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Providing Psychological Assessments & Therapy Services to the Macarthur Area
Abuse & Trauma
The word trauma is taken from the Greek word for wound. When individuals face a frightening or life-threatening event, there can be an ongoing psychological impact.
Post-trauma symptoms may include:
- Sleeplessness
- Anxiety
- Being easily startled
- Poor concentration
- Frequent intrusive thoughts about the trauma
- Mood swings
- Loss of enjoyment in activities
- Social withdrawal
- Avoiding places associated with the trauma
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
These symptoms can settle naturally in the weeks following a trauma, as life gets back to normal. However for some people, these symptoms persist and have a significant impact on everyday life.
Traumas include incidences that occur on one occasion, such as being involved in a motor vehicle accident or being assaulted. Traumas also include long-term situations, and the word abuse is often referred to. Abuse can be physical, sexual, verbal or emotional. Abuse can occur within marital relationships, relationships with other family members, within the work place and amongst peers.
Both trauma and abuse can have significant impacts on a person's sense of self, sense of safety and their ability to function in the world. Individuals can benefit greatly from attending psychological therapy to speak about what they have experienced and address the ongoing impact of their traumas. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can be especially helpful in empowering individuals to manage their symptoms and move forward from their traumatic experiences.
Cognitive behavioural therapy for abuse and trauma deals with the physical, mental, emotional and behavioural impact of trauma. A psychologist can help you learn relaxation techniques to cope with the anxiety and emotional distress that often follows from trauma; as well as working with you to make sense of the trauma and develop techniques to reduce the distress associated with memories of the trauma. Treatment will often involve the opportunity to tell the story of your trauma in a supported, non-judgemental way.


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Kyocera 1890-5000V1500 VULCAN, Compression End Mill for Routing Composites
Used often in the automotive and aerospace industries, composite layer materials are dense and abrasive by nature and require unique tools like the Kyocera VULCAN Compression End Mill to create clean edges and surface finish. This compression end mill is designed with up cut and down cut flutes to compress the composite material preventing delamination. The spiral flute design creates a shearing action to cleanly cut the fibers. Utilizing a positive rake angle, the compression end mill.
Series: 1897 Coating: CVD Diamond Diameter: 1/2in End Type: Square Helix Angle (Degree): 30 Degrees Length of Cut (Decimal Inch): 1.86in Number of Flutes: 8 Flutes Shank: 1/2in Primary Workpiece Material: CFRP (Carbon Fiber), AFRP (Aramid Fiber), GFRP (Fiberglass) Secondary Workpiece Material: Carbon, Graphite, Plastic, Machinable Ceramic, Machinable Glass Inch

subset: commoncrawl


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"Are you serious?" Often, we ask this question when we learn of something unbelievable or too good to be true. It's meant to be asked rhetorically, but in light of recent tragedies in Charlottesville, Virginia, where violence ensued on a college campus with white nationalists chanting an anti-Semitic manifesto, it's a legitimate question to ask each other these days. Is this our world's definition of what it means to live out the truth?
Arguably, we're the generation that most desires truth. We seek intimacy, authenticity and transparency in our relationships. In our 20s and 30s, we especially commend these qualities – wisdom, honesty, loyalty and courage. But often, we're guilty of gossip, dishonesty, disloyalty and cowardliness. Over the years, I've identified some habits that have prevented others and myself from walking in truth, and I learned that these practices are signs of an insecure relationship with our parents and with God. Let's explore what Scripture has to say about manipulation, self-victimization, avoidance and fear of man.
My hope is to help identify areas in our lives Jesus wants to heal. And my prayer is that this generation will take ownership of what it means to stand for truth and not fall for lies.
What Truth Is
What is the Biblical definition of truth? In Psalm 119:160, it says truth is the sum of our Creator's word – it's Scripture. Through the Bible, we learn of how the Trinity upholds truth. In the Old Testament, God made covenants as a promise to do what He says He'll do. In the New Testament, Jesus not only affirms the sacredness of the law, but He also fulfills it. And in John 16, we read that the Holy Spirit "will guide you into all the truth."
1. Manipulation
When we abide in God's word, we know the truth. It sets us free from lies. Sometimes when we're weak in our flesh, we don't feed ourselves the word. Instead we believe in and tell half-truths. Manipulation is exactly that. We twist truth so it serves our interests.
Something I've learned in relationships with those I've come to trust is that we're all self-serving. Even a well-meaning desire to "speak truth" into a person's life could be coming from a place of pride, self-righteousness, bitterness, anger, selfishness and envy. When our heart goes unchecked, we become careless with our speech. The more we ignore instruction from the Word, the more we let our deceitful lips and untamed tongue slip.
If we're on the receiving end of half-truths, we're equipped to discern wisdom from foolishness. The Bible says wisdom that comes from heaven and is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Even if we believe we're alone in our pursuit of godly truth in relationships that seem irreconcilable, remember peacemakers who sow peace reap a harvest of righteousness (James 3:17-18).
2. Self-Victimization
Know anyone who thinks anything that happens is never his or her fault? We've all made the case for why we deserve empathy and a right to get our way. When we're unsuccessful in persuading someone to bend to our will, we forgo rational thinking. We make hasty generalizations that begin with extremities like "You always" or "You never." Other times, we put the onus on the other to fix the situation or relationship.
The book of James gives insight into how we should respond when we don't get what we want. He says we should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger because "human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." It's hard to not let ourselves get angry when we feel wronged or misunderstood, but there are mature, peaceful and Biblical ways to deal with it instead of pulling out the victim card.
Self-victimization often involves guilt tripping and blame shifting to uphold our version of the truth. I've seen in firsthand when I was a small group leader. One of the hardest jobs of a leader is pointing people to truth. The handful of times I mustered the courage to do so, my hearers were indignant. Either I lacked tact or they didn't want to hear it from me. Frankly, I'm not their mother or father. During these confrontations when people try to escape the conversation or deny responsibility, there's been hurt from their own parents. Either we were lectured about the same things or they never really corrected us.
What if the next time we're confronted or we confront someone, we learn to do so with love and let go of the deficit mentality that we're owed something or we owe someone something?
Let the blood of Jesus speak a better word. The truth is, Jesus was the ultimate "victim," but He refused to use the victim card to guilt trip humanity. On the cross, He pleaded with God to forgive the very people who crucified an innocent man.
3. Avoidance
If we don't know why a friend, family member or co-worker isn't receptive to hearing from us, it's not so much that they're avoiding us. They're probably avoiding their emotions because obviously there's been some hurt. Perhaps, they're not ready to face their own offenses. Depending on the situation, leave the door open for reconciliation.
If we're the person who just can't hear it from whoever upset or offended us, He is gracious and compassionate. In our desire to self-preserve and banish others from our presence, He will never leave us. And unlike our temperament, He is slow to anger and rich in love. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we become more like Him.
Though I'm no reconciliation expert, I've found that it's worth a try to extend an olive branch – whether through a written note, text message or call – and describe how I've been feeling, never putting people in the position of thinking they need to explain themselves to me.
Trying to talk to someone who clearly doesn't want to talk is toxic, so timing is crucial.
We'll know when it's the right time to engage because God will have softened the other person's heart. Don't be discouraged if it's taking awhile. He is doing a mighty work of healing in the person you're praying for. Be prepared for a miracle.
If we're the one who is avoiding or disengaging, it's helpful to first come before God and ask Him to search our hearts and reveal any offensive way in us. Even if we don't feel like responding to those who have offended us, know that we must answer to God. The hope is that when we confront our own restlessness, we realize we don't have to stew in our bitter, unsettled feelings. Instead, Jesus wants to heal our heart and make it whole.
RELATED: 5 Honest Questions that Helped Me Reclaim My Identity
4. Fear
You and I have an innate desire to be in securely attached relationships. But at an early age, our relationships with our earliest attachments – parents or guardians – may have been insecure. These experiences affect our ability to trust and put confidence in others.
Let me explain. Growing up with parents who weren't committed to their marriage, I didn't see many examples of secure relationships. I thought to myself the best way to minimize potential damage in relationships is to never offend anyone and to do exactly what I'm told. For that reason, I kept superficial relationships with people, even family.
Interestingly enough, my fear of man and desire to people please also led me to make hasty commitments and empty promises that I later regret. I understood what Proverbs 20:25 meant when the Psalmist said an impulsive vow is a trap. We'll wish we could get out of them. And it's so true. We face the repercussions of broken commitments. But by God's grace, we stand unashamed and ready to recommit to honoring His word of truth.
Our generation lacks commitment to the truth. But that's a call for believers to seek truth and walk in the counsel of wisdom through His word. Each time we boldly approach His throne of grace, we're securely met with His love and empowered to live out the truth. Do you walk closely with godly men and women who are growing a mature relationship with Christ? What relationships are and aren't serving your commitment to the truth?


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World Media
Search for Italy avalanche survivors makes headway; Migrants pitch in
Local authorities said a wind turbine would be dispatched in the evening but the hotel was hit by an avalanche at around 4:30pm, just two hours after another quake hit the area. "They are physically fine, they suffered only mild hypothermia but psychologically they have been through an ordeal", said Tullio Spino, a doctor at the Pescar hospital where the boys were recovering.
World Media
Many Feared Dead After an Avalanche Strikes a Hotel in Italy
Rescue workers were not able to reach the area until the early hours of Thursday because of the poor weather conditions. Four earthquakes struck central Italy on Wednesday, causing tremors overnight amid a snowstorm. Rescuers shovel their way in the avalanche area following the avalanche in Farindola, Italy , Jan. 19, 2017. Parete, whose wife and two children remain among the missing, was taken to a hospital while Salzetta stayed behind with rescuers to help identify where guests might be ...
World Media
North Korea's nuclear pace 'unprecedented'
The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system is to protect South Korea from the North's nuclear and ballistic threats, Washington and Seoul said. South Korea's acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn said on Monday, (23 January) that the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system can not be delayed in the wake of a North Korean nuclear missile threat.
World Media
Gladys Berejiklian will replace Mike Baird as NSW Premier
In the 10-minute meeting that saw her election, Finance Minister Dominic Perrottet was also voted as deputy party leader. The Property Council said Ms Berejiklian needed to focus on three priorities, which were, strangely enough, the three priorities later outlined in her first press conference: housing affordability, economic growth and infrastructure delivery.
World Media
USA military denies coordinating Syria air strikes with
Spicer said Trump would only be open to military partnerships with countries that have "America's interest". The Russian Defense Ministry said Monday that Russian forces conducted an airstrike against ISIS in Syria using coordinates provided by the United States and transmitted through a hotline in the global coalition headquarters.
World Media
China facing pressure on trade and geopolitics with Donald Trump in power
Previous U.S. Presidents, including Barack Obama , invited Taiwanese representatives to attend with little pushback from China. And neither does the leadership in Beijing. China is a key driver of the global economy and a growth slowdown is a major concern for investors around the world. "Looking at the economic forces out there both globally and domestically, I think that China will face a few headwinds".


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Tiernan, Sonja (2009) "It Should Not be so Easy to Construct a Man:" A History of Female to Male Transsexuality in the Journal Urania. In: Sapphists and sexologists. Histories of sexualities (2). Cambridge Scholars, Newcastle Upon Tyne, pp. 56-70. ISBN 9781443801331Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)
Official URL: http://www.c-s-p.org/Flyers/Sapphists-and-Sexologi...
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|Book Section
|H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
|Faculty / Department:
|Faculty of Arts & Humanities > History and Politics
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|Date Deposited:
|01 Aug 2013 11:15
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And that strategy fails almost before it even begins, because Darling Sammy's sporting his Sunday Go-To-Meetin' coif and his shoulders are working his own goddamned dark overcoat to death, so let's just stick to the facts, shall we? The store's manager exposits for Sam's benefit, "Helena was our head buyer -- she was family, you know? She said it herself, every year at the Christmas party, she said we were the only family she had." "So there were never any signs she'd do something like this?" Sam leads. The manager confirms that and adds that he can't believe it even now before finally revealing what "it" is. On the night in question, Helena returned to the store after closing and cleared out all of the display cases, as well as the safe. When the store's veteran and aged night watchman caught her in the act, Helena somehow stripped him of his gun and shot him in the face. "And why were we not witness to that?!" Raoul shrieks, feeling cheated. "We haven't seen anybody getting shot in the face in months on this show, and even then it was only a zombie!" I sympathize with your disappointment, Raoul, but please. There's exposition I must attend to, here. "Fine!" Raoul harrumphs. "But let the record show that I am not happy with this development!" Gotcha. In any event, Sam asks for a possible motive, eliciting a perplexed, "What motive?" from the store's manager. "It makes no sense," he elaborates. "Why steal all those diamonds -- all that jewelry -- and then, what? Just dump it somewhere? Just hide it, and then go home and..."
"...she killed herself?" Dean eyebrows at the brunette back in their section of the shop. "Well, the cops said she dropped the hairdryer into the bathtub and fried herself," the brunette gossips, far less concerned over her coworkers' untimely and violent deaths than her boss is. "They should know, right?" "And we'd know as well, if the heartless miscreants responsible for this show had actually allowed us to see it!" Raoul! Exposition! Now! "Pffft!" Raoul snorts, two perfectly round rings of smoke bursting from his nostrils, currently flared with righteous indignation. Oh, now, stop it. We'll get to the good part soon, okay? Just, I don't know, go back to filing your claws, or maybe work on that sweater you've been knitting for your husband Jack Bauer, or something. "Ooooh! Excellent idea! I'm having such a time recreating that delightful scene from the fifth season for the front of it -- you know, the one where my husband Jack Bauer presses a box cutter up against the terrified eye of the president's faithless Chief Of Staff!" Sounds fabulous, Raoul. Now may I continue? "By all means!"
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There are several ways to contact ThoughtSpot support.
You can contact ThoughtSpot by phone, mail, email, or by filing a support ticket.
File a support ticket
If you encounter a technical issue, file a support ticket using the Support Portal ticket filing system at:
Please provide as much detail as possible about your issue, to help us resolve it quickly.
You need a Support Portal login to file a ticket. If you do not have one, contact your ThoughtSpot liaison or email ThoughtSpot support using the details provided below.
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Phone numbers
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Watch "Used Goods" on Netflix Costa Rica
- Netflix Release:
- September 1 2019
- Actors:
- Mohamed Ragab, Ayten Amer, Hassan Abdulfattah
- Categories:
- Action Comedies, Middle Eastern Movies, Comedies
- Creator(s):
- Mohamed Hamdy
Netflix Countries:
Norway, India, Costa Rica, Canada, USA, Panama, Australia, Switzerland, Mexico, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, South Africa, Egypt, Thailand, Portugal, Bangladesh, Italy, Luxembourg, Austria, Russia, Germany, France, Netherlands, Finland, Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom, Brazil, Belgium, Hong Kong, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, Israel, Spain
How to watch Used Goods on Netflix Costa Rica!
"Used Goods" arrived on Netflix Costa Rica on September 1 2019, and is still available for streaming for Costa Rican Netflix users.
Interested in learning how to change your Netflix country so that you can watch what Netflix shows people in other countries? Did you know there are thousands of additional movies and shows you can unlock no matter where you live?Change your Netflix Country
We'll keep checking Netflix Costa Rica for Used Goods, and this page will be updated with any changes.
To evade greedy pharmaceutical crooks, a medical scientist disguises himself as a struggling salesman to protect his groundbreaking cancer research. Faux memory loss, flirty maids and Big Pharma. His quest for medical answers is riddled with ridiculous obstacles.Watch on Netflix
Mohamed Ragab, Ayten Amer, Hassan Abdulfattah
Thousands of people like you (in COSTA RICA) use ExpressVPN to unlock Netflix!
No matter where you live, Netflix isn't showing you their entire collection (due to country-specific licensing arrangements). But with a few simple steps you can get access to thousands of extra Blockbuster Movies and great TV Shows!
- Create your ExpressVPN account
- Install the app on your phone/computer/tablet
- Change your country and watch International Netflix!


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ANNA is a publisher and digital agency and has been working with premium brands for over 12 years. We publish primarily in food, travel and wellness. Our main primary platform is We produce daily content and a weekly newsletter. We work with advertising and website clients on the agency side. Our head office is in Toronto Canada.
We require a highly skilled Editorial Assistant. Hours to be discussed. 7 hours per day. Weekly pay.
-High standard of excellence and impeccable attention to detail.
-Excellent proofreader.
-Self starter.
-Bright, interested.
-Team player but works well independently.
-Must be familiar with digital publishing.
-Good understanding of SEO.
-Knowledge of Canva online design program.
-Social media savy, in depth knowledge of Instagram, Twittter, Facebook, LinkedIn.
-Mailchimp newsletter knowledge.
-Google, Instagram, Facebook advertising
Basically we are migrating 28 pdf magazines to a digital platform, and need someone which great attention to detail to manage this process. There are recipes and stories that need to be copied from PDF and pasted into backend of website.
Using canvas, resize jpg's, add copyright and organize in archives. This is done to facilitate uploading to recipe section on website.
Add recipes to website using pdf document to copy form and using ANNA brand guideline to upload and tag images, recipes, etc.
Images must be tagged and optimized for SEO.
Once this project is complete we will assess future responsibilities as they come up. EG, Social media scheduling, editorial calendar scheduling, social media marketing, copy writing, duties as they come up.


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Vintage Black Advertising PAIN FRANCAIS Ironstone Grocers Bread Tray
Brand Crown Devon
Hard to find French bread boat by Howard Kaplan.
Made from the original English moulds, these ironstone trays were first used in markets and grocery stores as counter top displays for bread, margarine, butter, lard, meats and cheese. Most were in use between the late 1800's and early 1900's. Today, what remains of these pieces are highly sought and collected and even reproductions like this are hard to come by, but of course at a fraction of the cost of the originals.
What a great piece to use for serving a loaf of bread or simply to display in your kitchen.
18-5/8" long
Stands 2-5/8" tall
about 5" wide
Condition: Good, minor crazing, scuffing on a couple of letters


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Matco has developed a state of art testing facility capable of pressure testing valves with the following capacity:
• Hydro testing up to 20,000 psi
• Gas testing up to 6,000 psi with portable blast proof wall
• Test flanges: ASME up 30 inches & API all sizes.
• CCTV camera & Recording Facility
The test bay is provided with 4 CCTV cameras. This allows the customer/inspector to witness the pressure testing from a safe location and record the complete testing for future reference.


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Author(s): Amanda Hocking
The second book in Amanda Hocking's Trylle TrilogyWendy thought she finally understood who she was and what she wanted, but everything changes when the rival Vittra come after her. She's caught between two worlds, torn between love and duty, and she must decide what life she is meant to lead.
Amanda Hocking is twenty-seven years old, lives in Minnesota and had never sold a single book before 15 April 2010. She will shortly sell her millionth. Her books have been a self-publishing phenomenon - according to the Observer, Amanda is 'the most spectacular example of an author striking gold through ebooks'. In her own words, Amanda is an 'Obsessive Tweeter. John Hughes mourner. Unicorn enthusiast. Red Bull addict. Muppets activist. Fraggin Aardvarks guitarist. Author of the USA Today bestselling books the Trylle Trilogy.'


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Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7, 2015) On the occasion of World Breastfeeding week being observed worldwide, MediMetry brings expert tips on nu...
On the occasion of World Breastfeeding week being observed worldwide, MediMetry brings expert tips on nursing basics and why breastfeeding is important for healthy growth of your baby.
The "World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)" has declared theme for this year's breastfeeding week to be: "Breastfeeding and Work: Let us make it Work"! This theme reiterates the importance of breastfeeding by putting additional importance on work-life balance for a new mom!
It is recommended by doctors all around the world that you should breastfeed your baby for atleast first 6 months, helping your baby build a strong base for healthy living. Let us look at some advantages of breastfeeding:
In addition to the above listed factors, nursing helps build a strong emotional bond too between the mother and the child.
The immunity factor
Nursing is beneficial for the mother too, how? Let's explore:
All said and done, breastfeeding is indeed a beneficial activity for the infant and the mother. Full support should be provided for helping the mother in doing so; but the mother's should also be careful and should consult their doctors before starting breastfeed. If you are suffering from HIV or tuberculosis, your doctor would certainly recommend against it to avoid transferring the infection. If you are facing trouble with nursing, you should certainly get in touch with the lactation consultant.
Wishing new mothers and prospective mothers a happy world breastfeeding week! Let us share the benefits of nursing and spread the word!
Mastitis is an infection of breast tissue that results in enlargement, lumpiness, swelling and pain in the affected breast. The pain can be so severe that affec...
Mastitis is an infection of breast tissue that results in enlargement, lumpiness, swelling and pain in the affected breast. The pain can be so severe that affected breast becomes red and hardened. Mastitis, if untreated can lead to problems like abscess and may need to be surgically removed or drained, and require stopping of breastfeeding all together. This condition is often accompanied by a fever and malaise.
Natural Remedies for Mastitis
Eager to get back into shape after having a baby and lose pregnancy pouch ? After a pregnancy of long nine months and tough delivery, your body needs time to re...
Eager to get back into shape after having a baby and lose pregnancy pouch ?
After a pregnancy of long nine months and tough delivery, your body needs time to recover. Your doctor won't suggest you until your six-week postpartum checkups are done. Give yourself some time before you start watching you're actively trying to slim down. These activities will include – a healthy diet, breastfeed, working out with your baby, meditation and cardio. For long term success and to keep you feel good along the way; we are running down a series of articles to help you lose and stay slim! Let's start with eating smart!
Since your body needs abundant rest and nutrition to recover from delivery and labor, to fend off infection and to feed your baby, you shouldn't start dieting until you are permitted by your doctor. Make sure you're still consuming enough calories if you are breastfeeding otherwise your body will stop producing milk. Even if you're not nursing, crash dieting can slow down your metabolism, making it tough to lose pounds in the long run.
Regardless of a particular diet plan, follow below tips for weight loss postpartum:
Check your Portions and Have a Balanced Diet. Take small meals and only when you are hungry. You need to have a balanced diet fulfilling all your daily nutrient requirements. Your diet must comprise adequate amount of carbohydrates, proteins, the necessary fatty acids and fibers. Meal should include seasonal fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy foodstuffs, fish, lean meat and omega acids. Whole grains, cereals and nuts are full of proteins and good fats. Consider, you need to eat healthy, but not much. The food you eat will provide nutrition to your child through breastfeed.
Nutritive snacks. No junk and fast food. Have some fruits, a fruit drink, oat cookies, nuts or soaked grams for munching.
Boost up your water intake. Ten to twelve glasses of water per day will help you to cut down on weight effectively. Further add lemon or squeeze in the seasonal fruit juice. Avoid adding salt as salt leads to water retention in body.
Avoid Packed 'Non-Fat' or 'Low-Fat' Food. These packaged items are loaded with high calories.
Do not start dieting strictly. If you can exercise with a healthy diet, it will further help you weight loss.
MediMetry brings you this special series of blogs specifically written for new moms who are keen to lose weight. Watch this space for expert views on:
Cardio and weight loss training for postpartum weight
Focus on leading a healthy lifestyle and not a wean lifestyle. Post pregnancy your body needs maximum care, focus on you and your baby's well being. Share this informative article with friends!
Breastfeeding is essential for mothers and their babies for numerous reasons. Breastfeed provide nourishment and help protect your baby from sickness, by develo...
Breastfeeding is essential for mothers and their babies for numerous reasons. Breastfeed provide nourishment and help protect your baby from sickness, by developing immunity. Also it is your body's way to lose pregnancy weight. Breastfeeding makes it easier to lose pregnancy weight because you are using extra calories to feed your infant. Mother who breastfeed for more than 3 months are likely to lose more weight than those who do not; while those mothers who continue breastfeeding even after 6 months may have higher chances to continue the weight loss. How much you need to lose depends on your existing weight, how dynamic you are, and whether you are breastfeeding or not!
Also read our blogs in the pregnancy weight loss series, Building Stroller Exercise Regime and Using Meditation and Yoga to lose weight.
If you are breastfeeding, you'll require more calories than if you are formula feeding your baby. It's about an extra 330 calories per day to produce milk. Though, these additional energy needs will be met from your body's existing fat stores, Breastfeeding can further help you to lose weight if you avoid consuming extra calories, while eating healthy and staying active. This may help you to keep your weight off in the long term.
While it's important to be cautious about your health it is also important not to set yourself unachievable goals. If you gained a lot of weight during your pregnancy, it will take longer to come off. So don't overstate yourself.
Combining breastfeeding with healthy eating and moderate exercise will be the most effective, as it will help you to lose fat instead of lean tissue. Are you finding breastfeeding challenging? Read More for answers to your troubles!
Watch this space for blog on Cardio & weight Training to lose that pregnancy pouch!
Share this blog with new moms!
It's natural to be eager to return to your pre-pregnancy shape after having a baby; but it is significant to give yourself enough time (about 6-8 weeks) to reco...
It's natural to be eager to return to your pre-pregnancy shape after having a baby; but it is significant to give yourself enough time (about 6-8 weeks) to recover before starting an exercise plan to lose that post pregnancy weight. It's better to start gently and see if anything hurts. Start slowly with low-impact, calorie-burning exercises like swimming, cycling or walking. Start with at least 30 minutes of workout, five or more day a week. Add duration and intensity as your strength and stamina improves.
Do confirm with your doctor before starting on your cardio & weight training regime.
Some helpful moves are listed here to help you-
Core Plank - Start with pushup position, turn your elbows to rest your weight on your forearms. Support your core. Forming a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. Hold for 20 seconds, rest for 20 seconds and repeat for 3 times.
Cardio - Play a DVD and warm up your body by marching, dancing or jogging in place. Do it about 3 minutes to get your heart pumping.
Side Plank - Lie on your right side with your legs straight. Prop up your chest on your right elbow and forearm. Steady yourself. Support your core and raise your hips until your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. Hold for 10 seconds, rest for 10-second. Repeat it 3 times, and then change side.
Strength-Training Circuit - Perform three exercises- Modified Pushups, Reverse Fly and Squats (10 repeats of each) back-to-back for 3 sets with just a 30-second break between each set.
Core - Lie face down and extend your arms in front of you, lifting your upper body as high as you can off the floor, and raising your legs. Hold for 10 seconds, and then lower slowly. Repeat 3 times.
Cardio - Put on some music .Mix it up by walking going up sideways and backward. You can climb up stairs also.
Club cardio with healthy eating for better results; Do not lose hope if your doctor says no to cardio and weight training exercise regime.
You can start with a simpler Stroller Exercise Regime and Yoga to prepare your body for a gradual weight loss!
Refer this article to a new mom struggling to lose weight!
Welcome to our blog series to help new moms lose that pregnancy pouch. We hope the blog on eating rightis indeed helping you! Here comes our next blog in the se...
Welcome to our blog series to help new moms lose that pregnancy pouch. We hope the blog on eating right is indeed helping you! Here comes our next blog in the series to help you work out with your baby!
Being a new mom, you are undoubtedly busy from morning to night with changing diapers, nursing baby or with other home stuffs; but that doesn't mean you can't do an effective workout to lose that pregnancy weight. There are some simple moves that will work for your body and you can do them along with your baby. But, start doing these exercises after six weeks of delivery (probably more if you had a Cesarean section), and only with your doctors consent.
Stroller coaster Exercise Regime. Start doing exercise with your baby using a stroller. While doing the stroller walk, you can connect with your baby well. Initially start with 26-minute stroller workout thrice a week with your comfortable pace. If you're a nursing mother, feed your baby before the workout so you won't have to stop in between.
Some points to be noted-
For beginner: Warm up for atleast 5 minutes. Start with a moderate pace with your shoulders back, spine straight and keeping stroller 6 to 10 inches away from your hips. The walking interval should be 18 minutes. While ending, cool down for last 3 minutes. Slow down and walk at an easy pace.
For mediocre: After 6-8 days , your breathing will not be a challenge anymore ; comfortably increase your speed. Remember to cool down at the end.
For advanced: Now, you can increase the duration and frequency of your stroller workouts. Never increase the duration, frequency and intensity at the same time.
Before practicing the above, judge your baby's age and physical development.
0 to 6 months old infants don't develop good head and neck control. Use a stroller that reclines fully so your baby can lie flat on her/his back.
6 months plus infants are able to sit up and have good neck control to withstand the bouncy ride of a workout in a jogging stroller.
Watch out for our other blogs in the series and easily lose that pregnancy weight!
Cardio and weight lose training
Share this informative blog and spread the awareness about fitness amongst new moms!
"Birth is not only about making babies. It's about redeveloping mothers". Motherhood is no doubt a fulfilling phase of a woman's life associated with emotions ...
"Birth is not only about making babies. It's about redeveloping mothers".
Motherhood is no doubt a fulfilling phase of a woman's life associated with emotions and stress. It is a sudden 360-degree change and some fall trap to depression postpartum. Try meditation, it will relieve you from stress you may have related to your changing body and playing a new role of a new mom. Meditation is an important principle of yoga. Initially, start out simply by focusing on your breath.
Also read our blogs in the pregnancy weight loss series, Eating Right and Stroller Exercise Regime.
Yoga and meditation makes recovery quicker
Yoga and meditation can play a major role in relaxing your mind and helping you build an internal calm irrespective of whether you had vaginal delivery or a C-section delivery. Yoga helps you balance your old and new life. It supports in managing emotions you are experiencing and develops strength to take care of yourself along with your baby. Doctors will advise you to avoid yoga postures for the first six months after delivery. But you can begin with meditation and pranayama once you are comfortable to sit in the required posture. Gradually when your body is ready for next level of exercises, you can practice Sun Salutations, Padma Sadhana and Sudarshan Kriya just for 20 minutes whenever your baby is sleeping. All these practices through the day help you stay refreshed and energized.
Say bye to post-delivery weight gain with yoga
It's a tough time for you after pregnancy to deal with its after effects such as weight gain, sagging muscles, joint pain, fatigue, backache, hormonal imbalance, weakness and high blood pressure due to some deficiency. Meditate in a quite room, in a comfortable posture; focus your attention on your breaths. This will relieve you from any kind of stress. Practicing asanas in yoga (Padma Sadhana and Surya Namaskar) after six months will help you in effective lose weight.
For better results watch out for other articles in the weight loss series:
Cardio and weight lose training
Share this article and help new moms learn about importance of yoga & meditation.
Big day is approaching- Are you ready with your complete hospital bag for this big day? Sometimes in the hustle-bustle you might forget something important, it...
Big day is approaching- Are you ready with your complete hospital bag for this big day?
Sometimes in the hustle-bustle you might forget something important, it is ideal to keep the hospital bag ready well before time. Once you have completed your 34 weeks of pregnancy, start packing your maternity bag, so that you're ready to go as soon as your baby is ready to arrive. Prefer to pack two bags, one for you and your partner and another one for your coming baby.
Here are some suggestions for you to make a checklist and make sure you go through it before leaving the house for the hospital.
Besides these items, preferably leave your jewelry at home. Be calm and lastly, good luck for your day!
Share this quick checklist with someone expecting soon!
Very long content goes here


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On 17th May 2016, members of Britain's Future Board met for the very first time to take part in a roundtable discussion on productivity in the workplace.
Chaired by Paul Sykes, Senior Managing Director, Michael Page Marketing, the Board shared their views and advice on how to increase productivity to help career growth, the importance of aligning productivity with the customer experience, and what the workplace of the future might look like.
The roundtable discussion was attended by:
- Claire Canty, National Account Manager, Weetabix
- Panayiota Koshias, Accounts Team Manager, Nordens
- Stephanie Greenland, Global HR Project Manager, Sodexo
- Tracy Bolton, Outbound Telesales, Virgin Media
- Steve Hallam, Managing Director, Michael Page Scotland, Ireland, and Page Personnel UK
- Matt Gillen, Managing Director, Michael Page Sales, Retail and Fashion
- Owen Myers, Operating Director, Michael Page Finance
- Paul Sykes, Senior Managing Director, Michael Page Marketing
Watch the video for key insights from the discussion.
Could you be more productive? Compare your working day against the average UK office worker and find out how to be more productive with our interactive Productivity Unlocker.
For more insights from the roundtable click here to read the full discussion.


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Making Pastors Responsible
January 9, 2008
Should Christians support a church that supports abortion? Should Christians support murder? Should Christians support forced charity and slavery through high taxation?
I'm firmly believe that tithing for New Testament Christians is not biblical. I am also against to all forms of forced charity, that is, anytime money is taken from one person through taxation or any other means in order to give to it someone else who is deemed less fortunate .
Now, here is where this should upset pastors in particular. I'm going to start cutting back (perhaps altogether) my monetary donations to church if my pastor and those in leadership refuse to support presidential and local candidates who would not lower taxes or even better, abolish them altogether. A vote Romney, Obama, Huckabee, Clinto, Guiliani, Thompson or any of the others excepting Ron Paul will be considered a vote FOR taxation.
It's simple, if the government wasn't forcing me to give, then I would have more to give to those people and causes which I support.
Now, saying that pastors are not responsible for teaching the tenements of freedom is not acceptable. They absolutely are! Where do we suppose these freedoms we enjoyed in the past came from? They are all based on the principles espoused in the New Testament, which were taught by pastors at the beginning of the American Revolution.
The choice is simple. We need to make pastors responsible for what they are teaching and whom they are supporting. If they refuse to see reason and do the research than they are not deserving of their position. It all comes down to see this, if they don't see how taxation and forced charity is slavery, then how can they truly understand the freedom that Christ taught?
3 Responses to "Making Pastors Responsible"
January 9, 2008 at 7:55 pm
"I'm going to start cutting back (perhaps altogether) my monetary donations to church if my pastor and those in leadership refuse to support presidential and local candidates who would not lower taxes or even better, abolish them altogether."
Now, could/would this become "the people with the cash" controlling the mouth of the ox (pastor)?
June 19, 2008 at 2:02 am
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation 🙂 Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Leone.


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I first started using Accordance 8 in 2008 running it under emulation on a Windows machine. As a Windows person, I ended up using BibleWorks and Logos, but a couple years ago I made Accordance the required program for my Greek students at ULS where I teach. With Accordance 12, we had a full-featured, reasonably priced software tool that worked well on both Windows and Macs. We use Accordance's Greek and Hebrew Discoverer Collection which provides most everything a beginning Bible scholar needs.
With the just released Accordance 13, we have a more full-featured, reasonably priced software tool that works well on both Windows and Macs! Τhe upgrade pricing from version 12 to 13 is very reasonably priced as well. I would describe this as more of an incremental upgrade than a major overhaul, but there are some significant new features, and everything in 13 is easy to use for those familiar with 12. You will want to check Accordance's own description of what's new in version 13, but I want to highlight some new things that I think are especially noteworthy.
- User Interface: The program does look 'cleaner,' and there are some options for choosing a theme. There is even a dark mode available for macOS (with the options for Windows promised). The icons look fresher, and there is greater consistency in the location of buttons. (I am referring to open/close/maximize buttons, and it is a challenge trying to have consistency give the fundamental differences between the basic Mac and Windows interfaces.) While that is all good, I do find that the themes are all rather light pastels. I would like a theme with greater contrasts.
- Tutorials: This is an outstanding new feature. It's a great selling point for a new user to Accordance as well as for experienced users. In general, the way one learns how to use a software program is through trial and error, necessity, or, as a last resort, read the manual or watch a video. The tutorials, however, provide a task-based approach to learning which I believe is more helpful. There are 75 interactive tutorials organized by skill and topics. They range from basic guides to opening books and doing basic searches to advanced work in using specialized commands like MERGE and TEXT with Hebrew and Greek texts. The "Getting Started with Accordance" module is still available, and it has an excellent and well-organized collection of training videos, but I suspect most people will enjoy and profit more from using the step-by-step, interactive tutorials.
- Live Highlighting: This is a feature I anticipate using when I am teaching and using Accordance. Using the Pen tool, if you draw on the text something approximating an oval, circle, rectangle, line, curve, or line with an arrowhead, the program will automatically convert your drawing into the proper shape. You can use the Eraser tool to remove your markup. Even more useful for me is the Whiteboard feature. It basically 'freezes' the screen and allows you to draw anywhere on the whole screen. It's easy to 'erase' the screen. This will be a helpful teaching tool.
- Cross-Highlighting for Hebrew - LXX - (Tagged) English texts: This is
an incredibly helpful feature when working with OT texts. Hovering over
a word in the Hebrew or LXX or any tagged English text (e.g., NRSV, ESV,
JPS, KJV, NET 2nd edition just released, NIV) highlights the word in the
other two versions. It makes it easy to track where you are and make
comparisons. (I don't know whether it would ever be possible, but the
next step is to get a tagged version of the New English Translation of
the Septuagint.)
|An example of running the TEXT command searching for all the ways the NIV and NRSV translate any Greek words related to the δικη root.
- For example (and one I hope to post about here soon) is to conduct a search in the NRSV of all the times that it translates a Greek word based on the Greek root δικη. (To do so, I would be working with the NRSV as my display text and do a Words search with [GNT28-T +δικη] in the command line.) The reason why something like this is helpful is because it is one way of establishing the lexical range of a word. E.g., δικαιόω is translated variously in the NRSV with "acquitted, free/d, justice, justify/fies/fied, vindicated.
- As another example, I can search for all the ways the Hebrew word חֶסֶד is translated in the LXX. Something similar can be done using the MT-LXX Parallel resource, but using the TEXT command highlights all the instances in the LXX text.
- Or, I can search all the instances in the NRSV where the word "faith" occurs within 3 words of either Jesus or Christ in the genitive. (Using: faith <WITHIN 3 Words> [GNT28-T =Ἰησοῦς@ [NOUN genitive] <OR> =Χριστός@ [NOUN genitive] ] )
- Or, with this command, I can conduct syntactical searches in an English version, since I can access the Greek behind the English. As an example, I can have highlighted in the NRSV all the times "God" is the object of a preposition using: [GNT28-T [PREPOSITION] <FOLLOWED BY> <WITHIN 3 Words> =θεός@ [COMPLEMENT] ]
- As I first stated, there look to be many ways to use the TEXT command.
|I had highlighted και εγενετο in NA28 and then used the AMPLIFY to CONSTRUCT to generate this search. As you can see, it would be a lot of work to construct that from scratch.
- The program works well on OS X and Windows. Purchasing the program allows you to get the iOS (iPhone/iPad) or Android apps with access to your resources. (I can confirm that the Android app runs very well.)
- The support is very good. Within the first two weeks, there have already been two minor updates to the initial 13 release.
- Accordance has become my primary software tool since I ask my students to use it, but I still use BibleWorks and Logos on a weekly basis depending on the task. I can make some comparisons:
- BibleWorks is no longer in business, sadly, but the program still runs fine. Neither Accordance nor Logos have the Word List or Verse List manager that I regularly used. BibleWorks had the best way to un/select search results and is the only one capable of generating multiple versions in customized formatting into a Word doc. On the other hand, BibleWorks was always a bit flaky on a Mac, and the interface was really one an old time DOS person could really like. Plus, they were never going to get iOS or Android apps out.
- In some ways, Accordance 13 is catching up to Logos 8. Logos has had the cross-highlighting for some time now. The interface is nothing special, but I'm quite happy with its functionality. Accordance has an advantage with its new live highlighting, but Logos has the useful Canvas tool for presenting information. Logos' Bible Word Study feature is one I use regularly and it is quite thorough. I find Accordance's Construct searches to be easier to use than Logos' advanced searches, but for most search functions, the ability to view, sort, and organize search results in Logos is extremely powerful. I like the new Tutorials in Accordance, but Logos offers Workflows to customize walking through a text study. So why don't I require Logos for my students? To be honest, it would cost my students hundreds more to get what is enough for their needs in Logos as compared to Accordance. Both have a wide and different selection of more advanced books and resources to add to their basic collections, and so for myself, I use both programs.


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Summer time is filled with fun, and when most paint the image of summer in their imagination, it usually includes a beach and some sun. With all the fun to be had, and memories to be made with the ones we care about, men with big feet and or guys who wear wide shoes, face a challenge not shared by the masses.
If you can remember the last time you hit the beach, or showered off before taking a dip in the pool, you probably never thought twice about how convenient it was to just slip into your sandals or water shoes and proceed to another fun day in the sun. For the men of the world with wide feet and sizes 13+ however, our last memory of such an experience dates back to when we were about 13 years old. Most of us with with extra large feet find that our shoe size matches our age until our mid to late teens, and this is where our challenge begins.
I wear size 16 Wide and until I had access to large water shoes from XL Feet, I was the guy who generally felt left out as I watched all my friends snorkel in the ocean. I had the opportunity to join them, but not without exposing my bare feet to jagged rocks and sea urchins.
Most think it's so simple and hardly worth making a fuss about, but water shoes are yet another item where access is a challenge for those with big feet. At least for the summer of 2014 XLfeet does not make XL Water Shoes, but makes XL Water Shoes available. The most popular big mens water shoes are The Keen Newports
Keen Newport Extra Large Sandals
This makes for a seamless rubber toe that will not separate the way the cheap imitations do. Keen also understands the real shape of a foot, and they have made their toe boxes wider, more roomy, and rounded to accommodate the actual shape of a foot.
As a guy who fluctuates between size 16 EE and EEE, I can vouch for the wide fit of Keen Water Shoes. Many of the men who have ventured into XL Feet's shoe store in the Minneapolis St Paul Twin City Area, find Keen to comfortably fit feet wide to EEE in medium/regular width. Guys with 4E ad 5E wide usually just go up to the next size.
If this isn't enough these water shoes can go in the washing machine too. We just recommend air drying them though instead of subjecting them to the abuse of the dryer.


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I counted it up the other day. So far I have spent FORTY-TWO months of my life nursing children. That's forty-two months of cuddles, forty-two months of instant comfort and connection, forty-two months of never wearing a dress. (At least for more than a few hours.)
There are so many benefits to nursing- the endorphins for mommy, the uterus-shrinking and magical oxytocin post-birth, the connection between mommy and child, the…weight loss…. 🙂 Not to mention the phenomenal nutritional benefits to the child, eating a food created JUST for them. Then there's the immune system boost. Oh the cost- can't beat free!
I never intended to nurse my first baby for a "long time." It just happened. And it's happened again with my second, which I love. I'd be OK if she decided it was time to wean (and I know we're in that process right now, it won't be much longer I don't think.) I've been so blessed, being able to be home with my girls- with no judgement intended on anyone who uses formula, I'm so grateful my kids have never tasted it. In fact, they've never even had a bottle!
Filed under: Children |


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Main Content
1.5 Years (Yearling)
Yearlings and older deer will have 6 cheek teeth. Yearlings can be identified by looking at the replacement of the temporary tricuspid third tooth with a permanent bicuspid tooth. A yearling can be identified by one of any three possibilities:
1) The third tooth is tricuspid (3 ridges on the side) and heavily worn. This is the milk premolar that has yet to be replaced by the permanent tooth that will be bicuspid (two ridges on the side);
2) The permanent third tooth is erupting from the gum line and is lower than the other cheek teeth;
3) Or, the permanent third tooth is bicuspid (two ridges on the side), but lacks tartar or staining and is whiter than the adjacent molar. All of the crests on the last three teeth (molars) will have very little wear.


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New Chair elected
David Dent was elected the new Chair of the Chamber of Commerce at the recent AGM held on 7th march at College Farm Thompson.
David trained as an agricultural scientist, has invented technologies, established companies and commercialized a range of products including a herbicide adjuvant, a biopesticide for locust control, a diagnostic kit for airline fuel fungus and Founded the company Azotic Technologies Ltd that has commercialised a natural nitrogen-fixing bacteria that substitutes for nitrogen fertilizer.
A former MD of an intergovernmental UN-level organization (CABI Bioscience), David has a wealth of experience managing international science-based and commercial projects, establishing, raising funds for, and working in spin-out companies, as well advising governments and business on science, technology and innovation.
Inventor of the rounding-up of card payment transactions for charity and Founder of the Pennies Foundation which generates around £1 million annually for UK charities, David is Chair of two Government Grant Committees, a visiting Professor at the University of Surrey Business School, a Special Advisor to the UK's Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, and through his consultancy company Dent Associates Ltd has recently been appointed as the Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence at UEA.


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BioLite Headlamp 330
Experience top-tier performance with a fit unlike any headlamp you've experienced thanks to our proprietary 3D SlimFit Construction. With a front profile of only 9mm and weighing only 69g, the headlamp sits flush on the forehead without worry of bounce or slippage. Moisture-wicking fabric keeps you cool and dry for any activity and the rechargeable battery means you can leave the alkalines behind.
- Max Output 330 Lumens
- Red Night Vision Included
- Adjustable Front Panel
- 40 hours on LO, 3.5 Hours on HIGH
- Recharge Via Micro USB
- Available in 4 Colors
Outside Magazine
HeadLamp 330 – Fall Running Essentials
"HeadLamp 330 is poised to change the way we think about headlamps. Designed for movement, with a sleek profile and snug fit, the HeadLamp enables you to run fast without struggling to mitigate headlamp bounce but doesn't strangle your forehead. Its reasonable price, 330-lumen output, and USB rechargeability make it an all-around great purchase."
Business Insider
17 Running Accessories To Make Runs More Enjoyable
"Running comfort, for me, means running with peace of mind. I used to wear a basic, flashing LED that clipped onto my shirt, but since testing BioLite's rechargeable Headlamp 330 for a review, I've incorporated it into my workout. It is super-bright for illuminating the road in front of me, but I usually use the strobe function so that I don't blind drivers. BioLite engineered it to fit comfortably on the head for lost-lasting wear, and the elastic won't smell even if you sweat profusely."
Gear Chase
"Trail runners will love this headlamp that shifts the weight of the battery to the rear of the head strap and more evenly balance when running. Runners will also like the SlimFit fabric that runs across the front of the headlamp, it's soft and acts as a sweatband when worn against the forehead."
Adventure Journal
"BioLite's 330 Headlamp is Light, Bright, and Darn Near Perfect. This headlamp is comfortable. The most comfortable I've ever worn. Built with something called "3D SlimFit Construction," the very thin, very light lamp wraps nicely around your head with a moisture-wicking headband. It stays there. Running, mountain biking, nordic skiing, jumping up and down to try to make it slide onto my face—I've tried all of that and it just stays put."
- Is it really as comfortable as everyone is saying?
- Is it adjustable? Does it fit kids?
- What is the color temperature of the light?
- Does the HeadLamp 330 tilt?
- Is HeadLamp 330 Weatherproof?
- How do I clean the HeadLamp 330?
- Does the HeadLamp 330 accept pass-thru charging?
- How long does it take to recharge HeadLamp 330?
Try it for yourself! With our HolyFit Guarantee, you can put HeadLamp 330 to the test for yourself for 30 days – if you don't fall in love, we'll take it back.
Yes, the headlamp is easily adjustable by pulling away or towards your ears with the clips on the back. And yes, it fit kids!
Yes, the front panel can articulate up and down easily with one hand
HeadLamp is rated IPX4 which means it can be used in rain but we would not recommend extended use in a downpour. Do not submerge.
The headband of HeadLamp can be hand-washed with a mild detergent or dishsoap and water. We recommend dampening a sponge and wiping down the inside of the band.
Yes (translation: you can use the HeadLamp while it is being charged – comes in handy for more mobile charging, like with a powerbank on a hike)
HeadLamp charges to full in approximately 2.5 hours. Note that it DOES accept pass-thru charging, so you can use it while it is being charged.


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Following up my recent, very popular post on this subject (which you can find here) is this guest post and slightly different perspective and list from fellow SC music critic Baker Maultsby:
25 top Southeast college, alternative, indie – just good – songs from the 1980s
This project started as a discussion on Facebook about a couple recent 1980s "Best Of" music lists, including one on the popular and influential Pitchfork.com. The lists almost completely ignored the alternative rock scene of the Southeast. Yes, REM made the cut. Of course. But these writers didn't appreciate Jason and the Scorchers? How about Let's Active? The dbs? Evidently, they couldn't include a song by any of these or other great Southern groups – needed space on the list for another Prince song or morose track by some British art-rockers (with all due respect here…).
It was Columbia, SC-based music writer Kevin Oliver's idea to put together an all-Southeast 1980s list. My pal Harris King, a real alternative music aficionado who turned me on to much of the music that I love, signed on and came up with his own list. Mine is the last installment.
There is some overlap here with Harris and Kevin's lists, but enough differences, I hope, to keep things interesting. And it's obviously subjective. Actually, I don't really know how one should rank a song as the 22nd best and then another as the 23rd best. Kind of silly, in a way. And I'm sure that I'm missing some plenty of good stuff – dang, I'll probably think of something obvious tomorrow that I should've included. And I have uncertainties: The Silos were maybe the best band of the entire 1980s, and they had a major Gainesville, FL connection – but I think they were mainly based out of New York. What about Lucinda Williams? She doesn't exactly fit the alternative/college rock mold – and, anyway, was she living in LA when she recorded "I Just Wanted to See You So Bad"? It's a little maddening.
Anyway, here's a list of songs I like:
25. "Mammaw Drives the Bus" – Government Cheese. First of all, if you have any interest in the live music scene of the Southeast during the 1980s, I cannot recommend strongly enough "The Cheese Chronicles," a memoir written by Government Cheese guitarist and songwriter Tommy Womack. It's a funny, smart, and sometimes harrowing look back at beer-soaked fraternity parties, raunchy bars, sketchy agents, late-night motel rooms, and the insane commitment it takes for a band to achieve even modest commercial success. As Womack explains it, his band was hardworking but not very good for much of its run….until, after so many gigs and much effort put into songwriting, they actually became pretty legitimate. They even got on MTV. This one here is a quality rocker, for sure:
24. "Southside Girl" – Arrogance. This group dates back to the early 70s and attracted loyal fans well into the 80s. Band member Don Dixon earned acclaim for his work as a producer and for the quirky single "Praying Mantis." I like this tune:
23. "Marlene" – The Killer Whales. Perhaps South Carolina's most popular and influential original band in the 1980s, Charleston-based Killer Whales put together well-crafted, catchy tunes that reflected inspiration from New Wave favorites such as Talking Heads and Elvis Costello. The band made a run at the big-time, even appearing on TV's "Star Search." Here's one of their most excellent tunes.
22. "My Girl Mary Anne" – The Spongetones. Likely the Carolinas' greatest-ever Merseybeat stylists. Yes, this single is pretty derivative. It's also really good (and really Beatlesque).
21. "Hat's Off" – The Connells. OK, I kind of disliked the Connells back in college. Their sound was rather mopey and melodramatic to me – and, yet, they were outrageously popular among preppy frat guys (I was in a fraternity in college – maybe not as preppy as some and, anyway, not hip to the Connells). But, maybe I was let my prejudices get in the way a bit. I'm still not fully onboard, but I got to say this track is pretty darn compelling – and a good representation of the band's ability to craft songs that were smart and serious, but not too edgy to upset the pretty people of the South.
20. "Hard to Say No" – Foster and Lloyd. In terms of alternative music, I admit this might be a stretch: Foster and Lloyd had an actual presence on the country charts in the late 1980s. On the other hand, their sound was groundbreaking, incorporating tasty rock and pop influences. Moreover, Bill Lloyd, who sings lead here, was and is and a top-notch pop guitarist and tunesmith. And, finally, my pal Peter Cooper and I listened to this record a whole lot during our freshman year in college, so it hits a nostalgic nerve for me:
19. "Jenny Says" – Dash Rip Rock. New Orleans-based Dash Rip Rock might be the quintessential party band. Songs: not particularly deep, and might not hold up so well on record (that's my take at least). But I saw them once live, and it was just outstanding all the way around. Fun!
This one goes back to the line-up that included drummer Fred LeBlanc, who went on to found Cowboy Mouth (my general take on Cowboy Mouth is about the same as DRR). Cowboy Mouth has recorded Jenny Says," too, and it's a big hit at their concerts. Seems there are a quite a few folks in or approaching middle age who think "Jenny Says" is about as cool as song as they can imagine. It ain't that good, in my opinion. But, it is good – really good. Very catchy and sing-a-long-able, which isn't easy to pull off. And a song that can be smash for two different bands over multiple decades deserves some respect. "Jenny Says" is a winner. Now that I think of it, just to show the excitement "Jenny Says" continues to generate with live audiences, I'll link to this Cowboy Mouth concert video:
18. "What's He Got?" – The Producers. I think this band might have played Spring Weekend at Wofford College when I was a freshman in the late 1980s. Or maybe they were over at Converse. Anyway, it was past their commercial peak, but the band's name was vaguely familiar to me, probably because I'd almost certainly heard this slice of near-perfect 80s pop at parties or blaring from someone's dorm room or station wagon cassette deck. Maybe my older brother had the record when I was in junior high. I can't quite put it with a time and place, but I'm guessing that most all of us who grew up in the South during the era have at least some vague awareness of this regional hit. Very good song:
17 "Battleship Chains" – Georgia Satellites. "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" was….well, what can you say? I've heard the song covered by the house band at the long-defunct Mickey's Silver Bullet bar in Spartanburg, SC. There you go. I guess I grew to pretty much hate the song, though when I saw Dan Baird play it at a tribute/fundraiser for the late Jason and the Scorchers' drummer Perry Baggs in Nashville a few years back, it was quite glorious. Still, I think "Battleship Chains" is probably the better song. And it's the kind of Stonesy, wide-open rock and roll that isn't as easy to get right as it might seem.
16. "Crazy Hazy Kisses" – Flat Duo Jets. Oh, how I love some rockabilly music. And Flat Duo Jets, out of North Carolina, got it right. Not slick or even technically "good," they were raw and rockin' and righteous. I've had a difficult time figuring out exactly when certain tracks of theirs were recorded. This might not actually be from the 80s. I'm not sure I care. It's terrific:
15. "Are You Insane?" – Popular Mechanics. The impeccably cool Popular Mechanics, from Greenville, SC, soaked up loads of 60s garage rock and cranked out a number of really strong original tunes. I saw them play in Spartanburg a number of times, and I can honestly say that it changed my life. It's a tough choice here between this track and the flip side of the 45, "Quiet Girl." But with the driving beat of Jim "the Crusher" McNeely, Fitz Hamrick's intense vocals, and the groovy Farfisa work of rock hero Russ Morin (who passed away this fall), this track carries the day.
14. "Private Idaho"—The B-52s. This is the B-52s doing their thing: surfy guitars, trashy but spot-on vocals, fluky lyrics. Maybe I'm rating a little low because, well, it isn't quite "Rock Lobster" or something. Really good track, though:
13. "Do the Method" – The Method Actors. I admit: This project got me to googling 80s Southern music to find stuff I either had not known about before or that I just couldn't think of. This one is in the former category. I'm glad I found it. Really excellent New Wave tune here with terrific surfy guitars and nervy vocals.
12. "I Love A Girl Named Donna Epps" – Bad Boy Butch Batson. There were some pretty far out music characters roaming the Upstate of South Carolina in the 1980s: Jim "the Crusher" McNeely played drums in the Popular Mechanics while wearing a gas mask. With McNeely, former Accelerators bassist put together a duo called Homo Factory Workers that played pretty country-folk songs. Roy Moon, of the 70s-era genius Roy Moon and Sonny Focks tapes and Accelerators forerunner Moonpie, was about to emerge in the early 1990s with the excellent Tapered Hedz band and a batch of songs that included the funky "Schizophrenic Man." But arguably the strangest creative mind in the area was Bad Boy Butch Batson. Real name Earl, Bad Boy was reportedly a humble and rather shy fellow from a rural part of Greenville County who would carry around cassettes of himself singing/talking into a tape recorder. At least that how I recall the legend of Bad Boy Butch being explained to me. In any case, "I'm In Love with a Girl Named Donna Epps" presents Bad Boy Butch as a sincere amateur. The backing band is tight, pretty rockin,' really – but vocal lines start early, finish too early or too late, just sort of get out of whack; Bad Boy's sense of meter is reminiscent of the bizarre late 60s family/girl-group the Shaggs. But "Donna Epps" – allegedly about a real girl named Donna Epps – is full of awkward energy and frustrated longing. This is the red clay punk, outsider rock you've been waiting for. Bad Boy Butch was the real deal.
11. "Stop It" – Pylon. Pylon certainly looms large in the history of the Athens, GA music scene: The B-52s were supporters. REM covered one of their songs. I'm not a Pylon aficionado, by any means. And some of their music is a bit on the experimental side for my taste. There are definitely exceptions, but I tend to lean toward more traditional songwriting styles. Still, I appreciate the raw, gutsy approach here, and I can see why Pylon was such an influential band.
10. "I Know How it Feels to Love" – David Ezell. Spartanburg, SC native David Ezell is one of the Southeast's real musical treasures. He's a master song interpreter of everything from Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen to Motown and honky-tonk to the Beatles and Van Morrison, Ezell is also an outstanding songwriter. Sadly, he's one of those musicians whose songs have never received proper treatment in the studio, though he recorded a strong demo of the terrific rootsy pop song "I Know How it Feels to Love" while living in Nashville during the late 80s and early 90s. It's the top track at this link: https://www.reverbnation.com/davidezell
9. "Fool to Turn Back Now" – Matthew Knights. Matthew was a charged-up, punk-inspired teen sensation in Spartanburg, SC – home to the great but very non-punk rock Marshall Tucker Band – for a time during the 1980s. With industry interest and undeniable talent and charisma, he appeared poised for a real shot at commercial success. For a variety of reasons – and accounts vary somewhat – it never happened. But that has nothing to do with the guy's talent as a songswriter and rocker. This one is a powerhouse tune that was cut as a demo but unreleased in the 1980s and then appeared on an early 2000s recording project (I like the demo slightly better, but this is still excellent). Big and intense anthematic rock and roll. Great melody, with a real sing-a-long chorus. Matthew is absolutely a major talent, and unlike most on this list, he's written great songs in every decade since the 80s….no kidding.
8. "(Why You) Hang Up On Me" – The Accelerators. The Accelerators, with ties to the Greenville, SC area but based out of Raleigh, were and are one of my favorite bands. I got to see them as a teenager at the Spartanburg, SC club Dawggone. Really, really top-notch rock and rollers. This is the second track from their self-titled album, which got strong reviews in Rolling Stone and Billboard. It's a great example of lead songwriter and singer Gerald Duncan's economical approach to writing and rocking: a hard-driving foundation, but cool restraint and precise control. No YouTube of the song, but you can scroll down and hear it at this link: https://myspace.com/accelerators/music/songs
7 "Human Cannonball" – Webb Wilder. I was at an outdoor festival outside of Nashville a few years back, and an Americana band was finishing up on a stage across the field from where Webb Wilder and the Beatnecks were fixing to play. The band that was wrapping things up was good – laidback and melodic and pleasant. I think they had had a semi-hit in the late-90s among people were fans of the Jayhawks and Son Volt, etc. Good stuff. Anyway, former Derailers drummer Mark Horn was standing near me, waiting for Webb and company to get going, and he looked down the way at the group packing up and said to no one in particular, "Those guys are about to get a lesson in Rock and Roll."
That pretty much sums it up. For riff-heavy, rootsy rock and roll, Webb is the master. I saw a video once in which Webb (he's great on camera and has done some cool movie work) states, "You are what you eat, and we've eaten a lot of music." Indeed, the Mississippi native has absorbed Delta blues and rockabilly and country, as well as British Invasion pop and a nice dose of AC/DC and other nifty hard rock classics.
And this song – "Human Cannonball" – is Webb at his best. The stop-and-start hooks, the humorous lyrics, the impeccably tight band….it might not be possible to do Rock and Roll any better.
6. "Love is for Lovers" – The dBs. A brilliant quirky pop song by an influential but absurdly underrated North Carolina band.
5. "Katie" – Vulgar Boatmen. If this can be included, as part of the band in Gainesville, FL, though part in Indiana. A great song. Evocative lyrically, musically frail, but beautiful.
4. "Waters Part" – Let's Active. Brilliant melody and guitar work by influential North Carolina-based writer and producer Mitch Easter. Artsy as any of the "serious" New Wave stuff of the era, but with a homey Southern feel. Bonus: a favorite band of my old pal and current-day Athens musician Peter Alvanos.
3. "Harvest Moon" – Jason and the Scorchers. The Nashville-based Scorchers took classic country and merged it with the Ramones and Sex Pistols – instant greatness, more or less. But they wrote some really great songs, too. This one features a melody rooted in pure country music, but a scruffy, somewhat reckless edge qualifies it as a real rocker. It's a fine example of everything that's great about the band. Jason has called his favorite Jason and the Scorchers song, so that's good enough for me. Southern Rock and Roll.
2. "Fall on Me" – R.E.M.. Their masterpiece, in my opinion. A "bigger" sound than on Murmur and other early recordings, but retaining that super-melodic and sort of mysterious quality. And my personal recollection: I was a little late to catching on to REM. I was obsessively into 60s music, but wasn't cool enough – really – to grab onto some of the great alternative rock stuff coming out in the mid-to-late 80s. I heard this song on the radio and literally thought it was a 60s classic I just hadn't heard before. I realized that the cool kids I knew were onto something with REM. A truly great song.
- "Scarred but Smarter" – Drivin' 'n' Cryin'. Jangly guitars, vague melodies, and murky lyrics were big among Southern bands in the 80s, seems to me. Kevn Kinney was having none of that. His band put forth a blend of muscular, blue-collar hard rock and folk-influenced writing that was immediately relatable….yet, assuredly alternative (Mellencamp they were not). And even if "Fly Me Courageous" was a bit too much (which I thought it was at the time – later saw them play it live at Magnolia's club in Spartanburg and was absolutely blown away), this one from their debut of the same name is loud and riffing and anthematic in all the best ways.


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Becky Chambers (10/15/19) Inside the Writer's Studio Episode #47
October 14, 2019
Charlie talks with recent Bookmarks Festival presenter and Hugo Award winning science fiction author Becky Chambers about (you guessed it) both science and fiction. They look at how sci-fi can explore the human condition and how humans might explore the universe, all through a discussion of Becky's lovely novella To Be Taught if Fortunate. Trust us, you don't have to like science fiction to love Becky, this book, and this episode!


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Victoria Brown
Based in: Vancouver, B.C.
Languages: English
Accreditations, Qualifications and Memberships:
- Professional Certified Coach (ACC), International Coach Federation
- Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC)
- Graduate, Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching, The Centre For Right Relationship
- Graduate, Co-Active Leadership Program
- Certified Practitioner of The Leadership Circle 360 assessment tool
- International Coach Federation (ICF) – ACC Member
Victoria Brown is a highly respected, results-focused, experienced business coach, facilitator and speaker who enhances the performance of executives and teams so they can move forward with confidence to build successful careers, teams, businesses and relationships.
She is passionate about working with business professionals, entrepreneurs and teams to help them achieve breakthrough success, gain clarity, align strengths, live a passionate life and work more from their "sweet spot" every day.
She has an extensive corporate, media, marketing, sales, management and retail background spanning over 32 years with a proven record of achievement generating millions in revenue, business development, change management and problem solving including the role of national sales manager in the fast-paced world of two prominent daily newspapers.
She specializes in leadership and career development, for individuals, as well as, creating alignment and navigating change within teams and organizations.
She is an engaging coach who generates powerful results, implements strategic solutions and is committed to excellence. She specializes in optimizing performance through energy and time management, leadership development, team building, employee engagement, strategic planning and organizational effectiveness.
She has coached a variety of clients including presidents, CEOs, producers, managers, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, advertising executives and others in fields as diverse as finance, media, theatre, food and beverage, sales, technology, manufacturing and multi-level marketing.


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Melissa Richards
Melissa Farmer Richards serves as vice president for communications and enrollment management at Sweet Briar College. Previously, she served as vice president for communications and acting executive officer for admissions and financial aid at St. Lawrence University, and assistant vice president for marketing and publications at Virginia Tech. She has 25 years of global experience in communications, public relations, integrated marketing strategy, brand management, special events, and strategic alliances.
Melissa earned a Master of Public Administration at Virginia Tech and a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Virginia. She was one of the founding members of TEDxVirginiaTech and served as faculty advisor for TEDxStLawrenceU. She is one of the founding board members of the Blacksburg Children's Museum. She currently sits on the board of directors for the Girl Scouts Virginia Skyline Council


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How One Company Uses Benchmarking Data to Drive Sales Planning
When it comes to sales planning, there are a lot of moving parts to consider. Identifying the resources you need and implementing them effectively can quickly turn into a guessing game. Sales leaders often rely on tribal knowledge or gut instinct to make big planning decisions—and their sales teams and quota attainment often suffer for it. In a recent webinar, Xactly VP Strategic Marketing, Erik Charles, sat down with the Big Switch Networks Sales Operations Manager, Gavin McChesney, to discuss how benchmarking data can turn sales planning from a game of darts into a data-driven, credible, and scientific process.
In the webinar, McChesney discusses three key tips that have improved his company's sales performance, including:
- Start sales planning well in advance of your new fiscal year
- Use benchmarking to stay competitive in your industry
- Keep a close eye on sales rep behaviors to ensure on-track development
In this abridged transcript, we've highlighted several questions that were discussed in the webinar. To listen to the full audio, including extended details and specific Benchmarking data, click the link below.
Erik: Let's start off talking about comp plan design here. Your fiscal year started, you're in the new year now?
Gavin: Yes, so planning it out started a long time ago.
Erik: How early you start designing the new year's plans?
Gavin: Probably a year beforehand.
Erik: Okay, so you're way ahead of most companies, that's great. What are the biggest challenges and problems for kicking off that comp plan design process?
Gavin: I think it's keeping the plan simple. There is often a propensity to over-engineer certain things. People come with different goals and we want to make sure everyone's on the same page and we're all really focused
Erik: And how long have you been using the Xactly benchmarking product?
Gavin: About three years.
Erik: Okay. And what did you use before that?
Gavin: A lot of word of mouth—and whatever limited industry websites I could find.
Erik: Now how many other industries do you like to look at and compare?
Gavin: Almost all of them, so having a data set that is consistently updated, that we can track and monitor, is really important.
Erik: Switching gears a bit, there's a popular concept that encourages moving back from an enterprise to a startup mentality—it's almost this idea of wanting to be more nimble. So talk to me about your "startup enterprise" mentality.
Gavin: For us, it means we have a very lean operating model. Everyone is extremely ready to welcome new people to the company. We want to keep it that way.
Erik: Are you hiring from a startup or mature company perspective?
Gavin: Both. Yeah, they both have different values. We see from a startup perspective, we see reps that are very closely aligned with what is new and next in the market. They know the new players, they understand the challenges. We also hire from large industries because they have that depth of experience with channel partners beyond the product set.
Erik: Right. So how do you bridge the gap between experience and novice? I mean, you're hiring some very experienced reps—and also hiring greener reps who need development plans.
Gavin: Yeah we are still walking through that. We start by a nurturing some understanding, and then as reps continue to get into the weeds and mature, then they move into different roles responsibilities.
Erik: Let's talk a little bit about tenure—the experience a sales rep has at the company and how that's impacting the team. Where do you see the value of tenure?
Gavin: Yeah, well if you have tenure at our company, you're there because you perform. We create high alignment—so if you're there for a long time you're making more than someone who's a little bit younger, you've earned it. When you look at other companies, tenure isn't always indicative of good performance and that's a shame. Again, we're looking for people who are very tenacious and very resilient—they're the ones who stick around.
Erik: What's sort of development program do you have?
Gavin: Because we're such a small, tightened group, if you want to ask a question and you need guidance, it's always there for you. So new reps can lean in on that maturity and be able to pick things up by asking the right questions.
Erik: Do you run analytics then to see how long it takes for new reps to be a full quota-bearing rep—and then how many years does that actually take?
Gavin: Absolutely. We take special care because as we are expanding into new markets we need to ask: How is that market going to perform compared to other markets? So, if a rep comes and is 100 percent new in that new market, that's very different from someone who's coming into a warm market.
Erik: And that moves us into the idea of growth and an expanding headcount. I mean, how do you actually benchmark company and sales team maturity? Are you comparing yourself to companies with similar years in the marketplace or do you also compare yourself to startups?
Gavin: We really do look at everything and use that in determining where we should be at developmentally and how our team should be performing.
Erik: And how does that data impact who you put into management?
Gavin: That's kind of an interesting conversation because you need to ask why the reps who are successful are being successful. Is it because they have a channel partner they have a great relationship with? Are they successful because they're very focused and very aggressive? These things don't always translate into management success—but they do give us a good indication of effective selling behaviors and how we can improve our performance management.
Erik: Interesting note on promoting reps to managers. From Xactly's analysis, we found that reps who know how to sell a company's entire portfolio of products make better managers than those that bring in the exact same amount of revenue off of fewer products.
Gavin: Yeah absolutely.
Erik: Earlier, you mentioned "checkpoints" you use to evaluate your own rep tenure. You're looking at these when? At the end of the first year?
Gavin: I'd say from day one reps are under a microscope.
Erik: Okay, and do you do a cohort analysis?
Gavin: Yes, and we look at that every single quarter.
Erik: Often times we hear from people who just want to get off of a spreadsheet and fix incentive compensation management. What's your advice for somebody who's looking to go from manual to automation? And what else should they be adding to their compensation package and at what point?
Gavin: That's kind of the psychological advantage that Xactly offers. Xactly will give you a night to sleep that you didn't you have before. When you run commissions in spreadsheets, you're asking for anxiety. You buy things because you want a better quality of life—and doing commissions with Xactly is going to give you that—a better quality of life, and a better night's sleep.
To listen to full the webinar, including specific lessons learned regarding employee retention and competitor benchmarking, click here.


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Thoughts on the mountains, lakes, people, plants, animals and everyday life here in the North Country.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Play Ball!...
Here she is in right field shouting encouragement to her friend who is pitching...
13 comments:
- corin said...
we have traveled quite a bit so far this baseball season and we happened to be playing in North Creek at Johnsburg School the other night. I could not help but think that most of the schools we have been to (and our own) have absolutely beautiful settings to play. In Johnsburg we were surrounded by beautiful mountains. We are much luckier than the city people having cars and main highways on each side of the field. Enjoy the games! I know they feed my spirit :)
- May 2, 2009 at 8:03 AM
- The Author said...
Oh, I remember those wonderful days watching my son play sports. What great memories you are creating. Thanks for sharing the story and the photos and I know they will win soon.
- May 2, 2009 at 9:11 AM
They sure have a pleasant setting for the field!
- May 2, 2009 at 10:14 AM
- Beth Niquette said...
What a lovely place for a ball game! There is a similar field in the backyard of an old friend I knew in Washington State. Amost identical. Made me homesick. Gorgeous photos!
- May 2, 2009 at 11:24 AM
What a beautiful place to play ball!!
- May 2, 2009 at 12:25 PM
- Dog Trot Farm said...
What a lovely spot for a softball field. I also miss those days with our two sons. Time goes by much to fast.
- May 2, 2009 at 2:00 PM
- troutbirder said...
These years are the best. Savor every moment, Cedar. :)
- May 2, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Spring is just the most glorious time of year for all things kids and teen! As much as I get crazy busy, I do love it when the activities ramp up. What a gorgeous field! Sorry I haven't been able to check in as much with getting ready for the move!
- May 2, 2009 at 6:10 PM
- NCmountainwoman said...
Hooray for women's sports! Enjoy this season.
- May 3, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Beautiful setting for a ball game. That three sport athlete is going to keep you running. that's for sure!
- May 3, 2009 at 12:59 PM
- Char said...
great shots - it makes me miss my nephews playing soccer. I hope they have better luck next time.
- May 3, 2009 at 5:07 PM
- Shelley said...
How wonderful to see your granddaughter play! Softball was always one of my favorite sports - I was playing in a co-ed league up until 5 years ago. Now I'm wondering if there's a league I can join for the over 40 crowd!
- May 4, 2009 at 3:03 PM
- Karen and Gerard said...
It's nice of you to go watch her games. That field reminds me of where our church team used to play many years ago. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
- May 13, 2009 at 7:54 PM


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A free prostate cancer screening program has been organized by a urology center in Dubai. The free service will be available for the Emiratis only for the month of June.
The British Urology Day Surgical Centre is going to arrange this month for the Emiratis 50 years and above for free. The motive of the campaign is to create an awareness drive all over the UAE to make people aware of the importance of detecting prostate cancer at an early stage.
Dr. Abdul Qader Al Zarouni, President of the Emirates Urological Society, said: "This campaign is focused on decreasing the number of individuals suffering from prostate cancer, and aims to reduce mortality rates in Dubai, and the wider UAE."
Dr. Nabil Mitri, President, and Founder of The British Urology Day Surgical Centre said: "Through this campaign, we are focused on conducting free screening sessions for citizens from all over the UAE during the next month and look forward to welcoming everyone in our center located in Dubai's Al Wasl Road."
They have also opened a number 04-3440300, for the citizens who are interested in the free offer to book an appointment for a free consultation.


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Stampede to Tour With Big Book
Distributor Stampede said Tuesday that it will undertake its 2011 Big Book of AV Tour next month, expanding the tour to 14 stops from last year's five.
The tour starts March 16 at the House of Blues in New Orleans, and will visit Miami, Cleveland, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver in the spring. In the fall, the tour will continue in such cities as Washington, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Montreal, and Toronto.
"Our dealers across North America couldn't get enough of the Big Book of AV Tour in 2010," Kevin Kelly, president and COO of Stampede, said as part of the announcement. "So for 2011 the tour is 'even bigger' than last year, up from five cities to 14. We will still hold the shows in live-music venues and we will still have tons of valuable information for our dealers. Our goal is to keep the atmosphere fun and energetic to remind everyone how much fun our products deliver to the end users."


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The Bush has just undergone a multi-million pound redevelopment which they were kind enough to invite me to have a nose around before watching their season opener, Guards at the Taj by Rajiv Joseph.
The new building is, in short, is a fantastic space. The front of house and bar/cafe area is great - airy, welcoming and with a really nice, relaxed vibe that is quite rare for a theatre. It's also added a 60-seat studio to its 200-seat main house which is a space I'm definitely keen to check out.
|A selection of crap photos of the new Bush building.
The middle two are of the toilets which for some reason I really liked!
Guards at the Taj is mostly a play about beauty: what it is, where it comes from, who should own it and how we judge it. It tells the story of two men, Humayun and Babur, guarding the Taj Mahal on the morning that it is unveiled for the first time. The emperor has decreed that noone can look at it as the dawn light hits it for the first time, but Babbur and Humayan do and are cosmically rewarded with the gruesome task of fulfilling the Emperor's demands that nothing so beautiful should ever be built again - by cutting off the hands of all 20,000 men who have worked on it. Karma's a real bitch.
Beauty appears in several forms here, notably the Taj itself and in nature. The Taj's beauty, Joseph seems to suggest, is destructive, not only practically for the 20,000 handless men but also to the happiness of Babur and Humayun and their friendship (another sort of beauty in itself). Nature's beauty, symbolised here by flocks of birds, is redemptive and comes to represent a happy, peaceful time in the character's lives. The Taj, manmade beauty, can only be seen by the privileged; the birds, natural beauty, can be seen by everyone.
For all that though, this production isn't overtly aesthetic. Soutra Gilmour's design is incredibly effective and incredibly simple; a rusty looking elevated platform set diagonally across the back of the equally rusty looking performance space (it's not a stage in this production, though it may be in future - the new main house is completely adaptive), whilst ominous trenches run out towards the audience, again diagonally. It's angular, stark and more than a little grim. An inauspicious setting for a play that's all about beauty.
Beauty is evoked though. A really clever use of sound and lighting, courtesy of George Dennis and Richard Howell respectively, does it on one level. Fantastical bird song and a warm peachy light stand in for nature's, and memory's, beauty whilst unforgiving bright white lighting stands in for the Taj Mahal itself - use your imagination, it totally works. But the grimness of the story is also evoked too, notably through an ominous and judicious use of music, clever variation of the volume of sound to the point it occasionally makes the seating in the tiny theatre shake and an interesting use of backlighting to project weird shadows against the bare walls, usually of the two actors themselves.
And then of course there's all the blood. Honestly, a lot more blood than I was expecting - and clearly more so than some of the audience members sitting in the front row nervously watching it approach their shoes were expecting too! That said, there is much less gore than director Jamie Lloyd (yes, that Jamie Lloyd) could have chosen to have included. For example, and spoiler alert, the moment where Humayun cuts off Babur's hands is portrayed in this production via blinding white light and a piercing alarm tone. Reading Rajiv Joseph's original play text, however, the scene is much, much more explicit and icky. It's an interesting decision, perhaps dictated by the limitations of a small theatre, but I'm not sure it's the one I would have made. As gross as the scene would be to watch, a play that is so concerned with beauty would only be strengthened, in my view, by showing us a bit more anti-beauty as well.
Beauty is also passionately evoked in Joseph's text - modern, simple, surprisingly funny, humane and presented without dialect as per the stage directions - which is handled really well by the two young actors, Danny Ashok and Darren Kuppan, who comprise 100% of the cast. Ashok's Humayun is the stronger performance for my money, though to be fair he is also the stronger character for my money, and is a study in stoic devotion to duty that crumbles and expands beautifully towards the end of the piece. Kuppan's Babur isn't weak by any means though, and he handles the emotional meat in the middle of the play, the horror at having cut off 40,000 hands and "killed beauty", fantastically.
For a play that, plotwise, ends with someone lopping off their best friend's hands Guards at the Taj ultimately left a very optimistic taste in my mouth. The final scene, a flashback of Humayun's to the time he and Babur watched the flight of a million brightly coloured birds, drives home the ultimate triumph of natural over manmade beauty; nothing will ever be as beautiful to Humayun as those birds were. Possibly it's because manmade everything is such a fucking disaster at the moment, or possibly it's just that I really like birds (I do), but I found that a comforting thought.
Guards at the Taj plays in the main house at the Bush theatre until 20th May.


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|By State House Communications Unit
President Ernest Bai Koroma received the Ambassador Designate of the United States of America Mr. John F. Hoover and Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Republic of Ireland Dr. Sinead Walsh.
President Koroma said the founding of the country's capital was in essence the outcome of the American war of independence. He described Ebola as a threat to life, freedoms and other ideals dear to humankind as it is difficult for a nation ravaged by the evil virus to sustain its growth, adding that it poses severe difficulties in strengthening the scaffolds for the construction of a better society.
President Koroma called on every Sierra Leonean to refrain from every practice that aids the transmission of the disease adding that the US is an exceptional force for good in the world and will be of greater strength in defeating the disease as the number of treatment centers is increasing.