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Originally written on Fox Sports Arizona | Last updated 1/5/12
After Wednesday's loss to the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks dropped the Suns to 2-4, coach Alvin Gentry said Thursday he's frustrated with how the team is playing and is considering lineup changes. "I'm frustrated in that I think we're much better than we're playing," Gentry said. "I don't think I'm asking anyone to do anything that they're not capable of doing. I'm frustrated because we're not executing." Asked if some changes might be needed to kick-start the stagnant offense, Gentry offered no specifics but did say changes were "under consideration." "There's definitely a thought process there that maybe we can change a few things," Gentry said. "That might help us start in the game as well as the way our offense plays." Strange as it is in Phoenix, offense has been the problem so far. The defense has been solid with the addition of defensive assistant coach Elston Turner, but the offense has been uncharacteristically inefficient, particularly early in games, and the Suns are...
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Advertisements and packaging increase consumer awareness of a product and provide information so that customers can make educated choices. Often, however, marketing strategies are focused more on raising sales than providing accurate product information.
The Federal Trade Commission handles numerous cases each year as part of its goal to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive practices. Last year, the FTC ruled that advertisements and packaging of various lines of clothing from a number of companies — including Sears SHLD, -3.77% , Amazon.com AMZN, +0.07% , and Macy's M, -0.40% — were misleading and unsubstantiated.
This incident is among recent confrontations companies have faced. Regulators, customers and advocacy groups have especially targeted "all-natural" labeled foods. The growth in such labeling is not surprising given the spike in demand for so-called "natural" products in recent years. Other products under scrutiny have ranged from shoes to cars. Based on recent FTC and media reports, 24/7 Wall St. has reviewed the most misleading product claims:
1. Sears' Bamboo fabric
Parent Company: Sears
Ad changed: yes
Settlement Amount: $475,000
Sears Holdings agreed to pay $475,000 and remove false advertising from its line of "100% pure bamboo" products, which were anything but. Sears was fined the most out of several large companies that agreed to pay fines totaling nearly $1.3 million for violating for violating the Textile Products Identification Act. The FTC charged the companies for labeling clothing products as made of bamboo, when they were actually made of rayon. While using bamboo to make clothing is arguably "green," rayon — a synthetic cellulose fiber — is manufactured using toxic chemicals in a process known for its hazardous byproducts, the FTC noted. These companies had previously received warnings from the FTC in 2010 but did not alter their marketing strategies until last year, when the settlement was reached.
2. Vibram FiveFinger
Parent Company: Vibram USA
Ad changed: Yes
Settlement Amount: $3.75 million
So-called minimalist running gear has gained popularity in recent years, most notably the Vibram FiveFinger shoe, a closefitting mimicry of the bare foot. The FiveFinger shoe's initial reception was lukewarm. The glovelike shoe was simply too weird for many Americans. Since then, the market for minimalist shoes has boomed, due in part to the success of author Christopher McDougall's best-selling book, "Born to Run," which touted the benefits and freedom of barefoot running. While the best-selling book did not explicitly endorse FiveFinger shoes, Vibram sales soared after the book was released in 2009. However, following a recent settlement, Vibram has agreed to stop making any claims that its shoes strengthen muscles or prevent injuries, and has agreed to refund customers who bought its shoes. In its settlement, the company noted "Vibram expressly denied and continues to deny any wrongdoing alleged in the Actions, and neither admits nor concedes any actual or potential fault, wrongdoing or liability."
3. Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats
Parent Company: Kellogg
Ad changed: Yes
Settlement Amount: $4 million
Approximately five years ago, Kellogg K, +0.21% claimed that "Eating a bowl of Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats cereal for breakfast is clinically shown to improve attentiveness by nearly 20%." While Kellogg did not admit to false advertising, it did create a $4 million fund last year to reimburse misled customers who bought the cereal between January 2008 and October 2009. The agreement was part of a settlement in a class-action lawsuit charging Kellogg with false advertising. The company settled similar accusations in the past, when the FTC charged Kellogg with misleading health claims on its Rice Krispies cereal. Cereal boxes at that time claimed the food would boost immunity and provide essential portions of healthy nutrients.
4. Snapchat
Parent Company: Snapchat
Ad changed: Yes
Settlement Amount: N/A
Snapchat is a smartphone application designed to send disappearing photos, or "snaps," to friends. The FTC, however, charged the company for misleading consumers into believing the photos would actually disappear forever, when there are actually a number of simple ways to preserve the snaps. The FTC also accused the company of misrepresenting the extent to which it collected personal information, including geolocation data. This is not the first misstep for the company. Earlier this year, Snapchat leaked the phone numbers and names of millions of users. The incident was particularly embarrassing for the company as it dismissed a security warning it received shortly before the leak. In January, Snapchat finally apologized for the fiasco, detailing how it would prevent further abuse of its application.
5. Kashi
Parent Company: Kellogg
Ad changed: Yes
Settlement Amount: $5 million
Earlier this month, Kellogg agreed to stop including terms such as "nothing artificial" and "all natural" on its Kashi brand of products. The agreement was part of a $5 million settlement filed at the beginning of May. The class action lawsuit accused Kellogg of misleading its customers with claims that its Kashi line of cereal contained "all natural" ingredients. The FDA currently has a vague definition of the term "natural." According to the FDA, "From a food science perspective, it is difficult to define a food product that is 'natural' because the food has probably been processed and is no longer the product of the earth." Kashi cereal contains pyridoxine hydrochloride, calcium pantothenate, and hexane-processed soy. According to the New York Times, "such ingredients do occur naturally," but food companies often use synthetic versions of the ingredients.
6. Emergen-C
Parent Company: Alacer Corporation
Ad changed: Yes
Settlement Amount: $6.4 million
Alacer Corporation reached a $6.5 million settlement late last year with plaintiffs over its claims that its Emergen-C vitamin C supplement boosts energy, the immune system and metabolism. While vitamin C is a necessary component of a healthy diet, its effectiveness in preventing the common cold is still controversial after decades of scientific research. In fact, too much vitamin C can cause several side effects, including diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps, according to the National Institutes of Health. Anyone who purchased Emergen-C in the U.S. between June 1, 2006 and Feb. 27, 2012 could have claimed reimbursement before the end of March.
7. Nissan Frontier
Parent Company: Nissan North America
Ad changed: Yes
Settlement Amount: N/A
In one of Nissan North America commercials, Nissan's Frontier pickup truck was seen as pushing a dune buggy up a steep hill in a desert setting. The FTC objected because the truck was not actually capable of doing what the commercial showed. Nissan's ad agency, TBWA Worldwide, later admitted the commercial was altered to make it appear that the incline was steeper than it actually was, and that the truck was actually being pulled up the hill by cables. While Nissan NSANY, +1.83% and TBWA did not claim, either verbally or in print, that the pickup truck could perform such a feat, the FTC ruled the visual depiction was enough to warrant misleading advertising. The FTC prohibited Nissan from "Misrepresenting any material quality or feature of a pickup truck through the depiction of a test, experiment, or demonstration."
8. E.K. Ekcessories
Parent Company: E.K. Ekcessories
Ad changed: Yes
Settlement Amount: N/A
Like many companies, E.K. Ekcessories used patriotism as a marketing tool. The Utah-based company sells outdoor accessories such as iPhone cases and bottle holders. The company boasted that many of its products were "Made in the U.S.A." or "Truly Made in the U.S.A. Our source of pride and satisfaction abounds from a true made in the U.S.A. product." The claim, however, wasn't true, as many of the company's products were actually manufactured abroad. Last October, as part of a settlement, the FTC prohibited the company from making any such claims. The settlement also required the company stop "providing deceptive promotional material to third-party retailers," as many of its products are sold in online retail stores, including Amazon.com. Lesley Fair, a senior attorney in the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, called E.K. Ekcessories' practice a "Yankee Doodle Don't" on the FTC's blog.
9. Sensa
Parent Company: Sensa Products
Ad changed: Yes
Settlement Amount: $26.5 million
Earlier this year, the FTC fined diet products company, Sensa Products, for falsely claiming its products lead to weight loss. As part of a settlement, Sensa agreed to pay the FTC $26.5 million, which will be used for Sensa customers' refunds. Sensa was particularly faulted for its claims that all dieters have to do to lose weight is to sprinkle its saltlike product on to their food. In one of its commercials, thin women in bikinis dance on a beach and sprinkle Sensa's product on foods such as ice cream, hot dogs and hamburgers, while a background voice states that all dieters have to do is "Shake, eat and lose weight." Women's high-end beauty chain, L'Occitane, was also fined $750,000 as part of the same crackdown. L'Occitane claimed that one of its creams could slim users' bodies.
Read more about "The Nine Most Misleading Product Claims" at 24/7 Wall St.
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subset: commoncrawl


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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has not spoken publicly since Sept. 9. Bob Ley talks with ESPN NFL business analyst Andrew Brandt and John Baldoni, Chair of N2Growth's Leadership Development Practice about the commissioner's recent lack of presence.
By John Mattone
Chair, Culture Transformation, N2Growth
What has been top of mind for corporate boards and CEO's worldwide since 2004? It is not competitive threats, rising costs, innovation challenges, risk management, technology, debt, or even the regulatory environment. Corporate directors and CEO's identify the need to create and sustain a leadership and talent culture that drives superior operating results as their #1 current and future challenge….and, this has been the case since 2004!Read More›
By John Baldoni
Chair, Leadership Development, N2Growth
What keeps CEOs up at night? It's not what they know, but what they don't know.
Such is the case in which General Motors newly appointed CEO Mary Barra finds herself. According to reporting by New York Times reporter Bill Vlasic, Barra did not learn of the ignition problem that has led to the recall of over 1.6 GM vehicles until January 31st. The problem with the faulty ignition, which causes engine shutdowns, has been linked to at least 13 deaths stretching back to 2003.
By Mike Myatt, Chief Executive Officer, N2growth
Google and Apple are both highly esteemed brands. Both companies share many common traits which have contributed to their success, but there is one very big difference between the two – Google plays offense while Apple has recently settled for playing defense. Apple is struggling to maintain its position in the market, while Google is expanding its position.
By Mike Myatt, Chief Strategy Officer, N2growth
While in flight today I had the opportunity to read an interview in "Fortune" with Home Depot's CFO, Carol Tome. As a prelude to the interview, Home Depot's CEO, Frank Blake proudly stated that he had placed Tome in charge of the company's growth initiatives, at which time I sighed and said a silent prayer for Home Depot as it must surely be on its death bed to place a CFO in charge of growth. While there are certainly exceptions to every rule, placing a CFO in charge of corporate growth is like placing the drug addict in charge of inventory control in the pharmacy…it's just not good business, and it won't work.
As I delved into the meat of the interview my initial skepticism was confirmed. Tome's "growth" moves seemed to be focused on cost-cutting, head-count reduction, slowing store expansion, etc. To be fair to Ms. Tome, I don't know her, it was an interview, and she did throw out a few catch-phrases like increasing sales per square foot, and improving the customer experience, but disclaimers aside, the interview read like just another CFO in way over her head to me…When will CFOs learn that cost-cutting and workforce reduction are not sustainable business strategies? Anyone can take out the chain-saw, hack away for a few quarters, and look like a hero, but what happens after that?
The story usually unfolds like this: After all the slash and burn has taken place, which by the way causes a sense of uncertainty across the enterprise, and a corresponding rapid downturn in morale, what the finance savvy CFO has just done in his/her first few acts is disrupt the entire culture, increase cost centers and decrease profit centers, but boy is this operation lean and mean…
All sarcasm aside, the reality is these decisions won't adversely impact the business in the short-run as the near term funnel will not likely be harmed. However when revenue starts to evaporate in forthcoming quarters because customers are not being serviced, new deals are not being added to the pipeline due to sales people leaving the company, and the corporate brand is losing visibility due to reduction in marketing expenditures, things start to get a little tense. You see there is no substitute for operating experience. The most brilliant CFO if void of operating experience will make similar mistakes to those mentioned above when making non-financial, operating or strategy decisions.
At this point in time you may be saying to yourself "this author really doesn't like CFOs." Quite to the contrary…at one point in my career I served as a CFO, and I understand better than most that CFOs play a critical role in the success of any business. In fact, one of my first recommendations to any client is hire the best CFO they can afford. One of my next recommendations is to start mentoring the CFO in the non-financial aspects of business. If your CFO has only operated in a finance silo how can he or she be expected to gain experience across competencies and business units. Consider embedding the CFO in operational roles in marketing, strategy, business development, innovation, branding etc., so that they have the opportunity to understand the essential long-term value created by initiatives that may not have an immediate impact on the balance sheet or P&L.
It is necessary to understand that most CFOs come out of a public accounting background and rarely have training or experience in sales, marketing, advertising, public relations, non-financial strategy and tactics, and usually have little experience in terms market knowledge from a competitive, production or operating perspective. Accountants are typically trained in tax or audit functions, and while fluent in GAAP, they don't typically bring traditional business savvy to the table. They are masters of retroactive analysis as their job is to document and report on historical events.
Let it be noted that I am a strong advocate of sound financial governance and the implementation of reasonable cost containment measures. However not when applied in a vacuum irrespective of the ripple effect across the enterprise. A company can have all the cost containment in the world, but without revenue what does it matter? In C-level operating and strategy positions the executive has a broader sphere of influence, and will have many more points of critical contact both internally and externally than will the typical CFO. Therefore having experience across a broad range of skill sets and competencies is mission critical for a company's executive operating and strategy talent.
Ponder this…if the Chairman or CEO places the CFO in charge of corporate growth without the experience necessary to pull if off, the resulting chaos isn't really the fault of the CFO, but rather it belongs to the Chairman/CEO that set him or her up for failure. The moral of this story is simply to hire/promote the most experienced and discerning people possible into executive operating positions. This can and and sometimes does include a current or former CFO that has been properly trained and mentored, but it should never include the unprepared CFO.
By Mike Myatt, Chief Strategy Officer, N2growth
93 Year Old World War II Veteran Freezes to Death In Home
Not paying your utility bills should not result in death, but it did earlier this week in Michigan. Bay City Electric Light & Power moves to the top of my "Companies that Don't Get It" list by turning off the heat of a 93 year old World War II causing him to freeze to death in his home. I can't think of a single valid reason why this should have happened...this was clearly a case of administrative process taking precedence over common sense and compassion. An apology just doesn't cut-it in this case. If the leadership team at Bay City Electric Light & Power has become so removed from its processes, and so disconnected from its customers that something like this can happen, they should resign immediately. I can think of any number of steps that could have been taken to prevent something like this. If the Bay City Electric Light & Power CEO wants to call me I'd reengineer their process at no charge...Furthermore, if you're elderly and cannot pay your utility bills send me an email, or give me a call and I'll make sure this won't happen to you...Lastly, I hope the utility company that killed this man is paying for his funeral expenses.
By Mike Myatt, Chief Strategy Officer, N2growth
Innovate or Perish is a battle cry that I have long espoused to my clients. I can't think of a better example of what can happen to those companies that fail to innovate than the rumors circulating about the Tribune Co. The Tribune Co., owner of the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, and other once revered trophy brands is hemorrhaging under the burden of huge debt obligations, insufficient cash flow, and is rumored to be filing for bankruptcy as early as this week. The emergence of better alternative news sources has been hurting the newspaper industry for years now, but when you combine the rapid emergence of new media options with the crushing blow of the recession, it may just be too much for an old media lagger to survive…
When was the last time you actually read a print version of a newspaper? Unless I have a few minutes to kill in an airport or a lobby somewhere I'll never touch a newspaper. By the time you read something in the newspaper it's simply old news…If you rely upon the newspaper to keep you informed, here's a hint…you're out of touch. However the bigger issue here is not how you choose to receive your media, but rather out of touch company leadership that doesn't understand the importance of innovation as it relates to corporate sustainability.
If you're a CEO reading this post ask yourself this question: How disruptive is your business model? Without a focus on disruptive innovation you are merely building your business model on a "me too" platform of mediocrity. Disruptive business models focus on creating, disintermediating, refining, reengineering or optimizing a product/service, role/function/practice, category, market, sector, or industry.
The most successful companies incorporate disruptive thinking into all of their business and management practices to gain distinctive competitive value propositions. "Me Too" companies fight to eek out market share in an attempt to survive while disruptive companies become category dominant brands insuring sustainability. So why do so many established and often well managed companies struggle with disruptive innovation? Many times it is simply because companies have been doing the same things, in the same ways, and for the same reasons for so long that they struggle with the concept of change.
As a CEO Coach many of my engagements with chief executives focus on helping them to embrace change through disruptive innovation. Why didn't the railroads innovate? Why didn't Folgers recognize the retail consumer demand for coffee and develop a "Starbucks" type business model? Why didn't IBM see Dell and Gateway coming? Why have American auto-makers been relegated to inferior brands when contrasted to their European and Asian counterparts? How did the brick and mortar book stores let Amazon get the jump on them? I could go on-and-on with more examples, but the answer to these questions are quite simple…The established companies become focused on making incremental gains through process improvements and were satisfied with their business models and didn't even see the innovators coming until it was too late. Their focus shifted from managing opportunities to managing risk, which in turn allowed them to manage themselves into brand decline…
At one end of the spectrum take a look at the companies receiving investment from venture capital and private equity firms, and on the other end of the spectrum observe virtually any category dominant brand and you'll find companies with a disruptive focus putting the proverbial squeeze on the "me too" firms occupying space in the middle of the spectrum. With the continued rapid development of technology taking the concept of globalization and turning it into hard reality facing businesses of all sizes, it is time for executives and entrepreneurs to examine their current business models from a disruptive perspective. Ask yourself the following questions:
- When was the last time your business embraced change and did something innovative?
- When was the last time you rolled-out a new product?
- When was the last time you entered a new market?
- Are any of your executives thought leaders?
- When was the last time you sought out a strategic partner to exploit a market opportunity?
- Do you settle for just managing your employees or do you inspire them to become innovators?
- Has your business embraced social media?
- When was the last time your executive team brought in some new blood by recruiting a rock star?
- Does anyone on your executive team have a coach or mentor?
- Has anyone on your executive team attended a conference on strategy, innovation or disruption in the last year?
If you're an executive or entrepreneur and you can't answer yes to the majority of the questions above then your company is likely a market lagger as opposed to a market leader. If you continue to do the same things that you have always done in today's current market environment you will see your market share erode, your brand go into decline, your talent and customers jump ship, and your potential never be realized. Remember the definition of insanity is continuing to do the same things while expecting different results. Bottom line…change, innovate, disrupt and prosper.
By Mike Myatt, Chief Strategy Officer, N2growth
In our area Comcast has a virtual monopoly on communication services in that they are the only vendor that provides a true bundled solution comprised of Internet, telephone, and cable. What's more, they are aware of their dominant position in the market and truly abuse the situation. There are good companies, bad companies, and then there's Comcast…Comcast is probably the worst company I've ever done business with, and is a perfect case study in how not to operate a business enterprise. Comcast finally hit an all time low with me this morning, and in today's post I'll share their most ridiculous and insulting tactic yet…
Comcast and customer service are not synonymous. Over the years I have experienced excessively long hold times, and incredibly rude technicians and other employees. The following links to YouTube videos show the frustration that I and countless other subscribers feel as a result of our dealings with Comcast:
- Comcast Customer Service – Business As Usual
- Comcast's Solution to Long Hold Times
- Comcast's Stellar Employees
As if the above videos are enough of a testimony as to the problems at Comcast, at about 11:00am this morning I happened to glance out my window and notice a solicitor approaching my front door. Since there was no knock, or ring of my door bell, curiosity got the better of me and I went to the door to see what was left behind. While it was no great surprise that I found a very well designed piece of marketing collateral hanging on my door, what was a surprise is the text that was written on the door-stuffer…Comcast had left me a very slick, four color brochure stating the following:
"Sorry we missed you…A Comcast technician stopped by to check your service and ensure it is working to your total satisfaction. We are making the rounds to answer any questions our customers may have regarding Digital Cable TV, High Speed Internet, Comcast Digital Voice."
My problem is that the brochure was not delivered by a Comcast technician, and they didn't miss me…they intentionally avoided me. Since the solicitor (not technician) didn't knock or ring my bell, they really didn't show much of a desire to check on my satisfaction, the quality of my service, or answer any questions that I might have. They were not "sorry they missed me" as they never intended to speak with me…Does this strike you as wrong, disingenuous, or just an outright lie?
Comcast is an organization that is leadership and management challenged. They don't seem to value their customers, and based upon my experience today, they certainly don't value ethical business practices. Comcast is a poorly run company and proof of why monopolies are not good for the consumer. I can't wait for my next rate hike…
By Mike Myatt, Chief Strategy Officer, N2growth
Having spent much of my life working with successful companies I appreciate all that it takes to create one. Developing world class organizations is not an easy task however settling for mediocrity (or worse) doesn't require much effort at all. Quite frankly I have developed a bit of disdain for organizations that won't do what it takes to get things right because virtually all business issues can be resolved with focus, effort and commitment. Therefore I've decided to add a new category on the N2growth Blog: Rants. Within this category I'll take the liberty of venting on topics, issues, current events and companies that just miss the mark. First up…Amtrak.
I'm not sure whether it's a luxury or a curse but I end up doing quite a bit of traveling on behalf of my clients. In that love-hate relationship that I have with travel there are fond memories and pleasant experiences as well as equally memorable but horrific experiences. I had a relatively short trip to take last week and decided to try something different…rather than fly, drive or be driven I opted to travel by rail. Big Mistake…
OK, the scenery was gorgeous and the company was great (my wife was traveling with me), but there ends the positive sentiments with regard to my Amtrak experience. We arrived at the train station only to find it outdated, dirty and unkempt. It is my humble opinion that amenities at the train station should closely resemble those of an airport, but what we experienced was regrettably nowhere near the modern environment of an airport, rather it was a mirror of a Greyhound station. Strike number one…
We chose not to travel coach opting for business class tickets, expecting a business class experience…we were disappointed yet again as the car was old and dank. Once we found our seats and got settled I practiced my quick-draw and reached for my BlackBerry only to have the conductor inform me that I can't use my cell phone in the car and that I would need to step out into the vestibule so as not to bother the other passengers. Hmmm…business class seats presumably occupied largely by business travelers and all prohibited from using their cell phones. Strike number two…
At this point we decided the only reasonable thing left to do was to feed our frustration. As my wife and I went in search of the dining car with our hunger and our anticipation building we walked through the door only to find out that it was "not active" which meant that you could sit in the dining car but that they wouldn't serve any food to you. Yet another disconnect and strike number three…
I could comment on other flaws regarding what I now refer to as the "great train robbery" but I think you get the point. It is no secret that Amtrak has been in financial trouble for sometime, but as I've said many times cost-cutting does not constitute a viable long-term business strategy. I'm fine with temporary cost-cutting as part of a transitionary tactical plan but Amtrak seems to be forever stuck in transition land. Deferred maintenance, poor customer service, flawed business logic, no competitive value propositions and a lack of vision will not turn the Amtrak brand around.
The leadership at Amtrak should be embarrassed about their product. Rather than over promise and under deliver they need to embrace innovation and creativity to regain customer loyalty. If anyone at Amtrak wants to comment I'd be happy to give you some airtime in an attempt to let you justify how you treat your customers. However rather than have your PR firm try and spin me I would suggest that you start working on your business model…


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I Am A Black Woman And There's No Way In Hell I'm Voting Democrat Again (Pic)
28 Nov, 2012 by John Hawkins
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Per my suggestion, my friend Kira Davis did this photoshop in response to a similar one done by liberals. I promised her that if she did her own photoshop, I'd run it on Right Wing News and I am happy to do so because I love what she put together.
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How can I make background music on server? (self.ChivalryGame)
submitted 2 years ago by raudssus
Friend told me, that a server can have individual background music, can someone point me to something about this? Searching like hell to find any information or that I can see that its true or something :) Thanks in advance for any help!
[–][deleted] 1 point2 points3 points 2 years ago (3 children)
Probably with mods.
[–]raudssus[S] 0 points1 point2 points 2 years ago (2 children)
Oh thanks! That keyword helped :) http://www.chivalrythegame.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=9469 Sadly not giving a good answer yet ;)
[–]Waldinian38 0 points1 point2 points 2 years ago (1 child)
There aren't really any mods out yet. You might want to wait until the SDK comes out, then there will be tons of mods.
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Max Van Der Wyk: As year begins, there is much for veterans to do
January arrived and picked up speed like a sled on an icy slope, filled as usual with aspirations and plans for accomplishments during what seems to be the long year ahead.
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research guide
editors & contributors
write the editor
Female impersonation need say nothing about sexual identity, but it has for a long time been almost an institutionalized aspect of gay male culture.
Although sparse in images documenting the gay community, pre-Stonewall gay male photography blurs the boundaries between art, erotica, and social history.
Given the historic stigma around making, circulating, and possessing overtly homoerotic images, the visual arts have been especially important for providing a socially sanctioned arena for depicting the naked male body and suggesting homoerotic desire.
Independent films that aggressively assert homosexual identity and queer culture, the New Queer Cinema can be seen as the culmination of several developments in American cinema.
Renowned photographer, teacher, critic, editor, and curator, Minor White created some of the most interesting photographs of male nudes of the second half of the twentieth century, but did not exhibit them for fear of scandal.
The first international fashion superstar, Halston dressed and befriended some of America's most glamorous women.
An artistic movement that grew out of Dadaism and flourished in Europe shortly after World War I, Surrealism embraced the idea that art was an expression of the subconscious.
Film, stage, and television actor Paul Winfield was openly gay in his private life, but maintained public silence about his homosexuality.
The DeBoer-Rowse family.
In an opinion released on March 21, 2014, Judge Bernard Friedman ruled that Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. In a case brought by two lesbian parents who originally sought only to adopt jointly their three children, Judge Friedman found that Michigan's ban not only fails to serve any legitimate state interest, but it also harms the children of same-sex couples. In addition, Judge Friedman dismissed the testimony of discredited University of Texas sociologist Mark Regnerus and other state witnesses as worthless. Although Judge Friedman did not stay his ruling, Michigan Attorney General Schuette has filed a notice of appeal and an emergency request for a stay of the ruling from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The case, DeBoer v. Snyder, originated in 2012, when Jayne and April DeBoer-Rowse sought to adopt their children jointly. Judge Friedman encouraged the women to amend their suit to challenge Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage, which was adopted by voter referendum in 2004. It was the ban, Judge Friedman noted, that was the barrier to their joint adoption. If they were allowed to marry, they would be able to adopt their children.
In March 2013, Judge Friedman delayed continuation of the case until the U.S. Supreme Court issued its rulings in the marriage cases, Windsor and Hollingsworth. After those rulings were handed down on June 26, 2013, he announced that rather than simply rule on the law, he would conduct a full-fledged trial of fact, similar to that conducted by Judge Vaughn Walker in 2010 when he presided over the Proposition 8 case.
Like the Prop 8 trial, the DeBoer trial was also a clash of opposing experts. And just as in the Proposition 8 case, the proponents' chief witness, David Blankenhorn, wound up aiding the plaintiffs, so in the Michigan case the so-called experts called by the state helped the cause of marriage equality. Indeed, the trial had the salutary effect of exposing the utter emptiness of the arguments against same-sex marriage.
Judge Friedman's eloquent opinion, which may be found here, eviscerates the testimony of the state's witnesses, including especially that of Regnerus, which he found "entirely unbelievable and not worthy of serious consideration." The judge not only found Regnerus's fraudulent study flawed on its face, but he also correctly perceived it as hack work intended to deceive rather than to contribute to science. "The funder clearly wanted a certain result, and Regnerus obliged," Judge Friedman observed.
In contrast, the experts who testified on behalf of the plaintiffs--Harvard historian Nancy Cott, Stanford University sociologist Michael Rosenfeld, UCLA demographer (and glbtq.com contributor) Gary Gates, and University of Michigan law professor Vivek Sankaran--were found to be credible and helpful in the evidence they provided about the history of marriage, the parenting skills of same-sex couples, and the harm done to the children of same-sex couples by Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage.
The evidence presented by the plaintiffs completely undercut the supposed rationality of the law. The evidence showed that rather than promoting the state's interest in responsible parenting, the ban actually harmed children in very concrete ways, particularly the children of same-sex parents.
After rehearsing the expert testimony and the findings of fact, Judge Friedman considered the legal arguments. In this section, he found that the ban "impermissibly discriminates against same-sex couples in violation of the Equal Protection Clause because the provision does not advance any conceivable legitimate state interest."
Because the ban is unconstitutional even when considered under the most lenient standard of review, Judge Friedman found it unnecessary to decide whether a heightened level of review is warranted in the case.
Judge Friedman considered carefully and then dismissed the state's various legal arguments. He declined to ascribe animus to the approximately 2.7 million voters who enacted the marriage ban, but pointedly observed that while the religious convictions of Michigan residents may govern the conduct of their daily lives and inform their own viewpoints about marriage, "Nonetheless, these views cannot strip other citizens of the guarantees of equal protection under the law. The same Constitution that protects the free exercise of one's faith in deciding whether to solemnize certain marriages rather than others, is the same Constitution that prevents the state from either mandating adherence to an established religion, . . . or 'enforcing private moral or religious beliefs without an accompanying secular purpose.'"
The decision concludes with a moving tribute to April and Jayne DeBoer-Rowse: "No court record of this proceeding could ever fully convey the personal sacrifice of these two plaintiffs who seek to ensure that the state may no longer impair the rights of their children and the thousands of others now being raised by same-sex couples. It is the Court's fervent hope that these children will grow up 'to understand the integrity and closeness of their own family and its concord with other families in their community and in their daily lives.'"
Judge Friedman's decision beautifully "affirms the enduring principle that regardless of whoever finds favor in the eyes of the most recent majority, the guarantee of equal protection must prevail."
Although Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed an emergency motion requesting a stay of Judge Friedman's decision pending appeal with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeal, there have been reports that the clerks of some counties, including Washtenaw County, plan to remain open this weekend to issue marriage licenses and to waive the three-day waiting period for same-sex couples.
The video below, from WXYZ-TV in Detroit, depicts the reaction of Jayne and April DeBoer-Rowse to the news of their victory in court.
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text:
Potato And Salmon Grill
4 May 2011
|New potatoes
|650 Gram, skin on, sliced lengthways
|Frozen peas
|100 Gram
|Canned salmon
|200 Gram
|Creme fraiche
|200 Milliliter (From A Tub)
|Mature cheddar cheese
|100 Gram, grated
1. In a saucepan, boil the potatoes in salted water until almost tender.
2. Tip in the frozen peas and simmer for another 2 minutes.
3. Drain potatoes and peas into a colander.
4. Transfer into a mixing bowl.
5. Turn the grill to High.
6. Drain the salmon and flake into chunks into the bowl with potatoes and peas.
7. Add seasonings and toss to mix well.
8. Turn into an oven proof dish.
9. Add dollops of creme fraiche and spread.
10. Sprinkle with the grated cheese.
11. Grill for a few minutes under broiler until bubbling and golden.
12. Serve hot straight from the dish
Recipe Summary
Difficulty Level:Very Easy
Course:Side Dish
Preparation Time:10 Minutes
Cook Time:15 Minutes
Ready In:25 Minutes
Rate It
0 Comments
Potato And Salmon Grill Recipe


text:
Luca di Montezemolo: "Now it's time to win" for Ferrari (VIDEO)
Jan 25, 2014, 12:57 PM EDT
Having declared that 2013 was "a year to forget" and that he was "sick of coming second," Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is hoping the team's new F14 T machine will help bring World Championship glory back to Maranello.
Kimi Raikkonen is the last man in Scuderia scarlet to have won the driver's championship back in 2007, and Ferrari itself hasn't claimed a constructors' title since 2008.
They don't seem like long droughts in actual number of years, but for the most successful team in Formula One history, they've been agonizing and frustrating.
But di Montezemolo is confident that his team – now led by the driver pairing of Fernando Alonso and the returning Raikkonen – can break through, overcome the dominant Red Bull Racing, and retake the throne.
"I'm confident because I think we have a strong team, and I think we have all the ingredients to be a success," he said in a video statement issued by Ferrari this morning.
"[We have] two very strong drivers; I'm pleased to have Kimi back because Kimi has been the last driver to win the championship with us, and Fernando has made fantastic seasons achieving second in [three of the last] four years."
But, again, he's sick of coming second.
"Now, it's time to win," he continued. "I have a lot of confidence in new technical director James Allison and in the work that our people have made [with] the engine."
For more of his thoughts on 2014, check out the clip above.
- worknman24hours - Jan 25, 2014 at 6:41 PM
One thing is for sure.
If Ferrari starts winning races, it won't be because of Luca's mouth.
- indycar02 - Jan 26, 2014 at 3:43 PM
i wish they would have went after adrain newey (cant stay at RB forever?).
- worknman24hours - Jan 30, 2014 at 12:12 AM
Ferrari would never leave Newey alone long enough for him to be brilliant.
To many people at Ferrari looking for credit for the turnaround if it ever happens.
Top Posts
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42 year old woman | Woodbury, NJ, USA | Seeking men 39-49 within 30 miles of Blackwood Terrace, NJ
Active within 24 hours
A great partner is also a great friend.
Hi ...wow!...it's not easy describing myself so I'm just going to wing it. First of all, I'm a dedicated mother to a sweet and adorable little girl. As with any mother, she is my priority. My family and friends are important to me as well so it's no surprise that I'm always around them. I have traditional values and am family oriented. If you get to know me, you will find that I am quick witted and funny. I make a great friend and I love to have fun. I like to travel, dine out (I'm a foodie) and go to the movies. I love the beach (and anywhere tropical and warm) and enjoy many outdoor activities (hiking, crabbing, fishing, just to name a few) but there are times when I prefer to have a quiet day at home. Looking to meet a well rounded, confident man who's sure of himself, smart, funny and can carry on a good conversation. He should have strong family values, a stable career, and can plan ahead but at the same time be spontaneous and adventurous. I'm not going to just settle with anyone and am looking for a relationship and not a "hookup". So if you're serious and are looking for a meaningful relationship, then send me a note and we'll see what happens.. Best of luck to you in your search.
Coffee and conversation , Business networking , Cooking , Dining out , Fishing/Hunting , Movies/Videos , Exploring new areas , Shopping/Antiques , Travel/Sightseeing , Volunteering
Walking / Hiking
I exercise 1-2 times per week.
Middle of the Road
The Caribbean, Hawaii, Los Cabos, Mexico and Phuket, Thailand
I like to cook but my passion is in baking. Love experimenting with new recipes.
Baking is my passion
Cooking and baking recipes :-)
Z{{Cta}} {{#if HasMoreInfo}} ?{{CtaSecondary}} {{/if}}
|What she is looking for
|5'0" (152cms)
|5'6" (167cms) to 6'0" (182cms)
|Body type:
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I was born in Vietnam but came to the US when I was 6 yrs old. My ethnic background is Chinese/Vietnamese.
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|Bachelors degree


text:
Originally written on Fox Sports Midwest | Last updated 1/23/12
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: David Backes #42 of the St. Louis Blues looks on during a break in their NHL game against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center on January 9, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Blues defeated the Kings 4-3. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
Many Blues fans believe that the NHL snubbed forward David Backes by not sending him an invitation to this month's All-Star game. Backes' four-point performance Saturday in a 4-2 victory over Buffalo, when he had a hand in each of the Blues' goals, will only amplify those sentiments. Backes left the game momentarily in the first period after crashing hard into the boards, but he returned and posted two goals and two assists. "We had a lot of good players today, led by our captain," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "David (Backes) came back just like a bear and really went to work there. He was a major reason we won the hockey game today." Backes' Blues teammates selected him as the "Weenie of the Game." In the past, the club's MVP of the game was presented with the "Hard Hat." But recently, the players brought a hat that on the top has a massive hot dog on a bun. He said that other players were supposed to wear it recently during post-game interviews, but all were too bashful. N...
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Gerald M. Darling of Willingboro passed away into God's loving and eternal care Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014, at home. He would have been 83 this Friday.
Born in Washington, D.C., he grew up in Atlantic City, N.J., and lived in Virginia before moving to Willingboro, 40 years ago. He served in the U.S. Army for 26 years. He was a bandsman and played the french horn. He played for many dignitaries over the years including Gen. Douglas MacArthur. He was also an active member of the Musicians Union Local No. 336 (AFM).
Mr. Darling is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marian Schauer Darling; two daughters, Marie Darling-Myers (Frank) of Edgewater Park and Jeanne Gallagher (Thomas) of Delaware; and a son, David Darling (Judith Rodriguez) of Edgewater Park; three grandchildren, Erin Gallagher, James Myers and Ashley Myers; and two nices, Fagel Brooks and Sandy Weil.
The funeral will be held noon Friday, Sept. 5, at the Dennison-McGee Funeral Home, 869 Beverly Road, Burlington, where relatives and friends may call from 11 a.m. until noon. Interment with full military honors will be held at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in North Hanover.
Due to cemetery restrictions on accepting flowers, the family requests contributions in his memory be sent to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, or go to woundedwarriorproject.org
Please go to Gerald Darling's Book of Memories page at the the Web site below to share stories, upload pictures, light a candle, or offer condolences to the family and to receive helpful information. Dennison-McGee Funeral Home
869 Beverly Road


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Gnarly Adventurer
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: London, UK
Oddometer: 304
Sh*t Man
This is bloody depressing.
Having subscribed to this thread in the past, I just got an update due to the last post. It has pissed me off big time , memories of last years trip, down to Florence on the LC8 Nothing planned for this year for all kind of reasons Man, life sucks when there is not much to look forward too SHIT
Go n-ithe an diabhal do chuid calóga arbhair.
Tuscan rider
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Oddometer: 3,229
I am still alive !
You are so kind!
I am so lucky that I work in the tourist industry, and now is high season. And I am sorry to say that I give priority to riding (and not reporting) when I have time off. Since last time I have seen Valentino Rossi on Yamaha win MotoGP on Mugello even though Stoner had a much more powerful Ducati, I have been to The Netherlands, and generally around the place.
If it seems as the Belgian beer I had in Delft (in Low Countries) is leaning, you are right. You see, I can't report here on anything non-tuscan. Since Sicilia was a Tuscan (well, Pisan) colony until 1018 (mroe or less) I could report for there. Delft in The Netherlands heve never been Tuscan. But things are leaning (as the Leaning Tower, get it!). They even have a Leaning Tower! More to come!
I took pictures of Dutch food (well....), of Dutch girls, 17th centry towns, and quite a lot of beer. Mostly belgian, but also some Dutch.
I rode 1.500 km there, had a few beers with a friend, and rode 1.500 km back. On the way back, I passed over the Alps (as opposed to through the tunnell). In the clip above you can see a small part of the decent from San Gottardo. If you say "That road has cobble stones, no railing and a 1.000 meter fall" you are right again.
Much more to come from the ride itself.
Thank you very much (!) for your attention!
'02 R1150GS - Adds life
My Riding in Tuscany-thread is here.
Renting out motorbikes in Toscana, Italy
Proud contributor to Wisdom and GSpot FAQ and European Ride Report Index.
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Calgary Alberta Canada
Oddometer: 33
Thank you
I must have watched that video 3 times and each time when you made that line correction in the corner near the end of the vid it scared me I thought you were headed right for that very short barrier. Has Capa della Famiglia seen that vid? I'm sure she would have something to say about it. That ride looked like a great deal of fun, you had me accellerating, downshifting and braking through straight and corner. That was fun. Thank you for posting.
I for one would not be the least upset if you included other rides outside of Tuscany in this thread. After all you would have to ride through the Tuscan country side to get to wherever it is you are heading to, would you not? That's my reasoning anyhow. At least start another thread to tell us of those travels. 'tagesk's travels' maybe? I for one would be an avid reader.
Cheers, Guy
post #2
Tuscan rider
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Oddometer: 3,229
Mugello, and other rides
Photo by Roy
The whole things started with a joke, and now it is Thursday and time for antipasto. We are gearing
up to MotoGP at Mugello. We start with traditional sott'olio and olives from the village.
Photo by Roy
The thing is, I have never been to any kind of motor-show in my life. After all, I used to be a university
professor, and we are known (and expected) to visit poetry-reading evenings with cool white wine
rather than 300 km/h things with Valentino Rossi. So it took some persuation. But here we are,
having spaghettine con vongole as primo.
Photo by Roy
The thing is, I have some friends that for many reasons are remarkably free to do as they want. Not that I
don't do as I want, but often I find that I want to make Capa delle Famiglia happy, and then spending a
weekend watching motorsport at some far-away place isn't part of the menu.
But involtini di tacchino with faggiolini cotto a pomodoro con salvie is absolutely on the menu. With a Chianti
that isn't stellar, but OK.
Photo by Roy
The my friends tell me that Rossi, Stoner and the whole MotoGP circus will arrive to a track near me, and that
they will also come, and life would be very much better for all of us if I got hold of tickets, did some decent
cooking, and were their guide in Toscana inthe weekend. As you can see from the picture; I carefully consider
if a Pellegrino Malvasia from Sicilia will go well with pecorino stagionata when the pecorino is served home-made
lemon marmelade. Nothing should be left to chance, I say.
Photo by Haukur
So while I arrange mundane things, people start arriving from all over Scandinavia. Over dinner we are very exited
about Mugello. Some have been to MotoGP before, but most of us are novices.
Here is what Wikipedia has to offer about Mugello:
Mugello Circuit (Autodromo Internazionale di Mugello) is a race track located in the Mugello region of ItalyI have no idea what this means (compared to other places). But we are coming along to check it out.
We get up Sunday morning, ready to go to Mugello. It turns out that we are not the only ones using this nice Sunday
morning to go to Mugello.
In fact, 144.000 people turn out to watch MotoGP that day. The little firm shows us passing a few hundred cars. It
is one of many film-strips I have showing the same thing. Morale: If you ever go to watch MotoGP at Mugello,
don't bring your car!
For me, a simple country boy, being in a crowd together with 144.000 (very!) enthusiastic Italians is a very
strong impression. Not used to it, and it makes me dizzy. Italians are not quiet. Not in general, and in
particularly not when an Italian wins the 125cc and an Italian wins the 250cc.
Now, the big question in life it this: What is best? That Rossi (on Yamaha) wins, or Stoner (an Australian) on
Ducati wins? Or, to set this in perspective, what would make you most proud: That one from your country
simply is the best MotoGP rider in the world, or that a small company from your country teaches the huge
Japanese comanies a lesson?
When Stoner came arond the corner, leading the pack, every Italian started screaming.
Here he is, the young Mr. Stoner, on a Ducati passing us at about 200 km/h.
Photo by Espen
And here is Espen's Ducati 1098 S. As he isn't Italian at all, he probably didn't give a damn about this Rossi-guy, but wanted Ducati to win
Photo by Haukur
But in the end Rossi on Yamaha won.
Photo by Roy
And we got ready to ride home.
Photo by Roy
On the way home we stopped for pizza. This one with salsicce e cipolla.
The nxt day we figured we deserved some better food, as yesterday's servings had left a lot to be
desired. The pizza was good, but a single pizza doesn't make a day, so to speak.
We deside to go to Montalcinello for lunch. The road there is suitably twisty for a Ducati 1098 S,
a Suzuki GSX-R, a Kawazaki ZX-14, a Honda of some sort, two Honda Transalp, and Bamsefar.
So here we are, all of us. We have a bucatini con ragu for primo.
Photo by Espen
And what griliata mista for secondo.
Photo by Roy
After lunch there is only one thing to do: Have a nap. I am so fortunate that I can grab one even sitting at the table. So I do.
They all snap pictures of me. They are even so kind as to place a box of sigarilli next to me. Ah, had I been awake I would
have had a sigar! Sweet dreams.
Photo by Roy
So here we are: Haukur on a Honda, Bjørn Arild on a Transalp, Espen on his Ducati 1098 S, Roy on a Transalp, Arne on his
Suzuki GSX-R, Bamsefar, and Arne on his Kawazaki ZX-14. No doubt what is the most farkled bike around here!
Photo by Roy
We rode home in not-optimal weather, stopping at San Galgano (the cathedral without a roof). To make sure the
weekend would be a sucess, we rounded it off with two kinds of Gorgonzola: Dolce and picante.
It worked well!
Thank you for you attention.
'02 R1150GS - Adds life
My Riding in Tuscany-thread is here.
Renting out motorbikes in Toscana, Italy
Proud contributor to Wisdom and GSpot FAQ and European Ride Report Index.
Studly Adventurer
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Europe-Croatia-Zagreb
Oddometer: 894
Great episode Task. You've great company and as ever nice food to round the whole thing really nice, especially the Gorgonzola in the end
www.lobagola.com motorcycle and bicycle friendly bed & breakfast in http://goo.gl/GvQiNs, Zagreb, Croatia
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Calgary Alberta Canada
Oddometer: 33
Good friends, a ride and great food. An excellent day once again. Thank you for sharing.
Cheers, Guy
Tuscan rider
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Oddometer: 3,229
Pisa - Tromsø - Pisa - Delft - Pisa: Part 1
(The text beloning to a picture is always BELOW the picture).
many nice things to say about Tromsø, Norway. Among them that the midnight sun is faboulus. This picture was taken at midnight. Repeat after me: "Picture taken at midnight". However, the water is not an Alpine lake but rather the sea. And the white stuff isn't apple trees in bloom. Snow is nice on pictures. Not quite as nice if you have to live with it. Which is why I now live in Toscana!
The sun is shining, and the sky is blue. Temperature in the beginning of June with the sun shining and blue sky: 9 C.
Anyway, I show you this picture to give you an idea of the contrasts I see this week.
I have gone all the way up there to see one of my students defend his PhD dissertation. I am sure you are longing to learn more about the security-protocol programming-language Obol, but that will have to wait. I sit in the audience and harvest the glory of being adviser for such a bright student as PerM. Good for him
Then I fly back to Pisa. It is unlikely that I wil ever return to Tromsø. Goodby and the best of luck.
I have been fortunate enough to have students from several countries. One of them is Dutch. After some hesitation, he decided that when I left Norway, so would he. He has moved to Delft in The Netherlands. It would be terrible rude of me not to visit him in his new life.
Capa delle Famigla understands very well what a man needs, and does not object to me riding there
My plan was to ride from Pisa to Delft on Monday, visit my friend on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then ride home on Thursday. It is about 1.500 km each way, and it turned out that I would be unable to check in at the B&B I had booked after 21h, so riding up on one day become impossible.
Furthermore, Capa delle Famiglia doesn't like me riding 1.500 km (or more) per day. Thus I'll work at home on Sunday, have lunch and a nap, then ride a few hundred kms, stay overnight, and arrive in Delf at the B&B well before nine on Monday evening.
I took the picture by turning the camera "backwards" just after I left home and had turned onto the Autostrada.
The rain started a few minutes after I hit the Autostrada. There was nowhere to stop, and I became wet before I could put on my rain gear.
I also move the camera in behind the wind shield. That way I can take interesting pictures such as this one (autofocus isn't always what you want).
I ride without incident (or events) from Pisa north along the coast to La Spezia, turning north and crossing the Appeninni (for a suitable spelling of the name of those mountains) on the Autostrada at Passo della Cisa, crossing the Pianura Padana (Plain of Po) up to Milano, crossing the border at Como, and stopping for fuel again at the big autostop south of San Gottardo (which is a famous pass over the Alps).
I had salad simply becuase it is one of the few things that is very hard to not succeed in. The coffee, however, was awful. I'm still south of the Alps, and they spoke good Italian, but the coffee was German style. You can say many things about Switzerland, but the quality of the coffee decreases for every km you go north.
The video shows how I draw out from the Autostop and onto the A2 again.
I hate rain.
When you approach San Gottardo, you have three options: Take the A2 in a 17 km tunnel through the whole thing, take Road 2 (the new road) over the pass, or the old road over the pass.
Having passed (no pun intended) the tunnel, and started on the climb, I got to this one: Old (blue) or new (green)? I take the blue
However, the old one has cobble stones, which might not be the ideal thing to ride on when it is raining. In fact, I almost low-side in a hairpin with a several-hundred meter drop on the outside. So I chicken out, and turn back on the new road at the first possibility.
As I continue to climb, the rain intensifies and the fogs gets worse. Notice the car heading towards me here.
At one point the fog clears and I can suddenly see the old road coming up (I've just exited a tunnel on the new road). I promise: On my way back I will ride the old road!)
I descend on the north side of the Alps in steady rain. Riding like this isn't very nice. After some km I arrive at the lake Vierwaldstattersee, and I turn off the A2 Autostrada at Beckenried at random (it is here). The first thing I see is Hotel Edelweiss (webpage here). I parked Bamsefar in a locked garage, had a warm shower, some Swiss food (not worth discussing!) and three nice beers (worth discussing, but I had forgot my camera). Then off to my room in order to write a letter to a friend to tell her how nice Capa delle Famigla is to let me go on tours like this on my own.
546 km on a rainy afternoon.
Tomorrow I'll ride through Germany (in good weather!), then to Delft in The Netherlands (via Enschede).
Part 2 is here.
Thank you for your attention.
'02 R1150GS - Adds life
My Riding in Tuscany-thread is here.
Renting out motorbikes in Toscana, Italy
Proud contributor to Wisdom and GSpot FAQ and European Ride Report Index.
tagesk screwed with this post 09-19-2009 at 03:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Calgary Alberta Canada
Oddometer: 33
I want to ride that road too ... I had to laugh ... the only place I have ever had coffee get worse by the kilometer is when it's sitting in my car getting cold.
Cheers, Guy
Tuscan rider
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Oddometer: 3,229
Pisa - Tromsø - Pisa - Delft - Pisa: Part 2
I get up at seven. Not because I like it, generally I don't. In fact, for me, it is much better to gain hours by staying up late
than getting up early. But I am fully awake, excited. I like to ride, and I like to ride for hours and hours.
If you like terminology with negative connotations, you would say that I am a loner. So be it. A day on the bike, a day without
interruptions, a day in solitude - that is a good day. And today I will ride through Germany and into the Low Countries. All alone.
But although it isn't raining, the clouds are low. Not as led gray as yesterday, but I want blue sky. Why do you think I moved
from Petro-dollar rich Norway (where the biggest problem is how to spend the money without driving up prices!) to Tuscany if
not for blue sky?
I go into the reception, find the key to my garage, and roll out Bamsefar. When I ride him around the daily errands, he drinks
about one liter of oil per 1.000 km we ride. But when riding more than 500 km in one go, and he doesn't even drink enough
for me to see a decrease in the glass. The day in January when I rode 1.682 km in one (very!) long day, he drank about 100
ml on the whole day. To me it seems as he uses most oil when I park him on teh side stand. At least, he makes a lot of
smoke in those cases.
After having stood on the main stand all night I let him rest on his side while I prepare for breakfast. Notice the rain
gear - I'm not confident.
It would be an outright lie to say that the coffee was the best I have ever tasted. Not revolting as in "Nescafé", and
not offending as in "American coffee", but still not something that will make the first two hours a pleasure. Not the
thing that will comfort me when my butt gets sore ( you know: "ai, ai, ai, my butt hurts, but that coffee this morning
was so pleasing I'll endure").
I am certain the bread was fresh (as in "not old"), but who wants bread for breakfast? I want a fresh svoglia con
ricotta. That's what I want.
But it must be said that the dining room was very nice and estethically pleasing. The hotel has been extended
two times, and this is the old part. Very nice - I sat a while to savour the style and qualities of the place (and
to forget the coffee).
Time to go - I pull on the rain gear. Yesterday I was too late, and I hated it. You can clearly see the A2
higher up on the hill. Low clouds, it has rained (all night?), and I prepare for another wet day.
However - the moment I get away from the Alps, the sky opens up to my favorite colour: Blue. I stop several
times and slowly change from a rider with water-proof and well insulated gear, to one in proper summer
equipment. Ready for a fine day on the Autostrada (and Autobahn later).
I catch up with a Harley. He rides barely over the limit, and it strikes me that there might be a reason.
I decide to use him as a tug and check out if he is helpful.
He is very helpful (sorry for the crappy images). On several occations he signals for me to slow down, point at a little
green box next to the road (camera!) and then speeds up again. I ride with him from Luzern to Basel.
Thank you
As I average about 100 km/h I need to stop every second hour for petrol. Even though Bamsefar
hasn't tasted synthetic oil in his 100.000 km long life, he still runs at about 17 to 18 km on a liter of
petrol. And that is with a 202 cm tall Viking at the helm (at significantly more than 100 kg ), a
50 cm tall wind screen from Wunderlich, and side cases. I've passed into Germany and this is my
first stop there (not far from the border - the Swiss have some strange, non-compatible currency
so I don't know how to purchase things there).
Even though the coffee is German (I'll leave it to you fantasy to find words to describe a drink produced
by a German machine, in Germany, after the button labelled "cappuccino" has been pushed. In Hitch hikers
Guide to the galaxy it is described as "A drink not quite entirely unlike coffee".). I sit for several minutes
in the sun, enjoying the artifical lake and watching the fish.
Then I need to get rid of yesterdays dinner, and as I pulling up my trouser I feel something is moving behind me After having calmed down (there was noone there!) I understand I have found a marvel of German engineering: A self-cleaning
toilet with a revolving seat. And trust me - it works! The seat becomes spotless.
A sad thing to see.
But then, some fun.
If you haven't been on the German Autobahn, there is a side of yourself you don't know. Look at the sign on
both sides of the road: End of the 120 km/h speed limit. Or, in other words, no speed limit. The question is: Do
you manage to refrain from checking the maximum speed of your vehicle at least once?
If you personally manage to refrain, the film above shows you what it is like to ride a 2000 model BMW R1150GS at
185 km/h. After a few minutes the thrill is gone and I found that 140 km/h is my favorite cruising speed.
I don't know how much fuel Bamsefar uses with the throttle wide open for kilometer after kilometer, but
I expect it is quite a lot.
he German Autobahn is very, very boring. After a few hours the only thing to do is to make the passing
of trucks as eventful as possible. Not very exiting (to say the least!) but what can a man do?
Finally I arrive in Nederland. I enter at Venlo in the south. But just as I have entered I feel the urge to visit
Enschede in the west. So I turn back into Germany, ride up on the Autobahn 31, and enther Nederland again at Enschede.
Once upon a time, I used to live here. The film shows a neighborhood in the east part of Enschede, a pub
(De Toekomst), and little else. But for me, it was a place where I spent 18 exiting month. I draw to a halt
just in front of the door to the apartment where I used to live.
Oh well.
I motor on, and I recall the three most striking features of Nederland (and manages to capture them all in one
image). First there are bicycles everywhere. Not at all like it was 15 years ago when I lived there, but still
many more than what I am used to here in Italia.
Second, the bridge carries the train. WHen I lived there the Koploper (a train with a "bulb" up front just as
the Jumbo jet) was new and exiting. Now it looks old.
Third, the curved facades. I don't know what it is about the Dutch, but all building have curved facades.
I ride west from Enschede to Delft, where the Zumo directs me without hesitation to B&B Oosteinde.
Website here. Excellent service, good price, and secure parking for
the bike (what more can you ask?).
It turns out that when I arrive, there is nobody around. The reason is that Italy was being beaten by Nederland during
some sport thing. And the Dutch are even more interested than the Italians. As I don't care I had the rear part fo the
piazza (Dierenplats) all for my self. Dutch food, about which I will have more to say later.
On my way back to the B&B I came across this outstanding beautiful car. Any info out there about it?
1062 km on a nice day.
Tomorrow I'll check out Delft, eat Dutch food, drink Belgian beer, and watch the leaning tower.
Part 3 is here.
Thank you for your attention.
'02 R1150GS - Adds life
My Riding in Tuscany-thread is here.
Renting out motorbikes in Toscana, Italy
Proud contributor to Wisdom and GSpot FAQ and European Ride Report Index.
tagesk screwed with this post 09-19-2009 at 03:16 PM
on a bright side of life
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: in front of Mare Nostrum
Oddometer: 2,347
Vita brevis, ars longa, occasio praeceps, experimentum periculosum, iudicium difficile
08 R1200GSA Red 21" woody's
morocco 2006 | morocco 2007 | Traces of Kimangao: An HP2 in France, Spain and Italy | Morocco 2008: a F800GS test ride | where the destination is Anamur - Turkey via Greece...
Tuscan rider
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Oddometer: 3,229
Pisa - Tromsø - Pisa - Delft - Pisa: Part 3
[To recap: I've flew 4.000 km see some snow. Then 4.00 km back. Then I rode Bamsefar from Pisa to Delft (via Enschede). Then I saw Nederland
beat Italia in some sport-thing.]
I like to ride my bike. I like to ride my bike for hours and hours. I like to see the terrain change as I ride. I don't mind
10 hours in the saddle. So when I plan I whole day of uninterrupted riding I am excited. Too exited, it turns out.
When I wake up it is still dark. The clock at next to the bed glows nicely and keep me company. I try to sleep by
thinking about what I have seen in Delft during my two day visit.
I don't know what the Dutch think they eat, but in reality they eat patat. You can have it met of zonder. I recommend
zonder. I believe you need dedicated genes to digest that grease you'll get if you say met. I, for one, don't have
those genes.
The church in the background is the nieuwe kerk (the new church) in downtown Delft. They started on this supposedly
new church in 1351.
The thing they think they eat, but in practice don't eat, is the nieuwe haring. Now this, as opposed to the grease, is
excellent! All Dutch I know say that all Dutch eat it, but admit that they personally don't. Try it next time - excellent!
The Dutch have bicycle garages taking up precious parking lots from cars. I like that!
Delt sports a properly leaning tower, although it leans only about 1/3 of "mine" in Pisa.
Finally, you can buy Belgian beer so that inspiration can be found to write letters to friends
during the day.
And during the evening.
But it doesn't help. I don't fall back to sleep. You see, I have awfully much to do tomorrow at the office.
So I really need to get back home today. Home, fortunately, is on the other side of Europa. See for yourself here.
I am excited and unable to sleep because I need to ride a substantial leg today.
Getting up at 3 isn't my thing. But what can I do? I grab the camera and make sure I'll remember what time I got up.
Then I get up, get dressed, carry down the bags as quite as I can (if you have ever seen a typical Dutch stairs you
know you can't walk in them without making noise), and put everything on the bike. Then I push the bike out from
the back garden and onto the street (don't want to wake everyone in the neighborhood), and fire him up.
I ride off at 4 in the morning. It is cold, and I find a 24-hour gas station where I fill up the bike, buy coffee and a candy of
some sort. I'll have breakfast in a while - now I need to get going. I'ts 04:30 when I am ready and finally get going for real.
At about five the sun rises. Nederland is flat, flat, flat so I enjoy the sunrise in all it's colours.
At ten (after five hours of riding) I am in Germany on the Autobahn, and I am getting tired. Fortunately, I have inherited
from my father the ability to grab a power nap whenever I want. So I pull over at one of the service areas, find a bench,
and sleep for 20 minutes. No more. I wake up and feel refreshed. Change into summer gear, drink a bottle of water, and
I am ready for another go.
Bamsefar is in better shape today, it seems. With a 50 cm tall touring windshield from Wunderlich, a 202 cm (abotu 6'8") tall captain
who doesn't hide for anything (not even the wind, regardless of how much it is: He will not be be seen with his head
tucked in to reduce drag ) and who is a small passenger above 100 kg, with original side cases and a huge 52-liter
GIVI, Bamsefar manages 187 km/h (116 mph). For a long, long, long time.
I simply can't understand the Germans: How can you let us come and pollute your country (noise and exhaust) without
paying anyting? I means, the Swiss demand 30 euro for setting a tyre on their A2. But here I can let Bamsefar suck in
2-3-4 (?) liters per 10 kilometers without paying anything?
Do you hear me: I WANT TO PAY!
At five, a "dinner" and a lot of fuel after my nap, I suddenly can see the Apls in front of me. I have passed through
Germany without seeing anything of interest. Now I've passed through about half of Switzerland and I haven't seen
anything. But now, now I will climb the Alps!
Next installment will show you San Gottardo, the old road, how to pass over the Appeninni, and what not.
Part 4 is here.
Thank you for your attention!
'02 R1150GS - Adds life
My Riding in Tuscany-thread is here.
Renting out motorbikes in Toscana, Italy
Proud contributor to Wisdom and GSpot FAQ and European Ride Report Index.
tagesk screwed with this post 09-19-2009 at 03:17 PM
Tuscan rider
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Oddometer: 3,229
Forgot lunch
I forgot this picture:
This is what a man looks like when he has ridden about 800 km (about 500 miles) and still have 600 km (about 400 miles) to go before slipping into bed with Capa delle Familgla, he is on the north side of the Alps but he knows he will ride the Old Road over Passo di San Gottardo, but he has to endure a "lunch" consisting of two industrially-made "panini" filled with "salad" and greasy "meat".
They offered me a plastic cup when I asked for a GLASS (I declined).
Part of the gloom comes from the fact that the man in question has just paid 3 euro in order to have coffee afterward, but has noticed that the coffee machine is not at all made by Pavoni or Rancilio or any other trustworthy producer of coffee machines. As far as could be determined from his side of the counter, the machine sported a badge saying SIEMENS.
'02 R1150GS - Adds life
My Riding in Tuscany-thread is here.
Renting out motorbikes in Toscana, Italy
Proud contributor to Wisdom and GSpot FAQ and European Ride Report Index.
tagesk screwed with this post 09-27-2011 at 11:04 AM
Gnarly Adventurer
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: San Francisco
Oddometer: 148
ohoh excuse me...:O)..
must be the dutch in me..!
I was born in Gennep Limburg lived in Modena Italy for a few years and now live in San Francisco .
on a bright side of life
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: in front of Mare Nostrum
Oddometer: 2,347
Vielen danke.
Vita brevis, ars longa, occasio praeceps, experimentum periculosum, iudicium difficile
08 R1200GSA Red 21" woody's
morocco 2006 | morocco 2007 | Traces of Kimangao: An HP2 in France, Spain and Italy | Morocco 2008: a F800GS test ride | where the destination is Anamur - Turkey via Greece...
Joined: Sep 2005
Oddometer: 98
Great reports! Keep up the good "work"!
Best Regards
Paulo Silva - Lisbon - Portugal
http://www.vstromportugal.com - V-Strom Portugal Forum
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Bennett Jones Spring 2014 Economic Outlook
Medical Marijuana In Canada: Weeding Through the Risks and Opportunities
Meritas Capability Webinar - Doing Business in Canada
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Verizon is out with its 2014...more
In the Canadian Federal Budget released on February 11, 2014, the Department of Finance signaled its intention to enact a domestic treaty-shopping rule, generally allowing the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to deny treaty...more
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Anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) legislation has once again been introduced in Ontario. Now known as Bill 83, the draft Protection of Public Participation Act, 2013 received its first reading last...more
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics tabled its Report, entitled "Privacy and Social Media in the Age of Big Data" on April 23, 2013....more
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The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published for comment proposed National Instrument 62-105 Security Holder Rights Plans, with the intention of establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework in respect of rights...more
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We stayed for a week here, we'd never been to Houndapitt before so didn't know what to expect, but from the minute we arrived, we were amazed with the quality of the place. Walking into a lovely bright cottage really nicely decorated and furnished. Having tea, coffee and sugar on the side and some very delicious cakes left for us by the owners made a brilliant start to our holiday. On the first evening when we were cooking our dinner, the oven packed in, so admittedly we weren't happy this happened, but from the minute we told the owners of the cottages we couldn't of asked for better service, we were given somewhere else to cook our meal whilst they fixed the oven, and by the end of the evening, we had a brand new oven in place because the old one couldn't be repaired!
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