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In 2012, Deborah Danner, the 66-year-old mentally ill Black woman who was fatally shot by New York Police Department sergeant Hugh Barry on October 18, penned a foretelling essay titled "Living With Schizophrenia."
The piece, which The New York Times published online, states, "We are all aware of the all too frequent news stories about the mentally ill who come up against law enforcement instead of mental health professionals and end up dead."
This is what happened to Danner—and 182 others this year. Twenty-three percent of all people police have killed this year suffered from mental illness, according to The Washington Post. Her essay references the death of Eleanor Bumpurs in 1984, another Black woman in her late 60s with a history of mental illness. She was killed her in her Bronx apartment by Officer Stephen Sullivan.
The New York Daily News reports that Danner shared the essay with an attorney who represented her in a guardianship case. He released it after hearing of her death.
The essay also touches on the hardship of her mental illness, which she calls a curse and a nightmare. Danner writes about stigma in the workplace, family tensions, suicidal thoughts and the flashbacks of moments where she experiences a "blue funk," as she called her episodes.
"I smile rarely," Danner concludes, "but I am surviving."
1 Comment
til I looked at the draft that said $6074, I have faith that my father in law was like they say realey taking home money in their spare time at their laptop.. there dads buddy haz done this 4 only about ten months and resantly paid for the dept on there cottage and purchased Lotus Elan. read more at, http://www.bic5.com


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The cholera vaccine is emerging as a prominent tool in the fight against the disease that the World Health Organization says kills at least 100,000 people every year. WHO is creating a cholera vaccine stockpile that countries can tap into during outbreaks. Health experts say the vaccine is not a panacea and must not detract from prevention basics, like safe water and proper sanitation, but given the extent of cholera's global impact it is an important tool.
Cholera, silent catastrophe
Advances in vaccine development and promising results in the field have boosted interest in the cholera vaccine. But what really has health ministries and aid agencies increasingly turning to the vaccine is the sheer magnitude of cholera's impact, in a world where nearly 800 million people live without access to safe drinking water and 2.5 billion without proper sanitation. ( http://www.unicef.org/media/files/JMPreport2012.pdf )
Infection is fully preventable; one need simply avoid consuming contaminated food or water. But cholera spreads easily in conditions that are prevalent in much of the developing world: poor sanitation, lack of access to safe water, crowded settlements especially in urban areas, and weak infrastructure that crumbles in recurrent natural disasters.
The World Health Organization estimates that 3 to 5 million people are infected with cholera every year, with as many as 130,000 deaths. Wider use of the WHO-approved oral cholera vaccine - which currently has two manufacturers - is seen as one way to improve the response.
Stockpiling vaccine
Stephen Martin is with a World Health Organization panel working on the cholera vaccine stockpile. He says the hope is that a stockpile will boost vaccine availability. When Haiti - with a population of nearly 10 million - was hit with a massive cholera epidemic in 2010, there was enough vaccine in the entire world for about 100,000 people.
"The basic reason for a stockpile is that the vaccine and the disease are in two different places and what we're trying to do is bring them together...Cholera - it's a cliche I'm sure - it's a disease of the poor, and there is not a strong voice for cholera vaccines. Therefore it makes it very difficult for vaccine producers to have a stable market and that makes it very difficult for them to plan for increased capacity of vaccine production," Martin said. "What we're hoping to do by stabilizing demand is to increase global production capacity."
Proper sanitation, safe water
Health experts say the cholera vaccine must be seen as just one component to be accompanied by other control measures.
"Water and sanitation is key, treatment regimes, epidemiological surveillance, social communication. Those are the four pillars of a standard cholera response. These are the standard responses which work, they've been proven to work," stated Martin. "The sort of holistic approach to a cholera outbreak is to use those four pillars, but now we're saying there is another arrow in the quiver here - there's the possibility of using cholera vaccine as well."
The World Health Organization needs about $4 million to launch the cholera vaccine stockpile, which would initially contain 2 million doses, Martin says. Two doses of the oral cholera vaccine give 60 to 70 percent protection for two to three years.
Medical experts say proper sanitation and safe water are the answer to tackling cholera, but the reality is that global access to these essentials is a long way off.
WHO's Martin says cholera remains a silent catastrophe. "There are 7 billion people in the world, and 1.4 billion of them are at risk of cholera," he added. "This is a huge number. Where is their voice? Where are these people, demanding water and sanitation and vaccine?"
Cholera experts say given how difficult it is to predict the extent of an outbreak once cholera hits, having a stockpile in place will be just the beginning. Many complex decisions will lie ahead, on when and where to step in with the vaccine.

subset: commoncrawl


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A problem of drag function in Vivaldi 1.5.627.3 32-bit
kogangbe last edited by
Hello, I encounter a problem in Vivaldi 1.5.627.3 32-bit. When I drag a tab out of the current widow, the tab will be displayed in a new window. But when I drag the tab back to the original window, the tab disappeared. I am not sure whether it is a bug or something wrong with my configuration. Thanks for help.
It works fine as long at you drag it back to the active section of the tab bar. Drag it there, wait for a space to open between tabs or between the last tab and the "+" button, drop it into the space, and you are good.
kogangbe last edited by
I test it again.
If I drag the tab back to the last position of the original tab bar,it works. But if I drag the tab back between any two original tabs, it disappears.
Gwen-Dragon Moderator last edited by
That is a known bug.


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Plastic Industries Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We thrive in not only providing quality products and services but having employees who are proud to be a part of the Plastic Industries team. One of our core employment pillars is providing a work environment that allows our employees to flourish and grow. Our competitive benefits packages which include; vacation, holidays, medical, dental, vision, and 401k programs. We are looking for individuals who want careers and not just a job. Each of our 8 locations throughout the United States offer great career opportunities for you to flourish. Join our team!
Maintenance Manager – Reading PA
Full Time
We are seeking an experienced Maintenance Manager to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for all day-to-day equipment maintenance in support of the 24/7 blow mold manufacturing facility in Reading, PA.Learn More & Apply Now
Maintenance Manager | Poland, ME
Full Time
Maine Container is seeking an experienced Maintenance Manager to join the team at their Poland, Maine facility.Learn More & Apply Now


text: Claire Sherman is BNI's Global Operations Manager, working to support BNI Directors, Members and Global Support Team Members around the world. Claire works on special projects to enhance the member experience, supports BNI's member- and director-based global advisory groups, and streamlines internal operations to ensure efficiency and productivity. After earning her Bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Spanish from Dickinson College, she moved back to Charlotte and joined BNI in September of 2015. Before joining BNI, she worked as a copywriter at a sales and marketing firm. Claire enjoys being active and outdoors, is a big animal-lover and travels as much as she can. Although she is a Charlotte native, she's lived abroad in two other countries, Spain and Singapore, and loves the opportunity to meet new people, explore new places and try new things.


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Aspiring Actress Dead in SoCal Murder Mystery
Cops in California probe the killing of a 21-year-old found dead Sunday night.
March 18, 2008 -- Authorities in Southern California are investigating the murder of an aspiring actress whose body was found Sunday night in her Santa Monica apartment.
Juliana Redding, 21, was found dead "as the result of an assault" when authorities went to her home to check on her well-being, Lt. Alex Padilla of the Santa Monica Police Department told ABC News.
"Friends had been trying to contact her," Padilla said. "They called her mom, she called our department."
An autopsy at the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office that will determine the exact time and cause of Redding's death could be finished as soon as today, Padilla said. It was unclear how long the young woman, an Arizona native, had been dead before authorities found her body.
Padilla would not say whether a weapon was used to kill Redding, citing an ongoing investigation that could be jeopardized by releasing such details. But he did say that it's was clear the young woman had been assaulted before she died.
"There were obvious signs of trauma," Padilla said. "At that point, we started interviewing neighbors about who'd seen her last. Now we're trying to put the pieces together."
Padilla added that it is impossible to know whether police are searching for one or more suspects in the killing.
Santa Monica investigators collected blood samples from a sidewalk near Redding's apartment that may be tied to the homicide investigation.
Sury Nunez, one of Redding's neighbors, told ABC News' Los Angeles affiliate KABC that she had planned on going out to play pool with Redding over the weekend.
"That same night we were supposed to go out to play pool, but we thought she was already out since we saw the lights were off," Nunez said.
Redding attended Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, where she played on the golf team. She was taking college courses in California, according to Padilla.
Redding came to Southern California to pursue an acting career. In 2005, she earned a small role in the film "Kathy T Gives Good Hoover," according to the movie's official Web site.
While filming the movie in Atlanta, Redding met Greg Cipes, another actor in the film. The two began dating, Cipes' agent, Ben Bintonti, confirmed to ABC News, and Redding appeared in a music video for one of Cipes' songs.
Redding and Cipes, who has appeared in "Deadwood" and "Cold Case," and has had other television and film roles, remained friends until six months ago, when they stopped communicating, Bintonti said.
"There was always a close relationship between the two of them," he said. "There was a lot of love."


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How paywalls are evolving
Last week, I hypothesized that the publishing industry was going to informally settle on a single management-consultancy company to ask for paywall advice from. That consultancy, having seen everybody's internal figures, could then tell everybody else what "industry best practice" was. It's the time-honored management-consultancy m.o., reselling other clients' confidential information, suitably anonymized, of course, so that everybody learns from everybody else's successes and failures.
This is a winner-takes-all business: it works best if everybody hires the same consultancy. And now it's pretty clear which consultancy is going to win: Mather Economics. They say they've worked for pretty much everybody, at some point, and that they directly manage some $2 billion of subscription revenues for their clients.
And today, fresh off a $1.75 million funding round, the paywall provider MediaPass has announced that it's going to bake all that Mather knowledge into its own product. Given all the data being generated and analyzed by Mather and MediaPass, it looks like they have a pretty unassailable position in this particular niche.*
So, what do Mather and MediaPass see as the future of paywalls? What is best practice in the industry? Interestingly, as Anthony Ha reports, they're not particularly enamored with the meter system, despite its high-profile successes at the FT and the NYT.
Although MediaPass supports "metered" systems, [MediaPass president Matt] Mitchell says he sees more potential in creating a specific mix of free and paywalled content, although that mix will differ from site-to-site.
Publishers should think of their free readers as leads who might eventually become paying subscriptions, he says. For example, for a long time Mitchell read ESPN.com for free, but a year ago, he stumbled on a paywalled article that he really wanted to see, and since then he's been a subscriber.
"What a meter does is give you 10 views free, and on the eleventh you're asked to subscribe," Mitchell says. "That's rolling the dice and gambling that the article I see on the eleventh view is the one I'm willing to pay for."
It's worth noting, here, that even the FT and the NYT don't have "pure" metered systems, where every pageview counts towards the meter. In the early days of paywalls, some content was free, while other content you needed to pay for; the meter, in theory, replaced that system with one where the determination as to whether an article was free or not was a function of how many other articles the reader had read, rather than being a function of the content of the article itself.
There's always a trade-off, however, and there are certain areas of the FT and NYT websites which are always free and don't count towards the meter. Finance, interestingly, is one: you can read as much Dealbook and Alphaville as you like without a subscription. And Mather's Matt Lindsay said that the NYT quietly does the same thing for its entertainment section, during peak season in the fall: there's a huge amount of advertising demand, and it doesn't want to put any obstacles in the way of tourists looking to the NYT to work out what shows they want to see.
Talking to Mather and MediaPass, it's clear that their idea of "best practice" doesn't rely much on meters at all. They have the numbers, remember: they know what kind of walls are best at maximizing revenues, and what kind of walls just end up turning readers away. And crucially, one of the biggest lessons they've learned is that it's a mistake — at least from a purely financial perspective — to treat all readers equally. Some readers have a much greater propensity to pay than others; ideally, you want to extract a lot of money from those readers, while also allowing the vast majority of your visitors — the ones who will never pay you anything — to still consume your content and view the associated ads.
For instance, it's often easier to persuade people to subscribe to sports content than to entertainment content, even as it's easier to sell ads against entertainment content than it is against sports content. So it does make sense to keep entertainment free, and put some kind of paywall around sports.
And although readers hate the kind of extreme opacity practiced by the FT, where there's basically no rack rate and nobody knows what anybody else is paying, from a revenue prospective it makes a lot of sense. The FT knows quite a lot about its registered readers, so it can be quite effective at charging the highest prices to people with the greatest willingness to pay, while charging much lower rates to readers in, say, India.
That kind of thing can be dangerous, from a PR perspective. Amazon, for instance, got into trouble when it was caught selling the same products at different prices to different customers. But there are other ways of achieving much the same end: you can set a relatively high official price, for instance, and then start showing various special offers to people whom you think might be willing to subscribe if you offer them a discount. No one really minds that.
And certainly it seems to be a good idea to offer a range of subscription lengths, priced so that there's a strong incentive to go for the longer-dated annual subscription, even if again that means a substantially lower rate on a per-month basis.
I's not all that hard to tell who's likely to be willing to subscribe, and who isn't. Print subscribers, for instance, are much more likely to be willing to pay for a digital subscription than a reader who doesn't already pay for the print version. And people who visit frequently, and who read a lot of local news, or sports news, are also more likely to subscribe.
In general, the trick is to get as many subscribers as you can — because once a person subscribes, they generally turn out to be surprisingly loyal and price-inelastic. You can keep on charging their credit card, even at steadily-rising rates, and they're not going to unsubscribe. And then, for the 90% of readers who don't subscribe, it's a good idea to find content for them, too. The paywall shouldn't just be a "pay here or get nothing" option: the "no thanks" button should take you to valuable free content.
That's why, as NYT spokeswoman Eileen Murphy confirmed to me, the NYT is looking at rolling out a new digital subscription product, priced below the current cheapest option of $3.75 per week. Most NYT readers are understandably reluctant to spend $195 a year on access to a single site, so the NYT might well offer something cheaper, without the full unlimited range of content that subscribers get with the current digital package.
What's impossible to calculate, of course, is the long-term opportunity cost of driving away people who want to read your content but aren't willing to pay. MediaPass's Mitchell told me that in most cases, the act of putting up a paywall is the act of "essentially harvesting revenue from a loyal long-term audience" — people who have been reading the publication for years, and have turned it into a habit they don't want to give up. That's fine, as a short-term means of maximizing revenues. But it's dangerous in terms of getting new loyal readers. Which is one reason why online media startups almost never have paywalls: they want as many people as possible to discover them.
My expectation, then, is that newspaper paywalls will become both increasingly sophisticated and increasingly expensive over time — but that paywalls are not going to migrate very quickly out of the newspaper world and onto the rest of the internet. In a dying industry, the sensible thing to do is to maximize your revenues before you die. Paywalls might well make money for newspapers. But that doesn't mean that newspapers aren't dying. Quite the opposite.
*Update: So this is embarrassing. The public press release notwithstanding, it seems that Mather got cold feet about the deal with MediaPass, and is not going to go ahead with it after all. I think Mather still has its longstanding relationship with Press+, the newspaper paywall company, but I'll look into it and find out.
Update 2: This seems at heart to be a spat between Press+ and MediaPass, with Mather being enjoined from working with both.


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Beautiful Video Stories
To compliment my wedding photography I also offer stunning wedding films combining natural, reportage footage with contemporary elements such as video interviews of close friends and family and the option of shooting with super-8mm cine film, creatively capturing every moment and emotion and resulting in a stunning and timeless story of your day.
I have been creatively collaborating with Arnie my videographer for more than 5 years and we have shot many weddings together and his work compliments mine perfectly. We work seamlessly and have an amazing understanding which is key to capturing great footage.
He's been professionally shooting commercial video documentaries and adverts for over 10 years and has shot for many well known clients. He also shoots his own weddings and as a result of his ability to create beautiful and emotive narratives is always in high demand.
Our videos are beautifully shot in HD and expertly edited with your choice of music.
As well as a full length edit containing footage from the whole day and including your ceremony and speeches in full we also create a 10 minute 'highlights edit' set to your favourite song which is perfect for sharing on social media.


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Omar ibn al-Khattab Mosque, Dawmat al-Jandal, Saudi Arabia. Photographer: David W. Tschanz. 1998
ArchNet is pleased to announce the video recordings of the Yale School of Architecture symposium "Middle Ground / Middle East: Religious Sites in Urban Contexts" in the Digital Library. Focused on the role of religious sites representing the three Abrahamic traditions in shaping contemporary urban environments in the Middle East, the symposium addressed questions such as:
how has the persistence of religious conviction forced us to broaden our understanding of urban space in relation to social identity? how do religious sites today engage contemporary concerns regarding urban regeneration, economic growth, and cultural heritage within the region?
Recognizing that sacred buildings and sites are often representative of division, the symposium instead emphasized the importance of religious sites as an expression of a layering of religious traditions, inter-faith relationships, and long practices of learning and tolerance.
Each of the five symposium sessions is available in high and low resolution and features talks by architects active in the design of sacred sites with responses by scholars. Follow the link:


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"Barbell For Boobs" Event 10-30
Amazing "Grace"
30 Clean & Jerks for time (135/95)
How our evening event will work.
Doors will open at 5:30pm and we will start the first round at 6pm, we will go in rounds of 5 people at a time until everyone is complete. NO 6:30pm class.
Please dress in Pink, we will have a prize for the most decorated participant!
Invite friends and family to come out and cheer you on! This will be a high energy fun event!
Morning class time will remain the same times for those who can't make it to the evening.


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Someone once said: "imitation is the best form of flattery" (I don't remember who).
I don't know if that's why I decided to make a bookmark out of my cover of Revolution by Jennifer Donnely, but I did and I have to say, I am rather proud of the outcome....
You are free to print this out or otherwise use it, but a comment would be nice.
Have a blessed day.


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How to Start a Conversation with a Problem Gambler:
Talking with someone you know about a potential gambling problem can be difficult. Remember, you can't stop the person from playing; only he or she can make the decision to stop. Choose the right moment, speak in a caring and understanding tone and hear what he or she is saying. To start the conversation:
- Tell the person you care about him and you're concerned about how he is acting.
- Tell the person exactly what she has done that concerns you.
- Tell the person how his behavior is affecting other people. Be specific.
- Be clear about what you expect from her ("I want you to talk to someone about your gambling.") and what she can expect from you ("I won't cover for you any more.").
- After you've told the person what you've seen and how you feel, allow him to respond. Listen with a non-judgmental attitude.
- Let the person know you are willing to help, but don't try to counsel her yourself.
- Give the person information, not advice.
- Encourage him to call the toll-free helpline.
For specific advice on how to approach a problem gambler, call the S.C. Gambling Helpline toll-free 1-877-452-5155 to talk with a certified counselor. The Helpline operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are toll-free and confidential.


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Moody's, S&P and the Great Credit Rating "Wimp Out"
Maybe the consequences were intended. But we doubt it.
Just look at the stunning story in the WSJ by Anusha Shrivastava. She reports that the three biggest credit raters, Standard & Poor's, Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings are refusing to allow their ratings to be used on new bond deals for fear of being exposed to legal liability via from the just enacted financial-overhaul bill.
The raters still will offer to rate bonds, but won't allow those ratings to be included in the public disclosure documents that typically accompany bond sales.
The articles notes one solution under discussion: That the raters would be willing to rate bond deals in private transactions, — meaning that the bonds are not registered with the SEC or sold to the general public.
What this means?:
The new law — or at least the ratings agencies' reaction to it — has done the exact opposite of the bill's intended efforts at creating more transparency and openness. It is forcing more deals underground, where there will be less access to capital and less opportunity for public scrutiny.
[Click below to keep reading]


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Ireland is not just about meat and potatoes anymore. In recent years, a uniquely Irish artisan culture has emerged, and Dublin is a city that blends a modern entrepreneurial spirit with its historic and societal riches. If that doesn't convince you to visit, consider this: The Guinness just tastes better there.
It Takes a Village
Part of the Doyle Collection, the Westbury Dublin is a five-star hotel steps away from the city center. The Westbury recently underwent a complete renovation, and has since begun introducing both locals and visitors to the best that Ireland has to offer. Fine-dining restaurant Wilde celebrates Irish produce, meats and fish; and 1930s style cocktail bar the Sidecar features local spirits—in addition to a personal martini concierge! While I was there, afternoon tea—an Irish tradition—was themed to artistic achievements in Irish millinery.
Scholarly Pursuits
A trip to Dublin wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Trinity College Library to see the Book of Kells. Dating back to the 9th century, the illuminated manuscript is considered Ireland's greatest national treasure. The self-guided tour introduces visitors to the text, and ends with a walk through the Long Room, which houses 200,000 of the library's oldest books.
Iris(h) Apfel?
The iconic New Yorker's image hangs inside jewelry shop MoMuse at the Powerscourt Centre, a Georgian home and former private residence that has been converted into an eclectic mix of shops and cafes. MoMuse is one of many stops on the Food and Fashion tour hosted by Fab Food Trails, giving an insider look into independently owned Irish purveyors.
Stable Growth
Ireland's textile heritage goes beyond the classic thick wool sweaters, and the ladies of STABLE of Ireland are reintroducing old-world artistry to a new crop of fashion-forward consumers. Owners Francie Duff and Sonia Reynolds work closely with Irish makers to celebrate local craftsmanship and design, offering an array of scarves, blankets, table linens, robes and towels.
Green with Envy
Make your New York friends jealous with a quick international jaunt. Dublin is only a 6.5-hour flight away from the city, but with its low-rise buildings, pedestrian-friendly cobblestone streets and historic St. Stephen's Green, it feels like a world away.


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When you consider the impressive hardware in the Nexus 4, it's hard not to ask what was given up in order to reach that $300 off contract price point. Several users are now reporting that the Nexus 4 routinely exceeds 120 degrees after intense use, with at least one person able to demonstrate that the phone exceeds 130 degrees.
It's not a new phenomenon for computers to heat up when playing graphically intense games. Smartphones have evolved to a point where we are now able to play intense 3D games that really tax the hardware. When the iPad 3 was released, there were concerns over the tablet being warmer than 100 degrees when playing demanding 3D games. Just as lap burn used to be a problem with laptops, it is possible that smartphones could get hot enough to burn you if you play long enough (or at least make your palm rather uncomfortable). With the quad-core processor in the Nexus 4 coupled with a glass front and back, it could be rather easy to push your smartphone beyond safe temperatures.
The video above is a screencast of a rooted Nexus 4 submitted to a stress test while on a Qi wireless charger in order to demonstrate the temperature climb. In the video you can see the phone climb from 107 degrees to 130 degrees in a matter of minutes. This is possible on a non-rooted phone through intensive gaming, but only after an extended session.
After hearing that the Nexus 4 was regularly exceeding 100 degrees, I put out the call asking for Nexus 4 users to help me by reporting their own temperature information based on a variety of situations. I wanted to know how the phone behaved on and off the charger, when completing basic tasks as well as streaming movies and playing games. What I found is that, for the most part, the Nexus 4 hovers right around 90 degrees when off the charger for basic tasks like browsing and social networking. If you are performing these same tasks on the LG-provided wall charger, the phone will climb to around 100 degrees for the same tasks.
When you take the phone to tasks that are more processor intensive, several users reported a temperature spike both on and off the charger. The games tested include Ski Safari, Ingress, and Sonic the Hedgehog. When plugged in, the phone climbed to 110 after 15 minutes. Other users reported spikes as high as 120 degrees when playing Grand Theft Auto when plugged in for extended periods. Once the phone exceeded 110 degrees F, users reported the phone being uncomfortably warm on the back on the phone near the top of the casing, which is where most users would hold the phone when playing a game in landscape.
One of the features announced with the Nexus 4 was inductive charging, though there has yet to be any official release of such a charger for the phone. Since the phone is Qi compliant, any Qi charger should get the job done. A well known and well documented issue with Qi chargers is the affect on a charging smartphone — if you happen to use a Qi charger on the Nexus 4, you'll see the same results.
We found that the Nexus 4 on a Qi charger can reach as high as 110 degrees while the handset is doing nothing but charging. If you take the phone off the charger at that point and begin to play a game, you can see the phone reach as high as 130 degrees. When the Nexus 4 reaches 130 degrees, it no longer accepts power from microUSB or Qi charging units.
Even if the heat wasn't reaching the surface of the phone and causing a burn risk for users, most chemical batteries experience life expectancy deterioration at 120 degrees. Since the Nexus 4 is a sealed device, and replacing the battery is not something most people will be able to do on their own, it's clearly a problem as the phone's Snapdragon S4 Pro can hit 120 degrees or higher. This could lead to an issue in the future where the battery in a Nexus 4 won't last as long as those in competing, though cooler running, smartphones. All this may serve to explain why Google and LG have yet to release the Qi-based orb charger for the Nexus 4.
Let's keep in mind that, under normal use, the Nexus 4 isn't a danger to itself or to users. Under the right circumstances though — with the Qi charger and a some of the more graphically intense video games out there — the Nexus 4 has the potential to be a real problem.


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If the time for your end of tenancy cleaning has come, you need to think carefully for your choice of cleaning company. The option to try to perform the cleaning procedures on your own also exists, however it would be more than time consuming activity that would require a lot of efforts. For that reason, we are kindly inviting you to take advantage of the services of Cleaner Kilburn. We have a lot of experience when it comes to end of tenancy cleaning in Kilburn and we are determined to prove to you that we apply each of the cleaning procedures in a careful manner. We fully understand the importance of this procedure and we promise that after finishing with it, you won't experience any further problems with the landlord or estate agencies.
We encourage you to choose us and to take up with all the other tasks that you certainly have during the process of moving out. We want to help you in this stressful situation and to facilitate your life.
Tenancy Cleaners Kilburn
What we include in our end of tenancy cleaning is the following:
- effective sanitizing of the premises
- professional treatment of every detail
- cleaning products that are biodegradable
- innovative cleaning approaches
- affordable prices for the customers
We are welcoming you in the most outstanding company at the territory of Kilburn, London. Order the end of tenancy cleaning and you will be amazed by the exclusive offers that we have prepared for you. Our primary aim is to meet the expectations of the customers and to be really helpful with performing of this complicated procedure. In our end of tenancy cleaning we include sanitizing of all the premises and maintaining of a high level of hygiene. Our team of responsible cleaners relies only on cleaning products that are biodegradable and that have proven their efficiency through the years. The innovative cleaning approaches are another benefit for the revered customers. These methods are applied for dealing with more severe stains and dirt. You can learn more about the affordable prices of the company thanks to the customer support centres that work both during the week and at the weekends. Get in touch with us.


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In a world where resources are limited and where competitive landscape and clients are pushing us to always improve, operational excellency is a "Must" [...].
Integra-co consulting and implementation services covers the folowing :
- Continuous improvement and Process management & modeling;
- Workflow Automation
- Personalized Dashboards
- Single Repository and Master Data Management (MDM)
- ESB - Enterprise service bus
- Project Governance
- Project Portfolio Implementation (PPM) Implementation
- Project Office
- Risks Management
You have a project or an idea ? contact-us


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Acupuncture is an age old practice of healing people through energy which is arguably the template for all human physical (and mental) well-being. Our bodies are filled with tangible organs, blood and the minute vessels that keep us up and running daily; but unseen is the incredible energy or "chi" that we emanate and use to keep our bodies balanced and healthy. It's this very energy that the practice of acupuncture strives to align and reconcile through points on the body that contain this lifeblood. Acupuncture can be a tool used by professionals to diagnose and furthermore treat debilitating diseases. Check out this course all about the process of acupuncture in the treatment of Bells Palsy. The acupuncture chart is a visual of the human body and where all of our energy pathways are. Let's dissect it.
12 Primary Meridians
Each meridian has a designated body part of organ associated with it that direct energy throughout the body. These are the major avenues of energy travel.
2 Major Extraordinary Vessels
The two extraordinary vessels that have their own acupuncture points are the Conception and the Governor. These two points act as a balancing agent for all of the energy that flows from the 12 primary meridians.
6 Other Extraordinary Vessels
While these smaller extraordinary vessels do not have their own acupuncture point, they are associated with the Conception and the Governor points. They are the Penetrating Vessel, Girdling Vessel, Yin Linking Vessel, Yang Linking Vessel, Yin Motility Vessel and the Yang Motility Vessel.
15 Major Connecting Vessels
Consider these the road you take to get from one major highway to another running parallel to it. These vessels are acupuncture points that connect to the Yin/Yang opposite main channel. Twelve of these are associate with the 12 primary meridians, two are associated with the major extraordinary meridians and one is considered the great connecting vessel of the spleen.
Other Lesser Connecting Vessels
These guys are still important, but they don't have their own acupuncture points. They connect vessels to help distribute energy from the above pathways to the body tissue. These are broke down into three categories: blood connecting vessels, superficial connecting vessels and minute connecting vessels.
Channel Divergences
Just like the name entails, these pathways are actually divergences off of the main pathways we've talked about so far. They create a spider web network of channels to reach deeper into the body than the lesser connecting vessels that are closer to the skin.
Yin and Yang
Briefly, yin and yang were mentioned above in the smaller extraordinary vessels description. It's important to take a second and understand the significance of yin/yang and acupuncture. Yin and yang are both types of energy, but Yin shows more subtle traits, "chi", and yang shows more overt trains, "Qi". The balance between these two opposing energies is what keeps are body and mind aligned. If you are someone who prefers rest over stimulation, perhaps you need to wake-up your Chi, or Ying association, to aid in generating energy. Likewise, the opposite is true. The meridians are divided up evenly amongst Yin and Yang. The Yin meridians are: heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and pericardium. The yang meridians are: large intestine, small intestine, stomach, triple energizer, urinary bladder and gallbladder. Ying and yang are intertwined in the same way that all of our organs are throughout the body.
Meridian Acupuncture Points
The meridians are broken down above into the yin and yang categories. They are, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, pericardium, large intestine, small intestine, stomach, triple energizer, urinary bladder and gallbladder. They each correspond to a set of acupuncture points, and each acupuncture point can help remedy a certain ailment. Learn more about Eastern Medicine in this online course. It will help you understand more about the body's intrinsic energy by way of meridians and chakras.
The heart meridian will help relieve pain associated with the heart, upper arms, shoulders in addition to nixing palpitations, racing hearts and aching. It can also improve memory, help with insomnia, mania and epilepsy.
The lung meridian will alleviate symptoms of respiratory distress. It can get rid of nosebleeds, incessant coughing, and swelling or pain of the throat.
The liver is a huge meridian, it covers a large portion of the body, bigger than you would assume. It can help remedy abdominal pain, hernias, diarrhea and even chest pain and vomiting. It's also known to be associated with seminal emission, urinary problems, menstrual disorders and seminal emission.
The kidney, like the liver meridian, covers a large portion of the body – on the opposite side. Accessing the kidney meridian points can help alleviate everything from menstrual disorders impotence including: vomiting, pain of the throat, constipation, coughing up blood, inhibited urination and pain in the lower leg and foot.
The spleen is responsible for a lot and has a variety of different uses. It's responsible for alleviating abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, constipation, pain of the chest, coughing, paralysis of the lower limbs and other stomach pains.
The pericardium is a part of your heart, and it's in charge of relieving cardiac pain and associated chest tightness or fullness, palpitations, stomach pains, epilepsy and even comas.
Large Intestine
Despite the large intestine being in our abdomen, the large intestine meridian controls the left side of our upper body. Accessing the LI (large intestine) points will help with upper arm pain, paralysis of the upper limbs, throat pain, shoulder pain, nose-bleeding, headaches and swelling of the gums, toothaches and voice loss.
Small Intestine
Like the large intestine, the small intestine runs a part of the body contrary to its actual location. These points can help with dim vision, stiff neck, arm and elbow pain, dizziness, tinnitus, deafness and finger stiffness or pain. It's also good for headaches, visual difficulties, and pain or swelling of the throat. It actually can help with annoying eyelid spasms, too!
The second biggest of all 12 primary meridian vessels, the stomach contributes to a lot of our everyday ailments. Having an acupuncturist work on any of these 45 points can help get rid of a lot of pesky or even debilitating ailments. The stomach primary meridian covers almost everything we've covered in the other meridians thus far. From swollen eyes to paralysis of the lower limbs, the stomach points earn respect for how far reaching they are.
Triple Energizer
The triple energizer isn't an organ in our body, but it is one of the 12 primary meridians that is responsible for aiding with deafness, hemilateral headaches, toothaches, hypertonicity, paralysis of the shoulder and upper arms, tinnitus, scrofula, stiff neck and wry mouth or eyes.
Urinary Bladder
As you can imagine, this primary meridian has a lot to do with the bladder and the urinary tract. However, it's also the largest of the meridian pathways in the body. It covers literally everything that we have covered thus far in addition to back pain, blood ejection, fever and heel pain. This is a good go-to if you aren't sure which energy pathway could be blocked or not working properly. If you're experiencing a lot of lumbar spine discomfort or pain, you may want to check out this online course that can help teach you how to use acupressure (and other alternative treatments) to get rid of the pain.
The third largest meridian pathway in the body, the gallbladder path is everything that we have discussed thus far. It primarily deals with headaches, paralysis, back pain, abdominal pain and eye disease.
These are just breakdowns of the 12 primary meridians, for specific access points, names and functions for every acupuncture point on the human body you can visit All About Acupuncture. Acupuncture is one of many alternative medicines that are popping up on the Western radar. These kind of traditional healing practices hail from Eastern medicine and Asian alternative therapies. Usui Reiki therapy is another ancient remedy that is practiced worldwide and may be useful information for those looking for non-traditional healing. Read more about Usui Reiki in this crash course on Reiki medicine.


text: (2001) Directed by Michael Mann. A biography of boxing great Muhammad Ali (Wil Smith), which focuses on the ten-year period of 1964-1974. In that time, the brash, motor-mouthed athlete quickly dominates his sport, meets and marries his first wife (Jada Pinkett-Smith), converts to Islam (changing his name from Cassius Clay), and defies the United States government by refusing to submit to military conscription for duty in Vietnam. His world heavyweight champion title thus stripped from him entirely for political reasons, the champ sets about to win back his crown, culminating in a legendary unification bout against George Foreman (Charles Shufford) in Zaire, dubbed the "Rumble in the Jungle." In his travels, Ali becomes a symbol of power to disenfranchised African-Americans everywhere and meets such luminaries as Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles), Martin Luther King Jr. (LeVar Burton) and Maya Angelou (Martha Edgerton). [Drama / Biography / Sports]


text:
Visceral Foodscapes: Towards an Affective Food Justice
Professor Michael Goodman (University of Reading)
University of Tasmania, Wednesday 29 June 2016, 9am-12noon
This masterclass is aimed at participants of all disciplines and career stages interested in alternative food systems, food justice and food politics. It will explore the theoretical questions that emerge from interdisciplinary engagements with the concept of "visceral foodscapes". Through an active dialogue of short provocative presentations, discussion and feeding back as individuals and in small groups, we will seek to make empirical, methodological and conceptual linkages between food's embodied, visceral and affective dimensions and its networks, political economies and cultures. We will consider how the concept of "visceral foodscapes" helps us to link the affects, tastes, knowledges and popular practices associated with food to the political and economic structures of our food industries in ways that enable us to create more healthy, inclusive, sustainable and just food systems.
Key questions to be engaged and discussed include:
- What might an "affective food justice" look like methodologically, epistemologically or theoretically?
- How can a foodscapes perspective engage and/or facilitate our research on food and food justice?
- How might we go about doing visceral food justice research? Working on the basis of knowledge sharing and knowledge creation, this seminar will seek to co- construct how we might "do work" on visceral foodscapes in order to pursue, inspire and understand food justice. Potential outputs include possible joint publications, research projects and/or special issue or edited volume proposals. We will also think about practical interventions we can make in our own foodscapes and those around us to further the cause of food justice.
More information and details about how to apply can be found here:


text:
The Three Therapies of Life by Charlie "Tremendous" Jones, Life-Changing Classic, Volume XXX
The Three Therapies of Life by Charlie "Tremendous" Jones, Life-Changi
$2.00 $5.00
Our 30th Life-Changing Classic is a salute to our founder!!
In The Three Therapies of Life, renowned speaker and bestselling author Charlie "Tremendous" Jones shares a wealth of knowledge from his decades of experience in business and life.
Whether you are a professional speaker desiring to improve your craft or simply someone seeking to enhance your chances for success in life, this book contains a treasure-trove of life lessons that will help you to communicate more effectively, laugh better, work better, and turn failures into stepping stones for success.
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From the forward by Tracey C. Jones,
"This Life-Changing classic is pure "Tremendous;" real, down-to-earth, humorous, and spoken from the heart. In a world where it so often appears that everyone is having the best day of their life and has it all figured out, my father lets us know it's okay if you're not.
He is a practitioner of the highest order. He has changed so many lives because he has lived so many lives. His compassion for sharing others' heartaches while exhorting and giving them the means to overcome them are the ties that bind all of us together. His signature "tell it like it is" style, coupled with some timeless truths, make this little gem one that you'll turn to for years to come.
Let these three therapies minister to your life. They're free, they're universal, and they're guaranteed. These therapies will speak to you in your walk and help you process your own unique situation."
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text:
- 1 Key messages and recommendations
- 2 Background
- 3 Marketing and promotion of alcohol
- 3.1 Regulation of alcohol advertising in Australia
- 3.2 Traditional alcohol advertising: television, print, radio and outdoor
- 3.3 Alcohol promotion: sponsorship and point-of-sale promotion
- 3.4 Online, viral, experiential and surrogate marketing, and emerging media
- 4 Cancer Council Australia's position
- 5 Definition of alcohol marketing and promotion
- 6 Position statement details
- 7 References
Key messages and recommendations
Cancer Council Australia supports measures that effectively regulate alcohol advertising and promotion. Improved regulation of alcohol advertising is an important component of an overall and comprehensive strategy aimed at dealing with and minimising alcohol-related harm in Australia, particularly relating to young people.
1) Alcohol advertising legislation:
Cancer Council Australia recommends a comprehensive legislative framework for regulating alcohol advertising in Australia that:
2) Restrict alcohol advertising and promotion:
Cancer Council Australia recommends introducing legislation to prohibit alcohol advertising that:
Legislation should provide for the phased introduction of restrictions upon alcohol advertising that either appeals, or is connected with content that appeals, to people under 25 in all media. 'All media' includes but is not limited to broadcast and print media, billboards, public transport advertising, cinema and internet.
As a first step, Cancer Council Australia recommends removing the exception in the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice that permits broadcasting alcohol advertisements during daytime live sporting broadcasts on weekends and public holidays.
3) Restricting sponsorship by alcohol companies:
Cancer Council Australia recommends introducing legislation to restrict the sponsorship of sporting and cultural events, organisations or participants (such as sports teams or athletes), by alcohol companies, where:
Legislation that restricts sponsorship of events, organisations or participants by alcohol companies should take an incremental approach, permitting existing sponsorship agreements to run their course and allowing sufficient time for event organisers and sporting teams to seek alternative sources of sponsorship.
4) Research:
Cancer Council Australia recommends ongoing research on the impact and effect of alcohol marketing on young people in Australia, particularly alcohol sponsorship of music and cultural events, point of sale marketing and emerging online and social networking trends in alcohol advertising. Cancer Council Australia also recommends that changes to alcohol advertising regulation are accompanied by research into the effects of regulatory changes and restrictions.
In 2000 alcohol use was responsible for 4.0% of global disease burden, slightly less than the damage caused to society by tobacco use (4.1%) and high blood pressure (4.4%)[2]. Alcohol is a risk factor for cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, bowel and breast[3][4]. The burden of illness associated with drinking alcohol and convincing association with cancer risk underpin Cancer Council Australia's concerns about the marketing and promotion of alcoholic beverages.
The marketing and promotion of alcoholic beverages is a global industry dominated by large, trans-national companies with immense resources and budgets. Marketing is crucial for alcohol beverage producers to achieve their key objectives – to gain the greatest possible market share and maximise alcohol consumption[5].
Traditionally, alcohol beverages have been marketed and promoted through a mix of television, radio and print advertisements and point-of-sale marketing. However, in recent years, marketing strategies have become increasingly complex and innovative, involving campaigns that combine multiple technologies and channels. For example, using personalised emails or texts that promote alcohol-related incentives, and viral marketing campaigns associated with social networking sites in which young people share marketing material[6][7]. The dynamic nature of the internet makes it a particularly powerful promotional medium and many alcohol marketers have created engaging online environments with content and promotions especially designed to appeal to young people[8].
Much of the current research around the effects of alcohol marketing illustrates the impact on children and young people. This is because in general, marketing is particularly important for recruiting new consumers, and, alcohol-related harm is more acute in young people than in older people.
There are conflicting claims on the link between advertising and harmful alcohol consumption patterns. The alcohol industry takes the position that advertising leaves total alcohol consumption unchanged, affecting only the market shares of various brands[9]. Their contention may be supported by some econometric studies, which analyse the relationship between overall levels of alcohol consumption from sales data and overall levels of advertising from advertising expenditure. These studies often demonstrate little or no effect of advertising on aggregate alcohol consumption[10], though some studies find an effect[11].
However, econometric studies examine total alcohol sales, which are primarily to adults. They cannot measure the effects of alcohol advertising on young people, who are unable to purchase alcohol directly. By contrast, studies that examine how drinking behaviour, attitudes and knowledge vary with exposure to alcohol advertising, consistently show a strong association between exposure to alcohol advertising in magazines, television, in-store displays and sports venues, and young people's early initiation to alcohol use and/or increased alcohol consumption[12][13][14][15].
Although the alcohol industry argues that it does not deliberately set out to target the youth market, the youth market is highly susceptible to advertising messages, which are frequently effective[16]. Exposure to alcohol advertising shapes young people's beliefs, attitudes and drinking behaviours, indeed, several studies show that youth, even 10–12 year olds, interpret the messages, images and targeting of alcohol advertisements in the same way as adults[16][17].
Of concern, there can be significant negative consequences that may flow from early initiation to alcohol consumption. Studies of the long-term impacts of adolescent alcohol use consistently show that early and frequent use of alcohol approximately doubles the risk of alcohol related problems later in life[18]. Research into lifelong alcohol consumption demonstrates that early initiation of alcohol drinking and heavy drinking in adolescence and young adulthood can have long-term adverse health impacts, including increased risks for a range of diseases[19].
Marketing and promotion of alcohol
Regulation of alcohol advertising in Australia
Currently, regulation of the content and placement of alcohol advertising is limited. Alcohol advertising is largely self-regulated, predominantly through voluntary industry codes of practice. There are few legislative restrictions upon the content or placement of alcohol advertising and promotion in commercial or subscription media.
The Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) is an alcohol-specific advertising code of practice and complaints mechanism. In addition to the ABAC, which covers the content of alcohol advertising in most media, there are a number of media industry codes with alcohol advertising provisions, including:
- (i) television broadcast codes of practice such as the Commercial Television Industry (CTI) Code of Practice and the Subscription Broadcast Code of Practice;
- (ii) the Outdoor Media Association Code of Ethics;
- (iii) the Publishers' Advertising Advisory Bureau's Guiding Principle for Alcohol Beverage Advertising; and
- (iv) the Commercial Radio Code of Practice.
The Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code
The ABAC is a voluntary code. All members of Brewers Association of Australia and New Zealand, the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia and the Winemakers' Federation of Australia are signatories to the scheme[20]. Accordingly, the vast majority of Australia's alcohol advertisers are committed to abide by the ABAC rules, including any decision by the independent Adjudication Panel. The ABAC scheme applies to print media, billboard, internet, cinema, television and radio advertising. It covers the content of alcohol advertising in these media and not its placement.
The ABAC requires advertisements to present "a mature, balanced and responsible approach to drinking"[21]. Specifically, alcohol advertisements are not to have strong or evident appeal to children or adolescents, depict the consumption or presence of alcohol as contributing to personal, business, social, sporting, sexual or other success, or suggest alcohol contributed to a change in mood or environment[21].
The ABAC is limited in scope, and fails to cover many kinds of marketing techniques such as point-of-sale and in-store promotions, viral and emerging media. It relies on complaints to identify and address breaches of rules and has no facilities for pro-active investigation of potential breaches.
A review commissioned by the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy in 2003 concluded that the ABAC system was dysfunctional[22]. It found that advertisements routinely violated the ABAC; that many complaints were not investigated; and when they were investigated the process was excessively lengthy and decisions were not reported accurately[22]. Changes were implemented in 2004, including adding a public health expert to the ABAC complaints panel and extending ABAC to include internet advertising and the sponsorship of events.
Despite these changes, the ABAC remains an ineffective regulatory tool. It is a voluntary code, it cannot be enforced, and there are no penalties for breaches.
Traditional alcohol advertising: television, print, radio and outdoor
In 2008, Australian alcohol advertisers spent over $109 million[23]. The top ten alcohol advertisers accounted for 70% of that figure, spread across television, press, radio, cinema and outdoor advertisements[23].
Television advertising
Commercial Television
The CTI Code of Practice regulates the placement of alcohol advertising on commercial television. The Australian Communications and Media Authority deal with breaches of the CTI Code of Practice through a complaints system.
The CTI Code of Practice provides that televised advertisements to children must not be for, or relate in any way to, alcoholic drinks or draw any association with companies that supply alcoholic drinks[24]. Additionally, the Code states that:
Alcohol advertising is only permitted during periods of M (mature classification), MA (mature audience classification) or AV (adult violence classification) programs[24].
However, the Code also permits alcohol advertising during the day as an accompaniment to the live broadcast of a sporting event on weekends and public holidays or if the sporting event is broadcast simultaneously across a number of licence areas or time zones[24].
Although alcohol advertisements are permitted on television after 8:30pm, the effect of this prohibition precludes only the youngest of children from exposure. A recent survey indicated that 71% of Australians supported limiting television advertising of alcohol until after 9.30pm, indicating strong public support for reforming the CTI Code of Practice and imposing stronger restrictions on placement of televised alcohol advertisements[25].
Moreover, the effect of limiting the placement of alcohol advertisements until after 8:30pm is undone by the live sport exception. The popularity of sport in Australia and the amount of sport broadcast on weekends and across time zones means that large numbers of children and young people are exposed to alcohol advertising during sport broadcasts. Research demonstrates the popularity of major sporting events among children[26] and indicates that alcohol advertisements are just as likely to be seen by children as adults[27].
Subscription television
Advertising on subscription television and radio is governed by the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA) Code of Practice. This instrument requires all advertisements on subscription television and radio to comply with relevant AANA codes; and in relation to alcohol advertisements, these must comply with the ABAC.
However in relation to placement of advertising on subscription television and radio, the ASTRA Code of Practice acknowledges the ability for subscribers to entirely block out a channel or in some instance to block certain levels of classified material (through disabling devices such as parental lock-out)[28]. Therefore, there are no time restrictions on the placement of alcohol advertising; licensees are simply required to 'take into account the intellectual and emotional maturity of its intended audience when scheduling [alcohol] advertisements'[28].
Outdoor advertising
Outdoor alcohol advertising is regulated in the Outdoor Media Association's Code of Ethics. The Outdoor Media Association Code incorporates the ABAC[29].
In 2009, the Outdoor Media Association introduced an additional policy requiring all members to limit the advertising of alcohol products on fixed signs that are located within a 150-metre sight line of a primary or secondary school[29]. However, the policy does not apply where the school is in the vicinity of a club, pub or bottle shop or any other venue that sells alcohol products. The policy also does not apply to transit advertising on buses and taxis[29].
As yet, there is limited evidence about the effect of outdoor alcohol advertising on consumption levels. However, a US study found that exposure to outdoor alcohol advertising around schools is associated with subsequent youth intentions to use alcohol[30].
Print advertising
The Publishers' Advertising Advisory Bureau's "Guiding Principle for Alcohol Beverages" is a self-regulatory instrument that covers the placement and some content of alcohol advertising[31]. This principle states that, in part:
- advertisements should only be placed where at least 70% of the audience is reasonably to be expected to be above the legal purchase age (determined by using reliable, up-to-date audience or readership data);
- advertisements should not contain the name of, or depict Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, or any other culturally significant figure or character likely to appeal to a person below the legal purchase age;
- the use of the word "schoolies" is banned in print advertisements;
- alcohol products should not be advertised or marketed on the comic or youth pages of newspapers, magazines; and
- all paid advertisements should contain a responsibility message in a manner and location that a reasonable person would be aware of its presence.
Print advertisements are also obliged to comply with the ABAC in relation to advertisement content.
Radio advertising
Radio advertisements are governed by the Commercial Radio Code of Practice, which requires simply that:
Advertisements broadcast by a licensee must:
(a) not be presented as news programs or other programs;
(b) comply with all other Codes of Practice so far as they are applicable.
Comments on traditional advertising
Television, radio, print and outdoor advertising represent a considerable segment of alcohol advertising in Australia. Much of this advertising is self-regulated or subject to voluntary codes. Evidence clearly shows that exposure to alcohol advertising significantly influences young people's decisions about drinking and their expectations related to alcohol use[12]. In effect, the more aware, familiar and appreciative young people are of alcohol, the more likely they are to drink both now and in the future. More research is needed about the exposure of children and young people to alcohol advertising in print and outdoor media, and on radio.
Alcohol promotion: sponsorship and point-of-sale promotion
In addition to the traditional, measured, "above-the-line" marketing in television, radio, print and the outdoors, alcohol companies employ a broad mix of unmeasured, or "below-the-line" marketing techniques, particularly in association with sporting and cultural events, teams and players[32]. Below-the-line marketing represents a considerable segment of the market; above-the-line media is now understood to be an underestimation of the alcohol marketing effort 'by a factor of two to four'[7].
Events and team sponsorship
Sponsorship of sporting and cultural events, organisations and participants is commonplace in Australia. Event and team sponsorship offers alcohol marketers a receptive audience motivated to have a good time[12], commercial opportunities such as exclusive stocking agreements, and the chance to embed their brands in the everyday activities of current and potential consumers[33].
In 2008, the US Federal Trade Commission reported that alcohol manufacturers spent 44% of their marketing dollars on television, radio, print and outdoor marketing; the remainder was spent on point-of-sale advertising and promotions and sponsorship of sporting events, sports teams or individuals[33]. The variance between money spent on above- and below-the-line marketing can be telling: for example Diageo's 2005 annual report noted US$1,760 million for marketing, significantly more than the reported US$409 million spent on advertising[33].
It has been estimated that in Australia each year, $50 million of sponsorship for major sporting events comes from alcohol companies, with 80% invested by three companies—Fosters, Lion Nathan and Diageo[34].
Like regulation of above-the-line advertising, regulation of alcohol sponsorship is limited in scope. The ABAC contains standards for the promotion of alcohol at events, which acknowledges that alcohol beverage companies have "the right to promote their products at events together with the right to promote their association with events and event participation"[21]. According to the ABAC this right must be balanced with certain responsibilities, for example not promoting alcohol products at events that are designed to clearly target people under the legal drinking age[21].
Attitudes towards alcohol consumption are strongly influenced by social and cultural norms and by the specific social situation in which alcohol consumption occurs. In Australia, sport and alcohol have a particularly close association[35]. Indeed, it is difficult to have any involvement in sport in Australia, as either a participant or fan, without being exposed to a strong message that alcohol and sport are inextricably connected[36]. Excessive drinking is normalised by some elite athletes, who are role models to young people. Research indicates that alcohol industry sponsorship of sportspeople and, in particular, the provision of free or discounted alcoholic drinks in association with sporting events is associated with hazardous levels of drinking[37].
Alcohol companies also sponsor music events, festivals and other cultural events. As yet, the evidence is limited as to the effects of alcohol sponsorship of cultural events upon young people.
Point-of-sale marketing
Point-of-sale marketing includes promotions and advertising in on- and off-licenced premises. The Publishers' Advertising Advisory Bureau's Guiding Principle for Alcohol Beverage Advertising covers point-of-sale marketing. In relation to licensed premises, the Principle states that alcohol advertisements should not[31]:
- provide incentives that could lead to rapid or excessive consumption of liquor;
- encourage the stockpiling of drinks by the consumer;
- involve the availability of non-standard sized drinks or the availability of liquor in receptacles that encourage rapid drinking;
- condone or encourage rapid or excessive drinking, drunkenness or anti-social behaviour;
- suggest any association with risk taking, or with violent, aggressive, dangerous or antisocial behaviour;
- have any association with, acceptance of, or allusion to, illicit drugs;
- encourage breaking the law; or
- encourage under-age drinking.
And that alcohol advertisements should[31]:
- have reasonable limits and controls to minimise the risk of rapid, excessive or irresponsible consumption of liquor when advertising or promoting 'happy hours', free drinks or discounted drinks;
- not place free liquor as the primary focus where limited free liquor is advertised as ancillary to a product or service;
- be consistent with responsible serving of alcohol practices where advertising involves the inclusion of unlimited liquor within the entry price; and
- avoid sexual, degrading, sexist or gratuitously offensive images, symbols, figures and innuendo.
The importance of point-of-sale marketing has been described in one study as to "…grab [the customer's] attention and make them aware that a particular brand is just what they want"[38]. A US study found that around 60% of people in bars make their decision about what to drink after they arrive at a venue[39].
There is limited evidence of the effect of point-of-sale marketing in Australia. However, a US study of off-licensed venues, showed associations between higher binge-drinking rates and:
- (i) the availability of large volumes of beer;
- (ii) lower average prices for cartons of beer;
- (iii) interior and exterior advertising; and
- (iv) promotions such as volume discounts, advertised price specials, or coupons.
Higher binge drinking rates at on-licence venues are associated with:
- (i) lower prices for a single drink, pitcher or largest volume available;
- (ii) weekend beer specials; and
- (iii) the availability of promotions in the next 30 days[40].
A recent study also found "clear evidence of an association with adolescent drinking with weekly exposure to alcohol advertising in stores, and with ownership of alcohol promotional items"[41].
Alcohol marketing has moved beyond traditional media and now encompasses a multitude of channels and techniques, including electronic and emerging media, product designs and product placement. The ABAC states that its standards apply to:
...internet sites primarily intended for advertising developed by or for producers or importers of alcohol products available in Australia or that are reasonably expected to be made available in Australia, and to banner advertising of such products on third party sites[21].
Viral, experiential and surrogate marketing, and marketing in emerging media is virtually unregulated. Where regulation does exist (for example, the ABAC), its scope is limited and addresses alcohol advertising content, but not placement.
Evidence of an effect of below-the-line marketing on young people's alcohol consumption is limited. However, as Babor et al. point out, "the extent and breadth of research [on the effects of exposure to young people to alcohol marketing] … is consistent in showing effects with young people"[7]. It is reasonable to assume that below-the-line marketing techniques that use emerging media, viral campaigns and electronic technology, target and capture young people.
Cancer Council Australia's position
Cancer Council Australia supports increased restrictions on where, when and how alcohol can be marketed. Cancer Council Australia recommends introducing legislation to restrict alcohol advertising and sponsorship that either appeals, or is connected with content that appeals, to people under 25 in all media, and emphasises the importance of research into the impact of advertising and restrictions.
Cancer Council Australia supports advertising restrictions to greatly reduce the impact of alcohol marketing and its harmful effects on the population, particularly young people. Evidence indicates that alcohol advertising bans decrease alcohol consumption[42] and, in the Australian context, would be more cost-effective than current practices[43].
Advertising bans also have the potential to reduce harmful social costs of alcohol consumption such as motor vehicle fatality rates. Econometric modelling suggests that, if countries with no alcohol advertising restrictions implemented partial bans, alcohol consumption could be reduced by 16% and motor vehicle fatality rates by 10%. As Australia effectively has no advertising bans, there is the potential to save up to $5,150 m in terms of total social costs from alcohol abuse if Australia implemented a full alcohol advertising ban and up to $3,210 m for a partial ban. The estimated impact on social costs of alcohol-attributed road accidents is also significant with up to $1,210 m cost savings after the implementation of a full advertising ban and up to $470 m for the implementation of a partial ban[44].
Cancer Council Australia's position is consistent with the recommended action (3.1) in the 2009 National Preventative Health Taskforce Strategy that states:
The Commonwealth Government has the constitutional power to regulate alcohol advertising or to impose a code of conduct on the alcohol industry under the Trade Practices Act 1975 (Cth). As yet, the Government has failed to step in and enact legislation to restrict alcohol advertising. See the Government Taskforce on Industry Self-Regulation at for more information.
Cancer Council Australia is of the view that the Government's position on alcohol advertising regulatory reform cannot be maintained, particularly where research concludes that:
There is no evidence to support the effectiveness of industry self-regulatory codes, either as a means of limiting advertisements deemed unacceptable, or as a way of limiting alcohol consumption[7].
Cancer Council Australia emphasises the compelling need for strong action on alcohol advertising, which has been either self-regulated or unregulated for too long.
Definition of alcohol marketing and promotion
Cancer Council Australia adopts the definition of alcohol marketing as outlined in the WHO Global Alcohol Strategy and accordingly considers alcohol marketing and promotion to be "any form of commercial communication or message that is designed to increase, or has the effect of increasing, the recognition, appeal and/or consumption of particular products and services. It could comprise anything that acts to advertise or otherwise promote a product or service"[45].
Alcohol marketing can be roughly split into above-the-line (television, print, radio and outdoor) and below-the-line (point-of-sale and sponsorship) media, although in reality, alcohol marketing utilises a sophisticated combination of above- and below-the-line techniques, linking alcohol brands to sports and cultural activities, sponsorships and product placements, and new marketing techniques such as e-mails, SMS and podcasting, social media and other communication techniques[45].
Position statement details
This position statement was approved by the Public Health Committee in September 2010.
This position statement is based on the Marketing and Advertising of Alcohol position statement developed by the Alcohol Policy Coalition, a coalition of health agencies consisting of Cancer Council Victoria, VicHealth, Australian Drug Foundation and Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 National Preventative Health Taskforce. Australia: the healthiest country by 2020. National preventative health strategy – the roadmap for action. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2009 Jun 30 Available from: http://www.preventativehealth.org.au/internet/preventativehealth/publishing.nsf/Content/nphs-roadmap/$File/nphs-roadmap.pdf.
- ↑ World Health Organization. The world health report 2002 - Reducing risks, promoting healthy life. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 2002 Jan Available from: http://www.who.int/whr/2002/en/.
- ↑ World Cancer Research Fund, American Institute for Cancer Research. Food, nutrition, physical activity, and the prevention of cancer: a global perspective. Washington DC: AICR; 2007.
- ↑ World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. Volume 44. Alcohol drinking. Summary of data reported and evaluation. Lyon, France: IARC; 1988 Available from: http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol44/volume44.pdf.
- ↑ Munro G, de Wever J. Culture clash: alcohol marketing and public health aspirations. Drug Alcohol Rev 2008 Mar;27(2):204-11 Abstract available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18264884.
- ↑ Casswell S, Maxwell A. Regulation of alcohol marketing: a global view. J Public Health Policy 2005 Sep;26(3):343-58 Abstract available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16167561.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Babor T, Caetano R, Casswell S, Edwards G, Giesbrecht N, Graham K, et al. Alcohol: No ordinary commodity - research and public policy. Second Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2010.
- ↑ Carroll T, Stewart C, King E, Taylor J. Consistency of alcohol advertising and promotion on the internet with the revised alcohol beverage advertising code. Sydney: Research and Marketing Group, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing; 2005 Oct Available from: http://www.alcohol.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/963E09FFE16AEF1ECA2571E3001F0EDD/$File/consistent-internet.pdf.
- ↑ Collins DJ, Lapsley HM. The costs of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug abuse to Australian society in 2004/05. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2008 Available from: http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/Content/mono64/$File/mono64.pdf.
- ↑ Coulson EN, Moran JR, Nelson JP. The long-run demand for alcoholic beverages and the advertising debate: A cointegration analysis. In: Baye M, Maxwell J. Advertising and differentiated products, Advances in applied microeconomics, Volume 10. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited; 2001.
- ↑ Saffer H, Dave D. Alcohol advertising and alcohol consumption by adolescents. Health Econ 2006 Jun;15(6):617-37 Abstract available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16475245.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Roche AM, Bywood PT, Borlagdan J, Lunnay B, Freeman T, Lawton L, et al. Young people and alcohol: the role of cultural influences. Adelaide: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, DrinkWise Australia Ltd; 2007 Available from: http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/files/8512/5548/2802/EN360.pdf.
- ↑ Smith LA, Foxcroft DR. The effect of alcohol advertising, marketing and portrayal on drinking behaviour in young people: systematic review of prospective cohort studies. BMC Public Health 2009 Feb 6;9:51 Abstract available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19200352.
- ↑ Snyder LB, Milici FF, Slater M, Sun H, Strizhakova Y. Effects of alcohol advertising exposure on drinking among youth. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2006 Jan;160(1):18-24 Abstract available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16389206.
- ↑ Connolly GM, Casswell S, Zhang JF, Silva PA. Alcohol in the mass media and drinking by adolescents: a longitudinal study. Addiction 1994 Oct;89(10):1255-63 Abstract available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7804086.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Alcohol Education & Research Council. Alcohol Concern. Not in front of the children – Child protection and advertising. An investigation by Alcohol Concern. London: AERC; 2007 Jul Available from: http://alcoholresearchuk.org/downloads/finalReports/AERC_FinalReport_0057.pdf.
- ↑ Fleming K, Thorson E, Atkin CK. Alcohol advertising exposure and perceptions: links with alcohol expectancies and intentions to drink or drinking in underaged youth and young adults. J Health Commun 2004 Jan;9(1):3-29 Abstract available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14761831.
- ↑ Loxley W, Toumbourou JW, Stockwell T, Haines B, Scott K, Godfrey C, et al. The prevention of substance use, risk and harm in Australia: a review of the evidence. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing; 2004 Jan Available from: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-publicat-document-mono_prevention-cnt.htm/$FILE/mono_prevention.pdf.
- ↑ Fan AZ, Russell M, Stranges S, Dorn J, Trevisan M. Association of lifetime alcohol drinking trajectories with cardiometabolic risk. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008 Jan;93(1):154-61 Abstract available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18029458.
- ↑ Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code Management Committee. The ABAC Scheme - Signatories to the Scheme. [homepage on the internet] Stirling, South Australia: ABAC; 2010 Available from: http://www.abac.org.au/about/signatories-to-the-scheme.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code Management Committee. Alcohol beverages advertising code. Stirling, South Australia: ABAC; 2007 Available from: http://www.abac.org.au/uploads/File/ABAC%20Code%20(October%202007).pdf.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Munro G. Advertising alcohol: when the best isn't good enough. Of Substance 2006 Apr;4(2):12-3.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 AdNews. Special report: Australia's top advertisers. Surry Hills, NSW: AdNews; 2009.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Australian Communications and Media Authority. Commercial television industry code of practice. Canberra: ACMA; 2010 Available from: http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/aba/contentreg/codes/television/documents/2010-commercial_tv_industry_code_of_practice.pdf.
- ↑ Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 2010 National drug strategy household survey report. Canberra: AIHW; 2011 Jul. Report No.: Drug statistics series no. 25. Cat. no. PHE 145. Available from: http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10737421139&libID=10737421138.
- ↑ Australian Communications and Media Authority. Children's viewing patterns on commercial, free-to-air and subscription television: Reporting analysing audience and ratings data for 2001, 2005 and 2006. Melbourne, Victoria: ACMA; 2007 May Available from: http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/_assets/main/lib310132/childrens_viewing_patterns.pdf.
- ↑ King E, Taylor J, Carroll T. Australian alcohol beverage advertising in mainstream Australian media 2003 to 2005: Expenditure, exposure and related issues. Canberra: Research and Marketing Group, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing; 2005.
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association. ASTRA codes of practice 2007: Australian subscription broadcast television. Artarmon, NSW: ASTRA; 2007 Available from: http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/aba/contentreg/codes/television/documents/stbcodesofpractice2007.pdf.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 Outdoor Media Association Inc. OMA alcohol advertising guidelines. Woolloomooloo, NSW: OMAI; 2009 Mar.
- ↑ Pasch KE, Komro KA, Perry CL, Hearst MO, Farbakhsh K. Outdoor alcohol advertising near schools: what does it advertise and how is it related to intentions and use of alcohol among young adolescents? J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2007 Jul;68(4):587-96 Abstract available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17568965.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Publishers Advertising Advisory Bureau Australia. Guiding principle for alcohol beverage advertising. Gordon, NSW: PAABA; Available from: http://www.publishersbureau.com.au/resources/pdf/PAAB%20-%20Alcohol%20Advertising%20Guidelines.pdf.
- ↑ Jernigan DH. The extent of global alcohol marketing and its impact on youth. Contemporary Drug Problems 2010;37(1):57.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Buchanan DR, Lev J. Beer and fast cars: How brewers target blue-collar youth through motor sports sponsorship. Washington DC: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety; 1989.
- ↑ Lee J. Alcohol empire strikes back. Sydney: Sydney Morning Herald; 2008 Mar 15 Available from: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/alcohol-empire-strikes-back/2008/03/14/1205472088601.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1.
- ↑ Jones SC. An unhealthy co-dependence: The relationship between alcohol sponsorship and cricket in Australia In: Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy. Proceedings of the Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy (ANZMAC) Conference. 2007 Dec 3-5; Dunedin, New Zealand. Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy Conference; 2007. p. 2796-802. Available from: http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1059&context=hbspapers.
- ↑ Jones S, Phillipson L, Lynch M. Alcohol and sport: Can we have one without the other? In: Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy. Proceedings of the Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy (ANZMAC) Conference. 2006 Dec 4-6; Brisbane. Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy; 2006 Available from: http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1081&context=hbspapers.
- ↑ O'Brien KS, Kypri K. Alcohol industry sponsorship and hazardous drinking among sportspeople. Addiction 2008 Dec;103(12):1961-6 Abstract available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19469738.
- ↑ Solley S. Point of purchase: Stand out in the pub. Marketing 2000 Sep 21 Abstract available at http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/71602/POINT-PURCHASE-Stand-pub---Sam-Solley-discovers-POP-material-push-drink-consumers--minds-enter-bar?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH.
- ↑ Brabbs D. Bottled beverages battle to stand out - Alcohol brands are using design to make an impact in a cluttered bar. Marketing 2002 Feb 28 Abstract available at http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/139099/DESIGN-Bottled-beverages-battle-stand---Alcohol-brands-areusing-design-impact-cluttered-bar/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH.
- ↑ Kuo M, Wechsler H, Greenberg P, Lee H. The marketing of alcohol to college students: the role of low prices and special promotions. Am J Prev Med 2003 Oct;25(3):204-11 Abstract available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14507526.
- ↑ Hurtz SQ, Henriksen L, Wang Y, Feighery EC, Fortmann SP. The relationship between exposure to alcohol advertising in stores, owning alcohol promotional items, and adolescent alcohol use. Alcohol Alcohol 2007 Mar;42(2):143-9 Abstract available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17218364.
- ↑ Saffer H, Dave D. Alcohol consumption and alcohol advertising bans. Applied Economics, Taylor and Francis Journals 2002;34(11):1325-34.
- ↑ Doran C, Vos T, Cobiac L, Hall W, Asamoah I, Wallace A, et al. Identifying cost-effective interventions to reduce the burden of harm associated with alcohol misuse in Australia. Brisbane: The University of Queensland; 2008. Sponsored by Alcohol Education Rehabilitation Foundation. Available from: http://fare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Identifying-Cost-effective-Interventions-to-Reduce-the-Burden-of-Alcohol-Harm.pdf.
- ↑ Collins D, Lapsley H. The avoidable costs of alcohol abuse in Australia and the potential benefits of effective policies to reduce the social costs of alcohol. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2008. Report No.: Monograph Series No. 70. Available from: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/Content/0A14D387E42AA201CA2574B3000028A8/$File/mono70.pdf.
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 World Health Organization. Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 2010 Available from: http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/msbalcstragegy.pdf.


text:
(Review) Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan leaves me...very VOCAL!
Goodreads Summary:
Kami Glass loves someone she's never met . . . a boy she's talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn't silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn't suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.
But all that changes when the Lynburns return.
The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she's determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?
I am hysterical. This is a gush fest. You should probably go find a boat now so you can survive the ocean of adoration this review might possibly become.
Before reading this book:
ME: Oh, look. Nice cover. Wonder, wonder…
REST OF THE BOOK-BLOGGERS: Read Unspoken! Read Unspoken!
ME: Meh, it's just going to be typical YA.
REST OF THE BOOK BLOGGERS: Jared is hot! We love Jared! Kami is awesome! We love Kami!
ME: Meh. See what I mean?
REST OF THE BOOK-BLOGGERS: Unspoken is funny! Hilarious! Imaginary friends!
ME: Funny? Did you say funny? And imaginary friends? Ok- I love imaginary friends. Did you guys ever watch this cartoon show called Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends? I love that show. I'll show you a screenshot. The little blue thing is imaginary, and his name is Blue.
This is all completely unrelated to the book, of course, but hey.
This is all completely unrelated to the book, of course, but hey.
Anyways. You win, big bad book-blogging world. I'll take my chances with Unspoken, though I've never read a Sarah Rees Brennan book before (except her short story, "Let's Get This Undead Show on The Road" which was really, really strange) and I loathe love triangles so much that I want to kill them all dead. Die, love triangles! DIE!
"One of the lambs fixed its attention on Jared. "Baa," it flirted.
"Boo," said Jared."Oh my God, Jared. Don't tough talk the lambs.""It was giving me a funny look."
ME: Hee, I love Jared. That's new in a YA book, me actually loving a leather jacket-wearing delinquent hero. Now let me call BEST FRIEND and gush.
ME: It's funny! The world is brighter because Unspoken is so funny! Kami is a fun heroine. Ten and Tomo, her brothers, are adorable. Angela and Holly, her best friends, aren't cardboard. So maybe the plot is a bit silly and kind of whatever…still. You have to read this!
BEST FRIEND: Why the hell are you texting me at midnight about some random book? But I'll run along and get the iBook right now since you're always so awesome…
ME: I know, I know.
(Okay, that didn't actually happen- no proof- but we're in each others' heads all the time…)
BEST FRIEND promptly becomes silent, withdrawing into reading-mode.
"Why are you putting on lip gloss, my daughter?" Dad asked. "Trip to the library? Trip to the nunnery? I hear the nunneries are nice this time of the year."
BEST FRIEND: WHaaaaaaa.
ME: What?
BEST FRIEND (sobs uncontrollably): WHAT's WITH THE ENDING? I HATE YOU FOR MAKING ME READ THIS BOOK! NOW I HAVE TO WAIT TILL…TILL…oh, forever, since the next book isn't even titled yet…
(BEST FRIEND has serious problems waiting on sequels to arrive)
ME: Yeah, I know, what's with the ending?
BEST FRIEND: WHaaaaaaa.
ME: It was funny, though. You have to admit that.
BEST FRIEND: Sob. Sob. Go away. Sob. Call me when the sequel comes out.
"Looks like an octopus made of smoke," she said, and gave him a shiver of a smile."I was feeling like a pretty badass sorcerer until you said that," Jared told her.
So Unspoken is funny. That's what you probably gathered from all the crazy-talk above. Kami is fun, Jared is fun, and the secondary characters are all amazing. You've probably gathered that too. My best friend does not like waiting for sequels, and if you haven't gathered that, that's okay. That's lateral. We can still be friends.
Unspoken basically takes place in an invented town named Sorry-in-the-Vale somewhere in "Oxfordshire. Gloucestershire. Some place ending in 'shire.'" The Lynburns have lorded over Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries, but before intrepid journalist Kami Glass was born, they left town. Now they're back.
Kami Glass has been talking to an imaginary friend inside her head for years. The boy, Jared, is her closest companion. They're like two halves of a whole, and although she pretends he's real, she kind of knows he isn't.
Until he appears in flesh. He's Jared Lynburn, the delinquent son of Rosalind Lynburn, twin sister to the mistress of Sorry-in-the-Vale, Lillian Lynburn.
And suddenly, Kami's world is tipped upside down.
Because, imagine yourself in her shoes. Your every secret, every joy, every sadness, every triumph has been shared with a boy you never thought would be real. He knows you as well as you do. He sees inside you. He's a safe presence, like a diary, because he could never hurt her in any way. He's imaginary. But then, suddenly, he's not.
I loved that Jared and Kami both react to this situation in different ways. Jared is desperate and lonely, and losing Kami is unthinkable to him. He wants her to be happy that he is real. To both of them, they are each other's most important person, but for Jared, Kami is the only thing that matters- unlike Kami, who does have other people to love her. He immediately cottons on to the idea of them being "soulmates," a tried and tested YA cliché that Brennan gleefully leaves in the dust, but Kami is not a TSTL heroine who'd gush and follow Jared in whatever he does. She wants to get to the bottom of it all. She's not ready to easily accept Jared's corporeality and his individuality. It's complicated for her.
I loved how difficult it was for Kami and Jared when they actually meet; I loved that they kept contrasting the ease of being imaginary to each other and being two different people.
Unspoken never veered too much into the territory of romance. There are hints, yes, but the romance didn't kill the plot.
It is the plot that I have to frown at, a bit.
It's not a, "I'm blown away" kind of plot. Its more "all the characters are running around doing strange things and I'm laughing at the jokes" kind of thing. I saw the twists coming. I didn't truly get what kind of magic the Lynburns can use. I got confused by the Henry Thornton character. The villains weren't creepy enough, and the occurrences in Sorry-in-the-Vale wasn't scary enough. It was simple, fun, the kind of plot you can shrug at and say "Okay, interesting."
It's not a, "I'm blown away" kind of plot. Its more "all the characters are running around doing strange things and I'm laughing at the jokes" kind of thing. I saw the twists coming. I didn't truly get what kind of magic the Lynburns can use. I got confused by the Henry Thornton character. The villains weren't creepy enough, and the occurrences in Sorry-in-the-Vale wasn't scary enough. It was simple, fun, the kind of plot you can shrug at and say "Okay, interesting."
<spoiler> Why the hell did it take Jared's group so long to get to Kami in the end when it took him only seconds to find her in the well? It was much annoying. I no like. I also got confused by who was doing what at the end. Where did Rosalind come from? Where was she in the first place? And I don't get Lillian. Or Ash. And I don't like them either</end of spoiler>
Only the end was kind of like kicking a sad, sweet puppy. My heart hurt a little. So did best friend's.
All in all, for making me laugh, and for being so adorably quirky, 4 gold glowing stars. Seriously.
One last funny quote? Awesome. All right, here we go:
"Is this true, Kami? Are you going out on a date?" Dad asked tragically. "Wearing that? Wouldn't you fancy a shapeless cardigan instead? You rock a shapeless cardigan, honey."