text:
The discipline of Physics at IITGN was started in 2010 with a Ph.D. program and was expanded to offer a M.Sc. program in 2014. The discipline currently hosts research activities which can be broadly classified into:
In order to meet current and future research and teaching requirements, the discipline of Physics at IIT Gandhinagar seeks outstanding applicants from all areas of Physics to fill multiple positions at all levels.
For queries or information specific to discipline of Physics at IITGN, please contact Prof. Vinod Chandra [email@example.com]. For general questions related to faculty recruitment at IITGN, please write to firstname.lastname@example.com


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Our Story: About the Founder
Lauren has her Bachelors of Fine Arts from University of California, Santa Barbara and left that beautiful weather for the cold (yet amazing) Chicagoland area. While she is a non-practicing attorney (and a proud member of the Illinois State Bar Association), Lauren can't help but live the creative life and is constantly inspired by the art and culture in Chicago. With an artist family and background, Lauren says "in my family, we didn't have a choice not to be creative! The arts were a way of life."
Each pair of shoes takes Lauren between 3-6 hours per pair to paint in her Chicago studio. After giving them a glossy waterproof seal, Lauren personally boxes them up and ships them straight to you.
Her awesome husband, two chubby cheeked young kids, and trusty dog often serve as fabulous "interns" on her many trips to the post office.

subset: commoncrawl


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Left: First birthday; Right: Second birthday.
So much changes in a year....
We first celebrated her birthday in NC, a couple weeks before her actual birthday. All of our NC family was there, and Grammy (her great-grandmother) made her birthday cake. Even though she wasn't feeling well that day (she had a yucky cold, and also busted her lip right before the party), she had a great time.
My mom and dad. Known to Charlotte as Mimi and Pop/Papa.
The girl knows exactly what to do with birthday candles. LOL
Charlotte and Daddy.
Mommy, Daddy, and the birthday girl.
Since we did so much before her birthday, we had a pretty low-key day on her actual birthday. Don't worry, we still had cake. ;-)
Showing me "two." Haha.
Some facts about the birthday girl:
- She's still earning her nickname, Bean. At her 2 year checkup, she weighed a whopping 19.6 pounds. No matter how much she eats, she's still teeny! (And I'm thankful we finally found a pediatrician who doesn't freak out over her size. Only took 2 years. *sigh*)
- She has a huge vocabulary...and uses it constantly. LOL! She said her first 3+ word sentence in February, and now surprises us with all the things she says.
- Her favorite show is "Jake." AKA Jake and the Neverland Pirates. And we watch it all. the. time. (Read: TV is how you survive 2 kids under 2/3.)
- She recognizes a bunch of letters, and can sing most of the ABCs. She can count to 10, but only when she wants to. :P
- She loves playing outside on her little jungle gym my parents bought for her last fall.
- She loves dancing to music, and frequently asks me to sing either the ABCs or "Spider" (Itsy Bitsy Spider) so she can dance.
- She loves Jasper...much to his dismay.
- She LOVES shoes, which makes me a proud mama. Haha
- She loves to give us all hugs and kisses. She is the best little cuddler. I hope this never changes.
- She is the best big sister - always making sure Millie has her toys and isn't upset.
- She's also started throwing tantrums, so I'm guessing we're smack in the middle of the dreaded "terrible twos." YAY.
I could probably write forever about her, but you get the gist. ;-) Basically, she's a two year old and I can hardly believe it. When she's not throwing tantrums she's a bundle of fun, and I'm loving it.
Happy Birthday to the sweet little girl who made me a mama.
Love you forever, Bean.


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Florida - the weirdest State of the Union.Presenting THE guidebook to Florida's weirdest attractions. Buy on AmazonGet the PDF
Florida: the weirdest state of the union.
Forget Disney World or Universal Studios. Florida holds plenty of offbeat and lesser-known treasures: the world's largest private aircraft collection, the museum of Tupperware, and the candy store started by the man that invented the Jelly Belly. That's just warming-up – while you're here, hang out at Hong Kong Willie's Junk Art Gallery, discover a Florida castle built with aluminum printing plates, or get to know the ladies at the world's first Hooters.
Ask yourself: do you really want to go to the same touristy places as everyone else? Or would you rather return home with some unique stories to tell and some awesome pictures to brag about?
One Weird Globe guides are your step-by-step key to enjoying the offbeat side of a city or area. Get off the beaten path and head to some awesome places most tourists have never heard of.
However long you have to enjoy Florida, there are plenty of awesome places to make your friends jealous.
Note this is not a comprehensive look into Florida, which could easily span volumes. This is a look into over 90 weird and worthy places you can visit, and over 60 wacky festivals throughout the year.
This isn't just a list of places to go...One Weird Globe's mission is to make travel awesome, and to set you up to succeed. That means giving you plenty of info to prepare before you arrive:
- Icons - see all the important details fast
- A brief intro to the city
- An alphabetical index, a theme index, and a city index
- Protips on traveling Florida ...and more.
About One Weird Globe itineraries
One Weird Globe itineraries offer an unbiased look at a city or area/province. You get recommendations to what to see and do, where to eat, where to sleep, and most importantly, how to get there with clear directions and GPS coordinates. See also One Weird Globe introductions (great for a general overview of the country) and guidebooks (comprehensive looks at a country).
About the author
Chris Backe is the blogger behind One Weird Globe, a popular blog about offbeat destinations and life as an expat. His mission in life is to make travel awesome, and to set you up to succeed while traveling. He's lived in Korea, Thailand, Colombia, and traveled to weird destinations across Europe. He's also the founder of the Choose a Way series, the interactive travel guidebooks that put you in charge. He's been seen in Atlas Obscura, io9, Fark, Mental Floss, Groove Magazine, and many other publications. When not traveling or writing, he enjoys swing dancing and a good game of Cards Against Humanity.


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Friday, December 19, 2008
Karmann Ghia dreamin'
I'd LOVE for VW to revive the Karmann Ghia, but this time as a mid-engine coupe. The rear deck vents would feed the mid-mounted engine (2.0T or bigger) and would pop up like a 911 at speed and retract to be flush with the rear window. It could use the adjustable ASC from the New Scirocco and the magnetic suspension from the RS4 to allow adjustable ride and handling levels. Anyway here's my stab at keeping the great lines of the old Ghia, just bringing it up to date. Enjoy!
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 5:40 PM 2 comments:
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Local-Motors Rally Fighter hits the road!
OK, maybe not yet, but I thought I'd add my rendition of a possible image to inspire the guys at Local-Motors in their first car build. Oh and BTW, I didn't win the Boston competition, but thanks for voting. I'll be entering more in the new year so I'll keep you posted. Congrats to the Boston Bullet for winning this one.
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 11:24 AM No comments:
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Merry Christmas!
I know it's a bit early, but things get pretty busy so I figured I'd just post it now. :)
Like God from 'above and beyond' us, He came down to be 'with and within' us!
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 5:36 PM 3 comments:
Monday, December 8, 2008
Local Motors - Boston LM Patriot
Check out my submission to Local Motors!
The winner of this Local Motors sketch competition will win cash in the thousands. You can view my design by clicking the link above. Vote for me! If the community likes my design, it could actually be built into a real prototype and production vehicle as early as next year.
Just by putting my designs on the Local Motors site, I'm also competing for a chance to have my car built. I could win $10,000 and participate in the development process for my own design. This means if you like my design, you should vote for it because if this design is chosen for production you could actually DRIVE it and own it.
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 9:48 PM 1 comment:
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Oh yeah, you guessed it, I did that! :-P
After over a year and a half of work, the new JJ Abram's Star Trek is done and I had the pleasure to work on many of the designs. One design in particular is the Police Officer's face mask in the latest trailer. I also served as the visual effects Art Director for the film, but that's about all I can say until it comes out in May 2009.... yeah I know, but I have to wait too!... :-\
For now enjoy the latest trailers and Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 2:52 PM 7 comments:
Sunday, November 9, 2008
sneak peek update
Just a sneak peek at some new sketches in progress. I'll have the full versions done soon.
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 7:35 PM 2 comments:
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
in memory...Mark Buck
It is with a heavy heart that I recently heard that a co-worker of mine was killed in a motorcycle accident on his way to work. Mark Buck was a seasoned rider and was crossing 19th ave near SFSU when the accident happened, according to the report, which is still under investigation.
Mark Buck or "Buck" worked in the ILM modelshop, Skelington Productions and Kerner Optical (Previously ILM's modelshop). He was always a joy to work with and always greeted me with his signature drawn out "Allleeexxx!!". I had the pleasure of working with him on many shows and projects including Star Wars EP2, Mission: Impossible III and most recently Transformers. He also was a very talented artist and skilled builder. He even took time in between shows to illustrate children's books. He was one of those guys who may have looked like a scary brute to those who didn't know him, but was really a big gentle guy who loved what he did and was very easy to get along with. He was truely a humble, funny and positive spirited guy who will be greatly missed by myself and the rest of his co-workers and friends. Most of all by his family, of which I've only met a few times at some company parties, but Mark was always so eager to introduce us to. Mark was 41 years young and leaves behind his wife and 5 year old child.... please join me in praying for them through this horrible time for strength, support and massive amounts of love from surrounding friends and family.
May we remember him in thanks for the joy he brought us, ra ther than the swiftness of his absence.
Mark's IMDB
Mark's Guest Book if you wish to share a few words
For those who wish to leave monetary
condolences which the family suggests in
place of flowers please forward to:
Tom Van Deren
c/o Mary Ann Buck
521 Clubhouse Drive
Aptos, CA 95003
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 10:38 AM 3 comments:
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Sleepy Mommy :)
Funny how perspective changes when the possibilities of a child enter your world. As I looked up from my computer last night and saw my beautiful sleepy wife I was thanking God for all the blessing in our lives, one of which is the now 3" little baby growing in her tummy :) ! That's right, we're through the first trimester of our first baby! We're so excited and grateful for this and so as I looked at her sleeping on the couch I had to capture it. So using the most basic photoshop brush I captured the moment in this sketch painting. It has been a while since I've done something like this. But hey what an occasion!
We got to see the little wiggler a few weeks ago, and will get to see 'em again next week. But for now I'll share with you this.
enjoy, God Bless and reflect on all that you have to be thankful for.
and live above and beyond!
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 8:14 AM 3 comments:
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The Fall on DVD and Blu-ray
YES! My favorite movie just came out on DVD and Blu-ray! THE FALL. If you missed this wonderful epic on the big screen then here's your chance to see it, (hopefully on a decent size TV with really good sound and picture). If you're like me, you bought a PS3 long ago knowing Blu-ray would win the HD DVD battle and can enjoy THE FALL in glorious 1080p HD. Either way go get it, buy it, rent it and watch it, over and over! Please don't download a crappy version or watch it on your ipod, I'll come and personally slap you! This is a film that deserves and demands the best viewing experience possible. It also deserves your attention, so hunker down on the couch, turn off the lights, turn up the volume and don't hit play until you are settled in.
From the very first frame of the opening credits you'll be bathed in some of the most beautiful footage ever to grace your living room. Blessed with the score of Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92: II. Allegretto, and amazing performances by the 2 lead characters 5 year old Catinca Untaru and Pushing Daisies star Lee Pace. Let THE FALL take you on it's imaginative journey into stunning worlds (that really exists without special effects!) as Alexandra and Roy share their lives, through stories, intense emotions and a potentially dangerous relationship. Bring your childhood imagination along for the ride and enjoy this once in a lifetime film.
Oh and if you see it, let me know what you think!
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 10:05 AM 1 comment:
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
vette sketch
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 2:28 PM 1 comment:
Thursday, August 14, 2008
VW Golf MK6
In another recent announcement from VW late last week were the release photos of the new Golf (Rabbit/GTI in the U.S.). Of course I had to mess with it a bit, 'Jaeger' it out, so I did a quick p-chop job on it like I did with the Scirocco. Mainly changing the front end to be a bit (or a lot) more aggressive. Here's the original and then my version. I made sure to add in details from recent VW concepts to keep it 'in-the-family' but also added some touches from the Scirocco I did previously.
Wider and fuller front fender flares, changed the cut of the headlamps to a more chiseled edge, changed the slope and front cut of the hood, moved the VW badge from the grille to the hood like the Scirrocco, re-sculpted the bumper and made it deeper in the lower opening 'ala R32, widened the entire rear, turned the rear C-pillar into side air spoilers like on the GTI650 concept, Made the roof carbon fiber, deepen the side skirts, and of course tinted the windows and lowered it a bit :)
In VW's defense the photo they released is of the base model, so I'm sure the GTI version will look better, but I had to mess with it, it's in my blood ;-P Photo from VWVORTEX
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 7:41 AM 8 comments:
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Comicon 2008
The San Diego Comic Con is coming up! Unfortunately I can't attend this year, but I'm making plans to be there in force next year!
If you are planning on going be sure to look for some of my friends and co-workers. Christian Alzmann has a booth this year and will be selling many prints of his work be sure to check it out. Wayne Lo and a few of his co-workers will be selling their new book called Battle Milk at the Lucas Film booth so be sure to stop by and pick one up as well as some others. Derek Thompson will be at the Maverix booth with his new monster annual with 365 new monster sketches. Derek also has a new Gnomon DVD out at the Gnomon School booth.
There will be tons of other great artists there as well as all the cool movie stuff and great books to get, but I'll have to let you enjoy it this year and I'll see you there next year!
Have a good time!
If you are planning on going be sure to look for some of my friends and co-workers. Christian Alzmann has a booth this year and will be selling many prints of his work be sure to check it out. Wayne Lo and a few of his co-workers will be selling their new book called Battle Milk at the Lucas Film booth so be sure to stop by and pick one up as well as some others. Derek Thompson will be at the Maverix booth with his new monster annual with 365 new monster sketches. Derek also has a new Gnomon DVD out at the Gnomon School booth.
There will be tons of other great artists there as well as all the cool movie stuff and great books to get, but I'll have to let you enjoy it this year and I'll see you there next year!
Have a good time!
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 11:19 PM 1 comment:
Sunday, June 29, 2008
My Gnomon talk tank
above the Gnomon final, below a close up of work in progress.
Well, I know I promised this a while ago, but better late than never. Here's the examples I made for my talk at the Gnomon school in LA about making sure the design fits the story, and is not just fluffy Hollywood slick design. So for the talk I made up a sample story in order to establish "the problem". At it's heart that's what design is, problem solving. So in order to design something for a purpose you need to establish 'the problem' and/or design constraints. I'm going to save some of the details for a later offering, but here's the jist of what I came up with. The basic design problem was a tank, that could do nearly 250 miles an hour, go on and off road, carry up to 5 crew and be low enough to fit under underpasses. Armed with some sort of pop-up turret and the ability to smash through road blocks and keep going. So first I started by doing some small sketches and some research to explore some existing tank tech, and find some cool shapes. After a few pages of exploration I weeded out the impractical designs that didn't fit the needs of the story, and combined the ones I did like. Above are some of those sketches and what I had finished at the time of the talk. I've since worked on it a bit more, but I may save that for a later offering...hhmmmmm. :)
OK I hope you enjoy these and Happy 4th of July!
-Think Above and Beyond!
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 7:17 PM 2 comments:
Monday, June 2, 2008
Go see THE FALL....now!
WOW, I usually don't recommend films but I can't believe that this film hasn't been widely released! The Fall is an amazing fairy tale that will make you remember the whole point of film making... a beautiful art form in which to tell a tale with drama, humor, sadness and breath taking visuals! Not to mention the most honest acting performances by the 2 lead characters, one of which is a 5 year old girl. I'm confused as to why the movie was rated R, because it's not as violent as many PG-13 movies and it has a beautiful redemptive story line. So go search it out, and try and see it on a big screen if you can. It took nearly 4 years to complete it and was shot in 18 different countries around the world, that's right, no blue screens!
Don't read the so called 'critics' reviews, their inner child must be dead, because this movie has heart and a vivid imagination and is a film lovers film, not a shallow popcorn flick like most films these days. I've seen it twice now, and my wife has seen it three times. It is a joy the second and third time because you get to pick up other details you missed the first time.
Go see it and let me know what you thought!
check out the clip "I'm touching one" for a little taste!
The Fall Trailer and clips!
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 3:35 PM 2 comments:
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
10,000 hits!
Thanks for all of you who check this blog every now and then and for all of you who have left comments! The Blog just rolled over the 10,000 hit mark! Nothing to brag about in terms of #'s in comparison to other's sites, but not bad considering not that many people know about it. So please pass it on to your friends and thanks again for stopping by! I'll try and post something soon to celebrate, unfortunately my home computer is down and out right now :( , so please be patient.
Thanks again and keep thinking Above and Beyond!
God Bless
- Alx
Thanks again and keep thinking Above and Beyond!
God Bless
- Alx
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 8:55 AM 2 comments:
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Dressed up a sketch
So it's been over a year now since I started this blog. I hope to keep it up longer than I did the now defunct 'Sketch of the Day' I had on my website. But no worries, I am still sketching on a mostly daily basis, and have even had a chance to dress up a few of those sketches into more finished pieces. Like this one from May 6th. I did a series of racers and chose to flesh this one out a bit in color. I started with the original sketch and basically re-drew it with a bit more gesture. And cleaned up the sweeps with the path tool in photoshop. I dipped into Painter X for a second to add some smeary streaks and puddles on the ground and also played with a program called Alchemy to creat a splashy background element. It's never too late to keep learning new programs. I love having another arrow in the quiver.
enjoy and think above and beyond!
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 2:06 PM 6 comments:
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Ye 'olde Pen Sketches from 1993
Hard to believe these sketches are that old already. These were done for a story I wrote back in college while attending CCS. It took place in Detroit in 2073 where C.Y.C.O. (CYbernetics Co.) was making advanced body modifications which then were used by gangs and so forth. The police had to counter the stronger gangs by mechanizing themselves in these power suits, created by who else.... JaegerTech :) So our hero, Sgt. Kyle Anderson is seen here wearing the JaegerTech bluesuit. Much like the Knight Sabers from Bubblegum Crisis it uses display readouts instead of clear glass visor. Each joint is powered by it's own flat-disc motor and the whole suite is powered by a near perpetual motion JaegerTech frictionless generator the size of a small frisbee. The whole story was going to be made into a comic book series but the company I was going to do it for vanished... It was also the start of me moving away from car design and into more concept design for stories.
Originals are ball point pen on 8.5x11 plain old Kinko's copy paper. Enjoy!
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 6:33 PM 3 comments:
Thursday, March 6, 2008
OK, so most people who know me know I'm a VW freak, so when VW announces a new car like the just released Scirocco, I'm all over it. Now the first thing that needs to be said is that this new VW WILL NOT be sold in North America....GGRRRRR!!! That's doesn't mean that it won't ever, but many of us die hard VW fans are hoping for an even better one by the time it hits our shores. So even though the photos have only been out for a day or 2, I had to take a stab at making the US Spec version :P
So at first look I thought, Cool!, Not bad. Then I thought, hmm those head lights are too BMW-ish and the center is oddly long.
But overall decent. So my first attempt was to do what Audi did with the R8, and try and kill the odd length in the center by visually breaking it up with an off-color 'side blade'. And the usual bigger rims and lower stance. I also mildly changed the blend to the taillights.
Then I decided I might as well go all the way to a redesign, so I looked at some old Scirocco and Corrado's and then got to work on slopping the back, flaring the fenders, deepening the side sculpt, reshape the rear, and redo the front for a more aggressive retro muscle car look. Below is the result. I'm pretty happy with it. And I've recieved some good reactions on VWVortex too :).
hopefully we'll see something like this here in the next year or two....let me know what you think!
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 2:35 PM 3 comments:
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Bitter Sweet Oscar's 2008
Well, the good news is I was invited to the Oscar's this year to support our nominated Transformers VFX crew, Scott Farrar, Scott Benza and Russel Earl, the bad news of course is that we didn't win. Much to our and seeming every one's shock! I think even including the crew of the Golden Compass wich took home the gold this year for "Best Visual Effects". Many have chalked it up to the Mr. Bay boycott, the ILM snub or just that there were more big name actors in 'Compass... Anyway, congrats to all parties.
Before the awards was the most fun anyway, getting all dressed up, getting in the limo and walking the red carpet. It was all very surreal to be there and have bleachers on either side of the road and the carpet full of people taking pictures. Then there was the "oh look there's Dennis Hopper, pardon me Cameron Dias, oh hi Jason Bateman etc...' yeah... that was fun/weird.
The bomb was dropped 4 awards into the show that The Golden Compass won over Transformers and Pirates 3, and I think everyone who had anything to do with Transformers was so in shock or upset that most of them left the theater and never came back in. I went back in and watched the rest of the show, well because I was there! ;-P
Pictures to come Soon!
Anyway, back to regular life.
I've been sketching a bit more these days with the old school pen and paper, as well as a few in the box sketches too. I'll be posting some of those soon.
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 9:14 AM 2 comments:
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
VES ruled by Robots!
The 2008 6th annual VES (Visual Effects Society) Awards were Sunday night Feb 10th. The VES honors mixed media from Film to broadcast TV to Video Games, and is made up of outstanding professionals in those fields. So it was an honor that I was included in the nomination for Best Models and Miniatures in a motion Picture for Transformers, along with fellow ILMer's David Fogler, Ron Woodall and Kerner Optical's Brian Gernand. Transformers won nearly every catagory it was nominated for including Best Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Motion Picture.
It was a fun evening where we found ourselves sitting at a table between Steven Spielberg and Brad Bird, and dozens of other VFX legends like Douglas Trumble, Ken Ralston, Denis Muren, John Knoll and Lorne Peterson. Even Michael Bay was there to cheer us on as well as Megan Fox(Transformers), Patton Oswalt(Ratatouille) countless others. Steven was there to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award from the VES and did so with a grateful heart.
In the end ILM walked away with 25 statues in 6 catagories!
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Motion Picture:
Scott Farrar, Shari Hanson, Russell Earl, Scott Benza
Best Single Visual Effect of the Year (Desert Highway Sequence): Scott
Farrar, Shari Hanson, Shawn Kelly, Michael Jamieson
Outstanding Models or Miniatures in a Motion Picture: Dave Fogler, Ron
Woodall, Alex Jaeger, Brian Gernand
Outstanding Compositing in a Motion Picture: Pat Tubach, Beth D'Amato,
Todd Vaziri, Mike Conte
Another ILM project that took home a few statues:
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End:
Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Motion Picture (Davy
Jones): Hal Hickel, Marc Chu, Jakub Pistecky, Maia Kayser
Outstanding Created Environment in a Live Action Motion Picture: Frank
Losasso Petterson, Paul Sharpe, Joakim Arnesson, David Meny
Congrats to all! And all the hard working dedicated crews at ILM! Whoo hooo!
Posted by Alex Jaeger at 2:37 PM 5 comments:
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Fans of Within the Fetterlock may like to know that Constance now has her own entry on the online Find a Grave site. The entry is a pretty positive one - I could almost have written it myself, although I promise you I didn't. (But for Google Alerts I'd have known nothing about it.)
You can even leave a memorial message on there if you like, though really you're about 593 years too late.


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A bro (not necessarily male) who procrastinates along with you and empathizes on your ability to finish homework in one night even though you had more than a month to do it
Person 1: Oh my god Katherine I've been watching Netflix for 5 hours instead of doing my 6-page essay that's due tomorrow
Person 2: SAAAMEEEE TBH
Person 1: Damn you're my brocrastinator
Person 2: SAAAMEEEE TBH
Person 1: Damn you're my brocrastinator
by AngelOvvl March 10, 2015
A brother who is a good student but puts all the work off until the very last minute. If a ten page paper is due at eight in the morning, he will play video games until midnight and then sleep until four in the morning. Then somehow he manages to both get up at four in the morning and get the paper done.
I can't do anything with my brother anymore because he is a brocrastinator.
by randygertie April 27, 2011
buy the domain for your pet vlog


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The VSO announces its new Composer-in-Residence, the inaugural appointment of Composer in Association, and new Associate Conductor Title
Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is proud to announce the appointment of its new Composer-in-Residence, Jocelyn Morlock; the inaugural appointment of Composer-in-Association, Marcus Goddard (the VSO's current Associate Principal Trumpet); and the promotion of its current Assistant Conductor, Gordon Gerrard, to the title of Associate Conductor.
Beginning her tenure with the VSO on September 1st, 2014, Jocelyn Morlock has developed an avid reputation as one of Canada's pre-eminent and most sought-after composers. Completing her residency with Vancouver's innovative new music concert series Music On Main in August 2014, both Music On Main's Artistic Director, David Pay, and the VSO's Music Director, Maestro Bramwell Tovey, look to Jocelyn's upcoming tenure not only as an exciting opportunity for Jocelyn's development as a composer, but as an important continuation in the VSO's dedication to fostering new music by Canadian composers.
Maestro Bramwell Tovey is excited to welcome Ms. Morlock to the VSO, saying "Jocelyn Morlock was the unanimous choice of the VSO search committee charged with finding a new VSO composer-in-residence. Her recent output and her unique voice and style made a powerful impression on all of us. I'm greatly looking forward to working closely with Jocelyn over the next two years as she assumes programming responsibilities in our Annex and New Music Festival presentations. In particular, I'm keenly anticipating leading performances of new works which she will create as part of the residency."
Music on Main Artistic Director David Pay commented, "Jocelyn Morlock has been Composer-in- Residence for Vancouver's groundbreaking series Music on Main since 2012. It's a thrill to see the Composer-in-Residence programmes at Music on Main and the Vancouver Symphony contribute to Jocelyn's career as one of our nation's great composers."
In addition to writing numerous new works for performance by the VSO, Jocelyn will also play an integral part in programming the VSO's Vancouver Sun Symphony in the Annex new music series, and its annual New Music Festival.
Commenting on her appointment, Jocelyn Morlock remarked, "The VSO's commitment to composers is strong, and keeps getting stronger every year – witness the exciting VSO New Music Festival that was inaugurated this January. I am thrilled to be working with Maestro Bramwell Tovey and the VSO to help program the Festival and the Annex Series. There is so much great new music out there that I'm dying to share with people."
With Jocelyn's two-year tenure beginning in September 2014, the VSO would like to express its extreme gratitude to outgoing Composer in residence, Edward Top, for a wonderful three-year association. Mr. Top's work with the VSO was outstanding. From advising the organization on the work of contemporary composers, to his leadership role in programming the Annex series, to the establishment of the inaugural New Music Festival which took place in January 2014, to the number of his works that the orchestra has performed, his contributions have been powerful assets for the VSO.
Commenting on behalf of the VSO, President & CEO Jeff Alexander said, "It has been an absolute pleasure having Edward Top as our Composer-in-Residence since 2011. Edward has done a superb job in this role with the VSO, and we have had the pleasure of performing many of his intriguing, thoughtful, and inspirational compositions. We wish him well and look forward to watching his career continue to flourish."
Further deepening its commitment to fostering new works, the VSO has also created a new position with the inaugural appointment of Composer -in-Association; Marcus Goddard. With this appointment the VSO has committed to programming at least one major work a year by the Composer-in-Association, and this first time appointment is an exceptionally special one for the VSO as Marcus is a long-time core musician within the orchestra, having joined the trumpet section in 1999 as Associate Principal Trumpet.
"I'm absolutely thrilled and honoured to be appointed to this newly created position," said Mr. Goddard. "It's so exciting to have the opportunity to compose new works for my own fabulous colleagues in the VSO."
The VSO is also pleased to announce that its current Assistant Conductor, Gordon Gerrard, has re-signed a two-year contract extension with the VSO and will be promoted to Associate Conductor. In continuing with the VSO, Gordon remarked "Since coming to the VSO, I have enjoyed a very happy relationship with Maestro Tovey and the musicians of the orchestra. I consider it an honour to be invited to continue on now in the role of Associate Conductor, and I look forward to many more opportunities to make music with these wonderful people."
And Bramwell Tovey said of Gordon's re-signing "Gordon Gerrard's work with the VSO has been outstanding since his appointment as Assistant Conductor in 2012. From 2014/15 Gordon will assume a greater role in the newly created position of Associate Conductor. Gordon is one of Canada's outstanding young conductors and the VSO greatly looks forward to his increased contribution to the VSO in the years ahead."
For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact the VSO's PR Associate, Caroline Márkos at 604.684.9100 x266
Jocelyn Morlock, Composer-in-Residence (Sept. 2014)
Juno®-nominated composer Jocelyn Morlock is one of Canada's most distinctive voices. "A lyrical wonder, exquisite writing" with "an acute feeling for sonority" and an approach that is "deftly idiomatic" (Vancouver Sun), Morlock's music has received numerous accolades including Top 10 at the 2002 International Rostrum of Composers, Winner of the 2003 CMC Prairie Region Emerging Composers competition, winner of the Mayor's Arts Awards in Vancouver (2008), three nominations for Classical Composition of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards (2006, 2010, 2014) a nomination for WCMA Best Classical Recording of the Year (2014) , and a Juno Nomination for Classical Composition of the Year (2011.) She served for two years (2012-2014) as inaugural Composer-in-Residence for Vancouver's Music on Main, and will be joining the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as Composer-in-Residence September 1, 2014.
Recent premieres include Ornithomancy - a flute concerto for Paolo Bortolussi and the Vancouver Island Symphony conducted by Pierre Simard, Perruqueries – wiggy songs with texts by Bill Richardson for Robyn Driedger-Klassen, Tyler Duncan, and Erika Switzer; Corybantic for pianist Corey Hamm; and Vermilion for the Aeolus string quartet; a new chamber ensemble piece for Music On Main's Orpheus Project (July 2014) is in the works.
Recent CD releases featuring Morlock's music include her own CD, Cobalt (nominated for two 2014 WCMAs), Couloir's Wine Dark Sea, Standing Wave's Liquid States (nominated for a WCMA) and musica intima's Into Light, (nominated for two WCMAs and two Juno Awards).
Marcus Goddard, Composer-in-Association (Sept. 2014)|Associate Principal Trumpet
Marcus Goddard is the Associate Principal Trumpet with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and has performed with Vancouver New Music, Standing Wave, the Vancouver Opera, the CBC Orchestra and the VSO Brass Quintet. Recent performing highlights with the VSO include playing Mahler's Blumine movement from the First Symphony and the trumpet solo of Gyorgy Ligeti's virtuosic Mysteries of the Macabre. Goddard is a member of Vancouver's Turning Point Ensemble.
Goddard has performed extensively throughout North America and Europe. As principal trumpet of the Tenerife Symphony, he participated in a recording of Mahler's Third Symphony. He has held principal positions in the Owensboro Symphony, the Colombus, Indiana Philharmonic and has played Co-principal trumpet in the Spoleto Festival, the Aims Festival in Graz, Austria and the National Orchestral Institute. Goddard received a Bachelors Degree from the University of Michigan under Armando Ghitalla and Charles Daval and earned a Masters from Indiana University as a pupil of John Rommel.
As a composer, Goddard has over thirty-five works in his catalog, including four recent pieces for large orchestra as well as many works for varied chamber ensembles. His most recent work, I Send Only Angels, was commissioned by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and premiered in February 2007 with Roberto Minczuk conducting. Critics, musicians, and audience members alike praised the work, describing its \"shimmering, translucent, winning eloquence\" and \"perfectly judged\" form and structure. Following the critical acclaim of that premiere, the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal programmed I Send Only Angels for performance in November 2007, to be conducted by Bramwell Tovey.
Goddard has had three other orchestral works performed during the last several years. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performed My End Is My Beginning and Stay On the Sea while the Victoria Symphony performed Angels. Goddard's Voices Rising, for chamber ensemble, was premiered by the Turning Point Ensemble in March 2006, was broadcast on CBC Radio, and was performed again in Powell River, B.C. by members of the Chicago, Columbus, Vancouver, and Victoria Symphony Orchestras. Alexander Varty of the Georgia Straight wrote in his review that \"Marcus Goddard's Voices Rising was just beautiful.\"
Prior to his focus on works for orchestra and large ensemble, Goddard composed many pieces for chamber ensemble. He performed his work, Exothermic, for trumpet and piano trio, with both the Quiring Chamber Players and Standing Wave Ensemble. Goddard's Millennia Music for brass quintet was performed by the VSO Brass Quintet in 2002 and broadcast by CBC Radio.
His work for large brass ensemble, Supernovas Collide, was premiered by the Vancouver Brass Choir in the fall of 2001 and Desolation Sounds, for brass quartet, was premiered by members of the Chicago and Vancouver Symphony Orchestras in 2005. Goddard recently completed Reflections on Slayton Pond, a work for flute and piano commissioned by the Vermont duo, Sarabande. He has composed a piano trio and violin duo as part of a series of chamber works for young players in the Quiring Chamber Music School in Vancouver. Goddard's String Quartet was performed for many young audiences in British Columbia public schools during 2002. Goddard composed and produced the score to the film, Breakfast at Sharkey's, and has composed two modern dance works, which were staged in Indiana. He has participated in seminars with William Bolcom, William Albright, and Krystof Penderecki and has attended lectures of Philip Glass and Samuel Adler and is an associate composer with the Canadian Music Centre.
Gordon Gerrard, Associate Conductor
Gordon Gerrard has established a unique place in the new generation of Canadian musicians as one of its fastest rising stars. Trained first as a pianist and subsequently as a specialist in operatic repertoire, Gordon brings a fresh perspective to the podium. His passion and his dedication to producing thrilling musical experiences have endeared him to his fellow musicians and the public alike.
It is Gordon's work in opera that has made him a recognized figure across the country. For four seasons, he held the positions of Resident Conductor and Repetiteur for Calgary Opera. He conducted seven productions while in residence in Calgary, including the Canadian premiere of Mark Adamo's Little Women, which was recorded for national broadcast on CBC's Saturday Afternoon at the Opera. In 2012, Gordon conducted Calgary Opera's highly successful La Bohème, a production chosen specifically to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the company.
During his tenure at Calgary Opera, Gordon was honoured with the Mayor's Award for Emerging Artists for his contribution to the musical life of the city of Calgary. Gordon has also conducted two productions for Opera Hamilton to critical acclaim. He was Assistant Conductor for productions of Otello, Don Giovanni andLe Nozze di Figaro at Opera Lyra Ottawa and was Repetiteur for Vancouver Opera from 2004 to 2006.
A passionate and gifted educator, Gordon has been engaged as a conductor and lecturer by many institutions, including McGill University, the University of Manitoba and Iowa State University. In 2012, Gordon conducted a production ofDon Giovanni for Opera McGill. He has served as conductor for Opera Nuova (Edmonton) for the past ten years, and on the music staffs of the Opera as Theatre Programme at the Banff Centre for the Arts, the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute (Montreal), Halifax Summer Opera Workshop and the Undergraduate Opera Studio at the Manhattan School of Music. He is a regular vocal coach for Calgary Opera's Emerging Artist Program and l'Opéra de Montréal's Atelier Lyrique.
As a pianist, Gordon is a respected recital partner. After completing his studies at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, Gordon presented many recitals throughout New York City. In 2009, he was invited to participate in the Wigmore Hall International Song Competition in London, and later that year he was engaged to present a recital with soprano Jane Eaglen for the Edmonton Recital Society.
Gordon is delighted to begin work with Maestro Bramwell Tovey and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as Assistant Conductor.
Labels: vancouver, vancouver symphony orchestra


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Struggling to figure out how to be black in the 21st century? Baratunde Thurston has the perfect guide for you. In How to Be Black, the writer-comedian doles out advice on critical issues in a collection of essays such as "How to Be the Black Friend," "How to Speak for All Black People" and "How to Celebrate Black History Month."
This fun read is also a biting critique of the media's insistence on portraying blackness as one-dimensional. Through humor, Thurston teaches readers how to be black by reminding them that there really is no one way to do it.
Fans of Stuff White People Like, This Week in Blackness and other blogs that take satirical shots at racial stereotypes are sure to love How to Be Black. The book is set for release on Jan. 31, 2012, but is currently available for preordering.
Previous recommendation: Celebrate Black Cinema in San Diego.
Got ideas for The Root Recommends? Send them to firstname.lastname@example.com.
If you want to see what's hot on black Twitter, check out The Chatterati.Akoto Ofori-Atta is the editor of The Grapevine. Like her Facebook page and follow her on Twitter.


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Most music and dance lovers in the Washington, D.C., area are familiar with the Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center--the Virginia performance space features a wide variety of entertainment each year, from pop singers to elaborate dance troupes to comedians. What many may not realize is that Wolf Trap is part of the National Park System, managed by a public-private partnership, with its grounds and buildings maintained by the Park Service. In fact, it is the only U.S. national park devoted to the performing arts.
It seems fitting, then, that Wolf Trap has created a series of vibrant dance performances devoted especially to national parks. The seventh installment in this "Face of America" series will debut this Saturday, September 8, featuring the parks of South Florida: Biscayne National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Dry Tortugas National Park and Everglades National Park. The show will combine live dance with taped dance performances filmed in the parks; Miami-based timba band Tiempo Libre will perform as dancers highlight the natural landscapes, wildlife, history, and culture of these iconic places.
Learn more on Wolf Trap's website, and see a short sample of the show's performances on the video clip below. And if you buy tickets, use promo code SPIRIT25 at check out to get a 25 percent discount especially for park lovers!
About the author
Jennifer Errick Managing Editor of Online Communications
Jennifer writes, edits, and moderates online content for NPCA.


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text: Andrew W.K.: "As long as you have yourself and some form of living health, you can party. That's the beauty of it. Having a hundred bucks or so to spend doesn't hurt because then you can get a lot of chips, crackers, wines, sweet wines, wines that foam—all that good stuff—but you don't need money to [party], and if that ever would stop someone from partying, they need to be taught that lesson. You don't need to spend a single dime. As long as you have the will and the focus to have fun, you can do it no matter what."


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Ada StreetBucktown | Website Map
Find Parking
The menu here is true small plates with a hearty edge, with dishes like brussels sprouts dressed in soy sauce, fried quail and salmon tartare. Drinks include a short bottled beer list, plenty of wines by the glass or bottle and a dozen or so cocktails, named after albums. Limited reservations are accepted between 5:30-6:30 p.m. nightly.


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Good morning friends. Pollution has been as any significant change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of the air, water and land that many negatively affect mankind, whether directly by being harmful to people or indirectly by causing natural resources to deteriorate.
Despite early warnings, the level of ozone, known to be extremely harmful for health, in Delhi has been rising steadily. According to CSE latest findings, ozone levels have been unusually high this year, very often much above the standards proposed by the environment ministry. This is a direct consequence of a very hot summer and high pollution levels in the city.
The study, based on data available with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reveals that in April, ozone levels have almost every day been high than the proposed standard of 90 microgram/cu m for a daily maximum eight-hourly average. The standards that have been in the pipeline for a while now are awaiting notification by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
''Ozone is not emitted by any source. It is instead the result of a photochemical reaction involving NOx, hydrocarbons and other pollutants under high temperature. This year has been specially hot but pollution is also growing in the city. It is a known fact that diesel vehicles emit three times more NOx than petrol vehicles and the government needs to take steps to control the growing number of vehicles,'' said Anumita Roychowdhury, associate director, CSE. – The Times of India


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Fenger Pointing
Becky Fenger | April 7, 2010
Let me count the ways
Have you mailed back your Census 2010 form? It was due on April Fools' Day, and the U.S. Census Bureau fears a lower response than in 2000 when only 67 percent of households complied. With the help of Mountain States Legal Foundation (MSLF), let's list some of the reasons Americans are justly ticked off by Census 2010.
First of all, despite all the sins and scandals of President Barack Obama's beloved ACORN (The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), these folks are recruiting census workers to go door to door. No opportunity for mischief here! Warning bells should have sounded when the White House grabbed control over the Census. This so disgusted U.S. Senator Judd Greg (R-NH), who was nominated to be Commerce Secretary, that he withdrew his name.
Proving that this administration is tone deaf to the fact that the U.S. is broke, the Census Bureau spent $133 million on a national advertising campaign mailing us that we will be receiving our forms in the mail, mailing us to watch for our forms in the mail, mailing us notice that the forms have been mailed, and mailing us reminders to fill out the mailed forms. Whew.
It seems to me that the notices and reminders about Census 2010 that I get in the publications tucked into my utility bills would suffice and cost us nothing.
The topper to the reckless spending on all this redundancy was the $2.5 million spent on a Super Bowl ad which was widely panned by media experts who called it "dry, uninformative, and culturally obscure." No wonder it was rated the worst of all the commercials aired during the big game.
MSLF writes that an already suspicious public is being subjected to the arrogance and ignorance too often exhibited by the federal government. One example comes from the foothills west of Denver, Colorado, where a census worker knocked on the door and asked the woman who opened it, "What address is this?" She answered, "You found it; where do you think you are?" He insisted, "You have to tell me where I am." It makes your heart flutter to watch your tax dollars at work, doesn't it?
Despite the fact that President Obama was billed as "post racial," his administration has been fixated on race. Mark Kirkorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, complains that "fully one quarter of the space on the Census concerns questions of race and ethnicity."
Take a look at our "post racial" officials and agencies. MSLF reminds us that "Obama's economic advisor Robert Reich proclaimed that the 'stimulus package' was not intended for 'white construction workers.' In short order, the Administration mulled implementation of a new 'Fairness Doctrine' due to the lack of the requisite diversity, filled the health care plan with racial quotas and set-asides, and beefed up the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division to file more race-based lawsuits, at the same time that the justice Department dropped its case against Black Panthers who had violated federal law by intimidating voters in Philadelphia in 2008." Isn't that precious? And just last week the Justice Department endorsed racial discrimination by colleges and universities. Let's see what the U.S. Supreme Court does with this ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
There are manuals that newspaper editors follow for "style and usage" standards that are revised over the decades. One of the worst changes to occur, I maintain, is the grammatically incorrect capitalization of the Black and White races. It only draws attention to the color of our skin, which is what we have spent time, energy and lives trying to erase. Go figure.
Upon passage of the Health Care Reform Bill, U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) uttered these memorable words on the floor of the Senate
"This is also an income shift."
"This will help lower income Americans. Too often of late, the last couple, three years, this maldistribution of income of America has gone up way too much. The wealthy are getting way, way too wealthy."
"Wages have not kept up with the income to the highest-income Americans. This legislation will have the effect of addressing that maldistribution of income in America, because health care is now a right for all Americans and because health care is now affordable for all Americans."


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When it was my turn, I brought the reunion close to my home. I live in Emery County. My mom was born in Huntington, so, but we never lived there as a family. I reserved campsites for everyone at Huntington State Park. It is a reservoir that is close to the town of Huntington, so it is not high in the mountains and has warmer water than most lakes. There are bathroom facilities with showers at this park. We put up more shade so we could gather together for meals and games (bottom left).
We rented two Wave Runners from Provo (today prices start at about $500.00 a day). We all took turns on them, and it worked out great! A friend brought horses for those who wanted to go on a horseback riding trip (top right). We visited the local cemetery where many of our ancestors are buried. Mom talked about her memories of Huntington.
Friday night we attended the Castle Valley Pageant nearby, which tells the story of the settlement of Emery County. We ordered pizza for everyone and took them with us (bottom right). You can also buy food at the concession stands.
At the pageant, as you wait for the sun to go down, there is a pioneer village that you can walk through and see how life was lived back in the 1800′s. They watch a Blacksmith make horseshoe rings, and each of the kids get one; they can ride in a covered wagon, etc. It is the a great pageant, the only one that uses live animals.


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Vance-Granville Community College's 31st annual Endowment Fund Golf Tournament, presented by Oxford-based Union Bank, generated $100,318 to help fund scholarships for deserving students and support the mission of the college. That result set a new record as the highest-grossing golf tournament in VGCC history, far surpassing the previous record of $51,000, set just last year.
A total of 164 golfers formed 41 teams to play in either the morning or the afternoon round on May 5, 2015, at Henderson Country Club.
"We greatly appreciate the support of all the golfers and sponsors who helped make this our most successful tournament ever," said VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams. "We especially want to thank Union Bank for partnering with us as our first-ever presenting sponsor," added Dr. Williams, who is a member of the board of directors of Union Bank.
"More than $650,000 has now been raised by the VGCC golf tournaments since 1985, because local community and business leaders recognize how important scholarships are to student success, and how important education and training are to the success of our region's economy," she said.
At the dinner held to round out the day, VGCC Criminal Justice student Adam Rooker of Norlina, a recipient of endowed scholarships, expressed thanks to those who participated in the tournament. Meanwhile, players took home an assortment of door prizes and participated in a silent auction.
In the morning round, the team of Kenny Abbott, Donald Seifert, Sr., Owen Tharrington and Buddy Thomas took home the first-place trophy. Second place in the morning round went to the team of Henry Murray, David Farey, Randy Hoyle and Rob Wallace, while the team of Bob Hubbard, Sr., Bob Hubbard, Jr., Mike Rainey and Steve Wright placed third.
In the afternoon round, the Institutional Interiors team, which included Mike Baskett, Macy Foster, Tim Hill and Billy T. Stanton, finished in first place. The Winston International team — Randy Hoyle, Bryan Rainey, Randy Weary and Robert Winston — came in second. Third place in the afternoon went to the Rose Oil team of Chip Watkins, George Watkins, Tripp Watkins and Chick Young.
Mike McKoon of the M.R. Williams team took the longest-drive prize on Hole 1 in the morning round, while Matt Woodlief had the longest drive in the afternoon. Steve Wright won the seniors' longest-drive prize in the morning, and Macy Foster won that prize in the afternoon.
Henry Murray won the closest to the pin prize on Hole 11 in the morning, and Joseph Han took that honor in the afternoon round.
Numerous companies and individuals supported the VGCC tournament as sponsors. In addition to presenting sponsor Union Bank, the "Vanguard Sponsors" included Glen Raven, Inc., Coldwell Banker Advantage, CareFusion, Wester Insurance Agency, Maria Parham Medical Center, CertainTeed, Novozymes, Ardagh Group, AXA Advisors and Toyota of Henderson.
Platinum sponsors were HD Supply, Inter Technologies, Bridgestone Bandag, Altec, Carolina Commonwealth Forest Products, Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Robling Medical, M.R. Williams, Circuit Technology, The Pegram Agency, CenturyLink, Variety Wholesalers, Private Wealth Management of NC, Park Automation & Training, Revlon and Rose Oil Company.
Gold sponsors for the tournament were Granville Health System, Institutional Interiors, Inc., Sportrax and Winston International.
Hole sponsors were 220 Seafood Restaurant; Alex Drake, DDS, PA; Auto Connection; Banzet, Thompson, & Styers, PLLC; Bowers and Burrows, Inc.; Brassfield Realty; C&P Body Shop, Inc.; Carolina Country Snacks; Carolina Quality; Carolina Solar Energy; CEI – The Digital Office; Century 21 Country Knolls Realty Inc.; CertainTeed; City Tire, Inc.; Comfort Zone Designers; Curtis and Joanne Thompson; Dave Carver; Dill Air Controls Products; Dr. Angela Ballentine; Dr. Ben Currin; Dr. Stelfanie Williams; Eddie and Debra Ferguson; Edmundson & Burnette, LLP; Encore Technology Group; Express Employment Professionals; Flowers Funeral Home; Focus Design Builders; Franklin County Farm Bureau Insurance; Frazco, Inc. Insurance – Real Estate; Golden Skillet; Granville County EDC; Greystone Concrete Products, Inc.; VGCC Health Sciences Program Heads; Henderson Wellness Center; Hight Warehouse; Holden Moss; Hopper, Hicks & Wrenn, PLLC; J.M. White Funeral Service; Kay Currin; K-FLEX USA; Lindsay Precast; Marsha J. Nelson; Mast Drug Co., Inc.; Morton & Sherman of Oxford; Farm-Lawn-Garden; Mosley Plumbing Company; MPACT Training; Nick & Sons Truck Repair, Inc.; One Source Document Solutions, Inc.; Oxford Dry Cleaners; Pacific Coast Feather Company; Park Automation, Inc.; Pete Smith's Tire and Quick Lube; Phillips, Dorsey, Thomas, Waters & Brafford, P.A.; Pino's; Prim Development & Residential Rentals; Private Wealth Management of NC; Professional Pharmacy – Oxford; REW Medical; Rick Edwards Electric; Robco Mfg. Inc./Alumadock; Henderson Kiwanis Club; Royster & Cross, LLP; Sherman & Boddie, Inc.; Skipper Forsyth's Bar-B-Q; Southern Educational Systems; Southern Laundry; Stacey Carter-Coley; Stainback, Satterwhite, Zollicoffer, PLLC; Ted's Catering; The Sunrock Group; The Vanguard Deans; Tru-Green Lawn and Landscaping; Vance Construction Company; Vescom; VGCC Communications Department; VGCC Franklin Campus; VGCC South Campus; VGCC Welding Department; W.W. Properties; Wake Electric; Whitco Termite and Pest Control; William L. Stark and Company; and WOW Wash on Wheels.
The following individuals and businesses made contributions or other gifts to support the tournament: Barnett Properties; Bill & Ruth Barnett; Brame Specialty Company; Dot's Hallmark; Elaine Stem; H.G. Reynolds; Jim Crawford; Joe and Betty Hamme; John Nelms; K-FLEX USA; Mack Choplin; MPACT Training; Newton Instrument Company; RFR Metal Fabrication, Inc.; Ted's Catering; Todd Wemyss; Tom Robinson; Tru-Green Lawn and Landscaping; Walmart Distribution Center; Ace Hardware of Oxford; Bamboo Garden; Bob Hubbard; Bridgestone Bandag; Carolina Country Snacks; Carolina Lanes Bowling; City Tire, Inc.; Cracker Barrel #343; Dell, Inc.; Denny's; EZ Car Care Center; George's of Oxford; Golden Corral; Golden Skillet; Harvest; Henderson Wellness Center; House of Ribeyes, Oxford; Ichibar Japanese Restaurant; Institutional Interiors Inc.; International Paper; Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse; Mayflower Seafood Restaurant; McConnell Golf, LLC; Michele Burgess; Milanos of Oxford; One Source Document Solutions; Pizza Hut of Henderson; Pizza Inn of Henderson; Ribeyes Steakhouse/Henderson; Schewels Furniture Company; Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q; Southern Laundry; Tarheel Vending and Wholesale; The Angus Barn; The Peanut Roaster; Toyota of Henderson; Vance Furniture; Vanco Equipment Services; and Variety Wholesalers/Roses Stores.
Each year, the golf tournament is the major fundraising event for the VGCC Endowment Fund, through which more than 8,000 scholarships have been awarded to students since 1982. Scholarships have been established by individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college's faculty and staff. For more information, call (252) 738-3409.


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efficiency paddle
Buying, building and using brewing equipment and apparatus. Product reviews and questions.
Moderator: slothrob
3 posts • Page 1 of 1
efficiency paddle
I have finally(with your help) solved my extract problem. A new mash paddle was delivered last week and badda bing 8% more extract.
Good bye little spoon, Hello big wooden paddle.
Good bye little spoon, Hello big wooden paddle.
- Freon12
- Strong Ale
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- Location: WHITELAND, IN, US
Row Your Boat
A good piece of lumber in the hands does give one a feeling of power, eh? I took a lesson from Buffalo Bill Owens and started using a small canoe paddle to stir the ol' mash.
Bringing you nautical mad skills,
Bringing you nautical mad skills,
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text:
Pictured is entrance to the Valley of the Rogue State Park Campground
Brief description: An Oregon State Campground situated right off of Interstate 5 right near the town of
Gold Hill at exit 45B, which is located
between Medford and . The campground has shaded and sunny areas and
is situated right along a three mile stretch of the Grants Pass, Oregon Rogue River.
Open Dates: Open year round; from October 1 to April 30 reduced rates are usually in effect.
Number of Campsites: 88 full hook up sites, 59 electrical sites with water, 21 tent sites and 6 yurts available. At least one campsite is accessible to campers with disabilities.
Length of Stay: 14 consecutive days
Fees: Rates are subject to change. Get up to date information by calling (800) 551-6949.
Oregon State
Location/Address: Adjacent to Interstate 5 at exit 45B between
Medford, Oregon and . Approximately 12 miles southeast of Grants
Pass, Oregon Grants Pass.
Elevation: Approximately 1,050 feet.
Contact Information:
Valley of the
Rogue State Park
(541) 582-3128
- Paved parking
- Picnic tables
- Fire rings
- Meeting Hall
- Flush toilets, hot showers
- Laundry facilities in two loops
- Firewood for sale
- RV dump station
- Full hook-ups
- Tent only sites
- Sites with electrical and water
- Hiking trails along river
- 3 miles of river access for fishing
- Boat ramp
- Sand volleyball court
- Horseshoe pits
- Interpretive programs during the summer
General Description: Three miles of shaded green frontage property on the scenic
River, great for fishing, boating, and camping. Even though it is adjacent to the interstate
freeway, a large berm runs along the front of the campground and effectively
buffets freeway noise from the campground.
This stop is very convenient when traveling along the interstate. There is also a day use area and roadside
rest stop located at the same exit.
Nearby Services: (groceries, medical, etc.) Full services in
Grants Pass 12 miles north and full trauma emergency
services in
20 miles south. Eateries and small
groceries are available in Gold Hill, or the small town of Medford Rogue
River as well as all services in Grants Pass
and . Medford, Oregon


text: There is so much fun to be had when it comes to writing a diary. Decorate the pages, rough it up! Paste photos and clippings onto the pages. Design, sketch, draw and illustrate. Write in different styles using different writing tools. All of this can unlock your inner genius and allow you to create your own style. This is what journaling is all about: Provide your inner genius with a playground.


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Morning Light – April 8th, 2016
Job Chapter Twenty-Seven: How Should Job Respond to His Friends? In this chapter Job continues his last and final monologue. He describes his idea of divine retribution. He accuses his friends of being among the hypocrites and declares that hypocrites will suffer the direst fate at the hand of God. In truth Job is merely lobbing back at his friends the accusations that they have leveled at him – rather than showing mercy as ultimately God requires of him.
Today: [Job Twenty-Seven]
[Job 27:1-23 KJV] 1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, 2 [As] God liveth, [who] hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, [who] hath vexed my soul; 3 All the while my breath [is] in me, and the spirit of God [is] in my nostrils; 4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. 5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. 6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach [me] so long as I live. 7 Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.
This is the second chapter of Job's longest monologue where he continues to insist upon his own righteousness. He complains that God has not given him a fair hearing and that he has been denied just treatment in the court of heaven. He claims that God has vexed his soul in spite of the fact that he is a righteous man (in his view). The word "vex" here implies that God in Job's view has made him "bitter, sad, irritated and exasperated". Is this consistent with God's character?
It is important to address Job's shortcomings because without taking the whole of the book Job into consideration many come to the conclusion that Job was the epitome of righteousness and that as Job thinks he is in fact being tormented by God for some ineffable reason. God is not irritating and exasperating Job. In Job 1:11-12 the passage plainly shows it was Satan and not God who is originating Job's suffering, yet not one time does Job give indication that he even realizes a creature such as Satan exists. John 15:26 tells us that God is a comforter. 1 Cor. 14:33 proclaims that God is the author of peace and not confusion. Rom. 15:33 says that God is the "God of peace". It is not in God's nature to torment or exasperate or embitter us.
Many claim that God can contradict His own promises because He is sovereign. Paul addresses this controversy:
[2Co 1:20 KJV] 20 For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
What this tells us is that God will never say "no" to what the cross says "yes" to. It is true that in every life that are contradictions to God's promises but we are incorrect to believe that those contradictions originate in God's dealing with us or in some way we are totally in faith but God has simply decided to pass on being faithful to us in return. We often contrive in our fallible, human rationale that because good may come from some terrible trial that it was God that brought the evil about as well. This is contrary to His nature. No matter what you go through God is still with you. He as Paul says "always causes us to triumph…" Just because we come through something victorious or with our testimony intact does not mean that God originated the trial in the first place. This is contrary to His character and His testimony of Himself in the scriptures.
8 For what [is] the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? 9 Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? 10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God? 11 I will teach you by the hand of God: [that] which [is] with the Almighty will I not conceal. 12 Behold, all ye yourselves have seen [it]; why then are ye thus altogether vain? 13 This [is] the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, [which] they shall receive of the Almighty. 14 If his children be multiplied, [it is] for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. 15 Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.
Job describes how God should be treating him (as a supposedly righteous man) and now warns his friends that their hypocrisy will not go unpunished. He cautions them that the torments and rigors of suffering he has faced will now be visited upon them. In other words in his agony his sense of justice is totally offended that God would put him through this but he is absolutely prepared to see his friends struck with all his plagues – this would satisfy his sense of divine justice. He disagrees with God for allow (in his view) him to suffer but would be quite willing for his so-called friends to be stricken with the pestilence and plague he has endured.
16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; 17 He may prepare [it], but the just shall put [it] on, and the innocent shall divide the silver. 18 He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth [that] the keeper maketh. 19 The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he [is] not. 20 Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night. 21 The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. 22 For [God] shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand. 23 [Men] shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.
Job goes further to declare that the wealth that his friends (who he sees as truly wicked) is only laid up in store for those that God would consider just. This language is all a veiled curse of Job against those that have come to him in his time of trial. True, Job's three friends are not distinguishing themselves as comforters but that does not excuse Job from the thinly veiled deprecations he heaps upon them revealing how desperately he hopes to see them suffer as he does.
It is interesting that the final deliverance of Job comes when he relents this thinking and prays for his friends. Along with his fear that has come upon him there is deep in his heart a lingering resentment and lack of love toward these his closest companions. It is not until Job 42:10 when he forgives and relents and prays for his friends that his captivity is ultimately turned. In our own lives we would do well to monitor the levels of resentment that can surface in our lives when we are ill treated by others. The mercy you fail to extend to others becomes a measurement of the degree to which God's mercy will not be your own experience. It is difficult to be merciful against those who malign, disdain and mock you in the midst of difficulty. It does happen however and the lesson of Job is to forgive, release and bless – lest we bind ourselves in to a time of trouble that would otherwise lift if we chose to show mercy to the unmerciful however unwarranted by their behavior.
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|View Of Juárez from El Paso, Texas
|Betty and Pedro, who I've known since 1992. They'll take good care of your car during your visit to Mexico.
|Memorial for The Disappeared Women of Juárez
Now Juárez is passing through it's most difficult period since the Mexican Revolution--a "calvario," bearing a cross towards the edge of a cliff; a battlefield of the disastrous war on drugs. Many who have the means have fled the city. But most remain, waiting, praying, and hoping that this nightmare will end.
At a store in Arizona I mentioned to the cashier that I was heading to Juárez and he questioned my wisdom. I quoted Félix from my last visit that "life goes on," to which he responded, "for some." While Juárez is a special case due to the level of violence, most of Mexico is safe for tourists, but the perception is that it isn't. Even in Juárez tourists are not the targets of the violence. But the bad news keeps folks away as media ratings rise when murders are the top stories. Fear is soundly beating reality.
After crossing the border I bought a newspaper with a front page headline about the previous day's carnage, "Sabado Negro: 13 Muertos, 8 en Multihomicidios." You had to go deep into the paper to find more positive stories, like a youth chess tournament.
This visit I planned to reclaim more of my old circle, venturing deeper into Júarez. It was a beautiful cool Sunday morning in April. My timing couldn't have been better--a mass of humanity was in the streets and plaza. Felix, who is working on a doctorate, once wrote a report after observing people in the plaza. He saw it as a form of resistance--refusing to surrender to fear and getting out of the house into the sunlight, enjoying companionship, feeding the pigeons, visiting the market--celebrating being alive.
Another article in the paper proved Felix's thesis--a murder on a soccer field in a Juárez neighborhood had kept folks away. Now they were back playing soccer.
|Images of Revolutionaries: Che Guevara, Sandino, Jose Martí, Fidel Castro, Pancho Villa, Camilo Cienfuegos, Emiliano Zapata
|Juárez's main plaza, La Plaza de Armas
|A Clown Entertaining Kids For Tips From Their Parents
|Matachines dance group posing in front of the main cathedral
|The Old Mission Church beside the Newer Cathedral
|Mass In the Cathedral
|One of Juárez's Oldest Restaurants: La Nueva Central Coffee Shop; A Favorite Stop of Mine
|Street Vendors
|My friend Felix giving me a lift
|The Old Mercado Cuauhtemoc near the cathedral; A great place to shop and eat
|A Vendor with religous statues, including "Santa Muerte" which has become popular with some due to the violence
|Announcing That The Circus Is In Town
|Crossing The Bridge Back to El Paso
COMING UP: A Look Back At How The Residents Of Juárez Helped Stop Governor George W. Bush and the State of Texas From Placing a Nuclear Waste Dump On the Rio Grande


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Upper Bann MP David Simpson has congratulated his two party colleagues for the 'outstanding' result in the Assembly Election.
Mr Simpson said, "Sydney and Carla have polled outstandingly in the Assembly Election.
This is true testament to the work that each of them have put in as elected representatives.
They both head to the Assembly with a wealth of experience and enthusiasm in delivering the best outcome for everyone in Upper Bann.
A combined vote of 14,188 is a great endorsement from the people who came out to vote.


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Interview by Dana Jacoviello
Many of us hear of heartbreaking stories of LGBTQ youth being thrown out of their homes and left homeless on the streets. In fact, there is a good portion of homeless youth due to this epidemic. Even as adults, the LGBTQ community is still struggling with acceptance and human rights as we see every day on the news and social media. There are a plethora of stories that we read on a regular basis. It occurs far too much. The hatred is rampant, whether it be fear people use or their religion, it passes judgement on another that nobody has a right to do. It is not our job to do so.
Love is about acceptance and unconditional emotions. It is easy to preach, but how many of us actually walk to talk? The truth is, many might say they are an ally, but they still feel uncomfortable. Though we have made several worldwide strides in this arena, the fight is far from over. There is still much work to be done with us uniting and working together.
I see my very large group of LGBTQ friends as human beings. I do not see them as labels. I think that is part of the issue. We are constantly labeling each other. Let's just be people. Let's just be our authentic selves. It is not about a group we belong to. We already know we are all different. Diversity is a beautiful thing. That is what makes our world so amazing. If we were all the same, it would be pretty damn boring.
It is people and parents like Mara that create change when they share their stories and put in the effort. It starts in the home, and if you can provide that love and kindness in the home, it transcends out into the world through not only yourself, but your children. We have to stop creating more angered and hateful people. We are to blame for that, as people are not born to hate or born evil. It is a learned behavior.
Being a true ally is standing up for what you believe in, speaking out, getting involved, and making a difference. The question always remains, are we working towards making it better by doing our part?
Do not fear the unknown because you do not understand it. We go to school to learn, so educate yourself. Learn by opening your heart to people and not what they represent. Not everybody has to agree. Not everybody has to be the same religion or race. Why does that mean we are not able to all coexist as human beings with the same rights we should all have without exclusions?
Mara is one of those beautiful human beings that is not only part of the community, but an ally. I had a nice chat with Mara, and she has some wise words and a story and her vision of a world that we should all strive to create and want to live in.
Dana Jacoviello: Now I know that you are a mom of a gay son, whom you adore, support, and love very much. It is obvious why the cause of equality is so important to you. Has your son dealt with bullying and hate since coming out or even before that?
Mara O'Maude: Thank you, Dana, for taking the time to connect with me and talk about this:
In answer to this first question, oddly enough my kiddo, H., didn't face much in the way of bullying after he came out. It was before he emerged that he was targeted and treated poorly. But, I don't think I can remember a time when that particular bullying was about his orientation. Mostly just kids being mean to him because he would rise to their bait. Bullies use people's vulnerabilities against them, as you well know, and my sons vulnerabilities have always been justice and fairness. Those two things would not allow him to just let bullies get away with their targeting. However, after he came out he was met with all kinds of connected support from teachers and his peers. And in truth, there are only a few times that I can recall him facing bullying, either overt or covert, from people in our friend and family circles. One was a man who was, at the time, married to a good friend of mine. We were at dinner and this man started telling my son things like, '"Well, you're young. You don't really know who you are yet. I bet you're not gay, just confused. Give it time. I bet you end up straight." Before I could say anything, intercede, H. said, "Yeah, no. I can see you are thinking this is a nice thing to say, an encouraging thing. But, it's not. I know myself. I'm good. And I am gay." My friend's husband started to say something else and I looked at him with my eyebrow up to my hairline and shook my head. He kept his opinions to himself from then on. I think my son handled that really well. He learned, from the bullying he experienced as a little kid, that it's best to either speak truth to them, ignore them, or just walk away. Mostly he just walks away.
As he's just graduated high school, and is starting college in the fall, I have concerns about his safety. I worry, because right now is a very volatile time for the LGBT community. For every advance we have made, marriage equality, adoption rights, and so on, we have incidents like the Pulse shootings that seem to both embolden the bigots and make us afraid again. However, I was so very encouraged by Pride this year. It feels like we are seeing an advancement for LGBT rights and societal acceptance that may be more than just a temporary thing. This is also a reason why my son and I are both supporting Hillary Clinton in November. But, that's another interview entirely!
DJ: I know you are someone who is not afraid to speak out or stand up for bullying, hate, and what you believe in. Have you ever gone through bullying or hate yourself on or offline for being the mother of a gay son, an ally, or friend of the community?
MM: Funny you should ask. In the aftermath of Orlando I was thinking back on when I was in high school, back in the 80's, and an awful experience I had. I was jumped by a girl who was somehow offended that I am bi-sexual. She flipped out. She beat me so badly that I had a potato sized goose egg on the back of my head. And if it weren't for the man who jumped out of his car as he passed us on the street, who pulled her off of me, I doubt I'd be here now. She was in a blind rage. He got her off of me and I fled. Incidentally, the school and the district agreed to let me handle her punishment (she was suspended until I returned, too). So, after my wounds had healed, I had an opportunity to face my attacker and give her the what for.
When the principal called us in he had us sit side by side. I turned my chair to face her, straight on. And then I was asked if I preferred who went first, me or her. I said, "Me…" and then I let her have it. I raised my voice, just enough to grab her attention in the tiny office, and I told her that she wasn't the only one who hated me. But, that she was the only one to beat me up. That I had been pushed, shoved into lockers, spit on, called names, and worse, but that she was the only one to take it that far. I grabbed her hand and made her feel the goose egg on the back of my head and the scabs from the bloody wounds, and then I told her to look at my face, because she was looking down the whole time. I told her that I had told them to not expel her, to not suspend her, to let her have the punishment of having to watch my bruises heal. To have her be at school and see the sympathy for me, and the anger toward her. And then I forgave her. I told her I would never speak to her again, but that I forgave her.
And you know what? At the ten-year reunion, that same girl, by then a woman of 28, came to the party with her long time girlfriend. Honestly, I feel that the saying about those who are loudest about their aversion to LGBT community and rights for us, trend toward being in the closet and act that way out of self loathing. I wish that everyone felt free and safe to be whom they are. It just hurts my heart to see people struggle in that way. I wish that everyone had the same type of support I did as a teen and that my son has now. I'm also really glad that girl didn't have access to a gun.
DJ: How old was your son when he first came out to you and what was your first reaction?
MM: H. was 13 when he told me. But, I have always known. A mother knows. I used to joke, back when he was little, that I needed a 'I love my gay son!' tee from PFLAG. So, when he finally sorted it out for himself, I was actually really happy. He did it in the cutest way ever, by the way. We were driving with his best friend, T., and out of nowhere he said, "Mom, you have a better chance of having a son-in-law than a daughter-in-law…" I just nodded and said, "I know." Then his buddy, a big old jock who is a majorly girl crazy straight guy, leaned forward from the back seat and said, "Dude, if I was into guys, I'd totally marry you." And that was that. It was, all told, very anti-climactic.
My son doesn't get why people even have to come out anyway. I truly think this is part of this new generation of LGBT youth. They mostly realize that who they are isn't really a big deal and doesn't need to be ceremoniously announced. I mean yes, Pride is vital, because until we are free of hate crimes and bigotry, there will always be a need for community support and rallying. Even all these years after Harvey Milk being murdered, even after the closet doors were broken off at the hinges for so many, we still have people living in fear of being their true selves. So until we are all free to be, there will be a need for support and activism. But, these kids coming up now are more confident in who they are, and I am so proud of them for that. Especially my son.
DJ: Do you fear for your son to be in clubs and other venues after the horrifying attack in Orlando, or do you still encourage him to not fear who he is or hide?
MM: I won't lie, after Orlando we both were in deep shock. Still are. But, these past weeks, watching from our small town, all the Pride parades around the world, we are both feeling like the community is showing up stronger in the face of this nightmare. H. watched the parade videos from NYC this last weekend, and the festivities in SF, and was so glad that people didn't let fear choose for them. That the strength in numbers idea is strong with our community. LGBT people are tough. We have faced so many varied adverse situations, and we are resilient and strong. I've been listening to him talk with his friends, all of whom know he's gay, and only one other kid he knows is, too. They are all really supportive and also angry that this happened. They see it for the hate crime it was.
I really think that the LGBT community will take what has happened and make lasting change come from the pain. I seriously doubt the NRA knows what kind of wall of activism comes from an attack on us. And no matter what, we will always go to clubs, because we will always need each other and the freedom of dancing and celebrating. Honestly, I can't wait to take my son dancing. I love going to gay clubs. They are their own special brand of fabulous and wonderful. We won't shy from it. Ever.
DJ: In knowing you as a very loyal supporter and friend to BKO, you are very supportive of your son. How does it make you feel when you hear of or see other parents who are not? What goes through your mind?
MM: A few years ago one of H.'s friends came out to his mother. She lost it. She beat him. She kicked him out of her house. She took to social media to beg for help, and stated that she didn't know where she had gone wrong. I wrote back to her and said one thing, "You went wrong in not just accepting your son." That's where she lost it. Screaming over the phone about how he was dead to her and how she would never speak to him again. Once she was calm, I asked her why. She then had to sit there and tell me that it was fear. She was afraid for him. So, I then counseled her to first go find her son (he was 14 at the time and on the streets alone), bring him home, and beg his forgiveness. She was sobbing. I told her that he needed her, not her rage. Then I told her to delete her posts about God hating gays, and to get her head together. A few days later, her son came to school and asked my son if they could talk. He took H. aside and said, "Whatever your mom did, thank her for me." And while his life isn't filled with perfect acceptance, his mother is no longer hostile and un-supportive. So I think that's a win, in a way.
Thing is, for every kid that is accepted by his or her parents, there are five, six, or ten that are bullied, beaten, or disowned. And I can't understand that. At all. It just breaks my heart that the preponderance of homeless youth are LGBT. I've taken kids in and helped them cope with hostile parents so many times. That instance I just told you about isn't rare. I've done that a few times. Even gone so far as to go pick up a friend of H.'s and bring them here when a parent is off the rails angry about their orientation. I want kids to be loved for who they are, whole total, not just some weird conditional thing. We, as parents, have an obligation to be 100% behind our kids as they navigate the wavy sea of the world. It's tough enough to just grow up, so I can't understand anything less than positive regard for ones babies. I really can't.
DJ: Is there anybody in your family that gives you or your son a hard time, or are they all collectively a supportive bunch?
MM: With the exception of my friends now ex-husband, no one has been anything less than accepting. We don't have any biological family now that my mom is gone (she passed in 2010), but most everyone knows that H. is gay, and no one bats an eye. I suppose that's due in part to the fact that I am the B in LGBT, and my father was the G (he passed in 1996). So for us, for our friendship circle, it's a non issue. People just sort of roll with it. My moms best friend, who I am named for, when H. came out to her, said, "Oh, good!! Just like your grandfather!" And my mother's mentor, a lovely woman who passed last January, said the same thing. He's been really lucky. I wish that everyone had this same experience.
DJ: What are some of the things you feel parents and others can do to help our youth and young adults in coming out or being accepted as equals?
MM: Oh, Dana, I wish I had a simple answer. Honestly? I think that if everyone could have a coming out like my sons the world would be a better place. The casual acceptance of this very real facet of our kids and friends, our mothers and fathers, our people, would bring about so much peace. I have never understood the hate. It's always baffled me. My father's mother disowned him when he came out in 1970. And then, from that day, she blamed me and my mom for 'triggering' his gayness. Um, no. Sorry. He was gay, he was afraid of being out. It was the 60's, and she, his mother, was awful to him for being in any way flamboyant. So, he married my mom in 1965 and had me to try to avoid his real self. I was 2 when he finally admitted to himself, my mom, and both of their parents, that he was gay. While his own mother turned on him, my mothers parents (hardcore Baptist Christians) supported and accepted him without reservation. It was my grandfather, my mom's dad that paid for his moving to NYC to go to Julliard, actually. They were so eager to see him happy, and my mom and dad stayed close for the rest of his life.
Dana, I pray so hard that the world softens and that people let the notion that being LGBT is a bad thing go. We need to be kinder. People just need to be kinder and let love be love. I guess that's my super simple answer. Just for parents to accept and embrace their kids, and to just be present. That's all anyone ever wants. To be accepted and loved. And these kids, they need those things to thrive. As do we all.
DJ: What is some motherly advice you can provide to those out there that might be struggling or even in the streets by their homophobic parents or relatives?
MM: Oh wow… first of all, I have to say that I want to kiss and hug Cyndi Lauper for her work on this front. Her 'True Colors' shelter is an amazing thing. There needs to be one in every city, or at least until there are no more homeless LGBT youth. But, until that time comes, I suppose I would say to them: I can imagine that things are scary right now, but, you will find your people. Be strong in the knowledge that even if your parents have rejected you, there are a million other people out there in the world who will accept and love you as you are. I know that it can be frightening, especially if you are suddenly on your own. That if you are shown that it's bad to be who you are, that the world can feel like a hostile place. But, I promise you, there are people in the world who will embrace you and make you part of their logical family. The term "logical family" was made up by the wonderful writer Armistead Maupin. His books 'Tales of the City' changed my life, and it can be a good model for you to seek your logical family as you move forward in yours. Do not lose hope, promise me you will stay safe, and be loving to yourself. I'm so sorry that you are struggling, and I wish I could just come give you a giant hug. Know that I am out here beaming love at you full force. I am confident that your life will emerge as a beautiful, wonderful thing. You are more than good enough, I promise and swear. I can tell you that you are wonderful! Never let anyone ever tell you differently.
DJ: Is there anything you would like to add?
MM: I just want to add that I am grateful for the work you do, Miss Dana. I think that you are a remarkable woman and are doing the most beautiful thing in turning your own past pain into a positive path forward. BKO is an amazing way to embody and promote the change you wish to see. You inspire me to be my best self.
I want to thank Mara for her time and all your undying loyal support to Bullies Keep Out