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Kian Forreal – Horisumi FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions and useful information.
I am located and tattoo in Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia. While I do take on art commissions and attend international tattoo conventions from time to time.. most of my time is spent tattooing in beautiful Australia.
If you would like to considered for a place on the wait list to get large traditional Japanese tattoo, please email me first to confirm that your project is something I am suited for. Once we have established that we can take it further. Thank you!
How it all works. Below is an update blurb that pretty much explains whats going on and how I do it and below that is more useful information for you if you are interested in getting tattoo work from me.
For General info scroll down…
Currently I am only taking names for consults and putting them on a waiting list. The waiting period is listed on my wait list page please refer to these times as they are the current estimates and are updated when necessary.
Traditional Japanese tattoo work of any size and script lettering are what interest me, so if you are coming to me with other requests please email me so I can considered your request and if possible point you in the right direction so as to avoid disappointment. I should be able to confidently recommend one of my talented artist colleagues at different shops throughout the city who specializes in what you are after if it not something for me.
As always, I do some limited cover-ups.. these are decided on a per case basis.. but please, I might request you get some laser treatments to lighten them up a bit first to give us more creative lee way. Please keep this in mind.
If you want something small you can email me and paypal me a deposit, Small means things like stuff off the wall, your small designs that I can prepare quickly, script lettering thats isn't huge, symbols, kanji… you get the idea.. I can also do some japanese motifs that I have pre-drawn.. so contact me and lets see what we can do! Generally I leave one weekend day a month where I don't do anything that takes more than 1 hour from start to finish.
Like I said though, there is a good chance that if it needs to be custom drawn you will need to get on the wait list.. but give me a try over the email ok!
1/2 sleeves, sleeves, and other large stuff needs a consult and multiple pre-booked appointments and cannot be done piecemeal.
Email me to see about getting on my waiting list. it starts with that.
A consultation with me is free of charge. However to make a booking for a tattoo you will need to leave a cash deposit at the time of booking. If you are from out of town or state it is possible to consult via email/skype and send a deposit in the form of a postal money/paypal or bank deposit.
Some Advice
Do your homework first off.
When considering to get some work done ask around and find the shop in your area that has the best reputation and then investigate that reputation. The thing with any business is this, once it gets a good name.. it usually decides to just cruise along and rest on its laurels. Tattoo shops are no exception. Some legendary tattooers from the 80's or 90's aren't fit enough to paint a wall now let alone tattoo something nice and up to date. Word of mouth is the best direction to go in.. ask the local bartender, the heavily tattooed doorman at the club, your hair stylist, the guys at the gym, use a search engine. When you find some artists..Look at their recent photos. Talk to the artists and get a feel for their commitment and passion for what they do, and make sure he/she is the right artist for what you need. Example: a great portrait or realistic tattoo artist is not the guy to be busting out great traditional japanese tattoo work. And the gal who loves doing hyper detailed colour pieces probably should not be doing that tribal leg piece for you. Everyone at the top level of their game has their specialties and the styles that they excel in. Choose wisely and correctly.
If you even have doubts about the hygiene of your tattoo shop. Forget it. It is absolutely necessary that an autoclave is used to sterilize all reusable equipment, tubes etc.. and that all needles are NEW and sterilized everytime. Don't mess around with this. Spray bottles should have bags on them, the work space should be clean etc.. the artist should be wearing gloves…you should feel secure. Granted this is not surgery and there is no need to wear masks and hospital greens, but there should definitely be a level of cleanliness that inspires confidence.
Summer Winter Spring or Fall?
Best time of year to get work done, big or small is of course… fall/winter. Makes it easy to stay out of the sun, easy to stay out of the water, easy to keep covered while healing and all around a good idea. And when summer does roll around and your new tattoo is a well healed seasoned tattoo it can take some abuse from the sun and hard living without being affected much. Always use WHITE ZINC cream to reflect the UV rays if you plan getting direct sun on it. Normal sunblock does not do much to protect the pigment in your tattoo. Please see Sun Aftercare for more information
If your artist has a recent portfolio of great work, give him some creative license.
Chances are he or she knows what they are talking about. Discuss ideas and concepts indepth but don't be scared to have faith in your artist and trust him to what he does best. For this it helps to meet and speak with other clients of theirs if possible and see work in the first person.
Avoid tattooing hands, face and neck. Especially face – these are 'jobstopper' tattoos and you will live to regret them.
Don't copy your friends tattoo or one off the internet
Take the time to heal your tattoo properly.
Some Questions Answered
Does is hurt?
Anything in life worth doing involves some physical and mental pain and/or discomfort. Some examples of this include: going to the gym and training, giving birth, mountain climbing, being in love, learning a language, learning a sport, being beautiful (ladies will know what I am talking about) and many many other things that we all do or contemplate doing on a daily basis. The pain of a tattoo is mild, short lasting and ceases as soon as the tattoo is complete. There is only discomfort whilst the ink is actually being put into the skin. This is not a constant process, it is many stops and starts and one usually gets used to it after only a few minutes. Your greatest enemy before getting a tattoo is your imagination running wild with the thought of it all. Its not that bad, if it was I would not be in business and you wouldn't be reading this. All you need to do is wrap your head around and take the plunge.. some people actually enjoy the sensation and everybody can tolerate it.
Colours fade.
Everything fades with time, how long depends on how much sun you expose the tattoo to, your artist and the inks he/she uses, and of course how well you heal it initially. A properly healed good colour tattoo using high quality materials should stay bright, crisp and colourful for at least 15-20 years without a touch-up.
I don't like colour tattoos, they never last and look blurry.
Things have changed since the days of your grandpa's world war 2 tattoos. A nice mix of colour in a well composed tattoo design is something to behold, don't discount the idea of colour without looking through photos of your artists work and seeing for yourself what is possible these days. If healed properly a colour tattoo can definately stand the test of time, even with moderate sun exposure.
It hurts more over the bone.
Bullshit, it hurts everywhere pretty much the same for the first 5-15 minutes (there are exceptions of course). The bone feels a bit sharp from time to time due to thinness of skin but then again it hurts some on the ass too and there ain't much bone there. Its all about nerve location. Placing your tattoo based on perceived pain is a weak move, get it where you want it and where it will look good. The pain is only temporary but the glory lasts a lifetime.
Is it dangerous to tattoo over veins?
No, if your artist is going that deep you'll know it before he hits the veins because that shit will hurt! A properly applied tattoo is only entering the skin layers and not penetrating into muscle, bone or veins ever. You'll hear this from me over and over again: make sure you see recent photos of your artists work, check for line consistency, smooth shading and solid colour as well as nice artwork. Be wary of tattoo photos with blood in the picture, chewed up skin or anything else that looks dodgy. Where there is doubt, there is no doubt. Buyer beware.
It has to mean something.
Its nice when your tattoo has a deeper meaning but its not necessary, that is up to you. Sometimes it's just a cool image or picture that you like or a simply graphic that accentuates a part of the body. Or perhaps a statement you wish to make. Sometimes the medium is the message, a tattoo for tattoos sake. For sure think things through but try not to hurt your head over analysing it, if you want a tattoo then get one, choose your artist wisely and he or she will help you with the process.
It's dangerous.
In this day and age its a given that your artist should be using an autoclave to sterilize tubes and the needles should always be new. Inks should be poured into a single serving receptacle, your artist should always be wearing gloves, either latex or nitrile, never vinyl. Anything being touched during the process should either have a plastic bag over or a plastic film protecting you from cross contamination hazards. If you are suspect about the cleanliness and sterility of your artist then get outta there. It ain't worth it. If you see ink stains all over the desk, spray bottle and lamp, or you're in the third world, the backwoods or some shack off the beaten path then don't take anything for granted, LOOK around. Ultimately it rests upon you to protect yourself from getting a bad deal. Your artist should be clean and sober on top of it all. You are what you eat.
It hurts.
Yes it does. Alas, pain is only a signal from the mind that something is up, once you wrap your head around it all it ain't so bad. You get used to it. 3 hours is a good session, anything over that and it can get quite tedious. On big work I break it down into managable sessions, I personally like doing 3 hours at a time. Too many small sessions makes it hard to keep the flow. One long session is nice to finish a piece in a single shot but multipe long sessions are a bad idea and can lead to a tattoo not getting finished.
I can use numbing cream right?
Most artists have their own opinions on this, I personally do not like, advocate or advise the use of numbing cream before the tattooing process. It doesn't last very long and it when it does wear off the tattoo process hurts even more than it should because you haven't grown accustomed to the discomfort from the beginning. There are other reasons as well, including the idea that one must earn their tattoo and that the pain is part of the deal. From a tattooers point of view it makes the skin have a very strange texture while tattooing it akin to tattooing a piece of meat, unpleasant to work on to say the least,and I am sure it can't be very healthy for the skin itself and the healing process. The pain is free so why not take advantage? 🙂
What if I want it removed at a later time?
Save yourself the trouble and don't get it done in the first place. Period. If you have doubts then think it through and wait.
Celebrity tattoos are cool, I want the same.
No they are not cool and you're better off with your own design. In general celebrities have poor taste in tattoos and no patience, and copying some flavour of the week tattoo from some soon to be has-been movie star is a really bad idea that you and the 10000 other people who had the same idea will live to regret. Be your own inspiration.
My friend can do it for way cheaper than that in his kitchen.
Sure he can. You get what you pay for and people get the tattoos they deserve. You'll have that shitty tattoo a lot longer than the 100 bucks you save on getting Eddie the scab vendor to tattoo you in his basement. Enough said.
I want a really really small tattoo, can you do it really small?
Anything can be done, the question is whether one should or not. Small tattoos are bad for so many reasons. Firstly, they don't hold they're shape after aging for only a short time, if there are any details they will blur very quickly and more than likely you won't be able to tell what the tattoo is from more than 2 feet away. A tattoo should look good for atleast 15-20 years! It doesn't go away so some thought should be put into what you are marking your body with. A cute small tattoo when you are 18 becomes an unsightly blemish when you are 30. Better to get something genuine in a size that will age gracefully rather than a postage stamp size embarrassment.
I can just add more to it later.
You can always add more to an existing tattoo but it will usually look like you did just that. I know it seems prudent to get a small one at first, however, taking a bit of time to think it through and getting the entire concept/design tattooed at the same time by the same artist will be a much more beautiful and rewarding tattoo. Plan things out and execute them accordingly. You only have one skin and it is not a renewable resource. Go forth wisely informed.
I want a white tattoo.
Although it is possible… its not much of a tattoo, in fact a white tattoo seldom stays white and usually fades after a short while. There is also a lack of clarity and definition due to lack of contrast.
I drew my own design, is it possible to get it tattooed?
Anything is possible, whether it is a good idea or not is another story. Most people like to draw and some even think their drawings are good, and some even want them tattooed on themselves. Be careful with this. If you are an accomplished drawer it is most likely that your tattoo artist will have little issue with replicating your design for you. He might suggest that he 'cleans it up' a little. If he is a tattooer worth his salt then you should probably let him. If he suggests that he redraw the image in a manner more 'tattooable' then thats probably a good idea too.
Whatever it is that you do for a living it is something that you most likely possess some skill in. For us tattooers, drawing is a main feature of our skill set. We study art and tattooing, let us do our thing and you will get a nice piece of work, force us to copy your bad drawing and you will most likely live to dread looking at your tattoo once you realize what you have done. Todays beauty is tommorrows disgrace.
Those tattoo design websites are great aren't they?
Generally speaking, they suck. The quality of the artwork is low to say the least, if the designs were drawn by a tattooer, which is doubtful, then it is safe to say it was most likely drawn by an amateur artist. These websites exist for one sole purpose, to make money from people who do not know any better. Most are run by unscrupulous people with little or no relation to the legitimate tattoo trade.Your artist, whomever you choose to tattoo you, should be at a level that he/she can draw anything you want within his/her chosen specialty and apply it accordingly. Don't insult him/her by bringing in a second rate image from a hack, let them do their thing, its what you are paying them for, and the majority of tattoo artists DO NOT charge extra for custom drawing your tattoo. Its included in the price.
If you are thinking that you outsmarted the pay-per-design website, and downloaded and printed the low resolution thumbnail to bring to your tattoo artist you are not only foolish for wanting crappy art but are doubly insulting your tattoo artist by asking him to redraw a second rate image that you were too cheap to pay for in the first place. Invest in your flesh, your time and your money, it is not a renewable resource.
Tattoo awards mean something positive.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. Tattoo awards are meaningless and an artist that uses them front and centre for proving their credentials most likely has little else going for them. Not to say that there are not plently of talented artists out there with well-earned awards from prestigous conventions. Only that there are just as many untalented crappy artists out there who were the lesser of all evils at some small town pub drunken tattoo contest using them as proof positive of some imaginary talent.
Like I am fond of saying…Look at recent photos to choose your tattoo artist.
Do you rework old tattoos or finish pieces started by other artists?
It really depends on the quality of work and if I think I can actually make it look better. In general though I don't finish what someone else has started.. but you can always come and show me and if I can't do it one the other artists at my shop may be able to.
The way around this of course is to give me a fresh area of skin to tatttoo something cool, build a rapport with me and THEN hit me up for a fix up… doesn't always work but its worth a try!
What style of tattoos do you specialize in?
At the moment I am only doing Traditional Japanese Tattoos of all sizes, lettering of all sorts and some small bits and pieces here and there if they are cool. Send me an email and we can figure out if I am the right artist for you!
How much would (insert description here) tattoo cost?
Price quotes can only be done in person as the variables are too great to guestimate over the phone/email etc etc..
How do I get a Consult with you?
Email me from the contact page on my website about your project and we'll take it from there!
How does large scale tattooing work… how many hours do we do each session and how long is the break in between?
Easy, we book a consult where we figure out what you are after.. once that is done, we take a deposit and book your first appointment which is usually 3 hours long or 6 hours if its a very large tattoo and we need the extra time to prepare the drawing on the skin, enough time to get the lines and maybe some of the shading on the skin. Then we book follow up appointments that are 3 hours each and 2 weeks apart for the estimated time to finish the tattoo. ie: an estimated 10 – 12 hour tattoo would have a 3-6 hour initial session, then a 3 hour session two weeks later, and then another 3 hour session two weeks after that and THEN a final 1-2 hour session two weeks after that, a total of 6 weeks from start to finish.
Price is charged by the hour/session, however it is not a 'by the minute' process. Setup time, drawing on the skin and short breaks are included with the session.
What if I am late for my appointment?
I prefer you not to be late.. as my schedule is pretty tight and my hours are limited. Please call ahead if you think you are running late.
What If I miss my appointment?
If you reschedule without 1 weeks notice your deposit is fined $100, if you reschedule or cancel within 72 hours, your deposit is forfeited. If you miss your appointment without notice your deposit is forfeited and you will need to leave a double amount deposit for your next appointment. Even with 48 or 72 or 96 hours notice… it is hard to fill a 3 hour appointment on such short notice with the way I structure my bookings and organise my schedule.
I am dedicated to making sure your tattoo is exceptional and my always being ready and on time, I ask that you please dedicate yourself to showing up as scheduled ready to be tattooed, I am sympathetic to the complexities of life as we all have things that arise and complicate our time schedules but please try to follow the plan we set forth.
All deposits are non refundable and may only be used for the last appointment upon completion of your tattoo.
How long have you been tattooing?
I made my first tattoo in 1986, 28 years ago, but did not start tattooing professionally until 1993 and have not stopped since. Over 21 years of professional shop experience as of 2014.
Do you accept commisions for other types of work.. such as paintings, logo's, packaging, signs etc..??
I do and have in the past, all serious offers are considered.. . Contact me via email on my contact page. thanks.
Please have a good idea of what you are after when you email me for the waiting list or come in for your consult…if you are not sure then at least be open to my suggestions so we don't waste each others time. I have a vast library of Japanese reference material, fonts and motifs on hand so don't worry.. we'll find something if you are unsure! Being open-minded is key. If you have gathered your own reference material for your tattoo idea, please bring it. It is hard for me to read your mind.. but I am working on it! 😉
I do not have EFTPOS or credit card facilities at the shop so please bring cash to leave as a deposit. Ask how much when booking your consult.
Please be on time. Consults are either 6:30 or 6:45 PM sharp. If you are more than 15 minutes late you will have to reschedule
All consult are free of charge.
There are no consults available on Saturdays with me.
Get a good nights rest the night before your appointment, try not to drink or have a big night out. Eat a good breakfast and have a coffee or tea before you come in, three hours is a long time to sit still.
Please be a few minutes early if you can so I know you are there and I can prepare accordingly, but please do not show up before the shop opens 🙂
Pre-tattoo preparation
In order to prepare for your skin for the new tattoo being applied there are a few simple steps to undertake.
1) For the week prior to your first tattoo appointment, I would like you to apply, morning and evening a liberal amount of Vaseline dry skin moisturizer to the entire area that is going to be tattooed in order for your skin to be supple and moist which makes the skin ready to absorb the pigment easily and makes it nicer for me to work and less painful for you!
2) The night before your tattoo appointment, I want you to exfoliate the entire area to be tattooed and then shave the area with a little bit extra outside the tattoo zone. Then apply one last application of cream.
3) On the day of your tattoo please do not apply moisturizing cream. Have a meal, a coffee if you like but only 1 as coffee is a diuretic and can cause bleeding if too many are consumed prior to getting tattooed, come to the shop well rested and relaxed.
4)Please put your phone on silent when you arrive and let yourself be immersed in the process with no distractions. Phone conversations can disturb other clients and artists that are working in the same room.
Proper hygiene is so appreciated I can't mention it enough. Please shower and wear clean clothes to your appointment, we will be in very close proximity for long periods of time and the stress of you getting tattooed and my working does cause one to perspire some…try not to wear expensive or otherwise important clothing to your tattoo session as it can be a messy business and ink stains often do not come out in the wash.
If you wish to bring a friend or partner to your session that is ok and they are welcome to hang out in the lounge area and peruse the books, alas the actual tattoo area is only for client and artist.
Please bring the amount of cash you will need to pay for your appointment by visiting the ATM before your arrive for your session.
I strive to put my all into every piece that I do and aim to create a unique and powerful image on your body that will literally last you your entire life.Please come for your appointment with that in mind, have respect for our working environment, staff and other clients..and a calm disposition, and I promise you will get the most from your tattoo experience with me.
thank you and I hope to see you soon. Kian


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Sports News of Wednesday, 13 September 2017
Source: GHANAsoccernet.com
Defender Daniel Opare could be in line for Black Stars return after impressing hugely for Augsburg over the weekend in the German Bundesliga.
Opare, who spent an unsuccessful loan spell at French second tier side RC Lens last season, was heavily tipped with a move away from the club in the summer transfer window.
But the former Real Madrid youth team defender was retained by head coach Manuel Baum as a cover for regular right back Raphael Framberg.
After warming the bench in the Fuggerstadter opening two games in the Bundesliga, the marauding right back was handed an opportunity in the game against FC Cologne in front of their boisterous fans, which he admirably passed with flying colours.
Unsurprisingly, Opare found his name in the DFB Bundesliga team of week with a 75 rating.
The 26-year-old could be a major asset for Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah in their subsequent FIFA World Cup and AFCON qualifiers after it became evidently clear that the team lacks greatly in that position whenever Harrison Afful is unavailable, as it happened in the first encounter against Congo at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Opare last played for Ghana as the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he started at right back in the 2-1 defeat against Brazil.

subset: commoncrawl


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- This event has passed.
Celebrating Dizzy Gillespie @ Jazz at Lincoln Center
January 26, 2017 @ 8:00 am - January 28, 2017 @ 10:00 pm$45.5 - $140.5
Event Navigation
January 26-28, 2017 at 8pm
Free pre-concert discussion nightly, 7pm.
Dizzy Gillespie was a visionary architect of bebop, a peerless trumpet virtuoso, and a gifted educator, dancer, and raconteur. Tonight the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis digs deep into the musical world of Dizzy. As much a revolution as it was a movement, bebop ushered in the modern era of jazz and marked a decisive line between old and new. The high-speed acrobatics, harmonic sophistication, and technical authority of bebop have permeated all of jazz and continue to inform and challenge musicians of all levels. Vincent Gardner – JLCO trombonist, composer, arranger, and tonight's music director – will lead the Orchestra in new and classic arrangements of Dizzy's music, showcasing the thrilling melodies, hard swing, and kinetic solos that define these works. Gardner also makes his highly anticipated return as a JLCO composer, debuting a new work that highlights the essential components of bebop and keeps true to its spirit by offering something fresh, distinct, and technically ambitious. On the occasion of Dizzy Gillespie's centennial, audiences will experience the depth, energy, and creativity that this unparalleled genius and beloved figure continues to inspire.
For more information please visit: http://www.jazz.org


text: For some clients, the thought of legacy extends beyond the confines of family. Donating time and money to community charities is one way to do that. An estate planning tool – the charitable remainder trust – allows people to donate while still retaining some important benefits. A Most Useful Tool – the Charitable Remainder Trust. Estate planning attorneys have many estate planning strategies and tools at their Read More


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Cup of Joe
Hello Birmingham Cocktail Weekend, this is Mission Eurovision back again to share another cocktail for your Eurovision party!
Since Katrina and the Waves took the UK to victory in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997, our entries, with the exception of Scooch of course, have been been less than average. Jemini, Javine, Daz Sampson (yes, who?), Blue and even Wingleburt Slapdeback Englebert Humperdinck have failed to win us any serious point-age.
This year could be different. This year, Joe and Jake are representing the UK with their catchy pop number You're Not Alone. It's got a chorus you can sing along to without really needing to know the words, AND they've been on The Voice. It's got WINNER written all over it. Or, you know, top half of the table at least.
To celebrate and show our support, Mission Eurovision have created signature cocktails for both Joe and Jake. 'Representing' Joe Woolford, we have the Cup of Joe.
Made with equal measures of coffee liqueur (yum), Irish cream (double yum) and hazelnut liqueur (triple…well, you get it) the Cup of Joe is smooth, sweet and sublime. The coffee liqueur can be quite punchy, but some of the smaller non-brands from the European mini markets are actually very good and work well in this cocktail. The delicate flavour of the hazelnut liqueur provides a refreshing balance to the strong coffee and heavy Irish cream flavours.
If you're feeling super pretentious, like us, serve your Cup of Joe in a coffee cup. It's Eurovision for Wogan's sake, if you can't be a little flamboyant now then when can you be?
Mission Eurovision's Cup of Joe
1 measure coffee liqueur
1 measure Irish cream
1 measure hazelnut liqueur
Ice cubes


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Li, Sumei and Xiang, Wei and Cheng, Fuwei and Zhao, Ruichao and Hou, Chunping (2010) HVS-based quality assessment metrics for 3-D images. In: 2nd WRI Global Congress on Intelligent Systems (GCIS 2010) , 16-17 Dec 2010, Wuhan, China.
Significant efforts from both the academia and industry have been devoted to advance three-dimensional (3-D)
imaging technologies. However, accurate and easy-to-use visual quality assessment metrics still lack for 3-D images. In this paper, we propose three objective quality assessment metrics for 3-D images taking into consideration a set of relevant visual characteristic factors, including contrast sensitivity, multichannel and binocular parallax characteristics. The human visual signal-to-noise ratio (HVSNR), parallax distortion ratio (PDR), and different peak signal-to-noise ratio (DPSNR) are the three independent objective quality assessment metrics proposed in this paper. Experimental results show that the quality assessment results based upon the proposed metrics are
consistent with the quality grades obtained by subjective
Statistics for this ePrint Item
|Item Type:
|Conference or Workshop Item (Commonwealth Reporting Category E) (Paper)
|Item Status:
|Live Archive
|Additional Information:
|Copyright and Reprint Permissions: Abstracting is permitted with credit to the source.
|Faculty / Department / School:
|Historic - Faculty of Engineering and Surveying - Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
|Date Deposited:
|12 Mar 2012 12:09
|Last Modified:
|14 Oct 2014 04:29
|Uncontrolled Keywords:
|3-D image; quality assessment; binocular parallax; contrast sensitivity; human visual signal-to-noise ratio (HVSNR)
|Fields of Research :
|09 Engineering > 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering > 090606 Photonics and Electro-Optical Engineering (excl. Communications)
09 Engineering > 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering > 090609 Signal Processing
08 Information and Computing Sciences > 0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing > 080106 Image Processing
|Socio-Economic Objective:
|E Expanding Knowledge > 97 Expanding Knowledge > 970109 Expanding Knowledge in Engineering
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Summer Money Saving with Girlie Gossip!
Summer seems to be on its way at last and as well as enjoying the sun, this year I'm sure we're all thinking about tightening our purse strings and looking for the easiest ways to save money and do things a little more cheaply!
It's not always easy to keep the finances under control during summer, especially with the kids off for a whole 6 weeks and needing entertaining! With that in mind, Girlie Gossip have put together some top tips for how you can spend wisely this summer and hopefully save yourself some pennies in the process.
1) Instead of taking a holiday abroad, why not take the family somewhere in the UK that is cheaper but just as much fun. There are so many holiday parks and camp sites in the UK that cater amazingly well for couples and families that a UK holiday can be just as fun (if not more so!) than a holiday abroad. Booking is easy and if you apply for a credit card you can book things in advance and rest assured that everything is in hand.
2) Budget shopping doesn't have to mean lower quality. Keep the freezer stocked with great food by buying special offers in bulk and keeping your eyes open for a good bargain! Many stores are offering some great summer deals for BBQ and outdoor dining this year so take advantage of these rather than buying full price!
3) Summer clothes don't have to cost a fortune. Hunt through the local charity shops for items you can customise or look for clothes that you know will last you through the entire summer. A good maxi dress, some flowing tops and shorts are a must and can be made to look more expensive by using eye catching jewellery and accessories.
4) Entertaining the kids can be a nightmare during summer months but if you have young children you'll often find that the best toys and activities are the ones they create themselves. A good arts and crafts drawer for the kids, filled with cardboard boxes, paints and supplies will be invaluable. It's also much easier to clean up if you set up a table outside for play times in the shade!
5) Lastly, there are plenty of online savings to be made if you keep your eyes open. More and more companies are offering special online discounts and offers and even booking your holidays or doing your shopping can be made cheaper online if you shop around for the best deals. Do your research and shop around before you buy to ensure that you're getting the very best deal this summer!
Girlie Gossip claims no ownership to any images used in this article.


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According to the user manual, "You will enjoy this intimate massager together. Be prepared to moan in pleasure, feeling an exciting orgasm, one that you would want to feel again and again." This looks like a challenge! What might an electronic sex toy offer, that two healthy loving people can not give to each other?"What does it mean: a vibrator for two?" – Stiffened my man after listening to my proposal to test such a strange thing. At this point his imagination has clearly pictured the terrible images from the history of the Inquisition and torture. "And by the way, are there really vibrators that are suitable for heterosexual men?" – my love did not let it slide.
Vibrator We-Vibe 4 is just that. According to the user manual, "You will enjoy the massager together. Be prepared to moan in pleasure, feeling an exciting orgasm, one that you would want to feel again and again." This looks like a challenge! What might an electronic sex toy offer, that two healthy loving people can not give to each other?
Solo performance
Vibrators, after all, were initially intended for single use as a substitute and a comforter for unmarried women. But then they extended the field of action and settled in bedrooms of pairs (or maybe even a trio), who constantly want more and wish to make their sex life more varied and diverse. So, I decided to start testing while my man was "saving the planet" on a week-long business trip. On the one hand, I will miss him, and on the other, I will be able to handle the device, so that I would not have to spend time on reading instructions at the crucial moment.
Vibrator resembles a comma: smooth to the touch and heavy for its size.
So, It's not scary. And it does not look like a sawed-off genital organ or another thing considered to be a delicacy in some parts of the world, which is actually also a genital organ, just a bull's one. If anything, it resembles a cute pink overgrown comma: smooth to the touch and heavy for its size. This comma has two points of application for the two women's places: one of them massages the G spot (if it exists or not, you might discuss in the comments), and the second affects concentrated nerve endings and blood vessels in the clitoris (no doubt, it exists and brings us pleasure over and over again). These spots should be influenced from the inside as well as from the outside. Manufacturers advise to apply lubricant to that part that supposedly goes inside, but I thought this measure unnecessary – it's size is not so considerable.
The vibrator
The vibrator is complete with a remote control for your convenience. It allows you to change the vibration mode (there are four of them) and it's intensity (which has 3 levels). You can even give the remote to your partner and allow him to choose them for you. I had no one to hand it over to, so I had to sort through all the variants myself.
The first sensation from sex with a vibrator gives are fairly ambivalent: yes, he is working on the right places, and excitement, whether you like it or not, gradually rolls. But while each of us is able to bring our-self to orgasm better than any vibrator, when the husband is not there, while the desire to get a orgasm is. So it was not possible to make do without hands at first.
I had to press the "Comma" harder then I wanted, to lift it higher, or on the contrary, let it go in "free floating". Only after a few "sessions" I have learned to let go of the situation and not try to control everything. But this is the same as sex with a man. Some time you hint how to best please you, and some time you fully trust your partner.
Paired performance
There are different types of vibrators. This "comma" is among those that can be easily turned from a basic tool into the additional accessory. Or into a second violin if you wish. The first violin plays your man. First I thought that such a duo would not physically fit into me. After the age of 30 many women start experiencing problems with natural lubricant: one part hardly fits in, and here comes the double duty of the test appliance. And first time there was really, too little space, for my man. Besides, it seems that fatigue and stress have taken their toll on him, so he did not insist too much. So he left me to get pleasure alone and just offered to switch the modes via the remote to allow me to keep the surprise effect.
Next time we decided to change the sequence and my man took the first part. In a few minutes there was more than enough space for the "comma". Moreover, I did not even notice any discomfort. My man was also comfortable with such collaboration.
According to his words, he could feel the vibration, but among the overall excitement it was not interfering, but on the contrary, it increased the effect. I also liked the "paired performance." I would not talk about fantastic bliss and stars behind my eyelids, but sensations have truly become more intense.
You can compare that with a massage done with four hands or with a simultaneous procedure of manicure and pedicure. You should agree, it is also a double pleasure. Your brain doesn't really understand at first where your pleasure spot is and where it should better concentrate attention, but it gets better at that after some time.
But no matter how many pleasant moments this "comma" has brought me, I can not just start advising it to anyone and everyone. It is not an iron or a pan, but a very intimate thing. Besides, it is designed for pairs and hardly any man would understand and approve such a competitor in his bed. But, if you and your partner have already started looking at something of this kind and are not against the idea of trying something new, turn your attention on the We-Vibe4.
P.S. My man asked me to add that "this thingy" buzzes very delicately. So soft that it does not distract you from the process and doesn't conjure up an image of a dentist's office.


text:
Employment Opportunities
Library Faculty (academic)
No current job postings
Application Administrator/Developer
Classified Staff
No current job postings
Positions for Students
All currently registered students (undergraduate & graduate) can view job postings and apply on-line through MyUAlbany under Campus Life. Follow the link under Campus Employment to Student Assistant jobs (Non Federal Work-Study). You must be registered and have a STUDENT email address to access the site.
Peter Recore-Migirditch, Director of Finance and Administration
EMail: email@example.com
Phone: 518-442-3563
Ann Gunning, Library Personnel Coordinator
EMail: email@example.com
Phone: 518-442-3520


text: A downtown Bucyrus tradition, Santa Claus comes to town via the annual parade on Friday, November 17, 2017. The parade is co-sponsored by the Bucyrus Rotary and the Bucyrus Kiwanis, and begins at 6 pm. The 2017 Parade will run north to south, from Circle K on N Sandusky to end at Wendy's on S Sandusky. Santa takes up residence in Schines Art Park following the parade. For parade info, call 419-562-6159.


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Yes, it has been a while since I last posted something. From the beginning of this year, I've been *so* busy that whenever I promised myself to post an entry, I would find myself exhausted and wanting sleep instead. I only got to write something now because I'm currently in Cebu and I technically have 3 days of no work in preparation for what my job has in store for me. I feel like I have saved enough updates already to finally share this with anyone reading.
My life has been more interesting this 2017. Last December, Gelo gave me a puppy for Christmas and we decided to call her Gypsy. I don't know, I fancied the name at the time and it just matched my boho side. I was even planning to spell it as "Gypsea" but then I thought it was kinda too much. She's a lean-type Pomeranian who likes kisses and kids. Needless to say, I'm happy we chose to get a dog! A cat wouldn't be a bad idea either but we figured that getting a dog would make us more energetic and positive and motivated to get out of the house now. It's been quite effective so far.


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Obama chooses his words very carefully. That is why he uses a teleprompter most of the time instead of speaking from his heart and mind. Why does Obama and his administration say ISIL instead of ISIS which almost everyone else in the world uses. Do you really think this is an arbitrary decision? I personally do not think so. I think the term ISIL is furtherance of Obama's agenda.
You see, ISIS stands the Islamic state of Iraq and Syria. Obama with his teachings from his Muslim father related in his "Dreams From My Father" memoir put his Muslim leaning tendencies on display. His use of ISIL goes all the way back to the Ottoman Empire. ISIL stands for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Is it just words or do his words mean something? The Levant is all of the eastern Mediterranean territory and the nearby islands. The Levant includes, Cypress, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey. Why do you suppose Obama wants to assign a bigger area to ISIS than ISIS claimed for themselves? Do you suppose there is a hidden agenda here?
Every time this administration talks about terrorists, they talk about right wing terrorists and right wing militias. Even though these groups are not currently attacking us they are called terrorists by this administration. On the other hand, he will not use the term Islamic terrorist. If the words do not matter, why does Obama adamantly refuse to use them. The reason he will not use the term is because he would have to admit his fight against ISIS is a complete failure. He would have to stop letting Muslim immigrants and the terrorists that are coming in with them into the country. He would have to start looking at mosques and Islamic neighborhoods for terrorists, instead of looking in the gun stores for the perpetrators. Words matter.
Obama and the Democrats that follow him blindly all say that the term he uses for terrorists is irrelevant. If it is really irrelevant, then why will he not say it. I am really disappointed with some of my Facebook friends that are blind followers of this man.
Another discussion related to the same Orlando incident has been about assault weapons. Many want all weapons that use a clip to be banned. The only weapon I have used that has a clip is an M-1 rifle. I assume they are talking about the magazines used in civilian AR-15 rifles. So I assume anything with a magazine is an assault weapon. They are coming after you 9 mm next.
There were even claims that the shooter fired 700 rounds in three minutes. When a gun owner explained it was impossible with a semi-automatic rifle and that the maximum firepower of an AR-15 was about 250 rounds in three minutes under ideal conditions. The anti-gun enthusiast said that was only semantics. Well, semantics is the branch of linguistics and logic concerned with meaning. That means words matter. Seven hundred RPM and 250 RPM are facts – no semantics there. Words matter.
Words matter. If they do not matter to you, why avoid using them. Why cover up for an ideologue with a hidden agenda. The argument is always you are just a racist Republican. Do those words matter to anyone? Why do I have to be a racist to disagree with an ideologue that shows preference for Muslims?


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Authentic Assessment Information
Authentic Assessment is providing tasks which resemble real life contexts and that have meaning within the real world. Students may obtain knowledge taught in classrooms efficiently however not all students have the skills to transform that knowledge and put it into practice. "An authentic learning context provides students with a lens to conduct the task through" (Davis & Dargusch, sighted in Lynch & Knight, 2010).
Examples of Authentic Assessment are:
The promise of the internet and new technologies and its abilities enables teachers to set up authentic assessment tasks which both stimulates and engages students in the specific task. Tasks such as these allows for students different learning needs and abilities and becomes an assessment piece built for each specific child.
Authentic assessment also helps students develop deeper understanding as situations are suddenly placed in real- life contexts. As a result students are more actively involved in their learning because they can see how it may directly affect them. to develop authentic assessment teachers must measure student's learning, achievement, motivation and attitudes toward school (Marzano & Pickering, 2009). This can be done by creating portfolios, making performance observations or by having student's self- assess themselves. Teachers can enhance students learning by developing authentic assessment with the learners. The task and assessment will then become more personal for the students and hopefully motivate them to succeed.
20th Century Schools
21st Century Schools


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Interbike 2012: Getting America Out of Their Cars And Onto Bikes
Twice as many bicycles as cars are sold in the US each year, and the past few years have seen an exponential rise in commuter cycling. The recession has inspired people from all walks of life to save gas money by getting out of the car and onto a bike. The benefits of increased commuter cycling far outweigh the risks, even for daredevils like me- less CO2, more endorphins, better bodies, less traffic… The list goes on…..and on….
These facts and more are being dolled out by Bikes Belong, which is an NGO that works with governments and the bicycle industry to get more Americans onto bicycles. Through donations from bicycle manufacturers, they supply grants to fund cycling infrastructure projects. Since 1999, Bikes Belong has awarded more than $1.9 million for 236 grants in 46 states, building more than 1,600 miles of paths and trails.
At Interbike 2012, their booth holds a prominent spot, with a map for attendees & vendors to show what they're doing to "Build more than Bicycles". This afternoon they will award $1,000 to the top three builders of more than bikes- community, infrastructure, or the next generation of cyclists.
Bikes Belong's "Safe Routes to School" partnership states that kids who bike to school are not only more fit, but also do better in school. From 1969-2009 the percentage of children who bike to school has fallen 70% while the child obesity rate has increased nine-fold. Sure, the pervasiveness of high fructose corn syrup and paranoid parents who keep their kids locked indoors contribute greatly to this, but that doesn't negate the fact that exercise improves people. And not just one half-hearted hour of PE class. The feeling of freedom kids get from being on their bikes is unparalleled. The same feeling comes to adults who've previously spent their mornings and evenings stuck in traffic.
Why Can't We All Just Get Along?
Whenever I bring up the topic of urban cycling, motorists point out the cyclists who've pissed them off by disobeying laws or riding like jerks. In Los Angeles it often feels like a war zone where cars and bikes fight each other for road space on a daily basis, with cyclists always suffering more casualties. I remember a high school classmate telling me her driver's ed teacher had taught her "Courtesy is Contagious"- the philosophy of "Paying it Forward" in driving.
At the time, I didn't want to hear anything of it. However, as an urban cyclist in one of the most hostile cities I not only buy into it, I find it necessary for my survival. When I'm aggro toward motorists, I find myself more easily on the wrong end of a 4,000 pound killing machine. The Be Kind to Cyclists campaign hopes to fix that.
Yes, it goes both ways, but I would strongly recommend dusting off your bicycle and riding a few miles from home before judging those crazy cyclists. You may be pleasantly surprised to rediscover the joy you knew as a kid on a bike. After all, all the cool kids are doing it, as reported here.
But Cycling To Work Is Gross!
Here at Interbike there are a plethora of vendors supplying bikes and equipment for the bicycle commuter, particularly electric bicycles. There are 80 vendors in this category, with demo rides available from many of them. My inner mom made me stop after I dumped one pretty hard trying to bank through the corner real fast & low like I was on a motorcycle. Not so smart on a slick convention floor! Tomorrow, after putting more Spider Tech tape on every aching muscle, I'll get back out there and try to give you the rundown on all of them. There's a wide range of electric assist bikes, everything from slickly styled cruisers to 10-speed road bikes.
After wiping out on the dusty convention floor, I was able to test out my Action Wipes sample, and discovered it really does have a nice Eucalyptus scent and leaves no sticky feeling. A friend who pedals 25 miles to work in LA swears by them for being clean & fresh at the office. Visibility is the key to safe urban cycling.
Bicyclists are invisible simply because motorists don't perceive us as a threat, so don't even register seeing us. The more obnoxious we can be visually, the less obnoxious we have to be physically. Then it's just a matter of wearing something adequately bright and carrying your fresh work clothes in a handy suit bag from Henty while riding in a brightly colored reflective tee from Fiks Reflective. Dust off your old bicycle and give her a tune-up at your local bike shop or kitchen, then take her for a spin to dinner, the park, wherever. If you're near Los Angeles, check out CicLAvia for a fun way to ride the streets coming up October 7th.


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Insights & Analyses
Job applicant names, addresses, passwords, more leak from Cisco – One World Identity
Job seekers hoping to find employment at networking and telecom giant Cisco may have instead had sensitive personal information leaked into the wild, including usernames, passwords, and even answers to security questions.
Cisco has alerted prospective job candidates of the potential data breach, in which highly sensitive information may have been accessed by third parties. The company did not disclose how many people may have been affected.
Information made accessible was said to include names, addresses, usernames, passwords, answers to security questions, gender, veteran status, disability, and more. Also possibly a part of the leak was personal information about employment or education that the applicant included in their resume or cover letter.
Cisco, known as a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, does not believe the insecure information was misused. However, the company did warn all affected people who applied via its Cisco Professional Careers Website.
Affected applicants are advised to change their passwords for any other websites that might use the same credentials.
Data breaches involving customers, end users and employees are becoming relatively common, though Cisco's lapse with job applicants who don't even work there is a new twist on cybersecurity concerns. Other recent high-profile hacks include data being stolen from 1.5 million Verizon Enterprise Solutions customers, and when 700 Snapchat employees all fell victim to a phishing scheme, providing Social Security numbers and wage data.
According to the Breach Level Index, more than 5 billion data records have been lost or stolen since 2013. Only 4 percent of breaches were classified as "secure breaches," where encryption was used and the stolen data was rendered useless.


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Owning your mistakes in UX isn't as simple as it sounds. How do you own up to your mistakes without compromising your standing in your company? Leigh Gamon shares how you can create the right balance and keep learning without compromising your career.

Continue reading at: http://uxmastery.com/owning-mistakes-ux-career/
The importance of being humbly confident: Learning to own your mistakes in your UX career
Glad you mentioned imposter syndrome in your article @leighrubin, it's something I struggle with at times. This is a really excellent TED talk on the subject with advice on ways to overcome it: https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en
Hi @natassja thanks for the link, I'll have a watch of that. I find it is the most common yet least talked about issue. Which is partly due to my point in the article about trying to confine your worries down to a minimal amount of people.
Ditto. It can be really quite debilitating. I was sharing some awkward stories about this with @AshleaMcKay just the other day. I tend to handle pressure situations by being ridiculous.
When I feel it coming on, I remind myself that while things feel like common sense to you, that's because I have years of research learning and experience. That is valuable to others.
Having watched the TED talk, it really resonated with me when I embarked on my journey with UX. I knew I would continually feel this way but the only way to overcome it was to participate in more events, courses, read books and immerse myself in the UX community (in any way, one day at a time). Also I took it upon myself to introduce my thinking to others who didn't know UX. The result was the community asking me for advice on careers etc. Even now I'm writing this I know it's there but shows how far I've come to be able write about it.
Another great article @leighrubin.
One sentence I've heard that ties in with this is that it is our job to fail, but to fail fast. Once getting to the heart of a problem, we ideate with the knowledge that we have and go from there. Everyone makes mistakes, but it is how you deal with them that earns the trust and respect of your workmates. I completely agree with your statement of "offering up a solution". Or even many solutions. No-one responds well to someone that comes up to them, tells them bad news or that something isn't going to work, and then don't give them options.
Another statement that ties in with this and being confident, is that UX is a blinking tough job, because everyone can see and comment on what we do (i.e. developers, sales, higher level managers). Everyone has an opinion, so the next skill is being able to say thanks to them for letting you know (without letting them get to you), collate all of them, use your knowledge of why the decisions were made in the first place to filter these down to things that could be tested or possibly improved on later.
Love this. Good on you.


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Customer Reviews
* FTC Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by contributors of the product reviews are their own and not necessarily those of Netrition.com. These reviews should not be taken as recommendations but rather customer opinions of the products that they may or may not have used. Furthermore, Netrition.com makes no warranty or representation, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information contributed by outside sources, and assumes no responsibility or liability regarding the use of such information. Netrition.com does not warrant the performance, effectiveness or applicability of any materials listed or linked to on Netrition.com.
May 26, 2018Reviewer: Carla in Texas* I'm not sure the food chemists have ever tasted an actual donut. There was nothing donut-like about these. It was more like a bad-tasting biscuit with a weird, gummy, sweet topping. I couldn't even finish one.This review is specific to Carb Counters Donut Hole Mix, Glazed/Sweet Powdered Vanilla
1 of 3 people found the following review helpfulMarch 07, 2016Reviewer: A customer in Texas* Low-Carb Donuts! Yes! These donut holes are low-carb and easy to make, and you don't need a special pan or frying apparatus/donut-making gadgets. With the included frosting packet, you can make them glazed or powdered, or a combination of both. I have always preferred glazed donuts, so that's what I make. Finished product is sweet and cake-ey so more like a cake donut than a fluffy Krispy-Kreme type donut. Final point: Watch the directions carefully - don't overcook these, or they'll get dry!


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David's practice areas include appellate, general litigation,
and insurance coverage.
David specializes in insurance coverage counseling and
litigation, complex litigation, professional liability defense, and
construction litigation.
James focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and
insurance coverage disputes.
Jim has a long track record of having achieved significant
results on behalf of insurance company clients in the handling of
insurance coverage disputes.
Dennis has over 20 years of experience in advising and
representing both national and international insurance
Aaron began his legal career practicing personal injury and
workers' compensation litigation.
Pat has extensive experience in civil litigation and has
successfully tried many cases to verdict.
Tom focuses his practice in insurance coverage counseling and
Mychelle focuses her practice on insurance coverage and
commercial litigation.
Alex specializes in complex commercial litigation and insurance
coverage counseling and litigation.
James assisted clients with corporate matters, contract
negotiation, landlord-tenant issues, real estate transactions, and
criminal matters.
Scott's national practice covers an expansive range of
commercial litigation, corporate matters, and sports-related
Craig has been involved in a wide variety of litigation and
trial work across the nation since his admission to the Bar.
Ellen's practice focuses on coverage under a wide variety of
liability insurance policies, including professional liability
insurance policies.
Bob specializes in complex civil litigation and real estate
Richard has been involved in environmental counseling and
litigation since the dawn of the modern environmental law era.
William is a seasoned litigator whose law firm and in-house
practices have given him substantial experience in federal and
state courts throughout the country.
Jennifer concentrates her practice in the area of liability
coverage analysis.
Edward is an experienced litigation and coverage attorney.
He has substantial experience in defending and counseling clients
in a variety of civil cases.
Ohn currently concentrates his practice in insurance
coverage, commercial litigation, professional liability and bad
faith litigation in state and federal courts.
Nick has over 25 years of extensive experience in the
defense of medical malpractice cases, representing both physicians
and hospitals.
Mitch has litigated insurance coverage disputes in state
and federal courts throughout the country.
Sarah has extensive litigation experience in a variety
of areas and focuses her practice on commercial litigation and
professional liability.
Pat has been practicing workers' compensation and social
security disability law in Illinois since 1975.
Tom has extensive complex litigation experience across
numerous jurisdictions.
Ross Smyk has over 15 years of experience in advising and
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commercial liability coverage questions and bad faith matters.
John has extensive experience in civil litigation and trial work
and has been obtaining outstanding results for over 35 years.
William draws upon his substantial trial and litigation
experience in the areas of commercial, municipal and general tort


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[SAC Albany, August 25, 1967] - FBI COINTELPRO Against Black Liberation Movement]
AG: So now I'd like to move on to some samples of prose by the Intelligence Agencies. These are documents (retrieved) under the Freedom of Information Act. As background to this, I should say that, in 1960,or (19)62, I don't know what the proper citation is, J.Edgar Hoover got up at, I think the Republican Convention, and said that the three biggest threats to America were "the Communists, the Beatniks, and the egg-heads" (He actually said that - "the egg-heads")
Student: Who are the egg-heads, specifically?
AG: Well, Adlai Stevenson. The...
Student: Adlai Stevenson?
AG: ..eggheads were sort of faggot, pro-Communists, I guess, intellectuals, who didn't do any work and..
Student: "Pinkos"?
AG: Fancy-pants eggheads. "Fancy pants intellectuals" was Joseph McCarthy's phrase, for people who weren't macho enough to want a big army and fight the Communists, or something.
Anyway, so there's always been.. Hoover, apparently, as early as (19)65, there's this Operation Cointel, COINTELPRO - Counter-Intelligence Program - aimed at many many different groups. I don't have much on it but I think it probably included the Beatniks as a formal, organized, Counter-Intelligence matter. I don't have any papers on it, but sooner or later, I think there will be enough research, or research will show, that the FBI, or the Federal Police, the FBI, probably collected as much scandalous information as they could from local newspapers or local police - things like "Bearded Hippie Stabs Grandmother In Iowa Farmhouse", or whatever, and took as many of those stories as they could, and made sure they were circulated all over the United States, to give an image of bearded, unwashed, bed-bug-ridden, hairy, murderous Beatniks. I think that was, actually, literally organized, but I don't have any papers on that to prove it. But there were, on many other groups, vast organizations, on many more overtly political people.. like Hoover was involved in making sure that the charisma of many Black (African-American) writers and organizers and spokesmen were stained. So he went on a giant campaign against LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka), Stokely Carmichael, Martin Luther King, Eldridge Cleaver, and anybody, any artist, or anybody, that got mixed up with them.
So here's some papers to begin with on LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka). This is 1970 - the program maybe reached its climax in 1970.
F.B.I. Date 11.13.70 Via Airtel To: The Director of F.B.I. 100-44-8006 From: SAC, Newark - I don't know why the Strategic Command in Newark, Strategic Air Command? no, that's S.A.C - the local FBI office in Newark -
Subject: Co-Intel Pro Black Extremists RM - The following Counter-Intelligence proposal is submitted for consideration. It is recommended that a letter be sent with a Jersey City, New Jersey postmark to LeRoi Jones at 502 Hugh Street, Newark, New Jersey, and the Newark, New Jersey newspapers. Consideration might also be given to wire distribution. It should be signed "Ministry of Information Black Panther Party, Jersey City, New Jersey. The letter should read similarly to the following - "LeRoi Jones, the poet who calls himself Amiri Baraka, is Tom Pig pretending to be a true Black Revolutionary. He asked people not to buy the Black Panther newspaper because he wanted the People's money for himself. Jones uses the People's Liberation Soul Power to line his pockets. His goons threatened Panthers selling papers and people trying to buy them. Now Jones tries to put himself on a throne, like maybe you saw his picture. He fancies himself the reason Ken Gibson got elected Mayor of Newark. Jones had visions of his throne in Newark, then the whole country, then the world. Jones is shoving his Congress of African People idea down the throats of Brothers and Sisters on High Street. He hustles them as religion to make them his slaves. He thinks he's Black Jesus and should be put on his own cross. Even Africans laughed at Baraka's home-made dashikis in New York. When will the Black People of Newark wake up and see Jones - Baraka is just playing his King role and they're just pawns" - In connection with the above suggested letter, a copy should be sent with a return address of 501 High Street, Newark, New Jersey to..[and then it's eliminated, blacked-out, one line blacked-out] through the papers, or even if the papers will not print the letter, as if it were smuggled out of Newark by a loyal C.A.P member within Jones' organization who agrees with this letter. It is pointed out that the conflict between Jones and the Black Panther Party has risen and fallen over a period of years. This letter attempts to take advantage of the current renewed conflict engendered by Jones' anti-Black Panther propaganda to both belittle Jones and to expose the Panthers' resentment of Jones.
Student: God!
AG: Then, from S.A.C. to Newark, let's see.. the answer: "To: S.A.C. Newark From: Director, F.B.I. November 19, 1970 Co-Intel-Pro Black Extremists Racial Matters - "Your Counter-Intelligence proposal regarding Leroi Jones and the Black Panther Party is approved. Ensure that the letter sent can not be traced to the Bureau. Advise the Bureau of all positive results from this proposal. A copy to San Francisco"
And then, "Note" (and on these replies, generally, Hoover's office gives an analysis -
"LeRoi Jones, the Black Extremist poet and playwright who helped elect Kenneth Gibson, the Black Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. has been in conflict with Black Extremist, Black Panther Party for some time. Jones has been known as "the Black Messiah" of the Pan-African Movement in the United States. Newark has proposed a letter to Jones signed Ministry of Information, Black Panther Party, Jersey City, New Jersey, attacking Jones as an Uncle Tom who is using the Black people of Newark for his own purpose. Copies of the letter will also be sent to Newark newspapers and a letter to the Chairman of the Congress of Afrikan People, in which Jones is now active in a leadership role. This proposal will cause disruption not only within Jones' group but also n the Black Panther Party, since Jones has an appreciable following in New Jersey who will resent this statement."
Then from Newark to Washington - "Attached to file a xerox copy of the approved letter sent out on this day to the Newark Evening News and the Newark Star-Ledger, Newark, New Jersey, and to LeRoi Jones, 502 High Street and to the Hudson Dispatch, Jersey City, Union City"
And then the letter read, finally, well, more or less as I read it [Allen reads again, commenting on the erratic punctuation and spelling throughout] - "LeRoi Jones, the poet who calls himself Amiri Baraka, is Tom Pig pretending - comma - to be a true Black Revolutionary - period - He asked people not to buy the Black Panther's newspaper because - comma - he wanted.. - it's real good prose, I mean, it's right from the street! - the People's money for himself - comma - Jones uses the People's money for Liberation Soul Power to line his pockets - period - His goons threatened [t-h-r-e-t-e-n (sic)] Panthers selling papers - comma - and people - [papers comma and people] - trying to buy - [b-y (sic)] - them. Now Jones tries to put himself on a throne, like maybe you saw his picture? He fancies himself he reason Ken Gibson got elected Mayor of Newark. Jones had visions of his throne in Newark, then the whole country, then the world. And so forth..Same thing..
So that was all sent out an done.
Now what's interesting about that - (the) plot-within-the-plot - of course, Jones (Baraka) was a very interesting figure and a great figure, as he was, in the literary world, maybe the precursor of Ed Sanders in terms of literary activity - mimeographed, home-made cultural newspaper and magazine publication. In (19)58-(19)59 (he) had a magazine called Yugen and was hanging around with (Jack) Kerouac and (Gregory) Corso and Peter Orlovsky and myself and Frank O'Hara and Kenneth Koch at the Cedar Bar in New York, and was the one central figure uniting all the different schools of poetry in one magazine (more effectively than Evergreen Review or the Chicago Review, which were also doing that). Plus (he) was uniting all of us to the Black groups, with the Black musicians, like Albert Ayler and Don Cherry (and I think Elvin Jones was around there). (So) he would have parties where Don Cherry and Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor would play, and it would be mixed with all the painters, like (Willem) de Kooning and Franz Kline - and (Jack) Kerouac and (Gregory) Corso and myself - and A.B.Spellman, and a whole bunch of Black writers - Plus (Frank) O'Hara, plus people from Partisan Review. So he had the greatest salon in Newark, and it was an era of good feeling and a fantastically organized social scene, resulting in cultural activity that really was powerful, because it was an unbeatable combination - all those people.
When Malcolm X got killed.. Apparently Malcolm X had told Jones (Baraka) that he would have to take over.. In case anything happened to him, Malcolm X himself had told (him) that he would have to take over a certain spiritual or cultural leadership. And (he - Jones/Baraka) at that time was a funny guy, literary, you know, grabbing Peter (Orlovsky)'s cock at parties, and smoking a lot of grass (and even shooting a little junk and lots of cocaine), writing poems that seemed somewhat Beat - a Beat poet but an aesthetic person, and also a student, visiting (a Roshi, who was a) Zen master in New York that Gary Snyder had worked with and trained in English. So (he) was right in the middle of that. And (then), all of a sudden, there was a (the) traumatic assassination of Malcolm X plus threats of assassination on Jones (Baraka), so (he) got completely paranoid and moved away from the White community and began getting scared of them. Then the FBI made all sorts of similar poison-pen letters so that (he) was separated out from the radical group of, I think it was Tom Hayden, who was organizing the SDS (Students For A Democratic Society) in Newark, and so (he) denounced Tom Hayden and further isolated himself. Then (he) got into an involvement with a Black Nationalist theoretician, Ron Karenga in UCLA - (has anybody heard of him? - the US Group, it's called - Ron Karenga of the US Group, UCLA, who were also in a fight with the (Black) Panthers - in fact, several people got murdered, the Panthers, got murdered, at UCLA, by Ron Karenga's US Group). Karenga's view, unlike the (Black) Panthers, and unlike Jones (Baraka)'s previous view, was that the Blacks would have to make it (by) themselves, without any White help, that Black and White cultural mixture was a mistake, that the Blacks had to find their own macho, or their own balls, that White leadership would always betray them, that White honky Liberal leadership would soften the scene, that it was really [as Mao declared it] "power grows out the barrel of a gun", and that you couldn't have "the barrel of the gun" unless you had a unified community, (and) you wouldn't have a unified community unless it was a community of the really oppressed, (and) the only really oppressed people were the Blacks, (so) the Blacks should identify with themselves and not with the White, Liberal, Middle-Class, Hippie, Revolutionary, or White, Communists, and Blacks should identify with African culture, and there should be total separation. Leroi Jones (Amiri Baraka) should not talk to Allen Ginsberg. Everything should get really paranoid.
So from 1965-1970 Jones (Baraka) was getting intellectual advisement and ideas of a very brilliant nature like this from Ron Karenga. Then, in December last year (1976), I went to Hollywood to do some Buddhist work, and played at a.. did a show in the nightclub called the Troubadour, and ran into Ronee Blakeley, the singer, (who was the star of the movie, Nashville), who I spent time with on the Rolling Thunder Revue, and she said, which surprised me, that she had been a big radical all though the 'Sixties and (had) hung around with Weathermen and people from the SDS. And it turned out that her boyfriend, who had been fucking her all through the 'Sixties and (her time with) the SDS, had later turned out to be an agent. And then, after he was unmasked as an agent, he kept calling her up, wanting to have more dates. So she, being very intelligent, said, "Well, where is his head, anyway?". She says "yes, I'll go out and find out". So (she meets him and) he took her out to a party, full of FBI agents, and who was there but Ron Karenga! - So I said, "What?" - Then I saw Amiri Baraka (Leroi Jones) in January in New York. He had meanwhile changed his view and had become a Marxist-Leninist-Stalinist-Maoist, with the idea that he was wrong in the 'Sixties, actually, that the White-Black oppressed had to work together, that the problem was Capitalism, not race (or that greed, or Capitalism, was not, necessarily, a racial matter, but was an economic problem - so it was a Marxist interpretation). So he was now willing to work with everybody. And I told him and his wife that story about Ronnie Blakeley, and he said, "Yeah, we had some suspicions about that", and his wife said that, long ago, they'd broken with Karenga, thinking that there was something funny about him, (that) he might be an agent. Though, she said that, for five years, they were basically working with him and getting ideas and information and direction (intellectual direction and social direction) from Karenga.
Then I saw in an underground newspaper, a little item from J.Edgar Hoover, (like one of these pages - [Allen points to his Freedom of Information xeroxes]), saying, "Use the US. Group and Ron Karenga as a group to split Black from Black, Black group from Black group" (like Panthers from Jones (Baraka) and Panthers from the US Movement). So, apparently, that group was, so to speak, influencing him (Jones/Baraka), who was like a giant intellectual and poetic and spiritual and cultural leader - he was being influenced by Karenga, who was being influenced by the FBI. And whether or not he was an actual agent...? (because I then went to Les Whitten, who works with Jack Anderson, to see if he had any information, and his information was that Karenga was just a clown, (a) publicity-hound, who would do anything, and who probably would work for the FBI, but was not a paid agent).
So what's the upshot? The upshot is that the entire cultural history of the "Sixties would have to be re-written, because one of the major events of the 'Sixties was the Black/White paranoia, the split of the whole Movement, which was, apparently, engineered by the government. All the radical radicals on the Left were saying, "Right on, bro'! The Blacks are absolutely right". It was, I guess, the white Liberal guilt that made people feel that it was in, not realizing the sensitivity and inhumanity of separating White from Black, or separating brother from brother, or the tearfulness of not being able to relate to Leroi Jones (Amiri Baraka) after a while, on a literary scene, if not a social scene.
Investigative Poetics, I think, at this point, would have to go into the whole cultural and social and political and artistic history of the 'Sixties, (which was quite a vast, traumatic, revolutionary time), and re-investigate a great many things that happened of an intellectual-symbolic nature, to find out what was the story behind it. Because a great deal more of it was manipulated than we realize.
[Audio for the above is available here, beginning at approximately sixty-nine-and-a-half-minutes in, and concluding approximately eighty-seven minutes in]


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"I don't recognize you anymore," Sarah Barthel sings at the very end of Phantogram's new single, "Black Out Days," atop a surprisingly soft piano. I say "surprisingly" because the 3 and a half minutes that precedes it is a booming, electronic rock song with a hell of a chorus (and what sounds curiously like a Santigold sample). Catchy and a little dark, this track really thrives off of Barthel's emotive, confident voice. No word yet on a new album from these two, but this is a great way to tide us over.
Stream "Black Out Days" above via SoundCloud.