th, 2014 @ 1:46 pm
I love the blue/black/white bouquet.
Kerry Donovan
January 17th, 2014 @ 5:35 pm
I adore the red & white bouquet <3
Casey Barreto
January 17th, 2014 @ 10:10 pm
The red white and blue toss bouquet would be perfect for a July wedding!
Jen Razz
January 18th, 2014 @ 9:01 am
I like the black and grey togethrr
rebecca greeno
January 18th, 2014 @ 12:03 pm
Paper Flower Bouquet, Wedding, Blue, Ivory, Silver, Paper Rose would be perfect for my Tahoe wedding.
Justyne M
January 18th, 2014 @ 12:33 pm
i like the Paper Flower Boutonniere, Wedding, Book Page, Buttons, Rose
Casey Barreto
January 18th, 2014 @ 2:03 pm
The purple paper bouquet is very interesting!
Jen Razz
January 19th, 2014 @ 11:32 am
I like the hot pink and green
rebecca greeno
January 19th, 2014 @ 1:22 pm
Paper Flower Bouquet, Wedding, Blue, Ivory, Silver, Paper Rose would be perfect for my Tahoe wedding.
Casey Barreto
January 19th, 2014 @ 2:25 pm
I'm really enjoying the white bouquet shown above with different colored buttons in the middle. Thinking white flowers with coral buttons would be perfect!
Casey Barreto
January 20th, 2014 @ 8:43 am
Its so difficult to pick a favorite, I really love them all. I'm really enjoying how well this light blue and white bouquet goes together.
Justyne M
January 20th, 2014 @ 12:07 pm
i like the Paper Flower Bouquet, Wedding, Black, Book Page Paper Rose
Lydia Walstad
January 20th, 2014 @ 3:56 pm
The purple paper rose bouquet is beautiful!
rebecca greeno
January 20th, 2014 @ 4:24 pm
Paper Flower Bouquet, Wedding, Blue, Ivory, Silver, Paper Rose would be perfect for my Tahoe wedding.
Jen Razz
January 20th, 2014 @ 7:53 pm
I like the rose toss bouquet in red, chocolate and iced cocoa
Jen Razz
January 21st, 2014 @ 11:44 am
I also like the gold and black flowers
January 21st, 2014 @ 12:09 pm
The paper lotus is awesome!!
Casey Barreto
January 21st, 2014 @ 1:01 pm
Adoring these red and white boutonnieres with the pearl centers!
Justyne M
January 21st, 2014 @ 2:07 pm
i love the Paper Lotus, Music Sheet and Green, Wedding Decor, Wedding Bouquet, Home Decorations, Event Decorations by The Little Red Button on Etsy
Kerry Donovan
January 21st, 2014 @ 4:31 pm
I <3 the Red & White Bouquet!!!
January 21st, 2014 @ 9:31 pm
I like this red & white bouquet: http://www.etsy.com/listing/104986892/paper-flower-bouquet-wedding-red-white?ref=shop_home_active_6
I am looking for a white & cream or a cream & beige colored bouquet but I didn't see one.
rebecca greeno
January 21st, 2014 @ 9:50 pm
the Paper Flower Boutonniere is really different.
Gabby P
January 21st, 2014 @ 11:42 pm
I love the Paper Flower Bouquet in Yellow, Grey, Kusudama, and Paper Rose. It is so cheery and fun!
January 31st, 2014 @ 5:40 am
@flower station says, Wow!! So creatively design paper flowers.


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The 2013-2014 Ottawa Senators Team Photo (absent: Erik Karlsson, and ummmm, that's it)
The Ottawa Senators have played through 24 games now, and well, it hasn't been pretty. Flashes of brilliance (See: 6-1 Win over Detroit) are followed by terrible performances (See: 5-0 Loss to Philadelphia). Going into the season, we had huge expectations. Dreaming of the potential Stanley Cup and the dynasty that Bryan Murray has built, we were getting ahead of ourselves. Blobby ahem Bobby Ryan was supposed to be the replacement we never had for Dany Heatley while playing on a power line with Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek. While Bobby Ryan has ended up being the force we dreamed of and he has been playing on a power line that has been absolutely sensational, it wasn't the line we envisioned would be leading us heading into the season. Now I'm going to take a look at my admittedly biased opinions of our player's performances thus far and grade them, based on their usual standard of play. Let's get started.
Craig Anderson: Honestly, Craig has not been great. There seems to be a trend that every second year Anderson plays in the NHL, he turns in average performances. I think maybe we were setting the bar too high on Andy, who had a career year last year that gave us plenty to look forward to in the future. In a way, his play has been reflective of the Senators as a whole. An amazing performance as an underdog last year followed by subpar performance after having the bar set too high this year. Grade: C
Mark Borowiecki: In Mark Borowiecki's limited time, he's looked pretty solid. A great hitter and an adept fighter who provides energy boosts to the team by doing what he does best: Hitting and fighting. The one problem is that he's already earned himself a reputation as a troublemaker on the ice and the refs have handed out some very questionable penalties just because he's got that reputation. Grade: B
Cory Conacher: Ottawa's very own honey badger had a very good start to the season playing on the Hot Pocket line which comprised of Clarke Macarthur, Kyle Turris and himself. Then however, Paul Maclean put Bobby Ryan with Kyle Turris and Macarthur and Conacher with Spezza and the rest is history. Hasn't played well since, and is taking more penalties than drawing them. Grade: C-
Erik Condra: At the beginning of the season, the Condra we were used to seeing was not here. The Condra we were used to seeing was a possession wizard who was incredibly responsible in his own end and wasn't anything special to watch (especially on offence). He made bloggers like Travis Yost salivate with his amazing Corsi%. This year he's been anything but. In recent performances however, he's looked better and seems to be improving. Grade: C
Joe Corvo: In the few games he's played (emphasis on few) he's looked alright. Certainly better than Cowen and Gryba which raises the question as to why he hasn't been playing when he seems to know how to get the puck out of our own end, which is something we desperately need our defence to do right now. Grade: B-
Jared Cowen: Oh boy. Jared Cowen gave sort of a negative impression to the fans even before the season started by his near hold-out during contract negotiations. And then from the moment he stepped on the ice, it just spiralled out of control. In a bad way. Jared Cowen has become the scapegoat of the team. And while his recent performances have been better, they still haven't been good. Grade: D
Stephane Da Costa: I couldn't care less. He's shown that he's fantastic in the AHL yet lacking to say the least in the NHL. Corey Locke in a nutshell. Grade: C-
Derek Grant: Derek Grant is goal-less through the first 24 but has been arguably our best penalty killer. Still not sure that he's a fit long term but time will tell. Grade: B-
Colin Greening: Much like Erik Condra, Colin Greening's start to the year was dismal. He just looked slow and wasn't playing well at all. Emotionless is a good way to put it. Then after he unleashed all the emotion we had been missing in a fight against Luke Schenn of Philadelphia, he started to play well. Here's to hoping for a good Greening for the rest of the season but I have to grade him on his poor start as well. Grade: C
Eric Gryba: What he lacks in offence he makes up for in size and his solid defensive play. Atleast that's how it's supposed to work. Eric Gryba has had some good games but the amount of bad games outweighs the good. Gryba on numerous occasions is caught turning it over in his own zone, which is bad, because him being a rock steady defenceman was the one thing we could count on him for. Grade: C+
Erik Karlsson: This one is understandably interesting. While Karlsson has been an absolute sensation on offence, his defence has left something to be desired. (This is by Karlsson's defensive standards, his defence is still better than everyone on the team except Methot). Despite it not being at it's best though, his defence has been acceptable in my mind. While he may make the odd turnover, he gets it out of our zone many times per game, and that is the main thing our defence has trouble doing. Grade: B+
Matt Kassian: What can I say? Paul Maclean has been benching our top sniper and whenever Kassian does get to play he only plays 2 min. Brutal. Times like this I start to wonder if I really Trustache. Grade: NA
Clarke MacArthur: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Superman? Nope, it's Clarke MacArthur. If every UFA signing Ottawa brought us a player like MacArthur we would be the best team in the NHL. Clarke may have had a slow start in terms of scoring goals, with his lengthy goal scoring drought where it seemed every force of nature was willing him not to score, but even then you could see his two way play and hustle on display. Now though, over the past 10 games he's been racking up points in a nice fashion. From a nice goal against Montreal, to the assist of the year, he's been amazing. And to top all of that, he still gives you 110% and plays well anywhere. 5v5, PP, PK, he's deployed in all situations. Plus he isn't a third wheel on our 1st line, he's a consistent force on it. Plus, he's the Corsi% Master. Grade: A++++++++
Marc Methot: Methot hasn't played as well as he did last year (____ hasn't played as well as he did last year sums up our season) but still hasn't done much to complain about. In the past few games he has had some defensive decisions called into question but I don't see it as much to worry about. He's consistent, effective, and not very flashy. He also might have stood out more last year due to an elevated role with all of our injuries to deal with. Grade: B
Milan Michalek: Ugh I was dreading this one. You see, I've always supported Michalek and thought he could end up being a 25-30 goal scorer consistently. Injuries have just derailed his career so much I have to say that even I am losing faith. Unless he just becomes blazing hot the rest of the year he will be gone by the end of this season whether you like it or not. That's kind of a hard reality for me but it's quite clear that his future with Ottawa is next to non-existent. Grade: D+
Chris Neil: Neil has had a very Chris Neil-like season. Full of dumb penalties at bad times, fights, the worst garbage goals you will ever see and some very lacking play for the first two thirds of the season so far. Even so, he still managed to make us feel sorry for him by getting hit in the face with a puck. Many times. I don't even know how many times it's happened now. I think maybe 5 times. If we didn't feel sorry for him after the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time, we did after the 5th and last time which involved a ruthless Karlsson who will stop at nothing to get the 'A' on his chest. In any case, the last 8 games or so from Neil have been alright, nothing significantly good or bad, which for Chris Neil is great. Grade: C
Chris Phillips: The other assistant captain in our roster, he's sort of a scapegoat because many feel he should have not have been resigned for as long as he was. Anyways, at the start of the season he had a shaky 5-6 games where many said he should've been benched but since then in my opinion he's done just fine. Nothing amazing, nothing terrible, just consistently okay, and I'll gladly accept that as it has been consistent and it seems that right now we know what we can expect from him. Grade: B-
Bobby Ryan: After being called out during training camp about his conditioning, Bobby earned the nickname "Blobby". Sadly for Blobby, it stuck. In all seriousness though, Ryan has been all that was advertised and more. No one from Anaheim bothered to tell us about his underrated passing skills and a little was said about his ability to hit but he does it much more than we were expecting. He's our top goal scorer and he possesses an absolute monster of a shot which he can unleash in an instant. Not much to be mad about. Plenty to be proud about. Grade: A
Zach Smith: Our 3rd line centre who has played fairly well this season. He seems to be much more creative in carrying the puck in to the opposing teams ends then he used to be. Doesn't change the fact that the majority of the time, despite his efforts to get into the offensive zone, no real chance is ever created. He's made some bonehead plays yes, but he's still been a very solid and reliable 3rd/4th line centreman. Grade: B
Jason Spezza: Now obviously, there has been some controversy surrounding Spezza and his leadership and his play in general. In my opinion, Spezza is doing fine. I don't at all question his leadership, he was already a team leader when Alfie was with us and I think he was very well groomed for the leadership part of being a Captain. As far as his play goes, lets not forget that his reputation comes as being a streaky centre and it looks as if he's in the beginning of another streak right now. That being said, his +- at -9 is unacceptable especially when you have guys like MacArthur on the same team as you with +10. Same goes for Michalek. Both of them are veteran presences on this team and while they sort out some of their offensive struggles they should be leading the way on defence. Grade: B-
Kyle Turris: Kyle Turris was our first line centre/top scorer last year. He got both those titles due to extensive injuries to key players in our organization. Now though, he's worked himself up to be a centrepiece in our organization. This has the beginnings of a career year for Turris who, like MacArthur and Ryan, has just exceeded expectations by far. The fact that we have him signed for 5 more years at only $3.5 million per, that could be the bargain of the century. Turris was drafted with intentions to be a first line centre but as his time in Phoenix grew, that belief shrank. That belief has been brought back up now with his performance in Ottawa warranting talks as him being a possible cornerstone for our organization. Grade: A+
Patrick Wiercioch: Paul Maclean just seems to really dislike Patrick Wiercioch because he has been very tentative in his use even though he is clearly better than the likes of oh, I don't know, a certain Jared Cowen? It's been a little bit absurd at times how much Wiercioch has been watching from the press box this year, though that's not to say his performance has been great. Usually it's been decent with the odd bad game. All I'm saying is, even if Patty isn't playing as good as he's supposed to be, neither is half the team so give him a chance to play. Grade: C+/ B-
Mika Zibanejad: DJ Zbad has had a weird season so far. Even though many thought he was a lock to make the team, well everyone did, he was sent down to Bingo and Stephane Da Costa and Jean-Gabriel Pageau were called up. When the aforementioned two began to suck, this sparked the #FreeMika campaign. This campaign went on for a while until he was finally called up to the big leagues, then, well the campaign got a little more specific. This time it was #FreeMikaFromtheBench. Like Wiercioch, Maclean has been tentative in using Zbad. Mika got an assist last game, but that probably means he'll be watching next game from the press box. Grade: B
To sum up, there's been quite a few lacking performances thus far. However, with Kyle Turris, Clarke MacArthur, Bobby Ryan and Erik Karlsson leading the way, there's still lots of time for the Senators to regain form and become the team we dreamed about going into the year. Our chances will improve even more if Spezza becomes a more consistent scorer and leader in the defensive zone. There's no reason to lose confidence yet, if Washington could come back from a seemingly impossible deficit last year and finish 3rd in the East, who knows what the Sens can bring us under the guidance of Paul Walrus ahem Maclean?
Thanks for reading!


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"Wassup nerds, you know you been waiting for this shit…" First single from Thirsty Greedy's Survival Of The Skillest. Directed by Box Lo.
Pretty hilarious clip of Thirstin Howl in a bathtub of cassettes and using a crutch as a prop, rhyming over Nas' "Theif's Theme" instrumental. From J-Ronin's Freestyle Files Vol. 2 mixtape, dropping soon.
From the Mami & Papi album. Directed by Box Lo and Sucre Reyes.
With the release of Spit Gemz' FVCK THE RADIO project last Monday (February 25th, 2013), Gemz dropped off one of the standout tracks featuring heavyweight power MC Vinnie Paz. This next track is an ode to his Lo-Life brethren & his Brooklyn/ Queens roots. Featuring the Lo-Life general Thirstin Howl 3rd & the Fly Shit [cont.]
R.A. The Rugged Man writes: SADAT X asked me to hop on this bugged out bizarre-ass joint with him and THIRSTIN HOWL for his new WINE CONNOISSEURS album he did with WILL TELL. We met up at WILL TELL's little basement studio in BROOKLYN and laid down the track and vocals on some bugged out [cont.]
Thirstin Howl III and Hurricane G are recording an album together called Mami and Papi. The video is directed by Thirst and Jokes.
Directed by Sucre and Thirstin. From Big Vic Lo's Natural Born Skiller LP. Nice use of a GZA vocal sample.
Produced by Bluntologist.
T. Howl has just released the second volume in his Polo Grounds mixtape series, which you can cop for $4. Below you can check out a preview of the mix, which finds Thirstin narrating classic tracks as well as giving a preview of his next LP, Natural Born Skiller, naturally.
ACTION INCORPORATED is a rap group out of North Carolina. Fuzz Jackson & DJ Battle are two vets in the NC hip hop scene who have joined forces for this project. Peep the video for "Party For All Types" and download for the lead single "Furious" which features Thirstin Howl III.
Debut single from this North Carolina duo made up of DJ Battle and Fuzz Jackson, taken from their forthcoming self titled, debut album. LISTEN: Action Inc – "Furious" (feat. Thirstin Howl III) (MP3) Action Inc – "Furious" (feat. Thirstin Howl III) (MP3)
Thirstin Howl III is nothing short of a the new-school rap entity. Dipped in the finest Polo a man can steal he won his early accolades within the early Lyricist Lounge days garnering attention across the board from his flailing tongue and wit. The mid to late 90′s found Howl atop numerous 12″s, label to label, [cont.]
Debuting in 1999, courtesy of Rawkus' projects Soundbombing 2 and alongside Eminem on DJ Spinna's Heavy Beats compilation, Thirstin Howl III quickly made a name for himself, and followed these appearances with two do-it-yourself discs, Skillionaire and Skillosopher. These CD's introduced the underground hip-hop world to a cartoon character emcee obsessed with Polo gear, who repped the [cont.]
Funnier in concept than in execution, Thirstin Howl III tries his best to match the hilarity of Notorious B.I.G.'s classic B-side, "Dreams of F*ckin' an R&B B*tch" on "Dreams Of Fucking A Cartoon Bitch", but frankly, the execution falls far beneath B.I.G.'s original simplicity. Plus, his X-rated perversions just ain't that funny as Howl describes how [cont.]
Future star. Maybe I am completely off on this one, but listening to the humorous, threatening battle raps of Thirstin Howl III, combined with his completely marketable (like it or not) Polo obsession, and a huge underground buzz, that is what I predict for him. After stealing the show in one verse on Rawkus' recent [cont.]
I'm not sure what I love about Thirstin Howl III so much, but he has a totally unique style, and outrageous rhymes that are mad funny. He almost sounds like he is trying to scare you when he rhymes, but you can tell by the context that he is just messing around. This full, three verse [cont.]
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text:
Phone (813) 298-0496
Price $30
Age Suitability None Specified
Comedy Magic Show with a touch of Hypnosis - Lakeland, FL
Saturday, Feb 1 4:00p
Lake Mirror Theatre Lakeland, FL
The international Magician and Hypnotist Cesar Domico presents a new Comedy Magic Hypnosis Show that is Fun for the whole family.
With a Vegas style, Cesar's Comedy Magic Hypnosis Show promises that you will "be hypnotized by his magic."
Nobody escapes from laughter during a show by Cesar the magician and hypnotist. An original act never seen before! Come see for yourself the power of the mind. A certain grouchy rubber chicken may be involved!
The combination of comedy, magic, and hypnosis creates… Show more
Created by BrownPaperTickets | Claim this event
Location & Nearby Info
Lake Mirror Theatre
121 S. Lake Ave.
Between Orange and Main Streets
Lakeland, FL 33806
(863) 603-7529
121 S. Lake Ave.
Between Orange and Main Streets
Lakeland, FL 33806
(863) 603-7529
Show nearby:
0.3 mi 1 Molly McHugh's
0.4 mi 2 Pulse Green Parrot
0.8 mi 3 Colosseum Bar
0.9 mi 4 Lakeland Karma Bar
1.1 mi 5 Club Kathleen
2.5 mi 6 Barry's One
2.5 mi 7 Decisions Grill & Bar
2.6 mi 8 Isle of Capri
2.8 mi 9 Afc Liquor & Lounge
Reviews & Comments
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