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Over the past years, recognized world authorities on botanical
alternative medicine have defined, and established, specific
standards of excellence for herbal extracts. Viable Herbal
Solutions fully complies with these standards to insure
our customers that all ingredients used within our extensive
product portfolio is of the highest quality standards. Most
importantly, we standardize for the individual key compounds
which have been empirically and scientifically proven to be the
most advantageous for the human system. As a result, our
standardization process guarantees a consistent and appropriate
level of each plant's medicinal elements within each of the
product formulations we sell.
An enormous amount of empirical and
scientific research has identified specific plant compounds that
show great advantage for the human body. Our researchers are
continuously reviewing both current & historical analyses on
the efficacy of a multitude of world-wide medicinal plants to
evaluate their performance, limitations, optimal dosages,
contra-indications, and applications. In fact, because our
researchers of natural medicine recognize the documented
contribution of these specific key compounds, we predominantly
use standardized herbal extracts throughout our product
development and production processes.
Why are some herbs standardized as high as 80%
(total weight by volume) for their key compounds, while
others are as low as 0.8%. Here are some of the reasons:
Understanding the terms 'standardization' and
The words "standardization" and
"concentration" have two distinctly different
In cases where the key compound has not
been clearly identified, an herbal material can be concentrated
to yield a higher degree of all of the plant's compounds
in a smaller volume (than the plant itself). Therefore,
for example, with a 50:1 herbal concentration, you would have 50
mg. (milligrams) of extract which would have equivalent
composition and effectiveness to 2,500 mg. of raw plant material.
However, when we have identified the key compound(s) of an
herbal material, we can both concentrate, and standardize,
the herbal material to yield an optimal percentage of that
specific compound.
Standardized products provide greater value for
your dollar.
When an herbal product is not standardized,
you have absolutely no idea how much of the herb's key
compound(s) you are actually getting, or if these levels
are the same from one product capsule to the next. Without
standardization, you may not even get the herb that you are
paying for. For example, recent independent studies have shown
that many Ginseng products in the marketplace today actually
contain little, or no, ginsenosides, and many so-called
"Echinacea products" are not even Echinacea.
To illustrate the importance of choosing a
standardized herbal product, let's look at Saw Palmetto Berry.
Studies have shown that the best Saw Palmetto extracts are
standardized to contain 85%-95% fatty acids and sterols, at a
dosage of 160 mg. twice daily. To get that equivalent with dried
powdered berries, an individual would have to consume forty to
fifty 500-mg tablets each and every day. In terms of key
compounds, one bottle of standardized Saw Palmetto extract is
equal to about 17 bottles of the non-standardized product.
Obviously, the standardized product is clearly the better value.
Standardized Extracts are more Cost
One of the great misconceptions that many
practitioners still hold regarding standardized extracts is that
they are more expensive than herbal forms, such as alcohol-based
tinctures and fluid extracts (also see: Understanding Herbal
Preparations). The fact of the
matter is that if you calculate product cost based upon the delivery
of an effective dosage, then the standardized extract
is a real bargain. An important fact to remember is that
there is relatively little herb content in either tinctures or
fluid extracts; what consumers end up paying for with these types
of natural preparations is the alcohol, the bottle, and the cost
of shipping.
Therefore, the reasons for the tremendous cost
differences per delivery of an effective dosage of key herbal
compounds noted earlier for standardized extract products are
About.....Effective Dosage.
The effectiveness of any herb or herbal product
from a pharmacological perspective is dependent upon providing an
effective dosage of the active compounds. Regardless of the form
of the herbal preparation, clinical effectiveness requires
efficient delivery of an active dosage within the body.
Standardization for the level of active components, or key
biological markers, is the only real means to assure an
appropriate delivery of an effective dosage for the user.
Since the herbal industry in the United States
is not regulated like it is in Europe, manufacturers are
prohibited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from making
specific health claims. Nonetheless, some manufacturers of
tinctures and bulk herb products do make such health
claims. Some of these companies will utilize research featuring a
specific highly-concentrated standardized extract to promote
their tinctures, freeze-dried, alcohol-free, or even crude herb
preparations even though their preparations may bear
absolutely no resemblance from a chemical perspective to the
herbal preparation used in the study. This practice is either
based on ignorance or blatant deceit for profit.
Manufacturers selling tinctures and crude herbs
are often upset by this point of view. No ne is picking on them;
we are simply stating a scientific fact - that in order for any
herbal preparation to be clinically effective, it must provide
an effective dosage. This view should not be viewed as
controversial. Unfortunately, the controversy arises from the
fact that, from a pharmacological perspective, it is unlikely
that the dosage schedules recommended on most herbal tinctures
are sufficient to produce any real biological effect. While
tinctures of such potentially toxic herbs such as gelsemium,
aconite, belladonna, and digitalis might produce a
pharmacological effect when given at low dosages, for most herbs
in use today it is very difficult to produce a beneficial
pharmacological effect when the herb is administered in tincture
form in a cost effective manner. The administration of small
dosages of herbs in tincture form is an offshoot of the
homeopathic and eclectic use of "mother tinctures" and
"specific medicines." At the very best, it could be
stated that the effectiveness of these preparations, and their
ability to exert pharmacological effects, have not been proven
for all but a few botanicals. If a natural medicine, whether it
is a tincture, standardized extract, or nutrient, is truly
clinically effective, it should be able to stand up to scientific
scrutiny and rationale.
Several time-proven systems of herbal medicine
are based upon delivering much higher levels of key herbal
compounds than can easily be obtained via the use of tinctures.
Specifically, these methods include the use of highly
concentrated standardized extracts from Europe, and the use of
herbal preparations in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and
As a result, herbal medicine is not going to be
very popular with consumers if it is not very effective. The
greater the effectiveness, the greater the popularity. The
tremendous growth noted in the United States over the past decade
is primarily the result of an influx of high-quality,
standardized extracts into the U.S. marketplace. For years,
consumer acceptance of herbal medicine in the United States has
struggled because of the insistence of some herbal practitioners
to hold on to 'outdated' and 'unsubstantiated' views. Fortunately
today, more people than ever are getting undeniable beneficial
results with herbal medicines, mainly because they are using more
effective products. Unfortunately, there is still a great deal of
confusion among both health professionals and consumers.
While the future looks extremely promising for
herbal medicine in the United States, ultimately what will
determine its degree of success will be the acceptance of more
reliable herbal products (i.e. compound products manufactured
from standardized extracts) by healthcare providers and


text:
2-4 servings
1 head cauliflower (about 1½ pounds) cut into bite-sized pieces
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½ cup whole pecans
Olive oil
6 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed slightly with the side of a knife
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon chopped chives or spring onion
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
1. Cut up cauliflower and set aside.
2. Spread out pecans on a medium-sized rimmed baking sheet and bake until fragrant, about five minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to a bowl or cutting board to cool. When cool enough to handle, chop the pecans.
3. Turn up oven to 425 degrees.
4. Toss cauliflower in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil to coat florets. Season with a pinch of salt. Spread out cauliflower on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast until golden brown, about 25 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes or so to make sure all sides are browned. About halfway through, toss garlic cloves in with the cauliflower.
5. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it pops, foams, crackles and then quiets down. It will turn brown and fragrant. At this point, add the breadcrumbs, turn down the heat and stir until the bread soaks up the butter. Cook a few more minutes until the breadcrumbs darken slightly and crisp a bit. Transfer breadcrumbs to a bowl or jar.
6. Place the roasted cauliflower and garlic cloves on a platter. Sprinkle with ¼ cup toasted pecans, about ¼ cup breadcrumbs and chives. Finish with a sprinkling of flaky salt and a drizzle of olive oil if you'd like. Serve immediately.
Add 1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds and 1 teaspoon ground cumin to the olive oil before coating the cauliflower. Serve with chopped fresh mint and a generous dollop of yogurt. Or, add 1 teaspoon of herbes de Provence, 1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds, and a few thyme sprigs to the olive oil before tossing. Then, add a handful of almonds during the last 10 minutes of roasting.
— From Ileana Morales, Tampa Bay Times
Serves 8
1 to 2 heads cauliflower (2½ to 3 pounds), cut into bite-size florets
2 large onions (1½ to 2 pounds), thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
Olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
5 ounces Gruyere or Comté cheese, coarsely grated
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1. Cut up cauliflower and set aside.
2. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a wide sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add onions and stir for a couple of minutes to coat with oil and soften. Turn down heat to medium and let onions cook, stirring occasionally until volume is reduced and onions are a deep brown. You may need to reduce heat to medium-low if the onions are browning too quickly rather than caramelizing. Stir in garlic at the end. Turn heat down to lowest setting.
4. Meanwhile, toss cauliflower with 1 tablespoon olive oil and ½ teaspoon kosher salt and spread on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. It's OK if the cauliflower is slightly crowded. Roast until slightly softened and just starting to brown, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
5. To make the roux, melt butter on medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add flour and stir until the mixture is smooth and thickened, one to two minutes. If it clumps, just keep stirring. Pour milk and cream in slowly, stirring as you do, to combine the ingredients without any clumps. The mixture should be thick and smooth. Stir in about half of the cheese so it melts into the sauce.
6. Spread a ladleful of the white sauce over the bottom of a buttered 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Spread out cauliflower and caramelized onions evenly in the dish. Pour sauce over the vegetables. Toss to coat cauliflower and onions in the sauce. Sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg and salt. Cover with the rest of the cheese.
7. Bake until browned and bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Let it rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
— From Ileana Morales, Tampa Bay Times
Serves 4-6
2½ cups dry white wine
3 cup olive oil
¼ cup kosher salt
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon sugar
1 bay leaf
8 cups water
1 head of cauliflower, leaves removed
Flaky salt (such as Maldon)
For the whipped goat cheese:
4 ounces fresh goat cheese
3 ounces cream cheese
3 ounces feta
3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for serving
1. Heat oven to 475 degrees. Bring wine, oil, kosher salt, juice, butter, crushed red pepper, sugar, bay leaf and water to a boil in a large pot, such as a Dutch oven. Carefully add cauliflower to the pot and reduce heat to about medium or medium-high. Let cauliflower simmer, turning occasionally, until a knife easily inserts into the center, 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Use 2 slotted spoons or a wide mesh strainer to remove the cauliflower from the pot and drain well. Place cauliflower with stem on the bottom on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast, rotating sheet halfway through, until brown all over, 30 to 40 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Use a sharp knife to cut into 4 or 6 wedges and serve immediately with whipped goat cheese on the side.
3. Make the whipped goat cheese: Blend cheeses, heavy cream and 2 tablespoons oil in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt. Transfer whipped goat cheese to a serving bowl and drizzle with oil.
— Adapted by Ileana Morales, Tampa Bay Times, from Domenica in New Orleans via Bon Appétit magazine
Serves 4
1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets (with as little of the stalk as possible)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
Zest of 1 lemon
A handful fresh herbs, such as mint or parsley, roughly chopped
1. Cut up cauliflower, put in a food processor and pulse in batches until it's chopped into small bits, the size and texture of Israeli couscous. Be careful not to purée. That's not terrible, but not what we're going for here. If you don't have a food processor, you can break down the cauliflower into couscous-size pieces with the coarse side on a box grater or chopping it finely with a knife.
2. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a wide skillet. Add shallot and saute for one minute. Add garlic and sauté for one minute. Add cauliflower and cook until heated through, stirring frequently, about five minutes. Transfer cauliflower to a large serving bowl. Toss with cumin, lemon zest and herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil if desired. Serve.
Try adding different nuts, dried fruit, herbs and spices of your liking. I often reach for whole or ground cumin and almonds. Feel free to swap in leeks or regular onion for the shallot.
— From Ileana Morales, Tampa Bay Times

subset: commoncrawl


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By the way... a reminder...
A prequel to the BBC's critically-acclaimed Idris Elba BBC drama Luther is now in available for purchase... in the form of a paperback novel! That's right, Neil Cross, the creator of the series, has penned a 368-page prequel novel titled Luther: The Calling, published by Simon & Schuster, and which hit UK bookstores on August 1st.
Though, you can purchase a copy even if you don't live in the UK. I checked Amazon.com, and there are UK-based resellers already unloading copies of the book ready to be shipped to almost anywhere in the world, starting at around $28.
So, what's the story here?
Meet Detective Chief Inspector John Luther. He's a murder detective. A near-genius. He's brilliant; he's intense; he's instinctive. He's obsessional. He's dangerous. DCI John Luther has an extraordinary clearance rate. He commands outstanding loyalty from friends and colleagues. Nobody who ever stood at his side has a bad word to say about him. And yet there are rumours that DCI Luther is bad - not corrupt, not on the take, but tormented. Luther seethes with a hidden fury that at times he can barely control. Sometimes it sends him to the brink of madness, making him do things he shouldn't; things way beyond the limits of the law. Luther: The Calling, the first in a new series of novels featuring DCI John Luther, takes us into Luther's past and into his mind. It is the story of the case that tore his personal and professional relationships apart and propelled him over the precipice. Beyond fury, beyond vengeance. All the way to murder…
I'm guessing the case being referred to here that tore his personal and professional life apart was the one that we saw the end of in the beginning of the first episode of season 1 last year.
Something else that stands out here is that this will be "the first in a new series of novels," so expect more to come.
Might one of these paperbacks (and maybe hardcovers eventually) be the source for the Luther movie that so many fans of the series are hoping for, and that Idris himself has already expressed strong interest in producing?
Maybe... maybe not.
In the meantime, feel free to pick up a copy, all you Luther crazies.
I might get one myself...


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Here's What It Would Be Like If Harry Potter Was Made Scott Pilgrim Style [Video]
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if the Harry Potter movies were put together with the same energy, visual style, and music as the Scott Pilgrim movie? Probably not, but YouTuber The Unusual Suspect has done it for you anyway. He's edited together clips from the Harry Potter movies into a trailer for a movie that feels like a regular Potter movie, but at the same time is pretty much Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Check out the edit down below!
Links for today!
- Batman's Cool Internet Video (Smosh Video)
- 25 Pieces of Fan Art That Turn Everyone Into Pokemon Trainers (College Humor)
- IMDB For Your Mom (College Humor)
- The Original 'Resident Evil' Returns Yet Again With A New HD Remastering (UPROXX)
- 21 People Who Absolutely Nailed It (Pleated Jeans)
- At first I thought I had forgotten to put my contacts in, but then I realized it isn't my eyes that are all funked up (Photoshop Disasters)
- 10 Things We Learned From The Man Behind Divergent (Teen.com)
- Kim Kardashian Isn't Making Any Excuses For Not Losing Baby Weight (Just Jared)
- Though he did not receive credit, Michael Jackson wrote 'Do The Bartman' after calling the producers of 'The Simpsons' and offering to write Bart a number-one single (OMG-facts)
- Sony Will Give Us A Female Superhero Film In 2017, And That's As Specific As They Will Get (Screen Junkies)


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To,Pabak Enterprise


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Lebendige Vergangenheit - Pavel Lisitsian Vol 2
1 CD / Preiser / 2000-10-01Works: Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky: Death, Op. 57, no 5; Qu'importe que l'hiver, song for voice & piano, Op. 65/4; The fires in the room were already out, song for voice & piano, Op. 63/5; The Fearful Moment,...
Performers: Lisitisian, Pavel
read more Login or Create an Account to write a review


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A very sad day indeed for MotoGP.
Marco was a very exciting talent with the potential to be a future world champion in the top flight!
In an ideal world we love to see our heros race and do well, and make it to retirement!
Today we were all robbed of a great racer who lived for the sport!
Marco our thoughts go out to You, your familly, friends, team and all the fans!
RIP Marco your a legend and you will be sadly missed by us all!


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For $1.99/month (less than the price of one cappuccino, one movie rental or a pack of gum…) or $18/year or more you'll receive unlimited access to all Improvised Life content and its vast archive.
REALLY love us? Contributions of $250/year or more will receive a 1-hour Skype or FaceTime consultation with Sally about an interior design or cooking dilemma (you can also give this as a gift!)
Help us fund (ad-free) the MANY hours of writing, research, and cold hard sweat that goes into curating and editing Improvised Life.
I can't even begin to tell you how much I needed to read this! Thank you for sharing the best stuff. Printing now…
Thanks so much for those words. Means A LOT.
Wow! Thank you and I will take time to read slowly, thank you again for another communication that I sometime have a hard time with face book but I am still learning.
With Best,
There are no 'ugly childs' ! Just as there are no ugly people .
It is how you look at them .
If the Improvised Life is a source of creativity, inspiration, ideas and change in your daily life, please consider becoming a Friend with Benefits. A little bit goes a long way towards helping us publish fresh AD-FREE content each day.


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A great thing about being a New Orleanian in New York City is the steady stream of familiar faces you get to see, whether just passing through or here for a while. The Crescent City and the Big Apple cross-pollinate quite a bit, especially within the music community. Both musicians and their fans seem to dig each other's scenes and frequent them often. How could they not? With all the cultural contributions to history that both cities have made over the years, it seems only natural that a strong kinship would form.
Our local New Orleans musicians are embraced and hailed by the Big City's music lovers and players, who come out in droves to enjoy Nola's soulful syncopation, with many of NYC's finest bringing their instruments along to sit-in and join the party. Likewise, many of New York's giants of music come down to Nola for Jazzfest or any other occasion they can find to add their sounds to the city's incredible musical cacophony. Not to mention, going back to the days of Louis Armstrong, many talented New Orleans players have moved up to make a name for themselves in the big city.
I was quite pleased to see that my good friend Colin Lake was coming up to NYC. Colin is a great singer, songwriter and guitarist who has become one of my favorite emerging talents coming out of NOLA these days. He's a good songsmith with an incredibly powerful and soulful set of vocal chords, not to mention his guitar playing and lap steel slide prowess. This was Colin's first time in NYC and no doubt he'll be returning sometime soon after having won over some new fans. As part of the Export Nola showcase in NYC, Colin Played 3 gigs, 2 of them late nights at Zirzamin, a tiny bar in the West Village, in the same neighborhood that Bob Dylan and all the old New York folk music greats honed their craft. These were the gigs I made it to.
Colin & his band comprised of Marc Adams on keys, Eric Golson on drums & Bill Richards on bass, a talented bunch all from NOLA. They played a great mix of covers and originals, drawing some songs from his latest studio release "Ones I Love" as well as some new songs that he's just recently composed. "I Said I'm Sorry" is a one of Colin's new tunes played on his hollowbody Washburn electric with a swampy-blues feel. This was my first time hearing this one and I was quite impressed. Another new Colin Lake original, "Lonesome For The West" a deep soulful number, was also a great addition to his repertoire.
Eric Golson held a nice deep syncopated pocket, as Louisiana drummers always do, while Marc Adams threw down some great New Orleans style blues piano with its signature rag-time and junker style chops. Colin always breathes new life into classic songs at his shows performing some great renditions of the old O.V. Wright soul classic "Blind Crippled & Crazy", Paul Pena's "Gotta Move", and a wonderful lap-steel played "I'll Fly Away" with a New Orleans second line beat underneath it. They were a very tasteful choice of covers that got the New York crowd moving.
Colin continues to impress me with his skills as a performer. He's got an amazing voice, powerful with lots of soul. He's a great guitar player, especially his skills on the lap steel and a good songwriter who continues to grow. I've enjoyed watching Colin develop as an artist over the past few years and can't wait to see what the future holds for this sincere, gifted and hardworking musician who's quite proud to call New Orleans home.


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Celeste Star, Hayden Winters, and Shyla Jennings come together for a HOT lesbian sex romp at We Live Together. They start out with some small talk but then quickly move on to one of the sexiest shower scenes you've ever seen. These girls love eating pussy and aren't shy to show it.
Check out the picture gallery above then head over to We Live Together to see the full video!
Tags: and Shyla Jennings, Celeste Star, Hayden Winters


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The Orphans' Court handles all matters involving estates and wills as the probate court in Maryland, and also some guardianships of minors.
The Orphans' Court derives its name from pre-colonial England, carried over by Lord Baltimore from the City of London's Court for Widows and Orphans. In 1777, the Maryland General Assembly formally established an Orphans' Court and Register of Wills in each county and the City of Baltimore. That structure still operates today.
The three judges of the Orphans' Court for Prince George's County must be attorneys, licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland. Judges of the Orphans' Court are elected every four years by the citizens of this county, with the judge of longest tenure serving as Chief Judge.
The Register of Wills serves as the clerk for the Orphans' Court, and is also elected every four years by the citizens of the county in which the Register serves.


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When The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia opened in June 1985 as the first residential facility exclusively dedicated to the treatment of eating disorders, it was a pioneer in the field. With an enthusiastic staff of administrative and clinical personnel — psychologists, social workers, nurses, nutritionists, psychiatrists and physicians — Renfrew's initial goal was to provide first-rate treatment to those in recovery and bring national attention to the hidden epidemic of eating disorders.
As the demand for high-quality eating disorders treatment grew, Renfrew responded to this critical need. Five years after first opening in Philadelphia, Renfrew opened a second residential treatment facility in Coconut Creek, Florida. Since that time, thirteen additional sites have opened throughout the country, allowing Renfrew to offer a full continuum of care—residential, day, intensive outpatient and outpatient services.
Renfrew has now provided more than 65,000 adolescent girls and women with the tools they need to succeed. The first organization to host a national conference on eating disorders, Renfrew has trained nearly 30,000 professionals from the U.S. and abroad. Today, with its unmatched record of experience, The Renfrew Center continues to be a leader in the development of new and innovative treatment and training approaches.


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The Myth of the Personal BrandJul 21, 2010 Business Tips, Guest Bloggers, Marketing
Today's post is by Aaron Templer, branding dude and all-around enlightened soul. You can follow him on Twitter @AaronTempler and check out his site here.
If I told you my car was actually a bike with an engine and more room to carry stuff, you'd say Get bent. It's a car.
If a company told you their shoes were just like feet only without all the moving parts and no ability to connect directly to your brain, you'd call them out on the social web as fraudulent ninnies.
There's similarity in the movement creating backlash against personal branding that asks, "Why are we told that we can (and should) bundle all the complexities, unpredictability and beautiful self-expression that is Me into a nice little package to sell to employers or clients?"
"I am not a brand!" spiel the brand agnostics. Don't commoditize me.
The trouble with taking a side on this issue is, of course, that no one can agree on what the hell branding really is anyway. (This coming from someone who considers himself a branding consultant with processes, models and ways to approach the subject that are constructed with all kinds of stuff inspired from across the branding milieu.)
I'm dead serious. Think you can define branding? Give it shot in the comments and I can find some really smart people who will disagree with you.
By all appearances, the discussion of personal branding – and the hoards of people who claim to help us do it – is fueled by the social web. Before everyone had a voice, branding was largely the domain of ad people in turtlenecks desperately grasping to their relevance as the value of traditional advertising went the way of the Slip-n-Slide.
Now, we all have a role. Or at least we can. And because we saw the opportunity to promote ourselves, reputations and work – and started to realize that it isn't that easy – we started asking questions about the process to make it all more effective. We started discussions, upturned a few rocks and out scurried the Branding People.
They told us all our activities on the social web need to be consistent. Integrated. That everything – actions, words, Twitter home pages – should look, feel and sound the same. (Sometimes they'd tell us that actions and promises need to integrate as well, but not very often 'cause they can't make any money from that 'cause in the end, that ain't up to them it's up to the client so my hands are clean.) They've called similar stuff branding for years and demonstrated its value by way of racked-up billable hours doing it for everything from beer cans to investment schemes. So why wouldn't it apply to this new world? If it works for a beer can, why not you?
You see arguments for the power of personal branding in the expected places – usually from those who charge people to brand them – and the not-so typical places. But what better place than the Redhead's domain to poke some holes in this notion? After all, the Redhead has been heralded as one of the most "kick ass" personal brands around.
But does the Redhead actually brand herself? Or is she simply demonstrating the value she provides through her work, while at the same time recognizing that today's world demands that she break down the Business Walls of Bullshit to expose an actual person with whom to build trust?
If it's the later, then branding hardly describes it. Or if you think it does, then we really need a new word for it.
Some would argue (I did once, actually) that people aren't brands. We're too weird. Too human
I've put it this way before: people aren't "experiences." We experience. People aren't work. We work. And people aren't results. People aren't products. People aren't services. We make, deliver, and yes, brand those things.
So, Redhead legions. What do you think?
Okay - solid. But just because it's got a name doesn't mean that people know how to use it. It's not a Sham-wow. It's marketing strategy, knowhaddimean Vern?
I think if Personal Brand is used superficially like an Amani Suit to suggest, qualify or imply things that are aspirational or untrue then whats the point - BUT if Personal Brand and the process of thinking about it, writing about it and putting into play helps one under-confident, creative and interesting person to celebrate their uniqueness in an authentic and appropriate way then awesome, fabulous and long may Personal Brand be in our vocab and experiences. Let's face it Erika people have been doing ths stuff since time began its not a fashion its now got a name and isn't restricted to a select few. Paul Goring The Brand Button - thebrandbutton.com (UK)
I think people have been trying to define what "it" is for years. You can call it branding, or whatever buzz word they come up with next, but in the end: Are they buying?I liked this paragraph, because it sums up what I have always believed<<< "But does the Redhead actually brand herself? Or is she simply demonstrating the value she provides through her work, while at the same time recognizing that today's world demands that she break down the Business Walls of Bullshit to expose an actual person with whom to build trust?">>>We shop at a particular store because the clerk remembers our name, we frequently eat at a restaurant for the service even though the food is mediocre, and we buy from you as long as you don't make us feel like showering afterwards. My father taught me a valuable lesson growing up. Relationships are king. He sold mining equipment for a living and they were by far not the only game in town, but what the others didn't have is my father. He went out of his way to make his customers feel important.Having a "brand" doesn't mean anything if people don't want to have anything to do with it.
Personal branding. I just couldn't get there. After months of struggle, I decided to let my work, and not a shiny, hyped up image, speak for who I am to anyone who cared to listen.Was I crazy for deciding to disregard the huge numbers of very smart people telling me that I would never be successful until I could distill myself to a point that a brand stamp could be applied to my personality? Maybe, but I do crazy pretty well. Then, Shannon Paul posted these thoughts: http://veryofficialblog.com/2010/01/14/having-a...I wasn't crazy at all.
The points made in this post have been coming back to me without relent for the last couple of days now. I think the most important thing about personal branding is that the "personal" part be the keyword; companies are intangible entities, and as such, you can get a bunch of executives together and make decisions about what a company's identity, brand and culture will be. People have real personalities instead.Since the first online newsgroups hit the scene, the social web has introduced this new online component to our identities. Like a musical instrument, a pen, or a printing press, the internet-connected world has latched onto these new ways with which to express themselves – and that expression directly influences the audience's perception of that individual. This happens whether or not you give a damn about "personal branding strategy." It happens if you're a casual Facebook user, a mommy/daddy blogger, a participant in a niche forum, or a professional that takes the time to consciously think about their personal brand. (I guess the exception to this is 4chan, whose nature is defined by its participants' anonymity.)I think much like traditional marketing, it's important to keep your strategies in perspective. You should be dedicated primarily with the stuff you want to share with others first, be it your art, your thoughts, or your résumé. Personal branding strategies won't change who you actually are, but they can help you use different communications media in ways that more effectively express your identity. My "personal brand" is just others' perceptions of me, but the hope is that personal branding strategy will give people online as robust and accurate an understanding of me as those encountering me in real life.
Are you using 'branding' as a noun or a verb here? Arguably the verb form "I'm branding my product" would be the attempt to control who people think you are. On the other hand, the noun form "Hey, look at my new branding." would be solely about what others perceive as it has been set free from the development nest and is now its own entity.
Of course people are brands. You think Angelina Jolie, Barack Obama, Steve Jobs and the like don't think very hard about their own selves in the same way marketing types think about Nike, Apple, or Pepsi? Hey, even dead people are brands -- Marilyn Monroe?As you say, the problem is we don't know what "brand" really means. And I see exactly the same problem emerging with oft used, never defined terms in social media like "buzz". http://ianbruce.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-is-bu...
Carrie - what about who *you* think you are? Traditional branding tries to close the gap between perceived and actual reputation. Does that apply?
Your personal brand is who people think you are. Really.
I'm seeing a lot of specialist language in this discussion. As a generalist/outside observer, 'Branding' to me still means putting up a consistent logo, a motto, and some trade dress. With that in mind, "Personal Branding" could very well mean using the same picture in Facebook and Twitter or using the same login for a message board as with your personal domain.
Like this discussion so much, I might as well pull an all-nighter. Dennis, allow me to beg-to-agree as well as beg-to-differ. Because you qualified that a GOOD brand is a neutral "third space", I am with you on this one.I also agree that branding has a value, not only because you can charge for it. Any individual can provide service-with-a-smile at no extra cost to anybody. My customer experience is personal and that is what I value. The service you provide is personal (anybody other than you would deliver a different service) and when companies meet to shape their expectations, whose expectations are they shaping? If we agree, that branding may not be the appropriate term, is it possible that that what we are talking about is only possible, because we are becoming more personal, more authentic, more who we are? My stress is on 'becoming' because a personal b-r-a-n-d is by nature dynamic. We evolve (hopefully). I do not expect that people must always play the same role to be authentic. The beauty about people is that they are many different things and these too may change. Mayby in business brand is a thing and result. In human terms b-r-a-n-d is a continuously evolving story: Be Real And Not Deceptive.I liked your blog btw.
I'm with Mary on this one. Your words: "actions, reputations, and values integrated with communications" and Mary's: "intentions, passions, a great set of values, and fabulous execution" - what's the difference. . . . and don't give me this "expressions of humanity" !?! I have crawled around on this planet for over 55 years and not met humanity yet.
surely it would have been a purple cow ;)
This is one of the most interesting threads on 'branding' I've come across. Thank you all to the lively discussion so far. Just a quick stop with Aaron. As things are, I can go along with you that a "distinction between branding on an enterprise or product/service level and the complexities that make us human" maybe necessary. If (what we mean by brand) "isn't big enough to contain the beauty of the human experience or vastness of our multitudes" then we do indeed need another terminology. For lack of another word, I would still argue that the personal and business brands are in effect the same, i.e. a "reflection of actions, reputations, and values integrated with communications . . .". The difference for me is that a personal brand is (as a rule) more authentic. The business brand, while also represented by a person (or persons) gets distorted by the "corporate wall". By this I mean that the same people promote a brand image to the outside, which are based on other values (money, power, greed, etc.) than those which they seek for themselves (love, solidarity, justice, etc.) As far as I am concerned this corporate wall has led to some schizophrenia from which our economy and businesses are suffering. Call it what you will, but I perceive meaningful and holistic attempts of people to establish their personal brands. If this means to become more authentic and holistic and balanced, all the power to them. If not, they'll just put apply a branding iron on themselves - and that hurts (and stinks). Given the fast developing transparency in the marketplace based on social media, I believe that branding in the traditional sense is on its way out and businesses trying to cling on to this approach as well, unless, of course, the people in these companies also attempt to be more real, authentic, themselves and humane. I also believe that this requires people to communicate as open and honestly (without being disrespectful) as possible, which I consider a major cornerstone of a positive personal brand.
How true, Brett. Seth Godin has made a career out of just that kind of thinking.
I'm a brand. I'm ok w/that.
Amen Mary ... authenticity is not such a novel idea, nor is finding YOUR people and focusing energies on offering substance and value that directly impacts, improves, etc.
Quite welcome Aaron, and I appreciate the response.It's interesting to think of how much time we (and I guess I'm referring to the collective masses) wade through a whole host of static to try and differentiate on a personal level. Seems all of that time swimming in information overload and hoping that your people respond could be time devoted to finding a true niche that speaks to your individuality.
You are a gentleman.
you have to be careful with branding; damaged goods :)
Could be, Ken. Good question. Brand and Branding, though, have come to include the promotion of a personality, or the facilitation of conversations around a personality. Both noun and verb - which is why I think the notion is ill-defined at times. But that might be splitting hairs. It's such an organic notion, brand. Totally out of any semblance of control that it makes it difficult to define and work with.I guess the thrust of my point is that people contain multitudes. And you can brand that, yes. But there's something life-affirming in self expression and the way humans connect that calling it branding dishonors the exercise in a way. Know what I mean?
Thanks, Leon. You bring up good points, like: There are things associated with branding that, I think, are better aligned with other disciplines of business. Positioning, for instance, isn't branding. A brand needs a differentiated position, certainly, but if you align "a carefully defined, narrow target market" directly with branding at the exclusion of other considerations, you might miss important aspects of positioning that branding doesn't bring to the table.Thanks again, Leon.
OK, but you'll still have to buy it breakfast and pay for a cab.
Nice to see your typeface Neil. Thanks for chiming in.You're right on many levels - not the least of which is how close we are on the issue in general. And yes - in an effort to make a compelling post I painted with a broad brush. Hopefully the non-hucksters will know who they are. (Hucksters probably won't, or they wouldn't be hucksters.)Anyone reading this should connect with Neil on Twitter (@neilmckenzphoto). He's the real deal.
Thanks for the kind words, Penelope. And the well thought expansion of what could be considered a pot shot. I'm straddling the fence on this issue, truth be told (which I'm sure drives Erika nuts). Ultimately I'm struggling with people not making a distinction between branding on an enterprise or product/service level and the complexities that make us human. I think the how people "connect with you on a meaningful level" is very different from how an enterprise/product/service does. Check out Dennis' comment below. He puts in very well IMO.Thanks again!
Thanks, Roger. Made me smile. You're probably right: should have said define *personal* branding.I think you know this, but the smart people I might find to disagree with your definition are those who have expanded brand and branding into areas of business operations and reputation building that align values, actions, and experience with marks and communications. Alas, you're right: a brand is what we make of it. Stephen King of the WPP Group said "Brands are built the way birds build nests—by the scraps and twigs we chance upon."
Oops - liked this when I didn't actually men to.Bee, I think the argument against person branding is precisely the opposite of withering branding back to logos, slogans, and knick knacks. It's simply suggesting that a brand - even if you holistically describe it as actions, reputations, and values integrated with communications and marketing - isn't big enough to contain the beauty of the human experience or vastness of our multitudes. Walt Whitman is rolling over in his grave at the notion.
G'day Aaron,Well said . Dare I say that i've read a whole lot of nonsense about branding on the web. Much of it sounds like barely concealed ego-tripping to me. And as for personal branding.........!A carefully defined, narrow target market and a crystal clear business focus will beat the pants off branding every time. Erika is the bitch-slap lady; the kick-ass woman. And it wouldn't matter if her name was "Fatima O'Neill."It's not the brand or the name, although some work better than others. "The Shawshank Redemption" was never going to break box-office records. What really matters is what the brand means to the prospect or customer in the customer's terms. Work that out first. Then decide what name you want to give to what you do. And be first in your category.I've said enough. I'm just a business person who's learnt a few thing over the years.Whatever you do, make sure you have fun.RegardsLeon
Bee - Are you saying that...uh...I have to THINK and actually strategize in order to achieve an effective branding strategy? Damn. That means I'm going to have to integrate it with a comprehensive marketing plan as well, doesn't it.Shit, shit, shit.;-)
"If you've got the right intentions and are engaged with the people you really want to connect with, your brand comes to life in that moment."And if you've got it wrong, you know that crickets are a death march. Right on, Mary :)
And without reputation, what do we have? We'd be subject to the words left about us in bathroom wall scrawls.While I'm not that kinda girl, I *could* be if it weren't for a certain style and personality of content for which I've come to be known.
Perhaps for many people "personal brand" is synonymous with "personality?"Great question posed, Ken.
Thanks Roger - I'm glad my guest bloggers incite conversation and debate :)I was soooo going to make the post image a picture of a branded cow. Damn me for thinking twice!
Penelope - Thanks for stopping by and welcome to RedheadWriting. I agree that Aaron created a great blend of thought provocation and snark (would I have anything else as a guest spot on the blog?).On my side, I don't think personal branding is stupid, but I do agree that it's likely associated with the rise of the solopreneur and the change in the employment landscape. Businesses are no longer conglomerations - they're your next door neighbor. If somehow I've come to have a personal brand, I hope it's as you stated: having "enough self-knowledge to connect with a broad range of people in a meaningful way." Damn if that's all I ever wanted to do: connect.:)
Neil - great point regarding the cow's backside. We "do" marketing and the brand process, while integral, is a PART of the process. Crap - if it becomes any more than a PART, lemme know. I need to change gigs in that case! Thanks for stopping by today.
Oh heavens. I don't want to screw it. Maybe dry hump it a little. ;-)
Screw branding. I concur :)
Aaron, your question was ~ Think you can define branding?Yes, as a matter of fact I can. A mark made by burning or otherwise, to indicate kind, grade, make, ownership, etc.It is one of many definitions within the dictionary. It does in fact accurately answer the question. So start looking for a smart person.Truth be told, I'm being a smart ass and your question should have been ~ Think you can define personal branding?It's honestly a great article and IMHO branding can go both ways. Much the same as the big Donald Trump is branded by the common people as money, and the local crack whore is branded by the common people as syphilis. It is what you make it.Keep the kick ass guests writers coming Erika.
I don't know if I agree, because I think being "weird" is a brand. Maybe in biz, the word is "Brand", and with us humans, it's called "personality"?Nice piece, made me think.
Right on! I used to say, "marketing is a process, not an event." The same could be said for "branding," especially personal branding. Your brand is what someone experiences of you at any given moment. If you've got the right intentions and are engaged with the people you really want to connect with, your brand comes to life in that moment. The only way to control it is to have intentions, passions, a great set of values, and fabulous execution of whatever it is you say you do.
Definitions FTW!I generally try to avoid words that end in "ize," such as commoditize, productize, imagize, brand -ize, epicize, etc.And integrating the integration so we can experiencize the integrated self integration ... well it's truly self-brandizing at its best.In all seriousness though, I think you've hit the nail on the proverbial head on how difficult it is to sell personal branding as being legitimate and not find yourself spinning in circles.Me thinks people should just stay human and leave the giant curtain behind ... but what's a ninja really know?
Aaron, Interesting article. I could go either side of the personal brand issue but probably lean more to the side that says personal brand exists. I think a lot of the arguement is based on semantics and lack of an accepted definition. Some people equate personal brand with reputation - I think it is much more. Brand is a thing, something you develop by your actions and described by others like your customers, coworkers, friends and others around you. Your brand may be defined by people you don't even know although they may know or think they know you. The rise of "personal brand" is probably closely related to the rise in unemployment and a need for people to differentiate themselves - people are much more than the position they hold or the details in a resume. When I meet people for the first time I don't ask them what they do but rather ask "What's your story?". Your personal brand is your story. Yes there are a lot of hucksters out there in the personal brand arena but they are not all bad - I have seen many success stories using the personal brand concept. Thanks again and one last comment. Brand is a thing and result, branding is what you do the the backside of a cow. You don't do branding, you do marketing, you provide a great product or service, you treat people with respect, you develop a reputation etc. - maybe we aren't that far apart on personal branding at all.
I think it's really easy to talk about how vacuous personal branding is. But it's really hard to have enough self-knowledge to connect with a broad range of people in a meaningful way. I think blogging, or going to dinner parties, or hanging out in someone's cubicle is about sharing ideas as a way to share yourself. Show people what you're thinking and how you think so they can connect with you on a meaningful level. It's really easy to say personal branding is stupid. It's really hard to go through life honestly enough to collect the self-knowledge that allows you to connect. And it's way more fun to watch someone's ideas unfold and someone's self-knowledge accumulate than it is to watch someone take pot shots at an idea so amorphous as personal branding. That said, here is a magic post: the ideas unfolding and the pot shots all at once. It works. Nice post. Penelope
What? Is that really what 'branding' has been withered down to? I thought we evolved past the mantra of branding purely as logos, slogans and those little knick knacks with URLs and word marks plastered all over them like over a decade ago. Yes, it's about consistency but no, that does not translate to monotony and 'same old same old'. Branding—as many designers, advertisers and anyone else in the industry understand it to mean nowadays—is about the experience. Consistent, structured, sporadic or otherwise. It's what connects the end user, consumer or client to the product, service or, in this case, individual. It's really as simple a definition as that. No matter how 'human' we (or our business) inherently are (is), the fact of the matter is, if you're trying to sell anything to anybody, you are, in essence, creating some kind of brand. And effective branding, sorry to say, requires intelligence and hard work.
What? More than one definition of branding?!? "Personal branding" an amorphous blob of contradictory messages and self-help practitioners whom one suspects couldn't help themselves out of a paper bag?!?! Say it ain't so!Well, you can add me to the Personal Branding deniers. I argue here www.begtodiffer.com/2010/04/my-double-life that if branding has any value at all (and it better, I charge people for it too), it's because it is IMPERSONAL. That is, to me a good brand is a neutral "third space" where companies can meet their customers and try to shape their expectations. Thanks to Aaron and the Redhead(tm) for a good read.
Branding = reputation. Seems that anything over and above that is just a way to sell something. With the social web (and web in general, for that matter) it's much easier for your personal reputation to spread.
[…] can check out my post here. And by all means: add Readhead Writing to your RSS feed. Rants writing and musings that will make […]
[…] you're a personal branding/social web nerd like me, you will greatly enjoy "The Myth of the Personal Brand," a guest post on Redhead Writing by Aaron Templer. It raises some interesting questions about the […]
[…] The Myth of the Personal Brand – By all appearances, the discussion of personal branding – and the hoards of people who claim to help us do it – is fueled by the social web. Before everyone had a voice, branding was largely the domain of ad people. Aaron hits the nail on the head here defining who exactly does the branding. […]
[…] tick, it's about finding ways to make non-human things appealing to humans. A commenter in a blog post of mine said of branding non-human things: "A good brand is a neutral "third space" where […]


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News for faculty and staff
Julia E. Richards, the Harold F. Falls Collegiate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the U-M Medical School and professor of epidemiology in the School of Public Health, has won an award for Audacious Goals in Vision Research, sponsored by the National Eye Institute in the National Institutes of Health. Her proposal would delay the late onset of eye diseases.
Michael Gordon, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and professor of business administration at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, on who had the greatest influence on his career path: "The late C.K. Prahalad, a professor here at Ross."
"The Skin of Our Teeth," 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21, 8 p.m. Feb 22 and 23, and 2 p.m. Feb. 24, Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre.


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The stars shone brightly on the ceiling of The Olympia Theater last week, while a Wurlitzer played to an excited audience for the opening of the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, which this year celebrated its 9th year of being one of the first stops in the country for LGBT films. Festival director Carol Coombes drew gasps in a ruffled orange skirt and sequined orange halter as she took to the stage to introduce British director Duncan Roy (previous MGLFF jury winner with 2002's "AKA") for his opening night film "The Picture of Dorian Gray" with the warning that just as Oscar Wilde's novel had drawn both praise and scathing criticism, so too might Roy's queer-themed update of the novel, set in 1980s New York. The titular portrait is modified with the ravages of age replaced with AIDS--which strongly divided its audience.
As Roy, accompanied by actors Aleksa Palladino and Michael Goduti acknowledged after the film, this appeared to be the case. "I saw loads of people walk out at the end, so obviously it pissed people off. I think it's a good thing to do." While its strongly experimental roots and blatantly arty sensibilities may have made for a controversial choice for a festival opening (though apparently not unusual--the film will also open Newfest and Toronto's Inside Out Festival, among others) the film was not without its share of undeniable pleasures, with its lulling repetition, neon sculpture, and, most of all, the opportunity to see a former "7th Heaven" cast member, David Gallagher, all grown up now, get fucked by Satan.
The party continued at the Bank of America building's roof terrace, where one could gaze upon the skyscraper, one of the tallest in Miami, lit bright orange in honor of the festival, where the color was omnipresent. Oranges adorned the catalogue, "Orangeheads" candies were distributed throughout festival venues, and a bevy of drag queens wore orange unitards to match their fright wigs. "Orange is the new pink, and I'm going to be wearing a lot of it," stated Coombes throughout the festival's screenings, and indeed she was barely seen without at least some orange on her body. The orange branding was explained in the festival's rousing trailers (created by Onix Padron's company O-TV Creative Services, Inc.,) which proclaim that "oranges are no longer the only fruit South Florida is known for," before giving an overview of the story of Anita Bryant, former spokeswoman for Florida Orange Juice who fell into personal and professional disgrace after leading a campaign to repeal a gay rights ordinance in Miami Dade county.
Bryant's galvanizing effect on the gay rights movement was explored in even greater detail in Jay Rosenblatt's fortuitously timed Bryant documentary short "I Just Wanted to Be Somebody," which delivered the audience a healthy dose of schadenfreude before Mike Roth and John Henning's feature "Saving Marriage" reduced them to tears. One of numerous docs dealing with the current marriage debate and the fallout from the Massachusetts legalization of gay marriage, "Saving Marriage" is particularly strong based upon its treatment of the story as political suspense as it follows the fight to prevent the Massachusetts legislature from passing a constitutional amendment that would jeopardize the (still uncertain) future of gay marriage.
A few of the festival's best films were also its most peculiar, beginning with "2:37," the feature film debut of Australian Murali Thalluri, who was 19 (!) when he made it, a sort of suicidal who-dunnit with more than a passing resemblance to Gus Van Sant's "Elephant." The film manages to overcome mere imitation of its spiritual ancestor by inserting a generous amount of humanity and strikingly naturalistic performances into its long, beautiful tracking shots of high school hallways making even the most lurid of plot developments seem plausible in its difficult journey to answer the question of 'which student in crisis killed him-or-herself in the janitor's closet at 2:37 on an ordinary day. Succeeding almost despite itself is Canadian director Denis Langlois' strange little docudrama "Amnesia - The James Brighton Enigma," the true story of a young man who wakes up naked outside a club in Montreal with no knowledge of his name or his history except that he is gay (unless he is constructing an elaborate ruse). It is a testament to the slick filmmaking and fascinating story that it remains so intriguing, even despite its occasionally melodramatic acting and a wildly implausible theory injected towards the ending.
The festival programmers made the most of their Miami location throughout its ten-day run. Besides the main theater on Lincoln Road in South Beach, screenings were to be found in nearby Fort Lauderdale, and parties were scattered throughout the city; the gala party accompanying festival centerpiece "Anger Me," Elio Gelmini's straightforward and refreshingly ego-free portrait of avant-garde queer cinema pioneer Kenneth Anger, took place along the two-block historic art-deco Hispaniola Way. Closing night saw partygoers travel from Dai Seijie's lush, epic tragedy (and this year's audience award-winner) "The Chinese Botanist's Daughter" to equally lush, less tragic Parrot Jungle Island. And audiences were invited to view Casper Andreas's "A Four Letter Word," follow-up to 2005's "Slutty Summer," with the same characters in similar romantic mishaps in the great outdoors, outside the lavish new condo development, Flamingo South Beach.
Filmmaker Andrea Meyerson was back in Miami with "Laughing Matters...the Men", the third installment of her series on gay comedians (the second part, "Laughing Matters...More," won last year's audience documentary award), and she successfully warmed up the crowd with her own mini-standup routine, joking "I was nervous making the men's installment, because a filmmaker wants to please her audience, and it's been a really long time since I've pleased a man." She needn't have worried, the sold-out audience gave a huge response to the film, and afterwards a select group of donors joined Myerson and one of the film's subjects, gay comedian Bob Smith, for the Producer's Circle Dinner at the swanky Ola Restaurant, while, simultaneously, a women's dinner at the equally posh Afterglo club feted director Pratibha Parmar's crowd-pleasing Scotland-set narrative "Nina's Heavenly Delights," a sweet story about two women who fall in love while attempting to win a curry competition to vindicate the reputation of one's father, a deceased Indian restaurant owner. Parmar, who describes the film as "food porn," said that she based it in part upon her own story--she met her partner of 10 years while they argued over the best way to make a curry.
Israeli filmmaker Eytan Fox had an exceptionally good year at Miami; not only did he win the Jury prize for his new film "The Bubble," about a relationship between an Israeli reservist and a Palestinian man that flourishes in the bohemian world of Tel Aviv. The pairing eventually faces tough obstacles when exposed to the regional fighting outside of their idealistic neighborhood. Fox was celebrated with a $1,000 HBO Career Achievement Award for his previous work, including "Yossi and Jagger" and "Walk on Water" during the event.
MGLFF's jury prize for documentary was awarded to "Red Without Blue," in which two identical twin brothers have their relationship tested when one begins to identify as a woman, and the audience award for documentary went to Will Parinello's tribute "Emile Norman - By His Own Design," about the gay art designer and his partner of 30 years, Brooks Clements.


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Well, Deadspin just created this tutorial on how to block Bleacher Report articles from showing in your Google searches. I figured all the BR haters (myself included) would thoroughly enjoy!
Here's An Easy Trick For Blocking All Bleacher Report Results From Your Google Searches
Here's a 74 page slideshow on why not to do this!
Self proclaimed 2012 CF Newcomer of the Year
John Walters is my hero
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Somehow I stumbled across gossip that Lindsay Lohan is bi. When I checked it out on Google, the suggested search terms that came up before I could get "bi" typed out were "Lohan gay." Over six and and a half million pages supposedly match these words. "Lohan bi" on the other hand, return just over one and a half million. The same trend is true with Drew Barrymore, who is well known as a bisexual woman. Barrymore's name and "bi" brings back less than 300,000 returns while her name and "gay" gives almost one and a half million. Yes, bi invisibility does exist, even online.
Fortunately, there are some places online who are paying attention to the bi side of Lohan. Interestingly enough, the best one I've been able to find is an article from Disney owned ABC News, that asks seriously why it's more acceptible for women to be bi in Hollywood than men, and gives a serious answer: women are sexualized much more than men in popular culture.
"Orphan Black" recap (4.07): Boys want to be her, girls want to be her - Trying to cope with recent losses, Sarah turns to partying, Cosima turns to science, Alison turns to party planning, and Rachel turns to windows. The pos...
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J. J. Abrams
Home Movies: 'Thirst,' 'Star Trek,' 'Brüno' and 'Humpday' Debut on DVD
Winner of the Jury Prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Thirst was largely overlooked at the time of its American theatrical release, even amid the biggest vampire craze in recent memory. That's a shame, because Chan-wook Park's latest, about a deeply devoted Roman Catholic priest (Kang-ho Song, of The Host) who turns into a reluctant Nosferatu after an ill-fated transfusion leaves him hungry for blood, is one of the year's most chilling fantasies – gory, funny and thoroughly entertaining.
First Look: James Cameron Celebrates 'Avatar Day'
By now, the story of Avatar is well known: James Cameron, who, along with George Lucas, has done more to revolutionize the moviegoing experience than any other filmmaker during the past quarter-century, began writing the sci-fi epic in 1994 and has been developing the photo-realistic 3-D technology necessary to realize his ambitious vision since the 1997 release of Titanic. After postponing the $200 million project on several occasions, his much-anticipated tale of human imperialism on an alien moon is due Dec. 18.


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What side of the lockring are you using?
Per Surly you should only use the lip side of the lockring if the cog overhangs 1.5mm.
I installed mine with the lip towards the cog and all seems fine, but I have yet to be able to ride hard as I'm still recovering from injury...
It seems to engage more threads with the lip facing in, but I'm not sure the cog over hung a whole 1.5mm
Just wanted to see if anyone else was using the same combo and which way they placed their lockring.


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About Me
I live and work in Kenya and Sudan on a personal mission to incubate projects which can and will help feed both Africa and then the rest of the world. Not only should we see farming as a mechanism to growing food but also impact social, econonomic and ecology domains. Im the West, we have forgotten the power of food and farming. Meanwhile in East Africa, there are not only 80 million smallholder farmers but 80% of the region's food is produced by women. We need to build a bridge between North America and Africa to develop new policy as well as socially equitable foriegn direct investment in new production models. Beyond their practical role as farmers, women are also mothers. They will be the first and most practical voice in ending the region's child malnutrition. Africa, women, food security, child nutrition, human rights, education and water educating about the potential of Africa's smallholder farmers ecology, green farming, income generation, sustainability
My Vision for the Future
Teaching 1 million women in East Africa to be better farmers!


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I'm the administrator of abendwind.org, which is a german "Dark Age of Camelot"-Roleplay-Freeshard. Currently we changed our setting to some new concepts and are now searching for somebody who could help us drawing some maps. As we are a freetime-project we can't offer you payment. I tried to work with the CC3 but my maps were horrible. The problem is, that I have to include the ingame mini-maps and draw additional landscape around. I'm tried to rebuild the mini-maps to some detail with the Cartographer but my maps don't satisfy myself. I'm really bad at drawing so I can't use Photoshop or similar programs.
I liked the stuff I've found on this site and maybe someone of you is so kind to help me with my task.
Here is an example of the map from the french roleplay-freeshard Alfheim: http://www.alfheim.fr/images/carte.jpg
If you took a look to: tekener.com (click on the top symbols to switch to the maps) you can see, which parts are used from the actual game maps and which featueres they added. The left isle is Hy Brasil (click on the tree) and the right isle is Aegir (click on the hammer).
Andreas aka crayven
P.S.: If this is in the wrong section (wasn't 100% sure) of the forum, please feel free to move this thread to the right category.


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Craig Y Nos Farmhouse
Penycae, Powys
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"You see how picky I am about my shoes, and they only go on my feet!"
Only, Cher?! Shoes are the crème de la crème of an outfit. I mean, shoe fetishes are a serious matter! One that demands major attention.
We here at Socialitelife understand what it is like to suffer from such a obsession. From red carpet to street style, we have an eye on our favorite celebs' accessories. We especially like when our starlets have a love affair with Louboutin, Zanotti, Rossi, Blahnik, and Atwood.
Take note, styles recycle themselves throughout the seasons. So if you're worried about your clear heels or booties being so out of season by next month, you're okay. They are bound to make a comeback.
So if you suffer from a shoe addiction and need help, we're here to help…with more shoe porn. It's good for the soul.
Launch the gallery to check out delicious shoes worn at the red carpet or events and let us know what your favorite pair(s) was by tweeting us @socialitelife or share your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Do you agree or disagree with this funkylicious and glamazon mix?


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HIS suspension and subsequent expulsion from the DMK was preceded by a poster war in Madurai. But as M K Alagiri fondly called Annan Anjanenjan (braveheart) by his supporters begins a silent campaign to ensure the defeat of the DMK candidate in the temple town, hoardings and posters hailing him or conveying a subtle message are not seen. Instead, his followers are armed with the voters list.
The Alagiri-Stalin rift or the impact of his expulsion from the DMK is not visible on the ground in Madurai but is palpable among the party cadre. On Tuesday, Alagiri addressed a closed-door meeting with supporters and asked them to vote against the DMK. The operation is planned to the minute detail. A list of party cadre in the city has been prepared from the voters list and they would be conveyed his message.
Velusamy would be pushed to the third or fourth spot, Alagiri said.
We will go to each ward in Madurai to tap our supporters. Even if we swing 300 votes against him in each ward, Velusamy will face a defeat which he will remember all his life, said Ashok, a self-proclaimed Alagiri supporter waiting outside his leaders T V S Nagar residence to meet him.
Out of the nine zonal heads of Madurai, five owe allegiance to Alagiri although the district committee is packed with Stalin men. Many of the councillors too are Alagiri supporters.
Even in Theni, where Alagiri wants the defeat of DMK candidate Pon Muthuramalingam, a word-of-mouth campaign is underway. His supporters are not indulging in theatrics this time around as Alagiri wants to avoid an open showdown and draw his father Karunanidhis ire once again. He, however, wants to show his clout and hopes to return to the DMK after elections on its basis.
From Kanyakumari in south to Coimbatore in north, he is attending private family functions of his supporters and wherever he goes he is delivering the defeat DMK message.
But while Alagiri may have the ability to ensure the defeat of the DMK nominee in Madurai, his influence outside the constituency and in the southern districts is debatable. It is another matter that in the multi-cornered contest Tamil Nadu is witnessing now, every vote is going to be significant and Alagiris role crucial.
He had delivered nine out of the 10 seats in southern Tamil Nadu to the DMK in the last general elections. But things


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A holiday in London is the perfect trip all year round. Whether as part of a romantic weekend away or a family holiday, the British capital is full of exciting activities and awe-inspiring historical attractions.
What to do during a holiday in London?
A London holiday wouldn't be complete without a visit to Buckingham Palace. The resplendent home of the British monarchy, visitors to the city can explore some of its wondrous state rooms and view the palace's rotating series of exhibitions and collection of royal art.
The Tate Britain is one of the cultural highlights of the capital and a must for art lovers on holiday in London. Opened in 1897, the gallery's collection spans from the 16th century to the present day and contains significant work by Francis Bacon and Joseph Turner. The gallery has one of the most extensive collections of work anywhere in the world with a stay at a convenient hotel, such as the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel, the best way to experience its full beauty.
A visit to the London Eye is a great way for visitors to get a panoramic view of the city. The 135 metre high attraction is situated on the banks of the River Thames and was previously the world's tallest ferris wheel.
The Tower of London is perhaps the city's most recognisable landmark and a hugely popular historic attraction with tourists. As well as touring its fortifications and having their picture taken with the castle's world famous Beefeaters, visitors on holiday in London can get a glimpse of the Crown Jewels.
Enjoying your London holiday
The best way to make the most of city is by basing yourself in a well-located hotel such as the Jumeirah Carlton Tower. After an afternoon sightseeing, its three magnificent restaurants and relaxing hotel rooms are the perfect way for visitors on holiday in London to round of the day.
A holiday in London is the perfect trip all year round
London has a unique atmosphere that millions of travellers revel in every year
London began its life as a Roman settlement after the Roman Conquest in AD 43
Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel is the perfect choice whether visiting London for a luxurious city break or in the city on business
Britain's capital offers some of the most relaxing and sumptuous holidays in the country.
Jumeirah Carlton Tower is designed to meet the unique needs of our business guests
London is the beating heart of business in Britain
London meeting rooms are some of the best equipped in the country
There is a vast range of hotel offers in London to ensure visitors get the best value during their holiday
London offers a range of culinary delights catering to a diverse cultural population
Buckingham Palace draws visitors from around the world to its imposing gates
London Bridge is just as popular with Londoners as it is international visitors
The London Eye is the UK's most popular paid-for tourist attraction
London's parks offer an inviting green space in this ever-busy city.
London shopping trips incorporate the world's most exclusive designer stores to market bargains
London tours are the best way to become acquainted with UK's capital city
London weekend breaks are amongst the most popular in the country
London spa breaks are some of the most alluring in the country
Jumeirah Carlton Tower is the perfect stage for your special day.
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Gourmet Pancakes Classes in Chicago
In this class, students will learn basic techniques for creating delicious and fluffy breakfast pancakes from Leah Wilcox, owner of a gourmet pancake food truck and catering company, and creator of over 200 original and innovative pancake recipes.
Students will also learn advanced techniques for creating savory appetizer and entree pancakes, cocktail pancakes, and decadent dessert pancakes. Students will sample various flavors and styles of pancakes, essentially dining on an entire meal of pancakes from appetizer to dessert!
I'll also be serving up a pitcher of cocktails to get the pancake party started!
Students will leave the class with the skills necessary to create beautiful, elegant and impressive stacks of pancakes that can be served for any occasion, from a casual breakfast to a black tie event.
Upon completion of the class, Dabblers will receive a recipe packet, a stack of gourmet pancakes to take home, and newfound confidence in their cooking abilities.
Enthusiasm and an empty stomach!
I had a great time tasting and then making pancakes!
Delicious and educational! Two thumbs way up.
Everyone was really friendly and the teacher was so well organized and open. It was a terrific event!
I absolutely loved this class. There was a lot of thought and preparation that went into the class. The class was tailored for those who love being super hands-on with food making part, or for those who like to watch and eat (like me).
The class pretty much left you full of ideas for the holiday season:
Drinks - both chocolate, alcoholic and non-alcoholic
Appetizers Galore of ideas, modifications for food allergies and diet restrictions
Dessert (my favorite part) - so many crafty ideas and easy!
It was great to see all the quick and easy tricks to make the upcoming hosting season stress-free. Not to mention, tasting all the creations and leaving with a little inspiration for lunch the next day! Highly recommend taking one of Leah's classes.
Leah Wilcox is the chef and owner of Babycakes gourmet pancake food truck. Leah has appeared on The Food Network's "Home Made in America," NBC Chicago's morning news, Fox's "Good Day Chicago", WGN's morning news, WCIU's "You and Me in the Morning" and PBS's "Food on the Go," as well as Chicago public radio. She is currently working on a cookbook of original recipes. Leah received culinary training at Kendall College.
Leah's hobbies include cooking, planning parties, painting abstract art, and writing. She has a popular food blog at partywithleah.blogspot.com where she posts recipe and party ideas.
Leah believes that good food can make a day brighter, bring a smile to a tired face, enhance communal experiences and celebrations, and make a special occasion even more memorable. She endeavors to create unique recipes which satisfy both the mind and the tummy, and bring a whimsical, artistic energy to gourmet food.


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//Big honkin fish on the West side o' town. (Nikon 8800)
No tricks of the lens here... this one's just big. Spotted this pesce near Dupont on Osler on the way back from work.
For those wondering, Monday brought now sign of Miss New Camera. She is still lost in 'Sauga. Perhaps in the morning... but I won't be placing any bets.
2006-05-24 // Categories: [Bizarre] [The Streets] [Toronto]