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Loving the Land
As I drove across the Blue Bridge today and looked at the Columbia River, I marveled at the beauty of my hometown. And as often happens, one thought is a seed for another and another ... another.
My hometown really is beautiful. When I was a teen I couldn't wait to get out of here, but now I love being here. It's a place of refuge. And because I'm older and wiser in Christ, I know how important it is to bless this place that I love.
Next thought (which was my third, if you're tracking with me) was God doesn't create crappy, junky land. He makes things beautiful. So when we're in neighborhoods and places that are run down, it's because of defilement, and us not caring for His creation. He doesn't create dumps and place His beloved there. With exception.
Think of Adam. He placed Adam in an ideal place and charged him to care for, develop and maintain it. We're responsible for caring for the land God places us on. You may be thinking you don't own anything, you rent ... no matter. You can do your part to maintain it. Even if it's as small as releasing a blessing over the land each day as you come and go. But you can also pick up any trash that you see on the grounds or pull any weeds that spring up.
The exception is that God will place us in rough spots - that humans made rough, btw - to clean them up. To redeem them. We're supposed to bring The Kingdom to those places in the forms of work (I'm not cursing), authority and dominion.
I'm formally inviting you to The Tri-Cities, Wash. I love it here and am blessing the land every chance I get. I'm having a conference October 20, 2018 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Patti and I are going to minister as prophet and seer to the human spirit to locate the next piece of deliverance you need to overcome.
I'm also going to teach on the anti-Christ spirit. This is a big one because it's a high-level spirit that rules over Jezebel and Leviathan. We're so distracted by those two lesser demons that we ignore the damage that Christ told us the anti-Christ would cause in Revelation, and is happening right before our eyes in the world.
I'm also going to heal the Psalm 139:16 timeline. Aligning our lives with God's Original Design is crucial. You have to get the book He wrote about your life out of the enemies' hands and open so you can be, do and have what He ordained for you.
I hope you'll come. Big blessings!
A Data Marker
I got a data marker.
Yep. Actually two right now and they're big ones.
On May 5, 2018 I wrote a post titled Made Me Think, which you'll need to read for understanding. I'll wait.
Welcome back.
I recorded the data markers and added them to BGC Part 3: Spirit Husbands. Here's a discount code --> SU98UWU70W <-- to download it for 50% OFF. Get it before the coupon expires.
I'm currently at 79.5 hours praying in tongues since March 29 and God is currently working miracles and doing the impossible on my behalf. If you'd like to join me in prayer this summer, I'm hosting a mini Building in the Spirit (BitS) prayer season June 24-July 7. I'm smiling just imagining all God's gonna do for and with me between now and then. 😀
During last year's BitS God revealed my spiritual DNA and set on me on a path to maturing my spirit so that it could rise up and take authority over my soul. And that led to getting my life timeline healed.
Lots of great stuffs going on with me and The Lord. I pray you're growing with Him, too. There's so much to learn and experience with Him ... never a dull moment.
Also, last night I did war against predator demons and those Egyptians heretics that love to steal from me. I've already seen some movement this morning. Thank You, Lord!
Be exceedingly blessed, dear ones ... and keep growing forward.
From Home
© Copyright Zari Banks, Inc. 2018
Three Planes
This is my Nana. She's got 88 years of service on the earth. The enemy's currently messing with her brain and I'm not really for that. I guess they weren't expecting me to hop on a plane at 5:50am, minister to her spirit and then hop back on at 6:32pm to return home. I'll do it again, too. When I see demonic theft, the fighter in me awakens. Those who intercede for/with me, please release a verbal agreement that she be continually strengthened in mind, body, soul and spirit with all the strength God's Spirit gives. Thanks!
I had a really cool dream earlier this week about three planes. But I'm gonna share some other things before I get into that.
First, the spirit of suicide visited me Tuesday afternoon - during the 2 o'clock hour, I believe. What had happened was … I was entertaining thoughts of despair. That says a mouthful already. But my mind (thoughts) moves so quickly, the spirit of depression doesn't have much effect on me anymore. Because prophets are prone to depression I've learned not to allow my mind to sit on those kinda thoughts for long periods. I already have a Biblical principle that works and overcomes the enemy so my brain automatically kicks it into play. That stinker tried to pop in as fast as he could in an attempt to get a foothold. I listened to his rant (reasons I should just end it and be free) for about three seconds. This is one of those Matrix three seconds 'cause the spiritual realm doesn't have time like our dimension, and he was able to get off 2-3 sentences in that amount of time.
I was already transitioning from negative thoughts to Kingdom authority so I didn't even have to directly address the demon, he just left because I paid him no mind. I'm sharing this with you because that's new for me and to encourage you. Demons understand authority, and if you truly have Kingdom authority, you don't have to do a lotta hoopin' and hollin' for low-level demons because they can read you in the spiritual realm. They don't want to get punished so they'll leave on their own, like this itty bitty did, or with a quick legal reminder.
Oh, yeah, I passed 70 hours of tongues, too. That's probably why I had the Three Planes dream.
One more thing before I get to the dream. I was up praying this morning sometime before 3 a.m. and The Lord gave me some wisdom for Zayne. When I received the message it was an eloquent, little statement. I've forgotten the exact words but I have the gist and I'm sharing it for those of you who have children you're raising to honor God.
The wisdom:
Don't get in the habit or practice of allowing others to convince you to do things. The enemy sees that agreement and writes a contract in the spiritual realm.
Actions and decisions have consequences - natural and spiritual - and the spiritual consequences are multiplied. Think before you act, and think about what you're thinking.
And this led me to pray:
Lord, don't let him re-empower any demonic stronghold or curse I've already fought to break.
Finally to the dream. A few nights ago I couldn't sleep so I was thanking God for my Psalm 139:16 timeline and book in heaven and for helping me to discover what's ordained for me. Then I dreamed the following:
I was in a small airplane. Not Cessna small, more like a Canadair Regional Jet (seats 50 or fewer). There were a few others in the plane, too, and it began to crash into the side of a mountain area that was absolutely beautiful, had a waterfall and a pinky-gold hue like the scenes when they're with the elves in LOTR FOTR - Rivendell. I said, "Oh, no ... we're gonna crash. Lord, are we gonna crash?" And we crashed. There was no blood or guts, it just crashed and switched to being inside the airport waiting for another plane. While in the airport I was looking for food (of course) and met the singers Ginuwine and Kelly Rowland (her, I have met IRL earlier in 2018).
Now a different group of people were with me and we were in a bigger plane. That one crashed, too. Not into a mountain, just on land, and again, there was no blood, guts or major panic. For the second time we were in the airport again waiting for another plane to take us to our destination. This time I met President Donald J. Trump, and I had a boyfriend with me.
We get on the third plane and it's huge (like a freighter) and had a stand-up observation cab in the back of the plane where the lavatories actually are. This time the group of people with me included family members. Before the plane took off I prayed and blessed it and it took off, soared and we were on our way.
Planes represent ministry or career and these different planes represent different seasons/cycles in my life; airports represent transition. The first small plane was my 8 years in public ed (2001-2009). That crashed into something wonderful because even though I was laid off, I went into business, ministry and homeschooled and The Lord sustained me.
The second and bigger plane were the foundational years of my maturing and ministry - the beautiful mess that God crafted with me from 2010-2017. The second crash wasn't as glamorous, though, because I'm no longer a (spiritual) child. It was a hard drop on land after success (flying high) with The Spirit because I needed an abrupt wake-up call (slap in the face if we're being honest, and we are) to suit up as a Kingdom Warrior and serve The King.
The last, big-big plane is the current cycle that I'm in. I took off and am flying high in safety because of the hours I've invested in The Kingdom praying in tongues and being matured in spirit so that I'm gaining the authority needed to establish this new business and ministry He's entrusted to me. And this time I have favor with family members who have faith in me coming alongside me that didn't in seasons past. That's fantastic on so many levels.
I give God praise, honor and glory for this new start to this new season, and I'm moving forward with legitimate earned authority and faith to live a life that proves He is Who He says He is. Ha'shem Yeshua!
P.S. As always I welcome your comments below. Blessings!
P.P.S. I just looked at my ordination certificate and giggled because of a convo I had with Sharon afterward. She asked how was it [to be ordained] and I answered I'm not doing anything differently than before. She answered:
"Now you can bury 'em and marry 'em ... and charge. That's different." 🤣😂🤣
From Oakland International Airport at gate 17 up 'til the suicide part; then from the prophet's room WS.
© Copyright Zari Banks, Inc. 2018
Oh ... My ... Goodness
Ok, so ... I shared on ZM7A about the warfare I'm in right now and it's getting cra-zy.
Recently I had another believer say to me what these strong men I've been fighting keep saying to me which was basically: We want everything you have and we're gonna keep taking it from you as long as you're stupid enough to allow it. Dude.
The enemy uses us like it ain't nothing. Seriously. Here are some examples in addition to the one above.
First, I went bonkers giving last year. Patti Cake told me the other day that I give more percentage wise of my income than anyone else she knows. But, when the enemy started stealing from me I was forced to take my giving to The Lord for some analysis. Well, I had to confess and repent for some of my giving, because it wasn't a part of God's plan for my stewardship.
I had the desire to give because I'm a giver, but it wasn't The Lord leading the giving. And when that happens, I get some harvest, but not great harvest because I told God my money was His to direct and broke that covenant which opened me up to demonic devouring aka a curse. Whoo! Take a breath. You can learn all about that in Cursed with a Cursed: Finances.
Another common example is saying the mean things we're thinking and/or allowing the enemy to whisper to us and then adding, 'I'm just sayin'' or 'That's just me' to end of it as if that covers the sin. Wrong. The only things that cover sin are The Dam Yeshua which was shed in seven places, His death and His resurrection when appropriated in faith and authority.
Back to the warfare. So, we're fasting and praying - I had 90 mins in tongues done by 2 a.m. this morning and a total of 15+ hours over the last 7 days. I'm telling you it's serious. But the magnificent thing is, The Lord is showing up. He's showing up with mostly revelation right now, but the big breakthrough has to follow. And the revelation is good. He's showing a lot of where I've messed up and as a result shook hands with the enemy - ie. the unauthorized giving.
I know in the past I've said I only do what God tells me to do, but when I'm in intimate conversation with Him and He's removed earthly veils it's so easy to see how often I do what I do without consulting The Lord. This is true for all of us. We see in part, prophesy in part, have our own agendas and are self-focused not God-focused most of the time. God is demanding and high maintenance so we have to admit we're not Jesus or even close, and we still live for ourselves primarily. Which is just human nature, and human nature is hard to fight.
My mentor says people will always cause more problems in our lives than any demons, and it's true. I prefer small groups and safety but for whatever reason, God's long-term plan continually pushes me out in front of groups to get rubbed, bruised and matured. I keep reminding myself that not one of my issues - internal or external - fazes God because He's a master problem solver and heaven is solution central. Just gotta keep seeking.
That'll do it for now. Check back for updates on this warfare if you're interested. I know I'm making headway when the demons start hiding behind and throwing people under the bus. Yes and amen!
It is written: And they overcame him by The Blood of The Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
It is written: Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but The Lord delivers them out of them all.
I bless you to seek deep deliverance, uncover your destiny and possess your birthright in Yeshua's Name!
This article originally appeared July 26, 2015 on RachelReneeSmith.com.
Do you know what it is like to bound by an addiction for the better part of 30 plus years, at times losing hope of ever being free? If so, then you are familiar with my battle of shame, disgust, guilt and destructive behavior in relationships. In this video, I talk about my deliverance from an addiction which came when Zari Banks agreed with me in prayer and shared a teaching with me that dispelled the lie that I would never be free. I post this today in honor of Zari - Happy Birthday to an awesome woman of God!
Defeating the Enemy
The enemy is always doing something but we can allow the Lord to use their foolishness for His and our benefit. Watch.
You have to set your will to remain in the deliverance process until you're set free. If the enemy sees you're not all in, they will have you running from freedom instead of toward it. Everything in life is YOUR decision. If you decide you won't take less than what Jesus died to give you, you'll have it. But if your main goal is comfort you'll never thrive.
July 2020
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Christ Is Risen!
0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.
but it's what an outsider would see if he read this discussion.
So, is this what you wish to change in the Orthodox Church? That she should start including the view of Penal Satisfaction in her liturgical services?
The daily dogmatic voice of the Orthodox Church is the daily cycle of her Liturgical Services
So the dogmatic voice of the church is found in all the liturgical services used, in both Western and Eastern Rites, correct?
When the services/typikon of the church change, does the theology of the church change?
One that I have quoted from in this thread is the Longer Catechism of St. Philaret of Moscow that bears the following statement"Examined and Approved by the Most Holy Governing Synod, and Published for the Use of Schools, and of all Orthodox Christians, by Order of His Imperial Majesty. (Moscow, at the Synodical Press, 1830.)"http://www.pravoslavieto.com/docs/eng/Orthodox_Catechism_of_Philaret.htmWhile technically you may be correct that for instance this was not put out by the entire church, do you suppose the faith of the Romanian Church is different than what was approved of by the Holy Synod of the Russian Church?The one thing that does approach a catechism covering all churches are the Acts and Decrees 1672 Synod of Jerusalem. http://catholicity.elcore.net/ConfessionOfDositheus.html It was described IIRC by Metropolitan Kallistos in his book "The Orthodox Church" as the most important post schism Pan Orthodox synod. It's acts and decrees very much resemble what a catechism is intended to do, although not in the simplified Q&A format of a true catechism. The real point is it is an authoritative statement on the faith.Similar then to the work that was the nexus of this thread, although it seems with contradictory propositions.While I would never discount the importance of the liturgy as the living expression of the church, I don't think we would be so naive as to assume they are the only deposit of faith or our only tool for learning about it. That is why catechisms and other materials have been and will be produced.It's interesting, because when I read these words I detect a rather patronizing tone. Oh well, such is the Internet.I have indeed listened to and participated in the divine services, though I haven't limited myself to comprehending the faith based on them. This is an interesting point, because I think some people do assume others such as their children will pick up the faith almost through osmosis, and take no active interest in looking at it more deeply. That I believe is a mistake.The fads I fear are the re-invention of Orthodoxy as the alternative to the western church, which much of what I'm reading is further evidence of. Considering I don't think I've quoted a writing newer than the 19th century, I hope one thing it would appear I am not doing is following a fad. It would seem to me critically examining the claims being made about what the Orthodox church has actually said in the past is counter to the current fads.
Red herring. Nowhere have I said anything even approaching that. I actually in this thread don't believe I've advocated any sort of change whatsoever. I certainly haven't used the word penal at all.
To answer honestly: I'm not sure.Personally, I'm not entirely happy with the method with which the Western Rite was introduced. I really think it should have taken place on a Pan-Orthodox level rather than the local level.
No. The Services are changing all the time- just look at the current mess the Greek typicon for Orthros is in, and I've already mentioned the Moghila Absolution prayer, not to mention the fact that new services are constantly being written at the local level. But what I'm talking about is the Services, Hymns and Prayers which have stood the test of time and place. The Absolution Prayer of Arch. Peter Moghila has not stood the test of time and place, since it is not acceptable throughout the Church, and the same goes for the Greek revision of the the Typicon, since it is not acceptable throughout the Church. But there are dogmatic hymns etc, which the whole church accepts, and isn't this the acid test of St. Vincent of Lerins: universality, antiquity and consent?
Whether you like it or not, East and West are in Schism- and not just any schism, but one which has come to be called "The Great Schism".... But the reality is (much as you seem to wish to deny it) is that the Church is no longer One in East and West.
Nobody is bashing the west. I have just displayed some differences between there theology's. Your taking it to personal. You stated that Anselm isn't the west. But yet your sticking to your guns that it can be Incorporated into the eastern church.
QuoteSo the dogmatic voice of the church is found in all the liturgical services used, in both Western and Eastern Rites, correct?To answer honestly: I'm not sure.Personally, I'm not entirely happy with the method with which the Western Rite was introduced. I really think it should have taken place on a Pan-Orthodox level rather than the local level.
It has been blessed though for use by our bishops,
Here I think again is simply another issue with falling back and saying the services are the source of authoritative teaching. Many hymns are quite ancient, but the oldest (Phos Hilarion I believe) is probably from the second century. Pretty much everything else was added over time, especially the hymnology which grew in length and complexity. It seems to me there must be a deposit of faith that preceded and therefore necessarily underlies its expression in the liturgy. So the question becomes what is it, and where can we point to? If not the church fathers, or the catechisms, or the councils or synods, then what? The Catholics have the Magisterium and the Protestants the Bible. What is our source of authoritative teaching?
I think the other danger in saying the essential substance of the faith is bound up in the liturgy is all too readily apparent in the split within the Russian church over the Nikonian reforms.
If you apply universality, you aren't going to get Byzantine rite
which is why St. Vincent's statement refers to dogma, not to liturgy.
(St. Vincent of Lerins, of course, being a Westerner.)
Please feel free to accuse me of something openly rather than make "general" comments.Now let me say something openly to you:Whether you like it or not, East and West are in Schism- and not just any schism, but one which has come to be called "The Great Schism". Nowhere have I suggested that the Church prior to the Great Schism was not one. Nowhere have I suggested that when the Church was one that Orthodoxy was not maintained in the West. But the reality is (much as you seem to wish to deny it) is that the Church is no longer One in East and West.So despite your snide comments, and despite your's and aristibule's attempts to rest your arguments on the fact that the Western part of the Church was once Orthodox (which no one is arguing, so I fail to see your point in setting up a straw man about it- unless of course, you don't have a better point, which I suspect may be the case), and despite the futile attempts to suggest that the East did not maintain Orthodoxy as "evidenced" by the Nestorians and other heresies which were anathemised and have schismed from the Orthodox Church (which if you think about it about it, makes about as much sense as stating that the existence of Lutheranism "proves" the unorthodoxy of the Roman Catholic Church).......Despite all this, and despite the attempts to suggest that my belief that the Orthodox Church is the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is phyletism simply because, post schism, this Church existed only in the "East" (which includes more countries than any of us will probably ever visit in our lifetime, so to suggest that it is "phyletism" which literally means "tribalism" is laughable)....despite all this rudeness, false accusation, misrepresentation, these moot points...not once have I ever said anything "anti-convert" or even "anti-west", I simply pointed out the differences, and stated my belief that the Orthodox Church is the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church- and I've said before, that if you disagree with me, that's fine, I respect that. But don't you ever dare to suggest that my belief is based solely on a form of "phyletism".
The one thing that does approach a catechism covering all churches are the Acts and Decrees 1672 Synod of Jerusalem. http://catholicity.elcore.net/ConfessionOfDositheus.html It was described IIRC by Metropolitan Kallistos in his book "The Orthodox Church" as the most important post schism Pan Orthodox synod. It's acts and decrees very much resemble what a catechism is intended to do, although not in the simplified Q&A format of a true catechism. The real point is it is an authoritative statement on the faith.
That depends where you think the Church was after the great Schism. And "Byzantine Rite" is not the only rite in the Church apart from "Western Rite".
And if you follow the train of thought, the point is that Liturgy refers to dogma.
And the point being? Perhaps you missed this post:
it isn't in his 'train of thought',
I've seen people write on the Internet "Orthodoxy hasn't changed". Yet we have changed, and are changing. It's happening before our eyes.
Therefore, I can't see how one could say the "Eastern" or the "Western" view of the Atonement is either right or wrong. Both are represented in the liturgies we use.
I still have yet to see someone address the wide diversity of atonement views in the "West".
Bishop Kallistos WareOrthodox Church"The doctrinal decisions of an Ecumenical Council cannot be revised or corrected, but must be accepted in toto; but the Church has often been selective in its treatment of the acts of Local Councils: in the case of the seventeenth century Councils, for example, their statements of faith have in part been received by the whole Orthodox Church, but in part set aside or corrected."[the Confession of Dositheus was one of these]"In the seventeenth century a number of Orthodox writers
On the whole, however, the Confession of Dositheus is less Latin than that of Moghila, and must certainly be regarded as a document of primary importance in the history of modern Orthodox theology.
Demetrios G. I should take it personal - you just again accused me and mine of something we don't hold to; and that is bearing false witness. We are Westerners, we do not hold to Anselm's views and *never have*. I never stated anything about 'incorporating' Anselm's views into the 'eastern church'. I did note, however, that ideas such as 'ransom', 'atonement' are present in Orthodoxy from the beginning - in the Scriptures, Liturgies, and Church Fathers. Again - the West does not, and never had a single theology (in illustration, read this FAQ by a non-Thomistic Traditional Catholic : http://www.cheetah.net/~ccoulomb/ultra-realism.html .) What I, and others, are objecting to is not correcting Anselm's errors (and he had them), but in the constant attributing of his errors and guilt to 'the West' or 'converts'. Noting, us Westerners wouldn't be converts if we didn't think Anselm was in error. Anselm is not the West, nor does he represent the West or Western theology.
The penal satisfaction theory isn't 'Western', though it is an error of focus and emphasis based upon language and understandings that *do* exist in the Orthodox Tradition (Scriptures and Patristics.) I'd like to be able to stop repeating it - but the West *never* has been entirely Thomistic, nor entirely Anselmian.
And I still have to see a better argument from you against the Orthodox Church other than a pamphlet produced by some group I've never come across and probably aren't in Communion with, but hey......who's counting?
The brochure was only providing an example of common Anti-dox thinking. It was not directly related to the subject of this thread. (It's from an OCA church---the EP is not in Communion with the OCA?)And my debate here is not about what represents "true" Orthodoxy (I'll leave that to you and Welkodox; for me, it is already represented by the Catholic Church, where no Atonement theory is dogmatized unlike in Orthodoxy---or, as Welkodox would insist, in your characterization of it), but only about correcting the common and plainly silly stereotypes so many Orthodox construct of "Western" Atonement theology. I think I have already done that.
St Theophan the RecluseBishop Hilarion Alfeyev
Your post clearly states that it exists in the orthodox tradition. May I ask you where?
Lets see - St. Vincent is 5th c. France, St. Theophan in 19th c. Russia. Bp. Hilarion (Alfeyev) 21st. c. Russian. You gotta take a huge leap across time and space to see a "train of thought" there. Again, St. Vincent's universality isn't speaking of liturgics (he sure isn't speaking of Byzantine rite, something St. Vincent never would have seen or even been aware of, especially not what we know of as Byzantine rite. IIRC, our oldest Byzantine liturgical texts are 10th c.) What St. Theophan says is true, of course - its just the 'Vincentian Canon' isn't referring to the same thing. Also, as Lubeltri said - " I still have yet to see someone address the wide diversity of atonement views in the "West")." Except I'm asking it as a faithful and catechized Orthodox Christian. (Or for that matter, what is dogma in Orthodoxy - and what else is allowed as theological opinion, eh?) Demetrios G: The Gospel according to St. Matthew (20:28), The Gospel according to St. Mark (10:45), the Apocalypse of St. John (5:9), The First Epistle to St. Timothy (2:6) - ie "ransom", there is one example of the language existing in Orthodoxy. You can find a full discussion of some of these same topics in "Orthodox Dogmatic Theology" by Fr. Michael Pomazansky (he describes the real fault with the 'Anselmian theory' as the "The figurative expressions of the Apostles were accepted ... in their literal and overly narrow sense, and ... interpreted as a "satisfaction". This one-sided interpretation of Redemption became the reigning one in Latin theology.... The term "satisfaction" has been used in Russian Orthodox theology, but in a changed form: "the satisfaction of God's righteousness." That is true for most other terms and ideas comprising that particular view in Roman Catholic theology. That is the balance in our Orthodox theology - no reason to deny the language, or that we use the language in our theology: we do. However, it isn't the same as the viewpoint expressed by the Anselmian school. Fr. Michael also notes (correctly) that many Protestants believe quite differently (even to the point of error) against the same theory being criticized in the OP. What I don't know, and would like to know - where did this movement start that attempts to purge Orthodoxy of any sense of 'blood', 'ransom', 'atonement', 'sacrifice', 'substitution'?
He does say parts were accepted by the whole church, and parts were not. He doesn't specify which council of the two however or which part, but based on this quote earlier in the bookI would guess it is more likely the Confession of St. Petro Mohyla is the one with parts set aside. In any case, I only quoted one thing from the Confession of Dositheus.I'm glad at least that we've arrived at the point where we can drop the western/eastern distinction and look to the Western and Eastern liturgical expressions of Orthodoxy as normative for the faith.
(It's from an OCA church---the EP is not in Communion with the OCA?)
That's a good read!
Western rite may be very old but it has not organically evolved over time within Orthodoxy.
It's as though they seek to deny that things such as the hesychastic controversy even happened, and the mere mention of anything which suggests that there now exists some dogmatic differences between the eastern and western Churches brings an almighty tirade against one. And what I'd like to ask the "PC thugs" in the Orthodox Church is: if there are no dogmatic differences, then why not abolish the Western Rite in the Orthodox Church and allow worship in the Roman Catholic Church instead, rather than trying to make leaven bread look like unleaven bread?
Thus salvation for man and creation cannot come by a simple act of forgiveness of any juridical imputation of sin
Again, it is the resurrection that ACTUALLY saved us.
St. Paul says it clearly:1 Cor. 1517 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
I've always found Romanides to be a good read.
Tamara: Technically it did - as the Western rite evolved in the first millenium, and has changed in only a few particulars since that time (again, with Western Rite in Orthodoxy, all those changes are corrected.) Nevermind that language of 'organic' comes from the Theosopical movement (in particular, the Traditionalist school of Rene Guenon.) The truth is, even with 'organic' applied - it did organically reenter Orthodoxy, through the appropriate channels.
Theognosis,Forgiveness is key to the redemptive work of the Lord Christ. It is key to our ongoing process of salvation; we ask, nay, beg for forgiveness consistently in our liturgical and private worship. Yet the need for forgiveness is, in essence, the need for guilt--not illness--to be absolved. You don't go to a physician and beg for their forgiveness of your illness. The therepeutic aspect of salvation is indeed important and not to be overlooked, and given its greater appeal to the average mind is probably the aspect to be emphasised first and foremost, but it certainly cannot replace the juridical aspect of redemption. "Formerly the world, as guilty, was under judgment from the Law; but now the Word has taken on Himself the judgment, and having suffered in the body for all, has bestowed salvation to all". (St. Athanasius, Contra Arianos I.41,60)"How, were the Word a mere creature, could He have the power to undo God's sentence, and to remit sin?" (St. Athanasius, Orations ii. s. 67) You simply cannot separate the work of the Resurrection and the Crucifixion; that's highly un-Orthodox. Our hymns, icons, and soteriology in general, testify quite strongly to the fact that they constitute a single unified event.
I think people should reread EA's quotes from St. Athanasius. They are quite telling, especially those who want to pretend that this "satisfaction" issue was never found in the "Eastern" fathers.He also makes a very important argument. While I don't deny an ontological aspect, I don't think one can ask a physician to "forgive me." To say that this is ENTIRELY ontological denies this aspect of salvation, and in essence might even deny a lot of practices in our church, including confession.As for Fr. John Romanides, while I respect and agree with his writings, he does give off a sense of "anti-Western" pride. A lot of his writings is dedicated to the "real Romans" vs. those fake Latin-Frankish poor excuses of human beings.
You mean tacking on the epliclesis? I don't think that was a "correction," but an artificial addition. ...I am supportive of the Latin or other Western rites in Orthodoxy, it makes you more catholic, but I think the rite was fine as it was.
For that matter, ROCOR is also considered under Moscow (nothing new next month, just restoration of our hierarchs concelebrating.) Lubeltri: This is probably a topic for another thread - in liturgy. A brief synopsis of why we Western Orthodox have an epiclesis, though:To begin with, the epiclesis is a feature of Western liturgy from the earliest times (to be distinguished from epiklesis, a similar prayer with the same function in the Byzantine rite of Eastern liturgy. One term is Latin, the other Greek - when referring to the WRO liturgies, you correctly use epiclesis, while epiklesis is the normal term when discussing Byzantine or Oriental liturgies.) The epiclesis still exists in the Mozarabic rite (in fact, where we have our epiclesis from - the Gothic Missal), as it did in the other Gallican rites. It used to be the opinion of the greater part of liturgical scholars that the Roman mass originally had an epiclesis. In the mid-20th c., this fell out of favor in some quarters. However, to hold such an opinion means to ignore contemporary witness even of Roman bishops who describe the epiclesis in the Roman Mass. There were and are differences of opinion as to where the epiclesis was or should be.As for as Western theology regarding the epiclesis, there is a whole literature involved the subject in English. The Non-Juror Anglicans demanded the restoration of the epiclesis. So did the English part of the Anglo-Catholic movement (a whole Alcuin Club publication is dedicated to the epiclesis.) The Book of Common Prayer tradition, in fact, began with the restoration of an epiclesis into the liturgy of the first Prayer Book (which the Roman Church considered a Catholic liturgy - it was only the later Ordinal and second Prayer Book that were later rejected. The second Prayer Book, by the way, was never accepted by the Church - only by the English government, and only propogated for three months. Many scholars claim it was never in use in most parts of the Empire.) It is no secret either that the reform of the Roman Mass at Vatican II included the restoration of an epiclesis (and I'm not talking about liturgical abuses in the name of Vatican II.) The question as to borrowing between Western rites - they form such a close family, and the basic form of the Roman canon became normative, that minor borrowing in the name of clarifying our theology is justified. The fact is that both the Western theologians (including Roman trained DDs in the 19th c.) as well as Orthodox theologians from the old Academies (such as Kiev) were involved in the review of the Roman rite (same as the Gallican rite, again - which Abbe Guetee was the first Orthodox to translate and use.) The inclusion (restoration) of the epiclesis into the Roman Canon then was in accordance with Orthodox theology (East and West) and with a scholarly understanding of its precedent and nativity within Western liturgy. It is no more 'tacked in' than the name of various saints are into the commemorations in the Canon (which various Missals have wide variations.) Again, part of the diversity of the West, of which it is error to say 'The West had no epiclesis'.
Thanks for the explanation. I don't doubt that an explicit epiclesis has existed, long ago, in the West, but my point was that it is already expressed implicitly in the classic Roman rite (and the possible "loss" of it occurred long before the East-West schism). I know some Orthodox theologians think an explicit epiclesis is absolutely necessary for a valid consecration, and you Western-rite Orthodox already have to go out of your way to convince many in your Church that you are legitimate, so I can understand why you imported the epiklesis from the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom to your rite. Just thought it wasn't necessary (and neither were all those different Eucharistic prayers in the Novus Ordo, of course).
Lombard and Aquinas, and pretty much most Catholic theologians afterward, however, have disagreed with Anselm that the divine justice HAD to be satisfied, that the Atonement WAS necessary. It wasn't, but God chose it to be the conduit of his mercy (so, in that context, for us, it is necessary). And it conforms to reason that justice must be done---God is a pretty sensible God, not to mention an incredibly loving one.
This corresponds to St. Paul's words in Romans 3:24-26, " Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus."God did it this way, so that Joe Common Man couldn't question the intergrity or justice of God in forgiving even the worst sinner, because look who paid the cost of his salvation! Maybe, and don't press this too literally, the ransom was paid to common sense justice. So that the "man in the street" could easily understand a price was paid, a ransom was paid and the perfect God-Man Jesus Christ paid it.On the other hand, God did create the universe to run by certain laws (he could have done it differently but he didn't) and he created man to "run" by a certain moral code (he could have done it differently but didn't) and because of this, the sacrificial death of Christ, not surprisingly, satisifies the righteous demands of that moral code and of justice. All the while God remains free and unbound. He is the one who chose to create and do the whole thing in this way in the first place. God is not constrained.The last line may be the critical one in this debate - that God "appears" (in some of these theories) to be constrained by divine justice -- I think that is what concerns many "eastern" theologians. The west (and I think this thread has established that satisfaction is not necessarily western) is not imposing necessity this sense on the divine nature or freedom of God.
(6)We saw in the last chapter that, because death and corruption were gaining ever firmer hold on them, the human race was in process of destruction. Man, who was created in God's image and in his possession of reason reflected the very Word Himself, was disappearing, and the work of God was being undone. The law of death, which followed from the Transgression, prevailed upon us, and from it there was no escape. The thing that was happening was in truth both monstrous and unfitting. It would, of course, have been unthinkable that God should go back upon His word and that man, having transgressed, should not die; but it was equally monstrous that beings which once had shared the nature of the Word should perish and turn back again into non-existence through corruption. It was unworthy of the goodness of God that creatures made by Him should be brought to nothing through the deceit wrought upon man by the devil; and it was supremely unfitting that the work of God in mankind should disappear, either through their own negligence or through the deceit of evil spirits. As, then, the creatures whom He had created reasonable, like the Word, were in fact perishing, and such noble works were on the road to ruin, what then was God, being Good, to do? Was He to let corruption and death have their way with them? In that case, what was the use of having made them in the beginning? Surely it would have been better never to have been created at all than, having been created, to be neglected and perish; and, besides that, such indifference to the ruin of His own work before His very eyes would argue not goodness in God but limitation, and that far more than if He had never created men at all. It was impossible, therefore, that God should leave man to be carried off by corruption, because it would be unfitting and unworthy of Himself.(7) Yet, true though this is, it is not the whole matter. As we have already noted, it was unthinkable that God, the Father of Truth, should go back upon His word regarding death in order to ensure our continued existence. He could not falsify Himself; what, then, was God to do? Was He to demand repentance from men for their transgression? You might say that that was worthy of God, and argue further that, as through the Transgression they became subject to corruption, so through repentance they might return to incorruption again. But repentance would not guard the Divine consistency, for, if death did not hold dominion over men, God would still remain untrue. Nor does repentance recall men from what is according to their nature; all that it does is to make them cease from sinning. Had it been a case of a trespass only, and not of a subsequent corruption, repentance would have been well enough; but when once transgression had begun men came under the power of the corruption proper to their nature and were bereft of the grace which belonged to them as creatures in the Image of God. No, repentance could not meet the case. What - or rather Who was it that was needed for such grace and such recall as we required? Who, save the Word of God Himself, Who also in the beginning had made all things out of nothing? His part it was, and His alone, both to bring again the corruptible to incorruption and to maintain for the Father His consistency of character with all. For He alone, being Word of the Father and above all, was in consequence both able to recreate all, and worthy to suffer on behalf of all and to be an ambassador for all with the Father.
On the "constrainment" of God, St. Athanasius speaks (On the Incarnation):
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Coffee Gear
People always ask for recommendations on coffee gear that will help them get the most out of their beans. There are a lot of different coffee-making tools available, and it can be hard to know where to start and what will actually help you make better coffee at home. With that in mind, we've begun a list of recommended Coffee Gear that we know and love. These are products that we've had personal experience with and feel confident recommending them to club members.
The single best investment you can make to improve the quality of your coffee-making is a well-built grinder. Consistent and precise grind is imperative to a great brew, and if you're looking to level-up your coffee at home a grinder is the place to start.
When considering a grinder for home use there is one company that we recommend turning to: Baratza. (Sean actually owns two different Baratza grinders, and BJ has a new one on the way.) The quality of the grind from these machines is top-notch, and they have a great range of models to choose from depending on what features you need. We've also found the company excellent to work with whenever one of their grinders needs to be serviced or a part needs replacing. Below you'll see a selection of Baratza grinders, ranging from their excellent entry-level machine to more "pro-sumer" models great for at-home espresso.
As an added bonus, shipping on Baratza models is free for club members and we'll also include a shipment of our Tasting Series coffee - so you can celebrate your new machine's inaugural grind.
Grinders Suitable For Manual Coffee Brewing


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1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963,
1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
A person born in the year of the Rabbit possesses one of the most fortunate of the twelve animal signs. The Rabbit, or Hare as he is referred to in Chinese mythology, is the emblem of longevity and is said to derive his essence from the Moon.
When the Chinese look at the Moon, they see the Moon Hare...
...standing near a rock under a Cassia tree...
and holding a bottle...
...with the Elixir of Immortality in his hands.
During the Chinese mid-Autumn festival when the Moon is supposed to be at its loveliest...
...Chinese children still carry lighted paper lanterns made in the image of a Rabbit and climb the hills to observe the Moon and admire the Moon Hare.
The Rabbit symbolizes graciousness, good manners, sound counsel kindness and sensitivity to beauty. His soft speech and graceful and nimble ways embody all the desirable traits of a successful diplomat or seasoned politician.
Likewise, a person born under this sign will lead a tranquil life, enjoying peace, quiet and a congenial environment. He is reserved and artistic and possesses good judgment. His thoroughness will also make him a good scholar. He will shine in the fields of law, politics and government.
But he is also inclined to be moody; at such times he appears detached from his environment or indifferent to people.
The Rabbit is extremely lucky in business and monetary transactions. Astute at striking bargains, he can always pop up with a suitable proposal or alternative to benefit himself. His sharp business acumen, coupled with his knack for negotiation, will ensure him a fast rise in any career.
Thanks to the Holiday Spot for the rabbit horoscope. More can be found there.
And the bracelet can be found here.


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Frontier Software (Burntwood)Tel: 08453703210
Frontier Software (Burntwood)
7 Newlands Court
Burntwood Business Park
Burntwood, Staffordshire
United Kingdom
Burntwood Business Park
Burntwood, Staffordshire
United Kingdom
Tel: 08453703210
Fax: N/A
About Frontier Software (Burntwood)
A world leader in HR and Payroll Management, Frontier Software serve more than 1,500 organisations in both the public and private sectors across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Far East. We have offices throughout Australia, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Our operations span the globe with customers in such diverse locations as Aruba, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Falkland Islands and St Helena.
Payroll Services Burntwood, Payroll Services Staffordshire
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American Craft Maggie Homes Crate Paper Willow Lane Collection Thickers Foam and Cardstock Glitter Wonderful
Add a little sparkle to your pages and cards with the Wonderful Glitter Thickers from the Willow Lane Collection by Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper. The package includes 70 foam and cardstock stickers, some with gold glitter accents. The set features animals, butterflies, clocks, hearts and more.


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It is that time of year; there are a number of holiday celebrations, whether it be Thanksgiving, Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Las Posadas, Winter Solstice, Chinese New Year, or various other New Year celebrations.
As you work with early childhood programs, you may encounter numerous cultural celebrations, books, or materials used within the program. Maybe the program has a child currently enrolled that celebrates a certain holiday, or maybe the program is using the materials to introduce various cultural celebrations around the world. Some of these holidays may be very familiar to you, and others, may not (you may have already googled one or two listed above that are unfamiliar to you). Introducing various celebrations from around the world is a way to show and model appreciation of other cultures and people. Not only can we all learn something about different cultures, but hopefully, the children (and all of us) become more culturally sensitive; meaning we become more aware of the existence of differences and similarities between people without placing value (right/ wrong, positive/ negative, good/ bad).
The Environment Rating Scales encourage multicultural celebrations, books, and materials. In fact, the authors devoted an entire item related to diversity in each scale (ECERS, FCCERS, ITERS, and SACERS)! So, why do we sometimes hear programs say "the Environment Rating Scales are biased"?
For example, I often come across a religious story about a boy who uses a slingshot with a stone to hit a giant. The ECERS book item addresses appropriateness of books for children. Any books depicting violence or glorifying violence in any way are deemed as inappropriate for young children who are not yet able to decipher between fact and fiction. A young child may see a violent image or hear the violence in a story and become concerned for their safety; whereas older school-age children have the ability to understand there is no inherent danger from a picture book. After providing programs feedback about this religious story, I would often receive a response along the lines of "ECERS is biased. It doesn't take into account our religious studies."
The thing is, through a young child's eyes, from a young child's mind, that story is perceived the same; whether read from a religious book, a nursery rhyme, or a regular picture book. So, as you work with programs during all these holiday celebrations or with integrating multi-cultural activities, help them think about what the child is experiencing. What is the goal of the activity? What will the child achieve? What is appropriate for the child's stage of development?
As a consultant or instructor, how do you handle the provider or participant that says ERS is biased? Or the provider that does not seem willing to compromise their beliefs for appropriateness of materials for young children? On the other hand, what about the teacher that has a parent complaint because they do not celebrate certain holidays at home and do not want their child to celebrate in care?
How do you work with programs to be more culturally sensitive? Let's chat. I'd love to hear how you use any I-Consult strategies that helpful in these type of situations.


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Contacting Toucan Internet
Toucan Internet LLP is located in Takeley, Essex, close to both the tranquil ancient Hatfield Forest and London's Third airport Stansted. Our customer base is not geographically defined and support clients much further afield and meet virtually for meetings when ever required, successfully supporting clients in France, South Africa and as far afield as Sydney, Australia.
What ever your query we're here to help – just contact us.
Main website: https://www.toucanweb.co.uk .
Tel reference site: http://toucan.tel/
t: 01279 871 694
e: firstname.lastname@example.com
Skype: toucaninternet


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Monday, October 11, 2010
I vividly remember the first time I played the Scheherazade solos with orchestra. I was quite young and had been just hired by the Columbus Symphony. I was nervous, to say the least- so nervous that I was in a partial blackout throughout the Andantino solo. (The cadenzas later in the movement inspired a near-death experience......)
It's not much different now! It is somewhat beneficial to have past experiences, I suppose, but to me it's radically different each time. The conductor is different, the people surrounding you in the orchestra are different, the reeds are different, the hall may be different, the bassoon may be different, your perspective is surely different. Most important of all, though, is the issue of constant improvement. It has to be better each time!
Scheherazade is a story about one of history's greatest storytellers and the tales she weaves. Scheherazade is the young bride of the king of Persia (aka the Sultan). The Sultan was upset that his former wife cheated on him, so he decided to take a new wife every day and have her executed the next morning. But it all stops with Scheherazade. She marries the Sultan in order to save all future young women from this fate. She tells him fascinating stories, leaving him in such suspense each night that he can't execute her the next morning for fear of not hearing the end of the story. After 1,001 of these well-told tales, the Sultan relents.
In other words, this bassoon solo has to be so captivating that it has the power to save lives! Wow. That's a tall order.
The interpretation of this solo is an individual matter; we each have our own stories to tell, after all.
One bit of advice which may help in preparation for the Andantino solo is that it's really helpful to practice with accompaniment. I like to set an electronic keyboard to sustain the chords that the strings play during the solo, using a setting that sounds like string instruments. So for the very opening, use Bs and F#s in octaves in the bass clef. Of course, this method of practicing has to be segmented because the chords change, but that's OK- I do a lot of segmented practicing anyway. The first chord will get you through 10 bars before you have to reset the keyboard to As and Es which will take you through the next 9 measures, and so on.
For solos like those in Scheherazade, recording myself is an important part of the preparation. I use my iPhone to record myself. Sometimes I sync the phone with my computer to enable playback through my Bose computer speakers, but even just listening to the recordings through the phone gives plenty of information as to whether or not I'm on the right track.
This time when preparing Scheherazade I discovered something new about the cadenzas which occur later in the second movement. My ability to execute these solos is affected by the chosen reed! I have never understood how a reed can effect the execution of fast technical passages, but the last time I performed the Ravel Piano Concerto with its speedy bassoon part in the 3rd movement, I came to the realization that inexplicably, some reeds made the passage easier to play. The same is true for the cadenzas in the second movement of Scheherazade:
This past week I changed reeds after the Andantino solo since my "fast" reed was not flexible enough for the Andantino solo. I prefer not to be constantly fussing and switching reeds, but if it really seems to make a difference, I'll do it.
To practice these cadenzas, I made up exercises for each one which involved careful speeding up and slowing down, striving for control and evenness at all times. Sometimes I just practiced the patterns over and over slowly. In the second cadenza, it helps to keep track of each of the first 5 high Gs. As you can see above, each G has a number above it from 1 to 5. At first this might be confusing, but it seems to be a good way to mentally keep track of what you're doing.
Over-practicing passages like these can cause problems when the hands become "muscle-bound." That's why I like to start practicing these cadenzas several weeks in advance so that I don't have to cram during the week of the performances.
If any readers have any possible explanation for why some reeds facilitate fast playing, please let me know!
8 comments:
- Chris_Rawley said...
How funny - I was literally just practising this for an audition and then I came online and saw your update!
- October 12, 2010 at 1:22 PM
- B.S. said...
Hi Chris. That's quite a coincidence!! Good luck on your audition.
- October 12, 2010 at 3:57 PM
Wow! Thank you for sharing. I've only just gotten back into the bassoon-playing scene, so I don't have a well-informed opinion on faster playing reeds versus others. I have 6 reeds right now that were made by the hand of my former bassoon instructor and have been making myself practice on the medium ones with long tones to re-tone my embouchure. Speed is a finger-fumbling issue right now more than a reed-speed thing, but it's good to know what I could be facing in the near future! Seeing the excerpts on your blog definitely give me inspiration to work toward!
- October 15, 2010 at 7:38 AM
- B.S. said...
Amy, thank you for your comment. You're doing exactly what's called for, since there's nothing better than long tones for getting your chops in shape (and for keeping them in shape!).
Betsy wishes,
- October 15, 2010 at 7:45 AM
Really good question! I wonder if the fast reed thing has to do with the quality of the cane, that is, the tendency of the cane to rebound. Do you think your fast reed is harder cane?
Am enjoying your blog and have recommended it to my students.
Dave Pierce
- October 15, 2010 at 11:19 AM
- B.S. said...
Dave, I do think the quality of cane has something to do with the reed's "speed." My fast reed seems softer than other reeds, although it has a big sound, so it is not a weak reed. The reed was not normal and I took it off after the second movement ended!
Thanks for your comment.
- October 15, 2010 at 11:31 AM
I'm 1st chair bassoon in an orchestra festival coming up in February, and this is one of the pieces we're playing. In the cadenzas, my notes crack whenever I go from the D up to the high Gs. Is there any way you know of to fix this?
- December 16, 2011 at 4:59 AM
- B.S. said...
Kevin, try using more half hole on the G. In other words, slide your left forefinger down further when you go to the G, so that more of the top hole is open. It's also helpful to just practice that interval (D to G) over and over.
Good luck!
- December 16, 2011 at 5:19 AM


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Stephen Masiclat
Director, New Media Management
- New Media Management
Also teaches in:
- Communications@Syracuse (online)
- Magazine, News and Digital Journalism
- Communications Management
Contact Information
- firstname.lastname@example.com
- (315) 443-9243
Office Location
255-A Newhouse 3
- Designing and Developing New Media
- Content Management Systems
Stephen Masiclat has professional experience as an interface designer, Macintosh programmer, graphic designer and art director. He teaches web and interactive media design, introductory graphic design, typography and content management systems.
- PAPER: Augmented Co-Creation: Using Artificial Intelligence and Neural Network Algorithms to Support Design Collaboration
- Luttrell, Masiclat to present at PRSA 2019 International Conference
- Masiclat featured on FYI: For Your Innovation podcast from Ark Invest
- A keyword-based strategy for content management
- Newhouse professors investigate the effects of artificial intelligence on news audiences


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The Nerd Nite that must not be named (Sold out)
The Nerd Nite that must not be named happens on Thursday, April 20th!
When: Thursday, April 20th, 2017 (Doors open at 6:30pm)
Where: Wild Rose Brewery
Tickets: $10 online + fees (SOLD OUT)
Wait list at: https://thenerdnitethatmustnotbenamed.eventbrite.com
This is an 18+ event.
You only use 10% of your brain, and other alternative brain facts
Dr. Catherine Lebel, University of Calgary
Many "alternative facts" about the brain abound, despite overwhelming evidence from neuroscience otherwise. With neuroimaging as a platform, I'll go through some popular brain myths, discussing evidence for or against them (mostly against), and highlight some recent exciting neuroscience research.
Mystery of Leonardo's Last Supper
Marina Fischer, University of Calgary
Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper is one of the most famous art works in the world. Despite its deteriorating state, the painting has always overwhelmed viewers by its emotional power and mystery. Join Marina Fischer as she explains symbols and meanings of this enigmatic masterpiece.
Deep Nets and Dark Nets and Dark Webs! Oh my!
Mike Hracs, Cyber-security expert
Delve into the underbelly of the Internet by learning about Deep Nets, Dark Nets, and Dark Webs, discovering their legitimate and illegitimate uses, and discussing how they are used by cybercriminals, journalists, military operatives, and cybersecurity professionals.


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Sold Out
Nixon Sentry 38 Leather Watch
$ 150.00
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38mm, 100 meter/10 ATM custom solid stainless steel case, fixed stainless steel bezel, hardened mineral crystal, double gasket stainless steel crown, stainless steel screw down caseback and spring pin lugs.
21mm leather strap with stainless steel buckle.


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Evolving Canine Nutrition
The "natural" movement has swept the dog food category, offering improved health for pets and bigger profits for retailers.
If only there were some magic perfect natural diet for dogs hiding out there somewhere... But we all know better. Despite a growing list of natural and high-quality foods on the market, individual dogs each have their own unique rate of metabolism, dietary preferences and digestive sensitivities. Apparently, natural isn't simple in retail.
Pet owners have choices. Indeed, pet owners have demanded more choice in natural dog foods in recent years. Dog food manufacturers have responded with gusto and they have, along with distributors and marketers, done a better job of informing and educating consumers about nutrition and quality.
This market development activity creates unique opportunities and challenges for retailers. You have an opportunity to serve a unique market of pet food consumers–people who are motivated, informed and willing to pay higher-than-average prices. Your challenge is to stay informed about your store's products.
If you're going to sell natural dogs foods, you're going to have to keep up with your customers, and you can bet they're doing their homework. Consumers want to know details about the ingredients panel (protein and fat content, as well as other ingredients), whether the ingredients were sourced in the U.S. or elsewhere, where the company is based, who the parent company might be, and recent changes in formula or manufacturing processes. Are the processing facilities owned by the company, or is the food contract manufactured?
Retailers need to know what's on the ingredients panels of all the foods your store carries. Know which has high protein, low fat, low residue and high fiber. Know that canned food, as rich and yummy as it appears, has lower protein by volume than dry kibble (because it's mostly water). Raw diets –both frozen and freeze dried–offer really interesting options for many pet owners, and for that you also need to understand the importance of calcium and other dietary supplements that might be necessary for optimum nutritional absorption.
You even need to make sure you understand exactly what "natural" means, in terms of industry definitions. Does it mean "organic?" Is it "holistic?" Customers can be opinionated. You need industry standards and precise definitions.
Choose Wisely
Growing consumer demand for natural dog food has opened tremendous opportunities for new companies to enter the market. At the same time, this consumer movement has driven established food makers to introduce new natural lines touting superior ingredients–free-range beef, wild-caught salmon, and more variety of nuts and berries than any lone wolf could find in a single forest.
Pet owners looking for diets finely optimized to meet the individual nutritional needs of their dogs will find shelves filled with added choices–senior, senior plus, senior plus large breed, puppy large breed, low fat, small bites, small breed formula, etc. Meanwhile, retailers face an unending task of displaying new SKUs and helping customers work through the fine distinctions that characterize each.
Also driving choice is the idea that a dog shouldn't necessarily eat only one food its whole life. Natural dog food customers are open to new ideas about nutrition and food sources, so the notion that a single processed kibble from the same bag day in day out contains all the health a dog needs all its life seems a bit silly to many people. Dogs are omnivores, generally speaking, and so they need variety. This idea helps to drive the growth of new food companies offering a wide array of formulas, including raw diet.
For retailers, new lines of foods help meet the needs of customers searching for options while also creating opportunities to draw new customers who are just learning that they have more choices than they once thought. The challenge for retailers is staying one step ahead of the information that supports the SKUs food manufacturers offer.
Value of Natural Choice
Anyone in the pet food business today already knows that rising costs have forced price increases. This creates enormous anguish among people who want to provide the right nutrition for their pets but struggle to make ends meet. For the retailer who is committed to his customer, these are times that call for creative thinking.
Help your customers see the value of their purchases. Food prices are climbing across the board, and families are being forced to plan their food budgets with increasing care. This includes the family pet. The goal of providing healthy nutrition, however, doesn't change. Help your customers understand that their pet food purchases represent not just a (rising) cost, but also a commitment to their dogs' overall wellbeing.
You can instill confidence in customers who are being besieged with persistently bad economic news by offering something of value each time they enter your store. For example, employees empowered with knowledge about the foods you carry can share that knowledge with customers and make recommendations. Customer service, even at the simplest level, is always a good investment toward your bottom line. And customers do value personal attention.
If you're not already doing it, demand that your distributors and food suppliers provide all the free food samples you can get. These help retailers cultivate new customers and open new channels to market for the distributor and manufacturer. And when you place something free in the customer's bag, they leave your store happy. Store discounts and frequent buyer programs also become increasingly important in times of economic stress.
The natural dog food industry today continues to grow amid increasing consumer demand, even in economic doldrums. You have to ask yourself why that is. What motivates a dog owner to seek out and pay for a natural diet? It isn't the packaging and sure isn't the price. It's an expression of personal values as much as it is a testament to the relationship between human and dog. Tap into that and your natural food business will flourish.
Dan Headrick is a writer and marketing executive. He and his wife, Pam Guthrie, owned and operated Wag Pet Boutique in Raleigh, NC, from 2003 to 2010. The store received numerous community and industry awards.


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Ginger Molasses Cookies are one of my husband's favorite cookies so I always need to make him a batch each Christmas. The only thing he requests is that they are soft and chewy. And these fit that description to a T.
Moist and Fluffy Pumpkin Cookies
These pumpkin cookies are to die for! They are moist and fluffy and taste just like a delicious piece of pumpkin cake. The original recipe called for icing on top but I don't think they need it at all.
Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies
These little glazed Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies don't look like much but they sure are tasty. They are liked an amped up version of the classic sugar cookie.
Brownie Crinkle Cookies
Not only do I love how cute these little Brownie Crinkle Cookies turned out but they are tasty as well as adorable. This cookie recipe could not be any easier either. All you need is a boxed brownie mix and a few basic pantry ingredients.
Italian Cream Cake Cookies
Even though I am half Italian, I have yet to try an Italian Cream Cake. When I came across a recipe for them in cookie form, I decided now was the time.
Butterfinger Cookies
Butterfinger candy and cookies all in one? Yes, please! I recently came across these new Nestle Butterfinger Baking Bits and knew I had to try them out. Hubby is a cookie and candy monster so these seemed like they would be right up his alley.


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Reading HPT
Today I took two Walgreens brand pregnancy tests. One when I first woke and the other a few hours later. The tests came back with a line in each box, but the lines where not always in the correct direction and 20 minutes later the "pregnant" lines faded away.My husband then went and bought a First Reponse digital which came back as negative. Should I wait a few days then test again? Thoughts?


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related issues
KSF 2018 Autumn meeting in Zaragoza!
- forums
- knowledge society
- start date
- 22-10-2018
- end date
- 24-10-2018
- organised by
- address
- Zaragoza
- country
- Spain
As many of you already know, the next KSF Autumn meeting will be hosted by the city of Zaragoza (Spain) on 22-24 October 2018. Although we still must wait some months for taking the plane, the meeting's agenda is already getting a nice shape.
With continuation on the citizens'-engagement-narrative initiated in Ghent, Zaragoza will focus on the usage of urban data in co-creating our cities.
Characterised by its culture of innovation, Zaragoza will offer a very 'hands-on' meeting hosted by Etopia, Zaragoza's centre for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. Interactive sessions (speed-networking, roundtables and a co-creation exercise) will shape a dynamic forum dedicated to the place and role of citizens in co-creating human smart cities. In addition to the on-going exchanges around data and standards, participants will use the opportunity to discuss new topics in the frame of the new digital citizenship taskforce and the upcoming proposal on technological foresight.
We are looking forward to meeting you in Zaragoza!
EUROCITIES staff contactFederica Bordelot


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Bra Guide | What's My Size?
Fit Guide
How should I measure myself?
The best way to fit a maternity or nursing bra is not by measuring yourself, but instead by trying on one of your best-fitting bras (on the loosest hook - underwired is fine), and answering the following questions to find your current, correct size.
Does the band feel too tight?
Is the bottom of the bra lifting away from your rib cage?
Are your breasts falling out of the bottom of the cups?
It's likely that the band size is too small. It should be firmly anchored to the body.
If this is the case, you will need to buy a bra with a BIGGER band size, but go DOWN a cup size (e.g. from 34D to 36C)
Is the bra band riding up at the back?
Is your bust sagging?
Then it's likely that the under band elastic is too loose.
Try a bra with a SMALLER band size, but go UP a cup size (e.g. from 36C to 34D)
* Are there marks on your shoulders where the straps have been digging in?
The straps are taking too much of the weight of your bust. A bra's main support comes from the underband, not the straps.
Try a bra with a SMALLER band size, but go UP a cup size (e.g. from 36C to 34D)
*Are your breasts spilling out of the front or the sides of the bra?
The cups are too small
Keep the same band size but go UP a cup size (e.g. from 34D to 34DD)
If you're still unsure of your correct size, use the measurement guide below to find your correct starting size.
1. Find your band size by pulling the tape measure around your rib cage underneath your breasts, placing it just under your bust at the front and making sure the tape measure is flat and straight across your back. Pull the tape nice and tight (remember that a bra will stretch, but a tape measure doesn't) and measure in centimeters or inches.
2. Now find your cup size by measuring across the fullest part of your bust (this time the tape measure doesn't have to be tight). Measure in centimeters or inches.
How do your S, M, L, XL compare to regular UK sizes?
Our sizes are the same as non-maternity clothes, but we cut them to fit a growing bump.
Small is equivalent to a UK 10 with a medium sized bump (20-28 weeks)
Medium is a UK 12 with a medium sized bump (20-28 weeks)
Large is a UK 14 with a big bump (28-34 weeks)
X-large is a UK 16 with a full term bump (30-38 weeks)
Can I exchange a bra if I order the wrong size?
Absolutely - simply return the item unworn in its original packaging with labels intact and mark the size you'd like in exchange on the packing note, and return it to us (see Shipping & Returns for more information). Unfortunately for hygiene reasons, panties cannot be returned. Please note that Sale items are non-returnable, non-exchangeable and non-refundable.
Should I choose a different size for my maternity bra or my nursing bra?
Now you've established what your correct size is, you can choose your bra and further refine the size you need depending on where you are in your pregnancy:
*Early-Mid Pregnancy:
You should buy a maternity bra that's either the same size as your current size, or if you feel your ribcage is fast expanding, a bigger band size, but a smaller cup (if you're a 34D, choose a 36C). Fit it on the tightest hook and see how it feels. This will allow you to let it out as your ribcage expands outwards.
*Late Pregnancy:
You should now consider buying a nursing bra, but go up one cup size from your current size (if you're now a 36D, buy a 36DD). This is because your cup size will increase by at least one size when your milk comes in, and you'll also need room for breast pads. Fit it on one of the loosest hooks. As your ribcage falls back to its natural place in the weeks and months after your baby is born, you can then tighten it.
*You've had your baby and are breastfeeding:
Buy a nursing bra in the same size as your current size. It should be fitted on the 3rd or 4th hook. Your cup size will fluctuate during feeds, and your rib cage will fall back a little, so this will allow you to adjust the bra as necessary. Remember to choose a bra with stretchy cups (all our styles are good for this).


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Our Team
Apple Park, Executive SecretaryApple was born in S. Korea as a third generation Seventh-day Adventist. Being chosen as a servant of God at a very young age, Elder Park had to take the stand for the Sabbath and his God at all costs. He has served as church planter, Area Coordinator, Conference Pathfinder Director, Conference Youth Director, Camp Director, and now he is serving as the Conference Executive Secretary. His special skills are team leadership, inspiring and sharing vision, and empowering people to do God's work.
Carlos Portanova, TreasurerCarlos was born and raised in Peru. He graduated with a Bachelors in Accounting at Universidad Peruana Union and he received his Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting at Southwestern Adventist University. He has served as a GCAS Auditor, Assoc. Treasurer and Undertreasurer in different Adventist organizations and is now serving as the Oklahoma Conference Treasurer. He is married to Cinthia and is the father to Carlos Jr, Adolfo and Yaritzel.
Daniel Ortega, Youth DirectorDaniel began full-time ministry in Oklahoma in 2007 after graduating from Southwestern Adventist University. Daniel has served as a youth pastor, senior pastor, Bible teacher, and elementary principal. He moved back to Oklahoma in January of 2018, after serving three years in the Indiana Conference, to serve as the Youth & Young Adult Director and Communications Director for the Oklahoma Conference. He enjoys youth ministry along with his wife Yesenia and two boys, Isaac and Benjamin.
Tim Kripps, EducationTim met his wife Angeliqua as students at Thunderbird Adventist Academy. His Bachelors Degree from SWAU is in Social Science and he has a Masters Degree from UNLV in Educational Leadership and Administration. During his twenty plus years in education he taught various grades, has been a school administrator, an associate superintendent. He loves to share with students the importance of choosing God daily, and watching students give their lives to God.
Michael Smith, Ministerial DirectorOver the past 18 years Michael has served as an ambassador for Christ in various capacities ranging from an Evangelist, Medical Missionary, Pastor, Bible Instructor, and Teacher in the United States, Ghana, the Philippines, Ecuador, Canada, and Nicaragua. His greatest passion is sharing about his personal Savior Jesus Christ, who has called him out of darkness to reflect the marvelous light of Jesus everyday.
Jim Landelius, Native MinistriesJim started ministry in the Ark-La Conference as a Bi-Vocational Pastor in 1997. He entered full-time ministry here in Oklahoma in 2004. He was ordained in 2009 has pastored several districts and currently serves the churches of Shawnee, Seminole, and Ada. He has worked with Native Ministries since 2006 and was voted as Director at the last Constituency meeting. He loves his wife, Tammy, and their children with all his heart and desires to introduce everyone he meets to Jesus.
Carol ChadwickAdministrative Assistant to the Executive Secretary and Youth & Young Adult Ministries
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By MOHD IZHAM B. HASHIM
KOTA KINABALU: Apart from being one of the best spots for a refreshing thirst quencher, Yen Ai Dessert and Herbal Tea shop is also the cleanest food outlet in the city after clinching the top award in City Hall's Cleanest Food Outlet Competition in the coffee shop category.
The charming little tea shop in Bornion Centre, Luyang is known among local foodies for their wide range of herbal teas, sweet soups, dessert and other sugary treats.
In his opening remarks, Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai heaped praise on the winners for their relentless support and showing their commitment throughout the competition in pursuing the title of restaurant in the city.
"It gives me immense pleasure to convey my highest congratulations to all participants of this meaningful programme which aims to uplift and maintain the quality and safety of food sold at premises throughout the city," he said.
During the prize-presentation ceremony, Yeo also took the opportunity to award top honours to representatives of Yen Ai Dessert and Herbal Tea shop, while second place went to Kedai Kopi Yee Fung, followed by Sinsuran Sang Nyuk Mee II at third place.
Yeo said the district-level competition is divided into two main categories which includes participating restaurants and non-franchise coffee shops.
Meanwhile, the consolation prizes for the competition include Kedai Kopi Yuan Siang, Kedai Kopi Jiang Yu Zai and Pin Pin Kopitiam. Winners received certificates, cash prize and trophy.
"This contest which ended last September involved participating coffee shops which are carefully evaluated based on a number of criteria which includes: level of food safety, quality, cleanliness, hygiene of toilets and eco-friendly conducts such as proper waste separation practices as well as phasing out the use of polystyrene food packaging which are harmful to the environment," he said.
In addition, Yeo expressed hope that restaurant owners and coffee shops can continue to maintain their level of cleanliness and continue fulfilling criteria outlined in the competition at all times.
During the event, he also presented special awards to Deputy Environmental Health Officers, Suriana Salasa, Manager Zone 1 – restaurant and Marcellinus Aisian Jr, Manager Zone 3 – coffee shop.
Among those at the prize presentation ceremony included Robert Lipon, City Hall Director of Environmental Health and Datuk Joannes Solidau, Director-General of City Hall.


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Liberal Leader Zed Seselja is parroting concerns from the Australian Federal Police Association about the assault of police officers.
"I was very concerned to hear from the AFPA that under the existing laws, police officers sometimes do not bother laying charges against people who assault them because they're 'losing faith in that judicial process,'" Mr Seselja said.
"The AFPA also estimates that one ACT police officer is assaulted each week and said there is a growing number of compensation claims for serious injuries.
"This is why the Canberra Liberal's legislation is so important, as we must do everything we can to deter violent assaults and other offences against police in the course of their duties.
"Our legislation amends the Crimes ACT 1900 to provide tougher penalties for offences against police, meaning a number of offences including assault, manslaughter and threats to kill would be considered an "aggravated? offence and have higher prosecution penalties.
While we deplore the assault of any person in Canberra one does have to wonder what percentage of those 50 odd assaults a year would not have occurred if the perpetrator had faced tougher penalties.
Assaulting police is rarely the result of rational thought.
But moving on; is Zed Seselja a real person? Or is he just a Zed-bot pre-programmed with talkback radio friendly knee jerks?


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This content has been marked as final. Show 2 replies
1. Re: Retrieve vml id from naa id?LucD Mar 20, 2014 7:36 AM (in response to jcw0009)
Try something like this
$esxName = "myEsx"
$esx = Get-VMHost $esxName
$esx.ExtensionData.Config.StorageDevice.ScsiLun |
Select @{N="ESX";E={$esx.Name}},
@{N="VML";E={$_.Descriptor | where {$_.Id -match "^vml"} | Select -ExpandProperty Id}}Blog: http://lucd.info | Twitter: @LucD22 | PowerCLI Reference co-author: http://tinyurl.com/hkn4glz
2. Re: Retrieve vml id from naa id?jcw0009 Mar 20, 2014 7:41 AM (in response to LucD)
That works. Thanks!


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Après Ski & Party Zell am See-Kaprun
Party & fun in the Huts, Bars & Pubs of Zell am See-Kaprun
Just because a day of skiing comes to an and the sun sets doesn't mean that a fantastic day at the mountain has to end yet. When the lifts stop, then it's time for après ski, party and great atmosphere.. Anyone who leaves the mountain now misses out on the best part of the day. And off you go to the next après ski hut.
Evening party high above Zell am See
The highest point of the Schmittenhöhe also tops the après ski list. The party at the Schnaps Hans gets all guests immediately in a party mood. But don't stay too long; the way downhill is quite a bit away and other huts are waiting for you. The Breiteckalm is ready and waiting for cheery guests. Anyone who still hasn't had enough back in the valley can visit the Cabrio Bar in Schüttdorf. Cool tunes and refreshing drinks don't let you go to bed too early.
More Party - More Nightlife
The Pavillon Kaprun is the meeting point if you have been rocking the freeride lines at the Kitzsteinhorn during the day. Guests in ski boots can still be seen at night at the Pinzgauer Diele, the Greens or the Outsider in Zell am See. The Off Piste Bar, which has life music every day. The nightlife in Zell am See-Kaprun is quite something. The Villa Crazy Daisy is a real original of Zell's nightlife. With live music, refreshing drinks and delicious food, the evenings might be somewhat longer and even extent into the night.
Taking it easy is also possible
A stop in a quaint alpine hut in the evening will warm your heart quickly. Especially when you enjoy a hot mulled wine and the view across the sea of lights of Zell am See. Evening comes and turns the day of skiing into a cold night. Hungry and thirsty guests fill slowly the restaurants and inns in the valley. The tummy rumbles and you look forward to Austrian specialities and local treats after a long day on the ski pistes or freeriding in the backcountry. A hearty meal is just right after a day full of winter sport and activity.
- Schnaps Hans - THE Schmitten original
- Legendary Baumbar in Kaprun
- Cabrio Bar Schüttdorf - style & pleasure
- Breiteckalm - halfway down the valley
- Maisi-Alm - at Maiskogel
- Pinzgauer Diele - party into the night
- Insider Bar - cool bar in Zell am See
- Villa Crazy Daisy - Zell am See classic
- Greens - bar at the Hotel Grüner Baum
- Pavillon Kaprun - meeting point of the scene
- Off Piste Bar Zell am See & Kaprun - live music every day
- Murray's Irish Bar - Irish flair in Zell am See


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State capture will undermine the Big Four Agenda and the future of Kenya
Wednesday October 09 2019
The weather is not perfect and society has lost its natural kindness and human touch. But systems work clockwise. Public transport is punctual, efficient and clean. Parks are sacred, meetings happen on time, professionals work and students study. Clergymen pray and drunkards drink.
This is the UK in the 21st century. It may become a divided kingdom. It is at war with itself, on the verge of an uncertain Brexit, supported by masses in England and Wales, driven by populist leaders and attacked by the more educated and exposed.
No matter in which camp you pitch your thoughts, one gets the impression that neither side has thought about this matter in depth. Whatever happens, change is in the air and the UK is on the verge of a drastic, irreversible and unforeseeable change.
While the Great Britain is at war with its own destiny, some of its former colonies have put their destiny up for sale, to the best bidder, and Kenya is one of them.
I departed Kenya at the end of September, to spend three months as a visiting fellow at Mansfield College, University of Oxford. Mansfield hosts the most impressive human rights institute in Oxford, the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights.
The day before my departure, I had a long conversation with Karim Anjarwalla, a commercial lawyer based in Nairobi. We spoke about the courts, politics and business.
Karim, like many other good lawyers, economists, politicians and clergy, is deeply concerned with the depth of rottenness and cartel capture in our system. The matter is serious and it may have reached the level of 'state capture'.
A corrupt state often has just laws which are undermined by corrupt individuals or by sophisticated networks of corruption. Kenya is one of those states. However, Karim argues that Kenya has now graduated. Kenya is rising fast into an elite group of nations. Nations defined by "state capture".
According to Karim, the capture was insidious at first and so we barely noticed it. As time went on and in keeping with our athletic prowess, we are now racing to catch up with those states, scattered around Africa, South Asia and South East Asia and in parts of South America. Keeping in step with the tradition of some of our great athletes, whilst we may have started at the back of the pack we are now racing past many other nations.
But how does one diagnose state capture? Its main characteristics are these: the state is so corrupt that it has gone beyond not respecting the rule of law. Instead, laws and policies are enacted to specifically suit the interests of certain powerful interest groups. They may be business people, politicians or indeed other nations. In other cases, laws and law enforcement agencies are simply tools for hire, for political or business needs, just as one can hire a pirate. Often, laws that ought to be enacted are not, because to do so would inconvenience the pirates (because it is pirates that hijack things, after all).
The devil is often in the detail and the detail is devastating. But the problem with detail is that it is easily missed. Before you know it, the ship of state that you were sailing on, which you hoped would be a luxury liner, has turned into a pirate's brigantine.
In 2013, Parliament passed the Value Added Tax Act 2013 subjecting books to VAT, but letting helicopters go free. This was not a mistake. It was repeated in 2014 and the following years as well. Maybe Treasury was desperate to balance accounts and make ends meet, but why exempt helicopters?
I explained a few years ago that the First Schedule of Exempt Supplies of the VAT Act of 2013 had exempted certain items instead of zero-rating them. The difference between zero-rating and exempting is important. Local suppliers of exempted goods cannot charge VAT, which is output VAT, even though they have already paid VAT, which is input VAT. This makes local supplies more expensive, at least by the cost of input VAT, which may range from eight percent to 16 percent.
But why legislate nonsensical exemptions, such as helicopters of an unladen weight not exceeding 2,000 kg and helicopters of an unladen weight exceeding 2,000 kg? So, basically all helicopters are VAT exempt. Why should legislators decide to impose VAT on text books, while exempting helicopters? Is this a war against culture? Not necessarily. Someone needed to import helicopters, and wanted to do so without paying tax. So why pay tax when you can change the law? This is state capture.
This year, the President assented into law the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act. Amongst the amendments there is a reduction from 90 percent to 50 percent of the threshold at which those who acquire shares in a company can force, against their will, the other shareholders in the company to sell their shares. Karim explains that the reduction is huge and 90 percent is virtually a global norm, designed to ensure the protection of minority shareholders.
Without any apparent prior consultation and despite apparent protests in Parliament (as recorded in the Hansard) this amendment sailed through Parliament on 13th June, 2019. A tsunami of legalised minority oppression may follow. Our stock exchange, struggling to add new companies to its list, may find many companies applying to de-list. Why would they not? Now, if an offer is accepted by more than 50 percentage of shareholders, the rest can be forcefully exited.
The question again arises, why was this amendment, not requested and entirely out of keeping with global norms, enacted? Someone powerful somewhere needed this law, so they captured our state, without much effort.
A final example, we built a new railway and without any legal support, forced all importers to carry their goods on the railway. There are cases of businesses who wanted their goods to go to Malindi and elsewhere along the coast being forced to transport them first to Nairobi before bringing them back to the coast. Have we literally lost our collective minds? So, who captured us in this case? The railway did not come cheap and we have debts to pay.
So, silently, as we talk of Vision 2030, of our Silicon Savannah and the Big Four Agenda, our country has been taken hostage.
Prof Luis Franceschi, founding dean of Strathmore Law School and Visiting Fellow, University of Oxford.
Karim Anjarwalla is Managing Partner of Anjarwalla & Khanna ALN Advocates.


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March Madness has arrived
For fans of college basketball, the last 67 games of the season hold the greatest amount of interest.
That's the number of games that will be played in this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament.
Fans in the Tri-State Area saw few surprises when the 68-team field was revealed Sunday evening. As expected, only one of our region's teams — Ohio State — earned a spot in the tournament. The Buckeyes will carry a 19-14 record into Friday's game against Iowa State, 23-11, when their opening-round game gets under way around 9:50 p.m. in Tulsa, Okla.
While that's good for Ohio State and its dedicated followers, fans of other Division I teams from our region won't have as much to cheer about — this year's tournament will be without Pitt, West Virginia or Robert Morris, four teams that have seen post-season NCAA action several times during the last decade.
But then again, the lack of a specific team to follow might not have that much of an impact on whether fans choose to follow the games, according to the annual March Madness Report prepared by Challenger, Gray and Christmas. The Chicago-based global outplacement and executive coaching firm has calculated that time spent watching tournament games during work hours could cost employers as much as $13.3 billion.
All of that time spent on basketball is not necessarily a bad thing. The tournament, according to Andrew Challenger, the company's vice president, offers a great opportunity for colleagues to bond in the workplace, and any attempt to keep workers away from the games likely would result in damage to morale, loyalty and engagement.
So, sit back, have fun while watching the games and hope you've made some good choices when you filled out your brackets.
March Madness has arrived.


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The speedo needle sweeps past 300kph and continues its relentless arc around the dial. There's plenty more to come, but at 313kph I back off the gas. This is neither the time, nor the place, for further heroics… especially as just half an hour earlier I'd signed a form that said I would end up buying the Bugatti Chiron Sport (or what was left of it) if things went pear-shaped. That would be a debt even five lifetimes wouldn't be enough to pay off.
In any case, I've done enough to re-establish what I already knew from having driven the standard Chiron a couple of years ago at its international launch in Portugal — in other words, that the Bugatti sits in a different stratosphere to even the most extreme offerings from Ferrari, Lamborghini et al. It's once you get past 200kph, and even more so once you get past the triple-ton, that the 1,479bhp/1,600Nm nuclear-force wallop of 8.0 litres worth of quad-turbocharged 16-cylinder engine makes its brutality felt. Where the rate of acceleration begins to tail off in 'regular' hypercars by this stage, the Bugatti is only just getting started.
Given how unhinged — yet remarkably civilised — the standard Chiron is, you'd hardly think there was the need for a 'Sport' version. The donor car is already too fast for the grey matter to comprehend, so any more would be just plain lunacy. However, the new derivative is all about subtle enhancements and increased tactility as the powertrain remains exactly as it is in the 'base model'. But with a 0-100kph split of 2.5sec, and 0-200kph sprint in 6.5sec, there's not too much to complain about, is there?
You may also like: Six things we bet you didn't know about the Bugatti Chiron
Bugatti claims the Sport is 5sec a lap quicker than the regular Chiron around the Nardo handling circuit, and the key lies in a firmer suspension set-up and revised damping strategy, although this is only unleashed in the car's 'Handling' mode. The Chiron Sport also launches out of corners with more vigour (not that the standard car was lacking in this department), thanks to a rear differential that's been optimised with a new dynamic torque vectoring function. In addition, steering response has been sharpened up to make the Chiron Sport quicker to change direction.
Even though the Chiron tips the scales at a beefy 1,996kg, it's already chockful of lightweight components. This is about as sprightly as a leather-lined road car with all the mod-cons can get when equipped with a 16-cylinder engine with four turbos strapped on, not to mention the ultra-robust brakes, cooling system and driveline components that need to stand up to such a powertrain. Given this fact, there wasn't a whole lot of scope to reduce the Chiron's girth, but the Sport does manage to come in 18kg lighter, thanks to a new set of thin-spoked rims, carbonfibre windscreen wipers (a production car first) and a lightened window over the engine compartment.
It takes a keen eye to differentiate the Chiron Sport from its standard sibling, but the most obvious giveaways are the bespoke wheels and the menacing four-exhaust cluster mounted centrally (in lieu of the twin outlets of the latter). Inside, you'll find black adonised finishes for the switchgear and stitched 'Chiron Sport' motifs on the upholstery.
You may also like: LaFerrari convertible
Driving the Chiron Sport is pure sensory overload, and the human brain can barely take in the stupefying rate at which the car annihilates distance. It would take a back-to-back drive with the Chiron to take in the full magnitude of the enhancements made to the Sport's steering and suspension, but what comes through loud and clear is how supremely cohesive and fool-proof — even in the hands of relatively inexperienced drivers — the car is.
A handful of other hypercar manufacturers may well churn out offerings with similar horsepower claims but the riveted-to-the-tarmac dynamics and hewn-from-titanium feel of the Bugatti sets it apart from the rest. It's only after driving it and scrutinising the hundreds of immaculately sculpted details that you begin to understand why it costs as much as it does.
Piloting the Chiron Sport isn't an experience, it's an event. Perhaps I might one day get to tell my grandkids (who will doubtless be commuting in autonomous pods or drones) about that one time their grandpappy got behind the wheel of the grand overlord of fossil-fuel-burning cars.