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Australia and Argentina have a mutually beneficial relationship based on many shared interests. We are both large Southern Hemisphere nations with relatively small populations and strong resource bases. Australia and Argentina agreed in principle to exchange diplomatic missions in December 1959, with Argentina opening its first embassy in Sydney in 1962 (moving to Canberra in 1963) and Australia sending its first ambassador to Buenos Aires in 1964. We currently maintain resident embassies in each other's capitals.
Australia's principal engagement with Argentina is through the Cairns Group, the WTO, the G20, the UN, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the Antarctic Treaty and the International Whaling Commission (IWC). We share common interests in international peacekeeping, the prevention of WMD proliferation, disarmament, Antarctica international environment policy, agricultural trade liberalisation and economic cooperation policies.
The Argentine Republic is the eighth largest country in the world with a land area slightly larger than Western Australia. It is dominated by the Andes mountain range in the west, the fertile Pampas region in the centre, the hot and dry Chaco in the north, the riverine provinces to the east and Patagonia to the south. Argentina borders Chile to the West, Bolivia and Paraguay to the north and Brazil and Uruguay to the east. The name Argentina derives from the Latin word for silver. The capital of Argentina is Buenos Aires.
Argentina's population is approximately 41.5 million (2013 est). Argentina's population comprises mostly of European immigrants and their descendants. The Argentine indigenous population is estimated at just below two per cent of the total population. Catholicism is the main religion and maintains a legal status in the Argentine Constitution. Spanish is the official language of Argentina.
The Spanish established a permanent colony on the site of Buenos Aires in 1580 following sporadic settlement overland from Peru. Argentina declared independence from Spain in 1816.
Despite a prosperous start to the 20th Century, political and economic turmoil resulted in a military coup in 1943 led, among others, by Juan Domingo Peron. Elected President in 1946, Peron undertook radical industrial and labour reforms. Despite winning re-election in 1953, he was exiled by the military in 1955. This was followed by a period of political instability and diminished economic growth, paving the way for Peron's return to the Presidency in 1973. Peron died in 1974 and was succeeded by his third wife, Maria Estela Isabel Martinez de Peron, but she was ousted in another military coup in 1976. The ensuing period of repression under the military junta, commonly referred to as 'El Proceso' or the 'Dirty War', resulted in over 9,000 political murders and disappearances.
Argentina returned to civilian government in 1983 following the period of military rule. Since that time, the country's democratic institutions have been consolidated. This has not, however, been matched by similarly enduring financial and economic stability. In 2001, a profound economic crisis provoked serious civil unrest and resulted in the resignation of then President De la Rúa in December. After a period of transition under a caretaker administration, presidential elections were held in 2003 in which Néstor Kirchner came to power. With high public approval ratings, Kirchner's Government focused on restructuring Argentina's foreign debt and promoting economic growth.
Argentina is a presidential democracy, with universal suffrage and compulsory voting. Under the current constitution (last reformed in 1994), the President is the head of state and government and the Congress is bicameral.
Argentina is a federation of 23 provinces, plus Buenos Aires City, the self-governed capital. The system of government (at both the federal and provincial levels) is based on the separation of powers into the Executive branch, the Legislative branch and the Judiciary. The President and Vice-President are chosen by direct popular vote for a four-year presidential term, and may run for one consecutive re-election. The President appoints the ministers, who cannot simultaneously serve in Congress.
In 2007, President Kirchner announced that he would not seek re-election and that his wife, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, would take his place on the ballot in the presidential elections that year. Fernández was comfortably voted in as Argentina's first elected female president and took office in December 2007. President Fernández is supported by a large bloc of the Peronist Party (PJ), which has dominated the Argentine political scene since 1946. Former President Kirchner successfully sought to expand the PJ's power base beyond the traditional party structures by canvassing outside support, in particular from the centre-left. After Kirchner's sudden death from a heart attack in October 2010, public sympathy for the widowed President and ongoing strong consumer-led growth pushed her approval ratings – which had fallen early on in her presidency – to record high levels. Assisted by opposition disunity, President Fernández easily secured re-election in presidential elections held in October 2011, winning 54 per cent of the popular vote – a margin of nearly 40 per cent over the second-placed contender. The next presidential election is due in October 2015.
Early in its term, the Fernández Government used its record high popularity and majority in Congress to pass a number of controversial pieces of legislation. Some of these government initiatives have come under criticism, including the 2012 federal budget bill which further centralised power away from Congress and towards the executive. An expansion of import controls and media regulation has also drawn criticism from some circles. The Fernández Government controversially announced the re-nationalisation of Spanish-owned Repsol's share in oil company YPF in April 2012, which was met with widespread international criticism and concerns over sovereign risk for international investment in Argentina. Some of those concerns may be allayed by Repsol's shareholders agreeing to a US$5 billion compensation settlement from Argentina in March 2014.
President Fernández's popularity has waned significantly since mid-2013 as Argentina's economy has worsened and social unrest has risen. Poor wheat crop yields and high bread prices in mid-2013 led the government to apply anti-hoarding laws in an attempt to secure wheat supplies for the domestic market. Tensions also arose between the government and key unions over income tax thresholds. President Fernández was largely absent from the political scene in late 2013 for health reasons, during which the country faced an outbreak of looting amid police strikes, protests due to electricity cuts, and economic insecurity due to slowing activity and the rapid weakening of the Argentine Peso. Her government fared poorly in mid-term legislative elections held in October 2013, losing in all the major districts and failing to gain the required two-thirds majority needed to amend the constitution to allow Fernández to run again in the 2015 presidential elections, Despite the result, the government should preserve slim working majorities in the two houses of Congress in the lead up to the next election.
Like Australia, Argentina is a member of the G20 and was also voted to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2013-14. Argentina is a key member in the regional grouping Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela).
In 2012 Argentina's national Rugby Union team was permanently included in the annual international rugby tournament formerly known as the Tri Nations. The tournament, renamed the Rugby Championship following Argentina's inclusion, sees Australia and Argentina play each other twice a year, once at home and once away. South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby (SANZAR), have approved proposals to expand the Super Rugby tournament in 2016 to include an Argentine time.
Projects with Argentina included a Public Sector Linkages Program for Argentine scientists to participate in a CSIRO-managed workshop to make use of whey protein previously discarded by dairy manufacturers.
In 2001, the Australian Government established the Council on Australia-Latin America Relations (COALAR) which aims to enhance commercial, political and cultural relations between Australia and Latin America. Since its inception, COALAR has been active in promoting business, education, tourism and cultural links between Australia and Latin America. For updates on COALAR activities and information on the annual grants program, follow COALAR on Facebook.
Almost 12,000 Argentina-born persons live in Australia, many of whom migrated to Australia in the 1970s during a period of economic and political turmoil in Argentina. Australia's Argentine community also includes a network of second and third generation Argentine Australians. More information can be found at the Department of Social Services' Community Information Summary page.
From 2010 to 2014, Australia provided $100 million in development assistance to Latin America, including 250 Australia Awards scholarships. 45 Australia Awards fellowships and 16 Australia Awards scholarships were awarded to Argentinian students under this program. The regional program has now closed, though some activities which have already been funded will continue until 2017.
For latest economic data refer to Argentina Fact Sheet [PDF 35 KB].
Argentina's economy is based on an abundance of natural resources, a highly literate population and an export-oriented agricultural sector. Although Argentina is an industrialised country, its exports continue to be dominated by agricultural products. In the last decade, soybeans have become the country's main commodity export. Exports of industrial goods have, however, also grown strongly in recent years.
After decades of economic stagnation, economic reforms in the 1990s opened the market to foreign competition. Privatisation and economic deregulation saw foreign investment soar and GDP grow, with large domestic conglomerates and multinationals dominating the industrial base and utilities. For a decade, economic policy was based on the Convertibility Law of 1991, which sought to end hyperinflation and attract investment by establishing a currency board system that maintained parity between the Argentine peso and the US dollar. However, the law, together with a lack of fiscal discipline, ultimately reduced Argentina's flexibility to deal with external shocks and exacerbated problems such as unemployment. Argentine exports became uncompetitive, exacerbating chronic fiscal deficits and swelling public debt.
In December 2000, the De la Rúa Government resorted to a US$39 billion IMF bail-out to address concerns that the country would default on its debt. This package afforded Argentina only a short respite. Throughout 2001 subsequent government initiatives and fiscal changes failed to cap public spending.
In October 2001, the government was forced to restructure public debt (US$90b) through a voluntary bond swap once again to avoid default. This still failed to stem capital flight from the local financial system, obliging the government to place restrictions on cash withdrawals and transfers abroad. These measures eventually led to a default to private creditors of US$98 billion, political and social conflict, the collapse of the financial system and the fall of the government in December 2001. A transitional government, led by President Duhalde, applied emergency measures to devalue the peso and set a floating exchange-rate regime. After a long negotiation, Duhalde's Government obtained a transitional IMF aid package that prevented Argentina from defaulting on its debt commitments to the IMF.
After coming to power in May 2003, President Kirchner's Government made progress in stabilising inflation and maintaining the primary surplus, together with a strong trade surplus. The government introduced policies that put the economy back on a firm footing and laid the foundation for growth, falling unemployment and poverty reduction. However, little progress was made on structural reform, including restructuring the banking system, implementing tax reform, and establishing a new fiscal relationship between the central government and provinces.
Tension between Argentina and the IMF – particularly due to the unresolved issue of the debt renegotiation – led to the postponement of the stand-by agreement in August 2004. Negotiations with the IMF resumed following a successful debt swap in February 2005 and the US$9.5 billion owed to the IMF was repaid in January 2006.
Argentina successfully renegotiated its large debt with the majority of private creditors in 2005 and 2010 agreed a settlement for the debt with the Paris Club group of creditors in May 2014. It is still, however, grappling with US creditors who have refused to settle.
In order to support a managed float, with the objective of maintaining a low peso to stimulate exports and import replacement, Argentina recommenced issuing some debt to foreign creditors in 2006, with Venezuela becoming a major customer.
President Fernández has adhered broadly to the economic policies pursued by her husband, including measures such as domestic price accords, export taxes and utility tariff freezes, and strong growth in public expenditure. The recent introduction of measures aimed at slowing the flow of manufactured imports have met with criticism inside Argentina as being protectionist, and caused tensions within Mercosur and with major trading partners.
In March 2008, the government introduced a sliding scale export tax scheme for grains and oilseeds. In response, the leading farmers' associations in Argentina organised nationwide protests and roadblocks against the new measures, halting operations in the grains, beef and dairy sectors, with the objective of having the new tax scheme removed or substantially adjusted. The government's proposed export tax measures for grains and oilseeds were narrowly rejected in the Senate in July 2008. However, this failed to resolve the conflict with farmers, who continue to seek a reduction of all export taxes on agricultural products.
The impact of the global financial instability, in particular weak demand and lower prices for Argentina's commodity exports, dampened economic growth in 2008 (+6.8 per cent) and 2009 (+0.7 per cent). In order to mitigate the effects of the crisis, the government announced a number of stimulatory measures, including increasing spending on public works, providing subsidised credit lines and extending a targeted taxation moratorium.
In late 2008, President Fernández secured congressional approval for the nationalisation of private pension funds. In early 2010, Fernández issued a decree to transfer US$6.5 billion in Central Bank reserves to the Treasury, in order to guarantee debt payments. This and other measures (such as the renationalisation of flag air carrier Aerolíneas Argentinas in September 2008, the introduction of strict foreign exchange controls in October 2011, the approval of legislation to limit the foreign ownership of land in December 2011, and the nationalisation of Repsol's controlling stake in oil company YPF in April 2012) appear to presage a wider role for the state in the economy as the government grapples with multiple economic challenges.
Argentina's most important trade agreement is Mercosur. Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay (currently suspended) Uruguay and Venezuela are full members of Mercosur, the Southern Cone Common Market, which also comprises associate members Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname. Mexico is an Observer and Bolivia is in the process of becoming a full member. Mercosur is an imperfect customs union, with a common external tariff applied on most products. Mercosur represents a potential market of almost 270 million people with a combined GDP in 2012 of more than US$3.3 trillion.
In 2012, Argentina's principal export destinations were Brazil (20.4 per cent), Chile, (6.3 per cent) and China (6.2 per cent). Its major exports include agricultural products, motor vehicles and parts, chemicals and related products, crude oil and fuels and base metals and glassware. Argentina's principal import sources were Brazil (26.1 per cent), China (14.5 per cent) and the United States (12.4 per cent). Major imports include intermediate goods, parts and accessories for capital goods, capital goods, fuels and lubricants and motor vehicles. Argentina's exports to the United States totalled US$4.4 billion in 2012, while imports from the United States were US$10.0 billion in 2012. Exports to China totalled US$5.8 billion in 2010, up significantly from US$3.67 billion in 2009. Imports from China also increased markedly from US$4.82 billion in 2009 to US$7.65 billion in 2010.
Argentina's GDP in 2012 was US$475.2 billion. Despite estimated GDP growth of 4.3 per cent in 2013, the outlook for 2014 is bleak, with some estimates forecasting a slight contraction in GDP. Consumer demand, which had benefited from expansionary fiscal policy and credit growth, has slowed amid growing inflation, weakening confidence and faltering industrial production. Since November 2013, the Argentine Peso has suffered sharp depreciation, increasing pressure on citizens to convert savings into US dollars and growing the already extensive US dollar black market. Dwindling foreign reserves and high inflation are also impacting on the economy. While a record soy bean harvest and recent cuts to water and natural gas subsidies should alleviate some pressure, Argentina is expected to continue to suffer into the near future from the combination of economic issues and the Government's interventionist policies (including nationalisation of major companies).
The issue of energy security is a key long-term economic and policy challenge. Oil and gas production has stagnated in the face of artificially low domestic consumer prices. Similarly, electricity demand has increased due to strong economic growth, but generation capacity has been flat for several years, exacerbated by the virtual freeze on rates since the 2001 devaluation. The government has announced several measures on both the demand and supply sides, including the removal of subsidies to allow for a gradual correction of industry and consumer incentives. In July 2013 the state-run YPF and Chevron agreed to a $US1.5 billion joint venture to develop Argentina's vast shale oil and gas deposits in Neuquén Province. Argentina, with an estimated 27 billion barrels, has the fourth largest shale oil deposits in the world.
Australia and Argentina play an active role in the G20 forum in addressing the global financial crisis and in identifying reforms to the global financial system. Argentina's role as an interlocutor on the WTO Doha Round negotiations and in the Cairns Group is important to Australia. As major wine-producing nations, Australia and Argentina work together through the World Wine Trade Group to advance favourable international trade conditions in relation to wine.
Australia also participates in the CER-Mercosur Dialogue, bringing together Australia, New Zealand and the Mercosur member countries. The dialogue was established in 1996 as a mechanism to strengthen cooperation on global trade policy issues and to promote inter-regional trade and investment. Australia was represented by the then Foreign Minister Rudd at the December 2010 Mercosur Ministerial Leaders' meeting in Iguaçu, Brazil, and by the then Parliamentary Secretary Marles at the December 2011 Mercosur Ministerial and Leaders' meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Australia and Argentina are both members of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), which aims to increase and improve mutual understanding, political dialogue and cooperation among member states of East Asia and Latin America.
In 2007 the Argentine company INVAP, together with the Australian firms John Holland and Evans Deakin, built and commissioned a 20MW replacement nuclear research reactor at Lucas Heights in Sydney. The project is a good example of the potential for increased business links between Australia and Argentina.
Argentina and Australia have signed an investment protection agreement, which provides additional security to Australian investors by protecting against the possibility of expropriation of Australian investments and providing for an international dispute settlement mechanism. A double taxation agreement entered into force in 2000. An agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy entered into force in January 2005. In November 2003, Australia signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on scientific and technological cooperation with Argentina. Australia and Argentina also have bilateral MOUs on air services, education and training and cooperation in the development of rail infrastructure in Argentina, and in November 2011 signed an MOU on Work and Holiday visas.
Trade with Argentina is modest, with the balance in trade generally favouring Argentina since the onset of its economic crisis in 2001. Two-way merchandise trade exceeded the half-billion dollar mark for the first time in 2008, and reached $991 million in 2013. Australian exports to Argentina totalled $178 million in 2013, and included coal, medicaments and civil engineering equipment. Australian imports from Argentina totalled $812.5 million in 2013, and included animal feed, goods vehicles, soft vegetable fats and oils, and leather. Two-way trade in travel services totalled $63 million, with $19 million in travel services exports from Australia.
There is also strong two-way tourism trade between the two nations. Over 17,000 Argentines visited Australia and over 13,000 Australians visited Argentina in the year ending June 2013.
39 Australian companies operate in Argentina, including 11 ASX200 companies. Australian investment in Argentina is estimated at around A$842million (2012). Sectors of interest include mining, agribusiness, entertainment, port management, freight equipment and workers' compensation insurance.
Export and, in particular, investment opportunities for Australia can be found in mining and most areas of primary production and agribusiness sectors. Opportunities also exist for Australia in the revitalisation of Argentine industry and in the communications, transport and public utilities sectors. Other sectors with promise are environmental management, wine, construction and building materials and high-tech machinery. Argentine student enrollments in Australian institutions in 2012 numbered 280. Further engagement between Australian and Argentine education institutions could see further growth in these numbers. Australian expertise in distance education, vocational training, tele-medicine, English as a second language and postgraduate studies could also find markets in Argentina. Over 13,000 Argentines have visited Australia each year since 2009. With appropriate marketing, tourism has the potential to be grown even further.
For information on doing business and opportunities in Argentina please see the Austrade website: Argentina Market Profile.
April 2010: Then Minister for Trade, the Hon Simon Crean visited Argentina for meetings with senior government members. The visit was successful in promoting the bilateral trade and investment relationship, as well as our cooperation in multilateral forums such as the WTO and G20.
October 2010: a Congressional delegation from Argentina visited Australia and met with key government officials, academics and representatives from the business sector.
October 2012: The Hon John Hogg, President of the Senate, visited Argentina and an Australian Parliamentary delegation visited in October 2012.
September 2013: an Argentine delegation including provincial and national government and business representatives, led by the Governor of San Luis, Claudio Poggi, visited Australia for meetings in relation to agriculture, sport and water management.


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Thu, Oct 4, 12 at 22:38
This is an interesting plan because it puts the kitchen (the clean up and cooking areas) into the breakfast area. |
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by debrak_2008 (My Page) on Fri, Oct 5, 12 at 7:04
In order to get responses but might want to combine all your threads into one. Read the STICKY post on new to kitchens but also read the floating thread, New to kitchens as it has more info including how to post more than one photo in one post. Use graph paper to draw your layout as it will be easier to read. |
Thank you. I will try to get graph paper this weekend and start over. I did manage to post 7 follow ups to my original floor plan post (entitled "Ok, deep breath") with all the different plans. But, I will read the STICKY post to see if there is a smarter way to do it. |
- Posted by debrak_2008 (My Page) on Fri, Oct 5, 12 at 9:18
I see your new thread. Already you are getting responses! Remember to read the "floating" new to kitchen thread as it has info in it that is not in the sticky version for some reason. |
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Are computers playing digitized notes good musicians compared with professional musician people?
closed as not a real question by Wheat Williams, Dr Mayhem♦, NReilingh♦ Dec 23 '12 at 2:56It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, visit the help center.If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question. |
I've been writing music software for 15+ years and this is a topic I love. People play music at a MUCH more sophisticated level than computers. Anything that a computer can play, a band of people can adjust and play better. Since there's no "perfect" way to play music - the measure of music is the emotion it makes you feel - computers will never be great at it. That said, computers don't have the limitations that a human does with number of fingers, playing things quickly, etc. And computers can REALLY help a musician out as s/he practices and composes. But people can get around those limitations by adding more people. And when it comes to playing a song, computer generated music is never as flexible as what a human can do. Computers work from strict rules or randomness. People feel. And those feelings are very difficult to "put rules around". So completely computer music is good. But not as good as uncompletely computer music. |
Is a CD-player a good musician? I think there's no difference here since a computer just plays back what's been programmed in. |


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The Thrill of the Write
Julia Munroe Martin on Apr 12 2014 | Filed under: Humor, Inspirations, Writing life
Recently I read on Kirkus about novelists "who do really funky research." Like Jodi Picoult who spent time in a prison. Susan Minot traveled to Uganda to get to know girls kidnapped by the Lord's Resistance Army. Peter Rock explored an underground shelter used by former members of a New Age religion. Ann Tyler has written: "I write because I want more than one life."
It made me wonder. What would I do? How far would I go? My just-finished work in progress is about the Vietnam era, and it's been tough. A girl coming to age, watching young men she cares about grappling with going to war. It's been hard, not just to hear about and think about all that went on during the war (I've interviewed vets, read lots of books, and watched tons of video footage), but it's also been tough to get into the mind of young soldiers, particularly those who've come back with PTSD.
I've struggled and (consequently) so has my main character. She's never seen combat and neither have I. Once when I was a kid I was living in unstable Uganda and a guard shoved a machine gun into the Land Rover I was riding in, but that's the closest I've come to a wartime experience.
My next WIP is about an adrenaline junkie who does extreme things for a thrill, to make himself feel more alive. I made a list of things I would might think about doing to research that novel.
1. Visit a warzone. If I did, would there be any way I could truly feel the feelings of being a combat troop? Or what it would feel like to be there day in and day out? Although it would bring me closer, I'm not so sure it would achieve more than a glancing view . . . like being a tourist or voyeur into a life. Unless I actually picked up a weapon and was in combat. No one wants me in their platoon. Trust me.
2. Go bungee jumping. Earlier today I saw a terrifying video on Facebook—and by me, I mean my husband (I was too afraid to even watch). A bungee cord snapped as an Australian woman was bungee jumping over the Zambezi River. It took forty minutes before she was rescued, after she floated downriver through rapids and white waters. I don't want to do that. The truth is I'm as chicken as they come, scared of anything that might cause me bodily harm. But I wonder. I saw cliff jumpers in an IMAX presentation once when I was on a field trip with one of my kids. I had to cover my eyes and peer through my fingers. I'll cross these two things off, too.
3. Drive terrifyingly, dizzyingly fast. 100 or more miles an hour on a public street. When I was a teenager I drove too fast. Okay, I admit to occasionally driving over the speed limit even now; I drove over 90 when I drove across the country last summer—it was in Utah where the speed limit was 80. But there wasn't any adrenaline rush, I was only doing it because we had a long way to go, and I had the illusion of safety. This one I'd consider . . . when I was younger I learned to drive a stick shift on the hills of San Francisco, and that was an adrenaline rush.
4. Stay in prison overnight. No. Unless I was in solitary confinement. With a shiv.
5. Shoot a gun. I've never even held a gun. Can you believe that? But, yes, this is one I'd actually like to try.
6. Be a man for a day (or a week). Not that this is particularly dangerous or adrenaline rush causing (although it may be, I don't know), but I admit to being curious. I've often wondered what it would feel like to be the opposite sex. What does go on in those minds? (Venus vs. Mars and all that.) This one is physically impossible (without spending way too much money and time) so it's a no on this one, too.
7. Sail in the middle of nowhere with no land in sight. I'd like to say yes to this one, but the answer would probably be no. I have a fear of what lies below the surface of the ocean (and lakes, too).
8. Fly a plane solo. My husband has a private pilot's license, he got before he could even drive. It pains me to say this, but I'm afraid of flying, so again, I'd probably say no . . . even though one of the books I wrote has a small plane pilot in it (of course he was killed in an accident).
9. Go spelunking. Probably not. I did, however, go into the Great Pyramid of Giza when I was a child, and I had to crawl through a long tunnel that was only about three feet high. Maybe that's where my fear of closed spaces came from, hence the shying away from spelunking…
I know what you're thinking . . . I sound like a wimp. But, the sad fact is that as I read through my list, I realize that as much as I'd actually like to try some of these things, I'm just too scared. So you're right, I am. Instead I'll write about someone who isn't, someone who is in fact afraid not to do these things. Which kind of makes me wonder . . . am I an inverse adrenaline junkie? And if I am so afraid, why do I even want to write about these things? Some people say you write what you know. Others say you write what you want to know. Still others say you write to confront your fears. Anne Tyler says you write to live another life.
And maybe therein lies the thrill for this writer, the secret to leading more than one life: imagining what a character feels or thinks or does. If I'm looking for an adrenaline rush, do I really need to jump off a cliff or snap a bungee line? Maybe my speeding car and my sex change are as close as the nearest computer or library, my adrenaline fix as near as the closest high speed racetrack or base of a mountain where cliff jumpers land—to observe and ask questions . . . to get into their heads, to understand how they feel, what motivates them to do the things that they do.
Then back to my computer to get my next fix. Because I contend I am an adrenaline junkie. I'm addicted to words and the creation of stories . . . and when the words are flowing and the story is pouring out, that's the highest high I know, the best feeling on earth, the way I feel most alive.
How about you? What's the "funkiest research" you've done for a novel? What's the funkiest—or scariest—thing you would might consider doing?
About Julia Munroe Martin
Julia Munroe Martin (@wordsxo) is a writer and blogger who lives in an old house in southern coastal Maine. Julia's other passion is photography, and if she's not writing at the dining room table or a local coffeeshop, you'll likely find her on the beach or dock taking photos. Julia writes The Empty Nest Can Be Murder mystery series as J. M. Maison.
65 Responses to "The Thrill of the Write"
**What's the funkiest—or scariest—thing you would might consider doing?**
The scariest thing I would consider doing is visiting one of the most haunted houses - in the UK - and staying there for a weekend all by myself.
After watching the Paranormal Activity movies, I figure I have done enough research to be able to handle myself... :p
Interesting, Katherine. I agree, that is scary, even though I have to tell you that I'm 99.9 percent sure I don't believe in ghosts, yet I'm not that certain I'd spend a weekend by myself in one of the most haunted houses in the UK…I'm not sure what that really says about me (probably reinforces my wimpiness). I'll be so curious to hear about it if/when you do it! Thanks for your comment.
Great post, Julia. I do envy those writers with such courage to live the experience in real life that they want to write about. I've always wanted to spend the night in a cemetery, listen to the dead sleep, watch for owls, and wake up with the sun rising over the headstones.
Glad you enjoyed it, Paula! "I do envy those writers with such courage to live the experience in real life that they want to write about." << exactly! As for spending a night in a cemetery, I'm not sure I would (or want to). High on the creepiness factor. But the way you describe it sounds actually quite beautiful!
Julia, I am so not an adrenalin junkie. I don't mind working hard (climbing mountains, kayaking, etc) but experiences for the thrill aren't my thing. However, that kind of research aside, I would love to travel, interview people, and walk the settings of my writing, so I can imagine the experience more vividly.
I hear you, Julie! I love the travel and interview and walking the settings much more than the adrenaline side, too. Thanks for the comment!
Hmmm... I shot a gun and jumped into a river holding an infant. Well, not really. That took place in my mind. In the outside world, while researching BABY GRAND I traveled to Albany and toured the Executive Mansion. That's about as daring as I got. Guess I'm a wimp too. :)
Oh, Dina! You had me going for a minute there! I was wayyyy impressed that you had really done those things. I remember you talking about the tour of the Executive Mansion which (maybe not so scary) sounded like very cool research to me!
Trust me -- you don't want to be in a war zone. I didn't see direct combat during Desert Storm (for which I was grateful), but if you want to get a feel for the emotions when you come back, read the book Redeployment by Philip Clay. It's hard when you're dealing with paranoia day in and day out because the reality is that someone is trying to kill you. I'd skip the first story, though, and read it after you've read some of the others. You might not get past the first one.
I have shot a gun, and have also held a Civil War pistol (I understood what balanced means after that). You might try going to a local gun show and chatting with the dealers. They might like showing things off and letting you hold the guns. Las Vegas also has "The Gun Shop," where you can fire pretty much anything, including a Tommy gun.
I'll trust you, Linda, and thank you for validating my gut reaction! Believe it or not I JUST received REDEPLOYMENT day before yesterday from Amazon and am starting it today! I read one of the stories online and know I'll love it. What an amazing writer. Thanks for the tip about going to a gun show, great idea. I'm way across the country in Maine or I'd hightail it over to "The Gun Shop" today. I really appreciate your tips. Thanks for the read and the comment!
I didn't really do any of the things for the purpose of book research or thrillseeking. I'm an RN and I volunteer in Nepal to teach nursing, esp critical care nursing (for which I am highly qualified in USA). So, my "baseline" day job is one that deals with human drama. I started going to Nepal in 2007 and over the years I developed the insights that went into The Sacrament of the Goddess, due out next month. (find it on Amazon). this included learning about surprising cultural details from my Hindu and Buddhist friends, and working on the tropical disease ward (hint: washing hands is a good idea) and also on the burn unit. My book includes a lot of detail about medical problemsolving in a Low Income country. didn't research it - I lived it!
I didn't really do any of the things for the purpose of book research or thrillseeking. I'm an RN and I volunteer in Nepal to teach nursing, esp critical care nursing (for which I am highly qualified in USA). So, my "baseline" day job is one that deals with human drama. I started going to Nepal I have the utmost respect for RNs and can well imagine the daily human drama not to mention adrenaline you must experience. Your book sounds fascinating (and having lived in tropical climates -- with only a few tropical diseases contended with -- I will always wash my hands even here in Maine!). And you bring up an important point -- the difference between going out and doing research specifically to write vs. living something you then write about. Thanks for reading and commenting, Joe! I look forward to checking out your book.
Stephen Crane wrote "The Red Badge of Courage" without having been in or seen one Civil War battle. It's all in the imagination, not necessarily in the experience.
I did not know that about Stephen Crane -- that's absolutely amazing. I agree that imagination is critical (which I have in ample abundance) but I am also so curious of Stephen Crane's research. Such an amazing book! And at such a young age. Thanks so much for the comment and the read, Tony.
Us wimps need to unite, Julia. We expose our souls to the world on paper. Nothing braver than that. :)
Denise Willson
Author of A Keeper's Truth, and (coming soon) GOT-
I welcome another wimp into the fold :) And I'd agree, at times (like when I'm admitting I'm a wimp on Writer Unboxed), I do feel a bit over exposed and brave… Thanks, Denise -- for the read and the comment, I appreciate the solidarity!
In my "case" as a writer, personal experience is usually the enemy of the imagination. Personal experience--what you term research--crowds in, demanding attention, demanding to be memorialized. This process, then, of being true to remembered events makes it much more difficult, if not impossible, to see how things might be, rather than how they are.
I agree with Barry. Plus I'm also very risk averse. I'm
afraid of virtually everything on your list and happily so. I'm
very content to stay out of harm's way and let my imagination risk
life and limb. Besides, as Barry put so aptly, I do think that
often something is lost when we're actually writing what we know.
It is a unique skill to have lived something and still not lost
sight of the magic or horrors of the moment and be able to
translate them whole to the page.-
We are "on the same page." But I would add the caveat that there are writers, much to be envied, whose egos seem big enough to prevent actual experience from getting in the way of their imaginations. I would place Philip Roth in this group. He's written a great many books that draw directly on his personal, not to say very personal experience. But he is such a consummate stylist ("consummate" perhaps not being the best word here) that the way he treats "what actually happened" is realized not as personal history, but as powerful fiction. A lot of readers dislike Roth, but no honest reader can fault him in terms of style. -
So interesting, Abe… as an intense research hound, I'm so fascinated by your and Barry's point of view. I truly will be trying my hand at writing something without having tried it -- and putting aside my fear that I won't be able to do so, instead attempting to get in touch with the magic or horror of the moment! Thank you for your comment and read.
So interesting, Barry… do you feel the same way about research in general? It's such an interesting perspective (for me) and I will definitely have to give it a try. It will stretch both my writing and also my bravery -- thanks for the idea.
I speak only for myself. But each time I've tried to write about something that actually happened to me, I've become bogged down in what I think of as a kind of moral dilemma. I feel duty-bound to reproduce exactly what happened. Otherwise, I am betraying the memory. But of course all any writer has to work with is "experience." The only question is whether these experiences happen in the physical or mental world. I say a little more about this in the Q&A I created for my website.
Love your honesty, Julia! I tend to rely more on my imagination and less intimidating ways to research a project. Definitely agree with your comment that 'words flowing' can be an incredible adrenaline rush. And I'm with you, Denise, that exposing our souls to the world must be near the top of the being-brave-risk-taking list.
Thanks, Micky… I did think briefly (before posting) about the sense or wiseness of posting my inner most fears. Quickly dismissed, apparently :) Yes, I loved what Denise said about the exposing my soul being brave (as evidenced by this post…) and here's to the incredible thrill of writing. Glad to find another thrill writer!
not the funkiest -- but-- could be considered scary (at least, my friends thought so)-- interview street gangs for my non-fiction books, Street Gangs. First edition involved youth gang members in the South Bronx, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia. It was late October and I was only wearing a thin trench coat. One gang member (a girl -- they were often tougher than the guys) asked me if I was shivering because I was afraid. I looked her in the eye and told her I was just cold. In another interview, when I got back in the cop car (the cops knew where the gangs were) after being a couple of blocks away on the street interviewing, told me that the gang members had much more ammunition than they had. (thanks for sharing).
In the second edition, I interviewed gang members in
Los Angeles County. One night I patrolled Hollywood Boulevard with the Guardian Angels. The scariest part was that I got lost, late at night, driving back to my motel....
Sandy Gardner
Wow, Sandy, that is truly one of the scarier research stories I've heard. It took a lot of guts and you are definitely not a wimp…impressive! Those are the kind of guts I wish I had…so I could do more of the things on my list. As for getting lost in such a scary area, I understand that…I grew up in SoCal and had times when I got off on the wrong freeway exit at night and ended up being truly terrified. Thank you for sharing your story, so interesting, and I will definitely check out your books.
Hi Julia,
thanks for all that! Street Gangs and Street Gangs in America (winner of an award from the National Federation of Press Women) were published by Franklin Watts-- Amazon might have them at this point. I moved from non-fiction to fiction awhile ago-- am now working on a mystery series.
Sandy Gardner
I have done four of your nine experiences. One of the best parts is *having* done them. I would not in all cases do them again.
Well, except being a man for a week. I can't seem to stop that particular form of thrill-seeking.
For research, though, there's nothing like firsthand experience. Just live to write about it, okay?
Well, that's just plain mean to say you've done four of the nine but not tell which… I'll guess #2, #3, #5 & #7 (sounds a bit like a take out order). Am I right?
I would agree that having done them is one of the best parts -- and when (if) I do them, I definitely plan to live through them. Thanks Don (for the comment and in advance for your answers!).
Wow, what a great list. I share your terror of what lurks below the surface of lakes and oceans. Even thinking about it makes me want to pull my feet up onto my chair.
I would love to drive really fast. I spent a summer in Idaho learning to drive at the age of 14 and at one point, on our way to bible study (Hah!) I got the car up to 140 miles per hour. So, yes, I want to drive fast, but I mean really fast!
Well, I am WAY jealous of the 140 mph. But at 14? Wow, that's the time to do it -- all guts and adrenaline, right? Curious, once you do it, is it in the back of your mind whenever you drive, or maybe once in a while? "I could drive 140 mph. I've done it before…" (BTW, your description of pulling your feet up into your easy chair is exactly how I feel!) Thanks for reading and for the comment, Sara!
Great post, Julia! I certainly relate to fiction as a means of living additional lives. And research is necessary to ground our stories in reality.
That said... since adrenalin is our response to a threat, aka fear, the fact that you're terrified of many of the extreme activities your character is drawn to may provide you with the very rush your character gets, ahead of time. :)
Thanks, Marialena, glad you can relate. And you make a very valid and good point that I never considered (so thank you again!)…to draw on my very real feelings of fear about the fear itself as a way to pinpoint and describe that rush. Thank you so much! (But you didn't mention what scares you…are you an adrenaline junkie? or "merely" living more lives through your fiction?)
Last year, I convinced my Ortho-surgeon to keep me awake so I could watch him perform my knee surgery. Does that constitute as funky? Hmm...maybe. Probably.
Not sure about funky but way brave! And it was probably pretty interesting. I've also had surgeries (more minor) without general anesthetic, and I guess you're right, it was a bit funky and very surreal to watch cuts being made while I could feel (thankfully) nothing. Cool… hope you wrote about it! Thanks for the comment, Alison!
I'm with you, Julia. I'm a born chicken. I've done #5 and #6. I was a really bad shot, but it gave me insight on what it feels like to hold and fire a gun. It's not as easy as it looks. As for #6, I was born that way, which is challenging when trying to write female characters. Most of my research consists of visiting places I want to write about. I'm not much of a thrill seeker, I'm afraid.
Nice to meet another born chicken, C.G…. and thank you for the read and the comment! Actually, that's one of the reasons I'm both scared of and fascinated by the idea of firing a gun -- seeing how good a shot I am. I assume I'd be only so-so (as I was with archery), but hope I'd at least be able to aim in the safe direction (one of my fears…that I couldn't or would be in line of fire of someone who couldn't). I am so glad you brought up your challenge about writing as a female… yes. That's exactly my feeling when writing from the male POV! I didn't mention the visiting of places as research, but I've done that, too, and love it!
Well, I took my '62 Caddy to 105, just to see if it would top 100, and that was a memorable experience, because of the juddering, floating sense that the frame and the wheels were only in vague conversation. I did own a .22 rifle as an adolescent, which made no sense in my suburban neighborhood. And I have spent several days in jail (not prison), doing, hmm, research—yeah, that's it.
I have incorporated all these youthful follies into both stories and a novel, though not expressly as they happened (though the nonfiction piece I wrote about my idiotic handling of the gun was accurate to life).
I disagree a mite with some of the comments that suggest that these experiences might constrict or taint their use as story elements; the characters which I larded with some antic fictional consequences drawn upon by these experiences were the better felt through the vividness of detail.
But war zones and spelunking—get thee behind me Satan!
Your comment made me laugh out loud -- thank you! What a story about your Caddy, wow! Great description. And with your story about your .22, you managed to roll my fascination with #5 and #6 into one: I have never met a woman (that's not to say there aren't any) who owned a rifle as an adolescent "which made no sense in my suburban neighborhood." Add jail and well, you've got stories that must be fascinating reads….expecially when you add in "idiotic handling of the gun…"
Like you, I don't agree that experience might taint a story, because (for me) personal experience helps me write with more vivid detail.
Thanks again for the laugh, Tom!
I wanted to know more about martial arts and use of weapons for my story, so I joined the local hapkido (Korean martial arts) group and I'm having a great time. It's not just learning how to defend yourself, it's almost a way of life, a way to focus thoughts and energy. Plus hapkido is aimed at ending violence as quickly as possible, which is perfect for a pacifist like me ;-)
I've thought about trying hapkido… my daughter took a few classes and it seems very cool. I didn't realize, however, it's aim -- that's very cool in itself. Thanks for the comment and read, Andrea! I really appreciate it.
I can highly recommend it! This is our team at a competition last year, I start second from right. My "maestro" is in the middle. http://youtu.be/AYsqxMEtgSI
Seriously, driving really fast on public streets? One additional bit of advice for writers, or anyone for that matter looking for a thrill to release one's inner writer: please don't put anybody in harm's way by what you do.
Of course as an erotica writer, there are ways we have of..uh..releasing our inner writers.
Yes, I should be slapped for that, but then I might enjoy it. ;)
Yes, that caveat is critical: no thrill seeking at the cost or harm of another! But you bring up one of the things that has me a bit fascinated by adrenaline junkies (hence the interest in writing about them): those who do put others at risk (either willingly or unwittingly). Thanks for the read and the comment, Dan!
I think writers are the most courageous people out there - you don't sound scared to me - more like sane. :)
I always joke if the NSA were spying on my internet activity, they'd put me on a list of potential threats. I do a lot of research about paramilitary activity, warheads and homemade bombs -- the type of things you'd need to know in a man-made apocalypse situation.
I agree with you Simone. I tell people all the time, if someone were to check my Internet history they'd think I was a terrorist. I just reply, nope. I'm a writer.
I'm pretty sure I want you for my new best friend, Simone -- what a nice comment and kind thing to say! As for Internet history… I'm with you. I research some pretty funky things (there was a militant antiwar demonstrator in my last WIP so I know what you mean about homemade bombs… me too). Here's to being sane writers with a positive outlook on life. Thanks for your comment & kind words!
Hmm I don't think I've done the funkiest thing yet, but I am thinking about going hiking and exploring some caves for research. I would also like to learn how to shoot a gun, but not sure if that one will happen.
I would love to have the courage to explore caves… but, well, you read #9. Shooting a gun is truly fascinating, but like you, I'm not sure it will happen. Here's to finding (and doing) that funkiest thing! Thanks for the read and comment, Brandi.
I quite liked the idea of about half of the experiences you listed, but doubt I would get around to most of them. I am however trying to gather the courage to learn scuba-diving as some of my book's actions take place underwater - despite a fear of sharks and other things taking a bite of me.
Scuba diving! Yes, I too would have to gather my courage to take part… but I think it would be absolutely amazing. And although I imagine you can find plenty of photos, I'd probably be like you and want to experience it in order to write about it. Here's to challenging our fears and fascinations -- thanks for the read and the comment, Elizabeth.
ps -- I see that you live in Maine. Do you get to the New England Crimebake? Hope to see you there in November!
Sandy Gardner-
Thanks for the heads up, Sandy -- I've never been but will look into it! Cheers, Julia
Okay, I chuckled out loud when I read the part about being afraid of what lurks beneath the surfaces of lakes an oceans! We lived right on the lake in Lake Stevens, WA for about 2 years. Beautiful scenery! Towering pines surrounding the lake, bald eagles swooping down to catch fish, families playing in the water. Guess who was sitting on the dock? This chicken right here. You could only see a few feet in to the water and there was no way my chicken liver self was putting any part of my body in in that water.
My husband laughed at me about it once and I remember saying, "Do you know what my imagination sees lurking in that water? One giant squid (yes, dear, I know it's freshwater but stranger things have happened), one floating dead little boy with empty eyes, another dead little girl that's not really dead and has a mouth full of fangs and who is totally waiting to yank me under, and any number of leeches or piranha - maybe both - and a couple of those freaky sea serpent things from The Princess Bride."
The kicker: all of my writing has an element of horror running through it. And I'm a total chicken.
Oh, man, Kendra, you just added big time to my fear of what lurks beneath the surface… dead bodies (or not dead with fangs) were never in the picture. But I guess they will be now. Interesting you write horror; sometimes I think I write to confront and examine my fears and maybe you're the same way? Here's to being two chickens on the dock--sounds good to me! Thank you so much for your comment and glad I could provide a chuckle!
Understanding fear is a key part to this I feel. My grandfather always used to say that the bravest soldiers were those that managed to fight despite their fear. My fear is flying and for one bit of research on 2WW bomber crews,I went in a simulation of a night raid - not the real thing but got me a tad closer to them, as also got to sit in a Lancaster bomber.
Never fired a gun at a person, but as an ex-hunter know what it feels like to fire one. But the pheasants don't shoot back in England.
Best adrenaline rush, verging on fear at moments, was white-water rafting in Yukon, hundreds of miles from any settlements and tackling uncharted waterfalls and whirlpools.
But being in a wheelchair means my research has to be in my memories and online.
Thank you for such a helpful and insightful comment -- this is certainly key to the war story I'm writing: "My grandfather always used to say that the bravest soldiers were those that managed to fight despite their fear." Btw, I would love to go into a simulation situation like that (maybe that's my answer).
About your best adrenaline rush… I guess I forgot to add white water rafting to my list of fears, but that's definitely high on my list of things I'd have to think long and hard about doing -- sounds like the experience of a lifetime, though, and I hope if I had the opportunity I'd be brave enough to try!
Thanks again for your comment and for the read.
I have done a couple of things that I wouldn't normally do if I weren't writing about them. But the funkiest one I did was research strip joints. I talked to strippers and I got a tour of a strip joint in Boston.
I did not strip personally, although people might think I should have gotten the full feel of what it's like in order to write about it.
That's up for debate.
That is one of the funkier ones mentioned here in comments, I agree, and for me it would take a huge amount of bravery to do that research. As for having to actually strip to get the full feel and to know what it's like -- I'm with you, I'd have stopped short, even if my ability to write about it was up for debate. Still, this is so interesting to me, especially because I've heard that there's a real adrenaline rush associated with stripping. So glad you commented, 4amWriter, you've given me more to think about!
Great piece, grateful to join the dialogue! For my first novel, "Loop Dee Doo," I drew on nearly two decades of experience sailing the Great Lakes and Eastern seaboard, completely terrified or merely freaked-out more times than I can count. I don't have offshore issues and love what lies beneath (usually dolphins and sea turtles or in sweetwater, big trout and amazing rock-and-mineral formations). I've had rabid bats, a storm-wearied bluebird, determined terns, a pelican flirting for his share of simmering beef stew and even a vulture come aboard, so my Hitchcockian fear of birds has been banished. I've learned to combat my storm and wave fears by respecting weather forecasts and being very clear with my husband and other sailing partners about my own limitations about when it's OK to venture out. But I've yet to come to terms with fear of heights. A former reporter, I've tried many things, from gun-range shooting with the cops to flying in an open stunt plane. I'd be comfortable interviewing anyone or doing almost anything -- even stripping -- as long as the task didn't involve further explorations of violence or heights.
Wow, impressive list and not only do I admire your bravery but I think I'd feel very safe sailing with such an experienced and aware sailor! (BTW, my husband the pilot is way jealous of your open stunt plane flying) We may well be opposites in the "will do anything" department… except for interviewing. That's one thing we do have in common -- as long as I was safe, I can't think of one person I'd feel nervous about talking to. Thanks for your comment and for sharing your perspective!
"What's the "funkiest research" you've done for a novel? What's the funkiest—or scariest—thing you would might consider doing?"
Under the funky category: I will soon be purchasing a really expensive crochet hook, that I don't mind getting but really don't need, just so I can then find out from a forensic pathologist, coroner or . . . someone, where on a person it would best be able to cause a lethal puncture.
Of course, now I'm wondering if I should have even mentioned it. Will there be a sudden rash of death by crochet hook in mysteries before mine hits the market?
So, in some ways, this has just become scary research as well. ;-)
Thank you for this fun, and interesting, blog post!
YIKES!! That's funky research all right. As for the fear factor from posting (and worrying about) posting something you're writing about, I completely get that. Yes, another kind of fear altogether, which I definitely felt a pang of while writing about what I was researching and writing about. Glad you enjoyed and good luck w/ your funky research! :)
I think I'm like you. I get my rushes from capturing my characters' emotions. I can't imagine doing 90% of what you wrote.
Glad to meet another scaredy-cat, Carol… or are we the sensible ones, I'm not sure :) Thanks for the read and for your comment!


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Twelfth Night Procession (January 5)
Holy Week (2014, April 17-20) Not before March 22nd nor after April 25th (Holy Thursday and Good Friday in 2014: April 17 and 18) Holy Week is an eminently religious celebration. A deep-rooted tradition... read more
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Feasts of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day [November 1-2] Cemetery of Boisaca November 1st and 2nd On November 2nd, the Church remembers its dead ones and the cemeteries fill with flowers, which relatives place around the graves of their loved... read more
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A program prepared by the ECU's Careers and Leadership Services team to assist new teaching graduates in securing a job.
Saturday's sunshine saw record numbers attend our end of year, flagship event, Music under the Stars. It was fantastic to see so many alumni, students, staff and community fill the ECU Joondalup Campus to enjoy the grounds and live music on the 29 November, 2014.
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ECU's new Alumni Mentoring Program launched last week, with industry leaders across disciplines returning to campus to meet their student mentee for the first time.
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I have basically no experience with roses. 2 years ago my husband decided he wanted to line our picket fence with the same coloured red rose. We were recommended the Papa Meilland rose by our local nursery. Today when pruning the dead heads off, i noticed 5 of the 14 plants have produced a single bright pink/purple flower. These flowers are not only different in colour but the flowers themselves are different to the rest of the red ones. They have not grown from below the graft but are infact growing off the same stems as existing red flowers. Can someome tell me if this is normal or if i have done something wrong with the plants. Thanks |
This post was edited by tammygreenwood on Mon, Mar 24, 14 at 23:28
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Oh, someone tell her!!I would like to know how this can happen... Happy Spring Flushes, andreark |
- Posted by tammygreenwood none (My Page) on Mon, Mar 24, 14 at 23:21
I have the feeling its going to be one of those stupid questions ;) but outside of growing basic herbs and vegies i have no idea. I did tell hubby we have no idea about roses and that we were probably better off to plant lavenders but he insisted! |
Not at all, Tammy. Weather and/or growing conditions can often produce changes in some blooms. A lot of roses will get much paler in high heat or much deeper in cool weather. I don't know how these 5 plants are located but perhaps the wind hits them differently or something. Or there is something different in the soil where they are located. It could also be what is called a "sport" which is a slight genetic mutation in the rose. That mutation can happen at any point in the plant while it is growing out. So it could affect just one bloom or an entire branch and can be a genetic expression from any rose in the family tree of the rose. So if a pink or mauve rose is in the genetic background those colors could show up. Interesting that you have more than one bush doing this though. There are some roses that tend to throw sports often so it could be that. I'm not that familiar with Papa Meilland so I don't know if it has the tendency or not. Most sports are not stable. That means they don't repeat the new trait in the next bloom. Some, however, are and the branch will continue to produce the new blooms as it grows. If you want to see which you have mark the canes so you can watch the next bloom and see what color those are. If they remain the new color you can propagate them by taking cuttings and rooting them. Then you'll have your very own new variety of rose! |
- Posted by tammygreenwood (My Page) on Tue, Mar 25, 14 at 0:14
Thankyou! Phew!! now i wont feel so bad when hubby next travels home from work and thinks ive sabotaged his roses ;) All of them are lined up less than a meter apart along the front fence. We have just left our very hot Summer heat that was burning the flowers as they slowly opened, into a cooler Autumn climate. The flowers are opening up in a spectacular abundance at the moment. Many in our small town have commented to me about the blooms when i bump into them in the shops :) |
This post was edited by tammygreenwood on Tue, Mar 25, 14 at 0:17
Do I understand correctly? Both colors are blooming on the same cane? TIA |
- Posted by tammygreenwood none (My Page) on Tue, Mar 25, 14 at 2:23
Yes they are, which added to my confusion |
The odd flower either didn't receive exactly the same levels of the necessary nutrients as the darker one, and/or the temperatures were sufficiently different when they were formed to cause the difference. Grow more roses a while longer, you'll see it happen every once in a while. Nothing to worry about, unless the whole bush starts doing it all the time. Then, something is amiss! The odd stem or flower here and there are nothing to worry about. Kim |
- Posted by tammygreenwood none (My Page) on Tue, Mar 25, 14 at 5:12
Thankyou Kim :) |
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The Webster Bible (WBT) | New International Version (NIV) |
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, [and] now hear [to be] in me. | 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. |
The Webster Bible is in the public domain. (The Webster Bible Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |


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It's finally beginning to feel like summer in Billings.
Thanks to some major and minor road construction projects under way across the city, it's starting to look and sound like summer, too.
One of the bigger projects is the reconstruction of Rimrock Road from 17th Street West to Forsythia Boulevard, a distance of a little more than a mile and a half.
City Engineer Debi Meling said the project will cost about $4 million and is "obviously huge."
The project, which began late last month and is expected to wrap up in September, involves widening that stretch of Rimrock to three lanes, with a turning lane in the middle.
It also involves the installation of streetlights, striped bike lanes and curbs, gutters and sidewalks on both sides of the road. The water main also will be replaced.
The project is being paid for partly by special improvement district assessments on affected property owners, plus some city funds.
When the reconstruction is complete, that stretch will look just like Rimrock east of 17th, which has been rebuilt in stages going back many years. The final phase of the project, reconstructing Rimrock from Forsythia west to Shiloh, is scheduled for 2013.
Downtown, a big project is scheduled to begin early in July on Fourth Avenue North between North 22nd and 28th streets. Crews will be replacing water lines that run down the center of Fourth, reducing traffic to two lanes for as long as three months. Fourth is a major thoroughfare, a one-way that runs east through downtown.
"It'll be quite the traffic disruption this year," Meling said.
Also downtown, the city is in the process of replacing traffic lights at nine intersections, basically at all intersections that are not on state routes such as 27th Street. The replacement is being paid for with a combination of funding from the city and the Downtown Billings Association.
On 29th Street between Second and Third avenues north, money from the city's parking enterprise fund is being used to repair a sky bridge over 29th. The sky bridge is being sandblasted and repainted and a new roof is being installed. The bridge will be lifted on one end so new bearing pads can be put in place.
A long overdue reconstruction of Moore Lane between Central Avenue and the newly rebuilt intersection at Monad Road is scheduled to begin in mid-July and will last about three months. The $1 million project will widen Moore Lane to three lanes and add curbs, gutters and sidewalks, paid for by another combination of city funds and SID assessments.
Meanwhile, two other large projects are already done: the repaving of First Avenue North from 18th to 28th streets and 24th Street West from Grand Avenue to Central Avenue. Most of the work on those two projects was done at night, Meling said, which reduced the inconvenience to motorists.
The same stretch of 24th Street West has been torn up over the past two summers for a water-line replacement project, making this the third straight year of work there.
"We're going to leave that area alone for a while," Meling said.


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I'm not sure if Neanthe Bella Palm's commonly have variegated fronds, but either way, I thought it was neat and wanted to share. I just have the one (now that I look a little closer, the variegation only occurs on one side!) but I'm hoping it stays around awhile. :)
Planto |
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by purpleinopp 8b AL (My Page) on Thu, Sep 27, 12 at 12:43
Well that leaf's certainly marching to a different drummer! Quick goog didn't show any ("variegated parlor palm.") I'm curious too! |
Wow! Pretty. Almost like a person with a birthmark in their hair and that one spot in their hair is white. Super neat on the plant! |
That's what is called a chimera (kye MEER a), a genetic anomaly...a type of mutation. Chimeras occur quite frequently in plants and sometimes result in very interesting (and horticulturally important) physical characteristics. |
- Posted by plantomaniac08 8 (My Page) on Sat, Sep 29, 12 at 16:07
rhizo_1, Thanks for the interesting tid bit, it makes sense that plants can undergo genetic anomalies but I didn't know there was an exact term for it. I guess that would explain my all white hoya leaves as well! Planto |
Hoyas sometimes develop all white leaves from one new branch (bud). That's a sport...yet another type of mutation. If a hoya leaf is part green and part white, you have a chimera. |
- Posted by plantomaniac08 8 (My Page) on Sat, Sep 29, 12 at 19:36
rhizo_1, So that's what a sport is called (I've seen it mentioned a few times on the Hosta forum but never bothered to look it up). With that said, I do have what appears to be a sport and a chimera on my Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen' (the leaf in the yellow circle is half green and half white). Planto |
- Posted by plantomaniac08 8 (My Page) on Sat, Sep 29, 12 at 19:37
- Posted by tropicbreezent (My Page) on Sat, Sep 29, 12 at 20:11
I've got some variegation on one of my Carpentaria palms and I'm waiting to see whether it will continue as the plant grows. These can also be caused by (non lethal) viruses. |
- Posted by marguerite Ireland (My Page) on Sun, Sep 30, 12 at 16:02
Plantomaniac, That is a lovely variegation on your parlour palm. Like with most Neanthe bellas bought from stores, your pot seems to be full of many different seedlings. It might be worth checking to see which one this leaf is springing from, and if the variegation continues, perhaps you could gently separate it and grow it on on its own. In that case, when you move it enclose it in a plastic bag until you're sure it has 'taken' to its new home. |
- Posted by plantomaniac08 8 (My Page) on Tue, Oct 2, 12 at 8:30
marguerite, I love your idea! Unfortunately after looking at my parlour palm though, the variegated frond connects to two (one being newer) fronds that are all green. I guess I could wait and see if variegation occurs again down the road, but I'm not sure that it will. Planto |
- Posted by hopefulauthor z5IL (email@example.com) on Tue, Oct 2, 12 at 10:09
Planto, your palm variegation is interesting. Wouldn't it be nice if your entire plant changed color? Do you rotate your palm? Reason I'm asking, I was wondering if the variegated side got more or less sun.??? Here I thought Chimera was a plant related to AV..Thanks for the explaination, Rhizo. Now I'll have to inspect all my plants to see if there's one w/variegation or a green and white leaf. Toni |
- Posted by plantomaniac08 8 (My Page) on Tue, Oct 2, 12 at 14:14
Toni, To be honest, the palm is a new addition (I just purchased it last week). The main reason I picked it up was because of the variegation. At first, I thought it had received too much sun and it was some kind of sun scorch! Planto |
- Posted by SurfCityPalms none (My Page) on Wed, Jul 31, 13 at 2:26
Hello, I am a big collector of variegated palms. Would you consider selling the Bella? I have been searching for a variegated Bella for years and would love to get it for my collection. I have plenty of palms to trade as well if that is what you would prefer. Jerod |
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The Cleveland Indians revealed today that outfielder Austin Kearns was arrested on DUI charges in Kentucky two days before Valentine's Day last month.
Kearns returned to Cleveland in the offseason on a one year deal worth $1.3 million after making the team as a Spring Training invitee in 2010. The right handed hitter, who was traded to the New York Yankees at last year's deadline, is expected to spell relief for Grady Sizemore, Michael Brantley and Shin-Soo Choo from time to time, all of whom are all left-handed hitters.
Kearns has a court date next week in Kentucky and is expected to miss some time at camp while taking care of his legal issues.
And the annual Spring Training tradition of ballplayers drinking and driving continues. I suppose in this case, Kearns was arrested before he even reported to camp, so it wouldn't have made a difference, but would it be worth MLB's time to institute a mandatory course at the beginning of each camp, or is that sort of thing generally useless?
Update: Jordan Bastian is reporting that Kearns will not actually have to miss any camp, as a lawyer will be representing him in court.


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Sat, Dec 8, 12 at 19:34
Is it to early to put my winter sowing pots out yet here in zone 5 Eastern Ontario. Thanks |
Follow-Up Postings:
Brian, the only seeds I have sown this early in the season are trees and shrubs, and a few perennials, that require months of cold stratification. Actually need to start getting some sowing done, I have lots of tree seeds this year! Otherwise, it's probably not too early to sow and put containers out, but personally I don't like to do it any earlier than necessary. There is a slight chance if you're too early, that the seeds will sprout during a warm spell. Also, the potting mix can get icky - green slime growing on top, etc. if the containers are sitting outside for months. |
- Posted by RyseRyse_2004 5 (My Page) on Mon, Dec 10, 12 at 9:52
It is definitely too early in NW IL (also Z5) because we are getting weeks at a time of temps in the 40's. I see new little seedlings germinating in the ground and lots of established perennials are still getting new growth. I would wait until the end of January if I were you. |
- Posted by ladyrose65 6bNJ (My Page) on Mon, Dec 10, 12 at 19:38
I would wait, but someone help me out on this, you can sow Delphiniums, Columbines, Larkspur, seeds with hard shell that need stratification now. I'm in Zone 6b, it 63 degrees now. I would wait. We had a warm spell run thru last winter and some of my seeds came up (Nigella, Clarkia & Tidytips) they did survive. |
most start on the soltice but I wait until all the xmas decorations and the tree is packeded away,my house put back in order and the first of Jan,hopefully the cold we're having now will get really cold,then I sow 15-20 jugs a day if possible.I'm starting now to prep my jugs.I am really looking forward to it.I need salvias and dianthus.will get my list ready right after xmas moonphase |
- Posted by ladyrose65 6bNJ (My Page) on Thu, Jan 3, 13 at 22:58
Brian, have you started its time! |
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Home › Academics › Colleges › Graduate School › Current Student Information › Graduate School Academic Misconduct Policy
This document is not a contract. Policies and interpretation by the administration are subject to change as circumstances warrant. Please check with the Associate Dean for updates and current application of any policy.
NOTE: The policies and procedures outlined in this document are to be applied to allegations of academic misconduct by graduate students. Allegations of academic misconduct on the part of undergraduate students should be referred to the Associate Dean of the college in which the alleged infraction occurred. Research misconduct, which is generally an instance of academic misconduct, is also governed by the policies of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. That policy can be found at http://www.utulsa.edu/research/Office-of-Research-and-Sponsored-Programs/Research-Integrity-Compliance-and-Certification/Research-Misconduct.aspx.


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The Washington-based National Organization for Marriage, created to fight gay marriage proposals, is betting that Betty Crocker would be on their side. Because on Tuesday, the activist group announced a boycott of General Mills, owners of the Betty Crocker brand, which this month announced its opposition to a ban on same-sex marriage in Minnesota, their headquarters.
"We value diversity. We value inclusion," the food producer said in a letter, making it one of the biggest corporate voices for same-sex marriage.
"In declaring a war on marriage, General Mills is declaring war on their own customers. Now, rather than seeing the flowing 'G' trademark as a symbol of General Mills, consumers across the world will equate that symbol with gay marriage," said Brian Brown, NOM's president.
The group set up a website, www.DumpGeneralMills.com, for supporters who want to know which products to protest.
CONTINUED at the Washington Examiner.


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After finishing third in the VHSL District Forensics competition, Matoaca High Student, Nicholas Rundlett, pulled out all of the stops to take first place in the Impromptu Speaking event at the recent VHSL Regional Championships. The Regional meet is obviously more competitive and Nick faced more competitors on the Regional level. He utilized his skill and experience from the District level to his advantage and performed with great poise and confidence in the Regional competition.
In Impromptu Speaking, contestants are shown three topics and must choose one to speak on. Contestants have seven minutes from the time they choose their topic. They are given a 4x6 index card to use for notes if they wish, and can use their time however they like. For instance, Nick usually takes three minutes to make notes on his card and speaks for the remaining four minutes. Contestants present their speech for two to three judges in each round of competition. The topics change every round. Topics might include Pop Culture, current events, and quotations. Nick chose to speak about Gun Control in Round 1 and chose from three quotes in Round 2 of Regionals. Contestants are judged on organization of their speech, clarity of thought, relevance to topic, vocal quality, body control, professionalism, and confidence.
Rundlett has always shown an interest in public speaking and learned of the Forensics competitions from his teacher and coach Jana Farrell. When ask what it takes to be a competitor in the Impromptu Speaking event Rundlett replied "practice makes perfect and confidence plays an important part in the actual competition." Nick said the competition is really lots of fun, a great challenge. He hopes someday to be a successful voice actor.
The State Championship takes place March 23 at Harrisonburg High School. Rest assured Nick will be among the top contenders for the state title.


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A number of weeks ago, a large white van rolled onto the Occidental College campus, carrying with it gallons of paint, social justice initiatives, a mini-mural museum, and two dedicated and experienced artists. David Russell and Roberto Del Hoyo created the Mobile Mural Lab by combining their educations in studio art, their experience in elementary education pedagogies, and social engagement to produce mobile opportunities of expression for youth. The Mobile Mural lab defies the restrictive public art laws in Los Angeles by allowing youth to express themselves publicly on a surface that the entire community can enjoy. Starting as a white, previously-ran emergency vehicle, the van rolls into an environment with a predesigned outline for students to fulfill and blank spaces for complete artistic freedom. In honor of the Office of Community Engagement, our mobile mural featured our office emblem and symbols representing a community's collective...
Read MoreOxy Engages LA
A core part of Oxy's mission is community and service. Check out how Oxy gets involved with the city and beyond.
March 25, 2013
We had the Mobile Mural Lab (http://mobilemurallab.com/). We did some really cool things with them while they were on campus, click through to see more!
February 25, 2013
MLK Week at Occidental College
For the past two years, the Office of Community Engagement has hosted MLK Week; it is a time when the Oxy community reflects on the ideals and values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The week-long series of events is a fitting way to pay tribute and celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, the most revered leader in the Civil Rights Movement and a figure who visited and...
Read MoreNovember 19, 2012
Dylan Sittig is currently a Senior at Occidental College and in honor of Food Justice month we thought it would be appropriate to interview a student that is involved with Food Foward a partner that the Office of Community Engagement has worked with in the past and a group we hopefully will be working with in Janurary for our annual MLK day of service! Check out the interview and see what and who we work with.
September 11, 2012
Remembering 9/11; Engaging in community
On Saturday, September 8, over 30 Oxy students spent their Saturday working with the Young Folks Urban Farmers, tilling the land, harvesting seeds and planting herbs. Led by Oxy alum Daniel Lawler and co-founder Julia Carr, we all rolled up our sleeves to work with these two community activists on improving the garden. Located at the LA Leadership Academy School, The Young Folks Urban Farm has had a deep impact on the school, involving the youth at the school in learning about and taking care of the garden. This is our second time collaborating with the garden and we hope to come back often!
Read MoreFebruary 10, 2012
November 11, 2011
November 4, 2011
October 24, 2011
October 21, 2011
Hey Everybody! The OCE is back in action and doing it big for its 2nd year here at Oxy. It is halfway through the semester and we've already seen over 150 Oxy students participate in the 9/11 Day of Service, Social Action Week, and Trippin' on Social Justice trip to the Great Wall of Los Angeles. It was my responsibility to organize Social Action Week and let me just say, the event was a success! We had 22 student organizations and outside community partners set up display tables on the quad to help inform students on how they can get involved in the community! Students were able to sign up to serve the greater Eagle Rock and Los Angeles area in many ways including planting community gardens, providing food for the homeless, and tutoring children. During the Social Action Fair, the office also threw our 1st annual Office of Community Engagement Block Party! Turns out… we know how to party! The students had a blast as they indulged...
Read More


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It only took two episodes of Star-Crossed for someone to utter the line we'd all been waiting for (and secretly hoping would kick off the pilot): "We're from two different worlds." To be fair, in Star-Crossed's case, that is an accurate statement. Emery is from Earth and Roman is from Atria, a planet we know little about other than that it's dying and yet somehow superior to Mars. Intergalactic drama, amirite?
But in watching Roman pull the "different worlds" card, I couldn't help but be transported back to the second episode of The O.C. Fans of the show will remember the moment well. It was the first time Ryan and Marissa confessed that they had any sort of feelings for each other. She showed up at the model home on his last night asking to stay, and he told her, "We're from different worlds." She tried to deny it, but he followed it up with, "I'm not like you." Basically, he was comparing her privileged, party-filled upbringing to his grainy, misdemeanor-filled life in Chino.
Long story short, this got me thinking: How many times have I heard some version of this "different worlds" crap, and what does it even mean?! This is what I came up with: READ FULL STORY


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Tony Stewart Runs Over, Kills Competing Driver at New York Track [VIDEO]
WARNING: Graphic Video
NASCAR Sprint Cup star Tony Stewart ran over and killed 20-year-old driver Kevin Ward, Jr. Saturday night at a dirt track in upstate New York.
WARNING: Graphic Video
NASCAR Sprint Cup star Tony Stewart ran over and killed 20-year-old driver Kevin Ward, Jr. Saturday night at a dirt track in upstate New York.
Here's a WTF Wednesday to make all you truckers totally jealous! I don't care how kick ass your semi may be, it is not THIS kick ass!
If you want something fun to do this weekend, Race Wars II; The "Battle In The Desert" is roaring into the El Paso Motorplex!
Just call this bird Neo. Hanging out on the track at the Monaco Grand Prix like a sitting duck, this pigeon barely misses getting clipped by a hard-charging F1 race car. Roll the super slow-mo camera and we see just how amazing the bird's reflexes are. It never even touches the ground. Top that, Keanu!
It seems like everyone is a gamer now, or at least claims to be. Even my nephew is a bad-ass on the Xbox, killing bad guys and fragging teammates by the hundreds. One of my favorite comedy/gaming/video crews created an internet series called Immersion a while back, and it's finally returned for season two!
When you think of fast cars, young adults automatically pop into your head but not in this video.
You can take the driver out of the race, but you can't take the race out of the driver!
Below is the racing schedule for Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino for 2012 and 2013.
KLAQ and Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino present the $50,000 Q Handicap, Saturday December 8th.
Marcelo Gutierrez is a brave man. Too bad he'll have no descendants to whom he'll be able to pass that bravery along. Watch this video of Marcelo going down the more than 1,000 steps that scale Mount Montserrate outside of Bogotá -- a 6,500-foot descent -- and you'll see what I mean. I'll never be able to look at a pack of slivered almonds the same way again.
Daddy Nose Best won the Grade III Sunland Derby last weekend and is on his way to the Kentucky Derby -- all of which brought to mind one of my personal favorite stories. Enjoy these horses, and don't think they don't know what's going on! Incredible animals.
We've seen massive pileups of super cars that could make the most unenthusiastic gearhead weep. We've seen pileups on the straightaway at Texas Motor Speedway that could make us question the existence of a just and loving God. Nothing, however, will prepare you for the sheer carnage that you're about to witness.