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PHISH HAD THEIR CHIPS: The secret of a good life is knowing when it's time to go, and it seems that it's a secret that Phish are in on. The band have decided that the time has come to call it a day, and will be bowing out at the end of their current tour. In a statement, Trey Anastasio said:
"Last Friday night, I got together with [bassist] Mike [Gordon], [keyboardist] Page [McConnell] and [drummer Jon Fishman] to talk openly about the strong feelings I've been having that Phish has run its course and that we should end it now while it's still on a high note. Once we started talking, it quickly became apparent that the other guys' feelings, while not all the same as mine, were similar in many ways -- most importantly, that we all love and respect Phish and the Phish audience far too much to stand by and allow it to drag on beyond the point of vibrancy and health. We don't want to become caricatures of ourselves, or worse yet, a nostalgia act. By the end of the meeting, we realized that after almost 21 years together we were faced with the opportunity to graciously step away in unison, as a group, united in our friendship and our feelings of gratitude."
Of course, we're expecting the negotiations for the 2010 reunion tour to be opening sometime this fall.
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
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Ruth's Chris Steak House Celebrates its New Orleans Heritage with Hand-Crafted Cocktail Dinner
National Pairing Dinner to Feature Ruth's Chris Signature Cuisine and Hand-Crafted Cocktails Featuring the Spirits of William Grant & Sons and Remy Cointreau USA
Aug 07, 2013, 04:59 ET from Ruth's Chris Steak House
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 22, 80 Ruth's Chris Steak House locations will celebrate their New Orleans heritage with a five-course "Hand-Crafted Cocktail" dinner.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130226/DA66180LOGO)
"America is the birthplace of the cocktail and New Orleans, our birth city, is one of the most important original cocktail cities. It is only fitting that we host a national dinner pairing vintage, hand-crafted cocktails and share the stories and legends behind the drinks that we have perfectly paired with five courses," said Helen Mackey, Senior Director of Menu Strategy for Ruth's Chris Steak House.
Guests will be greeted with a warm, virtual welcome by award-winning, world renowned mixologists Charlotte Voisey and Kyle Ford. Both are brand ambassadors who travel the world creating cocktails and discussing beverage trends for their respective companies, William Grant (Voisey) and Remy Cointreau USA (Ford). The two have created a video including tips on what makes a great cocktail pairing, as well as some history behind the featured cocktails, to share with guests at the dinner.
"Both Ruth's Chris and classic cocktails have roots in New Orleans. Now the two combine in a deliciously orchestrated hand-crafted cocktail paired dinner which the spirits of William Grant & Sons are thrilled to be a part of," said Charlotte Voisey, Portfolio Ambassador for William Grant & Sons.
"Just like an expertly prepared dish, a cocktail can only be as great as its ingredients. Remy Cointreau is excited to offer their fine portfolio of spirits to the hand-crafted cocktails being paired with the legendary cuisine of Ruth's Chris Steak House. A thoughtful match for an extraordinary evening," said Kyle Ford, Cocktail and Spirits Expert for Remy Cointreau USA.
The featured menu includes:
-First Course: Ahi Tuna Stack Ahi poke, mango, avocado, tomato, wonton crisps, wasabi creme fraiche paired with French Quarter 75 featuring Hendrick's Gin and Piper Sonoma Blanc de Blancs
-Second Course: Summer Melon Salad honeydew & cantaloupe, crispy prosciutto, spring mix, citrus champagne vinaigrette paired with Ruby Red Grapefruit & Basil Martini featuring Reyka Vodka
-Third Course: Seared Scallops Rockefeller flakey puff pastry, creamed spinach, crisp bacon, bearnaise sauce paired with Blackberry Sidecar featuring Remy Martin V.S.O.P, Cointreau, lemon juice, and muddled blackberries
-Fourth Course: Sizzling Filet Mignon & Crab Cake served with pecan crusted sweet potato casserole paired with Apricot Sour featuring Hudson Baby Bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and apricot preserves
-Fifth Course: Coconut-Pineapple Bread Pudding spiced rum creme anglaise, raspberry sauce paired with Mount Gay Iced Coffee prepared with Mount Gay Eclipse Rum, dark roast coffee, fresh cream, and a dash of nutmeg
Pricing for the "Hand-Crafted Cocktail" dinner varies by market with an average price of $85 per person. For a complete list of participating restaurants and to make reservations, visit http://www.ruthschris.com/promotions/cocktaildinner/.
About Ruth's Chris Steak House
Ruth's Chris Steak House, Inc. is the largest upscale steak house company in the world, with over 130 restaurant locations around the globe. Founded in New Orleans by Ruth Fertel in 1965, Ruth's Chris specializes in USDA Prime grade steaks served in Ruth's Chris signature fashion ... "sizzling." Look for upcoming national wine dinners at www.ruthschris.com.
About Ruth's Hospitality Group
Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RUTH) is a leading restaurant company focused on the upscale dining segment. The Company owns the Ruth's Chris Steak House, Mitchell's Fish Market, Mitchell's Steakhouse and Cameron's Steakhouse concepts. With more than 150 company- and franchisee-owned locations worldwide, Ruth's Hospitality Group was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Winter Park, Florida.
About Rémy Cointreau USA
Rémy Cointreau USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Rémy Cointreau Group, which is headquartered in France, and is one of the world's leading wines and spirits groups with brands whose origins date back as early as 1703. Established in 1981, Rémy Cointreau USA has amassed a prestigious portfolio of luxury wines and spirits while developing a reputation for excellence and premium expertise among its distributors and customers. Expanding on over 300 years of strategic and visionary choices, Rémy Cointreau USA remains loyal to their heritage by providing the highest quality products made from only the finest ingredients. Our exclusive portfolio of brands offers the most discerning consumers an unparalleled array of flavors and premium experiences. Exclusive brands include Rémy Martin® Cognac est. 1724, Cointreau® Liqueur est. 1849, Mount Gay® Rum since 1703, Metaxa® Greek Liqueurs est. 1888, The Macallan® Scotch Whisky est. 1824, The Famous Grouse® Scotch Whisky est. 1896, Highland Park® Scotch Whisky est. 1789, Brugal® Rum est. 1888, Champagne Piper-Heidsieck® est. 1785, Champagne Charles Heidsieck® est. 1851, BearBoat® Wines est. 1995 and Piper Sonoma® Sparkling Wines est. 1980. For more information, visit our parent company at www.remy-cointreau.com.
About William Grant & Sons, Inc.
William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distills some of the world's leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world's most awarded single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world's third largest blended Scotch Grant's® along with iconic premium spirits brands Hendrick's® Gin, Sailor Jerry® Rum, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey and Milagro® Tequila.
William Grant & Sons has been honored as "Distiller of the Year" by the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition and International Spirits Challenge nine times over the past 14 years, and most recently by Whisky Advocate in 2013.
Founded in 1964, William Grant & Sons USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of William Grant & Sons, Ltd. and features one of the fastest growing spirits portfolios in the USA with brands including Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick's Gin, Sailor Jerry Rum, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, Milagro Tequila, Stolichnaya Vodka, Grant's, Hudson Whiskey, Gibson's Finest, Monkey Shoulder, Clan MacGregor, Reyka Vodka, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Montelobos Mezcal, Lillet, Art In The Age, The Knot, and Raynal French Brandy. For more information on the company and its brands, please visit www.grantusa.com.
SOURCE Ruth's Chris Steak House

subset: commoncrawl


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Sanuk Men's Yogi 4 Casual Sandals
The Sanuk Men's Yogi 4 Casual Sandals features the same footbed shape from the Yogi 3 now with an updated heavy canvas strap material. This comfortable flip-flop will make you want to wear them all day on any kind of surface. Get rid of those generic flip-flops provide your feet the comfort they really need.
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Deer Run Animal Hours:
Hospital, Inc. Call today: 219-864-7180 email: email@example.com 308 E. US Hwy 30 |
SEPARATION ANXIETY How can you know if your dog suffers from Separation Anxiety, what are the signs? Veterinary Behavior Specialist, Dr.John Ciribassi offers these clues to the diagnosis: 1. Destructive behavior is commonly directed towards exits from the home, such as windows or doorways. This may also mean attempts to escape from confined areas such as crates or rooms. You may also see destruction directed towards personal items such as remote control units, pillows, clothing, etc.
Separation Anxiety Behaviors usually happen immediately upon leaving. Boredom-related behaviors usually occur an hour or more after you leave the house. If you come home after only 30 minutes and find there is no problem, your dog probably does not have separation anxiety. He may just be bored! To help know the difference, and to help your veterinarian to confirm a diagnosis, take video with a cell phone or computer camera of what your dog does when you leave the house.
APDT Webinar on Separation Anxiety Click here to download a thorough webinar overview and discussion of treatment strategies for Separation Anxiety by Board Certified Veterinary Behavior Specialist, Dr. Melissa Bain. 5 Easy Steps to Teach Your Dog to be Home Alone not all dogs have separation anxiety, sometimes teaching your dog how to happily be home alone can minimize problems. This link to Dog Star Daily tells you how to accomplish that Dogs with full blown separation anxiety are not bored, they are terrified! Fortunately, true Separation Anxiety is rare, and before we can begin to treat the problem, our first job is to really figure out what is really wrong with the dog, and differentiate separation anxiety from other behavioral problems.
Separation Anxiety can be a very serious Behavior Disorder that can lead a pet to extreme self trauma and household destruction. It can be a heartbreaking condition and so severe that it can even lead to the relinquishment of a beloved pet, or euthanasia. Dogs with separation anxiety are undergoing extreme distress and should never be punished! Punishment will only increase the anxiety of the pet and lead to a worsening of symptoms. Because of the serious nature of this disorder, we often recommend referral to a Board Certified Veterinary Behavior Specialist. A Veterinary Behavior Specialist can offer your dog the best help and treatment. Deer Run Animal Hospital can offer some help for mild to moderate cases, and clients are encouraged to start by making a consult appointment with us as the first step. If we determine your pet is showing symptoms of severe separation anxiety we may recommend a referral to a behavior specialist. We will outline some of the treatment options below. In severe cases, a Veterinary Behavior Specialist, and not a general veterinary practitioner or trainer, is best equipped to select the best treatment modalities and monitor progress. You would not expect your own family doctor or your gym trainer to treat any other family member with a severe psychiatric disorder. Dogs suffering from severe separation anxiety cannot be easily cured but there is hope and they can improve! Behavior modification takes time and patience. Dogs with separation anxiety have extremely sensitive natures, and likely some of this is genetic, and difficult if not impossible to change completely. Their susceptibility to anguish upon being separated from their owners may not change. When all treatment modalities are properly utilized there is hope for improvement but a permanent cure may not be attained. Our goal is to improve the situation to a livable degree for both dog and owner. It is important to remember that even if treatment results are good, the dog may remain tempermentaly brittle and susceptible to relapse. We have a great collection of resources and handouts that describe and explain behavior modification and treatment options. Click for Handouts & Resources On Separation Anxiety Dr. Nicholas Dodman, a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist at Tufts University, and founder of its Behavior Clinic, offers some guidelines for counter conditioning for separation anxiety. Other Behavior Specialists may have slightly different protocols and may focus more on desensitization techniques (Please see the additional handouts we provide for other examples). Dr Dodman's treatment is metered out into five phases:
Step One: Leaving the Dog On leaving, Dr. Dodman suggests
We must however realize that dogs with separation anxiety may be too distressed to eat. It may well be that the first day this is tried, the food may go untouched. Be Patient! Upon return, the owner should pick up all food and toys first thing, including the morning meal if it is uneaten. The dog is then fed the other half of the ration that evening. Because the dog is now effectively on half rations, the dow will be hungrier the next day and more inclined to eat when the owner departs. The process of picking up the uneaten food may have to continue for several days be the dog's appetite is strong enough for the dog's desire to eat overcomes its anxiety. Step Two: Enriching the Environment
Step Three: Greeting Upon Return
Step Four: Interactions with the dog
Step Five: Mood-Stabilizing medications Click here for a handout with more information on using medications for behavioral disorders
In addition to Dr. Dodman's treatment protocols, many veterinary behaviorists also recommend desensitizing to departure cues or mixing up departure cues. Dogs readily learn the cues that indicate that the owner will be leaving the house soon. It is helpful to uncouple these cues from the actual leaving. At random times, the owner can go through some of the rituals of leaving: put on cologne, shower, wear work clothes, taking the car keys, even going outside and locking the door - but then coming in again. This helps the dog to remain relaxed when he hears or sees these cues at the times when the owner is actually leaving. It is important to repeat these cues so many times daily that they become meaningless to the dog. Another interesting Ancillary Therapy that can be added to the treatment program is the use of calming body wraps. Below we are providing information on two such wraps.
The Thundershirt for Separation Anxiety uses the covering theory and also adds gentle pressure over the dog's body with a snug Velcro closure and stretchy fabric. It is hypothesized that this body pressure "hugs" the dog, giving relief to anxiety. It is not fully understood how all these body coverings work, but many dogs have shown improvement with anxiety related disorders such as separation anxiety and noise phobia. Usually the response to these coverings takes some time to develop and is not instantaneous. At least 3 wearings, and following the manufactures instructions carefully are important for success. Especially when combined with the other anxiety treatment modalities, body coverings can often help decrease the stress. The Thundershirt-How it Works! Thundershirts are available for sale at Deer Run Animal Hospital Handouts & Resources On Separation Anxiety The information on this website is meant to give a brief overview of behavior modification and treatment options. It does not meant to replace an office consult with your veterinarian and their recommendation for a referral to a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist. Separation Anxiety is a very serious disorder, treatment by a specialist to confirm the diagnosis, and to tailor the most effective treatment plan is always recommended.
Specialty Behavioral Services for referral in our region are listed below:
Sara Bennett, DVM, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Chicago Center for Veterinary Medicine--Behavior Service The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine now has a location in Chicago at 2242 West Harrison Street, Suite 101, Chicago, Illinois 60612. They now are offering a Veterinary Behavior Service and are accepting behavior referrals. |


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CANADA SUFFERS DRAMATIC SHOOTOUT LOSS AT 4 NATIONS CUP Canada's National Women's Team suffered a dramatic seven round shootout loss to the U.S. on Sunday afternoon at the 2008 4 Nations Cup in Lake Placid » more CANADA SUFFERS SHOOTOUT LOSS |
SWEDEN SCORES HISTORIC Elin Holmlov's second goal of the game in overtime gave Sweden its first ever win over Canada on Friday at the 4 Nations Cup in Lake Placid. Despite the loss to Sweden, Canada is still off to the final on Sunday at 2:30 EST, a spot it secured with a win over the U.S. on Thursday night. » summary |
Click Here for Standings & Statistics at the 2008 4 Nations Cup | ||
CANADA DOUBLES UP USA Canada scored three goals in the third period, including two by team captain Hayley
Wickenheiser to double USA 4-2 in 4 Nations Cup round robin action. Canada plays Sweden on Friday, but is
already guaranteed a spot in the final on Sunday. |
CANADA BLANKS FINLAND Canada's National Women's Team, on the strength of two goals from Jayna Hefford, and two-point efforts from Hayley Wickenheiser, shut out Finland 6-0 on Tuesday, in the opening game at the 2008 4 Nations Cup in Lake Placid, NY. » summary |
NATIONAL WOMEN'S TEAM SET FOR 2008 4 NATIONS CUP Canada's National Women's Team makes its last preparations for the 2008 4 Nations Cup this week when it gathers in Montreal for a three-day pre-competition camp. Twenty-two players will wear the maple leaf as Canada looks for its fifth-consecutive gold medal at the 4 Nations Cup. » more |


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Enterprise Architecture Best Practice Handbook: Building, Running and Managing Effective Enterprise Architecture Programs - Ready to use supporting documents bringing Enterprise Architecture Theory into Practice
The book starts with an initial strategy that is focused on planning Enterprise Architecture services that are completely aligned to requirements and are based on a mission statement. This business-oriented approach is refreshing and will keep IT grounded in the real reasons for Enterprise Architecture. More importantly is the process for careful selection of services to provide. An overly ambitious set of service goals will kill a Enterprise Architecture implementation early in its life by offering too much before there is stable Enterprise Architecture in place. This book is realistic and lays the foundation for a successful implementation.
The section on the actual design of the Enterprise Architecture structure provides insights and information that can be applied to a large number of solutions. Since Enterprise Architecture will be organized in accordance with requirements and unique mission statements, this section of the book is like a catalog of patterns. It has excellent tips on how to best structure Enterprise Architecture to meet requirements and mission. The information on accurately estimating staffing requirements is consistent with industry best practices and something that, believe it or not, is often overlooked when Enterprise Architecture is established.
This book gets into the meat by thoroughly covering the processes that are essential to running Enterprise Architecture. There are many topics that stand out as both unique [to books of this genre] and reflect best practices by the best-run Enterprise Architecture shops. Examples are change control, disaster recovery and vendor management. These topics show that the author not only considers business alignment, but also cross-functional alignment.
Professional resources and underlying technology are provided in detail.
This book contains an in-depth coverage of operational requirements for Enterprise Architecture once it has been implemented. It hits all of the critical success factors, such as performance metrics, service level agreements, communications and internal evaluations.
You will find this book to be one of the best for planning and implementing a world-class Enterprise Architecture program.
lessTitle: Enterprise Architecture Best Practice Handbook: Building, Running and Managing Effective Enterprise Architecture Programs - Ready to use supporting documents bringing Enterprise Architecture Theory into Practice
Author: Jeff Handley
- Academic > Engineering > Industrial engineering. Management engineering > Information technology
- Academic > Engineering > Industrial engineering. Management engineering > Management information systems
- Computers > Business Software
- Computers > Computer Architecture
- Computers > Certification
- Business > Management
- Business > Information Management


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With exciting technology at every turn, The Bill Holmes Tower at CHOC Children's is filled with the latest equipment and innovations – and the CHOC Heart Institute is no exception. Set to open in the new space next month, the Heart Institute and its Heart Center boasts advanced technology that will help physicians ensure successful patient outcomes.
Dr. Anthony C. Chang (on left) – the Heart Institute's medical director who also leads a group of medical community members charged with exploring changing medical technology – talks more about the innovations inside the Heart Institute.
Q: What new equipment and technology will be found inside the Heart Institute?
A: We'll have advanced imaging such as three-dimensional (3-D) real-time echocardiography, and magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) angiography with 3-D anatomic reconstruction.
One of our two cardiac catheterization labs will be a hybrid laboratory so that both diagnostic and interventional cases can occur. Also, we'll have a cardiopulmonary stress testing suite, where we can perform stress tests and stress echocardiogram testing.
For the first time, these services will be available under one roof: It's like a separate heart hospital.
Q: What are the advantages of a 3-D echocardiography?
A: An echocardiogram is an ultrasound-derived image, and with a regular echocardiogram, you see a two-dimensional picture on a screen. It doesn't give you any depth – it's just basically slices of images. A 3-D echocardiogram gives you depth and a more detailed picture of the heart's anatomy. It's like watching a 3-D movie: You get more depth and a more realistic picture. This is particularly important in children because their heart defects can be so complicated.
Q: What are the benefits of 3-D reconstruction in MR and CT angiography?
A: Angiography creates images of the heart's blood vessels. MR angiography uses magnetic fields, and CT angiography incorporates contrast dye that is injected into a vein. Both techniques generate an image of the heart, but a 3-D image gives us a clearer and more detailed picture. Again, this is state-of-the-art imaging to look at heart defects in children.
Q: How is today's technology improving the care and outcomes for young patients with heart conditions?
A: Technology leads to more precise diagnoses and better imaging.
Q: What advancements can we expect to see in the near future?
A: Innovation is leading toward equipment and techniques that create less invasive ways to assess and treat a patient's heart.
Q: What features are you most excited about in the new Heart Institute?
A: Technology is very exciting, but we're also working toward developing several other clinics within the institute, such as a heart failure clinic; a sports heart health clinic; and a clinic for overweight and obese children; and a cardiovascular genetics clinic. I would like the Heart Institute/Center to become a community resource for heart health.
For more information about the CHOC Children's Heart Institute, please visit http://www.choc.org/heart/.
Related articles:
Sisters Create Diabetes App to Help Patients Communicate with Caregivers
After living with Type I diabetes for most of their childhood, Reece and Olivia Ohmer were already well-versed in educating their family about how they were feeling and caring for ...CHOC Patient Inspired to Become CHOC Doc
At 6 years old, Vanessa Avina was more interested in viewing the monitor for her echocardiography (heart ultrasound) than watching a cartoon during her doctor's visits. Her CHOC pediatric cardiologist ...iRounding For Real-Time Results
CHOC Children's is the nation's first pediatric hospital to implement iRounding, a digital survey tool on an iPad that allows staff to identify and respond to CHOC families' needs in ...


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This is your resource to discuss support topics with your peers, and learn from each other.
I am trying to use composer to create a custom home screen but there are certain buttons that I would like to customise. But somehow it only allows me to change the icons if I choose Blackberry/Third Part App.
How can I customise the Use Device App Order if that is possible?
And can I just ask, what does Application Menu means?
Thanks in advance!
If you want your icons to be user defined just select "use device application order"
Also application menu is the dotted button on your BB, it brings up your menu for each application
The thing is, they refuse to let me change the icons for user defined order. (i.e. i have a custom image that I want to set on the home screen but I want it the link to be changeable but not the icon). Hope i make sense! Is it actually possible?
I'm assuming you're doing this in composer?
You want the link to be customizable, the link too? First things first...I saw your other post...in Theme Studio you can make the icons user defined by adding icons to the custom theme setting on your second inspector block, make sure in properties that "use application order" is checked.
Now if you're in composer and adding icons, there is a tool box to your left and one that says theme button, choose that to add your icons, then over in the inspector in composer you'd see the same option use device application order. Not sure what you mean by making the link customizable, a little for info or an example would be helpful!
I was trying it on Composer. Thing is, if I try to make a button according to device application order, it follows the icon of whatever the application selected is. What I want to do, is to make the icon static. but allow the link to change to whatever was in the device application order. after reading through several forum posts, i assume it has something to do with the slot=[number] thing?
When using the device application order it allows the user to put what icons they want on their main screen, so what you see in your composer isn't what will be on the users phone.
As far as slot numbers you need to make sure in the code that each theme button is assigned a slot number for example
theme_button_1 would be slot0
theme_button_2 would be slot1
and so on....this is to make sure that your focus icon goes in the order you placed them...also in the builder you'll need to use the navigation to set your icons to how you want them to scroll...up/down, or right/left
I'm a new for blackberry development,and my English is not good enough to communicate freely.


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Thirakkatha | |
Directed by | Ranjith |
Produced by | Ranjith Maha Subair |
Written by | Ranjith |
Screenplay by | Ranjith |
Story by | Ranjith |
Starring | Prithviraj Priyamani Anoop Menon Samvrutha Sunil Nishanth Sagar Ranjith Mallika Sukumaran Cochin Haneefa |
Music by | Sharreth |
Cinematography | M. J. Radhakrishnan |
Edited by | Vijay Shankar |
Distributed by | Varnachithra Big Screen |
Release date
Running time
120 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Malayalam |
Thirakkatha (Malayalam: തിരക്കഥ, English: Screenplay) is a 2008 Malayalam romantic drama film co-produced, written, and directed by Ranjith.
The film is a tribute to the yesteryear actresses who had been graceful, popular figures in cinema during their younger age with patronage and later got completely disregarded by the industry, media and the masses alike. Ranjith has drawn inspiration from the life of many actresses but especially from the romantic link-up of actress Srividya with actor Kamal Haasan. He has adopted a special narrative style for the film. The story shifts between the present and flash back through the perspective of different characters. The story is divided into three monologues which meet in the climax. The film has garnered positive reviews from the critics and audiences alike.
The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam (Ranjith and Maha Subair). And Priyamani won the Filmfare Awards South for Best Actress.
Plot summary[edit]
Akbar Ahmed (Prithviraj) is a film director. Friends call him 'Akky'. After his highly successful first film, he becomes the most wanted director in the Malayalam film industry. Akky and his girl friend Devayani (Samvrutha Sunil) along with a group of friends all share a passion for cinema. It was with them that Akbar directed and produced his first film, which went on to become a huge success. Akbar also runs a cafe called Casablanca named after the classic Hollywood film. For Akbar cinema is not a job, it is his passion. Akbar decides to choose a very different kind of story for his second film and he sets on a journey in search of it.
Akbar decides to base his second film on the life of yesteryear actress Malavika (Priyamani), who was once a very popular actress and whose present whereabouts are unknown. Akbar and his friends go tracking Malavika's biography. Her husband was Ajaya Chandran (Anoop Menon). Currently Ajayachandran is the reigning super star of the industry. Akbar starts his search from film director Aby Kuruvila's (Ranjith) house. Kuruvila's son gives his father's old letters and diaries to Akbar from which he starts learning about the whirlwind romance of Malavika and Ajayachandran which led to marriage. How differences between them led to a breakup and how this affected their careers along with Akbar's efforts to find Malavika form the major plot of the film. The film ends in a touching yet marvelous climax with a poetic narration.
Actor | Role |
Priyamani | Malavika |
Anoop Menon | Ajayachandran |
Prithviraj | Akbar Ahmed |
Samvrutha Sunil | Devayani |
Ranjith | Director Aby Kuruvila |
Praveena & Jyotsna | Special Appearance |
Nishanth Sagar | Kevin |
Siddharth Siva | |
Mallika Sukumaran | Sarojam |
Cochin Haneefa | Krishnadas |
N. L. Balakrishnan | Baletan |
T. P. Madhavan | |
Augustine | |
Nandhu | Murthy |
Joju George |
The film was received well with the audiences and critics alike. Some of the major reviews in the media were all praises for the film. Nowrunning.com opined that "It is a charming film that's plainly life-affirming without being overly pretentious or markedly melodramatic".[1] Paresh C Palicha at Rediff.com opined that "It is exciting to see Ranjith bounce back to form with his best effort so far."[2] Almost all reviewers were unanimous about the brilliant performances of the lead stars, especially of Priyamani, Anoop Menon and Prithviraj.
The film fetched Anoop Menon the State Government award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role and Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Priyamani.
The score and soundtrack of the movie were composed by Sharreth, who returned to the field after a long gap. The soundtrack featured five songs and has received positive reviews.
- Oduviloru - K. S. Chithra
- Oduviloru - Sharreth
- Palappoovithalil - Swetha Mohan, Nishad
- Onnodonnu - Haridas, Shankar Mahadevan, Renjini Haridas
- Arikil - Madhu Balakrishnan
- Arikil - Teenu Telence
- Manjuneeril - Kalpana
Rendition of Oduviloru by K. S. Chithra got huge appreciation and she got a Filmfare Award for her extremely soulful rendition. The song Onnodonnu had a vocal interlude bit rendered by Renjini Haridas, a popular Television anchor from Kerala.
- ^ "Thirakatha Review - Malayalam Movie Review by VN". Nowrunning.com. 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
- ^ "Review: Thirakkadha". Rediff.com. Retrieved 2012-08-04.


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Day 3 of my Journey into Black Teas!
This one is definitely unlike the darjeelings I've had so far, probably because it's fully oxidized. Very slightly astringent, a little nutty and savory. Nothing floral or fruity about this darjeeling. Great for if you're in the mood for a darker tea.
3 min, 0 sec


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On deck: Rockies at Dodgers, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Where: Dodger Stadium
Did you know: South Korean pop star Psy ("Gangnam Style") is expected to attend Tuesday night's game in support of Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Numbers game: 24 —Home runs against the Rockies by Matt Kemp, tied with Adrian Beltre for the most among active players.
Ryu did not get the decision but his most recent start might have been the best of his first month in the majors. He held the New York Mets to one run and three hits in seven innings while striking out eight. Left-handed batters are just 5 for 28 (.179) with 11 strikeouts and one walk against Ryu.
- vs. Rockies: First meeting
De La Rosa has held opposing batters to a .227 average in his five starts this season, pitching six innings and allowing three earned runs or fewer in each of his past four starts. But he has a painful history against the Dodgers. In 13 previous appearances against the Dodgers (nine starts), De La Rosa has never pitched in a game the Rockies won. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in three of his past four starts against the Dodgers but still lost.
- vs. Dodgers: 0-7, 6.22 ERA
- Loves to face: Andre Ethier, 1 for 13 (.077), 6 strikeouts
- Hates to face: Adrian Gonzalez, 10 for 28 (.357), 3 home runs, 8 RBI
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The Women of Wall Street - (Trailer Parody of The Wolf of Wall Street)
YouTube comment: What a bunch of crap. The fact is women arent innovative enough to pull the great stunt that Jordan Belfort did. All they can do is make a shitty imitation trailer that fails at comedy.


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US, UK impose new sanctions on Iran
Press TV – November 22, 2011
Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, George Osborne (file photo)
Britain the United States have imposed new sanctions on Iran's banking system and energy sector after the UN nuclear agency's recent report on Tehran's nuclear program.
Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom George Osborne said on Monday that the White Hall was terminating all contact between the UK's financial system and the entire Iranian banking system, AFP reported.
Speaking through a statement, he said, "All UK credit and financial institutions are required to cease business relationships and transactions with all Iranian banks, including the Central Bank of Iran."
Osborne added that Tehran's activities "pose a significant risk to the national interests of the UK and countries across the region."
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, circulated among the 35 members of the agency's Board of Governors on November 8, accused Iran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear program.
Iran has dismissed the report as "unbalanced, unprofessional, and prepared with political motivation and under political pressure mostly by the United States."
As a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the IAEA, Tehran has stood by its right to develop and acquire nuclear technology meant for peaceful purposes.
The IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities, but has never found any evidence indicating that Iran's civilian nuclear program has been diverted to nuclear weapons production.
Iran has been the target of several rounds of sanctions by the West since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the Washington-imposed sanctions targeted Iran's oil and petrochemicals industry and the Iranian companies supplying Tehran's nuclear program.
The US official added that "financial institutions around the world should think hard about the risks of doing business with Iran."
The new unilateral measures came after a failed attempt by the US and its allies to take Iran's case to the UN Security Council.
Letter to Members of the Congressional Super Committee
As the November 23rd deadline approaches for the "super committee" to find $1.2 trillion in deficit cuts over the next 10 years, I am writing to urge the members of the committee to consider options to cut government spending and raise revenue that extend beyond those typically discussed on Capitol Hill and in the media. Members of Congress – both Democrats and Republicans – often appear to be struggling to find deficit-cutting proposals that will either go far enough or attract bipartisan support. I have two proposals that should on the merits – absent the undue influence of special interests in our nation.
The first place that the super committee should look to cut wasteful government spending lies in the hundreds of billions of dollars in direct and indirect corporate welfare that our nation's government gives away every year. Cutting wasteful government spending in this area alone could produce savings well above and beyond the desired $1.2 trillion in deficit cuts over the next ten years. Democrats and Republicans alike should champion the elimination of corporate welfare as a drain on our government's budgets. Subsidizing some of the most profitable industries and largest corporations in this country at the level of billions of dollars per year is not consistent with the values of fair competition and a level playing field that are cherished as a part of a capitalist economic system. Nor do they actually allow for a true free market to exist. Instead they skew the playing field toward the largest and most politically powerful multinational corporations and away from small and mid-sized businesses.
Republicans and Democrats talk of the needs of small businesses throughout the country on a daily basis, but rarely are the needs or interests of those businesses represented in Congress when they are different from the Big Boys' demands. They certainly aren't represented when small town businesses go out of business despite their best efforts, but the speculators on Wall Street who cheated and gambled their way to the brink were pulled back from the ledge by a past complicit and compliant Congress. Nor were they represented, by the way, when the reason many of those small businesses failed was because of a mega corporation, Wal-Mart, which itself has received hundreds of millions, if not billions, in subsidies over decades. You can talk the talk when it comes to the value of small businesses, free markets, and a capitalist system – but is it not time to start walking the walk?
Yet another proposal that should be explored is the implementation of a financial speculation tax, which would impose a miniscule tax on all trades of stock, bonds, options, and other more speculative financial instruments. A financial speculation sales tax would curb risky speculative trading and high-frequency trading schemes that contribute little real economic value and instead can create a lot of instability. On top of this, a small tax – ranging to 0.5 % depending upon the financial instrument being taxed – could produce hundreds of billions of dollars annually, perhaps as much as $350 billion.
The Capital Institute's John Fullerton, a former JPMorgan managing director, says it best when he states that a financial speculation tax would "combat one of the most corrosive realities undermining capitalism itself: short-term speculation has displaced real investment, transforming our economy into a bankrupt financial system that lacks morals and purpose." He has stated that 70 percent of the equities market is composed of speculative, high-frequency, and "quant" driven trading strategies. It is no wonder that our economy is struggling with that much investment going towards entirely unproductive uses. Mr. Fullerton concludes one of his articles by stating that "the real economy and job creation would be enhanced if FDIC-insured consumer deposits funded productive loans to the real economy instead of leveraged short-term speculation by banks and their hedge fund counterparties, and, if more human capital shifted out of finance and into the productive economy."
Please reference my testimony that I gave before the Committee on the Budget in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 30, 1999. The testimony chronicles some of the most egregious examples of corporate welfare in the United States and can help you to identify proposals for the super committee to adopt. Also look at my recent op-ed, printed in the Wall Street Journal on November 2, 2011, titled "Time for a Tax on Speculation."
It is my hope these items may be useful to you over the next several days in finding a means to cut the deficit that benefits the American people for once, and not those pursuing unproductive or unfair maneuvers on Wall Street or in the corporate board rooms.
Ralph Nader
CIA intelligence fiasco in Lebanon
Press TV – November 21, 2011
Hezbollah has dealt a heavy blow to CIA operations in Lebanon, forcing the intelligence agency to curtail its espionage activities in the country, US officials say.
According to current and former US officials, CIA operations in Lebanon have been badly damaged after the resistance movement identified and captured a number of US spies this year, AP reported.
They have also said that CIA officials have secretly been scrambling in recent months to protect their remaining spies, foreign assets or agents working for the agency, before Hezbollah finds them.
Giving credit to Hezbollah for uncovering the espionage rings, the US officials blamed negligence by CIA managers and sloppy practices used by the spies for their networks being discovered in Lebanon, which is considered a key watching post for collecting crucial intelligence on Middle East countries including Syria and Iran.
It remains unclear whether anyone has been or will be held accountable in the wake of this counterintelligence disaster.
Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah in June announced the arrest of several spies affiliated with the CIA, who had infiltrated the ranks of the group. Nasrallah said that CIA officers, posing as diplomats at the US Embassy in Beirut, had recruited them in early 2011.
At the time, US officials denied the report, but now current and former US officials concede that Hezbollah busted several US spy rings and arrested a number of American spies, which affected CIA espionage activities in Lebanon.
"Beirut station is out of business," said one source using the CIA terminology.
In April 2009, Lebanon launched a nationwide crackdown on spy cells, mostly Israeli networks, arresting nearly 100 people, including members of the country's security forces and telecommunications personnel, on suspicion of espionage for Mossad.
A number of the suspects have admitted to their role in helping Israel identify targets inside Lebanon, mostly belonging to Hezbollah, which Tel Aviv heavily bombed during its 2006 war against the country.
Ex-Inspector Rejects IAEA Iran Bomb Test Chamber Claim
By GARETH PORTER | CounterPunch | November 21, 2011
A former inspector for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repudiated its major new claim that Iran built an explosives chamber to test components of a nuclear weapon and carry out a simulated nuclear explosion.
The IAEA claim that a foreign scientist – identified in news reports as Vyacheslav Danilenko – had been involved in building the alleged containment chamber has now been denied firmly by Danilenko himself in an interview with Radio Free Europe published Friday.
The latest report by the IAEA cited "information provided by Member States" that Iran had constructed "a large explosives containment vessel in which to conduct hydrodynamic experiments" – meaning simulated explosions of nuclear weapons – in its Parchin military complex in 2000.
The report said it had "confirmed" that a "large cylindrical object" housed at the same complex had been "designed to contain the detonation of up to 70 kilograms of high explosives". That amount of explosives, it said, would be "appropriate" for testing a detonation system to trigger a nuclear weapon.
But former IAEA inspector Robert Kelley has denounced the agency's claims about such a containment chamber as "highly misleading".
Kelley, a nuclear engineer who was the IAEA's chief weapons inspector in Iraq and is now a senior research fellow at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, pointed out in an interview with the Real News Network that a cylindrical chamber designed to contain 70 kg of explosives, as claimed by the IAEA, could not possibly have been used for hydrodynamic testing of a nuclear weapon design, contrary to the IAEA claim.
"There are far more explosives in that bomb than could be contained by this container," Kelley said, referring to the simulated explosion of a nuclear weapon in a hydrodynamic experiment.
Kelley also observed that hydrodynamic testing would not have been done in a container inside a building in any case. "You have to be crazy to do hydrodynamic explosives in a container," he said. "There's no reason to do it. They're done outdoors on firing tables."
Kelley rejected the IAEA claim that the alleged cylindrical chamber was new evidence of an Iranian weapons program. "We've been led by the nose to believe that this container is important, when in fact it's not important at all," Kelley said.
The IAEA report and unnamed "diplomats" implied that a "former Soviet nuclear weapons scientist", identified in the media as Danilenko, had helped build the alleged containment vessel at Parchin.
But their claims conflict with one another as well as with readily documented facts about Danilenko's work in Iran.
The IAEA report does not deny that Danilenko – a Ukrainian who worked in a Soviet-era research institute that was identified mainly with nuclear weapons – was actually a specialist on nanodiamonds. The report nevertheless implies a link beween Danilenko and the purported explosives chamber at Parchin by citing a publication by Danilenko as a source for the dimensions of the alleged explosives chamber.
Associated Press reported Nov. 11 that unnamed diplomats suggested Volodymyr Padalko, a partner of Danilenko in a nanodiamond business who was described as Danilenko's son-in-law, had contradicted Danilenko's firm denial of involvement in building a containment vessel for weapons testing. The diplomats claimed Padalko had told IAEA investigators that Danilenko had helped build "a large steel chamber to contain the force of the blast set off by such explosives testing".
But that claim appears to be an effort to confuse Danilenko's well-established work on an explosives chamber for nanodiamond synthesis with a chamber for weapons testing, such as the IAEA now claims was built at Parchin.
One of the unnamed diplomats described the steel chamber at Parchin as "the size of a double decker bus" and thus "much too large" for nanodiamonds.
But the IAEA report itself made exactly the opposite argument, suggesting that the purported steel chamber at Parchin was based on the design in a published paper by Danilenko.
The report said the alleged explosives chamber was designed to contain "up to 70 kg of high explosives" which is claims would be "suitable" for testing what it calls a "multipoint initiation system" for a nuclear weapon.
But a 2008 slide show on systems for nanodiamond synthesis posted on the internet by the U.S.-based nanotechnology company NanoBlox shows that the last patented containment chamber built by Danilenko and patented in 1992, with a total volume of 100 cubic metres, was designed for the use of just 10 kg of explosives.
An unnamed member state had given the IAEA a purported Iranian document in 2008 describing a 2003 test of what the agency interpreted to be a possible "high explosive implosion system for a nuclear weapon".
David Albright, director of a Washington, D.C. think tank who frequently passes on information from IAEA officials to the news media, told this writer in 2009 that the member state in question was "probably Israel".
Although the process of making "detonation nanodiamonds" uses explosives in a containment chamber, the chamber would bear little resemblance to one used for testing a nuclear bomb's initiation system.
The production of diamonds does not require the same high degree of precision in simultaneous explosions as the initiator for a nuclear device. And unlike the explosives used in a multipoint initiation system, the explosives used for making synthetic nanodiamonds must be under water in a closed pool, as Danilenko noted in a 2010 PowerPoint presentation.
Having endorsed the IAEA's claims, Albright concedes in a Nov. 13 article that the IAEA report "did not provide [sic] Danilenko's involvement, if any, in this chamber."
In an interview with Radio Free Europe Friday, Danilenko denied that he has any expertise in nuclear weapons, saying, "I understand absolutely nothing in nuclear physics." He also denied that he participated in "modeling warheads" at the research institute in Russia where he worked for three decades.
Danilenko further denied doing any work in Iran that did not relate to "dynamic detonation synthesis of diamonds" and said he has "strong doubts" that Iran had a nuclear weapons program during those years.
Albright and three co-authors published an account of Danilenko's work in Iran this week seeking to give credibility to the IAEA suggestion that he worked on the containment chamber for a nuclear weapons programme.
The Albright article, published on the website of the Institute for Science and International Security, said that Danilenko approached the Iranian embassy in 1995 offering his expertise on detonation diamonds, and later signed a contract with Syed Abbas Shahmoradi who responded to Danilenko's query.
Albright identifies Shahmoradi as the "head of Iran's secret nuclear sector involved in the development of nuclear weapons", merely because Shahmoradi later headed the Physics Research Center, which the IAEA argues has led Iran's nuclear weapons research.
But in late 1995, Shahmoradi was at the Sharif University of Technology, which is a leading centre for nanodiamonds in Iran. Albright argues that this is evidence supporting his suspicion that nanodiamonds were a cover for his real work, because the main centre for nanodiamond research is at Malek Ashtar University of Technology rather than at Sharif University.
However, Sharif University had just established an Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in 2005 that was intended to become the hub for nanotechnology research activities and strategy planning for Iran. So Sharif University and Shahmoradi would have been the logical choice to contract one of the world's leading specialists on nanodiamonds.
GARETH PORTER is an investigative historian and journalist with Inter-Press Service specialising in U.S. national security policy. The paperback edition of his latest book, "Perils of Dominance: Imbalance of Power and the Road to War in Vietnam", was published in 2006.
US shoots down Russian missile defense proposals
RT | November 21, 2011
Russia's Ambassador to NATO has said that Russia-US missile defense negotiations have hit an impasse, as Washington rejects Russia's cooperation in the controversial project.
The United States has rejected every missile defense proposal offered by Moscow, Permanent Representative to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said in an interview with Echo of Moscow radio.
Washington has said "no" to the Russian idea of a common missile defense network, Rogozin said. More telling as to the true purpose of the project, perhaps, the US also refused to give legally binding guarantees that the system would not be aimed at Russia's strategic nuclear defenses under any circumstances.
The United States and NATO have been working on a European missile defense shield to protect Eastern Europe from a rogue missile strike. Russia has warned the West that such a system, without full interoperability between NATO and Russia, will necessarily be viewed as a potential threat to its national security.
In May, during the G8 Summit in Deauville, France, President Dmitry Medvedev warned of "another arms race" unless the two sides reached an acceptable position.
Meanwhile, Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev ordered the negotiators back to the table to continue negotiations until NATO makes its decision on the missile defense architecture.
A final decision is expected to be announced at the NATO Chicago summit in May 2012.
More Anti-Iran Propaganda By Joby Warrick & Co
Moon of Alabama | November 21, 2011
The currently "most emailed story" at the Washington Post site is Iran may have sent Libya shells for chemical weapons.
May, may, may?
The 1.500 words piece is clearly written to suggest some Iranian "Weapon of Mass Destruction" business even though, as a not-so-casual read will find, there is nothing to it. Just many mays, vague anonymous sources and innuendo added to each other.
The picture above the article shows unmarked empty gas canisters with handles, not artillery shells.
In the second picture in the gallery accompanying the article a container marked "Hydroxyde de Sodium" somewhere in Libya is shown. It is describe as:
Chemical containers are seen in an unguarded storage facility in the desert, about 60 miles south of Sirte, Libya.
But "hydroxyde de sodium" is just caustic soda which:
is used in many industries, mostly as a strong chemical base in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, soaps and detergents and as a drain cleaner. Worldwide production in 2004 was approximately 60 million tonnes, …"
This has, unlike the Washington Post placement of the pictures suggests, nothing to do with chemical weapons.
The article begins:
The Obama administration is investigating whether Iran supplied the Libyan government of Moammar Gaddafi with hundreds of special artillery shells for chemical weapons that Libya kept secret for decades, U.S. officials said.The shells, which Libya filled with highly toxic mustard agent, were uncovered in recent weeks by revolutionary fighters at two sites in central Libya. Both are under heavy guard and round-the-clock surveillance by drones, U.S. and Libyan officials said.
So the whole issue is about empty artillery shells found somewhere in Libya (the piece does not even say where), which may have come from Iran, decades ago.
How does such a find, even when confirmed, allow for the following passages:
A U.S. official with access to classified information confirmed that there were "serious concerns" that Iran had provided the shells, albeit some years ago. […] Confirmed evidence of Iran's provision of the specialized shells may exacerbate international tensions over the country's alleged pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
Why should decades old empty artillery shells in Libya "exacerbate international tensions" about an alleged nuclear program in Iran?
In an unclassified report to Congress this year, the U.S. director of national intelligence said that "Iran maintains the capability to produce chemical warfare agents … [and] is capable of weaponizing CW agents in a variety of delivery systems." Those systems include artillery shells, according to current and former U.S. officials.
Any school chemistry lab has the "capability to produce chemical warfare agents" and the means to deliver those. Again – what has this to do with decades old empty artillery shells in the Libyan desert? Is this journalism?
The whole piece is just constructed anti-Iran propaganda. Not astonishingly, it was co-written by Joby Warrick, the Washington Post's Judith Miller equivalent, who also recently spread the false "Soviet nuclear scientist" stories about an expert in nanodiamond production who once worked in Iran.
What gives me some hope is that the comments to this latest Washington Post smear piece seem to recognize it for what it is. They don't buy it but call it out as pure propaganda without any journalistic value.
Note to Media: The UC Davis "Investigation" is not the Story
By Angus Johnston | Student Activism | November 20, 2011
The UC Davis story has gone global overnight. Here's a taste of the morning papers:
- New York Times: UC Davis Calls for Investigation After Pepper Spraying
- BBC News: US University Investigates Campus Pepper Spray Use
- Washington Post: Investigation, Calls for Resignation Follow Spread of Calif. University Pepper Spray Video
- CNN: California University to Investigate Police Use of Pepper Spray
- Los Angeles Times: UC Davis Chief Launches Probe Into Pepper-Spraying of Occupy Protesters
But see what they all did here? They all led with Linda Katehi's promised investigation of the incident, which she announced in a statement yesterday:
I am forming a task force made of faculty, students and staff to review the events and provide to me a thorough report within 90 days. As part of this, a process will be designed that allows members of the community to express their views on this matter. This report will help inform our policies and processes within the university administration and the Police Department to help us avoid similar outcomes in the future.
That's it. That's the entirety of the relevant portion of the statement. No word on how the task force will be constituted, what its composition will be, how its student and faculty members will be chosen. No hint that it will have any actual policymaking authority. And it's got 90 days before it's expected to report — does anyone really think that this situation is going to stay static until mid-February? Does anyone think that the release of this report is going to be a major event?
Come on.
I get why the press is going with this angle for their ledes. It sounds like a big deal. It sounds serious, momentous. And it's something you can report without seeming to take sides. An investigation! A report! That's just the thing to get to the bottom of this situation!
But here's the thing. We've already gotten to the bottom of the situation. We know what happened. UC Davis police used unwarranted force on a group of peaceful student demonstrators in violation of university policy, and then top university officials lied about why. That's the story. That's the situation. If the task force reports that, they'll be telling us all what we already know. If they don't, they'll be engaging in an act of utterly pointless misrepresentation.
A lot of important stuff happened yesterday. New videos emerged that helped to prove the university's original cover story false. Katehi was asked to resign, by multiple people in multiple venues, and gave a series of not particularly forceful responses. University officials gave a press conference at which reporters greeted their continuing attempts to justify Friday's violence with barely concealed scorn. And then Katehi hid from a peaceful crowd for two hours before emerging to slink back to her car in silence and shame.
All that stuff happened. And any of if would make a great lede.
Ten Things You Should Know About Friday's UC Davis Police Violence
By Angus Johnston | Student Activism | November 20, 2011
1. The protest at which UC Davis police officers used pepper spray and batons against unresisting demonstrators was an entirely nonviolent one.
None of the arrests at UC Davis in the current wave of activism have been for violent offenses. Indeed, as the New York Times reported this morning, the university's administration has "reported no instances of violence by any protesters." Not one.
2. The unauthorized tent encampment was dismantled before the pepper spraying began.
Students had set up tents on campus on Thursday, and the administration had allowed them to stay up overnight. When campus police ordered students to take the tents down on Friday afternoon, however, most complied. The remainder of the tents were quickly removed by police without incident before the pepper spray incident.
3. Students did not restrict the movement of police at any time during the demonstration.
After police made a handful of arrests in the course of taking down the students' tents, some of the remaining demonstrators formed a wide seated circle around the officers and arrestees.
UC Davis police chief Annette Spicuzza has claimed that officers were unable to leave that circle: "There was no way out," she told the Sacramento Bee. "They were cutting the officers off from their support. It's a very volatile situation." But multiple videos clearly show that the seated students made no effort to impede the officers' movement. Indeed, Lt. Pike, who initiated the pepper spraying of the group, was inside the circle moments earlier. To position himself to spray, he simply stepped over the line.
4. Lt. Pike was not in fear for his safety when he sprayed the students.
Chief Spicuzza told reporters on Thursday that her officers had been concerned for their safety when they began spraying. But again, multiple videos show this claim to be groundless.
The most widely distributed video of the incident (viewed, as I write this, by nearly 700,000 people on YouTube) begins just moments before Lt. Pike begain spraying, but another video, which starts a few minutes earlier, shows Pike chatting amiably with one activist, even patting him casually on the back.
The pat on the back occurs just two minutes and nineteen seconds before Pike pepper sprayed the student he had just been chatting with and all of his friends.
5. University of California Police are not authorized to use pepper spray except in circumstances in which it is necessary to prevent physical injury to themselves or others.
From the University of California's Universitywide Police Policies and Administrative Procedures: "Chemical agents are weapons used to minimize the potential for injury to officers, offenders, or other persons. They should only be used in situations where such force reasonably appears justified and necessary."
6. UC police are not authorized to use physical force except to control violent offenders or keep suspects from escaping.
Another quote from the UC's policing policy: "Arrestees and suspects shall be treated in a humane manner … they shall not be subject to physical force except as required to subdue violence or ensure detention. No officer shall strike an arrestee or suspect except in self-defense, to prevent an escape, or to prevent injury to another person."
7. The UC Davis Police made no effort to remove the student demonstrators from the walkway peacefully before using pepper spray against them.
One video of the pepper-spray incident shows a group of officers moving in to remove the students from the walkway. Just as one of them reaches down to pick up a female student who was leaning against a friend, however, Lt. Pike waves the group back, clearing a space for him to use pepper spray without risk of accidentally spraying his colleagues.
8. Use of pepper spray and other physical force continued after the students' minimal obstruction of the area around the police ended.
The line of seated students had begun to break up no more than eight seconds after Lt. Pike began spraying. The spraying continued, however, and officers soon began using batons and other physical force against the now-incapacitated group.
9. Even after police began using unprovoked and unlawful violence against the students, they remained peaceful.
Multiple videos show the aftermath of the initial pepper spraying and the physical violence that followed. In none of them do any of the assaulted students or any of the onlookers strike any of the officers who are attacking them and their friends.
10. The students' commitment to nonviolence extended to their use of language.
At one point on Thursday afternoon, before the police attack on the demonstration, a few activists started a chant of "From Davis to Greece, fuck the police." They were quickly hushed by fellow demonstrators who urged them to "keep it nonviolent! Keep it peaceful!"
Their chant was replaced by one of "you use weapons, we use our voice."
Six and a half minutes later, the entire group was pepper sprayed.
If you'd like to stay in the loop as I continue to cover this story, feel free to follow me on Twitter.


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by: Michelyn Camen
I am proud to present to you an earthy, open and textural interview with Rodrigo Flores-Roux; he is one of the most multi dimensional perfumers I have had the pleasure to meet AND the only Latin American fine fragrance perfumer (nose) in the world.
Tom Ford Private Blend Neroli Portofino (2007), Tom Ford White Patchouli (2008), Champaca absolute Private Blend Tom Ford (2009), Britney Spears Hidden Fantasy (2009), Arabian Wood Private Blend Tom Ford (2008), Badgley Mischka Fleurs de Nuit, Keiko Mecheri Oliban, Keiko Mecheri Ume (2006), Calvin Klein CK Free (2009 with Ellen Molner), Hilary Duff With Love Hilary Duff (2006 with Stephen Nilsen), John Varvatos Artisan (2009), John Varvatos John Varvatos For Men (2004), John Varvatos John Varvatos For Women (2008), John Varvatos Vintage (2006), John Varvatos Rock Volume One (2009), Cerruti 1881 Collection (2005, with Yann Vasnier), Clinique Happy (1997, with Jean Claude Delville), Wrapped with Love by Hillary Duff (2007 with Stephen Nilsen), Lulu Guinness Life's A Bed Of Roses (2003), Lulu Guinness Lulu Guinness (2003), Lulu Guiness Put on Your Pearls, Girls (2004), Zirh Corduroy (2007 with Jacques Huclier), True Religion for women (2008), Dana Buchman (2009), Inverse by Kylie Minogue (2009 with Christophe Raynaud) and Six Scents Nicoll 17 (2009), Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Exotic (2009), Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Revitalize (2007, with Claude Dir), Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Lotus (2008), Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Summer (2005, with Claude Dir), Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Tropical (2007), Donna Karan Black Cashmere (2002), Donna Karan Essence Collection Labdanum (2005), Donna Karan Essence Collection Wenge (2005), Donna Karan Gold (2006 with Yann Vasnier and and Calice Becker).
You know, wear and love many of his fragrant creations, so now meet the perfumer, the man and his art.
Thank you for joining us, Rodrigo. To learn more about who you are today, tell us about your childhood?
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: I was born in Mexico City some 40 or so years ago, and I lived there until the age of 20. I am the second of three children, born between a brother, who is exactly 2 years older than me, and my sister, who is almost 6 years younger. Both my parents are scientists and thus, educators, and they always taught us a passion for learning. They really encouraged us to research and be curious, and to enjoy reading, writing, drawing etc. I feel very fortunate about that.
When I was around 8 years old, the TV set in the house broke down. As a child mesmerized by TV, I literally went cold turkey. We got a new TV almost 10 years afterwards!!!!!!!!!!! That was the best thing that could happen to me. Not having a TV took me to open an art book (my parents have many) and I was hooked: my first passion is an immense love for art history.
What are your most pervasive olfactive memories:
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: Cedarwood floors and ceiling beams in many houses in Mexico City. They would permeate the interior air with a rich and deep woody scent that I have never seen reproduced in perfumes... and of course the warm powdery scent of corn tortillas just before lunch.
What was your mother's scent?
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: She had very specific and discriminating tastes, always preferring rich florals and woody floral green fragrances, also dry, woody chypres, over frank vanillic orientals or overtly spicy fragrances. Her hit parade was Joy de Jean Patou (she wore it at her wedding), Silences de Jacomo, Y d'Yves Saint Laurent, Jean Marc Sinan, le Nombre Noir de Shiseido... sometimes Miss Dior... the exception to the rule was Magie Noire de Lancome, a spicy oriental she liked (I still can't really see the oriental side of it... she loved but it is a bit antithetical to all of the above)...
The big no-no's: Shalimar and Opium. I learned to love and understand these two fragrances while I was at perfumery school in France...
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: In Mexico, it's difficult to dissociate olfactive experiences. For example, a market is a colorful experience: burst of color and nuanced floral perfumes are exhaled from the flower stands, which are rich in tuberoses, multicolored freesias, orchids, roses, lilies, and other rare tropical flowers.
The floral scents mingle here and there with fresh produce and herbs that you can't find anywhere else: eye popping heirloom tomatoes, fleshy avocados with their fragrant leaves, a million selections of hot chili peppers, red, green, brown, orange and yellow; a multitude of different squashes and pumpkin-like gourds, clay pots filled with mole sauces, a trace of black chocolate, which in Mexico is scented with cinnamon, allspice and vanilla, cilantro leaves everywhere... an Aztec riot of scents and colors, enriched with the infusion of Spanish colonial culture, joined by culinary delicate surprises from the East, from Yucatan and the West Indies.
So since I was very young, I was able to understand that a great fragrance is a complex mixture of different, sometimes opposing, sometimes unpleasant smells that together are much more than alone. A symphony, in short.When did you decide to become a perfumer? Where did you study?
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: I knew I wanted to make perfumes since the age of 13. I had started a perfume bottle collection and that collection triggered my interest, along with the very opinionated family I have... everybody knows about perfumes, has a keen sense of smell and very particular tastes. Nowadays, when the conversation subject turns towards perfumes, I seem to be the one who knows the least and speak the least about it!!!
At the age of 18, I heard about ISIPCA, the perfume school in Versailles, France. I started Biology studies in the National University in Mexico City (UNAM) but cut those studies short as I had applied to ISIPCA and was accepted, so I moved to France in 1989, at the age of 20. My mother had passed away some months before, and my brother had also been accepted to study abroad, in his case, University of Chicago... so we left my father and my 15 year old sister in September of that year. Circumstances had it that we both left exactly the same day.
Did you have a mentor?
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: Naming a mentor is always difficult (the person you'd name as a mentor may not even know you consider him or her a mentor!!!) In my case, as I did find in these first years a number of wonderful people who really taught me many many things, I'd like to mention few names, as I am deeply grateful to them:
What was your first fragrance as a nose?
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: The first ever: a nice herbal fougere scent for a shampoo called Novo HairKleen 2000... a medicinal shampoo used as an anti parasitic remedy for pubic hair (yes, it is true...)... the second: the scent for another shampoo... the Shampoo of the Grateful Dog, not be used on humans... (chuckles...) ... and on the international fine fragrance arena, Clinique Happy, the women's 1997 introduction (Whew!!!)
What raw materials do you enjoy working with?
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: I have been called the "king of citrus" as I love citrus materials and feel very comfortable working with them: bergamot, mandarin, orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit are my best friends... on the other side of the spectrum, I adore labdanum and frankincense/olibanum notes, and working with them also comes naturally. I am also a big sucker for jasmine absolute and orange flower absolute. I don't think I have made a perfume without a trace (or more) of jasmine in it. I also enjoy animal and leathery notes and have been told I have a big threshold of "resistance" with fecal notes.
What raw materials do you find the most challenging?
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: On my specific tastes: I am not crazy about really sweet, burnt sugar notes, and cannot stand fenugreek, immortelle and bouillon notes. I use them here and there, yes, but they are just not my thing. I also stay away from cumin. For some reason, I can't smell it inside the composition. Roudnitska used it and created Femme de Rochas and Eau d'Hermes. If I doodle with it, I come up with sweaty armpits.
On a physical level: I am one of those perfumers who are anosmic (scent blind) to many musks. I think I will never know how Galaxolide smells!! But I use it as a painter uses white, and have become very dexterous in building musky backgrounds. Some of the evaluators I work with actually laugh as they say that my nose only smells expensive musks... not quite, I cannot smell ambrettolide but I can detect cosmone or muscone from miles away!!
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: I'll shorten my answer by mentioning only ONE word and stating clearly I dislike the concept and how much I think it has harmed our industry: FLANKER. They are necessary diseases, so I must confess I work in flanker briefs but I wish we could make less of them.
There is much debate on the term 'niche perfume'. What does it mean to you? Does it have any meaning?
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: The word "niche" is another word that has been misused and overused a lot. Originally, the word "niche" applied to fragrances that were sold in very few, and very selective points of retail. Since these retailers catered to an exclusive clientele, sometimes with rather discerning tastes, they could boast unique personalities, uncanny strengths, incredibly high quality of materials or quirky olfactive profiles... This conceptual positioning has now evolved, overblown, into a new meaning: something that doesn't smell commercial or easy, is considered niche...
Commercial perfumes are necessary, but so are quirky ones... what I don't really like, nor agree with, is the proliferation of small pseudo-niche brands, that even if they come up with a repertoire that is far from being original or creative, call themselves "niche" and label their products with high price tags. That for me is the most contrived and dishonest thing you could do.
You have created EVERY scent for the designer John Varvatos. Please tell us about how your met and your relationship.
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: I met John Varvatos back in 2002 through Brian Robinson, at that time, owner of Zirh. Brian had convinced John to create a fragrance license, and he was the proud holder of it. He took John to visit several perfume houses. And they came to Quest. John had in mind to work exclusively with one perfume house, and he was visiting the houses to "get the feeling"... He still says that when he came to Quest, he just felt a good connection and stated "this is it!" ... so we started working on his project.
At that time, the evaluator in chief was Trudi Loren, who now works at creative fragrance development for the Estee Lauder companies. The Varvatos brief was given to three perfumers, myself included. John then asked us to visit him at his store in Soho. It was the first store, on Mercer Street. During that visit, he talked about his working philosophy, he told us his likes and dislikes... and he showed us how all of his pieces have a "hidden detail".... That very small detail inspired me. I concocted an extremely woody oriental fragrance, and laced it with a unique spicy fruity accord (Medjool dates!!!!) as the secret detail, mixing it with a black leather accord. I wanted this fragrance luxurious, super masculine, sensual and very very layered.
John and Brian considered other candidates, all of them warm, rather deep orientals (they had discarded anything too citrusy or fresh, and ozone was a no-no) but for some reason, John gravitated towards "Hidden Detail"... He is definitely someone intuitive and who follows his hunches with a "I'll know it when I see it" approach. And since day one, it was clear he not only had a great sense of smell ("a great nose") he was also very avid to learn the works of perfume making.
At one point, Brian was in love with another candidate by another perfumer, called "Corduroy". John liked it, but was totally connected to "Hidden Detail". We did a long series of modifications, as he wanted more fruit, more sweetness and less of an "incensy" note he disliked. It was difficult to identify the culprit, so for that, I showed him every single raw material in the formula. The note he didn't like was actually cistus labdanum in a raw form... the final fragrance does contain other ambery notes, but more sophisticated than crude labdanum resinoid.
He also showed us some ideas for the bottle. Designer Doug Lloyd had been working with John on this idea of an elegant smoke colored flask wrapped in black leather. I happen to love black leather and dress in black leather quite frequently. Again, this was a cue for me, and I enriched the leather dimension using Auramber (a woody, leathery captive material), olibanum and styrax.
When we got to Hidden Detail "H", we were all very happy with it. We tested it as a "disaster check"... and oh la la, it tested quite badly. Around that time, Brian hiredPurvi Desai (now Padia) to lead the project, as the launch date was approaching and the project was getting a lot of thrust. Purvi identified that the fragrance was too sweet on many skins. We adjusted the vanilla notes and nuanced them with fir balsam absolute, touches of caramel and a dash of hay absolute from the French Alps. We tested it again... and performed beautifully (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) John Varvatos, the fragrance, was born.
John feels very comfortable talking perfume with me, and I consider working with him not only an enormous pleasure, but also a privilege and a great challenge to tackle, as he is always raising the bar.
For an upcoming new project, we were all surprised that I had literally read his mind, as he approved the FIRST iteration of a new fragrance. No modifications, "I love it 'as is' "... he said.
You have what I call a 'dubious honor'; you are the only Latin American perfumer who studied fine fragrance through the industry and is not self taught. How do you feel about that?
Nationality wise, I think this has to do with how deeply engrained into tradition the perfume craft is. I don't think I'm mistaken in affirming that around 70% of the perfumers who work in the fine fragrance arena (that is, Paris and New York) are French. Perfumery is quintessentially French (although we know that, one, there are fantastic American, Spanish and Italian perfume brands, and number two, there are great non-French perfumers.)
Paradigmatically, I am proud (but also feel very lonely) to affirm that I am the only Latin American perfumer working on fine fragrance projects. I would be more than happy to help a fellow Latino to hone his craft... but I don't really know anyone!
Now about you… what music do you like to listen to?
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: The latest Michael Buble, Mikka, La Roux, new singles from Kylie Minogue and a complete collection of chamber music by Alfonso Ferrabosco (XVIth century!!) Lately, Shakira and Alejandro Fernandez are in my playing list. Rodrigo and Gabriela's guitars are just sensational, and I do have a great love for oldies: everything Agustin Lara is MY thing, and also adore Jose Jose and Rocio Durcal.
What was your last dream?
I do dream a lot, every night something is going on in my head. I did have a nice experience last week: I woke up hollering of laughter and the middle of the night. The funny dream was indeed very funny and I almost came out of bed to write it down. I didn't, and now it's all but forgotten. What I can tell you is that waking up amidst a laughing fit is a very pleasurable experience.
Please name your favorite Latino artists.
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: I like many!! Other than music, I have always been a complete Pedro Almodovar freak, and Penelope Cruz is just perfect to my eyes. Expanding into other territories, I want to mention Frida Kahlo and Roberto Montenegro in painting, Luis Barragan in architecture, and, of course, Gabriel Garcia Marquez in literature.
If you were not a perfumer, what would you be doing?
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: When it came to choose a career, perfume making seemed a bit unreal, so I considered other options. History of art and architecture came to me (in fact, I consider myself an amateur art historian...). But I didn't lose track, and studied Biology in Mexico City, trying to avoid Chemistry, to eventually shift into perfumery, as I mentioned above, because I was interested in applying for the school in Versailles. My "violon d'Ingres" - however, would be working with flowers. I know I would love to own a flower shop.
What are the most brilliant perfume(s) you have smelled?
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: Tough question: this is a mixture of my personal favorites and also, of perfumes that I don't necessarily like but admire as concepts or technical feats. With no particular order, the following come to mind: Diorissimo by Christian Dior, Chamade by Guerlain, Grain de Folie by Nicky Verfaille (tough find, it disappeared from the face of the Earth and it was just spectacular), the first Armani pour Homme, Choc de Cardin and Tamango de Leonard to name just a few. Upon the FIRST EVER sniff, I was completely struck by Paloma Picasso, Feminite du Bois by Shiseido, Angel by Mugler (who wasn't blown away by it?), Eau de The Vert de Bulgari and Acqua di Gio by Armani. I also enjoy Jardin sur le Nil by Hermes when it's airborne, and 2001 Roses de Lancome on deep dryout.
Thoughts on the influence on blogging and perfumery?
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: Hmmm… mixed thoughts. I do find an impressive amount of very well versed bloggers with good noses and good sense of the meaning and resonance of perfume creation. But unfortunately, as perfume is something that belongs to everyone, everyone has a say and I do find sometimes that the opinions are not quite spot on. Perfumes in general spark lot of interest, and I am glad people feel very passionate about it.
Ok, the hot button of the decade….IFRA
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: I have to confess that I am one of the perfumers who has been very outspoken about IFRA literally killing our industry and our craft. Enough said.
I have longed of a fragrance that would capture the essence of Frida Kahlo (who for cultural reasons I identify with)… create it!
Rodrigo Flores-Roux: Well, I am biased here, because I know a lot about Frida's life and I know that her fragrances were Shocking de Schiaparelli, Tabu and Emir by Dana... so I cannot dissociate these scents from Frida's persona. However, I have always found inspiration in her work, in particular in her beautiful still lifes.
There's one of those wild paintings, called "Magnolias" that features not only magnolias, but cactus blossoms and pitahayas (dragon fruit) I have always dreamed about making an olfactive picture that represents this painting.
A sneak 'sniff' on what you are working on….
I'm not trying to be coy here, but it's very delicate to discuss future projects. What I can mention is that I'm prepping up the launch of a new masculine perfume for the brand Alford and Hoff, a fragrance of which I am particularly proud and to which I emotionally attached to, as the owners of the brand, Barry Alford and Jefferson Hoffman, have become good friends and are the most fun to be around. Alford and Hoff the fragrance is available as of now in limited distribution.
And I have also been very happy to work with Richard Nicoll, a young British fashion designer who was just a week ago appointed artistic director at Nino Cerutti. He came up with a great concept, a lemon-and-Florentine-fennel-laced fragrance, from Series 2: Six Scents - Nicoll 17 which is available now.
Writer's note: Thanks to the team at BPI and some much needed counsel to the fragrance industry…we live in 21st century, not the 19th. Teach our children to become perfumers and from many cultures fragrant flowers will grow.
Images: el ranchero, mexartmasters.com, Eneas, Culture, rohanart
i never knew that Mr flores Roux was the nose behind so many stellar scents. My motherr wears Happy, I wear white patchouli and Keiko Mecheri ume.. My dad loves vintage... He is truly a talented perfuemr and it is great to see M Camen shed light on his life and work. bravo
I am discovering so much about the lives of the perfumers behind my favorite fragrances. I wear Tom Ford Neroli for her. It is the best in the entire line of the private blends and love love love Keiko Mecheri's ume.
Mr.Flores Roux has a great sense of humor, and seems very passionate about fragrance...
I am still discovering so much on this site....
So interesting to think about the different fragrance memories people have in different parts of the world. More diversity among perfumers could only enrich our world. Thanks for giving voice to this idea, Michelyn. I am very glad to know more about Rodrigo Flores-Roux's work.
Awesome interview! Rodrigo is definitely an underappreciated talent and you can feel the passion in his words here. Thank you Rodrigo for sharing yourself with us and Michelyn for such a magnetic interview.
thank you Rodrigo for a terrific interview... We look forward to more wonderful fragrances from you.
I enjoyed this interview , perhaps more than any I have read.
It is so colorful, alive and full of wonderful insights into the world of perfumery. A nose of Mr. Flores Roux's caliber is rare, and obviously he is not only prolific but produces beautiful and memorable fragrances.
It is always so interesting how Michelyn is able to uncover the personality of each perfumer,so that they are 3 dimensional people,with challenges and opinions not just chemists.
It made me lol when Mr. Flores Roux talked about he never liked chemistry in school.
I look forward to every interview, product review and new product releases on Fragrantica...
I had not heard of Rodrigo Flores-Roux. He is certainly worthy of our attention. What a wonderful expansive range of houses he has worked with. I think what stood out for me is his love for women... and family. It is a rare man who remembers in such detail what scent his mother wore...
I have visited Mexico City on several occasions, and the sights, sounds and smells are unlike any other in the world. Thank you Michelyn for bringing Mr. Roux Flores to our attention.
I don't know what I can add to the comments that haven't been already been said other than Mr. Flores Roux is not only a talented perfumer ( I just love ALL the Varvatos fragrances) but he seems like the kind of straight talking man I want to share a drink with... Another great interview Michelyn...
These interviews get better and better. This interview was a multisensorial tour de force. The layout and pictures were beautiful. The subjects covered provided many dimensions to ponder. Mr. Flores-Roux is a fascinating individual with so many talents and such a spirited way of expressing them. His wide exposure appears to be reflectd in the breadth of his creative oevre. His ntributions to the world of perfumery are many and varied - no one trick pony - he, but with a name that includes Flores should we be surprised?
Fragrantica you are really making your presence known in the world of fragrance.
Thank you
ps: I, too, would like to see and smell an interpretation of Frida Khalo's still life of Magnolias! Please...
Another knock-out interview, Michelyn! R F-R is an inspiring personality and a wonderfully creative perfumer and we are all thrilled that you have opened up his world and shared it with us. This interview in particular is obviously the combining of two passionate artists; meeting in the fragrant cosmos. You are both absolutely delicious here!
Keep them coming!!!
ox, DSH
What a wonderful interview. It felt as if I was over-hearing a personal conversation. I especially enjoyed Rodrigo's story of his association with Varvatos starting with the Hidden Detail. I always like to see the passion one brings to their craft, and Rodrigo clearly expresses this passion throughout the interview.
Jeca has done such a great job of art directing... that is why Rodrigo's story comes alive
Michelyn - thank you for this very informative interview with Rodrigo Flores-Roux whom i had never heard of before. Yes i had heard of his creations but never knew who was the creator behind them. They will smell different now that i have a little insight into him.
I love the questions you ask and liked that you asked about his dreams, very important in my opinion.
YOu always find gorgeous images that are a visual delight.
Thanks again and keep them coming, we all love them.
and thank you Rodrigo Flores-Roux.
To all:
I met Rodrigo three years ago and instantly felt 'chemistry'... He is down to earth, incredibly intelligent and dedicated to his Art and truly cares about his clients and translating their unique vision no matter if the fragrance is commercial, prestige, designer or for a small house.
I own Happy by clinique, Neroli Portofino and Ume and R is THE alchemist of citrus,(which are not usually handled with his finesse)
Vintage by Varvatos is one of my favorite mens fragrances EVER--- at any price point.
Regarding Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, she evokes such strong emotions in me, her art speaks my heart. Thank you R for sharing your knowledge of her, I will never look at 'Magnolias' the same way again.
If there is one 'nez' that is under the radar screen, you have just read about him.... Rodrigo- gracias mi amor
These interviews are delights. My daughter wears Hillary Duff with love and I tried it. For an inexpensive fragrance it was really lovely. The scope of Mr. Roux Flores work is impressive. I also feel so privaledged to 'listen' in on your conversation. this might be my favorite interview for its warmth and honesty.VIVA Fragrantica and Ms. Camen
Dear Mr Rodrigo and dear Michelyn, thank you for the interview ;o) Mr Rodrigo, the diapason of fragrances you made is so wide! My respect!
I love your Oliban by Keiko Mecheri, and I do love Arabian Woods, thank you for them.
Michelyn, Signor Rodrigo-
I am THRILLED.
What a delight you both are; the candor and playfulness of your interaction is palpable.
Signor R- I have beautiful picadillo of beef in my freezer that my Mexico City amiga swears is like her Abuela's-
I'd love to get you and Michelyn in my tiny kitchen, and ply us all with food and wine ;-)
Deft, human, and enthralling.
OH- and I liked it, too ! ;-)
How wonderful to get to know a truly great contemporary nose as a person! In this fine interview, I came to feel as if I were in the room with Sr. Roux and would buy Frida's magnolia scent in a heartbeat! A very personal and informative review, thank you both!
Fascinating insights into the life and thoughts of a great perfumer, who I am ashamed to say was totally under my radar, even though I love a number of his fragrances, especially those for Tom Ford. Am wearing my sample of Neroli Portofino right now. He certainly does have a great way with citrus!
Clearly more young people in Mexico - or anywhere! - should have their TVs taken away for extended periods....
Thank you for the wonderful interview.
My favourite part is "a great fragrance is a complex mixture of different, sometimes opposing, sometimes unpleasant smells that together are much more than alone. A symphony, in short."
I had no idea quite how many extraordinary scents he had created!
Dear Rodrigo thank you for such a passionate and dedicated work that resulted in some of our absolutely favorite fragrances. Also thank you for the interview it is big honor for us to publish it.
Michelyn thank you for another great interview. You asked right questions and let Rodrigo talk... what I like about your interviews, you do not tend to demonstrate how smart and informed you are but let person express himself.
Thank you for the beautiful interview on Rodrigo Flores-Roux. We are big fans of him and had the pleasure to work with him directly on some fragrances.
Not only is he very passionate and dedicated to his work, he is one of the great talents of today.
What a great interview, Michelyn! You had me at John Varvatos, I am really impressed by that line. What a treat to read about the background of such an educated and talented man. Your questions really led him into talking about a much broader range of subjects than "just" perfume, but it's all tied together perfectly.
I also loved the list of scents he admires; one of them, Grain de Folie, is one I was crazy about, and of course it's almost impossible to find now.
Flora55 (Donna)
I have always been impressed by Sr. Flores-Roux's breadth from designer creations for john Varvatos to the Tom Ford Private Blends. It was clear that this was a perfumer of exceptional talent. What Michelyn's interview has once again shown is perfumers like Sr. Flores-Roux are true Renaissance Men.
I'll admit.. I passed by the banner of this interview more than once because 'Latin American' and 'Perfumer' wasn't grabbing my attention. However, as my eyes glanced over his body of work, I was surprised to see many of his scents sitting right there in my sample bag. hehe.
Mr Roux comes across as very dedicated and intelligent. Ume and Arabian Wood are two of my favorites from their respective lines, and I look forward to sniffing more of his creations. His passion and artistic vision is really unique, in my opinion, and I'm glad to have a chance to learn more about him.
Thanks for exposing such an amazing creator. I had the pleasure of meeting Rodrigo at the launch for Series 2: Six Scents and his collaboration with Richard Nicoli is quite nice. I couldn't stop smelling my hand all night. While speaking with him I found out he created another good Varvatos Rock Volume One.
I had no idea he was so accomplished until reading your interview so thanks again for the education.
Recently I was having a discussion about the innovation of social media and its relevance. My take is it's allowing brands to foster deeper relationships with consumers...those doing it right that is. With that blogging and specifically fragrance blogging, is giving consumers that are interested the opportunity to learn more than they ever could before. Some are doing it well and some aren't. With time a correction will occur and the strongest will survive. I sincerely hope you do Michelyn.
Great interview! What a well-rounded and well-learned man he is. I keep re-reading this article for the pure joy of learning & re-learning about this extraordinary perfumer. Thank you for writing it!
Dear Michelyn,
What a beautiful interview! It is so inspiring and full of beautiful little details. Rodrigo Flores-Roux is a very passionate nose and perfumer and I really enjoyed this interview. It makes me understand more about his creations because it reveals the person behind his work in a very personal and intimate way.
This interview is full of passion and one of the most important things we sometimes forget... : Follow your heart and senses more!
He mentioned his mentors/people who he was very grateful to.
You are my Fragrantica Mentor, and I am so greatful that you believe in me (I hope so... ;o) ).
Michelyn, your interviews are like a fragrance created with so much love and passion, a painting that is so colourful and bright!
With love,
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