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Members of the public will have the opportunity to appreciate the forms and expressions of the intangible cultural heritage of China through an exhibition at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum from tomorrow (December 21) until February 16, 2009.
Featuring more than 300 pictures, 100 items/sets of artefacts and a series of demonstrations by heritage practitioners, the "Exhibition of Intangible Cultural Heritage in China" covers almost all aspects of Chinese people's lives, including ballads, proverbs, songs, dances, acrobatics, opera, "quyi", folk art, folklore, rituals, handicraft, and traditional Chinese medicine.
The exhibition is jointly presented by the Bureau of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Culture, and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and jointly organised by the Centre for Ethnic and Folk Literature and Art Development, Ministry of Culture, the Chinese National Museum of Ethnology and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.
The exhibition was opened today (December 20) by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, the Vice-Chairman of the National Expert Commission of Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Work, Ms Zhou Xiaopu, the Director of the Centre for Ethnic and Folk Literature and Art Development of the Ministry of Culture, Mr Li Song, the Vice-Curator of the Chinese National Museum of Ethnology, Ms Wei Ronghui, the Vice-Director of the Centre for Ethnic and Folk Literature and Art Development of the Ministry of Culture, Mr Wang Zezhou, and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Thomas Chow.
According to UNESCO's (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) "Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage", the "intangible cultural heritage" means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills — as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated therewith — that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage. It is manifested in various domains, covering oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage; performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship.
In 2001, 2003 and 2005, UNESCO issued three proclamations of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. China leads other member states with four masterpieces listed in the document: the Kunqu Opera, the Art of Guqin Music, the Art of Uyghur Muqam of Xinjiang, and the Mongolian traditional folk Long Song (jointly proposed with Mongolia). Currently, there are 1,028 items listed under national intangible cultural heritage in China, covering folk arts and traditional craftsmanship, traditional performing arts, language, medicine, festivals and ceremonies.
Rooted in people's lives and activities, Chinese folk arts and traditional craftsmanship, such as weaving and embroidery, printing and dyeing, basketry, sculpture, lacquering, carving, metallurgy, architecture and craft, display rich varieties in technique, materials, forms and functions. The skills were transmitted orally and by hand, and each generation's craftsmen combined their wisdom and effort to perfect skills that created works reflecting their aesthetic values and joy in life. These skills are important items of intangible cultural heritage.
Traditional Chinese performing arts, namely traditional opera (including shadow play and puppetry), "Quyi", folk music, folk dancing and acrobatics were created by different ethnic groups in China, and reflected the emotions and aesthetic values of these people. The style of performing arts varies greatly among ethnic groups and regions. This rich, diverse and long art tradition is deeply rooted in traditional culture and reflects unique values on life, history, art and aesthetics in China. These arts are also important elements of China's intangible cultural heritage.
Language is an important tool for human communication. It is also one of the basic elements distinguishing different ethnic groups. China is a vast nation with 56 ethnic groups speaking some 80 dialects. Each group has created a rich oral literature with its own languages, including myths, legends, folk stories, ballads, epics, proverbs and riddles. These records of life relate living history as well as the survival experiences and wisdom of different peoples.
During millennia of understanding the natural environment, life processes and prevention of diseases, the Chinese have developed a specific conception of healthcare which covers drug treatment, mind nurturing and physical exercises. The development of traditional Chinese medicine and sports are closely connected with the development of society, hence they are essential cultural heritages of mankind.
Traditional Chinese festivals, so colourful and rich, reflect the rhythm of life of the Chinese people and their success in harmonising heaven, earth and man. Surveys show that there are over 1,500 traditional festivals of various scales in China, all marked by their deep cultural content, periodic appearance, ethnic character and communal identity. These festivals are integrated deeply into the daily life and the mental world of the people.
Ceremony is a cultural phenomenon peculiar to human beings. Nations and societies divide their lives in varied ways. However, the ceremonies of a human life can generally be divided into the birth ceremony, coming-of-age ceremony, wedding and funeral. Ceremonies in life are usually influenced by faith and religions and some have strong spiritual features. The whole set of ceremonies, involving rich traditional cultural geners and a nation's view on life and death, is of crucial importance in overcoming difficulties and understanding and sublimating life.
To tie in with the exhibition, masters of traditional folk arts -- Tang's dough sculpture, the Beijing gold lacquer inlay technique, the interior painting of the Ji (Hebei) School, the Beijing "Liaoqi (glassware)", the Wuqiang new year paintings, the flower pattern decoration weaving skills on wooden loom of Nanjing cloud-pattern brocade and palm plaiting -- will be invited to give demonstrations between December 21 and 26. In addition, artists of Tangshan Show Play will be invited to perform during the Lunar New Year from January 30 to February 2, 2009. For details, please contact the Education Team of the museum on 2180 8260.
Located at 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, the Heritage Museum opens from 10am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to 7pm on Sundays and public holidays. On Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year's Eve, the museum will close at 5pm. It is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays) and the first two days of Chinese New Year. Admission is $10, with a half-price concession for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and full-time students. Admission is free on Wednesdays.
Paid car parking is available at the Heritage Museum. Those who prefer to use public transport may take the MTR Ma On Shan Line and get off at the Che Kung Temple Station, which is within three minutes' walk of the museum.
For enquiries, call 2180 8188. For details of the exhibition, visit the Heritage Museum's website at http://hk.heritage.museum/.
Ends/Saturday, December 20, 2008
Tibetan surgical tools of the Qing dynasty. Tibetan doctors have used such tools in surgical operations more than 2,000 years ago. It is recorded that Tibetan doctors successfully did a craniotomy several thousand years ago, reflecting Tibetans' superb mastery of surgical skills.
A Tibetan copper tea stove and teapot of the Qing dynasty. Tibetans are fond of butter tea. To keep butter tea hot, Tibetans invented a special tea stove and teapot. The fire in the stove is kept low without flames so as to keep the tea at a stable temperature. The diversified shapes, colourful patterns and skillful carvings on the tea set show their exquisite copper workmanship.
The "Watchtower of the Imperial Palace", a straw binding and chiselling article by Xu Jian. Using excellent "kaoliang" straw , the famous "Yongqing binding and chiselling" works are artifacts made by hand with tools such as calipers, scissors, awls, knives, bamboo prods and oil lamps. Ranging from the traditional grasshopper cage and straw lantern to imitation of ancient architectural models, the works are always extremely delicate and exquisite.
A "Hualiao horse" of liaoqi (glassware). Glassware is a special kind of art form developed from the traditional liuli manufacturing technique. The glass is fired in a blowlamp and depends on the experience and workmanship of the craftsman, which won it the name of "sculpture in the fire". The work in the picture reflects the artful design and refined and adept techniques of the craftsman, and the imitation of Tang tri-coloured glaze used fully presents the glory, colour and mystery of the glass.
"Hushtar", a pulled stringed musical instrument used in Uyghur Muqam of Xinjiang, which has been listed in the "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO.
An Earth-opera mask from the play, "The Three Kingdoms". Earth-opera is a folk religious drama prevailing in the midlands of Guizhou Province. The stories of Earth-opera are all war-related, eulogising the loyalty of the emperor's servants and battle-worn heroes. In essence, the stories advocate the moral standards of "faithfulness, filial piety, austerity and loyalty" and the martial spirit. The mask is the distinct feature of Earth-opera, which can be divided into four categories based on the roles: officers, Taoists, buffoons and animals. The masks are marked with bold and exaggerated use of red and green, presenting vivid and sharply contrasted hues.


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Thousands of Islamic Action Front supporters gather to demand constitutional reforms during an opposition rally in Amman, Jordan, Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)
AMMAN: Thousands of Jordanian Islamist supporters marched on Friday in the largest demonstration since Arab Spring-inspired protests erupted last year, calling on King Abdullah to accelerate democratic reforms.
Protestors from across the country flocked to the main street leading to the Husseini mosque in downtown Amman after Friday prayers and chanted: "Listen Abdullah, our demands are legitimate."
The "Friday to Rescue the Nation" rally was called by the Muslim Brotherhood, the largest opposition party, to push for their demands for broader political representation and a more democratic parliament.
Sheikh Hamam Said, the head of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, said a concessionary move by the monarch to dissolve a rubber-stamp, tribal-dominated parliament on Thursday to set the stage for elections expected early next year was not enough.
His party will not go back on decision to boycott future elections under the current political system, he said.
The Islamists say electoral laws passed last July are tailored to curb their influence by drawing constituencies lines in favour of sparsely populated, pro-government tribal areas that have a majority of parliamentary seats. Heavily populated cities which are their traditional strongholds are grossly under-represented, they say.
Hundreds of youths carried banners saying: "The corrupt are God's enemies" and "For how long will the regime protect corrupt officials?"
Other placards called on the powerful security forces to end their pervasive role in political life.
Jordan has had nearly two years of peaceful street protests by Islamists, tribal figures and leftists, inspired by the Arab Spring uprisings, but they have focused on reforming government and limiting King Abdullah's powers rather than ousting him.
The large demonstration went peacefully after loyalists who had planned to congregate at the same location called off a counter rally, defusing tensions that had raised prospects of clashes.
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subset: commoncrawl


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News, trends and ideas we're tracking today.
Posts filtered on Category
Eva celebrates with Jets QB
Suddenly high-flying Jet Mark Sanchez was seen celebrating New York's 48-28 win over Buffalo with new flame Eva Longoria, the New York Post reports. Tony Parker's ex and Sanchez dined Sunday night at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House in New York, the tabloid says. Sanchez followed up Monday night by taking two Jets cheerleaders […] [Read More]
2 nabbed in $20 heist with toy gun
A local man was robbed while pumping gas early today on the Northwest Side, and police arrested two suspects they say threw a toy gun out the window of their SUV, WOAI-TV says. The victim told police two men drove up to him at a Tetco gas station near Fredericksburg Road and Loop 410 about […] [Read More]
Firefighters quickly douse W. Side blaze
A woman escaped a fire at her West Side home this morning, WOAI-TV says. The fire broke out shortly after 5:30 a.m. at the house on Westlawn Drive near Marbach Road and West Military Drive, the station says. It started in an outside light fixture, firefighters said. A neighbor noticed the smoke and called for […] [Read More]
11 escape E. Side house fire
A family will have to start over after escaping a weekend house fire on the East Side, KABB-TV reports. The station says 11 people, including several small children, got out moments before flames consumed the house on Paso Hondo Street near New Braunfels Avenue about 6 a.m. Sunday. The Red Cross has put the family […] [Read More]
Cigarette sparks apartment fire
Firefighters blame a cigarette for a small fire that forced the evacuation of a North Side apartment complex early today, KSAT-TV reports. Called to the Lincoln Village apartments in the 1700 block of Jackson Keller Road about 4 a.m., fire crews arrived to heavy smoke coming out of one of the buildings. After putting out […] [Read More]
Woman jailed in parents' beating
A 19-year-old woman has been arrested after her boyfriend was accused of beating her parents, WOAI-TV says. Teresa Daniela Astorga is charged with aggravated assault, suspected of complicity in an attack early Thursday her parents' home in the 6800 block of Calle Aleman on the far West Side. The beating left her mother with a […] [Read More]
E. coli found in Alamo Heights well
An Alamo Heights water well sample has tested positive for E. coli, KSAT-TV says. The well at Fair Oaks Place and Vanderhoeven Drive was removed from service after the Thursday test, and the water is considered safe to drink, the station says. The Alamo Heights Water System said it doesn't plan to issue a boil […] [Read More]
Man trying to stop bandit dodges bullets
A street sweeper was shot at as he tried to stop a robbery early today, WOAI-TV reports. The man was pumping gas about 3 a.m. at a Murphy Express on Southeast Military Drive near Brooks City-Base when a bandit robbed the store and made off with the clerk's wallet and purse, the station says. He […] [Read More]
Austin cops nab armed 13-year-old driver
A 13-year-boy pulled over by Austin police after a five-minute chase this morning had a handgun, two air pistols and two large knives, KEYE-TV says. Police said the pursuit started at Highland Mall on Airport Boulevard about 9:35 a.m. after reports that a car had come out of the mall's parking lot and was weaving […] [Read More]
2 sought in McAllister Park baseball scam
Police are seeking a man and woman who've been going door-to-door selling bogus raffle tickets to benefit the McAllister Park team that just made its second trip to the Little League World Series in four years, WOAI-TV says. Police say they've been selling the fake tickets in the 78230 zip code. The team's vice president […] [Read More]
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A brief look at some of the (potential) new comers to the Blue Jays organization. I'll keep it up to date throughout the first 5 rounds.
Ahhh, good ol' Ricky Henderson. (Let's see if anyone gets this).
First Round
#1 (17th overall) – D.J. Davis.
After the Nationals selected Lucas Giolito as the 16th pick, the Blue Jays shifted focus and decided to pick a position player in D.J. Davis. Davis, a left handed hitting Outfielder was listed as the 20th overall prospect by Baseball America in this years Draft.
Credited with having plus speed, Davis' arm is considered somewhat undeveloped at this point however his bat has been a steady source of improvement. Davis hit .373 with 7 Home Runs and stole 24 in 25 attempts (11/12).
Currently, Davis is committed to attending a community college in Mississippi which suggests that signability should not be an issue for the Blue Jays.
#2 (22′nd overall) – Marcus Stroman.`
Originally drafted by the Nationals in 18th round (2009), Stroman decided to opt out and continue to develop while attending Duke en route to being named to the All ACC team in 2012.
Closing for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, Stroman no hit his opponents over 8 1/3 IP while picking up 4 Saves in the process. The 5 foot 9 power pitcher is said to be one of the most polished hurlers in the Draft with a Fastball that has been clocked at 98 MPH. To compliment the heat, Stroman also throws an overpowering Slider, Cutter & Changeup with as much as 11 MPH variance.
The fact that Stroman throws an array of pitches with a great deal of success, leads one to believe that the Blue Jays will give the 21 year old every chance available to develop in to a starting pitcher.
Compensation Round
#3 (50th overall) Matt Smoral.
At 6-8, Smoral is one of the tallest pitchers in the draft not to mention the fact that he is a Lefty. Prior to a foot injury that has shelved the 19 year old, Smoral recorded a 4-1 record while posting a 1.82 ERA to go with 47 Strikeouts 34 2/3 IP last season (High School).
Smoral works off of a mid 90′s Fastball while mixing in a low 80′s Slider and Changeup to keep opposing hitters off balanced.
Smoral has made a commitment to the University of North Carolina which is thought to make the pitcher a tough sign however his recent injury and higher selection may sway his decision to get into a big league organization while he still draws some attention.
#4 (58th overall) Mitch Nay.
Nay locked up the Arizona Baseball Player of the Year Award for the 2011/12 season hitting .380 with 11 HR's and 31 RBI for Hamilton.
The power hitting 3rd baseman has made strides in his defense while continuing to work on his overall game, most notably putting up a .520 On Base Percentage this past season.
Nay has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball (on scholarship) for Arizona State University which could stand in the way of signing with the Blue Jays.
#5 (60th overall) Tyler Gonzales.
Gonzales is listed as a Pitcher/Shortstop out of San Antonio who can touch 94 with the Fastball. Last season, Gonzales went 3/4 with a 2.24 ERA while pitching for Clemens High School.
Second Round
#6 (81st overall) Chase DeJong.
Dejong is listed as a 6-5, 190 pound Right Handed Pitcher listed No. 72 in the country by Perfect Game USA. DeJong put up a 10-2 record while posting a 1.00 ERA to go with 98 Strikeouts during his last season in High School ball (Woodrow Wilson High). Throws in the high 80′s to low 90′s on the Fastball while utilizing a Curve and Change up effectively.
Third Round
#7 (112 overall) Anthony Alford.
Alford is a multisport athlete listed at 6'1, 215 pounds. The former Mississippi Baseball Player of the Year hit .483 with 4 HR and 31 RBI last season playing High School Ball, hit .390 with 7 HR's in 2010. Splitting his time between the Infield and Outfield, Alford has been ranked as the #48 prospect in this years Draft (ESPNHS) however he slipped to the 3rd round following his decision to sign a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Southern Mississippi on a Football contract this fall resulting in what many are considering to be a signability issue.
Fifth Round
#8 (145 overall) Tucker Donahue.
Donahue made 28 appearances (9 Starts) pitching for Stetson last season. The 6'1, 195 Pitcher ranked 4th on the team posting a 3.76 ERA in 2011 and was originally selected by the Texas Rangers in to 2011 MLB Amateur Draft. The RHP went 2-1 with a 5.20 ERA in 27.2 Innings of relief this season with Stetson.
#9 (175 overall) Brad Delatte.
Delatte is listed as a 6'0, 175 pound Left Handed Pitcher out of Nicholls State. Went 0-2 with 2.86 ERA for the Colonels in 2012 and the 22 year old appeared in 23 games (3 starts, 2 Saves) going 3-5 with a 5.93 ERA in 2011.
2 thoughts on "Echoes From 527: Draft!"
June 10, 2012 at 9:02 pm
This was a very impressive draft for AA and I belive despite 30 other teams in the draft, the Blue Jays snagged at least 3 of the top 30 players available.
In the short term, we injected strength in our bullpen as Stroman could be pitching in the show as early as September of this year or at the least, next year. He fell in the draft because he is short and conventional wisdom tells teams to stay away from short righties no matter how good their stuff is.I think teams forget that Pedro Martinez was only 5'11″ and the legendary Whitey Ford was only 5'9′ so its been done before. Stroman joins Santos in the bullpen as as another cheap yet dynamic arm that you can build a bullpen around. Actually sounds like Stroman has better control then Santos and could challenge for closer role next year with his stuff.
Jays fans should be thrilled that we snagged Smoral. Had he not injured his foot in a freak incident at the beach, then he would have been a top 10 guy this year. At 6'8″, this lefty has everything you could want in a prospect. His pitching looks a little sloppy right now, mostly due to his freakishly long arms and legs however once he gets in the system he can work on his footwork and delivery and has a chance to be a monster. Pitching prospects are very fickle and a very small percentage pan out however Smoral joins 5 or 6 potential beasts the Blue Jays have in their system already which should make fans very excited for 2014 and 2015 when if things pan out, we will be loaded with young left and right handed pitching.
Anthony Alford was a steal. He made it very clear that he wasn't going to sign which is why he fell to 112 and wasn't drafted in the top 16. The Blue Jays drafting and signing him is a coup de grace and he's a guy who will go in the system and could be an impact player in 2015 or 2016 when all of our young arms are coming into form.
All in all, Anthopolis basically snagged 3 guys who under different conditions would have all been taken before the Blue Jays even had their first pick at 17. He continues to cement his legacy as one of the great GM's in the game and Blue Jays fans should be excited about the foundations that are being built for truly competitive and uber-talented teams in 2014 and beyond.


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IOWA CITY, Iowa Two of the three people arrested following a fatal officer-involved shooting near Iowa City in August will be prosecuted in federal court instead of at the county court level.
John Mulbah, 21, and Norman Dudley, 21, both were indicted on Thursday in U.S. District Court. Mulbah now faces federal charges including conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and five counts of distribution of cocaine base. Dudley faces conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and one count of distribution of cocaine base, according to online records.
Coinciding with the new charges, the Johnson County Attorney's Office on Monday dismissed the state's cases against both men, according to online court records. A third man who was arrested following the shooting, Demarco Dudley, 22, has not been indicted at the federal level.
His case remains at the county level, and he's scheduled to be tried on a charge of first-degree robbery on Feb. 5.
A trial date for Mulbah and Norman Dudley has been scheduled for Jan. 7 in federal court, according to online court records.
A redacted indictment for Mulbah and Dudley accuses them of conspiring with each other and other people on Aug. 14 and again on Aug. 17 to distribute at least 28 grams of a substance containing cocaine. Mulbah also is accused of distributing a mixture containing cocaine on Aug. 10 and Aug. 13, and both men are accused of distribution on Aug. 14.
Mulbah originally was arrested and charged with five drug related violations after a fatal shooting on Aug. 16 in the Breckenridge Estates mobile home part. Norman Dudley originally was charged at the county level for two drug-related charges.
His brother, Demarco Dudley, was the only one of the three who was arrested in connection with the Aug. 16 shooting, although authorities suspect they were all present when an alleged drug deal involving undercover agents went awry.
According to Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness, two undercover officers with the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement arrived at Trailer C7 about 7 p.m. Aug. 16 and met Ivan Hardemon, 24. Once inside the unit, Demarco Dudley and another man are accused of emerging from the back of the trailer with their faces covered, according to Lyness.
Hardemon pulled a handgun and asked his cohorts to pat down the two officers, Lyness reported. Agent Daniel Stepleton had a gun tucked behind his back, and when one of the masked men found it, Stepleton leaned against the wall to keep him from removing it, according to Lyness.
Hardemon touched his gun to Stepleton's head, Lyness reported, and Stepleton tried to push the weapon away while reaching back for his own. Lyness said he fired four shots, hitting Hardemon in the chest and arm.
Demarco Dudley also was hit twice in the arm, according to Lyness.
Hardemon and the men ran from the trailer and fled across the street to an empty lot, where Hardemon died, according to Lyness. Dudley made it away from the scene and was treated for his injuries at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa News, Sports, and Weather
Two of Three Connected with Fatal Iowa City Shooting Face Federal Charges
By Vanessa Miller, Reporter
Most Popular


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College Baseball Daily continues our countdown to the start of the 2013 college baseball season by checking in on the Top 100 Players in the country. We will be providing one player per day until we reach number 1.
Number 91 on our Top 100 Countdown is Georgia's Hunter Cole. The 6'1 Moore, South Carolina native was a 49th-round pick by the Washington Nationals in the 2011 MLB draft. Continue reading Top 100 Countdown: 91. Hunter Cole (Georgia)


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Self Portrait
Theory of contemporary art. Given that a theory is an opinion or a hypothesis, I see more that everything is art, but not everything is art. Confused statement indeed, but it is how minds seem to be working recently. Things that used to not be art (for atheistic purposes) are no considered art as long as there is some kind of reason behind it, some kind of cause. The traditional forms of art are being therefore shunted into the category of "craft." Personally, this angers me beyond reasoning. A glass blower uses tradition to sculpt a bowl, THAT is art to me. An oil painter captures a beautiful building on canvas, THAT is art to me. Yet, to the theorist of art, that is some craft that has been done before. See that, done that. (grrrr) However, I would turn that upon those saying that, because, simply put, I think the same of their art. A five year old could make it, but they are quite certain of seeing beneath the beneath and correlating it with some current event, etc. So, within the boundary of the above theory, Everything is art, everything simply deviates from person to person.
Therefore, I'm not exactly fond of too much out there. I don't really dislike specific artists (generally they've done SOMETHING I somewhat appreciate). For artists I like, I've always been influenced by my sister (she's into digital art), my friends (more the sketching, character development, and comic creation), and other artists I've stumbled onto over the internet. In particular, I've always liked Stephanie Pui-Mun Law. Her watercolors (something I've never really tried) bring out so much color, yet it is subtle and wonderful. Her use of traditional stories for some of her pieces I've also found highly interesting as I've always enjoyed history.
On my piece in specific, I just wanted to capture some things that make me who I am. Sketching has been in my life since elementary school, so I wanted to involve my scribbling in margins take on life (can't take notes in class without some little drawing scrawling up the side). I also wanted to include my oil painting method - so I tried to make my face painterly. My painting topics also effected my choice of images to place on the wall (ie the castle with green-lit smoke). I have recently started on pieces that have vivid colors off setting black. Haunting has been the descriptor other have given them, but I prefer to see it as what the eye actually sees...before it is dulled by perception and destroyed by grey. I cropped my face in the way I did, simply because I hate having my picture taken. I'd rather had my pictures on display with me hiding in a corner as I have extreme phobia of public interaction *shudder*


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Danko Jones
Below The Belt
# 1
I Think Bad Thoughts
# 2
Active Volcanoes
# 3
Tonight Is Fine
# 4
Magic Snake
# 5
Had Enough
# 6
(I Cant Handle) Moderation
# 7
Full Of Regret
# 8
The Sore Loser
# 9
Like Dynamite
# 10
Apology Accepted
# 11
I Wanna Break Up With You
Get it
Buy record in our shop
Buy download at iTunes
Additional Info
Release Date 2010-05-12
Produced and mixed by Matt DeMatteo.
Recorded at the Rogue Music Lab in Toronto. Assistant engineer James Paul.
Additional vocals recorded at Phase One in Toronto. Mixed at Record High Studios in Montreal. Mastered by Brian Gardner at Bernie Grundman in LA. Live sound engineer: Corey Shields
All photos by Dean Karr
Retouch by Kristian Ekeblom
Artwork by Henke Walse
(c) and (p) Bad Taste Records 2005


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The Uganda National Roads Authority has this week started the verification of compensation claims for projected affected persons and demarcating land to be used for the road corridor for the upgrade of the Nakapiripirit-Moroto road.
The Government has injected sh184, 378,906,666 into the project to upgrade the road to bituminous standard-tarmac.
"UNRA has signed a contract with a private firm, M/s Surmap Surveys in joint venture with Resco Property Consultant Surveyors to carry out the compensation exercise," Dan Alinange, UNRA's head of corporate communications told New Vision.
Compensation will start in April after the completion of the verification process slated to end on March 27. The payments will continue for the 36 months duration of the project.
UNRA intends to acquire a 30-meter corridor for a single carriage way, inclusive of the road reserve.
China Road and Bridge Corporation won the contract for the road works, after an open international competitive bidding process. Their contract is another sign of the increasing Chinese contingent company presence on major road works in Uganda.
UNRA says the contractor is currently mobilising equipment and staff. Works are expected to commence in April.
Heavy duty trucks, carrying limestone from Moroto to Tororo have been partly blamed for the poor condition of the road. UNRA says a weigh bridge will be installed on the road as one way of curbing overloading.
"The works to be carried out comprise the upgrading to class 2 Bitumen standard of 93.3km of existing marrum track. The completed road will have 3.5m wide traffic lanes flanked two 1.5m wide surfaced shoulders, giving an overall roadway width of 10.0m," Alinange says.
The works will also include earthworks for widening, improvements to align geometry and side ditches, construction of shoulders.
The new road will have a carriage way with improved subgrades in some sections, sub-base (cement stabilised natural gravel), base (crushed stone material) and a wearing course.
The marram 93.3km road is an important link in the national road network and contributes significantly to transport in north-east Uganda.


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Car Pictures
2002 Acura NSX-T red
About This 2002 Acura NSX-T
Posted: 21 Jul 2004
This is the targa version with removable top that stows in the trunk, for best-of-all-worlds motoring. Red with black leather interior. 6-speed manual transmission with the more powerful 3.2L, 290HP powerplant (compared with 3.0L, 252HP automatic). All the comfort and performance features you would expect from a car in this class. Specs on this model year can be found here. And, of course, the official Acura NSX info page is here, where you'll find much more info, as well as reviews.
Please note that wheels have been upgraded to Racing Hart M5, multi-piece, performance series. 19s in the rear, 18s up front, with Toyo Proxes T1-S 275/30-19 and 225/35-18 rubbers. Stock rims and tires are not available/included.
I can't stress enough that this car is NEW/FLAWLESS! The photos below don't do the vehicle justice, but hopefully they do convey just how pristine a specimen this is. For buyer's peace of mind, I've asked Acura of Portland to perform their 59-point inspection, the results of which can be seen here. Please feel free to arrange your own inspection; I only ask that the shop be Acura-certified/authorized. Full CarFax report in PDF format can be viewed here. Please note that there was a quasi-Ferris Bueller's Day Off incident, where this car was taken for an unathorized drive while the boss was away, only to have him return early, panic, and report vehicle stolen to the police. The car was promptly returned. No abuse of any kind was inflicted on it. And absolutely nothing was taken/damaged!
Source: Guy151
Portland, Oregon
Specs & Details
Interior Color: black leather
Engine: V6
Transmission: manual
Miles Driven: 921
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Hey everyone,
In the words of my Papa, "Holy macaroni." Time is just a flying by. We are just a couple weeks away from Britt and my big day. The small details are slowly getting done. My dad and I built this amazing arch and beautiful wedding sign for the sidewalk. Spoke the florist today and the look of the wedding will be amazing. Britt and I are working hard on the final touches of our vows, speeches and all the other necessities for our wedding. In case you were unaware, planning a wedding is a lot of work. Like, a lot.
A really fun part of this whole experience is planning our honeymoon. We have decided to go on a trip to Florida. Our itinerary will include DisneyWorld, Universal Studios (excusively for Harry Potter…Britt's demand), hopefully a short cruise to the Bahamas for a couple nights and then to end it all off we will drive to Tampa and check out a hockey game. A pretty sweet trip with a nice mix of fun and sun.
Lots more to do! Look forward to seeing you all on August 9th!
– Matt


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Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Kim Richards Responds to Drug Accusations on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
After the blowout episode on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills where Brandi Glanville accuses Kim Richards of using drugs, Kim has finally released a statement via her Twitter.
"That night was the first time I had ever met Brandi. For someone who doesn't know me personally to outright accuse me of using crystal meth leaves me bewildered. Not only did she accuse me of using crystal meth, she accused me of using crystal meth on national television. Drug abuse isn't something you just throw around as a jab. When Brandi uttered those words on camera, the only thing I could think of was 'where the hell did that come from?"
The Fix recently begged the question, "At what point should the network or production company get involved?" They attempted to reach Bravo for comments about their position on Kim Richards, but instead, spoke exclusively with an anonymous former producer of reality TV shows who gave an eye-opening statement.
"Unfortunately we've been told that stable, well-adjusted people doing interesting things are boring on television. So you have to make these people more and more horrible each season to make the 'hit' stronger for the audience. In that sense it's the audience who are the junkies…If a Real Housewife is an alcoholic mess, people watch."
Meanwhile, Kim Richards is adamant that those messy rumors are false, tweeting out to her fans: "I have never in my life, EVER, used crystal meth. I have discussed openly my issues with alcohol. As many of you know, sobriety is a lifetime process, a process that is a priority in my life right now."
Source: The Fix, Buddy TV


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VIEWS: 3 PAGES: 10 POSTED ON: 8/1/2011 Public Domain
THERAPY The importance of dual 5a-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss: Results of a randomized placebo-controlled study of dutasteride versus finasteride Elise A. Olsen, MD,a Maria Hordinsky, MD,b David Whiting, PhD,c Dow Stough, MD,d Stuart Hobbs, PharmD,e Melissa L. Ellis, PharmD,e Timothy Wilson, MS,e and Roger S. Rittmaster, MD,e for the Dutasteride Alopecia Research Team* Durham and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Dallas, Texas; and Hot Springs, Arkansas Background: Male pattern hair loss (MPHL) is a potentially reversible condition in which dihydro- testosterone is an important etiologic factor. Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the type 1 and 2 5a-reductase inhibitor dutasteride in men with MPHL. Methods: Four hundred sixteen men, 21 to 45 years old, were randomized to receive dutasteride 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 or 2.5 mg, finasteride 5 mg, or placebo daily for 24 weeks. Results: Dutasteride increased target area hair count versus placebo in a dose-dependent fashion and dutasteride 2.5 mg was superior to finasteride at 12 and 24 weeks. Expert panel photographic review and investigator assessment of hair growth confirmed these results. Scalp and serum dihydrotestosterone levels decreased, and testosterone levels increased, in a dose-dependent fashion with dutasteride. Limitations: The study was limited to 24 weeks. Conclusion: Dutasteride increases scalp hair growth in men with MPHL. Type 1 and type 2 5a-reductase may be important in the pathogenesis and treatment of MPHL. ( J Am Acad Dermatol 2006;55:1014-23.) P attern hair loss (PHL) is a genetically deter- be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the mined, potentially reversible type of hair loss. enzyme 5a-reductase. The importance of DHT as It is limited largely to the top of the scalp and an etiologic factor in male pattern hair loss (MPHL) is characterized by recognizable patterns of hair loss is shown by the absence of this condition in men in men and in some women. Miniaturization of the with a congenital deficiency of type 2 5a-reductase,4 hair follicles and shortening of the anagen phase and by varying amounts of hair regrowth in men of hair growth occurs in involved hairs.1-3 Although with MPHL treated with finasteride, a selective type testosterone is the major circulating androgen, to be 2 5a-reductase inhibitor.5 A type 1 5a-reductase, maximally active in scalp hair follicles it must first which also metabolizes testosterone to DHT, is From Duke University Medical Center, Durhama; Fairview Univer- Disclosure: Drs Olsen, Hordinsky, Whiting, and Stough as well as sity Medical Center, Minneapolisb; Baylor Hair Research and the Dutasteride Alopecia Resarch Team all received study grant Treatment Center, Dallasc; The Stough Clinic, Hot Springsd; support from GSK; Drs Olsen, Hordinsky, Stough, and Whiting and Clinical Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle served as consultants to GSK during the conduct of the study; Park.e Stuart Hobbs, Melissa Ellis, Timothy Wilson, and Roger Ritt- *The Dutasteride Alopecia Research Team includes W. Bergfeld, master are employees of GSK. Z. Draelos, F. E. Dunlap, T. Funicella, S. Kempers, A. W. Lucky, Reprint requests: Elise A. Olsen, MD, Box 3294, Durham, NC 27710. D. J. Piacquadio, V. Price, J. L. Roberts, R. C. Savin, J. S. Shavin, E-mail: email@example.com. L. Stein, D. Thiboutot, E. Tschen, G. F. Webster, and 0190-9622/$32.00 G. D. Weinstein. ª 2006 by the American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Supported by GlaxoSmithKline. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2006.05.007 1014 J AM ACAD DERMATOL Olsen et al 1015 VOLUME 55, NUMBER 6 To ensure 45 evaluable subjects per treatment Abbreviations used: arm (a total of 270 evaluable subjects), 416 eligible BPH: benign prostatic hyperplasia subjects were enrolled and randomized to treatment. DHT: dihydrotestosterone Subjects were assigned to study treatment in accor- MPHL: male pattern hair loss PHL: pattern hair loss dance with a predetermined randomization sched- ule, with a block size of 6, generated by the Medical Data Sciences Department, GSK. During the trial the distinguished from the type 2 enzyme by its optimal code was held by GSK, and both investigators and pH range in vitro and its location and amount in patients were blinded to dutasteride, finasteride, and different tissues.6 In the skin, type 1 5a-reductase is placebo treatments. The 5-mg finasteride dose was the principal isoenzyme in sebaceous and sweat used, rather than the 1-mg dose that has been glands.7,8 The mRNA and protein for both isoenzymes approved for treatment of MPHL, because the 1-mg have been found in hair follicles, although this is not a dose was not commercially available at the time universal finding.9-12 There is no recognized genetic of study initiation. Furthermore, the 5-mg dose of deficiency of type 1 5a-reductase in humans to assess finasteride had previously been shown to have its role in MPHL, and a type 1 5a-reductase inhibitor efficacy in MPHL at least as great as the 1-mg dose.16 has not previously been evaluated for its effect on MPHL. Assessments Dutasteride (Avodart) inhibits both type 1 and The primary efficacy measure was hair regrowth type 2 5a-reductase13 and is approved at the 0.5-mg based on hair counts, determined by means of a dose for treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic macrophotographic technique. The secondary effi- hyperplasia (BPH). It is approximately 3 times as cacy measures were exploratory assessment of hair potent as finasteride at inhibiting type 2 5a-reductase count, panel assessment of improvement from base- and more than 100 times as potent at inhibiting the line, investigators' assessment of improvement, sub- type 1 enzyme.14 The objective of this study was to jects' global assessment of improvement, and stage evaluate, in a dose-response manner, whether dual of MPHL using the modified Hamilton-Norwood 5a-reductase inhibition leads to improved efficacy classification. in the treatment of MPHL. This randomized, multi- For determination of target area hair counts, the center study compared 4 doses of dutasteride hair in a 1-inch diameter (0.79 square inch) circle at with finasteride and placebo. Outcome measures the leading edge of the vertex bald spot was clipped included scalp hair growth and scalp androgen to a length of about 1 mm. Reproducibility of this area (testosterone and DHT) concentrations. was assured by placing a central tattoo and using a plastic target area template. Macrophotographs MATERIALS AND METHODS of the target area were taken with a camera system Subject selection developed by Canfield Scientific Inc (Fairfield, NJ).17 Men 21 to 45 years of age were eligible for this Using a validated method to count hair, a technician study (GSK study ARIA2004) if they had mild- manually converted the photographs into a dot map to-moderate MPHL (IIIv, IV [including IVa] or V of the hairs in the target areas, which was then Hamilton-Norwood patterns15). They must never converted to hair counts using a computer imaging have used a 5a-reductase inhibitor or have used system. Hair counts were measured at baseline and any medication for alopecia during the previous at 12 and 24 weeks. 6 months. They must have had no significant health For expert panel assessment of global changes in problems and must not have taken any androgenic the amount of hair, photographs were taken of both or antiandrogenic drugs during the previous 6 the vertex and frontal scalp. A panel of experts (Drs months. All men provided written consent, and the Olsen, Savin and Whiting), blinded as to treatment, protocol and consent form were approved by local was shown pairs of photographs from baseline and institutional review boards. The study was carried either 12 or 24 weeks of treatment from each view. out at 21 centers in the United States. The panel graded the changes in hair growth on a 7-point rating scale: greatly, moderately, or slightly Protocol decreased; no change; slightly, moderately or greatly After an initial screening evaluation, which in- increased; ratings were converted to numbers (ÿ3 cluded a medical history, physical examination, and to 13) for statistical analysis. laboratory evaluation, eligible men were random- Investigator and subject assessments were done at ized to receive dutasteride (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, or 2.5 mg), baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks. For the investigator finasteride (5 mg), or placebo daily for 24 weeks. assessments, baseline photographs were provided 1016 Olsen et al J AM ACAD DERMATOL DECEMBER 2006 for comparative purposes and the investigators used manner through the following hierarchical dose the same 7-point rating scale as already described hypotheses at the two-sided 0.05 level of signifi- for the expert photographic panel. The subjects were cance: dutasteride 2.5 mg versus placebo, dutaster- asked to rate changes in the size of the vertex spot, ide 0.5 mg versus placebo, dutasteride 0.1 mg versus hair loss on top of the scalp, bitemporal recession, placebo, dutasteride 0.05 mg versus placebo. the amount of hair shedding, hair quality, and overall Pairwise comparisons between the dutasteride and satisfaction with hair growth on a 3-point rating scale finasteride groups were performed in a similar man- (improved, no change, or worse). ner. The pairwise comparison between the placebo Serum testosterone and DHT levels were mea- and finasteride groups was performed and inter- sured at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks during preted at the two-sided .05 level of significance. the treatment phase, at 36 weeks (12 weeks after Correlations between efficacy and scalp androgen treatment was stopped), and thereafter at follow-up concentrations were evaluated across treatment visits approximately every 2 months until DHT groups using Spearman's rank correlation statistics. levels rose to within 25% of baseline. Serum testos- Statistical analyses were performed using both terone was measured by Covance Laboratories LOCF—last observation carried forward—and 'at (Indianapolis, Ind) using a standard radioimmuno- visit' analyses, with similar results for both. The 'at assay. Serum DHT was measured by PPD Pharmaco visit' analyses are reported in this article. (Richmond, Va) using a combination of gas chroma- tography and mass spectrophotometry in order to RESULTS measure the very low serum DHT levels in subjects Demography treated with dutasteride. The randomization of 416 subjects from 21 centers Scalp testosterone and DHT concentrations were began in December 1997 and ended in June 1998. determined in 4-mm biopsy specimens taken at A total of 416 subjects entered the study, with 390 baseline and again at 24 weeks. The biopsy speci- completing 12 weeks and 374 completing 24 weeks mens were taken anterolateral to the leading edge of the study. Demographics are summarized in of the vertex bald spot, adjacent to the target area for Table I. The mean age was 36.40 6 6.05 years (range hair counts. Scalp testosterone and DHT were mea- 21-45 years). Ninety-one percent of subjects were sured after tissue homogenization and ether extrac- Caucasian, 2% were black, 2% were Asian, and 5% tion, using the same assay as for serum measurements. were American Hispanic. The stage of baldness was as follows: IIIv 41%, IV 31%, IVa 5%, and V 23%.* Statistical methods Target areas were located at similar areas anterior Descriptive statistics are expressed as the mean to the vertex balding. The mean and range of (or mean change from baseline) with one standard baseline hair counts for patterns IIIv, IV, IVa, and V deviation or median percentage change from base- was 939 (range 219-1723). There were no significant line. The primary population of subjects to be differences in the groups with respect to age, race statistically analyzed was the intention-to-treat pop- or degree of baldness. Reasons for dropout included ulation. Analysis of the hair count change from the following: withdrawal of consent (n = 20), baseline was performed using a general linear model adverse events (n = 11), lost to follow-up (n = 6), with effects for treatment, investigator cluster, and protocol violations and other reasons (n = 5). There baseline hair count. Analyses of the panel and were no significant differences in dropout rates investigator assessments of improvement (on the among the treatment groups. The average compli- 7-point scale) were performed using a general linear ance among the groups, as assessed by pill counts, model with effects for treatment and investigator was 94% to 99%. cluster. Analysis of the panel assessment was based on the average of the ratings of the 3 experts. Hair counts Analyses of the percentage change from baseline Mean baseline hair counts in the 1-inch target area in serum and scalp DHT and testosterone were circle varied from 902.1 to 1000.6 hairs and were not performed using the following general linear model: significantly different between groups. During the 24 log (postbaseline/baseline) = log (baseline) 1 treat- weeks of the study, mean hair counts in the placebo ment. For summary and analysis purposes, concen- trations reported as below the limit of quantification *Three patients were initially labeled by the principal investigator as having Hamilton-Norwood pattern VII, but the mean target were set to the lower limit of detection of the assay. area hair count of the vertex, 1021 (range 473-1562) indicated Pairwise comparisons between the dutasteride that this pattern was incorrect. The first author reviewed the and placebo groups were performed using t tests representative scalp photographs and reassigned all 3 as from the general linear model in a step-down Hamilton-Norwood pattern V. J AM ACAD DERMATOL Olsen et al 1017 VOLUME 55, NUMBER 6 Table I. Demographics Dutasteride (mg) Placebo 0.05 0.1 0.5 2.5 Finasteride (5.0 mg) Total No. of subjects 64 71 72 68 71 70 416 Age (y) Mean 35.8 35.5 36.4 36.1 35.8 38.5 36.4 SD 6.15 5.83 6.48 6.31 5.89 5.34 6.05 Min:Max 23:45 21:45 22:45 21:45 23:45 22:45 21:45 Baseline hair count Mean 920.3 1000.6 907.8 927.5 971.5 902.1 938.5 SD 236.36 302.12 224.27 219.84 247.32 262.86 251.7 Min:Max 432:1471 262:1723 317:1371 462:1377 449:1562 219:1712 219:1723 No. 64 70 72 67 70 70 413 Age at first balding (y) Mean 25.5 25.3 26.0 27.3 25.8 26.9 26.1 SD 5.62 5.03 6.94 6.22 5.88 6.26 6.04 Min:Max 15:40 18:40 15:42 12:41 14:44 15:41 12:44 No. 64 69 72 68 71 70 414 Stage of MPHL, No. (%) III vertex 26 (41) 26 (37) 31 (43) 29 (43) 28 (39) 29 (41) 169 (41) IV 20 (31) 29 (41) 19 (26) 21 (31) 24 (34) 18 (26) 131 (31) IVa 3 (5) 3 (4) 4 (6) 3 (4) 1 (1) 5 (7) 19 (5) V 15 (23) 13 (18) 18 (25) 15 (22) 18 (25) 18 (26) 97 (23) Min:Max, Minimum:maximum; MPHL, male pattern hair loss; SD, standard deviation. group decreased by 32.3 6 59.2 hairs, while hair counts increased in all active treatment groups (Fig 1). Dutasteride 0.1e2.5 mg and finasteride groups were significantly different from placebo for mean change in hair count from baseline at 12 and 24 weeks (P \.001) as follows: placebo, ÿ26.5 (n = 56) and ÿ32.3 hairs (n = 50); dutasteride 0.1 mg, 55 (n = 63) and 78.5 hairs (n = 58); dutasteride 0.5 mg, 71.3 (n = 59) and 94.6 hairs (n = 61); dutasteride 2.5 mg, 99.9 (n = 62) and 109.6 hairs (n = 62); and finasteride group, 52.1 (n = 68) and 75.6 hairs (n = 66) (Fig 1). The mean hair count in the 2.5-mg dutasteride group was significantly greater than the finasteride group at both 12 weeks (P \.001) and 24 weeks (P = .009). At 24 weeks, the percentage of subjects with at least a 10% increase in hair counts was 0%, 17%, 38%, 48%, and 56% for placebo, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 2.5 mg Fig 1. Mean changes in hair counts after 12 and 24 weeks, dutasteride, respectively, and 41% for finasteride. compared with baseline, for placebo, datasteride (0.05- 2.5 mg), and finasteride (FIN ). *, P # .05; **, P # .001 Expert panel assessment of compared with placebo; y, P # .05; z, P # .001 global photographs compared with finasteride. The 3-member panel assessed paired photographs of baseline versus 12 and 24 weeks of treatment in baseline) to 13 (greatly increased compared with both the vertex (Table II) and frontal (Table III) baseline), in order to permit statistical analysis. In regions. Their assessments were given numeric the vertex photographs, dutasteride (0.1, 0.5, and values from ÿ3 (greatly decreased compared with 2.5 mg) and finasteride showed significantly greater 1018 Olsen et al J AM ACAD DERMATOL DECEMBER 2006 Table II. Expert panel assessment of changes in vertex photographs at 12 and 24 weeks* Moderately decreased Slightly decreased No change Slightly increased Moderately increased Greatly increased Wk 12 Wk 24 Wk 12 Wk 24 Wk 12 Wk 24 Wk 12 Wk 24 Wk 12 Wk 24 Wk 12 Wk 24 Placebo 0 0 7 8 90 91 3 0 0 2 0 0 0.05 mg Dut 0 0 5 10 83 75 13 12 0 3 0 0 0.1 mg Dut 0 0 0 0 70 61 28 33 2 7 0 0 0.5 mg Dut 0 0 0 0 65 37 31 40 5 21 0 2 2.5 mg Dut 0 0 3 0 46 22 35 48 15 28 1 1 5.0 mg FIN 1 0 3 0 67 43 25 48 4 9 0 0 Dut, Dutasteride; FIN, finasteride; Wk, week. *Values denote percentage of patients in each category. Table III. Expert panel assessment of changes in frontal photographs at 12 and 24 weeks* Moderately decreased Slightly decreased No change Slightly increased Moderately increased Greatly increased Wk 12 Wk 24 Wk 12 Wk 24 Wk 12 Wk 24 Wk 12 Wk 24 Wk 12 Wk 24 Wk 12 Wk 24 Placebo 0 0 0 2 95 87 5 12 0 0 0 0 0.05 mg Dut 0 0 13 5 81 73 6 20 0 2 0 0 0.1 mg Dut 0 0 0 0 81 67 17 30 2 3 0 0 0.5 mg Dut 0 0 0 0 77 52 21 30 2 18 0 0 2.5 mg Dut 0 0 1 1 68 37 29 36 1 25 0 0 5.0 mg FIN 1 1 3 1 87 52 9 36 0 9 0 0 Dut, Dutasteride; FIN, finasteride; Wk, week. *Values denote percentage of patients in each category. improvement than placebo (P \.001) at both 12 and dutasteride group (0.85 6 0.79) was also significantly 24 weeks (Fig 2, A). Dutasteride 0.5 mg showed a greater than the finasteride group (0.51 6 0.66, significantly greater improvement than finasteride at P = .002). The proportions of patients judged to 24 weeks (P = .026), whereas dutasteride 2.5 mg have improved hair growth (slightly to greatly in- showed significantly greater improvements than creased) at 24 weeks in the frontal photographs finasteride at both 12 and 24 weeks (P \ .001). At were 12%, 22%, 33%, 48%, and 61% for placebo, 24 weeks, the mean expert panel score was ÿ0.04, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 2.5 mg dutasteride, respectively, 0.19, 0.47, 0.84 and 1.01 points for placebo, 0.05-, 0.1-, and 45% for finasteride (Table III). The proportion 0.5-, and 2.5-mg dutasteride groups, respectively, and of patients with moderate or greater increases was 0.62 points for finasteride (Fig 2, A). The percentages higher with dutasteride 0.5 and 2.5 mg than with of patients judged to have improved hair growth finasteride for both vertex and frontal photographs. (slightly to greatly increased) at 24 weeks in the vertex photographs were 2%, 15%, 39%, 63%, and 78% for Investigators' global assessment placebo, 0.05-, 0.1-, 0.5 and 2.5-mg dutasteride groups, As for the expert panel assessment, the investiga- respectively, and 57% for finasteride (Table II). The tor assessments of hair growth were given numerical panel assessments of the vertex photographs corre- values from ÿ3 (greatly decreased compared with lated with changes in hair counts assessed by macro- baseline) to 13 (greatly increased compared with photography (r = 0.41, P \.001). baseline). At the vertex, mean investigator ratings In the frontal region, the dutasteride 0.1, 0.5, showed improvement in hair growth for the pla- and 2.5 mg groups improved significantly more cebo group compared with baseline (0.44 6 0.73 than placebo at both 12 and 24 weeks (Fig 2, B). and 0.52 6 0.86 at 12 and 24 weeks, respectively) Finasteride was not significantly different from (Fig 3, A). At 12 weeks, only the 2.5-mg dutasteride placebo at 12 weeks (P = .69) but was at 24 weeks group (1.14 6 0.85) showed a significant increase (P \ .001). At 12 weeks, the improvement in the in investigator rating compared with placebo (P \ 0.5-mg dutasteride group (0.28 6 0.40) and in the .001), and this group was also significantly more 2.5-mg dutasteride group (0.37 6 0.46) was signi- improved than the finasteride group (0.66 6 0.87) ficantly greater than the finasteride group (P = .001). For vertex hair growth at 24 weeks, (0.09 6 0.39, P = .009 and P \ .001, respectively). investigator ratings of 1.23, 1.34, and 1.85 points At 24 weeks, the improvement in the 2.5-mg were given for 0.1-, 0.5-, and 2.5-mg dutasteride J AM ACAD DERMATOL Olsen et al 1019 VOLUME 55, NUMBER 6 Fig 2. Mean expert panel ratings of photographs after Fig 3. Mean investigator ratings of improvement in vertex 12 and 24 weeks, compared with baseline, for placebo, (A) and frontal (B) hair growth after 12 and 24 weeks, dutasteride (0.05-2.5 mg) and finasteride (FIN ). Assess- compared with baseline, for placebo, dutasteride (0.05-2.5 ments were made of photographs of the vertex (A) and mg) and finasteride (FIN ). Assessments were made of frontal (B) regions on a 7-point scale from ÿ3 (greatly changes in hair growth on a 7-point scale from ÿ3 (greatly decreased) to 13 (greatly increased). *, P #.05; **, P # decreased) to 13 (greatly increased). *, P # .05; **, P # .001 compared with placebo; y, P # .05; z, P # .001 .001 compared with placebo; y, P # .05; z, P # .001 compared with finasteride. compared with finasteride. groups, respectively, and 1.21 points for the finasteride and 0.31 6 0.70 at 24 weeks) (Fig 3, B). At 12 weeks, group, which were all significantly greater ratings only the 2.5-mg dutasteride group (0.85 6 0.87) compared with placebo (P\.001). In addition, the 2.5- showed a significant increase in investigator rating mg dutasteride group (1.85 6 1.01) was significantly compared with placebo (P \ .001). The 2.5-mg more improved than the finasteride group at 24 weeks dutasteride group also showed a significant increase (1.21 6 0.94, P \.001). The expert panel assessment compared with finasteride (P \ .001) at 12 weeks. of hair growth correlated with investigator assessment At 24 weeks, dutasteride 0.1, 0.5, and 2.5 mg and at the vertex (r = 0.52, P \.001) and at the frontal area finasteride groups showed significantly more im- (r = 0.42, P \.001) for 24-week evaluations. provement than the placebo group. The 2.5-mg At the frontal scalp, the investigator rating high- dutasteride group (1.38 6 0.93) was also significantly lighted a modest improvement in the placebo group more improved than finasteride (0.83 6 0.95, compared with baseline (0.18 6 0.51 at 12 weeks P \.001). 1020 Olsen et al J AM ACAD DERMATOL DECEMBER 2006 Table IV. Percentage of men with improvement in scalp hair after 24 weeks according to answers to a self-assessment questionnaire Dutasteride (mg) Finasteride Placebo 0.05 0.1 0.5 2.5 (5.0 mg) Size of vertex spot 31 58* 57* 52* 69* 61* Hair loss on top 29 55* 52 40 63* 51* of scalp Bitemporal recession 16 28 27 18 31* 39* Hair shedding 47 67* 63 56 74* 64* Hair quality 36 47 47 45 60* 57* Overall satisfaction 42 58 57 56 72* 61* *P \ .05 compared with placebo, based on the overall distribution of answers (improved, no change, worse). Subjects' assessment In general, the 0.1-, 0.5-, and 2.5-mg dutasteride groups and the finasteride group provided numeri- cally higher self-assessment scores than the placebo group for each parameter on the self-assessment questionnaire at 12 and 24 weeks. Only the 2.5-mg dutasteride and the finasteride groups at 24 weeks were consistently significantly greater than the pla- cebo group for all parameters on the questionnaire (P \.05) (Table IV). Serum and scalp androgen levels Serum DHT concentrations in all dutasteride Fig 4. Median percentage changes from baseline in serum groups were suppressed significantly compared dihydrotestosterone (DHT ) and testosterone (T ), for pla- with placebo (P # .001) in a dose-related manner, cebo, dutasteride (DUT ) (0.05-2.5 mg), and finasteride with the greatest median suppression at 24 weeks (FIN ). Treatment was stopped after 24 weeks. All active occurring in the 0.5-mg (92%) and 2.5-mg (96.4%) groups were significantly different from placebo for both dutasteride groups (Fig 4, A). The 0.1-mg dutasteride parameters at 6, 12, and 24 weeks (P # .001). and finasteride groups showed a similar median degree of DHT suppression at 24 weeks (69.8% and 73.0%, respectively). Serum testosterone levels rose respectively). This is summarized in Fig 4, A. In significantly in all active treatment groups, increasing subjects whose serum DHT was not within 25% of by a median of 27.5% in the 2.5-mg dutasteride the baseline value after 36 weeks, serum DHT was group, compared with 10.4% in the finasteride group measured at approximately 2-month intervals until (Fig 4, B). In the 0.5-mg dutasteride group, the levels had returned to within 25% of the baseline median increase at 24 weeks was 23.8%, which value. Serum DHT returned to within 25% of baseline is similar to previous findings.14,18 Serum DHT con- in a median of 86 days after treatment (range 71-307 centration was inversely correlated with target area days) for the dutasteride 0.5 mg group and in a hair count (r = ÿ0.49, P \ .001), panel assessment median of 155 days (range 72-421 days) for the of the vertex photographs (r = ÿ0.50, P \.001), and dutasteride 2.5 mg group. investigators' assessments of the vertex hair growth Scalp DHT concentrations in the dutasteride (r = ÿ0.37, P\.001). Twelve weeks after termination groups were also significantly suppressed compared of treatment (36 weeks), the mean serum DHT was with placebo in a dose-related manner. As with not significantly different from the baseline value in serum DHT, the 0.1-mg dutasteride and finasteride the placebo, dutasteride 0.05 mg and 0.1 mg groups groups showed a comparable degree of scalp DHT and the finasteride 5.0 mg group. However, at 36 suppression (32% and 41%, respectively). Scalp DHT weeks, serum DHT had not yet returned to baseline decreased by 51% with 0.5-mg dutasteride and by for patients receiving dutasteride 0.5 mg and 2.5 mg 79% with 2.5-mg dutasteride. Scalp testosterone (ÿ11.03 and ÿ88.4 median difference from baseline, levels significantly increased in all active treatment J AM ACAD DERMATOL Olsen et al 1021 VOLUME 55, NUMBER 6 groups compared with placebo, increasing by 23%, 39%, 99%, and 222% with 0.05-, 0.1-, 0.5 and 2.5-mg dutasteride, respectively, and 23% with finasteride. Change in scalp DHT concentration was inversely correlated with change in target area hair count (r = ÿ0.27), panel assessments of the vertex (r = ÿ0.39), and investigators' assessments of the vertex (r = ÿ0.28); the P value was less than .001 for all 3 correlations. The relationship between mean per- centage change in scalp DHT and mean change in hair count is shown in Fig 5. Safety and tolerability There were no significant differences in total ad- verse events, serious adverse events, or withdrawals Fig 5. Relationship between 24-week mean percentage due to adverse events among any of the treatment change from baseline in scalp dihydrotestosterone (DHT ) groups, including placebo. In total, 11 subjects and mean change in hair count for placebo, dutasteride withdrew because of adverse events: 3 were in (DUT ) (0.05-2.5 mg), and finasteride (FIN ). the placebo group (irritable bowel syndrome and impotency), 7 in the dutasteride 0.1 mg group decreased libido—in the 0.1-mg dutasteride group; (decreased libido, malaise and fatigue, mood disor- Table V). The only subject to develop gynecomastia ders, skin disorders, injuries caused by trauma, and was in the placebo group. gastrointestinal- and neurology-related complaints) and 1 in the dutasteride 0.5 mg group (gastrointes- DISCUSSION tinal discomfort and pain). Some subjects had more Dutasteride, the first dual 5a-reductase inhibitor, than one adverse event. is currently approved for treatment of symptomatic As questions have previously arisen concerning BPH. It is about 3 times as potent as finasteride at a possible impact of 5a-reductase inhibitors on inhibiting type 2 5a-reductase and more than 100 sexual function, these adverse events were examined times as potent at inhibiting type 1 5a-reductase.14 in greater detail and are summarized in Table V. Whereas 5-mg finasteride decreases serum DHT by Decreased libido was noted in 2 subjects in the about 70%,19 dutasteride can decrease serum DHT placebo group, 2 subjects in each of the 0.05-mg by more than 90%.20 and 0.1-mg dutasteride groups, 1 subject in the In this phase II, dose-ranging study, 2.5-mg 0.5-mg dutasteride group, 9 subjects in the 2.5 mg dutasteride was superior to 5-mg finasteride in dutasteride group, and 3 subjects in the finasteride improving scalp hair growth in men between ages group. Of the 9 subjects with decreased libido in the 21 and 45 years with MPHL as judged by target area 2.5-mg dutasteride group, 4 resolved while receiving hair counts, expert panel assessment, and investiga- therapy; 1 resolved within 3 weeks and another tor assessment at 12 and 24 weeks. From the inves- within 8 weeks of stopping drug therapy; in 1 subject, tigator assessment of hair growth, a significant effect decreased libido continued after therapy had been was evident at 12 weeks with 2.5-mg dutasteride stopped and was presumed by the subject to be but not until 24 weeks with finasteride. The subjects' unrelated to the trial or drug therapy; 2 subjects assessment was less sensitive to changes in hair switched to finasteride at the end of the active phase growth: this may have been at least partially due to and were lost to follow-up (dutasteride was not the fact that this assessment used only a 3-point scale, commercially available at the time the study ended). compared with the 7-point scale used for the expert None of these 9 subjects discontinued study therapy panel and investigator assessments. The effect of 24- because of this side effect. There was no increase week treatment with 5-mg finasteride in this study among the active treatment groups in the reported was similar to that previously reported by Kaufman incidence of impotence, with 3 subjects in the pla- et al for 52-week treatment with 1-mg finasteride5 cebo group, 2 subjects in the 0.05-mg dutasteride and 5-mg finasteride.21 Kaufman et al21 showed that group, and one subject in the finasteride group for 1-year treatment with 5-mg finasteride, the mean reporting such difficulty. These sexual adverse events change from baseline hair count in a 1 inch diameter were characterized as either mild or moderate in target area was 95 compared with 75.6 in the same- severity and only one subject's withdrawal was sized target area in this study, and the change in thought to be as a result of this adverse event (ie, serum DHT was ÿ69.2% compared with ÿ73% 1022 Olsen et al J AM ACAD DERMATOL DECEMBER 2006 Table V. Proportion of subjects experiencing the most frequent sexual AEs* following randomization, proportion of sexual AEs resolving (and those resolved during therapy), and proportion of sexual AEs leading to withdrawal from the study Dutasteride (mg) Finasteride Placebo 0.05 0.1 0.5 2.5 (5.0 mg) No. of subjects in group 64 71 72 68 71 70 Decreased libido, No. (%) 2 (3) 2 (3) 2 (3) 1 (1) 9 (13) 3 (4) Resolved on therapy 2 0 1 0 4 0 Resolved off therapy 0 1 1 1 2 3 Leading to withdrawal, No. 0 0 1 0 0 0 Ejaculation disorders, No. (%) 0 (0) 0 (0) 3 (4) 1 (1) 1 (1) 2 (3) Resolved on therapy — — 1 0 0 0 Resolved off therapy — — 1 1 1 2 Leading to withdrawal, No. 0 0 0 0 0 0 Impotence, No. (%) 3 (5) 2 (3) 0 0 0 1 (1) Resolved on therapy 1 1 — — — 0 Resolved off therapy 2 1 — — — 1 Leading to withdrawal, No. 2 0 0 0 0 0 AEs, Adverse events. *AEs occurring in more than 2% of subjects in at least one treatment group. reported herein. The mean change from baseline the 0.05 mg dutasteride group to 79% in the 2.5 mg target area hair count in the phase III study evaluat- dutasteride group. In this context, 5 mg finasteride ing 1-year treatment with 1-mg finasteride daily was suppressed scalp DHT to a similar degree as 0.1 mg 107 per 1-inch diameter target area.5 The greater dutasteride group (41% and 32%, respectively). efficacy of 2.5-mg dutasteride shown herein supports Many of the clinical effects (hair count changes, the dual role of type 1 and type 2 5a-reductase in the global panel assessment, and investigator assess- pathogenesis of MPHL. ment) were also similar in these two groups, sup- The results of this study also highlight the impor- porting the similarity in scalp suppression between tance of scalp DHT in the pathogenesis of MPHL. The 5-mg finasteride and 0.1-mg dutasteride. 2.5-mg dutasteride dose was consistently superior to Both dutasteride and finasteride were well toler- 0.5-mg dutasteride in promoting scalp hair growth. ated in this phase II study, and no new safety The 2.5-mg dose was also better than the 0.5-mg concerns have arisen in any of the phase II and dose at suppressing scalp DHT (79% vs 51%), phase III studies of dutasteride given at doses up to whereas it was only marginally better at suppressing 5 mg daily (the 5-mg dose was used in a phase II serum DHT (96% vs 92%). This difference in the study for BPH). Concerning possible sexual adverse dose-response of serum and scalp DHT to inhibition events, there was no evidence in the present study with dutasteride is likely to be due to the greater that either dutasteride or finasteride was associated contribution of type 1 5a-reductase to scalp DHT with impotence. However, 9 men in the 2.5-mg concentrations. In comparison with dutasteride, dutasteride group complained of decreased libido, finasteride reduced scalp DHT by only 41%, a value compared with 1 man in the 0.5-mg dutasteride similar to the 34% reduction reported previously by group and 3 men in the finasteride group. As with Dallob et al.19 In another study, by Drake et al,22 previous studies with finasteride, this adverse event 5-mg finasteride reduced scalp DHT by 69%. There was characterized as either mild or moderate in is no obvious reason why the results of the study severity and often resolved with continuation of the by Drake et al should differ from the present study medication. In the 4-year follow-up of the phase III or that of Dallob et al. However, in the Drake study, trials in BPH, dutasteride (0.5 mg) was well tolerated there was no dose-response relationship among and the incidence of the most common sexual finasteride groups, with 0.01-mg finasteride showing adverse events was low and tended to decrease no suppression of scalp DHT and 0.05-, 0.2-, 1 and over time.23 5-mg finasteride all showing about the same degree It should be emphasized that the approved dose of suppression. The present study included a larger of dutasteride for treatment of BPH is 0.5 mg daily number of subjects and showed a complete dose- and that limited data are available on the safety response for DHT suppression ranging from 26% in of higher doses. Dutasteride is not approved for J AM ACAD DERMATOL Olsen et al 1023 VOLUME 55, NUMBER 6 treatment of MPHL, and the beneficial effects of alpha-reductase 2 with polyclonal antibodies in androgen dutasteride in MPHL must be weighed against the target and non-target human tissues. J Histochem Cytochem 1994;42:667-75. possible adverse effects reported during use in BPH, 10. Courchay G, Boyera N, Bernard BA, Mahe Y. Messenger RNA such as gynecomastia, reduced sperm count, and expression of steroidogenesis enzyme subtypes in the human drug-drug interactions (in particular, interactions pilosebaceous unit. Skin Pharmacol 1996;9:169-76. with cytochrome P-450 isozyme, CYP 3A4 inhibi- 11. Sawaya ME, Price VH. Different levels of 5alpha-reductase tors), as detailed in the US labeling for Avodart.24 type I and II, aromatase, and androgen receptor in hair folli- cles of women and men with androgenetic alopecia. J Invest The serum half-life of finasteride is 6 to 8 hours.25 Dermatol 1997;109:296-300. Dutasteride has a serum half-life of approximately 12. Bayne EK, Flanagan J, Einstein M, Ayala J, Chang B, Azzolina B, 4 weeks, and this long half-life was evident in the et al. Immunohistochemical localization of types 1 and 2 persistent suppression of DHT with the 0.5-mg and 5alpha-reductase in human scalp. Br J Dermatol 1999;141: 2.5-mg doses after dutasteride treatment was stop- 481-91. 13. Bramson HN, Hermann D, Batchelor KW, Lee FW, James MK, ped. Because of this long half-life, men being treated Frye SV. Unique preclinical characteristics of GG745, a potent with dutasteride should not donate blood until at dual inhibitor of 5AR. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1997;282: least 6 months past their last dose to prevent admin- 1496-502. istration to a pregnant female transfusion recipient. 14. Clark RV, Hermann DJ, Cunningham GR, Wilson TH, Morrill BB, In conclusion, 2.5-mg dutasteride, a dual 5a- Hobbs S. Marked suppression of dihydrotestosterone in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia by dutasteride, a dual reductase inhibitor, improved hair growth in balding 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004;89: men more rapidly and to a greater degree than 2179-84. finasteride, a selective type 2 inhibitor. Dutasteride 15. Norwood OT. Male pattern baldness: classification and inci- was generally well tolerated. The results of this study dence. South Med J 1975;68:1359-65. demonstrate the significant additive effect of inhibit- 16. Roberts JL, Fiedler V, Imperato-McGinley J, Whiting D, Olsen E, Shupack J, et al. Clinical dose ranging studies with finasteride, ing both type 1 and type 2 5a-reductase in the a type 2 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, in men with male pattern treatment of MPHL. hair loss. J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;41:555-63. 17. Canfield D. Photographic documentation of hair growth in The authors thank Marianne Silver, Deborah Temple- androgenetic alopecia. Dermatol Clin 1996;14:713-21. ton, and the rest of the GlaxoSmithKline study team for 18. Roehrborn CG, Boyle P, Nickel JC, Hoefner K, Andriole G. their excellent support of this research project. The Efficacy and safety of a dual inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase authors also acknowledge the professional assistance of types 1 and 2 (dutasteride) in men with benign prostatic David Stanbury of Choice Medical Communications in the hyperplasia. Urology 2002;60:434-41. preparation and editorial support of this manuscript. 19. Dallob AL, Sadick NS, Unger W, Lipert S, Geissler LA, Gregoire SL, et al. The effect of finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, on scalp skin testosterone and dihydrotestosterone con- REFERENCES centrations in patients with male pattern baldness. J Clin 1. Olsen E. Pattern hair loss. In: Disorders of hair growth. Diagnosis Endocrinol Metab 1994;79:703-6. and treatment. New York: McGraw Hill; 2003. pp. 321-62. 20. Clark RV. Effective suppression of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) 2. Sinclair R. Male pattern androgenetic alopecia. BMJ 1998; by GI198745, a novel, dual 5 alpha reductase inhibitor. J Urol 317:865-9. 1999;161:1037. 3. Whiting DA. Male pattern hair loss: current understanding. 21. Kaufman KD. Clinical studies on the effects of oral finasteride, Int J Dermatol 1998;37:561-6. a type II 5a-reductase inhibitor, on scalp hair in men with male 4. Wilson JD, Griffin JE, Russell DW. Steroid 5 alpha-reductase pattern baldness. In: Van Neste D, Randall V, editors. Hair 2 deficiency. Endocr Rev 1993;14:577-93. research for the next millennium. New York: Elsevier Science; 5. Kaufman KD, Olsen EA, Whiting D, Savin R, DeVillez R, Bergfeld 1996. pp. 363-5. W, et al. Finasteride in the treatment of men with androge- 22. Drake L, Hordinsky M, Fiedler V, Swinehart J, Unger WP, netic alopecia. Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Study Group. Cotterill PC, et al. The effects of finasteride on scalp skin and J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;39:578-89. serum androgen levels in men with androgenetic alopecia. 6. Russell DW, Wilson JD. Steroid 5 alpha-reductase: two genes/ J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;41:550-4. two enzymes. Annu Rev Biochem 1994;63:25-61. 23. Debruyne F, Barkin J, van Erps P, Reis M, Tammela T, 7. Sato T, Sonoda T, Itami S, Takayasu S. Predominance of type I Roehrborn C, et al. Efficacy and safety of long-term treatment 5alpha-reductase in apocrine sweat glands of patients with with the dual 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor dutasteride in men excessive or abnormal odour derived from apocrine sweat with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Eur Urol 2004; (osmidrosis). Br J Dermatol 1998;139:806-10. 46:488-95. 8. Thiboutot D, Harris G, Iles V, Cimis G, Gilliland K, Hagari S. 24. Prescribing information for AvodartÒ (dutasteride) Soft Gelatin Activity of the type 1 5 alpha-reductase exhibits regional Capsules. USA. GlaxoSmithkline [updated May 2005]. Available differences in isolated sebaceous glands and whole skin. from: http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_avodart.pdf. J Invest Dermatol 1995;105:209-14. 25. Sudduth SL, Koronkowski MJ. Finasteride: the first 5 alpha- 9. Eicheler W, Tuohimaa P, Vilja P, Adermann K, Forssmann WG, reductase inhibitor. Pharmacotherapy 1993;13:309-25; discus- Aumuller G. Immunocytochemical localization of human 5 sion 325-9.
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Hong Kong-based arts group We Draman will perform British playwright Steven Berkoff's "Messiah" in June.
Noting how people look up to Jesus, worship him and let themselves be guided by him, the theatre production asks if that is just because we are willing to be taken in.
In the play, Berkoff, who is known for his macabre humour, reconstructs a "Jesus" who is a revolutionary and a politician, capable of manipulating history and popular opinion to achieve his aims. To fulfil a hyped-up prophecy, Jesus goes about staging his own resurrection as a stunt show with the support of his 12 disciples.
"Messiah" is directed and performed by Tang Wai-kit. Apart from Tang, the cast also includes Sit Hoi-fai, Chan Kwan-kin, Chu Pak-him, Fong Chun-kit, Yip Hing-wah, Ip Man-chong, Ka Chak-lun, Lam Tsz-kit, Law Chung-kin, Mung Kit, Sung Boon-ho and Yu Kin-sang.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Messiah" will be performed in Cantonese at 8pm on June 15 and 16 (Friday and Saturday) and at 3pm on June 16 and 17 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Theatre, Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre. Tickets priced at $120 and $180 are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. (Limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis.) A maximum discount of 20 per cent is offered for the group booking package. Please note that the production contains coarse language.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325 or visit
www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/theatre/000003bb.html. Ticketing enquiries can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Friday, May 4, 2012


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Okay so my first question: I'm having a boy this time around. Besides getting peed on and eventually expecting erections (I'm not gonna lie, that creeps me out a bit, but I imagine I'll get used to it), is it different in any way? For instance, I read another thread here that correlated swelling in the boy parts with snappi use. Is there an alternative? I prefer KL0s for exclusively breastfed babies, but I used a fair amount of prefolds and snappis as well on my daughter. I liked them! I don't want to have to get all fitteds now.
Second question: Has anyone only used natural fiber diapers and covers on their kid? My daughter never had anything but 100% cotton next to her skin, but we did use PUL covers most of the time with her. I would like to do 100% wool covers this time around, but I don't know if that's realistic or feasible. I have some disana covers and am in the process of knitting some of my own out of merino wool (Manos del Uruguay Maxima). Anything I should know? Any experiences to share? I do know about lanolizing and washing wool so I don't really need that kind of info.
Thank you so much!
Alicewyf: Doula, wife to DH, and mama to Lillian (7/09) , Daniel (6/12). (11/14).
I did not use cloth with my boy but the pee thing, I got peed on way more by my girls than by him. Was not a fan of Snappis with my girls, the middle always cae lose and I was afraid of it catching on them. There is a new brand thatis similar but in two pieces instead of the y shape. Boingo I think is the name, I am going to try them out this time.
I did not do wool very well, proably because I like the ease of dumping the bucket in the wash and not thinking about it. Most of my wool has been shrunk. Woops.
Hmmm. 3 boys and I haven't gotten peed on more than a handful or so times- so I wouldn't worry too much about that- other than when they are just born- like 3 seconds old- I got peed on each time :) Little penises are so much easier- you just don't have to worry about them! Also- not too many erections here either- so not anything to really worry about.
I don't love pul- it does have its place- but mostly we go cover free or woolies. If you are knitting your own- just make them Longies or Shorties and then you don't have to worry about pants. The only drawback is if you are using prefolds- you will end up with poop on your wool- which is not great. I have a little line on my wall that I clothespin the woolies up to air out and dry between uses. Woolies are the best with an awesome diaper. I have used Snappies on my boys- and never noticed any weird swelling- but honestly I love fitted diapers and have switch to those for the most part....
Iowaorganic- mama to DD (1/5/06), DS1 (4/9/07), DS2 (1/22/09), DS3 (12/10/10), DD2 (7/6/12) and a new kid due in early 2014
We did all natural fibers and wool on DS until he was about a year. We did mostly fitteds just because they're easier. I didn't love the combo of Snappis and hand-knit wool, too many snags. And I agree with IO - pfs and wool meant a lot of hand-washing poo out of wool, which I didn't love.
In 2.5 years, I think I've been peed on twice (when the diaper was off - that doesn't count leaks or floods). Erections also haven't been an issue - if I see one he gets sat on the potty, it usually means he's about to pee.
Cristeen ~ Always remembering our warrior ~ Our is 3, how'd that happen?!?!
We welcomed another warrior in May 2012!!
2012 Decluttering challenge - 575/2012
I guess I'm the odd one out... DH and I get peed on all the time! I try to hard to minimize the exposed-penis-time, but that boy loves to go when the cold air hits him!
Mama Bear , Papa Bear and Baby Bear (8/11)
Thanks mamas. You've convinced me to get more fitteds! I think I'm going to get the green mountain diapers workhorse fitteds, as I liked their prefolds so so much. I'm going to try to make 100% wool and cotton work. Anyone have a favorite retailer for upcycled covers or interlock? I'm specifically interested in wrap-style wool covers. I've only tried the pull-on kind before.
Also, glad to hear pee and erections are less of a big deal than I thought.
Alicewyf: Doula, wife to DH, and mama to Lillian (7/09) , Daniel (6/12). (11/14).
For wraps, try to find Piper's Closet. You may have to go onto diaperswappers to find her though. Her prices are great, and depending on the fabric, those things can be bullet-proof. I have a 2-layer flannel that we use at night that is just great, and it was a custom size/color, all for under $20.
Cristeen ~ Always remembering our warrior ~ Our is 3, how'd that happen?!?!
We welcomed another warrior in May 2012!!
2012 Decluttering challenge - 575/2012
I'm having fun diapering my first boy! Managed to make some cute stuff even though I loved all the girly pretty stuff with my older girls! I've been peed on a few times lol not too many but the changing table sure has! I like to let him get a little air up there and he LOVES the changing table. Like freakishly so, he's thrilled up there for 20 min or more and he's little and hasn't been happy with much of anything for more than 5 minutes! LOL
He gets little woodies, but they just make me laugh they are not too extreme. I kind of worry its uncomfortable if I smush it down but I doubt it. Oh yeah that's the one thing thats important with boys, point it down! they can pee out the top otherwise and get their shirts all wet ;)
Baby wood would have freaked me out if I hadn't been warned... but hasn't been too much of of a problem. I've been peed on way more often by my girls than my son, the only place he seems to really cut loose is the doctor's office for some reason.
I've given up on going poly free because I'm allergic to lanolin, and the alternative to wool is... polyester fleece. Yeah, um. So PUL it is, but I'm pretty happy with the diapers we're using, function-wise.
Jenrose, Mama to DD1, born 1993, DD2, born 2005, and DS1, Jan. 2012. Babywearing, cosleeping, homebirthing mom with fibromyalgia and hashimotos. DD2 has a rare chromosome disorder.
I've used natural fibers exclusively too. I used mostly prefolds, and a few Loveybums fitted diapers with an Aristocrats wool soaker cover for nighttime, and Loveybums wool covers for daytime. I used the wool crepe snap cover in the newborn size and the wool pull-up covers after 4 months when we switched to size med. (My baby was 9lbs at birth, so didn't stay in newborn size anything for long). When we switched to med diapers and covers she was in 6month clothes.
I have twin boys and I can say it depends on the baby for peeing and erection issues. They both peed some times, but DS2 usually peed on himself not on me. I just dropped a cloth wipe over his penis if I was going to be slow changing the diaper. Also DS2 had erection all the time, DS1 has them from time to time but less often. I just put the diaper on and ignore it. We also cloth diapered with BG 4.0 in the beginning, but we've had rash issues so I'm switching over to natural fibers (plus some fleece and PUL covers). I do mostly a prefold and snappi under pull up style wool or fleece without many blowouts, but my boys are 11 months old so have fewer and more solid poops. HTH
Mom to Parker and Isaac 6/23/11
Oh, also I leave a lot of the absorbancy up front. If I use a doubler at all, I fold it in half and stick it in the front of the diaper, the back of their diapers is almost never wet even when the front is.
Mom to Parker and Isaac 6/23/11
I use the organic cotton prefolds from green mountain diapers for my guy and t otally happy with them :) If I had the $ I would of liked to get the cloth-eez workehorse diapers they have with the snaps. But I just use the prefolds with out any pins or snappies under a gro-via or Thirsties cover and everything stays in place well. (tried the gro-via inserts and totally leaky, but covers work well with prefolds!!)
I'm also happy with the biobottom wool covers, wish I had more!
I let him go diaper free a lot, so I'm getting peed on quite a bit. My favorite is the rare times he pees when I'm changing him and it makes it up over his head! Watch out for that...
Oh ya I did use these for about a month at first. My guy was 9lb 4oz at birth... I like the bummis org. cotton prefolds too.
These are also really good for prefolds
Enjoy newborn baby bliss...
I just love being a mama to my son born 9/22/2011 and expecting baby early December 2014
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After being exposed, Fulton Armstrong confesses to being source behind discredited AP story on Cuba democracy programs
Fulton's Confession
In Foreign Policy, former Senate staffer and CIA analyst, Fulton Armstrong, confesses to being the AP's source of attacks on USAID's Cuba democracy programs.
(The title of Armstrong's piece, "Damn Yanquis," is pretty telling in itself.)
Of course, we'd stated this from Day One.
Fulton was unable to control his ego and writes:
"The operations undertaken by former President George W. Bush and Obama have been both clandestine and covert, according to AP reports and the investigations the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) conducted when I was on its staff in 2010 to 2011."
He even brazenly threatens:
"More revelations are forthcoming."
The funniest part of Fulton's entire thesis -- which the AP has ingenuously (or maliciously) adopted -- is that these programs are "clandestine and covert."
Yet, Fulton himself is Exhibit A of how that is simply untrue.
If these democracy programs were "clandestine and convert," they would be classified.
Consequentially, Fulton would be prosecuted for revealing classified information and would be joining his old friend and colleague, former Defense Intelligence Agency senior analyst, Ana Belen Montes, in federal prison.
But they are not classified. And Fulton knows it.
As a matter of fact, these programs are explained on USAID's website. And Congress receives regular notifications on these programs.
But for Fulton, anything that is not agreed to (and previously consulted with) the Castro dictatorship -- even if consistent with fundamental principles of international human rights law -- is "covert."
Moreover, what Fulton wants is for USAID to reveal the name and address of every NGO worker or contractor working to support civil society in Cuba -- independent of the Castro regime -- and of every Cuban civil society and democracy activist they support.
USAID doesn't provide this information for obvious reasons -- to either supporters or detractors of the Cuba democracy programs.
(It's for the same reason that AP itself admits using secret, encrypted communications in dealing with Cuba.)
Moreover, USAID doesn't provide such information regarding similar programs in Iran, Belarus, Syria, North Korea, Burma or any other closed society.
Dangerously irresponsible bureaucrats like Fulton -- with little regard for courageous civil society and democracy activists throughout the world -- are precisely why USAID shouldn't.


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"High June" 2013: Dwell on Design & AIA National Convention
Don't miss us this week in both Denver and Los Angeles (but good luck catching us both places)
Conference season has shifted into full gear. We'd like to share a couple opportunities to mingle with professional peers, attend some insightful discussions and get a dose of Architecture for Humanity in-person, at Dwell in Design in Los Angeles (June 21-23) and at the American Institute of Architects National Convention in Denver (June 19-22).
We're continuing our partnership with molo design for our conference circuit this year - who are kitting out both the AIA and Dwell in Design trade floor booths as comfortable (and collapsible) places to mingle and trade tales of design and architecture.
Dwell on Design
June 21-23, Los Angeles
This year Architecture for Humanity co-founder Kate Stohr and Senior Development Advisor Sherry-Lea Bloodworth Botop will be presenting at two exclusive sessions:
What Do You See: the Future of Community Building recasts poverty and destruction as community-minded engines for growth, education, and hope. (Saturday, June 22, 2PM at the Sustainable Design Stage)
Can Disaster Spur Innovation? will be a one-to-one conversation on rebuilding in the wake of unexpected, often unplanned for, natural disasters. (Saturday, June 22, 3PM at the Design innovation Stage)
Booth #130 Find HQ staff and LA Chapter members - as well as plenty of information and takeaways - on hand. We want to hear from you, so stop by and share some humanitarian anecdotes with our fantastic event volunteers.
Booth #132 An arena for free no-obligation consultation, the Architect Is In will host 30-minute sessions where professional architects answer any and all design inquiries.
Also, swing by Dwell Home Tours - to immerse yourself within the specially selected "Dwell-like" domestic specimens around the LA area.
If you're not familiar with Dwell on Design, check out their schedule, and catch highlights of Cameron Sinclair's keynote from last year's conference. The keynote speaker this year is Michael Graves.
AIA National Convention 2013
June 19-22, Denver
If you're farther east you won't want to miss this year's AIA National Convention, themed on "Building Leaders."
Cameron Sinclair is delivering the keynote address on Friday June 21st at 830am MST. Not in Colorado? Don't worry it will be lived-streamed here. Our team is also participating in a couple panel discussions, so please join us for any and all sessions.
On Thursday, 20th at 7AM, Paving a Path Toward Local Disaster Response and Resiliency discusses the recently completed Disaster Grants program with David L. Bradley, AIA, LEED AP, President-Elect, AIA Illinois; Hurricane Sandy Regional Program Manager and founder of Architects without Borders Seattle Rachel Minnery, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB; Audrey Galo, Reconstruction and Resilience Program Coordinator and Katherine Malishewsky, Architecture for Humanity New York Project Coordinator.
On Thursday, 20th at 6pm Architects in Advocacy and Public Service Reception is in recognition of the liked-minded architects serving the public good, presented with our co-hosts AIA Government & Community Relations and Public Architecture.
On Friday, 21st at 6PM Architecture for Humanity and Public Architecture: Leaders in the Social Impact Design Movement compares two endeavors, with Bruce Lindsey, AIA, of Washington University St. Louis; John Peterson, AIA, Founder and President of Public Architecture; and Eric Cesal, Director of Architecture for Humanity's Resiliency and Reconstruction Studio.
And of course you can find us on the trade floor at Booth #1226.
There's a lot to discover this week, follow along at @AIANATLConv and @DwellonDesign


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Following Sunday's freak accident at the Bellevue Fourth of July parade that left one woman dead, 23 others injured, and an entire town reeling from the shock of such a rare incident, many are asking if horses should be allowed to continue to participate in parades.
There are few places in Iowa where you can see more horses – and more people who love horses – than at the monthly Kalona horse auction.
Eddie Smock is a horse auctioneer and has been around horses his entire life.
"I started riding my grandpa's old riding mare when I was three years old," Smock said. "And I've rode horses ever since."
Smock said no two horses are alike. So what spooks one, may not cause another to flinch.
"They're sort of like people," Smock said. "They're all different. What one horse will like well, maybe the next one won't."
Smock said it is important for people who are around horses to know to interact with them.
"Unintentionally they'll do something that spooks a horse when they don't intend to and then you have big time trouble," Smock said.
Smock said a horse can spook around loud noises, like fireworks, or when a child runs up to pet it. He recommends no horse should be part of parade unless it is well trained.
"You're asking a lot of a horse when you put it in a situation with a crowd of people and traffic and lights and noises," Smock said.
According to Smock, horses are unpredictable. He said the age of a horse does not matter when you are determining whether a horse is eligible to be in a parade.
Smock admits Sunday's horse trampling was sad, but it does not warrant barring horses from parades forever.
"That's not fair," Smock said. "That's like saying there shouldn't be any dogs. You know we hear where dogs bite people and some are more prone to do it so you can't say well a dog bit someone so we'll just do away with all dogs and no one can own a dog or a pet of any kind. Same thing is true with horses."
Smock urges people near horses to use caution.
"Know where you are and watch the horses and don't expect them to be like a statue that you can run up to and make a loud noise," Smock said.
Plus, Smock tells people "it doesn't make a difference if you're at a rodeo of if it's at a parade, you need to think when you're around animals if something would happen."
What, he asked, would be your safe getaway?
Cedar Rapids, Iowa News, Sports, and Weather
Should Horses Be Banned from Parades?
By Jami Brinton, Reporter
Most Popular


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