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Issue 171 of SOCIALIST REVIEW Published January 1994 Copyright © Socialist Review
The big workers' struggles of the early 1970s smashed anti-union laws, broke a pay freeze and brought down a government. Dave Sherry looks at the lessons for those of us trying to repeat the experience today
|Miners march on parliament
Next month marks 20 years since the fall of Edward Heath's Tory government. It's worth recalling how the Tories were toppled by the power of the working class and humiliated in the general election of 1974.
Contrary to current mythology, Heath's Tories were every bit as nasty as their counterparts today. They won the 1970 election, not because of any great swing in popular support, but simply because by 1970 too many Labour supporters had been disillusioned by six years of right wing Labour government.
In 1970 Heath's mission was to be even tougher towards the working class than the previous Labour government. The central preoccupation was to shackle the unions and destroy shop stewards' organisation--a task central to the future profitability of British capitalism, and one that the Labour government had been forced to abandon in the face of a mounting political strike wave in 1969.
Initially the new Tory government was successful--certainly until the end of 1971. Unemployment was driven up sharply under the impact of the 'No Lame Ducks' policy, whereby ailing or unprofitable firms were allowed to go bust or were deliberately driven into liquidation. Wage controls were imposed after the government inflicted defeats upon the power workers then the postal workers.
Draconian housing legislation was introduced to sell off council housing and to force up council rents, and Margaret Thatcher, Heath's education minister, achieved overnight notoriety by withdrawing free school milk. Home Secretary Reginald Maudling introduced imprisonment without trial in Northern Ireland and the inner cabinet was implicated in Bloody Sunday, when British army sharp shooters assassinated 13 innocent civilians on a civil rights march in Derry. Indeed the number of violent deaths in Ireland rose from 20 in 1970 to 470 by 1972.
But by late 1971 the government was running into trouble at home. Rising unemployment and wage controls had created bitterness on the shopfloor and the widespread network of shop stewards, organised around the Communist party and its Liaison Committee for the Defence of Trade Unions, were instrumental in building resistance.
Three great struggles forced the Tory government to make a 'U-turn'. In 1971 the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders work-in caught the imagination of millions and sparked a wave of militant factory occupations against redundancies and closures up and down the country. During the work-in the Chief Constable of Glasgow telephoned Downing Street to warn the cabinet that if they attempted to use force to end it, the police could not guarantee order on the streets of the city. The Tories were forced into making concessions and 'the right to work' became a massively popular slogan.
Then in 1972, against all the predictions of the media, an all out national miners' strike broke the government's wage controls. It was a historic victory won through the mass picketing of the steelworks, major ports, power stations and coal depots--all organised by rank and file miners. The turning point in the strike--the battle between picketing miners and the police at Saltley coke depot in Birmingham--involved 100,000 local trade unionists striking in solidarity with the pickets, and 20,000 of them marching onto the Saltley picket line to close the depot down.
Afterwards Reginald Maudling wrote,
'some of my colleagues asked me why I had not sent in troops to support our police. I remember asking them a simple question. If they had been sent in should they have gone in with rifles loaded or unloaded?'
In July of the same year the Industrial Relations Act was effectively defeated when unofficial mass strike action forced the immediate release of five dockers' shop stewards imprisoned in Pentonville jail for picketing in defiance of the Tory law.
These battles were not isolated. They won through tremendous class wide solidarity. Indeed 1972 saw a rise in militancy unprecedented for 50 years. The number of strikes rose massively and their character became increasingly political.
In response to these dramatic events, Heath was forced to make a 'U-turn', but the ruling class was not yet ready to give in. In late 1972, with the compliance of the TUC, the Tories imposed a wage freeze followed by two more phases of pay restraint.
The years 1972 and 1973 were boom years for British bosses but by mid-1973 recession was returning as the Tories' speculative property boom started to collapse spectacularly. Inflation began to soar out of control and profit rates began to shrink. When war broke out in the Middle East, the ensuing oil crisis pushed the world economy into the worst slump since the 1930s.
By Christmas 1973 the British ruling class was in a state of panic. Tory industry minister John Davies told his family, 'We must enjoy this Christmas for it may be our last one.' In his diary, Tony Benn recorded this entry:
'Dinner with Wilfred Brown, head of Glacier Metals, who believes we are headed for a slump and food riots and that there must be a National Government... At the Commons I saw John Biffen who told me Enoch Powell is waiting for the call.'
Sir William Armstrong, the chief civil servant and head of Heath's think tank, suffered a total mental and physical collapse. Campbell Adamson, then president of the CBI, recalls:
'We listened to a lecture about how Communists were infiltrating every thing. It was clear that the immense strain was taking its toll. And two days later, of course, he had to give up.'
Downing Street insiders talked of Armstrong as 'being really quite mad at the end. Lying on the floor and talking about moving the red army from there and the blue army from here.' In February Sir William Armstrong was taken out of Downing Street.
Panic and disarray led Heath and his cabinet into a wild gamble. Faced with another miners' overtime ban in opposition to the Tory wage norm in November, and squeezed by the oil crisis which had led to a quadrupling of oil prices, Heath realised British capitalism was in dire straits. Profitability could only be restored through a savage reduction in workers' living standards; conceding to the miners' pay claim would unleash a tidal wave of wage militancy. Despite attempts by the TUC to get him off the hook by making the miners a special case, Heath refused to concede.
Over Christmas the Tories tried to isolate the miners from other workers by imposing a 10 day shutdown of industry, to be followed by the introduction of a three day week. Ostensibly this was to save energy and conserve the coal stocks, but it was a ploy that ended up turning the government into a laughing stock.
The miners picked up the gauntlet and on 1 February 1974 their national ballot returned an 80 percent yes vote for all out strike. Heath reacted by calling a general election for the end of February amid growing power cuts and blackouts. 'Who runs the country?' was the Tory election slogan, but the real answer was being delivered before voting day.
The 1974 miners' strike was very unlike the 1972 strike. In order to appear respectable and not harm Labour's electoral appeal, the NUM executive kept a tight hold on the picketing and a six man limit was imposed to deliberately avoid the confrontational scenes that had characterised 1972. There was no Saltley in 1974. Yet the movement of coal was halted because other trade unionists were right behind the miners and respected even token picket lines.
In one incident ASLEF members refused to drive a coal train under a bridge that had an NUM lodge banner draped over it, with no pickets in sight. Such was the feeling of solidarity and confidence; such was the anti-Tory mood among workers.
On 28 February 1974 voters merely confirmed what the saner sections of the ruling class had already seen for themselves; Heath was finished. But there was very little enthusiasm for Labour, for although it won the election, it did so by the narrowest of margins.
With only 37 percent of the vote, the Wilson government took office under very grave circumstances for a badly divided ruling class. The Tories had been broken by the collective power of the rank and file; the law had been openly defied and the state defeated by workers' unity in struggle. Expectations were high. During the election campaign Socialist Worker sales rose dramatically.
There was still a state of emergency and a miners' strike. Wage settlements were climbing towards 20 percent and the oil crisis was driving up inflation which had already reached unprecedented levels. Tom Jackson, right wing leader of the postal workers, described the incoming Labour government as akin to, 'The owner of a gigantic Las Vegas slot machine, that has suddenly got stuck in favour of the customers.'
Both the Industrial Relations Act and Heath's formal wage restraint were scrapped. The miners' demands were virtually met in full. Left winger Michael Foot was made employment minister--a clear gesture to the left on the TUC. But the new Labour government, the CBI and the TUC were agreed on one thing: strikes had to be curbed. Labour, as ever, was prepared to bail out the bosses and their system and the TUC was ready to police the rank and file for the government. As The Economist noted shrewdly at the time 'Labour may well turn out to be the least bad government for business.'
In the autumn of 1974 Wilson called a second general election and this time he won an overall majority. The ground was laid for the 'Social Contract', with the union leaders accepting and enforcing 'voluntary' wage restraint which cut real wages for their members for the first time in a generation. The architects of this 'social contrick' were the left wing trade union leaders--Jack Jones and Hugh Scanlon.
This caused widespread confusion among many activists whose loyalty to Labour and the left officials was to become a serious block on the movement.
It was compounded by the relative weakness of the revolutionary left--which was influential but not influential enough to overcome the conservative influence of the Communist Party and its supporters in the movement.
Understandably many ordinary trade unionists were unhappy at the prospect of falling living standards, and the Social Contract did not immediately end strikes. In fact there were big strikes in the public sector with many white collar workers taking strike action for the first time ever. And in the latter part of 1974 a massive rolling unofficial strike wave shook the west of Scotland as low paid workers struck for a £10 a week rise.
In the key strike of the Glasgow dustmen in 1975 the leading trade union officials were Communist Party members. They instructed a return to work, despite the fact that the dispute was of tremendous national significance. This was underlined by the fact that the local Labour council and Labour government sent in troops to break it. The strike movement for higher wages was defeated and the Social Contract passed its first serious test. Increasingly Labour came to rely on the union officials to do its dirty work. Over the next five years solidarity was frowned upon and scabbing became respectable as far as Labour and the TUC were concerned. The way was being paved for Thatcher, just as in the 1960s Labour paved the way for Heath.
The militancy of the early 1970s is both an inspiration and a foretaste of what lies ahead of us today. It signifies the highest level to which the class struggle has risen in Britain, certainly since 1919 when Europe was ablaze with revolution. But that militancy was strangled by the incoming Labour government of 1974. That was allowed to happen because of the inherent political weakness in what was an otherwise powerful movement. Shopfloor politics, such as they were, were anti-Tory but they were also the reformist politics of the Communist Party, and the working class movement paid a terrible price for its collaboration with Labour.
Today the movement is recovering from those setbacks and bigger struggles lie ahead of us. The real lesson of 1974 is that the outcome of those future battles will be shaped by the extent to which revolutionary socialists become rooted in the working class movement as it is developing today.


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My grandma LaVerne used to travel for work, and she claimed that there was no such thing as jet lag. She had some kind of mind-over-matter secret that kept her functioning no matter the time zone. Sadly I have not taken after her in this respect; My jet lag tends to sneak up on me … Read More
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I haven't posted about this on my blog yet, but in my everyday life I'm pretty open about it, so I figured I would share today. Kevin and I are childfree by choice. This means we do not want any kids ever. Before you start getting judgy, just know that I try my best … Read More
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subset: commoncrawl


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IN RE DARRELL ROYCE SHERIDAN, SHERRY ANN SHERIDAN, Chapter 7 Debtors.
In this Chapter 7 case, the trustee, Ford Elsaesser ("Trustee"), objects to amotion under § 362(d) for relief from the § 362(a) automatic stay.1 Motions under § 362(d) are common in bankruptcy cases.2 Most stay relief requests proceed promptly to entry of an order, after proper notice, without any objection.
However, changes in mortgage practices over the past several years have created a number of new issues. The one highlighted in this case is the standing of the moving creditor. Serial assignments of the mortgagee's interest(s) and the securitization of mortgages have complicated what was previously a generally straight-forward standing analysis. Though many creditors provide in their motions adequate explanation and documentation of their standing to seek relief on real estate secured debts, Trustee challenges the adequacy of the subject motion in this case.
Following hearing and consideration of the arguments of the parties, the Court determines that Trustee's objection is well taken and the same will be sustained. The motion for stay relief will be denied.
On June 24, 2008, Darrell and Sherry Ann Sheridan ("Debtors") filed their joint chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, schedules and statements. They scheduled a fee ownership interest in a residence located in Post Falls, Idaho. See Doc. No. 1 at sched. A (the "Property"). Debtors asserted the Property's value was $225,000.00. Id. They indicated secured claims existed in favor of "Litton Loan Servicing" ($197,000.00) and "Citimortgage" ($34,000.00). Id. at sched. D.
While this left no apparent equity in the Property, Debtors nevertheless claimed the benefit of an Idaho homestead exemption. Id. at sched. C.4


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chuck taylors converse sale
As the pharma majors are looking to outsource the production of the biopharmaceutical products, the contract manufacturing industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11% till 2013.0000 Dimensions 32. Life can sometimes be a series of tradeoffs, so spending all that quality time withyour family also means that you'll no longer have the social interaction that was oncea part of your 9 to 5 routine. They have a range of different types of make and model of taxis to suit your requirements of work.
Now you can weather the destructive storms by moving your portfolio out of their way and sitting happily on a dry dock or enjoying better weather in some other climate.Arizona nightlife has become synonymous with a certain gang of twenty-something gorgeous denizens who'd rather dance till sunrise than troll the usual tourists traps by daylight.On the other hand, to let him know that you had success with women since he broke can easily arouse their curiosity to know how it was and that could make her feel like you want to spend time with you.. The purpose of this article is that to defeat the gout before it take place in the body. Likewise there are number of business specific ERP systems available in the market and the management should take a close examination as to which system will complement its business in the best possible way. Today there are leading MNC's who wants to set up their operations in India and wants their headquarters to be there in Gurgaon. You can of course tick 'no' to be on the safe side if you don't know, but the consequence will be that the only cover you will be able to get will come with a high premium.


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Feeling the winter chill? Don't let the snow and ice keep you inside – warm up your evening out by ordering a hot winter cocktail! Many restaurants offer specialty cocktails that change with the seasons. Ask your server to see the options, or request one of these traditional favorites. You'll be feeling warmer in no time!
A very old cocktail recipe with origins dating back to at least 1700, the Hot Toddy is said to help ease cold and flu symptoms. It's also a great après ski or after dinner drink. Most bartenders will know this recipe, but here's a guide for those that need a hint.
1 lemon, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish 1/2 cup sugar
1 quart water
2 1/2 cups Scotch whiskey
Freshly grated nutmeg
Combine the lemon, sugar, and water in a small, 2 to 3-quart slow cooker set to high. Cover and heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely. Add the Scotch whiskey and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and serve warm with lemon slices and freshly grated nutmeg. Garnish with a cinnamon stick or cloves.
This recipe can also be made with rum or brandy. Some versions call for honey or tea.
A favorite for holiday carolers and evenings by the fireside, this cocktail adds a mint twist to traditional hot chocolate.
Hot chocolate powder
Rumple Minze or Peppermint Schnapps
Whipped Cream or Marshmallows
Heat milk on stovetop or in microwave. Add powdered chocolate to taste. Add a shot of liqueur and top with whipped cream.
Make your after dinner coffee a little more interesting with this winter recipe. For a simpler version, order your coffee with Baileys (or try it with a splash of tequila if you're dining at Mexican restaurant!)
1 1/2 ounces Irish whiskey or rum
1/2 ounce hazelnut liqueur, such as Frangelico
1/2 ounce Irish cream liqueur, such as Bailey's
Hot coffee
Dollop of Whipped Cream
In a glass coffee mug, stir together whiskey, hazelnut liqueur, and Irish cream; top with coffee. Garnish cocktail with whipped cream and serve immediately.
Not every restaurant will have this on hand, but if you're lucky enough to find one that does, order it right away! A favorite for holiday celebrations, this delightful drink dates all the way back to ancient Rome.
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup bourbon
1 (750-milliliter) bottle cabernet sauvignon or other dry red wine
1 (3 x 1-inch) strip orange rind
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick, broken in half
1/4 teaspoon whole cloves
2 teaspoons whole allspice
Combine ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer; cook 20 minutes. Strain to remove spices. Serve warm. Serve with cinnamon stick for garnish, if you'd like.
*Best served on cold nights with warm intentions
Similar to the hot toddy, this recipe is a bit more decadent and dessert-like.
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
2 cups light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
Pinch ground cloves
Pinch salt
Bottle dark rum
Boiling water
In a bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Refrigerate until almost firm. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture into 12 small mugs. Pour about 3 ounces of rum into each mug (filling about halfway). Top with boiling water (to fill the remaining half), stir well, and serve immediately.
For the Kids
Have little ones along on your winter meal? Order them hot apple cider with a cinnamon stick, tea with honey or hot chocolate with peppermint syrup.


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How much Plastic do humans consume?
If you thought that was an odd question, you'd be surprised to learn that an average human consumes the equivalent of one credit card per week!
One third of all plastic the world produces ends up in our oceans polluting the seas and affecting the poor marine animals that end up eating these. Of particular concern are the micro-plastic particles that plague our oceans which is consumed by fish. This fish, when eaten by humans, end up in our system. The medical world is yet to fully understand the health consequences this has on our bodies.
Researchers estimate (source: https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/credit-card-plastic-04323/) that people who eat Mussels might end up consuming 11,000 micro-plastic particles a year. And if you thought vegetarians are free from this risk, think again. Even sea-salt has micro-plastic and 1 kilogram of sea-salt could have 600 micro-plastic particles in it.
In all, scientists estimate that humans might be consuming 50,000 micro-plastic pieces every year. It is upon us to act immediately to eliminate single-use plastic and micro plastic from our lives in order to save ourselves, if not the environment.


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Those motherfuckers!
You might have noticed that our site was down today. The reason, we found to our great dismay, was that a Scientology lawyer named Ava Paquette (email@example.com) SHUT DOWN OUR SITE because we published the Technical Dictionary of Scientology for all to see. Now, copyright-wise, they had a point, but this is just what I would expect from these litigious people. It's just obnoxious because they don't bother to give us a chance to take it down–they go straight for the throat. Well, add us to the looooong list of website people who've been wronged by this cult.
Still, we say they don't know who they're messing with. Liz and Laura will not be silenced! You hear that, Suri? We know it was Suri who was really behind this. You can see it in her eyes. She's the one in charge.


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Arsenal Star Slams Teammates For Messing Up EPL Title Hopes
Follow ooh to be a Gooner on Facebook and Twitter for more latest Arsenal news, match analysis, transfer news, injury news, team news and rumours from reliable sources around the World.
Mesut Ozil says Arsenal players are to blame for the team lagging behind in the title race. The attacking midfielder believes the players "screwed up" the chance to win the title against smaller teams.
Ozil has now urged Arsene Wenger to improve the squad in the summer transfer window as he believes the big money TV deal set to kick off this summer will only see our rivals improve their squad.
The midfielder believes injuries to key players cost the club the chance to win the league title hence the reason why Wenger needs to strengthen this summer.
Follow oohtobeagooner on Facebook and Twitter for more latest Arsenal transfer news, injury news, team news and rumours.
"We will only see more good players in the Premier League in the future due to the new TV deal. Teams will only get stronger and Arsenal will have to strengthen as well. This season has shown that we struggle when we are missing a number of key players. We cannot allow this to happen again next season," Ozil told Spox, as quoted by Ibtimes.
"Looking at our season so far, we have to be honest and admit that we screwed up ourselves. We did not play to our potential in the games against the so-called smaller teams. You immediately get punished for that in the Premier League."
"But we still have a chance of winning the title. We have to hope Leicester and Tottenham slip up and then make the most of it."
"I would be delighted for (Arsene) Wenger if we win the title.


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Here is another blog to introduce one of the finest naturalists on our time. Please welcome Ewan...
In a very real way, Loch Garten is where it all began for me. I came here first as a little kid, nearly twenty years ago, and after learning about the forest creatures, seeing the red squirrels and the little birds at the feeders and above all, of course, seeing the ospreys on the nest: I was hooked. I think I went away that day wanting to be an osprey, and definitely went away with a new inspiration and passion (and an RSPB membership to boot!).
Born and brought up in Edinburgh, I have always felt a pull to the north. Throughout my life I have been travelling to the Highlands, and have undoubtedly spent more time in and appreciating nature here than anywhere else. This landscape, and its wildlife, feel familiar. Whether sitting under the umbrella of a pine, or standing on a desolate mountaintop, or walking by a lochside, I feel more myself here than anywhere else, come rain, wind, or sun (or all three at once). I have watched hen harriers over the Orkney moors, black-throated divers off the coast of Assynt, golden eagles over the Isle of Eigg, and golden plover high above the Angus Glens.
I studied a degree in chemistry but after too many years, I realised that that was not the right path for me. For a while then I was without purpose, just trying to figure out what to do with my life. I found my re-inspiration when, like so many others, I decided I wanted to give up a little bit of my time to do a bit of good for nature. I started volunteering with Trees for Life, helping with their conservation work in the Caledonian forest in Glen Moriston and Glen Affric. I remembered that this was my passion, this landscape and these trees, this forest and everything it holds. I realised that this was what I wanted to do, what I could do. This was my inspiration, and I could use that to inspire others too.
So I was excited to come back to where it began, to join the Nature Team for this year at Loch Garten, to spend more time in the forest and find more inspiration, and to share that with as many of you as possible. Things will definitely be a little different from how I was expecting. But I hope that you and I, between us, can make this work.
It is my ultimate aim to know everything about everything in the Caledonian forest. The more I learn, unfortunately, the more there is to know. It is definitely an impossible task. But I hope to have a good crack at it. There will be plenty time for reading over the next few weeks, certainly. The beauty in impossible tasks, anyway, is that they never end. Unlike blog posts.
Hello Ewan, and welcome to a beautiful area. Clearly you were smitten by osprey in your childhood, once and ospreyholic always an ospreyholic, and I hope you are able to follow a new pair this season. EJ and Odin will forever be in many of our hearts!
We spend 90% of net income on conservation, public education and advocacy
The RSPB is a member of BirdLife International. Find out more about the partnership
© The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654


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Ben Greenman's new collection of short stories, What He's Poised to Do, is filled with lonely and heartbroken characters. Mourning lost loves, contemplating breakups, and estranged from family, they try to reconcile their differences by writing letters, a lost art that Greenman believes can be both intimate and fraught with misunderstanding.
What He's Poised to Do
By Ben Greenman
Harper Perennial
Greenman has written several works of fiction, including the novel Please Step Back and four other collections of stories. One of those collections, Correspondences, was published by Hotel St. George Press as a limited edition box that contained six stories, with a seventh incomplete story that invited readers to return postcards to finish it. Those stories are now included in What He's Poised to Do, along with nine new ones.
I spoke to Ben Greenman on the phone recently while he took time out from his day job as an editor for The New Yorker.
TriQuarterly Online: I was curious about the history of What He's Poised to Do. It started out as a collection called Correspondences, right?
Ben Greenman: A portion of it, about a third. In the summer of 2008, while I was finishing up the novel called Please Step Back, I was approached by this small press here in Brooklyn called Hotel St. George. They were trying to figure out whether they were going to do traditional books or more experimental forms. I don't think they wanted the writing to be experimental, but they were struggling with what all small publishers struggle with: how you make a book that profitably competes with all the other books and get noticed and do something interesting.
I had a set of stories that were about letters and letter writing, and they designed that box. That came out in November 2008. I think five of the stories are repeated between that and What He's Poised to Do. My current publisher at Harper Perennial and his boss both saw Correspondences in a bookstore in Los Angeles, and each noted it mentally and thought, "Oh I'd love to do a book kind of like that." They brought it back with them in their minds to New York, and I think they each bought a copy. Then at some point there was a romantic comedy moment, where one went into the other's office to tell her about it and saw it on the desk already.
TQO: What was behind that decision to continue in the same theme and turn it into more of a traditional book after you'd already done Correspondences?
BG: When my novel Please Step Back came out in April 2009, I did a pretty big book tour. Melville House published that and I think I went to eight events in eight days up and down the West Coast. I was on the road, for me, a lot. Normally I have a day job at the magazine and I come in every day, so for me that was the equivalent of a two-hundred-night rock star tour. I wrote a lot of emails back to my wife and to friends from the road. They weren't letters, but that was on my mind because Correspondences had just been published. A lot of those became other stories, and those themes that were in the initial five stories from Correspondences were very present in the trip, the sort of distance and misunderstanding and the romantic disconnection and loneliness.
TQO: Now you just said something that was part of a question I wanted to ask about misunderstanding or distances between people. It seemed like a lot of the characters in What He's Poised to Do were alienated from a loved one, whether it's someone they had lost or someone they were still trying to connect with. Is there something about writing letters that expresses that distance between people?
BG: You mean something about the letters that specifically speaks to that problem?
TQO: Maybe not the content of the letters. I was thinking more like the idea of letter writing in general.
BG: Oh yeah definitely. I always thought that letters were a great writing exercise because they compress so much of what becomes fiction: voice and setting and motive. You have all the things that you need to catch up quickly. You imagine your audience very, very clearly, and so it's a great way to look at that, the way language can be communicated clearly. Even with that there's always misunderstanding, because the things people are writing about are relationships and desires that are never simple.
The second part of the answer is that it's changed so much. As a kid and when I was in college I wrote letters all the time. Now of course I don't, and no one does. It's all moved over to email and microblogging and everything else. I'm not making any huge philosophical claims, but I'll make one medium-sized one, and that's that I think people's identity used to be more stable. Because you said something—you told me in a letter that you were upset about something or happy about something. When it got to me four or five days later it still had to be true, for you and for me. Now, you can be happy one minute and put it on your status, and fifteen minutes later something can aggravate you and you put that on your status. So I think that's the set of issues that letters are working with.
TQO: You said that some of the stories in this book came from the experiences that you had while you had while you were traveling. Are there specific ones that stand out?
BG: I think "Bunch of Blips" is one, but that's a mix of things. I like the idea of people going somewhere else and sort of putting their life on hold, or temporarily suspending it and going somewhere else. You have no choice but to live when you go to that other place, but you're keeping track of it and you know you're going to reenter the stream when you return. So in that story she goes to Paris and she has time out of time. She can experience all these things and believe that she's building a better version of herself, a more complete version. You go out on the road and you take time off from your life, and you get to work things through. You get to experiment with things and take different risks than when you were trapped at home.
TQO: That also happens in "To Kill the Pink," about the man who decided to leave his wife and take off for Malawi.
BG: That's interesting. I had a draft of that when it wasn't Malawi. That was drafted on the road. I didn't have this setting for it. I didn't know that it was going to be Harlem in the 60s but it was exactly that. He was leaving notice that he was going somewhere to change, that if he stayed where he was, bad things would happen.
There's this Australian journal, this very sort of inventive journal called The Lifted Brow, and they do things like where they found a foam-core fake bookshelf on the street, and it had titles of like a hundred fake books, so they had this assignment where they assigned fake titles to people and we all had to write fake stories. Then for the next one they did an atlas, and I got Malawi. I looked and the story wasn't done but it was in progress and I was looking for a hook for it. When I saw that on the list of countries I thought "Oh this is perfect," and the rest of it fell into place. I thought this has to be a guy in a certain time in American history where he's rebuilding his sense of himself.
TQO: Is that part of your normal process where you'll have a basic idea and you're waiting for the right thing to trigger it?
BG: Yeah, I would say that for every story that sees the light there's fifty that are somewhere in the bowels of the computer that are somewhere around six paragraphs that taper off, or it's a great beginning and a great end but nothing in between, or it's a finished story that's clunky and isn't moving and I don't know what to do with it. I'm trying to write these things all the time, so what you're seeing at any given time is a fraction of what's started. I like that much better than going to the well and there's nothing in the well.
TQO: Do you have a subset of those ideas sitting there that you're working on and maybe one will pop up, or do you even remember a lot of the fits and starts?
BG: They're all in a big folder on the machine, and I hit a place where I'll go a couple days and nothing is happening in my brain. It just seems like a bad period. Sometimes it'll happen the normal way when I read other people's work. Between books I'll go and read all the ideas pretty quickly and pretty aggressively and I'll get ideas, but other times I'll go back through that big folder and think it's really interesting to not remember writing things. That's maybe the most interesting process, that I'll go and read fragments and think, "Really? I was going to do a comic story about a small town where the guy's wife leaves for the car dealer? Seriously?" I have no memory of that, but I know it's me because I wrote it.
I think one of the things I've said in the stories is there's always a little sidestep, a little weird alienation. That first push happens, it gets set aside for a little, but I go back six weeks or six months and finish it. If you brought me things I wrote when I was twenty, I'm sure there's something in there. I'm more likely to be inspired by me. I don't mean arrogantly in the sense that the work is good, but for the set of concerns that I have, it's more likely that the things that will strike a note are mine at twenty than someone else. It's interesting to find those things. Some of them don't work at all and they get discarded, but it's funny to find those fragments and try to replant them.
TQO: Now are you one of these people who will just bolt out of bed because you have an idea and you have to scribble it down right away?
BG: Yeah, but this is one good thing about technology. It's really helped because all of the kinds of tools. It used to be that you had pen and paper next to the bed. Then it was a microcassette recorder, which is embarrassing, like, if you have a new girlfriend. But now with the iPhone there are certain things that technology has done that really help, like that little note thing on the iPhone, just the stupid little notepad? That's great, because I can just wake up, it's silent, I don't have to flip on a light, it's lit, and I can just type, just a couple words just to leave a trace of it. I don't know if this will end up being good because I'm probably retaining a lot of things that are stupid, but this is a much more efficient retention of ideas than there was before.
TQO: And at least they're there. If you go back and decide it's junk you can just throw things out. I guess that's better than feeling like you've missed something because you didn't have that tool available.
BG: But in that area where I would wake up and think, "Yeah, that was a really good idea for a story, I better not forget this," and two steps between the bed and the bathroom it's gone. I'm sure everyone in any creative discipline has had that experience a number of times. That's kind of interesting because you can create for yourself the impression the idea you've had but lost is great. So that's good for ego building. Who knows, probably 99% of them are not great but then you can go through the rest of the day thinking wow, it's like the one that got away.
TQO: What are you working on next?
BG: Well there's a couple things. There's another book in mid-October. It's short fiction but it's sort of high concept short fiction. It takes Chekhov's stories and takes out the characters and puts in celebrities. So that's a totally different project, but something that I thought would be fun. It's more like literature humor. We'll see how people receive it. I think there will be a mix of people thinking it's a great idea and people wanting to come with torches and dispose of me. And then there's a novel that won't be in and done soon, but I can't say much about it because I don't know exactly. There's always stories. I always try to write a decent number of stories whenever possible. Like I said, they're always sticking around. They get done at some point.


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Brought to you by Seahorse magazine, Scuttlebutt Europe is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to
Gladwell's Line: Can The Teams Survive The America's Cup Negotiations?
By our count, there are at least six reasonably serious and quality Challengers for the next America's Cup, being: Emirates Team NZ, the longest standing America's Cup team; the Challenger of Record, Team Australia - drawing on the top Australian Olympic talent; Ben Ainslie (GBR) expected to draw on the top British Racing talent; Luna Rossa (ITA) - long time Challenger for the AC; Artemis Racing (SWE) - already set up and sailing in San Francisco; and Franck Cammas (FRA) - Volvo Ocean Race winner and top large multihull sailor.
As we saw in the 34th Match, it is very possible for a competent team to go from a seemingly hopeless position to being clearly superior in the space of just seven race days. So how could anyone justify having a preliminary series outside USA, eliminating some teams - and then having a second round of qualification in USA, probably San Francisco? How do we know that a potential Cup winner is not being given a premature exit, after just sailing in the first qualifying regatta?
For what conditions does a Challenger design and optimize their boat - the first round in say, off Sydney Heads or in a light wind Mediterranean event or for the the real deal San Francisco? Remember the Challenger can only build one boat, and modifications are limited. The Defender can build two boats, if they wish and shift to an in-house campaign at any point of the regatta, according to information, last weekend, from the Challenger of Record.
Either way the Defender only needs to optimize their design for the Match venue. The Challengers must have an all-round boat.
Richard's full editorial at:
Aarhus, Denmark To Host 2018 ISAF Sailing World Championships
The International Sailing Federation is pleased to announce that Aarhus, Denmark has been selected to host the 2018 ISAF Sailing World Championships.
Bid partners, the Danish Sailing Association, Sport Event Denmark, Sport Aarhus Events (City of Aarhus) and Sailing Aarhus bring together proven regatta organization skills in a venue offering world-class racing conditions.
The competition venue will be established at a new Aarhus International Sailing Centre in Aarhus Yachting Harbour.
Aarhus has welcomed several world class sailing events in recent years including the 2008 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship, 2010 505 World Championship, 2011 A-Cat World Championship and the 2013 49er and 49erFX European Championships.
In March 2014 an Evaluation Commission appointed by ISAF received presentations by the following cities in their bid to host the event:
Aarhus, Denmark
Busan, Korea
Gdynia, Poland
The Hague, Netherlands
The Commission made their recommendation to the ISAF Executive Committee who unanimously endorsed the recommendation.
Onboard & Onshore With Hudson Wight
The Hudson Wight Performance Sailwear brand will be very evident both afloat and ashore throughout the season, supporting a variety of events as the official clothing sponsor and supplier to a number of high profile yachting regattas and events around the UK.
We are delighted to be supporting Sail 4 Cancer by donating Raffle and Auction prizes for 11 significant regattas. Competitors at all events will either win or bid for a high-value Hudson WIght voucher enabling them to choose or redeem against key items such as the much-lauded HW1 'oilies'.
As Official Clothing Sponsor to the Poole Regatta (24-26 May), Race Officers will be kitted out in event branded HW1 oilies, and top value prizes are being donated for class winners and the overall regatta winner.
The Hudson Wight pop-up-shops are proving really popular and there will be one up and running for the duration of the Poole Regatta.
Looking ahead to June, Hudson Wight is racing in the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race on 21st June with solo offshore sailor Lizzy Foreman on the helm of Hudson Wight, her Mini 6.50. She's one of the great British hopes for next year's gruelling Mini Transat and Hudson Wight is on board for the duration of her campaign as her title sponsor.
Susannah Pyatt Retains NZ Women's Match Racing Title
Susannah Pyatt will have her name engraved on the Leith Mossman Memorial Trophy for the second time after winning the 2014 NZ Women's Match Racing Championships for the second consecutive year.
All in all, although the regatta had to be shortened to the two round robins, a fair result was gained, a lot of fun was had and some old girls came back, some new girls joined in and the Leith Mossman Memorial Trophy was awarded to a great crew who are great supporters of Women's Match Racing.
Results for the 2014 NZ Women's Match Racing Championships
Susannah Pyatt - 9W/1L
Claudia Pierce - 7/3
Kylie Jameson - 5/5
Manu Merlo - 4/6
Michelle Tait - 4/6
Melinda Henshaw - 1/9
BLU26 Class Championship In Ascona
Only one month away, the blu26 class championship will take place in beautiful Ascona on Lago Maggiore. The Notice of Race is now also available online. For those from far away or not owning a blu26 yacht themselves, charter yachts are availbale on site in Ascona. Find the Notice of Race with all information about the regatta and charter options online on the bluboats website in the news section
A Secret Plea To Use London 2012
So worried are Olympic organisers by how far behind schedule the 2016 Rio Games has fallen, London has reportedly been asked, in secret, if it could host the event at the last minute. According to the London Evening Standard, an informal approach has been made by IOC chiefs to ascertain whether London's 2012 Olympic venues could be brought back into use.
The build-up to the Rio Games has been labelled a shambles, with every venue badly behind schedule, spiralling costs and accusations of negligence.
IOC vice-president John Coates has already called Brazil's preparations "the worst I've experienced", with just two years to go and a football World Cup to host in between.
An "unprecedented" special task force has been set up to try and speed up preparations but the situation on the ground is said to be "critical".
A source told the Standard: "At a comparable planning stage in 2004 Athens had done 40 per cent of preparations on infrastructure, stadiums and so on. London had done 60 per cent. Brazil has done 10 per cent - and they have just two years left. So the IOC is thinking, 'What's our plan B?'
"Obviously, the answer would be to come back to London. It's very unlikely but it would be the logical thing to do."
How To Drink Ouzo Like A Greek
Lynda and her Greek husband, Kostas Ghiokas, own a charter business in Greece, and run crewed charters on their yacht, Stressbuster. "On every charter," Lynda explains, "nearly everyone wants to try ouzo, and I end up giving a mini-seminar on it—how it's made (from grape skins and stems, and then distilled/aged like fine wine); how not to drink it (you wouldn't believe how many guests try to do ouzo "shooters"); the proper way to drink it (always with mezedes [the Greek version of tapas], usually in late afternoon, always diluted with ice or water).
"Most definitions of ouzo call it an apertif, but nowhere in Greece is it drunk as a before-dinner cocktail; neither is it an after-dinner drink like sambuca or cognac."
Find out when and how ouzo is consumed by reading the full article, How to Drink Ouzo Like a Greek on YachtWorldCharters. Lynda also clues us in on the differences between various bottled ouzos: which are best, and which to avoid "at all costs."
Seahorse June 2014
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
World news
And the next Vendee Globe is rolling already, as is the Transat AG2R and the Halvardmiranda show. Plus Maxi cut-and-shut in Auckland, getting off the line with Jimmy Spithill and Tom Slingsby and a smooth transition in St Thomas. Blue Robinson, Ivor Wilkins, Patrice Carpentier, Dobbs Davis
Rod Davis
Time for pastures new and time also to reflect on the pathway of Emirates Team New Zealand
ORC column
Refining the wish list. Dobbs Davis
Design - Powerful heritage
Farr Yacht Design president Patrick Shaughnessy on the significance of and the significant work that went into the new Farr 280
Special rates for Scuttlebutt Europe subscribers:
Seahorse Print or Digital Subscription Use Discount Promo Code SB2
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Brooklin (Maine, USA) Boat Yard has begun construction of a 74-foot cold-molded sailboat designed by German Frers. The yacht is a uniquely styled racer/cruiser that's scheduled to be completed and launched in spring of 2015.
The Frers 74 has a length overall of 73' 9" (22.m) and a waterline of 66' 4" (20.24m) with a beam of 18' 10" (5.76m). Her bulb keel draws 12' 5" (3.8m) and has 18,959 lbs (8,600 kg) of ballast. Her full displacement (lightship) is 54,454 lbs (27,400 kg). The hull is built with a foam core construction to maximize stiffness and minimize weight. The inner planking is Western Larch running fore and aft (at 0 degrees) covered with uni-directional carbon fiber (at 90 degrees) and infused with WEST epoxy. The outer planking consists of two vacuum-bagged diagonal layers of Western Red cedar (at 45 degrees and 135 degrees), a layer of 3/16" thick Western Larch, and a layer of infused bi-axial carbon fiber. The exterior of the hull will be finished bright. The deck is constructed separately from the hull of Western Larch veneers and Okume plywood skins that sandwich the foam core.
Updates on the boat's construction are available on Brooklin Boat Yard's website at www.brooklinboatyard.com
The development of the S&S 30 design began in 1935. The inspiration for this new design was drawn from Sparkman & Stephens Design No. 0097, a 30' wooden sloop built for the Miami- Nassau race that year. The design was cutting-edge for the time, with a plumb bow and "cut-off" stern, as described by Rod Stephens. A well-defined keel and generous sail plan made her a competitive sailing boat, with very simple accommodations and minimal live-aboard comforts.
The redesign stemmed from a question posed to Olin Stephens during an interview late in his life, "of all these beautiful boats, which would you redesign?" He chose Babe.
The Sparkman & Stephens design team worked with Olin on a modern redesign for Babe to be of wood construction in 2008 - the year of his 100th birthday.
A partnership was formed with Bluenose Yacht Sales in late 2011 to bring the Babe redesign to life. Final construction and design details were hammered out and construction began in Rhode Island. The first hull hit the water in the fall of 2012, and the fleet has been growing ever since.
The very concept of a sailing yacht with a below-deck deck saloon made the experts sit up and take notice. Construction of the 80-foot Bliss has now been completed at the Cyrus yard in Antalya, Turkey, and she has undergone her first trials following launch.
Beneath blue skies, in a calm sea and a moderate breeze this glass and carbon fibre composite yacht displacing around 36 tonnes surges forward immediately, carrying nearly 300 m2 of sail (Incidences) on her carbon rig (Hall Spars). Everything from the main boom furling system to the APM lifting keel (2.70 to 4.40 metres) and magic trim cylinder responds immediately at the touch of a button, precisely and reliably. "This yacht is really unique", ventures coxswain Hank van der Vaart. "There is probably no other yacht built with such attention to detail."
Francois Bich and the Multiplast yard are pleased to announce the exciting news that the famed catamaran Orange II will be given a new lease of life.
This boat led by Bruno Peyron, held the Trophee Jules Verne (around the world speed record with crew) from 2005 and 2010 in 50 days, 16 hours et 20 minutes. It was also the fastest boat accross the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and held the 24 hours speed record (766.8 miles with an average of 31.95 knots).
Passionate about multihulls, from Hobit Cat to Formula 40, Francois Bich is one of the rare boat connoisseur able to give a second life to Orange II. He knows he will get an exceptional boat on which to go around the world.
Jack Michal, Franck Martin and Yann Penfornis, three of the naval architects involved in the original design of Orange II with Gilles Ollier went through their old drawings and calculation notes in order to produce the modifications for Vitalia II, Francois Bich's new boat. The aim is to transform this boat into a (very) fast cruising boat without losing its racing DNA.
Thus, a 753 ft2 aerodynamic structure will be added at the back of the mast beam. Six cabins will be fitted in the hulls : three double cabins for guests and three more for the sailing crew.
Despite the owner's best concerted efforts to sail under the flag of a French pavilion, regulatory and technical factors have meant that the boat's transformation can only take place under the more flexible British system.
Southern Wind Shipyard has announced the launch of the 32 metre superyacht Farfalla, the third of the SW 102' series. The yacht has been designed by Nauta Yacht Design for the general design, deck and interior design and Farr Yacht Design for the naval architecture, sail plan and appendages.
Farfalla includes a spacious flush deck, a tender garage for a 4 meter dinghy and a mainsail captive winch. She also features bright panoramic windows on the coach roof and an airy under-deck open saloon. The yacht interior follows Southern Wind Shipyard's most popular layout, with Owner's cabin forward and three guest cabins.
Farfalla is powered by twin Cummins QSB 6.7MCD diesel engines, with a beam of 6.9 metres and draft of 4 metres.
Imagine was put back in the water on Wednesday 30th April in La Trinite sur mer in Southern Brittany. It is aboard this VPLP-Verdier designed boat (ex Groupe Bel) that the skipper from Nantes, Armel Tripon will set off in the 2016 Vendee Globe. The boat delivered from Nantes will be officially named on the 9th May in La Trinite sur Mer.
A grey background and colourful logos... In la Trinite sur mer, the 60-foot Imagine certainly looks good. In her new colours, you would have to be an expert to recognise her as the former Groupe Bel that was bought from Kito de Pavant by a group of French investors brought together under the banner "Imagine", which aims to be a nursery for new talent.
After just two months of work on her at the new BS Production premises in Bouaye, near Nantes, the boat was transported by road to La Trinite-sur-mer, which will become her home port. On Tuesday, her keel was fitted and on Wednesday 30th April, Imagine had her mast stepped before she was launched without any problem thanks to the hard work done by Armel Tripon's shore team.
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2008 Murtic Yachts Ker 39. €235,000 + VAT. Located in France.
Inis mor is a standard Ker 39 'mark II' probably the most sucessful run of IRC yachts ever built. Work improvements for off shore races (cf ex run-under-deck garage and drains, omegas reinforcement etc).
Keel moved forward during build as per Jason Ker recommendation to improve performance Refit in Nov 2013 (incl boom, mast and deck paint, rod check by radio and replaced when need be).
New sails for 2014 and a refit over the winter make her to be an excellent option for a last minute entry for the Commodores Cup, or any future IRC regatta racing.
Ben Cooper
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See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses. -- Johannes Kepler
Editorial and letter submissions to
Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html


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Happily-married, with a new-born daughter, smalltown surveillance expert and private eye TOM WELLES is hired by a wealthy widow to track down the origins of a reel of 8mm film that seems to depict the murder of a young girl. He's soon in way over his head, in a dark, disturbing, hellish morass of murder and corruption in the 1999 Columbia flick 8MM. Maybe he should have paid attention to the flick's tagline: " You can't prepare for where the truth will take you."
The film got decidedly mixed reviews, and it's definitely not for the squeamish. It was rated R for strong perverse sexuality and violence, and for strong language.
If you're into this sort of thing, it's a nasty little thriller, deliberately unpleasant at times, reminiscent of the recent, and equally dark and twisted Seven, which should come as no surprise since writer Andrew Kevin Walker also wrote that sick puppy.
Everyone take a shower.
Report respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.
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Iosif Kobzon hospitalized in presidential clinic in Astana
Prominent Russian singer Iosif Kobzon, who became ill during his speech at the World Forum of Spiritual Culture in Astana, is hospitalized in the presidential clinic in Astana, a source in the Russian delegation told RIA Novosti.
73-year-old Kobzon walked to the ambulance single-handed.
Kobzon lost consciousness. The ambulance team provided the first aid to the singer. Kobzon again went to the tribune and apologized for the incident adding that he will continue to report. However, he again became ill.
The forum passes in the Palace of Independence in Astana.
RIA Novosti reported that Kobzon has health problems since 2001. During a tour in Kazakhstan, he got a backache and appealed to the local doctors. Upon returning to Moscow, his temperature rose sharply. Doctors supposed development of septic conditions and their diagnosis was confirmed. According to doctors it may be caused preliminary by a portable catheter inserted into Kobzon' body during a trip to Kazakhstan. The catheter maybe shifted, which could cause infection entering the bloodstream. Kabzon spent several days in intensive care in the Krasnogorsk Military Clinical Hospital with infected blood.
In 2004, Kobzon was operated due to the tumor revealed in the examines.


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The things you learn sitting in trial....
Accident reconstructionists have figured out at what speed of impact by a 4000 pound vehicle the human body will do certain things. Can't find my notes at the moment but by memory it goes something like this:
At 14 miles an hour, human bones will get a fracture.
Around 20 miles an hour, you get compound fractures.
At certain angles, you get deflected off the vehicle.
At other angles you go up on the windshield.
And at certain angles and speeds you continue on up from the windshield and over the roof of the vehicle.
Reconstructionists have determined the Almaleki jeep was going as much as 28 miles an hour during the incident in which Amal (40) and Noor (20) were hit. Hit first, at an angle, Amal survived. Noor, several feet away from her friend, was hit after Mr. Almaleki took a sharp left turn without decelerating.
Noor died after 13 grueling days of broken bones and smashed organs struggling to repair themselves but ultimately falling to infection.
Was her father at her bedside whispering words of encouragement and delicately squeezing her hand? Serial Shooter victim Paul Patrick, shot by serial killer Sam Dieteman and still suffering multiple complications from those wounds, has been in the hospital this past weekend. That's what we at his bedside have been doing for him and an international crowd of well wishers has been doing from afar via FaceBook. That's the human response in the face of suffering.
But Noor's father, by his own admission and legal defense, at first watched the mayhem surrounding his daughter's crushed body from a nearby Walgreen's parking lot. Then he hot footed it to Mexico and then on to London. He was in a panic, his defense said, but not in so much of a panic that he couldn't analyze and reflect on the American point of view on hit and run. He felt motivated to escape American law, but not motivated to run to his daughter's side.
Mr. Almaleki, as a professional truck driver, had to know a little something about mph and driving safety.
At 14 mph you get your first human bone cracking.
Camille Kimball's books are:The Mammoth Book of Tough Guys


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This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.
- 8 cups edamame beans-shelled
- 20 ounces mushrooms
- 4 cloves garlic-peeled
- 2 bunches baby turnips-save greens for salad if pretty
- 1 bunch radishes
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1 onion
- 1 inch ginger
- 8T soy sauce
- 1 cayenne pepper
- 1t sea salt
- Corn flour & spelt flour to bind
Grind all in the food processor then stir in flours to bind. Pan fry in small amount of coconut oil. Serve on bed of fresh greens with peanut dressing.
Peanut Dressing:
- Peanut butter
- Lime juice
- Maple syrup
- Hemp oil
- Couple drops of hot sauce (opt)
Put 2 burgers on bed of greens, drizzle with dressing and top with hemp seeds!
Instructions for Shelling fresh local Edamame Beans:
Boil a large pot of water…drop beans into the pot and let boil for 10 minutes. Remove with a strainer leaving water boiling for next rounds of blanching more beans. Allow to cool in a strainer then simply pop the beans out of their pods into a bowl. Shelled beans can then be frozen in freezer bags for use all winter!


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We decided our son had the big round eyes and stare of a troll, so his Halloween costume was a given. We set out on a mission to convert him into a troll.
We ordered a blue pointy wig that was adjustable so it could fit his tiny head. I then set out to get him a flesh colored long sleeved shirt and pair of leggings. One thing I can tell you is when trying to complete this step do not go to children's store and ask for nude color clothing. Staff looked at me like I was a pervert. I ended up online finding a tan outfit that worked.
We took him to a Halloween event and people laughed and really loved his costume.


text: /1-Precision-Measuring-Tools/11-Precision-Hand-Tools/1102-Slide-Calipers/Dial-Calipers120A-9 / 120A-9 * Not actual product image 64517 120A-9 Dial Caliper 64517 Other similar products The Starrett 120 Series Dial Calipers are the only American made dial calipers. These calipers are used by mechanics and toolmakers everywhere. Features include direct reading, ease-of-handling, reliability and accuracy making these one of the handiest measuring tools available. This series features white dial, 0-9" range, and .001" graduations. 9", White Dial, without Case This series features white dial, 0-9" range, and .001" graduations. Features Specifications Contact Starrett Features Only American Made Dial Caliper Direct reading, reliable and accurate Sharp, clear dial graduations Sharp, black graduations on the satin finished bar Knife-edge contacts for both inside and outside measurements One hand use with the thumb-operated, fine adjustment roll Lock screw for dial bezel and Lock screw for holding sliding jaw in position Hardened stainless steel bar, measuring surfaces, rack, gears and depth rod Positive, split-gear anti-backlash control Covered rack depth rod Specifications Range (in): 0-9" Graduations (in): .001" Revolution Range (in): .100" Bar Graduations: .100" Construction Material: Stainless Steel Dial Color: White Inside Jaw Depth (in): 5/8" Inside Jaw Depth (mm): 16mm Outside Jaw Depth (in): 1-1/2" Outside Jaw Depth (mm): 38mm Accuracy (in): 0-6" (+/-.001") 6-9" (+/-.0015")


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… but I just needed an outlet. But I made it a point to tell my frustrations to God before I typed this. And be careful: God speaks to you when you earnestly seek to communicate with Him.
Anyway, I was just exasperated by the numerous things that didn't go my way. Why do I always have to give way to other people? Like, change my schedule so that others can keep theirs? Why do I say so many 'yes' to others, but 'no' to myself? I wish that I could say more nos to people and more yes to myself, but I know that it would only do me harm. I would probably end up to be the egocentric, self-absorbed, narcissistic human being who I don't want to be (like the apathetic commuters that I witnessed in the MRT train today. I can swear that this seated lady was looking at this standing pregnant lady right in her swollen belly without flinching a muscle. Pathetic.) But when I prayed, my Abba Father only reminded me of the grace that I received this day from a sister. And that favour came because she chose to say no to her own interest while putting mine before hers.
*Sigh* Why am I not thinking more like Christ in this aspect? Right now, Philippians 2 is just stuck in my head – Humility. Consider others better than me. Look to others' interest. Do everything without complaining or arguing.
Die, just die.


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What is a genome-wide association study (GWAS)?
For purposes of the NIH GWAS policy, a genome-wide association study is defined as a genetic association study in which the density of genetic markers and the extent of linkage disequilibrium is sufficient to capture a large proportion of the common variation in the human genome in the population under study, and the number of specimens genotyped provides sufficient power to detect variants of modest effect.
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are conducted using newly available research tools and technologies to rapidly and cost-effectively analyze genetic differences between people
with specific illnesses, such as diabetes or heart disease, compared to healthy individuals. The purpose of the studies is to explore the connection between specific genes,
known as genotype information, and their outward expression, known as phenotype information and to facilitate the identification of genetic risk factors for the development
or progression of disease. Several NIH institutes recently have launched, or are planning, GWAS initiatives with the expectation that the results will accelerate the development
of better diagnostic tools and the design of new, safe, and highly effective treatments.
What are the benefits of sharing GWAS data?
Sharing GWAS Data Improves Health - Sharing genome-based research, including both genotypic and phenotypic information,
with a broad number of scientists, will enable medical science to better understand the health needs of the public and facilitate development of new
technologies and approaches for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Sharing GWAS Data Maximizes Public Investment - Providing centralized access significantly increases the availability of
data for researchers, which is predicted to accelerate the discovery of associations between genetic data and disease while reducing research


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Paint Your Rooms For An Easy Update
You should keep up on your home improvement projects; this will improve your home's overall appearance. Even the simplest of projects can significantly increase your home's value. Keep reading for some great tips about home improvement.
When doing home improvements, consider your surroundings and just improve items that make sense. It might not make any sense to put a pool in Alaska, etc. Do what is desired, but don't go beyond your immediate climate needs.
If you have tried everything you can to stop your door from squeaky, you may need a new hinge. Of course, you can find them at any store that sells home hardware. Take the old hinge off, and follow the directions to put your new one on. Align the parts of the hinge and put the pins in place to complete your project.
Safety should always be at the forefront of your thoughts when you're doing home improvement work. There is always risk present, so you need to know the proper use of your power tools, and you always should ask for help if needed. You can find websites that can help.
Turn off the plumbing if any home improvement projects will take place in the bathroom or kitchen. Find the shutoff valve before you do any work near pipes or other water supplies. This will make sure you don't flood your house.
Adding bold prints to your room can make it appear more personable. Add zebra or leopard print accessories to a living room, such as chair cushions, area rugs, decorative pillows, or wall art.
If you think your water has lost pressure, you can easily diagnose the issue. Start by asking your neighbors if they are having the same problem. If your neighbors are not experiencing the same issue, the lower pressure is specific to your home. Test the water pressure of each faucet in order to determine if the entire house has been impacted. You may need a simple aerator adjustment; if not, you need to call a pro.
Always make sure your bathroom has sufficient lighting whenever you renovate it. Lighting is often overlooked when it comes to bathroom remodeling, as people are focused on the fixtures. If you add lights by the mirror and lights on the ceiling, be sure that the bulbs can be replaced easily.
One way you can improve the look of your home is to replace your blinds. Over time, blinds can become faded by the sun, and damaged thanks to children and pets. This can make the rooms in your home look bland, and new blinds can really improve a room's look.
Make sure that you've got a good plan before starting any home improvement project. The decisions about your budget, timing and the exact projects you want to do much be included in your plan to avoid going over budget and taking too much time on the projects.
Never lose sight of how important good home improvements can be. You'd be amazed at how much of a difference you can make with just a few days' worth of work. Use the ideas you have encountered here to make some excellent home improvements. Just choose the ideas that suit you best and get started.…


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The Kinzua Sky Walk, was named "One of the World's Top 10 Most Scenic Skywalks" by Culture Trip, U.K. Located at the Kinzua Bridge State Park in Mt. Jewett, the skywalk is an engineering marvel offering breathtaking views of the Kinzua Gorge from the staggering height of 225 feet. Walk out onto the Skywalk, 624 feet into the Kinzua Gorge, for 360 degree forestland vistas, stand on the partial glass floor to test your resolve and experience what it feels like to "walk the tracks across the sky."
Nearby, the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) is the state's only national forest, offering endless opportunities for year-round outdoor fun across its 513,000 acres. You'll quickly discover why this area of northwestern Pennsylvania is known as "Trail Central," as it boasts more than 600 miles of multi-use trails—perfect for hiking, biking, and mountain biking—as well as 100 miles of ATV trails and more than 300 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.
No matter what time of year you visit, hiking trails in the ANF region provide plenty of ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the great outdoors. Spring, summer, and fall trails include a multitude of scenic options, from a 1-mile loop around the Marilla Reservoir with a wooden covered bridge to over 96 miles of the North Country Trail as it winds through the Allegheny National Forest. After a day on the trails, kick back and relax as you throw in a fishing line from the side of your kayak as you float in the Allegheny Reservoir, Willow Bay, or Marilla Reservoir. Then, spend the night under the Milky Way when you camp at one of the forest's 15 campgrounds. Enjoy cross-country skiing, ice skating, and snowshoeing during the winter.
Fall foliage in the Allegheny National Forest is unforgettable, as the hillsides and forest canopies blaze with brilliant orange, sparking gold, and rich crimson. In the upper elevations of the Alleghenies, prime "leaf peeping" is the last two weeks of September and the first two weeks in October. Take in the beauty of the fall foliage display in the ANF while cruising the Longhouse National Scenic Byway, named one of the top six fall foliage drives in the United States and the most scenic byway in Pennsylvania.
As wintertime descends, the forests of McKean County transform into a snowy wonderland, welcoming snow sports enthusiasts with outdoor winter activities, such as cross-country skiing in the Westline Cross-Country Ski Area, snowshoeing on the Morrison Hiking Trail, ice fishing at the Allegheny Reservoir, and snowmobiling the Allegheny Snowmobile Loop.
Whether visiting the Allegheny National Forest region to reconnect with nature, cruise the scenic byways for its breathtaking views, or to see the spectacular attractions the region's unique heritage has to offer, this year-round destination is ideal for making memories.
View the online travel guide and map to learn more about exciting things to do in the Allegheny National Forest region.


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Tom Herman had his final media availability until the Orange and White Spring Game this Saturday and spoke about depth at RB, QB, and checking hydration levels.
Opening statement: Couple injuries of note from the [scrimmage]. Kyle Porter, slight ankle sprain but, being cautious with him, probably not going to participate in Thursday or the spring game, which is ok. He's still got a lot of work to do, but the guy has given us everything he's got for 12 practices. Impressed by his effort and durability. Andrew Beck reinjured his foot. Not quite sure yet in terms of the severity of it. We're going to send him to a foot specialist on Thursday and we should know more then. Davante Davis came down on his shoulder. Very minor first degree, I believe, separation of the shoulder. Non-surgical is going to be his thing for a couple weeks, but he won't participate either. Other than that, everybody should be good. We had a good day today.
My take: We've all heard how physical the practices are and I've gotten to see that first hand. Herman, RBs coach Stan Drayton, and offensive coordinator Tim Beck have seen Porter take advantage of the opportunity afforded to him this spring with Warren being injured. They like what they see, and since Porter's been playing with the ones he's received a good amount of contact in Herman's physical practices. Why play him when you know what you've got? Keep him healthy, and give Houston and Carter the chance for some snaps.
On RBs: With Toneil and Tristian, you hope, one, they can protect the ball. I don't know that there's been a full practice that those guys have gone through where the ball hasn't been on the ground by one, if not both of them. They're never going to play for us in a game if they can't protect the football. I thought it was great. We had Jerome Bettis come talk to our team last year. He specifically talked to the running backs and he said 'a running back's job description is to protect the football and protect the quarterback. Anything after that is gravy.' That's the philosophy that we take, too. If you can't protect the football, you're not going to see the field. If they can protect the football, get their assignments right, run hard with good pad level, I think that's a success considering one is really young and the other one is really, really young and should be a senior in high school.
My take: The two spring game starters, Tristian Houston and Toneil Carter, will have a lot of chances to prove what they can do to the fans and to the coaches. This is their chance to show, like Porter, what they can do when they have an opportunity.
On what he wants for people to see at the Orange-White Spring Game: Like most spring games that are televised, we'll be very vanilla. We don't want to give a whole lot away especially being a new staff. One of the positives of being a new staff is that you have that a little bit of an edge going into the first game, so it'll be a little bit vanilla. But you should still be able to see a defense that flies to the football, 11 hats to the football and is getting takeaways. You should see an offense that is hopefully, at least with the ones, very limited with penalties and has the ability to sustain drives but also makes plays.
My take: For me, this game will be the final goodbye to the veer and shoot from last year. It'll be good to see some different routes from the wide receivers.
On what he wants players to get out of the spring game: Concentration and focus to eliminate distractions and not worry about who's in the crowd or what the score is cause of the different scoring system that we'll have and all that, just worry about doing their job each and every play and being able to be 1-0 on every snap with those things happening around them.
My take: Just because the offensive and defensive play calls are vanilla doesn't mean the play has to be. Herman expects tough physical play with a swarming defense whether the team is in base or if they're blitzing. He wants to see how the team reacts in the thick of battle.
On the quarterbacks: My philosophy in a spring game, especially with walk ons that have been here a while and guys that have been here a while, you want to get them in the game for a few snaps so mom and dad can take pictures and we can get some action photos, and they can feel good about their hard work here. For the most part, the quarterback position, you'll see those two guys with probably Covey being the only one that gets a few reps here and there.
My take: Shane and Sam will get most of the reps because they need them more than whoever the third quarterback is right now.
On last Saturday's scrimmage: Much more physical that the Saturday before, we laid an egg with that department both offensively and defensively the Saturday before. So it was much more physical, and especially with the ones. The one offense and especially the one offensive line at least, you could have a semblance of a drive and they weren't missing assignments and getting blown by and having a bunch of tackles in the backfield. Probably the thing that sticks out to me on both sides of the ball is that our twos on both sides of the ball have got to get better, we've got to create more depth. There's only a handful of guys. You'd like to be able to have a true two-deep everywhere but the offensive line realistically. As we've talked about before, you go into a season trusting about seven, maybe eight, total offensive linemen. Beyond that, you'd like to have a true two-deep at every position. We're not quite there yet.
My take: Last season, we heard something along the lines of 'we finally have a two deep along the offensive line.' This season, we hear something strikingly different from that. Aside from the top 5, there are a lot of question marks on the OL in the second for Herman, as we've seen in some of the moving around there this spring.
On what position where the depth concerns him most: Corner probably would be the one off the top of my head. You've got three guys right now that you feel that you could play in a game.
My take: The three he is referring to are Boyd, D. Davis, and Hill. Cuffee has been running with the twos for most of spring. With D. Davis gone for the spring, who takes that backup corner spot?
On if he has an idea what type of team he has at this point: We have an idea, a decent idea. Training camp is about getting ready to go and win a game, game one, and so there's not been a whole lot of time for guys to earn their spot on the depth chart before training camp, and we've told them that. When we leave spring practice you'll sort of have a definitive pecking order of guys that we trust, guys that are on the cusp, guys that are probably a year away, and guys that probably aren't going to be there. You've had 15 practices to prove to us what kind of football player you are, if you're not there yet or at least making strides to get there then that's a good thing. But if you're not, then we've got to move on.
My take: On this, we can assume that whoever is out there first is there because they are 1) still healthy and 2) have been a top performer this spring. Herman's used spring not only to assess his team's play but assess the mental and physical drive of his players. Whoever is playing is out there because they've passed all marks.
On how impressed he's been with the progress of the defensive line through the spring: They've come out each and every day and done their job and tried to get better. You want to separate a guy, I have no problem because I do nearly every day in front of the team at practice, it's Poona Ford. If we can get 11 guys playing like Poona Ford on defense, look out, because if you're a defensive player on our team and you want to see the fanatical, championship effort that you need to play with snap in and snap out, then you need to look at number 95.
My take: We've heard less and less about Herman's DL this spring on the negative side and more and more about their positive impact. While several players still have some work to do on their bodies, I don't think Herman expected the effort he's gotten from that group. Ford continues to play with a fire and drive that he has to have at 5-11.
On Satellite camps: I think our plan is to have four here in Austin. We're having one I think May 28th, then two the first two weeks in June, then we'll have a Friday Night Lights camp in July. We'll have one in the Atlanta area, one in the Las Vegas area hoping to attract kids from both Phoenix and Los Angeles, we'll have one in the Florida coast area, and one in Southern Louisiana. The rule has changed to give you 10 throughout the month of June and July. We're not going to have 10 on our campus, it just waters them down. We're not going to waste them either. There's a lot of good players. Philosophically, for us, if we can sign an entire class of national championship caliber players that are from the state of Texas, we're going to do that. If you're going to sign three linebackers and the first two want to come to Texas and their good enough to win a national championship with, say the third one is good enough but he decides to go elsewhere for whatever reason, then the fourth or fifth one in the state of Texas isn't quite good enough in your opinion to win a national championship, then you've got to go find the best one in the country that is and has a reciprocated interest in the University of Texas. It's just a way for us to get a brand out there. We're not going to go out of the state unless it's an elite, elite national recruit that can come in and make a difference. We feel like those areas, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Louisiana, Atlanta and Florida, have some value to us because we're in the south. There's brand recognition there, and kids like the University of Texas in those areas.
My take: This is evidence of Herman understanding the resources he has behind the logo. His explanation also lines up with how he's been recruiting lately; offer the top kids in the state and also offer national elites. Herman is trying to make use of the Texas brand. It is nowhere near as strong as it was in recent years (like before 2009), but it is still a strong brand. Herman is going to attempt to go into populated areas to try and pull some prospects out of there, but the real good stuff here is in hitting Florida, California, and Louisiana.
On assessing the adjustment of the new Texas coaching staff: Good, because all but one of them we've worked together and that one comes from a system that runs very similarly to ours, Tim Beck, so there wasn't really much of an adjustment for us. And that's why I hired those guys, because they have a good way of doing things, can disseminate the culture to their position groups and do a hell of a job recruiting the state of Texas as well as developing their position group. They've done a fine job thus far.
My take: Alignment
On 10th assistant/recruiting calendar changes: 10th assistant I think is great, it's sorely overdue. The recruiting calendar, I like the early signing day in December, what I don't like is when they propose the official visits all the way through I think it's the third week in June. I think that's a lot of wear and tear on a coach or a coaching staff. I've got to juggle camps and official visits, a kid can come on an official visit but can't participate in a camp. There's a lot of juggling that goes along with that.
My take: We went over this tidbit more in the most recent Humidor. The 10th assistant is not blindsiding the coaches. Herman has probably been preparing for it to come out for a long time and as we mentioned in the Humidor, Texas has a good plan for that position.
On the urine/hydration chart: Every day. Every practice. We have a urine test every practice day. Today, to actually expand upon the attention to detail that's setting in, today was the first day actually, we read off the guys that are not hydrated and the guys that are, today was the first day we had 100%. The entire football team was hydrated before practice today, fully hydrated from a medical standpoint. Science tells you when you're hydrated, think of a steak, a steak is a muscle. A muscle of a cow, but still a muscle. When it's hydrated, it's very pliable and stretchy and all that. When it's dry, like beef jerky, you can tear it apart. You get more pulls, more muscle strains and all that when you're dehydrated. The brain is 75-80% water as well. Studies have shown that your concussion rate is higher too when you're dehydrated. Being hydrated around here is not something silly. It's something we take very, very seriously because it's a huge part of injury prevention.
My take: Herman is committed to making sure the smallest details are perfect in order to win.


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My rant:
Why is it that pack manufacturers almost never make a quality, silent pack in blaze orange? What's the use in having a silent camo pack that you have to slip an orange vest over to comply with the law of the land? I have an awesome camo one that I use for duck hunting, but the orange one I found a few years ago for deer hunting leaves much to be desired?


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