text:
FTC Adopts New Amendments to Add to Children's Online Privacy
The Federal Trade Commission announced on December 19, 2012, that it has adopted final amendments to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) that strengthen privacy protections online and give parents greater control over their children's personal information. FTC officials said that they updated the rules to keep pace with the increasing use of mobile phones and tablets by children.
COPPA governs how companies must proceed when collecting personal data from children under the age of 13. COPPA details what information a website operator must include in a privacy policy, when and how to seek verifiable parental consent, and the responsibilities that operators have to protect children's privacy online.
The original rules have not seen significant changes since they went into effect in 2000. The FTC has been examining possible changes to the COPPA rules since March 2010 and has received hundreds of comments from interested parties through multiple comment periods.
"Congress enacted COPPA in the desktop era and we live in an era of smartphones and mobile marketing," FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said. "This is a landmark update of a seminal piece of legislation."
The new rules go into effect on July 1, 2013. The vote was approved by a 3-1 vote, with one commissioner abstaining. Commissioner Maureen Ohlhaussen voted no on the ground that she believes a core provision of the new rules, extending the statutory definition of "operator" to impose obligations on certain websites or online services that do not collect personal information from children or have access to or control of such information collected by a third party, exceeds the scope of the authority granted by Congress in COPPA.
The new rules significantly increase the types of companies that are required to obtain parental permission before knowingly collecting personal details from children, as well as the types of information that will require parental consent to collect.
Under the new amendments, the FTC said companies must seek permission from parents to collect a child's photographs, videos, audio files, and geo-location information.
The new rules also expand the definition of personal information to include persistent IDs, such as a unique serial number on a mobile phone or the IP address of a browser, if they are used to show a child behavior-based ads. It requires third parties such as advertising networks and social media networks that know they are operating on children's sites to notify and obtain consent from parents before collecting personal information. Additionally, the rule makes children's sites responsible for notifying parents about data collection by third parties that are integrated into their services.
The FTC said that the new amendments will now require apps and websites that are targeted at children with third-party plug-ins to websites such as Twitter and Facebook, to require parental consent to collect personal information. Those third parties must obtain parental consent when they have "actual knowledge" that they are collecting information from a website or service targeted at children.
In a departure from the rule changes that were proposed by the government in August, the FTC explicitly exempted app stores, such as those run by Google and Apple, from responsibility for privacy violations by games and software sold in their stores. The government also reversed a prior proposal by agreeing to continue to allow parental consent to be obtained by email as long as apps and websites only collect the data for internal usage.
Now that these new guidelines have been issued, all operators need to review their policies to ensure compliance. These revisions have significantly expanded the type of information that is considered private and the number of companies that will need to comply. The FTC has previously brought enforcement actions against companies that were in violation of COPPA in the past, and these new rules will allow for more actions to be brought in the future.
Ifrah Law is a leading white-collar criminal defense firm that focuses on data privacy.
FTC Seeking Information From 9 Data Brokers in Industry Probe
On December 18, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission issued orders requiring nine data brokerage companies to provide the agency with information on how they collect data from consumers and use it. The nine companies asked to provide this data to the FTC include Acxiom, Datalogix, Intellius and Peekyou.
Data brokers are companies that collect personal information about consumers from a variety of sources, both public and non-public, and then package the information and sell it to companies. As the FTC noted in its announcement, in many ways this data can benefit consumers and the economy by enabling companies to prevent fraud or allowing customers to see ads that interest them.
However, the FTC seems concerned that much of the data brokerage industry operates unregulated. No current laws require data brokers to maintain the privacy of an individual's data unless it is used for employment, credit, insurance, housing, or another similar purpose. Some estimates indicate that these data brokers have several thousand details on the majority of adults in the United States.
The FTC is specifically seeking details about:
1. The nature and sources of the consumer information that data brokers collect.
2. How data brokers use, maintain, and disseminate the information they collect.
3. The extent to which the data brokers allow consumers to access and correct their information or to opt out of having their personal information sold.
The FTC said that it will use the responses to prepare a study and to make recommendations on whether and how the industry could improve its privacy practices.
The FTC has already called on Congress to address data brokers' practices through legislation. In March, the FTC advocated for legislation to "address the invisibility of, and consumers' lack of control over, data brokers' collection and use of consumer information." The FTC has also urged Congress to pass a law that would require data brokers to let individuals examine the data contained in files on them, similar to the way that federal laws allow for consumers to get free credit reports every year.
In July, Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), co-chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional Privacy Caucus, opened an investigation into the practices of the industry. The Privacy Caucus has expressed concerns that many Americans do not know how the industry operates and that controls may be lacking for individuals over their own information.
In October, Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV) opened his own investigation into the data broker industry. Rockefeller said he was struck by the amount of personal, medical, and financial information that could be collected and sold.
This week's announcement provides further notice that the FTC has intensified its scrutiny of the data brokerage industry. Companies in the data compilation business should continue to monitor their practices to ensure that they are complying with all regulations and should stay abreast of any forthcoming changes in regulations and laws.
Ifrah Law is a leading white-collar criminal defense firm that focuses on data privacy.
FTC Report Faults App Developers on Data Collection From Kids
The Federal Trade Commission released a report on December 10, 2012, that concluded that mobile apps targeted at children were collecting large amounts of data from children and sharing their information with advertisers without disclosing their practices.
The FTC report examined 400 leading apps designed for kids that were sold in the mobile stores run by Apple and Google. The agency said it is launching an investigation to determine if certain mobile apps developers have violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) or engaged in unfair or deceptive trade practices.
The FTC's authority over children's mobile apps comes from laws that prohibit unfair and deceptive acts of commerce, as well as from COPPA, which requires operators of online services for children under 13 to get consent from parents before collecting and sharing personal information, among other requirements.
The report itself does not call for regulatory changes. However, the FTC is reviewing COPPA to determine if it needs to be updated, and is expected to announce updates soon COPPA was enacted in 1998, and FTC officials say the law needs to be changed to reflect the growing prominence of mobile apps and social networking sites used by children. The regulations under COPPA have not been substantially revised since its introduction. COPPA sets forth specific requirements for websites aimed at children, but its guidance on mobile technology is far less clear.
The FTC proposed updating COPPA, but it has been met with pushback thus far from technology companies. The proposed changes could significantly increase the need for children's sites and apps to obtain parental permission to collect certain types of data, including device IDs, photos, and voice recordings. FTC officials have also emphasized that they consider the exact location of a mobile device to be personal information that would require parental permission to collect.
The FTC report noted that it was particularly concerned with the collection of a user's device ID, which is a string of letters or numbers that identifies each mobile device. Nearly 60 percent of the mobile apps that the FTC reviewed transmitted the device ID. Some of those apps then shared that ID with an advertising network or other third party, including some apps that disclosed the phone number and location of the device. Additionally, more than half the apps also contained interactive features such as advertising or in-app purchases that were largely undisclosed to parents.
Only 20 percent of the apps reviewed in the report disclosed any information about the app's privacy practices. FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said, "Our study shows that kids' apps siphon an alarming amount of information from mobile devices without disclosing this fact to parents."
This week's report serves as further notice to all mobile app developers that the FTC is monitoring the mobile app market. App developers, particularly developers that are targeting children, need to review their compliance with FTC guidelines, as well as their overall truth-in-advertising and data privacy policies, to make sure their apps are complying. The FTC has made clear that it will take enforcement actions against industry participants and will continue to aggressively pursue action in the future.
Ifrah Law is a leading white-collar criminal defense firm that focuses on data privacy.
Deceptive Advertising
California Attorney General Flexes Muscle on Mobile Privacy: AG Sues Delta for Lack of Privacy Policy on Mobile Application
Yesterday, California's Attorney General Kamala Harris filed the state's first suit under California's Online Privacy Protection Act. The lawsuit, against Delta Air Lines, followed the Attorney General's warning letters to Delta and many other companies in October to post privacy policies with their mobile apps to inform users of what personally identifiable information is being collected and how the information is used by the company (previously covered by FTC Beat here).
California's Online Privacy Protection Act mandates that commercial operators of websites and online services, including mobile and social apps, conspicuously post a privacy policy if they collect personally identifiable information from California residents. In addition to posting a privacy policy, operators must abide by the promises and representations made in those policies.
In the complaint against Delta, the AG contends that Delta has operated a mobile app called "Fly Delta" since at least 2010. Individuals can use the Fly Delta app to check in for flights, view reservations, rebook flights, pay for checked baggage, and access a user's frequent flyer account, among other actions. The California AG alleges that the Fly Delta app lacks a privacy policy, despite the fact that
Delta's app collects substantial amounts of personal information, including full names, telephone numbers, email addresses, photographs, and geo-locations. According to the complaint, "Users of the Fly Delta application do not know what personally identifiable information Delta collects about them, how Delta uses that information, or to whom that information is shared, disclosed, or sold." The AG asserts that Delta's conduct violates the Online Privacy Protection Act and California's Unfair Competition Law.
Delta will, of course, have a chance to defend itself and could argue that its general website policy covers its mobile applications. Many companies maintain a general privacy policy that covers their website, their mobile applications, and even their social networks. The complaint acknowledges Delta's website privacy policy though contends that it is not "reasonably accessible to consumers of the Fly Delta app" and that the app collects different information than is collected through the website.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction to prevent Delta from distributing its application and requests penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation (in other words, each time the app is downloaded). According to the complaint, the Fly Delta app "has been downloaded by consumers millions of times since October of 2010 without the conspicuously posted privacy policy required by" the Online Privacy Protection Act. The Attorney General's action in filing the lawsuit demonstrates that she intends to follow through on her earlier warnings to companies to ensure their compliance with the Online Privacy Protection Act. Other companies who received similar warning letters included Open Table and United Continental.
Companies offering mobile apps and commercial websites should ensure that they post and abide by privacy policies when they are collecting personal information. Further, if a general privacy policy is meant to cover a company's app, it should so state and it would be prudent for it to be easily accessible through the mobile app. The California Attorney General's lawsuit against Delta is a sure sign that California will continue to follow through on its efforts to mandate compliance with its Online Privacy Protection Act, and other states may follow California's lead.
Ifrah Law is a leading white-collar criminal defense firm that focuses on data privacy.
Communications Law, Privacy
Cyber law, Internet privacy
FCC Ruling Permits Confirmation Text Messages for 'Opt-Out' Customers
The Federal Communications Commission recently ruled that companies may send a one-time text message confirming a consumer's opt-out of texts without violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA"), and potentially facing large class action lawsuits.
This pro-business ruling represents a victory for SoundBite, the company that sought a declaratory ruling from the FCC, as well as for other businesses that use mobile texting to communicate with customers. Many businesses (including SoundBite) are facing class actions under the TCPA for sending this type of confirmatory message.
The TCPA prohibits, among other things, autodialed calls to mobile phones, unless the sender has received prior express consent from the recipient for such calls. The FCC has ruled that text "calls" are covered by this prohibition. Thus, under the TCPA, an autodialed call that sends a text to a mobile phone without prior express consent (irrespective of the type of message) is prohibited. The TCPA provides for FCC and state attorney general enforcement as well as private litigation. Plaintiffs' lawyers have latched onto the TCPA for several years and have recovered substantial amounts in judgments and settlements.
SoundBite sends text messages on behalf of a number of companies that have obtained express consent to send texts to particular wireless subscribers, including banks, utilities, and retailers. SoundBite follows the Mobile Marketing Association's best practices which include the transmission of a text message to a subscriber confirming that subscriber's request to opt-out of receiving future messages. When a consumer opts-out of receiving future text messages, a one-time reply is sent back (usually within minutes) via text confirming receipt.
While many of the FCC's rulings on the TCPA have not been viewed as business-friendly, this latest ruling represents a victory for businesses. Several large associations and businesses filed in support of SoundBite's petition, including the American Bankers Association and the Consumer Bankers Association. SoundBite also had the support of the National Association of Consumer Advocates. The parties argued that confirmation messages are, in fact, consumer-friendly as they provide important information to the consumer to let him or her know that the opt-out was received and the messages will stop.
The FCC concluded that, as long as prior express consent of the receiving party exists before sending any messages, a one-time text confirming an opt-out request does not violate the TCPA: "We conclude that a consumer's prior express consent to receive text messages from an entity can be reasonably construed to include consent to receive a final, one-time text message confirming that such consent is being revoked at the request of the consumer."
Importantly, the FCC stated that these opt-out texts may only confirm the opt-out request and may not include any marketing or promotional information (or an attempt to convince the consumer to reconsider his or her opt-out) and can be the only additional message sent to the consumer after the receipt of the opt-out request. In addition, if the confirmation message is sent more than five minutes after the opt-out, the burden will fall on the sender to demonstrate that the delay was reasonable. The FCC also asserted that it will monitor consumer complaints and take action if senders are using confirmation texts as an additional opportunity.
Businesses that receive threats of TCPA lawsuits for confirmatory texts will now be able to use this FCC ruling in their defense. Plaintiffs may challenge the FCC's interpretation of the strict statutory language, however, as they have done in other instances. Organizations wishing to use confirmatory opt-out texts should review the FCC's ruling and ensure that their confirmations comport with the FCC's guidance, especially regarding timing and ban on advertising and promotional messages
Ifrah Law is a leading white-collar criminal defense firm that focuses on e-commerce.
Communications Law
CFPB, FTC Announce Crackdown on Deceptive Mortgage Advertising
On November 19, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced that they have launched a new coordinated effort to protect consumers, focusing on mortgage advertisements that they say are deceptive.
The CFPB and the FTC worked together to review roughly 800 mortgage ads. These ads were produced by entities involved in different aspects of the mortgage process, including mortgage brokers and lenders, lead generators, real estate agents, home builders, and others. The ads were featured on a wide range of media including newspaper, direct mail, email and social media.
The agencies stated that some of these ads had specifically targeted the elderly and veterans.
The letters warned the recipients that they may be in violation of the Mortgage Acts and Practices Advertising Rule (MAP Rule) that took effect in August 2011, which prohibits misleading claims concerning government affiliation, fees, costs, interest rates, payment associated with the loan, and the amount of cash or credit that is available to the consumer. The MAP Rule does not apply to traditional banks, meaning today's actions affect only non-banks.
The FTC and the CFPB both have enforcement authority over non-bank mortgage ads under the MAP Rule. The agencies stressed that as part of the initiative they are working together to assure that consistent standards are applied across agencies. The agencies will conduct separate investigations focused on different targets to better utilize their resources and avoid double-teaming businesses.
"Working together and applying consistent standards to all types of clients in all types of ads is a very important means of making sure that mortgage advertisers are on notice that they have to comply with the law," said Thomas Pahl, the assistant director of the FTC's Division of Financial Practices.
The FTC and the CFPB issued more than 30 warning letters to mortgage advertisers, warning them that their advertisements may be deceptive. Both agencies stated that they have also opened formal investigations into other advertisers that may have committed more serious violations of the law. Violators of the MAP Rule can be subject to civil fines.
"Misrepresentation in mortgage products can deprive consumers of important information while making one of the biggest financial decisions of the lives," CFPB Director Richard Cordray stated. "Baiting consumers with false ads to buy into mortgage products would be illegal."
The review of the advertisements revealed several different types of claims that regulators could possibly find misleading, including ads that suggested that a company was affiliated with a government agency, ads that guaranteed approval and offered low monthly payments without discussing the conditions of the offers, and ads offering a low fixed mortgage rate without discussing significant loan terms.
The announcement shows that the FTC and the CFPB are taking an aggressive and proactive look at companies that offer products in the financial services sector. Companies that offer mortgage and other consumer lending products should know that the FTC and the CFPB are paying special attention to them and that their advertisements need to comply with federal regulations.
Ifrah Law is a leading white-collar criminal defense firm that focuses on online fraud and abuse.
Online Fraud and Abuse
Deceptive Advertising
Congress Continues to Examine Data Brokers' Practices
The chairmen of the Congressional Bipartisan Privacy Caucus just released the responses they received from nine major data brokers whom they queried in July about how each broker collects, assembles and sells consumer information to third parties. In their responses, the nine companies — Acxiom, Epsilon, Equifax, Experian, Harte-Hanks, Intelius, Fair Isaac, Merkle and Meredith Corp. – generally asserted that they were not data brokers. Some companies claimed they analyze data rather than broker it. Copies of the brokers' responses and the original letters can be found here.
Interestingly, several of the brokers acknowledged obtaining their data from social networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook, in addition to telephone directories, government agencies, and financial institutions.
The legislators issued a joint statement in which they noted shortcomings in the brokers' answers, stating that "many questions about how these data brokers operate have been left unanswered, particularly how they analyze personal information to categorize and rate consumers."
Members of Congress have indicated that they will continue to scrutinize the data brokerage industry. Issues of particular concern for the legislators include: the sale of personal information to third parties for targeted advertising, the gathering and selling of information relating to children and teenagers, and the lack of transparency in data brokers' practices and available information. The Privacy Caucus has expressed concern that many Americans do not know how the industry operates and that controls may be lacking for individuals over their own information.
The FTC has already called on Congress to address data brokers' practices through legislation. In March, the FTC advocated for legislation to "address the invisibility of, and consumers' lack of control over, data brokers' collection and use of consumer information." We anticipate continued review of data brokers by Congress and federal agencies including the FTC. Companies in the data compilation business should continue to monitor ongoing proceedings.
It should be noted, however, that not all companies that gather personal information actually "broker" it in a manner that raises concern. Some companies compile information and remove identifying data before providing it to third parties; other companies gather information under contract for a business with whom a consumer has an existing business relationship – as a means to promote better customer service by tailoring offerings that will be of interest to consumers generally or to a particular consumer. Many consumers have indicated a willingness to receive these types of tailored offerings.
Ifrah Law is a leading white-collar criminal defense firm that focuses on data privacy.
Policing the Wide, Wild New World of Biometrics
Progress in the world of biometrics should cause us all to shudder. Cameras in public locations can now employ facial recognition to direct advertising to us based upon an assessment of our age, sex, and other characteristics. Cameras can determine our reaction to and engagement in video games and movies. It sounds a bit like a world composed of two-way mirrors. But instead of shuddering, we sometimes knowingly, sometimes carelessly, support the technology – and other data collection practices – through our online and commercial activities.
How many of us constantly update and tag our Facebook pages with pictures of us and our loved ones and where we've been? How many take advantage of product/service discounts by scanning our smart phones and "liking" products on Facebook? How many of us are now buying into dating apps and social apps that are based on facial recognition technology? The fact is that much of our data can be, and is being, collected and we consumers (especially in the United States) seem to have no problem with it, even volunteering for it.
Perhaps fortunately, some regulators are stepping in and keeping a watchful eye on these developments and looking for ways to curb the potentially nefarious use of consumer data. The FTC and its Division of Privacy and Identity Protection recently published its list of best practices for companies who use facial recognition technologies. The publication, "Facing Facts: Best Practices for Common Uses of Facial Recognition Technologies," underlines important concerns about being able to identify anonymous individuals in public and about attendant security breaches such as hacking. The FTC's proposed best practices include the following:
• Companies should maintain reasonable data security protections to prevent unauthorized information "scraping" of consumer images and biometric data.
• Companies should maintain appropriate retention and disposal practices.
• Companies should consider the sensitivity of information when developing facial recognition products and services, e.g., they should avoid placing signs in sensitive areas, such as bathrooms, locker rooms, health care facilities, or places where children congregate.
• Companies using digital signs capable of demographic detection should provide clear notice to consumers that the technologies are in use, before consumers come into contact with the signs.
• Social networks should provide users with clear notice – outside of a privacy policy – about how the feature works, what data it collects, and how it will use the data.
• Social networks should provide consumers with (1) an easy-to-find, meaningful choice not to have their biometric data collected and used for facial recognition; and (2) the ability to turn off the feature at any time and delete any biometric data previously collected.
• Companies should obtain a consumer's affirmative express consent before using a consumer's image or any biometric data in a materially different manner than they represented when they collected the data.
• Companies should not use facial recognition to identify anonymous images of a consumer to someone who could not otherwise identify him or her, without obtaining the consumer's affirmative express consent.
The guidelines come only a few months after the FTC's March 2012 Privacy Report ("Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change: Recommendations For Businesses and Policymakers") and are a logical follow-on to the report. They incorporate the Privacy Report's core principles: privacy by design, simplified consumer choice, and transparency. These principles and guidelines are a step in the direction of responsible data collection and responsible technological advancements.
We should point out that neither the Privacy Report nor the Best Practices in Facial Recognition are binding or enforceable as they do not fall under FTC's legal authority. And the FTC prominently makes this disclaimer, noting that the guidelines are merely recommendations without the force of law. It is clear, however, that the FTC is appropriately preparing to assume enforcement authority, should Congress pursue privacy legislation (something the FTC recommends in the Privacy Report). That is obvious from the mere fact that the agency has established a Privacy and Identity Protection Division.
Companies that are developing or seeking to employ biometrics – or that employ other data collection practices – would be well advised to pay attention to the FTC's recommendations. The guidelines provide insight into how an enforcement authority is likely to approach biometrics and other data collection practices. The guidelines also provide a framework for responsible use of consumer data. And even though consumers currently seem passive or dismissive about biometrics and data collection, it would take just one scandal or highly publicized incident for public opinion to change. Companies will benefit in the long run by building good will among consumers.
Ifrah Law is a leading white-collar criminal defense firm that focuses on data privacy.
Why Is CFTC Planning to Appeal Judge's Ruling in Dodd-Frank Case?
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is apparently going to appeal a U.S. district judge's ruling that had overturned its decision to impose limits on the number of contracts that commodity traders can hold.
The CFTC had found that under the recently passed Dodd-Frank law, which amended the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, it now need not make a finding of "necessity" before it puts forth a rule to impose these position limits. It had ruled, in fact, that it was mandated by Congress to set limits and that it had no discretion to choose not to impose such limits.
The swaps and derivatives industries, however, challenged the CFTC's interpretation in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The industries contended that even under the Dodd-Frank amendments, the agency must find that it is "necessary and appropriate" to set position limits. In other words, for each given commodity, it would need to show that there was a risk of dangerous speculation.
On September 28, U.S. District Judge Robert Wilkins rejected the CFTC's position. He sent the rule back to the CFTC for further consideration, just two weeks before the limits were set to take effect. He said that Dodd-Frank did not give the agency a "clear and unambiguous mandate" to set position limits without showing they were necessary in each instance.
The law, wrote Judge Wilkins, requires "that the Court remand the rule to the agency so that it can fill in the gaps and resolve the ambiguities."
One would think that the agency would accept this direction from the judge and come up with an interpretation of the Dodd-Frank law that would indeed fill in gaps and resolve ambiguities. That is what an agency is supposed to do.
Now, however, according to Reuters and other reports in early November, there appears to be a CFTC majority – three of the five commissioners — in favor of appealing Judge Wilkins' decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
It seems odd to us, at the very least, that the agency is insisting on an interpretation of the Dodd-Frank law that strips it of all discretion and requires it to set position limits for dozens of commodities without a finding that the limits are going to be helpful to police the markets and limit excessive speculation. Especially now that a judge has ruled that Congress didn't unambiguously decide to tie the agency's hands, why pursue this appeal?
Ifrah Law is a leading white-collar criminal defense firm that focuses on financial services.
Financial Services
Financial Services
CFTC, Commodities
Judge's Ruling on Antitrust Complaint Has Implications Far Beyond the .xxx Domain
A recent decision by a federal judge in California has brought ICANN's broad authority over the domain name system once again into question. Manwin Licensing International – perhaps the most lucrative provider of online adult-oriented content – brought an antitrust action against ICANN arising from the establishment of the .xxx top-level domain and the award of the registry contract for .xxx to ICM Registry. Manwin claimed, among other things, that because ICANN's registry contract with ICM contains no restrictions on the price ICM may charge for its services (while providing for an enhanced fee to be paid by ICM to ICANN) and ICM is insulated from competition on renewal, the award of the contract violated the Sherman Antitrust Act.
In any antitrust case, the plaintiff must establish a "relevant market" that it can show is adversely affected by the anticompetitive actions. Here, Manwin sought to establish that the relevant markets affected by ICANN and ICM were the markets for affirmative registrations (i.e., the lack of an adequate economic substitute for .xxx domain names) and for defensive registrations (i.e., the need for trademark holders to protect their marks by registering .xxx names, for instance, playboy.xxx). The court made short work of Manwin's claim with respect to the affirmative registration market, pointing out that domain names in other generic TLDs (gTLDs) are an adequate economic substitute for .xxx registrations. Indeed, the court pointed out that one of Manwin's own websites – youporn.com – is the most popular free adult video website on the internet. Thus, the .com gTLD, among others, provides a perfectly adequate (if not superior) substitute to a .xxx registration.
However, the court was not so forgiving as to the defensive registration market. It held that Manwin adequately identified an adversely affected market in defensive registration because Manwin asserted that trademark owners and registrants of domain names in other gTLDs were compelled to register domain names in the .xxx TLD for defensive or blocking purposes, to protect their marks or other domain names from a loss of goodwill, prevent consumer confusion, or prevent association with adult entertainment. The court found no economic substitute for this market, as, it found the "only way to block a name in the .xxx TLD is to register a name in the .xxx TLD." Therefore, the antitrust case will proceed with respect to the defensive registration market.
This decision has enormous potential consequences to the domain name registration market, particularly with the coming roll-out of new gTLDs. By way of example, one of the applied-for new gTLDs is .hotel. While Marriott has a very popular website located at marriott.com (as do Hyatt at hyatt.com, Hilton at hilton.com, etc.), these hoteliers may feel compelled to register their corresponding names and trademarks in the .hotel TLD, to protect against cybersquatters.
Compounding the problem, particularly for those with famous marks, is the issue of "typosquatters" who may register common misspellings of the mark in the new gTLD (such as marriot.hotel). Thus, the defensive registration market identified by Manwin has implications that extend far beyond the .xxx TLD — although .xxx has its own unique challenges not found with more mundane gTLDs, as the .xxx TLD's association with adult content and pornography has the very real potential to tarnish otherwise unrelated marks. Imagine, for instance, pepsi.xxx (probably bad) versus pepsi.hotel (probably innocuous). Whether the existence of this case will cause a delay in the launch of the new gTLDs remains to be seen. It would seem that ICANN would proceed cautiously, as an adverse ruling might lead to a requirement that the registry contracts for gTLDs found to violate antitrust laws be unwound. Time will of course tell.
However, in the end, while Manwin seems to have hit upon a soft spot in ICANN's shield, its claims ultimately seem overblown and contrary to the rights enjoyed by trademark owners and domain name registrants with respect to .xxx registrations. Setting aside blocking/sunrise rights that were afforded to trademark owners in advance of the public rollout of the .xxx TLD, trademark owners have extraordinary rights with respect to infringing domain names registered in .xxx. A trademark owner has available to it three means of challenging an infringing domain name registered in the .xxx TLD. These are the Rapid Evaluation Service (RES), the Charter Eligibility Dispute Resolution Policy (CEDRP), and the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP).
The RES provides a quick take-down process for infringing registered word marks or personal names of individuals. If an RES claimant shows that the domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a registered word mark that the claimant owns and uses, that the registrant has no rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain name, and that the domain name was registered and is either being used in bad faith or cannot possibly be used in good faith, the domain name is directed to a page which states that the domain name has been deactivated. Temporary take-downs pending a final decision may be effected within two business days.
Trademark owners may also initiate a CEDRP proceeding, which will be handled by NAF, to challenge .xxx domain names that are being used in violation of the Adult Entertainment Industry eligibility requirements for the .xxx TLD (for instance, the example of pepsi.xxx, above). If the trademark owner is successful in a CEDRP proceeding, the offending domain name registration will be cancelled.
In addition, a trademark owner may initiate a UDRP proceeding with respect to a .xxx domain name registration, just as it might for an infringing domain name in any other TLD. Such a proceeding might result in the cancellation or transfer of the offending domain name – though if the registrant is not engaged in the adult entertainment industry, the domain name will not resolve.
In the meantime, since the Court's ruling allowing Manwin's case to proceed, ICM Registry has filed a counterclaim against Manwin, asserting antitrust and trade libel claims, amongst others. In the end, this battle promises to have consequences that extend far beyond the .xxx world in which it is clothed.
Ifrah Law is a leading white-collar criminal defense firm that focuses on online fraud and abuse.
Online Fraud and Abuse
Internet Law
Antitrust law, Cyber law, Domain names


text:
Maybe my post title is a little overdramatic, but I totally feel like it's all I can say/think/feel lately haha Yeah. I feel like I'm drowning most of the time, if I'm being totally honest. This week was a tough one. Linden started getting really sick on Sunday, and I woke up with absolutely no voice whatsoever on Saturday. Between a nice little bout of laryngitis, and what turned out to be an ear infection for him, we spent most of the week cuddled up together in the rocking chair. Linden didn't want to sleep alone, and he would only nap in my arms. So that meant my laundry list of tasks got pushed to the back burner and I scrambled to do as much as I could after Mike got home for the night.
I guess it's just the nature of the season, too. Crazy quick deadlines that need to be met, signs that need to be painted and shipped, design clients that need tending to, and family obligations that just don't quit. How do people do it?!
Linden spent all of Wednesday screaming. Non stop! The poor little guy refused to eat, which lead to him starting to get dehydrated. Which led to belly pains. And a late night run for Pedialyte. Since both Mike and Toby were at school I just sat in the chair holding Linden and I cried right along with him. It was just one of those days, ya know? Yesterday I struggled to get Toby's birthday invites done so he could take them to school today... but some kind of miracle happened and they actually got done. Now to just plan the rest of the party... and do Christmas shopping... and and and.
I've been feeling just ever so slightly burnt out lately. I was starting to think I totally had a grasp on this whole "two kids" thing, but clearly I was sorely mistaken! This is the first "big" sickness we've had with Linden and man, it'll wear you out!
Hats off to folks who have 3, 4, 5+ kids and still manage to make it work. Heck, all of you with 1 or 2 also! I'm hoping L will start feeling better soon as I'll be able to get him back in the habit of sleeping and napping alone in his crib. Then maybe my to do list won't look so terrifying. Though I'll totally admit it feels nice to have him fall asleep on my chest several times a day.
If nothing else, this experience is teaching me that the world will continue spinning if I don't get a blog post up everyday (ha. obviously!) or if a handful of emails go a day or two between responses. Luckily I feel like I have some super understanding clients, and I always try to be upfront if I'm behind a bit. Now if only I could kick it into overdrive and get it all done! Where's an extra set of hands when you need 'em?!
Got any tips on how to get it all done?! Can we start a petition for extra hours in the day? haha
Got any tips on how to get it all done?! Can we start a petition for extra hours in the day? haha

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Story Hour at Keller Public Library Nov. 25, 2014 (11/25/14)
Guest Reader Melanie Stoelting
Fair ~
High: 49°F ~ Low: 39°F
Friday, Nov. 28, 2014
Photo galleries
2011 First Day of School Photo Gallery
Story Hour at Keller Public Library Nov. 25, 2014 (11/25/14)
Guest Reader Melanie Stoelting
Disabled Veterans Facility Nov. 18, 2014 (11/21/14)
A special deer hunt was hosted for area disabled veterans on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the Gobbler Ridge Disabled Veterans Facility southwest of Bloomfield. Several entities came together to make the day a success, including the American Legion Post 59...
Story Hour with Diana Mayberry (11/18/14)
"Ten Fat Turkeys" was presented at Keller Public Library's Story Hour on Tuesday, Nov. 19. 2014, with Diana Mayberry as the guest reader and Children's Librarian Reita LeBeau providing the music.
Reading Week at Dexter Schools November 2013 (11/18/14)
Students at Central Elementary observed Tuesday of Reading Week by dressing as one of their favorite book characters. Students will take part in special activities throughout this week in observance of Reading Week and National Education Week. Other...
Bernie claims titles at Fisk Invitational (11/14/14)
Chamber Business After Hours (11/13/14)
The Dexter Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours was held at Smith-Payne Realty in November. The monthly event brings together the business community for conversation and snacks. The theme was "A Veterans Day Reception.
Veterans honored at Bernie (11/12/14)
Students worked recently on decorating their classroom doors at Bernie, and on Veterans Day Nov. 11, they invited area veterans to come tour the building and honored them for their military service. Pictured are all of the doors at the school. One...
Honoring Veterans at the Senior Center (11/10/14)
Military veterans were honored on Monday prior to Tuesday's Veterans Day observances at the Senior Center in Dexter with each veteran presented with a certificate of appreciation for their service. There are some candid photos from the day's...
Veterans Day Observance at Crowley Ridge Care (11/10/14)
U.S. veterans who are residents at Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter were honored during a special gathering Monday morning, a day before Veterans Day due to prior commitments of Mayor Joe Weber, who was on hand. Weber, A Korean War veteran...
50s day at Southwest Elementary (10/29/14)
Students at Southwest Elementary marked their 50th day of school during Halloween Week and observed Red Ribbon Week -- a week dedicated to teaching children the dangers of illegal drugs. Students donned crazy socks for "Sock It to Drugs Day" and...
Dexter Head Start Safety Awareness Day (10/24/14)
The DAEOC Head Start Center in Dexter observed Safety Awareness as part of National Awareness Month in October Thursday. The Dexter Police Department, the Dexter Fire Department and the Stoddard County Ambulance District and Air Evac all paticipated...
National School Lunch Week (10/17/14)
The week of October 13-17 was designated as National School Lunch Week with parents being invited to have lunch with their children at both Southwest and Central Elementary Schools. Second grade teacher, Melanie Keena, submitted the photos herein of...
Risco vs. Richland Volleyball (10/16/14)
Story Hour with Drs. Kathryn Mayberry and Jennifer Howard (10/14/14)
Dr. Jennifer Howard read "Dinosaurs Love Underpants" to youngsters at the Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014 Story Hour at Keller Public Library, followed by arts and crafts.
Scenes from the 5th Annual Young Realty Pie Eating Contest (10/11/14)
Young Realty annually sponsors a Pie Eating Contest for Men, Women and Children divisions, with cash prizes going to the winner's charity of choice. See details in the Oct. 14, 2014 edition of The Daily Statesman.
Bernie Elementary Schools HOPE International Project (10/07/14)
Summer McGowan, Elementary Counselor at Bernie Schools, headed up a community service project recently. Bernie Elementary worked with HOPE International to complete this project. For three weeks, students worked to collect money for the project to...
Bernie-Cooter baseball (10/02/14)
2nd Annual Bearcat Fall Community Homecoming (09/29/14)
The crowds came, the barbeque was hot, the entertainment thrilled, the Color Burst walkers and runners walked and ran, prizes were doled out, and to top it all off, the Bearcats beat the Kennett Indians 35-34. It was a good weekend. The Second...
Bernie Fall Fest 2014 (09/29/14)
The annual Bernie Fall Fest was held Saturday, Sept. 27, at the City Park. Lots of arts and crafts, games for the children and food booths were scattered around the park and a good crowd came out for the event. It was a very nice day for a stroll...
Dexter youth football action (09/23/14)
Final Day at the Stoddard County Fair (09/23/14)
A good crowd turned out Saturday afternoon for bracelet day at the Stoddard County Fair. Also held that afternnon was the 4-H/FFA Speaking Contest. It was beautiful weather for the fair. Also shown are some scenes from Ag Day at the Fair which was...
Camo Day at Southwest School (09/23/14)
Tuesday of Homecoming Week Sept. 22-26 was Camo Day at Southwest Elementary School. Students were invited to don their camo clothing to "keep the (Kennett) Indians at bay." On Wednesday, students wore black to "Black out the Indians."
Kennett-Dexter varsity grils tennis action (09/22/14)
2014 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction at the Stoddard County Fair (09/22/14)
The annual 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction took place Saturday morning at the fairgrounds, culminating a year's worth of work by boys and girls across the county. The group photos are of the FFA and 4-H Hersdmanship and Showmanship Award winners. The...
fair pictures (09/19/14)
Bloomfield-Holcomb high school baseball (09/18/14)
2014 parade candids (09/17/14)
More from 2014 Fair Parade - focus on bands (09/17/14)
Scenes from the Fair Parade (09/17/14)
Scenes from the 2014 Stoddard County Fair Parade.
2014 Stoddard County Fair Parade (09/16/14)
2014 Third Annual Ben Kruse Charity Crappie Tournament (09/16/14)
$20,500 raised for 18 Fore Life through annual fishing tournament By NOREEN HYSLOP Managing Editor Perfect weather conditions and a record number of participants paired up for the biggest and best-ever Ben Kruse Charity Crappie Tournament...
Dexter-Bernie high school volleyball (09/11/14)
Bernie-Advance volleyball (09/10/14)
Southern Bank - Business After Hours (09/10/14)
Southern Bank in Dexter hosted Business After Hours Tuesday evening. The event is sponsored by the Dexter Chamber of Commerce. The crowd that gathered enjoyed food (Fair food in anticipation of the Stoddard County Fair next week) catered by...
Story Hour kicks off at Keller Library (09/09/14)
Story Hour at Keller Public Library for the 2014-15 school year kicked off on Tuesday with Mary Ann Taylor, donned in her royal robes, presenting, "Swimming with the Queen" to young guests. An especially good listener was four-year-old Tegan...
Richland Volleyball Photos (09/09/14)
Advance Labor Day Pageant Winners (09/02/14)
Bloomfield vs. Bernie baseball (08/30/14)
Bernie baseball team in action vs. Cooter (08/30/14)
Bernie vs. Senath-Hornersville baseball (08/28/14)
Bernie vs. Sikeston volleyball (08/26/14)
Dexter vs. Farmington volleyball (08/25/14)
Dexter Parks & Recreation volleyball (08/23/14)
Dexter vs. Ste. Genevieve varsity football (08/23/14)
First Day of School 2014 at Southwest (08/19/14)
Lansing Trade Group Open House (08/07/14)
Lansing Trade Group, LLC, held an Open House Wednesday at the new facility near Grayridge. The company will buy grain from farmers and ship via high-speed rail service using Union Pacific rail lines. Lansing Trade Group CEO Bill Krueger was on hand...
2014 Farm Tour (08/04/14)
The Missouri Young Farmers/Young Farm Women Tour 2014 started July 31 with registration and exhibits at Dexter High School and then featured tours of Bootheel farms on Aug. 1-2. Tours included Blair Aviation, Martin Rice, Stoddard County Gin, Bader...
Rib City Shootoot Action (July 18) (07/18/14)
July 4th Kiddie Parade in Dexter (07/07/14)
Scenes from the 2014 Fourth of July Kiddie Parade
Animal Tales at Keller Public Library July 2, 2014 (07/03/14)
Naturalist Keith Wood from Animal Tales out of Mayfield, Ky. was the guest for Wednesday's "Fizz, Boom, Read!" summer reading series at Keller Public Library. Wood entertained the full house with his own guests, a capybara, a tarantula, an...
Sikeston American Legion 114 gives to Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield (06/30/14)
A check in the amount of $14,055 was presented to the Bloomfield Assistance League Committee on Saturday, June 28, 2014. The funds represent proceeds from the Memorial Day Poker Run sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary at Sikeston, The American...
Rib City Volleyball Shootout (06/26/14)
Wet summer fun at the library (06/26/14)
Sponsored by Friends of the Library, visitors to Keller Public Library had a load of summer fun on an inflatable water slide and in a wading pool during the Wednesday, June 25 story hour as part of the summer's reading series, Fizz, Boom, Read!
Boys Rib City Shootout Day 2 Action (06/20/14)
Bird banding in City of Dexter (06/20/14)
The Missouri Dept. of Conservation held two bird banding events on Wednesday, June 18, 2014. The first took place at the lake in Northwest Oaks on the north end of the city. The second involved banding geese at Dexter's City Lake by the Police...
Boys Basketball Rib City Shootout Action (06/19/14)
Fizz, Boom, Read! at Keller Public Library (06/18/14)
The Bootheel Youth Museum's Lauren Collins, aka "Punky," assisted by Amber Collins, presented several science experiments to the delight of Summer Reading Series visitors at Keller Public Library on Wednesday, June 18. Also entertaining on Wednesday...
Rib City Shootout Action (06/16/14)
Bootheel Youth Camp (06/14/14)
See accompanying article published in the weekend edition of The Daily Statesman on June 14-15, 2014. These photos were taken at Bootheel Youth Camp and include some of the older cabins on site that are no longer in use. Each has been replaced by...
Science fun at Fizz, Boom, Read! (06/12/14)
Mad Scientist, aka local retired science teacher, Pam Mills, was the guest presenter at the first series of summer fun at Keller Public Library. A volunteer of young choir members provided music for the first in a continuing series, sponsored by the...
A hero among us (06/06/14)
These photos accompany a front page article published on June , 2014, in commemoration of D-Day featuring the service of Truman Cato.
Relay for Life by Amy Ellinghouse (06/03/14)
The photos herein were taken at the May 2 Stoddard County Relay for Life event held at Dexter's East City Park. Amy Ellinghouse took these photos, most of them from an aerial truck.
ARC Special Olympics 2014 (05/23/14)
The Stoddard County ARC hosted their annual Special Olympic Games on Friday, May 23, 2014, enjoying a slate of fun games and activities with parents and guests attending.
Dexter vs. Perryville baseball (05/19/14)
Richland Class of 2014 Graduation (05/19/14)


text:
Lady Like Her Some Kobe Beef
Pingback: CORE Energetics Beats Addiction. Jeffrey Cohen is revolutionizing addiction treatment to beat addictive impulses. He offers exclusive sober coaching for professionals in NYC, Philadelphia, and DC.
Pingback: services d'entretien ménager
Pingback: geld verdienen im internet - 200€ mit 30 minuten arbeit online
Pingback: cfd
Pingback: Orlando law
Pingback: High Class Escorts In London
Pingback: Click Here
Pingback: hairremovalproductreviews.com
Pingback: Payday Loans Online
Pingback: go here
Pingback: Non Conflict Engagement Rings
Pingback: Lawyer in Sydney
Pingback: watch this video
Pingback: small caps investing
Pingback: DS Domination
Pingback: Dana M. Hall
Pingback: Donald A. Rudolph
Pingback: car locksmith
Pingback: lol elo
Pingback: http://Treeremovalcostestimate.com
Pingback: Tickets
When you realize you shouldn't have left your new girl for your ex http://t.co/RspRKomDEV - posted on @date


text:
You are here:
We have a great range of women's tops for sale... From plain t-shirts to statement blouses, you're sure to get it for less.
Results 1-20 of 36
NWOT Evil Twin size S blue denim sleeveless top
C&A, size S black & purple layered top
SUSAN GRAVER Size S (10) Shades of Brown Tiered Top
NWOT Mink Pink, size XS black & multi Buddha print tunic
Mink Pink Size: S Purple Patterned Dress
Morgan - Size S - Pink - T-Shirt
Karen Millen Size 2 Black Top
Zara Size S Green & White Top
BNWOT - Oasis - Size: S - Black - Long sleeved top
UTTAM LONDON short black tunic
Roman Originals - Size S - Cream / ivory - Sleeveless top
BNWOT BEYOND VINTAGE Size S Ivory Top
Reiss Size S Dark Grey Long Sleeveed Top
Reiss Size S Black & White Striped Jumper
Zara Woman Size S Peach Coloured Long Sleeved Top
French Connection Size XS Purple Wraparound Top
Petite Topshop Size 4 Grey & Purple Wraparound Top With Floral Designs
BNWOT - Ella Moss - Size S - Black Lace Vest Top
BNWOT ELLA MOSS Size S Paisley Tunic Top
Coast Size S Black Short Sleeved Top
Page 1 of 2 | Showing 1-20 of 36
What we do
Get involved
Make a donation
© 2014. Oxfam is a registered charity in England and Wales (no 202918) and Scotland (SC039042).
Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International.


text:
TV News Anchor Rips Viewers For Complaining About Storm Coverage [VIDEO]
It is commonplace for a local television station to break into programming and alert viewers when a violent storm is approaching. Not everybody likes it.
It is commonplace for a local television station to break into programming and alert viewers when a violent storm is approaching. Not everybody likes it.
At long last, Miley Cyrus and the Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne's cover of the Beatles' 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds' is finally here. The duo premiered their psychedelic rendition in a pre-taped performance at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards tonight.
We're not above making a very obvious John Legend reference: All of us here at PopCrush love all of the singer -- especially after his incredible performance of 'All of Me' and 'You and I' tonight at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.
Robin Thicke premiered his new song 'Get Her Back' in a simple but heartfelt performance at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.
Lorde, one of the night's biggest winners, unleashed the very first primetime performance of her new single 'Tennis Court' at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards tonight. The 17-year-old singer brought her signature arm movements -- and trademark vocals -- to the number, donning a wide-brimmed black hat and all-black ensemble (sans feathers) for the performance.
If there is one band who consistently give an incredible live performance, it's Imagine Dragons, whose rendition of 'Tiptoe' at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards tonight reminded us exactly why they have 11 nominations.
Michael Jackson 5-19 from Epic on Vimeo.
There were a lot of whispers about what to expect of the Michael Jackson world premiere performance expected at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards. The carefully-kept secret was revealed this evening (May 18) during the King of Pop's performance of 'Slave to the Rhythm.'
Katy Perry joined the festivities at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards all the way from the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena in England, where she put on a neon-packed performance of her latest single, 'Birthday.'
OneRepublic hit the 2014 BBMAs stage as the second performance of the night, following Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez, to perform their chart-topping single 'Counting Stars.'
It can be an odd experience when former 'SNL' cast members return to host the show. On one level, it's refreshing to see some of your favorite faces return to the stage. On another level, it's a reminder of what the show has lost (especially in a "rebuilding" season like this one). So the season finale's opening monologue was a bittersweet affair, with guest host Andy Samberg being joined by fellow 'SNL' veterans Seth Meyers, Bill Hader and Martin Short.
She paved the way for so many female newswomen, from Joan Lunden, Maria Shriver, and Paula Zahn to Robin Roberts, Connie Chung, and the list goes on and on.
A truck driven by a man claiming to be God rammed a Baltimore area television station. Would God really do such a thing?


text:
- Home
- News
- People
- Events
- Jobs
- Resources
- Store
- Subscribe NowLimited Time Offer
One small step for a company : Samsung Semiconductor
Send this to a friend
- Nathan Donato-Weinstein
- Real Estate Reporter- Silicon Valley Business Journal
- Email | Twitter
When Samsung Semiconductor brought on the architecture firm NBBJ to design a new campus in north San Jose, designers spent a month embedded with rank-and-file workers.
Their mission? To discover what employees wanted out of a new home, which will replace an aging low-rise campus on North First Street.
The answers — collaborative space, private zones and serene public areas — is all part of the striking plans for the 680,000-square-foot campus designs submitted to the city in December.
The result is "not just a cool statement building," said Bill Valle, Samsung Semiconductor's head of human resources. "We have to create an attractive presence to attract people in a tight hiring market."
The North First Street area is dominated by projects with surface-level parking lots and buildings set back from the street. Samsung's plans orient the 10-story buildings along North First, and stick most of the parking in a rear structure.
That might not seem revolutionary, but the density and orientation represents a big step forward for the area, said Planning Director Joe Horwedel.
Jonathan Ward, a partner with NBBJ, said the project "will presumably set a pattern for future development on North First."
He called the project evidence of a "middle ground" between the area's suburban roots and an urban vision.
"We are also contemplating some ground-floor spaces that could interact with the public," Ward said. "We're not trying to create a wall around the community."
Nathan Donato-Weinstein covers commercial real estate and transportation for the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
Most Popular
- Most popular
- Slideshows
- Emailed
- Mobile
- 10 startups that are punching way above their weight class
- Bay Area's top 20 schools in affordable neighborhoods
- 18-story Milpitas tower to rise after Asian firm buys project site
- Drone videos, pics give progress report on Apple Campus 2
- Milpitas holds firm on density near BART; says no to downzone request
- Yahoo CIO sued by former employer Netflix for fraud
- Developer tips hand on big LinkedIn lease in Mountain View
- Flames in Ferguson, Missouri; Police arrest 82 overnight
- Mountain View's North Bayshore land plan gets OK; big changes could
- Orchard Supply snags first-ever San Francisco store
Executive Director, California Citizen Schools | Redwood City, CA
National Sales Manager The Business Journals | San Francisco, CA
Dean of the Leavey School of Business Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA
Assistant Restaurant Manager Chuck E. Cheese's | Gilroy, CA
Excel Gurus Apply Now! OfficeTeam | San Jose, CA
Featured Property
$28 per sqft
1,945 SF Available
For Rent
1,945 SF Available
For Rent


text:
IFMC International Festival of Modern Choreography in Vitebsk
The new program of the Belarusian main circus will feature the world-renowned stars – representatives of four circus dynasties of Alihanov, Maykhrovsky, Levitsky and Yermakov. The show will include acts by world-famous rope-walkers, jugglers, gymnasts and acrobats and, of course, tamers with their smart animals. Members of the Professor Yermakov Dog Academy will present complicated and never-shown-before circus tricks, artists of the Goat Show will dance in sync, while trained parrots will stun the audience with their mother wit. Galina Maykhrovskaya's Theater of Sea Animals will make the draw of the Parade of Dynasties show featuring penguins, seals, sea-cows and sea lions. People's Artist of Russia clown Yevgeny Maykhrovsky will also make part of the show with his famous goose-hypnosis act.
When: 20 September – 7 December
Where: Minsk, Belarusian State Circus
"Edo. Capital and era. Ukiyo-e woodblock prints of the 18th-19th centuries" is a unique project of the National Art Museum of Belarus and the State Hermitage Museum of Russia. For the first time in many years – the last exhibition of this kind was held in 1986 – Belarusian art lovers will see a big collection of Japanese woodblock prints provided by one of Europe's best museums. The exhibition features 64 items created by outstanding craftsmen of the Edo period. These exhibits make part of the "golden collection" of the global art. Ukiyo-e woodblock prints were impressed on rice paper and depicted shoguns, sumo wrestlers and, of course, the famous dwellers of "jolly neighborhoods" geishas…
When: 28 September – 20 December
Where: National Art Museum of Belarus, Minsk
The world' biggest anatomic exhibition was created in the USA seven years ago. Over these years it has been presented in dozens of countries. Some 30 million of people have seen it. The unique exhibition features around 200 items. Human bodies and organs are presented almost in their original state thanks to the method of polymer plastination. The method helps the visitors of the exhibition to see the things that only medical workers and scientists usually know. The expo takes its visitors onto a breathtaking trip into the most complicated systems that makes one of the most advanced Universes – the human body.
When: 3 October 2014 – 11 January 2015
Where: Minsk, Minsk Arena velodrome
The international festival of pipe organ music "Europe's Pipe Organs Play in Grodno" will be running in the ancient city of Grodno, Belarus' Culture Capital 2014, for 1.5 months. Solo concerts will be given by famous Belarusian and foreign musicians who will play the unique pipe organ Magnus Silesia Royal in the Grodno State Music College. The festival will be opened by People's Artist of Belarus Professor Igor Olovnikov, soloist of the Belarusian State Philharmonic and an expert in ancient Belarusian pipe organs Konstantin Sharov, soloist of the concert hall of St. Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk Ksenia Pogorelaya, performer and conductor, cantor and organist from Thuringia Martin Meier, organist and composer from Gedymin Grubba, Organ Music Professor from Romania Felician Rosca and organizer of famous organ music projects from Russia Yekaterina Melnikova.
Magnus Silesia Royal is the only pipe organ of this kind in Belarus and maybe in the entire CIS. This unusual instrument was created using traditional organ making technologies and modern sound engineering solutions. Using recorded sound samples it can simulate the sounds of eight famous ancient European organs. Among them are organs from Italy's Brescia (c. 1600), Czechia's Prague (1673), Netherland's Zwolle (1721), Poland's Rzeszow (1732-1737) and famous pipe organs from France, England, the Germany and Italy.
When: 9 October-20 November
Where: Grodno State Music College
The famous international organ music festival that has many years of history will bring together renowned musicians and music lovers under the roof of St. Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk. The music forum will open on 6 November with a concert of local organist Ksenia Pogorelaya and chamber orchestra Europe Center, as well as the premiere of the Mass (Orgelsolomesse) by Anton Diabelli performed by the Academic Choir of the Sollertinsky Music College of Vitebsk. The program of the festival includes nine concerts of the outstanding contemporary musicians. Among them are Organ Music Professor from Romania Felician Rosca, Swiss organist Cyrill Schmiedlin and Russian trumpet player, artistic director of the quintet Russian Five from Saint Petersburg Alexander Simanovich. For the first time in the history of the forum, the concert hall of St. Sophia Cathedral will welcome one of Croatia's best organists Edmund Andler Boric who is famous for his virtuoso performance of music of the Romantic movement period.
When: 12 October – 23 November
Where: St. Sophia Cathedral
The line-up of the festival includes artists from nine countries. The program of the forum will feature various genres of classical music and also folk, pop, jazz, and choreographic art. The classical music program will feature symphony and chamber orchestra concerts, a performance of the Glinka String Quartet from Moscow and recognized jazz artists Vladimir Chekasin and Pyatras Genyushas. The festival will pay tribute to the 85th anniversary of Belarusian composer Evgeny Glebov and the 90th anniversary of Professor Mikhail Solopov. The concert "Gift to the Teacher" will feature the professor's famous students – Igor Korneliuk, a musician, composer and singer, and Eduard Khanok, People's Artist of Belarus, composer.
When: 28 October – 27 November
Where: Belarusian State Philharmonic Society, Minsk
The outstanding ballerina Nina Ananiashvili will present the revived ballet Laurencia to the music by Alexander Krein in the original choreography of the famous choreographer, People's Artist of the USSR Vakhtang Chabukiani. For the first time the Minsk audience will see the legendary production based on Fuente Ovejuna, a famous play by Spanish writer Lope de Vega. Scenography is by Georgian artist David Monavardisashvili. The costumes were designed by Alexandre Vassiliev, the famous fashion historian, art critic and collector, theater artist, author of popular books and articles, TV host, Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Fine Arts.
When: 1-2 November
Where: Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, Minsk
American pop-rock group OneRepublic that became popular after the soundtrack "Apologize" will visit Minsk as part of their world tour. The musicians will present their third studio album "Native", which was recorded in different parts of the world and, as noted by frontman Ryan Tedder, absorbed the rhythms of various styles: rock, electronic dance music, Gospel, blues, and folk...
When: 5 November
Where: Palace of Sport, Minsk
The popular British singer, composer and pianist, six-time Grammy winner and Knight of the British Empire Sir Elton John made his first appearance in Minsk in 2010. The concert tour Follow the Yellow Brick Road Tour supports the 40th anniversary of the re-release of 1973's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road which, according to critics, was the best in the career of the legendary artist. The eight-times Platinum album includes the song "Candle in the Wind" in honor of Marilyn Monroe and also the singles "Bennie and the Jets", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting". In the Belarusian capital the artist will play the best songs from the album and his long-time hits.
When: 6 November
Where: Minsk Arena, Minsk
Slutsk belts are a unique relic of the Belarusian people and part of the world cultural heritage. These masterpieces of weaving art were made in the 18th - 19th centuries. The most famous manufactory making these belts was in Slutsk and was owned by the Radziwill dukes. Since ancient times, elaborate kontush belts made of silk, gold and silver threads were a mandatory accessory of ceremonial costume of the nobility of Rzeczpospolita. The belts were usually worn on top of a kontush, a long robe with long and loose sleeves. The exhibition in Minsk will feature six Slutsk belts loaned from the National Museum in Warsaw which is known for its rich collections of belts. Five belts which will be on display in Minsk were made by Slutsk Manufactory in the period when it was led by Yan and Leon Madjarski (1767-1807). One belt was made after 1807.
When: 6 November 2014 – 4 April 2015
Where: National Art Museum of Belarus, Minsk
One of the most romantic composers of our times, People's Artist of Russia Igor Krutoy will mark his birthday with a gala concert in Minsk. The concert will feature the Presidential Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus conducted by Viktor Babarikin along with a constellation of Russia's most famous singers, including Philipp Kirkorov, Nikolai Baskov, Alexander Serov, Valeriya, Laima Vaikule, Valery Leontyev, Igor Nikolayev, Kristina Orbakaite and Irina Dubtsova. The audience will enjoy the composer's best songs, hits from different centuries and new compositions performed by famous singers.
When: 7 November
Where: Minsk Arena, Minsk
The country's biggest film forum will bring together leading contemporary producers and actors, film critics and cinema lovers under this year's motto What a Variety of Movies. The film forum will comprise a wide and diverse program: fiction films and documentaries, world premieres, retrospectives, and debuts of fledgling filmmakers. The jury of the fiction film competition will be led by outstanding Russian film director, screenwriter and producer Valery Todorovsky whose Country of the Deaf won Listapad Grand Prix in 1998. The international panel of judges will assess 11 debut works of young cinematographers from around the world. The winners will be announced by producer Shaun Baker (USA), Marketa Hodouskova (Czech Republic-France) and actress Cristina Flutur (Romania).
When: 7–14 November
Where: Palace of the Republic, Minsk cinema houses, Minsk
Famous actor, producer, screenwriter, playwright, priest and public figure Ivan Okhlobystin will come back to Belarus following the success of his Spiritual Talks program in 2013. The format of the show will stay the same. The audience will learn about the artist's thoughts on the issues of current importance and will be able to ask him questions. Ivan Okhlobystin's new program Spiritual Talks. Continuation will feature more literary works, including a famous poetry series Gazelles and stories written especially for the project where the author unites frequently asked questions and answers.
When, where:
13 November – Minsk Concert Hall, Minsk
14 November – Grodno Oblast Drama Theater, Grodno
20 November – Gomel Oblast Culture Center, Gomel
21 November – Mogilev Oblast Palace of Culture, Mogilev
Popular Italian singers have gathered for a world tour. Most of them have not sung together for more than 30 years. Now they will present a new program to the Belarusian audience. Partaking in the grand live show in Minsk will be legends of the world stage Gianni Morandi, Al Bano and Romina Power, Riccardo Fogli, Pupo, Matia Bazar and Umberto Tozzi. They will perform their "golden hits" and songs that are still unknown. The Belarusians will witness the birth of new duets. During the final show everybody will have an opportunity to talk to the famous musicians and even sing together with them.
When: 14 November
Where: Minsk Arena, Minsk
For the third time the AlfaJAZZinMINSK festival featuring outstanding Belarusian and foreign jazz performers will give unforgettable emotions to the audience. Partaking in the show will be SHAKATAK with the new program The Best: 1979-2014, George Garanyan Big Band, Didier Lockwood and Hammond-B-trio, JD Allen and New-York Jazz-trio, Siggy Davis, Rudy Royston, and Yevgeny Vladimirov… All in all, partaking in this year's festival will be more than 50 musicians from the USA, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The world jazz stars will give concerts and share some of their professional secrets with Belarusian students during the workshops at the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts.
When: 18 – 20 November
Where: Trade Unions Palace, Palace of the Republic, Minsk
The forum represents one of the brightest pages in the cultural life of Vitebsk. The 27th IFMC International Festival of Modern Choreography will feature first-night performances by the leading dance groups from Belgium, the United Kingdom, Israel, Spain, Russia, the USA, Ukraine, Sweden, Estonia, and Belarus. The geography of the contest is expanding. This time the organizers received around 100 works for the video elimination round. The international jury of the competition will include renowned choreographers Radu Poclitaru (Ukraine), Yulia Dyatko (Belarus), Ido Tadmor (Israel), Emanuele Soavi (Italy), Olga Pona (Russia), and Rene Nommik (Estonia). The program of the festival includes workshops for dancers and meetings of the expert council, the photo exhibitions Portrait in Modern Dance and Capturing Movement, and the exhibition Non-Figurative Art by Belarusian artist Anatoly Kuznetsov.
When: 19 – 23 November
Where: Vitebsk, Vitebsk Concert Hall, Yakub Kolas National Academic Drama Theater
On the stage of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus the company of the Kiev Modern Ballet Theater will present a performance D-Minor Women with music composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. The performance has been produced by a successful choreographer, the founder and artistic director of Ukraine's only modern ballet theater Radu Poclitaru. According to the choreographer, the performance has been inspired by Bach's musical polyphony. The synergy of genius music and modern expressive plastic arts gave birth to a story of non-existent friendship of women raised to the scale of biblical tragedies. Men star as 16 lead characters in the performance.
When: 20 November
Where: Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, Minsk
The internationally recognized jazz singer and composer Nino Katamadze and the band Insight will perform their program 15 Years Together in Minsk. The program is dedicated to the anniversary of the creative union of friends. The melodious songs by Nino Katamadze are saturated with special inimitable ring, original Georgian tints and the rich culture of the sunny country. Fans will be able to appreciate a surprising improvisation, during which the musicians will perform the best world music works that give one an opportunity to think about eternal matters. The world jazz star will be accompanied by a live orchestra conducted by her friend Nikoloz Rachveli with assistance of the Georgian Brass ensemble.
When: 20 November
Where: Palace of the Republic, Minsk
One of the most popular Ukrainian rock bands led by Svyatoslav Vakarchuk will perform in Minsk as part of the tour timed to the 20th anniversary of the band's foundation. Okean Elzy has produced 10 albums, over 100 songs and over 30 videos so far. As part of the jubilee program the musicians will perform various hits. The nostalgic image of the evening will be underlined by the special decoration of the stage – the OE logo, which has been known to fans since the days of the Supersymetriya album –as well as old photos of the band.
When: 21 November
Where: Minsk Arena, Minsk
Turetsky Choir is a unique musical ensemble led by the prominent showman, conductor, and singer with Belarusian origins, People's Artist of Russia Mikhail Turetsky. Soloists of the men's art group singing live have conquered the best stages of the world. Singers of Turetsky Choir have worked with world stars like Julio Iglesias, Gloria Gaynor, Placido Domingo… On the Belarusian stage the artists will present a solo program that comprises the best works of various genres from classics by Pyotr Tchaikovsky to rock ballads by Freddie Mercury, from operettas to Broadway musicals, from rock and roll to urban folklore.
When: 29 November
Where: Palace of the Republic, Minsk
Belarus Events Calendar: October 2014
Belarus Events Calendar: September 2014
Belarus Events Calendar: August 2014
Belarus Events Calendar: July 2014


text:
Monotype Imaging Inc.
THEMacaron™ Korean Flipfont
THEMacaron™ is bold and bended stroke font. Thank you.
TSForestscent™ Korean Flipfont
The font of cute handwriting fonts feeling.
365Outofwork™ Korean Flipfont
365Outofwork™ Today don't busy but tomorrow will be busy.
THEMiss™ Korean Flipfont
THEMiss™ Korean Flipfont is funny font. Thank you. .
GFMill™ Korean Flipfont
GFMill™ The font consists of soft and charming characters in order to express pure children´s feature.
ATPureblue™ Korean Flipfont
ATPureblue™ font is clear design. It is funny and fresh. You can feel cool and bright. Thank you. .
BRsugar™ Korean Flipfont
BRsugar™ is Angular, but melted soft fonts. Thank you. .
Aa4Bpencil™ Korean Flipfont
Aa4Bpencil ™ Try to use a pencil when writing love. To be Thick and Dark!
HGNewGothicMPRO Flipfont
RICOH HGNewGothicMPRO Japanese Flipfont HGNewGothicMPRO is a high legible typeface based on Japanese Universal Design(UD) concept. Attention! Please check the following before you purchase. Go to Setting->Display, check if you see "Font syle" in the menu. If not, that mean your...
365honeyclover™ KoreanFlipfont
365honeyclover™ Trivial day-to-day sweet clover brings happiness! Dedicate to you..
MfSprout™ Korean Flipfont
MfSprout™ is a cute character fonts. Characteristics of the typeface is simplicity and loveliness.
DXcute™ Korean Flipfont
DXcute™ is Circles as a form of "ㅇ" is to bear the sole interesting typeface. Cute teddy bear is hiding!
HYBabypink Korean Flipfont
HYBabypink™ It can express cute character with a star ! It's a font which make lovely smile as well as you see
HGSoeiMarupoptaiPRO Flipfont
RICOH HGSoeiMarupoptaiPRO Japanese Flipfont HGSoeiMarupoptaiPRO is a round gothic pop style typeface. Friendly and casual appearance. Attention! Please check the following before you purchase. Go to Setting->Display, check if you see "Font syle" in the menu. If not, that mean your...
Grimshaw Hand Flipfont
Flipfont™ changes the user interface font on your phone. The Grimshaw Hand™ font is an informal script based on handwriting. Warm and familiar, it's relaxed rhythm lends a personal touch.


text:
Town Square
9 Years later a supervisor finally tries to implement a 9 year old grand jury recommendation..
Original post made by MIchael G. Stogner, another community, on Nov 19, 2012
Comments (3)
a resident of another community
on Nov 21, 2012 at 8:04 am
Supervisor Don Horsley didn't want to hear about it.
Web Link
a resident of another community
on Nov 21, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Thank You Supervisors,
This is what has not been accomplished since 2002. Single Point Contact/Data
Establish a single point of contact for all such complaints within the Board of Supervisors offices or assign coordination to an outside agency under contract to the County.
Include coverage for members of the public, vendors and others serving the County.
a resident of another community
on Nov 23, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Whistleblower plan gets yanked again
Don Horsley made sure that item number 9 was removed from the agenda before the public could even hear the presentation. The supervisors should at least be open to hear plans and ideas form other supervisors. Dave Pine asked his fellow board members to at least hear the presentation on the plan before yanking it from November 20th agenda. That did not happen, That is exactly what a presentation is all about. I believe that Don Horsley's behavior was shameful. Lets take a look at the idea, its been 10 years since the Grand Jury made a more powerful recommendation. Single point contact for reporting crimes not just fraud. Independent from the county officials and supervisors. How else can we possibly protect our employees?
Michael Stogner
San Carlos
Don't miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to be notified of new comments on this topic.
Grab a Bowl of Heaven soon in Mountain View
By Elena Kadvany | 0 comments | 2,917 views
Don't fund the rape culture at my alma mater
By Jessica T | 36 comments | 2,585 views
Quick Check List for UC Applications
By John Raftrey and Lori McCormick | 0 comments | 1,996 views
Palo Alto and Bay Area Election Facts and Thoughts on the Implications
By Steve Levy | 18 comments | 1,526 views
I live near Sunset
By Stuart Soffer | 5 comments | 751 views


text:
Please login to get more out of this site
You are currently not logged in, do so now to add comments, like articles as well as photos, submit to competitions, translate articles and gain access to unlimited photo upload! If you are not registered yet, go here to find out more about Lomography and join now! If you just want a limited account for now you can use Twitter or Facebook. We would love to have you as a member here!
27 people like this photo
Liking photos helps us to present the best ones to you and others. 27 people like this photo. 27 people like this photo: betterthanelvis, disdis, life_on_mars, eva_eva, rudemuinho, devildi, smbilgin, mephisto19, brommi, res, kristianj, elisss, waitinghsu, ray017, ballpointalchemist, lawypop, mafiosa, alekskuntz, diwen, mloo, fruchtzwerg_hh, purepaty, drlaporksha, werriston, badjuju, sve, and ryszardl70.
2 comments
I'm really amazed by the gentle beauty of this shot!
Great effect and shot! timeless


text:
rashbre central
fun going forward
Sunday, 23 November 2014
The Imitation Game
Time to see 'The Imitation Game' today, which is a movie dramatising the life of Alan Turing, who led a team which cracked the German Enigma machine encryption in World War II.
An enjoyable and engrossing movie, although there were some parts that made me think '-er- I'm not sure it would have been like that'. Some adaptations would certainly have been in the interests of dramatisation and in some cases to simplify the storyline.
Some people have taken exception to the way this version gets told and included historical inaccuracies. I'll regard it as an accessible way to show at least a couple major intertwined themes, in an acceptable movie length format.
There was a simple code example included in the trailer:
It's fairly easy to crack the above using a certain technique, which is similarly adopted in the movie. There's a movie moment quite early on where something gets said which is like the planted line for the later plot point. I won't reveal it, but it made me think 'ahah' when it was first mentioned.
Benedict Cumberbatch plays an autistic Turing, and there's a great surrounding cast keeping the slightly old-style story-telling moving along.
Afterwards we headed to a Spanish restaurant where the chatter rolled forward to today's implications related to secure transmission of information. Maybe it's time to break out the InfoSec Taylor Swift Security Starter Pack.
Posted by rashbre at 23:16 0 comments
Friday, 21 November 2014
penguined out
The television adverts for Christmas are in full swing now and the one with the penguins has been on for about week.
Bizarrely, they are also being advertised on ebay for several quid each.
This shopper has done particularly well, managing to clutch four of the rarer Sloane variety simultaneously.
Although it could get tricky when he gets to the tube station.
Posted by rashbre at 12:28 2 comments
Thursday, 20 November 2014
finding Vivian Maier
I finally watched that movie/documentary about photographer Vivian Maier during the week. She's the one whose pictures were only discovered fairly recently by John Maloof, who has since been promoting the fine body of work.
The area that gets the most attention are the street photographs, often from around Chicago, where Maier was working as a nanny. Often shot on a Rolleiflex TLR from chest height, many embody the idea of getting in close.
What struck me when I saw her pictures originally was their consistently high quality captures of people in scenes from around the city. She seems to have been able to find ideal moments to tell stories with her film.
I knew there were more pictures, but didn't know the sheer scale of the photographs she had taken. There's tens of thousands, including many that had not been developed, including New York, a world tour and some from Europe. There's a high strike rate of good shots in the ones I have seen, although it's difficult to know whether some were destined for cropping because so many were originally unprocessed.
The documentary shows the unfolding of her story. Born in Chicago she presented herself to employers as if from a small town in France. In the audio recordings she speaks with a hybrid American accent shaded with what to me sounds more German than French. There's footage and recollections from her visits to the family village in rural France.
Maloof is, himself, something of a fastidious person, who meticulously adds to the materials he first acquired from an auction. He has progressively assembled more from Maier's life. There's her still photography both monochrome and colour, some 8mm and 16mm cine films, audio cassette diaries and paper journals. Maier was also a hoarder and there's thousands of receipts and other pieces of documentary evidence around.
At one level the documentary provides answers, at another it doesn't. Why so many pictures undeveloped? How was the continuous photography funded? Why did she choose to show herself with so many different names/spellings/identities? Why nothing ever shown? She appears to also have flipped from mild mannered to sometimes vicious, including with the children she nannied.
One of the people interviewed said something about Vivian becoming too crazy and having to be let go from that specific nannying role.
The documentary was partly about the photography, partly about her curious life and it couldn't help but also show the quirks of Maloof now trying to ensure there's decent recognition for Maier's work.
Posted by rashbre at 11:31 1 comments
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
Almost Wordless Wednesday - #vehicle
or maybe:
Yes, a few of the fancy cars in the nearby car park are being wrapped up for the winter season. Others parked here are more hardy:
Posted by rashbre at 17:50 5 comments
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
stopping the leaves from falling
I was around by Parliament today and decided to have a quick peep at where they are de-leafing the lime trees inside New Palace Yard.
I took a quick snap and you can just see the trees in the background. The ones on the left in the picture still have the bright yellow looking leaves, then there's a couple of stepladders and the trees on the right are de-leafed.
The gardeners have explained that its a more efficient process than letting nature take its course and then raking up the fallen leaves.
I originally thought it was in some kind of major public thoroughfare where thousands of tourists would be slipping over on the wrong kind of leaves.
No, actually its around that secure bit leading to the underground car park for MPs.
In one of the reports it said something about the leaf removal being a form of planching. I don't buy it. I thought planching was knitting the branches together to make a sort of canopy or trellis. This leaf denuding seems to be more like a performance art installation.
Still, it can't be as expensive as that other MP thing going on.
The High Court investigating whether the MP said something unpleasant to the police in Downing Street when they would't open the gate for his bicycle. The MP is suing the Sun Newspaper and apparently has racked up just over £500k costs via his legal representatives Atkins Thompson.
I don't know whether these fees include the speculated £150k for expert inputs to the case. Last year it was reported that one academic was supposed to have been paid £80,000 to calculate the time it would have taken to deliver the MP's alleged "59 syllable" exchange (which apparently took 48 seconds).
I would have provided the speaking rate information for half that fee, but now it is too late, so here's a free version.
Using spoken presentations as an available metric, the average words per minute spoken is around 163 and the average syllables per minute is around 230. So in, say, 45 seconds it would be easily possible to deliver 59 syllables and as much as 230*.75 = 172 syllables. In approximate terms it would only need 15 seconds to deliver the phrases at presentation speed.
But, of course, the MP is saying he didn't actually utter the alleged words.
It all seems somewhat disproportionate. I gather the MP has some previous form for fruity-language exchanges with the police, so somehow this one all seems to have got a bit out of hand.
Posted by rashbre at 23:31 0 comments
Sunday, 16 November 2014
cycling towards winter
I've pretty much switched into winter cycling mode now, although a couple of weeks of gap whilst up north means that I still have a way to go to reach this year's target of 4,000 miles.
Not only that, but I got one of those yow!! leg cramps after my last fifteen miles. Not at the time, but later in the evening. It's slightly annoying because its one of those things that I can just tell will come back until I get rid of the knots in my legs.
Maybe some stretching is required? More likely some electrolyte.
Anyhoo, I'll try to crank out another twenty or so miles this afternoon. And take some High 5 along.
Posted by rashbre at 15:21 2 comments
Saturday, 15 November 2014
a NaNoWriMo reason for being a bit quiet
Oops. I did accidentally succumb to the novel writing madness. A slightly late start and then some time spent underground didn't help, although I somehow seem to be on track at the moment.
Going to that Moon exhibition at the Baltic gave me the initial whimsical thought, around the idea of the second moon of Earth. I've also roped in Ganymede, which is the largest moon of Jupiter.
Now I just need 50,000 words, without resorting to space monsters and battle cruisers.
Posted by rashbre at 11:25 2 comments
Friday, 14 November 2014
realistic hollywood haboob
My recent visit to the cinema got me thinking about the drama of dust storms.
They say that global warming will increase the propensity for dust storms. Cinematically, they look dramatic and can form part of dystopian (sorry about that) storylines.
The thing is, I can remember experiencing a real one that looked just about as spectacular as those in the movies.
It was only around three years ago, when we were in Scottsdale, Arizona and one blew up from the right side of my view and then tracked slowly as a wall of sand across the landscape. I took a photo of the newspaper story at the time.
Not a movie still. This is the real one from around Scottsdale.
We'd only just arrived in Scottsdale which is right next door to Phoenix in the Arizona desert. They both have that 'settled-in' look which dramatically stops at the city limits. It is similar at the outskirts of Palm Springs in California, where you drive past the last block and are suddenly back in desert. Holding back the environment with technology. Switch it off and the sand returns.
The Americans call these big dust storms Haboobs, which I'd heard before when I was in the deserts of Arabia. I think haboob is actually an Arabic word.
Wherever it's from, it's interesting that Hollywood's IMAX depiction of really big storms don't seem to be much larger than some of the real ones that already cut through parts of Arizona.
Posted by rashbre at 11:27 0 comments
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
another year adds a bit more history
This year we celebrated my birthday in a castle.
Langley Castle was originally built in 1350 during the reign of Edward III, but then got caught up in a scuffle with Henry IV in 1405. He was not too happy with the Barons of Tynedale and in Henry's campaign against the Percys his troops set fire to it. Henry Percy lived to fight another rebellion, but his land had been confiscated and after the second rebellion failed Percy's head was put on a pole on London Bridge.
The castle was mainly a shell for the next few hundred years even when the the Earls of Derwentwater and Viscount Langley took over the estate. They sided with the Jacobite rising in 1715. It didn't do them much good either as they were carted off to the Tower of London where they were executed.
There's a large stone cross by the roadside nearby which says: In memory of James and Charles Viscounts Langley. Beheaded on Tower Hill 24th Feb 1716 and 8th Dec 1746. For Loyalty to their Lawful Sovereign.
They were trying to get James VII of Scotland back onto the British throne instead of Queen Mary II and that Dutchman, William of Orange.
After the executions, the Crown confiscated the estate and took away the titles. Curiously, the estate's administration passed to the Royal Naval Hospital in Greenwich, some 300 miles away. It may explain why the nearby pub is called the Anchor.
The castle remained a ruin until a local historian bought it in 1882. His name was Cadwalladar Bates and he decided to restore it to its original 14th Century look, admittedly with a Victorian twist. Because it had been left as a ruin for the previous 400 years, it didn't suffer from the kinds of modifications that affected many castles. Cadwalladar and his wife Josephine worked on the castle for many years, and after Cadwallader's death, his wife continued the restoration until her own death in 1933.
The building was then used as a barracks in World War II, then as a girls' school, before being bought by another local businessperson, who converted it to its current use as a rather desirable place to stay. I somehow managed to stay in the actual Cadwalladar room, complete with its 7 foot thick stone walls.
To keep things moving along, the castle as a business is now owned by MIT Professor Dr Stuart Madnick, who is a well-known computer scientist, and author or co-author of hundreds of computing books.
For us, it provided a very suitable place for a bit of a celebration, although I notice there's quite an updraft from the quantity of birthday candles.
No wonder the staff looked edgy, they didn't want a repeat of what happened in 1405.
Posted by rashbre at 20:20 2 comments
Monday, 10 November 2014
interstellar transcendence
You can't go wrong having a corn field somewhere in a science fiction movie. Come to think of it, the big chord from the intro to Also Sprach Zarathustra is another goody.
Without giving anything away, the new Christopher Nolan movie manages both in the first minute or so of screen time.
Interstellar is more my kind of space movie than, say, the upcoming Jupiter Rising, which appears to have CGI overtly plastered throughout the film.
By contrast, Interstellar uses mainly practical filming, with real sets and real atmospherics, best viewed on the largest available screen.
And, although a space film, there's a clear grounded quality alongside the movie's big ideas, making something altogether more thought-provoking than the arcade shoot-em-ups of many comic book movies.
There's a few places where a character has to give a plausible-sounding science explanations, and Nolan uses one of his fascinations, expecting the audience to track various timelines (think of Memento and Inception).
Science folk will no doubt pick on some of the paradoxes and questions raised but I'll take that as a Nolan victory that people are puzzling it through.
But I don't really want to say too much about the story and characters, so I guess I'll just have to say it's a movie I'll see on a big screen again.
Posted by rashbre at 00:12 2 comments
Friday, 7 November 2014
perfect pre interstellar advert from lurpak
I know, its been around since April, but it's a great commercial prior to watching Interstellar ;-)
Posted by rashbre at 16:45 0 comments
Thursday, 6 November 2014
NaNo Moon
I wasn't really planning to do NaNoWriMo this year. That's the thing where we try to bash out a draft novel in a month. 50,000 words or 1,666 words per day.
I've still got several previous attempts in various states of completion, but then somehow this time I've sort of fallen into it.
I think it was visiting that Moon exhibition a few days ago. That and the BFI current programming 'Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder.'
Now I've started writing something about a moon, but decided to look further afield than Earth's moon. I've picked Ganymede which orbits Jupiter. The people mining it are having a hard time. It all needs sorting out. But there's some Earth-based conspiracies to uncover.
I'm only up to 13,600 words so far. I may go a bit erratic for the rest of November.
I also sense the need for some big screen viewing:
Posted by rashbre at 17:25 2 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)