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The Invisible 2007 | Movie Watchlist
Writer-turned-director David S. Goyer's vapid remake of the Swedish DEN OSYNLIGE (2002) , which was unscreened for critics, is a textbook illustration of the American movie industry's ability to take an offbeat foreign film and systematically alter or soften every provocative and original thing about it.
Eighteen-year-old Nick Powell (a mopey Justin Chatwin) gets good grades, doesn't drink, do drugs, indulge in typical teenage hell-raising and has never, ever disobeyed the cold, widowed mother (Marcia Gay Harden) who's plotted out his shining future with the steely pragmatism of a five-star general. And he's desperately, suffocatingly unhappy; Nick wants to attend a writing program in London rather than go to college, and on the eve of his Burnaby Mountain High graduation, Nick has bought a plane ticket from the proceeds of his side business writing term papers for lazy jocks. Still incapable of openly defying dragon-mom, Nick tells only his spineless best friend, Pete (Chris Marquette), that he plans to sneak off to the airport that very night. And then everything goes wrong: Mom finds the ticket and lays on a world-class helping of "what have I done to deserve this" guilt while Pete, who's run afoul of high-school hellcat Annie Newton (Margarita Levieva), an underprivileged delinquent who dabbles in stolen goods and ultra-violence, fingers Nick as the squealer who turned her in to the police. It was actually Annie's boyfriend, parolee Marcus (Alex O'Loughlin), but Pete doesn't know that and figures Nick is out of harm's way. Unfortunately, he's wrong; devastated by mom's emotional blackmail, Nick blew off his escape plan and is abducted by Annie and her bully boys, who beat him with an inch of his life and dump him in a wooded drainage culvert to die.
Nick awakes the next day a ghost, condemned to wander unseen and unheard among his classmates, family and the police investigating his disappearance. Except that he's not actually a ghost at all, but an unmoored soul trapped in a limbo that will end when Nick's battered but not-quite-dead flesh finally gives out. If he were to be found and treated, body and soul might be reunited and Nick's sadly truncated future reclaimed. The trouble is that the only person who seems to sense his presence is the sullen, deeply damaged Annie, the last person in the world who's going to help him.
Where DEN OSYNLIGE was a downbeat story of cruel, capricious fate and hard, haunting choices, THE INVISIBLE is a formulaic tale of redemption and teen angst. Annie, who isn't as tough as she seems, seizes the opportunity to do one good thing with her wasted life, Mrs. Powell reveals a soft side, bullied Pete gets a second chance and spiteful Marcus reaps what he's sown. No surprises, no food for thought and really, no reason to bother.
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- Released: 2007
- Rating: PG-13
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- Review: Writer-turned-director David S. Goyer's vapid remake of the Swedish DEN OSYNLIGE (2002) , which was unscreened for critics, is a textbook illustration of the American movie industry's ability to take an offbeat foreign film and systematically alter or soft… (more)
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text: Food Reviews & Stories Teardrop owner Daniel Shoemaker, a 14-year bartending veteran from San Francisco, doesn't feel quite at home in the Pearl on a Saturday night. He doesn't serve Red Bull, and he has no use for Grey Goose. "No, we don't have any beer on tap" is his most frequently uttered More

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Russia's Wild Fantasies of an All-Powerful State Department
September 17, 2012
When journalist Arkady Mamontov aired his television exposé on Pussy Riot last week, the central question was who was behind their riotous performance? Mamontov's investigation yielded two culprits: oligarch-in-exile Boris Berezovsky, and "some Americans" who hired Pussy Riot and choreographed their act in order to corrupt the souls of Russian youth. Mamontov didn't need to spell out who those Americans were; everyone watching got the message anyway.
Putin Flies with Birds, Jumps the Shark
September 06, 2012
MOSCOW—Last summer, Russian president Vladimir Putin, who was then still technically prime minister, put on a wetsuit and diving gear, and dove into the Black Sea, where he stumbled upon an ancient urn. It was the beginning of the end for Putin, image-wise. His previous stunts—personally putting out forest fires, tagging whales with a crossbow—were ridiculous, yes, but his deep sea discovery smacked especially of a light insanity. It didn't help when Putin's press secretary flippantly admitted the obvious: The urn had been planted.
How to Tell If You're an American Spy in Russia: Ask Hillary Clinton
September 04, 2012
On July 26, the heads of two of the most famous human rights groups in Russia sent President Barack Obama an open letter with a pressing issue: were they, or were they not his spies? It was a strange move, but also quite a clever one. In May, in the last week of its session, the Russian parliament kicked into overdrive and passed a raft of measures widely seen as trying to pull the rug out from under the increasingly vocal and increasingly numerous opposition.
Pussy Riot? More Like Pussy War
August 30, 2012
MOSCOW—Yesterday afternoon, two women—a mother and her 38-year-old daughter—were found stabbed to death in the southeastern city of Kazan. By the time the news reached Moscow this morning, it arrived with a new bit of information: someone had scrawled "Free Pussy Riot" on the hallway wall. In blood. It's not clear who did this—or, more significantly, why—but two weeks after the three young women of Pussy Riot were sentenced to two years in jail for singing a "punk prayer" in the main church of the capital, the story continues to roil Russian society.
Pussy Riot and a Protest Legacy
August 17, 2012
How Washington's protests over the Pussy Riot case connect to a long-forgotten local genre of demonstration
How Three Young Punks Made Putin Blink
August 17, 2012
When the members of Pussy Riot heard their two-year prison sentence, they laughed.
Pussy Riot v. Putin: A Front Row Seat at a Russian Dark Comedy
August 06, 2012
On the morning of February 21, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina, and Ekaterina Samutsevich walked up the steps leading to the altar of Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior, shed their winter clothing, pulled colorful winter hats down over their faces, and jumped around punching and kicking for about thirty seconds. By evening, the three young women had turned it into a music video called "Punk Prayer: Holy Mother, Chase Putin Away!" which mocked the patriarch and Putin.
Lady Dada
August 02, 2012
IT'S A BREEZY Moscow night, and Maria Baronova has moved on from tea and tom-yam to prosecco. Sitting on the terrace of a bar overlooking the Moscow River, she fishes around in her messy leather purse and shows me the court document charging her with inciting mass riots. "As you can see, I'm the organizer of an intergalactic revolution," she scoffs and lights another menthol cigarette.
The Universalist
August 02, 2012
Before 2013 begins, catch up on the best of 2012. From now until the New Year, we will be re-posting some of The New Republic's most thought-provoking pieces of the year. Enjoy. ALONZO KING is not a celebrity. He is virtually unknown outside the dance world, and even to insiders he is something of an outsider, a choreographer-monk working away with a small troupe of devoted dancers in San Francisco. It is not that his work has gone unrecognized: he has won dozens of awards and made ballets for companies as diverse as the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and the Royal Swedish Ballet.
What, Me Sad?
June 26, 2012
In 1975 I left the burning city of Beirut for the quiet insanity of England. To say that short, frail and wispy, 15-year-old me didn't fit in would be such an understatement as to be a joke. I stuck out more in an English public school than I would have had I marched in a May Day parade with the Red Army in Moscow, or sashayed the Yves St Laurent catwalk with supermodels, or hunted seals with the Inuit, or—well, you get the idea. I spent most of the time pretending that I wasn't worried about my family back in a war zone, desperately feigning nonchalance.


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Welcome to the counterjihad!
by 1389 on July 3, 2015
in 1389 (blog admin), Canada, education, Ezra Levant, stealth jihad
by 1389 on February 21, 2015
by 1389 on February 12, 2015
in Canada, Ezra Levant, jihad, Mark Harding/Evangelists of Canada
by 1389 on May 11, 2014
in 1389 (blog admin), Canada, Ezra Levant, food and drink, government regulation
by 1389 on October 19, 2013
in 1389 (blog admin), Canada, ecoterrorism, energy, Ezra Levant, geology
by 1389 on August 22, 2013
in 1389 (blog admin), Barack Hussein Obama, Egypt, Ezra Levant, Libya, Syria
by 1389 on July 10, 2013
in 1389 (blog admin), ecoterrorism, Ezra Levant, Islamic terrorism, railroads and trains
28 Pages by Allen Mitchum
– a counterjihad novel
An investigation of a woman's gruesome murder uncovers a shocking Saudi conspiracy against the United States…
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GM's director of sustainability asks how we can frame up the needs and challenges for NGOs and corporate buyers, to ultimately make renewables more affordable for all companies
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SEIA is the solar energy industry's go-to source for the latest coverage on solar power, including U.S. and international policy, research and polls, business and financing trends, and more. Our staff strives to support the media covering solar energy issues and guide our members on effective media outreach with clear statements, background materials, news and multimedia resources.
SEIA is committed to informing policymakers, the media, and the American public about the benefits of solar energy for today's communities, our economy, and our country.
Learn more from our statements and industry news below.
Another Big Solar Project Gets Under Way in California
The 135-MW Quinto Solar Project, a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant under construction in California's Central Valley, officially broke ground on July 29.
San Jose–based SunPower Corp. is building the plant in Los Banos, and will sell power from the facility to Southern California Edison under a 20-year power purchase agreement. The project is due for completion in late 2015.
Massachusetts Lawmakers Lift NEM Cap, But Fail to Act on Broader Legislation
With the clock running out on its 2014 session, the Massachusetts Legislature has agreed to a short term fix to address the bottleneck of solar projects across the Commonwealth by immediately raising the cap on net metering.
Massachusetts Approves Legislation Designed to Expand SHC Technologies
In a move expected to spur solar heating and cooling (SHC) deployment across the state, the Massachusetts Legislature has approved SB 2214 and sent it to Governor Deval Patrick for his signature. This important legislation will allow renewable thermal technologies, including SHC, to be eligible for alternative energy credits under the Massachusetts Alternative Portfolio Standard (APS).
Massachusetts Legislature Urged to Pass Solar Energy Legislation
With two days left in the legislative session, National Grid, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE), the New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC), the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) and Environment Massachusetts are asking the House Ways and Means Committee to quickly release consensus language on House Bill 4185, a landmark compromise that provides a stable and cost-effective policy solution to support solar energy in Massachusetts. Last week, this broad coalition of stakeholders agreed upon language that
New Study: Solar Industry Poised to Create 200,000 Jobs with Key Tax Policies
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released an independent study projecting the positive economic impact of the Department of Treasury Grant Program (TGP) and the Solar Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit. The study found that extending the TGP by two years and including solar manufacturing in the industries' existing tax credit would add 200,000 new domestic jobs to the solar workforce and supporting industries in the United States.
U.S. Solar Industry Urges Action on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) President and CEO Rhone Resch today released the following statement in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
US Solar Industry Trade Association Reports Strong Growth in 2009 Despite Recession
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released the 2009 U.S. Solar Industry Year in Review, finding 2009 to be another year of strong growth despite the economic recession.
Poll: 3 out of 4 Americans Approve of Solar Energy Development on Public Lands
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released new national polling data showing that 75 percent of those surveyed support the development of solar energy plants on public lands.
Senator Harry Reid Named 2009 National Solar Energy Champion Of The Year
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today announced U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) as recipient of a 2009 National Solar Energy Champion Award, citing his tireless leadership to combat climate change, steer our economy towards a clean energy future and put solar energy to work for all Americans.
Our opinion: A bright future with solar
When Winstanley Enterprises came to the Brattleboro Selectboard with a proposal to build a two-megawatt solar farm along Interstate 91, just north of the West River, we were excited about the idea of a renewable energy project that could generate enough power to provide electricity to about 400 homes, while also offsetting more than 123 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 20 years.
Rhone Resch: A Necessary Plan for Climate Action
Like thick smog hanging stubbornly overhead, many of the arguments against President Obama's climate change policy are stagnant, potentially dangerous and pose a serious, long-term threat to America's future. The naysayers have called the president's plan everything from "sheer fantasy" to "massive sacrifice," but they are tethered to antiquated, 20th century mindsets.
Valley View: Solar energy is here to stay; so should state initiative
In the past decade since we first launched our business, our economy has endured unprecedented challenges, and at long last, we seem to be recovering from the greatest recession of our time. If consumer confidence were the greatest indicator of fiscal heath, the general sentiment from our customers would serve as "proof positive" that we are moving forward.
Long Island Wants More Solar
Last Friday, July 12 the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) said it wants more solar—a lot more solar for the small island. The island's electric utility announced its CLEAN Solar Initiative-II (CSI-11), a program that will provide a feed-in tariff for 100 megawatts of solar projects between 100 kilowatts and 2 megawatts. And that's just for now. The utility also is planning to issue requests for proposal for another 300 megawatts of renewable energy.
Don't dim bright solar future
The advance of solar power as an economically viable source of energy is a global issue.
But if there is a ground zero for solar's evolution toward becoming a real alternative to carbon-based energy sources, it is Arizona. This state, by definition, should lead the way.


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Creolization is the process in which a mixed people of African, European and indigenous ancestry emerged as a result of colonization.
In the study, researchers examined sites where creolization has emerged, conducting fieldwork in the Republic of Mauritius, off of the eastern coast of Madagascar; the Republic of Cape Verde, off the western coast of Africa; the French Caribbean, which includes Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin, Les Saintes, and Marie-Galante, and Louisiana.
Cohen's research is funded by the U.K. foundation, the Leverhulme Trust. There are 11 projects in all. In his project, with Olivia Sheringham, he engages with the concepts of diaspora and creolization through a comparative study of the four different settings.
"Diasporic and creolized identities tend to be conceptualized as 'opposites,' the first placing emphasis on the past, the second on the present and future," he explained. "This study will explore the subtle ways in which the two interact with each other, often in a mutually exclusive pattern, but sometimes in a mutually reinforcing way. The key task will be to elaborate and rework the contingent, historically specific and situational settings in which diaspora or creolization emerge, diverge, or converge; the 'delicate dance' between them."
Cohen and wife Selina worked with Sheila Richmond and Pete Gregory at the Creole Heritage Center, Mary Linn Wernet in the Cammie G. Henry Research Center at NSU's Watson Library and Susan Dollar, associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, History, and Social Science, who shared their time and information on Creoles in Louisiana.


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South | Residences | Neighborhood | Sustainability | The South Group | Contact
Not All Square Feet Are Created Equally
South is a new high-rise community, located in South Park, in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.
This collection of modern residences is creating a micro neighborhood, full of street-front retail, greenspaces, designer homes and amenities. All connected by a collective identity of advanced architecture, new construction, sustainable design and a cohesive plan for intelligent neighborhood building.
South currently includes Elleven, Luma, Evo and South Figueroa, and is growing daily with new owners, neighbors, retail, energy and life.
Evo Is Now Selling
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2014 World Cup: Ex-US coach Milutinovic hails Ghana's young squad
Ex-US coach Bora Milutinovic has hailed Ghana's talented squad saying the group G games is 'like a small World Cup between four teams'.
The Ghanaians will battle the Americans, Germany and Portugal in a group dubbed as 'Group of Death'.
The Black Stars will re-ignite their growing rivalry with the Americans in their opener at Natal on Monday June 16 before they clash with Europeans giants Germany and Portugal.
Former American boss Bora Milutinovic feels the group G contest will be exciting to watch.
"They are a very good team, young, very good mentality," Milutinovic said
"It will be a big challenge for all teams in this group. Everybody is very strong. It is like a small World Cup between four teams."


text:
Advertising Media Planning, Seventh Edition, 7th Edition | 9780071703123
ISBN-13: 9780071703123 See more
Author(s): Roger Baron; Jack Sissors
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The industry standard for 30 years—updated to include the newest developments in digitization and the three screens of video Apply the latest advertising technologies Build your brand in every medium Create the right budget for each campaign Through six previous editions, Advertising Media Planning has proven essential to the success of both practicing and aspiring media planners. Now in its seventh edition, it continues to provide valuable insight into the construction of media plans that most effectively achieve marketing objectives. Advertising Media Planning, seventh edition, retains all the critical information you need to know about traditional media—including TV, radio, and print--while exploring the latest media forms, illustrated with major advertiser case histories. You'll find comprehensive coverage of the latest media planning and digital technologies, including: • Organic and sponsored Google search • Digital out-of-home video • Internet banners • Computerized media channel planning • Cell phone mobile-media • DVR's impact on TV commercial viewing • New online and traditional media measurement technologies • Interactive television • Cross-media planning • Data fusion • International competitive spending analysis This is an exciting time for media planners. Those with the most creativity, strategic insight, and knowledge of the market are sure to find the greatest rewards. Providing firm grounding on the fundamentals and bringing you up to speed on the latest developments in digitization, this updated classic is the best and most complete companion available for navigating the new frontier of media planning.
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Is Street Skating In Billings Any Good? [VIDEO]
With some good skate parks in the Bozeman and Big Sky areas, we wondered how accessible (legal) terrain was in Billings.
With some good skate parks in the Bozeman and Big Sky areas, we wondered how accessible (legal) terrain was in Billings.
Calling all Galltin Valley skaters: The Gallatin Valley Skatepark Association (GVSA) is looking for a few more people to help with the Bozeman City Rec Dept "Learn to Skate" program. If you've got some skateboarding skills you'd be happy to pass along to local kids, volunteers are needed the last week of June and the first week of July. Details here:
There may be oncoming traffic but at least they're wearing helmets. It's "Kory Kirby and Miles Essert getting down on the hills of Montana....." But none of us were quite sure what hill they were riding down. Do you know?
Bozeman has a very healthy and active skateboarding community and I will ALWAYS support the creation of skate parks. It's fun, healthy stuff for kids of all ages. Never seen the Bozeman Skate Park?
Dads are great at so much: teaching us how to play catch, embarrassing us in front of our friends when we're in high school, fixing that step on the porch, etc. But skateboarding is not one of those things.
There must be a perfectly legitimate explanation as to why a large man is dragging a small child away in the background of this ESPN interview with pro skater Nyjah Huston.


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Strategies for Teaching Learners with Special Needs, Tenth Edition | 9780132626156
ISBN-13: 9780132626156 See more
Author(s): Edward A. Polloway; James R. Patton; Loretta Serna; Jenevie W...See more
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For courses in Mild/Moderate Disabilities Methods.
This classic work offers the most comprehensive exploration of how to teach students with mild/high incidence disabilities.
Balancing elementary and secondary teaching strategies, the text introduces critical areas of concern for special educators, includes a new chapter on curriculum development and launches into strategies for teaching students specific content areas. This edition includes separate chapters on science and social studies, updated chapters on reading and written language, and an expanded focus on transitions and functional academics. Throughout each chapter, culturally responsive practices are highlighted, technology rich solutions are explored, and formal assessment instruments are summarized so readers learn how to help students with special needs succeed in inclusive educational environments.
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Ken appears at collegiate and corporate events nationwide, speaking on topics ranging from the importance of education to the future of human knowledge in the Information Age (specifically his encounter with IBM's Jeopardy!-playing supercomputer Watson) to his love of maps and geography (the subject of his third book). Sometimes he's asked to participate in a trivia night or live quiz show, either as a host or a contestant.
If you would like Ken Jennings to appear at your event, contact the American Program Bureau, which arranges Ken's speaking engagements.
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BHUJ: The Border Security Force (BSF) braves the harsh terrain and remote locations that the Army does, sometimes to a greater extent, but doesn't get the same spotlight. Of all the difficult environments the BSF faces - it is responsible for the borders shared with Pakistan and Bangladesh, Indo-Tibetan Border Police ( ITBP) looks after those with China - none hold a candle to the Greater Rann of Kutch.
The demanding working conditions include extreme temperatures, dust, lack of water or trees or protection from the sun. To this mixture, add salt. Lots of it. Furthermore, the ground beneath your feet may not always be stable. It could be three feet of seawater or a thick sludge sucking in your boots. This is what BSF jawans face 24 hours a day, usually for months at a go.
"Our daily struggle is against the terrain. Our positions are deep in the Rann, with the 50 km to 70 km of harsh terrain behind us," says BSF deputy inspector general (DIG) U K Nayal. "The heat is incredible, the winds are very strong. In storms, you can't see beyond the vehicle bonnet."
The 7,000 sq km Greater Rann is the world's largest salt marsh. Additionally, a 4,000 sq km section of it is covered by crisscrossing sea channels which keep changing course and making new pathways. This means the BSF have to employ land vehicles, boats of various drafts and aircraft.
BSF sources say that jawans in the Rann complain of higher than usual incidence of joint troubles, skin and eye ailments.
Last year, BSF inducted four all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) at a forward outpost close to the Harami Nala and Sir Creek along Gujarat's Pakistan border. These vehicles, which cost about Rs 2.5 crore each, were manufactured by Italian company Aris. The units carry 16 people, climb inclines, operate in slushy areas and in water move like a boat.
The air-conditioned vehicles were to alleviate the jawans' troubles; however, the cooling seemed to have fallen prey to the Rann and functioned only on the blower mode when this reporter was given a demonstration. A source remarked that the ATV seemed engineered with Italian temperatures in mind.
There also seems to be trouble keeping the ATVs in ship shape. "It is not possible to take the vehicle to Bhuj 50 km away. We get engineers to the site for repairs. The manufacturer also sends engineers periodically," said DIG U K Nayal. Aris has no presence in the country.
At the time of the ATV trials in 2009, BSF had floated tenders for four hovercraft but these are still in the procurement process.
The most infamous of sea channels is the Harami Nala, an inward extension of the Sir Creek and Kori Creek systems. It earlier extended a few kilometres into the Indian territory but has now moved 30 km in with erosion and changing channels. The nala now begins from India, enters Pakistan and re-emerges in Indian areas. To aggravate the situation, it joins another channel at a tri-point junction, potentially allowing boats access to large area of the Rann.
BSF plugged this a year ago. In a herculean effort, the men physically carried two 600 kg boats, and walked 10 km through ankle-deep water and slush to deploy them in the nala.
The fencing of 340 km of the border is one area where BSF is behind schedule. The work includes building a road along the fence as well as installing floodlights and sentry posts. BSF suffered a setback earlier this year when a 20 km swathe of fencing and the road beside it was washed away after floods in Pakistan. "We are almost 80% through. Engineers are now working using better technologies and techniques," said Nayal.
The vast tracts along the Pakistan border are home to a large variety of animals. Apart from the massive number of flamingos, pelicans and other water birds, the area abounds in chinkara, neelgai, foxes, wolves, jackals and other small animals.
This year's summer was a withering one in Kutch, which remained dry well into August. BSF constructed watering holes along the routes the tankers took to outposts. Old plastic storage tanks were repurposed or small basins were dug and cemented at regular intervals, and once the tankers had supplied outposts, on their way back they would fill these up for the wildlife.
BSF is not just responsible for the border. Its mandate includes safeguarding the resources of and inhabitants of border areas.
The force has inducted Israel-developed X-95 assault rifles as well as Italian Beretta Mx4 Storm carbines. These are as much as 35% lighter than the arms they replace, the Insas and AK series assault rifles. Another major advantage is that the new material is corrosion-resistant.
Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.
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Schools & Colleges
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This core will coordinate and provide:
1. human cell lines ((volunteer neutrophils, monocytes, epithelial cells, (pulmonary microvascular endoithelial cells, hMVEC)
2. imaging and optical experiment facility (FRET, 3D reconstruction, multichannel imaging and cytometry)
3. Mass spectroscopic protein analysis and
4. efficient use of a perishable inventory of labeled primary and secondary antibodies.
At present the Core is equipped for full tissue culture capabilities, two digital deconvoluting microscopes equipped to perform live or fixed cell 3D imaging in upto 4 color channels; Beckman Coulter flow cytometer for uptpo 5 fluorophores, 3 mass spectrometers with supporting 1 and 2 gel elctrophoresis equipment, and robotic spot pickers. The Core is staffed by personnel who are highly experienced in all aspects of primary human cell culture, various imaging methodologies and proteomics.
The core will actively move into the future (2-4 years), 1. by linking data to national databases (primarily the GEO project) and 2. expanding its own repertoire of analytical methods before the need arises, 3. Linking to other core analytical efforts (NMR, MS, microarrays) within the region.
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Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. All trademarks are registered property of the University. Used by permission only.


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Oslo Børs Emphasises The Nordic Dimension For The Bond Market
As part of its Nordic focus, Oslo Børs announces that Oslo ABM has changed its name to Nordic ABM. Nordic ABM targets fixed income issuers throughout the Nordic region, and a number of Nordic issuers have already listed bond issues on Nordic ABM. Since the Burgundy markets will become part of the Oslo Børs offer in June, a new fixed income market will be added to the trading system which will allow trading in fixed income instruments intended for Swedish investors that are denominated in Swedish kronor.
Oslo Børs launched Oslo ABM in 2005 as an alternative marketplace for listing and trading in bonds and short-term fixed income instruments (certificate loans). The Oslo ABM marketplace quickly proved successful, and there are now more issues listed on Nordic ABM than on the Oslo Børs marketplace.
"We have seen strong growth in the Nordic fixed income market over recent years, with fixed income issues becoming an ever more important source of financing for Nordic companies. In parallel with this, fixed income instruments have become an attractive investment alternative for many investors. This provides a good foundation for Nordic ABM to become the preferred listing venue for bonds and certificate loans in the Nordic region", comments Bente A. Landsnes, President and CEO of Oslo Børs.


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The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
A Leadership Fable
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moreIn The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Patrick Lencioni once again offers a leadership fable that is as enthralling and instructive as his first two best-selling books, The Five Temptations of a CEO and The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive. This time, he turns his keen intellect and storytelling power to the fascinating, complex world of teams.
Kathryn Petersen, Decision Tech's CEO, faces the ultimate leadership crisis: Uniting a team in such disarray that it threatens to bring down the entire company. Will she succeed? Will she be fired? Will the company fail? Lencioni's utterly gripping tale serves as a timeless reminder that leadership requires as much courage as it does insight.
Throughout the story, Lencioni reveals the five dysfunctions which go to the very heart of why teams even the best ones-often struggle. He outlines a powerful model and actionable steps that can be used to overcome these common hurdles and build a cohesive, effective team. Just as with his other books, Lencioni has written a compelling fable with a powerful yet deceptively simple message for all those who strive to be exceptional team leaders. less
Wiley; April 2007
Read online, or download in secure EPUB or secure PDF format
Title: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Author: Patrick M. Lencioni
Read online, or download in secure EPUB or secure PDF format
Title: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Author: Patrick M. Lencioni
Buy, download and read The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (eBook) by Patrick M. Lencioni today!
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Crime Report for Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013
Jan. 1-22
Copper piping and wiring was stolen from an unoccupied home at the 35400 block of Charles Town Pike in Purcellville.
Jan. 23, 10 a.m. - 12:14 p.m.
An Ashburn man was injured when his gun went off while cleaning it. The injuries were not life threatening. The incident occurred at the 21700 block of Ladyslipper Square.
Jan. 23, 10:12 a.m.
Jennifer Kisley, 30, of Sterling, was arrested for charged of attempting to obtain money by false pretenses. The incident allegedly occurred at the 7-11 located at the 20900 block of Davenport Drive in Sterling.
Jan. 19-20, 7 p.m. - 6:35 a.m.
Although nothing was taken, a resident of the 22000 block of Ayr Hill Court in Ashburn reported that someone rummaged through two unlocked cars.
Jan. 20, 2 a.m. - Noon
Sunglasses and personal documents were stolen from a car at the 21300 block of Sturman Place in Ashburn.
Jan. 21-22, 11 p.m. - 7 a.m.
Although nothing was stolen, the owner of a car parked near the intersection of Park Glenn Drive and Claiborne Parkway in Ashburn reported finding the trunk open. Nothing was missing.
Jan. 22-23, 6 p.m. - 6 a.m.
Someone stole plywood from a construction site at the 42200 block of Cameron Parish Drive in Ashburn.
Source: Loudoun County Sheriff's Office
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MTV VMAs 2014: Taylor Swift Performs 'Shake It Off' Live for the First Time: Watch
By Kevin Rutherford
Dancing is a big, big part of Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off"; music video aside, it has the sort of energy that
Flanked by a swarm of suit-clad male backup dancers, Swift, wearing a short, sequined two-piece, jumped around the stage for the fourth performance of the evening (second full song, following "Bang Bang"). She was lifted into the air by her dancers before shooting over to a different part of the set to be joined by some female backup singers, some of which carried large saxophones to blare the song's horn-infused chorus.
Related: Taylor Swift Premieres New Song 'Shake It Off,' Announces New Album '1989'
Perhaps the best moment? Swift found her way to an overhang above where the rest of the dancers were twirling and leaping, and they beckoned her to leap off said overhang into their arms.


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San Diego County Dept of Animal Services uses NetMotion Mobility® to Better Serve the Community.


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Active Questions
|Dating / 9:27 AM - Saturday December 25, 2010
I feel like my bf got me an unthoughtful gift for christmas. Should I have not said anything?
Bf of 2 years waited until the last minute to get me a gift. He ended up buying tix to a hockey game on Dec 23rd for the same night. We had just gone to a game earlier in the week b/c my father has season tix and we can basically get any game we want. He didn't give me a card with them. We went and had fun but I feel like it's an unthoughtful gift.. I told him my Mom can help him pick me out something next year that's thoughful and inexpensive.. and he got defensive. I ended up hurting his feelings and wish I never said anything. He basically said I sound spoiled, when I am the exact opposite of that. Was I wrong to say anything and how do I handle this in the future? I feel like he wanted to go to the game and wasn't thinking about me.
- Asked by Female, 29-35
Go read Desota's post a few posts down.
- Response by bluegenel, A Mr. Nice Guy, Male, Who Cares?, Technical
Community Rating: Community Star
Wow, what an insensitive bastard. He knows damn well that he wanted to go to this game. I would give him the ultimate gift for Christmas, loneliness. Reverse it, and take him to a tupperware party, see if his feelings get hurt. At any rate, stand your ground and be honest with him regarding how he made you feel hurt. Merry Christmas
- Response by masterbody1, A Guy Critical, Male, 46-55
He didn't buy you a gift. That was something to make himself feel good. The way you handle it in the future is to do the same thing back to him. What's fair is fair.
- Response by guitarplayer2010, A Creative, Male, 36-45, Artist / Musician / Writer
He's just trying to make you feel guilty because he knows he screwed up on this.
- Response by mrscleaver16, A Married Girl, Female, 66 or older
Hello Merry Christmas!
- Response by pleasant, A Thinker, Female, 66 or older, Other Profession


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The Blog
New Hampshire Poll: Romney 38, Cain 20, Paul 13
1:12 PM, Oct 10, 2011 • By MICHAEL WARREN
A new poll from Harvard University and Saint Anselm College shows Herman Cain moving into a solid second place behind front-runner Mitt Romney among New Hampshire primary voters.
Of the 648 likely Republican primary voters surveyed between October 2 and October 6, 38 percent said they preferred Romney, while 20 percent said they preferred Cain. Ron Paul came in third with 13 percent, while the remaining candidates registered below ten percent. The margin of error for this poll was 4.4 percent.
The numbers for Romney and Paul mirror the RealClearPolitics average of New Hampshire polls, and Romney continues to do well in the important early primary state. Cain appears to have made significant gains in the state in the last two weeks.
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You're invited!
Meet Missouri State University in Illinois on Saturday, October 22. Come discover why so many Illinois students make Missouri State their college home.
When: 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 22 (check-in begins at 5:45 p.m.)
Where: The Hyatt Lodge, 2815 Jorie Boulevard, Oak Brook, Illinois
What: Missouri State University faculty and alumni will be there to answer any questions you have!
Who: Any potential students and their families are welcome.
Cost: Free!


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This photo is awaiting approval and will be posted soon.
Play our fun game and find out if the one you like likes you back. Confide in us if you think you'd hit it off by clicking: Yes, No, or Maybe. We'll anonymously find out and let you know if the feeling is mutual. You have nothing to lose!
You've already said YES! If the feeling is mutual, we'll let you both know.
You've already said No. If you've changed your mind, let us know. If you say Yes, we'll anonymously find out if the feeling is mutual. You have nothing to lose!
You've already said Maybe. If you've changed your mind, let us know. If you say Yes, we'll anonymously find out if the feeling is mutual. You have nothing to lose!
You both said YES! The feeling is mutual. Now the rest is up to you! Say Hi and get the conversation started.
I am a romantic at heart but enjoy when the tables are turned. I treat men. with respect, gentleness and I would love to shower that someone special with soft passionate kisses. Looking for my best friend and lover, someone who won't blow my cover… so let's take it easy. Would you like a partner to share in the simple yet sensual pleasures of life? I still wish upon a star and to have my breath taken away with her glance and a grin. A woman who is energetic and has a love for life. I am an optimist. I always expect the best and greet each day with a smile. I've been told that I am a down to earth type guy with a deep spiritual core, a healthy imagination with an open mind and open heart. Not into jealously, or drama will never judge what you do. Just be yourself and open to the possibilities.Being a hopeful romantic I love passionate kisses and holding hands. Touch is a must, the physical interaction is very grounding form me on so many levels are you on the same page? My life is stable and I have a good job with a solid future. I am hoping to meet that special, kind hearted men, who has that sparkle in her eyes, witty charm and a sexy coyness to drive me crazy. She has a desire for touch and like holding hands, There needs to chemistry between us. I am an optimist and simply sidestep the pessimistic and negative people I encounter. I greet each day with a smile and enjoy helping people,
Copyright © 2015 Spark Networks® USA, LLC. All rights reserved.Spark Networks USA, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Spark Networks, Inc., a NYSE MKT Company (LOV)
Spark Networks USA, LLC does not conduct background checks on the members or subscribers of this website. However, the safety and security of our members is our top priority. We urge all members to follow our online safety tips.
The Color Code icon tells you that this member has taken the FREE Color Code Personality Test and wants to share his/her results with you. You can read all about their Color Code profile on the new Color Code tab.
The Color Code, by Dr. Taylor Hartman, is one of the most insightful personality tests in existence, and is made up of four personality Colors, or driving Core Motives. The Color Code teaches you the real motives behind your actions and how to better relate to other personality types.
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Any woman who has more than one child can tell you how different each child is from birth. You are born with your personality intact. The Color Code is based on your natural, innate personality type. Of course, people may change over time, but your Core Color will always remain the same.
Sometimes it is difficult to choose from the four options given, but there is usually one that fits better than the rest, or at least one that you could see yourself as more so than the others. If you're still unsure, try asking someone who knows you well, such as a parent or sibling. They can give clarity on areas of your personality that you may not notice.


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May 31, 2013
Steve Lewis | (703) 875-4357
|Grant supports the improvement of transportation efficiency and safety in São Paulo
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a grant Wednesday to the Traffic Engineering Company of São Paulo (Companhia de Engenharia e Trafego, CET- São Paulo) in support of the development and implementation of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) for the Tiete and Pinheiros corridors.
The $420,000 grant funds technical assistance that will aid CET in creating the ITS implementation plan as well as provide recommendations and specifications for the corridors. Samantha Carl-Yoder, Deputy Consul General to São Paulo, and Jilmar Augustinho, CET's President and São Paulo City Transportation Secretary, signed the grant at the CET office in São Paulo.
"USTDA is pleased to work with CET- São Paulo on the integration of ITS technologies in Brazil," said Nathan Younge, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. "The planning and implementation of ITS solutions will enable U.S. private sector expertise to assist São Paulo in meeting its development priorities."
The city of São Paulo has the largest transportation system in Brazil, with nearly 12,000 kilometers of municipal roads, and is regarded as one of the most traffic-congested cities in the world. CET- São Paulo has identified the Tiete and Pinheiros corridors as the highest priorities for the deployment of an integrated ITS system that seeks to improve traffic flow while increasing traffic safety.
The opportunity to conduct the USTDA-funded technical assistance will be competed on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website. A link to the FBO announcement will be posted to USTDA's website at www.ustda.gov. Interested U.S. firms should submit proposals according to the instructions in the FBO announcement.
# # #
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, pilot projects, and reverse trade missions while creating sustainable infrastructure and economic growth in partner countries.
Download the latest version of Adobe Reader here.


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Heer Ranjha
4 Heer Ranjha Articles
Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff planning to work with each other?9 months ago 1
We hear that the two actors met up recently and had a long discussion about something. Was it about them doing a film together soon? Read on to find… Read Article ▶
Tiger Shroff gears up for Sabbir Khan's Heer Ranjha10 months ago 0
The Heropanti star will kick start the shoot at Film City on December 21 Tiger Shroff made a grand entry in Bollywood, with his launch vehicle… Read Article ▶
Naseeruddin Shah lends his voice to Pakistani television4 years ago 0
The actor debuted in Pakistani films with Shoaib Mansoor's Khuda Ke Liye. But now he'll make his voice heard on TV in Pakistan Naseeruddin Shah is… Read Article ▶
Shahid Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha to co-star in new film4 years ago 1
We heard a long time ago that Heer Ranjha would be remade by Sajid Nadiadwala with Shahid Kapoor in the lead. And we waited to know more about that… Read Article ▶


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Prices and availability are subject to change from the time and date that you print this page.
10/7/2015 5:09:38 PM. For Customer Service, please call 800.967.6696
The Story
Flask and bowl pair up in clean, white porcelain to pour and serve olive oil and parmesan cheese accompaniments to fresh bread. Bottle's flat stopper keeps a lid on freshness, and bowl has a notched rim to rest set's spoon.
Details and Dimensions
Oil and Parmesan Serving Set.
- Porcelain
- Dishwasher-, microwave- and oven-safe up to 428 degrees
- Food safe
- Made in China
Oil BottleHeight: 6.75" Diameter: 3.75" Parmesan BowlHeight: 2" Diameter: 4"
Return/Exchange Policy
We will accept returns and exchanges of non-furniture items if:
- Non-furniture items are returned within 90 days of customer receipt.
- A valid proof of purchase is provided (see below).
- Non-furniture items are returned in good condition—unused and unwashed.
If you discover an item has a manufacturer's defect or was damaged during transit, we will accept the item for return or exchange with proof of purchase. Without proof of purchase, the item can be exchanged only for the same item. A valid photo ID is required.
We are unable to accept any items for return or exchange without proof of purchase. Items purchased as final sale cannot be returned, exchanged or repaired.
Items must be returned to the store brand where the purchase originated or by mail (if the item was ordered online or by phone and received by mail). Purchases made outside the U.S. may only be returned to the purchase location.


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Review Details
Design-Your-Own: Select every component & create your own design! (R15.51 to R26.8)
- Product Review (submitted on October 10, 2012):
- Since every day is a Saturday for me I research everything that I buy. I research both the product and complaints recorded against the mfg. Beyond Nice looked like one of the best so I ordered a spa cover. I have never experienced a company that kept in t


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Another holiday is here and that can only mean one thing: Courtney Stodden is at it again.
Solidifying her place as the new Heidi Montag, Stodden has done a brand new photo shoot for Thanksgiving ... and this time, she's naked.
In the pics, the 18-year-old teen bride is seen posing nude behind a cardboard turkey cutout, reportedly in protest of eating turkey. Stodden is apparently a strict vegetarian.
In some of the other shots she's seen sporting one of PETA's "Eat No Turkey" t-shirts while playing with her adorable greyhound puppy, Dourtney.
The pooch was a present from Courtney's much-older husband Doug Hutchison for her 18th birthday.
Check out more of Courtney's Turkey Day pics above.
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Hot Stove Update: Toronto could deal big bats for starting pitching
People around the game feel there is a good chance the Blue Jays will trade either 1B Edwin Encarnacion or OF Jose Bautista for starting pitching (Harper, Nov. 10).
Michael Baron, ContributorIf Matt Harvey was a piece for 2014, I'd believe the Mets would have the groundwork for a deal with Toronto. They both have pieces which fit each other's needs. But, it doesn't sound like the Mets are eager to deal their front line starting pitching right now. After all, they are now looking for at least one stable veteran for the rotation right now – dealing from a thin source to fill another need won't help them next season.
If he declines the Red Sox qualifying offer, the team will not wait around for 1B Mike Napoli (Passan, Nov. 9).
If Napoli departs Boston, the Red Sox could pursue a trade for Mark Trumbo (Cafardo, Nov. 10).
The Nationals seem open to dealing OF Denard Span (Heyman, Nov. 9).
The Yankees are the only team to make an offer to 2B Robinson Cano so far this winter (Martin, Nov. 10).
The Rangers trading 2B Ian Kinsler and/or SS Elvis Andrus seems inevitable, at some point (Rosenthal, Nov. 10).


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View the embedded image gallery online at:
Image Gallery
Snowman x CurvaziodGraffiti // Sunday, 06 Oct 2013
These two outdid themselves on this new collaboration. A lot of paint was lugged to this wall for those pieces to be that colorful and it was well worth it! Great letters and even better fill ins.
Photos via Soulroach


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I'm Really Funny
If a tree falls in a forest, but no one is around to hear it, does it still make a sound? And if a woman makes a joke and a man fails to laugh, is the joke still funny?
I am hesitant even to acknowledge the topic as an issue, as I'm unsure as to whether acknowledging this will perpetuate, or confront a stereotype I've come face-to-face with, with increasing frequency. I'm definitely not the first person to have heard the complaint that "women comedians aren't funny"; or to put it more bluntly, "girls aren't funny". If we don't laugh at a man's joke, it is because we don't have a sense of humour; if a man fails to laugh at a woman's joke, it's because she's not as funny as a man.
I've heard this from friends both male and female; yet despite a general acceptance (perhaps premature), that men and women now enjoy a largely equal status within society, such a view of women's wit is still considered to be acceptable. In many cases, women simply aren't recognised as being funny in the first place. But what makes this the case? What is stopping my jokes from being funny (no jokes please…) when they're so similar in content and context to the humour of my male peers?
Christopher Hitchens attempted to answer this question in his Vanity Fair piece, 'Why Women Aren't Funny', maintaining that although some women are funny (albeit in a "hefty, dykey or Jewish" way), humour, in its aggressive nature, is culturally male, which explains the successful wit of "Jewish" and "dykey" humour. Women however, prefer to view the world through rose-tinted spectacles it seems, and so do not wish to perceive life as the poor-taste sketch show that it is (apparently due to our reproductive capabilities?)[1]
Aside from Christopher Hitchens' infamous and incendiary piece for Vanity Fair, which has been well-critiqued since its publishing, there is an abundance of articles citing "scientific" studies, such as "Humour's Sexual Side", speculating that women aren't supposedto be funny, as is not part of what makes them attractive to the opposite sex.
Apart from the fact that this article made me roughly 65% more self-conscious about what 'bone-me' signals I'm sending out every time I pity-laugh at some guy's unfunny joke, and that my main mode of communication is based upon brain vomiting any amalgamation of words that might, maybe get a laugh, from someone (anyone!) – this article is worrying and revealing. Although acknowledging the positive benefits involved with a relationship in which both partners enjoy one another's humour, the academic studies that the piece draws on erroneously express a rigidity in the gender differences in the value of humour as a social interaction:
"Indeed, a German study found that when male and female strangers engaged in natural conversation, the degree to which a woman laughed while talking to a man was indicative of her interest in dating him. How much the woman laughed also predicted the man's desire to date her. On the flip side, how often a man laughed was unrelated to his interest in a woman."[2]
Such perceived gender difference can be seen to have been historically expressed in the representation of women in the field of professional comedy, which arguably provides the most concrete example of the comic double standard at play. Women in professional comedy have tended to be the subject of jokes and token funny women in predominantly male pieces. Such an outsider status is not an inherently negative trait in comedy. However most 'outsider' wit is assimilated into universal definitions of comedy, yet this is yet to occur for women, as a comic group. Until fairly recently, much comedy created by female comics which has found commercial success has tended to be based around the non-threatening territory of self-deprecation and male subjects.
Zeisler has posited that, since "to tell a joke is to flex power, it is easy to deny the capability of women to be funny; our gender socialisation tells us we are not supposed to be and many women are essentially 'discouraged' from an early age, from training their wit on others, instead, aiming it on themselves, focusing on self-perceived inadequacies and inviting others to laugh at them." So, jokes of this nature become the mainstream; such wit does not tend to register within this masculinised definition of comedy, but in this respect, is unchallenging to dominant conceptions of womanhood and femininity.
Although not an invalid form of wit in itself, humour based on self-deprecation is rarely challenging. However it can be expertly demonstrated by Sarah Millican, who takes pre-conditioned notions of gender and owns them. Millican's comedy removes the vulnerability from traditional notions of femininity, and self-deprecation is instead a way of reinventing the flaws involved with 'womanhood' as such, as defiant and proud; inviting her audience to laugh with, rather than at her. Millican becomes the instigator, rather than the subject of the joke, poking fun at what is expected of a woman (such as an unnecessary fixation with her weight), rather than how her experience differs from these expectations:
It's clear that once the subject of the joke is shifted from the woman as an individual, to 'woman, as she is expected', it is possible to begin to deconstruct expectations both of the female comic and of 'female humour' as something distinct from the comic genre as a whole. It is not 'feminist comedy', or 'female comedy', necessarily, any more than it is simply 'comedy'. Despite this, female humorists are rarely judged according to standards by which our selves and our bodies are not posited as the punchline. Our outsider status in comedy can be capitalised however, both to unite as an identity and to assert the power that comedy has the potential to – over any worthy subject (i.e. not just cheap shots at men…)
That is not to say that this is uncharted territory. In recent decades, a multitude of comedians have, with increasing frequency, achieved success who are already doing this – and it works. Victoria Wood; Dawn French; Jennifer Saunders; Josie Long; Miranda Hart; Ava Vidal; Sarah Millican – to name a few – have created space in what is traditionally a very masculine arena, for women as comics to transcend their outsider status and become part of an ungendered mainstream.
However the fact remains that the transcendence of this outsider status is stifled by a popular acceptance that women are simply not meant to be funny; it's just not attractive; our jokes serve an alternative purpose than those of men; our comedy is limited only to the category of "girl humour" (although humour about wives, girlfriends and having a c*ck are apparently universal).
Hopefully the recent proliferation in recent years, of female comics who challenge these popular conceptions – in other words: comedians (who happen to be female) are beginning to make a difference. Perhaps soon when a man fails to laugh at a woman's joke at his expense, he will be the one who can't take the joke; perhaps soon it will be okay not to laugh at jokes which are actually offensive; and perhaps soon I won't just be "funny for a girl", but just "funny".
Which I know I already am. I'm funny like a boss.
You can read more from Hannah Parker on her blog.
Feature image via.


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McMenamin Leads Cash Race — Independent Arlington County Board candidate Michael McMenamin has the most cash on hand of the four candidates in the race. McMenamin's campaign reported $13,699 on hand as of Aug. 31, compared to $10,127 for Democrat Katie Cristol, $8,853 for Democrat Christian Dorsey and $1,657 for independent Audrey Clement. Dorsey has thus far spent the most on his campaign: $55,048, compared to McMenamin's spending of $2,050. [InsideNova]
'Demolition Derby' for Old Houses — All over Arlington, older, more modest homes are being torn down and much larger, more lavish homes are being built in their place. The actual number of homes destroyed is low relative to Arlington's population — the county reported 124 demolition permits for the first six months of 2015 — but it still worries long-time residents. "Can middle-income people in their 30s, first-time buyers, still live in Arlington?" asked one woman. [Falls Church News-Press]
Local Youth Pilgrimage to Philly — Six hundred teenagers from around Northern Virginia, plus 185 students from Arlington's Bishop O'Connell High School, will be making a pilgrimage to Philadelphia for the visit of Pope Francis. [Arlington Catholic Herald]
Death Nears for Man Who Raped, Killed in Arlington — A man suspected of raping and killing a woman in Arlington in 1988 is scheduled to be executed in Virginia in two weeks. Alfredo Prieto has also been convicted of or is suspected in a number of other murders and rape cases in Virginia and California. [Los Angeles Times]
Grants for Serving Those with Disabilities — Arlington County has $111,910 available for grants to groups that provide services to Arlington residents with physical and sensory disabilities. The deadline for grant applications is Oct. 30. [Arlington County]
Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman
(Updated at 4:20 p.m.) A potential scandal is brewing at Arlington's private Bishop O'Connell High School.
An alumni group is asking the Vatican to look into a slew of incidents they say has tarnished the private Catholic school's reputation.
The group, led by former basketball player Brian Culhane, has sent a "fat package of allegations and grievances" to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which oversees issues of morality in the Roman Catholic Church, according to an investigative report by the sports gossip website Deadspin.
The allegations surround the varsity basketball team and its head coach, Joe Wootten.
According to Deadspin, Wootten allowed since-convicted heroin and cocaine trafficker Curtis Malone, the founder of the amateur hoops powerhouse D.C. Assault, to practice and visit the school.
Deadspin reports that Wootten sought the transfer of Congolese basketball player Junior Etou, who was the key figure on the team's 2013 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship. The site found that Etou was very likely 21 years old when he played for O'Connell, two years too old to be eligible for high school play.
Etou, who was living with Malone at the time, produced a passport and visa that said he was born in 1994. While he was living in the Congo, however, he had earlier provided a birth certificate to basketball's governing body stating he was born in 1992.
The report also alleges a cover-up by school officials after two basketball players allegedly filmed a sex act with a female student at the school. The players transferred before the last school year. Via Deadspin:
The talk was that Wootten's latest exiles had left under an ugly cloud — that one of the players had shot a video in which a female student performed oral sex on the other player inside the school, then, according to an O'Connell employee, "posted his work on Instagram." All of those alleged to be involved were juveniles and underclassmen.
Students found to have committed what is described in memos from O'Connell alumni to school and local Catholic officials as "a sexually immoral act" on campus are generally expelled, Culhane says; however, according to the rumors, the two boys were allowed to leave without any formal finding, while the girl alleged to have been involved remained enrolled at O'Connell. Culhane says alums who inquired about the incident were told by school administrators that she faced no punishment because "the [sex] act was not consensual." Yet no charges were ever filed.
The Arlington County Police Department investigated the video, but spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said no charges were filed and the identity of the subjects could not be revealed because they were minors.
The confluence of events — without a satisfactory response from O'Connell administration of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington — prompted Culhane and his alumni to request Pope Francis step in. If the CDF and the Vatican decide it's worth pursuing, according to Deadspin, it will compel Bishop Paul Loverde to investigate the school and the program.
O'Connell administration has not responded to a request for comment.
Update at 4:20 p.m. — The Catholic Diocese of Arlington has provided ARLnow.com with the following statement:
The Diocese of Arlington regrets that concerns about the basketball program at Bishop O'Connell remain a source of frustration for some members of the school community.
As stated previously in 2013, Bishop O'Connell received official documentation regarding the age of former student Junior Etou, confirming his eligibility to participate in athletics during the 2012-13 academic year.
With regard to any allegations involving other students, the Diocese of Arlington cannot comment on individual disciplinary matters. As a matter of policy and practice if a school has reason to believe a student's actions have violated the law, the proper law enforcement agency is contacted.
Photo via Facebook
Board Takes Action on Affordable Housing — The Arlington County Board on Saturday voted on a series of measures to preserve some of the county's supply of affordable housing. The Board approved a set of financial tools — including a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) area — that will help preserve the affordability of 6,200 market rate affordable homes along Columbia Pike, an estimated $6.7 million Tenant Assistance Fund for tenants of affordable housing that is being renovated or redeveloped, and a $8.3 million loan to keep the 101-unit Arna Valley View Apartments near I-395 affordable. [Washington Post]
Tree Removal Concerns County Board — County Board members said they were "deeply concerned" and "shocked" at reports that Arlington Public Schools allowed the removal of protected trees on the site of the Ashlawn Elementary School expansion project. [Sun Gazette]
Preservation Arlington Touts Colonial Village — The group Preservation Arlington says "it is a prime time to move to Colonial Village," touting the community — the first Federal Housing Administration-insured large-scale rental housing project in the U.S. — as "an urban oasis: historic and protected in the heart of the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor." [Preservation Arlington]
DJO Coach Named to Hall of Fame — Bishop O'Connell High School softball coach Tommy Orndorff has been named to the 2014 National Softball Hall of Fame. [Arlington Catholic Herald]
Arlington Athletes Make All-Mets — Yorktown football running back M.J. Stewart, Washington-Lee cross country runner Sarah Angell, and Bishop O'Connell soccer midfielder Lauren Harkes have been named to the 2013 first-team fall All-Met. [Washington Post]
Photo courtesy Chase McAlpine
The penultimate week of the regular season for high school football ended how most Friday nights have this year: with Yorktown and Washington-Lee winning.
The Generals (7-2, 6-0) made short work of Wakefield, 56-21, in south Arlington Friday night. Washington-Lee quarterback Sam Appel had perhaps the best game of his career, throwing for 209 yards and five touchdowns. Receiver Trevor McManus was the main beneficiary with eight catches for 102 yards and three of those touchdowns. Running back Daquay Harris kept up his impressive season, and needed just 10 carries to rush for 108 yards and a touchdown.
Wakefield (2-7, 0-6) was led by running back Leon Young, who carried the ball 16 times for 94 yards, including busting free for a 44-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Wakefield's long season will come to an end this week when they travel to face Mount Vernon on Friday.
Yorktown (8-1, 6-0) was at Mount Vernon Friday and the Patriots pulled out a 31-21 victory to extend their winning streak to seven games. Star running back M.J. Stewart returned from the ankle injury that sidelined him the previous week against Chantilly, rushing 11 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns. The Patriots scored 17 unanswered points in the first half, putting enough distance to hold off Mount Vernon (3-6, 2-4) the rest of the way.
This Friday night at 7:30 at Yorktown will be the regular season finale and a showdown between the Patriots and the Generals. Both teams are 6-0 in the National District, turning the finale into a winner-take-all matchup for the district title.
Bishop O'Connell ended its season on a high note Saturday afternoon, blowing out Bishop McNamara 61-36. The win brought the Knights' season record to 5-5 and put them in fifth place in the WCAC. Unfortunately for the Knights, four teams make the Catholic league's playoffs. Marquis Rowe was the star Saturday, scoring on a 98-yard kickoff return, a 36-yard run and two receiving touchdowns. Between quarterbacks Michael Galvan and Jason Ley, the Knights threw just one incomplete pass all game.
Photo via Bishop O'Connell
The two best high school football teams in the National District played their final non-district regular season games Friday night against Fairfax County powers. Yorktown was without star running back M.J. Stewart but still secured a win, while Washington-Lee was manhandled by Centreville.
Stewart, the senior North Carolina recruit leading the Patriots with 1,266 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, was on the sideline Friday night with a sprained ankle, according to the Washington Post. That didn't stop the Patriots (7-1, 5-0) from coming back from a double-digit second-half deficit and beating Chantilly (5-3, 2-1), 30-28. Stewart's backup, Da'Jhuan Short, carried the ball for 90 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in the third quarter. The Patriots play this Friday night on the road against Mount Vernon.
Yorktown's companion atop the National District standings, Washington-Lee, lost its first game since Sept. 12 Friday night, 53-7 against Centreville. Centreville (8-0, 3-0) is the Post's top-ranked team in Northern Virginia, and it has won all of its games by at least 21 points. The Generals (6-2, 5-0) got their only score in the first quarter on an 89-yard pass play from Sam Appel to Noah Harrington, who caught three balls for 111 yards on the day. The Generals next play on the road at Wakefield Friday night.
Wakefield (2-6, 0-5) continued its late-season swoon Friday night with a 41-7 loss to J.E.B. Stuart (2-6, 1-4). Stuart had previously been winless in the National District, so Friday night's game looked like a shot for Wakefield to get its first win since its second game of the season. Unfortunately for the Warriors, they couldn't stop Stuart's rushing attack, allowing 259 yards on the ground. The Warriors didn't score at all until a meaningless fourth quarter touchdown. They host the Generals Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
The Bishop O'Connell Knights also couldn't find their way back in the winner's column. They took on powerhouse Good Counsel and fell, 35-10. The Knights are now 4-5 and 1-4 in the WCAC. They got their only touchdown of the game on a 52-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by lineman Tylar Thompson. The Knights' last game of the season is Saturday afternoon at home against Bishop McNamara, which has lost four straight games.
Image via Wakefield Athletics
The Washington-Lee and Yorktown High School football teams, after last Friday's games, are tied for first place in the National District halfway through the season.
Washington-Lee (4-1, 2-0 district) won a statement game Friday night against Falls Church (3-2, 0-2), which had been 3-1 with its only loss coming to Yorktown last week. The Generals won 21-14, holding on after leaping out to a 13-0 lead. Duquay Harris, the running back that's been leading the Generals this season, scored a touchdown, and quarterback Sam Appel threw for two scores. The Generals have won three straight games and seek their fourth consecutive win this Friday at Mount Vernon.
At the same time, Yorktown was riding its star running back, senior North Carolina commit M.J. Stewart, to its third-straight win. Stewart carried the ball 16 times for 230 yards — a ridiculous 14.4 yards per carry — and four touchdowns to lead the Patriots (4-1, 2-0) to a 42-7 victory over J.E.B. Stuart (0-5, 0-2). The Patriots scored all of their points in the first half, and didn't allow Stewart to score a point until the fourth quarter, when the game had essentially been decided. Yorktown's next game will be Friday at home against Hayfield.
After starting the season 2-0, Wakefield (2-3, 0-2) dropped its third consecutive game Friday night, 50-13 against Hayfield (1-4, 1-1). The Warriors fell behind 50-0 before scoring a pair of garbage-time touchdowns in the fourth quarter, one by Andrew Tuttle and another by Chris Robertson. Wakefield will try to get back on the winning track this Friday on the road against Falls Church.
Bishop O'Connell (4-3, 1-2), had perhaps the toughest matchup in the entire D.C. area, going on the road to Hyattsville, Md. to take on No. 1-ranked Dematha. The Knights lost to the Stags (6-1, 3-0), 49-14. The teams were tied at the end of the first quarter and O'Connell had a brief 14-7 lead, but DeMatha, in the end, was simply too much for the Knights, scoring 42 unanswered points to clinch the victory. The Knights will try to snap their two-game losing streak this Saturday at Gonzaga.
File photo
The football teams of Yorktown and Washington-Lee high schools each pushed their 2013 record to 3-1 with narrow victories last Friday night, while Wakefield lost its second straight game and Bishop O'Connell was defeated Saturday afternoon.
Yorktown (3-1) delivered National District foe Falls Church (3-1) its first loss of the year, a huge victory for potential playoff seeding in November. The Patriots jumped out to a 17-7 halftime lead with two touchdowns from senior running back M.J. Stewart, an held on to win, 17-14, despite allowing Falls Church a fourth quarter touchdown. Yorktown will trying to push its record to 4-1 next Friday night on the road against J.E.B. Stuart.
Washington-Lee (3-1) was in serious peril of dropping its second game of the season to Hayfield (0-4), but scored 23 second-half points to storm back for a 23-21 victory. The Generals got a game-winning, late fourth-quarter touchdown from running back Daquay Harris, who is having a breakout year as a junior. Next week they host Falls Church to try to keep pace with the Patriots.
After starting the season with back-to-back victories, Wakefield (2-2) lost for the second straight week Friday night, 45-14 at home against Edison (2-2). The Warriors allowed 32 unanswered points before finally crossing the plane of the end zone with a running score by junior quarterback Riley Wilson. The Warriors will try to get back on the winning track this Friday at home against Hayfield.
Bishop O'Connell (4-2) also dropped its game this week, 17-7 to St. John's. The Knights and the Cadets were tied, 7-7 at halftime after Knights quarterback Michael Galvan hit George Hawkins for an 11-yard touchdown pass, but St. John's pulled ahead in the second half and O'Connell couldn't come back. The Knights face a major challenge this Saturday, facing DeMatha (5-1), the Washington Post's top-ranked team in the D.C. area.
Yorktown and Washington-Lee's football teams won their first National District games Friday night — against Edison and J.E.B. Stuart respectively — while Wakefield dropped its first game of the season.
Yorktown beat up on Edison, 44-18, to get back in the win column a week after losing its first regular-season game in years. Senior star running back M.J. Stewart rushed 22 times for 191 yards and three touchdowns, raising his season total to 621 yards in three games. Quarterback Will Roebuck threw just three incomplete passes and ran in a score of his own. The Patriots got past an unexpected speed bump and put their foot on the gas starting National District play. The Patriots will host 3-0 Falls Church Friday night.
Washington-Lee also bounced back from its first loss of the season with a district win, sneaking by Stuart, 15-10. Running back Daquay Harris ran for 202 yards and a touchdown while the Generals defense smothered the Generals' running backs. The Generals, like the Patriots, are now 2-1 and 1-0 in the National District, and should go 3-1 next week when they visit 0-3 Hayfield.
Wakefield, after an 0-10 2012 season, suffered its first loss of 2013, losing 22-7 to Thomas Jefferson. The loss drops the Warriors to 2-1 after previous wins against Marshall and George Mason. The Warriors's defense bended to allow Jefferson's Nathan Kim to run for 270 yards, the third most in the D.C. area, and two touchdowns. Wakefield's first home game against a National District team will be Friday night against Edison.
Bishop O'Connell thumped WCAC foe Archbishop Carroll, 42-6, in the Knights' conference opener Saturday afternoon. The Knights moved to 4-1, putting more distance between themselves and their season-opening loss to McDonogh. Quarterback Michael Galvan threw just one incomplete pass while also leading the Knights in rushing with 37 yards and three touchdowns. The Knights next play Saturday at 2:00 p.m. on the road against St. John's.
File photo
O.C. Donut Store May be Coming to Arlington — The Fractured Prune, an Ocean City institution known for its hot, hand-dipped, homemade donuts, is expanding to the Washington area. The company is looking at Arlington as a possible location for a new store. [Washington Business Journal]
National Merit Semifinalists Announced — Eighteen Arlington Public Schools students have earned the honor of being named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists. The semifinalists include 4 students from H-B Woodlawn, 9 students from Washington-Lee, 2 students from Yorktown and 3 students who are attending Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. [Arlington Public Schools]
O'Connell Impresses on the Gridiron — Bishop O'Connell High Schools's football team is 2-1 after three games, and the Washington Post writes that the team has "turned some heads with their high-octane offense and stout defensive effort." [Washington Post]
The summer is almost over, and with the changing of the seasons will come the unofficial start of the fall: football season.
Fall practices for Arlington's high school football teams began Monday, officially ending the summer for fall sports athletes. In about three weeks (August 29), defending National District champs Yorktown will open play. One month from today — Sept. 6 — will be the opening night of the season for Washington-Lee and Wakefield.
Those who want to get the chance to see one of the best football teams in the country should head to Bishop O'Connell on Oct. 26 to watch the team play Maryland's Good Counsel. The date many in Arlington will want to circle on their calendars will be Nov. 8, the last game of the regular season, when Washington-Lee takes on Yorktown.
Below are the football schedules for each of the Arlington high schools.
All games at 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6: Home vs. Marshall
Sept. 12: Home vs. George Mason
Sept. 20: Away vs. Thomas Jefferson
Sept. 27: Home vs. Edison
Oct. 4: Home vs. Hayfield Secondary
Oct. 11: Away vs. Falls Church
Oct. 18: Away vs. Yorktown
Oct. 25: Away vs. J.E.B. Stuart
Nov. 1: Home vs. Washington-Lee
Nov. 8: Away vs. Mt. Vernon
All games at 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6: Away vs. McLean
Sept. 12: Home vs. South Lakes
Sept. 20: Home vs. J.E.B. Stuart
Sept. 27: Away vs. Hayfield Secondary
Oct. 4: Home vs. Falls Church
Oct. 11: Away vs. Mt. Vernon
Oct. 18: Home vs. Edison
Oct. 25: Home vs. Centreville
Nov. 1: Away vs. Wakefield
Nov. 8: Away vs. Yorktown
All games at 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 29: Home vs. Coolidge
Sept. 6: Away vs. Langley
Sept. 20: Away vs. Edison
Sept. 27: Home vs. Falls Church
Oct. 4: Away vs. J.E.B. Stuart
Oct. 11: Home vs. Hayfield Secondary
Oct. 18: Home vs. Wakefield
Oct. 25: Home vs. Chantilly
Nov. 1: Away vs. Mt. Vernon
Nov. 8: Home vs. Washington-Lee
Bishop O'Connell
All games at 2:00 p.m.
Aug. 24: Away vs. McDonogh
Aug. 31: Home vs. Paul VI
Sept. 7: Away vs. Bishop Ireton
Sept. 13: Away vs. St. Christopher's
Sept. 21: Home vs. Archbishop Carroll
Sept. 28: Away vs. St. John's
Oct. 5: Away vs. DeMatha (2:30 p.m.)
Oct. 12: Home vs. Gonzaga
Oct. 26: Home vs. Good Counsel
Nov. 2: Home vs. Bishop McNamara
DJO Senior Hurt in Spanish Train Wreck — Christina Cordoba, a rising senior at Bishop O'Connell High School, is in stable condition with a broken leg after surviving a deadly train derailment in Spain. The derailment killed nearly 80 people, including Cordoba's mother, Ana-Maria Cordoba, who worked for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Cordoba's father, Philippe, was also injured and is in stable condition. [WTOP, CBS News]
Security Breach at DCA — Nearly two dozen deactivated security badges of former Reagan National Airport employees have not been turned back in, raising serious security concerns. Already, one former employee was arrested for using his deactivated badge to get onto an airplane, according to prosecutors. [NBC Washington]
Virginia Suicides Hit High Mark — Virginia residents are three times more likely to die from suicide than homicide, according to a new report that also found that suicides in the Commonwealth hit a 13-year high in 2011. [Associated Press]
GOP Chief Wants More Community Involvement — The Arlington County Republican Committee is not fielding a candidate for County Board, School Board or House of Delegates this year. Committee chairman Charles Hokanson says the party needs candidates that are deeply involved in the Arlington community if it wants to have a shot at winning a local race. [Sun Gazette]
Photo by Audrey Batcheller
'Luxury' Apartment Rent Falling in Arlington — Rents for Class A apartments in Arlington and Alexandria fell 4.5 percent in the second quarter of 2013, "a clear sign that the supply of new apartments is catching up to demand." The average Class A rent in Arlington and Alexandria is $1,973 a month. [UrbanTurf]
Kroger Buys Harris Teeter — Ohio-based grocery chain Kroger has purchased Harris Teeter. So far, the company is not planning any significant changes for Harris Teeter stores, which will retain their branding and management. [Washington Post]
Still No Tenants for Rosslyn Skyscraper — The new 35-story office building at 1812 N. Moore Street in Rosslyn — now the D.C. area's tallest building other than the Washington Monument — is set to open in October. However, the building, which was built "on spec" by owner Monday Properties, could open without a single tenant. [WJLA]
All-American Honors for DJO Softball Stars — Bishop O'Connell softball stars (and recent graduates) Tori Finucane and Jillian Ferraro have been chosen as All-Americans by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. [Sun Gazette]
Flickr pool photo by Ddimick
Beauty Pageant in Crystal City — The annual Miss United States beauty pageant is taking place at Synetic Theater in Crystal City today and tomorrow (Saturday). Single women between the ages of 20 and 29 come from 55 states and U.S. territories to compete in the pageant. [Miss United States]
Marymount Launching Baseball Program — Arlington's Marymount University is launching a baseball program, with a team composed largely of freshmen from Northern Virginia high schools. The team will play at Bishop O'Connell High School's baseball field. [Washington Post]
County Still Reviewing Streetcar Finance Options — Arlington County officials are still trying to decide on their preferred funding mechanism for the Columbia Pike streetcar project. The streetcar could be built and in operation as early as 2017. [Sun Gazette]
Yelp Details 'Yuppie' Concentration in Clarendon — The business review site Yelp has published a map that shows the concentration of certain words in reviews. In the D.C. area, the word "yuppie" has the highest concentration in Clarendon. It also shows up to a lesser degree in Ballston, Courthouse and the Columbia Pike town center area. [Yelp]
Flickr pool photo by Ddimick
Flash Flood Watch Today — A Flash Flood Watch is in effect today for Arlington and the rest of the region. Rain showers and thunderstorms are expected to dump 1-3 inches of rain on the area through this evening. [National Weather Service]
APS Receives 'SRTS' Grant — Arlington Public Schools has received a $67,600 state grant that will be used to fund a new "Safe Routes to School" coordinator position. The SRTS program will help "enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school." It also seeks to make walking and bicycling to school safer while reducing traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution near schools. [Arlington Public Schools]
DJO Pitcher Honored by Gatorade — Bishop O'Connell High School softball pitcher Tori Finucane has been named the 2012-2013 Gatorade Virginia Softball Player of the Year. Finucane is now eligible to be named the Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year. [Sun Gazette]
Flickr pool photo by Martin Humm
'Virginia Room' Reopens With New Name — The former Virginia Room at Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street) has reopened following renovations. Meanwhile, the room has been renamed the "Center for Local History." [Arlington Public Library]
Phoenix Bikes Plans Move — The nonprofit Phoenix bike shop has been raising money for a planned move. The new location will be larger than the current classroom-sized shop. Like the current shop, it will be located on public property — at S. Walter Reed Drive and Four Mile Run Drive, next to the W&OD Trail. [Arlington Mercury]
Haute Fabrics Now Open Near Ballston — Marshall, Va.-based fabric shop Haute Fabrics has opened a second location, near Ballston. The new location is located at 730 N. Glebe Road and offers two floors worth of fabrics. [My Notting Hill]
DJO Softball Ranked #7 — Bishop O'Connell's state champion softball team has been ranked #7 in the nation, with a 30-1 overall record. [MaxPreps]
Flickr pool photo by Mrs. Gemstone


text:
Lesson Plan
The Journal of Wong Ming-Chung Discussion Guide
- Grades: 6–8
To the Discussion Leader
Newbery Honor author Laurence Yep brings his fine writing talents and pride in his Chinese heritage to his first My Name Is America book, The Journal of Wong Ming-Chung: A Chinese Miner. Young Wong Ming-Chung is a reluctant voyager from China to California in 1852 where he joins his Uncle Stone during the California Gold Rush.
Yep tells readers a story about greed and racism but also about the importance of home, courage, and dreams. About this dual nature of the gold rush Yep says, "When I was young, I thought of the gold rush as a glorious, fun-filled treasure hunt. However, when I grew older and learned more, I realized that the gold rush was an even bigger story. It drew dreamers from around the world. So the story is not just about the dreams of one person or of one group but the entire world."
The gold rush also had a serious, dangerous side. The miners brought not only their dreams but their prejudices, too. And greed sharpened those prejudices so that they had a deadly, violent edge. Because of that, the gold rush is not only a story of dreams but of shadowy, frightening nightmares.
What does it mean to be a "Guest on Golden Mountain"? To Wong Ming-Chung it means riches, adventure, danger, honor, and above all, a chance to shed his nickname, Runt. When Wong Ming-Chung begins his journal in October, 1851, he, his clan, and most of the people in his village are hungry and poor. Only the families who have Guests on the Golden Mountain — miners in California who send money to their relatives in China — have food enough to fend off hunger and money to provide a few comforts. "My brother and I are growing thin. So are all the other boys in school. Piggy, though, is round as ever. All the guest boys are. It's the magic of the Golden Mountain. It's a spell that protects them and their families."
When Precious Stone, Runt's uncle, finds work on the Golden Mountain, the clan rejoices, not just because of the riches he will send home, but more importantly, because he has survived the perilous journey between China and San Francisco. The jubilation is short-lived, however, when Runt reads his uncle's letter to the family. Uncle has requested that his eldest nephew, 15-year-old Blessing, join him on Golden Mountain. After days of hearing his parents arguing, Wong Ming-Chung discovers they will send him — not his elder brother — to America. Not even Blessing's arguments that Runt is too small, weak, and "always [has] his nose buried in a book" are enough to change his parents' plan.
Each step of the way is a perilous adventure for Runt, who has never traveled beyond his clan's holdings. The sea-voyage is a nightmare of sickness, poor food, inhumane conditions, degradation at the hands of the sailors, and death. On May 24th, Runt writes, "Illness has swept through the hold. Every day we put corpses on the stairs and the sailors take them away. The bodies are dumped into the ocean." Wong Ming-Chung is one of the fortunate Chinese who manages to live through the terrible ocean voyage.
After landing in San Francisco, Runt wends his way to the mountains where his uncle has earned a distinguished position because of his woodworking skills. Likewise, Runt discovers that even though he is small and young, his skills — reading, writing, and calculating — are highly valued. Soon, he is sending his own money back to the family in China. Even though the gold seems to be dwindling, Runt and his uncle continue working the claims. But violence, which lurks around every bend, sneaks into their lives in the form of government sanctioned taxes and miners who blame and distrust all immigrants, without ever knowing them as individuals. When the other Chinese miners desert their claims to avoid violence, Wong Ming-Chung and his Uncle Stone use their cunning to discover gold in the most unlikely places.
Through Wong Ming-Chung's journal, author Laurence Yep allows readers to participate in the life of an immigrant miner during the waning days of the California Gold Rush. In the end, both uncle and nephew understand that they will remain in America as Guests of the Golden Mountain. Even though he loves and misses his family, Runt realizes he must always return to California. "Swans have two homes. Why can't I? I can't help it if the Golden Mountain has gotten into my blood."
Thinking About the Book
- On August 1st, 1852, Runt compares the dangers that surround the Chinese workers in California to an old story of the beautiful flower that hides a poisonous snake. "When you're drawn to the loveliness, the snake strikes, killing you." What does this mean?
- One of the things Wong Ming-Chung discovers on his adventure is that being able to read and write "has its own power." What are some of the incidents in the journal that teach Wong Ming-Chung the "power" of being able to read and write?
- If you had to choose one of the following words that you think best describes what this book is about, would you chose dreams, home, or courage? Why?
- What did you learn about the California Gold Rush that surprised you most?
- After he leaves the safety of Tiger Rock, Runt writes, "When someone has a hand cut off, what does that hand think? Does it miss belonging to the body? That's how I feel. Like I've been cut off from something bigger. And now I've been tossed on the trash heap" (April 11, 1852). Discuss the meaning of this passage. Have you ever felt that way? Do you think Uncle Stone feels like a hand cut off from the arm now that he's on the Golden Mountain?
- What does Wong Ming-Chung mean in this journal entry of July 28th? "The Golden Mountain is like some food from a fairy tale. It fills you up wonderfully, but it always leaves you wanting more."
Student Activities
- Runt experiences many different emotions when his father tells him that they plan to send him to Golden Mountain. He asks his journal, "How could he be so kind and yet send me away?" Write a letter from Runt to his parents explaining how he feels and why he thinks it would be better for his brother to go to Golden Mountain.
- In his journal, Runt uses many similes that make his writing more interesting and easier to understand. For example, on August 5, 1852 he writes, "The water chains have been set up in a row like insect soldiers." Make a list of the best similes from Wong Ming-Chung's journal then share your favorite simile with your discussion group. Illustrate each simile and combine them into a book of Great Writing to share with other students.
- Ask each member of your discussion group to pick one of the following names or terms and write a short description of its importance to the California Gold Rush period. Share this information with the whole discussion group.
James Marshall
Foreign Miners' Tax
a rocker
John Sutter
Yerba Buena Cove
Sierra Nevadas
- Sometimes sudden wealth causes prices to rise or inflate rapidly. If you were a miner during the California gold rush, how much would you pay for a glass of water or a cup of coffee? How much for a pound of bacon? Compare today's prices to those paid by adventurers during the gold rush of 1849.
- For information on the Chinese who participated in the Gold Rush, visit the San Francisco Museum website .
- Read Allen Say's Caldecott Award winning book, Grandfather's Journey . How are these two books similar? How are they different?
Discussion Guide written by Richard F. Abrahamson, Ph.D., Professor of Literature for Children and Young Adults, University of Houston, Houston, Texas and Linda M. Pavonetti, Ed.D., Assistant Professor, Oakland University, Department of Reading and Language Arts, Rochester, Michigan.
- Part of Collection:
- Subjects:Achievement and Success, Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles, Changes and New Experiences, Cleverness, Main Idea and Details, Guided Reading, Independent Reading, Literature, Cause and Effect, Compare and Contrast, Drawing Conclusions and Making Inferences, Literary Devices, Plot, Character, Setting, Story Elements, Summarizing, Reading Response, Literature Appreciation, Research Skills, Vocabulary, Expository Writing, Letter Writing, Literary Response, Writing Prompts, Determination and Perseverance, Equality, Fairness, Justice, Immigration, Chinese and Chinese American, Pride and Self-Esteem, Resourcefulness, Tolerance and Acceptance, Prejudice and Tolerance Experiences, Survival, Communication and the Internet, Educational Technology
- Skills:Development of Reading Comprehension, Literary Elements, Cause and Effect, Compare and Contrast, Drawing Conclusions, Fact and Opinion, Identifying Author's Purpose, Main Idea and Details, Making Inferences, Plot, Character and Setting, Point of View, Problem and Solution, Sequence of Events, Summarizing, Theme, Research Skills, Vocabulary, Expository Writing


text:
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