text:
AIG Repaying Uncle Sam? Not By a Long Shot
by Barry Ritholtz - September 30th, 2010, 4:19pm
Today's AIG announcement has generated some surprisingly naive headlines. The company may have announced U.S. bailout exit plan, but that does not make it so. (Citi's numbers don't look any better).
Let's take a closer look at the numbers and separate the facts from fiction:
Total Bailout: $182.3 billion dollars
Amount Still Owed: $132.1 billion (as of June 30, 2010)
Shares Outstanding: ~700 million
Current price: $39.10 (+$1.65)
Market Capitalization: ~$27 billion dollars
Today's transaction was the converting of Preferred Stock that had a nominal value of $49.1billion — but this was privately held stock that did not trade. Its true value is actually unknown.
For valuation purposes, let's imagine a hypothetical company that has myriad valuable parts worth about $30 billion dollars. But the company also owes over $130 billion dollars to creditors. We would describe that firm as insolvent, and heading towards bankruptcy.
Yet that is not how people think of AIG. The wisdom of crowds seems to think that the government is going to keep a firm bid under the stock price. This same crowd also thinks share dilution is positive, and ran the stock up almost $5 dollars 5% on the news of another 12% dilution.
Management is selling off pieces of the company to repay the government. How they are going to find another $132 billion in value has not been remotely explained.
Converting Preferred to Common stock does reduce the massive AIG obligations any more than converting a 20 into 2 tens makes you any wealthier . . .
This is little more than a shell game
Category: Bailouts, Really, really bad calls
Please use the comments to demonstrate your own ignorance, unfamiliarity with empirical data and lack of respect for scientific knowledge. Be sure to create straw men and argue against things I have neither said nor implied. If you could repeat previously discredited memes or steer the conversation into irrelevant, off topic discussions, it would be appreciated. Lastly, kindly forgo all civility in your discourse . . . you are, after all, anonymous.
36 Responses to "AIG Repaying Uncle Sam? Not By a Long Shot"
doug says:
can't wait to yell the truth at NBR tonight.Thanks Barry for making this simple to understand.
Mannwich says:
Yet the idiots on Bloomie TV were practically doing a touchdown dance earlier today and claiming AIG's Benmosche leading them to the "biggest turnaround in history". I'm not kidding. Nevermind the BIG assist from Uncle Sam. We'll just ignore that little footnote, shall we? Ridiculous.
barry – where did you get your numbers? according to AIG's release today (http://www.aigcorporate.com/newsroom/2010_September/AIGAnnouncesPlantoRepay30Sept2010.pdf) , AIG says they owe:
1) $20B on the FRBNY credit line
2) $26B in preferreds of AIG/ALICO to the Fed
3) $49B to the Treasury (preferreds)
how did you get $132.1B?
also, note that the implied market cap of AIG is much much larger than $27B. I don't understand how the stock doesn't trade down on an announcement of $49B of dilution – that was expected? Fine – then you can do the spreadsheet math and calculate that the implied mkt cap of AIG post conversion is well above $60B (there's still a little uncertainty as to the actual details)
I just don't get it. But can you explain your $132.1B number anyway? I'm assuming you're counting the money we gave them in exchange for the 80% warrants? that must be it – how much was that?… oh – that's another oddity – the 92.1% gov't ownership (cited in AIG's release) doesn't really jive with the math – it should be even higher! I"ll try to explain that one later after I flesh it out some more.
Yeah, that headlines contradict a pretty bold assertion made a year ago….
I guess they've still got another 89 years to pay it back this century, though…..
My comment at the time:
"Andy T Says:
August 20th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Actually, this gentleman (Benmosche) is saying a lot of reasonable things. I mean, heh, if I had just been given a 180bn loan/backstop from Uncle Sam, why be in a hurry to fire sale shit? If you have a 25-40 year time horizon, then they are much better off not selling any of their profitable units. Eventually inflation will take hold in several years. By 20-30 years from now, 180 bones won't seem like such a big hurdle….
In fact, I'll make a sidebet with Barry Ritholtz that neither of us will be able to collect:
AIG, if allowed to continue to operate, will be able to pay back the 180 billion in the next 30 years.
Now, I'm just completely ignoring all the moral hazard implications here. Nobody get's a lifeline in AT's libertarian world. Just let it get vaporized. But, if you're going to toss 180bn at the business, you might as well run it the best you can for the long run."
Don't argue with "the Barry"….
He's smarter than you and he knows it. If you keep this up, you'll be jeered by the BR Acolytes and tossed out out the door.
The bailout was $182.3b. They paid back $49b.The balance ($131b) is what is left.
And I like when people use intelligent arguments to disagree with me. Like Kid D: Good data persuasively presented. It is a valuable contribution to both myself and readers.
The pointless obnoxious stuff (cough cough) that does not add to the discussion is an annoyance to readers. I try to encourage smart discussion — especially amongst the pros in the crowd. The silly stuff gets in the way of that.
actually Andy, this time it definitely wasn't my intention to argue with Barry – this AIG story is a disgusting shell game designed to fool the American people, and the details are murky even for those who are following it.
like me, for example. I wrote a whole post about it this morning, but I totally forgot that we got that 80% warrant stake for giving AIG a crapton of money…
There's something really weird about the 92.1% ownership stake being cited by the press… If you take the 80% current stake, then take the $49B conversion, you end up with more than 92%…
To me the whole thing smacks of politics. It's a "win" to show that AIG is "paying back" the USG right before the Elections…"See, everything is ok!"
IMO, they shouldn't mess around with any of this at this time–it's waaaay too early in the recovery process. We crossed the rubicon with the 182-bone backstop. At this point, might as well let them just run the business as well as they can and just sell off assets as good bids step up over time.
obsvr-1 says:
AIG, U.S. agree on plan to pay back taxpayers
Why in the hell should Treasury exchange higher in the capital structure Preferred shares for inferior common shares. This is complete BS, AIG (and any other bailed out company) should be responsible for paying back the debt via asset sales and/or cash flow from operations, not transferring the liability to another party via common share conversion and offerings. Similarly, the Citi conversion and the GM IPO is using the same BS maneuver — why should the taxpayer give up its superior position for distress priced common shares and market risk for rising valuation ?!!??!!?
Taxpayer funds were used to bail out these companies, the taxpayer should not be forced into accepting the lowest position in the capital structure for do it — to the contrary, taxpayer funded investment should have been at senior secured debt position (like the FED (FRBNY) capital infusion).
While holding the preferred shares, AIG is responsible for paying dividends and for coming up with capital to repurchase the preferred shares. By converting to common, the treasury loses the quarterly dividend payments and the guaranteed repayment of the principle (provided the company remains viable and can repay — but isn't that is what the are telling us, "we have shed the problem child, AIG-FP, we have a strong insurance business, and believe the gov't will profit from their investment".
By converting the preferred to common, AIG is moving the bailout liability to the market (new suckers – er — investors); essentially moving the liability from direct taxpayer funding to indirect taxpayer funding through mutual funds, pension funds and retail as those investors are still taxpayers.
Other than for political reasons, there is no reason for the Treasury to act hastily in the exit strategy. If it is going to take time for AIG to recover and grow then holding the preferred position with dividends is the best position to maintain as good stewardship of taxpayer funds. If AIG wants to do a common stock offering such that the use of proceeds is to redeem some or all of the preferred shares, then fine go ahead and do that, let AIG take the risk of market acceptance, valuation and the time it takes to reach a valuation to redeem the preferred shares.
A good test for the Treasury would be to ask Warren Buffet (if he held the same position) if he would exchange his preferred position for common shares. I am sure he would not, and even if somehow he saw an upside and felt that it is a good investment decision he would certainly ask for a premium to convert.
obsvr-1 says:
@KidDynamite Says:
September 30th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
barry – where did you get your numbers? according to AIG's release today (http://www.aigcorporate.com/newsroom/2010_September/AIGAnnouncesPlantoRepay30Sept2010.pdf) , AIG says they owe:
1) $20B on the FRBNY credit line
2) $26B in preferreds of AIG/ALICO to the Fed
3) $49B to the Treasury (preferreds)
how did you get $132.1B?
—- Reply
The congressional oversight panel (COP) released a report on 6/10/2010 with all the gory details of the AIG TARP/bailout.
It is a long and detailed report, page 14 is the table that supports the 132B number; i am sure there have been adjustments to this since June, would need to investigate further.
It is sickening to see the constant adjusting of the Preferred position to the favor of AIG and the interest rate reductions for the FED (FRBNY) loans.
Also included is the evidence of the backdoor bailout to the counter-parties involved with AIG (read: banksters) The oversight panel had harsh things to say about Geithner and the FED throughout the report.
BR: Go here:
It shows the total invested, lent and guaranteed to AIG — and what is still owed Page 9 — $132.4B
NewBob88 says:
Why haven't all the common stockholders been eliminated, zero out, wiped out?
dmlopr says:
AIG total Commintted Invested
$182 billion $127.4 billion
I would LOVE an answer to NewBob88′s question… in fact, it's much worse than that. they were given MORE warrants today. WHY?!?!?! BLATANT attempt to continue the shell game – after all, we want AIG's stock price as high as possible when the gov't sells its stake. But notice – giving warrants to the common shareholders doesn't increase the value of the company, of course!
obsvr-1 says:
@NewBob88 Says:
Why haven't all the common stockholders been eliminated, zero out, wiped out?
— Reply
They should have, along with haircuts to the bondholders. AIG was recapitalized without going through a restructuring of the debt and equity holders. They were spared for political (AIG was not nationalized) and 'good ole boys' capital preservation. You would have to dig in (if possible) to find out who were the major bond and stock holders are (were) that received the preferential treatment. If the YHOO major stock holder page is accurate you can see the major stockholders (Who is FAIRHOLM Capital Management & FAIRHOLM FUND — according to YHOO they own 45% of AIG common).
This is why it keeps on stinkin'
westy says:
I never comment on these blogs, but saw Barry on CNBC and just had to disagree with his analysis, which is fairly far off – I don't think we get all our money back, but probably far more than he believes. Right now, Uncle Sam is owed 130mm bucks, as of June. Most of that is in the forms of loans and preferred listed on AIG's balance sheet as a liability. Thus, any common equity value that is currently exists in the marketplace (assuming the stock market is not far off, but I don't know AIG well so I can't comment) is already reduced in value by the value of the stated liabilities. Thus, when Barry uses $30bb as a value of AIG, he is referring to the common equity value: the Total Enterprise Value, (e.g the common, preferred and debt) is substantially higher. What the market is telling you, is that all the liabilities owed by AIG further up the capital structure are money good (again, the market could be overvaluing AIG). If you assume the US gets paid back all the stated liabilities and include the $20 bb in common equity the US owns, there's a good chance we see the vast majority of the money back.
Put another way: if the Common is worth $27bb and the US converts $50bb of pfd to common, now the common should be worth $87bb
BR Lol, its like Magic!
You just created $50 billion out of thin air — you must work for the Fed !
lalaland says:
So why does the financial press – not exactly warm to the administration – present it so stupidly? Does the glorification of CEO's trump embarrassing the administration? I wager CNBC and others were parroting the same line; even the WSJ danced around the issue and never came out strong.
You would think they would have a field day with the idea of the Obama administration trying to sweep the bugs under the rug right before election but I heard Bloomberg too, and they were talking about Benmosche like he was a minor hero; they clearly bought it hook, line, and sinker from him at least. I don't get it.
obsvr-1 says:
FAIRHOLM — looks like they may have came in after the collapse, distressed asset purchase betting on the recovery, buying 24% of the outstanding common – pretty risky bet. And 38% of bonds and other debt, wonder when they became bondholders ?
Fairholme Capital Management Issues Statement on AIG Announcement
MIAMI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fairholme Capital Management today issued the following statement:
On behalf of our approximate 440,000 shareholders and clients, Fairholme owns approximately 24% of the outstanding common stock, 38% of the mandatory convertible bonds and other debt instruments of American International Group, Inc. (AIG).
Fairholme invested over $1.8 billion in AIG securities, more than 10% of assets under management, with the knowledge that for decades AIG was the premiere insurer – a shining example of how the United States can compete around the world. We also invested in AIG with the belief that such a past is not easily destroyed.
Nevertheless, all of us at Fairholme applaud and appreciate the yeomen's work of AIG's management and board of directors, the United States Treasury, the Federal Reserve System and its trustees and countless others involved in this most complex process.
We strongly support the proposed solution to revitalize AIG in a fair and equitable manner for all constituents, foremost our country's taxpayers, and look forward to a vibrant future for AIG and the U.S. economy.
Information about Fairholme Capital Management and Fairholme Funds, Inc.
Fairholme Capital Management, L.L.C. is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser and, as of September 30, 2010, has approximately $18 billion of assets under management. Fairholme Capital Management is the investment manager of each of The Fairholme Fund and The Fairholme Focused Income Fund. Operating and investment decisions for Fairholme Capital Management and the Funds are made by Bruce R. Berkowitz, in consultation with Charles M. Fernandez. Mr. Berkowitz is the founder and Managing Member of Fairholme Capital Management and the President and a Director of Fairholme Funds, Inc. Mr. Charles M. Fernandez is the President of Fairholme Capital Management and the Vice-President and a Director of Fairholme Funds, Inc.
The Funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses should be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Funds, and may be obtained by calling shareholder services at 866-202-2263 or visiting our website at http://www.fairholmefunds.com. Read it carefully before investing.
westy says:
Barry, if you don't understand the concept of Total Enterprise Value, I suggest you're missing something they teach in Business 101.
AIG has their own chart on their website, for those interested:
AHodge says:
but give sleazebag geithner credit for good spinning
ireland just did the same common for preferred yest and got slammed in the markets?
AHodge says:
its just one more step on the way to complete bailout. cost free? what BS?
you note this citi etc all coming out at election time. mission accomplished!
AHodge says:
and dont forget the AIG reverse split? at 20/1? those shares they get not at $40 but $2 in real earlier share of company values?
AHodge says:
so its worse than your two 10′s for a 20?
quick quick give me 2 20′s for 2?
ben22 says:
thanks for this information, valuable.
[...] Barry Ritholtz says AIG isn't paying back its bailout, not by a long shot. [...]
[...] situation at AIG (AIG) just doesn't add up. (Big Picture, Deal Journal, Felix [...]
JayHank says:
Barry, I love your blog but you've simply not done your homework on this and are repeating misinformation.
The $182.3 billion includes credit lines that were never drawn in full. This is like saying someone who has a $10,000 credit line from American Express owes $10,000, even if they only ever borrowed $5,000. AIG never pulled the full draw from AIG and Treasury — verify this on the Fed's H41 or on the Treasury's financial stability reports.
The $182.3 billion includes lines that were never drawn and it includes $52.5 billion that the Fed used to create Maiden Lane II and Maiden Lane III. Let's talk numbers, Barry, not right or wrong. Maiden Lane II and III were funded with $52.5 billion in loans and they assumed assets (mbs, swaps, abs, etc.) that are currently IN THE MONEY. Look at the books — a portion are junk, but this portfolio is going to finish in the black.
After that, the Fed owes:
1) $19B on the FRBNY credit line
2) $26B in preferreds of AIG/ALICO to the Fed
3) $49B to the Treasury (preferreds)
AIG is going to sell ALICO for $15.5 billion. That's already in the pipes. AIA is roughly double ALICO's size. Once those two assets are sold, that retires the $45 billion or so they owe the Federal Reserve. (AIG has also just agreed to sell AIG Star and AIG Edison for $4.8 billion.)
The only thing that then remains is the preferreds that Treasury has in AIG. With their ongoing operations they need to come up with $49 billion in value NOT $132 billion. You're off by $83 billion on how much of this is mystery, Barry. If I posted an analysis on housing that was off by $80 billion, you would ream me.
How do they generate value? Even after all that, they still entirely own Chartis and SunAmerica, two absolute giants in the industry. SunAmerica and Chartis have earnings of about $1 billion a quarter EACH. Add in the other straggling pieces of the AIG empire, the airplane leasing division, etc. and you no longer need crazy assumptions to see how they might pay this back. It's definitely not a sure thing, but it's not insane to think $30 a share is a reasonable price.
I am referring to the full AIG Bailout, not just the first round ($85 billion to AIG, for a 79.9% equity stake in the insurer in the form of warrants).
The original bailout included about $50B+ to counter-parties that was paid out. That is gone. Of what AIG has paid back, they have yet to even cover that initial pass thru payment to GS, SocGen, etc. Nothing beyond that has been covered yet.
I will get my AIG file out and look at the original and updated numbers
try this for starters:
click on the image, go to page 9
AHodge says:
re this early exchange
Put another way: if the Common is worth $27bb and the US converts $50bb of pfd to common, now the common should be worth $87bb
BR Lol, its like Magic!
You just created $50 billion out of thin air — you must work for the Fed?
not following that closely but if Westy right per above
that $27 bio vs $50 bio extinguishment of preferred?
then they may actually be fully applying this scam conversion off the old pre 20/1 reverse split i noted above?
while you may think the rest of this is criminal, that would be a prosecution layup,
assuming they understand accounting.
JayHank says:
Barry, the very information you provided displays the value of the Maiden Lane II and III portfolio holdings. They're currently marked at levels that can retire the entire $52.5b credit that was used to establish them. Maiden Lane II has $15.9b in assets to pay off $14.5b in remaining debt. Maiden Lane III has $23b in assets to pay off the remaining $16 in debt. The Maiden Lanes weren't $52.5 billion in payments to counterparties for bupkis as you seem to believe. Instead, they were payments to assume a large portfolio of financial assets.
That reduces the bailout to the $49b from Treasury, the $26b from the Fed (which has since been paid down to about $19b) and the $25b under the Fed's ALICO and AIA arrangement. But AIA and ALICO and AIG Star and AIG Edison look like they're going to sell for enough to retire the remainder of the debt to the Fed.
That reduces the bailout to only the $49b from Treasury. So that's $49b against 92 percent of a company that has perhaps $8b a year in earnings.
Tell me where any number or fact above is wrong.
All I can tell from that journal is that there is $132.395 billion dollars that is still owed.
If merely liquidating was the answer, if it were that simple, why don't they merely sell the holdings and get the Feds out of their hair?
Maybe that's because:
a) the holdings are not worth what they are marked;
b) they are terribly illiquid;
c) there are not many (if any) buyers for this paper.
As my head trader used to tell the guys loaded up with illiquid paper, "Good luck hitting that bid."
obsvr-1 says:
@JayHank Says:
… That reduces the bailout to only the $49b from Treasury. So that's $49b against 92 percent of a company that has perhaps $8b a year in earnings.
– Reply
The asset sells are intended to pay off the FRBNY and as you state may just well bring in enough funds to pay off that loan and preferred shares. But a big point of concern/frustration is the Treasury's continuous restructuring of the Taxpayer funded bailout to terms more favorable to AIG
11/25/08 UST purchased 40B of Series D preferred 10% annual, quarterly dividend cumulative; warrants 10 year life for 2% of AIG common (preferred convertible to 77.9% of AIG common
4/17/2009 UST Exchanges Series E for Series D 10% Dividend NON CUMULATIVE (dufus geithner)
Accumulated and unpaid dividend (1.6B) paid on exchange … THERE GOES THE DIVIDEND
AT this point UST owns 79.9 % of AIG
4/17/2009 UST also purchase up to 29.8B of Series F preferred 10% NON CUMULATIVE and warrants (not sure what the warrants look like on this deal, not in the table) — To date AIG has drawn 7.544B on the Series F credit line.
1 — Has AIG been paying the 10% dividend on the on the preferred shares —- answer NO; They didn't pay the dividends on the Series D when they were outstanding and cumulative (1.6B) which AIG still owes — so I am sure they have not, are not, and will not pay dividends on the Series E and F. Dividends on 49.9B should be paying UST 5B / year
2. It is unconscionable that UST is now considering exchanging the preferred for Common.
If AIG is so healthy that they have 8B in earnings, then use those earnings to 1) pay the quarterly dividend on the preferred and 2) redeem the preferred shares.
Once they have done that the UST will be out of the picture and then AIG is free to issue new shares to the market or whatever the hell they want to do with there leaner, meaner no gov't hangover company.
BUT DO NOT make the taxpayer convert to common equity and take the market risk and lose the dividend.
Every time I dig back into the AIG bailout it stinks worse !!!
JayHank says:
I'm suggesting a fourth option:
d) they ARE liquidating the holdings and all available evidence copiously supports this.
The information you yourself provided shows this. Maiden Lane II has been about 36 percent liquidated (from $22.5b to $14.5b) and Maiden Lane III is 46 percent liquidated (from $30b to $16.2b). AIG is also selling off AIA, ALICO, AIG Star and AIG Edison, aka liquidating them. And that still leaves AIG with SunAmerica and Chartis.
You're instincts are right to be outraged. They're only able to liquidate the position over the course of years because of their government funding. But, given the stability of that funding, they are rationally pursuing a strategy of gradual liquidation that no non-bailed out institution would have (it would be foolish with stable long-term funding to liquidate $50 billion of assets in a fire sale). Barry, you're ABSOLUTELY right about the moral hazard here, you're just wrong about the actual position AIG is in.
(I did my homework on this stock when it was at $13 and saw that a huge amount of investors were substantially confused about the status of these bailouts/didn't understand that the Maiden Lanes had substantial assets. I got out a year later around $34 which shows I'm no market genius since I missed an earlier peak and the stock has run up another 10 percent since then.)
JayHank says:
@obsvr-1 Says
Yep, absolutely right. The bailout absolutely stinks. I totally totally agree. By not being required to pay the Treasury dividends, AIG was given the equivalent of a $49 billion zero-interest loan. Nobody else is able to get that sort of funding. That's exactly the reason they're not liquidating in a fire sale because they have this sort of unnatural funding structure.
If you think I'm defending the bailout as justified, you are mistaken. I'm talking about the math of whether or not they can pay it back. So I repeat you are Absolutely Right about the moral hazard. But if the questions are 1) is AIG stock reasonably priced? or 2) is AIG close to being able to exit the bailouts as Geithner claims then the answers are 1) probably not far off and 2) yes, they are. If the question is 3) was any of this fair? Nope, not for a minute. You are right about that third question. But Barry and others are so mad about question 3 that they're not doing their homework on 1 and 2.
obsvr-1 says:
So … when the bailout first began the reason the gov't stake in AIG was set at 79.9% is explained by Ezra Klein (below). If this is true then why does it make sense NOW that the gov't can take a 92.1% ownership positoin and not have to comply with the "consolidate AIGs debt on the gov'ts balance sheet ?? They either lied then or they are lying now (oops this is the gov't where the truth rarely emerges).
« MARKET LAW. | Main | READY ON DAY NONE. »
79.9% ?? As a human being with an instinctive fondness for round numbers, I was a bit puzzled by the government's purchase of a 79.9% equity stake in AIG. But Steven Davidoff explains the situation: "The government purchases 79.9 percent of the company in question. It can't be more than that, because if it goes over the magical number of 80 percent, the company's debts are then required to be consolidated onto the federal government's balance sheet. Keeping it at 79.9 percent allows the government to maintain the fiction that it is still not responsible for the company's solvency."
Additionally, what the government bought was, in essence, stock-once-removed. They got warrants that can become stock. This preserves the fiction that they don't own AIG, though the difference here is is the difference between me buying your house and moving into it and me buying your house and letting you live there until I change my mind.
Posted by Ezra Klein on September 17, 2008 12:00 PM | Permalink


text:
Hemicrania Continua
If you have Hemicrania Continua (HC) there is hope.
My name is Mark. This was my life then.
- Onset
- When the pain began.
- Indomethacin
- Luck played a big hand
- Misdiagnosis
- Few doctors understand
- Referral
- Seeking an expert opinion
- Self-diagnosis
- Google is your friend
- Appointment
- Finally a cure?
- Cure
- Valsalva manoeuvre
- Realisation
- The pain had gone
Some Success Stories
Dear Mark,
I have suffered from an almost constant headache on the left side of the top of my skull, nose and eye for over 20 years. I have been diagnosed at different times with every type of headache known to man. I have taken a zillion different medications and preventatives, none of which worked completely (or at all).
Very recently my doctor gave me indomethacin to take before running, as running often triggered much worse pain than normal life, and I am training for a half-marathon. She said it probably wouldn't help much, so I didn't even touch it until three days ago when I got a strong headache and had run out of triptans. It worked so, so much better than the latest triptan I had been taking, with none of the horrid side effects (chest tightening, burning sensation in scalp, etc.). The triptans only ever took the edge off and left me shaky and exhausted.
Anyway, after my last three painless days, I woke up this morning with the familiar pain. I started to do a web search about indomethacin to see whether I could take it again today and I stumbled across your page first in my search. I read your story and everything fell into place.
I am sitting here in disbelief and tears. I truly believe I finally have the proper diagnosis after all this time. I tried your Valsalva maneuver and my clumsy attempts gave me minutes of relief at a time! Five whole minutes once! Now my indomethacin just kicked in and my pain is gone again completely.
I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting your story out there. For the first time in ages, I have hope that I can finally conquer or at least control these headaches. I cannot tell you how much time and energy I spend just pushing myself through pain and misery to make life good for my children and to live a normal life. I am sitting here in wonder that there is absolutely NO PAIN in my head right now and that I might actually get to experience this wonderful feeling on a regular basis.
Even if this isn't the exact answer for me, I have made more progress in the last hour than I have in the last five years!
OMG……is it possible you have given me a new lease on life? I have read your post and I wanted to cry out….YES…..you understand…..unlike the 5 Doctor's that I have seen. Internist, Sinus specialist, Neurologist (2), and Chiropractor……….! I have had head and eye pain for the past 2 years….all medications that were prescribed would elevate my Blood Pressure, so pain medication was not an option. Some days the pain was so bad I would take the medication anyway…didn't care if I lived or died just wanted some relief.
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Hi Mark,
Just want to say thank you for sharing your experience.
I was desperate to find a cure for my headache as I know the symptoms are not that of a ordinary headache as describe by my doctor. The pain reliever that they gave didn't help, the pain won't go away. so I decided to research my condition and realized that I have HC. I was suffering 24X7 for two months and I could not imagine myself to be dependent on medication at 32. I tried the Valsalva manoeuvre after reading your post and guess what? The pain had stopped!
I am so blessed that it also worked for me. You are heaven sent.
Thank you so much and I hope that more people who are also suffering will read this post and help them overcome the pain.
Regards, Vic
Kay and Vic have added additional information in the comments section below.
For those that suffer from HC but are unable to take / tolerate Indomethacin, please refer to Eric's post in the comments section for a potential alternative.
If you have questions please ask via the comments section available on each page so all can benefit from the information.
HC is still a little known and even less understood condition. The more we share the more we learn.
Someday, Someone, Somewhere, Somehow…. 4 and counting :-)
33 Comments
Hi mark,
First I would like to thank you so much for writing your article. I am 41
and have just been diagnosed with Hemicrania Continua. I read your
article whist staying in the neurology ward in hospital……….and
until I read your article I felt frustrated and helpless!!!! You have given me hope that
I can beat this condition and get me life back!
Please can I ask a few questions. Did you get a swollen red eye lid? If yes,
can I ask if it went away? How long it lasted? Any medication you took to
help it? I have just developed this side effect….only a few days ago,
and it has really effected my confidence…on top of everything else, as
it looks so nasty!
Secondly, when you did the breathing out technique did you do it standing
up, sitting or lying down? Did you come off the indrometacine before you
did it? How many months down the line did you try it?
I am going to try it, but want to ensure that I time it correctly and know the technique exactly, to give me the best chance of success!
I am desperate to get my life back and be pain free and medication free.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you so much again
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Tattoos and Mental Illness
I don't have any tattoos, nor do I want any. However, I don't care if other people have tattoos, to a degree. If I have to explain to my children why you have marked all over yourself and it's not OK for them to draw on their sibling with a magic marker then there will be issues. I'm wondering if there is a correlation between number of tattoos and mental illness. One tattoo is cool, but there is something sinister lurking in your mind when you have covered your entire body and you don't require a bathing suit anymore. I understand self expression and rebellion but like anyone who has an addiction there is a cry for help after about tattoo #50.
One year at the beach I decided to get a henna tattoo for the sole purpose of shock value for my Mother and Grandmother. They both were so upset that I felt bad for even trying it. Sad thing is my Grandmother passed away a month later.
Flippy friggin' flip flops
It's that time of the year again! Well actually, to some people, the time never left. Flip flops are not meant to be worn anywhere but poolside or the beach. As a matter of fact, you really shouldn't be driving in flops. People are bad enough at controlling their vehicles, let alone with some dangling footwear. So, change into your flops when you get to the pool or beach.
In Public
Why take chances that your little piggy that went to market will be crushed by a wayward buggy or a can of spinach falling from an end-cap.
Take good care of your feet if you are going to expose them to all of humanity. A festering, infected, ingrown toenail doesn't need a flip flop, it needs a doctor, especially if I can smell it.
Why is it that people who wear flip flops barely have the energy to lift their feet from the ground and shuffle around like patient who just had a double hernia operation? I guess that's better than the natural sound a flip flop makes. Couple that with someone who knows how to chew gum and you have a one man band of flappy clappy snappy annoyance.
Flip Flop Relatives
I don't understand the house shoe or "slipper' out in public. You know what I'm talking about, the slipper that has transformed into a slide because the person has mashed the heel because inserting the foot completely into the slipper was such a arduous task.
The finger shoes don't make sense to me. "It's like walking barefoot!" I'm pretty sure humans invented the shoe because we got tired of walking barefoot, stop trying to devolve.
In this crazy world we live in, you never know when something will burst into flames and shards of glass will be covering the floor. You should always be sure footed, laced up and ready to help those who's feet are lacerated because they didn't want to spend the extra time putting on proper footwear.


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Oli's Monday Mii-Time #38: Woetagonist Edition
Remember the good ol' days?
Sure, I say that a lot. As an aspiring old fogey, I can look back at a golden era of gaming where men were men, and women were invariably trapped in castles, or secret space warriors. This was an era where heroes were powerful, where they ran and jumped and didn't complain about the amount of goombas or space demons or bad guys that were in their way. Hell, this was the 90s, where machismo was king.
And then, the ladies got on board too. We had strong female characters, women who wouldn't say boo to a goose. Princess Peach went from damsel in distress to sassy road warrior. Mortal Kombat had some deadly female warriors who could rip grown men's flesh away with a kiss. Yes, in that day and age, our characters were strong. They were powerful. They made us, the average gamer, feel like Gods.
So what the Hell happened?
Note that one strong, female character I didn't mention above was Lara Croft. Now, when you think of strong, female protagonists, you think Lara Croft. The English explorer was the poster girl for strength in feminism. She was a heroine for a new age, a new era. A time where the girls weren't the weak figures to save, they went out on their own. They shot dinosaurs, leapt chasms, did everything the boys could do. Lara Croft, in a way, started the movement. Sure, women were in video games before in leading roles (Super Mario Bros 2 comes to mind), but never before were they out there, and full of gumption.
Sure, you could argue that Lara Croft's model was a male gamers wet dream. All bazooka boobs and short shorts. But many female gamers felt something with her; an association and acceptance to the table.
Which makes me sad playing the Tomb Raider reboot/retcon/prequel. It's gritty, it's got tombs to raid, and it sets up Lara Croft's back story.
But by God, is she weak.
Every instance is punctuated with Lara crying out, worrying, giving herself quiver-voiced affirmations, and generally making her seem… well… human. Is this a good thing? Many modern gamers would say "yes". They'd argue that, by making Lara Croft a more relatable character, she is more immersive to play as. That by showing her weakness, you're not only setting up her journey as the kick-ass heroine we know and love, but also making us feel for the character, not just play as her.
However, how can you explain such weakness when brutally, systemically, and violently slaughtering bad guys, animals and other such random-acts-of-violence. Remember, Lara is controlled by us, the gamer. If we want her to head-shot a number of pirates, or stomp down on their skulls and break their necks, we will make her do that. If we want to shoot birds for No Reason At All, then we can do that. Sure, when carving them up, Lara shows disgust, but it's almost bipolar.
Many better journalists have pointed out that this behaviour borders on sociopathic. One moment, Lara is trying to get a grip on herself to survive, the next she's blasting peoples skulls away. Not stealthily crawling past, the pacifist way (which is available in games such as Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Dishonored, both with bloody protagonists), but instead makes you, the player, murder countless people.
And don't think that she's the only one with this split personality.
I put Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon as one of my Games of 2013, and for good reason. It was a throwback to a lost age of shooters, where you were all wise-cracks and nearly invincible. It was a pastiche of the genre, but bags of fun. Then, I went back to Far Cry 3, where I had to play as Jason Brody. Instead of wise-cracks and tough guy activities, I got cries of mercy and the same sense of personal panic I got from Lara Croft. He was a man out of his depth, again something relatable for us gamers, but who would then torch pirates with a flamethrower without blinking an eye. Yes, the game as a whole points out the whole schizo nature of this world, but that doesn't make it OK. It just re-inforces the issue. You're playing as someone who is a hero, but is a reluctant one. If they don't want to do this violence, why am I making them?
These characters, by my definition, are not heroes. They are not protagonists. They are woetagonists.
Now, I'm not arguing that we should go back to the days of Duke Nukem (even though I am a fan), but if you're going to show your characters with a hint of weakness, make it a hint. Make their journey about getting stronger, about becoming a badass, without the brief fallback to being concerned about their situation.
Either way, instead of immersing you in the experience, by making them human, it takes you out. One moment you're contemplating the loss of your best friend, the next you're shoving a knife through someone's throat.
The sociopathic circle of life.
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text:
King County Council preserves Metro Transit service
August 16, 2011
By Warren Kagarise
NEW — 10:30 a.m. Aug. 16, 2011
King County Council members, after tense deliberations Monday, enacted a $20 increase to vehicle tab fees to halt a proposed 17-percent cut to Metro Transit bus service.
The council passed the 11th-hour agreement in a 7-2 decision — the supermajority needed to enact the fee outright, rather than sending the measure to voters. The fee — billed as a congestion-reduction charge — is due to take effect early next year.
The crucial support for the deal came from councilwomen Jane Hague and Kathy Lambert, both Eastside Republicans. Lambert represents Issaquah.
(The council is nonpartisan, although members often caucus along party lines.)
"No one wants a new fee, but the alternative is far worse," Lambert said in a statement after the council decision. "Without interim funding, cuts to bus service will be substantial, particularly in the lower-density neighborhoods on the Eastside. This will put more cars on the road, clogging our freeways and bridges and leaving all of us idling in standstill traffic."
Hague and Lambert sought reforms to Metro Transit in exchange for support.
"Without this compromise on funding for Metro, we all would pay more for gas, spend more time commuting, and lose some of our quality of life," Lambert continued. "Transit cuts of this magnitude will further undercut our fragile economy, and we can't afford that risk. I am proud that this compromise agreement will return value to our citizens."
In addition to enacting the vehicle-tab fee, the agreement calls for Metro Transit to phase out the free-ride zone in downtown Seattle in October 2012 and use smaller buses on less-popular routes as cost-saving measures. Metro Transit estimates eliminating the downtown Seattle free-ride zone should save $2.2 million.
The deal is meant to soften the impact of the economic downturn on cash-strapped Metro Transit. The sales tax revenues the agency uses to fund service plummeted due to the anemic economy.
Metro Transit planners considered eliminating Issaquah-centric routes 200 and 927 in the proposed 17-percent cutback.
The agreement also calls for the transit agency to offer $24 in bus tickets to people paying the vehicle-tab fee. People uninterested in the tickets can instead donate the balance to almost 150 human-services agencies.
Hague lobbied state legislators to permit the County Council to enact a temporary fee to shore up funding for mass transit. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the legislation in May.
"The new CRC package that the council adopted today will directly benefit my constituents on the Eastside," Hague said in a statement. "In this era of partisan bickering at the federal level, we at King County have bucked the trend. Thanks to efforts made on both sides of the aisle, this new legislation offers real reform for Metro. More importantly it creates jobs, and keeps businesses and people moving."
Councilman Bob Ferguson praised the decision to enact the fee.
"As a regular bus commuter on the No. 41, I understand the importance of bus service to our region and our economy," he said in a statement. "I look forward to sharing the good news with my fellow bus commuters on my way home this evening."
The other Issaquah-area representative, Councilman Reagan Dunn, chastised the council for enacting the fee deciding against putting the measure on the November ballot for voters to decide. Dunn is chairman of the Regional Transit Committee.
"I'm deeply disappointed that the majority of my colleagues found it necessary to deny the people the right to vote on this very important matter," Dunn said in a statement. "There have been numerous votes on car tabs through the years and the people expect to have a say."
2 Responses to "King County Council preserves Metro Transit service"
Tom on
August 16th, 2011 12:16 pm
Lambert and Hague will never get another vote from our family
bob minnott on
August 17th, 2011 12:28 pm
Your headline reads County Council preserves – I thought that the taxpayers were doing the preservation and wasn't it Dow's idea?
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Historically, persons with disabilities are socially, culturally, and economically underprivileged and neglected worldwide (WHO, 2006, 2011) and this is especially true of women with disabilities. The intersection between women's gender and their disabilities, although overlooked for many decades, has been described as the phenomenon of a dual handicap. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD, 2006) was created to protect the rights of all people with disabilities and, for the first time in history, identified women with disabilities as a population that has unique rights and needs that warrant special legislation and protection. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of physically disabled women living in England, while contextualizing them within the discourse on disability rights within the sociocultural and historical-political context (England). The lived experiences of physically disabled women are posited to be mediated by human rights documents as well as by political discourses and practices that surround and accompany these documents. Framed in socio-historical cultural theory (Vygotsky, 1978) and Bakhtin's (1986) dialogical works, this study investigates how policy documents are meaning-making systems (Daiute, 2008, 2010) that shape and serve as the tools to organize and frame disabled women's experiences. Narratives collected through group meetings with 18 physically disabled women in London and Coventry, England, were first analyzed using a values analysis (Daiute, Stern, & Lelutiu-Weinberger, 2003) to understand the interactions between the CRPD and women's lives. Then a discourse analysis of group narratives and policy documents (Daiute, 2008) was conducted across the CRPD (2006) and the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979) as activity- meaning making systems. Finally, a historical analysis of disability and gender within the UK and the UN was conducted. The major findings indicate that the intersection of gender and disability is historically absent within UK and UN activity-meaning systems (Daiute, 2008, 2010) as enacted in the CRPD and CEDAW treaty. The values analysis revealed disability and diversity education at local levels (schools, councils, hospitals) and their own participation in local politics, specifically for Lambeth, with a high level of value expressions. Surprisingly, both groups given their right to have a family and a home took an opposing view to the CRPD values. Interestingly, both groups described social practices such as staring, being ignored by others as being issues within their daily lived experiences, but still provided a subjective view to Article 6: Women and Disabilities. The study suggests that there is a need for further research on disabled women's perspectives and experiences within the discourse of human rights in order to develop socio-political practices that support rather than isolate disabled women.
This study explored how transformative effects of an HIV diagnosis inform our sense of place and connectedness to a setting/place attachment and the influence on our use and movement in social space. Using Bourdieu's Sociological perspective I explored the notion of `knowing' or `habitus,' by investigating the nature of a person's position and the conditioning (social learning) of that position which can be viewed as a transformative process that effects, changes, and creates both the position and the conditions that govern practice. Methods: The research included semi structured interviews and (2) focus groups, where one set of groups had the specific objectives of the study disclosed to them, and the researcher surveyed the respondents on the types of questions and information they believed needed to be collected to capture their sense of social space. The final group was presented with the results of the initial group and asked to critique and inform the results. A total of 36 subjects were interviewed or were a part of the focus groups. Using cognitive mapping, I explored the places they frequent, noting physical settings, how these settings were used, evaluated and perceived and how they spent their time. Research findings: The findings reveal themes related to respondents' sense of place and connectedness and their sense of connection to those people and places they deem significant. There are examples of life philosophies that appear connected to positioning and are connected in influential ways to ones sense of `constriction' or `expansion.' When dealing with socially impoverished, isolated men, and their HIV diagnosis, their positioning and conditioning in social space, it appears their `situatedness' directly effects and instructs their `practical sense,' or everyday practices and this allows creative and instructive thinking that transforms their experience of becoming HIV positive into an experience of expansion and growth. Broader, the meanings people attribute to their histories, suggests how one comes to choose, use, and is transformed by the spaces supportive of them, are themselves products of the same cultures and social structures that produce and reproduce the `practical sense' of an agent.
Understanding what makes test items difficult is an important step in understanding how individuals solve items on a test and in mapping the cognitive processes that are involved. However, there remains a gap in understanding how general stimulus features of items (e.g., length of a test item) impact the difficulty of items for a range of item types. In an effort to reduce this gap, the current study tested the impact of item stimulus features on item difficulty. The proposed difficulty framework utilized the radical and incidental approach of item generation theory (e.g., Irvine, Dann, & Anderson, 1990), which allows items to be decomposed into the factors that are hypothesized to impact difficulty as well as examine the impact of different item stimulus features on difficulty. To test the proposed framework, the current paper incorporated linear latent trait modeling (Fischer, 1973), an IRT-based analytical approach that expresses item difficulty in terms of underlying factors of stimulus complexity rather than individual parameters. Results indicate that certain item stimulus features, including language ambiguity, negative wording, constructed-response items, and colloquial knowledge impact item difficulty. Implications for test development are discussed.
The following is a psychoanalytic inquiry that uses the successive publishings of Vladimir Nabokov's autobiography to explore the functions that various versions of repetition play in transforming traumatic or conflicted memories into narratives that represent more symbolized and coherent accounts of the self. The data set consists of the three, successive, published, English language versions of Nabokov's memoirs. These successive versions are useful in that they represent Nabokov's repeated return to the significant memories and material that compose his autobiographical narrative. With each returns, Nabokov made meaningful revisions to his narrative. Consequently, his transformations are tracked over the course of the successive, drafted versions. Specifically, this project focuses on one chapter of Nabokov's autobiography--"Mademoiselle O"--she being a figure who loomed large in the early part of Nabokov's life. This project proposes that repetition manifests in any one of three main forms: as static repetition, as means for transformation, or as a means of creative play. In addition it proposes that these forms of repetition correspond to a continuum of symbolization, with desymbolized stasis on one end and symbolized play on the other. Here, alliteration was identified as a signifier for these varied forms of repetition. Two main hypotheses are proposed. The first states that if alliterative repetition marks emotionally salient material, then the concentration of alliteration in Nabokov's autobiographical narrative would be greater in areas that contain his most conflicted themes--loss and exile. Indeed results reveal significance. The second hypothesis proposes that if alliterative repetition serves a transformative function, then the concentration of alliteration would decline over the course of Nabokov's progressive drafts. Results are not significant but do reveal a trend toward increase in the final draft. The discussion explores various possibilities as to the given results. It is suggested that Nabokov may have increased his use of alliterative repetition because of the pleasure derived out of mastery and play. Alternatively, it is suggested that alliteration might facilitate internalization, in this case where reader internalizes author and work, thus resulting in Nabokov being better remembered by his readers, an elegant solution to his concerns around loss and being lost.
This study examined the relationships between the quality of internal object representations of self and other (OR), the capacity for reflective functioning (RF) and the presence of Axis II psychopathology and their respective and combined impact on the ability of unemployed, low-income individuals to complete job readiness training, and to obtain and retain employment. Given the intertwining nature of these constructs, it was expected that correlations would exist between OR, RF and Axis II psychopathology and that these constructs would also be related to job outcome, such that those with low OR and RF or those with Axis II psychopathology would experience greater difficulty in completing job training, let alone obtaining and maintaining employment. This research study posed additional research questions to examine the extent to which each of these variables would account for the variance in job outcome. It also sought to investigate the extent to which the predicted relationship between OR and job outcome would be moderated or mediated by Axis II pathology or the degree of RF present, such that an individual with significant psychopathology or low RF capacity would be expected to have poor job outcome regardless of OR scores. Similarly, it examined the question of whether the proposed relationship between Axis II pathology and job outcome would be moderated or mediated by the degree of RF present, such that those with a more developed capacity for RF would have better job outcome despite the presence of Axis II pathology. Results partially supported the study's main hypotheses in that RF and Axis II pathology were not only found to be related, but also to significantly predict job outcome. Moreover, it was determined that in those cases where participants with Axis II diagnoses were able to obtain jobs, their ability to obtain the job was entirely attributable to the presence of relatively higher levels of RF. This finding suggests that the presence of even a moderate capacity to consider and to reflect upon the mental states of self and other confers an advantage on those with Axis II diagnoses in the pursuit of gaining employment. OR findings were less robust although one of the subscales of OR, Complexity of Representations, was found to be significantly associated with RF in the predicted direction. These results are discussed in relation to implications for the design of programs and interventions to assist unemployed and underserved populations.
Abstract PARENTAL INVESTMENT AND SONG LEARNING IN ZEBRA FINCHES (TAENIOPYGIA GUTTATA) By DIANE M BOGDAN Adviser: Professor Cheryl F. Harding In order to understand the effects of parental investment on learning, we conducted a series of experiments using zebra finches. The aspects of parental investment studied included deposition of maternally-derived hormones (MDH) into eggs, feeding and attention to chicks. Learning was assessed by song copying (mean accuracy, sequential matching and percent similarity to the father's song). We compared digit ratios, a marker for the amount of MDH chicks experienced in eggs, and song copying ability. Our data suggests that maternally-derived testosterone negatively affected the ability to sequentially match notes. To determine if parents were preferentially feeding chicks by hatch order, we weighed chicks at key developmental points prior to fledging. We found that chicks that hatched early were heavier than those who hatched late. Additionally, weight at day 10 was positively correlated with song learning. Acoustic cues are one obvious way that parents might differentiate chicks by hatch order. Therefore, we assessed the begging calls of 10 day old chicks. We found that early-hatched chicks begged at lower amplitudes than late-hatched chicks. We then conducted a playback experiment in which begging calls of 10 day old early- and late-hatched chicks were presented to breeding adults. Adults were more attentive during the early-hatched chicks' playbacks. To determine if attention, in the form of clumping or perching closely together, affected song learning, we observed family groups when chicks were beginning song acquisition (day 25). We found that while clumped with their mates, mothers clumped with first-hatched more than second- or third- hatched chicks. Moreover, clumping behavior was positively correlated with the percent similarity of song copying. Clumping with first-hatched sons may be a way for mothers to give additional access to the father and thereby enhance son's song learning. Finally, we used a multiple linear regression, combining all three forms of parental investment to determine which were more important in song learning. We found that digit ratio 2:3 was positively correlated with sequential matching, nestling weight positively correlated with mean accuracy and clumping with the mother positively correlated with the percent similarity score.
Therapists have times of greater attention and of less, and each therapist may have the experience of noticing that her attention has shifted from what the patient is saying toward those thoughts that have been stirred. This qualitative study examined psychotherapists' perspectives on shifts in clinical attention and focus in their treatment of their patients, and the ways in which their particular approach to psychotherapeutic work influence how therapists understand and negotiate these potentially complex clinical moments. The study (a) captures how senior psychotherapists view such experiences, (b) surveys the conditions under which clinicians share their responses, thoughts and processes with patients, and (c) examines how therapists negotiate what may be conflicting considerations or principles in arriving at how they handle the experience. Participants were recruited via several training institutes and professional psychological associations, and participated in a semi-structured qualitative interview that both documented and illuminated how senior therapists across theoretical orientations understand and explore shifts in clinical focus toward their own daydreams, fantasy, and interior monologues. This qualitative research study sought to provide an evidence and reference base for research scholars and for diverse groups of psychotherapy students, training therapists, and other practicing clinicians from one corner of psychotherapeutic practice to another. Categories that emerged from the data were then grouped into four domains: 1) Therapists' descriptions of unbidden experiences. 2) How therapists understand these phenomenological shifts in theory and in practice. 3) Therapeutic uses of this particular clinical data. 4) The felt sense that helps therapists identify shifts in attention and clinical focus. Trends in participants' responses to interview questions were identified with particular attention to departures from the clinicians' own standard technical practice or that of their theoretical orientation. The use of the verbatim quotations has enriched this narrative-constructivist approach, as the clinicians' own descriptions of their own unbidden experiences has provided uncommon access to the experiences of participants in this study.
This thesis presents three studies that together explore the neurophysiological basis for the sensory processing and integration abnormalities that have been observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) since the disorder was first described over half a century ago. In designing these studies we seek to fill a hole that currently exists in the research community"s knowledge of the neurodevelopment of basic multisensory integration -- both in children with autism and as well as in those with typical development. The first study applied event related potentials (ERPs) and behavioral measures of multisensory integration to a large group of healthy participants ranging in age from 7 to 29 years, with the goal of detailing the developmental trajectory of basic audiovisual integration in the brain. Our behavioral results revealed a gradual fine-tuning of multisensory facilitation of reaction time which reached mature levels by about 14 years of age. A similarly protracted period of maturation was seen in the brain processes thought to underlie to multisensory integration. Using the results of this cross-sectional study as a guide, the second study employed a between groups design to assess differences in the neural activity and behavioral facilitation associated with integrating basic audiovisual stimuli in groups of children and adolescents with ASD and typical development (aged 7-16 years). Deficits in basic audiovisual integration were seen at the earliest stages of cortical sensory processing in the ASD groups. In the concluding study we assessed whether neurophysiological measures of sensory processing and integration predict autistic symptom severity and parent-reported visual/auditory sensitivities. The data revealed that a combination of neural indices of auditory and visual processing and integration were predictive of severity of autistic symptoms in a group of children and adolescents with ASD. A particularly robust relationship was observed between severity of autism and the integrity of basic auditory processing and audiovisual integration. In contrast, our physiological indices did not predict visual/auditory sensitivities as assessed by parent responses on a questionnaire.
This is a qualitative, exploratory study of body ego transformation. Eight components of transformation were arrived at from this researcher's own experience, observations of other females, and identified in psychoanalytic literature. These were then explored in the projective and narrative responses from lesbian, bisexual and queer identified women about their female homoerotic experiences. Nine women ages 25-35 were recruited and interviewed in two sessions using phenomenological methodology. An original projective and semi-structured interview was created to elicit participants' unencumbered responses about their experiences of homoeroticism, so as to minimize the effect of external expectations that might color them. Participants were asked to respond to prompts about erotic parts of their body in a projective format. Subsequently, they were asked to describe their homoerotic thoughts, fantasies, and behaviors across their lifespan. Two women's interviews were chosen based on the presence of substantive, multilayered responses and narrative construction, evidence of a transformation of body ego, and their ability to shed light on the quality of other participant's transformations. These two participants' responses were analyzed in-depth. Speculated components of transformation were identified using psychoanalytic understandings of metaphor and basic principles of Rorschach Inkblot Methodology (RIM). All eight components were cited varying in frequency, intensity, and significance. Components were employed in common and unique ways. The variations in how component were used seemed to reflect participants' life experiences and personality style. Although this was a small sample, the findings indicated that eroticism is a regressive experience from which transformation of body ego can occur.
Set within the context of the increasing emphasis on civic engagement and transformative education, this work addresses service learning as a form of civic engagement that holds both the risks of acriticality and critical potential. This study examines the capacity for the critical consciousness and relationality that define the primary commitments of critical service learning (see Kinefuchi, 2010). Thus, this study is grounded in the ways that the circuits of privilege and dispossession were breached in a service learning course where college students travelled to mentor adolescent girls who were in a secure residential facility. The narratives of former service learning students were analyzed to excavate the service learning experience at three sites which contextualize moments of critical dialogue: the personal, the interpersonal, and the institutional level. Three themes emerged from the analysis: (1) the position of the mentor between being an agent and recipient of transformation; (2) the discourses of sameness and difference deployed to forge solidarities; and, (3) the negotiation of the boundary between the inside and outside as a marker of the personal-societal dispossession of the service learning site and those within it. The findings indicated that people blur the line that separates self/other as they acknowledge mutual impact, implicate themselves in constructing a vision of girls' well-being, and grapple with counter/representations of the facility and the girls from their temporary position as `insiders' within the facility. These findings are held in tension by participants' intermittent recognition of the facility as a space of dispossession, however, and their resistance to writing themselves into it. The findings suggest that the positions, discourses, and critical meanings are moments across this service learning experience that can be `visual aids' for intergroup processes. The future directions based on this work suggest intentionally deploying these moments in order to explore the flows of comfort, connection, remembrance, trauma, loss, and disintegration on which circuits of dispossession and privilege run (Ayala & Galletta, 2012; Fine & Ruglis, 2009).


text:
As previously announced [imec, July 2009], HamaTech and imec have formed a
collaboration specifically dedicated to the development of EUVL mask cleaning
technology. Under the program, the companies will develop and qualify processes
of record (PORs) that remove contamination from the patterned-side of a EUV
mask without damage and that reduce the risk of recontamination during handling
and storage. POR development also will include the critical removal of contamination
from backside of a EUV reticle to eliminate overlay issues during imaging and
minimizing scanner down time.
Kurt Ronse, program director advanced lithography at imec said, "The
effective removal of contamination from the EUV reticle is recognized as key
priority to advancing EUVL. As the only research facility with a complete mask
integrity infrastructure, we are happy to provide the semiconductor industry
the platform they need to enable the rapid adoption of the first EUV lithography
tools in 2H10."
Uncontrolled contamination on the mask entering the EUVL high energy 13.5nm
radiation vacuum environment will damage the functional surfaces of the mask
and projection optics. A pristine, defect-free mask at point-of-exposure necessitates
absolute management of the mask and the mask environment throughout its lifetime.
HamaTech and imec, in alliance with other strategic partners, will employ the
EUVL research infrastructure at imec to explore an innovative holistic approach
to in-fab mask management. The program will investigate the development of an
integrated handling, storage, inline metrology and cleaning module that interfaces
seamlessly with the reticle management system of the EUVL scanner.
"With the installation of MaskTrack Pro, we are very excited to be in
a 'pole-position' for the commercialization of EUV," said
Wilma Koolen-Hermkens, Chief Executive Officer of HamaTech APE. "Working
with imec, we will look beyond the normal parameters of the infrastructure to
develop a holistic approach that guarantees the most stringent mask integrity
requirements of Next Generation Lithography, including EUVL."
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In Loving Memory
Memorial Hill Over the years, we have met many many people who love animals and respect their place on this earth - as we do. So we made available a special place on the DSC property to honour these people, and to honour the animals they loved. On a gentle rise of land at the west end of our pond, there now exists the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada's Memorial Hill. To date, many rock cairns have been assembled, each with an engraved stone which remembers a loved one who was particularly fond of animals, or honours a special animal friend. We've placed a bench nearby, next to a young chestnut tree, so our visitors can stop and remember those with whom they shared their lives. If there's someone to whom you would like to pay tribute in this manner, for a donation of $500.00 or more we will have a marker stone engraved with words of your choice. The stone will then be placed on a rock cairn on the Sanctuary's Memorial Hill - in the good company of the memory of many other loved ones. For more information about Memorial Hill, call us at 519.836.1697, or email firstname.lastname@example.com. If you would like to submit the form for inscription prior to your call, you may fill in the stone inscription form here, and submit it online. Alternatively, you may download the form below and mail it to our offices. 'In memory' Donations and Gifts We've received many donations in memory of a loved one - which we are honoured to recieve. If you'd like to make a donation in someone's memory, please visit our secure donations page. Thank you.


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Tangible and intangible capital and the pattern of specialization in the EU
Bournakis, Ioannis and Vecchi, Michela (2010) Tangible and intangible capital and the pattern of specialization in the EU. Review of Economics and Institutions, 1 (2). ISSN 2038-1379
- Published version (with publisher's formatting)
Official URL: http://www.rei.unipg.it/rei/article/view/16/20
This item is available in the Library Catalogue
This paper investigates the determinants of specialisation in 7 European countries and 4 major industrial sectors in the last 20 years. Next to the impact of traditional factors such as productivity and the endowment of labour and capital, we look at the importance of accounting for capital heterogeneity, by distinguishing between ICT and non-ICT assets, and for intangible capital such as skills and R&D. Our results show that intangible capital and innovation play an important part in increasing the value added shares of the Manufacturing sector while increasing investments in ICT has driven resources away from Manufacturing and towards the Service industry.
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|A. > Business School
A. > Business School > Economics
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|23 May 2011 07:18
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|30 Apr 2015 14:35
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An 11-year-old Bolivar girl was killed and two adults were injured in a crash Friday evening along U.S. 65, less than a mile south of the Saddlebrooke community, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
A 2002 Pontiac Grand Am was traveling northbound just before 6 p.m. when the driver, Donald Rossman, 43, lost control of the vehicle, according to a crash report. The vehicle went off the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned.
Megan Morris, 11, was pronounced dead at the scene. Lynn Morris, 39, and Rossman, both of Bolivar, received moderate injuries and were taken to Cox South Hospital in Springfield, the report said.
No one was wearing a seat belt, according to the report.


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Author Archives: Matthew Badgley
Using VersionOne to Track Testing
OK, so now that we get the agile approach to capturing engineering challenges (Read part 1 and part 2 for a refresher), it's important to see how this is done in VersionOne. This is a pretty easy thing; let's take a look. … Continue reading
Agile Metrics: I've Got Goals and a Whole Lot More
I often find myself talking about agile metrics with many teams using VersionOne. Agile metrics is sometimes a very challenging conversation — some agile development folks don't like them because they are sometimes used for EVIL! Well, maybe not … Continue reading
5 Handy Uses for Issues in VersionOne
VersionOne provides teams a central place to track issues at a Project and Team level. This allows teams, no matter how distributed, to collaborate closely on those things that are keeping the project from moving forward. This blog is all about five clever and handy ways that any team could use issues. Continue reading
How Can I Use VersionOne for Non-functional Requirements and/or Technical Design Constraints?
The first thing people need to do regarding non-functional requirements and or technical design constraints (or guidance) is to admit that they have them. We all have them, it's OK and the one thing I've learned over time is that there's … Continue reading


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About This Activity
Start decorating you house without spending a fortune. We will teach you how to create works of art that look like they are metal but are actually made out of toilet paper rolls. These easy, inexpensive projects will have your friends marveling at your newly found skills. Enroll today space is limited (you may bring your own TP rolls with you if you want.


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Thailand forum
Another visa question
Joined Travelfish
9th May, 2009
Posts: 32
Total reviews: 19
Apologies in advance for asking questions probably asked 100 times before. I've read some conflicting info, so I wanted clarification.
I'm flying into Thailand so I know I'll get a 30 day visa, but from there I'll be crossing by land into Laos and then Cambodia. I then plan to fly from Cambodia into Thailand to get another 30 day visa, then eventually travel overland to Singapore where I fly to Oz. So:
1) I read recently that I need proof of onward travel to get a 30 day visa. My singapore flight is 4 months after my first Thailand entry. Will I encounter a problem with this?
2) Are there any issues with flying from Cambodia to Thailand, in terms of getting another 30 day visa?
Your help and patience is appreciated.
#1 Posted: 7/1/2010 - 03:39
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Joined Travelfish
12th May, 2006
Location Earth
Posts: 214
Total reviews: 31
I understand proof of onward travel is technically required, but I've never been asked for any in around 15 entries into Thailand by plane or overland.
#2 Posted: 7/1/2010 - 06:26
Joined Travelfish
21st January, 2004
Location Indonesia
Posts: 7371
Total reviews: 24
Places visited:
At least 113
Hi Chris,
As per Lother. In theory you need proof, but in practise legitimate tourists are not asked for it.
2) No.
#3 Posted: 7/1/2010 - 12:52
See where I've been in Southeast Asia!
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Joined Travelfish
9th May, 2009
Posts: 32
Total reviews: 19
Many thanks guys.
#4 Posted: 7/1/2010 - 14:04
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Joined Travelfish
9th May, 2009
Posts: 32
Total reviews: 19
Just resurrecting this post.
I've recently read about people not being allowed to board their flight to Thailand because they don't have proof of onward travel within 30 days. I'm flying from HK to BKK with Air Asia and I don't have proof of onward travel. Should I be concerned?
#5 Posted: 1/2/2010 - 17:03
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I really enjoy your style with the exaggerated features. The Joker and the driving instructor in particular. The children's book illustrations are also excellent.
Keep it up. I'd love to see more.
I really enjoy your style with the exaggerated features. The Joker and the driving instructor in particular. The children's book illustrations are also excellent.
Keep it up. I'd love to see more.
Sketchbook | Tumblr | DeviantArt | ArtStation | Facebook
Lakka: Thanks for the advice, yeah I have noticed that sometimes they look a bit flat, I will deffo work on more depth, maybe get more life studies under my belt. Yeah, I really can't wait till I get a tablet, just saving up at the moment.
Chriskot: Thanks a lot, glad you like 'em!
Been a bit lazy lately but managed to do a couple of colourings of earlier sketches, just practising photoshop really...
Some new stuff...
Some colourised versions of two of the previous sketches, just messing about again with colours.
do you use a tablett or do you use the mouse for coloring? i realy like your sketches just because i can see every line you did in the shadows and it looks so perfectly in which direction you set them. want to see more of it.
my BLOG
my SKETCHBOOK
Thanks Rumi. I am afraid I use a mouse at the moment, saving up for a decent tablet at the moment. Colouring with the mouse is not too bad actually, I just select the colour at a low opacity and build it up and up in circular motions. I find it hard though when doing finer details and also mixing colours, so deffo worth getting a tablet.
Last edited by dazz78; September 4th, 2008 at 05:14 PM. Reason: Poor spelling
Sweet updates!! I just love your characters. And you compose them very well. It is very easy for the eye to see everything. I love your use of whites in your sketches.
Live life, Live love, Love life, then die -- SaiVix
I would really love some honest critiques and improvements suggestions
Renewed Study - I'm drawing again!!
Thanks SaiVix, glad you like 'em!
Some recent sketches...
Some more sketches, thought I would have a go at backgrounds for a change, hence the dungeon sketch.
Some more, including a couple of pencil sketches.
Another zombie bear idea, will try and colour it this week if I get the chance!
Firstly, I love your face sketches with distorted portions. Your heads all have a very nice flow, and I think that the rest of your drawings could benefit from that flow. Some of your body poses seem somewhat stiff, especially in the positioning of the arm and how the feet tend to only be at frontal and sideways views. Do some feet studies, and most importantly, get loose before you draw! Maybe try some gestural lines- I dunno! Also: Watch arm length. Arms: When let down, the hands will be positioned balls-level.
Keep drawing, I love this stuff! Try some more monsters, now that we know you can handle the human form!
M-Croft: Thanks a lot for the advice, really appreciated. Yeah, I deffo suffer on the bodies, i really need to get some life drawing classes or get a decent life drawing book (if anyone can recommend one?). Thanks for the advice, must remember balls-level!! Glad you like the faces, I will work on the advice you gave me, thanks.
Some final sketches for now, including a tyrannosaurus that looked good when I sketched it but on reflection looks like he ate too many pies...
Great Work ^^ I love your grimm style in your sketches. You have got a good line going there. More please
you have a definite style and your pen work is awsome too... my only crit would be that you need to invest in a tablet.
Love your pen hatching and the exagerated faces alot.
With your slightly more realistic pieces, you need to watch your proportions more, as areas seem to slip back into the caricarture/cartoon mode.
Love to see your use some reference and 'play' with that. Such as a few caricartures of famous people or full anatomy shots from reference.
Still, fun style and some interesting stuff. Will check back later.
my sketches here... http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=92997
www.sevans.co.nz , for more images and to kill time.
Oakseed: Thanks, glad you like my style
Rockhart: Thanks! Yeah, saving up for a tablet then my computer croaks on me, so have to get that sorted out, and now my car is playing up, arrghh!!
SEVANS: I deffo need to start using references instead of 'in my head' drawings. Going to get my self a good reference book maybe see if I can get on some still life still drawing classes. Thanks for your comments and advice.
Finally decided to start doing some sketching using reference points, so I can gain some more experience at doing hands, feet and proportions...
A few sketches for today...
Thanks for stopping by my sketchbook Your recent studies are fantastic. Also On your coloured pieces, are they done traditionally or on Painter? The canvas looking background is throwing me. Keep it up ^^ I love looking at your work.
Thanks Oakseed. Most are done in photoshop, a couple are coloured pencils (the dino ones), 'fraid I haven't got round to trying Painter yet.
Lol, the canvas looking paper I liked, drawing on it in biro instead of drawing pens then using white water colour pencil for lighting. Ran out of the paper and can't find it anywhere to get it again! Plus it was the only paper that scanned well on my scanner, the white paper pen drawings come out fuzzy/blurry for some reason with some finer drawing lines gone missing in the scan, it makes the drawings look more scruffy than the actually are (well, that's my excuse!)
nice sketchbook, your sketches are pure eyecandy
but if you color em in, the seem simplistic as if you color in 1 color and leave the shading and such to the original linework.
maybe you should practice that (if youve got a tablet by now else i understand its hard to paint with a mouse)
keep it up!
A couple of sketches for today, hopefully I will get round to colour them soon.
Cool style, very creative. As much as I like your stuffed animal work, it would be something that would make my daughters poop in their pampers! Keep it up!
My Website: http://conceptartfactory.com
My Sketchbook: http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=127781
My Demo Reel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=123aYpaK0v0
Thanks a lot forgeman!
A quick colouring of the armed cyborg sketch using photoshop, done in two hours.
Haven't done any drawings for ages, finally got some time now. Some done in the last couple of days.
Still haven't got a tablet yet either, my car decided to fall apart piece by piece and had to spend a small fortune getting the rust bucket through its MOT, but until then...
I Love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep It Up!!!!want More!!!
Thanks 3vil, really appreciated!
Finally got a tablet, the cheapest wacom there is (I think), but the difference is brilliant. The only problem now is learning to use it properly and to use it as instinctively as a paint brush or a pencil. Colours are still a bit primitive but I do think it is progress, if small progress anyway! What took an hour with a mouse takes a few minutes with the tablet. One day I hope to get an expensive one but until then this will do just fine.
The zombie bear pic is not that great, only put it up just to show my first work on the tablet and I hope to look back on it as a standard for my progress at a future date.
The other pics are zombie pics for an animation of a zombie film. Starting to get sick-to-death of zombies to tell you the truth - 'scuse the pun...
The rest...
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- Aggregates Manager - http://www.aggman.com -
MSHA offers guidance on submitting corrective action programs
Posted By Amanda Bayhi On April 9, 2014 @ 2:34 pm In Aggbeat Online,Featured Articles,News | No Comments
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) [2] has issued a Program Information Bulletin that offers guidance on submitting and implementing a corrective action program (CAP).
The Program Information Bulletin delivers a reminder about the process for submitting a CAP for MSHA approval and points out the tools available to mine operators for monitoring compliance.
MSHA points out the requirements for a CAP submission:
Must contain concrete, meaningful measures to reduce significant and substantial violations
Must be specifically tailored to the mine's compliance problems
Must contain achievable benchmarks and milestones for implementation
The agency also encourages operators to develop and implement a CAP before meeting pattern of violation screening criteria [3]. Otherwise, the mine is subject to sanctions under Section 104(e) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 for demonstrating a disregard for miners' health and safety.
Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health, said in a written statement that it is important for each operator to pay attention to the number of violations and injuries that take place at each mine.
"Mine operators should closely track their violation and injury histories," Main said. "Developing and implementing an effective corrective action program that reduces significant and substantial violations puts a mine on track to make the workplace safer and healthier for miners."
To help operators keep track of violations and injuries, MSHA offers an online pattern of violations tool [4]. The agency also offers a significant and substantial violation rate calculator [5] to help operators determine if a mine is meeting the goals outlined in its CAP.
Main urges operators to use the tools only as a supplement to their own monitoring rather than relying on the tools.
"As our guidance explains, these tools are evaluation aids. Ultimately, mine operators are responsible for monitoring compliance, determining whether they are close to meeting the POV screening criteria and taking corrective actions," Main said.
The agency updates the pattern of violations monitoring tool around the 15th of each month. However, MSHA warns that operators should not wait for violations or injuries to appear in the program before deciding to implement a CAP. MSHA conducts a pattern of violations screening at least once each year.
To view the full Program Information Bulletin, click here [6]. For more information about CAPs, click here [7].
Article printed from Aggregates Manager: http://www.aggman.com
URL to article: http://www.aggman.com/msha-offers-guidance-on-submitting-corrective-action-programs/
URLs in this post:
[1] Image: http://www.aggman.com/files/2013/11/shutterstock_135140267.jpg
[2] Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA): http://www.msha.gov
[3] pattern of violation screening criteria: http://www.aggman.com/files/2014/04/POVScreeningCriteria2013.pdf
[4] online pattern of violations tool: http://www.msha.gov/POV/POVsinglesource.asp#tool
[5] significant and substantial violation rate calculator: http://www.msha.gov/DRS/SNSRateCalculator.asp#.U0Wswdxgv1o
[6] click here: http://www.aggman.com/files/2014/04/MSHA20140539fs.pdf
[7] click here: http://www.aggman.com/files/2014/04/POVProcedures.pdf
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2009 Aggregates Manager. All rights reserved.


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- Filed Under
Gasoline prices
The price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gas at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 - rounded to the nearest penny - for select cities:
BP, 811 Merritt Ave., Oshkosh - $3.40
Citgo, 208 Bowen St., Oshkosh - $3.40
Leo's Service, 302 W. Main St., Winneconne - $3.40
Pump and Pantry Citgo, 329 W. Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac - $3.33
Weather in a word: "Snow"
Get the shovels ready as around six inches of snow is expected to fall in Oshkosh today, according to the National Weather Service.
A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 p.m. today.
The snow could be heavy at times. Winds will be from the north between 14 and 16 miles per hour, with gusts up to 23 miles per hour, which will cause blowing snow. The high will be 29, but will fall to around 21 by 4 p.m.
Snow continues before midnight. Overnight it will be cloudy with a low of 4. Winds will be from the west northwest between 11 and 17 miles per hour, gusting up to 23 miles per hour. Wind chill values will be between 5 and 15 degrees below zero.
Acupuncture clinic helps veterans
Veterans Acupuncture Project, 5 to 8 p.m., Oshkosh Masonic Center, 204 Washington Ave., Oshkosh. Free. (920) 450-3117 or www.oshkoshvetsacu.org
Financial Education Class with Jeff Kemp, 6 p.m., Oshkosh North High School auditorium, 1100 W. Smith Ave., Oshkosh. Free. (920) 424-7000.
Jazz Orgy, 7 p.m., Becket's Restaurant, 1 City Center, Oshkosh. (920) 230-3333.


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If there were any remaining doubts that Andover Central School Superintendent William Berg is out of touch with the local community, they were erased by his myopic comments in the March 2 edition of the Wellsville Daily Reporter.
His comments in the story saying bullying is not taught and is not part of the "curriculum" at ACS were sarcastic, cynical and inappropriate. That is not the attitude that will help solve the deep-rooted problems at the school. Even more distressing was Mr. Berg's attempt at blame-shifting, claiming students learn bullying from the Andover Junior Firemen or in the Andover Little League Association.
I beg your pardon?
Mr. Berg owes an apology to the unpaid volunteers who give freely of their time. This off-the-cuff remark in the Daily Reporter paints a very troubling picture of our community — when the real trouble lies within the walls of the school. I know from personal experience that Little League teaches teamwork, fair play, and respect for each other and opposing players. I wish I could say the same was being taught at the school.
This does not mean that every segment of the community does not have a role to play, especially parents and guardians. I will admit that. However, the school has a very important role as well. Shifting the blame, telling people what they want to hear, and spreading falsehoods in the local newspaper is not an effective way to get everyone on the same page.
It is no secret within the Andover community that there are some serious problems at the school that need to be addressed. The district's recent placement on the state's "Persistently Dangerous" schools list, the decision not to renew Principal Brian Gerbracht's contract, and the dwindling enrollment at Andover are serious reasons for not only parents – but also the entire community to be alarmed. Something at Andover Central School needs to change.
Mr. Berg would like everyone to believe that things are on the up-swing. As a parent and alumnus of Andover – I beg to differ. I am saddened to see student after student leaving the district. I am frustrated that all students at Andover are not treated fairly or appropriately by the administration.
If we had an atmosphere where the code of conduct was followed in all cases and respect was demanded – Andover Central might be the school of yesteryear and a place we can be proud of again.
Heather (Harrington) Simon
Comments are currently unavailable on this article
Location, ST | website.com


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Rihanna has revealed that she wants to have children with her on-again boyfriend Chris Brown. In a recent interview with ELLE UK, the 25-year-old talks about her troubled and controversial relationship with Chris and her wish to have a baby five years down the line.
The "Diamonds" singer told the mag that she and Brown have a "fresh start:
"I will probably have a kid. And I'm praying I can go on vacation for a good month," she says in the interview. "And I'll have set some things up so I don't have to tour for the rest of my life, even though I love touring. I want health and happiness in five years. I want to be healthy and happy."
She also revealed that "'Stay' is a story about having love that close and wanting it to last forever:
"You don't have that feeling with everybody so when you have it you don't want to let go of it. I would definitely say that he is the one I have that kind of relationship with," she said of Brown.
I'm hoping she's given this some serious thought!
Rihanna's full interview in the April issue of ELLE hits newsstands March 6.
Check out behind-the-scenes video of the photo shoot below!
Like Magic 106.3 on Facebook to stay updated with the latest entertainment news and original interviews!
Recent Updates


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Cairns Girls Hostel Reviews
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The rating percentage is calculated from customers who booked within the last 12 months.
All ratings and reviews are based on the feedback and opinions of the customers who submitted them and do not express the opinions of Hostelworld.com. This way, you get an up-to-the-minute opinion of just how good a hostel really is.
Read our review guidelines »
The location of the hostel is good, it's not too far from the centre but you don't get all the noise so it's a nice quiet place. The staff is super friendly and the place is kept really clean! The only downside for me was that the mattress was so so bad, a foam one with a big dent in it from usage, I slept poorly due to that. Also there seems to be a few older long term ladies and it makes the vibe not the best. Overall it's a good place to stay when you want quiet time.
- Avid Traveller
- petraderijk
- Netherlands
- Female, 25-30
- (17 reviews)
If I had the opportunity to pick a different hostel, I would have. It was not bad, but they do not accept credit cards which was rather annoying and there were not many people around my age to talk to. If you like to meet a lot of people at the hostel you are staying at then find another place to stay.
- Novice Nomad
- Anonymous
- Female, 18-24
- (4 reviews)


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Says Alan, " A recent international study of national-level sustainable development strategies concludes that most of them are not ... strategic."
As the report, from the International Institute for Sustainable Development, puts it:
"As nations work on meeting their 2005 commitments for the formulation and elaboration of national strategies for sustainable development, a recent 19-country independent study conducted by IISD, the Canadian consulting firm Stratos Inc., and the Environmental Policy Research Center in Berlin, concludes that most national governments are not thinking strategically about the transition to a sustainable future."