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March 31st, 2013, 02:30 AM
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film, 1978
Comic books, though possessing direct antecedents dating back to the nineteenth century, if not further, truly came of age in the late 1930s; in doing so, they formed the mosaic for one of the most tumultuous eras in global history. The Golden Age of Comic Books, as it came to be known, was (in a rarity among historians)
agreed to have commenced with the publication of
Action Comics
#1, on April 18, 1938. That first issue saw the debut appearance of the character known as Superman, the first modern superhero, in whose wake a great many would follow. Notably, the Golden Age of Comic Books overlapped with those of both the motion picture and radio industries;
all three
spanned the entire Second World War, a demonstration of how the flourishing of popular culture worked to cement that conflict as the most iconic in world history. Comic books had never more popular, more
, than they were in the 1940s; being pulp literature, their depictions of men (and women) with superpowers fighting alongside the troops against the Nazis in Europe, and the Japanese on the Pacific, struck an instant and indelible chord with the general public. However, given the unapologetic demonization of the enemy, many images propagated by these comics did not age very well, to put it delicately. To put it
, their depiction of the Japanese in particular was horrendously racist, perhaps even for the era. It was part of a barrage of dehumanization of people belonging to that ethnicity during that conflict, a matter of which great political hay would be made in the future. Then again, the visual depiction of virtually
races in
medium very much left something to be desired.
It was not surprising, however, that during a conflict with the unprecedented co-opting of the privately-owned-and-operated media for propaganda purposes, that comic book readers would take to superheroes (often with very humble and unexceptional origins) fighting the enemy so voraciously. In fact, Superman was not even the most popular of superheroes during the Golden Age which he had kick started; in fact, a character who might charitably be called a knockoff, Captain Marvel, held that title instead, with his comic being the best-selling of the 1940s. Marvel also beat Superman to the silver screen, with a twelve-part film serial of his adventures released in 1941. They even predated the celebrated Fleischer
cartoon serials which, in another sign of the times, evolved from relatively apolitical science-fiction plots to pure wartime propaganda in later shorts, after the Fleischers had been bought out by Famous Studios. However, Captain Marvel (nicknamed The Big Red Cheese) did not age nearly as well as Superman (The Man of Steel), becoming a relic of the Golden Age, with publisher Fawcett Studios cancelling his comic in 1953. The early-1950s were a transitional era (and not just for Comic Books) in which many popularly-held preconceptions about the world and the people who lived in it had to be reassessed. The hated Japanese had been defeated, through the use of a heretofore unknown weapon as mighty as anything seen in the pages of those wartime comic books. Their American cousins, all of whom without exception had demonstrated unwavering loyalty to their new homeland, had been interned without due process of law, entirely as a result of their ethnicity. The Negro soldiers, though still segregated from white units, had served with distinction on every front, and in every service, of the United States Armed Forces. The wildly popular entertainment form that existed primarily to mock and belittle them, the minstrel show, was rapidly falling out of vogue. This could be demonstrated on the screen: the 1942 musical
Holiday Inn
had featured a blackface minstrel performance, whereas its 1954 remake,
White Christmas
, did not. This was representative of barriers being broken down throughout society in this era: segregation of the armed forces, fittingly, had ended once and for all that very same year. The drive for civil rights was a fact of life.
By about this time, multiple live-action
serials had been released to theatres; and, more importantly, the famed radio show which had run for over a decade had since evolved into the
Adventures of Superman
, the 1950s
series which starred George Reeves as the Man of Steel. One of the most popular and enduring action-adventure series of its era, the impact it had on popular culture was confirmed when Reeves put in an appearance on none other than
I Love Lucy
, playing himself (though, for the benefit of young viewers at home, he was identified only as Superman).
Adventures of Superman
bridged the transition between two specific aesthetics from the
direction; departing a dark, cynical, morally ambiguous period the years between the end of World War II and the Korean War, which established the Cold War hegemony and replaced the threats of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan with the emerging superpowers of Soviet Russia and Red China to be replaced with one of glossy, overly-affected and societally-imposed sunshine and cheer: the 1950s, the era of suburbia and the burgeoning middle-class baby boomer families. The first two seasons, which were filmed in black-and-white, were influenced by
film noir
styles (still omnipresent in the early 1950s Humphrey Bogart was still alive, after all), but later seasons, filmed in colour (a pioneering and prescient move by producers, which would have boffo financial results in the years to come) took on the campier tones that would define comic books and their derivative media in the Silver Age. In a way, it presaged the
series that would follow, even if it did not delve into the same wretched excess. Of course, the history of the program could not be complete without its infamously tragic coda, when George Reeves committed suicide in 1959; production had ended on
Adventures of Superman
the year before.
Though the
of the Golden Age of Comic Books could be dated with unusual precision, finding the
date was far more problematic. The very height of the comic industry had been during wartime, and sales of superhero comics had declined immediately after V-J Day, only to be supplanted by other burgeoning genres, particularly romance and horror. These more visceral topics were depicted with increasing frankness on the pages of bright and colourful books that were popularly (if incorrectly) perceived as being intended exclusively for young audiences. And therein lay the problem: though there was an increased awareness of the need for racial tolerance and integration in society, the 1950s were in many
ways quite culturally conservative. Nobody knew this better than Dr. Fredric Wertham, the author of an enormously influential expose on the comic book industry,
Seduction of the Innocent
, published in 1954. One common thread of Golden Age comics had been the intimate same-sex friendships that had formed between many characters. This was
reflective of the World War II backdrop, in which young men from disparate corners of the Union would form instant and unimpeachable bonds with the other men in their unit, with nothing more than pictures and the occasional care packages reminding them of their girls waiting for them back home. But Wertham saw a subtext there that discomforted him, and he wrote in great detail about it, cherry-picking and even manufacturing evidence whole-cloth to suit his premises, and to raise the ire of his readers, in the most sensationalistic fashion possible. Batman, one of the most popular figures of the Golden Age, had since 1940 been accompanied on his crime-fighting adventures by his young, pubescent ward, Robin. Their secret identities were, respectively, Bruce Wayne, a millionaire bachelor playboy, and Dick Grayson, an orphaned circus acrobat. The two had been shown in some issues sharing the same bed. Wertham immediately came to what he saw as the only
conclusion: the two were homosexual lovers, in the tradition of the ancient Greek pederasts. This was the smoking gun, as it were, in his laundry list of complaints about all genres of comic books, demanding that some form of regulatory body be established to censor the impropriety of the fledgling medium. The result was the Comics Code Authority, a Hays Office for pulp literature. Comic books would never be the same... though, ironically,
(and, in fact, most superhero comics) would survive the purges that followed the institution of the Comics Code. The once-rising romance and horror genres, on the other hand, were not so fortunate it had proved relatively easy to adapt superhero comics to the specifications of the Code, but titillation and shock factor were crucial to the success of those other genres, which found themselves eviscerated by the overwhelming restrictions thereupon. Those which were
immediately cancelled simply tapered off into oblivion.
Some, like
Magazine, found entirely new niches, and were very successful.
For all its notoriety it was in fact
itself which, for better or for worse, came to define the popular perception of comic books during the era later described as the Silver Age. It had started off as a purely film-noir-derived comic, with the titular character taking the guise of a bat in order to strike fear into the hearts of criminals. As was the case for
, multiple film serials would follow. But the live-action television adaptation which premiered in 1966, and starred Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, was loud, colourful, absurd, and campy the one difference was that the comics were shockingly sincere in their lavish ludicrousness, but
having been brought to the small screen by a cynical producer, William Dozier, who
to take the material seriously would furnish every sight gag or bit of convoluted exposition with a knowing wink. And in the shows early years, the delicate balance between cotton-candy sights and sounds, and the mocking cynicism buried
beneath the surface was maintained by the head writer, Lorenzo Semple, Jr. His departure, followed by the end of the famous cliffhangers which allowed the show to appear on the air twice a week (in its final season, it was reduced to the standard once-weekly schedule), saw a decided decline in the shows perfectly-honed quality, and thus its popularity. To put it more bluntly, the show went off the rails. Even the introduction of the Batgirl character, played by Yvonne Craig, could not forestall the inevitable, nor could a bizarre running plotline set in swinging London (described in the show as Londinium).
was unceremoniously cancelled in 1969. However, its stars would continue to portray the characters, primarily in animation, through to the end of the 1970s. In many ways this continued association with the Dynamic Duo was forced upon them by typecasting; West, the story went, had turned down the role of James Bond, and Ward had rather desperately sought the role of Benjamin Braddock in
The Graduate
, only to lose it to Dustin Hoffman.
Many shows had followed in the footsteps of
; formerly serious, if equally outrageous, programming like
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
had been capsized by a shift from sincerity to camp. The producers of
Star Trek
, on the other hand, had made a conscious decision to avoid moving in that direction; this paid dividends when
was cancelled just as the
Star Trek
began its ascent into becoming a legitimate pop cultural phenomenon charmingly earnest and laden with warts-and-all sincerity as the 1960s came to a close. [1] The new wave of optimism sweeping American culture as a result of the end of the overseas quagmire and the exhilaration of Moonshot Lunacy found a peculiar reflection in comic books, however. Just as the devastating conflict that was World War II was corresponded by a Golden Age of fun and adventure on the page, the sunshine and roses of the early 1970s saw a counter-intuitive move to focus on the visceral and harsh realities of the seedy underbelly. Largely, though, this new Bronze Age which had emerged stood in contrast to the Silver Age which had just concluded. The children who had kept superhero comics alive were now growing up, and (as the Mini-Boom proved) were having children of their own. Television shows such as
Mary Tyler Moore
Those Were the Days
reflected a new paradigm: optimism and confidence for the future did not have to go hand-in-hand with willful ignorance or sheltering the vulnerable from the truth. This movement made for strange bedfellows when many pedagogical techniques, including those championed by Mr. Fred Rogers on his PBS series, took the same tack to childhood education.
The Bronze Age of Comic Books marked a shift in censorship policy echoing that which had already taken place in American cinema, some years before. The governing body of the comic book publishing industry, the Comics Code Authority, was continually revised in the early 1970s. [2] Gold Key Comics, effectively a satellite company of Desilu Productions by the mid-1970s, was not bound by the Comics Code, however, and did not seek to become so.
Star Trek
, the most popular comic published by neither DC nor Marvel, was thus able to delve into adult themes in even greater detail than the television series had done, always keeping one step ahead of the ever-relaxing censorship restrictions which bound the larger companies. [3] The Bronze Age was, above all else, a backlash against the Silver Age which had preceded it (as many new periods tend to be). Again,
Star Trek
had played a part, although as part of the greater Moonie Loonie mosaic of the era. Genre fiction was being taken seriously by an ever-larger number of consumers, and superhero fiction
part of the genre. Retro nostalgia, counter-intuitively as it might have seemed, helped too: prior to Dr. Wertham, comic books had enjoyed darker plots, influenced by film noir of course, but also by the realities of the conflict that had framed much of the Golden Age. War, death, murder, and brutality had all been facts of life in the 1940s. The defanged bad guys of the Silver Age were a joke. A new, rising generation of writers who were willing to push the envelope was emerging, and they felt that serious issues deserved proper coverage, and that their audience, regardless of its composition, deserved proper respect. Themes which had been completely ignored in the
television series (always brushed aside for the sake of a laugh), became topics of serious, almost withering analysis in the new comics: the psychology of superheroism, the ethics of vigilantism, the allure of crime, and many others. Social issues also took on greater importance.
The 1970s were obviously a decade of great strides for womens rights, continuing trends which had begun with the Sexual Revolution of the late 1960s. Liberated female characters were demanded by women in each and every medium, with comic books being no exception. The most prominent female superhero, Wonder Woman, had been created during the Golden Age by psychologist William Moulton Marston, who had also been a pioneer in the invention of the lie detector, which explained one of the characters most famous powers: the use of a lasso which could bind her opponents and compel them to speak the truth. Wonder Woman was given an Amazonian heritage, allowing writers to exploit Greek mythology in portraying her origins, characterization, and powers. Her abilities were plainly superhuman, though the character was briefly de-powered in the late 1960s to bring her more in-line with popular heroines of the time, such as Mrs. Emma Peel. Intense backlash, including from many womens rights activists, saw her powers quickly reinstated. Wonder Woman entered the 1970s as the definitive superheroine, and one of the Big Three of DC Comics, alongside Superman and Batman. And naturally, with Superman having been brought to the small screen in the 1950s, and Batman having followed in the 1960s, the question of Wonder Woman following their footsteps was a matter of when, not if.
Technically, Wonder Woman herself had first appeared in the iconic
cartoon, which had premiered in 1973. [4] This cartoon, very much in the mould of the limited animation popular in the era, carried on the Silver Age aesthetic even into the 1980s. Wonder Woman like most of her stablemates was far from unscathed by her presence in that program, with satirists mocking the infamous sequences of the character flying through the skies in her invisible airplane (as, unlike Superman, she could not fly under her own power). The following year, in 1974, a pilot movie was produced. Owing a great deal to retro nostalgia, the decision was made to avoid the modernization affecting the character in then-current comics and instead take advantage of retro nostalgia, putting the movie (and the show which would result therefrom) into a vintage, World War II setting. [5] The pilot movie arranged for Princess Diana of the mythical Paradise Island to transport the fallen Maj. Steve Trevor of the USAAF back to the States; after hijinks ensued, she found herself permanently stationed at the USAAF as Yeoman and secretary to Maj. Trevor, under her civilian identity as Diana Prince. As a superhero, however, she became known as Wonder Woman.
The role of Wonder Woman was portrayed by Lynda Carter, an actress, singer, and model, who had been named Miss World USA in 1972. [6] Her physical attractiveness was matched by her enthusiasm and her willingness to perform stunts herself, to enhance the experience. Her earnest performance endeared her to fans and critics alike; the essential powerful femininity of Wonder Woman had always defined her character, and Carter worked tirelessly to channel that into her performance.
Wonder Woman
proved a reliable hit for ABC for the five seasons it aired, from 1974 to 1979, with a total of 133 episodes to its name. [7] The series finale, which aired (in the standard 1970s fashion) as a telefilm, entailed the conclusion of World War II, and the question of whether Wonder Woman would return to Paradise Island, or remain in the United States. Unsurprisingly, she chose to become an American, having fallen in love with the country to which she had immigrated, as so many generations had done before her. Diana Prince, in the meantime, accepted the offer by Steve Trevor (as he was no longer her superior, having been honourably discharged) to begin seeing him on a personal basis... only
she revealed her secret identity to him. [8] To his credit, he responded as well as any man in his circumstances might have done, and even endorsed her desire to continue working as a professional, despite the overwhelming drive for most of her fellow women in the workforce to return to their past, domestic lives.
Like DC Comics, Marvel Comics saw the success of one of their marquee properties in an adaptation of
The Incredible Hulk
(the superlative adjective being something of a trademark with Marvel properties). Most of the Marvel properties developed from the 1960s onward, primarily by the writing tandem of Stan The Man Lee and Jack King Kirby (with an occasional assist from Steve Ditko, among others), allegorized specific societal ills of the era; the Hulk, for his part, represented the horrors of war. The character, a modernized take on the old Jekyll-and-Hyde story (with elements of Frankenstein, in modern science having created a monster), was the involuntary mutation created by an unauthorized scientific experiment gone very wrong; the human behind it, Dr. Bruce Banner, was depicted as meek and withdrawn, and highly intellectual. This was, of course, to better contrast with the monosyllabic Hulk monstrosity.
The Incredible Hulk
was favoured for adaptation to live-action television because the Hulk was a lone wolf with no obligations to anyone (unlike Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, or the X-Men), and this would allow him to walk the Earth, a setting that matched many popular action-adventure series:
The Fugitive
The Way of the Warrior
, and
The Questor Tapes
among them. The decision was made to have Dr. Bruce Banner played by a seemingly milquetoast actor, and the Incredible Hulk played by a bodybuilder. After an extensive search, the decision was made to cast two unknowns in their respective parts. Ted Danson, who had up to that point appeared primarily in soap operas, was chosen as Dr. Bruce Banner. Though in reality a handsome man who did not physically suit the role of a timid academic, this was disguised with some well-employed costuming, in particular the use of large, horn-rimmed glasses. [9] As his alter-ego, the Hulk, an actor was chosen who did not resemble Danson, but this didnt matter, and neither did the fact that he spoke little English. A six-time Mr. Olympia, the Austrian bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger nonetheless had an undeniable screen charisma, and was very effective at playing a loutish, barbaric brute. [10] His dialogue, such as it was, had been dubbed over by Jack Lurch Cassidy, a veteran at providing booming, contrabass voices. Despite this, both Danson and Schwarzenegger became iconic in their portrayals of the respective Jekyll and Hyde characters, Schwarzenegger in particular making his mark on popular culture far above and beyond what one would expect of a mere bodybuilder.
Despite the great popularity on television of both
Wonder Woman
The Incredible Hulk
, the Alpha and the Omega was, and remained, Superman. Plans for a full-length motion picture (about the only format the character had not explored by the 1970s) had been discussed for many years. Independent producers Ilya and Alexander Salkind had secured the rights from DC Comics in 1973, with a laundry list of potential actors
directors for the project. Chosen to direct was Guy Hamilton, who had directed the iconic James Bond film
, and who took an active role in every step of the production. [11]
After an exhaustive talent search, a virtually unknown actor named Kirk Allen was chosen to play the Man of Steel. Classically handsome and athletic, with a boy-next-door-all-grown-up appearance, Allens only flaw in regards to not resembling Superman was his light blond hair, which was corrected with a rather caustic but effective hair dye. Allen played Superman and his alter-ego, Clark Kent, very differently, often exaggerating the traits of each character in order to keep them separate. It was, perhaps, a somewhat blunt approach, but it was crudely effective. [12] Chosen to star opposite Allen as Superman (and Clark Kent)s eternal love interest, Lois Lane, was Stockard Channing. Though she was older than Allen during principal photography (33 to his 29), she won the part thanks to her mature, urbane attractiveness and her singing ability (as the part called for Lois to perform an internal monologue as if it were a musical number). [13] Veteran actor Dustin Hoffman, a proven box-office draw, was selected to portray the primary villain, mad scientist Lex Luthor, and was given top billing and the films largest paycheque for doing so. [14] The other above-the-title star was the Golden Age icon, Jimmy Stewart, who portrayed Pa Kent, Clarks adoptive father (and died tragically at the end of the first act). The production team could not resist the opportunity to stunt-cast Ma Kent, choosing Donna Reed (Stewarts one-time co-star in
Its A Wonderful Life
, his personal favourite film) for the role. On-set lore had Stewart continuously flubbing his lines by referring to Reeds character as Mary instead of Martha. [15] The film was well-received critically; the score, special effects, and simple but well-told story were all highly praised. The earnest, if somewhat clumsy performance by Allen was given good marks, though most reviewers agreed that Channing, Hoffman, and Stewart all stole the show. Stewart would surprisingly receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in
; ironically, it was longer than the fifteen-minute turn by Steve McQueen that won for
Actor at that years ceremonies. However, and most importantly,
proved a box-office hit, grossing over $150 million at the box-office that year, coming in a close second to
Greased Lightning
, and guaranteeing a sequel to continue the story. [16] It was a triumphant return to the peak of mainstream popularity and relevance for Superman, within the world of superhero comics. The Man of Steel, who was faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, and who stood for truth, justice, and the American Way, had once again captured the hearts and minds of audiences everywhere.
[1] IOTL, of course, the final season of
Star Trek
, which I have so affectionately described on multiple past occasions as the Turd Season,
dive headlong into camp under the auspices of the new showrunner, Fred Freiberger, and in particular his
unqualified story editor, Arthur Singer.
[2] A single, cataclysmic event (a request by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to run an anti-drug storyline in the pages of
The Amazing Spider-Man
in the early 1970s) resulted in the chain reaction that sent the Code down the long road to irrelevance. However, ITTL, the Nixon Administration does not exist, and therefore that request is never made (the War on Drugs isnt exactly high on the list of priorities for the Great Society). This allows the CCA to adapt further, and continue to exist for the longer-term, just like the MPAA had done a few years before with the switch from Hays to the ratings system.
[3] Gold Key did not adhere to the Code IOTL, either.
also premiered in 1973 IOTL, as well. It was, in fact, produced by Hanna-Barbera, one of the two pillar studios of limited animation.
[5] The original pilot movie took a different tack IOTL, instead attempting to adapt then-current storylines (which had controversially modernized Wonder Woman), to lukewarm response. After retooling, a
pilot movie was released which much more strongly resembled the show which was to come.
[6] Yes, Ive cast Carter as Wonder Woman ITTL. What about the butterflies? She wasnt cast for the original OTL pilot movie! It starred Cathy Lee Crosby instead.
[7] The complete adventures of Wonder Woman lasted for three seasons of less than 60 episodes IOTL (from 1976 to 1979).
[8] Though Maj. Trevor (played by Lyle Waggoner, of all people) was intended as the love interest, he and Diana did not hook up IOTL.
[9] IOTL, the role of Dr.
Banner (the name was changed from Bruce because the alliteration seemed to overtly betray its comic-book origins) was played by the established, and older, actor, Bill Bixby. Danson, of course, would go on to become known for appearing in
, as the former relief pitcher of the Boston Red Sox, Samuel Mayday Malone. Dont believe he could pull off the nerdy look? I submit to you
his appearance in the 1981 film,
Body Heat
[10] The role was won by Lou Ferrigno IOTL, who had appeared alongside Schwarzenegger in the 1975 documentary film
Pumping Iron
, chronicling a Mr. Olympia contest. Schwarzenegger, for his part, did not achieve success in mainstream film or television at all during the 1970s, going on to win his seventh and final Mr. Olympia title in 1980. His career from that point forward was unfortunately somewhat obscure, and cannot be reliably determined.
[11] Hamilton was chosen to direct, but was forced to drop out due to his tax exile status in the United Kingdom, where filming was moved on account of Marlon Brando facing an obscenity charge (for
Last Tango in Paris
) in Italy, the originally planned shooting location. Fortunately, Brando is not involved in this film at all ITTL, and
is shot largely at the famed Cinecitta Studios.
[12] Allen is an original character - the first to be introduced so far for this timeline, but not the last!
[13] Channing auditioned for the role of Lois IOTL, losing it to Margot Kidder, who has proven a rather contentious choice. Channing then went on to appear in
, as Rizzo, playing a high schooler at, yes, the age of 33.
[14] Gene Hackman played Luthor IOTL, receiving second billing behind Brando.
[15] Stewart plays Pa Kent instead of Glenn Ford ITTL, taking a much more modest paycheque than Marlon Brando did IOTL for Jor-El (who is accordingly played by a nobody). The chance to stunt-cast Reed (who, like Stewart
Hoffman, is an Oscar-winner) proved irresistible, especially once Stewart recommended her for the part. Believe it or not,
Its A Wonderful Life
, though rising in popularity, was not the perennial Christmas classic it would become in later years by the late-1970s IOTL, and of course, ITTL, the 1974 clerical error that allowed it to fall out of copyright did not happen.
Superman II
were filmed together IOTL, but for administrative reasons, that was not the case ITTL.
Thanks to
e of pi
for his assistance in the editing of this update! Speaking of which, this is the first of a double-barrelled update for the long weekend; his guest interlude should be ready tomorrow, just in time to close out the month. In fact, as I write this, Im also asking him if hes
hell have it ready, and his response is most promising.
The Turtledove Award-Winning
That Wacky Redhead
: Big Dreams Have Big Consequences!
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text:
Australian Dollar:
Despite what has been an eventful 24 hour period the response by the Australian dollar has been anything but. Maintaining a recent range of 1.0440 – 1.0480 against its US Counterpart investors still appear reluctant in taking the higher yielding unit above tested resistance levels of 1.05. Whilst European finance minister finally agreed upon a formula which will see Greece receive 34.4 billion-euro worth of loan instalments come December the big question mark within the market still remains whether US Congressman will be able to reach a budget agreement and therefore avoid the potentially devastating fiscal cliff. Meanwhile this morning coming off a two-month peak the Australian dollar opens overall unchanged this morning at 1.0440.
- We expect a range today of 1.0410 – 1.0470
New Zealand Dollar
The New Zealand dollar was weighed down by a stronger US Currency overnight after data showed US Consumer confidence rose to a four month high this month. Adding to the pool of better than expected data releases from the world's largest economy core durable goods orders also climbed in October by the most in five months. After reaching intraday highs of 0.8237 against its US Counterpart the New Zealand dollar fell overnight testing lows around the 82 US Cents mark. Given the kiwi is likely to remain half a cent either side of the critical 0.8200 level in the short-term a clearer broader direction remains hard to call given US Lawmakers are locked in an arm wrestle over the required budget cuts necessary to ensure the 607 billion worth of automatic spending cuts and tax increases are avoided next year. Meanwhile this morning the Kiwi opens weaker currently buying 82.05 US Cents.
- We expect a range today of 0.8170 – 0.8230
Great British Pound:
Spot on what was expected overnight UK GDP increased by one percent in the third quarter this year. In the broadest measure of economic activity such results show a comprehensive rebound from the double dip recession experienced earlier in the year. Despite the positive session the Great British Pound has struggled to push on from levels above the 1.60 level. Opening this morning marginally weaker at 1.6018 the Sterling has struggled against a noticeably firmer Greenback. Meanwhile on the cross-rates this morning the Great British Pound opens stronger against both the Australian dollar (1.5335) and the New Zealand dollar (1.9535).
- We expect a range today of 1.5300 – 1.5360
Global stocks finished flat overnight as concerns over the fast approaching US Fiscal Cliff offset optimism from a deal in Greece designed to ease the debt burden for the highly indebted nation. Firstly in Europe, after three years of trying to get it right finance ministers have agreed to cut the interest payments on loans for a staggering 10 years whilst also approving the first loan instalment of 34.4 billion this December. Whilst Greek PM Antonis Samaras stated today is a time a celebration marking a "new day" for Europe's most debt-ridden country investors remain sceptical on whether Greece has the necessary discipline to ensure requirements are met. As a result the shared-unit fell overnight as it opens around 40 basis points weaker this morning at a rate of 1.2930. Meanwhile in the US amongst ongoing debt fears the Greenback finished broader stronger well buoyed but a strong Consumer Confidence reading as well as Core Durable goods which comfortably beat expectation. When compared against the Japanese Yen the US Dollar opens stronger currently swapping hands at 82.14.
Data releases
- AUD: Construction Work done q/q
- NZD: No data today
- JPY: No data today
- GBP: No data today
- EUR: German prelim CPI q/q, M3 Money Supply y/y
- USD: New Home Sales, Crude Oil Inventories

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Kim Clijsters may only be 26, but the Belgian tennis player says she has had two careers, each with astonishing success. It is in her "second career," however, that she has achieved the greater accomplishment: winning the US Open as a wild card with her 18-month-old daughter, Jada, in the player-guest box. She is the first mother in 29 years to win a Grand Slam title; the last was Australia's Evonne Goolagong, who won the Venus Rosewater Dish at the 1980 Wimbledon Championships.
Her first career -- that is, pre-baby -- was a good one; she won the U.S. Open in 2005. But at the time, she was seeded and in her athletic prime. She took two years off to get married and become a mama; this is only her third tournament of career number two -- the working mother years.
Clijsters is a much-needed champion for working mothers, who have had something of a nasty run in the media of late. The moms who have hogged the headlines this summer, like Nadya Suleman (Octomom!) and Kate Gosselin, have proved that they'll do anything to provide for their family; and that's exactly the problem.
The beauty of Clijsters' victory is not in its attention-grabbing nature, but in its quiet. Yes, her daughter was there when mama won the final points against Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, and enchanted photographers and fans with her blond curls and toddler antics. But Clijsters isn't known for anything more than her consistently good play and her friendliness. Mothers often struggle with the feeling that they have to make compromises to prove their mettle, or struggle to overcome the "mommy track" stigma upon returning to work. Clijsters managed to competently and uncompromisingly return to the game without skipping a beat.
Sure, it's a lot simpler to juggle the stresses of new motherhood if you're already in the rarefied financial air of professional athletics, and Clijsters freely admits to having completely ignored the world of tennis in her daughter's first year. Most American working mothers wouldn't have had the financial stability to take such a lengthy maternity leave, and in this, Clijsters' privilege shows. But perhaps it's an example of how seamlessly mothers can bounce back and pick up where they left off (or even do better), if they're given a respectable 12 months to recover and immerse themselves in new motherhood.
I'll call this an inspiration both to other working mothers and moms-to-be who worry they'll never be "themselves" again; and likewise an inspiration to employers who doubt whether women can take such a long time off and return to contribute to the organization. The long maternity leave, and new motherhood, flatter Clijsters, and would do the same for millions of moms like her, if they were given the chance.
Kim Clijsters scores Grand Slam win for working moms in her 'second career'


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Leather Vests
Leather Motorcycle VestsMotorcycle leather vests for men and women. Find a full selection motorcycle leather vests of superior style, premium quality and at a great value for todays biker.
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Milwaukee Leather Illusion Motorcycle Vest for Women$79.99
The Milwaukee Illusion vest has three front buckles closures, studs down the front, fully lined, and constructed of full grain leather. Available in Women's Sizes XS-2XL. This vest does run small, especially if you have the better than average "standard equipment" for inside the vest. Customers may want to consider moving up in size about 2 sizes from your usual fit. Learn More
Milwaukee Leather Deuce Motorcycle Vest for Women$109.99
The women's Milwaukee Deuce Vest is constructed of full grain top quality leather. The Deuce vest features flat front pockets for a sleek clean look, and lace up side seams for a custom fit. Available in Women's Sizes XS-2XL. Learn More
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IndyCar Series Confirms 2014 TV Schedule
INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 3, 2013) -- The 2014 IndyCar Series television schedule will feature three weekends of ABC coverage at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including the network's 50th consecutive telecast of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday, May 25. NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) will televise 13 races, including 11 in a row that culminates with the season finale on Labor Day weekend at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
Click HERE to view and download the 2014 IndyCar Series TV schedule.
The complete 2014 IndyCar Series schedule was released today in conjunction with broadcast partners ABC and NBCSN. ABC will broadcast five races as well as Indianapolis 500 qualifying on Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18. NBCSN will televise two early season races and resume telecasts with the annual Saturday night race June 7 at Texas Motor Speedway.
May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has a new look and will feature the first IndyCar Series road race at the iconic facility, the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, on Saturday, May 10. ABC will televise the race beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. The following weekend, ABC will televise Indianapolis 500 qualifications from 4-6 p.m. Saturday and 1-3 p.m. Sunday. ABC's telecast of the 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race will begin at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 25. The event will continue one of the longest-running relationships between a television network and a sporting event.
"With the debut of the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, the intensity of qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 and the 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing,' ABC is the destination to tune in for our three big weekends of competition in May," said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., the parent company of INDYCAR.


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Army private surprises his wife with early homecoming
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Pfc. Chris Crespin didn't even make it out to his wife's table. She spotted him from across the room, jumped out of her chair and ran into his arms.
Crespin arrived home Wednesday after being deployed in Kuwait for 11 months. He wanted to surprise his wife, Heather Crespin, by walking out to her table with roses as she waited to order for what she thought was just an ordinary family meal.
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Handel: Joshua / Neumann, Gilchrist, Wolff, Poplutz, et al
2 CD / MD&G / 2008-09-16Works: George Frederick Handel: Joshua
Performers: Gilchrist, James [Tenor Vocal]; Hyun, Myung-Hee; Poplutz, Georg; Wolff, Konstantin
Conductors: Neumann, Peter
Ensemble: Collegium Cartusianum
Handel himself was at the baton when Joshua was premiered in Covent Garden Theatre in London on March 9th, 1748. One day later the composer...continue...
Mozart: Salzburg Sacred Music / Peter Neumann, et al
1 Super Audio CD / MD&G / 2006-01-24Works: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Laudate Dominum; Mass no 16 for soloists, chorus & orchestra in C major (missa solemnis), K. 337; Church Sonata for Organ and Strings no 17 in C major, K 336 (336d); Regina c...
Performers: Flaig, Markus; Haller, Benoit; Noll, Christoph Anselm; Samuelis, Cornelia
Conductors: Neumann, Peter
Ensemble: Collegium Cartusianum; Cologne Chamber Choir
After the success of their oratorio recordings for MD&G, the Cologne Chamber Choir and conductor Peter Neumann turn their attention to Mozart. The 30 member...continue...
Händel: Athalia / Neumann, Kermes, Pasichnyk, et al
2 CD / MD&G / 2005-02-22Works: George Frederick Handel: Athalia, HWV 52
Performers: Cooley, Thomas; Friedrich, Wolf Matthias; Kermes, Simone; Lund, Trine Wilsberg; Pasiecznik, Olga
Conductors: Neumann, Peter
Ensemble: Collegium Cartusianum
Athalia was Handel's third English oratorio. Since his death, there have been relatively few performances of this work. Peter Neumann conducts the Cologne Chamber Choir...continue...
Händel: Belshazzar /Neumann, Brutscher, Kermes, Selig, et al
3 CD / MD&G / 2001-11-20Works: George Frederick Handel: Belshazzar, HWV 61
Performers: Brutscher, Markus; Kermes, Simone; Selig, Franz-Josef
Conductors: Neumann, Peter
Ensemble: Collegium Cartusianum
Passio secundum Johannem / Neumann, Kölner Kammerchor, et al
2 CD / MD&G / 2000-06-27Works: Johann Sebastian Bach: Saint John Passion, BWV 245
Performers: Brutscher, Markus; Holton, Ruth; Laske, Thomas; Sol, Tom
Conductors: Neumann, Peter
Ensemble: Cologne Chamber Choir
"This new recording of Bach's 'St. John Passon' offers the second version of a work with a complex compositional background...I find plenty to enjoy in...continue...
Handel: Susanna / Neumann, Holton, Magnus, Buwalda, et al
3 CD / MD&G / 2000-04-25Works: George Frederick Handel: Susanna, HWV 66
Performers: Holton, Ruth; Magnus, Elisabeth von; Sol, Tom
Conductors: Neumann, Peter
Ensemble: Collegium Cartusianum
By the late 1740s, Handel seems to have had enough of the rough male world of weapon-brandishing victors and looked more to female figures for...continue...
Brahms: Missa Sacra; Schumann: Kyrie, etc / Peter Neumann
1 CD / MD&G / 1995-11-21Works: Robert Schumann: Mass for soloists, chorus & orchestra in C minor, Op. 147; Johannes Brahms: Kyrie for chorus & continuo in G minor, WoO posth. 17; Fugue for organ in A flat minor, WoO 8; Missa Canon...
Performers: Noll, Christoph Anselm
Conductors: Neumann, Peter
Ensemble: Cologne Chamber Choir
Musica sacra
A performance of such fine feeling, mastery, and persuasiveness, now that is an experience


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FORT WAYNE, Ind. (www.incnow.tv) -- After about 10-inches of snow Tuesday evening and will school and business closures on Wednesday, area residents ventured out to be creative with the fluffy white stuff that fell from the sky.
Take a look at the gallery and see what our viewers sent in. From gigantic snowmen, to an 18" snowman and puppies frolicking, it seems many of you enjoyed the winter storm despite the wishes for an early spring.
What are your thoughts CLICK HERE to leave us a "QUESTION OF THE DAY" comment.
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God Can't Sleep
A new book by Palmer Chinchen that will radically change the way you think about pain, sorrow, and hope. God has a better way — and it's beautiful.
This book is for everyone who has…
lost a job
moved out of state
been sick
had a teenager rebel
been hurt by love
fought an addiction
sat alone
crashed a car
lost a father
ended a marriage
managed a blended family
slipped into debt… lots of it
or watched their future wither
and dreams fade.
God Can't Sleep is for you because Jesus Christ suffered and died on black Friday — but that wasn't the end!
God showed up and put the sun in Sunday.
He brought daylight to a dark planet.
You can listen to Chaplain Terry's interview with Palmer Chinchen below.


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April 25, 2012
• 0 Comments
There's a lot of debate out there on whether or not online marketing will soon overtake the tried and true tactics of traditional marketing—if it hasn't already. Companies are flocking to social networking sites and trying to perfect email ad campaigns every day, letting their print and radio ads fall to the wayside. But other professionals are skeptical, claiming that Facebook fan pages and other online ad techniques will just be a passing fad.
The lines have been drawn. But before you pick your side, you have to understand the core concepts at stake (especially if you're thinking about earning your marketing degree). Outlined below are three major differences between traditional and online marketing. Study the pros and cons and choose your loyalty.
As consumers, we're targets for companies. In traditional marketing strategies, we act as receiving targets. We take in a TV commercial or a radio plug or a magazine ad without really being able to directly act on it or say anything about it.
But online marketing gives targets a voice. On the Internet, we're active participants in shaping marketing campaigns and can even click on an ad for an interactive experience. Online users can write reviews of products and services, comment on blogs or articles, share pages with others, "like" a business and more. This makes online marketing sound like the hands-down winner, but keep in mind you're only as good as your reviews say you are.
Traditional advertisements like commercials have been around for so long that they're almost accepted as a part of the TV watching experience. And when the Superbowl this, they're even a well known form of entertainment.
Online ads aren't habit-forming yet. Most people will tell you that popups are more annoying than any magazine ad and less effective, too. They interrupt your online experience randomly and can even carry viruses. One plus for this side, though, is that many antivirus programs now come with popup blockers that shield the majority of the little buggers.
Traditional marketing tailors their ads to a certain extent. For example, the commercials running on a kid's cartoon channel are going to be a lot different than those on a history network. Marketers will base their ad placement for radio and magazines off of the genre of station or publication as well.
Online marketing kicks the personalization up a notch. It has the ability to track your computer's history and insert ads on your future pages according to your click-through interests. The tailoring reaches an individual level here, which is something that traditional marketing can't accomplish.
Well, neither.
It's important to note the differences between the two marketing strategies, but you don't have to make an ultimate decision between them; professionals would probably advise against it, actually. If you want to learn how to make both styles work to your advantage, consider getting your marketing degree. Find a credible school and apply to a marketing degree program for in-depth training in sales theory and business practice.
This article is presented by Briarcliffe College. Contact us today if you're interested in developing marketable knowledge and career-relevant skills with an industry-current degree program from Briarcliffe College.
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Mass Effect 3 Will Get a Demo Before Release
Mass Effect 3 will be out on March 6, but you won't have to wait until then to play it, because in January, BioWare will be putting out demo that will include both single- and multiplayer gameplay. To be honest, I feel like this is going to be the worst thing ever, because it's going to make the wait for the full game that much more intense and awful. Imagine if you got to have sex, but only for five seconds — that's what this will be like. I've been down that road, and IT'S NOT VERY FUN. Thanks for promising a huge tease, BioWare!
Follow Phil on Twitter: @philrowen


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You are watching:
Steve Lanzano, President & CEO, TVB
Commentary Text
In Nielsen's recently released "Cross Platform Report" for 3Q 2013, two things should jump out at you instantly:
Of course, what's most important is what the data says. It should be no surprise that traditional television is still king.
That's right – despite the myriad of entertainment options available, traditional TV remains the main choice of media among consumers today. It is by far the most dominant video medium across all age groups. If you look at monthly time spent with video, 25-34 year-old adults spent 13 times as many hours watching video on television versus the Internet, and 23 times as many hours versus mobile phones.
Time shifting is still growing, and has become a valued time-management tool for sustaining people's appetite for television. Broadcast TV supplies a significant post-live audience. A pilot study from Nielsen determined that an additional 11.6% of viewing occurs within seven days, and an additional 1% is added beyond seven days, up to 29 days after air, on a total day basis.
Americans remain dedicated to improving the technology in their lives, with most of that coming in tablet form. Year-over-year, tablets grew to nearly 30 million in TV homes. DVRs are in nearly 50% of TV homes, up to 53.8 million, and HD TV sets grew to over 95 million.
But while Americans are interested in upgrading their tech, there are quite a few who are looking to economically simplify how they get their video signal. In third quarter, wired cable shrank 4% versus the previous year, while Broadcast Only, Satellite and Telco each posted gains.
While the economy is driving these consumer choices, viewers can still rely upon broadcast television to deliver the highest quality televised content, for free, and available in every American TV household. And they do. Nielsen also reported that 90-95% of all A25-54 impressions from the Top 100 programs come from broadcast television for the 2013/2014 season to date.
So no matter how many platforms Nielsen measures, there's one fact that never changes – there's television, then comes everything else.


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{Copyright (C) 2010 Town of Johnston, Rhode Island. All Rights Reserved}
Meeting Dates
Land Trust
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Town Council
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Plat Maps
Property Value Search
Draft Hazard
Mitigation Plan
Recycling Tips
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2010 Consumer
Confidence Report
Wastewater Management
Qualified Inspector List
Storm Water Report
Phase II |
Annual Report
Planning and
Economic Development
Town Code of Ordinances
School Committee
About Us
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Request for Proposals
In observance of Labor Day on Monday, September 3, 2012, the Town of Johnston will be on a holiday trash schedule next week.
Trash Schedule
Town Employee Email Login
Town Hall Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 4:30pm
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Miriam Library


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Hey, readers. Unfortunately, many food trucks are feeling the gloom of today and staying off the streets. However, you will find some scattered around Northern Virginia, Union Station, and George Washington. Curbside Cupcake will be out and about offering two cupcakes for $5. At Farragut Square, Basil Thyme promises you'll get your meal in 60 seconds or less.
Farragut Square (17th and I sts., NW), where you'll find Curbside Cupcake and Basil Thyme.
Franklin Square (14th and K sts., NW), where you'll find KOrengy and Tasty Kabob.
George Washington University (22nd and H sts., NW), where you'll find Cap Mac and Sol Mexican Grill.
L'Enfant (Sixth St. and Maryland Ave., SW), where you'll find Eat Wonky and DC Slices.
Metro Center (12th and G sts., NW), where you'll find Sol Mexican Grill and Far East Taco Grille.
Northern Virginia, where you'll find Big Cheese (Crystal City), Red Hook Lobster (Courthouse), and Curbside Cupcake (Courthouse, Crystal City, and Pentagon City).
State Department/West End area (around 21st St. and Virginia Ave., NW), where you'll find Tasty Kabob.
Union Station (North Capitol St. and Massachusetts Ave., NE), where you'll find Red Hook Lobster and Pi Truck.


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<< Back to 2009 News Releases
January 26, 2009
Contact: Dave Crowley 307-367-5323
The next blood drive scheduled for today from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Pinedale Field Office has been CANCELLED due to the snow and dangerous road conditions; the United Blood Services truck is unable to leave Rawlins.
For more information, contact Dave Crowley at 307-367-5323 or e-mail email@example.com.
The BLM manages more land - 258 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.


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Posts tagged Muscle Milk
Clay Matthews' Creepy Muscle Milk Ad
Muscle Milk is running an ad campaign with Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews and Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun. The spots are somewhat creepy, but in a funny way. The host of the "It's the You, Your Awesome Body and You Show" in these faux-interviews is way out there and Matthews and Braun look appropriately weirded out.
Mar 27th


text: i read an article on a mixture of 2 different storebought cereals......the article stated that by mixing these 2 cereals you could create a breakfast cereal with a nice blend of fat, carbs, and protein. i made the mixture but i need help figuring the macros to enter into fitday. it is a 3:1 ratio of fiber 1 and p-nut butter captain crunch. a serving is 1/2 cup of the fiber 1 and 3/4 cup of the other. i did the math the way i thought it should be done, but when i entered it into fitday it told me that my numbers were incorrect. any ideas on how to properly to this. thanks


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English Albanian Dictionary
Travel & Local
by Bede Products
Developer Notes
English Albanian Dictionary – travel dictionary to translate English to Albanian displaying a list of matching words. The dictionary also translates from Albanian to English. Copying a word from the translated list for a reverse translation can be used to find synonyms and to understand the...


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What a Blast. Bally's, the exercise and fitness center, was recently taken over by Blast Fitness of Houston, Fresno and other places. The local sweat palace near Granada Drive and Cleveland Avenue quickly hung a banner over the original Bally's sign announcing the new ownership.
That's cool, but does it have to say, and with seemingly the new center's motto, "Keeping FRESNO strong?" Since it's actually in our fine city, yours truly could have a little fun with that, but my gal works out there and she's plenty strong. As for me, I once asked a fitness center employee what machine I should use to impress the ladies and the muscle man pointed to the ATM outside. Very funny, those Mr. Universe types.
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Don't know if we're traveling the same roads, but classmate and pretty reader Karen East and this scribe espied a couple bumper snickers recently. One hit home when it read: "Driver carries no cash. He's married." (I love you darlin'). The other was on a car headed south, as in maybe the border. A quick glance at the rear bumper revealed: "If you can't feed 'em, don't breed 'em." Okay, before I get up on the soapbox, let's move on.
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I think it's a new record, though this scribe hardly keeps track of such things. However, a number of readers flooded my inbox with an email titled "Preparing for Memorial Day." It was a series of cartoons that featured tributes to those brave and fallen heroes that we honor this weekend. The first shows a man wearing sunglasses on a beautiful day, bending over his barbecue saying, "Hot dogs, bratwurst, hamburgers, is there anything I forgot?" A cloud hovers above with the figures of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen and women...


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I have been spotting for 4 days now that is light red to brown. Could i be pregnant?
I have been off the pill for almost 6 months now. I had a blood test done about 4 days before i started spotting. That test was negative. We have tried a few times since the blood test to get pregnant. I am supposto be ovulating now but my ovulation kit is saying that I am not. Is it too soon to take a pregnancy test. Should i be concerned about the spotting if i am not pregnant. I am not expected to have my period for another week or so. If I am not pregnant what else could this spotting be from?
Posted: 02/04/2010 by kender1979
Mom Answers
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Hey everyone! i have been spotting for 4 days now on in off light red then brown and then when i go to check again there is nothing then it comes back the same way... i had unprotected sex could i be pregnant?posted 08/02/2012 by a BabyCenter Member
im in the same boat kinda im late i was due on the nov 14 it is now it is dec 1 i started spotting on the 27th brown very light then gone then came back then gone the came back kinda pink now it all gone again , i have no clue i took a test on 27 in the morning cause i have not had af since oct 12th so i took at est it had a fain line but i had someone say it could have been a evap line so i took another test it said no but there were a biunch of blue dots everywhere, so now i m gonna test again very soon cause i feel pregnant , i have 4 kids now and i kinda get the feeling i need to know never had this af starts off dark brown there full forse yuckyness for 3days then tappers off and gone by day 5 not thins time so confusedposted 12/01/2010 by a BabyCenter Member
don't test until you know you missed a period. you may not ovulate when ur suppose to, I don't I'm a later one, use the kit and see if you can pin it downposted 02/04/2010 by a BabyCenter Member
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Victaulic Culture and Benefits
The Power of Our People
Victaulic Culture and Benefits
It is not just our products that are known as being the industry standard for quality. It is also our employees. In fact, new Victaulic associates and even visitors to Victaulic often remark on the spirit of pride, dedication and teamwork that is evident throughout the company.
As a privately owned company, Victaulic is able to take a long-term planning perspective that often is not available to most public companies. This gives us a strategic view of our marketplace and enables us to be the industry leader in reinvestment – a concept that spans investing not just in equipment, but also in people, technology and training.
By investing in our people and their growth and empowering them to contribute, Victaulic continues to grow at a rapid pace. That is why we are structured to encourage the flow of ideas at all levels of the company. And we reap the rewards of open dialogue, teamwork and a spirit of collaboration.
The Victaulic culture is a unique blend of that small company personal touch, coupled with the opportunities offered by a growing and diverse global organization.
Benefits & Personal Development - The Victaulic Advantage
Victaulic is committed to providing an attractive and competitive compensation and benefits package to its employees.
We offer:
Paid vacation and holidays
Health care coverage
Incentive bonus programs
Retirement program
Educational assistance
Training support
On-site healthcare resources
Flex time
The Victaulic Global Leadership Development Program provides a wide range of opportunities and training for associates who want to make a difference on a global basis. Established in 2008, this program is designed to ensure our global leadership team has the required skills and competencies necessary to succeed in their roles. Taught by faculty from the Johnson School of Business at Cornell University, the program brings together management team members from around the globe and from all disciplines to learn about critical areas including Strategic Planning, Building and Leading High Performing Teams and Financial Management.


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We just met her, so this might be crazy, but should Carly Rae Jepson change her makeup look, maybe? The brand-new "Call Me Maybe" singer wore unseasonably dark cosmetics to the Billboard Music Awards recently, not doing much to flatter her natural coloring.
Jepson kept her hair in its signature blowout, her deep brown locks falling around her shoulders and her bangs straight across her forehead. Her gown was a safe choice, which is understandable for a new star attending her first big bash. The floor-length gown was a light shade of beige, which looked more appropriate for a fall or winter gala than this glamourous spring event in Las Vegas.
Jepson's professional makeup palette also would have looked stunning in a different setting. Her red lips were a deep shade of cherry, and paired with her dark hair and heavy liner, looked wintry. On their own, her eyes were stunning and on-trend, with an eyeshadow palette that created a sassy cat eye effect.
Her eyes were lined with black liquid eyeliner, but on the bottom lashline, the liner was only applied to the outer corner. She wore a shimmery beige eyeshadow on the inner corners of her eyes to open them up and wore plenty of volumizing mascara and false lashes.


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The Mayans, the wise race of ancients who created hot cocoa, set December 21st, 2012 as the end date of their Calendar, which the intelligent and logical amongst us know signifies the day the world will end, presumably at 12:21:12am, Mountain Time. From now until zero date, we will explore the 50 films you need to watch before the entire world perishes. We don't have much time, so be content, be prepared, be entertained.
The Film: Memento (2000)
The Plot: Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) is a man with some problems. Foremost, he has an inability to formulate new memories, which means his entire life is dictated by his note taking abilities and his tattoo reminders. A close second is the fact that he's hunting the man who murdered his wife.
The Review: Before Christopher Nolan was elevated far beyond deserve for his Batman films, he made the (previously) under-seen and under-rated noirish thriller Memento. In light of his recent major successes the film has gained a lot of traction and you may have seen it – but for those of you who haven't, consider this your official invitation.
Memento is told in a non-linear style to heighten the murder mystery plot – clues are revealed through flash backs and a variety of editorial tricks are used to heighten the experience – from playing footage in reverse to subtle, single frame additions to the picture and black and white footage. Fortunately, none of these come off as gimmicks, but rather serve to heighten the story telling experience.
The cast of the film is at least 67% fantastic, with Guy Pearce headlining and turning in the first performance that really made me say "Hey, this guy is awesome." Similarly, Joe Pantoliano does great work as the conniving Teddy. Carrie-Anne Moss, not known for her acting ability, is somewhat the weak link here, but actually manages to mostly hold her own.
In large part due to the black and white, but also the murder mystery, the film has a very noir feeling. Plenty of the regular conventions are visible, from seedy bars to cigarette smoking and narration. With the additional layer of Leonard's memory issues, Memento is a strange and strong beast, different from many films and truly worthy of praise, unlike say, Inception. Zing.
The memory disability provides a lot of great moments where Leonard is vulnerable in ways a person never has to consider – take away his note taking methods and he's going to forget everything that just happened in a matter of moments.
But why spend 113 minutes watching this film when you only have 251,829 minutes left to live?
Memento is an original and engaging film. After the world ends, who knows what debilitating illness the survivors may be left with. Or maybe you just don't really find what the big deal about Christopher Nolan is – this movie will help shed some light on it. It's also just worth it for the sequence when the guy with no memory doesn't know if he's the chaser or the chasee.


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Andy Doerschuk
An Endorsement In Name Only
An Endorsement In Name Only
Much has changed during the nearly quarter century we've spent publishing DRUM! Magazine. Looking back, DW was still an upstart custom drum maker when we published our first issue. Travis Barker was a 16-year-old kid playing (instead of wearing) tattoos with his high school marching band. No one had heard a blastbeat, tweeted a message, or taken online drum lessons.
Even endorsements were different. In 1991, when we published our first issue, nearly every drum and percussion company had a long list of endorsers.
Back then, like today, most companies offered several levels of endorsements — from drummers who paid wholesale prices to others who got free gear to the elite few who received fat checks for licensing the use of their names and likenesses.
All three categories still exist, although the gold rush seems to have ebbed. Following the great recession, and the subsequent contraction of the drum industry, endorsement deals are harder to come by as companies tightened their criteria commensurate to their belts. To be considered viable, today's endorser must have enough gravitational pull to elevate a brand in the minds of potential customers.
This is true everywhere except in one unusual and still embryonic corner of the market, where a few cymbal companies set up shop on the Internet to sell directly to drummers, bypassing distributors and retailers altogether. At least in a couple cases, it seems pretty easy to get an "endorsement." Just buy some cymbals and the company adds your name to its list of artists. No muss, no fuss.
But is that really an endorsement? Sign with a major brand and you can expect to get some level of tour support, promotion in print ads and catalogs, posters in drum shops, and even clinic tours. But you get little more than a bargain price from one of these online cymbal brands, which dangle the lure of an endorsement to close the deal.
Okay — maybe there's nothing wrong with that. If you like their cymbals and enjoy the bragging rights of being an endorser, who am I to rain on your parade?
But do you really know who's on the other end of that transaction? I'm aware of at least one instance in which many drummers were promised endorsements but never received the cymbals they paid for. It wasn't long before the company's web site disappeared, phone lines went dead, and the owners vanished into cyberspace with the cash. Full disclosure — these same thieves even ripped us off after failing to pay for a couple full-page ads. Now, I don't want to tarnish all the legitimate small cymbal companies out there. Some offer endorsements because they are sincerely interested in your genre, or in identifying young drummers with promising careers. But others offer endorsements merely to move merchandise.
Do yourself a favor. Next time you see a great price from an online-only cymbal company that doesn't have a familiar name, do a little research to see whether the offer is a good deal, or something you need to investigate further.
Everyone's A Critic
Everyone's A Critic
True story. Around 1976 or so, as my quasi-psychedelic rock band strode offstage at some Northern California love-in, an audience member approached our flute player (this is back when it seemed like a good idea to have a flute player in a rock band), and said, "Hey man, you were bad."
"Thanks a lot," our flute player answered, understandably thinking he'd just received a compliment (this was also back when hipsters used the word "bad" to connote the word "good.")
"No man," the audience member deadpanned. "I mean, you suck." And sadly for our flautist's rapidly deflating ego, he could find no other possible interpretation: "You suck" could mean nothing other than he sucked.
I did almost the same thing to a pianist the year before while living in Chicago. I'd gone out to hear a friend play with his progressive rock band, and was not only struck by how adventurous the music was, but also how downright terrible the keyboardist was.
Elbowing up to the bar during the band's first break, my friend asked what I thought. "You guys are incredible," I answered, "but I couldn't believe how bad your pianist is." And even though my friend's face slowly turned ashen, I continued. "I mean, seriously, he can barely play! What's the deal? Does he own the P.A. or something?"
With a wide-eyed glare and nearly imperceptible nod, my friend silently signaled something or someone right behind me. Slowly turning around I came face-to-face with the pianist, who'd been leaning in to hear our conversation, at which point I said something extra smooth like, "Wow — I, uhh — really need to go to the bathroom," and disappeared into the crowd.
Here's one last true story. After wrapping up the very first album I ever recorded, my '70s proto-metal band was listening to final mixes in our rehearsal studio, when an old college friend of the lead singer walked in. After a couple songs, our singer asked what he thought.
"It sounds really good, except for the drummer," the friend responded. He very likely didn't realize I was the drummer in question, but that didn't stop me from getting in his face. "What the hell you mean by that?!" I retorted, once again, extra smoothly. He went on to point out how I played too many fills, and my drum sound was dead and lifeless. Of course, I was too jacked on adrenalin and anger to believe a word he said.
Flash forward three decades. A CD player replaced my turntable, and then an iPod replaced my CD collection. Yet, for some reason, I still had a closet full of vinyl. So my girlfriend bought me a record player for Christmas and I began listening to my old records.
Within seconds of dropping the needle onto the wax of the very first album I ever recorded, I realized I was indeed playing far too busily and my drums sounded like cardboard boxes.
Criticism. I've observed it, dealt it, received it, and now fully appreciate how its value is decided in its delivery. So if you want to hurt someone's feelings, use blunt force. They'll get over it. But if you can point a fellow drummer in the right direction, try offering advice tempered with compassion. You'll feel better about yourself in the long run, and won't need to take quite as many fake bathroom breaks"
Paradigm For A New Era
Paradigm For A New Era
You've heard the Chinese axiom, "May you live in interesting times." Well, it turns out the phrase isn't from China after all (thank you Wikipedia), though the mystery of its actual birthplace doesn't alter the wisdom behind the words.
At first blush, I'd bet most people interpret it as some sort of friendly greeting, as I did, since Westerners tend to equate interesting experiences with good times. On closer inspection, though, the implied sentiment is precisely the opposite.
The wish isn't a blessing. It's a curse. The logic goes that life is easy and comfortably predictable when times are uninteresting. Things become interesting only when the calm is disrupted by storm clouds, or worse, which brings me to my point.
We live in interesting times. Politics, economics, climate — big changes are reshuffling multiple decks in every direction. And while it might pale in comparison to more globally pressing issues, musicians also face an ever-shifting set of rules while trying to launch a career in 2015.
It wasn't always this confusing. I've lamented more than once that digital media, and the public's wrongheaded thirst for free music, chips away the profitability of recording revenue. Admittedly, it was never exactly easy to make a living as a musician, but in my opinion, defanging one of its key incentives — royalties — can only dissuade future musical innovators from ever picking up an instrument.
But now, I couldn't be more pleased to admit I might have been wrong. While the number of players inspired by the profit motive has shrunk, a new generation who are truly invested in the art appears to have emerged. And instead of plying the dusty record deal model to get their music out, today's creators are finding ways to use to their advantage the very technology that displaced many of their immediate predecessors.
For evidence, I submit a blog I recently read by Jack Conte, one half of the California duo Pomplamoose. Titled "Pomplamoose 2014 Tour Profits (Or Lack Thereof)," it reveals in painful detail the various new hoops through which artists must leap to get their music out.
In short, to produce their self-financed tour, they hired back-up musicians and a road crew, rented vehicles, and spent $26,450 on production expenses, $17,589 on hotels and food, $11,816 on gas, airfare, and parking, $5,445 on insurance, $48,094 on salaries and per diems, $21,945 on merchandise, publicity, supplies, and shipping, and $16,463 on commissions, for a total outlay of $147,802.
On the other side of the ledger, without the benefit of a major label's tour support, the band took in $135,983 in income from ticket and merch sales, as well as a strategic sponsorship from computer technology company Lenovo. You saw that right — in the end they lost $11,819 on the tour.
It might sound as if the effort was a failure, but not according to Conte. He wraps up his tally by stating "the loss was an investment in future tours," and goes on to explain that the two bandmembers otherwise sell about $5,000 per month on YouTube and Loudr, and each draws a monthly salary of $2,500.
See, they're too busy writing music and producing videos to waste a minute reminiscing about the good old days. To paraphrase Conte, one final time: While they haven't "made it," they are "making it," and I salute such pluck.
Time To Freshen Up
Time To Freshen Up
You can't play the same licks forever (though, Lord knows, I've tried). Sooner or later, for the sake of your bandmates' sanity or your own self-esteem, through diligent practice or subconscious osmosis, every drummer will expand his or her vocabulary and freshen things up a bit.
Drummers aren't alone. Virtually everyone involved in a specialized field wants to learn how to sharpen crucial skills, including your pals right here on the DRUM! team.
Throughout our 23-year history, we've always sought unexplored avenues and improved ways to deliver information that'll help you become a better, more informed player. We've taken two different tacks to update these pages. Sometimes we swallow hard, conduct endless planning sessions, and scribble ideas on whiteboards to bundle a swath of improvements into a single, dramatic relaunch. But more often, in fact almost every month, we like to tinker around the edges, tightening design and editorial elements to enhance clarity and make things more, well, fun.
Occasionally the tinkering seeps beyond the edges and into the middle of the page, like our recent overhaul of the Soundlab department. These hands-on product tests had begun to look cluttered, dotted with cramped sidebars that weren't exactly reader friendly. So we opened up the layout by using graphic call-outs to highlight details and specs right inside each product photo. Bye-bye fussy sidebars. Hello more white space.
We also enlisted a couple more ringers for our Practice Pad drum lessons. Even though he's best known for his work with such hardcore acts as Dillinger Escape Plan and, more recently, Marilyn Manson, Gil Sharone shares his secret love affair with Jamaican drumming in his new Reggae column. And Spin Doctors drummer Aaron Comess takes over our Groove column from a trio of heavyweights who came before him — Stanton Moore, Jeffrey "Houseman" Clemens, and Chad Smith.
Flip forward a few pages beyond this one and you'll land in our Single Strokes department, packed with practical career advice that goes beyond flams and paradiddles. While there, be sure to see how our two new specialists can help. Need to sign a contract? A drummer with the hard rocking outfit One Bad Son and entertainment lawyer from Vancouver, British Columbia, Kurt Dahl now pens our Legal Beat column. Can't get that snare drum to sing? Meet Chris Achzet — 20-year drum tech and founder of Los Angeles Drum Services — who will explain how to sound your best with his Drum Care column.
Every issue is a new adventure, and we're glad you're along for the ride. As always, thanks for reading DRUM! Magazine.
Romance And Drumming: The Eternal Dilemma
Romance And Touring At Odds
[Ed. Note: Andy Doerschuk originally wrote this for the August 2014 issue of DRUM!, which was devoted to the subject of touring.]
Ever notice how life can force you to choose between one thing or the other, when you actually want some of both? Unfortunately, that's how it's often worked when I've tried to strike a balance between romance and drumming. So on the occasion of this special touring issue, it seems appropriate to illustrate how those two irresistible and occasionally opposing forces can twist you into knots.
First, though, let's all admit it isn't easy to date a musician, especially when the better half has a normal work routine. It requires the empathy of Gandhi to accept the notion that your loved one disappears on Friday and Saturday date nights, then blows your weekend days by waking up at noon. Tension only multiplies when a musician disappears on tour for months at a time, so I hope the two of you are either deeply in love or have a great marriage counselor.
Truth be told, I had a marriage fall apart while I was on the road in 1981. I was 26 and on my very first major road trip, as my band spent the summer opening for Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers on the Hard Promises tour.
I've written about it before, so I'll skip the gory details. Suffice to say that once it was
clear our relationship was over, every day became a crazy rollercoaster. In the afternoon or early evening I would realize my wildest dreams by playing for tens of thousands of people in basketball stadiums and outdoor festivals. At night, I would sulk back to my hotel room and cry in my beer.
Whoever said absence makes the heart grow fonder clearly never toured with a rock band. There are exceptions, though. I've known couples that have nurtured a close family life — buying houses, raising kids, going to little league games, the whole wonderful package — even while mom or dad periodically goes on tour. I wish I could tell you the secret to their success, but it always eluded me.
But there's yet another scenario, which I've personally experienced only once. I was
playing with a promising young guitar prodigy who quickly gained notoriety on the west coast. One night I met a woman at a show and we hit it off. Before long we began dating and, as illustrated earlier, she came to every show in the area.
But rather than grow tired of the experience, she started traveling in the van to out-of-town gigs — always backstage, yucking it up, acting like one of the guys, having a grand old time. So was I, as a matter of fact, but my bandmates didn't dig it. I soon got the word from the top — no girlfriends allowed in the van. The story continues from there, but for the sake of brevity let's just say the ultimatum didn't exactly sit well.
Under the best circumstances, romantic relationships require mutual understanding and willingness to work out differences. So if your heart is set on being a full-time touring musician, prepare to make some sacrifices at home, because that's where every road trip will ultimately end.


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Posted October 4, 2013, 2:13 pm
Utah's most popular hunt — the general rifle buck deer hunt — begins Oct. 19.
If you're one of the lucky hunters who has a permit for the hunt, getting prepared now — by gathering materials and gaining knowledge — is the key to a safe and successful experience. And while taking a deer is usually the highlight of any deer hunt, make sure you take advantage of all the experiences deer hunting has to offer.
Being prepared before the hunt starts is the key to a successful deer hunt.
Photo by Kirk Gardner
"There's so much more to deer hunting than taking a deer," says Kirk Smith, hunter education coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "Being in the mountains with your family and friends, enjoying the beautiful fall scenery and the variety of wildlife Utah has to offer, can make any deer hunt a memorable experience."
Smith provides the following tips for a safe and enjoyable hunt:
Personal preparation
Preparing your firearm
Firearm safety
Vehicle preparation
Before leaving on your trip
While in the field
Field dressing your animal
Your physical well-being
If you get lost
Alcohol and firearms don't mix!
Beavers in Utah
Building guzzlers in Utah's Newfoundland Mountains
Gila monsters — Creatures of legends and misconceptions


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In today's work world, courage is a vital leadership attribute for talent managers. Today's workplace is rife with fear. During the last few years, the world has suffered through an unusual amount of fear-inspiring situations, including the economic meltdown, numerous wars, the constant threat of terrorism, the overthrowing of governments and multiple natural disasters.
Fear has a debilitating impact on performance. Recent research shows that fearful workers are twice as likely to be depressed and 33 percent more likely to suffer from sleep disorders than their confident colleagues. The bottom line is, an organization will perform better with people who are full of courage instead of people who are full of fear.
Courageous leadership is most needed during times of stress and transition. For talent managers to positively influence the behavior of employees, they need to both display and inspire courage. Here are tips to help them build their own courage and to inspire more courageous behaviors among those they lead or influence.
Building Your Own Courage
1. Pinpoint your courageous destination. Before setting out on a journey to be a more courageous leader, you must figure out the destination, including what you hope to achieve by becoming a role model of courage. Do you want to assert your idea more confidently, and thus inspire others to do so? Do you want to take on more responsibly and influence others to take on more too? Figure out the ways in which you need to be more courageous, and how your newfound courage might influence others.
2. Know your courage history. Reflect back on the moments in your career when you demonstrated the most courage. What drove you to act with courage? What did you experience in the days or moments leading up to acting with courage? What did you do to prepare for acting courageously? Finally, what was the outcome? After assessing your courage history, jot down some lessons from your past that you can apply when you need to act with courage in the future.
3. Eat your spinach. When the cartoon character Popeye needed to muster his courage, he would scarf down some spinach. What is your "spinach"? What are the sources of courage you can, or perhaps already do, tap into when you need to strengthen your courage muscles? Does a brisk run before work make you feel stronger? Do you have a trusted mentor who you always walk away from feeling better about yourself? To build your courage, continuously tap into your courage sources.
Building Courage in Others
1. Set clear expectations. Just as sound performance management requires level-setting upfront performance expectations, it is important to clarify with workers that behaving with courage is part of what constitutes being a good corporate citizen. Be explicit in defining what courageous behavior looks like. Things like stepping up to career challenges, coming forward with novel ideas and approaches and taking calculated risks should all qualify. Individually, provide people with stretch goals that prevent them from getting overly comfortable.
2. Give people permission to disagree. Make it clear to each of the people you lead that you do not want to be surrounded by yes-people. Explain that it is dangerous to you and the team when people agree with everything you say. Tell them that to make good and informed decisions, you need people to offer perspectives that run counter to your own. Then provide them with a few tips on how to disagree with you in a way that won't put up your defenses. Then, when people start respectfully disagreeing with you, avoid the temptation to pull rank or punish them.
3. Reward behavior, not outcomes. Courage is found in the attempt, not the outcome. When people exhibit courage but make mistakes, or even fail, resist the temptation to punish them. As long as they failed for the right reasons and by following sound logic, compliment them for acting with courage. Just make sure they draw as many lessons learned from the episode as possible. Remember, if people aren't extending themselves and making mistakes, they aren't growing and developing for the good of the organization.
Human and organizational growth and development don't happen in a zone of comfort, they happen in a zone of discomfort. Part of a talent manager's job is to help people do uncomfortable things to help them move forward in their careers and the organization.
Bill Treasurer is the author of Courage Goes to Work, and is the chief encouragement officer of Giant Leap Consulting, a courage-building company whose clients include NASA, the National Science Foundation, Accenture, SPANX, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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User talk:Hindleyite/Arsemas card
From Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia
< User talk:Hindleyite
Revision as of 12:30, January 11, 2007 by Hindleyite (talk | contribs)
edit Arsemas Card
|Boothman was throwing away last year's Arsemas cards, and
realised that only faggots celebrate Arsemas.
This user thinks you are mediocrity personified,
and URGES you to have a Furry Arsemas...TO-DAY!!!!


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- Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
- Basic Mindfulness
- Bow Down Yoga
- Cambridge Insight Meditation Society
- eMindful
- Exquisite Mind Psychotherapy and Meditation Studio
- Go Beyond Words: Wisdom Publications Buddhist Blog
- Imagine Zero
- Insight Meditation Society
- Kripalu
- Lawyers With Depression
- Living Mindfully
- Maya Center for Integrated Medicine and Research
- Mindful Awareness Research Center
- Mindful Hiker
- Mindfulness & Psychotherapy
- One City
- Opening the Heart Workshop
- Polly Young-Eisendrath
- Rev. Sam Trumbore
- Saltwater Buddha
- Shao Shan Temple Spiritual Practice Center
- Shambhala SunSpace
- Stephen Batchelor
- The Frontal Corex
- The Mindful Path
- Tiny Buddha
- Todd Sargood
- Tricycle
- Vajra Dakini Nunnery
- Vermont Digger
- Wisdom Publications
- Yoga Sanga
A recent piece in the New York Times "The New Mantra: Replacing 'Om' With 'Glam'" caught the attention of Tricylcle blogger, Emma Varvaloucas. She screamed "noooooooooooooooo."
In my book, Wild Chickens and Petty Tyrants: 108 Metaphors for Mindfulness, I quoted Thoreau who said, "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes." This captures it. There is nothing wrong with fine threads but they won't do the work of meditation for you.
The fancy clothes can contribute to identifying as a meditator and that will be a pitfall. There are many trappings that can become pitfalls–identifying with any of the "things" associated with meditation practice can be a detriment to practice. This includes statues of the Buddha, incense, zafus and zabutons, and brand names like "XYZ Zen Center" and "ABC Tibetan Buddhist Practice Center."
Anything we can do can be done materialistically–including the spiritual practice of meditation. Just read Chogyam Trungpa's Spiritual Materialism for the definitive statement on this issue. Materialism breeds attachement. But wait a second, so does anti-materialism. So, watch out, attachment can get you from both sides.
There is nothing wrong with having nice things as long as we are not fixated on those things, get distracted by them, or invest them with power that they don't have.
After reading this story, I got dressed for the meditation retreat I was about to lead at my Studio. I decided to wear my oldest, most ripped jeans. I don't really think that my attire made a difference in my meditation. Yet, some of the other material in the Studio did help. The cushions and and the space provided the container where people could gather and place themselves and look within. The bell marked the transitions between sitting and walking so that we could remain in silence. Three bells signaled the end of our mini-retreat.
The Studio is a lovely place and while it doesn't do the work for us, it is a nice place to do the work (or play) of meditation. One of us eschewed clothes altogether.


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Taipei, Aug. 9 (CNA) Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC Corp. retained its status as the third best-selling smartphone brand in the United States in the second quarter of this year, but its market share shrank slightly, according to a newly released market research report.
Access to articles dating back more than six months is not available free of charge. You can gain access by becoming a paid Focus Taiwan member.
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Girls Basketball: Lady Jays frosh split
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Jefferson City Lady Jays split a pair of game in the Jefferson City Freshman Tournament on Monday.
The Lady Jays A team was a 53-28 winner over Oakland Junior.
The Jefferson City B team dropped a 47-32 decision to Blair Oaks.
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Spotted in an Australian newspaper.
Thanks for making Olympic diving extra dirty, Comcast.
What the title says.
The parade of nations can be hard for some.
Every four years people gather to watch the Olympic torch on its journey to the Opening Ceremonies -- it's a tradition as old as time.
But now it's time for a new one.
Behold, the prestigious running of the Olympic Banana.


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Daniel ChunderFollow Daniel Chunder
Going to Ireland for a week and then doing the 21 day camping starting 25June.
Daniel Chunder hasn't gone Contiki yet.
Have a favorite tour?
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21 Day Camping June 25th
Hey all yeah just seein who else is goin on this tour..ap...
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about camping tours europe meeting places
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Liddington Hill, the flat topped hill seen from many parts of Swindon, has several military structures built on it. This is a chance to see them while enjoying the views over the Downs on this 12-mile walk. Walk event begins at 10 am and ends at 5 pm.
Please wear stout footwear and clothes to suit the weather, sunscreen and sun hat if hot.
Bring a drink and packed lunch, binoculars if you have them.
Meet at Coate Water Ranger Centre. Book in advance.
Event leader Michael Lilley.


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So I am 290ish pounds, and I have been to see a nutritionist.
He is a sports nutritionist and has worked with a powerlifter before.
He cleaned up my diet a lot (I was eating pretty crappy for a while) and I ended up on ~4000 cals (3800-4000 depending on meat choices)
The breakdown is:
Carbs 43% - 424g
Fat 34% - 147g
Protein 23% - 214g
I have been on this for 3 months...and have been back to see him (but he didnt really offer any advice).
I am still 'fat' with a lot of flab around my midsection...and no where else.
The scale has not change a single number over the 3 months...but I haven't really change appearance either
I am a powerlifter and strongman and I train 4 times a week...but I dont even look like I work out (my first comp I was asked by the meet director if I have ever trained before, when I asked for a 660 opener on squats he pooped himself)
Here is the diet he wrote out:
1 cup of oats
1 cup of skim milk
2 tbsp of berries
Pre training
2 slices of heavy fruit loaf/cinnamon toast
200g cottage cheese or ricotta
40g whey+ 5g creatine
200g low fat meat
1 cup of rice
2 cups of vegetables
Afternoon tea
200g yogurt
10-15 almonds
2 pieces of fruit
200g lean meat
2 cups of pasta
2 cups of veggies
1 tbsp of oil
Before Bed
200g of yoghurt or cottage cheese
1 piece of fruit
Does anyone have any advice?
I have tried to clean it up even more and take out some of the carbs.
This week I have started to eat whole foods only and steer clear of pasta and other starchy foods
I would love to 'recomp' I guess and stay the same weight, but actually have notable muscle mass


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Veteran broacaster Bill O'Herlihy steps away from the mic tonight after hosting The World Cup Final after a television career spanning six decades. Take a look back on the early days of his career with this clip from RTÉ Archives.
The gentlemanly Corkman is best known as a sports presenter but he began his career in news and current affairs. Following stints with both the Cork Examiner and the Evening Echo, his broadcasting career started with local soccer reports for Radió Éireann in Cork.


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LONDON - Porsches are to feature heavily in upcoming thriller 'Cellular', starring Kim Basinger, as part of deal with filmmakers New Line Cinema to widen typical movie product placement.
The Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet and Cayenne V6 SUV figure prominently in the film's plot as Basinger plays a kidnap victim who calls for help on her cell phone.
Porsche Cars North America is to hold events at its dealerships in the US to show the trailer for 'Cellular' and offer 40,000 Cayenne sales prospects two tickets to the movie in exchange for a test drive.
Porsche is also promoting the film by email and in publications sent to Porsche owners.
Basinger and the rest of the Hollywood cast are to ride in Porsches to the movie's premiere on September 17.
Additional footage of the Porsche 911 was shot to be added to the DVD version of the film to released next year. The movie also stars Chris Evans, who will seen next year in the movie 'Fantastic Four' where he plays Johnny Storm, The Human Torch, alongside Brit actor Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards, Mr Fantastic.
The deal is similar to those struck by Jaguar for 'Catwoman' and BMW, which featured its Z3 in the Bond move 'GoldenEye', the BMW 750i and the BMW RC1200 motorbike in 'Tomorrow Never Dies' and the BMW Z8 in 'The World is Not Enough' before Bond retuned to his more traditional Aston Martin in 'Die Another Day'.
However, Porsche will have to go some way before it tops the record of the Ford Mustang, which has appeared in more than 500 movies in its 40-year history.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the Forum here.


text: The exterior of this handbag is in good condition. The vachetta leather has a light patina. The bottom corners are worn and there is a water mark underneath the top handle. The interior is in good condition, with a few stains on the lining. It does not ship with a designer dust bag.


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Whitney's Clefairy was one of Whitney's Normal-type Pokémon, and was often seen out of its Pokéball. Ash and co. first met Whitney when Ash's Pikachu bumped into her Clefairy. It later became a target of Team Rocket and was almost captured, along with Pikachu. However, using its Metronome move, it was able to whip up a strong Gust attack to blow away Team Rocket. Clefairy was used in Ash's Gym Battle against Whitney and was the second Pokémon she used. Luck, however, was not on Clefairy's side after it used Metronome and it came up with a measly Splash attack, and forfeited after getting scared from an intense Flamethrower attack from Ash's Cyndaquil.
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"If God wanted us to stay at one place, he would have given us roots instead of feet." Thousands of blog posts have been written about traveling in your 20's. And when they mention that traveling makes you grow in ways you've never imagined, they are absolutely right. Though traveling is generally perceived to be […]
10 Jul 2014