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Vishnu Saving the Elephant (Gajendra Moksha). India, mid-18th century. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 8 1/16 x 5 9/16 in. (20.5 x 14.1 cm). Collection of Kenneth and Joyce Robbins
June 24–October 2, 2011
Vishnu: Hinduism's Blue-Skinned Savior is the first major museum exhibition to focus on Vishnu, one of Hinduism's three major deities. Presenting approximately 170 paintings, sculptures, and ritual objects that were made in India between the fourth and twentieth centuries, this exhibition serves as a brief survey of Hindu art styles as well as an examination of the Vaishnava (Vishnu-worshipping) tradition.
Known as Hinduism's gentle god, Vishnu is easily recognized in paintings by his blue skin. While he is an interesting figure in his primary form, the complexity of Vishnu's character becomes clear when he assumes new forms, known as avatars, in order to save the earth from various dangers. Vishnu's ten avatars reveal the multiplicity of ways that one can envision and interact with the divine.
The first section of the exhibition introduces Vishnu in his primary form, with subsections dedicated to his attributes, his consorts, and his legends. The second section examines his avatars, as a group and then individually. The avatars that are more frequently celebrated in art are fully represented in the exhibition, with substantial subsections dedicated to Rama and Krishna. The third section shows some of the ways in which Vishnu has been worshipped, with images of temples and ritual objects.
Vishnu: Hinduism's Blue-Skinned Savior has been organized by the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville, Tennessee, and curated by Joan Cummins, Lisa and Bernard Selz Curator of Asian Art, Brooklyn Museum.
Generous support is provided by the Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Exhibition Fund and the Estate of Bertram H. Schaffner.
Additional funding has been provided by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation; The Selz Foundation, Inc.; Katharine and Rohit Desai; Gary Smith and Teresa Kirby; Cynthia Hazen Polsky and Leon Polsky; Ruth and Richard Dickes; the Alvin E. Friedman-Kien Exhibition Fund; the Asian Art Council; an anonymous donor; and other generous supporters.
Vishnu's Avatars
Vishnu's avatars are accompanying Museum visitors throughout the exhibition.


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Two local soldiers buried at Fort Rosecrans, Miramar cemeteries haven't been forgotten
At the historic Rosecrans, where there's no new land for casket burials, cremated remains are finding a final home in wall niches.
That's where Sgt. Clinton Keith Ruiz of Murrieta was interred in November after he was killed just 30 days into his first deployment with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
A psychological operations specialist, his job was to help win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people, said his father, Tony Ruiz. One of his recent accomplishments was creating programming for a radio station there.
He re-enlisted just so that he could go to Afghanistan and put his training to use, his father said.
The 22-year-old Army sergeant had volunteered to stand watch at a building where a prisoner was being interrogated. An Afghan National Police officer turned his gun on Ruiz and another U.S. soldier, Tony Ruiz said.
The Army awarded him a posthumous Bronze Star.
Clinton Ruiz was a 2008 graduate of Murrieta Valley High School who left behind a 22-year-old wife, Kira, and their toddler, Caleb.
The family last week went to Fort Bragg, N.C., for a Special Operations Command memorial service.
"There really is no peace in this, quite frankly. It's just very painful," Tony Ruiz said, noting that a driving rain began just as the ceremony started.
"It downpoured, as if heaven was crying with us."
When his father visits the slain soldier's final resting place, his gaze can wander to the sweeping views of San Diego Bay and the troop ships that have carried American fighters to war since late 2001.
Tony Ruiz, a Navy man, served at the Point Loma submarine base, just below, when his son was born. When the boy was young, the family liked to visit the Cabrillo National Monument lighthouse and wade in the tide pools below.
"We think it's very spiritual that he is there," his father said. "We feel very close to him there."
The inscription on Ruiz's niche echoes his parting words to Kira and Caleb.
"That's what he told his wife before he left," Tony Ruiz said. "If something happened to him, he told her to be sad, but not forever."

subset: commoncrawl


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CSC's Independent Testing Services Overview
CSC's Independent Testing Services portfolio constitutes an optimal mix of traditional and next generation solutions to test software, applications and infrastructure for our clients across industry verticals.
Enterprises today are trying to discover innovative ways to curtail their software testing cost. At the same time, they desire for more efficient test strategies to enhance customer satisfaction, minimize business risk and meet industry standards and compliance guidelines. As a thought leader and innovator in the software testing industry, CSC's decades of software testing experience and investment in emerging technologies helps enterprises adopt a holistic approach towards fixing the core issues in their software products, applications and systems. We add value at each phase of IT system development and management leading to enhancing application quality, reducing time to market and lowering total cost of ownership.
CSC's Independent Testing Services help to address your software testing requirements through SHAPE, TRANSFORM and MANAGE testing offerings.
- SHAPE constitutes a set of software testing solutions to assess and advice on optimal testing organization and function
- TRANSFORM testing solutions provide a step wise guide to change and optimize your software testing functions into more effective entities, to achieve your productivity objectives
- MANAGE testing solutions help you meet and manage your ongoing software testing requirements and improve your software lifecycle efficiency
CSC's independent testing services can help you:
- Mitigate business risk
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You might also be interested in: Test Organization Assessment, Lifecycle Testing Services, Enterprise Testing Center of Excellence using SCORE Methodology™, Enterprise Test Automation Services, Mobile Application Testing, TaaS, Oracle Testing Services, CloudTEST, SAP Testing, Performance testing, Security testing, Embedded Systems testing


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Feature...Join CNU!Be a Part of the Movement»»»
Transportation Reform
The Street Manual Hits the Streets: Now What?Submitted by logannash on Thu, 07/16/2009 - 2:53pm
Description: The recently re-titled manual, Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach, is a significant product of CNU's project for transportation reform. Now that the manual is approaching the final "balloting" sta... read more »
CNU Legislative Strategy SessionSubmitted by Filmanowicz on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 1:40pm
Description: CNU President and CEO John Norquist joins members of the CNU board for the latest on CNU's agenda for change in federal laws and practices. Special guests include the Center for Neighborhood Technology's Scott Bernstein — who will d... read more »
ITE Urban Thoroughfares Project: Practitioners' PerspectiveSubmitted by gmyrek on Tue, 01/08/2008 - 4:36pm
Description: 6/2/06 11:30am-12:30pm The vast majority of street design engineers rely on state and national design guides that often prevent the creation of walkable streets. This seminar addresses the issue with a review of the first-ever engineer-... read more »


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This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Resto Mod has a 500 C.I. (427 C.I. Bored .060 Over) 850 HP Twin Turbo V8, Donovan Aluminum Big Block,... More
This 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe has a 327 C.I. (350 HP) V8 (Date Code Correct) w/ 4BBL Carb, 4 Speed Muncie Transmission (Numbers Matching),... More
WOW! You'd expect to pay a heck of a lot more for a first year Stingray convertible. Even better, this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette... More
If you've been paying attention to '50s Chevrolet values, you already know that the 1958 Impala convertible is the biggest star in the bowtie... More
West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptionally straight and rust free and great daily driving survivor of this very rare and original... More
This is a one owner car with air-tight provenance (of which, even the original cancelled check from 1969 is present!). Includes the original owner's... More
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible FOR SALE!!! Finished in Daytona Sunrise Orange Metallic exterior over Jet Black interior. This car is as new and in... More
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe FOR SALE!!! Finished in Arctic White exterior over Adrenaline Red interior. This car is as new and in perfect condition... More
This 1948 Jaguar MK IV Drophead 3.5 Liter LHD has been under the same family's ownership for the last 40 years. Black with Red leather... More
True Barn Find: California car purchased new in Pasadena, CA, remaining in the State this entire time. Discovered in this tin shed where it... More
1957 Thunderbird Colonial White with Red Interior Body off the frame restoration Fully loaded with every power accessory available in 1957 Prev. rebuilt 312-245 h.p. V8-4BBL Ford-O-Matic 3... More
Very late poduction XKE Series II Coupe. Super solid and complete car that runs and drives perfectly. Massive mechanical recomissioning over the last year... More
Chequered Flag International is pleased to offer this 1990 Porsche in Guards Red with Black interior. 34524 miles. Perfect body with no rust or... More
Chequered Flag International is pleased to offer this 2011 Mercedes G550 in White with Black interior. 32314 miles with clean CARFAX. Nicely equipped with... More
**$629.00 a Month** Finished Black Sapphire(Dark Blue) With Magnolia Leather Interior. Fitted With Sunroof, 2 Rolls Royce Umbrellas, 2 Tone Steering Wheel, Veneered Picnic... More


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City of Purcell Animal Shelter
1201 Adams
Purcell, OK 73080
(405) 527-0222
About the Animal Shelter
We service the City of Purcell. We adopt dogs and cats out after being vetted and altered.
Shelters Service Area
Inside town of Purcell.
Adoption Process
Cat/kittens $60.00 adoption fee, Dogs/puppies $65.00 adoption fee with $30 of that being a spay/neuter deposit. Animals will have their shots up to date. Adopters will be responsible for spay/neuter within 30 days of adoption in order to get their deposit for the spay/neuter refunded to them.
Meet the Pets
Shelter hours are from 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. We are open on Saturday by appointment since the shelter work is also pulling Animal Control calls. Closed on Sundays and major holidays


text: John Mayer & Katy Perry keeping the neighbours awake Katy Perry John Mayer Fri-26-Oct-12 08:46 Share this Tell Us What You Think WTF 0 LOL 0 FAIL 0 OMG 0 HOT 0 CUTE 0 ] By Megan SlovakJohn Mayer and Katy Perry are keeping the neighbour's awake with their love making! Neighbours have been complaining because John and Katy, "have very loud sex, keep very late hours and like to turn up the tunes." You May Also Like Jay-Jay murders Katy Perry's 'Birthday' in Headphone Karaoke Jay-Jay, Mike & Dom's Rude Awakening - Zara gets woken up by the Auckland Brass Band playing Katy Perry! Edge listener Adrian faces his fear of cotton balls (yeeeep) to win his daughter Katy Perry tix! Become a fan of The Edge on Facebook and on Twitter .


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Sunday, April 26, 2015
11 comments
My last blog was Dec. 17, 2014, so I guess that you could say...I am OFF the wagon. Fortunately my wonderful daughter, Jan-Marie, helps me keep that wagon in sight, due to her commitment to SP & her steady progress. I now weigh 6 lbs. more than ... Read more
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
6 comments
Yesterday's blog was after midnight, so I guess that it was posted as today...oh well. I slept well last night & the scale smiled at me...two lbs. lost...every little bit helps to keep me motivated. I am doing OK today, but I have to tell you. I... Read more
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
8 comments
I said started...Yesterday, Monday was not a great day...I DID walk for almost 30 min. & I DID weigh in & I DID drink lots of water, but I didn't do as well tracking... breakfast & lunch was good & dinner was pretty healthy. I get together with ... Read more
Sunday, December 14, 2014
13 comments
My last blog was Sept. 29th...not proud of that...it's just a fact. It has been almost 3 months since I checked in. My daughter was engaged for almost 14 months & I had PLENTY of time to get my act together & to lose a substantial amt. of weight... Read more
Monday, September 29, 2014
4 comments
I am so out of sorts...I have not been binging, etc. I just have not been making my SP check in a serious priority...Hope to do better...weighed in this morning, tracked my food & now here I am. My daughter, Jan-Marie gets married in about 8 wee... Read more
Saturday, August 30, 2014
6 comments
My daughter, Jan-Marie is getting married in Nov. but starts a new job in Michigan on Sept. 8th & will be moving there this Friday. I haven't checked in much this week. I was out of town Mon. - Wed. last week, helping JM look for a house to rent... Read more
Sunday, August 24, 2014
7 comments
Did not get my bike ride in this morning but did make it to church. Had a healthy breakfast & lunch...Going to a comedy club this eve. at 7:30 & I need to make it a point to eat healthy before I leave...I posted a quote on Facebook this morning ... Read more
Friday, August 22, 2014
4 comments
I forgot to blog yesterday but I did get some exercise in...8.2 miles on my bike. I was bummed by my scale, but literally MOVED on with my day...If it ever stops raining today, I'll head out for a ride. I'll try & ck. in again soon today. Take c... Read more
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
5 comments
Had a good day yesterday, tracking & blogging but no exercise. My husband & I are active members of the BFD Auxiliary. We go to fire scenes & support the firefighters with cold water & drinks, snacks & cold towels. We arrived at the scene at 7:3... Read more
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
3 comments
Not sure why, but I slept well, but too late. I did not get a ride in yet but still hope to. The temps are rising & I have to take a neighbor to get some lab work done in the afternoon. My scale is still smiling at me & I tracked my "brunch" foo... Read more
Monday, August 18, 2014
4 comments
Didn't get a chance to blog yesterday. My husband & I went to a picnic. I made it a point to eat a very large & healthy lunch before going. Once I got there, I bonded with my water bottle, turned into a social butterfly & "spurned" the dessert t... Read more
Saturday, August 16, 2014
8 comments
Happy to have completed 10.2 miles on my bike, tracked my food & got almost 8 hrs. of sleep...I feel focused & excited to be moving in the right direction... a healthy & happy life. Take care...
JANEY... Read more
Friday, August 15, 2014
8 comments
Up early & off on my bike...rode 4.71 miles...cut my ride short because I wanted to eat a healthy "brunch" before heading to the Sr. Ctr. to play cards. They had the normal spread of goodies, but I stuck to veggies & fruit. I had some errands to... Read more
Thursday, August 14, 2014
7 comments
Good news...Jan-Marie met me after work & we went shopping for a Mother of the Bride dress for me. We found a beautiful long, royal blue dress with a short jacket. It was my favorite & JM's too...that is one BIG thing off my list. Oh, I have to ... Read more
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
5 comments
I was out of town Mon. Tues. & most of today...I drove back to Wheeling, W.Va. to be with my son, to celebrate his 36th Birthday. I had a great time with him & visited many friends & family. This was the first time I was on a "road trip" since I... Read more


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Fall Foliage 2013 in the Washington D.C. area
Is anyone noticing early fall color on local area trees? The region is now just weeks away from beautiful fall foliage.
Email us your photos so we can share them! email@example.com
Please let us know your name and where the picture was taken. Thanks!
If you have already been seeing some color peeking out in recent weeks, you're not alone. Fall colors really begin to show in the month of October, with the peak occurring as soon as early October in the Mountains, and mid to late October closer to the D.C. Metro area. Two pictures below already show the big difference in color between the local area (Vienna, Westwood CC - Middle Picture) and the Northeast (New Hampshire - Bottom Picture).
- Average Peak Fall Color in D.C.
The reason leaves change color is because of the colder days and approaching winter. As daylight gets shorter and temperatures start to drop, the leaves recoup nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous. It's the chlorophyll in the leaves that give them their green color through the growing season. Chlorophyll is an essential compound for photosynthesis, which is a process that converts sunlight to carbohydrates.
Be sure to check all of our HD cams often over the next few weeks!
- Taken by James Joslyn in Vienna at Westwood Country Club
Leaves are also made up of carotenoids. Carotenoids produce yellow, brown, and orange colors. They are always present in the leaves, but you only start to see them when the chlorophyll process stops. The chlorophyll process stops when temperatures start to drop, which is when the carotenoid colors are revealed.
- Taken by Erik Ruediger at the Edward MacDowell Reservoir in New Hampshire
Wondering where the red and purple hues come from? These colors are the anthocyanins, which are a bit less understood by tree scientists. Some scientists are suggesting, though, that because of the moderate drought there are increased concentrations of these anthocyanins in the leaves, which will lead to some very vibrant hues of reds and purples in the leaves.
Want to learn how to photograph fall foliage? Here is a great blog by the Digital Photography School on exactly what you need to do.


text: General Environmental Management Inc. in Pomona recently announced that it has signed a letter of intent with Cake Energy LLC to build and operate waste-to-energy facilities in the western United States. "GEM has committed to entering the WTE market, and we could not have found a better partner than Cake Energy," GEM CEO Tim Koziol said in a news release. "Their technology is truly unique and revolutionary in dealing with the growing problem of managing primary sewage waste, also known as sludge." The companies hope to build their first waste-to-energy plant in the next two years.


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Southern Cross is a colonial-style home with wide verandahs situated right on Robberg Beach offering magnificent views of the bay and mountains. Perfectly positioned to view the whales during Spring and the dolphins all year round. Private guest lounge and dining room overlook the sea. 5 en-suite bedrooms, tastefully decorated in simple hues of white, open onto a garden courtyard. Robberg Beach with its sweeping 5 km of white sand offers easy walking and jogging at low tide and the sound of the sea is always with you. In winter you may even hear the magical sound of the whales blowing. Close to golf, shops and restaurants. WiFi. Secure parking.
Southern Cross is a Colonial style home, tastefully decorated in the colours of sand, sea and sky. Five luxurious en-suite bedrooms open onto the verandah and sunny garden courtyard. The views of the bay and Tsitsikamma Mountains from the breakfast patio are magnificent and dolphins, whales and seals often complete the picture. Robberg beach can be reached directly from the house via a boardwalk and its 5 km of unbroken sand offers easy walking and jogging at low tide. The sound of the sea is always with you and in winter, when the Southern Right whales are in the bay, one can sometimes hear them blowing at night – it is a magical sound. The emphasis is on relaxed informality where heart-warming service is provided but not imposed.
See Above Description.
See Above Description.
Breakfasts are served on the patio when the weather permits, and the centre of town and restaurants are a short drive away.


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Select Local Merchants
Mega Fun 4 KidsRead MoreWalking the plank is one of the scariest things you can do as a buccaneer, but not at Mega Fun 4 Kids. On its pirate-ship play structure, the plank is a slide kids can zoom down while their fellow playmates pretend to steer the vessel. Elsewhere in the 2,800-square-foot indoor playground, youngsters aged 8 and younger cook meals in the play kitchen, play dress-up in the costume corner, and ride a mini rollercoaster. Along with daily playtime, Mega Fun 4 Kids hosts frequent events, including family nights with movies and pizza and visits from kids' celebrated characters such as Tigger and the third guy who voiced Piglet. For birthdays, staff party consultants plan soirees that delight kids with private time on the playground and can include extras such as jumping castles or screening of a favourite movie.91 Rylander Blvd.Scarborough, ON CA
Yuk Yuk'sRead MoreSince its Toronto location opened in 1976, Yuk Yuk's has been a collective launching pad for such comedy heavyweights as Jim Carrey, Rick Moranis, and Russell Peters. All of Yuk Yuk's laugh-establishments invite seasoned jokesters and up-and-coming comedians to their stages every weekend for up to four days of high hilarity and three nights of cozy lodging atop their cocktail tables. Many Yuk Yuk's locations offer drinks, dinner, or bar fare during the show, but those interested in dining should contact their club of choice to find out about reservations.235 Bayly St. WAjax, ON CA
Beth's Boutique-Bead RockRead MoreNestled within a Tudor-esque square, Bead Rock imbues junior jewellers and senior accessory-smiths with the ingredients and the know-how to craft sparkling, wearable wares. As a one-time session, Beading 101 meets by appointment only, so check your calendar or cuneiform tablet and then call the repository of tiny, glittering eye-magnets to schedule your foray into the basics of bead-stringing and earring-crafting. Class materials are included in today?s Groupon, ensuring would-be beaders? earlobes and necklines need not be naked for long.109 Old Kingston RdAjax, ON CA
Me First FitnessRead MoreUpon entering Me First Fitness, awarded the Diamond award for Best Boot Camp from News Advertiser from 2009 to 2014, guests notice a distinct absence of rows of people doing the same exercises over and over on the same machines again and again. Here, patrons battle their own body weight with TRX suspension trainers, swing kettlebells, lift weights, and shed pounds using interval training programs to whip into shape. The staff of certified and specialized trainers pushes patrons to achieve healthy lifestyles through personal-training sessions and 40 different classes each week, including high-intensity boot-camp classes. They boast that no two workouts are the same, preventing minds from getting bored and bodies from becoming accustomed to the movements, thus rendering workouts less effective. To supplement their body-sculpting workouts, the trainers motivate guests to change their diets, equipping them with healthful meal plans and recipes, and raiding secret storage lockers full of Twinkies.889 Westney Rd SAjax, ON CA
Champion Boxing ClubRead MoreJohn Melich founded Champion Boxing Club in 1984 as a place for training professional fighters, sending students to Olympic competitions and Canadian and North American championships. Today, the ring welcomes trainees of all ages and skill levels, from kids looking to stand up to bullies, to adults seeking a fun, engaging way to stay in shape. A wealth of special programs helps students target their specific needs. For example, boxing legend [George Chuvalo] leads (http://www.championboxingclub.com/george-chuvalo/) anti-gang and anti-drug programs for youth, while other professional fighters lead one-on-one and personal training sessions for adults. The staff of ex-prizefighters and certified instructors bring a wealth of old-school expertise to classes with a lively twists, from 1940s wound-tending techniques from a seasoned cutman, to traditional cornering, jabbing, and footwork for fun-filled fitness training.8550 Torbram RoadBrompton, ON CA
Zahra's School of Middle Eastern DanceRead MoreStudio owner Zahra aims to help empower the women she works with, whether she?s helming her annual makeup drive for a local women?s shelter or while teaching the sinuous art of belly dance at her studio. Since 2001, her Zahra?s School of Dance has helped women celebrate their bodies, with special workshops led by international belly dance icons in addition to her regularly scheduled classes and workshops. In all classes, instructors teach graceful moves that centre on the lower body and focus on the waist and hips. Higher-level courses incorporate props such as veils and tambourines, eschewing the most basic belly-dancing prop, a T-shirt with six-pack abs drawn on it. Specialty classes, meanwhile, may combine belly dancing with various different dance genres. Most of these are age-appropriate for kids.570 Westney Road SouthAjax, ON CA


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Breakfast at Joe's Garage.
We were so anxious to know whats our next challenge. In my mind… bungy jumping! I knew it the moment Eugine rang Uzair asking if I'm in good health or not. New Zealand excites me… so I told Uzair, I'm in good condition. Actually, I'm having hypertension and diabetes. Bungy Jumping… I just don't care! I want to do it! I'm sure I can! Fear? No!
We arrived at Kawarau Bridge. The world's Original first bungy. The historic Kawarau Bridge is home of Bungy pioneers AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch's first commercial Bungy site. It was there in 1988 that the Bungy phenomenon began. 43m above the stunning Kawarau River, this Bungy Jump is still the most popular Bungy in New Zealand.
The moment we step into the Kawarau Bungy Centre… we knew there will be the ultimate Queenstown challenge. That is Bungy Jumping! Argh!!!! my heart suddenly down… from brave women to nervous. As we walked in, I try to comfort myself. Be cool… be cool! I've never been opposed to bungy jumping.
Jumping on the trampoline is one of the good exercise
As for today's challenge… we have the trampoline flips, the horizontal bungy and the tandem bungy. The challenge begin with one person of each team member, to do 5 flips of trampoline flips. When complete he needs to run to their other team members and tagged. The next team member to do other challenge. Its either the horizontal bungy – which one person is tied on the bungy rope and have to run forward to grab 4 items laid down, OR the tandem bungy where 2 team members will be strapped together and need to jump off the magnificent Kawarau Bridge which is 43metres high and once they have completed all the challenge – they have to run to the assigned finish line and grabbed the T-shirts prepared by the AJ Hackett Bungy team.
Kate (blonde hair) giving instructions and spirits (Luv you Kate)
The first challenge was between Uzair (Team Kaitaki) & Vincent (Team Kairiri). When Uzair tagged me and Zaid… both of us quickly ran and get ourselves ready for the tandem bungy. Hey… you know what happened? My nervous gone! I'm sure Swee Ping, Fiona, Melanie, Guy especially and all members of the 2 team will focus on me hehehe… Yes! We ready at the count of go! Zaid and Me jumped off the platform. This is my most unforgettable extreme challenge. I scream of course! All the way down. So I have proved… old does not mean you can't do it!
Get ready for Tandem Bungy – Zaid and me.
The bungy jumping swings us hanging high above the River Kawarau like spring up and down.
These daring souls share the adrenaline rush
This not done yet! I have to climb the cliff up to the finishing line. I am out of breath… Fuuhhh! Thanks Fiona…she walks me up, giving me courage and comfort me. I'm really out of breath due to blockage of airflow in my trachea. Not because of the jumping but… climbing up the cliffs.
AJ Hackett awesome! Thanks for the T-shirt
The team in AJ Hackett Bungy offering those who don't have the chance to do the bungy jumping… to do the jumping. So why not? Take the challenge boys! This is your only opportunity to do the bungy jumping @ KAWARAU Bridge. Many of them faced their fear by taking up the offer.
She didn't move at all… everyone thought she went unconscious.
That was our bravest experience that we all never forget. It so remarkable! This going to be the best activities ever done. We all safe and still in good shape. Thanks to AJ Hackett Bungy for the friendly and professional service. Experience Bungy Jumping @ Kawarau Bridge… I will never forget. Wow… I got certificate! Well… we have to bid everyone in AJ Hackett Bungy goodbye.
We reached Queenstown at 3.00. It takes half hour to get back from Kawarau Bridge to Novotel Hotel. This time we are heading to Walter Peak High country Farm. It just a walk distance to the Waterfront. Everyone got their own lunch. We boarded into a boat to Walter Peak High Country Farm. I'm sure this going to be our next challenge.
We were greeted by Tom & Peter from Walter Peak High Country Farm. Tom's best friends… Meg and Bess greeted us too. Meg and Bess (smart d0g) short-haired Border Collie. The border collie was trained to move sheep by eye contact without barking. Sorry… I don't want to have eye contact with you Meg. You too Bess. Please don't come near me.
Our first challenge was sheep herding. Mr Tom shows us on how to blow a whistle. I never manage to make any whistle sound. Guess what? Only my saliva comes out. Hehehe… sorry.
Sheep herding! Sounds simple but everyone having hard time chasing after the sheep. This really fun and fills with humor. My job… just get ready to open the gate and let the colored green's sheep in. The New Zealand sheep really smart! And they can do high jumping. I presume… they can do Bungy as well hehehe…
After herding sheep, we have another challenge. Making pancake or in New Zealand they called it Pikelet. Suppose, it easy for me. I have been making pancake several time before. But I failed my team. I forgotten that I was in a race. You want to know why? Emm… I want my pancake (pikelet) texture small, thin layered and crispy edging. I like it that way. But the judges prefer thick, fluffy and follow the original size. So the winner goes to team KAIRIRI.
3.30pm we sailed back to The Waterfront.


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Ken Dodd opens new exhibition about his career at the Museum of LiverpoolBy Tom Dootson
A new exhibition was opened today by Ken Dodd at the Museum of Liverpool, Doddy came along to look at the photos which span throughout his career. The photos were taken by Stephen Shakeshaft.
Beginning his career at the Liverpool Daily Post & Echo in 1962, one of Stephen Shakeshaft's earliest assignments was to photograph 'Doddy'. A friendship blossomed between the pair, and a bond of mutual respect and trust has allowed Stephen to become an intimate observer of Ken Dodd's career.
Displaying photographs that are candid, poignant, affectionate and amusing – many taken from the wings during performances – this exhibition will feature just some of the shots Stephen's taken over the years of Liverpool's best-loved entertainer doing what he does best.
Ken Dodd said of the exhibition: "One of the greatest pleasures in my life is seeing photographs of Liverpool's skyline, and I'm highly honoured to be part of an exhibition in a fantastic museum, on this beautiful waterfront. I can't quite believe that people would want to come and see pictures of me! It's very touching.
"Stephen Shakeshaft is one of my favourite people, and the only photographer I allow to photograph me candidly. He's a fantastic photographer, who takes a real interest in his subjects. Stephen doesn't just take a photograph, he produces a situation. Every one of his pictures tells a story and means something."
Curator Paul Gallagher said: "Stephen has been taking photographs of local icons throughout his career, but having seen the honesty and warmth captured in his shots of Ken, it's quite clear they have developed a particularly special relationship that has enabled Stephen to portray a rarely-seen side of Ken Dodd.
"His personal archive of images showing Ken as both the entertainer and the man is absolutely fantastic. As a curator, it's been a gift to have so many images to work with. The only difficult part has been choosing which photographs could make it into the exhibition, as sadly we don't have space to display the hundreds that Stephen has of Ken."
The exhibition will feature around 50 images of Ken Dodd taken by Stephen Shakeshaft over five decades, in a variety of locations and situations. Whether it is relaxing in the dressing room with a pint, clowning around with some young fans or hanging out with his best mate Dickie Mint, Stephen has been there for a great many moments in Ken Dodd's career, and this exhibition features some of the highlights.
Stephen said: "Ken Dodd is an icon for many in terms of comedic talent and Liverpool pride. I have been lucky enough to photograph the man himself on stage, back stage and at the many events he has attended over the years where he has put smiles on people's faces with his unwavering Scouse wit and charm.
"This exhibition is not just about how people see Ken Dodd as a comedian but what he is like when he's preparing for a show and what he's like on stage from a more intimate perspective in the wings.
"I look forward to seeing the reactions of visitors to the exhibition at the Museum of Liverpool, and hope it will spread a bit of the 'happiness' that Ken so effortlessly prescribes to all who watch him and have been lucky enough to meet him, including myself."
As one of Britain's funniest comedians, Ken Dodd is still entertaining audiences up and down the country, and will celebrate 60 years in the business in 2014. He will be closing his 'Happiness Show' tour at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall at the end of this year on 28 and 29 December.


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On View: Fragmentary Statue of a Figure with Kyphosis
Despite the lack of true portraiture and the apparent tendency toward a strict "ideal" in Egyptian art, the realistic depiction ...
Hiroshige's One Hundred Famous Views of Edo
Hiroshige's 118 woodblock landscape and genre scenes of mid-nineteenth-century Tokyo, is one of the greatest achievements of Japanese art.
On View: Bowl with Alternate Impressed and Red-polished Panels
Egyptologists are not certain whether this bowl from an Upper Egyptian grave was made by a Nubian or an Egyptian. The zigzag patterns create...
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052
Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum
Wednesday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Friday–Sunday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.


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Hostelworld "meet the world" by Lucky Generals
Rating: 5.0
campaignlive.co.uk, Thursday, 15 November 2012 08:00AM
The consultancy Effco is co-ordinating the process, which will involve presentations from BBDO, Grey, JWT, McCann Worldgroup and Saatchi & Saatchi. The bank is expected to appoint two agencies to the business by March.
Carling is taking its time over selecting an agency to handle its £10 million advertising account. Instead of narrowing its search from five agencies to two, as expected, it has decided to take four shops through to the next stage. Saatchi & Saatchi has been knocked out of the running, leaving Beattie McGuinness Bungay, Creature London, McCann London and the incumbent, VCCP, to fight another day. A result is not expected until the end of January.
TBWA\London has been dropped from the pitchlist for the Unilever brand Flora. In a surprising move, Mother has supplanted the agency to compete against the incumbent, Adam & Eve/DDB. Work has now gone into research.
The British manufacturing, logistics and supply company Unipart has kicked off its review in earnest. Working with AAR, chemistry meetings with agencies are being held this week.
The shortlist for the £15 million Avis Budget Group pan-European advertising account just got shorter, with Joint withdrawing from the process. The remaining agencies in the Oystercatchers-managed pitch are DLKW Lowe, The Brooklyn Brothers and VCCP.
Carat, Mindshare and PHD are on tenterhooks as they await a result on the European media pitch for the former Kraft confectionery unit Mondelez. The food company is also set to appoint a network to handle global communications planning after a separate pitch.
This article was first published on campaignlive.co.uk
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Rating: 5.0
Agency: Grey London
Rating: 5.0


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Excel Berry Jelly is quite possibly the simplest recipe you will ever make! There's no fussy cooking involved and you are left with an amino jelly recovery treat which is perfectly cold and tasty during the summer... Why not try them as dessert to help decrease recovery time and get an amino kick!
What you need
1 Serving of Performance EXCEL 11.4g
1 Sachet of Powdered gelatin
500ml of Hot (not boiling) Water
1/4 cup (30g) of raspberries blended (optional)
Simply add one sachet of powdered gelatin (10g) and a scoop of Performance Excel to a mixing bowl! Now slowly add the hot water stirring as you go. Once all the powered ingredients have dissolved, add the blended raspberries and stir until smooth. Pop the bowl into the fridge and leave until set.
JOB DONE! EXCEL Berry JELLY COMPLETE!
CAL: 54.7Kcal
Salt 0.20
Fat 0
Carbs: 3.68
Sugars 1.59g
L-Leucine - 3500mg
L-Glutamine - 2500mg
L-Isoleucine - 1750mg
L-Valine - 1750mg
Citrulline Malate (2:1) - 1000mg
Protein 1.5g
Give this simple recipe a try and share your pictures via our social sites! If you have any questions or if you have an amino jelly variation of your own, let us know by posting a comment on the blog!


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Practice Information
Board CertificationAmerican Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery - Colon & Rectal Surgery
American Board of Surgery - Surgery
SpecialtySurgery, Surgery - Colon & Rectal
Special InterestColitis, Colon & Rectal Surgery, Colon Surgery, Crohn's Disease, General Surgery, Rectal Surgery
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Medical Education
School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Year Graduated: 6/11/1989
Degree Type: M.D.
Medical Experience
Type: Internship
Location: Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Date: 7/1/1989 - 6/30/1990
Type: Fellowship
Location: Lahey Clinic, Endo., Diabetes & Metab. Program
Date: 7/1/2000 - 6/30/2001
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Location: Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Date: 7/1/1992 - 6/30/1997
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Physicians found in the Sentara Find a Doctor search are active medical staff at Sentara hospitals in Hampton Roads and/or members of Sentara Medical Group in Hampton Roads. For all physicians listed, Sentara verifies specialty, education and board certification. Other information, such as phone number and address, is not regularly maintained by Sentara and is the responsibility of physicians to update. For acceptance of health insurance, please contact the doctor's office directly to confirm that your insurance is accepted. If you are a physician or represent a physician office and need to update your information, please click here to submit updates.


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Home > lifestyle > Neff Hits Karmaloop
Wilestyle shred lifestyle brand Neff just announced that they have been picked up by Karmaloop. Now the brand of choice for heads like T. Rice, Nate Bozung, Likka Backstrom, Lauri Heiskari, Lizard King and Adam Dyet can be purchased from the comfort of your own bedroom between porn surfs. While this is a good look for both brands, RadCollector strongly recommends supporting your local skate or shred shop whenever humanly possible. More looks at some Neff bangers currently in stock at Karmaloop after the jump.
yeah i copped one of these items when they came to karmaloop. at good prices too
My closet has way too much neff in it
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The Velvet Rope Tour
|The Velvet Rope Tour
Tour Book Cover
|Tour by Janet Jackson
|Associated album
|The Velvet Rope
|Start date
|April 16, 1998
|End date
|January 30, 1999
|61 in North America
33 in Europe
3 in Africa
14 in Oceania
11 in Asia
122 total
|Janet Jackson concert chronology
The Velvet Rope Tour is the third concert tour by American recording artist Janet Jackson. Launched in support of her sixth studio album The Velvet Rope (1997), the tour visited Europe, North America, Japan, New Zealand, Africa, and Australia. Jackson was inspired to create an autobiographical show using elements of Broadway theatre, portraying her struggle with depression and self-esteem. It consists of twenty-six songs, several band interludes, and intense choreography along with nine costume changes and four sets. Jackson depicts themes such as burlesque and domestic violence among the show's complex production of pyrotechnics and theatrics. The tour was developed as a storybook, allowing spectators to cross beyond her "velvet rope" and experience her life story through the evolution of her musical career.
Its setlist was composed of a wide array of Jackson's discography, focusing on new material in addition to medleys of previous hits. The tour is divided into five segments, each displaying different themes and settings. Its racy visuals and depictions of violence drew controversy, in particular her renditions of "What About" and "Rope Burn," in which Jackson selects a fan from the audience, performing a lap dance and kissing them while strapped into a chair. The show's suggestive promotional ads were banned from a number of publications. Billboards of the image were reported to cause traffic accidents in Europe. A number of reviews commended Jackson's stage presence as consistently exceptional, noting improvement in her vocal delivery. It broke several attendance records and is the most attended stadium concert of all time in Hawaii. A private show was held in South East Asia by request of Princess Hamidah of the Brunei Royal Family.
HBO broadcast the show during a special titled The Velvet Rope: Live in Madison Square Garden. It drew over 15 million viewers and was the most watched program among homes subscribed to the network. The special won an Emmy Award, also nominated for Image Awards and TMF Awards. It was released on DVD as The Velvet Rope Tour – Live in Concert, certified platinum in several territories. Various aspects of the tour have influenced numerous performers, including Britney Spears, Pink, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Panic! At the Disco, Jay-Z, and Arashi. Jackson notably selected Justin Timberlake and Usher to open for the tour; introducing both to the public during their early careers. It has also inspired the careers of several performers, dancers, and professional choreographers.
Jackson developed the tour as an audiovisual storybook, sharing her life experience through the evolution of her music. Catherine McHugh of Entertainment Design reports "Part of the reason Janet Jackson titled her latest record The Velvet Rope was to criticize barriers that separate different classes in society. So from the beginning of her show, Jackson strives to prove her accessibility to her audience. The spectacular opening presents Jackson's life—at least professionally—as an open book."[1] The stage was designed by Mark Fisher, saying "She wanted to have a book opening and herself come out of it. So I finessed that book into the video screen." Fisher explained, "Each different scene in the show would be akin to turning the pages in this book, and all the albums that she'd done in the past—Control, Rhythm Nation, janet.—would be represented."[1] Regarding its introduction, Fisher said, "The elevator deposits her gracefully, as befits a princess, on the very front of the downstage." "And of course, the entirely cool and wonderful and breaking-new-ground aspect of it is that it's all made possible by a thin LED screen." Roy Bennett stated "We talked about developing the show around the scenarios of her career. I kept that in mind while lighting each different scene, but I tried to do it in an abstract way, without jumping too far away from the overall look of the show."[1]
Jackson said, "To me, being onstage is about entertaining. I know there are people who just walk onstage and give you a show by just doing their music, but I always wanted something extra."[2] Jackson conceptualized the tour in Paris, saying "I knew what I wanted everyone to look like, especially for the opening number. I knew what I wanted everyone to wear. I visualized the whole thing." Jackson desired to create new themes for prior hits to avoid repeating previous performances.[3] The tour's logo is a variation of Akan symbol the Sankofa, meaning "you can't move into the future until you understand your past." Jackson tattooed the symbol onto her wrist and used the image frequently throughout the tour's promotional imagery.[4]
The tour's promotional advertisements were controversial for their provocative imagery. The image depicts Jackson in a "clingy, breast-enhancing bodysuit with what appears to be a nipple ring on the bodysuit's exterior and high-cut bikini panties." Several publications refused to publish the ad when they could not determine a way to present the image. Ken DeLisa, corporate affairs manager of The Courant, said the photo did not meet the publication's standards. Jackson's spokeswoman said the tour's producers rejected proposed alterations, adding certain publications "sent back an image that colored Janet's bosom to appear as a sports bra."[5] A billboard of the image in England was also removed after its suggestive nature led to multiple traffic accidents.[6]
The tour's rendition of "Rope Burn" was considered "incredibly sexy" and "what everyone was talking about," becoming its most controversial performance.[3] During the act, Jackson "plucks a male fan out of the crowd and ties his hands to the arms of a chair on stage while she gyrates around him and eventually kisses him."[3] The selected fan was required to be strapped into the chair due to safety concerns from Jackson's previous tour, after the participant had forcefully grabbed and fondled her while onstage. Jackson said, "Everyone thinks it's this kinky thing. But the reason he gets strapped in is on this last tour, this guy grabbed my crotch. I sat on his lap and then I stood up and he grabbed my crotch, and I was trying to move his hand and he was too strong for me and he was just rubbing on my crotch. There was nothing I could do, so I said to myself I would never let that happen again."[3] Jackson's performance of "What About" is also infamous for its portrayal of domestic violence and abuse. The tour's "racy" costumes were designed by fashion designer David Cardona, who commented "All her life it's been about Janet being cute. Now it's about Janet being sexy."[7]
Concert synopsis[edit]
The show's setlist consists of twenty-six songs, several band interludes and over twenty dance numbers, along with nine costume changes and four different sets, in addition to frequent pyrotechnics and theatrics.[8] At the beginning of the show, burgundy curtains accented by golden tassels are drawn apart, exposing an enormous book. It is covered by an equally large quilt embossed with "The Velvet Rope." A master of ceremonies opens the book, revealed to be an LED screen. Images dance across the screen until they explode and the screen splits, revealing Jackson behind it. She is subsequently lowered by elevator onto the main stage and the book stand is removed, leaving the screen hanging in place. It then moves to the back of the stage, followed by the appearance of the band and dancers.[1]
The concert opens and closes with a giant storybook containing a massive LED video screen, among the first technology of its kind at the time.[1] The book opens, revealing a frontispiece consisting of stars and planets before its covers split, floating backward and lit up into dual video screens. Jackson emerges between the screens in a top hat and velvet suit, resembling a "19th century British merchant," along with eight dancers to perform opening number "Velvet Rope," using a refrain of The Exorcist theme. After transitioning into "If," Jackson stares at the audience in silence for several minutes to cheering and applause before performing "You." Jackson is backed by dancers strutting alongside her wearing dual-sided masks, representing an isolated persona. Jackson then takes to a center stage stool to perform unplugged versions of "Let's Wait Awhile" and "Again" with an acoustic guitarist. A "frenzied" medley of hits from Control succeeds the ballads, including "Control," "The Pleasure Principle," "What Have You Done for Me Lately," and "Nasty," as well as janet.'s erotic house number "Throb." The red velvet curtain closes the stage while a "hidden light-and sound show" likened to extraterrestrial film Close Encounters entertains the crowd during set changes.[8] The stage reveals the "deranged madness" of the following "hallucinatory" segment, featuring Jackson in a jester's headdress and satin bustier, with dancers dressed as "flowers, Mad Hatters, and horny gnomes" in a "Wonderland" setting. Jackson performs an upbeat medley of "Escapade," "When I Think of You," "Miss You Much," "Runaway," and "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" across a "blindingly bright, poppy-induced set design" with varied props, which include a smiling clock tower, inflatable moons, mammoth chaise, vases, and books.[8]
The set transitions into a "steamy burlesque house" with a succession of "Alright," "I Get Lonely," and instrumental interlude of "Any Time, Any Place." Jackson strips to a black bra and tight pants during "Rope Burn," selecting a participant from the crowd at random, "pointing and demanding, "You!". The chosen fan is strapped into a chair as Jackson proceeds to pole dance and perform a striptease and lap dance, planting a kiss on the fan for the finale. "Black Cat" is followed by an emotionally charged rendition of the rock-influenced "What About," one of the tour's most controversial and praised renditions. Jackson narrates as four dancers demonstrate two vignettes of domestic violence in abusive relationships, including rape and physical abuse, concluding in a gun pulled on the abusers in self-defense. Proceeding is "Rhythm Nation," in which Jackson rapidly dances using martial arts movements and nunchucks, followed by the ballad "Special." The tour's encore includes chandeliers and a final outfit change, performing "That's the Way Love Goes," "Got 'til It's Gone," and "Go Deep" before concluding with "Together Again."[8] Piano ballad "Every Time" and "Whoops Now" were performed exclusively on selected international dates.
Critical reception[edit]
"The title of Janet Jackson's current album, The Velvet Rope, is intended to describe the emotional obstacles she perceives to exist in modern relationships, and to invite her fans behind her personal veil of the senses. There was not much chance to get up close and personal with Jackson last Thursday when she started her world tour, as thousands of screaming admirers muscled in on the act. The feeling was more like being welcomed into her customized entertainment complex."
Sean Daly of Rolling Stone commended the show's "Vegas-style glam" and Jackson's "pure showmanship" as providing "a hellzapoppin' spectacle that featured enough over-the-top special effects to make Armageddon look like Driving Miss Daisy." The concert was considered "a lust-driven fairy tale," featuring "a giant storybook, containing a massive video screen" which opened and closed the show. Its varied themes were contrasted with psychiatric thrillers A Clockwork Orange and Solid Gold, being "as damn freaky as it sounds," using a color scheme described as "a well-lighted explosion at the Crayola factory." The show's second segment was analyzed as "deranged madness," questioning "Can this really be little Penny from Good Times?" Daly praised Jackson's "breakneck speed" and favorably considered it "summer-entertainment bliss," adding "Janet's still as nasty as she wants to be."[8] Sean Piccoli of The Sun Sentinel applauded the tour as a "birth of a new form of entertainment," effectively taking "music-video fundamentalism to a new extreme in live performance." Jackson's "athletic, superchoreographed presentation" was considered "sheery sensory thrill," thought to have "made Spice World look like public theater." The show was analyzed to be "as much a broadcast as it was a show," transitioning through "a seamless whirl of songs, costumes and set changes." Jackson's performances were described as a "technicolor barrage," ranging from "punched-up, steely grooves" to "pillowy, whispered ballads." Piccoli declared highlights to include the opening number, "an eerie incantation on the strangeness and isolation of celebrity," and the "explosively colorful" Control medley incorporating themes of "children's theater." The tour's rendition of "Rope Burn," showcasing Jackson as she "coaxed a young man from the audience onstage for a veritable striptease routine - for which the fellow was strapped by wristbands to his seat," was also praised. However, the show's unplugged ballad segment was thought to be "the evening's most unadorned moment." Piccoli added the crowd's "animated cheering" had been the most the arena had mustered in his experience.[10]
Robert Hilburn of The Los Angeles Times favorably reviewed the tour, exclaiming "There is so much of the ambition and glamour of a Broadway musical in Janet Jackson's new Velvet Rope Tour that it's only fitting that the concert program credits her as the show's creator and director." Although "those aren't terms normally employed in the pop-rock world," Hilburn applauded Jackson's credibility in portraying "a dazzling package, complete with snappy choreography, a colorful array of costumes and often striking staging." Hilburn observed "there were several moments in the show when Jackson stepped beyond the production values and touched us in a way the best pop performers have done over the years." Emphasis was placed on the "playfulness of the fairy tale staging" of "Escapade," the "artful musical stretch" of "Got 'Til It's Gone," and the intimacy of "soul-searching" ballad "Special," adding "Jackson has put a personal stamp on this show that humanizes not only the music but also the performer too." Jackson's "radiance and warmth" was believed to be the result of "her own new-found self esteem," overcoming some of the insecurities plaguing her since childhood. Upon the show's encore Jackson "lingered, clinging to the thunderous applause" in a way which "demonstrated a personal vulnerability and warmth," considered its "real breakthrough." Hilburn stated "the tour and album should go a long way toward helping Jackson finally get the credit she deserves as an artist."[2] The tour's "computer design-phase" was considered "a marvel of precision" by Tom Moon of The Inquirer. Its "eerie, robotic aura of a video game" was thought to be complimented by pyrotechnics detonated "At all the right, surprising moments," a troupe of "lockstep" dancers likened to "a phalanx of marching insects," and "stylized stage sets," ranging from "a child's nursery to a swing-era street scene." The show's lengthy "high-concept medleys" and "power-as-aphrodisiac theme" where analyzed to be commanding and accentuated her physical presence, ripping off her blouse with "theatrical grandeur." Additionally, Jackson's rapid "clockwork" movement was thought to be "high price," declared as nearly mechanical in certain segments. Moon declared "The audience cheered throughout the lavish production; the glossy, every-note-in-its-place music hardly mattered: This was Janet, the noted control freak. The sexually ambiguous diva. The drill sergeant of the rhythm nation. She can do as she pleases."[11]
Paul Sexton of The Times, who reviewed the opening concert at the Ahoy Rotterdam in Rotterdam, Netherlands, compared her two-hour performance to that of Broadway theatre, calling it "an audiovisual banquet."[9] According to the Birmingham Post the concert at the NEC Arena was an "accomplishment."[12] As the show began "after the impatient fans had worked themselves into a frenzy, Janet finally arrived amid a barrage of space-age pyro-technics. Of course, at an event such as this, the overall spectacle is as important as the music itself. In true Jackson tradition, the costumes and choreography in this show made for theatre of the highest order."[12] Her vocal performance was complimented, as Let's Wait Awhile and "Again" "both showcased Janet's ability to belt out heartfelt, if slightly soppy ballads."[12] Richard Harrington of The Washington Post commented "Jackson looked fabulous, danced fabulous, sang as close to fabulous as she ever has and in the end provided a fabulous two hours of entertainment that was equal parts rock concert, Las Vegas revue and Broadway musical."[13] Steve Jones of USA Today remarked, "Janet Jackson had a sellout crowd for the kickoff of her first U.S. tour in four years, and she blew the fans away with imaginative staging and sheer exuberance."[14] J.D. Considine The Sun noted "on albums, Jackson's sound isn't defined by her voice so much as by the way her voice is framed by the lush, propulsive production of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. No surprise, then, that her concert took a similar approach, treating Jackson's voice as just one component in the overall spectacle ... But even though Jackson showed strength from time to time—her singing on "Black Cat" was commanding enough to hold its own against the wailing electric guitar."[15]
Natasha Kassulke of the Wisconsin State Journal stated "The concert captured the scope of Jackson's talent from songwriter to singer, producer, actress, dancer and fashion diva."[16] Similarly, Gemma Tarlach of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel observed, "A tiny dynamo of constant motion, Jackson strutted, slunk and grooved her way from one end of the stage to the other ... Her voice, sometimes thin and girlish on her albums, sounded fuller and more powerful than ever. Michael's baby sister? Nope, the commander of her own rhythm nation, in complete control. The show was as much a feast visually as musically."[17] Kevin Johnson of St. Louis Post-Dispatch commended the tour as "one of the flashiest on the concert scene."[18] Elizabeth Aird, who reviewed Jackson's concert at GM Place, wrote "If there's a show sexier and more polished than Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope extravaganza, it's only on Broadway ... Saturday night's show at GM Place was two hours of thrills pumped out by Jackson, her never-say-die dancers and her powerful band."[19] James Sullivan of the San Francisco Chronicle observed her concert at the new arena "offered a career retrospective, punctuated by new material, periodic video diversions and fireworks." "The show was a lot like an '80s flashback, though to its credit Jackson's eight-piece band—bass, guitar, drums and percussion, two keyboardists and two backup singers—added some inventive layering to her older hits."[20] Charles Passy of the Palm Beach Post reported Jackson's show at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre emphasized style over substance, commenting her "two-hour set was about half hormones—and half pyrotechnics. Without much in the way of a voice, she has sold her persona throughout her career. And as that persona has evolved from girlish teenager to sexually sophisticated woman, her albums—and tours—have provided a road map."[21] Jet Magazine reported, "With wit, sass, dance and a whole lot of sex appeal, Janet turns her song and dance fest into one of the major musical events of the year. In fact, it has become the must-see concert of the year."[22]
Jeannine Etter of Youth Outlook stated "Janet takes us from ballads to hard-core dance beats, and from sex to politics. The set changes appropriately reflect some of the stages of her musical development, from the more playful circus/funhouse vibe of light and playful songs like "Escapade" to the sexual side of Janet's music that keeps getting stronger and stronger as the years go by. During the performance, one lucky man is picked from the audience, strapped to a chair and "tortured" as Janet performs a highly erotic dance for him." The excerpt concluded "Janet is extremely beautiful, but she also demonstrates a humility obtained from pain, reflection and a sense of spirituality."[23] Christine Robertson of Evening Post, who reviewed Jackson's concert in Wellington, New Zealand, exclaimed "The sleek choreography and superb dance spectacle saw Jackson seldom take a breath from one set to the next—her control of the stage complete. Most of the time she plunged into two decades of hits which give her the right to stand her ground" among her contemporaries.[24] Jane Stevenson of The Toronto Sun exclaimed "pyrotechnics, set pieces and inflatables combine with non-stop singing and dancing for two hours of exhilarating entertainment."[3]
Broadcast and recordings[edit]
The show's concert in New York City was broadcast on the HBO special The Velvet Rope: Live in Madison Square Garden. It received over 15 million viewers and surpassed the ratings of all four major networks among viewers subscribed to the channel.[25] It was released on DVD as The Velvet Rope Tour – Live in Concert, certified platinum in the United States and Australia. Selected performance footage was also aired on MTV. A live music video for promotional single "You" contains concert footage filmed in Glasgow and Manchester.
Influence in entertainment[edit]
The tour's themes, performances, and choreography have influenced artists of various genres as well as several professional dancers and choreographers. The theme of Pink's Funhouse Tour was likened to Jackson's Velvet Rope Tour among several critics, considered to have "clearly learned her tricks" from studying Jackson's performances.[26][27] In particular, Pink's rendition of the Divinyls' "I Touch Myself," depicting "a masturbatory fantasy brought to life," was considered "instantly" reminiscent of "Janet's Velvet Rope gropes."[26] Christina Aguilera cited the tour as an inspiration, saying "I just love watching people's performance videos. And she, being an amazing performer ... I aspire to do my little shows like that one day."[28] The "flashy Roberto Cavalli-designed costumes and preternatural interest in the risqué" of Aguilera's Back to Basics Tour were later considered "ripped right off the pages" of Jackson's Velvet Rope Tour by LA Daily News.[29] The stage and props of Cher's Do You Believe? shows drew comparisons to Jackson's tour.[30] MTV News likened the circus theme, costumes, and atmosphere of Panic! At the Disco's Nothing Rhymes with Circus Tour to have "most closely resembled Janet Jackson's audience-dividing, hypersexual 1998 Velvet Rope tour — all that was missing was a chair dance."[31] The carnival theme and theatrics used in Japanese group Arashi's Arashi Marks 2008 Dream-A-Live shows were compared to Jackson's festival setting from the tour.[32]
The tour was among the first concerts attended by Britney Spears, who commented "I remember the first time I went to her show, I was just like 'Oh my God,' I wanted to be her." Spears added, "she just has this presence that you're so drawn to her, you can't keep your eyes off her."[33] Spears' rendition of "Stronger" on the Dream Within a Dream Tour referenced Jackson's performance of "You," performing in a similar vein among masked dancers wearing one-piece attire. Several performances and themes of Spears' Onyx Hotel Tour drew comparisons for its choreography and sensuality,[34][35] as well as a reworked lounge version of "Baby One More Time" sonically reminiscent of Jackson's "Rope Burn." Spears' following tour The Circus Starring Britney Spears used a circus theme, observed to be partially inspired by segments of the tour.[27] During "Lace and Leather" on the Femme Fatale Tour, Spears performed a lap dance for a selected fan while wearing a boa after a pole dance, considered a direct reference to Jackson's performance of "Rope Burn."[36] An analysis of Rihanna's Last Girl on Earth Tour observed there was "definitely a Janet vibe," particularly comparing Jackson's performance of "Rope Burn," "in which she tied an audience member to a bed and proceeded to seduce them," to Rihanna's rendition of "Skin." The critique added, "Fast forward 13 years later, and there was Rihanna, writhing around on a lucky audience member at the conclusion of Skin off her current Loud album."[37] New Zealand's Stuff.co.nz praised Lady Gaga's Born This Way Ball as the best "pop-star show" since Jackson's Velvet Rope Tour.[38]
In a documentary, Jay-Z revealed being inspired by a segment of Jackson's tour in which she stood in silence and stared at the crowd for several minutes to massive applause; imitating the technique during his own concerts. Beyoncé has also been reported to emulate a similar tactic during several live shows.[39] JoJo praised the tour, tweeting "Janet Jackson Velvet Rope Tour DVD. Freaking out. Mesmerized. Living. Can't stop yelling at the tv screen. Omg."[40] JoJo later recorded the album Agápē while The Velvet Rope Tour played on a studio television for inspiration.[41] Canadian singer Anjulie became "obsessed with music" and "developed [my style] through watching" the tour, recalling "I remember seeing The Velvet Rope Tour and then getting the VHS of that, putting it on slow motion so that I could learn every single dance move."[42][43] British artist Rowdy Superstar commended Jackson's performance of "If" and "stayed up the whole night learning all the choreography from the Velvet Rope Tour."[44] BBC Asian Network presenter DJ Kayper called Jackson "hands down, the best female performer of all time," praising the tour's rendition of "Rhythm Nation" in which Jackson dances with nunchucks.[45]
Jackson's performance of "Rope Burn" has influenced numerous artists to incorporate a similar routine during live shows. An anecdote stated "Her performance of this song, when she brought a fan on stage for a strip tease during The Velvet Rope Tour has been co-opted by the likes of Britney Spears and Rihanna in later years."[36] Other artists observed to be inspired by the rendition include Pink, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, the Sugababes, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, and Chris Brown.[39] Nicole Brown of Vibe stated "Long before Rihanna and Nicki were handing out lap dances like hot cakes, Miss Jackson revolutionized dirty dancing with her "Rope Burn" routine in 1998. Janet works her way up and down a pole before laying a passionate kiss on an excited male fan."[46] A critique of Chris Brown's Fan Appreciation Tour remarked "Brown isn't the only celeb getting freaky on stage with their fans, singer Janet Jackson was one of the first celebrities to get freaky with fans on a stage in front of thousands of on-lookers."[39] Katy Perry was also thought to emulate the performance on the California Dreams Tour, in which she brought a male onstage and "teasingly traced a finger down his bare chest and stomach."[47] The Guardian observed influence from Jackson in the Sugababes' performance of "Virgin Sexy" on the Angels with Dirty Faces Tour, "in which they lapdance around the sole member of the audience who is male and in his twenties," adding "It's a trick Janet Jackson did a few years ago, on her Velvet Rope tour."[48] In 2013, Wall Street International reported the performance inspired British artist Alex Da Corte's painting "Velveteen (Wilson Kelvin McQuade)," offering the analogy "a lap dance performed by one artwork for another may be crass, yet too fitting to be ignored."[49]
The tour notably promoted Justin Timberlake and Usher when Jackson selected both as its opening acts during their early careers, exposing them to a wider audience. Both artists credit Jackson as a major showmanship influence from both "an entertainment and evolution perspective."[50][51] While Timberlake was part of 'N Sync, Jackson personally selected them to open for the tour, helping to introduce the relatively unknown group to the public. Timberlake said "I had her poster on my wall so I'm psyched," later describing the experience as "fulfilling."[52][53] Jackson performed with the group on several dates, including joining them for a live a capella rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed." A biography stated it was a "highlight" moment for Timberlake which "gave Justin a chance to show his family and friends how far he had come."[54] The tour was the largest audience the group performed for at the time; JC Chasez commenting "That was great because we got to see how a real professional tours. And not only that she is really sweet. We really enjoyed it."[55] Chris Kirkpatrick added, "She is very good at entertaining. We learned a lot — that if people want to hear just the music, they can buy the CD. But it's the whole live aspect of changing the songs every night or the whole theatrical performance that she puts on. She's definitely one of our mentors when it comes to touring and the stage show. Her show told a story, and that's what people like to see."[56] Timberlake was previously inspired to become a performer after attending Jackson's Rhythm Nation Tour, saying "She didn't just stand there and sing her song," fascinated by her "energy and exuberance". A friend commented "He was always into Janet."[57] Author Sean Smith stated, "Much has been made of Michael Jackson's influence on Justin's music, but he is only one of a number of influential artists who have shaped the musical style of Mr. JT, and he is not even the most influential member of the Jackson clan. That accolade firmly belongs to Janet Jackson," who was "one of the most successful artists of the last twenty years."[54] Following the tour, Timberlake and Jackson became "good friends," ultimately leading to Timberlake performing alongside Jackson during a segment of Jackson's controversial Super Bowl Halftime Show performance.[58] Usher described opening for Jackson as "the biggest event" of his career and an "honor," saying "She's a definite entertainer, works hard and sweats every night. I learned a lot about how to make an artist look like a star."[51] Nick Lachey and group 98 Degrees opened for several dates and experienced increased commercial success following the tour.[59] Upon the release of Never Gone, AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys described his hair as resembling "Janet Jackson on the Velvet Rope Tour."[60]
The tour was one of the first concerts to feature split-screen LED technology, among the first developed at the time.[61] Espinosa stated "it was a great learning experience, she's the top of the top,"[62] commenting "Dance-wise, (she taught me) how to become a better dancer and performer, and that you also have your good and bad days. Most of all you can't take things personally."[63] Backing dancer Tiana Brown was inspired to pursue a professional dancing career after watching the tour.[64] So You Think You Can Dance finalist Jessica King included the tour among her "favorite dance moments."[65] It was also the first concert attended by So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Travis Wall.[66] Choreographer Shaun Evaristo cited the tour as an inspiration, saying "That show changed my life and so did the dancers."[67]
Awards and nominations[edit]
The Velvet Rope Tour was nominated for four Emmy Awards.
|List of accolades for "The Velvet Rope Tour"
Set list[edit]
- "Video Introduction" (contains elements from "Someday is Tonight", "Rhythm Nation", "Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make)", "Special", "Escapade", "Black Cat")
- "Velvet Rope"
- "If"
- "You"
- "Every Time" 1
- Medley:
- Control Medley:
- "Control"
- "The Pleasure Principle"
- "What Have You Done for Me Lately"
- "Nasty" (contains elements from Busta Rhymes' "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See")
- "Throb"
- Medley:
- "Alright"
- "I Get Lonely"
- "Any Time, Any Place" (Instrumental Interlude)
- "Rope Burn"
- "Black Cat" 3
- "What About" 3 (contains an instrumental excerpt of Kool & the Gang's "Jungle Boogie")
- "Rhythm Nation"
- "Special"
- Encore
1 Only performed in the final performance in Tokyo, Japan
2 Performed only on the European shows
3 Cut at some shows including Oakland, CA
4 Added to the setlist halfway through the European leg of the tour
Opening acts[edit]
- N Sync (North America - select venues)
- Usher (North America - July 9 - October 11)
- 98 Degrees (Hawaii)
- All Saints (Brunei)
- Boyz II Men (New Zealand - Auckland show only)
- Another Level (Europe)
- Lynden David Hall (South Africa)
- Boom Shaka (South Africa)
- Dr. Victor & the Rasta Rebels (South Africa)
- Che Fu (New Zealand)
- Human Nature (Australia)
Additional notes[edit]
- The Velvet Rope Tour began in The Netherlands at Ahoy Rotterdam. Jackson later returned to the country for her biggest show at the Gelredome in Arnhem. The tour visited 5 continents, and 17 countries, including: Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The European leg had completely sold out. It moved to North America before flying to South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Japan.
- The tour grossed over $139 million worldwide. Total grosses with inflation from 2011's average ticket price brings its gross equivalent to $240,200,000.
- The tour's closing date at the Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii broke attendance records. The stadium's original capacity of 35,000 for a concert was expanded to 38,000 to accommodate additional ticket demands, making Jackson the only artist in the stadium's history to fill the venue over its intended capacity. Jackson currently holds the record for the most attended concert at the Aloha Stadium.[68]
- The HBO broadcast of The Velvet Rope Tour garnered numerous accolades including 13 Emmy Awards nominations, winning in the category of "Outstanding Technical Direction/Camera/Video for a Special."
- Jackson performed a private show at the Jerudong Park Amphitheatre in Brunei, South East Asia by request of Princess Hamidah of the Brunei royal family. An exclusive audio recording of the show was issued to attendees of Hamidah's twenty-first birthday party.[69]
- Q-Tip made a surprise appearance during "Got 'Til It's Gone" for both dates in New York City.
- Busta Rhymes's "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See" was sampled in a dance breakdown during "Nasty."
- Portions of the proceeds from the North American shows were donated to America's Promise, founded by Colin Powell to help children and youth from all socioeconomic sectors. Jackson made several appearances with Powell to promote the organization. Powell attended one of the shows to briefly address the audience on stage.
- A promotional interview disc in which Jackson answers thirty-four tour questions was released in Europe.[70]
- A special edition double disc set was issued to Best Buy stores in Germany in other parts of Europe, including a seventeen-minute interview and tour photo book. Its second disc features thirteen songs selected by Jackson, mainly of the trip hop genre, including Massive Attack, Esthero, and Dario G.[71]
Tour dates[edit]
Commercial reception[edit]
The tour's premiere concert at the Joe Louis Arena sold out within three hours, prompting Jackson to add a second showing for a later date.[72] It grossed over $33 million in the United States alone.[73] Its European leg had completely sold out. The tour had an estimated worldwide attendance of nearly two million, reported to exceed ten million by The Honolulu Advertiser.[74] The tour's closing date at the Aloha Stadium in Hawaii broke attendance records, exceeding its original capacity to accommodate additional ticket demands, making Jackson the only artist in the venue's history to do so.[68]
|Ticket Grossing
|Tickets Sold
|Tickets On Sale
|Percentage Sold
|July 9, 1998 [75]
|MCI Center
|Washington, D.C.
|July 24, 1998 [76]
|Rosemont Horizon
|July 25, 1998
|August 16, 1998 [77]
|Shoreline Amphitheatre
|Mountain View, California, Mountain View
|August 28, 1998 [78]
|San Diego Sports Arena
|San Diego
|September 3, 1998 [78]
|BI-LO Center
|September 5, 1998 [79]
|Nashville Arena
|$1,007, 214
|September 11, 1998 [79]
|Coral Sky Amphitheater
|West Palm Beach
|September 12, 1998 [79]
|Ice Palace
|September 29, 1998 [80]
|October 3, 1998 [81]
|Hartford Civic Center
|October 10, 1998 [82]
|Madison Square Garden
|New York City
|October 11, 1998
|January 30, 1999 [83]
|Aloha Stadium
- Musical Director: Rex Salas
- Drums: Lil John Roberts
- Keyboards: Rex Salas and Darrel Smith
- Percussion: Terry Santiel
- Guitar: David Barry
- Bass: Sam Sims
- Background Vocals: Stacy Campbell and Rebecca Valadez
- Tina Landon (choreographer)
- Kelly Konno
- Gil Duldulao
- Michael Andrews
- Tyce Diorio
- Teresa Espinosa
- Shawnette Heard
- Nikki Pantenburg
- Robert Vinson
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External links[edit]
- Janet Jackson: Velvet Rope Tour on Netflix
- IMDB entry
- Rottentomatoes entry
- Mark Fisher set design and images


text:
Performance Related Pay in Schools
- NUT members oppose PRP in schools - they think it is unfair and won't work. The evidence suggests they are right.
- PRP will not improve educational standards or outcomes. OECD research on the impact of PRP in teaching has concluded that "the overall picture reveals no relationship between average student performance in a country and the use of performance-based pay schemes."1 A wide range of other research including from the USA2and Portugal has suggested that it has no overall impact on achievement or may even reduce it.
- PRP does not motivate teachers either. Professor David Marsden's 2009 study, 'The Paradox of Performance Related Pay Systems: Why Do We Keep Adopting Them in the Face of Evidence that they Fail to Motivate?'3sums up its conclusions in its title.
- PRP will undermine and disrupt effective school improvement. It encourages teachers to work in isolation, rather than pooling their expertise. Schools are learning communities - good teachers build their students' achievement on foundations laid by other teachers and support staff. Teachers work best when they work collaboratively.
- Imposing PRP will damage collaboration in schools. If we are serious about school improvement, we should instead focus on the lessons of proven successes - such as the City Challenge model in London and the Midlands, declared by researchers to have produced school improvement which is not only "measurable and sustainable" but also "more cost effective than other strategies"4
- PRP will distort teaching and lead to narrower choices & opportunities for students. Research on PRP proposals for teachers in Canada concluded that teachers focus on matters relevant to their pay at the expense of other matters, "whether those are different subject areas or soft skills or relationships with students"5 As the Local Schools Network has argued, PRP will steer teachers towards the 'best' classes (the easiest to teach and highest achieving) rather than the hardest to help succeed6.
- Quality of teaching cannot be measured, quantified or ranked in the way PRP demands.Teaching is a professional skill rather than an exact science. The Sutton Trust says that schools should rely on a combination of approaches to gain a full picture of teacher effectiveness and should never assess teachers on data from a single year7.
- PRP will make it harder to recruit new teachers and retain teachers in the profession. Over 90% of NUT members under 30 told the NUT that they think PRP will mean that graduates will in future be less likely to enter teaching.
- PRP is an unnecessary and bureaucratic burden. School leaders and governors will find themselves involved in lengthy discussions and time consuming appeals - diverting time away from the key challenges of securing improvements in teaching and learning.
- PRP will turn Ofsted into the Government's pay police. Ofsted inspectors are expected to look at the relationship between teaching in the school and pay progression, requiring school leaders to justify pay progression decisions. This will undermine the already tenuous trust between schools and Ofsted.
- PRP will lead to discriminatory outcomes. It is well known that PRP favours men not women, while evidence from the performance threshold system in schools showed that black and minority ethnic teachers were disproportionately likely to fail to progress. The Government is promoting pay practices which will lead to further discrimination against older teachers, women teachers and black and minority ethnic teachers alike.
- This has been confirmed by an NUT pay progression survey which found that the proportion of minority ethnic teachers denied pay progression was around half as high again as the proportion of white British teachers turned down. Part time teachers (who are much more likely to be female) were also disproportionately less likely to receive pay progression than teachers working full time8.
- PRP will not lead to "the best teachers being paid more". Pressures on school funding mean faster pay progression for some will only happen at the expense of others. In schools where every teacher is performing well, that will make no sense at all.
- Finally, teachers reject PRP, whatever the Government and its supporters say. Over 90% of NUT members have told the Union that they reject linking pay to performance, seeing it as arbitrary, unfair and unlikely to motivate or raise outcomes for students. Even studies carried out by PRP's proponents confirm teachers' opposition to PRP.
- What does work is paying all teachers better. Another study looking across OECD countries in 2011 concluded both that "higher pay leads to improved pupil performance" and that the highest performing countries have well paid teachers whose status in society is high. This won't be achieved by focusing on PRP for the few.
- PRP in teaching will not help raise standards. It will undermine professional co-operation and hamper school improvement. It will be unfair, promote inequality and make pay determination costlier and more bureaucratic. It is actually all about cutting the pay bill for teachers - which is why the NUT continues to oppose it.
1 Does performance-based pay improve teaching?, PISA in Focus (May 2012 issue), OECD http://www.oecd.org/pisa/50328990.pdf
2 Does Whole-School Performance Pay Improve Student Learning? Evidence from the New York City Schools Goodman et al, Education Next, v11 n2 p67-71 (Spr 2011); Teacher Pay for Performance - Experimental Evidence from the Project on Incentives in Teaching, Springer et al, NCPI Vanderbilt University, Sept
3Paradoxes of modernisation: unintended consequences of public policy reforms, ed Hood & Margetts, OUP 2009 http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/23639/1/The_paradox_of_performance_related_pay(LSERO).pdf
44 Evaluation of the City Challenge Programme, DfE Research Report DFE-RR215, Prof M Hutchings et al, Jun 2012 http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/14820/1/DFE-RR215.pdf
55 Eight reasons merit pay for teachers is a bad idea, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, October 2010 http://osstf.weebly.com/uploads/5/5/6/3/5563823/meritpay.pdf
66 Performance Related Pay: The Problem, Not the Solution, Roger Titcombe, Local Schools Network, 2013 http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/01/performance-related-pay-the-problem-not-the-solution/
7Testing Teachers: what works best for teacher evaluation and appraisal, Sutton Trust, March 2013 http://www.suttontrust.com/news/publications/testing-teachers-what-works-best-for-teacher-evaluation/
8NUT survey on performance related pay for teachers. Available at http://www.teachers.org.uk/node/23143.